National, March 11th, 2025: PhonePe, today announced that it has crossed 600 million (60 crore) registered users on its platform. This marks a significant milestone for the company, which will celebrate its 10-year anniversary this year, and has grown to serve hundreds of millions of customers with its financial services and technology solutions.

PhonePe’s consistent enhancement of its product and service offerings, combined with growing customer preference for the platform, has contributed to reaching this milestone. The company’s development of a secure payment system focused on reliability, speed, and personalized transaction experiences has gained traction among millions of users. This growth can also be attributed to PhonePe’s widespread adoption across its merchant network throughout the country, creating a robust digital payment ecosystem that serves both consumers and businesses alike.

Speaking about the milestone, Sameer Nigam, Co-founder & CEO, of PhonePe said, “Reaching 60 crore registered users is a proud moment for all of us at PhonePe. Every milestone we achieve brings us a step closer to realising our vision of building a truly inclusive financial ecosystem. We will continue building homegrown solutions to meet the evolving needs of our users and help drive India’s digital transformation.”

INDIA – March 11, 2025: Agora, Inc. (NASDAQ: API), a global leader in real-time engagement solutions, is expanding into AI-powered robotics and interactive toys with its new ConvoAI Device Kit. This breakthrough solution—developed in partnership with chip-maker Beken—delivers an all-in-one toolkit that empowers developers and manufacturers to create intelligent, voice-driven interactions for next-generation conversational AI in smart devices.

The ConvoAI Device Kit integrates Beken’s high-performance AI chip modules with Agora’s Conversational AI technology, enabling ultra-low latency voice interactions, intelligent dialogue processing, and seamless real-time communication. This innovative solution is designed to make AI-driven devices, toys, and robots more interactive, intuitive, and emotionally responsive.

“Conversational AI is key to making robots and AI-driven toys truly interactive, engaging, and intuitive,” said Tony Zhao, CEO of Agora. “By integrating Agora’s technology into Beken’s chips, IoT toymakers like Robopoet will transform entertainment, education, and emotional support by enabling more natural conversations, adaptive learning, and personalized interactions that evolve with the user over time.”

As part of this expansion, Agora is proud to power Robopoet’s latest AI companion robot, Fuzzoo, unveiled at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) last week. Designed to redefine emotional wellness, Fuzzoo is an AI-powered emotional companion that listens, senses, and responds in real-time. Robopoet’s Multimodal Emotion Model (MEM) leverages Agora’s ConvoAI Device Kit to offer personalized support and foster emotional connection.

“Agora’s AI technology enables toys and robots to interact in a way that feels natural and engaging,” said Yuna Pan, Co-Founder and CTO of Robopoet. “With real-time voice processing, emotional AI, and advanced speech capabilities, Agora makes seamless human-machine interaction possible and ensures exceptional performance and reliability.”

New Delhi, March 11, 2025 – iQOO, the high-performance smartphone brand from the vivo group, announces going deeper and bigger on its commitment towards mobile gaming excellence in India. The company has partnered with India’s top seven gamers- Dynamo Gaming, GamerFleet, Mortal, Payal Gaming, Scout, Shreeman Legend, and UnGraduate Gamer- to help the brand in designing high performance devices for a seamless gaming and live streaming experience.

The gamers will use, test, provide feedback and certify all the iQOO smartphones starting with iQOO Neo 10R. In addition to this, the gamers will be using iQOO devices as their primary device for their YouTube streams. With this partnership, iQOO aims to deliver a gaming and live streaming experience built by gamers, for gamers, ensuring that every aspect of the smartphone meets the demands of both professional and casual gamers.

The iQOO Neo 10R is the first smartphone tested and certified by these gamers, featuring the Snapdragon® 8s Gen 3 processor. It also boasts the India’s slimmest 6400mAh battery*, offering long-lasting power without sacrificing design. Set to launch on 11th March 2025, the device promises an exceptional gaming experience.

Commenting on the partnership, Nipun Marya, CEO of iQOO, said, “These gamers are the real questers, the catalysts behind the Esports culture in India. As a company committed to pushing the boundaries of gaming, we are collaborating with them to ensure the best gaming experience on iQOO smartphones.

With iQOO at the forefront of mobile Esports in India, we envision this partnership further enhancing the Android gaming experience for everyone- from casual to serious gamers. By collaborating with these gamers to test and certify our smartphones, we are ensuring a product built by gamers in our shared quest to redefine mobile gaming.”

With the Indian gaming market projected to reach $9.2 billion by FY’29 (Report by Lumikai in a partnership with Google), iQOO is reinforcing its position as a key enabler of this booming gaming ecosystem in India. This collaboration focuses on advancing gaming technology and providing the next generation of Android mobile gamers with a device designed for peak performance.

In December 2024, iQOO partnered with 6 BGMI Esports teams and over 100 gamers to promote Esports in India. Additionally, in 2023, the company onboarded a 23-year-old Gen Z Chief Gaming Officer to collaborate directly with Gen Z gamers, gathering valuable feedback on the gaming performance of iQOO smartphones.iQOO was the official mobile phone partner for Esports in the 2022 Asian Games.

Kolkata, 11th March 2025: The Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) hosted an industry interaction with Dr. Subrata Gupta, IAS, Union Secretary, Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Government of India on Monday, 10^th March 2025 at The Lalit Great Eastern, Kolkata. The session focused on strengthening India’s food processing sector, reducing wastage, and enhancing value addition for farmers and entrepreneurs. Other notable figures include D. Praveen, IAS, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Government of India; Deepti Thakur, Senior Manager, Invest India; Shrikant Goenka, Chairman, Agriculture & Food Processing, Indian Chamber of Commerce; and Dr. Rajeev Singh, Director General, Indian Chamber of Commerce.

Dr. Subrata Gupta, IAS, Union Secretary, Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Government of India, said, “While processing is sometimes criticised, it has been part of our culture for centuries—our grandmothers made pickles, papads and batters to preserve and enhance food. Today, India is one of the largest producers of rice, wheat, milk, fish and meat, yet we process only around 10% of our total food production. This low processing rate leads to wastage and loss of income for farmers. Processing ensures better price realisation for farmers and a wider variety of food for consumers. Despite our strength in production, processing levels vary—21% in milk, 36% in meat but only 34% in fruits and vegetables. Fresh food is ideal, but not always accessible. Processing fills this gap, allowing us to enjoy seasonal produce year-round. This gap also presents immense opportunities for entrepreneurs. A small entrepreneur I met in Madhya Pradesh turned pumpkin and bottle gourd into powder, supplying both domestic and international markets with an annual turnover of ₹300 crores. Stories like his highlight the vast potential in food processing. The demand for processed food is growing, especially with urbanisation and changing lifestyles. People seek quick, nutritious options, creating a market for ready-to-eat and ready-to-cook products. Recognising this, the Ministry of Food Processing Industries has launched multiple initiatives to support businesses of all sizes. The PM Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) scheme has already helped over 1.24 lakh small businesses. Larger initiatives like the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana provide end-to-end infrastructure support, including cold storage, processing units and food testing labs. The food processing sector is resilient, as seen during COVID 19 when demand remained strong. It is a sector with immense potential, driven by increasing consumer demand, abundant raw materials and supportive government policies. The future of food is here and it is processed, innovative and promising.”

Praveen, IAS, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Government of India, said, “Kolkata, known for its rich culinary heritage, is a major producer of rice, pineapple, brinjal, cauliflower and globally recognized brands like Darjeeling tea. However, despite our strengths, India remains one of the largest contributors to food wastage. Strengthening food processing is key to reducing this and increasing farmers’ income. The Ministry of Food Processing Industries is committed to fostering growth across micro, small, medium, and large enterprises. Under the ₹10,000 crore PMFME scheme, 140 micro-entrepreneurs in West Bengal have received assistance, along with 1,800 SHG members benefiting from seed capital. For SMEs, PMKSY supports infrastructure development, with 50 projects approved in West Bengal, 40 completed and over ₹900 crores invested. Additionally, under the PLI scheme, six projects with an investment of ₹180 crores have been sanctioned. To boost market access and collaboration, the Ministry launched World Food India—a global platform for industry stakeholders. The 2024 edition expanded to 70,000 sq. meters with 1,587 exhibitors, hosting technical sessions, G2G, B2G and B2B meetings, along with the Global Food Regulatory Summit. Encouraged by industry response, we are making World Food India an annual event. The next edition, scheduled for September 25–28, 2025, at Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan, aims to exceed 1 lakh sq. meters. This is India’s premier food processing platform—our own global opportunity.”

Deepti Thakur, Senior Manager, Invest India, said, “World Food India 2024 showcased India’s food processing potential with innovation, sustainability, and global partnerships. The event saw participation from 10 Indian ministries, 26 states & UTs, 16 international delegations, and 20 exhibiting countries, with Japan, Iran, and Vietnam as Partner and Focus Countries. Over 809 international buyers from 109 countries took part in 80,000+ reverse buyer-seller meetings. Four Partner States (Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh) and seven Focus States exhibited their strengths, alongside 1,500+ exhibitors across 70,000 sq. meters. The Start-up Grand Challenge 2.0 and a high-level round table with 100+ industry leaders further drove sectoral growth. Key highlights included 40 thematic sessions with 250+ speakers, six bilateral meetings and the India-Japan Joint Working Group on agriculture. The Great Indian Food Street featured celebrity chefs, while MoUs were signed between NIFTY and industry stakeholders. Building on its 2024 success, World Food India 2025 will expand to 100,000 sq. meters at Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, from 25th to 28th September.”

Shrikant Goenka, Chairman, Agriculture & Food Processing, Indian Chamber of Commerce, said, “This session holds special significance as we engage with a ministry that plays a pivotal role in bridging agriculture and industry—a connection that directly impacts India’s farmers, entrepreneurs and consumers. The food processing sector is a key driver of economic growth, contributing significantly to the Gross Value Added (GVA) of our country and emerging as one of India’s Sunrise Industries. The ministry’s initiatives, such as the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana, Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for the Food Processing Industry, Mega Food Parks and Cold Chain Infrastructure, are instrumental in strengthening organised linkages between farms and factories. These efforts ensure that agricultural produce is processed efficiently, reducing wastage and enhancing value addition at every stage. India is already the world’s largest producer of milk, second largest producer of fruits and vegetables and a global leader in grains and spices. However, without robust food processing capabilities, much of this potential remains underutilised. The ministry’s leadership in policy formulation, infrastructure development and technology promotion is therefore crucial in transforming our agricultural abundance into higher farm incomes, increased exports and greater employment opportunities. For us in the industry, food processing is not just a business opportunity—it is a national priority. It ensures food security, empowers rural entrepreneurs and enhances India’s global standing in the agri-food sector.”

Dr. Rajeev Singh, Director General, Indian Chamber of Commerce, said, “The Ministry of Food Processing Industries has various arms, including NIFTEM, CFT, APEDA, state governments, NABARD and other key players who can provide guidance, support and mentorship to businesses in the sector. With World Food India on the horizon, ICC is eager to contribute in every possible way, as the Ministry deems fit.”

Hyderabad, March 11, 2025……The Federation of Telangana Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FTCCI) organised a Conference on Navigating Corporate Failure and Digital Fraud: Pathways to Success at FTCCI Surana Auditorium, Federation House, Hyderabad on Monday evening

The program was organised to explore how good governance practices can help companies prevent fraud and corruption. It also covered the consequences of failing to do so.

Giving his opening remarks, Dr Suresh Kumar Singhal, President of FTCCI, said the program was a platform for dialogues, learning and collaboration to prevent digital frauds.

Naresh Chandra and Dr Tasneem Shariff, Chair and Co-chair of the Corporate Laws, IBC & ADR Committee set the tone for the meeting, introduced speakers.

 Sri V C Sajjanar, IPS, Vice Chairman & Managing Director, Telangana State Road Transport Corporation was the chief guest.

Addressing a 150-plus audience, Mr. Sajjanar said he was a hardcore police officer, then tasked to manage TGRTC as MD.  I didn’t know business.  When I took over, the Corporation was not doing well and it was loss-making.  The total turnover of the corporation in September 2021, when he took over, was Rs 3800 crore. We turned it around now in four years.  Today it is a billion-dollar company. The turnover next year is likely to reach INR 10,000 crore.

The historical transformation happened because of passion, commitment, determination and hard work of our 50,000 employees, he shared

This was also possible due to the strong government support, without which we couldn’t have navigated the scenario. You need to have strong internal controls, and transparency. We have been paying TGRTC employees without defaulting salaries and paid salaries on the first of the month due to a bit of financial engineering, he shared

Speaking about digital frauds, Mr. Sajjanar said we have reached a stage, we can’t do without technology.  We depend heavily on it.  The rise of AI and Big Data also increased the scope of digital fraud. Digital Frauds have been rising at an alarming pace. The cybercriminals are exploiting the increasing reliance on online platforms to steal personal information, money, and disrupt businesses.  Hence, digital frauds have to be boardroom priorities of all the corporate houses.

Sajjanar, a former top cop, suggested that AI-powered fraud detection must be used to analyze data and identify suspicious activity. Use Blockchain technology to secure financial transactions, which ensures tamper-proof and resistant to alteration.  Training the staff on cybersecurity is important to prevent digital frauds, and focus on educating them about basic security practices.  Digital fraud is no longer a business risk, it is a societal concern, Sajjanar said.

A.J. Jawad, Registrar of International Arbitration & Mediation Centre (IAMC), Guest of honour, a seasoned advocate, Senior Mediator and Trainer said business and marriages have a similarity.  In both cases we don’t anticipate trouble.  The courts in India have 5 crore pending cases, to dispose of them we need 324 years, provided there are no more new cases added.  Further, when the dispute gets locked, 1.5% to 2% of GDP is lost due to the delayed outcomes in the country.  The only way out for this is mediation and arbitration.  Don’t wait for judicial reforms.  Mediate the deal before you seal the deal.  Then, if there is any dispute that arises, mediation can be

FTCCI and IAMC signed a letter of support between the two organisations to spread knowledge and create awareness about the same.

Aruna Ravikumar, Journalist and Author, talked on Red Flag in detecting corporate frauds, be aware, be prepared.  She spoke about MLM (Multi-Level Marketing) and Ponzi scheme

We believe the popular saying that an idea can change a life.   But an idea can also destroy your business, she said.

Answering a question, Aruna said fraud is not gender based.  Women want to get into men’s world.  We see many women involved in digital fraud now.  Though it is not gender specific, you need to be alert, use common sense, and don’t fall prey to easy money.

Chartered Accountant Sharath Kumar delved into Leadership Strategies for Navigating Fraud in Digital AI. AI-driven frauds are on the rise.  Blind trust on it can be suicidal.  AI is a double-edged weapon. He gave a lot of case studies of recent frauds and how many corporate executives fell prey to cyber cheaters.  Digital frauds happen when human intelligence fails. Human observation and common sense are very important.

The father and son duo of Niloufer Cafe Mr. Babu Rao and his son Shashank Anumula, MD of ABR Cafe & Bakers Pvt Ltd spoke about The Silver Lining of Setbacks: Turning Failures into Strategic Advantage. They shared their success, challenges and future plans.  The café, which had 30 people in 1978, has now risen to a 2000-employee café.  We are the only café in the world to have 2000 employees with just five outlets.  We have one lakh walkins into our cafes every day. Mr. Babu Rao shared that they were coming out with another outlet in Gachibowli in 40,000 sft on the 19^th April.

Sairam Palabindela, Founder of Cyber Security Solutions, talked about Strategies for Prevention, Recovery, and Growth.