American Wave Machines is pleased to announce the formation of Eastern Swell Dynamics, a new joint venture established with China Tourism Group to support the growth of PerfectSwell® surf pools across China. The new company will serve as the official licensed platform for PerfectSwell® projects in the region, bringing together AWM’s proven surf technology with CTG’s deep tourism infrastructure, development capabilities, market access and longstanding presence across Greater China.
 

Signing Ceremony for the joint venture between American Wave Machines and CTG Commercial Management

China Tourism Group is one of the most significant tourism enterprises in China, with a history dating back more than a century and a business network spanning mainland China, and international markets. Its platform includes travel services, scenic destinations, hotels, duty free retail, tourism transportation, real estate, cultural tourism and related destination businesses. CTG’s development of Riyue Bay Surf Resort, anchored by PerfectSwell® surf technology, offers an early signal of what this partnership is designed to scale: destination experiences driven by surf.

China’s Insane PerfectSwell® Surf Park: www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1cSXFRD6-I

Riyue Bay Surf Resort powered by PerfectSwell® surf technology
 

“The formation of Eastern Swell Dynamics reflects the next phase of PerfectSwell® growth,” said AWM Founder Bruce McFarland. “AWM brings the surf technology, enthusiasm for the sport and surf park experience. CTG brings extraordinary regional capability, destination development experience and institutional reach. Together, we believe the joint venture is positioned to support a new generation of surf park projects.”
 

Eastern Swell Dynamics logo
 

The launch comes as PerfectSwell® Surf Parks continue to emerge as powerful destination anchors, hospitality drivers and next generation recreational assets. Through Eastern Swell Dynamics, AWM and CTG intend to create a focused regional platform for long term market development, localized project support and premium surf experiences. “Riyue Bay Surf Resort has already demonstrated the appeal of high-performance PerfectSwell® surf within a destination experience developed by CTG,” said Wei Li, CFO of CTG Investments. “Through Eastern Swell Dynamics, we look forward to building on that success and supporting the development of new PerfectSwell® surf destinations across China.”

About American Wave Machines

American Wave Machines, Inc. is the inventor and developer of PerfectSwell® Surf Technology, the patented surf platform powering world-class surf destinations across real estate, hospitality, private club, resort, and commercial surf markets. PerfectSwell® helped pioneer the modern surf park category by delivering the wave surfers want: authentic, repeatable, high-performance surf with the variety, progression, and quality required to drive long-term demand.
 

As the inventor of sequence-based pneumatic surf technology, AWM has built a deeply protected platform backed by over 50 patents worldwide, extensive operating data, and proven destination performance. PerfectSwell® innovations including Split Peaks, A-Frames, Peeling Waves, Air Sections, Barrels, Infinite Ocean, and other signature wave and design capabilities are supported by AWM’s robust intellectual property portfolio.

PayGlocal, India’s leading cross-border payments company, today introduces Flash, a new express checkout experience that allows international customers to carry their verified checkout details across participating Indian merchants. With the customer’s permission, Flash securely recognises previously verified information, so customers who have already completed a checkout through PayGlocal can make subsequent purchases without having to enter the same details from scratch.

PayGlocal launches Flash, an express checkout experience for cross-border commerce

Today, every new purchase from an Indian business can mean starting the checkout process again. Customers may have already entered and verified their personal and payment information with one merchant, only to repeat the same process when they shop with another. Flash is designed to make that journey simpler, allowing customers to move between participating Indian businesses with fewer steps and a more familiar checkout experience.

Making Cross-Border Checkout Simpler

Cross-border payments have made it possible for Indian businesses to reach customers around the world. Flash focuses on the next part of that journey: making it easier for those customers to complete a purchase.

Rather than repeatedly entering the same information, customers can use their existing verified details, with their consent, when shopping with other participating Indian businesses.

On the occasion, Yogesh Lokhande, Co-founder & CTO, PayGlocal said, “For an Indian business selling to the world, every customer has to be won from scratch. It has to spend to get discovered, build trust with every new buyer, and earn the right to make the sale. And when another Indian business reaches that same customer, the journey starts all over again. PayGlocal changes that.”

He added, “Millions of global shoppers who already buy through PayGlocal can now become a shared customer base for every Indian business on our network. A first-time visitor can arrive already known, trusted, and just one tap away from completing a purchase. For the first time, an Indian business doesn’t have to win the world alone.”

Flash has been built from the ground up for cross-border commerce, taking into account the needs of international customers shopping with Indian merchants. The aim is to reduce friction at checkout while giving participating businesses a simpler way to serve returning global shoppers.

Building the Infrastructure for India’s Global Commerce

PayGlocal has spent more than the last five years building payment infrastructure that enables Indian businesses to accept payments from customers around the world.

Flash builds on this foundation to create a more consistent checkout experience across participating merchants. As the network grows, customers can discover and shop with more Indian businesses without having to repeatedly start the checkout process from scratch.

For Indian businesses, the opportunity goes beyond accepting international payments. It is about making it easier for global customers to complete purchases and return to shop again.

For the first time, Indian businesses selling to the world can share a global customer network.

And that is the larger opportunity PayGlocal sees beyond payments, to help Indian businesses build lasting relationships with customers around the world.

Flash to Debut at Global Fintech Fest 2026

PayGlocal is set to unveil Flash at Global Fintech Fest 2026 in Mumbai, giving the fintech ecosystem its first look at the product and the experience it enables.

The launch will also be part of a broader series of innovations PayGlocal will showcase at GFF across cross-border payments, commerce, payment intelligence and AI.

Together, these launches represent PayGlocal’s next phase of building the infrastructure that makes global commerce feel more like a connected experience.

The Ramaiah Group of Institutions has made a significant contribution to building a knowledge society in India through its longstanding commitment to education, said Hon’ble Chief Minister of Karnataka Shri D.K. Shivakumar at the inauguration of the Ramaiah Institute of Science and Management (RISM) and the foundation laying ceremony of Nareyana Pragnalaya – ‘Abode of Wisdom,’ held in Bengaluru on Monday, 7^th September 2026.

CM Shri D.K. Shivakumar was welcomed by Dr. M.R. Jayaram, Dr. Seetharam and Dr. Havidan Rodríguez at the inauguration of RISM and the foundation laying of Nareyana Pragnalaya

The ceremony marked an important milestone in the Ramaiah Group’s continuing journey in education and brought together eminent academic and institutional leaders, including Dr. M.R. Jayaram, Chancellor, RISM; Dr. Seetharam, Chairman, Gokula Education Foundation; Dr. Havidan Rodríguez, President, University at Albany, State University of New York; Dr. M.M. Pallam Raju, Member, Board of Management; Prof. B.N. Raghunandan, Chairman, RISM Task Force; and Mr. Gurucharan Gollarkeri, IAS (Retd.), Chief Strategy Officer, GEF (Medical), among others.
 

Ramaiah Legacy of Building a Knowledge Society
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Shri D.K. Shivakumar appreciated the contribution of the Ramaiah Group of Institutions to education and the development of Bengaluru and Karnataka. He highlighted the role played by the institutions in creating generations of professionals, entrepreneurs and leaders and in contributing to the building of a knowledge-driven society.

He also emphasised the importance of educational institutions preparing young people not merely to seek employment, but to become entrepreneurs, innovators and job creators who can contribute meaningfully to the country’s future.
 

RISM: Global Knowledge Meets Technology
Dr. M.R. Jayaram, Chancellor, RISM, highlighted the vision behind the new institution and its focus on global academic engagement, research, innovation and emerging technologies.

A key pillar of RISM’s academic vision is its collaboration with the University at Albany, State University of New York. The partnership is intended to provide students with access to global academic expertise, knowledge, research and emerging technologies, while creating opportunities for international exposure and industry-relevant learning.

The collaboration brings together the educational legacy of the Ramaiah Group and the global academic strengths of the University at Albany, creating an environment designed to prepare students for a rapidly changing world.
 

Nareyana Pragnalaya – Abode of Wisdom
Dr. M.R. Jayaram also highlighted the significance of Nareyana Pragnalaya, the name given to the new RISM campus for which the foundation stone was laid.

Nareyana Pragnalaya means ‘Abode of Wisdom’ and envisions a transformative space where knowledge becomes wisdom, learning inspires discovery, and education shapes enlightened minds.

Rooted in timeless values and driven by a vision for tomorrow, the campus is envisioned to nurture intellect, creativity, character and compassion, empowering generations to learn, lead and shape a better world.

The foundation laying therefore represents more than the creation of a new campus. It marks the beginning of a new academic environment where knowledge, technology, research and human values come together.

The inauguration of RISM and the foundation laying of Nareyana Pragnalaya extend the enduring legacy of the Ramaiah Group of Institutions and Gokula Education Foundation into a new generation of global, technology-enabled and future-ready education.

Manipal University Jaipur (MUJ), in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, Government of Rajasthan, inaugurated the International Innovation Challenge (IIC) 3.0, a 36-hour innovation and entrepreneurship challenge aimed at encouraging young innovators to develop technology-driven solutions to pressing societal and industry challenges.

IIC 3.0- Chief Guest Mr Virendra Chaudhary was felicitated by Dr. Amit Soni, Registrar, Manipal University Jaipur

Organised by the Department of IoT & Intelligent Systems, AIC-MUJ, E-Cell MUJ and DoIC-MUJ, the challenge is co-powered by Unstop, mlHealth 360 Pvt. Ltd., Mahindra & Mahindra Pvt. Ltd., MongoDB, InterviewBuddy, Internshala and Code Crafters, with ICAR, Mysore as a partner.

The inaugural ceremony brought together university leadership, industry experts, mentors, partners and participating teams. The session was graced by Prof. Amit Soni, Registrar, MUJ, Prof. Vijaypal Singh Dhaka, Dean, IQAC, MUJ and Convenor, IIC 3.0 and Shri Virendra Choudhary, Director, 1^st India News as the Chief Guest.

Prof. Amit Soni, Registrar welcomed the guests and participants from across the country and introduced the rich legacy of Manipal University Jaipur.

The Chief Guest Shri Virendra Choudhary, Director, First India News, who opened the problem statement for IIC 3.0. Addressing the participants, Shri Choudhary emphasised the need to build a robust and future-ready agricultural ecosystem and encouraged young innovators to explore entrepreneurship and technology-led solutions in the agriculture sector.

Dr. Geeta Rani, HoD, IoT & Intelligent Systems and Program Chair, IIC 3.0, welcomed the mentors, partners and participating teams and outlined the journey ahead for the 36-hour challenge. Dr. G. L. Saini proposed the vote of thanks, acknowledging the contribution of dignitaries, mentors, partners, volunteers, participants and the organising team.

The third edition has witnessed an impressive response, with 259 teams comprising more than 900 registered students participating in the first round out of these, 154 teams are from MUJ and 105 teams are from institutions outside the university, representing 15 states and more than 70 universities and colleges across India and globe. The participating institutions include premier institutes such as IIT Bombay, IIT Jodhpur and NIT Lucknow. The challenge has also attracted an international team from Italy, adding a global dimension to the competition.

The participating teams are working on solutions across 10 critical themes, including EdTech, HealthTech, FinTech, AgriTech, Cybersecurity, Women and Child Safety, Aerotech and Aerospace Innovation, Transportation and Mobility, and Smart Cities and Urban Development.

Building on the success of IIC 2.0, organised last year, IIC 3.0 has been expanded into a comprehensive innovation platform combining a 36-hour hackathon and expert-led panel discussions.

The challenge is supported by an experienced panel of mentors and judges, including Mr. Ankit Jha, Founder, Awarno Technologies; Ms. Swati Bansal, SDE, Amazon; Ms. Nandini Sharma, Founder, Aparajita Foundation; and Mr. Prince Yadav, SDE, GreyOrange, Dr Ester Zumpano, University of Calabria, Italy; Dr Eugenio Vocaturo, CNR-Nanotec, Italy, Dr Haiming Liu, Southampton University, UK. The discussions will explore contemporary issues and opportunities around artificial intelligence, industry requirements and career planning, innovation and entrepreneurship, higher education, and global opportunities, providing participants with perspectives beyond the competition itself.

The competition offers attractive rewards to recognise innovative ideas and promising solutions. The first prize carries a cash award of Rs. 1 lakh, the second prize Rs. 75,000 and the third prize Rs. 50,000. In addition, participants will receive goodies and opportunities for paid internships, providing them with avenues to further develop their skills and connect with industry.

With participation from across India and an international team, IIC 3.0 represents MUJ’s continued efforts to create a vibrant ecosystem for innovation, entrepreneurship, interdisciplinary collaboration and sustainable development. The 36-hour challenge provides young innovators with a platform to transform ideas into solutions while engaging with mentors, industry leaders and peers from diverse academic and professional backgrounds.

SDLG India is set to showcase its construction machinery range at the bauma CONEXPO INDIA 2026, world’s leading International trade fair for construction machinery, mining machines, and construction vehicles to be held from September 15-18 at the India Expo Centre, Greater Noida.

SDLG India’s next-generation construction equipment range, engineered for power, performance, reliability and sustainable infrastructure development

At Hall H16 – Booth B31, SDLG India will showcase a powerful portfolio of its next-generation construction equipment including electric wheel loaders, motor graders, excavators and dozers for the Indian construction industry giving customers and industry stakeholders an opportunity to experience the company’s capabilities across earthmoving, electrification and fuel-efficient construction machinery.

The product range demonstrates SDLG’s growing capabilities across high-performance construction equipment while highlighting its focus on productivity, reliability, electrification and solutions tailored to the evolving needs of Indian customers.

Mr. Wang Xiaohui, Vice General Manager, Shandong Lingong Construction Machinery Co., Ltd. (SDLG), said, “India remains a strategically important market for SDLG and presents significant opportunities as the country continues to advance its infrastructure and industrial development. Guided by our core philosophy of ‘Efficiency First, Leading Technology’, we remain focused on bringing continuous technological innovation and operational excellence to the Indian market.”

Mr. Soumyaranjan Dash, Head of Dealer Development and Brand Marketing, SDLG India, said, “The company’s focus is on manufacturing machines that deliver high productivity, dependable performance and lasting value for our Indian customers. At SDLG India, we are strengthening our product range, expanding our dealer and service network to attend the needs of Indian customers.”

With more than 15 years of presence in India, SDLG India has been steadily expanding its product portfolio and market reach, strengthening its ability to serve the country’s diverse construction and infrastructure requirements.

SDLG’s participation at bauma CONEXPO INDIA 2026 comes as the company continues to expand its presence in India, with a focus on combining its global product and technology capabilities with a deeper understanding of local applications and customer requirements.

About SDLG India
SDLG has been present in India since 2009, supporting the country’s growing construction, infrastructure and mining sectors with a portfolio of reliable, efficient and value-driven equipment. Its product range includes Wheel Loaders, Hydraulic Excavators and Motor Graders, engineered and customized for Indian operating conditions and serving a wide range of demanding applications, including quarrying, mining, road construction, railways and port infrastructure.
 

In 2026, SDLG further strengthened its commitment to India by establishing full-fledged operations in the country to meet growing industry demand. Supported by a strong nationwide dealer network, the company provides dedicated after-sales support, including parts and service, to help customers maximize equipment uptime and returns on investment.
 

As India continues to invest in large-scale infrastructure development, SDLG is focused on expanding its product portfolio, deepening localization, and strengthening its manufacturing and service capabilities. Backed by its global journey and the Lingong Group ecosystem, SDLG is entering its next phase of growth with a renewed focus on innovation, manufacturing and customer-centric solutions, while building a stronger and more significant presence in India’s evolving construction equipment landscape.

Swyom Advisors Limited, the SEBI-registered investment manager to the Swyom India Alpha Fund, marked the completion of three years of operations at Beyond Alpha: Chapter 3, an evening reception held on Saturday, 5 September at the Grand Ballroom, Taj Santacruz, Mumbai. The gathering brought together the firm’s investors, distribution partners, service providers and associates from across the Indian capital markets ecosystem.
 

L–R: Jaideep Kanse, Swyom; Radha Raman Agarwal, MD & CEO, Swyom Advisors; and Sanjay Mishra, former COO, Marico India, at Beyond Alpha, Taj Santacruz, 5 September 2026
 

The evening ran under the theme ‘Building Bonds, Breaking Boundaries, Blazing Beyond’, a framing the firm has used to describe the three priorities it says have defined its first three years: deepening relationships with its stakeholders, widening the research questions it is willing to take on, and building the institutional infrastructure to carry both forward.
 

“Three years is a short life for an investment firm, but it has not been a quiet one,” said Radha Raman Agarwal, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Swyom Advisors Limited. “This period has handed Indian markets a broad market advance, a mid-cycle correction, a geopolitical energy shock and a sharp reversal in foreign flows. Firms are not built in benign conditions. What we take from these three years is a working method we trust, a team that has been tested, and the relationships that made both possible.”
 

Building the firm

In a presentation to guests, Agarwal set out the firm’s progress as an operating business. Swyom Advisors now manages assets of over Rs. 300 crore across close to 200 investors, and has grown to a team of more than 20 professionals, including a dedicated in-house research team. Growth in assets under management reflects a combination of investor inflows and market movement and is not a representation of returns.
 

Aditi Kedia, Director, Swyom Advisors Limited, spoke to the widening of the firm’s investor and partner base over the three years, and to the work of building a distribution network across independent advisers, wealth platforms and family offices. Sweta Agarwal, Director and a member of the firm’s Investment Committee, closed the evening with a vote of thanks, in which more than 24 partner firms and professional associates were formally recognised for their role in the firm’s first three years.
 

A maturing alternatives market

Speaking to the wider context, Agarwal pointed to the changing composition of India’s alternatives market. Citing SEBI’s Alternative Investment Funds statistics, he noted that total commitments raised across AIFs have reached approximately Rs. 16.94 lakh crore since the framework was introduced in 2012, with Category III funds accounting for around Rs. 3.15 lakh crore – the fastest-growing of the three categories. Category III funds, which pursue diverse and often complex strategies, have moved over the past decade from a niche allocation to a recognised line item in the portfolios of Indian family offices and ultra-high-net-worth investors.
 

The firm noted that three years of continuous operation is also the point at which institutional allocators and intermediaries typically begin formal evaluation of a manager, making the anniversary an operational milestone as much as a symbolic one.
 

“The Indian alternatives market is at the stage where the conversation has to move past product and towards process,” Agarwal said. “Allocators are asking harder questions about how decisions get made, how risk is governed, what happens when a thesis is wrong. Those are the right questions, and the firms that answer them plainly are the ones this market will reward with longevity.”
 

The programme also included a fireside conversation on the premiumisation of Indian consumption between Sanjay Mishra, a consumer-sector business leader who previously served as Chief Operating Officer, India and Chief Executive Officer, New Business at Marico, and Jaideep Kanse, Business Consulting Partner at Swyom and former Chief Marketing Officer at Asian Paints.
 

What comes next

Setting out the firm’s priorities for the period ahead, Agarwal described an ambition framed less around size than around institutional depth. Swyom Advisors has opened an office in Kolkata as it widens its partner network beyond western India, has strengthened its research function with institutional data and analytics infrastructure, and is adding to both its research and sales teams. The firm is separately evaluating a presence at GIFT City as a route to a more geographically diversified investor base. Alongside these, it says it will continue to invest in governance, talent and investor experience as the business scales.
 

About Swyom Advisors Limited

Swyom Advisors Limited is the investment manager to the Swyom India Alpha Fund, a Category III Alternative Investment Fund registered with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI Registration No. IN/AIF3/22-23/1170). The firm commenced operations in September 2023 and is headquartered in Mumbai.

Further information is available at www.swyom.com.

Disclaimer

This release is issued for information purposes only. It does not constitute, and must not be construed as, an offer, invitation, inducement or solicitation to subscribe to, purchase or deal in units of any scheme of any Alternative Investment Fund. Units of Alternative Investment Funds are offered solely by way of private placement to eligible investors, through and on the terms of the relevant private placement memorandum and constitutive documents. Nothing in this release constitutes investment advice or a recommendation in respect of any security or company, and no reference to any person or organisation should be read as such. Investments in securities markets are subject to market risks; read all related documents carefully before investing. Past performance is not indicative of, and carries no assurance of, future results.

Today, the India Leaders for Social Sector (ILSS) launched the Digital Transformation for Social Impact (DT4SI), a knowledge and action toolbook designed to help Social Purpose organisations navigate their AI and digital transformation journeys. The toolbook brings together digital and AI tools, real-world case studies, solution providers and training courses in one place to help organisations move from understanding what is possible to identifying what is relevant for them and taking the next step.
 

Leaders and partners from across the social impact ecosystem at the launch of the DT4SI Toolbook by ILSS’s Koita Centre for AI & Digital Transformation (KCADT)
 

Launched under ILSS’s Koita Centre for AI & Digital Transformation (KCADT), DT4SI toolbook seeks to make the discovering the AI & digital journey easier by contextualising and categorising digital tools for the social sector. The tool book brings together information that can help organisations understand what a tool does, what problem it can address, where it may be useful, its key features, pricing and relevant use cases.
 

DT4SI also brings together case studies from social purpose organisations that have successfully adopted AI & digital technologies. These examples are intended to make AI & digital transformation more tangible by showing how organisations are using technology in real settings, what they are trying to solve and what they have learned along the way.
 

The toolbook also aggregates learning resources and courses to help organisations build the internal capabilities required to use digital technologies effectively. Together, these resources create a pathway from awareness to understanding, from understanding to choose, and from choice to action.
 

Lastly, DT4SI is intended to evolve beyond a repository of tools and information. Its long-term ambition is to create a collaborative space where social purpose organisations, technology providers, practitioners and experts can learn from one another and contribute to the sector’s digital transformation journey.
 

Anu Prasad, CEO, India Leaders for Social Sector said, “India has emerged as a global technology powerhouse, with deep capabilities in software, digital infrastructure, artificial intelligence and technology services. AI and digital technologies are increasingly embedded in how corporate India operates. The opportunity now is to bring India’s growing AI and Digital capabilities accessible to Social Purpose Organisations working to solve population-scale challenges and advance India’s development. For many social purpose organisations (SPOs), the challenge is knowing where to begin, what technology is relevant to their needs, which tools are appropriate, and who can help implement them. For close to a decade, ILSS has believed the social sector’s greatest constraint isn’t a shortage of purpose or passion, it’s a shortage of capacity. That gap isn’t just a technology gap, it’s an equity gap, and equity is exactly what ILSS exists to protect. The bigger question is often how to make these choices with confidence, using evidence, real-world use cases and learning from other organisations in the sector. It is this gap that ILSS’s Koita Centre for AI & Digital Transformation (KCADT) is seeking to address with the launch of ‘Digital Toolbook for Social Impact’ (DT4SI), a single, freely accessible space bringing together trusted service providers, real case studies, mentors and practical resources, with no gatekeeping, so that any non-profit leader, anywhere, can begin decoding their own digital-enabled strategy.”
 

Rekha Koita, Co-Founder, Koita Foundation said, “Digital and AI capabilities are non-negotiable in the social sector today. As any organisation looks to scale, technology is the only thing that will enable it to maintain and improve programme quality and consistency. Over the last 10 years, working closely with nearly 35 organisations and engaging with many more, I have seen tremendous growth in the availability of new technology and now AI, along with a real increase in the number of NGOs embarking on this journey. But what I have also learnt, from working with organisations on the ground, is that access to tools or funding alone is not enough. The real gap is between the availability of technology and the ability to use it effectively. We need to stop viewing technology as a tech project, an overhead, or an MEL exercise, and instead treat it as a core part of organisational capacity building. That means asking three simple questions together as a sector, what NGOs need to do differently, what donors and funders need to do differently to enable this ecosystem, and what platforms like KCADT’s DT4SI can do to make that capacity building faster, easier and more accessible.”

The toolbook was launched at an ILSS-hosted leadership event in Mumbai, featuring a panel, ‘Accelerating Social Impact with AI & Digital’, that brought together senior leaders from the philanthropic, corporate, and technology ecosystems, including Rizwan Koita (Chairperson, NABH; Co-founder Koita Foundation; Co-Founder Citius Tech), Rekha Koita (Co-Founder, Koita Foundation), Ms Amrtha K. Rangan (COO, A.T.E. Chandra Foundation), Gayatri Nair Lobo (CEO, Educate Girls), Maharshi Vaishnav (CEO, Motilal Oswal Foundation), and Abhejit Agarwal (Head, Sustainability & CSR, Axis Bank).
 

The event featured a live presentation and demonstration of the DT4SI toolbook, followed by a panel discussion that explored the opportunities and barriers to AI and digital adoption within the social sector. The discussion highlighted that while SPOs are increasingly primed for AI- and digital-led transformation, many continue to face challenges in accessing affordable, contextually relevant tools and replicable models. Panellists also shared examples and case studies from the field, demonstrating how organisations are already overcoming these barriers and using India-specific solutions to drive meaningful impact on the ground.
 

The need for such a toolbook emerged from ILSS’s work with social purpose organisations and from its research on the state of digital transformation in India’s social sector. The research found that organisations across different geographies and areas of work face common challenges: uncertainty about available technologies, difficulty identifying and articulating their technology needs, questions around affordability and budgeting, and uncertainty about how to navigate an increasingly crowded technology landscape. DT4SI toolkit will continue to expand its collection of tools, solution providers, case studies, learning resources and insights as more organisations across the sector experiment, learn and share their experiences.
 

About India Leaders for Social Sector
Established in 2018, India Leaders for Social Sector (ILSS) is India’s pioneering leadership and institution-building organisation dedicated to strengthening the leadership infrastructure of the social sector. ILSS believes that India’s greatest development challenge is not a shortage of purpose, but a shortage of leadership capacity. Through its four Centres of Excellence—Talent and Leadership Development, Fundraising, Board and Governance, and AI & Digital Transformation—ILSS develops leaders, strengthens institutions, and advances knowledge to help social purpose organisations build resilience, strengthen governance, mobilise resources, embrace innovation, and create sustainable social impact at scale. Through executive education, flagship convenings, original research, and practitioner-led thought leadership, ILSS is advancing leadership and institution building across the sector. ILSS has trained over 1,300+ leaders, partnered with 800+ social purpose organisations, facilitated 250+ leadership placements, and built a robust community of alumni network. Guided by its vision of “Transformed Leaders. Transformed Society. Transformed World.”, ILSS aims to partner with 1,000 leading social purpose organisations and empower 5,000 impact leaders by 2030.

Hi-Tech Radiators, a global manufacturer of transformer radiators and tanks, has appointed Gaurav Vani as Group Chief Financial Officer (CFO), effective July 2026. With over 16 years of strategic finance leadership experience across Indian and international operations, Vani will lead the Group’s financial strategy as Hi-Tech Radiators strengthens its operations in India and expands its international footprint.

Gaurav Vani – Group CFO – Hi-Tech Radiators Pvt. Ltd.

In his new role, Vani will oversee financial planning and performance, capital allocation, funding, governance, compliance and enterprise risk management, while driving the integration of systems and processes across the Group. He will also lead digital transformation and AI-enabled finance initiatives to enhance financial visibility and enable data-driven decision-making across business units and geographies.

Prior to joining Hi-Tech Radiators, Vani served as Group Finance Head at Soujanya Color Private Limited, where he held multiple leadership roles over more than 13 years. At Hi-Tech Radiators, he will focus on strengthening financial processes, governance and capital allocation as the company evaluates new business and expansion opportunities.

Kartik Daftari, Managing Director & CEO, Hi-Tech Radiators, said, “Gaurav’s strong financial expertise and strategic perspective make him a valuable addition to our leadership team. As our business becomes increasingly global, his experience will be important in strengthening financial discipline, improving visibility and supporting more informed decision-making across the organisation. We look forward to his contribution as we continue to build a more agile and future-ready business.”

Gaurav Vani, Group CFO, Hi-Tech Radiators, said, “I am excited to join Hi-Tech Radiators at an important stage in its journey. The company has established a strong presence in the transformer components industry and is well positioned to build on this momentum across India and international markets. I look forward to working closely with the leadership team to support the company’s strategic priorities and contribute to long-term value creation.”

About Hi – Tech Radiators Pvt. Ltd.

Since 1989, Hi-Tech Radiators has established itself as a trusted leader in the global transformer industry, specializing in the manufacture of high-quality transformer radiators and tanks. With a strong commitment to excellence, their products meet the highest standards expected by both domestic and international markets. An ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 18001, and ISO 3834-2004 certified company, Hi-Tech Radiators collaborates with major transformer manufacturers worldwide, proudly serving as a government-certified export house.

With 60% of radiator production and 90% of tank production exported to over 36 countries, they have a strong global footprint. Their state-of-the-art hot-dip galvanizing facility reflects their commitment to innovation and quality. Hi-Tech has actively participated in industry-leading exhibitions, including CWIEME Berlin and IEEE Denver, showcasing its expertise on an international platform.

Website Link: www.hitechradiators.com.

A new study strengthens the case for EVs on emissions. But in India, the winning argument may be less about saving the planet and more about making electric cars genuinely easy and appealing to own.

VinFast is also trying to tackle the less glamorous part of EV ownership: everything that happens after the keys are handed over

A new study in the journal Science gives the electric-car pitch a fresh twist: replacing a functioning gasoline car with an EV can cut lifetime emissions even before the old car reaches the end of its useful life.

Previously, the usual argument against early EV replacement has been fairly intuitive: if the gasoline car is already built, why create another manufacturing footprint just to replace it? The new research’s counter: the carbon cost of making an EV can be repaid by its lower emissions during operation.

In their representative US SUV scenario, replacing the combustion vehicle in its second year cut cumulative emissions over a 16-year period by 44 percent, with the EV’s manufacturing “carbon debt” paid back in three years. Across the study’s modeled vehicle scenarios, 92% produced a net emissions reduction, while fleet-average assumptions delivered a 58 percent benefit.

The researchers put the underlying point rather neatly: “electrifying vehicle powertrains provides an order-of-magnitude-larger reduction in use-phase emissions” than replacing an old ICE vehicle with a newer ICE vehicle. They ultimately found “large carbon mitigation benefits across a wide range of scenarios,” although the outcome still depends on vehicle efficiency, battery-production emissions and the electricity grid.

The study no doubt strengthens the case for switching from a gas-guzzling vehicle to a new EV for environmental reasons. But alas, in emerging markets like India, an EV brand that leans too heavily on that narrative will certainly fail. Indian customers are practical people and naturally seek practical mode of transportation. They are unlikely to buy a vehicle simply because it helps reduce their personal carbon footprint. A car is transport, technology, a status symbol, family space and, increasingly, an extension of personal identity.

For EVs, that makes the proposition less “save the planet” and more “this happens to make sense.” OEMs should emphasize benefits such as lower running costs, quieter driving, instant torque, connected features and the ability to charge at home to turn electrification into a lifestyle upgrade rather than an environmental sacrifice.

The economics can be compelling, too. For example, VinFast’s India portfolio includes the VF 6 and VF 7 SUVs, alongside the seven-seat VF MPV 7. The latter is listed at INR 2.449 million, or about INR 24.49 lakh, before incentives. Its comparison with a comparable gas-powered vehicle showed a significantly lower five-year ownership cost, even before counting free charging. 

VinFast is also trying to tackle the less glamorous part of EV ownership: everything that happens after the keys are handed over.

It offers free charging at V-Green stations through March 31, 2029, alongside free scheduled maintenance for three years or 36,000 km. Customers switching from an ICE vehicle can also receive cash support ranging from INR 138,000 for the VF 6 Earth to INR 214,000 for the VF 7 Sky Infinity, with INR 196,000 available for the VF MPV 7.

Then comes the ecosystem. VinFast recently inaugurated its 60th retail outlet in India, with plans to establish 75 dealerships across more than 60 cities by the end of 2026.

Charging-wise, VinFast’s strategic partner V-Green and HPCL are working to deploy EV chargers nationwide. V-Green has also partnered with RoadGrid to accelerate fast-charging deployment at fuel stations, smart cities and other high-demand locations.

The bigger point is that India’s EV transition will probably be won in the details. Cleaner driving is the headline benefit, but cheaper running, useful range, easy charging, accessible service and a car that feels desirable are what can turn curiosity into ownership.

The greenest car, in other words, may increasingly be the one people actually want to drive.

About VinFast
VinFast (NASDAQ: VFS), a subsidiary of Vingroup JSC, one of Vietnam’s largest conglomerates, is a pure-play electric vehicle (“EV”) manufacturer with the mission of making EVs accessible to everyone. VinFast’s product lineup today includes a wide range of electric SUVs, e-scooters, and e-buses. 

VinFast is currently embarking on its next growth phase through rapid expansion of its distribution and dealership network globally and increasing its manufacturing capacities with a focus on key markets across North America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

Learn more at: wwwvinfastauto.in.

Whatfix, the global leader in agentic digital adoption platforms (DAPs) for enterprises, today announced that Co-founder Vara Kumar has been appointed Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Vara succeeds his late co-founder, Khadim Batti, following his sudden passing on September 1, 2026.

Vara Kumar – Co-founder and CEO, Whatfix

Since co-founding Whatfix alongside Batti in 2014, Vara has served as the architect of the company’s product and research strategy, guiding its expansion from an early-stage startup into a global leader in digital adoption serving Fortune 500 companies globally. As CEO, Vara will lead the company’s next phase of growth while preserving the core values and customer-centric culture established since its founding.

“Khadim was a visionary leader, a partner, and a dear friend,” said Vara Kumar, Co-Founder and CEO of Whatfix. “Over the past twelve years, we built Whatfix on a shared conviction that technology should empower people, not stand in their way. As I step into the role of CEO, our executive leadership team and I remain deeply committed to realizing that vision, supporting our global customers and partners, and building an enduring enterprise anchored in strong fundamentals.”

Under the unified leadership of Vara and the executive team, supported by the board, Whatfix continues to operate seamlessly across all regions, supporting its global customer base, technology partner ecosystem, and workforce.

About Whatfix

Whatfix is the AI-native Digital Adoption Platform built for the modern enterprise. It helps organizations close the adoption gap by enabling users to use software effectively in the flow of work, while providing visibility into where users struggle.

Whatfix delivers an AI-native platform that combines digital adoption, analytics, simulation training, and intelligent agents to help enterprises realize value from technology investments faster. Powered by AI and ScreenSense™, the platform understands user context and intent to provide real-time guidance, automate support, identify friction points, and drive continuous process optimization. This enables organizations to accelerate adoption, improve productivity, strengthen compliance, and unlock greater returns from enterprise software and AI initiatives.

Trusted by 600 enterprises globally, including 80+ Fortune 500 companies such as Shell, Schneider Electric, Mercedes Benz, Heineken, and UPS Supply Chain Solutions. Whatfix helps organizations accelerate software adoption, improve productivity, and maximize the value of digital transformation and AI investments. With a global presence spanning North America, UK, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Australia, Whatfix serves leading enterprises across some of the world’s most complex and regulated industries. Backed by investors including Warburg Pincus, SoftBank Vision Fund 2, Dragoneer, Peak XV Partners, Eight Roads, and Cisco Investments, software clicks with Whatfix.

For more information, visit the Whatfix website.