Government of Karnataka Recognizes WorldSkills 2024 Winners from Toyota Kirloskar Motor

Reaffirming its commitment to the “Skill India Mission” and India’s aspiration for “Viksit Bharat 2047,” Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) today proudly announced the felicitation of their ten talented employees by the Government of Karnataka for their exceptional achievements at the WorldSkills Competition 2024 held in Lyon, France.

At a ceremony held at Vidhan Soudha, the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Karnataka, Sri Siddaramaiah, along with Hon’ble Minister of Medical Education & Skill Development Dr. Sharanprakash R Patil felicitated the winners in the presence of senior executives from Toyota Kirloskar Motor.

A total of ten awardees, Prem V, Bhanu Prasad, Darshan Gowda, Nelson, Mohith MU, Harish R, Hemanth, Udhay, Rohan and Sudeep were recognized for their outstanding skills and commitment. These young professionals, trained at Toyota Technical Training Institute (TTTI), stood out among international competitors from over 60 countries. Each employee brought unique strengths to India Skills & WorldSkills Competition 2024, contributing to the team’s remarkable performance.

While Prem Vasanth Kumar achieved a Medallion of Excellence in Additive Manufacturing, Bhanuprasad SM and Darshan Gowda CS showcased remarkable versatility to achieve the Medallion of Excellence in Mechatronics at WorldSkills Competition 2024. The Medallion of Excellence is awarded to competitors who score 700 or more points. Further, the Mechatronics candidates were awarded second place in the Sustainable Practice Award, having successfully completed tasks measured against industry sustainability standards with the highest level of performance. Nelson, Mohith MU, and Harish R clinched the National Gold Medal in the Manufacturing Team Challenge, while Udhay, Hemanth, and Rohan received the Silver Medal, and Sudeep earned a Medallion of Excellence in Mechatronics & Car Painting skills—reaffirming Toyota’s continued leadership in nurturing high-quality technical talent. The Karnataka State Government awarded cash prizes of INR 5 lakh for each WorldSkills Medallion of Excellence winner, INR 3 lakh for National Level Gold Medalists, and INR 75,000 for Silver Medalists.

Speaking on the recognition, Mr. G. Shankara, Executive Vice President, Finance and Administration, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, said, “We are extremely proud of our employees and their outstanding accomplishments at WorldSkills 2024. We thank Government of Karnataka for recognizing & encouraging the winners. Their journey is an inspiring example of what can be achieved when dedication meets opportunity. This achievement reinforces our alignment with national initiatives like ‘Skill India’ and ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’ and state initiatives such as “Karnataka Kaushalya’ as we remain committed to building a skilled workforce for the nation. At Toyota, we are committed to transform rural youth to world class competitive technicians, creating opportunities and driving positive change in the communities we serve is central to our purpose, and we will continue advancing this journey toward inclusive growth and shared progress.”

All ten employees are alumni of the Toyota Technical Training Institute (TTTI), an institute established by TKM to empower rural youth with advanced manufacturing skills. Established in 2007, TTTI offers a three-year residential program in key trades like Assembly, Paint, Weld, and Mechatronics, with a strong focus on holistic development. Students undergo rigorous technical training alongside physical and character-building activities, including community service. With over 1,400 graduates and a 100% placement record, TTTI-trained students have consistently excelled at national and global skill contests, including the WorldSkills Competition, earning accolades and recognition for their technical excellence. To scale its impact, TKM has recently doubled TTTI’s intake, introduced dedicated seats for female candidates, and upgraded residential and training infrastructure.

Complementing TTTI’s efforts, Toyota Kaushalya serves as another key initiative aimed at expanding access to skill development. The Toyota Kaushalya program is a two-year, free training model with on-the-job learning for underprivileged youth. Furthermore, Toyota has also partnered with industrial and technical training institutes across India to create the Toyota Technical Education Program (T-TEP). To date, Toyota has established 68 T-TEP centres across India, benefitting over 14,000 students.

As India moves forward on its journey toward becoming a global skills capital, Toyota Kirloskar Motor remains steadfast in its vision to contribute meaningfully through sustained investment in training, education, and community development.

Fly More, Earn More: Kotak and IndiGo Relaunch Co-Branded Credit Cards powered by IndiGo BluChips

Love to travel? Now your everyday spending can take you places! Kotak Mahindra Bank and IndiGo have teamed up to relaunch an exciting suite of co-branded credit cards –powered by IndiGo Airlines’ brand-new loyalty program, IndiGo BluChip.

Whether you're a frequent flyer or just planning your next getaway, these cards are designed to daily expenses into travel rewards.

Two Cards, One Goal – Smarter Travel

Choose the card that fits your lifestyle:

    IndiGo Kotak Credit Card – Perfect for everyday users seeking travel benefits with daily convenience. Customer can earn over 30,000 BluChips on spending ₹6 lacs annually including Milestones, accelerated rewards on travel, dining, entertainment, and more.

    IndiGo Kotak Premium Credit Card – Tailored for frequent flyers, this card offers over 70,000 BluChips on annual spends over ₹12 lacs, turning your daily spends into return tickets to your favourite holiday destinations.

Ashok Vaswani, MD & CEO, Kotak Mahindra Bank, said:
“At Kotak, we are proud to deepen our longstanding partnership with IndiGo, an airline that has redefined travel for millions of Indians. This collaboration is built around a shared vision, to make everyday banking more rewarding and travel more accessible. Through these co-branded credit cards, we are giving our customers a simple, powerful way to turn daily spends into memorable journeys.”

Pieter Elbers, Chief Executive Officer, IndiGo said: "Through IndiGo BluChip, we strive to offer unmatched loyalty benefits to our loyal customers and this partnership with Kotak Mahindra Bank is an integral part of our endeavour. This partnership empowers our customers to earn IndiGo BluChips on their everyday spending and redeem them seamlessly on flights across our domestic and international network. As IndiGo spreads its wings across the globe, we are sure that customers appreciate and enjoy the benefits of these credit cards as they travel across the globe with us.”

Ready to Take Off?

Getting started is easy:

1.       Apply online via the official link.

2.       Activate your card through Kotak’s app or website.

3.       Start spending and watch your BluChips grow!

Turn your daily expenses into unforgettable travel experiences. Learn more and apply here: https://www.goindigo.in/loyalty/partners/kotak-mahindra-bank-credit-card.html

Texas Instruments India concludes fourth annual WiSH program

Texas Instruments (TI) has wrapped up the fourth edition of its month-long Women in Semiconductors and Hardware (WiSH) program. WiSH is TI’s flagship mentorship initiative aimed at inspiring and empowering second-year female engineering students across India to pursue impactful careers in core engineering, with a focus on semiconductors and hardware. Built on the previous three editions’ success, the 2025 program attracted over 1,500 registrations and more than 190 participants, reflecting a growing interest in the initiative over the years. 

“The semiconductor industry is evolving rapidly, and the need for skilled talent is greater than ever,” said Santhosh Kumar, Managing Director, Texas Instruments India. “With women representing less than 20% of the people in technical roles in the industry the WiSH program expands access, builds confidence, and fosters engineering capabilities among aspiring women engineers in India. By investing in this next generation of talent, we are helping shape a stronger semiconductor ecosystem.”

This year’s WiSH program participants gained hands-on experience through simulation projects, lab visits, technical deep dives, and networking sessions with TI leaders. The program included three weeks of virtual mentoring, culminating in an immersive, in-person week at TI’s Bengaluru campus. During this phase, students engaged directly with mentors, industry experts, and women leaders from TI. 

“The WiSH program provided me the right platform to go beyond classroom learning. We had access to labs where we gained hands-on experience in simulation and circuit design,” said Poornima Kulkarni, Analog Engineer at TI India and a previous WiSH participant. “What makes it unique is the mentorship by subject matter experts to guide aspiring engineers through the course of the program.”

Texas Instruments remains committed to fostering diversity and inclusion within the technology sector. Through initiatives such as WiSH, TI helps to bridge the gender gap in STEM fields and empower the next generation of engineers to lead and innovate in the semiconductor industry.

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About Texas Instruments                                                                                                                

Texas Instruments Incorporated (Nasdaq: TXN) is a global semiconductor company that designs, manufactures, and sells analog and embedded processing chips for markets such as industrial, automotive, personal electronics, communications equipment and enterprise systems. At our core, we have a passion to create a better world by making electronics more affordable through semiconductors. This passion is alive today as each generation of innovation builds upon the last to make our technology more reliable, more affordable and lower power, making it possible for semiconductors to go into electronics everywhere. Learn more at TI.com.

Cashless & Confident: This World Youth Skills Day, Visa shares smart financial tips for young India

The world is evolving at a rapid pace and India’s youth is skilling up to manage money confidently. This World Youth Skills Day, Visa shares essential money skills to help young Indians budget smarter, spend wisely, and shape a financially secure future.

1. Analytical Thinking for Digital Spending Analysis: Use mobile wallets smartly with real-time alerts to track, analyze and streamline your spending. Stay in complete control by connecting your credit and debit cards only to trusted apps.

2. Financial Management for Cash Flow Control: Efficiently manage spending by setting limits to manage your daily and weekly expenses. Enable SMS and app notifications to help you monitor all money in and out and stay on top of your cash flow.

3. Technological Precision to avoid digital payment scams: Technology is reshaping the way we pay, demanding smarter habits to stay safe and swift in a connected world. Make the most contactless payments such as tap to pay which use two-factor authentication and AI-powered fraud detection for a secure and seamless checkout.

4. Organisation & Time Management: Use digital tools to automate payments, track upcoming expenses, and align your spending with both short and long-term goals. A little planning today keeps you prepared and streamline your goals. 

Build skills that go beyond the screen because managing money wisely today means leading confidently in the digital world of tomorrow.

About Visa

Visa (NYSE: V) is a world leader in digital payments, facilitating transactions between consumers, merchants, financial institutions and government entities across more than 200 countries and territories. Our mission is to connect the world through the most innovative, convenient, reliable and secure payments network, enabling individuals, businesses and economies to thrive. We believe that economies that include everyone everywhere, uplift everyone everywhere and see access as foundational to the future of money movement. Learn more at Visa.com.

Zayed National Museum To Open December 2025, Inviting The World To Discover The National Museum Of UAE

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  As a legacy of Sheikh Zayed’s vision, the museum stands not only as a guardian of the past but as a space for the world to connect with the evolving story of the United Arab Emirates

Zayed National Museum, the national museum of the United Arab Emirates, will open its doors in December 2025 in the heart of Saadiyat Cultural District Abu Dhabi, one of the highest concentrations of cultural institutions globally. The landmark institution honours the Founding Father of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and his commitment to education, identity and belonging.

Through immersive exhibitions, active research, and engaging public programming, the museum builds on Sheikh Zayed’s vision, upholding the values he stood for, including humanitarianism and preserving legacy. Visitors will explore six permanent galleries across two floors, spanning 300,000 years of human history, as well as a temporary exhibition gallery. The museum’s collection features artefacts from across the UAE, including donations that speak to the rich heritage of the country, in addition to domestic and international loans.

His Excellency Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, said: “The cultural legacy of the UAE has been nurtured over decades, from the establishment of its earliest cultural institutions to today’s expansive vision for cultural exchange and knowledge. Saadiyat Cultural District represents the next chapter in this national journey, curating world-class institutions that honour the past and engage the future. As the national museum of the United Arab Emirates, Zayed National Museum is the legacy of our Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. It is a tribute to his boundless belief in people, in their ability to learn, to uphold the values of unity, compassion and national pride. This museum is more than a place of preservation; it is a promise to future generations, a beacon of our identity, and a space where our story is told not just through objects, but through emotion, memory and vision. This institution will carry our story forward for generations to come.”

The museum includes Palaeolithic, Neolithic, Bronze and Iron Age artefacts, uncovered by research teams across the United Arab Emirates over fifty years ago. These artefacts tell a story of resilience and resourcefulness of the country’s first communities, from the world’s oldest falaj irrigation system to evidence of Bronze Age copper mining.

Museum highlights will include the Abu Dhabi Pearl, one of the world’s oldest natural pearls, shedding new light on the history of pearling in the Arabian Gulf; the Blue Qur’an, one of Islamic art’s finest manuscripts; and a recreation of an ancient Magan Boat, the outcome of the museum’s first research partnership with Zayed University and New York University Abu Dhabi.

Designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Lord Norman Foster of Foster + Partners, the museum’s design embodies the heritage of the United Arab Emirates, which is at the forefront of its sustainable design. The five steel structures which rise above the museum are inspired by the wing of a falcon in flight, with falconry a practice that is an integral part of Emirati culture.

The museum will offer an inclusive and accessible experience that connects people across generations and geographies. Through its galleries, learning programmes, and pioneering research, it will bring global perspectives into dialogue with the UAE’s heritage and contemporary identity. From inspiring young people and engaging People of Determination and senior citizens, to driving international scholarship, Zayed National Museum will stand as a dynamic platform for cultural exchange and shared understanding.

As part of Saadiyat Cultural District’s mission to foster dialogue and promote cultural equity, Zayed National Museum will present collections and narratives that celebrate the region’s rich heritage while engaging with diverse global perspectives. It will stand alongside several globally renowned cultural institutions within the District, including Louvre Abu Dhabi, teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi, the upcoming Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi, and Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s role as a global meeting place for culture, ideas, and innovation. 

About Zayed National Museum:

Zayed National Museum, located in the heart of Saadiyat Cultural District Abu Dhabi, is the national museum of the United Arab Emirates. Guided by the values of its Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the museum tells the story of the nation from ancient times to present day. Through exhibitions, research and public programming, it explores the UAE’s history, culture and heritage, honouring Sheikh Zayed’s enduring legacy and his commitment to knowledge, unity and the preservation of Emirati identity.

 

About the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi:

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) drives the sustainable growth of Abu Dhabi’s culture and tourism sectors and its creative industries, fuelling economic progress and helping to achieve Abu Dhabi’s wider global ambitions.

 

By working in partnership with the organisations that define the emirate’s position as a leading international destination, DCT Abu Dhabi strives to unite the ecosystem around a shared vision of the emirate’s potential, coordinate effort and investment, deliver innovative solutions, and use the best tools, policies and systems to support the culture and tourism industries.

Tata Technologies Early Green Shoots, Yet To Pan Put

Rating: SELL | CMP: Rs717 | TP: Rs570

Q1FY26 Result Update

Quick Pointers:

*     Services segment declined due to project ramp up delays & deferrals

*     EBIT Margins declined by 210 bps QoQ due to missing operating leverage

The Services revenue de-growth (7.6% CC QoQ) was below our estimates (5.1% CC QoQ), largely due to delayed ramp ups and slower decision making within automotive vertical. Although the aerospace momentum continued through Q1, the weakness in the Heavy-Machinery segment led the decline (4.7% QoQ) in non-Auto business. The management anticipates recovery in Q2 on the back of strategic deals signings, while early green shoots are visible in term of improved client sentiment and robust order book, hinting to a better H2 over H1. We believe, with improved client confidence, the earlier investments that were kept on hold would get prioritized first, while the new projects would continue to be pushed for further clarity on the trade war. Given the Q1 drag and volatility in the non-Auto business, the ask-rate for the Service business seems to be meaningfully high (~5% CQGR) to deliver flat growth in FY26. The reported margins were tad below our estimates by 30bps QoQ due to lower employee utilization and operating de-leverage. We are keeping our margin estimates broadly unchanged, while baking in revenue decline of 3.0% and 1.2% for Service/Consol business in FY26E followed by 11.5% growth in FY27E for both Service/Consol. We are assigning 28x PE to FY27E, translating a TP of 570 and maintain our SELL rating.

Revenue: Tata Tech reported a revenue of USD 145.3 mn, down 4.6% QoQ in CC & 2% in reported terms. The revenue decline was above estimate of 5.7% QoQ CC due to strong performance in tech solutions. Services segment revenue came at USD 112.5 mn, down 7.6% QoQ CC was below our estimate of 5.1% due to continued weakness in automotive segment and heavy machinery segment due to macro uncertainties. Among services segment, both auto business (83% of mix) and non-auto business (17% of mix) declined by 4.7% QoQ each.

Operating Margin: Tata Tech reported EBIT margin of 13.6%, down 210 bps QoQ lower than our & consensus estimate of 13.9% & 14.7% respectively. The margin miss was largely due to missing leverage on account of weak performance. Segment wise, Services segments EBITDA margin declined by 630 bps QoQ while Tech Solutions EBITDA margin declined by 80 bps QoQ. Company reported PAT of INR 1.7 bn above our estimate of INR 1.4 bn due to higher other income.

Deal Wins: Tata Tech during the quarter won 6 large deals including 4 large deals of USD 10 mn+ and 2 deals with TCV of USD 5-10 bn. Management indicated that the deal wins in Q1FY26 is materially better than Q1FY25, with the strong deal closure observed at the end of June quarter.

Valuations and outlook: We estimate USD revenue/earnings CAGR of 5.1%/10.2% over FY25-FY27E. The stock is currently trading at a PE of 35x FY27E earnings, we are assigning P/E of 28x to FY27E with a target price of INR 570. We maintain our “SELL” rating.

Tata Motors Begins Delivery of 148 Advanced Starbus EVs to BMTC, Boosting Bengaluru’s E-Mobility Drive

Tata Motors, India’s largest commercial vehicle manufacturer, today announced the commencement of deliveries for an additional 148 advanced Tata Starbus electric buses to the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC). This latest deployment builds on the successful operations of 921 electric buses in the city, further strengthening Bengaluru’s commitment to sustainable urban mobility. The fleet will be operated and maintained by TML Smart City Mobility Solutions Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Tata Motors, under a 12-year contract.

The new electric buses were flagged off by Shri Ramalinga Reddy, Hon’ble Minister of Transport, Government of Karnataka and Shri Ramachandran R., IAS, Managing Director, BMTC joined by senior officials from the Government of Karnataka and BMTC.

 

Commenting on the induction of the fleet, Shri Ramachandran R., IAS, Managing Director, BMTC, said, “Tata Motors electric buses already running across Bengaluru have shown outstanding performance, clocking high uptime and meeting public expectations on comfort and convenience. Based on this success, we are pleased to induct additional 148 e-buses from Tata Motors. These buses will further enhance our ability to offer citizens a safe, sustainable and efficient travel option on a wider network across Bengaluru.”

 

Mr. Anand S, Vice President and Head – TML Smart City Mobility Ltd. & Commercial Passenger Vehicle Business, Tata Motors, said, “It is a momentous occasion as we commence deliveries for yet another fleet of our environment-friendly and efficient Starbus electric buses to BMTC as per schedule. We are honoured by the trust shown by BMTC not only for our products but also on our ability to deliver an unparalleled uptime for two years, clocking over six crore cumulative kilometres. We remain committed to supporting their vision for sustainable, public transport by delivering innovative e-mobility solutions backed by technology, service and execution.”

 

The Tata Starbus EV is engineered for intensive intra-city operations and offers best-in-class comfort, safety and high uptime. The advance electric bus comes equipped with new-gen electric powertrain, Electronic Stability Control, Electronic Brake Distribution and an Integrated Transport System. With a low-floor design, ergonomic seating for 35 passengers, it ensures a smooth, convenient ride. With zero tailpipe emissions, the Starbus EVs have significantly contributed to cleaner air in Bengaluru. As Bengaluru expands its green fleet, Tata Motors and BMTC continue to demonstrate how public transport can be both future-ready and citizen-first.

 

About Tata Motors:

Part of the USD 165 billion Tata group, Tata Motors Limited (BSE: 500570; NSE: TATAMOTORS), a USD 52 billion organization, is a leading global automobile manufacturer of cars, utility vehicles, pick-ups,  trucks, and buses, offering an extensive range of integrated, smart, and e-mobility solutions. With ‘Connecting Aspirations’ at the core of its brand promise, Tata Motors is India’s market leader in commercial vehicles and ranks among the top three in the passenger vehicles market.

 

Tata Motors strives to bring new products that captivate the imagination of GenNext customers, fuelled by state-of-the-art design and R&D centres located in India, the UK, the US, Italy, and South Korea. By focusing on engineering and tech- enabled automotive solutions catering to the future of mobility, the company’s innovation efforts are focused on developing pioneering technologies that are both sustainable and suited to the evolving market and customer aspirations. The company is pioneering India's Electric Vehicle (EV) transition and driving the shift towards sustainable mobility solutions by developing a tailored product strategy, leveraging the synergy between Group companies and playing an active role in liaising with the Government of India in developing the policy framework.

 

With operations in India, UK, South Korea, Thailand and Indonesia, Tata Motors markets its vehicles in Africa, the Middle East, Latin America, Southeast Asia, and the SAARC countries. As of March 31, 2025, Tata Motors’ operations include 93 consolidated subsidiaries, two joint operations, four joint ventures, and numerous equity-accounted associates, including their subsidiaries, over which the company exercises significant influence.

Photo Caption - Shri Ramalinga Reddy, Hon’ble Minister of Transport, Government of Karnataka and Shri Ramachandran R., IAS, Managing Director, BMTC along with senior officials from the Government of Karnataka and BMTC flagging off Tata Motors’ advanced electric buses.