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Chitkara University Partners with Capgemini to Launch Code Experience Center (CEC) to Empower Students and Enhance Employment Opportunities

Chitkara University, a leading educational institution in India, is proud to announce the launch of the Code Experience Center (CEC) powered by Capgemini on its campus. This collaboration marks a significant step in providing students with valuable skills in the IT sector, empowering them with the knowledge and expertise required for successful careers in the technology industry.

Officials from Chitkara University and Capgemini at the Launch of Code Experience Center (CEC) at Chitkara University Campus

Chitkara University has built a strong and enduring partnership with Capgemini. Every year, talented students gain direct access to job opportunities through the campus placements offered by Capgemini. Additionally, the Code Experience Center (CEC) at Chitkara University will further boost job prospects by offering state-of-the-art training programs designed to equip students with the high-demand skills needed in the IT industry.

The Code Experience Center was inaugurated on February 28, 2025, in a ceremony attended by several prominent dignitaries, including Dr. Madhu Chitkara, Pro Chancellor, Chitkara University; Vishal Gupta, Executive Vice President & COO, Apps Business – Financial Services, Capgemini; Gautam Nehra, Executive Vice President & COO, Banking & Capital Markets – Financial Services, Capgemini; Puneet Kumra, Vice President & Head, Early Careers Program – India, Capgemini; Amit Khurana, Senior Director, Communication and Advertising, India, Capgemini; Suman Bhattacharya, Director – University Relations & Hiring, India, Capgemini; Vaibhav Deshpande, Program Manager Campus Hiring, India, Capgemini, Dr. Cavita Taragi, Pro Vice Chancellor (Industry Partnerships), Chitkara University, Dr Kuldeep Sharama, Director (Industry Alliance), Chitkara University, Ms Roma Singh, Director Career Advancement Services, Chitkara University.

During the inauguration, Dr. Madhu Chitkara acknowledged the valuable partnership between Chitkara University and Capgemini and commended the company’s contribution to shaping the future of students. She highlighted the university’s consistent efforts in providing world-class education and the significant role the newly established lab would play in helping students secure positions in top IT companies. She also emphasised the importance of equipping students with practical skills to meet industry requirements and succeed in the fast-evolving technology landscape.

Vishal Gupta, Executive Vice President & COO, Apps Business – Financial Services, Capgemini, emphasised the importance of technology collaboration between academia and industry. He stated, The lab will serve as an innovation hub, offering students hands-on experience in emerging technologies and the opportunity to work on real-world projects. This initiative will help students gain a deeper understanding of industry trends while honing their practical problem-solving skills.”

Dr. Cavita Taragi, Pro Vice Chancellor (Industry Partnerships), Chitkara University, further explained that industry experts from Capgemini would conduct hands-on training sessions for students selected for placement. Once the initial training phase concludes, the lab will serve as a platform for other students to gain practical experience by working on live projects, thus enhancing their employability prospects.

The launch of the Code Experience Center further solidifies the growing collaboration between Chitkara University and Capgemini, marking an important milestone in enhancing students’ career prospects and preparing them for the dynamic challenges of the IT industry.

About Chitkara University

Chitkara University is a premier institution of higher education, known for its focus on innovation, research, and holistic development. With state-of-the-art facilities and a global outlook, the university offers cutting-edge programmes that empower students to become industry leaders and entrepreneurs.

For more information visit: www.chitkara.edu.in.

Purpleant Technologies Launches BotWot iCX: Next-Gen AI Platform Unifies Multimodal Agents, Content Generation & Decision Orchestration

Purpleant Technologies Pvt. Ltd., a pioneer in AI-driven customer experience innovation, today announced the global launch of BotWot iCX, a breakthrough platform uniting multimodal AI agents, intelligent content generation, and decision automation. Built on the company’s patent-applied Intelligent Automated Workflow Orchestrator, BotWot iCX empowers enterprises to unify marketing, service, and retention strategies by analyzing sentiment, emotion, intent, and historical behavior, while generating dynamic video, image, and PDF content to drive engagement.

Meet the driving force behind BotWot iCX

The platform expands on Purpleant’s inaugural product, BotWot (launched August 2024), which serves 100+ global enterprises. BotWot iCX introduces three patent-pending advancements, including its core orchestrator technology:

  1. Intelligent Automated Workflow Orchestrator™: Patent-pending decision engine processes real-time data (sentiment, purchase history, intent) to automate cross-channel workflows, reducing operational costs by 40% and boosting campaign ROI by 3x in beta tests.

  2. OmniGen™ Content Studio: AI generates personalized videos, images, and PDFs (e.g., product demos, invoices) tailored to customer behavior, slashing content creation time by 70%.

  3. VisionVoice AI Agents: Multimodal agents analyze visual cues (e.g., product images), voice tone, and text to resolve queries 50% faster across platforms like WhatsApp, email, and SMS.

AI Agents & Content Generation Redefine Customer Engagement

McKinsey’s “The State of Customer Care in 2023“ underscores fragmented customer data as a critical pain point, with businesses demanding integrated tools to unify insights and content. BotWot iCX bridges this gap with:

  1. Multimodal AI Interaction: Deploy vision, voice, and text agents to guide customers from discovery to purchase using dynamic media.

  2. Sentient Automation: Adjust campaigns in real time based on emotion detection (e.g., trigger discounts for frustrated users).

  3. Smart Content Engine: Auto-generate videos summarizing customer journeys or PDF reports for at-risk accounts.

  4. Real-Time Decision Orchestration: Leverage the patent-pending Workflow Orchestrator to prioritize actions-like routing high-intent users to sales teams-using sentiment, purchase history, and behavioral signals.

  5. Cross-Channel Personalization: Deliver AI-generated video demos, PDF guides, or image-based offers tailored to individual behavior across WhatsApp, email, and SMS-boosting engagement by 40% in pilot programs.

Executive Insights

Nitya Prakhar – CEO, BotWot iCX

“AI is no longer a tool-it’s the strategist, the executioner, and the game-changer. BotWot iCX is not just automating conversations; it’s reimagining customer interactions from the ground up. From acquisition to retention, from engagement to re-engagement, our platform ensures businesses don’t just react-they anticipate, adapt, and convert in real time. With our Intelligent Automated Workflow Orchestration (iAWO), every customer touchpoint is optimized for impact. Marketing, sales, service, and loyalty-all powered by AI, seamlessly. Welcome to the era of Insights to Action-where businesses don’t just scale, they dominate.“

Mohanraj Tamilarasu – CTO, BotWot iCX

“The future of AI isn’t about standalone bots-it’s about Multimodal AI Agents that understand voice, vision, and text in real-time. At BotWot iCX, we’re not just building chatbots; we’re engineering a swarm of AI agents that can listen, analyze, predict, and execute across multiple channels. Whether its a voice assistant guiding a sales team, an AI co-pilot responding to customer queries, or an Omnigen Content Studio generating hyper-targeted marketing campaigns-our proprietary Micro-LLMs make it all possible. The AI revolution is here, and we’re leading it.“

Namita Sharma – COO, BotWot iCX

“Customer expectations have evolved-so should businesses. Brands need to do more than engage; they need to orchestrate seamless experiences across the entire lifecycle. BotWot iCX automates every stage-hyper-targeted marketing, AI-powered servicing, automated re-engagement, predictive retention, and dynamic sales activation. With iAWO (Intelligent Automated Workflow Orchestration), we ensure every customer interaction isn’t just a response-it’s an opportunity to drive growth. Businesses that embrace AI-driven CX aren’t just future-ready; they are future-defining.”

Key Industries & Use Cases

  • E-commerce: Auto-generated video product bundles and WhatsApp-native checkout workflows increase average order value by 25%.

  • Banking: Orchestrator detects frustration in support chats, triggering PDF guides and agent handoffs, improving NPS by 18%.

  • Farming: VisionVoice AI analyzes crop photos submitted via WhatsApp, detecting diseases and recommending treatments, reducing diagnosis time from 72 hours to 5 minutes and boosting crop yield by 30%.

Availability & Pricing
BotWot iCX is available globally starting March 1, 2025. Pricing scales based on usage, with a free tier for everyone. Request a demo at hello.botwot.io

About Purpleant Technologies
Gurgaon-based Purpleant Technologies (Founded 2024) specializes in AI-powered customer engagement tools. Co-founded by Nitya Prakhar, Namita Sharma, and Mohanraj Tamilarasu, the team brings deep expertise in enterprise solutions, with prior leadership roles at American Express, HDFC Bank , and Jumia. Learn more: hello.botwot.io.

TVS Motor Company’s Sales Grow By 10% in February 2025

TVS Motor Company recorded monthly sales of 403,976 units in February 2025 with a growth of 10% as against 368,424 units in February 2024.

Two-Wheeler

Total two-wheelers registered a growth of 10% with sales increasing from 357,810 units in February 2024 to 391,889 units in February 2025. Domestic two-wheeler registered growth of 3% with sales increasing from 267,502 units in February 2024 to 276,072 units in February 2025.

Motorcycle registered a growth of 5% with sales increasing from 184,023 units in February 2024 to 192,960 units in February 2025. Scooter registered a growth of 24% with sales increasing from 132,152 units in February 2024 to 164,415 units in February 2025.

Electric Vehicle

EV sales registered a growth of 34% with sales increasing from 17,959 units in February 2024 to 24,017 units in February 2025.

International Business

The Companys total exports grew by 26% increasing from 98,856 units registered in February 2024 to 124,993 units in February 2025. Two-wheeler exports registered a growth of 28% with sales increasing from 90,308 units registered in February 2024 to 115,817 units in February 2025.

Three-Wheeler

Three-wheeler registered a growth of 14% with sales increasing from 10,614 units in February 2024 to 12,087 units in February 2025.

About TVS Motor Company

TVS Motor Company (BSE:532343 and NSE: TVSMOTOR) is a reputed two and three-wheeler manufacturer globally, championing progress through sustainable mobility with four state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities located in India and Indonesia. Rooted in our 100-year legacy of trust, value, and passion for customers, it takes pride in making internationally accepted products of the highest quality through innovative and sustainable processes. TVS Motor is the only two-wheeler company to have won the prestigious Deming Prize. Our products lead in their respective categories in the J.D. Power IQS and APEAL surveys. We have been ranked No. 1 Company in the J.D. Power Customer Service Satisfaction Survey for four consecutive years. Our group company Norton Motorcycles, based in the United Kingdom, is one of the most emotive motorcycle brands in the world. Our subsidiaries in the personal e-mobility space, Swiss E-Mobility Group (SEMG) and EGO Movement have a leading position in the e-bike market in Switzerland. TVS Motor Company endeavours to deliver the most superior customer experience across 80 countries in which we operate.

For more information, please visit www.tvsmotor.com

For more information, please contact: corpcom@tvsmotor.com.

MOONSWATCH Pays Tribute to the Omega Speedmaster’s Space Flight Qualification in 1965

In 1965, the OMEGA Speedmaster was the only watch to pass the tests of the American space agency NASA. That was exactly sixty years ago, on March 1, 1965. As part of the development of the American space program, NASA required a watch that was reliable, precise, easy to read, and easy to use for its space missions. The objective: to have a qualified timepiece for all future manned space flights, amidst the race to conquer the moon.

MOONSWATCH 1965

As a government agency, NASA was obliged to issue a formal call for tenders, requesting “RFPs” (Request for Proposal) from watch manufacturers. The U.S. space agency required series models. OMEGA submitted its Speedmaster model (ST105.003 from 1964), Longines proposed its Wittnauer 235T model and the ….X brand sent its reference 6238. NASA then tested these chronographs through 11 successive trials, following rigorous criteria specially designed for the occasion by the U.S. space agency. Of the three timepieces tested, only one was awarded the prestigious flight qualification for all NASA manned space missions and extravehicular activities on March 1, 1965: the OMEGA Speedmaster. The new MOONSWATCH 1965 pays tribute to the unique watch and the flight qualification by NASA six decades ago.

NASA testers preferred and recommended the OMEGA Speedmaster for its “superior precision, reliability, legibility and ease of use” over the other models. The flight qualification awarded to OMEGA soon became a reality. Three months after the tests and during the “Gemini IV” mission, on June 3, Ed White ventured more than 20 minutes outside the spacecraft with the OMEGA Speedmaster on his wrist.

The MOONSWATCH 1965 bears all the visual hallmarks of the Speedmaster tested sixty years ago by NASA. The OMEGA logo used at that time (also present on the strap and crown), the hands and the typeface of the inscriptions all echo the style of the original watch, giving its modern version an appealing vintage feel. But the watch holds even more surprises. The dial, for example, is another nod to the immaculate, white-dialed OMEGA Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional launched in March 2024 (310.30.42.50.04.001)

The two counters at 10 and 2 o’clock on the new MOONSWATCH 1965 are also new. The first indicates the number 19 (normally 60) at the top, while the other displays the number 65 (normally 10), referencing the year 1965.

To this end, the chronograph counters have been modified to total:

Counter at 10 o’clock: 19 hours

Counter at 2 o’clock: 65 minutes

In this way, 19 and 65 are highlighted on the dial, making it possible to read 1965, as well as 60 at the small second at 6 o’clock (which remains unchanged). The chronograph reading is a little different, as the counter first totals 65 minutes and only after the hours. More specifically, the hands of both counters operate as follows:

  • The 10 o’clock counter (19 hours) and the 2 o’clock counter (65 minutes) make a “lap of honor” at the end of the 64th minute.

  • The 10 o’clock counter rotates once and displays 1 hour (or rather, one hour more).

  • The 2 o’clock counter rotates once and displays the 5th minute.

In this way, and without restarting the 2 o’clock (minute) counter at zero, the time can be read normally by adding up the hours and minutes. This animation repeats every 65 minutes, with both hands performing the movement simultaneously.

The counters also display the year 1965 and the 60th anniversary of the NASA flight qualification. The number “19” appears on the counter at 10 o’clock, the number “65” on the counter at 2 o’clock and the number “60” on the counter at 6 o’clock, which are also visible under UV light. The hands and hour markers are coated with Grade A Super-LumiNova for optimal visibility in the dark.

The MOONSWATCH 1965 features its mission statement on the case back and the OMEGA X SWATCH logos on the dial and crown. A gray VELCRO strap, suitable for space suits, completes the astronaut chic style, and features contrast stitching that matches the color of the case and strap. The main features of the original OMEGA Speedmaster Moonwatch are still present: the asymmetrical case, the famous tachymeter scale with dot over ninety and the distinctive Speedmaster counters. Like all Bioceramic MOONSWATCH models, this new watch features a chronograph function. The non-limited “1965”, like all the watches in the OMEGA X SWATCH collaboration, is made of Swatch’s patented Bioceramic material, a unique blend of two-thirds ceramic and one-third biosourced materials derived from castor oil.

The new model in the Bioceramic MOONSWATCH Collection is available from March 1 (the date NASA qualified the Speedmaster back in 1965) only in selected Swatch stores worldwide. As with the entire Bioceramic MOONSWATCH Collection, only one watch can be purchased per person, per day and per Swatch store.

NASA’s eleven successive tests

NASA demanded a great deal from the watches tested, in order to qualify them and send them on manned space missions. Reliability was paramount during the 11 successive tests it put the chronographs of three different brands through. The prerequisite was a precision of 5 seconds over 24 hours, ideally within a range of +/- 2 seconds per 24 hours. The watches needed to feature a stop function, be easy to read, and antimagnetic.

  1. High temperature test: 70C for 48 hours, then 93C for 30 minutes in a partial vacuum.

  2. Low temperature test: -18C for 4 hours.

  3. Vacuum test: heated in a vacuum chamber and then cooled to -18C for several cycles.

  4. Humidity test: ten 24-hour cycles in >95% humidity with temperatures ranging from 25C to 70C.

  5. Corrosion test: in an atmosphere of oxygen at 70C for 48 hours.

  6. Shock resistance test: six 40 G shocks in six different directions.

  7. Acceleration test: progressive acceleration to 7.25 G for about five minutes and then to 16 G for 30 seconds in three axes.

  8. Low pressure test: pressure of 10-6 atmospheres at 70C for 90 minutes, then at 93C for 30 minutes.

  9. High pressure test: in an air pressure of 1.6 atmospheres for 60 minutes.

  10. Vibration test: random vibrations in three axes between 5 and 2,000 Hz with an acceleration of 8.8 G.

  11. Sound test: 130 decibels at frequencies from 40 to 10,000 Hz for 30 minutes.

(Source: OMEGA archives)

KSB Limited Announces Remarkable Sales Revenue for the Year 2024

KSB Limited one of the world’s leading suppliers of pumps, valves and systems have announced their remarkable sales revenue for the year 2024. Combining innovative technology and excellent service to provide intelligent solutions, the company has been offering innovative and sturdy solutions to cater to the myriad needs of the Indian Customer . The company emphasizes on delivering excellent services.

  • The sales revenue of 2024 is registered as INR 2533 crores, which is a 12.7 %increase over the previous year.

  • The sales revenue of Quarter 4 recorded a 20.5% growth, compared to the same period last year, closing the quarter with sales revenue of INR 726.4 crores.

  • The company has announced a 200% dividend, reflecting a consistent year-on-year increase and demonstrating the companys strong performance.

Major Highlights:

  • Inauguration of the Dynamic Test Facility of the 220 MW Primary Coolant Pump Mechanical Seal by the hands of the NPCIL team at our EPD plant.

  • Launched the reciprocating plunger-type pump to cater to the domestic market.

  • Received significant valve orders from BHEL for the NTPC Talcher Power Plant and from TSK Spain for the Andres-1 Power Plant project.

  • ESG – Certification and 3rd-party assurances of GHG emissions, Zero Waste to Landfill (ZWL), and Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD).

  • Secured solar pump orders with a total value of INR 204 Million from MSEDCL and Maharashtra Energy, and INR 204 Million from Dakshin Gujarat Vij Company under government schemes.

Business Highlights

(All amounts in INR Crores)

Particular s

Q4 – 2024

Q4- 2023

Jan’24-Dec’24

Jan’23-Dec’23

(Oct’24-Dec’24)

(Oct’23-Dec’23)

Sales

726.40

602.60

2,533.10

2,247.20

Expenses

628.00

521.70

2,195.60

1,953.60

Operating Profit

98.40

80.90

337.50

293.60

OPM %

13.55%

13.43%

13.32%

13.07%

Other Income

10.20

6.50

41.50

36.30

Interest

0.40

1.60

2.70

5.30

Depreciation

14.40

13.70

54.30

49.70

PBT

93.80

72.10

322.00

274.90

Mr. Prashant Kumar, Vice President – Sales and Marketing, KSB Limited

Summarizing the business highlights, Mr. Prashant Kumar, Vice President – Sales and Marketing, KSB Limited, said, “This year, we have registered good sales revenue with a 12.7% YoY growth. We have seen good growth in Solar, Valves, Building Services, Waste Water, and Domestic segments. Although there was a slowdown in the project business this year due to various reasons, including elections, we have made progress in the Marine sector and received some breakthrough orders from Green Hydrogen and Railways. Our focus on standard business and exports will keep us insulated from any shock due to macroeconomic conditions. We continue to maintain a global presence with our export business.”

About KSB Limited

KSB Limited Founded in 1960 in India is a part of KSB SE & Co. KGaA., one of the world’s leading suppliers of pumps, valves and systems. Combining innovative technology and excellent service to provide intelligent solutions, the company has been offering innovative and sturdy solutions to cater to the myriad needs of the Indian Customer may it be in power, oil, building services, process engineering, water treatment, water transport, etc. The activities of KSB’s in-house research centre focuses on the areas of hydraulics, sealing technology, materials, production technology and automation.

Today the KSB group has a presence on all the continents with its own sales and marketing companies, manufacturing facilities and service operations. More than 15,000 employees generate annual consolidated sales revenue of over Two billion Euros.

Axis Max Life Insurance and YES BANK Celebrate Two Decades of Bancassurance Partnership

Axis Max Life Insurance and YES BANK celebrate a significant milestone – 20 years of steadfast partnership – demonstrating one of the most enduring bancassurance collaborations.

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Axis Max Life Insurance and YES BANK Celebrate Two Decades of Bancassurance Partnership

Since the commencement of the partnership on February 23, 2005 followed by issuance of their first Insurance Policy on May 28, 2005, the partnership has played a pivotal role in delivering seamless life insurance solutions, reinforcing financial security for customers across India. Over the years, the partnership has served approximately 3.62 lakh customers, processed over 3,725 claims, and disbursed more than ₹267 crore in claims, with a total sum assured exceeding ₹64,000 crore. Backed by YES BANK’s 1,266 branches nationwide, the collaboration continues to drive insurance penetration and enhance customer protection across the country.

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Backed by YES BANK’s 1,266 branches nationwide, the collaboration continues to drive insurance penetration

Dr. Rajan Pental, Executive Director, YES BANK, said, “Our long-standing partnership with Axis Max Life Insurance reflects our commitment to providing holistic financial solutions. With a strong foundation of digital capabilities, customer focus, and a shared commitment to excellence, we are confident that the next phase of collaboration will bring even greater value to our customers and stakeholders alike.”

Mr. Prashant Tripathy, Managing Director & CEO, Axis Max Life Insurance, said, “Our partnership with YES BANK stands as a shining example of how two leading institutions can come together to create something far greater than the sum of their parts. Over the years, we have helped secure lakhs of lives, and as we move forward, our focus will be on innovation, customer-centricity, and strengthening our bancassurance model to create exceptional value for our customers.”

As Axis Max Life Insurance and YES BANK advance on their shared journey, they remain dedicated to driving digital transformation and elevating customer engagement, through:

  • Digital Innovation: The seamless integration of InsurePro CRM across all life insurance partners, along with mSmart, a cutting-edge governance and tracking platform, will sharpen sales strategies and enhance customer engagement.

  • Expanding Business Horizons: A strategic focus on need-based selling for YES BANK’s customer base will unlock new growth avenues and deepen client relationships.

  • Customer-centric Excellence: A shared commitment to delivering best-in-class financial protection will continue to drive business quality, ensuring superior customer satisfaction.

  • Empowering People: Recognising talent as their greatest asset, both organisations are investing in leadership development programmes for Branch Managers (BMs) to build a robust foundation for long-term success.

Explainers:
InsurePro CRM (owned by YES BANK), is a marketplace for all life insurance/ non-life/ health insurance partners.

mSmart (owned by Axis Max Life Insurance), an industry-leading governance and tracking platform will enhance sales choreography and improve customer engagement.

About Axis Max Life Insurance Limited
Axis Max Life Insurance Limited, formerly known as Max Life Insurance Company Ltd., is a Joint Venture between Max Financial Services Limited (“MFSL”) and Axis Bank Limited. Axis Max Life Insurance offers comprehensive protection and long-term savings life insurance solutions through its multi-channel distribution, including agency and third-party distribution partners. It has built its operations over two decades through a need-based sales process, a customer-centric approach to engagement and service delivery and trained human capital. As per the annual audited financials for FY 2023-24, Axis Max Life Insurance has achieved a gross written premium of INR 29,529 Cr.

For more information, please visit the company website at www.maxlifeinsurance.com.

About YES BANK
YES BANK, a full-service commercial bank headquartered in Mumbai, offers a wide array of products, services, and digital solutions, catering to Retail, MSME, and Corporate clients. The Bank operates its Brokerage business through YES SECURITIES, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Bank. The Bank has a pan-India presence including an International Banking Unit (IBU) at GIFT City, and a Representative Office in Abu Dhabi.

For more information, please visit the Banks website at www.yesbank.in.

AUM, India’s Spiritual Well-being Sanctuary, Concludes Transformative Kumbh Retreat for 200 Seekers

AUM, a leading spiritual well-being sanctuary,recently concluded its immersive Kumbh Retreat, a uniquely curated experience that brought together 200 seekers from across India and the world. Designed to offer a deeper understanding of Sanatan Dharma and India’s rich spiritual heritage, this retreat provided an unparalleled opportunity for participants to engage in sacred rituals, meaningful discourse, and personal transformation-all while enjoying luxury and comfort.

AUM, India’s Spiritual Well-being Sanctuary, concludes Transformative Kumbh Retreat for 200 Seekers

Despite unforeseen challenges in the lead-up to the retreat-including last-minute venue cancellations, logistical hurdles, and unexpected government restrictions-the dedicated AUM team worked tirelessly to ensure a seamless experience. Their unwavering commitment turned obstacles into opportunities, ultimately delivering an enriching spiritual journey for all attendees.

A Sacred Confluence of Tradition & Transformation

The retreat, held from February 20-23, 2025, attracted a diverse audience, including doctors from the USA and Dubai, consulate members, and foreign dignitaries. The overwhelming response demonstrated the deep resonance of the Kumbh festival, with registrations filling up organically, requiring minimal marketing efforts.

A carefully curated program ensured that participants experienced the essence of the Kumbh Mela beyond the traditional Snan (holy dip) and Akhara visits:

  • Enlightening Discourses – Spiritual coach Om Dhumatkar shared profound insights into the history and significance of the Kumbh festival.

  • Sacred Rituals – Seekers participated inPitra Puja, Ganga Aarti, and Rudra Yagna, each holding immense spiritual importance when performed at the Kumbh.

  • Holistic Well-being Practices – Daily Yoga and Dhyana (meditation) sessions were conducted to encourage deeper self-awareness and mindfulness.

  • Culinary Experience – All meals were specially crafted by AUM’s in-house chef, offering nutritious, authentic, and sattvic cuisine.

  • Soulful Music – The retreat concluded with an enchanting musical evening by the celebrated artist Kavita Paudwal.

Key Highlights & Impact

  • Exceptional Participation – AUM’s experiences typically host25-30 guests; however, the Kumbh Retreat drew an unprecedented 200 participants, marking a significant milestone.

  • Flawless Execution Amidst Challenges – Despite unexpected logistical obstacles, the AUM team ensured a smooth and enriching journey for all attendees.

  • Profound Guest Feedback – Participants described the retreat as more than just a visit to the Kumbh-it was a transformative experience that deepened their spiritual growth and sense of community.

AUM: A Vision for Conscious Living

AUM is committed to fostering self-awareness and holistic well-being through yoga, meditation, healing, and timeless wisdom. With a growing community of seekers, AUM aspires to become an urban ashram, curating immersive retreats, residential programs, and global collaborations to guide individuals on their journey to self-discovery.

Following the remarkable success of the Kumbh Retreat, AUM is set to curate 6-8 exclusive retreats annually, including one international, several domestic, corporate, and special pilgrimage-based journeys-each meticulously designed to blend spiritual exploration with luxury and comfort.

Fashion Business Summit 2025 Empowers Entrepreneurs with Insights from Industry Leaders

The Fashion Business Summit 2025, hosted by renowned fashion business coach Harvi Shah, concluded on a high note at Courtyard by Marriott, Mumbai International Airport. This two-day power-packed event on February 20th and 21st brought together some of the most influential minds in fashion, entrepreneurship, and personal development, offering invaluable insights to aspiring and established fashionpreneurs alike.

Harvi Shah Leads the Way: Fashion Business Summit 2025 Honors Trailblazing D2C Fashion Entrepreneurs

With a stellar lineup of speakers, the summit featured Tanvi Johri, Co-founder of Carmesi, Gayathri Shivaram, Healing & Manifestation Coach, and Marisha Lakhiani, Chief Growth Officer of Mindvalley, along with Harvi Shah herself. These industry stalwarts shared their expertise, providing attendees with actionable strategies to build and scale sustainable fashion businesses while integrating personal and professional growth.

“This summit was designed to bridge the gap between fashion entrepreneurship and business acumen,” said Harvi Shah. “Our goal was to equip attendees with the tools, mindset, and network required to thrive in the competitive fashion industry. The overwhelming response and engagement from the audience reaffirm that the future of fashion business is brighter than ever.”

Empowering a Thriving Community

Harvi Shah’s coaching initiative, which began post-COVID, has grown into a thriving community of over 10,000 members. Of these, approximately 900 members have successfully launched their own D2C fashion brands, with many seeing impressive business growth. The summit saw the participation of 200 community members, and over 70 individuals were felicitated for their achievements, including 10 entrepreneurs who scaled their businesses to exceed Rs. 1 crore in revenue after joining the community.

Harvi herself has been running a successful D2C fashion jewelry brand, BlingBag, for the past 10 years, teaching from first-hand experience. Her journey as a fashion entrepreneur adds a unique depth to her mentorship, allowing her to share practical insights rooted in real business challenges and successes.

Key sessions delved into brand-building strategies, digital transformation, mindful entrepreneurship, and unlocking business potential through manifestation techniques. Attendees had the opportunity to participate in networking sessions, expert-led workshops, and interactive panel discussions that provided deep industry insights and practical takeaways.

Event Highlights & Recognition

The summit commenced with a captivating light show and an introductory session by Harvi Shah, followed by a high-impact activity emphasizing the event’s theme. Notable moments included an inspiring fireside chat with Manish and powerful testimonials from community members who transformed their businesses through Harvi’s guidance. Gayathri Shivaram’s session on healing and manifestation and Marisha Lakhiani’s insights on AI in fashion further enriched the learning experience.

A major highlight of the event was the awards and recognition segment, celebrating entrepreneurs who have achieved significant business milestones. From those who have just launched their ventures to those earning multi-crore revenues, the summit served as a testament to the success and impact of Harvi Shah’s mentorship.

As the curtains close on this year’s summit, Harvi Shah and her team look forward to expanding the reach and impact of this initiative, ensuring that fashionpreneurs continue to receive the knowledge and support they need to scale their ventures.

HUDCO and The Akshaya Patra Foundation Join Hands to Provide Free Meals at Maha Kumbh 2025

The Housing and Urban Development Corporation Limited (HUDCO), a Navratna CPSE under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, has partnered with The Akshaya Patra Foundation, a leading non-profit organization in India, to support visitors at the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025.

Bharatarshabha Dasa, Trustee, National President, TAPF and Sanjay Kulshrestha, Chairman, Managing Director, HUDC join hands for Kumbh Mela

HUDCO through its CSR assistance, is supporting establishment of a temporary community kitchen and kitchen-on-wheels, providing free meals for 50 days to the elderly and underprivileged visitors attending the Maha Kumbh at Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. This initiative has been run from January 13 to February 26, 2025, during which millions from around the world will gather to celebrate faith, tradition, and cultural heritage.

HUDCO’s CSR assistance has facilitated the procurement of essential kitchen equipment and other resources for this initiative. After the Mela, the equipment will be repurposed at nearby Akshaya Patra kitchens to continue serving nutritious meals to schoolchildren under the PM Poshan Program and at similar events.

Shri Sanjay Kulshrestha, Chairman & Managing Director of HUDCO, along with officials from HUDCO’s Lucknow Regional Office, visited the facility and participated in meal distribution to the pilgrims. Other HUDCO officials also visited the facility periodically to participate and support the meal distribution efforts.

Sri Bharatarshabha Dasa, Trustee & National President, The Akshaya Patra Foundation, “We are immensely grateful for HUDCO’s generous support, which enables us to serve the visitors of the Maha Kumbh Mela. This partnership represents a beautiful synergy of service and spirituality, fulfilling both the physical and spiritual needs of countless devotees. We are honored to contribute to this revered tradition with HUDCO’s support.”

Shri Sanjay Kulshrestha, Chairman & Managing Director, HUDCO, “At HUDCO, we are committed to making a meaningful impact on society by supporting initiatives that go beyond our core operations. Through this partnership with The Akshaya Patra Foundation at Maha Kumbh Mela 2025, we are privileged to contribute to a centuries-old tradition, ensuring nourishment for vulnerable pilgrims and enhancing their spiritual journey.”

This partnership stands as a testament to the power of collaboration in celebrating India’s rich spiritual heritage. Together, HUDCO and The Akshaya Patra Foundation aim to make a lasting impact, fostering unity and devotion at this monumental event.

About Housing and Urban Development Corporation Limited (HUDCO)

Established in 1970, HUDCO is a Navratna CPSE under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA). Guided by the motto “Profitability with Social Justice”, HUDCO has played a pivotal role in shaping India’s urban landscape by providing sustainable housing and infrastructure solutions. Over its 54-year journey, HUDCO has focused on addressing the housing and infrastructure needs of underserved communities. Recognized as a Non-Banking Financial Company – Infrastructure Finance Company (NBFC-IFC) by the Reserve Bank of India, HUDCO continues to contribute to the vision of a Viksit Bharat by facilitating sustainable asset creation.

About The Akshaya Patra Foundation

The Akshaya Patra Foundation is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to eliminating classroom hunger and addressing malnutrition in India. As an implementing partner of the PM Poshan Program, it provides nutritious mid-day meals to children in government and government-aided schools, thereby encouraging education and improving health outcomes.

Since its inception in 2000, the Foundation has grown from serving 1,500 children in five schools to becoming the world’s largest not-for-profit mid-day meal provider, currently serving over 2.25 million children across 23,000 schools in 16 states and two union territories. Akshaya Patra’s state-of-the-art kitchens are internationally recognized and continue to inspire visitors from around the globe.

For more details, please log on:www.akshayapatra.org.

The Gig Economy’s Big Moment: What Comes Next

The Indian Finance Minister’s budget announced a comprehensive initiative to extend formal recognition and social security benefits to platform-based gig workers by providing their ID cards with registration on the e-Shram portal. This marks a significant step toward formalizing India’s rapidly expanding gig economy. With over 7.7 million gig workers in India as of 2020-projected to grow to 23.5 million by 2029-30 (NITI Aayog, 2022)-this sector plays a pivotal role in the country’s digital services ecosystem. From ride-hailing drivers to food delivery personnel and freelancers, gig workers have transformed urban economies, yet they remain largely excluded from formal financial systems and social security nets.

The announcement rightly acknowledges the need for formalization and financial inclusion of gig workers. It could help bridge the gap by enabling access to formal credit, insurance, and government welfare schemes. Currently, only 8% of gig workers have access to health insurance, and less than 2% contribute to retirement funds (NITI Aayog, 2022). Integrating this policy with financial literacy programs, microcredit solutions, and pension schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-Dhan (PMSYM) can ensure long-term economic security for this workforce.

For the policy to have a lasting impact, it must also address the intersection of the gig economy with India’s youth employment landscape. With over 62% of India’s population in the working-age group (15-59 years) and a median age of 29 years by 2030, structured skill development is essential. Young workers, particularly those from low- and middle-income segments, often lack career guidance and face a mismatch between acquired skills and industry demands.

In this context of the digital nature of work profiles (characteristic of industry 4.5 and 5.0), the flexibility allowed by digital interfaces, creating pathways for gig workers to join formal employment, and the flexibility to move back and forth will be crucial. After all, gig work should serve as a stepping stone to formal employment for those who seek stability and career progression while also being a viable, sustainable career path for those who prefer flexibility and autonomy. Some ideas worth considering include recognizing the skills of gig workers, such as those under the Recognition of Prior Learning scheme and recognizing and promoting gig work as work-based learning in formal education. Singapore’s Skills Future initiative provides lifelong learning credits to workers, enabling continuous skill development and career adaptability.

The government needs to maintain a delicate balance between providing social security benefits and not overregulating through the current labour laws, as the latter can limit the sector’s USP-flexibility and growth.

Further, investment in AI-driven reskilling programs and apprenticeships aligned with emerging job markets is imperative. For example, a 2023 NASSCOM report indicates that over 50% of Indian companies struggle to find workers skilled in AI, robotics, and cybersecurity. The World Economic Forum (2023) highlights that by 2025, 97 million new jobs will emerge globally in automation and digital sectors, many requiring adaptable skill sets. Tailoring training programs to meet these demands can enhance job readiness and economic productivity.

Collaboration with industry leaders and businesses can help. Employers should be encouraged to add minimum remuneration and skilling standards. Policies should incentivize companies to invest in gig worker training and offer learning stipends for gig workers to encourage participation in upskilling programs. More collaboration could encourage portable benefits models, such as those in France and the Netherlands, allowing gig workers to accumulate social security benefits regardless of their employer. Additionally, fostering collaboration among gig platforms, banks, and skilling institutions can ensure affordable access to credit, insurance, and continuous learning opportunities.

In conclusion, formalizing gig workers through identity cards is a commendable move, but its impact can be realized only if it is integrated with financial and skilling initiatives from both the public and private sectors. By aligning market needs with youth aspirations, the country can unlock the full potential of its human capital and position itself as a global leader in the future digital and industrial economies.

Byomkesh Mishra, Co-founder, Medha and Akhand Tiwari (Partner, MicroSave Consulting, (MSC).