Phoenix India Light Festival Begins At Phoenix Mall Of Asia: Invites All To Step Into A World Of Immersive Light And Wonder

* India’s first-of-its-kind interactive light festival to take place from October to December 2024 boosting the festive spirit

Phoenix Mall of Asia, renowned for its unparalleled shopping experience, culinary indulgence and cultural enrichment has proudly commenced the festive celebration today with the unveiling of Phoenix India Light Festival. Designed by Surreal Design Studio, this is the country’s first immersive lighting experience taking place at the heart of Bengaluru; promising to redefine the convergence of art and technology into a mesmerizing, interactive sensory experience, evoking a sense of storytelling, imagination and unbound happiness. The dazzling display of vibrant and interactive lights at the mall’s stunning plaza area, will transform the premises into a magical wonderland from October to December 2024, celebrating the festive spirit.

Marking a significant milestone in India’s cultural celebration, Phoenix India Light Festival (ILF) will display the transformative power of light through the combination of technology and creative brilliance, like never before. ILF will feature a curated collection of interactive light displays—from stunning tunnels of colours to psychedelic visual experiences—each crafted to engage the senses and ignite wonder. The launch of this first edition of India Light Festival during Diwali signifies the power of hope and connection fostered by the festival of light all across the country and ways Phoenix is committed to elevate the experience of its visitors to enjoy the festivities at its fullest and create lasting memories with loved ones.

During the India Light Festival, Phoenix Mall of Asia will be entirely adorned with stunning array of illuminated installations. Each décor element is designed to elevate the experience and create a magical, immersive atmosphere for visitors. At the entrance, visitors are greeted by a monumental metal structure, the Prismatic Pavilion with neon lights and mesmerizing colours and geometry, which would create a dynamic and captivating visual experience from every angle. A centrally positioned ILF lit signage further enhances the visual impact. Followed by this, the Light tunnel decorated with curtain LED string lights will invite visitors to explore deeper into the mall, while blue neon lights illuminate the entrance, adding a touch of mystery and intrigue. Apart from this, there are two Shimmering Towers featuring metal structures with crystal string lights suspended beneath a mirrored acrylic ceiling, to cast a dazzling shimmer and creating an enchanting atmosphere. The visitors will also bask in the Radial Reflection, a metal structure with MDF cladding and mirror acrylic from inside with neon lights flushed in it, a Blooming Echoes, metal structure with sensor-based neon lights and lit heart in the center with ILF signage and six Prismatica installations with iridescent acrylic with neon lights inside, enhancing the festive ambience. The beautifully intricate décor will transform the space into a dynamic landscape of colour and light, evoking a sense of awe and wonder with every step.

Key Features of the Festival:

Interactive Installations: Engaging light displays that respond to visitors' actions.

Tunnel of Colour: A stunning, immersive space that invites exploration.

Psychedelic Visuals: Thought-provoking displays that challenge perception.

Sensory Journey: A curated experience designed to engage all senses and inspire wonder.

Ms. Ritu Mehta, Centre Director of Phoenix Mall of Asia and Senior VP - Marketing for South, expressed her excitement about the festival: “We, at Phoenix Mall of Asia are thrilled to bring the first-ever immersive light festival to India in this festive season. The Phoenix India Light Festival is not just an event; it’s a celebration of inspiration, creativity, and connection. This festival embodies our commitment to innovation and excellence, ensuring that our patrons are continuously amazed and keep experiencing pieces of global excellence. By introducing this immersive light festival, we elevate the festive atmosphere during Diwali while providing a unique and opulent experience that aligns with our top-of-the-line positioning. In the coming years, we hope to bring this celebration to different corners of India, spreading the festive glow from city to city across the seasons.”

Mr. Gajendra Singh Rathod, President - Malls (South), also shared his enthusiasm: “The Phoenix India Light Festival is a unique opportunity for us to showcase the transformative power of light. We aim to create an environment that fosters connection and joy, allowing our visitors to experience the magic of light in a new and exciting way. This festival is a testament to our commitment to providing innovative and enriching experiences at Phoenix Mall of Asia.”

This initiative not only captivates visitors but also reaffirms Phoenix Mall of Asia's dedication to delivering extraordinary experiences that resonate with our discerning clientele. The Phoenix India Light Festival exemplifies the mall's mission to be a leader in the luxury retail landscape, setting new standards for elegance and engagement while continually striving to exceed expectations. Phoenix Mall of Asia welcomes everyone to the mesmerizing Phoenix India Light Festival. The celebration is open for all, opening doors for the visitors to step into a world where light shines brightly, bringing joy, inspiration, and connection to all who visit.

ServiceNow Partners With Nvidia To Accelerate Enterprise Adoption Of Agentic AI

* Companies To Co?Develop Native AI Agents Using NVIDIA NIM Agent Blueprints Within The ServiceNow Platform

* Together, ServiceNow and NVIDIA power GenAI to transform enterprise experiences and unlock unprecedented value for customers in industries around the world

ServiceNow (NYSE: NOW), the AI platform for business transformation today announced a major expansion to its strategic partnership with NVIDIA to accelerate enterprise adoption of Agentic AI. The companies will use NVIDIA NIM Agent Blueprints to co?develop native AI Agents within the ServiceNow platform, creating use cases fueled by business knowledge that customers simply choose to turn on.

NVIDIA will collaborate with ServiceNow to map out multiple AI agent use cases. With six years of joint innovation on AI models, along with several previously announced strategic collaborations, ServiceNow and NVIDIA are reshaping how businesses integrate AI into their operations. 

The Now Platform is rapidly becoming a foundation for enterprise transformation in the evolving landscape of generative AI. By harnessing NVIDIA's advanced AI infrastructure—such as the NVIDIA AI Enterprise software platform, including the NVIDIA NeMo framework and  NVIDIA NIM microservices running on NVIDIA DGX Cloud, and ServiceNow’s leading AI platform for business transformation, this partnership is supercharging productivity and streamlining complex workflows across industries. 

“GenAI is a massive tailwind for our industry, and ServiceNow and NVIDIA are bringing the next wave of agentic AI to enterprises everywhere,” said ServiceNow Chairman and CEO Bill McDermott. “The transformative potential of AI is unfolding for enterprises in real time. CEOs are looking to ServiceNow and NVIDIA to modernize their businesses and lead them into an AI?powered future. Together, our world?class product and engineering teams are shoulder?to?shoulder, putting AI to work for our customers.”

“The convergence of accelerated computing and generative AI is advancing a new era of enterprise transformation,” said Jensen Huang, founder and CEO, NVIDIA. “Together, NVIDIA and ServiceNow are readying organizations for agentic AI services to unlock unprecedented productivity across industries."

Enriching ServiceNow AI Agents with NVIDIA NIM Agent Blueprints for Cybersecurity

With unified, real?time access to enterprise wide knowledge, tools, workflows, and data on the Now Platform, ServiceNow AI Agents – originally announced in September – can comprehend and interpret context, break down complex outcomes into smaller tasks, prioritize them, plan actions, and execute strategies to achieve desired results. Co?development between ServiceNow and NVIDIA will expand out?of?the?box AI agent use cases into additional solution areas, beginning with security vulnerability.

Leveraging NVIDIA NIM Agent Blueprints, the companies will jointly develop Vulnerability Analysis for Container Security AI Agent to expand AI Agent capabilities beyond ticket resolutions to automate vulnerability analysis and make recommendations for human agents, with plans to add more throughout 2025. Customers will be able to quickly implement these turn?key AI Agents, simply by turning them on from ServiceNow AI Agent Studio once available in 2025.

ServiceNow AI Agents reinvent workflows across the enterprise, from small and specialized tasks like single issue resolution, to running an entire incident response workflow. Guardrails — built using NVIDIA NeMo Guardrails software — for robust oversight are built in to help ensure organizations can add the levels of governance they need for their unique business processes. Initial use cases for Customer Service Management (CSM) AI Agents and IT Service Management (ITSM) AI Agents are expected to reduce mean time to resolution and make live agents more productive.

From partnering with Hugging Face on open?access large language models (LLMs) for code generation to introducing telco?specific AI solutions and being early adopters of NVIDIA NIM microservices, ServiceNow and NVIDIA are defining the future of AI?powered business automation.

Accelerating the Value of GenAI Investments

ServiceNow and NVIDIA are showcasing the ability of enterprise AI to transform experiences and unlock unprecedented value for top innovators in industries around the world. By bringing NVIDIA’s AI?powered capabilities into ServiceNow Now Assist, customers such as American Honda, the National Science Foundation, Siemens, TRIMEDX, and joint customers of ServiceNow and Visa benefit from more intelligent, scalable, and efficient AI?driven solutions.

American Honda

American Honda is applying GenAI to improve deflection and efficiency of service, delivering a world class digital experience to their North American employees.

National Science Foundation

GenAI is also being adopted in the public sector. The U.S. federal government’s National Science Foundation is leveraging new GenAI solutions to support their mission to promote the progress of science by investing in research to expand knowledge in science, engineering, and education.

Siemens

As an AI Lighthouse customer with ServiceNow and NVIDIA, Siemens Global Business Services (GBS) is streamlining IT, HR, and customer service operations by deploying GenAI to boost speed and reliability across workflows, while cutting costs and increasing efficiency. For example, with case summarization, Siemens GBS has accelerated productivity, enabling them to close 72K cases annually.

TRIMEDX

TRIMEDX, a leading independent clinical asset management company, is using Now Assist to accelerate the development of core business ops, without having to hire additional developers at the same rate. In just the first three months after deploying GenAI, TRIMEDX benefitted from a 22% increase in developer productivity and is expanding their developer pool to citizen developers who are quickly learning new best practices.

Visa

Visa is at the forefront of payments technology, with operations in more than 200 countries and territories. As banks face an unprecedented surge in credit card disputes, including $11 billion worth of disputed charges last year alone1, Visa and ServiceNow have joined forces to launch ServiceNow Disputes Management, Built with Visa. Integrated with Now Assist for Banking, this solution is powering faster dispute self?service and deflection, which enhances productivity, streamlines compliance, and elevates the customer experience, all critical to Visa and its customers.

Top business outcomes benefit multiple personas, including employees through increased self?service options, customer service agents through summarization and resolution note generation, and system administrators and developers through several types of code, analytics, and playbook generation. Using ServiceNow domain specific models and powered by NVIDIA capabilities, customers are realizing real business results.

Availability

The first use cases for ServiceNow AI Agents are available to selected customers as part of the Xanadu release.

The Vulnerability Analysis for Container Security AI Agent, co?developed by NVIDIA and ServiceNow, will be available early 2025.

About ServiceNow

ServiceNow (NYSE: NOW) is putting AI to work for people. We move with the pace of innovation to help customers transform organizations across every industry while upholding a trustworthy, human centered approach to deploying our products and services at scale. Our AI platform for business transformation connects people, processes, data, and devices to increase productivity and maximize business outcomes. For more information, visit: www.servicenow.com.

50 Years Of CERELAC In India; Announces Introduction Of CERELAC No Refined Sugar Recipes

CERELAC, Nestlé’s cereal-based complementary food has entered its 50th year in India. The first batch of CERELAC was manufactured by Nestlé India’s flagship factory in Moga, Punjab on 15th September 1975. Today, hundreds of dedicated employees continue to manufacture quality nutrition products with the same tender care and passion at the Moga factory in Punjab and Samalkha factory in Haryana.

Over the past five decades, CERELAC has maintained its commitment to use high quality ingredients, including grains and milk that are sourced locally. Every batch of CERELAC undergoes rigorous quality checks (over 40 quality tests) to ensure that every pack is safe for consumption.

Vitamins and minerals play a crucial role in reducing micronutrient deficiencies. Appropriate intake of these micronutrients can support well-being. Since its introduction in India, CERELAC has been offering complementary food for infants above 6 months. CERELAC has 15 nutrients*, which includes vitamins and minerals, that can be offered in addition to home food as per the guidance of healthcare practitioner.

CERELAC’s nutrition product recipes are developed in collaboration with Nestlé's global R&D network, together with local expertise and international innovation.

Over the last 5 years, added sugar has been reduced in CERELAC by up to 30% as a part of its innovation journey. Nestlé has achieved the ambition of introducing ‘CERELAC’ variants with no refined sugar. This was initiated three years ago and has culminated this year with the introduction of new CERELAC variants with no refined sugar. The expanded CERELAC range in India will now consist of 21 variants, of which 14 variants will have no refined sugar. Of these 14 variants, 7 will be available by end of November 2024 and the balance will be available in the coming weeks.

CERELAC's journey is not just about providing safe nutrition; Nestlé is also about fostering a sense of community and responsibility. Nestlé India works closely with local farmers, upskilling and training them to ensure sustainable and responsible sourcing of ingredients, reducing its carbon footprint and preserving the planet for future generations. Through the successful implementation of Zer' Eau technology in Moga and Samalkha factory, water extracted from milk is recycled to reduce groundwater consumption every year, thereby reducing reliance on groundwater.

CERELAC’s journey in India has been made possible because of the trust, support and partnerships that Nestlé has forged over many decades with farmers, suppliers, and distributors across India. Nestlé India will continue to leverage Nestlé's global R&D network to keep innovating its products and offering more options to its consumers that are contemporary, nutritious and in line with local taste and preferences.

Nestlé India will continue to leverage Nestlé's global R&D network to keep innovating its products and offering more options to its consumers that are contemporary, nutritious and in line with local taste and preferences. 

Manipal Marathon 2025 Gears Up For Its 7th Edition & Opens Registrations

Manipal Academy of Higher Education proudly announces the 7th edition of the renowned Manipal Marathon, scheduled for February 9, 2025, and the commencement of registrations for those eager to participate. Following the massive success of last year, which saw over 15,000 participants, the 2025 edition is expected to reach new heights, with its theme, ‘Innovation in Motion: Embracing Technology for Health and Fitness’.

As one of India’s largest student-organized marathons, the event promises certified routes, vibrant post-race celebrations, and meaningful contributions. The Manipal Marathon has become a beacon of excellence and inclusion, welcoming more than 15,000 participants in previous years. For the 2025 event, the organizers are setting an ambitious goal to gather over 20,000 participants from across the country, making it a historic occasion for the marathon and for charitable causes in India.

Event Details:

Date: 9th Feb 2025

Time: 5.00 am onwards

Venue: KMC Greens, Manipal, Karnataka

Registration: Open Now at Manipal Marathon Registration [https://manipalmarathon.in/

Race Day Highlights:

Certified race routes showcasing the captivating landscapes of Manipal and the Udupi coastline.

International certification by the IAAF AIMS, ensuring a world-class running experience.

A grand carnival atmosphere post-race, celebrating the spirit of the community.

Attractive prize money for top finishers across various categories.

The Manipal Marathon goes beyond being just a race—it’s a symbol of unity, awareness, and the enduring human spirit. Whether you’re an elite athlete or a beginner, this event unites all runners under a common goal of humanity and shared achievement.

Be part of this milestone event in 2025, combining sports and social awareness. Take on the challenge, join the community, and make a difference.

Register now to stand with us all the way!

Tata Neu’s Lending Marketplace Crosses 1 Lakh Instant Personal Loans Milestone, Disburses Over INR. 1,000 Crore

·         Launches festive 'Loan Utsav' until November 30, all successful loan applicants can receive 1,000 NeuCoins and become eligible to win a gold coin daily

·         Expands product suite to include Gold Loans, with Loans against Mutual Funds and Home Loans to follow

Tata Digital today announced a significant milestone of disbursing over 1 lakh personal loans through its lending partners on Tata Neu, amounting to more than INR. 1,000 crore. This achievement underscores the platform's growing popularity and commitment to providing accessible financial solutions to customers across India.

To celebrate this achievement, Tata Neu has launched its festive 'Loan Utsav,' where successful loan applicants can receive 1,000 NeuCoins (1 NeuCoin = 1 rupee saving), and become eligible to win a Gold Coin daily. Tata Neu has now also expanded its loan offerings beyond personal loans. The platform now also provides gold loans, with loans against mutual funds and home loans to follow shortly.

Tata Neu’s loan offerings allow customers to meet their diverse financial needs with the convenience of a fully digital, paperless application process that can be completed in less than 10 minutes. Upon approval by the lenders, the loan amount is instantly transferred to the customer's bank account, making it an ideal solution for urgent financial requirements.

“Tata Neu’s lending marketplace has reached a significant milestone, surpassing INR. 1,000 crore in total loans disbursed. This achievement is a testament to our customers' confidence in our offerings and our unwavering commitment to providing accessible and seamless financial solutions," said Gaurav Hazrati, Chief Business Officer, Financial Services, Tata Digital. "We remain dedicated to further expanding our financial services offerings and strengthening our partnerships with lenders to offer a comprehensive loan portfolio that aligns with our customers' evolving needs."

Commenting on the collaboration, Vivek Chopra, COO, Retail Finance, Tata Capital said, “With Tata Neu, we are proud to offer lending solutions that empower individuals to achieve their financial goals. By integrating our services with Tata Neu's robust platform, we’re able to provide a more efficient and user-friendly experience. This partnership marks a significant step towards enhancing credit accessibility and convenience for millions of customers across India.” 

Sushma Abburi, Chief Business Officer, MoneyView added, "We are excited about our partnership with Tata Digital, which enables us to deliver personalized loan products through its innovative platform. Together, we provide a seamless experience for customers, making it easier for them to access the financial solutions they need."

The strength of Tata Digital’s lending marketplace on Tata Neu lies in its extensive network of trusted lending partners Tata Capital, Aditya Birla Finance Limited, MoneyView, Kreditbee, Prefr, Ring, Cashe, IndiaGold, Rupeek, and Muthoot FinCorp Ltd., along with being an early adopter of ONDC’s loan offerings. These partnerships provide customers with a wide range of loan options – both secured and unsecured, featuring competitive interest rates and minimal processing fees. Additionally, Tata Digital offers free credit score reports on Tata Neu to enhance the overall value proposition for its customers.

About Tata Digital: 

Tata Digital is a future-ready company that focuses on creating consumer-centric, high-engagement digital products. Tata Neu, its core app, aims to be the trusted partner of every consumer by providing a holistic presence across various touchpoints. It offers a one-stop shop for the consumer's daily needs and aspirations with from essentials like groceries, medicines, bill payments, UPI, gift cards, and financial services such as loans, insurance, investment, and India's most popular co-branded credit card, to lifestyle-oriented offerings like fashion, consumer electronics, travel, and entertainment. Tata Digital includes subsidiaries like Supermarket Grocery Supplies Pvt Ltd (BigBasket), Infiniti Retail (Croma), Tata 1MG Healthcare Solutions Pvt Ltd, Tata Unistore Limited (Tata CLiQ), Tata Payments Limited, Tata Fintech Pvt. Ltd., among others. Founded in March 2019, Tata Digital is a wholly owned subsidiary of Tata Sons Private Limited. For more information, visit www.tatadigital.in. 

Dual Recognition In Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion (DEI) For HDFC Life By Avtar And Seramount

HDFC Life, one of India’s leading insurers, has been recognised by Avtar and Seramount among the Best Companies for Women in India (BCWI). This accolade celebrates companies that create supportive ecosystems for women, and HDFC Life was honoured among 12 companies in the BFSI sector.

Additionally, HDFC Life has also received the ‘Exemplars of Inclusion’ recognition in the Most Inclusive Companies Index (MICI), which highlights organisations that excel in fostering inclusion for not only women but also people with disabilities (PwD), the LGBTQ+ community, and diverse generations and cultures.

These accolades underscore the importance of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) within the culture of HDFC Life as an organisation. The Company believes in equal opportunities for all and constantly strives to create and sustain an environment of equality, addressing challenges and initiating efforts that encourage individuals to express themselves freely, grow and showcase their abilities in their respective domains.

Vibhash Naik – Chief Human Resources Officer, HDFC Life, stated “We are honoured with the dual recognition. These accolades are a testament to our organisational culture of Excellence, People Engagement, Integrity, Customer Centricity, and Collaboration. We believe that our employees make us what we are. Their happiness and growth contribute to our growth as an organisation. We remain true to our motto of ‘Sar Utha Ke Jiyo’ both in what we offer to customers and in how we support our employees.”

About HDFC Life

Founded in 2000, HDFC Life Insurance Company Limited (‘HDFC Life’ or the ‘Company’) is a leading provider of long-term life insurance solutions in India. It offers a broad range of individual and group plans across the Protection, Pension, Savings, Investment, Annuity, and Health categories, with a portfolio of products and optional riders designed to meet the diverse needs of its customers.

HDFC Life is a subsidiary of HDFC Bank Limited, one of India’s leading private banks. The Company has a nationwide presence, operating through its own branches and a network of over 300 distribution partners, including banks, NBFCs, MFIs, SFBs, brokers, and emerging ecosystem partners. HDFC Life also maintains a strong base of financial consultants.

Recognised as a great place to work, HDFC Life is deeply committed to governance and sustainability, ensuring responsible business practices that align with its long-term objectives.

For more information, visit www.hdfclife.com or follow us on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), YouTube, and LinkedIn.

This Cybersecurity Awareness Month, Be A #SatarkNagrik And Outsmart Sneaky AI-Powered Scams

Scammers are leveling up with technology, but you can always stay ahead by staying alert.  In the spirit of strengthening a Cyber Secure Bharat, Visa highlights 5 emerging AI-powered scams and smart tips to ensure tricksters don’t catch you off guard.

1. Fake products fantasy: AI has enabled scammers to create convincing fake websites that steal personal and financial data, enticing shoppers with attractive offers that may not exist. Always shop on trusted websites and use secure digital payment methods such as tokenised cards that protect your personal information and come with robust dispute resolution.

2. Deepfake Video Calls: With AI generated video calls, fraudsters may pose as acquaintances or authorities, manipulating vulnerable users into making large ticket payments. They may also create a cloned voice in less than 3 seconds[1]. The key is to not panic by the false sense of urgency of such calls. Disconnect the call immediately and verify the request through other trusted channels.

3. Document Forgery Fraud: AI tools can produce fake documents like bank statements and corporate records. Don't be misled by authentic-looking documents if they are from unverified sources. Always verify with the relevant authority or your bank before taking any action.

4. Synthetic Identity Fraud: AI can blend real and fabricated data to create synthetic identities that could bypass traditional fraud detection systems. These forged profiles often use stolen personal information to create seemingly legitimate accounts. Use advanced security measures such as biometric authentication and multi-factor authentication for validation.

5. AI-Powered Phishing Emails: AI is now helping scammers craft phishing emails and smishing (SMS) techniques with flawless language and formatting, that mimic legitimate business situations. These emails may contain links leading to fake websites that steal personal information or inject malware. Be wary of unusual sender addresses and avoid clicking on any links without verifying their legitimacy.

Stay alert. Be a #SatarkNagrik and protect yourself from AI-driven frauds. Don’t let scammers get the better of you!