Nutanix Extends AI Infrastructure Platform To Public Cloud

* Nutanix Enterprise AI provides an easy-to-use, unified generative AI experience on-premises, at the edge and now in public clouds

Nutanix (NASDAQ: NTNX), a leader in hybrid multicloud computing, today announced that it extended the company's AI infrastructure platform with a new cloud native offering, Nutanix Enterprise AI (NAI), that can be deployed on any Kubernetes platform, at the edge, in core data centers, and on public cloud services like AWS EKS, Azure AKS, and Google GKE. The NAI offering delivers a consistent hybrid multicloud operating model for accelerated AI workloads, enabling organizations to leverage their models and data in a secure location of their choice while improving return on investment (ROI). Leveraging NVIDIA NIM for optimized performance of foundation models, Nutanix Enterprise AI helps organizations securely deploy, run, and scale inference endpoints for large language models (LLMs) to support the deployment of generative AI (GenAI) applications in minutes, not days or weeks.

Generative AI is an inherently hybrid workload, with new applications often built in the public cloud, fine-tuning of models using private data occurring on-premises, and inferencing deployed closest to the business logic, which could be at the edge, on-premises or in the public cloud. This distributed hybrid GenAI workflow can present challenges for organizations concerned about complexity, data privacy, security, and cost.

Nutanix Enterprise AI provides a consistent multicloud operating model and a simple way to securely deploy, scale, and run LLMs with NVIDIA NIM optimized inference microservices as well as open foundation models from Hugging Face. This enables customers to stand up enterprise GenAI infrastructure with the resiliency, day 2 operations, and security they require for business-critical applications, on-premises or on AWS Elastic Kubernetes Service (EKS), Azure Managed Kubernetes Service (AKS), and Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE).

Additionally, Nutanix Enterprise AI delivers a transparent and predictable pricing model based on infrastructure resources, which is important for customers looking to maximize ROI from their GenAI investments. This is in contrast to hard-to-predict usage or token-based pricing.

Nutanix Enterprise AI is a component of Nutanix GPT-in-a-Box 2.0. GPT-in-a-Box also includes Nutanix Cloud Infrastructure, Nutanix Kubernetes Platform, and Nutanix Unified Storage along with services to support customer configuration and sizing needs for on-premises training and inferencing. For customers looking to deploy in public cloud, Nutanix Enterprise AI can be deployed in any Kubernetes environment but is operationally consistent with on-premises deployments.

“With Nutanix Enterprise AI, we're helping our customers simply and securely run GenAI applications on-premises or in public clouds. Nutanix Enterprise AI can run on any Kubernetes platform and allows their AI applications to run in their secure location, with a predictable cost model,” said Thomas Cornely, SVP, Product Management, Nutanix.

Nutanix Enterprise AI can be deployed with the NVIDIA full-stack AI platform and is validated with the NVIDIA AI Enterprise software platform, including NVIDIA NIM, a set of easy-to-use microservices designed for secure, reliable deployment of high-performance AI model inferencing. Nutanix-GPT-in-a-Box is also an NVIDIA-Certified System, also ensuring reliability of performance.

"Generative AI workloads are inherently hybrid, with training, customization, and inference occurring across public clouds, on-premises systems, and edge locations," said Justin Boitano, vice president of enterprise AI at NVIDIA. "Integrating NVIDIA NIM into Nutanix Enterprise AI provides a consistent multicloud model with secure APIs, enabling customers to deploy AI across diverse environments with the high performance and security needed for business-critical applications."

Nutanix Enterprise AI can help customers:

Address AI skill shortages. Simplicity, choice, and built-in features mean IT admins can be AI admins, accelerating AI development by data scientists and developers adapting quickly using the latest models and NVIDIA accelerated computing.

Remove barriers to building an AI-ready platform. Many organizations looking to adopt GenAI struggle with building the right platform to support AI workloads, including maintaining consistency across their on-premises infrastructure and multiple public clouds. Nutanix Enterprise AI addresses this with a simple UI-driven workflow that can help customers deploy and test LLM inference endpoints in minutes, offering customer choice with support for NVIDIA NIM microservices which run anywhere, ensuring optimized model performance across cloud and on prem environments. Hugging Face and other model standards are also supported. Additionally, native integration with Nutanix Kubernetes Platform keeps alignment with the ability to leverage the entire Nutanix Cloud Platform or provide customers with the option to run on any Kubernetes runtime, including AWS EKS, Azure AKS, or Google Cloud GKE with NVIDIA accelerated computing.

Mitigate data privacy and security concerns. Helping mitigate privacy and security risks is built into Nutanix Enterprise AI by enabling customers to run models and data on compute resources they control. Additionally, Nutanix Enterprise AI delivers an intuitive dashboard for troubleshooting, observability, and utilization of resources used for LLMs, as well as quick and secure role-based access controls (RBAC) to ensure LLM accessibility is controllable and understood. Organizations requiring hardened security will also be able to deploy in air-gapped or dark-site environments.

Bring enterprise infrastructure to GenAI workloads. Customers running Nutanix Cloud Platform for business-critical applications can now bring the same resiliency, Day 2 operations, and security to GenAI workloads for an enterprise infrastructure experience.

Key use cases for customers leveraging Nutanix Enterprise AI include: enhancing customer experience with GenAI through analysis of customer feedback and documents; accelerating code and content creation by leveraging co-pilots and intelligent document processing; leveraging fine-tuning models on domain-specific data to accelerate code and content generation; strengthening security, including leveraging AI models for fraud detection, threat detection, alert enrichment, and automatic policy creation; and improving analytics by leveraging fine-tuned models on private data.

Nutanix Enterprise AI, running on-premises, at the edge or in public cloud, and Nutanix GPT-in-a-Box 2.0 are currently available to customers. For more information, please visit Nutanix.com/enterprise-ai.

Supporting Quotes:

"Thanks to the deep collaboration between the Nutanix and Hugging Face teams, customers of Nutanix Enterprise AI are able to seamlessly deploy the most popular open models in an easy to use, fully tested stack – now also on public clouds," said Jeff Boudier, Head of Product at Hugging Face.

“By providing a consistent experience from the enterprise to public cloud, Nutanix Enterprise AI aims to provide a user-friendly infrastructure platform to support organizations at every step of their AI journey, from public cloud to the edge,” said Dave Pearson, Infrastructure Research VP at IDC.

About Nutanix

Nutanix is a global leader in cloud software, offering organizations a single platform for running applications and managing data, anywhere. With Nutanix, companies can reduce complexity and simplify operations, freeing them to focus on their business outcomes. Building on its legacy as the pioneer of hyperconverged infrastructure, Nutanix is trusted by companies worldwide to power hybrid multicloud environments consistently, simply, and cost-effectively. Learn more at www.nutanix.com or follow us on social media @nutanix.

Most G20 Countries Need To Significantly Step Up Climate Action, Shows Global South index Released At COP29

—At COP29, countries must demand accountability, deliver finance, and set a realistic NCQG

— Among non-Annex I members of the G20, India and South Africa have made notable efforts in climate action

— Annex I countries, such as the US, Australia, and Russia show limited efforts, with concerns about inconsistent engagement in key agreements

Most G20 members — including countries such as the US, Australia, Canada, Saudi Arabia and Turkey — need to significantly step up climate action, according to the Climate Accountability Matrix launched at COP29 in Baku by independent think tank, the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW). Featured in a new study — Are G20 Countries Delivering on Climate Goals? Tracking Progress on Commitments to Strengthen the Paris Agreement — the Climate Accountability Matrix is a first-of-its-kind assessment tool from the Global South to analyse countries’ performance in climate aspects beyond mitigation, including adaptation and means of implementation.

Among advanced economies in the G20, France, the United Kingdom, Japan, and Germany have made notable efforts, particularly through international cooperation and the establishment of comprehensive climate governance frameworks. While the US, Australia, and Canada have made efforts to adapt to climate change, concerns about their inconsistent engagement in key climate agreements, and weak ambitions remain. In the Global South, India and South Africa have made significant efforts in climate action by actively participating in key agreements, undertaking reasonable efforts domestically and adhering to their obligations, the study found. However, even the countries making reasonable progress must improve sectoral robustness and create an enabling environment for ambitious climate actions.

Dr Arunabha Ghosh, CEO of CEEW, said, “The climate COPs are about raising ambition, enabling action, and, most importantly, holding everyone accountable. While COP28 resulted in many promises, it let developed countries off the hook. COP29 must be about accountability. It must accelerate the move towards net zero. The largest historical emitters have to move faster than others and reduce emissions now. Second, COP29 should raise both the quantum and quality of climate finance. As we debate the New Collective Quantified Goal, the question is not just how much is needed, but how reliably it will be delivered. Finally, COP29 must prioritise the protection of the most vulnerable. It is the poorest who are the most affected due to climate extremes, derailing economies and reversing progress towards other sustainable development goals. COP29 must deliver on accountability, raise ambitions, push for credible and catalytic climate finance, and safeguard the most vulnerable.”

The CEEW matrix assesses these countries on five critical themes — international cooperation, national measures, sectoral robustness, enablers, and climate adaptation efforts — and 42 indicators. It takes into account the principles of equity and Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities. The countries have been categorised under leader, reasonable effort, limited effort, and needs improvement. The findings show that COP29 must ensure accountability during this climate emergency.

Accountability must be shown in:

Accelerating climate action: G20 members broadly fall under reasonable and limited efforts in the matrix. They have been engaging positively internationally and have shown considerable efforts at the national level, but do not show sectoral robustness, or have insufficient finance, capacity or technology for ambitious climate action. The EU, South Korea, India, Germany, and China, among others, show reasonable efforts overall. For instance, in the renewables segment, Brazil and India perform relatively better than other developing countries, while South Africa demonstrates strong domestic climate governance and climate disclosures. But major fossil fuel-dependent economies like Saudi Arabia and Turkey are in the limited-effort or need-improvement categories across all themes.

Stepping up ambitions: According to the latest UN report, without an increase in ambition in the new NDCs due by 2025 and immediate action, global temperatures could rise by 2.6 to 3.1°C over the course of this century. Countries need to urgently step up climate action and ambitions, and  participate in and adhere to UNFCCC obligations.

Here, India is demonstrating leadership. For instance, CEEW’s recent study shows that India’s climate policies have been significant. Between 2020 and 2030, Indian policies for the power, residential, and transport sectors — such as the National Solar Mission, UJALA programme, and FAME scheme for EVs — will reduce emissions by almost 4 billion tonnes compared to a no-policy scenario. This reduction is equivalent to nearly 1.6 times the European Union’s CO2 emissions in 2023. These policies have pushed India towards a higher share of renewables in its energy mix, increased adoption of electric vehicles, and improved energy efficiency in domestic air conditioning and lighting. However, scaling India’s renewables beyond 1,500 GW will face land, water and climate challenges.

Better data on loss and damage: What gets measured, gets done. The global cost of loss and damage (L&D) to infrastructure, human health, and agriculture is estimated to increase between USD 1.7 trillion and USD 3.1 trillion per year by 2050. Data on and insights into various facets of L&D are critical for evidence-based decision-making and ensuring resilience and finance flows. However, a recent CEEW study found that 65 per cent of all reported climate events across all countries lack data on economic damages. This number is significantly higher for Least Developed Countries — with 89 per cent of events missing economic data — and Small Island Developing States. This limits informed decision-making on finance quantum and flow needed. The capacities of various institutions — scientific bodies, research institutes, implementing agencies, and donors — must be leveraged to build transparency frameworks for loss and damage.

Finance: COP29 must decide on a New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG). Finance is the key mover in ensuring accountability on all of the above points. Much more is needed than the initial USD 100 billion per year by 2020 decided on. Developing countries (excluding China) need investments totalling USD 2.4 trillion per year by 2030, including USD 1 trillion per year from external sources, to achieve Paris Agreement goals. The NCQG exercise must take cognisance of the fact that most low-income developing economies face making hard choices between meeting basic development goals and climate action. India has submitted that developed countries should proactively fulfil their climate finance commitments, and the NCQG must be at least USD 1 trillion annually, mainly via grants and concessional finance.

To bridge these accountability gaps, COP29 must:

Accelerate the pace of the transition to net zero: According to the CEEW study, developed countries are, on average, taking  51 years to reach net zero, compared to 33 years for developing countries, and are not in line to meet the 43 per cent reduction target by 2030. Further, major developed countries such as the US and Canada have participated inconsistently in climate agreements during the pre-2020 period, and have weak ambitions. The developed world needs to accelerate its timelines for emission reductions and free up sufficient carbon space for developing countries to address their  socio-economic development challenges.

Improve both the quantity and quality of climate finance to address critical gaps in delivery and fairness. No developed country has deposited 100 per cent of the funds they pledged. Moreover, with the exception of France, Germany, and Japan, all developed countries are severely short of their fair share of contributions. The NCQG should be anchored in qualitative and quantitative needs, with a target and structure that responds to lessons learned from the annual USD 100 billion goal and commitment to support nationally-led climate plans. Climate finance flows from developed to developing countries should comprise public grant capital or the grant equivalent of other forms of public capital, along with the private capital flows that these mobilise, which collectively contribute towards developing country climate finance needs. Moreover, these climate finance flows should be new and additional, and not a reclassification of existing developmental aid.

COP29 must prioritise the protection of the most vulnerable. Developed countries fare well in domestic adaptation efforts, but developing countries, which bear the brunt of climate events, remain relatively less equipped to mitigate their impacts. However, mitigation receives almost thrice the amount of climate finance than adaptation. Moreover, the total commitment to loss and damage (currently at USD 702 million) continues to lag behind what is needed, and the highest pledge by any G20 country is only USD 112 million USD. To address this imbalance, climate finance contributions must extend beyond mitigation to encompass robust efforts in adaptation and loss and damage. The establishment of a Fund for responding to Loss and Damage was a significant outcome of COP28. COP29 must answer ‘who pays’ and ‘who receives’ from the Loss and Damage Fund. The most vulnerable must be protected with real money, resources, and capacity.

Explore CEEW’s new study ‘Are G20 Countries Delivering on Climate Goals?’ here.

Explore CEEW’s Climate Accountability Matrix here.

Note: The African Union was included as a member of the G20 group in 2023. Considering this recent inclusion, there is no data available to analyse them as a group. Hence, the African Union has not been considered in the current analysis.

About CEEW

The Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) is one of Asia’s leading not-for-profit policy research institutions and among the world’s top climate think tanks. The Council uses data, integrated analysis, and strategic outreach to explain — and change — the use, reuse, and misuse of resources. The Council addresses pressing global challenges through an integrated and internationally focused approach. It prides itself on the independence of its high-quality research, develops partnerships with public and private institutions, and engages with the wider public. CEEW has a footprint in over 20 Indian states and has repeatedly featured among the world’s best-managed and independent think tanks.

Follow us on X (formerly Twitter) @CEEWIndia and LinkedIn for the latest updates. 

Smart Snacking In India Grows 1.2X Faster Than Traditional Snacks: NielsenIQ

* India Emerges as #2 in APAC for Snacking Market Growth.

* 1 in 5 snacks now has a health connotation in India.

* Health-conscious consumption growth fueled by innovations in small, affordable, and nutrient-rich products.

NielsenIQ (NIQ), the world’s leading consumer intelligence company, has released its latest report - "Snacking habits - From mindless to mindful?" which highlights the health-conscious consumption in snacking ?market, consumer priorities, shift towards smart products enabling overall well-being.

According to NielsenIQ estimates, India’s Snack & Confectionery industry, ranking second in market size across APAC, is transforming as urban consumers increasingly seek health-oriented products. The rise in lifestyle diseases has driven Indian consumers to opt for snacks that align with their health goals.

Rising Demand for Health-Conscious Choices

Busy lifestyles and an array of snack options have led Indian consumers to become more health-conscious. According to the NielsenIQ Consumer Outlook Report, 63% of surveyed consumers seek innovative and healthy snacking options, while 50% read ingredient labels to understand nutritional value.

Similarly, in consumer tech, the trend toward health-focused products is evident. Fitness wearables experienced a 59% volume growth, while Hot Air Fryers grew by more than 100% (MAT July 2024), signalling broader health-conscious behavior. NielsenIQ Consumer Life Study shows that 84%? of surveyed urban Indian consumers exercise daily or regularly to keep fit and 48%? use a fitness or exercise app.

Smart Snacking: A Fast-Growing Segment

This mindful choice trend has boosted the “Smart Snacking” segment, including health-benefiting snacks like biscuits, oats, and Greek yogurt.

“According to NielsenIQ Retail Market Measurement, 1 in 5 snacks now has a health connotation.”, says Sonika Gupta, Executive Director, Customer Success – India at NIQ.

“This segment is growing 1.2 times faster than traditional snacks in terms of value, presenting opportunities for brands to innovate in health-focused products and leverage the consumption trend.” – Sonika further added.

Smaller, emerging players are challenging established players with competitive offerings, with single-serve packs driving demand and growing 60% faster in Smart Snacking due to mainstream pricing strategies.

Innovations in Smart Snacking & Key Consumer Preferences

The smart snacking segment’s growth is fueled by consumption rates twice that of the general snacks market. The consumption preference is driven by small convenient pack sizes that have demonstrated 60% higher growth compared to traditional small packs in the snacking space. 

Innovations often focus on affordability and mainstream pricing to encourage Smart Snacking adoption. Notably, Smart Snacking has been growing at 16% in terms of value, but recent trends show a slowdown in count of new innovations & product launches.

NielsenIQ’s Trend Spotting survey identified the top factors driving Smart Snacking choices in India:

Health Benefits: Consumers prioritize snacks promoting bone health, immunity, heart health, and gut health.

Nutritional Richness: Preference for snacks rich in vitamins, minerals, and fiber.

Natural Ingredients: Demand for snacks containing multigrains, nuts, dried fruits, and antioxidants.

Regional Insights on Consumer Preferences

South and East India account for 60% of the smart snacking market, with bone health valued highly across regions. The survey reveals regional preferences:

South India: Emphasis on healthy ingredients.

West India: Preference for nutrient-dense snacks.

North and East India: Importance of taste in healthy snacks.

“Metros contribute the highest to smart snacking, growth in the Smart Snacking segment is also evident in rural areas and lower town classes, matching urban growth rates. Manufacturers should align their strategies with regional and demographic nuances,” adds Vidya Sen, Customer Success Lead – India, NIQ BASES.

Opportunities and Recommendations for Brands

For brands looking to succeed in India’s evolving snacking market, the report outlines 5 key strategies:

Highlight Health Benefits: Focus on ingredients that support bone, gut, and heart health.

Maintain Flavor: Balance health attributes with taste to meet consumer expectations.

Emphasize Nutrient Additions Over Omissions: Focus on enriching products with essential nutrients instead of solely removing unwanted ingredients.

Customize Offerings for Regional and Age Preferences: Tailor product offerings to meet the specific preferences of different demographics.

Prioritize Convenience: Offer single-serve, portable packs suitable for on-the-go consumption.

As Indian consumers embrace mindful snacking, brands that cater to this health-centric shift while preserving flavor and convenience are positioned for substantial growth. This trend marks an important phase in India’s snacking landscape, where health and taste go hand in hand to meet the evolving needs of the modern consumer.

Women In Digital Economy Fund (WiDEF) Launches New Round Of Funding To Accelerate Digital Inclusion For Women In India

* Multiple Grants of Up to $500,000 Available to Local Indian Entities from WiDEF, a joint effort of USAID, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and Reliance Foundation

Today, the Women in the Digital Economy Fund (WiDEF) in India, launches its first round of support. WiDEF in India is a joint effort between USAID, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and Reliance Foundation to accelerate progress on closing the gender digital divide. WiDEF in India is managed by the GSMA Foundation with support from the global WiDEF managing consortium.

With grants ranging from $100,000 to $500,000, this new initiative aims to accelerate digital inclusion for women across India by supporting organisations tackling critical barriers that prevent women from accessing and using the internet. These barriers include access and affordability, relevant products and tools, literacy and digital skills, and safety and security. 

This round of funding will support Indian non-profits, as well as small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), with the goal of scaling solutions that have the potential to significantly increase digital inclusion for women, improving women’s livelihoods, economic security, and resilience.

A Bold Investment in India’s Digital Future

WIDEF has committed to support multiple grant funding rounds in India to advance the 2023 G20 Leaders commitment under India’s presidency to halve the gender digital divide by 2030. This initiative, which aims to accelerate digital inclusion for women, is a vital step toward achieving WiDEF’s vision of closing the gender gap in digital access.

Globally, digital inclusion is recognised as central to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Access to and use of the internet can enable women to participate meaningfully in the digital economy, strengthening their livelihoods and resilience. Yet, one-third of the world’s population remains offline, with women making up the majority of those excluded.

The new round of funding comes at a time when India’s digital ecosystem is expanding rapidly and flourishing. This expansion, including near ubiquitous 4G coverage and extensive 5G deployment, presents a huge opportunity for further increasing digital inclusion of women and other marginalised groups. Although there have been substantial increases in digital inclusion over the last few years, only 37% of women in India use mobile internet, compared to 53% of men according to the GSMA’s latest Mobile Gender Gap Report 2024. This suggests that there are other barriers besides infrastructure that are preventing many women from getting online.

"This new round is an exciting opportunity to support entities in India who are working to address the complex barriers women face to accessing and using the internet. This has been an important area of focus for the GSMA Foundation, and we are proud to be managing WiDEF in India with support from our partners. Through this round we will help to scale efforts to address the gender digital divide, delivering significant social and economic benefits" said Claire Sibthorpe, Head of Digital Inclusion, GSMA.

“We believe in the tremendous power of women to transform societies and communities. Digital inclusion is essential to ensure equitable participation in today’s digital economy and advancing women’s agency and access to digital skills brings tremendous benefits for women and for society as a whole. Through WiDEF, Reliance Foundation aims to support innovative, evidence-based solutions to advance digital inclusion at scale in India. This marks another step forward in our continued work on bridging the gender digital divide to enhance lives and livelihoods, and to accelerate India and the world’s journey towards the Sustainable Development Goals,” said Jagannatha Kumar, CEO Reliance Foundation.

"Promoting gender equality is fundamental to USAID’s mission. Through this funding initiative, the U.S. government is supporting both the growth of India’s digital infrastructure and the incredible potential of women across India to contribute to an even more successful future. By partnering with local organizations to address and overcome the barriers that limit women’s access to digital resources, we are helping foster an inclusive economy that benefits everyone. Together, we can bridge the digital divide, ensuring women are empowered to participate and thrive in the digital age," said USAID Mission Director to India, Steven G. Olive.

WiDEF Funding Priorities

This funding aims to scale solutions that have demonstrated, through credible evidence, that they can drive digital inclusion for women, significantly close the gender digital divide in their context, and are sustainable and scalable. These solutions should address at least two of the following priority areas:

Improved Access: Enhancing women’s access to affordable, reliable, and secure internet and devices.

Relevant Products and Tools: Developing and scaling digital tools that meet the specific needs of women.

Digital Literacy and Skills: Strengthening women’s digital skills to participate effectively in the digital economy.

Safety and Security: Addressing online harassment and improving digital safety measures to ensure secure online participation for women.

Eligibility and Application Details

The fund is open to Indian entities, including small-and-medium-sized for-profit enterprises (with fewer than 250 employees) and non-profits with a valid FCRA licence. Applicants must demonstrate a commitment to gender equality and the inclusion of underserved groups.

Applications for funding close on January 13, 2025, at 18:00 India Standard Time (IST). Successful applicants will receive not only financial support but also technical assistance, opportunities to participate in bootcamps and learning exchanges, and access to advisory services. The selected projects will run for 15 to 18 months.

For more information about eligibility and how to apply, visit https://widef.global/funding

We encourage all eligible organisations dedicated to closing the gender digital divide to apply and contribute to a more inclusive digital economy in India.

About WiDEF

The Women in the Digital Economy Fund (WiDEF) in India is a joint effort between USAID, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and the Reliance Foundation to accelerate progress on closing the gender digital divide in India. WiDEF identifies, directly funds, and advances investment in proven solutions to close the gender digital divide, improving women’s livelihoods, economic security, and resilience. WiDEF in India is managed by the GSMA Foundation with support from the global WiDEF managing consortium. Learn more at: widef.global  

Isuzu Motors India Inaugurates A New 3S Dealership In Shivamogga. Expands Its Reach In Karnataka

 

·        Appoints ‘Rainland ISUZU’ as its authorised dealership in Shivamogga

·        Inaugurates new 3S facility conveniently located in B.H.Road, Gadikoppa, Shivamogga-577201

Aims to address the growing demand for ISUZU Utility vehicles

Shivmogga: Isuzu Motors India, a subsidiary of Isuzu Motors Limited, Japan, inaugurated the new 3S (Sales, Service & Spares) dealership of Rainland ISUZU in Shivamogga, the growing industrial and agricultural hub in Shivamogga, today. The new facility is conveniently located on B.H. Road, Gadikoppa, next to Laxmi Rice Mill Building in Shivamogga-577201, thereby providing access to world-class range of ISUZU utility vehicles.

The keys for the ISUZU D-MAX S-CAB were handed over to the first customer, marking the start of sale from this new dealership. It embodies the spirit of a Pick-up Culture in India with the combination of smart looks, rugged and durable workhorse capability, safety and passenger vehicle like comfort. The dealership employees have been trained under the supervision of ISUZU experts and will provide a quality customer experience to the visitors.

With the addition of this dealership, Isuzu Motors India has increased its reach of sales and service offerings across five locations in Karnataka, including the ones already operational in Bengaluru, Mangalore, Hubballi and Mysore.

Commenting at the occasion, Mr. Toru Kishimoto, Deputy Managing Director, Isuzu Motors India, said, “While we are strategically expanding our network across the country, we are also strengthening our presence in each market with more dealer outlets to increase our reach to our customers. Karnataka is one of the key focus states for Isuzu and we are increasing our network touch points here. We are witnessing an immense potential here for our products, both in the personal segment and especially in the application-oriented segments in infrastructure, agriculture and trading businesses. We believe the Isuzu D-MAX range of pick-up trucks will meet the varied requirements of these segments and add value to our customers’ businesses. With the comprehensive and exciting product range, we are sure that there is an ISUZU for everyone. We are happy to be partnering with Rainland ISUZU, as they are well-known for their strong sales and service support and wish them the best in their journey with us.”

Mr. Sheik Ahamed Shahil Anoof, Managing Director, Rainland ISUZU, said, “We are extremely pleased and excited to partner with ISUZU, the brand that has a legacy of reliability and durability over 100 years. We have been witnessing a significant traction for ISUZU vehicles in the state and especially in Shivamogga, which provides us an opportunity to cater to the needs of the discerning buyers in the region. With ISUZU, we look forward to a successful journey. As a group, we are extremely customer focussed and look forward to realise the common vision of achieving customer delight with a culture of excellence, quality and reliability.”

The National Group has been in the business for over seven decades with a diversified business portfolio including infrastructure, import & export, retail, God & diamond and automobiles. Their success mantra of ‘Driving excellence, Inspiring brilliance’ has been driven by ‘Attention to detail’, a culture of ‘Quality in delivery’, by ‘Leveraging people’s strengths’ to set industry standards and nurture mutually rewarding relationships. It has won many awards and honoured as trend setters in the region.

About Isuzu Motors India Pvt. Ltd.

Isuzu Motors India Private Limited (IMI), a subsidiary of Isuzu Motors Limited, Japan, was established in August 2012. Headquartered in Chennai, the company sells the popular ISUZU D-MAX V-Cross – India’s First Lifestyle and Adventure Pick-up, the Hi-Lander - All-rounder Pick-up and the ISUZU mu-X, premium 7-seater SUV in the personal vehicle segment and variants of ISUZU D-MAX pick-ups – S-CAB and Regular Cab, for the commercial segment. ISUZU vehicles are known for their reliability and performance around the world. Renowned the world-over, ISUZU vehicles are gaining huge significance in the Indian market as well, thanks to the ‘value proposition’ it offers the customers.  

Isuzu Motors India manufactures these products at its modern manufacturing plant in Sri City, spread over an area of 107 acres in the state of Andhra Pradesh. The company began its manufacturing operations in April 2016, with strong focus on quality and commitment to Indian market. In February 2020, Isuzu Motors India commenced the start of its Phase-II operations with the inauguration of the state-of-the-art Press Shop facility and engine assembly plant. In 2017, IMI started export of its ‘Made-in-India’ vehicles and has emerged as the India’s #1 Exporter of Goods Transport LCV Pick-up >2t<=3t Category for FY23-24, as per SIAM report.  An ISO 9001:2015 certified company, Isuzu Motors India is committed to providing products and services of the highest level of quality to ensure customer delight.  

The company has dedicated dealer touch-points, conveniently located in 66 locations across the country. For more information on the company, and its products/services. www.isuzu.in   

Micron Technology President And CEO Sanjay Mehrotra Awarded Honorary PhD By BITS Pilani

BITS Pilani, a premier institution recognized for its innovation and excellence held its annual convocation ceremony in Pilani on 10th November. At the convocation, Sanjay Mehrotra, President and CEO of Micron Technology was bestowed with an honorary PhD to celebrate his remarkable 40-year journey in the world of technology. Mr. Mehrotra’s significant contribution to the advancement of semiconductor technology is reflected in this recognition, demonstrating the institute’s dedication to identifying leaders who are meaningful changemakers.

In his address, Mr. Mehrotra called on BITS Pilani’s graduating class to seize the tremendous opportunities driven by artificial intelligence. He commended students on their dedication and resilience, challenging them to have the courage to pursue their dreams.

Speaking at the event, Prof Ramgopal Rao, Vice Chancellor, BITS Pilani said, “It is a great privilege for BITS Pilani to confer an honorary PhD on Mr. Sanjay Mehrotra, whose work has had profound impact on technology and society. His journey is inspirational for our students, exemplifying the spirit of innovation, resilience, and commitment that we seek to instil in our community.”

In his speech, Mr. Mehrotra expressed his gratitude for the strong foundation that BITS Pilani provided during his initial two years of undergraduate studies, which paved the way for his successful transition to UC Berkeley. He then shared inspiring remarks with the graduates, stating how honoured he felt to receive this recognition from an institution renowned for nurturing talent, driving innovation and excellence.

Mr. Mehrotra leads a global team of more than 48,000 employees, with whom he is committed to creating an inclusive environment that encourages innovation that enriches life for all.

About BITS Pilani 

Established in 1964, Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani (BITS Pilani) is a renowned academic institution excelling in higher education, cutting-edge research, and innovation. Celebrating its Diamond Jubilee in 2024, BITS Pilani has, over the decades, evolved into a prestigious multi-campus institution and a hub of innovation, recognized for its academic excellence and transformative impact. BITS Pilani has been recognized in the QS World University Rankings 2025 for its remarkable growth among Indian institutions and is ranked #1 for Employment Outcomes and Sustainability among private institutions in India. BITS Pilani is also ranked #1 by the Times All India Engineering Institutes Ranking Survey 2024 and rated #3 by Lifestyle Asia as world’s most beautiful University. For more information, visit https://www.bits-pilani.ac.in/. 

Fossil Unveils Special-Edition Collection Celebrating The Magic & Wonder Of The Wizard Of Oz™

Fossil is excited to announce its latest enchanting collaboration with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products, The Wizard Of Oz special-edition collection, celebrating the 85th anniversary of the legendary film. Known for weaving stories through design, Fossil brings the Land of Oz to life through a curated selection of watches, bags and accessories that capture the essence of this iconic story.

At the heart of this collection are the limited-edition Raquel Watch styles (Rs 14995 each), with three standout designs inspired by the most beloved (and bewitching) characters. Each watch showcases a glitz leather strap, a 26mm case, and a rotating second disk. The Wicked Witch™ watch captivates with her broomstick-riding silhouette over a vivid green dial. The Glinda the Good Witch™ watch shines in a rose gold finish with pink crystal accents, embodying Glinda's radiant beauty. Completing the trio is the Dorothy™ watch, a tribute to the legendary Ruby Slippers™, sparkling boldly in vibrant red.

Complimenting the watches are the Jolie Small Crossbody Bags (Rs 14495), paying homage to the three central figures. Perfect for holiday parties, these sparkling crossbody accessories are available in Emerald, Wicked Witch, and Ruby Red styles. Each bag shines in sequins on velvet, accented with a chain link strap. 

Every piece in this The Wizard Of Oz collection comes in one-of-a-kind packaging, complete with a certificate of authenticity. From the rich, emerald jewel tones to the gilded details, these designs are keepsakes that honor the timeless story of The Wizard Of Oz.

Visit Fossil.in and select Fossil retail stores to shop The Wizard Of Oz x Fossil beginning November 12, and follow @Fossil.in to stay current on future launches. 

The Wizard Of Oz is available to own on 4K UHD and Digital.  

FOSSIL

Fossil.in is a leading global lifestyle accessories brand inspired by creativity and ingenuity. We create timeless, well-crafted leather goods, jewelry and watches to accessorize a joyful, inspired life. In everything we do, we strive to Make Time For Good™, working to create positive change for our people and communities.

About Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products:

Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products (WBDGCP), part of Warner Bros. Discovery’s Revenue & Strategy division, extends the company’s powerful portfolio of entertainment brands and franchises into the lives of fans around the world. WBDGCP partners with best-in-class licensees globally on award-winning toy, fashion, home décor and publishing programs inspired by the biggest franchises from Warner Bros.’ film, television, animation, and games studios, HBO, Discovery, DC, Cartoon Network, HGTV, Eurosport, Adult Swim, and more. With innovative global licensing and merchandising programs, retail initiatives, and promotional partnerships, WBDGCP is one of the leading licensing and retail merchandising organizations in the world.