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IFQM Symposium 2025 to Focus on Strengthening MSMEs

Honorable Minister for Finance and Minister of Corporate Affairs, Govt. of India, Nirmala Sitharaman urged the industry to partner with the government to bridge the HR insufficiency and prepare the youth for new digital opportunities. She also applauded the efforts taken by IFQM towards developing an ecosystem to nurture future-ready talent and position India’s products, services, and ideas seamlessly within global value chains.

Governing Council with Hon’ble Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister of India, Nirmala Sitharaman

In her inaugural address at the second annual two Indian Foundation for Quality Management (IFQM), Symposium held in New Delhi, the Finance Minister asked for more participative and continuous dialogue from the industry. She stated, “If the government has been moving towards the direction that industry wanted, there should be no more hesitation to invest, expand the capacity, and produce more.” She invited the industry to engage with government on an ongoing basis and spell out reforms they require.

IFQM Symposium 2025 is, focusing on a central theme “Quality & Innovation to Make India Globally Competitive”. Mr. N. Chandrasekaran Chairman, Tata Sons, in his welcome address highlighted the importance of Viksit Bharat and the industry need to walk with this vision of Honurable Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

IFQM is led by a Governing Council* consisting of top industry captains. The symposium is being attended by government leaders, global experts, industry champions, and academia to deliberate on an action agenda for positioning India as a trusted, world-class player in global value chains.

IFQM will soon be equipped with a strong suite of 60+ Experiential Learning Solutions that are based on Action Learning principles. It is currently supported by 16+ experts in Assessment & Counselling and Solutioning, IFQM within the last one year has engaged large companies to co-create and support their Transformation journeys.

Developed Digital tools which are aimed at requirements of MSMEs keeping Quality, Productivity & Skill in mind, further a strong Industry-Academia collaboration to develop a talent pipeline industry-ready, HR while enabling solutions for the industry through Academic research has been developed by IFQM.

Three MSME Clusters have already started functioning and four more are on the anvil and will increase to 100 MSME companies joining by end of FY.

These growing actions, will fuel ambitions to pursue the demanding standards of IFQM. It has instituted a Quality Excellence Prize, three MOUs are in the pipeline. IFQM within a year has six Case Study projects, 12 institutes for engagement and curated 26 Learning Solutions and enhanced continuous engagement with 20 member companies. The IFQM Academy, coming up near Bangalore airport, is set to be inaugurated in FY 2026-27.

The development of certain standard operating procedure for achieving the quality tools and skills like Daily Work Management (DWM), Digital Drawing to Manufacturing (DDM), and Supply Chain management (SCM) are being adopted by MSMEs. The handholding is being done by 10 large companies for 100 MSMEs. The Goal set by IFQM for 2026 is to develop 100 Companies in Clusters and companies are 20 already in Engagement and 30 in the Pipeline. Further, the drive is to Rolling out Assessments of QEP Applicants.

Experts at the event highlighted the Integrating Quality and Innovation for Excellence in Manufacturing and the Virtuous cycle of Productivity, Competitiveness, and Value creation focused on Quality and Safety in Design, Development and Operations as a Force Multiplier for Sustainable Growth. Dr. Hans-Joachim Neumann, Executive Vice President and Head of Integrated Supply Chain, Merck Electronics in his keynote pointed to Indias role in the above area.

In a Fireside Chat industry experts discssed the leading in a BANI (Brittle, Anxious, Non-linear, & Incomprehensible) Environment, the requirements approach of Leadership towards guiding their people in uncertain business environments, adaptability, empathy, and purpose-driven clarity, creating resilient systems, empowering people, and staying grounded, speakers led by Mr. Soumitra Bhattacharya CEO and Director IFQM, Mr. Vivek Chaand Sehgal, Chairman and Co-Founder, Motherson Group, Mr. Srikanth Padmanabhan, Independent Director, IFQM, Mr. Dilip Shanghvi, MD, Sun Pharma, which was moderated by Mr. Jacques Esculier, Member of the Supervisory Boards, Daimler Truck AG and S&P Global (virtual) highlighted the challenges and opportunities for the MSMEs in India.

Another session discussed on imperatives for India to be a significant player in the Global Supply Chain

Positioning India as a dependable and competitive player in the global supply chain ecosystem, and what it takes to achieve the manufacturing excellence, quality systems, policy frameworks, digital readiness, infrastructure, skill development, and sustainability Mr. TV Narendran, CEO & MD, Tata Steel ,Dr. Randhir Thakur, CEO & MD, Tata Electronics, Mr. KN Radhakrishnan, Director & CEO, TVS Motor Co, Mr. Salil Gupte, President, Boeing India & South Asia, Mr. R Mukundan, CEO & MD, Tata Chemicals Limited highlighted that India has strong opportunity in global supply chain management, especially with MSMEs undertaking cultural change and customer centricity.

About IFQM

Instituted in the year 2023, IFQM is the Indian Federation for Quality Management that is committed to the promotion of transformative changes across Indian industries. It seeks to institutionalise a culture of quality that meets and exceeds global standards. It is about bringing in continuous improvements of both products and services, thereby elevating the perception about Brand India. Committed to the prosperity and quality of life of all, IFQM functions as a catalyst in making Indian businesses globally respected with cooperative trust, respect, empathy, and mutual sharing. Through its initiatives, IFQM supports Indias journey towards becoming a developed nation by 2047, with an emphasis on innovation, excellence, and stakeholder engagement across sectors.

The IFQM Governing Council: Mr. N. Chandrasekaran, Chairman, Tata Sons, Mr. Dilip Sanghvi, MD, Sun Pharmaceuticals, Ms. Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, Executive Chairperson, Biocon Biologics, Mr. TV Narendran, CEO & MD, Tata Steel Limited, Mr. K.N. Radhakrishnan, Director & CEO, TVS Motor Co, Dr. Randhir Thakur, CEO & MD, Tata Electronics Pvt. Ltd., Mr. Salil Gupte, President, Boeing India & South Asia, Mr. SN Subrahmanyan, Chairman & MD, Larsen & Toubro, Mr. Venu Srinivasan, Chairman Emeritus, TVS Motor Co & Chairman, IFQM, Mr. Vivek Chaand Sehgal, Chairman and Co-Founder, Motherson Group.

IFQM on Web: ifqm.org.in

IFQM Events: events.ifqm.org.in

IFQM on social media: www.linkedin.com/company/ifqm

Jeep India’s “Trail of Faith” Campaign, Executed by Xperia Group, an Unique and Innovative on Ground Brand Activation Campaign, on Ganesh Chaturthi, 2025

Jeep India’s unique initiative, Trail of Faith, has created a unique fusion of devotion and digital innovation during Ganesh Utsav, 2025, earning official recognition from the Asia Book of Records and India Book of Records for the Largest Digital Collection of Ganpati Wishes wrapped on a Jeep Wrangler.

Jeep India’s “Trail of Faith” campaign, executed by Xperia Group enters Asia and India Book of Records on Ganesha Chaturthi

Blending culture, faith and innovation all the way to Bappa, the “Trail of Faith” was a path-breaking campaign on Ganesh Chaturthi. The campaign was co-created and executed by Jeep India and Xperia Group through an integrated mix of social, on-ground, dealership, community and radio activations.

Jeep Indias “Trail of Faith” Campaign is Executed by Xperia Group

Launched on 27th August, 2025, the campaign captured the imagination of devotees nationwide, receiving more than 110,000 wishes in the first week alone and making it 196847 wishes by the day of Visarjan. At the iconic Khetwadi Cha Raja, one of Mumbai’s most revered Ganpati pandals, the Wrangler became more than a vehicle, it stood as a messenger of faith. Devotees submitted their prayers digitally through QR code, Jeep India’s website, dealerships, CRM outreach, and Jeep communities. Each wish was then printed on a vinyl wrap adorning the Wrangler, turning it into a canvas of devotion.

On 6th September 2025, during Visarjan, the Wrangler adorned with lakhs of prayers from across the nation took on the role of Bappa’s vaahan. In a historic moment, the SUV pulled the Khetwadi Cha Raja idol for one kilometer, carrying the collective faith and devotion of people across India.

According to Mr Kumar Priyesh, Business Head & Director, Automotive Brands, Stellantis India said, “The starting point for Trail of Faith was a simple yet powerful insight: Ganesh Utsav is about collective prayers and shared celebrations. By digitising this sentiment and then giving it physical form on the Wrangler, we created an experience where devotees could see their faith move with Bappa himself. The overwhelming participation that followed has now been recognised as a world record-making this celebration of devotion a truly historic one.”

The record-breaking initiative was brought alive through a 360-degree engagement strategy that spanned digital, physical, and broadcast channels. From QR-enabled entries and dealership activations to CRM outreach, Jeep communities, and nationwide amplification via social media and 92.5 Big FM (on-air, on-ground, and digital), the campaign ensured maximum visibility and inclusivity for devotees across India.

According to Mr. Saibal Gupta, Managing Director of Xperia Group, “Ganesh Chaturthi marks the birth of Lord Ganesha, who is a symbol of wisdom, hope, prosperity, and good fortune. Modern day life throws multiple challenges, stress and unpredictability leaving people restless and hopeless. The rationale was to create a massive “Trail of Faith” campaign with Jeep for engaging devotees to come forward, participate, celebrate and deepen their faith in Lord Ganesha to make their wishes come true. The activation had an overwhelming response from the masses. The sheer enthusiasm of the crowd at the iconic Khetwadi Cha Raja Ganpati pandal was palpable and response to the campaign was unprecedented.”

For more details, please visit: www.jeep-india.com.

About Stellantis

Stellantis N.V. (NYSE: STLA / Euronext Milan: STLAM / Euronext Paris: STLAP) is a leading global automaker, dedicated to giving its customers the freedom to choose the way they move, embracing the latest technologies and creating value for all its stakeholders. Its unique portfolio of iconic and innovative brands includes Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Citron, Dodge, DS Automobiles, FIAT, Jeep, Lancia, Maserati, Opel, Peugeot, Ram, Vauxhall, Free2move and Leasys.

For more information, visit www.stellantis.com

About Jeep Brand

Built on more than 80 years of legendary heritage, Jeep is the authentic SUV with capability, craftsmanship, and versatility for people who seek extraordinary journeys. The Jeep brand delivers an open invitation to live life to the fullest by offering a full line of vehicles that continue to provide owners with a sense of security to handle any journey with confidence. Jeep Wave, a premium owner loyalty and customer care program that is available to the entire Jeep line-up, is filled with benefits and exclusive perks to deliver Jeep owners the utmost care and dedicated 24/7 support.

In India, the Jeep vehicle line-up consists of the Wrangler, Compass, Meridian, and Grand Cherokee. India is the first country for the Jeep brand outside of North America to make 4 models locally and for exports to other right-hand drive markets around the world. The Jeep brand is part of the portfolio offered by leading global automaker and mobility provider Stellantis.

This Pharmacy Chain is Saving India INR 300 Cr a Year – And You’ve Probably Never Heard of It

In India’s complex and expensive healthcare ecosystem, where sufferers still consume a significant portion of their income on pharmaceuticals, a quiet transformation is ongoing. While digital health startups often lead headlines, one drugstore chain is leading a hidden but impactful transformation. Medkart, based in Gujarat and focused solely on generic medicines, is helping Indian households save up to INR 300 crore every year by rethinking how access to affordable medicine should work.

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Changing patient behaviour towards prescription to drive unimaginable savings

The Everyday Cost Burden of Medicines
India’s healthcare system places a heavy financial load on patients. According to National Health Accounts data, households paid nearly 40% of total health expenditures out-of-pocket in 2021-22, a slight improvement from previous years, but still among the highest globally. Medicines account for the largest portion of this burden. Research shows that over half of household health spending in India goes to purchasing medicines.

This situation disproportionately affects people managing chronic diseases like diabetes, cardiovascular conditions, and cancer. Even when generics are available, scepticism.

around their quality leads many patients to stick with expensive branded options, increasing their monthly financial stress.

Why Many Still Choose Branded Drugs
A 2023 study on medicine perception in India revealed that a majority of patients prefer branded drugs over generics. The main reasons Concerns about quality, trust, and lack of transparent product information. According to PwC and Deloitte, closing the awareness gap and improving trust in generics is crucial for lowering healthcare costs across emerging markets.

Despite being bioequivalent, generics often suffer from a credibility deficit. Without clear labelling, pricing transparency, or pharmacist validation, most patients hesitate to make the switch.

How Medkart Makes Generics Work for Everyone
Founded in 2014, Medkart chose to solve this trust problem head-on. Its business model is centred on high-quality generics, verified sources, and a tech-first platform to help patients make informed choices. The company doesn’t list branded options-it offers verified generic alternatives and tells you how much you’re saving.

Its app and website include a price comparison engine that shows users how much they could save by switching to generics. These tools break down composition, strength, and pricing side-by-side. Most users report savings between 50% and 85% depending on the medicine.

For example, the antifungal medicine Voriconazole (Vorier), often used in cancer recovery, typically sells for nearly INR 5,000 or more. Medkart provides an equally effective alternative for just INR 720-a saving of 86%.

What Sets Medkart Apart
Medkart’s biggest value is its backend quality assurance. Every product sold is “Medkart Assured“-meaning it is sourced only from manufacturers compliant with Schedule-M, India’s GMP standard. The company performs audits and checks to ensure the quality before it reaches the shelves or customer homes.

Another distinguishing factor is its omnichannel presence. Medkart operates over 100+ physical stores and offers delivery across 35,000+ pin codes. Whether someone orders through its app, website, or even WhatsApp, they receive pharmacist-reviewed support and affordable medicines at their doorstep.

The company has served more than 12 lakh families to date and has processed over XX lakh orders.

Patient-First, Data-Driven Future
Medkarts inventory system is built on predictive restocking: if a store sells even one strip of Glimepiride+Metformin, the system triggers a refill based on projected demand. This ensures shelves are never empty of critical medicines. According to Markets & Data, India’s pharmaceutical logistics market, valued at ₹30,000 crore, is undergoing rapid digital transformation, making models like Medkart highly scalable.

Why Medkart Has Stayed Under the Radar
Unlike most health-tech brands, Medkart hasn’t pursued massive ad budgets or influencer campaigns. It has grown organically by focusing on consumer trust, consistent pricing, and word-of-mouth advocacy. For patients who switch to Medkart, the savings are immediate, and the transparency is rare in this industry.

Medkart’s impact is measurable: saving over INR 650 crore cumulatively and around INR 300 crore annually for Indian families. These are not offers-they’re structural savings built into its supply chain and generic-first approach.

Rethinking the Role of a Pharmacy in India
At a time when India is dealing with rising cases of lifestyle diseases, patients need continuity, affordability, and ease. Medkart is one of the few pharmacy chains designed to deliver all three, without compromising on quality. It is not just selling medicine. It’s building a more transparent, accessible healthcare system-one order at a time.

Explore Smart Savings Today
Visit www.medkart.in or download the Medkart App to compare prices, send a prescription via WhatsApp, and order Medkart Assured generics directly to your home.

Numax Realcon Targets Rs. 300 Crore Festive Season Sales, Strengthening its Uttar Pradesh Growth Story with Integrated Townships

Uttar Pradesh: India’s real estate spotlight is shifting. The next chapter isn’t being written only in Delhi, Mumbai, or Bengaluru, but in the smaller cities that highways, expressways, and new industries are putting on the map. That is where developers like Numax Realcon see opportunity. The company is not chasing quick projects. Instead, it is betting on integrated townships that can change how families live, work, and grow together. Numax Realcon is eyeing stock sales of ₹300 crore during this festive season, starting with Navratri. With its integrated township projects and a strong presence in Uttar Pradesh, the company aims to leverage festive demand, offering homebuyers modern, sustainable, and community-centric living spaces backed by trust and visionary leadership.

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Numax Integrated Township in Muzaffarnagar

Behind Numax is a mix of deep-rooted experience and fresh vision. Mr Sunil Goel, its Managing Director, has been in the sector for more than three decades. As co-founder of Omaxe, he was part of the team that built some of India’s most ambitious township projects in 27 cities and has delivered more than 100 million Sq ft of built-up area. Few people in the industry understand township-scale planning the way he does. Working alongside him is Mr Chaitanya Goel, who represents the next generation. While Mr Sunil brings the comfort of legacy, Mr Chaitanya is adding ideas shaped by technology, sustainability, and the lifestyle expectations of today’s young homebuyers.

For Sunil, the focus remains on credibility. “When people buy into a township, they’re putting their future in your hands,” he says. “That’s a responsibility, not just a business. Our aim is to deliver communities that people are proud to call their own.” Chaitanya looks at it through a slightly different lens. “Housing for my generation is not just about four walls,” he says. “We want spaces that are connected, digitally ready, environmentally responsible, and full of life. That’s the kind of environment Numax wants to create.

The company’s boldest move so far is unfolding in Muzaffarnagar, where Numax is making a 3000 crore project to build a 100-acre township. The location is no accident; Muzaffarnagar sits along the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway, giving it a natural advantage as connectivity reshapes the region. The township itself is being planned as a self-sustaining ecosystem, with plotted housing, villas, commercial areas, and everyday infrastructure like a school, a police station, hotel, hospital and community facilities. More than 5,000 jobs are expected to be created during its development, offering a much-needed boost to the local economy. For a city often overlooked in the past, the project signals a turning point. Besides, the brand is aiming to achieve sales of more than ₹500 crore within the next three months.

But Numax does not see Muzaffarnagar as a one-off. The company views Uttar Pradesh as its core growth market, and the Muzaffarnagar township is intended as an anchor for a much larger portfolio. Expansion into other Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities is already part of the plan. The reasoning is straightforward: as smaller cities urbanise and aspirations rise, there is a gap between what people want and what they currently get. Well-planned townships can fill that gap, offering a balance of affordability, modern living, and long-term value.

Our attention is on places that don’t always make the headlines but have enormous potential,” says Chaitanya. “We believe townships in these locations will not just provide homes but also create new growth centres.” Over time, Numax wants to be recognised as a pan-India township specialist, a developer that carries forward Sunil Goel’s reputation for trust while embedding the forward-looking ideas of its younger leadership.”

Kapil Dev Agarwal, MOS (Independent Charge), Government of Uttar Pradesh, said, “Numax is introducing an exceptional project that combines modern amenities with world-class design. This initiative will not only accelerate the city’s growth but also redefine its identity. It is truly a transformative step for Muzaffarnagar’s future.

Meenakshi Swarup, Chairman, Nagar Palika Muzaffarnagar, said, “Numax is bringing one of the finest township projects of the NCR to Muzaffarnagar. I had the opportunity to see its 3D vision, and it is remarkable. Once it comes to life, it will completely transform the city.

BJP leader Gaurav Swarup said, “It is a matter of great pride for Muzaffarnagar that Numax is developing a modern township equipped with every essential facility. This project will significantly contribute to the city’s growth. The inclusion of dedicated sports facilities for children makes it even more special, ensuring a healthier and brighter future for the next generation.

At the heart of it all are four values: trust, innovation, sustainability, and inclusivity. These aren’t buzzwords for the company but the principles shaping its projects. For Uttar Pradesh and similar states on the cusp of transformation, this philosophy could not be more relevant. With a legacy of execution behind it, a next-generation vision guiding it, and expansion plans already in motion, Numax Realcon is stepping into a new phase where it is not only building real estate but also shaping communities for the future.

The Future of Heart Valve Surgery: Less Pain, Faster Healing

Every year, thousands of people face the difficult decision of which heart valve surgery is right for them. Heart valve surgery plays a vital role in treating heart valve disease, which affects the aortic, mitral, tricuspid, and pulmonary valves that regulate blood flow through the heart. When these valves become narrowed (stenosis) or leaky (regurgitation), timely surgery is often essential to prevent heart failure and improve long-term survival.

Dr Rajendra Umbarkar, CVTS expert with 25+ yrs, 10k+ surgeries; HOD at Bombay Hospital, skilled in CABG, MICS, Cardiac and lung transplant team, Bombay Hospital

Traditional Open-Heart Surgery

For decades, open-heart surgery has been the gold standard. In this procedure, surgeons make a large incision in the chest and use a heart-lung machine to temporarily take over blood circulation.

This approach provides full access to the heart, making it especially useful for complex repairs or multiple valve problems, often combined with other cardiac issues such as coronary artery disease.

While effective, open-heart surgery involves longer hospital stays, more recovery time, and carries higher risks of complications like infection, bleeding, or stroke – particularly in older or medically fragile patients.

Minimally Invasive Valve Surgery

A modern alternative is minimally invasive valve surgery. Instead of opening the chest fully, surgeons make smaller cuts between the ribs or perform a partial sternotomy, using special instruments and cameras to repair or replace valves.

The benefits are clear: less pain after surgery, a lower risk of infection, shorter hospital stays, faster recovery, and smaller scars.

However, not every patient is a candidate. Suitability depends on the specific valve condition and anatomy, and this approach requires highly skilled surgeons and advanced infrastructure.

Robotic-Assisted Valve Surgery

Robotic-assisted valve surgery represents the next leap in precision. From a console, surgeons control robotic instruments guided by 3D imaging for enhanced visibility.

This is particularly effective for mitral valve repairs, allowing surgeons to work with extreme accuracy while minimizing trauma to surrounding tissues. Patients often experience quicker recovery and fewer complications.

That said, robotic surgery is only available at select centers, and it may not be suitable for everyone.

Transcatheter Valve Procedures (TAVR and More)

One of the biggest breakthroughs has been Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR). Instead of opening the chest, doctors insert a catheter-usually through the femoral artery in the leg-to place a new valve inside the diseased one.

Originally developed for patients considered too high-risk for open surgery, TAVR is now being used for many low- and intermediate-risk patients with excellent results.

Recovery is often rapid, with patients discharged in just a few days. However, questions about long-term durability and suitability for younger patients remain important considerations.

Expert Insight

Dr. Rajendra Umbarker, renowned cardiac surgeon, explains, “Advances in heart valve surgery have dramatically improved patient outcomes. From traditional open-heart operations to minimally invasive and transcatheter techniques, our goal remains to restore valve function safely, reduce recovery time, and enhance quality of life. Each patient’s care must be individualized, considering age, overall health, and valve complexity.”

Choosing the Right Approach

Selecting the best treatment is never a one-size-fits-all decision. A multidisciplinary heart team-including cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, and imaging specialists – reviews each patient’s case to determine the safest and most effective option.

New hybrid approaches are also emerging, combining surgical and catheter-based methods to create tailored solutions.

At the heart of every choice lies one clear goal: to restore normal heart function, improve well-being, and extend life.

PayU Deepens Strategic Investment in Mindgate – To Accelerate Growth of Real Time Solutions for India and the World

PayU, the payments and fintech business of Prosus, announced today that it is increasing its stake in Mindgate, a pioneer in real-time payments technology, transitioning from a strategic minority investor to a majority shareholder with a total holding of 70%. Both founders will continue to hold a significant minority, together retaining 30% of the company. PayUs additional investment in Mindgate reflects its strong belief in Mindgates vision and capabilities. It also complements PayUs growth strategy and vision towards driving the next generation of digital payments innovations for better customer experience and accelerating the global adoption of Made in India platforms.

PayU deepens strategic investment in Mindgate

While PayU has deepened its strategic investment, operational control will remain with the founders, ensuring leadership continuity, while customers, partners, and employees can expect business as usual with innovation and service excellence. Becoming a majority shareholder marks a strategic milestone for both PayU and Mindgate. The move will allow both companies to deepen their partnership, enhance product offerings, and further drive innovation in Indias rapidly evolving real-time digital payments ecosystem.

“At PayU, we are driven to deliver exceptional value to our merchant and bank partners. Our additional investment in Mindgate underscores our confidence in its strong performance and the vast growth potential in Indias real-time payments ecosystem. It further strengthens PayUs role in accelerating the Government of Indias Digital India vision and reinforces our commitment to powering Indias digital payments through PayUs diversified fintech platform,” said Anirban Mukherjee, CEO, PayU.

“Mindgate continues to play a crucial role in the growth journey of India’s real-time payments by powering 10 billion+ monthly transactions and providing seamless payment solutions to leading banks. Together with PayU’s diversified fintech platform, its extensive network, and increased investment, Mindgate will be well-placed to contribute to the vision of global adoption of real-time payments,” said George Sam, Co-founder & Business Head, Mindgate Solutions.

“We are incredibly excited by PayUs deepened commitment to our shared vision of transforming payments infrastructure through innovation. Our success in India is built on the strength of our issuing platform, which has been central to the growth of real-time payments for leading banks and institutions. With PayU’s strong merchant stack complementing our capabilities, we now have the combined advantage of addressing the acquiring side of the payments ecosystem,” said Guhan Muthuswamy, Co-founder & Software Architect, Mindgate Solutions.

Indias digital payments sector continues its remarkable growth trajectory, especially driven by real-time payment solutions like NPCIs UPI, which itself recorded over 20 billion monthly transactions last month. As NPCI accelerates its mission to expand UPIs global footprint, PayU with its increased stake in Mindgate has cemented itself as a leader in digital payments platforms that provides innovative, scalable, and secure payment solutions, ensuring a seamless transaction experience for users across global markets.

Together, PayU and Mindgate are set to take Digital India and fintechs evolution to the next phase by investing in Indias UPI infrastructure. They also plan to bring real-time payments solutions to the broader Asia Pacific and MENA regions, which are rapidly moving toward real-time payments-led ecosystems like those in India and Brazil.

About PayU

PayU is the payments and fintech business of Prosus, a global consumer internet group and one of the largest technology investors in the world. In India, PayU operations are regulated by the Reserve Bank of India and offers advanced solutions to meet the digital payment requirements of the Indian market. PayU India companies aim to create a full-stack digital financial services platform to serve all (tapped and untapped) financial needs of consumers, merchants and banks through its cutting-edge technology solutions.

PayU provides payment gateway solutions to online businesses through its cutting-edge and award-winning technology and platform. PayU has empowered 5 lakhs+ businesses, including India’s leading enterprises, e-commerce giants and SMBs. It enables businesses to collect digital payments across 150+ online payment methods such as Credit Cards, Debit Cards, Net Banking, EMIs, pay-later, QR, UPI, Wallets, and more.

For more details, visit www.payu.in

About Mindgate

Mindgate Solutions, a trusted partner in digital payments since 2008, is headquartered in Mumbai, India, with regional hubs in the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and the UK. The company specializes in developing advanced payment solutions for banks, government institutions, merchants, and corporates, leveraging cutting-edge technologies such as microservices architecture and real-time streaming to ensure scalability, security, and reliability. With a dedicated team of over 1,600 payment professionals and a portfolio of 60+ global marquee clients, Mindgate plays a pivotal role in enabling seamless digital transactions worldwide.

Founded by George Sam and Guhan Muthuswamy, Mindgate has established itself as a dominant force in UPI infrastructure in India, processing over 10 billion digital transactions monthly through its partner banks, facilitating payments worth $1 trillion annually. Mindgate continues to expand its reach across key markets including the Middle East, Europe, the UK, ASEAN, and the US – enabling leading banks to modernize their digital payment infrastructure. Mindgate’s commitment to innovation and excellence has been consistently recognized with prestigious accolades on global platforms, including the MEA Finance Awards, IBS Intelligence Awards, The Asian Banker Awards and most recently, the 1st position in the Digital Payments Award 2024-2025 (TSP Category), conferred by the Ministry of Finance and Department of Financial Services, Government of India.

For more details, visit www.mindgate.solutions

Huawei Named a Leader in the Gartner Magic Quadrant™ for Enterprise Storage Platforms, 2025

The internationally renowned analyst firm Gartner has released the “Magic Quadrant for Enterprise Storage Platforms, 2025.” Huawei has been placed in the Leaders Quadrant, the only non-North American vendor to do so.

Huawei Data Storage named a Leader in the Magic Quadrant

Huawei Data Storage continues to advance technological innovation, leveraging an AI-ready data platform, robust data resilience and efficiency, and advanced intelligent data management to comprehensively meet the diverse needs of enterprises in hybrid-cloud, AI, and critical business use cases.

Huaweis Data Storage solutions are used in more than 150 countries and regions worldwide, serving clients in industries such as finance, telecommunications, manufacturing, healthcare, government, and public utilities across Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia-Pacific region.

To learn more about Huawei storage products and solutions, please visit e.huawei.com/en/products/storage.

Gartner, Magic Quadrant for Enterprise Storage Platforms, By Jeff Vogel, Julia Palmer, Chandra Mukhyala, Joseph Unsworth, 2 September 2025.

GARTNER is a registered trademark and service mark of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and internationally and is used herein with permission. All rights reserved. Magic Quadrant is a registered trademark of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates and is used herein with permission. All rights reserved.

Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in its research publications, and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with the highest ratings or other designation. Gartner research publications consist of the opinions of Gartner’s research organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Gartner disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.

The Bay at Ecoworld to Host The Great Indian Brew Festival 2025

The Bay at Ecoworld, Brookfield Properties‘ flagship food and cultural hub in Bengaluru, is set to host the latest edition of The Great Indian Brew Festival (GIBF) on Saturday, September 21, 2025, from 12 noon to 10 PM.

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Curated Brews, Global Bites & Nonstop Beats

Celebrated as a marquee event in Bengaluru’s social calendar, this year’s GIBF blends the best of Oktoberfest-inspired experiences with an Indian heart, bringing together over 10,000 dining lovers, food enthusiasts, and music fans for a day of shared celebration.

A Celebration of Place and Placemaking
As part of Brookfield Properties’ placemaking philosophy, The Bay at Ecoworld brings vibrant culinary, cultural, and community experiences through its thoughtfully curated environment. With GIBF, The Bay continues its tradition of creating experiences that go beyond consumption-bringing together the city’s brew enthusiasts, food lovers, and music aficionados for an immersive Oktoberfest-inspired celebration featuring exceptional brews, global cuisines, live entertainment, and fun-filled activities for all ages.

We’re excited to bring the spirit of Bengaluru to The Bay at Ecoworld. Hosting The Great Indian Brew Festival here is a natural extension of our retail strategy-curating global experiences that seamlessly integrate with our community. By curating iconic festivals into our spaces, we create experiences that go beyond retail-transforming it into a destination for culture, connection, and lifestyle,” said Nitin Bir, Vice President – Retail Leasing, Brookfield Properties, India.

Complementing the brews is a handpicked culinary spread of 20+ food brands, offering everything from Asian bowls to German bratwursts, Italian classics to Mangalorean comfort food, waffles to artisanal ice creams. Participating names include Kampot, Nizaams, German Brazelhaus, Roma, NY Pizza Co., Funky Belgian Waffles, Sheesh Kebab, and Amadora, among others.

To keep the tempo high, three live bands will perform throughout the day across genres – blending local energy with global soundscapes. Giant cut-outs, Oktoberfest dcor, games like Giant Jenga, Bull Terrain, and, along with tattoo booths, trampolines, and family play zones, round off the festival experience.

A Safe, Seamless, Shared Celebration
GIBF 2025 is designed as a family-friendly event with designated safe zones, strict ID checks, on-site medical assistance, and trained crowd management teams in place for ensuring a responsible and enjoyable experience for all. Entry is ticketed via BookMyShow.

Speaking on the event, Smriti Menon, Co-founder of BuzzinON Media & Events, said, “The Great Indian Brew Festival is not just about the brews, it’s about community. Seeing thousands of people come together at Ecoworld, with the backing of Brookfield Properties and Converge, showed us how powerful this city’s spirit really is. This was Bengaluru at its best.”

Venue Details:
The Bay, Ecoworld

Unit No. R5, Ground Floor, Tower 8A, Ecoworld,
Marathahalli-Sarjapur Outer Ring Road,
Bengaluru – 560103
Ticketing Link: BookMyShow – GIBF 2025

Sony India Introduces High-speed, Large-capacity CFexpress 4 Standard Type A Memory Cards or Card Reader Compatible with CFexpress 4

Sony is pleased to announce today the launch of its CFexpress 4 Standard Type A cards for its Cinema Line and Alpha mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras, the CEA-G1920T (1920 GB) and CEA-G960T (960 GB), along with the MRW-G3 CFexpress Type A card reader. These new CFexpress Type A cards achieve read speeds upto 1800 MB/s & write speed upto 1700 MB/s -more than twice as fast as earlier models. With these new additions, Sony India continues to empower creators and storytellers with technology that streamlines every step of the production process.

Key Features of the CFexpress Type A Cards CEA-G1920T (1920 GB), CEA-G960T (960 GB) and Card Reader MRW-G3:

1. CFexpress Type A Cards (CEA-G Series) CEA-G1920T, CEA-G960T

  • Supports high capacity with 4-standard complaint – With the latest – CFexpress 4 standard, these cards ensure compatibility with modern professional cameras and device. They offer large storage capacities of 1920 GB and 960 GB, respectively, providing ample space to store high-resolution images and lengthy 4K or even higher-resolution videos, making them ideal for demanding creative workflows.

  • High Quality Video Performance Guarantee – With this feature, the memory cards maintain a minimum sustained write speed of 400 MB/s, making it perfect for recording high-bitrate video without interruptions or dropped frames, ensuring smooth and reliable capture of cinematic-quality video material.

  • Enhanced workflow with extremely high read and writes speeds – These cards offers fast read speed of up to 1800 MB/s and a write speed of up to 1700 MB/s with upgraded workflow experience for the professionals. These speeds allow for quick transfer of large files to editing systems, drastically reducing post-production waiting times and enabling creative professionals to work more efficiently with large, high-quality files.

  • Improved Bend Resistance for Superior Durability – These cards feature exceptional physical durability, with the ability to withstand bending forces over ten times greater than earlier CFexpress Type A standards (up to 150 newton force). This feature ensures greater reliability and resilience during demanding shoot conditions making them usable in harsh environments, protecting valuable data.

  • Available with Impact-resistant resin body – The new CFexpress Type A Cards G Series is built with a specially reinforced resin body, these cards are engineered to be highly impact-resistant-five times stronger than the previous memory cards. The newly launched memory cards can survive accidental drops from heights of up to 7.5 meters, making them especially suitable for rugged outdoor shoots and hectic production environments.

  • Superior Portability through Compact body size – With its Compact size, the cards supports the design of lightweight and compact camera bodies, allowing for more portability and ease of use for photographers and videographers on the move.

  1. CFexpress Type A Card Reader MRW-G3
  • Compatible card reader exclusively available for CFexpress Type A card – The new MRW-G3 is designed to support the latest CFexpress Type A memory cards compliant with the CFexpress 4 standard, which ensures optimal compatibility and performance for users of the newest generation CFexpress cards.

  • High-speed transfer with USB 40Gbps support – With high speed USB transfer with 40Gbps support, it offers quick offloading and management of large files such as high-resolution images and 4K or higher video footage, significantly speeding up the workflow for creators and professionals.

  • Supports PCs, smartphones, and tablets for efficient workflows – The MRW-G3 offers broad compatibility across multiple device platforms including computers, smartphones, and tablets. This flexibility allows creators to transfer and edit their content across devices, enhancing convenience and productivity.

  • Offers Stable data transfer with high reliability and durability with heat-dissipation structure to suppress rising temperatures – The card ensures stable and secure data transfer, minimizing the risk of data corruption or loss. It is built to be reliable and durable which makes it suitable for professional environments where consistent performance is critical. Additionally, it also features a redesigned heat-dissipation mechanism that helps keep the device cool during intensive workflows, maintaining optimal operation even with prolonged use.

Price and Availability –

Model

MRP (in INR)

Availability Date

CEA-G1920T (1920 GB)

97,490/-

20th August 2025

CEA-G960T (960 GB)

59,990/-

20th August 2025

MRW-G3

17,990/-

20th August 2025

The CFexpress Type A Cards CEA-G1920T (1920 GB), CEA-G960T (960 GB) and Card Reader MRW-G3 are available across Sony retail stores (Sony Center and Sony Exclusive stores) and major electronic stores, www.ShopatSC.com and other e-commerce portals in India

About Sony India Pvt. Ltd.

Sony India Private Limited (Sony India), a private limited company with its ultimate holding company as Sony Group Corporation, Japan, has established itself as a premium brand in various product categories including television, digital imaging, personal audio, home entertainment, gaming, car audio, and professional solutions. The company places a strong emphasis on customer satisfaction and maintains high standards in sales and services. Sony also prioritizes environmental sustainability, aiming to achieve a zero environmental footprint throughout the lifecycle of its products and business activities to contribute to a healthier and enriched life for all of humanity and future generations.

Drone Show Lights Up Skies Across India for PM Narendra Modi’s 75th Birthday Celebration

For the first time in history, four Indian cities – Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Ahmedabad – lit up in unison with spectacular drone shows performed by BotLab Dynamics to mark the birthday of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.

BotLab Dynamics celebrates PM Narendra Modi’s 75th birthday across India with Multi-City Drone Shows

The PM Modi Birthday Drone Show, designed and executed by BotLab Dynamics, an IIT Delhi Startup, showcased the scale, precision, and vision of India’s homegrown drone technology. For the first time ever, four cities witnessed coordinated multi-city drone shows, making this celebration as iconic as the leader it honored. The showcase proved that Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), once seen primarily through the lens of defense, are now redefining entertainment and public celebrations in India at an unprecedented scale.

About the Prime Minister Narendra Modi Birthday Drone Show
The formations carried deep symbolic significance. A glowing portrait of Prime Minister Modi opened the show, followed by the Indian Map and Globe, reflecting India’s expanding global influence. The fighter jet salute symbolized national defence and pride, while the commanding Made in India lion embodied Atmanirbhar Bharat. This formation was especially significant as every drone in the performance was designed and manufactured in India by BotLab Dynamics.

The journey continued with depictions of Digital India and Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan, cornerstones of Modi Ji’s leadership. This was followed by a powerful formation of the Prime Minister as “The People’s Champion” – addressing the nation as a visionary leader who has driven India’s development while honoring its rich history and cultural roots.

From there, the skies transitioned to the image of a Global Leader through “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam – One World, One Family,” symbolizing India’s role in uniting the world. The show culminated in the message “Happy Birthday Modi Ji – From Citizens of India,” creating a deeply emotional and unifying moment across all four cities.

These Prime Minister Birthday Drone Shows demonstrated that India now leads in deploying drone technology for large-scale celebrations, setting a benchmark for the world in how technology can honor leadership, culture, and collective pride.

About the Drone Show Company
Speaking on the achievement, a BotLab Dynamics spokesperson said, “We are proud that this tribute, made possible with our drones designed and built in India, reflects the spirit of Atmanirbharta, that our PM supports. This achievement would not have been possible without the support of the Government of India, and we see it as an opportunity to showcase India’s innovation on the global stage.”

Another spokesperson highlighted “This show came to us just last Saturday, and in three days our team pulled off four simultaneous drone shows at this scale….honestly, we’re amazed ourselves. No one else in India could have taken this on in terms of tech, scale, or ambition. If we hadn’t said yes, it simply wouldn’t have happened.”

The IIT startup is best known for working with brands like Mercedes, Zomato, TATA, Mahindra etc. They have also performed drone shows in India for events like Mahakumbh 2025, IPL, ICC Cricket World Cup, IIFA, National Games, Ayodhya Deepotsav, Beating Retreat etc. In 2024, the company also secured five Guinness World Records during the Amaravati Drone Summit, cementing its reputation as India’s leader in drone light shows.

Click here to learn more about the company: www.botlabdynamics.com

Show Locations: Delhi (Yamuna Ghatt), Mumbai (Wankhede Stadium), Bengaluru (RBNMS Ground), and Ahmedabad (Sabarmati Riverfront).