Eurogrip Tyres Signs M S Dhoni As Brand Ambassador Across India

* This partnership further strengthens Eurogrip Tyres’ positioning as the Bike Tyre Specialist  

 Eurogrip Tyres, India’s leading 2, 3-wheeler and off-highway tyre brand, has signed up legendary cricketer M S Dhoni as its brand ambassador. Known for his dependability, performance and passion for riding, M S Dhoni’s values resonate with Eurogrip Tyres’ vision of empowering riders with control and confidence on every journey. Eurogrip Tyres and M S Dhoni come together and embark on a new journey, MSD will be endorsing Brand Eurogrip and the entire range of products in the portfolio.

Sharing his thoughts, M S Dhoni, said, “Being associated with a brand like Eurogrip is truly exciting as this is a category that is very close to my heart. My love for motorcycles and riding began long before my cricketing journey, and over the years, I have had the chance to ride a variety of bikes – from timeless classics to top-of-the-line superbikes. Choosing the right tyres is essential for a safe and enjoyable ride and Eurogrip Tyres’ expertise in this domain stands out. I am looking forward to this exciting journey with Eurogrip.”

“We are delighted to welcome M S Dhoni, a personality who truly embodies Eurogrip Tyres’ core values of reliability and performance,” said P Madhavan, EVP, Marketing & Sales, TVS Srichakra Ltd.  “MSD perfectly complements our commitment to delivering innovative tyre solutions for the new age riders.  This collaboration is a milestone in our brand journey, as we continue to offer world-class products and elevate riding experiences across diverse segments”.    

With over 4 decades of expertise in tyre design and manufacturing, Eurogrip Tyres offers an extensive range of products to suit varying needs and applications, with best in category warranty and after sales service. Eurogrip Tyres’ products are designed in Milan, Italy and are globally tested and certified.

All-New 3rd Generation Honda Amaze Makes Its Global Debut In India

* An OUTCLASS compact sedan for Style, Safety, Connectivity, Drive and Comfort

* Launched at an Introductory price range of Rs 7,99,900 – Rs. 10,89,900 (ex-showroom, Delhi); valid till 45 days from launch

* Most affordable ADAS enabled car in India

* Available in feature packed 3 trim levels- V, VX and ZX and 6 colour options

* E-20 compliant 1.2L 4 cylinder i-VTEC Petrol Engine paired with CVT with Paddle Shift and 5 speed Manual Transmission offering best in segment driveability

 28+ features for Active and Passive Safety including SEGMENT FIRST ADAS technology of Honda SENSING, LaneWatch Camera TM. Six Airbags standard across variants

* Connected car experience via Honda Connect with Best in Segment Free 5 Year Subscription

Honda Cars India Ltd. (HCIL), a leading manufacturer of premium cars in India unveiled and launched its much-awaited all-new 3rd Generation “Honda Amaze”. This marks the global debut of the new generation Amaze in India, a key market for Honda globally and the first country to launch the new model. The all-new Amaze will be available at an introductory price range of Rs 7,99,900 – Rs. 10,89,900 (ex-showroom, Delhi); valid till 45 days from launch.

The stylish and premium compact sedan has been designed to offer an OUTCLASS and delightful sedan experience that meets the aspirations of young as well as family-oriented users who are looking to step up in every aspect of life. The all-new Amaze has been developed by Honda R&D Asia Pacific Center, located in Thailand under the grand concept of 'Elite Booster Sedan’ reflecting Honda’s vision of empowering users to express their success and sophistication, take pride in their achievements and confidently display their elevated social status.

With its solid 3-box design, the Amaze offers a true sedan shape that reflects a higher class while remaining under 4 meters long. It embodies the key elements of being ‘Progressive’ and ‘Classy’, offering an OUTCLASS premium experience with its Sporty Exterior Design, Sophisticated & Spacious Interior, Peace of mind from Advanced Safety technology & features, and Comfortable Reliable ride.

In line with Honda’s commitment to safety and its global vision to realise Zero traffic collision fatalities involving Honda vehicles by 2050, the all-new Amaze comes equipped with Segment First - Honda SENSING Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS), making Amaze the most affordable ADAS equipped passenger car in India.

The Amaze is the entry model for Honda in India and since its first launch in 2013, it has demonstrated Honda’s strength in the compact sedan category earning the trust of over 5.8 lakh customers spread across the country.

Speaking about the all-new Amaze, Mr. Takuya Tsumura, President & CEO, Honda Cars India Ltd. said “We are thrilled to present the all-new Amaze – a sedan that is set to outclass in all parameters of Styling, Safety, Connectivity, Drive and Comfort. The Amaze has always held a special place in the hearts of Indian customers, and this new generation model reflects our commitment to meeting their evolving needs. We are confident that this new Amaze will set new standards and continue to strengthen Honda’s legacy in India. For the first time in this segment, we are delighted to bring Honda SENSING, our advanced suite of safety and driver assistive technologies, to the Amaze. With this application, we now have ADAS technology introduced in all models of our India line up and Honda Amaze is the most affordable ADAS enabled car in India.”

Detailed Information for All-New Amaze

1 OUTCLASS EXTERIOR

The New Amaze is designed under the styling concept of 'Iconic Lights & Impactful Strong Face'. The exterior reflects Honda’s "Sporty, Protective, and Progressive" design with a wide bold stance, impactful front fascia, and strong shoulder line giving the Amaze a genuine compact sedan proportion, enhancing both confidence and safety. The wide, robust front and strong bumper creates a bold and confident appearance. Its sleek profile is highlighted by extended lines from the grille to the DRLs, complemented by character line that flows seamlessly towards the rear. Advanced and Distinctive LED headlights and taillights add a modern, iconic touch. The higher beltline, achieved through a balanced body-to-cabin ratio, adds a sportier feel with a low center of gravity, even within a vehicle length of less than 4 meters.

2. OUTCLASS INTERIOR, COMFORT AND CONVENIENCE

Designed with the styling concept of "Elite Boost Up Interior - Class Up Sedan", the all-new Amaze emphasizes 3 key elements - Progressive (Boost your status), Refresh (Boost your energy), and Agility (Boost your confidence), boasting top-class comfort in the passenger room with its spacious and comfortable cabin. The instrument panel and door lines now feature straight, integrated flow lines, creating a wide and sleek architecture. A series of enhancements like flat and unobstructed design of the horizontal instrument panel have significantly improved visibility from inside the car and increased adaptability to various driving conditions in India. Additionally, refined design elements have been incorporated to enhance the premium and secure feel of the interior space.

3. OUTCLASS PERFORMACE

Aligned with Honda’s global direction of “Enjoy the Drive”, the all-new Amaze is also developed to achieve comfort-balanced target performance adapted to the road environment, characteristics and scenarios common in the Asian region. The dynamic performance concept is refined to fit the sedan’s identity providing greater handling, stability, comfortable ride, and stability.

Powered by an E20 compliant 1.2L 4 Cylinder i-VTEC SOHC petrol engine, the all-new Amaze is available with both CVT and 5-speed Manual Transmission options. With either option, this well-balanced engine delivers high fuel efficiency and excellent driving performance.

The new fuel injection-ECU enables the engine to communicate with the vehicle and control Honda SENSING technologies.

The Chassis, equipped with a MacPherson Strut Front Suspension and High-Torsional rigidity & light weight Torsion Beam Rear suspension, is engineered to provide enhanced comfort and stability. Combined with Advanced Braking Systems and precise EPS (Electric Power Steering), the Amaze delivers better controllability, steering and manoeuvrability.

The Air Condition system, by using a bigger blower motor and applying rear AC vents, ensures faster cabin cooling performance (5% faster for front seat and 45% faster for rear seat), especially for rear passenger comfort during heavy traffic congestion and high temperature environment.

For better NVH (Noise, Vibration, and Harshness) performance in the all-new Amaze, engine noise, road noise, and soundproofing have been improved to balance noise reduction, minimize vibration transfer, and provide a more comfortable ride.

4. OUTCLASS CONNECTIVITY

The all-new Amaze features intelligent telematics technology with Honda Connect offering 37+ highly useful features and comes with Industry best 5-year complimentary subscription. Honda Connect works with smart watch devices (Apple Watch OS 4 above & Android Wear OS 2.0 and above) and Alexa remote capability.

5. OUTCLASS SAFETY

In line with Honda's global vision to achieve zero traffic collision fatalities involving Honda vehicles by 2050, the all-new Honda Amaze incorporates Honda’s global safety standards, offering 28+ advanced active and passive safety features.

The First in Segment application of Honda SENSING – Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) technologies uses a high performance front wide-view camera with far reaching detection system to scan the road ahead recognizing road lines, road boundaries (such as curbs, etc.) and detect other objects (such as preceding motorcycles, bicycles, pedestrians (etc.) in both day and nighttime.  This system alerts the driver to minimize the risk of accidents and, in some cases, intervene to avoid or lessen the severity of a collision. Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Road Departure Mitigation (RDM), Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS), Lead Car Departure Notification (LCDN) and Auto High-Beam (AHB) are the signature features of Honda SENSING.

6. GRADE AND COLOUR  

The all-new 3rd Generation Amaze is available in 3 feature packed trim levels – V, VX and ZX with Manual Transmission and CVT. The exterior colour lineup consists of 6 colours - Obsidian Blue Pearl (New), Radiant Red Metallic, Platinum White Pearl, Golden Brown Metallic, Meteoroid Gray Metallic and Lunar Silver Metallic.

7. OUTCLASS ACCESSORIES

All-New Honda Amaze comes with an exhaustive line up of Accessories. Customers will be able to purchase high value accessories like Rhythmic Ambient Light (7 colours), Ventilated Seat Top Cover with Massager in Beige and Black options, Front Parking Sensor, Trunk Spoiler with LED, DVR & TPMS linked to H-Connect, Dual Charger A & C Type etc at all our dealerships. Additionally, to give customization choice to customers, 2 Exciting Packages have been introduced: Signature Package – providing a premium exterior appearance with Chrome Garnishes and Utility Package – To provide enhanced protection. In total, Amaze will have 38+ accessory items on offer.

8 OUTCLASS ASSURANCE

The all-new Honda Amaze will offer complete peace of mind with 3 years of unlimited kilometres warranty as standard benefit to the customers. The customers can also opt for Best in Industry Extended warranty up to 7 years for Unlimited Kilometres, Anytime warranty up to 10 years and Road Side Assistance from the date of the car purchase. 

Introductory Price in INR (Ex-Showroom Delhi):

All-New 3rd Generation                         

Honda Amaze                                          V                                VX                                       ZX

MT                                                        799,900                         909,900                               969,900

CVT                                                       919,900                          999,900                              1,089,900

Photo Caption: Kunal Behl, Vice President - Marketing & Sales, Honda Cars India Ltd; Takuya Tsumura, President & CEO, Honda Cars India Ltd; Ryuto Shimizu, Director - Marketing & Sales, Honda Cars India Ltd; and Peerachet T, Product Development Team representative for the All-New Amaze from Honda R&D Asia Pacific at the global debut of the All-New 3rd Generation "Honda Amaze" in India.

Artificial Intelligence & Technology Forecast For 2025 From Atlassian

By Jamil Valliani, Head of Product, AI, Atlassian

“2025 will be the year of the AI agent. As agents grow richer in interactivity and start to reach across more than just text and into audio and visual elements, they will bring about a powerful cultural shift in how humans collaborate with AI. Agents are already quite good at augmenting and accelerating our work — in the next year, they will get even better at performing highly specific tasks, taking specialized actions, and integrating across products, all with humans in the loop.

I’m most excited to see agents becoming exponentially more sophisticated in how they can collaborate with teams to handle complex tasks. Agents are benefitting from rapidly evolving foundation models, reasoning over increasingly rich data sets, and gaining the ability to take more actions. These advancements will not only yield better results when handling tasks but also allow the agent to continually learn and handle increasingly complex problems, much like a human teammate or collaborator might. Our relationship with them will evolve, and we'll see new forms of collaboration and communication on teams develop.”

Joe Thomas, Head of Product Management, Loom

“As we approach 2025, I predict that teams will fully embrace asynchronous work as the foundation for AI-driven collaboration. Companies will recognize the immense value of high-fidelity, documented contexts—especially through asynchronous video—which AI can index and convert to other formats in powerful ways. We'll see a surge in content transformation from video to metadata and text, with AI agents converting these inputs into efficient workflows and actionable insights. Video recording will be increasingly leveraged as a powerful and efficient documentation mechanism, with individuals and teams increasingly trusting AI to help package the most effective note possible, whether it is to other teammates or to AI agents to get work done on the team’s behalf. This shift to asynchronous work will empower measurable productivity gains, both to solve for human-oriented constraints of time zones or schedules and human-AI collaboration.”

Turtlemint Reports 200% Growth In Motor Insurance Policies During Festive Season FY’25

Turtlemint, a leading InsurTech platform, has experienced exponential growth driven by a surge in its motor insurance business during the festive season of FY’25. The company has issued over 4 lakh motor insurance policies through its extensive network of insurance advisors, marking an almost 200% increase in sales compared to the same period last year.

According to Turtlemint’s data for FY25, the period starting from August to October has resulted in an increase in the total premium for motor insurance by 2.3 times from last year. A deeper dive into the data reveals that Tier 2 and 3 cities have emerged as a critical growth engine, contributing more than 90% to the number of policies sold and the premium amount.

The festival season, known for record vehicle sales fueled by discounts and offers, coincides with a sharp rise in motor insurance purchases as well. According to FADA data,  India witnessed a 19%* YoY surge in automotive retail sales in 2023, fueling an equally strong demand for motor insurance. Turtlemint, leveraging its advisor network and digital reach, capitalized on this festive momentum by ensuring customers across India were well-covered, especially in semi-urban and rural markets.

Tier 2 & 3 Cities Becoming Key Growth Markets

The significant rise in policies sold in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities signals that these regions are becoming crucial growth areas for motor insurance, driven by increasing vehicle ownership and greater awareness of the importance of insurance. Turtlemint’s strategic focus on expanding its advisor network in these regions, coupled with its digital-first approach, is positioning the company to tap into this untapped market potential.

Dhirendra Mahyavanshi, Co-founder & CEO of Turtlemint, commented: "The festive season is always a critical time for vehicle sales, and this year we’ve seen a remarkable increase in motor insurance policies on our platform. India’s insurance sector is on a growth trajectory, with motor insurance being a substantial contributor. We are already witnessing a YoY growth of 85% in our motor policy sales.”

With our digital-first approach and expansive insurer network, Turtlemint is well-positioned to support insurance advisors to meet the rising demand and provide financial security to vehicle owners nationwide. As the season progresses, we anticipate continued momentum, especially through the year-end, supported by strong vehicle sales and our ability to scale rapidly across regions.

For advisors looking to tap into this growing market, the opportunity to sell motor insurance has never been bigger. With Turtlemint’s strong presence and support, advisors can maximize their potential and help more customers protect their vehicles.

Retail Ecosystem Gets A Boost With Coca-Cola’s Cutting-Edge Solutions

As India charts its path to become $35 trillion, fully developed economy by 2047, the non-alcoholic beverage sector continues to remain a contributor, providing value addition to the nation's economic growth through effective retail networks and consumer-focused strategies.

Within this context, Coca-Cola India is strengthening the country's retail ecosystem by equipping retailers nationwide with innovative cooling solutions. In addition, with a focus on empowering retailers amidst a rapidly evolving retail landscape, Coca-Cola’s Super Power Retailer Program equips small and medium-sized retailers with resources to improve consumer experience and boost their business growth.

Boosting Retail Revenue with increased Reach and Consumer Engagement

Coca-Cola India’s coolers have become increasingly common to retail fronts across the country, enhancing consumer access to chilled beverages while boosting retailer revenue. Integrated with technologically advanced inventory management features, enabling retailers to manage stock effortlessly. By increasing product visibility and ensuring a refreshing experience for every consumer, the company reinforces its commitment to making beverages easily accessible in every corner of India.

Supporting Retail Growth with the Super Power Retailer Program

Launched in collaboration with the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), the Super Power Retailer Program is a cornerstone of Coca-Cola India’s retailer empowerment strategy. Through the program, kirana shop owners gain valuable skills in product display, customer engagement, and sales strategies—enhancing their business prospects and enriching customer experience. As e-commerce and q-commerce shift the market, the Super Power Retailer Program ensures kiranas remain competitive and relevant to thrive in this shifting environment. According to the ICRIER report (released in 2023 and 2024), the non-alcoholic beverage sector is contributing significantly to the Indian economy in terms of value addition and job creation. Coca-Cola India is supporting over 45 lakh retailer livelihoods, both directly and indirectly. The retailers report that coolers have boosted sales by attracting more customers, allowing greater product availability and longevity while offering a refreshing experience to consumers.

Sundeep Bajoria, Vice President of India Operations at Coca?Cola India said, “Our approach to cooler technology is about creating long term, scalable platform for retail growth. From tech-driven cooler models to advanced retail programs, with every step, Coca-Cola India is constantly innovating to create a resilient ecosystem. We’re committed to the future of retail by ensuring kiranas remain integral, profitable players in a new era of commerce.”

Extending Retail Innovation with Coke Buddy

Building on this vision, the Coke Buddy initiative brings tech-driven solutions directly to kiranas. Serving retailers 24/7, the platform empowered by AI-driven insights and streamlined processes, offers a more personalized and seamless shopping experience. This elevated level of service has transformed this journey deepening the bond between Coca-Cola India and its consumers.

It is essential to leverage the nation's strengths, adopt best practices, and drive innovation across the industry. With its commitment to innovation and focus on strengthening the retail value chain, Coca-Cola India aligns with the Government of India’s vision of Viksit Bharat, paving the way for shared progress. 

About Coca-Cola:

Coca-Cola in India is one of the country’s leading beverage companies, offering a range of high-quality and refreshing beverage options to consumers. The company, in line with its vision of ‘Beverages For Life’ offers a wide portfolio of products which includes hydration, sports, sparkling, coffee, tea, nutrition, juice and dairy based products. In India its beverage range includes Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, Diet Coke, Thums Up, Charged by Thums Up, Fanta, Limca, Sprite, Maaza, Minute Maid range of juices and Honest Tea. The Company also offers hydration beverages including Limca GlucoCharge, Smartwater, Kinley, Dasani and Bonaqua packaged drinking water and Kinley Club Soda. Premium products constitute Schweppes and Smartwater. In addition, it offers a Costa Coffee range of tea and coffee. The Company is constantly transforming its portfolio, from reducing sugar in its drinks to bringing innovative new products to market.

The Company along with its owned bottling operations and franchise bottling partners has a strong network of close to 4 million retail outlets through which it refreshes millions of consumers across the country. It seeks to positively impact people’s lives, communities and the planet through water replenishment, packaging recycling, sustainable agriculture initiatives and carbon emission reductions across its value chain.

Globally together with its bottling partners, The Coca-Cola Company employs more than 700,000 people, helping to bring economic opportunity to local communities worldwide. Learn more at http://www.cocacolacompany.com and follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.

“The Best Time To Start Retirement Planning Is Now”, Says HDFC Life’s Latest Campaign

HDFC Life, one of India’s leading insurers, has unveiled its latest campaign focused on the critical need for timely retirement planning. The growing elderly population in India coupled with rising life expectancy due to advancements in healthcare and improved standards of living, makes retirement planning imperative.

With individuals projected to require 30 years of income post-retirement by 2050*, early and strategic retirement planning is essential. Despite recognising the importance of starting early, many Indians face a significant gap between intent and action. Alarmingly, 90% of individuals, above the age of 50 years, regret having delayed their retirement planning**.

HDFC Life’s latest campaign highlights a common barrier leading to postponement of retirement planning. Parents usually prioritise financial commitments such as home loan repayments, children’s education, or immediate family needs over their own retirement planning. This postponement diminishes the retirement corpus, as late planning offers limited time for wealth accumulation.

HDFC Life’s new campaign leverages a relatable milestone – a child’s departure for college - as a pivotal moment for parents to begin their retirement planning journey. The campaign aims to create awareness about the need to secure one’s financial future while balancing familial responsibilities.

Speaking about the campaign, Vishal Subharwal – Group Head Strategy & Chief Marketing Officer - HDFC Life said, “The risk of outliving one’s savings is one of the biggest concerns that individuals face during their lifetime. The solution lies in starting retirement planning early to harness the power of compounding. Very often, in India, this is postponed by individuals until their children’s future is secured. Our main message through this campaign is that an individual needs to start planning early for their golden years and the best time is now.”

Adding further, Vikram Pandey – Chief Creative Officer Leo Burnett, South Asia said, “Often it isn’t until their mid fifties that people realise they haven’t planned enough for their retirement, and then it gets too late. In this campaign for HDFC Life, through the story of the couple who are transitioning to a new phase in life as they deal with an empty nest, we wanted to reiterate that this is also a time to shift your financial priorities, as you set your sights toward retirement and funding the next chapter of your life. And who better than HDFC Life to plan this with.”

The campaign has been launched across diverse platforms, including television, digital, and other mass media, ensuring maximum reach and impact.

HDFC Life continues to advocate for financial literacy and awareness, emphasising the importance of proactive retirement planning in today’s dynamic economic landscape.

MAHE Achieves Landmark FWCI Of 1.5, Reflecting Global Research Excellence

Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) is proud to announce that its Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) has soared past the 1.5 mark, a monumental achievement that underscores the institution's growing influence in global research. This milestone represents a significant leap from an FWCI of 0.53 in 2020, showcasing the relentless dedication, cutting-edge research, and collaborative spirit of MAHE’s scholarly community.

The FWCI, a key metric reflecting the quality and impact of research, measures citations received relative to the global average in a specific field. Crossing the 1.5 threshold positions MAHE firmly among the top-tier research institutions worldwide.

Speaking on this remarkable achievement, Dr. H S Ballal, Pro-Chancellor of MAHE, said, "This milestone is a proud moment for MAHE and a testament to the hard work and ingenuity of our researchers. It reinforces our commitment to fostering a culture of academic excellence and innovation. I am confident that MAHE will continue to scale greater heights in the global research landscape."

Echoing this sentiment, Lt Gen (Dr) M D Venkatesh, VSM (Retd), Vice-Chancellor of MAHE, stated, "The leap in our FWCI is a reflection of the transformative strides made by MAHE in advancing research capabilities and fostering impactful collaborations. With world-class facilities like the Central Instrumentation Facility and the BSL 3 Facility, coupled with robust library support and open-access initiatives, our researchers are equipped to excel further. We remain committed to supporting interdisciplinary research and large-scale grants to elevate our impact globally."

MAHE’s growth is powered by a thriving research ecosystem that includes state-of-the-art infrastructure, a proactive approach to fostering collaborations, and support for open access, ensuring widespread dissemination of its scholarly work. These elements, combined with the unwavering commitment of its researchers, have made this landmark achievement possible.

As MAHE looks ahead, it aims to further bolster its contributions to the global research community by promoting innovative projects, enhancing interdisciplinary research efforts, and building impactful partnerships.

About Manipal Academy of Higher Education:

Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) is an Institution of Eminence Deemed-to-be University. MAHE offers over 400 specializations across the Health Sciences (HS), Management, Law, Humanities & Social Sciences (MLHS), and Technology & Science (T&S) streams; through its constituent units at campuses in Manipal, Mangalore, Bangalore, Jamshedpur, and Dubai. With a remarkable track record in academics, state-of-the-art infrastructure, and significant contributions to research, MAHE has earned recognition and acclaim both nationally and internationally. In October 2020, the Ministry of Education, Government of India, awarded MAHE the prestigious Institution of Eminence status. Currently ranked 4th in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF), MAHE is the preferred choice for students seeking a transformative learning experience and an enriching campus life, as well as for national & multi-national corporates looking for top talent.