Nishani Launches Women’s Day 2025 Jewellery Collection: Empowering Designs For The Modern Woman

* Celebrating strength, ambition, and self-expression with bold, versatile jewellery inspired by unstoppable women

This International Women’s Day 2025, Nishani proudly introduces a collection that embodies the essence of this year’s theme—"Accelerate Action." As the world pushes forward to bridge gender gaps, break systemic barriers, and create opportunities for women, Nishani’s latest collection celebrates the unstoppable force of modern women—leaders, visionaries, and changemakers who inspire progress. 

More than just jewellery the Women’s Day 2025 Collection is designed for the woman who takes charge of her destiny. With versatile, bold, and meticulously crafted pieces, the collection is a reminder that empowerment isn’t just about making statements—it’s about taking action. From boardrooms to creative spaces, from entrepreneurs to trailblazers, these designs reflect the dynamic, multifaceted nature of today’s women. 

At the heart of this collection are standout pieces, including: 

*       Boss Bracelet – A sleek, polished bracelet that exudes quiet confidence and strength, perfect for day-to-night styling. 

*       Boss Babe Earrings – Elegant yet bold, these earrings catch the light with every move—an emblem of independence and ambition. 

*       Boss Babe Ring – A refined yet powerful piece, designed to remind women to embrace their inner strength and lead with confidence. 

Sharing the inspiration behind the collection, Suhani Garg, Co-founder of Nishani, expresses: "Women are not waiting for change—they are making it happen. Whether leading in their fields, breaking barriers, or challenging norms, they are shaping the future every single day. The Women’s Day 2025 Collection is a tribute to their resilience, their drive, and their unapologetic ambition. Each piece is designed to remind every woman that she is powerful, capable, and unstoppable."

Her mother and co-founder, Debi, adds: "Jewellery has always been a symbol of identity and strength. At Nishani, we design for women who own their power. With this collection, we want every woman to feel emboldened—to take action, to lead, and to celebrate herself every step of the way."

As we mark another International Women’s Day, Nishani invites women everywhere to embrace this year’s call to action—"Accelerate Action"—by stepping forward, taking charge, and defining success on their own terms. This collection is not just about adornment; it is about empowerment, ambition, and the courage to move forward, faster. 

The Women’s Day 2025 Collection will be available here for purchase online and at select retail locations starting 24th February 2025. 

About Nishani Studio

Nishani is India’s first truly customizable jewellery brand, co-founded by Suhani and Debi. Designed for the modern, dynamic woman, Nishani offers modular, versatile jewellery that empowers self-expression and individuality. Every piece is meticulously crafted with quality, creativity, and innovation, ensuring that jewellery is not just worn—but experienced. 

GaragePlug Acquires Freshreview For An Undisclosed Amount

To unite AI-powered reputation marketing with Connected Service Center Operations  

Making review & reputation management part of every automotive service workflow 

Combined AI suite to strengthen customer satisfaction & bottom line revenue 

GaragePlug, a global forerunner in automotive service digitalization, today announced that it has strategically acquired Freshreview, a leading AI-based reputation and review management platform. This strategic acquisition heralds a bold step forward in solving one of the auto service industry’s greatest pain points—its lingering reputation problem.

GaragePlug, a global leader in automotive service digital transformation, empowering enterprise service networks with its AI-driven Connected Operations Platform. Its AI-centric approach enables service centers to operate with unmatched efficiency, transparency, and scalability, ensuring they stay ahead in an evolving industry while delivering a superior customer experience. Freshreview is a leading AI-based reputation and review management platform helping automotive brands convert online reviews into strategic growth levers. 

This strategic acquisition is a deep integration: By merging with GaragePlug, Freshreview seamlessly integrates into GaragePlug’s robust Connected Operations Platform—eliminating the complexity of a standalone product. It enables auto service enterprises to manage operations, marketing, and reputation in one place, dramatically reducing set-up times and boosting customer trust & loyalty. By uniting AI-powered review management with connected service center operations, GaragePlug’s expanding AI roadmap gets a significant boost from Freshreview’s expertise in real-time sentiment analysis, review collection, and AI driven review-to-video features. 

Speaking on the occasion, Ms Bhavya Purana Hosadurgam, Founder – Freshreview, said “The truth is, people pick service centers based on trust. If your online reviews are not credible or easy to find, you are invisible. By integrating with GaragePlug, we are making reputation management an effortless part of every automotive service workflow.”

Elaborating further, Ms Shubhra Srivastava, CEO – GaragePlug said, “Auto service is all about trust—once customers find a reliable workshop, they usually stick around. But these days, trust depends heavily on online reputation, which a lot of brands ignore. With Freshreview in GaragePlug’s AI roadmap, feedback and review collection become a breeze, turning happy customers into brand ambassadors and helping service businesses grow faster and smarter.”

Emphasizing the synergy in the acquisition, Prasanna, Managing Partner – Upekkha, closely associated with both the AI Saas Companies, stated, “Freshreview is a fantastic addition to the vertical AI suite that GaragePlug are building. Garageplug will help their customers grow faster, and deliver superior service as well.”

Both teams stated that this is a strategic acquisition. Freshreview’s entire team will join GaragePlug’s engineering and product divisions, ensuring a cohesive transition for existing clients. Moving forward, auto service centers will have a deeply integrated platform that ties together operations, marketing, and advanced reputation management, strengthening both customer satisfaction and bottom-line revenue.

About Freshreview

Freshreview is dedicated to empowering service businesses—especially in the auto service sector—to leverage customer feedback as a strategic asset. With AI-driven reputation and review management, Freshreview enables companies to build trust, boost visibility, and improve customer loyalty across digital channels.

About GaragePlug

GaragePlug is a global leader in automotive service digital transformation, empowering enterprise service networks with its AI-driven Connected Operations Platform. By seamlessly unifying service centre operations like scheduling, invoicing, workflow automation, analytics, and more, GaragePlug provides head offices with full operational control, deep visibility, and advanced business intelligence across their entire service network. Its AI-centric approach enables service centers to operate with unmatched efficiency, transparency, and scalability, ensuring they stay ahead in an evolving industry while delivering a superior customer experience.

Hyundai Motor India Foundation’s ‘Art For hope - Season 4’ Empowers

* 50 Talented Artists Across India; Celebrates Art for Social Change

* HMIF’s flagship ‘Art for hope’ program is exhibiting outstanding work of talented artists at Travancore Palace, New Delhi, from February 28 to March 02, 2025

* Total grant support of INR 60 Lakhs awarded to 50 grantees from 15 states across India in Season 4

* Consolidated sum of INR 1.65 Crore awarded as grants to over 150 artists through four seasons of Art for hope program

* Over 25,000 artists benefitted from HMIF’s efforts dedicated towards art so far

* The 3-day event also features local artisan stalls, interactive workshops, expert sessions, roundtable discussions, and cultural performances

Hyundai Motor India Foundation (HMIF), the CSR arm of Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL), inaugurated the fourth season of its flagship art initiative – ‘Art for hope.’ The three-day art and culture festival felicitates 50 grant-winning artists and art collectives from 15 states across India with a total grant of INR 60 Lakhs. Championing artistic expression, the ‘Art for hope’ initiative reflects HMIF’s commitment to nurturing artistic talent, preserving India’s rich cultural heritage, and fostering a future where creativity fuels social progress. The grantees comprise 40 individual artists including 5 grants for persons with disabilities, and 10 art collectives.

The fourth season of ‘Art for hope’ was inaugurated by Shri. Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Minister of Culture and Tourism, Government of India, in the presence of Mr. Unsoo Kim, Managing Director - HMIL, Mr. Gopalakrishnan CS, Trustee - HMIF, Mr. Jeongick Lee, Function Head - Corporate Affairs, HMIL, and Mr. Puneet Anand, Vertical Head - Corporate Communication & Social, HMIL, at Travancore Palace, New Delhi.

Commenting on the significance of ‘Art for hope’, Shri. Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Minister of Culture and Tourism, Government of India, said, “Art has the power to inspire, educate, and unite cultures and communities. ‘Art for hope’ is a commendable initiative by Hyundai Motor India Foundation, that not only supports artists but also preserves and promotes India’s diverse cultural expressions. By empowering emerging and under-represented artists, this program ensures that traditional and contemporary art continues to thrive and flourish. Hyundai Motor India’s dedication to nurturing art reflects their commitment to nation-building.”

Speaking at the inaugural event of ‘Art for hope - Season 4’, Mr. Unsoo Kim, Managing Director - HMIL, said, “At Hyundai Motor India Limited, our vison of driving ‘Progress for Humanity’ is at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to building not just cars, but a better future for Bharat. The Art for hope initiative reflects our deep commitment to India, respect for its diverse traditions and the extraordinary potential of its people. With Season 4 of the program, we reaffirm our dedication to nurturing creativity, celebrating diversity and inclusivity. Our success is linked to the progress of the communities we serve, and initiatives such as Art for hope are vital towards this direction.”

Key highlights of Art for hope - Season 4:

*  Art workshops on traditional forms such as Sanjhi papercut art from Mathura, Lippan art from Gujarat, and Kalamkari art from Andhra Pradesh

*  Theater performances by artists from New Delhi and Maharashtra, along with dance and documentary showcases featuring Lavani, Ottan Thullal, Theyyam, and Yakshagana

*  Special musical performance by a band of talented artists with disabilities

*  Artisan Fest: Stalls supporting 15 eco-friendly art and craft NGO’s and small enterprises

*  Speaker sessions and roundtable discussions on topics such as ‘Art from Waste’ and ‘Inclusivity in Design and the Arts’

*  The exhibition is accessible to visitors with mobility issues, hearing and vision impairment through tactile artworks, audio-visual sign language tours, and braille descriptions

Through ‘Art for hope,’ grant recipients receive not only financial assistance, but also social and professional recognition besides emotional support, helping them build sustainable careers in their respective artforms. Over the past four seasons, HMIF has empowered 150 artists and art collectives with direct financial support amounting to INR 1.65 Crore. These efforts have touched the lives of over 25,000 artisans, reinforcing HMIF’s long-term commitment to preserving India’s artistic legacy for future generations.

Issued by:

Hyundai Motor India Foundation

Plot No. H-1, SIPCOT Industrial Park

Irungattukottai, Sriperumbudur Taluk

Kancheepuram District, Tamil Nadu - 602 117.

Honda Cars India Registers Total Sales Of 10,323 Units In February’25

Honda Cars India Ltd. (HCIL), leading manufacturer of premium cars in India, registered total sales of 10,323 units in February’2025. Domestic sales of the company stood at 5,616 units and exports at 4,707 units in the month of February’25.

Sharing thoughts on Feb’25 sales performance, Mr. Kunal Behl, Vice President, Marketing & Sales, Honda Cars India Ltd. said, “The market conditions have been challenging for the auto industry where we saw reduced momentum in car registrations and difficulties in creating fresh demand during Feb as compared to last year. However, our recent launches of All New Amaze and Special editions of Elevate Black and City Apex with good response from market have helped us to create new excitement in our products and sustain sales in this tough period. With new benefits outlined in the Union Budget 2026 to boost overall consumer demand, we hope situation will improve in coming period. On the export front, we continue to post healthy volumes led by strong performance of Elevate and City in export markets.”

The company had registered 7,142 units in domestic sales and exported 5,936 units in February’ 24.

Air India Express Expands Operations From National Capital Region; Launches Flights From Hindon Airport

* The airline will now operate direct flights on the Hindon - Bengaluru, Goa, and Kolkata routes, with services starting on the Hindon – Jammu and Chennai routes from March 22, 2025. 

Strengthening Bengaluru’s connectivity in the National Capital Region (NCR), K. Rammohan Naidu, Union Minister for Civil Aviation, inaugurated Air India Express' services from Hindon Airport in Ghaziabad. The airline will operate 40 weekly flights from Hindon, directly connecting five key destinations—Bengaluru, Chennai, Goa, Jammu, and Kolkata. The inaugural event at Hindon Airport was attended by Atul Garg, Member of Parliament, Ghaziabad; Vumlunmang Vualnam, Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation; Vipin Kumar, Chairman, Airports Authority of India; and Air Commodore Sanjay Chopra VSM, Commanding Officer, Air Force Station Hindon. The maiden flight on the Kolkata–Hindon route landed at 09:30 hrs, while the first departure from Hindon to Goa took off at 10:40 hrs. As part of the celebrations, the Union Minister presented the first guest of the inaugural flight with a commemorative boarding pass.

With operations from both Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) and Hindon Airport (HDO), Air India Express becomes the first airline to serve the National Capital Region from two airports. This strategic expansion will serve the vast catchment area of North and East Delhi NCR, as well as Western UP. In particular, Ghaziabad, Meerut, Noida, besides the key localities such as Akshardham, Anand Vihar, Chandni Chowk, Indirapuram, ITO, Karol Bagh, Vaishali, and beyond, will be conveniently connected to the new air services. For those arriving from Bengaluru, Chennai, Goa, and Kolkata, it provides quicker access to the National Capital Region.

Commenting on Air India Express’ commencing operations from Hindon Airport, K. Rammohan Naidu, Union Minister for Civil Aviation, said, "I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Air India Express for continuously expanding its network and enhancing the travel experience. With the addition of Hindon to its growing network, Air India Express is not only strengthening connectivity but also offering greater flexibility across the National Capital Region. The launch of services from Hindon will complement existing operations at Indira Gandhi International Airport, reflecting the government’s vision of expanding aviation infrastructure to meet the growing demand for air travel."

Aloke Singh, Managing Director, Air India Express, said, “The launch of our operations from Hindon marks another milestone in our network expansion journey. Hindon serves a vast catchment area covering Eastern and Northern geography of the Delhi NCR, besides Ghaziabad and western parts of UP. As the Indian air market grows and matures, metropolitan regions can be served by multiple airports as we see in cities like London, New York and Tokyo.  The services from Hindon will complement our extensive operations from Indira Gandhi International Airport, from where we serve 18 domestic and four international destinations. As our fleet crosses the 100 aircraft mark, we continue our journey of expansion and remain dedicated to offering a seamless and affordable flying experience across India, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia."

Travellers can also book complete vacation packages, including accommodation, transport, and activities, on Air India Express’ Xpress Holidays platform, available under the Products and Services section on www.airindiaexpress.com.

From Delhi: Air India Express operates 306 weekly flights from Delhi connecting 18 domestic destinations including Ayodhya, Bagdogra, Bengaluru, Bhubaneshwar, Goa, Guwahati, Indore, Jaipur, Jammu, Kochi, Lucknow, Mangalore, Mumbai, Pune, Ranchi, Srinagar, Surat, and Varanasi. The airline connects four international destinations Bahrain, Dammam, Muscat, Sharjah with 23 weekly flights. Additionally, Air India Express connects 14 one-stop destinations from Delhi – Agartala, Calicut, Chennai, Dibrugarh, Dimapur, Hyderabad, Imphal, Kannur, Kolkata, Patna, Port Blair, Thiruvananthapuram, Vijayawada, Vishakhapatnam

From Bengaluru: Air India Express operates 440 weekly flights from Bengaluru connecting directly to 29 domestic destinations including Amritsar, Ayodhya, Bagdogra, Bhubaneswar, Chennai, Delhi, Goa, Guwahati, Gwalior, Hindon, Hyderabad, Indore, Jaipur, Kannur, Kochi, Kolkata, Kozhikode, Lucknow, Mangaluru, Mumbai, Patna, Pune, Ranchi, Sri Vijaya Puram (Port Blair), Surat, Thiruvananthapuram, Varanasi, Vijayawada, and Visakhapatnam and internationally to Abu Dhabi and Dammam. Additionally, the airline provides one-stop connectivity to seven domestic destinations: Agartala, Dibrugarh, Dimapur, Imphal, Jammu, Srinagar, and Tiruchchirappalli and 14 international destinations: Al Ain, Bahrain, Bangkok, Doha, Dubai, Jeddah, Kuwait, Muscat, Phuket, Ras al Khaimah, Riyadh, Salalah, Sharjah, and Singapore.

From Chennai: Air India Express operates 110 weekly flights from Chennai connecting directly to 14 domestic destinations including Bagdogra, Bengaluru, Bhubaneswar, Goa, Guwahati, Hindon, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Kochi, Kolkata, Pune, Sri Vijaya Puram (Port Blair), Surat, and Tiruchchirappalli and four international destinations: Dammam, Kuwait, Muscat, and Singapore. Additionally, the airline provides one-stop connectivity to 21 domestic destinations: Agartala, Amritsar, Ayodhya, Delhi, Dibrugarh, Dimapir, Gwalior, Imphal, Indore, Jammu, Kannur, Lucknow, Mangaluru, Mumbai, Patna, Ranchi, Srinagar, Thiruvananthapuram, Varanasi, Vijayawada, and Visakhapatnam and nine international destinations: Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Bangkok, Doha, Dubai, Jeddah, Phuket, Riyadh, and Sharjah.

From Goa: Air India Express operates over 100 weekly flights from Goa connecting directly to seven domestic destinations including Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hindon, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Mumbai and internationally to Dubai. Additionally, the airline provides one-stop connectivity to 24 domestic destinations: Amritsar, Ayodhya, Bagdogra, Bhubaneswar, Guwahati, Gwalior, Indore, Jaipur, Jammu, Kannur, Kochi, Kozhikode, Lucknow, Mangaluru, Patna, Pune, Ranchi, Srinagar, Sri Vijaya Puram, Surat, Thiruvananthapuram, Varanasi, Vijayawada, and Visakhapatnam and nine international destinations: Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Dammam, Jeddah, Kuwait, Muscat, Phuket, Sharjah, and Singapore.

From Jammu: Air India Express operates more than 25 weekly flights from Jammu connecting directly to three domestic destinations including Delhi, Hindon, and Srinagar. Additionally, the airline provides one-stop connectivity to 13 domestic destinations: Bengaluru, Bhubaneswar, Chennai, Goa, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Kochi, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, Pune, Surat, and Varanasi and three international destinations including Bahrain, Dammam, and Muscat.

From Kolkata: Air India Express operates over 180 weekly flights from Kolkata connecting directly to 15 domestic destinations including Agartala, Bagdogra, Bengaluru, Bhubaneswar, Chennai, Delhi, Guwahati, Hindon, Hyderabad, Imphal, Indore, Jaipur, Kochi, Patna, and Sri Vijaya Puram. Additionally, the airline provides one-stop connectivity to 18 domestic destinations: Amritsar, Ayodhya, Dimapur, Goa, Gwalior, Jammu, Kannur, Kozhikode, Lucknow, Mangaluru, Mumbai, Pune, Srinagar, Surat, Thiruvananthapuram, Tiruchchirappalli, Vijayawada, and Visakhapatnam and 10 international destinations: Abu Dhabi, Dammam, Doha, Dubai, Jeddah, Kuwait, Phuket, Riyadh, Sharjah, and Singapore.

About Air India Express

Air India Express, is a Tata Enterprise and a subsidiary of Air India, operating over 400 daily flights, connecting 39 domestic and 16 international airports, with a fleet of 99 aircraft, comprising 63 Boeing 737s and 36 Airbus A320s. Air India Express invites guests with the proposition to ‘Fly As You Are’, using thoughtfully considered technology to enable flyers to personalise their travel experience. The airline offers ‘Gourmair’ hot meals, comfortable seats, and a host of exclusive loyalty benefits with a sense of unique Indian warmth, and an award-winning digital experience on its mobile app and website, airindiaexpress.com.      

Photo Caption: K. Rammohan Naidu, Union Minister for Civil Aviation presenting the celebratory boarding pass to the first guest in the presence of Atul Garg, Member of Parliament, Ghaziabad, Aloke Singh, Managing Director, Air India Express, Shri Vumlunmang Vualnam, Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India, Vipin Kumar, Chairman, Airports Authority of India, Air Commodore Sanjay Chopra VSM, Commanding Officer, Air Force Station Hindon, and other dignitaries.

Bengaluru GAFX 2025 Concludes With A Resounding Success, Strengthening India’s AVGC-XR Ecosystem

Highlights:

Karnataka is set to host an Esports Summit, and a Game Developers Conference this year.  These events will foster innovation, nurture talent, and drive the growth of esports and game development in the region.

Amar Chitra Katha and Tinkle Comics announced the prestigious ‘GAFX Uncle Pai Promising New Creator Award.’

The Skyesports Souvenir 2025 National Esports Championship at Bengaluru GAFX 2025 showcased India’s finest gaming talent, with four elite teams competing for a ?5 lakh prize pool. The Home Team Gods Reign was crowned champion, while Aakash Bose aka “PH1NNN” earned the MVP title for his stellar performance.

Under Product launch this year’s GAFX witnessed: Digital Detox Center by All India Gaming Federation launch at GAFX 2025.

Cine Star Rana Daggubati unveiled Suppandi’s animated debut at GAFX 2025; set to stream on PowerKids TV.

A key partnership between Green Gold Animation (India) and TG Entertainment (UK) was announced to expand the Brilliant World of Tom Gates franchise in India and South Asia, focusing on licensing, merchandising, and animation production.

The AnimationXpress GEM Awards 2025 celebrated excellence in gaming, esports, and the metaverse, recognizing top developers, studios, and industry personalities.

This year’s Investor Connect Program saw robust participation, with 29 investors from 22 companies engaging with 34 startups from across the AVGC ecosystem.

An MoU was signed between Uzbekistan and ABAI to enhance international collaboration in the AVGC-XR sector. As part of this agreement, a delegation from Karnataka will participate in an event in Uzbekistan, while a larger delegation from Uzbekistan is set to visit Karnataka next year, strengthening global industry connections and knowledge exchange.

The ABAI AVGC Centre of Excellence (CoE) and Media & Entertainment Skills Council (MESC) signed an MoU to drive skilling, incubation, innovation, and policy development in the AVGC sector.

The B2B Forum at Bengaluru GAFX 2025 facilitated 395 LOIs business meetings, featuring 15 top buyers, 39 participating companies, and 40 IPs showcased, key investments and collaborations in the AVGC-XR industry.

The three-day Bengaluru GAFX 2025, organized by the Department of E, IT & Bt, Government of Karnataka, and ABAI at the Lalit Ashok, concluded today, marking a resounding success. Themed 'Future of Immersion: EXPERIENCE. EXPLORE. DISRUPT event set new benchmarks in the industry with groundbreaking partnerships, insightful discussions, and a thriving platform for startups and investors. The event reaffirmed Karnataka’s position as the world’s leading hub for AVGC-XR and a key driver of India’s global leadership in immersive media and entertainment.

Addressing the audience at the valedictory function, Shri Priyank Kharge, Hon'ble Minister for Information Technology & Biotechnology and Rural Development & Panchayat Raj, Govt. of Karnataka said, “Karnataka is not just the IT, biotech, and skill capital of India—we are on our way to becoming the global creative capital. The AVGC-XR sector is no longer just about entertainment; it is a powerful economic force driving innovation, employment, and global influence. Our focus is on skill development, reskilling, and cross-skilling through initiatives like Nipuna Karnataka, ensuring our talent competes on a global stage. We are investing in incubators, Centers of Excellence, and original IP creation to position Karnataka as a leader in animation, gaming, VFX, and XR. The success of global brands like Disney and Marvel proves the potential of intellectual property, and it’s time for India to create its own. This year, Karnataka will host an Esports Summit and a Game Developers Conference, marking a major step in strengthening our gaming ecosystem. The Esports Summit will hone the skills of gaming enthusiasts, putting Karnataka on the global competitive gaming map. The Game Developers Conference will bring together innovators, creators, and industry leaders to push the boundaries of game design and original IP development. With these initiatives, Karnataka is laying the foundation for a future where we don’t just provide services but create world-class content and technology. With the right policies, incentives, and vision, we will transform India into a global hub for creative technology. The future belongs to those who innovate, and Karnataka is ready to set new benchmarks for the world.”

Delivering the special address at the valedictory function, Mr. Biren Ghose, Chairman, Bengaluru GAFX & President, ABAI said, “ABAI is proud of how every constituency in AVGC - XR has come together to create a spectacular Bengaluru GAFX 2025. Our vision to explore the Future of Immersion has been realised. There are tangible outcomes that will be an accelerator for India’s creative technology industries. The support of the Department of ITBT, Government of Karnataka, has been instrumental in continuing to catapult this industry to global excellence. GAFX 2025 has succeeded in providing rich exploration, creating never-before experiences and highlighting the disruption that will enable studios, startups, and talent to make a lasting impact on the global stage.”

The Bengaluru GAFX 2025 has been a global standout, with 5000+ footfalls per day and 15+ state association participants with 50+ exhibitors. The three-day event witnessed 10+ countries in 100+ sessions with insights from 200 speakers. The event facilitated 395 LOI business interactions between 15 prominent buyers and 40 sellers with IPs.  Additionally, the event also facilitated the signing of 10+ Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs). Digital Detox Center by the All-India Gaming Federation was also launched at GAFX 2025. The event also saw participants from 150 colleges, 500 nationwide students for different competitions, 20+ national & international, and 10 muse artists for Sketch Alley. A total prize money of Rs 10 lakh, along with goodies, was awarded to participants.

B2B Forum emerged as a premier networking and business matchmaking platform, driving meaningful collaborations within the AVGC-XR industry. The forum created a structured space for content creators, studios, and AVGC startups to pitch their projects to global buyers and investors. The event saw significant interest from investors in select IPs, paving the way for further discussions and future collaborations. Strengthening Bengaluru GAFX’s role as India’s leading business hub for AVGC, the B2B Forum successfully fostered new partnerships, investment opportunities, and industry growth.

The event witnessed groundbreaking collaborations, industry-shaping discussions, and dynamic showcases that set the stage for the future of animation, gaming, VFX, and comics in India. Industry veterans and thought leaders, and esteemed Indian accolades, actively participated, emphasizing the transformative potential of technological advancements. Bengaluru GAFX stands out as a unique event in the AVGC industry, facilitating the convergence of Indian and international synergy. Both international and Indian studios, along with industry veterans, presented some of the largest and most critically acclaimed titles during the event.

The Summary of Three-Day Bengaluru GAFX, 2025

At GAFX 2025, Amar Chitra Katha and Tinkle Comics, in collaboration with Zebu Animation, unveiled the highly anticipated animated debut of Suppandi, one of India’s most beloved comic characters. The grand reveal, led by cine actor Rana Daggubati, was met with enthusiasm from fans and industry professionals alike. Adding to the excitement, it was also announced that WingStar, Tinkle’s young female superhero, will soon make her animated debut. The launch marks a major milestone in Indian animation, with Suppandi’s adventures set to premiere on PowerKids TV, one of the leading YouTube channels for kids' content. This initiative reinforces Amar Chitra Katha’s commitment to transmedia storytelling, bringing iconic Indian characters to new audiences in innovative formats.

At GAFX 2025, Amar Chitra Katha and Tinkle Comics launched the GAFX Uncle Pai Promising New Creator Award, a prestigious annual honour dedicated to recognizing and nurturing emerging comic book creators. Named after Uncle Pai, the visionary behind Indian comics, the award celebrates fresh talent in children's storytelling. The inaugural recipient, Mahati Santhanakrishnan, was recognized for her comic "Hunting Monsters," reflecting her passion for mythology and illustration. As part of the award, Mahati will receive a rolling trophy, an independent comic book publication by Amar Chitra Katha, serialization in Tinkle Magazine, and a one-month internship at Tinkle Comics. This initiative reaffirms Amar Chitra Katha’s commitment to fostering new talent and shaping the future of Indian comics.

At Bengaluru GAFX 2025, the Skyesports Souvenir 2025 National Esports Championship brought together the best gaming talent from across India through open qualifiers, culminating in an electrifying grand finale at The Lalit Ashok, Bengaluru. The top four teams battled it out on a grand stage for the coveted national champion title, with a prize pool of INR 5 lakhs adding to the high-stakes competition. The Home Team Gods Reign was crowned champion, while Aakash Bose aka “PH1NNN” earned the MVP title for his stellar performance. The tournament featured Counterstrike 2, a game that has also been confirmed as a title in the Olympic Esports Games 2026, further elevating the significance of the championship. With intense matchups, top-tier gameplay, and an enthusiastic audience, the event reinforced India’s growing presence in the global esports ecosystem.

One of the key highlights of GAFX 2025 was the Investor Connect Program, an initiative aimed at bridging the gap between startups and potential investors. Understanding the challenges that startups face in securing funding, scaling operations, and accessing global markets, the program provided a structured platform for direct engagement with investors. This year’s Investor Connect Program saw robust participation, with 29 investors from 22 companies engaging with 34 startups from across the AVGC ecosystem. The platform facilitated high-impact discussions, pitching sessions, and networking opportunities that helped emerging ventures secure crucial funding and mentorship.

Additionally, a key partnership between Green Gold Animation, India, and TG Entertainment, UK, was announced to expand the Brilliant World of Tom Gates franchise in India and South Asia, focusing on licensing, merchandising, and animation production. Further strengthening industry collaboration, an MoU was signed between the ABAI AVGC Centre of Excellence (CoE) and the Media & Entertainment Skills Council (MESC) to enhance skilling, reskilling, upskilling, incubation, innovation, and policy development in the AVGC sector, ensuring a steady pipeline of talent for the industry.

The event also celebrated industry excellence with the AnimationXpress GEM Awards 2025 recognizing excellence in gaming, esports, and the metaverse, recognizing top developers, studios, and personalities. Key categories included Gaming, Metaverse & Technology, and Esports. Notable winners were Bloom - A Puzzle Adventure (Best Casual Game), Indus Battle Royale (Best Mobile Game), and 1971: Indian Naval Front (Best Hardcore Game). SuperGaming won Game Studio of the Year, while Lucid Labs was named Best Indie Studio. In esports, Jonathan “Jonathan Gaming” Amaral was Esports Athlete of the Year, and GodLike Esports won Esports Organization of the Year. Tamil Nadu was honored for its contribution to Indian esports, and Battlegrounds Mobile India was the Most Trending Game.

The ABAI AVGC Centre of Excellence (CoE) and Media & Entertainment Skills Council (MESC) signed an MoU at GAFX 2025, forging a strategic collaboration to advance skilling, incubation, innovation, and policy development in the AVGC sector. MESC will design training programs, address skill gaps, and uphold quality standards, while ABAI AVGC CoE will provide cutting-edge infrastructure, support startups, and drive research and innovation. This non-financial, three-year partnership ensures industry-relevant learning and technological growth, with confidentiality maintained on proprietary information.

At GAFX 2025, the Karnataka AVGC Policy 2024-2029 workshop, led by Ms. Archana C, KAS, General Manager, Karnataka Innovation and Technology Society (KITS), Department of Electronics, Information Technology and Biotechnology, Government of Karnataka, outlined the state's vision for Animation, VFX, Gaming, and Comics. Karnataka, which holds 20% of India’s Media & Entertainment market, is home to specialized institutes, 27 Digital Art Centres, and an AVGC-XR Finishing School that has trained over 842 students. The policy focuses on skilling, startup support, infrastructure development, IP protection, production grants, and global market expansion. Ms. Archana highlighted the sector’s rapid growth and encouraged professionals to explore government initiatives for greater innovation and success. The session concluded with an engaging Q&A session.

At the event, the session "Bringing Moana 2 to Life: The Filmmaking Process" offered an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the film’s creation. It covered extensive research in the Pacific Islands for cultural authenticity, collaborative efforts in storyboarding, visual development, and character design, and insights into the storyline set three years after the original. The session also showcased Disney’s advanced technology, including Tonic for hair grooming, 2D animation for Maui’s tattoos, and enhanced crowd simulation, along with the role of lighting, color correction, and production management in crafting an immersive experience.

In the session Future Frames: Showcasing Karnataka’s Rising AVGC Startups, industry leaders shared their entrepreneurial journeys and discussed the evolving AVGC landscape in Karnataka. Moderated by B. S. Srinivas, the panel featured Vivek Reddy (Viga Entertainment), Prince Thomas (MetaShot), Rajat Divate (Mountain Flower), and Vivek Bolar (Aum Studio). The discussion highlighted the crucial role of government support, particularly the Elevate Grant and the 3rd AVGC Policy (2024-2029), in fostering innovation and growth. Panellists explored how AI is transforming the AVGC sector, the challenges of bootstrapping from Tier-2 cities, and the resilience required to overcome failures. Srinivas emphasized Karnataka’s commitment to empowering startups, while Vivek Reddy shared his experience of relocating from Los Angeles to India, expressing gratitude for government initiatives that have helped unlock job opportunities in the industry.

With the successful conclusion of GAFX 2025, Karnataka has further cemented its position as a global hub for AVGC-XR innovation. The event catalysed collaborations, investments, and technological advancements, driving the industry forward. Notably, the Investor Connect Program played a pivotal role in strengthening the startup ecosystem, ensuring that India continues to lead in the evolution of the AVGC-XR sector on the world stage.

Green Gold Animation And TG Entertainment Sign MoU At GAFX 2025 To Expand Tom Gates Franchise In India

Today at GAFX 2025, Green Gold Animation Private Limited and UK-based TG Entertainment Limited have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore business opportunities for The Brilliant World of Tom Gates franchise in India. This strategic partnership aims to expand the beloved franchise in the areas of licensing, merchandising, series animation production. Under the MoU, both companies will collaborate to develop market opportunities in India and wider South Asian markets.

At the heart of this success is Tom Gates himself—a doodler extraordinaire, master of making up excuses, and a beloved figure among young readers and viewers worldwide. Since 2011, author and illustrator Liz Pichon has built a phenomenon with 23 award-winning, multi-million-copy-bestselling books and an EPIC award-winning, globally recognized 3-season TV series, plus two holiday specials, all inspiring creativity and fun. Now, expanding beyond screens and pages, Tom Gates is set to captivate live audiences with a stage show launching in the UK in April 2025, touring 45 venues nationwide. With over 16.5 million books sold and 26+ awards, this franchise continues to engage and entertain kids aged 6+, reinforcing its status as a global favorite published by Scholastic UK.

"Building on its legacy as a leader in Animation, licensing and merchandising for Indian IPs, Green Gold is expanding its scope to include international properties. The introduction of Tom Gates to India is a significant milestone, and we're eager to see its success in this market." Said Rajiv Chilaka, Founder and CEO, GREEN GOLD ANIMATION

“We are delighted to be partnering with Green Gold, the outstanding Children’s IP company in India, who bring unparalleled expertise in this incredibly exciting market to Tom Gates and our partners.” Said Ken Anderson, CEO, TG ENTERTAINMENT

About Green Gold Animation:

Green Gold Animation is India's #1 Original Animation Content Producer. Pioneering the creation of original IP with blockbuster shows like Chhota Bheem for Warner Bros. and Mighty Little Bheem for Netflix. With two decades in the industry, Green Gold is on the leading edge, with the craft, ability, and experience to deliver world-class animation to clients across the globe.

About TG Entertainment:

TG Entertainment Ltd was established to produce and manage the audio-visual rights, licensing, and merchandising for The Brilliant World of Tom Gates, the best-selling book series by Liz Pichon. Backed by the expertise of its award-winning founders—Arabella Page Croft of Black Camel Pictures (Sunshine on Leith, Falling For Figaro, Gifted) and Ken Anderson (64 Zoo Lane, Dennis and Gnasher)—the company brings deep industry knowledge in kids and family entertainment across TV, film, and animation.