BharathCloud Appoints JLL As Advisory Partner For USD 100 Million AI-Ready Sovereign Cloud Investment

BharathCloud has appointed JLL as an advisory partner to facilitate build of AI-ready sovereign cloud infrastructure across major cities in India and select international locations.

BharathCloud intends to invest up to USD 100 million over the next five years, subject to board approvals, financing arrangements, regulatory clearances, and prevailing market conditions. As part of this arrangement, JLL will serve as exclusive advisory partner, supporting BharathCloud in colocation site identification, design consultancy, and portfolio optimization. Together, the companies aim to deliver world-class edge cloud infrastructure in cities such as Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi NCR, Kolkata, and Pune, as well as Tier-II and Tier-III locations including Vizag, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Coimbatore, Kochi, Chandigarh, and Bhopal.

As India accelerates its 5G, IoT, and AI-ready cloud infrastructure to enable digital governance and private sector collaboration, BharathCloud is taking significant strides. Building on its previous partnership with DE-CIX India, a leading global interconnection platform, BharathCloud is now strengthening its alliance with JLL for cloud centre development. This collaboration aims to establish a robust distributed cloud ecosystem, positioning BharathCloud as a key orchestrator enabling seamless integration of AI, IoT, and 5G technologies for enterprise edge computing.

This strategic move marks the creation of a fully functional Digital Triangle in India for the first time, unlocking unprecedented value. By integrating DE-CIX’s globally recognized interconnection ecosystem with BharathCloud's secure, sovereign cloud infrastructure, this alliance empowers businesses to scale efficiently while actively shaping the future of digital connectivity in India.

Padma Reddy Sama, Co-Founder, BharathCloud, said, “This strategic partnership with JLL is a key milestone in advancing India-first, enterprise-grade AI cloud infrastructure. Together, we will roll out sovereign, AI-powered cloud centres starting with at least two in every metro and expanding into Tier-II and Tier-III cities while ensuring top-tier security, scalability, operational efficiency, and compliance with India’s data sovereignty requirements.”

Rachit Mohan, APAC Lead – Data Centre Colocation Leasing, JLL, said: “The cloud centre market is experiencing a boost as India's data centre landscape, with capacity set to surge from 1.25 GW in 2025 to an impressive 10.5 GW by 2035—an eightfold increase in just one decade. The convergence of AI infrastructure buildouts, cloud market expansion, 5G deployment, and government-led digital initiatives is creating a perfect storm of opportunity, establishing India not just as a regional powerhouse but as a critical hub in the global cloud centre ecosystem where scalable and sustainable infrastructure development is redefining the digital economy.”

BharathCloud aims to deliver enterprise-ready solutions that are compliant, resilient, and sustainable, with a strong focus on renewable energy, green building standards, and ESG-aligned operations.

India's booming data centre market

India’s data centre industry is experiencing explosive growth. India's data centre capacity is projected to grow 8x over the next decade. We expect capacity to quadruple in the next five years and then double again. This incredible expansion will require an estimated USD 50 billion in new investment over the next ten years. The large-scale investments announced for creating AI data centres for training and inference workloads have driven the growth prospects of the data centre industry to a new high.

The numbers tell the story: data centre capacity will quadruple from 1,250 MW as of 2025 to 10,500 MW by 2035. This massive growth is driven by cloud computing, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and 5G infrastructure demands.

Yuma Energy And e-Sprinto Announce Partnership To Deploy Swappable-Battery EVs Across India

The future of electric mobility isn’t just about building vehicles - it’s about building the ecosystem that helps them thrive. Together, Yuma Energy and e-Sprinto have entered into a partnership setting out to do just that, as the two companies announced today that they intend to deploy swappable-battery electric two-wheelers at scale, a bold step set to supercharge fleet electrification across India’s cities.

Addressing Cost and Charging Barriers

Battery costs account for up to 40% of an electric vehicle’s price, creating a significant barrier for fleet operators. Through Yuma’s BaaS model, batteries are decoupled from the vehicle, allowing businesses to pay only for the energy they use. This approach reduces upfront costs, converts capital expenditure into operating expenditure, and enables fleets to scale efficiently.

"By combining e-Sprinto’s reliable vehicles with Yuma’s widespread swapping network, we’re removing cost and convenience barriers for fleets and enabling businesses to electrify faster than ever before," said Deepak Nanwani, Head of Revenue and Operations, Yuma Energy.

Reliable Energy Access for Fleets

Yuma operates more than 2,000 battery-swapping stations across 400+ locations in 17 cities, with rapid expansion underway. The network ensures quick and predictable energy access, allowing riders to swap a depleted battery for a charged one in under two minutes—minimizing downtime and maximizing fleet productivity.

“This partnership reflects our expanding portfolio of OEM platforms powered by Yuma’s BaaS network, delivering an industry-leading experience for customers,” added Muthu Subramanian, GM & MD, Yuma Energy.

e-Sprinto: Purpose-Built for Indian Roads

e-Sprinto’s electric two-wheelers are engineered for high performance and durability, featuring extended range, low maintenance, and smart IoT integrations. Designed for delivery fleets and gig riders, these vehicles offer reliability for demanding urban operations.

“This partnership with Yuma Energy marks an important milestone in e-Sprinto’s journey to make electric mobility more accessible and viable for large-scale fleet operations,” said Ms. Shalu Gupta, Co-Founder & Director, e-Sprinto. “By combining our high-performance, fleet-ready electric scooters with Yuma’s robust battery-swapping ecosystem, we are addressing two of the biggest challenges in EV adoption—cost and charging downtime. Together, we are enabling fleets to scale faster while driving India’s transition toward a cleaner and more sustainable mobility future.”

Twisted Classics Take Centre Stage At The Blue Bar, Taj West End

Step into the art of cocktails with a Bengaluru-inspired twist at The Blue Bar, Taj West End, Bengaluru, as it presents Twisted Classic Cocktail Week — a four-night celebration where iconic cocktails are reimagined through the lens of local flavours and modern mixology. From 21st to 24th January 2026, nostalgia meets innovation as each drink balances the soul of a classic with a distinctly South Indian accent.

The experience celebrates timeless cocktail classics, Old Fashioned, Negroni, Martini, Gimlet, Whiskey Sour, and Paloma reinterpreted with regional ingredients drawn from Karnataka and the South, including filter coffee, nannari, kokum, curry leaf, coconut, jaggery, and pepper. Across four evenings, one iconic cocktail takes centre stage each night, allowing bartender creativity to shine as every serve tells a story of tradition meeting contemporary craft. Rooted in Bengaluru’s vibrant food culture, the menu draws inspiration from local markets, neighbourhood cafés, and home-grown flavours.

True to the structure and spirit of the originals, every cocktail introduces a regional nuance while championing local produce and craftsmanship — a limited-edition experience that blends culture, memory, and flavour in every glass.

Cocktail Highlights include:

· Mysore Old Fashioned — Bourbon or Indian whisky with jaggery syrup, aromatic bitters, orange peel, and toasted coconut

· Filter Coffee Negroni — Gin, sweet vermouth, coffee-infused Campari, and cold-brew filter coffee essence

· Curry Leaf Gimlet — Gin, fresh lime, light sugar, and curry leaf cordial

· Nannari Sour — Whiskey, nannari syrup, lemon, and aquafaba

· Kokum Paloma — Tequila with kokum syrup, grapefruit soda, and a salt-chilli rim

· Peppercorn Martini — Vodka or gin infused with cracked black pepper and dry vermouth

Event Details:

Dates: 21–24 January 2026
Venue: The Blue Bar, Taj West End, Bengaluru
Pricing: Limited-time menu; prices as per menu
Reservations: 080 6660 5660

Axis Bank Engaged Over 995 Schools Across India To Host SPLASH 2025 — Its Annual Art, Craft, And Literature Competition

Axis Bank, one of the largest private sector banks in India, successfully hosted SPLASH 2025, the 13th edition of its annual art, craft and literature competition, engaging students from over 995 schools across the country. Inspired by Axis Bank’s brand philosophy - dil se open, this year’s edition witnessed enthusiastic participation from more than 2.66 lakh students on the theme ‘Dreams’, encouraging these young minds to unleash their imagination and creativity.

In the southern region, the Bank conducted the competition across 308 schools in Hyderabad, Bangalore, Guntur, Bagalkot, Vishakhapatnam, Cuddapah, and Nellore to name a few. Over 1.01 lakh students participated, submitting entries under two sub-themes: ‘A Day in My Dream Life’ for the 7-10 years age group, and ‘The Future as I Dream It’ for those aged 11-14 years.

Aligned with the theme, Axis Bank also launched the ‘AI Dream Generator’, an interactive digital tool designed to help children bring their dreams to life. From flying cars and talking animals to building cities on the moon, children can enter their dreams and choose their favourite medium—art, craft, or literature—to see their imagination come to life.

The competition will culminate with six national winners and six national runners-up, who will be awarded ₹1 lakh and ₹50,000 each, respectively. They will also have the opportunity to attend a special Art and Craft Workshop at Tashkeel, Dubai. The artwork of these winners will be showcased at the Museum of Art and Photography (MAP), Bengaluru. Additionally, the top 400 qualifiers will receive exciting goodies and vouchers from partner brands like Ixigo and American Tourister.

About Axis Bank:

Axis Bank is one of the largest private sector banks in India. Axis Bank offers the entire spectrum of services to customer segments covering Large and Mid-Corporates, SME, Agriculture, and Retail Businesses. It has 5,976 domestic branches (including extension counters) and 13,177 ATMs and cash recyclers spread across the country as on 30th September 2025. The Bank’s Axis Virtual Centre is present across eight centres with over ~1,786 Virtual Relationship Managers as on 30th September 2025. The Axis Group includes Axis Mutual Fund, Axis Securities Ltd., Axis Finance, Axis Trustee, Axis Capital, A.TReDS Ltd., Freecharge, Axis Pension Fund and Axis Bank Foundation.

For further information on Axis Bank, refer to the website: https://www.axisbank.com

Ammann India’s Asphalt Technology Supports Rajpath Infracon’s Guinness World Record Attempt For NH-544G

• Three Ammann asphalt plants delivered 25095 tons, laying 42 Km & 156 lane kilometers by producing continuous 120 Hrs. of Asphalt.

• The effort involved 20 personnel, 95% percent plant uptime.

Ammann India, a global leader in asphalt mixing and road construction technology, announced the successful deployment of its advanced asphalt plants in a Guinness World Record–winning highway construction effort executed by Rajpath Infracon Private Limited on National Highway 544G.

Rajpath Infracon was officially awarded the Guinness World Records certificate on 12 January 2026 for achieving the highest asphalt laying output and the longest expressway stretch constructed within a 24-hours & 130 Hrs. period. The attempt was conducted between 5th and 11th January 2026 near Puttaparthi, Andhra Pradesh. Ammann’s role in the milestone lay in enabling the record-breaking execution through high-capacity, reliable, and sustainable asphalt production technology, exemplifying how strong collaboration between an experienced EPC contractor and a technology partner can translate ambition into on-ground execution in terms of scale and speed.

Three Ammann asphalt plants were deployed to support continuous operations, ensuring high volume production, consistent mix quality, and operational reliability under intensive execution timelines. Collectively, the plants delivered a peak production capacity of 300 tons per hour and enabled the laying of 25095 tons of asphalt across 42 kilometers, translating into 156 lane kilometers in 5 days and earlier 28.8 Km. within 24 hours. The operation was supported by 95% percent plant uptime and a workforce of over 20 personnel. Importantly underscoring Ammann’s commitment to environmentally responsible road construction without compromising performance or speed.

Commenting on this achievement, Mr. Dheeraj Panda, Managing Director, Ammann India, said, “At Ammann India, it has been our goal to support the national infrastructure goals with world class technology that showcases that sustainability and productivity can go hand in hand. This attempt demonstrates how investments in advanced road construction technology can be utilised efficiently to deliver scale, speed, and quality, while also addressing sustainability considerations in large infrastructure projects. We extend our heartfelt wishes to Rajpath Infracon for this Guinness World Record and are proud to be partners in this feat. ”

Mr. Jagdish Kadam, Founder, Chairman, and Managing Director, Rajpath Infracon Private Limited, said, "The quantity of bituminous concrete required for this project was over 57,000 metric tonnes-a substantial volume that posed a critical challenge. This demanded an aggressive and highly coordinated delivery strategy. Beyond supplying Ammann hot mix plants, the Ammann team provided round-the-clock onsite support and ensured ready availability of spares, enabling uninterrupted, continuous production. We sincerely appreciate the commitment and technical reliability of the Ammann team which were instrumental in successfully achieving this milestone.” He added that, “This achievement reflects the industry’s capability to execute complex highway projects within compressed timelines and sets a new benchmark for expressway construction in India. Partners like Ammann India, along with strong support infrastructure, played a critical role in enabling us to meet the required timelines and quality benchmarks.”

The NH-544G milestone follows a similar deployment of Ammann's ValueTec asphalt plants in May 2025 where Ammann and Patel Infrastructure created an engineering record by laying 34.24 lane kilometers of bituminous concrete in 24 hours.

This latest achievement reinforces the role of advanced construction technologies in accelerating the delivery of high impact national infrastructure projects.

About Ammann India

Ammann India Private Limited, a subsidiary of the Swiss-based Ammann Group, is a leading manufacturer of advanced construction equipment. The company, headquartered in Ditasan, Mehsana District, Gujarat, offers compaction equipment, high-performance asphalt and concrete mixing facilities, and pavers that are specifically designed to meet India's infrastructure requirements.

Ammann India incorporates state-of-the-art road construction equipment to improve efficiency and environmental responsibility with an emphasis on innovation and sustainability. Its equipment ensures dependability and longevity while supporting large infrastructure projects, including highways, roads, and airports.

To increase equipment uptime, the company also provides robust aftermarket support, which includes maintenance, training, and spare parts. Ammann India's dedication to domestic production and support of national infrastructure projects strengthens its position as a reliable partner in the nation's building industry.

Titan Launches Runway At Mall Of Asia With Its Largest Assortment Of Luxury Sunglasses, Eyes 20 Stores In India By FY27

Runway, the premium sunglasses destination from the House of Titan, has launched its store at Mall of Asia, Yelahanka. One of only eight Runway stores pan-India now, the new store reinforces Titan’s focus on curated luxury and global fashion. The store was unveiled by C K Venkataraman, Managing Director, Titan Company Limited, in the presence of Raghavan N S, CEO – Eyecare Division.

Designed as an elevated retail experience, the new Runway store brings together 20+ leading international luxury sunglasses brands, offering customers access to global fashion right here in India. The store showcases an exclusive portfolio featuring iconic names such as Cartier, Gucci, Prada, Cutler & Gross, Miu Miu, Yves Saint Laurent, Persol sunglasses, alongside other internationally acclaimed luxury labels.

“Indian consumers are becoming increasingly discerning, seeking not just choice but thoughtfully curated experiences. Runway from the House of Titan, a premium sunglasses destination, responds to this shift through a focused retail format that brings together over 20 international brands, offering one of the largest assortments of sunglasses under one roof. With 20 Runway stores expected to be operational by FY27, the launch of Runway at Mall of Asia marks a deliberate step in strengthening our global luxury portfolio and shaping the next phase of sunglasses retail in India” said Raghavan N S, CEO – Eyecare Division, Titan Company Limited.

Runway has been thoughtfully designed to deliver an immersive shopping experience, blending refined aesthetics with personalised service. Customers are guided by trained sunglasses experts who offer styling advice, ensuring each visit is tailored and memorable. Every detail of the space reflects Runway’s commitment to luxury, craftsmanship, and contemporary design.

With this launch, Runway strengthens its position as a destination for discerning consumers seeking premium sunglasses that combines international fashion, exclusivity, and expert guidance, all under one roof.

Samsung Innovation Campus Certifies 1,750 Youth In Future-Tech Skills In Uttar Pradesh

Uttar Pradesh emerges as the fastest growing state under Samsung Innovation Campus with 3,900 students certified, across the state

Samsung aims to train 5,000 youth in Uttar Pradesh under Samsung Innovation Campus

The programme empowers youth with training in AI, IoT, Big Data and Coding and soft skills to improve employability

Samsung, India's largest consumer electronics brand, on the occasion of National Youth Day, announced the certification of 1,750 students in Uttar Pradesh under its flagship Samsung Innovation Campus (SIC) programme, marking a significant milestone in the company’s youth-skilling efforts in the state.

\The certification ceremony was held at the City Group of Institutions in Lucknow, in the presence of Smt. Rajni Tiwari, Hon’ble Minister of Higher Education, Government of Uttar Pradesh, along with academic leaders and programme partners.

With this cohort, the total number of students trained under Samsung Innovation Campus in Uttar Pradesh has reached 3,900, making it one of the fastest-growing states under the programme. Samsung announced its intent to skill 5,000 youth in Uttar Pradesh, as part of its broader national target of upskilling 20,000 students, a six-fold increase over the previous year. The programme is currently operational across 10 states.

Under the Lucknow initiative, students received industry-aligned training in emerging technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (950 students), Coding & Programming (550 students), Big Data (150 students), and Internet of Things (100 students).

“At Samsung, our firm belief is that the future of India will be defined by its youth. Samsung Innovation Campus is designed to bridge the gap between education and industry by providing hands-on training in future-tech courses such as AI, IoT, or Big Data and Coding. The certification of 1,750 students in Lucknow underscores our commitment to support the Government of India’s skilling vision and empower young learners across Uttar Pradesh with industry-relevant capabilities. Samsung Innovation Campus is our flagship programme designed to empower the next generation and make them job-ready for the fourth Industrial revolution”, said Shubham Mukherjee, Head, CSR & Corporate Communications at Samsung Southwest Asia.

“As higher education evolves, it is essential that learning outcomes remain aligned with emerging economic and technological needs. Samsung Innovation Campus adds significant value by exposing students to advanced digital disciplines and experiential learning. Such collaborations strengthen our institutions and help create a knowledge-driven, competitive workforce for Uttar Pradesh. I commend Samsung’s commitment to empowering our youth and supporting the state’s vision of building a future-ready, skilled workforce. Our young people are the foundation of Uttar Pradesh’s progress and the driving force behind India’s growth story”, said Smt. Rajni Tiwari, Hon’ble Minister of Higher Education, Government of Uttar Pradesh.

Launched in India in 2022, Samsung Innovation Campus focuses on expanding access to future-tech education, particularly in underserved and semi-urban regions. The programme is implemented in collaboration with the Electronics Sector Skills Council of India (ESSCI) through accredited training partners.

Nationally, the programme has recorded 44% women participation, underscoring Samsung’s focus on inclusive and equitable skilling. In addition to technical training, students receive soft-skills inputs and placement support to improve workplace readiness.

Together with initiatives such as Samsung Solve for Tomorrow and Samsung DOST, Samsung Innovation Campus reflects the company’s long-term commitment to strengthening and expanding India’s digital skilling goals.

Samsung Newsroom India: https://news.samsung.com/in/samsung-innovation-campus-certifies-1750-youth-in-future-tech-skills-in-uttar-pradesh

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, visit the Samsung Newsroom at news.samsung.com/in/