Saturday, November 29, 2025
AIFI Hosts Special Session On ‘Emerging Technology In Forging’ In Bengaluru, Showcasing Future Of Smart Manufacturing
The Association of Indian Forging Industry (AIFI), the apex body representing India’s forging sector, recently organised a Special Session on “Emerging Technology in Forging” in Bengaluru. The knowledge-focused session brought together senior industry leaders, technology experts, and forging professionals to discuss how innovation, automation, and digital transformation are reshaping the future of the forging ecosystem. The event aimed to spotlight opportunities that new-age technologies offer for enhancing operational efficiency, productivity, and sustainability within the sector.
The session commenced with welcome remarks by Mr. Vivek Bansal, Director, Bansal Precision Forge Pvt. Ltd., setting the tone for a focused discussion on technology-led growth. This was followed by a detailed presentation by Mr. Senthil Kumar R, Nasscom Centre of Excellence – IoT & AI, on how Artificial intelligence (AI), Internet of things (IoT) and automation are reshaping the forging industry. He highlighted practical use cases and the growing relevance of smart, connected manufacturing.
This was followed by an engaging session on “Driving Digital Transformation in the Forging Sector” by Dr. Amit Goyal and Dr. Manju Gupta from BizSol Technologies. Their presentation showcased how advanced ERP systems, digital integration, and data intelligence are enabling forging companies to transition into the Industry 4.0 era with greater agility and efficiency. Adding further depth, Mr. Ajit Gaikwad, Yeskolube India Pvt. Ltd., spoke on the “Importance of Forging Die Lubricant” and its direct role in productivity and die life. The final presentation by Mr. Ramakrishna D, Orb Energy, focused on “Powering Indian Enterprise with Solar,” highlighting how renewable energy adoption is becoming a strategic advantage.
Commenting on the session, Mr. Yash Munot, President of The Association of Indian Forging Industry (AIFI), said, “At AIFI, our priority has always been to empower the forging industry with knowledge, capability, and a clear roadmap for the future. As the sector enters a new phase driven by digital and technological advancement, it is essential that our members understand and adopt these innovations at the right pace. This session reinforces AIFI’s commitment to enabling industry-wide transformation through meaningful collaborations, continuous engagement with technology leaders, and creating platforms that help our members stay globally competitive. We remain focused on strengthening India’s forging ecosystem and ensuring it continues to play a pivotal role in the country’s industrial and economic progress”.
AIFI continues to lead the forging sector by promoting innovation, driving policy conversations, and empowering members with advanced solutions. The organisation is focused on helping the industry adapt to emerging challenges while contributing to India’s broader industrial growth and global competitiveness.
IGI Expressions™ 2025–26 Global Jewelry Design Contest Dives Into Ocean Depths – Submissions Open Dec 1
The International Gemological Institute (IGI) announced the 5th edition of its highly anticipated global jewelry contest, IGI Expressions™, theme “Unveiling the Depths of the Ocean.” This year’s competition invites designers from around the world to explore the mysterious and captivating beauty of the Ocean, transforming their visions into exquisite jewelry pieces. With a rich history of participating entries from 54 countries and 1,200+ submissions, the contest celebrates diversity, innovation, and artistic storytelling, making it a truly international platform for emerging and seasoned talent alike.
The contest runs from December 1st, 2025, to January 31st, 2026, and offers participants the opportunity to submit their creations in one of three design segments— Sketch, CAD, or iPad—across three exciting categories— Statement Piece, Convertible Jewelry, and Brooch. The categories provide a broad canvas for designers to showcase their creativity.
What makes IGI Expressions™ particularly distinctive is its accessibility and recognition. The contest offers free submission opportunities, encouraging passionate artists to participate without any barriers. Nine outstanding winners will be honored, each receiving a USD 500 cash prize, a trophy, and a certificate of achievement. Finalists designs will be carefully reviewed by an eminent global jury panel comprising some of the brightest and most respected minds in the jewelry industry. In addition to the prestigious awards, winners and finalists will enjoy extensive media exposure through IGI’s social media channels, GemBlog, and industry platforms—providing invaluable recognition for their creative pursuits.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Tehmasp Printer, CEO, IGI said “IGI Expressions™ continues as a free-entry contest, welcoming both emerging and professional designers to showcase their creativity without limits. This year’s theme, ‘Unveiling the Depths of the Ocean,’ inspires exploration of marine beauty and mystery through jewelry design. As a global platform, IGI Expressions™ empowers designers to gain recognition and shape their journey in the jewelry industry.”
Designers interested in participating can find detailed guidelines and registration information at https://expressions.igi.org/
This is a golden opportunity to showcase creativity and be part of a global celebration of jewelry artistry that captures the magic beneath the waves.
To know more about the contest, visit https://expressions.igi.org/ or email at expressions@igi.org
Decathlon Redefines Bengaluru’s Sporting Landscape with A Comprehensive Sport Ecosystem At Its Revamped Whitefield Flagship
~India’s largest Decathlon store blends multi-sport arenas, coaching programmes, circular services and immersive retail for a 360° sport experience~
60,000 sq. ft. flagship brings all sports under one roof, redefining Bengaluru’s sporting experience.
Largest store in India combining innovation, sustainability and community engagement
Coaching programs and community spaces turn the store into an experiential sports ecosystem.
Decathlon, one of the world’s leading multi-sports brands, today unveiled its revamped flagship store in Whitefield, a future-ready, holistic sport ecosystem designed to transform how Bengaluru plays, learns and experiences sport. As the largest store in India, the new 60,000 sq. ft. flagship integrates multi-sport infrastructure, expert coaching, community spaces, sustainable circular services and next-gen retail innovation under one roof. This investment reinforces Decathlon’s commitment to making sport accessible for all and building affordable, community-centric sports infrastructure across India.
The store features a comprehensive Omni Services Zone offering Second Life, a Level 3 Workshop, personalisation, and design stations. It also includes enhanced trial areas, immersive showrooms, and dedicated Try-Buy zones for hands-on exploration. Designed as a community sports hub, the store will host coaching sessions for kids and adults across Basketball, Football, Skating, Pickleball, and Gymnastics, along with workshops, a kids’ zone, a yoga and dance studio, weekly cycling and running meetups, sports birthday parties, and workshops across various sports.
The first floor of the two-storey retail store features 29,000 sq ft. of state-of-the-art, fully air-conditioned multi-sport arenas, surrounded by immersive product showrooms that encourage customers to try, test, and experience products before they buy. As a testing ground for innovation, the flagship integrates next-gen retail experiences including RFID-enabled journeys, mobile checkouts, and a unified commerce model that seamlessly connects the Decathlon app, website, and store — ensuring an effortless and integrated sporting experience for every customer.
Commenting on this milestone, Sankar Chatterjee, CEO, Decathlon India, said, “Sports has evolved significantly in India over the last ten years, and we have witnessed this transformation closely. The KPMG report notes that the pay-and-play facilities (‘turfs’) industry is growing strongly. With more people actively choosing to play sports, our larger objective of strengthening the sports ecosystem through our playgrounds is further amplified. Through this, we create inclusive, multi-sport spaces that bring families and neighbourhoods together.
Speaking about the store, he further added, “Through this revamp, we are redefining what modernisation means for us. Our approach goes beyond technological and architectural upgrades; it blends our physical retail strength with our growing digital and circular capabilities, including repair, resale, and buy-back. It’s about making every Decathlon outlet smarter, more sustainable, and deeply aligned with the evolving needs of our customers and the planet.”
Gilles Gaudemard, India Retail Leader, Decathlon India said, “India’s sports retail sector is evolving rapidly, driven by a new generation of users who expect accessibility, expertise, and immersive in-store experiences. This store revamp is a step towards that future, where we are bringing an elevated retail format that prioritises experience, expert guidance, and omnichannel convenience. Bangalore has always been ahead of the curve, and this expansion strengthens our commitment to serve this dynamic and fast-growing sporting community”
Through Decathlon’s Circular Business Initiatives, the store unites eco-conscious services under one roof: a buyback and Second Life program that gives pre-loved gear a new purpose, expert repair. The maintenance services also encourage a “repair, not replace” mindset, and eco-mobility features that promote walking and cycling. Supported by responsible operations in waste management and energy use, these efforts make sustainable choices simple, accessible, and rewarding, reflecting Decathlon’s vision for a truly circular and inclusive future for sport.
The Whitefield store, first opened in 2012 as one of the brand’s earliest stores in India, has welcomed more than 1.1M customers, each part of Decathlon’s journey to make quality, affordable gear accessible to everyone.
ABOUT DECATHLON
A global multi-specialist sports brand catering to beginners and top athletes, Decathlon is an innovative maker of sporting goods for all skills. With more than 100,000 teammates and 1,700 stores worldwide, Decathlon and its teams have been working ever since 1976 to fulfil an ongoing ambition: Move people through the wonders of sport, to help them be healthier and happier in a sustainable future.
Photo Caption: Decathlon Leaders_ Sankar Chatterjee and Gilles Gaudemard, India Retail Leader
Instagram Empowers Creators To Go Global With Local Voice Translations And Fonts
Meta AI Translations Expand To Five New Indian Languages on Instagram & Facebook
We’re excited to announce in the coming months you will soon be able to use Meta AI to translate reels in five new Indian languages, helping you discover more entertaining content from across India and around the world. In October, we launched the ability for creators to dub and lip-sync their reels to and from English, Hindi, Spanish, and Portuguese, helping them reach more people globally. Now, the same capability will soon be available in Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Marathi.
How will this work?
Creators have the option to use Meta AI to transform their reels, so they sound and look fluent in some of the world’s most spoken languages, helping them reach more people globally and grow an international audience. When turned on, the tool preserves the sound and tone of your voice, so your reels feel authentically you. You can also choose to enable the lip syncing feature, which syncs the translated audio to your mouth's movements, so it looks like you’re actually speaking the language.
New Indian Fonts Available on Edits
Additionally, creators will now have the benefit of using new Indian fonts on Edits. So you’ll now be able to style your text and captions with Devanagari and Bengali-Assamese scripts, in languages such as Hindi, Marathi, Bengali and Assamese. This update will roll out on Android in the coming days.
How will this work?
1. Within your editing timeline, head to “Text” on the bottom tools tray.
2. From there click on the “Aa” icon where you’ll see the list of fonts available.
3. If your device is already in Devanagari or Bengali-Assamese scripts, these fonts will be defaulted in the font tab. If not, slightly swipe down when you’re on the “all fonts” tab to filter your fonts by language.
These new updates follow a spree of other features launched in the past month to benefit creators. This includes the ability to restyle your photos and videos in Instagram Stories and make edits—big or small—using Meta AI. There are also new features in Edits, such as bulk editing captions, reversing your videos, using lip sync to bring your photos to life, and access to 400 more sound effects.
Friday, November 28, 2025
From Desert Nights To Global Concerts: The Best Of Abu Dhabi This December
December in Abu Dhabi arrives with a vibrant mix of culture, entertainment, sport, and family experiences — making it the perfect time to explore the capital. From legendary concerts and iconic festivals to high-octane racing and luminous art trails, here’s everything happening across the emirate this month.
1. Celebrate unity during the UAE’s 54th Eid Al Etihad
1 – 3 December
Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Al Dhafra will come alive with fireworks, cultural performances and family activities throughout the National Day weekend. Expect vibrant celebrations that honour the UAE’s heritage, identity and spirit of togetherness.
2. Feel the adrenaline at the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2025
4 – 7 December
The world’s fastest drivers return to Yas Marina Circuit for the spectacular season Grand Prix finale. Fans can look forward to a thrilling weekend filled with high-speed drama, immersive fan zones, global entertainment, and unforgettable moments on and off the track.
3. Rock out with Metallica live at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
6 December
One of the biggest rock bands of all time will take the stage at Etihad Park as part of the Yasalam After-Race Concerts. Metallica — Rock & Roll Hall of Famers with over 125 million albums sold — will bring their legendary sound, electrifying stage presence, and catalogue of global hits to Abu Dhabi for one massive night.
The band joins an already star-studded line-up, with Benson Boone opening the weekend on 4 December and Katy Perry closing it on 7 December. Access to all After-Race Concerts is exclusive to Abu Dhabi Grand Prix ticket holders, with Golden Circle upgrades available for fans who want to be closest to the stage.
4. Create memories at the Mother of the Nation (MOTN) Festival
Until 04 January
MOTN returns across Abu Dhabi city, Al Ain Region and Al Dhafra Region with immersive zones celebrating food, art, music, retail and family entertainment. Expect creative workshops, live performances and exciting pop-ups across all three regions.
5. Sing along with a legend: Sir Rod Stewart Live in Abu Dhabi
17 December
Music icon Sir Rod Stewart will light up Etihad Arena with his unmistakable voice and timeless global hits. A one-night-only performance, this show promises classic nostalgia and an energy-packed atmosphere for fans of all ages.
6. Chase the thrill at the Liwa International Festival 2025/26
From 12 December – 3 January 2026
Set against the dramatic Tal Moreeb dunes, this desert festival blends motorsports, dune drag racing, camel racing, live entertainment and heritage markets. It’s one of the region’s most unique open-air cultural celebrations.
7. Experience artistic brilliance at Manar Abu Dhabi
Until 4 January 2026
This large-scale light art exhibition continues to illuminate Abu Dhabi’s islands, coastline and mangroves with installations from more than 35 artworks. Expect interactive works, glowing sculptures and atmospheric nighttime exploration.
Plan your perfect end-of-year escape and explore more events at https://visitabudhabi.ae/
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.
DCT Abu Dhabi’s vision is defined by the emirate’s people, heritage and landscape. We work to enhance Abu Dhabi’s status as a place of authenticity, innovation, and unparalleled experiences, represented by its living traditions of hospitality, pioneering initiatives and creative thought.
For more information about the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi and the destination, visit: dct.gov.ae and visitabudhabi.ae/
MOVIN Announces Strategic Expansion Into India’s Healthcare Logistics Sector
· MOVIN Healthcare’s Next Flight Out (NFO) service to provide unmatched reliability for time-critical shipments
· Will offer specialized, end-to-end temperature-controlled handling for pharmaceuticals, MedTech, and core diagnostics sectors
MOVIN, a logistics brand launched as a joint venture between InterGlobe Enterprises and UPS, today announced its strategic expansion into the healthcare logistics sector with the launch of MOVIN Healthcare. This specialized vertical marks a significant new entry, poised to address the critical requirements of India's growing healthcare logistics across the pharmaceutical, Medical Technology (MedTech), diagnostics and laboratory sectors.
Valued at USD 5.5–7.5 billion, the healthcare express logistics market represents a rapidly expanding opportunity fueled by rising healthcare demands and the critical need for swift, reliable delivery of healthcare essentials in India. MOVIN Healthcare is stepping into this sector to meet this demand with a dedicated approach for delivering end-to-end specialized temperature-controlled packaging capable of sustaining (2 to 8°C) Refrigerated, ambient Controlled (15–25°C) and Dry Ice Frozen (-80 – -20°C) shipments, critical for vaccines, pharmaceuticals, and clinical trial materials.
The movement of shipments will be securely handled and monitored in real time, supported by a 24x7 control tower. This new vertical will also provide priority handling for all healthcare shipments, along with comprehensive carrier insurance for complete protection.
The flagship Next Flight Out (NFO) service of MOVIN Healthcare is uniquely positioned for time-bound medical shipments, establishing a new industry benchmark for agility, reliability and quality. MOVIN aims to reflect this commitment in the end-to-end delivery process of every shipment, handled by skilled and dedicated manpower, ensuring the highest standards of service quality and integrity.
Commenting on this launch, Grégory Goba-Blé, Director of MOVIN Express and Head of UPS India said, “It is not a package; it’s a patient for us. MOVIN’s entry into healthcare logistics reflects our commitment to strengthening India’s critical healthcare logistics segment. By combining UPS’s global logistics expertise along with InterGlobe’ s in-depth market knowledge, we have built a specialized vertical designed to meet the stringent compliance requirements and temperature-control challenges unique to India’s healthcare sector. MOVIN’s agile local network, focused investments in infrastructure, training for skilled manpower, and advanced monitoring technologies reaffirm our long-term vision to become the most trusted logistics partner for India’s rapidly expanding healthcare sector.”
MOVIN Healthcare will function as a dedicated vertical, supported by specialized resources and trained customer support teams, focused exclusively on the healthcare segment. Some of its key capabilities include managing time-critical shipments and deploying advanced packaging solutions for temperature-sensitive products. The initial rollout will cover 50 strategic markets and will gradually expand nationwide, signalling a robust new presence.
The MOVIN Quality Assurance framework upholds strict safety protocols, which include integrating proactive Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPA) with transparent incident reporting. This new offering brings a heightened level of trust and accountability to the sector.
With its enhanced logistics capabilities, MOVIN Healthcare will ensure efficient delivery of critical medical supplies to healthcare providers, helping patients receive timely care through our new specialized vertical.
About MOVIN
MOVIN Express Private Limited is a logistics brand launched as a joint venture between InterGlobe Enterprises and UPS. The name MOVIN is the combination of Movement and India (MOVEMENT+INDIA). MOVIN’s logistics services are built for Indian businesses in the fast lane. MOVIN offers a suite of time and day definite domestic logistics services across the country. It has customers spanning across diverse sectors such as IT & electronic peripherals, apparels, healthcare, auto components, e-commerce, pharma, consumer durables, FMCG and many more. MOVIN has been awarded as ‘Best Brand 2024’ at ET NOW Best Brands Conclave 2024. With seamless integration across air and ground networks, these express corridors are enabling uninterrupted flow of goods, backed by consistent, predictable, and responsive operations across India.
For more details, visit www.movin.in
Coca-Cola India Supports Junior Women's Team Preparation Journey For The FIH Women’s Junior Hockey World Cup 2025
Anandana – The Coca-Cola India Foundation today highlighted the support provided to India's junior women's hockey team in their preparation for the FIH Women's Junior Hockey World Cup 2025 in Santiago, Chile. Anandana and Hockey India have been partners for over three years, working together to expand opportunities for young women athletes and strengthen the pathway for emerging hockey talent in India.
The partnership has focused on building the team’s readiness through consistent training support, international exposure, and holistic athlete development. This includes long-term efforts to help young players build the skills, confidence, and competitive readiness needed to perform at the global level.
The preparation support enabled the team's recent five-match exposure tour in Australia, where players gained critical international match experience against world-class opposition. The partnership also facilitated multiple preparatory camps conducted in India, Amsterdam, and Berlin, featuring position-specific and high-performance training programmes designed to sharpen technical skills and match temperament. These specialized training programmes strengthened the team technical skills, match discipline, and overall competitive readiness for the World Cup.
"Anandana – The Coca-Cola India Foundation has been a steady partner in strengthening the women's hockey ecosystem," said Dr. Dilip Tirkey, President of Hockey India. "Their support across specialized camps and the Australia exposure tour has played a meaningful role in preparing our junior athletes for global competition. This partnership reflects a shared commitment to building pathways for young women in hockey."
Bhola Nath Singh, Secretary General of Hockey India, emphasized the value of structured development within the partnership. "The journey of a young team requires international experience and consistent performance support. The collaboration with Coca-Cola India under #SheTheDifference has enabled these critical opportunities for our junior women, strengthening their preparation for representing India on the world stage."
Devyani Rana, Vice President for Public Affairs, Communications and Sustainability at Coca-Cola India and South West Asia, outlined the strategic approach driving the partnership. "Our collaboration with Hockey India under #SheTheDifference is rooted in creating sustainable pathways for women athletes to excel. The support for the junior women's team has focused on strengthening their preparation through international exposure, specialized coaching, and comprehensive development initiatives. These investments empower young athletes not just for this World Cup, but for their long-term sporting journeys and contribute to strengthening India's position in women's hockey globally."
The comprehensive support package covered performance equipment and uniforms, specialized training tools, travel and accommodation for overseas tours, and ongoing athlete welfare initiatives. Extending beyond the national team, the partnership also supported the Junior Women's National Championships, reinforcing the talent development pipeline that strengthens the broader women's hockey ecosystem in India.
The Coca-Cola India and Hockey India partnership continues to support training, capability-building, and youth development programs focused on women's hockey. The #SheTheDifference campaign serves as the framework for these collaborative initiatives, working to expand access, opportunity, and skill development for young women athletes across India. Both organizations remain committed to strengthening India's women's hockey ecosystem and developing the next generation of athletes who will represent the country internationally.
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