Mona Sheik Crowned “Miss World Tourism 2025” In Bali, Indonesia

Mona Sheik has just won the “Miss World Tourism 2025” title hosted in Bali, Indonesia. An international model with a biracial background, Mona models designers across the globe. 

The fierce polymath began working across fashion retail, hospitality, banking and events. She then started her journey at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in Canada. Her great work in TIFF led her to British Vogue in London. Gaining experience in the high fashion industry at London Fashion Week (LFW) and the Cannes Film Festival. Her most recent walk was show stopping for the Times Fashion Week in Indian Couture. She believes in creative expressions in all forms, including acting. Mona received an award for Inspiring International Model at the International Resilience Summit for her public and social work.

 

She is a University of Toronto Alumni majoring in Communications, Culture, Sociology, Art History and Technology. Mona is also a fashion graduate from Vogue College, laureate in Creative Industries.

 

Bringing light to fashion with a cause - Tourism is another big focus because it encapsulates culture, food, fashion and people creating an ontological experience.

 

Her goal is to bring surrealist expressionism in the visual culture to expand the tourist diaspora.

 

Miss World Tourism allows for the ability to represent the renaissance in tourism through philosophy and contemporary culture - celebrating her friendships around the world.

 

Having worked tirelessly to achieve such remarkable success, she is now a rising star in the fashion world, sharing her experiences through public speaking to inspire and empower the next generation of aspiring models and people across the globe.

PerformAce Media Names Ajhay Kumar CBO To Head PA ConnectX

Ex-MakeMyTrip, Goibibo leader to drive Performace Media’s growth journey.

PerformAce Media, a leading Martech company delivering data-driven, tech-enabled brand engagement solutions, proudly announces the appointment of Ajhay Kumar as its new Chief Business Officer.

In this strategic role, Ajhay will spearhead the launch and growth of PerformAce ConnectX, an innovative phygital marketing vertical designed to help brands unlock measurable growth through immersive experiences, proprietary entertainment & sports IPs, and high-impact community activations.

Ajhay is a passionate marketer and entrepreneur with over a decade of experience in Retail, Fashion, Travel, and Mental Health. He has created scalable growth for some of India's leading brands and conceptualized and managed large-format campaigns, influenced large-scale partnerships with MakeMyTrip and Goibibo, and co-founded Misohe, one of India’s renowned mental health platforms. He is often cited as someone who can reinvent a physical experience and apply digital amplification to it. Ajhay is a multi-sector practitioner that balances innovation with results and ROI.

Lead by Ajhay, PerformAce’s ConnectX is poised to become PerformAce Media's next growth engine, with the combination of live and digital brand touchpoints. The vertical will focus on three valuable levers: experiential marketing, through bespoke high-energy activations that highlight the combination of live brand moments and digital reach; the development of intellectual property, where we create ownable entertainment and sports properties that brands can incorporate into their year-round ways of working; and community-based engagement and experiences that are more localised and purpose led, creating authentic and long-lasting brand loyalty.

"PerformAce Connectx is about setting a new standard for brand engagement," said Ajhay Kumar. He further said "In today’s always-connected world, consumers expect experiences that are as meaningful as they are measurable. By combining my entrepreneurial experience across multiple industries with Performace Media’s Martech expertise, we will create platforms where innovation, creativity, and ROI converge- helping brands build relevance and revenue at the same time."

About PerformAce Media

PerformAce (PA) is a Martech company based out of Gurugram. It provides data-based digital marketing solutions for brands and agencies. The company develops highly-targeted and performance-driven campaigns that yield measurable results across various marketing objectives technovans.

Konichiwa, India: Japanese Corporates Accelerate India GCC Expansion, Reveals JoulestoWatts Survey

• Japanese Firms Target Future-Ready Hubs with Access to 1.5 Million STEM Graduates Annually

 Amid rising operational costs, talent shortages, and a digital transformation gap at home, Japanese multinational corporations (MNCs) are rapidly pivoting to India as a strategic growth partner. The latest JoulestoWatts (J2W) GCC Adoption Survey 2025 — spanning senior leaders from over 50 Japanese firms across automotive, electronics, BFSI, and manufacturing sectors — highlights a strong and accelerating trend toward establishing Global Capability Centres (GCCs) in India.

Respondents of the survey rated access to India’s skilled talent pool highest at 4.8/5, cost savings at 4.6/5, and acceleration of digital transformation at 4.4/5 — making these the top three drivers for GCC expansion. The survey identifies Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Pune, Mumbai, and Delhi-NCR as preferred GCC destinations, thanks to their mature infrastructure and deep talent pools. Bengaluru and Hyderabad emerged as the most-preferred locations, with over 60% of respondents shortlisting them for their next phase of growth, followed by Chennai, Pune, Mumbai, and Delhi-NCR.  Japanese firms are drawn by India’s unmatched supply of 1.5 million STEM graduates annually and the potential to reduce operational costs by up to 40%. Crucially, this expansion transcends cost savings — companies are building innovation-driven hubs focused on R&D, automation, and 24/7 global operations.

Key problem statements driving the shift include Japan’s domestic labour shortage (cited by 72% of leaders), high operational costs at headquarters (64%), and slow pace of digitalisation (48%). Ms. Priti Sawant, Founder & CEO of JoulestoWatts, commented, “Our survey found that 72% of respondents cite Japan’s domestic labour shortage as the leading driver for investing in India-based GCCs, closely followed by high costs and slow digitalisation at their headquarters. To maintain global competitiveness, firms are pursuing ambitious transformation goals in India — including 85% process efficiency, a 20% reduction in average handling time, and launching at least 15 AI/ML projects in the coming year.” In fact, the survey finds that 42% process automation, 15 AI/ML project launches, and a 60% employee upskilling rate were set as firm targets by respondents for their India GCCs in 2025.

Sustainability is now a core GCC priority. Many Japanese companies are deploying real-time carbon monitoring systems, targeting a 25% reduction in emissions by 2026 and aiming to source 40% of their power from renewable energy. These initiatives align with global ESG standards and support India’s green energy ambitions. ESG scored a mean importance of 3.6/5 among survey participants, but 65% plan to implement real-time carbon monitoring and green energy adoption in the next two years.

Industry-specific focuses are emerging as well. BFSI and IT respondents placed compliance and fintech innovation at the top of their GCC agendas, while automotive and manufacturing leaders prioritised EV battery R&D and smart factory technologies. Overall, the investment emphasis favors AI-driven decision-making, automation, cybersecurity, and ESG integration.

Priti also noted, “Interest in Tier-II cities like Kochi and Pune is growing rapidly, driven by cost advantages and emerging talent pools. Companies are placing strong emphasis on workforce development, aiming for a 60% upskilling rate across their Indian operations.” 

Japanese corporations now view their India GCCs as Centers of Excellence — not just support centers — driving strategic transformation. Notably, 85% process efficiency, a 20% reduction in average handling time, and a Net Promoter Score of 60 or higher were identified as critical KPIs for measuring GCC success. 

India’s favorable talent ecosystem and policy framework continue to attract long-term, innovation-led investments from Japan. These GCCs play a vital role in helping Japan address domestic challenges while strengthening Indo-Japanese economic ties. As Japanese firms look to future-proof their operations, JoulestoWatts’ survey underscores India’s emergence as a global GCC powerhouse offering unmatched talent, cost efficiencies, innovation capabilities, and sustainability leadership.

New LinkedIn Verification Features Aim To Strengthen Professional Trust In India

India’s job market is one of the fastest growing and most digital in the world. But as opportunities grow, so do the risks. Online-job related scams are on the rise,  leaving candidates vulnerable to financial and emotional loss, especially at a time when many may feel burnt out and uncertain about opportunities. 

Experts say the best protection lies in vigilance, awareness, and trusted tools. Reflecting this shift, verification adoption on LinkedIn has grown 2.4x in India over the past year, as professionals seek greater confidence when connecting, applying, or hiring.

New steps to boost trust
To further strengthen professional safety, LinkedIn has rolled out new verification features designed to make online interactions more secure:

• Expanded Company Page Verification: Now open to more businesses, including small businesses with a Paid Premium Page subscription. With 85% of business buyers saying trust is critical in choosing who to do business with, this expansion helps growing companies build stronger relationships with customers, prospects, and job seekers.

• Recruiter Workplace Verification: Members who add or update recruiter job titles, such as ‘Recruiter’ or ‘Talent Acquisition Specialist’ must verify their workplace before adding the title to their profile. This gives job seekers confidence they’re engaging with real professionals and helps recruiters build trust from the first interaction.

• Executive Job Title Verification: Senior roles such as Managing Directors and Vice Presidents will now require workplace verification to safeguard  against leadership impersonation 

These updates build on broader security efforts: Since 2023 LinkedIn has rolled out verifications for  identities, to jobs, company pages, and to recruiters. Globally, over 90M professionals are verified on LinkedIn and they are seeing the benefit with 60% more profile views and 30% more connection requests and have a higher chance of hearing back in a job search, with 13% more InMails from recruiters on LinkedIn. 

These features build on LinkedIn’s existing security infrastructure, blocking over 99% of detected fake accounts and scams before they’re ever reported. Between July 1 and December 31, 2024 alone, LinkedIn globally blocked over 80.6 million fake accounts at registration.

While technology plays a critical role, awareness is equally important. Aditi Jha, Head of Legal & Public Policy at LinkedIn India, shares tips to be followed for general safe job searching: 

• Never share bank details before onboarding.

• Reject suspicious requests, legitimate employers won’t ask you to download encrypted software or send money.

• Watch for red flags, roles that sound too good to be true often are.

• Keep account settings updated, add recovery options and enable security features.

LinkedIn also has a range of tools to improve safety when job searching says Aditi:

• Check for verified information on job postings. A verification badge on a job posting means there is verified information about the company or job poster. This includes if the poster is affiliated with an official company page, has verified their association with a particular workplace, or has verified their identity through one of our identity verification partners.

• Enable message warnings. Consider enabling LinkedIn’s optional automated detection of harmful content, which may detect potentially harmful scams.

• Filter by jobs with verifications. You can now filter your job search to show only jobs with verifications. The filter allows you to search exclusively for jobs posted by companies with a verified LinkedIn Page and current job posters associated with those companies. When toggled on, only jobs with these verifications will appear in your search results, and the filter will be visible in the search header. 

• Set up a passkey. Passkeys allow you to use your device unlock – for example, touch ID on your phone or laptop – to access your account. Setting up a passkey not only helps keep your account secure, but you’ll also be able to log in easier and faster. Passkeys are one of the most effective tools you can use to protect yourself from fraudulent activities like phishing.

• Turn on two-step verification. Two-step verification uses more than one form of verification to access an account and can reduce unauthorized access to most accounts from new or unknown computers or devices. 

About LinkedIn

LinkedIn connects the world’s professionals to make them more productive and successful and transforms how companies hire, learn, market, and sell. Our vision is to create economic opportunity for every member of the global workforce through the ongoing development of the world’s first Economic Graph. LinkedIn has over 1.2 billion members and has offices around the globe. www.linkedin.com / mobile.linkedin.com

Samsung Innovation Campus Will Expand Six-Fold to Train 20,000 Indian Students In Future-Tech Domains During 2025

• The initiative will focus on AI, IoT, Big Data, and Coding in 2025 to deliver future-ready skills to youth across 10 states, up from four in 2024

• A key emphasis this year will be on Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, with 5,000 students from each state set to receive training in future technologies

• Programme aligns with the Government of India’s Skill India and Digital India vision

Samsung, India’s largest consumer electronics brand, today announced a major expansion of its flagship CSR programme, Samsung Innovation Campus (SIC), reaffirming its commitment to empowering India’s youth with future-ready skills while supporting the Government’s vision of Digital India and Skill India.

The skilling programme, will expand to 10 states this year, up from four in 2024. It will upskill 20,000 students in future-tech skills such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), Big Data, and Coding & Programming during 2025, a six-fold increase over last year's 3,500 students. Alongside technical training, the students will also receive instruction in soft skills to enhance workplace readiness, while eligible candidates will be supported with placement assistance in relevant industries.

“Samsung is proud to be a long-standing partner in India’s growth journey. Samsung Innovation Campus, which is aligned with the Government of India’s Skill India and Digital India initiatives, reflects our shared vision of harnessing technology to unlock opportunities for the youth. Through Samsung Innovation Campus, we are equipping India’s youth with future-ready skills, helping them prepare for the digital economy and drive the country’s progress. We remain committed to expanding access to skilling and employment opportunities, especially for students from underserved communities, and to support the Government’s vision of a digitally-empowered India,” said JB Park, President and CEO, Samsung Southwest Asia.

Strategic Focus on Scale and Inclusion

Samsung has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Electronics Sector Skills Council of India (ESSCI) to train 10,000 students in emerging technologies across Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and West Bengal. A second MoU with the Telecom Sector Skill Council (TSSC) will extend the programme to another 10,000 students in Tamil Nadu, Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, and Maharashtra.

A key emphasis this year will be on Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, with 5,000 students from each state set to receive training in future technologies. The initiative is designed to democratize access to future-tech skills by reaching both urban and semi-urban areas, ensuring that underserved communities are not left behind in India’s digital transformation.

Electronics Sector Skills Council of India (ESSCI) and Telecom Sector Skill Council (TSSC), both National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC)-approved entities, will implement the programme through their networks of accredited training partners and centres. Since its launch in India in 2022, Samsung Innovation Campus has trained 6,500 students in future technologies.

Samsung Innovation Campus: A Key Pillar of CSR in India

Samsung Innovation Campus is part of Samsung’s broader CSR strategy, alongside programmes such as Samsung Solve for Tomorrow, which encourages youth innovation and problem-solving for social good. Together, these initiatives are designed to improve access to education, foster creativity, and prepare India’s next generation to thrive in a technology-driven future. 

Samsung Newsroom India:

 

About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

 

Samsung inspires the world and shapes the future with transformative ideas and technologies. The company is redefining the worlds of TVs, digital signage, smartphones, wearables, tablets, home appliances and network systems, as well as memory, system LSI and foundry. Samsung is also advancing medical imaging technologies, HVAC solutions and robotics, while creating innovative automotive and audio products through Harman. With its SmartThings ecosystem, open collaboration with partners, and integration of AI across its portfolio, Samsung delivers a seamless and intelligent connected experience. For the latest news, please visit the Samsung Newsroom at news.samsung.com.

TVS Motor Launches TVS NTORQ 150; India’s Quickest And First Hyper Sport Scooter

• Segment-leading acceleration: 0-60 km/h in 6.3 seconds

*         Enhanced safety and control with ABS, Traction Control

*        Signature MULTIPOINT® projector headlamps, front combination lamps & ‘T ’- taillamps

*         Intuitive ride experience with advanced TFT cluster packed with connected features ?

*        Experience the smart ride with segment-first Alexa and smartwatch integration

*        Inspired by stealth aircraft, the scooter embodies futuristic and sporty design

 

TVS Motor Company (TVSM), a global leader in two and three-wheeler segments, today announced the launch of the TVS NTORQ 150, India’s quickest Hyper Sport Scooter. Powered by a 149.7cc race-tuned engine and inspired by stealth aircraft design, the scooter is a symphony of high performance, sportier aesthetics and cutting-edge technology to cater to a new generation of riders, with a special introductory price of Rs. 119,000 (Ex-showroom, All India)

 

Building on the TVS NTORQ story of always evoking awe, the new scooter will be yet another icon of tomorrow. Its MULTIPOINT® projector headlamps, aerodynamic winglets, coloured alloy wheels, and signature muffler note highlight its racing DNA, while a hi-res TFT cluster with 50+ smart features, including Alexa and smartwatch integration, live tracking, navigation, and OTA updates makes it the most advanced scooter in its class.

Commenting on the launch, Mr. Aniruddha Haldar, Senior Vice President — Head Commuter & EV Business and Head Corporate Brand & Media, TVS Motor Company said, “Over two million NTORQians and 50 self-managed ride groups and communities, define the relationship that has been built between one of India’s most loved and iconic automotive brands and its riders. TVS NTORQ has been synonymous with striking design, superior performance and new age technology. The introduction of  the all new TVS NTORQ 150, is designed to meet the evolving high performance aspirations of the Gen Z! TVS NTORQ 150, India’s first hyper sport scooter with its hyper futuristic design, hyper tuned performance, and hyper connected tech will thrill its riders, and significantly strengthen and expand the TVS NTORQ brand franchise.”

PERFORMANCE
The TVS NTORQ 150 is powered by a 149.7cc, air-cooled, O3CTech engine that delivers 13.2 PS at 7,000 rpm and 14.2 Nm torque at 5,500 rpm. Accelerating from 0–60 km/h in just 6.3 seconds and reaching a top speed of 104 km/h, it stands as the quickest scooter in its class.

 

SPORTY & FUTURISTIC DESIGN

Inspired by stealth aircraft, the TVS NTORQ 150 features MULTIPOINT® projector headlamps, sporty tail lamps, aerodynamic winglets, a stubby muffler with signature sound, naked handlebar, and coloured alloy wheels.

Forward-biased stance with aggressive, predatory launch-ready poise. 

Arrowhead front form sculpted for aerodynamic efficiency and visual speed. 

Naked motorcycle-style handlebar, enhancing rider control and delivers a raw, connected feel. 

Jet-inspired vents and integrated winglets, reinforcing its race-bred identity. 

MULTIPOINT® projector headlamps offering superior illumination.

Signature ‘T’ tail lamp, distinct and designed for enhanced visibility. 

Gaming console-inspired hi-res TFT.

Sport-tuned suspension, lightweight alloys, and a performance exhaust that visually and functionally anchor its sporty character.

 

TECH-PACKED FOR THE NEW-AGE RIDER

Equipped with a hi-res TFT cluster and TVS SmartXonnect™, the TVS NTORQ 150 offers 50+ connected features including Alexa and smartwatch integration, turn-by-turn navigation, vehicle tracking, last parked location, call/message/social media alerts, ride modes, OTA updates, and custom widgets. The adaptive TFT display with 4-way navigation switch and integrated telematics makes it India’s most advanced scooter interface.

 

SAFETY & COMFORT

The scooter ensures rider confidence with ABS and traction control (first-in-segment), crash and theft alerts, hazard lamps, emergency brake warning, and follow-me headlamps. Comfort is enhanced through telescopic suspension, adjustable brake levers, a patented E-Z center stand, and 22L under-seat storage.

 

COLOUR PALLETTE

The TVS NTORQ 150 will be offered in two variants:

TVS NTORQ 150 – Stealth Silver, Racing Red, Turbo Blue

TVS NTORQ 150 with TFT Cluster – Nitro Green, Racing Red, Turbo Blue

  

For more information, visit www.tvsmotor.com

Simple Energy Strengthens Home Ground Presence With New Store In Bengaluru

Located at Yelahanka New Town, the store will retail Simple Energy’s electric scooters, including Simple One Gen 1.5 and Simple OneS and accessories.

Simple Energy, an automotive company headquartered in Bengaluru, has launched its 5th store in the city. Spanning 1086 sq. ft., the Yelahanka store has been established in partnership with Sri VLS Motors LLP. The store was inaugurated by Suhas Rajkumar, Founder & CEO of Simple Energy. The company has also opened a fully-fledged service centre within a 1km radius of the store. Spanning 1000 sq. ft., the service centre will provide comprehensive after-sale service and support to customers. With a modern layout and an immersive design, the Yelahanka store showcases the company’s entire portfolio, including Simple One Gen 1.5, Simple OneS, accessories and exclusive merchandise.

Speaking at the launch, Suhas Rajkumar, Founder & CEO of Simple Energy, said, "It's a proud moment for us to launch another store in our home city. As a home-grown automotive company, this launch brings us closer to our customers and reinforces our vision of simplifying mobility. With every new store, we are taking steady strides toward our pan-India expansion goal. In the coming months, we will foray into Delhi, Bhopal, Patna, Ranchi and Bhubaneshwar.”

Currently, Simple Energy operates 45 outlets across India, including locations in Goa, Vijayawada, Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam, Kochi, and Jaipur. By 2026, the company aims to operate 150 stores and 200 service centres nationwide.

The Simple One Gen 1.5 is priced at INR 1,71,944 (ex-showroom, Bengaluru), and the Simple OneS is available at INR 1,39,999 (ex-showroom, Bengaluru). Customers can walk in for test rides, explore the product range, and book scooters directly at the Yelahanka store. Online test ride bookings and purchases are also available at www.simpleenergy.in.

The Simple Yelahanka Store  is located at #798, Sairaj Square,MIG 2nd stage, Dairy Double Road, NewTown Yelahanka, Bangalore, Karnataka-560064.

About Simple Energy:

Simple Energy is an automotive manufacturer headquartered in Bengaluru. The company was founded in 2019 by Suhas Rajkumar and co-founded by Shreshth Mishra and Ankit Gupta. Simple Energy builds smart, high-performance electric two-wheelers designed for the diverse needs of the Indian consumer. With a sharp focus on quality, design and innovation, at Simple, everything is developed in-house. From chassis to battery assembly to motor to software, Simple’s products are proudly made-in-India. They’re built to solve what matters most: long range, quick charging, and everyday affordability.

 

Website: https://www.simpleenergy.in/

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/simpleenergy.in/YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@SimpleEnergyEV

Linkedin: https://tinyurl.com/y5kvxa9w

X: https://x.com/SimpleEnergyEV