The Parimatch Squad is here-a powerhouse of influencers, creators, and trendsetters who don’t just follow the action-they set it in motion. This elite crew is here to showcase the dream life made possible with Parimatch, the #1 global gaming platform. The best part You can join it too! With high-stakes challenges and game-changing content, they’re here to inspire, entertain, and connect with audiences like never before.

The First-Ever Parimatch Squad Gathering

Elvish Yadav Leading the Charge
At the forefront of this movement is Elvish Yadav, a creator who knows what it means to lead, inspire, and make an impact in the digital world. His confidence, raw energy, bold lifestyle, and ability to connect with millions make him the perfect fit for the Parimatch Squad.

Joining him are Sona Dey, Rajveer Shishodia, and dozens of other big names shaping the media game, each bringing their own energy to the action. Different backgrounds, different styles, but one shared mindset: pushing boundaries, taking risks, and redefining the game together.

A Grand Kickoff: The First-Ever Parimatch Squad Gathering
The Parimatch Squad made its debut with an exclusive Squad Introduction Party at a luxurious villa in Delhi, setting the tone for this exciting new chapter.

The evening was a perfect mix of networking, content creation, and high-energy activities. Squad members got to know each other, shot some cool collaborative content, participated in interactive games such as Truth or Dare, took on challenges, and brought the hype in ways only they could.

One of the key highlights was an exclusive masterclass by Harish Dagar, a BCCI Level 1 Coach with an NIS Diploma in cricket coaching. With his expert insights on strategy, discipline, and a winning mindset, he made learning both engaging and fun. The squad picked up valuable lessons on preparation, focus, and making game-changing moves-both on and off the field.

The highlight of the evening The grand entrance of LAKHY the Tiger, Parimatch’s Official Brand Hero. With his signature energy and charisma, LAKHY set the stage for the ultimate Roulette Challenge, where risk met reward in the boldest way possible.

What’s Next
The Parimatch Squad is just getting started-exclusive drops, high-energy collabs, and game-changing content you won’t find anywhere else.

And here’s your chance to be part of it-a special giveaway is launching soon on Parimatch’s official Instagram page. One lucky winner will get the exclusive opportunity to meet the Squad, hang out with top influencers, capture epic moments, join exclusive entertainment activities, and take home limited-edition merch.

Stay tuned-more details on the giveaway are coming soon!

The Grihshobha Inspire Awards 2025, held on 20th March at Travancore Palace, New Delhi, celebrated extraordinary women who have created a lasting impact in their fields.

The event honoured fearless pioneers, changemakers, and achievers in fields such as folk arts, governance, public policy, social impact, business, STEM, automotive, and entertainment. The awards recognized those who have redefined leadership and broken barriers in their respective domains.

KK Shailja – (Timeless Icon award), being given by Subhashini Ali and Paresh Nath

A standout moment of the evening was the recognition of Ms. K.K. Shailaja, former Kerala Health Minister, for her transformative leadership in public health and governance.

Among the most celebrated honourees, the legendary Ms. Shabana Azmi was honoured as Empowerment through Entertainment – Icon for her contributions to cinema and portrayal of strong and complex characters, and her advocacy for social change. Dr. Soumya Swaminathan received the Nation Builder – Icon award for her pioneering leadership in public health and scientific research. Ms. Suparna Mitra, CEO of Titan Watches, was recognized as Business Leadership – Icon, setting new benchmarks in corporate leadership.

Other distinguished awardees included Ms. Manjari Jaruhar, honoured as Fearless Warrior – Icon for her trailblazing career in policing. Ms. Ruma Devi, a grassroots leader empowering rural artisans, received the Grassroots Changemaker – Icon award, while Ms. Amla Ruia was recognized as Grassroots Changemaker – Achiever for her pioneering work in water conservation. Ms. Viji Venkatesh was named New Beginnings – Icon for her advocacy in cancer care.

In the business world, Ms. Tage Rita Takhe, Indias first Kiwi winemaker, received Business Leadership – Achiever, while Ms. Aditi Gupta, founder of Menstrupedia, was awarded Homepreneur – Achiever.

Dr. Soumya Swaminathan (National Builder- Icon), being awarded by Indira Jaisingh

Ms. Kripa Ananthan was celebrated as Changemaker – Automotive Industry, and Ms. Kiruba Munusamy was named Social Impact – Achiever for her legal activism. Dr. Menaka Guruswamy & Ms. Arundhati Katju jointly received Social Impact – Changemaker for their historic legal battles for gender equality and rights of LGBTQ community.

For her contributions to preserving folk arts, Dr. Rani Jha was awarded Folk Heritage – Icon. Dr. Bushra Ateeq was honoured for Excellence in STEM.

In entertainment and digital influence, Ms. Tillotama Shome and Ms. Konkona Sen were honoured for Empowerment through Entertainment – Onscreen and Offscreen, respectively. Ms. Leeza Mangaldas was awarded for her excellence as Content Creator – Empowerment, Ms. Shruti Seth for Content Creator – Parenting, and Dr. Tanaya Narendra for Content Creator – Health.

Guests of Honor

The awards were presented by Ms. Aruna Roy, RTI activist; Ms. Indira Jaisingh, senior advocate; Ms. Shovana Narayan, renowned Kathak dancer; and Ms. Subhashini Ali, women’s rights activist & politician. These distinguished guests celebrated the winners’ achievements and contributions with their words of encouragement.

Jury Panel

The awards were judged by a prestigious jury panel of distinguished and respected women, including Ms. Sathya Saran, writer and former editor of Femina; Ms. Padmapriya Janakiraman, popular Actor, Ms. Richa Shah, editor of Champak; Ms. Nuriya Ansari, President, Learning Links Foundation; Ms. Dilshad Master, Director, Outward Bound Himalaya; and Ms. Surabhi Kanga, web editor, the Caravan.

Speaking at the event, Mr. Paresh Nath, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher of Delhi Press, stated, “The Grihshobha Inspire Awards is a tribute to those who refuse to settle for the ordinary, who use creativity and courage to challenge norms and shape the future. In a world overwhelmed by noise, these awardees remind us that true leadership lies in the quiet yet transformative impact of those who dare to speak truth to power and lead with integrity.”

About Grihshobha

Grihshobha, published by Delhi Press, is the largest read Hindi women’s magazine in India with more than 1 million readers. Published in 8 languages (Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati, Kannada, Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu and Bangla), Grihshobha is an engaging compendium of articles on home management, fashion, beauty, cookery, health and stories on relationships. For over 45 years, Grihshobha has served as a source of comfort as well as inspiration to its readers across the country.

Delhi Press is one of the most diversified magazine publishing houses in India. Its portfolio of publications includes family-oriented, political and general-interest magazines along with magazines for women, children and rural folk. With 36 magazines in 10 languages, the group enjoys a strong reach in all regions of the country.

For more information, please visit www.grihshobha.in.

CEO Darrin Grafton who is accompanying New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon on a trade mission across India to support the continued strengthening of New Zealand’s relationship with India today signed a memorandum to announce a new development center in Bengaluru.

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, Sanjeeb Patel – VP Serko, Darrin Grafton – CEO Serko, Tarun Phaugat – VP Serko and Graham Rouse – NZ Trade Commissioner & Counsel General

India represents a key strategic market for Serko, with the company recently establishing a development hub in Bengaluru. As part of its growth strategy, Serko is expanding its presence in India, increasing its employee base to around 200 over the coming year and opening a new office in Bengaluru.

“We see India as a critical part of Serko’s future,” said Darrin Grafton, CEO of Serko. “With its deep talent pool and thriving technology ecosystem, Bengaluru has become an essential hub for our product innovation and development. This trade mission is an exciting opportunity to strengthen our relationships in the region and explore new avenues for collaboration.”

The trade mission, led by Prime Minister Luxon, aims to enhance business ties between New Zealand and India, fostering partnerships in key sectors such as technology, trade, and investment. Serko’s participation underscores its commitment to India as a growing center for technological excellence and innovation.

Prime Minister Luxon welcomed Serko’s participation in the mission. “Serko is an example of New Zealand’s growing technology export sector-an innovative company that has successfully scaled globally while remaining deeply connected to its Kiwi roots,” said Prime Minister Luxon. “Its investment in India demonstrates the strength of our tech industry and the opportunities for New Zealand businesses in international markets. I’m delighted to have Serko as part of this mission and look forward to supporting their continued success.”

Serko’s cloud-based travel and expense management solutions are used by businesses worldwide, helping organizations streamline travel booking and expense management. With its continued investment in India, Serko is positioned to play a growing role in the region’s dynamic technology landscape.

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About Serko

Whether you have 50 or 50,000 employees, Serko’s solutions simplify the process of booking and managing business travel. With GetThere, Zeno or Booking.com for Business, travelers can shop and book from millions of flight, accommodation and ground transport options with all the tools they need to start their trip online and stay online through change and disruption. Listed on the New Zealand Stock Exchange Main Board (NZX:SKO) and Australian Securities Exchange (ASX:SKO), Serko is headquartered in New Zealand, with offices across the United States, India, China and Australia.

For more information, visit serko.com.

The Future Right Skills Network (FRSN) celebrated five years of driving systemic change in India’s skilling ecosystem, marking a milestone in collaborative action that has shaped policy, transformed Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs), and built a future-ready workforce.

Since its inception in 2019, FRSN has emerged as a unique coalition where funding partners (Accenture, Cisco, JPMorganChase, and SAP Labs India) converged to drive a shared vision for systemic change. This collective commitment enabled FRSN to establish strong partnerships with the Directorate General of Training (DGT) and the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) from the very beginning. By bringing together government, civil society organizations (CSOs), and industry leaders, FRSN has worked to bridge critical gaps in the skilling landscape.

As the national conversation around demand-driven skilling gains momentum, this five-year journey reflects how strategic partnerships, driven by the ministry support at both central and state levels, have led to tangible shifts in policy and practice. FRSNs efforts align with the governments ambitious initiatives to upgrade ITIs and enhance vocational training. The focus will be on deepening industry engagement to align ITIs with real-world job market demands, elevating trainer development as a cornerstone of skilling, and ensuring policy implementation leads to lasting change.

FRSN’s Unique Approach: Collaboration for Systemic Change

FRSN has played a critical role in building a unique ecosystem where policymakers and industry stakeholders collaborate to shape the future of skills development. This approach has enabled a journey towards making it more demand-driven, integrating industry voices to shape curricula and hiring pathways. It has transformed trainer development, equipping educators with future skills to prepare ITI students for evolving job markets. It has also shaped policy, ensuring that government skilling initiatives are rooted in real-world needs and challenges.

Ms.Trishaljit Sethi – Director General of Training at Future Skills Forum, 2025

Ms. Trishaljit Sethi, Director General of Training, emphasized the importance of such partnerships in reshaping India’s skilling landscape: “FRSN has been a valuable partner in advancing our vision for a strong, industry-aligned skilling ecosystem. By working closely with state governments, industry leaders, and training institutions, it has helped ensure that ITIs are not just training centers, but true enablers of employment. As we move forward with our vision to make skilling institutions particularly the ITIs more robust and aspirational, such collaborations will be crucial in making skilling more impactful for youth across India.”

Kshitija Krishnaswamy, Managing Director, Corporate Citizenship – APAC, Accenture said, “As industries transform in the digital economy, new skills will be needed across all sectors. Developing these skills requires collective effort from policymakers, academia, and the industry. We are proud to mark the five-year milestone of our partnership as a founding member of the Future Right Skills Network, which has been empowering young people at ITIs in India with core vocational skills, digital fluency, and breaking down barriers to employability.”

Aakash Sethi, CEO, Quest Alliance, highlighted the evolving role of ITIs and trainer development: “The transformation of ITIs is not just about infrastructure or curriculum upgrades, it is about equipping trainers and students with the skills to thrive in an evolving world of work. FRSN has played a critical role in shaping how trainers are supported and developed, ensuring that they are not just facilitators but enablers of meaningful careers. As we look ahead, the focus must remain on making ITIs more industry-responsive and ensuring that every young person, especially women, has access to relevant, future-ready skills.”

What’s Next Strengthening Industry Engagement and ITI Reform

Looking ahead, FRSN will focus on deepening industry partnerships to make ITIs more responsive to market needs and ensure skilling initiatives translate into meaningful employment. With the government’s renewed focus on the ITI upgradation scheme, the network is poised to play a supportive role in bridging policy and practice.

Trainer development remains at the heart of this work, ensuring educators are equipped to train the next generation of skilled professionals. As FRSN charts the way forward, it reaffirms its commitment to an inclusive, future-ready skilling ecosystem, one where youth are empowered with the right opportunities to thrive.

The Future Skills Forum 2025 will serve as a catalyst for this next phase, bringing together policymakers, funders, industry leaders, and training institutions to shape the future of skilling in India.

Minor Hotels announces the launch of Memories by Minor Hotels, a curated Indian wedding programme designed to elevate destination weddings with unparalleled luxury, cultural authenticity, and world-class service. Memories by Minor Hotels allows couples to celebrate their occasion in some of the world’s most breathtaking locations across Asia.

Memories by Minor Hotels

A Destination Wedding Experience Like No Other

Understanding the grandeur and intricacy of Indian weddings, Minor Hotels creates celebrations that are as unique as each couple. The hotel’s dedicated Indian wedding specialist ensures every detail aligns with the couple’s vision, seamlessly incorporating timeless Indian traditions with modern elegance.

Until 30 June 2025, couples who reserve their Memories by Minor Hotels wedding package can enjoy additional benefits, including a complimentary suite for the bride and groom on the wedding night and one complimentary room night for their wedding planner.

For more information or to plan your dream wedding, visit minorhotels.com/indian-wedding- packages.

Memories by Minor Hotels

About Minor Hotels

Minor Hotels is a global hospitality group operating over 560 hotels, resorts and residences in 58 countries, pursuing its vision of crafting a more passionate and interconnected world. As a hotel owner, operator and investor, Minor Hotels fulfils the needs and desires of today’s global travellers through its diverse portfolio of eight hotel brands – Anantara, Avani, Elewana Collection, NH, NH Collection, nhow, Oaks and Tivoli – and a collection of related businesses. Minor Hotels is rapidly accelerating its global growth ambitions, aiming to add more than 280 hotels by the end of 2027.

Minor Hotels is a proud member of the Global Hotel Alliance (GHA), the worlds largest alliance of independent hotel brands, and participates in the GHA DISCOVERY loyalty programme.

For more information, please visit minorhotels.com and connect with Minor Hotels on Facebook and LinkedIn.

Bajaj Finance Limited is offering gold loans of up to Rs. 2 crore at competitive interest rates during the Bajaj Finserv Loan Fest from 1^st to 31^st March 2025. This initiative allows individuals to access funds conveniently by pledging their gold jewellery, with the advantage of quick approvals and minimal documentation.

Bajaj Finserv Gold Loan

Gold Loan: A Smart Financing Solution

Gold has always been a valuable asset in Indian households, serving both as a symbol of financial security and an investment option. Instead of letting the gold sit idle, leverage its value to meet urgent financial needs with a gold loan. Whether it’s for business expansion, education, medical emergencies, or personal requirements, a Bajaj Finserv Gold Loan is a reliable way to secure funds without parting with the ownership of the gold jewellery.

Why Choose Bajaj Finserv Gold Loan

During the Loan Fest, borrowers can avail themselves of multiple benefits, making it easier to access funds when needed. Key advantages include:

• Loan amount up to Rs. 2 crore – Borrow as per requirement, depending on the value of pledged gold. Avail funds starting from Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 2 crore.

• Attractive interest rates – Enjoy low interest rates compared to unsecured loans, making repayments manageable.

• Quick approval and disbursal – Get funds in the account within a few hours of loan approval.

• Minimal documentation – A hassle-free process requiring only basic KYC documents like Aadhaar card, Voter ID card, passport, driving licence, NREGA job card and a letter from National Population Registration.

• Multiple repayment options – Choose from convenient repayment plans based on borrower’s financial convenience. You can opt for interest repayment on monthly, bi-monthly, quarterly, half-yearly, or annually. Though the principal or any interest, if pending, is due for repayment at the end of the tenure.

• Safe and secure gold storage – Keep the pledged gold is stored safely in secure vaults during the loan tenure.

How to Apply for a Bajaj Finserv Gold Loan

Applying for a Bajaj Finserv Gold Loan is a simple process. Borrowers just need to follow these simple steps:

1. Apply online – Fill out the gold loan application form via the Bajaj Finserv App or website.

2. Visit the nearest Bajaj Finserv Gold Loan branch – Once the form is submitted online and appointment is booked, borrowers need to get their gold jewellery and basic KYC documents for verification.

3. Gold evaluation – Experts assess the purity and weight of the gold to determine the loan amount.

4. Loan offer and approval – Get an instant loan offer based on the gold valuation.

5. Loan disbursal – Once approved, the loan amount is transferred to the bank account in just 1 day.

The Bajaj Finserv Loan Fest presents an excellent opportunity for individuals to avail gold loans at even better terms. With competitive gold loan interest rate quick disbursals, and free insurance of pledged gold, this event is ideal for those looking to manage their finances efficiently. Whether one needs funds for personal or professional needs, a Bajaj Finserv Gold Loan provides a secure and convenient solution.

A gold loan is one of the easiest and most efficient ways to raise funds quickly while retaining ownership of the gold jewellery. Take advantage of the Bajaj Finance Loan Fest to avail a gold loan at attractive interest rates and unlock the financial value of gold jewellery.

For more details, visit the nearest Bajaj Finserv Gold Loan branch or check online for eligibility and application requirements.

T&C Apply

About Bajaj Finance Limited

Bajaj Finance Ltd. (‘BFL’, ‘Bajaj Finance’, or ‘the Company’), a subsidiary of Bajaj Finserv Ltd., is a deposit taking Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC-D) registered with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and is classified as an NBFC-Investment and Credit Company (NBFC-ICC). BFL is engaged in the business of lending and acceptance of deposits. It has a diversified lending portfolio across retail, SMEs, and commercial customers with significant presence in both urban and rural India. It accepts public and corporate deposits and offers a variety of financial services products to its customers. BFL, a thirty-five-year-old enterprise, has now become a leading player in the NBFC sector in India and on a consolidated basis, it has a franchise of 80.41 million customers. Bajaj Finance has a credit rating of AAA/Stable for its Fixed Deposit program from CRISIL and ICRA, AAA/Stable for long-term borrowing from CRISIL, India Ratings, CARE and ICRA, and A1+ for short-term borrowing from CRISIL, India Ratings and ICRA. It has a long-term issuer credit rating of BBB-/Stable and a short-term rating of A-3 by S&P Global ratings.

To know more, visit www.bajajfinserv.in.

• This investment aligns with PayUs vision of developing innovative payment solutions in India that serve customers worldwide

• With this investment, Mindgate will leverage its strong existing partnerships with banks in real-time payments to enhance its expertise in Merchant Offerings while expanding its global reach.

PayU, the payments and fintech business of Prosus, has acquired a strategic stake in Mindgate Solutions, a pioneer in real time payments technology. This partnership reinforces PayU’s commitment to expanding its presence in India’s real-time payments sector while leveraging Mindgate’s expertise to drive digital payment innovations globally. As a part of this deal, PayU will acquire a 43.5% stake in Mindgate, while the majority ownership will remain with the companys founders.

PayU has acquired a strategic stake in Mingate Solutions

This investment in Mindgate enables PayU to actively contribute to the ongoing revolution in India’s digital payment landscape, driven by instant payment systems like UPI, developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI). As NPCI continues to expand UPI both domestically and globally, with a vision to process 100 billion transactions per month in India by 2030, Mindgate plays a vital role by providing the end-to-end real-time payment infrastructure stack and expertise for several leading banks in India. PayU remains focused on driving the next generation of real-time payment innovations and accelerating the global adoption of ‘Made in India’ systems. As person-to-merchant (P2M) transactions increasingly dominate the payments landscape and constituting nearly 60% of all UPI transactions in India, this partnership will enable banks and merchants to meet the evolving needs of consumers through enhanced payment options, higher operational efficiency, and increased revenue opportunities.

Anirban Mukherjee, CEO, PayU said “Through this investment, we are reinforcing our commitment to scaling ‘Made in India’ payment technologies for the global stage. Mindgate’s expertise in real-time payments complements our mission to drive the next generation of digital payment innovations. Together, we will enhance the infrastructure that supports seamless financial transactions, delivering exceptional value to banks, merchants, and consumers worldwide. This investment is also consistent with our efforts to support the Indian Fintech ecosystem by investing in promising founders and helping them build world class platforms.”

“Our partnership with PayU is a significant milestone in Mindgate’s global expansion journey, combining our proven expertise in real-time digital payments with PayU’s extensive market reach. With a strong foundation in powering high-volume transactions and enabling seamless UPI experience, Mindgate is well-positioned to drive the next wave of innovation in digital payments. This collaboration will enhance secure, scalable payment solutions for banks, businesses, and merchants, strengthening our role as a leading player in the evolving global payments landscape,” said George Sam, Co-founder & Business Head, Mindgate Solutions.

“We are thrilled to join hands with PayU, whose global expertise and commitment to innovation align perfectly with our vision. This collaboration is a testament to the transformative work we’ve done and the exciting future ahead,” added Guhan Muthuswamy, Co-founder & Software Architect, Mindgate Solutions.

Mindgate has been a pivotal force in India’s digital payments revolution, processing over 8 billion transactions monthly and providing seamless payment solutions for leading banks. With a growing presence in MENA, ASEAN, Europe, and the US, Mindgate’s expertise will complement PayU’s extensive international network through Wibmo its Paytech business Wibmo, accelerating global adoption of real-time payment technologies. This strategic collaboration will empower banks, businesses, and merchants with innovative, scalable, and secure payment solutions, ensuring a seamless transaction experience for users across global markets.

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 globally recognized leading player 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 1,400 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, processing over 8 billion digital transactions monthly through its partner banks. facilitating payments worth $1 trillion annually. With a strong presence in the Middle East and a growing footprint in Europe, the UK, ASEAN, and the US, Mindgate is a trusted technology partner for leading banks globally. Its commitment to innovation and excellence has earned it prestigious accolades, including the MEA Finance Awards and the IBC Intelligence Awards, reinforcing its leading playership in the digital payments industry.

For more details, visit www.mindgate.solutions.

Ahmedabad University deepened its engagement with the arts and the city’s cultural fabric with the inaugural Sabarmati International Contemporary Arts Festival of Ahmedabad (SICAFA). More than a festival, SICAFA is a precursor to establishing the School of Performing and Visual Arts, reinforcing the University’s commitment to integrating artistic inquiry into its academic and civic mission.

SICAFA comprised performances across genres, including theatre, music, folk dance, talks, culinary festival, installations, featuring renowned artists, educators, and scholars

Rooted in the belief that a thriving cultural ecosystem is essential for intellectual and social progress, SICAFA connects tradition with contemporary expression, fostering dialogue between artists, scholars, and the wider community. By bringing together performers, creators, and audiences in an immersive cultural experience, Ahmedabad University aims to celebrate artistic excellence and lay the groundwork for a dedicated academic space that will shape the future of performing and visual arts education.

Held from March 11-18, 2025, in partnership with Neekoee Foundation and the Polish Institute New Delhi, the festival transformed Ahmedabad into a vibrant hub of artistic expression, featuring a dynamic mix of theatre, folk dance, music, puppetry, storytelling, and thought-provoking conversations with renowned artists.

The festival, curated by Deepan Sivaraman, Professor, School of Arts and Sciences, Ahmedabad University, and Neena Naishadh, Founder, Neekoee Foundation, opened with the spectacular Manganiyar Seduction, directed by Roysten Abel, where a grand ensemble of 40 Rajasthani musicians performed within a four-story illuminated structure, mesmerising an audience of over 2,000 attendees. The performance set the tone for a week of artistic excellence and cultural immersion.

SICAFA showcased a diverse array of performing arts traditions. Amitosh Nagpal’s Middle Class Dream of a Summer’s Night, a contemporary theatrical piece, brought a fresh and imaginative perspective to modern Indian storytelling. Jeevit ya Mrit, an adaptation of Rabindranath Tagore’s celebrated short story, was presented as an extended monologue powerfully performed by the National Film Award winning actress Seema Biswas and directed by Anuradha Kapur, former Director of National School of Drama.

Folk traditions were equally celebrated, with Purulia Chhau, a spectacular masked dance-drama from West Bengal’s indigenous communities, captivating audiences with its vibrant energy and intricate choreography. Theyyam, Kerala’s centuries-old ritualistic performance, added a spiritual and visually arresting dimension to the festival.

The festival also featured Patrick Sims’ Puppetry Show, transporting audiences, especially children, into a world of imaginative storytelling. Saumya Joshi’s Oh Womaniya, a high-energy performance by Jigna Vyas, delved into the deepest facets of a woman’s identity and experiences, while Girish Karnad’s Hayavadana, adapted by Padma Shri awardee Neelam Mansingh Chowdhry, challenged audiences to rethink human identity and transformation.

The Anirudh Varma Collective (AVC) delivered a powerful closing act, seamlessly blending Indian classical music with contemporary influences, demonstrating the evolving landscape of artistic expression.

SICAFA also curated a special culinary arts segment, featuring India’s rich food heritage and its deep cultural connections. Engaging discussions on contemporary arts and their role in shaping cultural consciousness added further depth, bringing together distinguished artists and scholars for thought-provoking conversations.

A Cultural Movement for Ahmedabad

Beyond a contemporary arts festival, SICAFA was a cultural movement reaffirming the role of the arts in fostering critical thinking, creativity, and interdisciplinary learning. As Ahmedabad University progresses toward launching the School of Performing and Visual Arts, SICAFA will continue as an annual event, deepening the University’s engagement with the arts and further cementing Ahmedabad as a global cultural destination.

About Ahmedabad University

Ahmedabad University is a leading private, non-profit research university offering students a liberal education focused on interdisciplinary learning, practice orientation, and research thinking.

The University has been

• Recognised by the Government of Gujarat as a Centre of Excellence.

• Accredited with A grade by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC).

• Awarded a 5-star rating, the highest awarded in the Gujarat State Institutional Rating Framework (GSIRF) for 2021-22 and 2023-24, by the Knowledge Consortium of Gujarat (KCG), Department of Education, Government of Gujarat.

• Awarded the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) International Award for Excellence 2024 for our University Centre.

• Awarded a Platinum Rating by the Indian Green Building Council for sustainability and green practices.

• Recognised by the UGC under Section 12(B) of the UGC Act, becoming one of the very few private research universities to have been awarded this recognition for select research universities.

• Recognised as a Highly Commended University for Teaching and Learning Strategy of the Year in the Times Higher Education (THE) Awards Asia 2023.

• Awarded the AACSB’s Innovations That Inspire Award 2023 for its Foundation Programme.

• Awarded Gold Rating by the Indian Green Building Council for achieving the Green Building Standards at our University Centre.

The University, established in 2009, is rooted in the vision of one of India’s finest educational foundations, the Ahmedabad Education Society, which was founded in 1935 by nationalist leaders. Programmes at the University range from bachelors to doctoral levels in humanities and social sciences, natural sciences, engineering, and management through its 13 Schools and Centres:

Amrut Mody School of Management | Bagchi School of Public Health | School of Arts and Sciences | School of Engineering and Applied Science | Ahmedabad Design Lab | Centre for Heritage Management | Centre for Inter-Asian Research | Centre for Learning Futures | Global Centre for Environment and Energy | International Centre for Space and Cosmology | Sahyog: Centre for Promoting Health | The Climate Institute | VentureStudio

An urban university, Ahmedabad promotes independent-mindedness and diversity across all dimensions of its activity and helps students mature into critical thinkers who are analytically equipped, practically oriented, and contextually aware global citizens. The University provides a contemporary educational framework that brings liberal arts, sciences, and the professions to engage together in creating new knowledge for addressing complex challenges of the society and in offering majors that merge the boundaries of disciplines to prepare students for the new economy.