Titan Eye+ introduces PhotoFusion® X Lens Tech By ZEISS With Exclusive Licensing—Enhancing Consumer Vision With Style

* PhotoFusion® X photochromic lens technology by ZEISS is now available across Titan Eye+ lens portfolio and stores in India

Titan Eye+, one of India’s leading eyewear retailers, and ZEISS India Vision Care, guided by its purpose of protecting and improving the vision and lifetime visual health of the world’s consumers, announced the licensing and nationwide deployment of PhotoFusion® X photochromic lens technology of ZEISS at Titan Eye+ lens design portfolio across India.

The announcement was made at the ZEISS Innovation Summit, an exclusive event hosted by ZEISS India Vision Care for Titan Eye+, focused on advancing lens innovation and raising everyday vision care standards for Indian consumers.

Through this collaboration, Titan Eye+ will bring PhotoFusion® X photochromic lens technology by ZEISS to its lens designs mix & retail network, combining Titan Eye+ deep understanding of Indian consumer needs with ZEISS’ expertise in precision optics and lens innovation. The introduction of PhotoFusion® X by ZEISS enables faster transitioning lenses with integrated blue-light and UV protection, designed to support long-term visual comfort and eye health.

Key Highlights

Next-Generation Photochromic Technology: Titan Eye+ will offer PhotoFusion® X lens technology with Titan lenses, engineered for faster darkening in sunlight and quicker fade-back indoors, along with built-in protection against harmful blue light and ultraviolet (UV) radiation.

Seamless Vision, All Day: ZEISS PhotoFusion® X lens technology adapts automatically to changing light conditions, eliminating the need to switch between clear glasses and sunglasses while ensuring clarity indoors and sunglass-level darkness outdoors.

Speaking at the event, Mr. NS Raghavan from Titan Eye+ said:

“At Titan Eye+, our vision has always been to lead the eyewear category through innovation that genuinely improves how people see and experience the world. The introduction of "Titan with PhotoFusion® X" technology exclusive to Titan Eye+ by Carl ZEISS reflects this ambition by combining cutting-edge optical science with our deep understanding of Indian consumer needs. This partnership allows us to set a new benchmark for everyday eyewear that delivers performance, protection and modern style."

Speaking at the event, Mr. Rohan Paul from ZEISS India Vision Care said Our focus has always been on advancing eye-care through meaningful innovation. Availability of ZEISS’ PhotoFusion® X lens technology with Titan Eye+ portfolio across India, will expand consumer’s access to photochromic lenses that is designed for real-world usage with complete UV protection in sun. This is an important step in making advanced visual protection part of everyday eyewear choices for Indian consumers.”

This announcement represents a shared mission to empower India with better vision, improved protection, and superior everyday comfort. Together, Titan Eye+ and ZEISS India Vision Care are setting the stage for a new era in the country’s eyewear landscape - one where advanced technology, trusted retail expertise, and a deep commitment to long-term visual wellness come together for the benefit of every consumer.

Snapdeal Unveils Republic Day Edition Of The SwagTantra Sale

SwagTantra Sale runs from January 7th to 12th ‘26 Discounts of up to 80% across fashion and beauty categories

Snapdeal, Bharat-focused marketplace for value-conscious shoppers, today announced the return of its popular SwagTantra Sale, running from January 7 to January 12, 2026, in the run-up to Republic Day. Following an overwhelming response to the inaugural SwagTantra Sale during Independence Day last year, Snapdeal is bringing the property back to celebrate the spirit of economic freedom and smart shopping.

Staying true to Snapdeal’s value-first philosophy, the SwagTantra Sale will spotlight a wide selection of best-selling fashion, lifestyle and everyday essentials priced in the ₹299–₹699 range, reaffirming the platform’s focus on accessible pricing for Bharat’s value-conscious shoppers.

The Republic Day edition of the SwagTantra Sale will feature discounts of up to 80% across a wide range of categories, with a focus on women’s fashion (westernwear, ethnicwear and footwear), men’s fashion, kids’ clothing, home décor and furnishing, and make-up & personal care. Designed for Bharat’s value-driven shoppers, the sale brings together trending styles, everyday essentials and festive-ready assortments at compelling price points.

Adding to the excitement are “Deal of the Day” offers, featuring some of the most competitive prices across key categories, and “77 Freedom Deals”, a limited-period proposition inspired by India’s Republic Day celebrations. Customers can also avail attractive bank and payment offers, including benefits via BHIM UPI, PayTM, and Bank of Baroda cards, making value shopping even more rewarding.

Commenting on the announcement, Achint Setia, CEO, Snapdeal, said, “Bringing SwagTantra back for Republic Day is our way of celebrating economic freedom through smarter choices, sharper prices and wider access to trusted brands.”

Snapdeal continues to empower millions of value-conscious consumers while enabling small sellers and manufacturers to participate meaningfully in India’s digital commerce growth.

For more details, customers can download the Snapdeal app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.

Hartek Bags INR 353.77 Crore Solar And Battery Storage EPC Project In Karnataka

Hartek Power, one of India’s leading Engineering, Procurement, Construction companies, has secured a major renewable energy contract in Karnataka. The company has been awarded the EPC scope for a 280 MW AC / 410 MWp DC solar PV project, along with an 80 MW / 320 MWh battery energy storage system at Challakere.

The scope of work includes design, engineering, supply, erection and commissioning of the project, along with one year of operations and maintenance. The total purchase price for the signed and agreed scope is approximately INR 353.77 crore.

The project is significant at a time when India is increasingly focusing on integrating large-scale renewable generation with energy storage to ensure grid stability and reliable power supply. Battery energy storage systems are emerging as a critical enabler for managing intermittency in solar power and supporting round-the-clock energy availability.

Commenting on the project win, Simarpreet Singh, Executive Director and CEO, Hartek Group, said, “This project reflects the growing maturity of India’s renewable energy market, where solar generation and storage are coming together as an integrated solution. We are pleased to be working on this large-scale solar and battery storage project at Challakere. At Hartek, we have consistently invested in engineering capabilities and execution excellence to deliver complex projects of this scale. This win strengthens our position in the utility-scale solar segment and marks an important step forward in our journey into battery energy storage.”

Located in Challakere, which is fast emerging as a renewable energy hub, the project adds to Karnataka’s expanding clean energy footprint.

For Hartek, it reinforces the company’s ability to execute large, technically advanced projects across geographies, while supporting India’s broader energy transition goals.

As renewable capacity additions accelerate across the country, industry observers note that hybrid projects combining solar and storage are expected to become increasingly common. Hartek’s latest order places it firmly among solar EPC players equipped to deliver next-generation renewable infrastructure at scale.

About Hartek Group

Hartek Group has been a driving force in transforming India’s energy sector, pioneering EPC solutions since 1991, leading the charge in power systems, renewable energy, and delivering advanced power distribution products. As a pioneer in India’s transition to renewable energy, we have connected over 10 GW of solar power to the national grid, significantly contributing to the reduction of 300 million tonnes of carbon emissions. In addition, we have successfully installed 200 MW of rooftop solar capacity across the country, offering turnkey solutions that cover everything from site assessment to project commissioning. Driven by a commitment to creating smart cities and intelligent infrastructure, we stand true to our purpose of ‘Making your Future Powerful by building a brighter today.’

84% Of Professionals In India Feel Unprepared To Find A Job In 2026: LinkedIn

72% of Indian professionals are looking for a new role in 2026, but 76% say job search has become tougher, citing competition, uncertainty about role fit and skills gaps.

All generations, from Boomers to Gen Z, share the same struggle: unsure how to stand out in new AI-driven hiring processes - yet the majority plan to use AI tools in their job search.

LinkedIn is helping professionals navigate the 2026 job market with a list of Jobs on the rise, real-time insights, AI-powered tools and a trusted network

In India, 84%1 of professionals feel unprepared to find a new job, although 72%2 say they’re actively seeking a new role in 2026. This comes amid the rise of AI in the hiring process, rapidly shifting skill requirements for today’s jobs, and an increasingly competitive, but selective, job market.

New research from LinkedIn, the world’s largest professional network, shows many professionals feel lost in an AI-driven hiring process. While 87% are comfortable3 using AI at work, many feel uncertain about how it’s being used in hiring, with 77%4 saying there are too many stages in the process and 66% finding it increasingly impersonal4. Recruiter response time and lack of feedback makes the wait even more overwhelming, leaving professionals across all generations with the same struggle: how to make their application stand out (48% agree).

The research also shows that AI has moved from a productivity aid to a confidence-builder for Indian job seekers, with 94%5 planning to use it in their job search and 66% saying it boosts their interview confidence4. Around 76% of job seekers say finding a new role has become tougher over the last year. LinkedIn data shows that applicants per open role in India have more than doubled since early 2022, intensifying competition and leaving many feeling unprepared. And it’s not just job seekers feeling the pressure. Nearly 74% of Indian recruiters say it’s become harder over the last year to find qualified talent6.

This challenge is reshaping career paths. Almost a third (32%) of Gen X job seekers are considering new functions or roles, while 32% of Gen Zers are looking for roles outside their current industry. At the same time, more people are stepping outside of traditional roles and into entrepreneurship, with ‘founder’ rapidly growing on LinkedIn.

Nirajita Banerjee, LinkedIn Career Expert and Sr. Managing Editor, LinkedIn India News, said "AI is now a foundational part of how careers are built and how talent is evaluated across India’s job market. What professionals need most is a clear understanding of how their skills translate into opportunity and how hiring decisions are actually made. When used with purpose, AI tools can bridge that gap by helping people identify the roles they’re right for, prepare with intent, and focus their learning where it matters most. That’s where LinkedIn helps job seekers and hirers meet the moment.”

As competition intensifies, LinkedIn Jobs on the Rise shows which roles are growing now

To help job seekers feel better prepared for 2026, LinkedIn’s India Jobs on the Rise report highlights the fastest-growing roles over the past 3 years. This year’s list is led by Prompt Engineer (#1), AI Engineer (#2), and Software Engineer (#3), showing sustained demand for AI and tech talent. Beyond pure tech, the rankings show healthy demand across sales and brand strategy, cybersecurity, and advisory functions. At the same time, roles such as Veterinarian, Solar Consultant and Behavioural Therapist are also on the rise.

How LinkedIn’s AI tools are improving job search and role matching

LinkedIn also offers a wide range of AI tools, including AI-powered job search, which lets members search for jobs in their own words and discover roles they might never have thought to look for. The tool is now rolling out globally in English, French, German, Spanish and Portuguese. Over 1.3M members² globally already use it every day, and over 25M weekly searches are powered by the new job search experience. Once you discover relevant roles, you can use LinkedIn’s job match feature to see which roles align with your skills and qualifications, so you can focus on applying to opportunities where you’re a fit and more likely to be considered for the role.

LinkedIn Career Expert tips to help people in their job search

Take steps to navigate your job search with confidence: Go to linkedin.com/jobsearchguide for actionable advice, tips for using our tools, access to free courses and more.

Meet the moment: The job market is shifting quickly, so it’s important to get prepared and take action. Start by looking at trends in your industry and thinking about what you want in your next role. Identify the skills that will help you get there and take a few concrete steps today to build momentum and confidence.

Get comfortable with AI in your job search: AI is shaping almost every part of the job search, from finding roles to being pre-screened by recruiters and preparing for interviews. The key is to start small. Why not try exploring LinkedIn’s job match tool to help speed up your search for the right role?

Keep your Profile fresh: Your Profile is often the first place employers look. Make sure your skills and experience are up to date and clearly highlighted, and verify information such as workplace and identity to help build trust - this will be key in separating yourself from the competition.

Mark your Top Choice job: If you’re a Premium subscriber, mark a job as a top choice when applying through Easy Apply to signal to recruiters you have strong interest in a job they’ve posted. Selecting Top Choice increases your likelihood of receiving a recruiter message by 43%.

Lean on your network: Your network is a powerful resource. Engaging with posts, commenting, or reaching out directly can provide support, spark opportunities, and open doors you might not expect. Try LinkedIn’s new AI-powered people search – by searching for people in plain language – to unlock the potential of your network.

Discover new opportunities: Explore the fastest-growing roles in LinkedIn’s Jobs on the Rise, with actionable insights to help professionals land their next role, including key skills, hiring hotspots, learning resources, links to open roles, and more.

TP Solar Produced 2.9 GW Of Solar Modules And 2.8 GW Of Solar Cells In 9 Months (FY26

· Cell Manufacturing produced 940 MW in Q3 FY 26 vs.196 MW in Q3 FY25

· Modules Manufacturing produces 990 MW in Q3FY26 vs 927 MW in the corresponding quarter previous year

TP Solar Limited, solar manufacturing arm and a wholly owned subsidiary of Tata Power Renewable Energy Limited, a subsidiary of The Tata Power Company Limited (Tata Power) recorded strong manufacturing performance from April 2025 to December 2025 ( 9-month period).

During this period, the Company manufactured 2.8 GW of DCR solar cells and 2.9 GW of solar modules. Out of 2.9 GW modules, 2.4GW were DCR Modules and balance 0.5 GW were ALMM modules.

In Q3 FY26, TP Solar manufactured 940 MW of cells compared to 196 MW in the corresponding period last year, registering nearly a 5x year-on-year increase. Module production stood at 990 MW versus 927 MW in the same period last year, reflecting an approximately 7% year-on-year growth. These results underscore the Company’s consistent capacity ramp-up and improving operational efficiency.

TP Solar operates one of India’s largest single-location state of the art, 4.3 GW Solar Cell and Module manufacturing facility in Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu.

The facility is also distinguished by a workforce comprising nearly 80% women, reflecting the Company’s strong commitment to inclusive workforce.

Tata Power, through its subsidiary Tata Power Renewable Energy Limited (TPREL), has invested nearly ₹4,300 crore in establishing this facility. The investment represents a significant milestone in advancing indigenization across the solar value chain and reinforces the Company’s strategic focus on achieving self-sufficiency in solar cell and module manufacturing.

Equipped with advanced TOPCon and Mono PERC technologies, the plant produces ALMM-certified modules as also DCR modules using Made in India Cells in this plant.

The facility aligns with the Company’s commitment to supporting India’s vision for a Net-Zero carbon future with local manufacturing capabilities.

About Tata Power:

The Tata Power Company Limited, a leading integrated power company and a part of the Tata Group, India's largest multinational business conglomerate, owns a diversified portfolio of 15.9 GW. This portfolio spans the entire power value chain, from renewable and conventional energy generation to transmission, distribution, trading, storage solutions, and solar cell and module manufacturing. As a pioneer in India's clean energy transition, Tata Power has 7.0 GW of clean energy generation, constituting 44% of its total capacity. Committed to achieving Net Zero by 2045, Tata Power has successfully partnered with public and private entities across India's generation, transmission, and distribution sectors, serving ~13 million customers nationwide.

Aditya Birla Sun Life AMC Presents “Annual Market Outlook 2026” Why India Looks Ready To Reclaim After The Reset

The year 2025 can be best characterized as an eventful and challenging year with the headline indices returning double-digit returns and extending their winning streak to 10 years in a row. This was on the back of many initiatives and events that continued to dominate headlines ranging from interest rate cut, tax rate cut, sovereign rating upgrade for India, accelerated rupee depreciation, all-time high SIP inflow among others. With such a steady flow of positive headlines, the expectation was for India’s financial markets to comfortably tide over the hurdles in 2025. But reality was starkly different. We grappled with weak earnings growth, compression in the valuation picture along with an uncertain global backdrop. The investor experience turned out to be uneven with small & midcap returns being lower than the frontline index. With this background of how 2025 turned out to be, the key question to ask would be – How will markets react in 2026? The answer to that can best be described by three words – Reboot, Refresh, Reclaim!

Reboot: due to geopolitical uncertainty

The global sentiment for 2025 was dominated by geopolitical uncertainty, trade friction and tariff concerns among other things. Amidst all this, the rupee witnessed accelerated depreciation which turned out to be in India’s favor as it maintained the export competitiveness and provided macro stability. From a money flow point of view, foreign investors turned cautious with their positioning also at record low levels. As a result, India underperformed not only developed markets but also emerging peers despite being the fastest growing economy in the world. This reboot has cleared excesses as the valuation froth has moderated, equity supply has eased, foreign investor positioning is light, and currency competitiveness has improved.

Refresh: focus on domestic consumption, rupee depreciation & monetary stimulus

The government and central bank have ensured the fiscal and monetary policy actions of last year have laid a solid foundation for future growth. This includes a 125-bps rate cut, liquidity infusion, tax rate cut along with GST rationalization. Thanks to these, we can expect a pickup in urban consumption in 2026 along with benign inflation. This refresh will pave the way for the much-awaited pickup in domestic consumption. This will also aide in expected earnings revival of Indian corporates in the new year. Nifty earnings are expected to grow in the range of low-to-mid teens over the next couple of years. Not just equity, but debt too would benefit from this refresh with transmission of rates and an expected 25-bps rate cut by the RBI in the coming months.

Reclaim: better times ahead with improved earnings outlook in new sectors/themes

This phase is expected to extend beyond 2026 with India reclaiming its earnings momentum, global relevance and its long-term equity story. As earnings start catching up in 2026, the gap between profit growth and market capitalization growth could propel markets higher. We believe the indiscriminate small & midcap outperformance phase is behind us while large caps are better positioned in this phase.

From an asset allocation point of view, domestic equities remain attractive relative to other asset classes while fixed income would likely offer stability as the rate cycle turns positive. Overall, 2026 is not expected to be a straight line as geopolitics, trade concerns and currency movement continue to persist as real risks. After the reboot and refresh, investors can look forward to reclaiming earnings-led returns.

Hitachi Vantara Appoints Wendy Koh As The New Vice President Of Sales For Asia Pacific

Hitachi Vantara, the data storage, infrastructure and hybrid cloud management subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd. (TSE: 6501), today announced the appointment of Wendy Koh as its new Vice President of Sales for the Asia Pacific region, effective immediately.

Based in Singapore, Koh will be responsible for leading the company’s technical sales strategy in the Asia Pacific region, as the company continues to capitalise on the growing demand for AI-enabled data and hybrid cloud storage. In her role, Koh will also oversee regional sales teams, help strengthen customer and partner relationships, and execute strategic initiatives that accelerate the adoption of the company’s products and solutions, including the company’s flagship Virtual Storage Platform One (VSP One) unified data platform. She reports directly to Adrian Johnson, senior vice president and general manager, Americas and Asia Pacific at Hitachi Vantara.

“AI is fundamentally transforming enterprise data management, with the APAC data center market expected to grow at a 22% CAGR by 2029, driven by AI and cloud adoption,” said Johnson. “It is imperative that we have the right leadership in place to meet this moment, and Wendy brings an unmatched wealth of expertise in understanding the complex digital challenges facing enterprises today. We are grateful to have her join the team and deliver meaningful outcomes for customers and partners as they manage the explosive growth of data powering the next generation of agentic and physical AI.”

Koh has more than 30 years of experience in IT consulting, strategy, infrastructure management, project management and partnership development. Prior to joining Hitachi Vantara, Koh worked for Capgemini, where she was the executive vice president for Southeast Asia. Before that, she held leadership roles at Cisco, Juniper and NetApp, where she focused on networking, infrastructure, strategic partnerships, storage technologies, and cloud-based software. Her expertise lies in driving technology and digital transformation initiatives across both government and private sectors, and she brings a proven track record of helping clients unlock the business value of technology.

Said Koh, “Asia Pacific is a powerhouse of innovation and growth, and I’m honored to lead Hitachi Vantara’s next chapter in this dynamic region. By combining our deep industry expertise with cutting-edge data and hybrid cloud solutions, we’re uniquely positioned to help our customers accelerate transformation and unlock new ROI. I look forward to working with our talented teams and partners to drive sustainable growth and deliver meaningful outcomes for our clients and communities.”

Koh is also an independent, non-executive director at ASMPT Limited, a Singapore-based company that designs and manufactures machines and tools used in the semiconductor and electronics assembly industries.

For more information on Hitachi Vantara’s data storage, infrastructure, and hybrid cloud management products, solutions, and services,

About Hitachi Vantara

Hitachi Vantara is transforming the way data fuels innovation. A wholly owned subsidiary of Hitachi Ltd., Hitachi Vantara provides the data foundation the world’s leading innovators rely on. Through data storage, infrastructure systems, cloud management and digital expertise, the company helps customers build the foundation for sustainable business growth. To learn more, visit www.hitachivantara.com.

About Hitachi, Ltd.

Through its Social Innovation Business (SIB) that brings together IT, OT(Operational Technology) and products, Hitachi contributes to a harmonised society where the environment, wellbeing, and economic growth are in balance. Hitachi operates globally in four sectors – Digital Systems & Services, Energy, Mobility, and Connective Industries – and the Strategic SIB Business Unit for new growth businesses. With Lumada at its core, Hitachi generates value from integrating data, technology and domain knowledge to solve customer and social challenges. Revenues for FY2024 (ended March 31, 2025) totaled 9,783.3 billion yen, with 618 consolidated subsidiaries and approximately 280,000 employees worldwide. Visit us at www.hitachi.com.

HITACHI is a trademark or registered trademark of Hitachi, Ltd. All other trademarks, service marks, and company names are properties of their respective owners.