Bengaluru, March 12, 2025: Swiggy, India’s pioneering on-demand convenience platform, today shared that its ‘SNACC’ app now delivers to a majority of locations across Bengaluru. The newly launched app by Swiggy offers a range of high quality food and beverages with quick discovery, quick checkout and fast delivery. The app caters to a variety of needs of users- coffee, tea and cold beverages, snacks (like samosa, fries, sandwiches etc.), all day breakfast (like Poha, omelet, bun maska etc.), healthy food (The Whole Truth protein shakes, salads etc.), homestyle meals. bakes, snacks (like sandwiches, rolls etc.).

Launched in January in Bengaluru, Swiggy has designed the SNACC app to reduce the time spent discovering and finding your preferred food and quick bites, both frequently ordered categories, to conveniently deliver high quality food in 10 minutes.

SNACC app witnessed a record sale on Sunday when the big Champions Trophy final was scheduled to take place. It saw a 2.5 x increase in sales as compared to previous Sunday. SNACC was truly the favourite match time companion for Bengaluru. The top items ordered on the app include Maggi, Sandwiches, Samosa, Fries, and Chicken Popcorn. Cold Coffee, Vietnamese Iced Kaapi and Adrak Chai were the preferred beverages ordered.

Commenting on the expansion, Satheesh Raman, Business Head, SNACC, shared “We understand that waiting to order that one coffee or that quick bite while going through several layers of the app when one just needs a break can get tiresome. With SNACC, we are trying to address this. You can just fire up the app, find your choice right up on the homepage, and it will be at your doorstep in 10 minutes. In today’s day and age, everyone wants easy, quick, non-cumbersome fixes and solutions and thus, we are providing that with the expansion of SNACC across the majority of locations in Bengaluru. The response since the launch of the app in January has been encouraging. After revolutionizing food delivery and quick commerce, we aim to further make life more convenient for users through SNACC.”

Pune’s residential real estate market has entered 2025 on a strong growth trajectory, building on the momentum of previous years. The city’s growing status as a corporate hub continues to increase housing demand. Affordability, better infrastructure development, and improved connectivity remain key factors influencing homebuying decisions.

Pune’s overall residential market saw significant growth in 2024. The average housing price reached a historic high of ₹6,590 per square foot, reflecting an 11% annual increase. This price appreciation was accompanied by record home sales of 90,127 units during the year, as reported by Gera Developments.

Commenting on this Mr Shashank Vashishtha, Managing Director, Exp Realty India said, “The Pune real estate market has consistently demonstrated its resilience and potential, and the latest Gera report is a testament to its meteoric rise. An 11% surge in housing prices in 2024, reaching an all-time high, signifies not only the growing demand but also Pune’s evolving stature as a premier real estate hub in India. This growth trajectory is fueled by the city’s unique blend of affordability, robust infrastructure development, and a thriving job market. Pune’s ability to strike a fine balance between residential and commercial real estate growth further enhances its appeal, especially for those seeking long-term, sustainable returns. As one of the most vibrant and dynamic real estate markets in the country, Pune is poised to shape the future of urban living in India, solidifying its position as a top choice for real estate investment.”

Traditionally known for attracting value-conscious buyers, the city is now witnessing an unprecedented demand for luxury residences priced at Rs 3-4 crore and above. The surge in luxury housing demand is fueled by Pune’s diverse economic base, which includes technology, financial services, and manufacturing sectors. These industries have expanded the buyer pool beyond high-net-worth individuals (HNIs) and non-resident Indians (NRIs), drawing in a new generation of affluent homebuyers.

Unlike in the past, when luxury developments were concentrated in Koregaon Park, Kalyani Nagar, and Baner, premium housing projects are now emerging in areas like NIBM Road in Kondhwa and the IT hub of Hinjawadi. The ongoing expansion of the Pune Metro and the development of the Pune Ring Road have further boosted demand in these locations.

According to a CBRE report, Pune recorded the sale of 825 luxury apartments in 2024, more than doubling the 400 units sold in 2023. However, new supply has not kept pace with this demand, with only 295 units launched in 2024 compared to 390 units in 2023. Developers are responding cautiously, strategically planning their future projects to capitalize on the sustained appetite for high-end residences.

One of the standout projects in Pune’s luxury real estate segment is The Ark by Tribeca Developers. As the only officially licensed partner of Trump Towers in India, Tribeca has cemented its presence in the premium housing market. The Ark, featuring six meticulously designed towers, has gained significant traction, with its final tower, Cullinan, achieving 40% sales within just 30 days. A defining highlight of The Ark is its 2.75-acre rooftop terrace, the largest in India, which offers over 25 world-class amenities. These include a half-Olympic-size infinity pool, a 10,000 sq. ft. children’s play area, indoor and outdoor gyms, a Zen Garden, a sky bar, and a multi-cuisine restaurant.

Girish Kamble, CEO – West, Tribeca Developers “At Tribeca, our experience in Pune has taught us that the city’s demand for high-quality housing continues to evolve in tandem with its growing urban infrastructure and thriving corporate ecosystem. In early 2024, we witnessed this firsthand when we launched the final tower of our luxury project, The Ark, selling 40% of the inventory within just a few weeks. Pune’s real estate market has shown remarkable resilience, with average housing prices reaching an all-time high in 2024, reflecting a double-digit growth. Over the past five years, the city has consistently demonstrated a 40% price appreciation and a robust absorption of over 85,000 homes annually. This performance firmly establishes Pune as a preferred destination for discerning homebuyers seeking both value and quality.”

Further expanding its footprint in Pune, Tribeca recently announced a partnership with Serianee Corrp to develop a landmark mixed-use project in Lullanagar. Spanning 3 acres, this ambitious development will feature two iconic towers along with premium retail spaces, covering a total development area of 8 lakh square feet and targeting estimated net sales exceeding INR 1,000 crores.

Mumbai, March 12th, 2025: For over three decades, Crossword Bookstores, India’s largest and most recognized bookstore chain, has been at the heart of India’s reading culture, creating spaces where book lovers can browse, discover, and connect. The beloved brand continues its strong growth trajectory with a strategic expansion plan across key cities. With 120 stores across 40 cities, the brand has seen significant financial growth, reporting a current revenue of ₹275 crore, marking a substantial increase over the past year. Looking ahead, Crossword projects ₹400 crore in revenue for the next financial year, driven by a 30%+ growth rate, as it expands its presence across metros and Tier 2 cities.

As the world of books continues to evolve, Crossword is embarking on an exciting new chapter—one that strengthens its presence across India while opening doors to fresh possibilities beyond. The demand for curated bookstore experiences remains stronger than ever, and Crossword is responding with strategic expansion in key cities. As part of this aggressive growth strategy, Crossword will increase its footprint to over 150 stores by the end of 2025. With a commitment to fostering this enthusiasm, Crossword has launched new stores in Jamshedpur this month, with Delhi, Chennai, Siliguri and Hyderabad next in line.

More than just a bookstore, Crossword has been a cultural hub—bringing readers, authors, and literary communities together. Over the years, it has hosted some of the world’s most celebrated authors, including Yuval Noah Harari, Ruskin Bond, David Walliams, Amish Tripathi, Twinkle Khanna Sudha Murty, Devdutt Pattanaik, and Durjoy Datta, among many others. From author interactions and book launches to reviving the prestigious Crossword Book Awards last year, it continues to champion literature and storytelling. The response from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities has been extraordinary, reaffirming that the love for books runs deep across India. Even in the digital age, Crossword thrives by offering something irreplaceable—the joy of discovering books in an immersive, community-driven space.

“Crossword is entering a transformative phase, where our focus is not just on growth but on redefining the bookstore experience. We are investing in strategic expansion, innovation, and community-driven experiences that keep books at the centre of India’s cultural fabric. Our goal is to reach 300 stores over the next five years, making Crossword an even more accessible and immersive destination for book lovers.” says Aakash Gupta, CEO of Crossword Bookstores.

As the brand grows, new horizons are emerging. While focused on strengthening its footprint in India, Crossword is also exploring opportunities beyond national borders, setting the stage for an exciting new phase in its journey. With a rich legacy and an ambitious vision for the future, Crossword is poised to redefine the bookstore experience for a wider audience, ensuring that its passion for books reaches readers wherever they are!

New Delhi, March 12, 2025 – Elista, a leading Indian consumer electronics brand known for diverse range of innovative technology products, is now expanding its portfolio by venturing into storage solutions. To spearhead this new category, Elista has appointed Mr. Sanjay Kumar as Director (Sales) – Storage Solutions, marking a significant milestone in its journey of innovation and growth.

With over 27 years of experience in the IT flash storage industry, Mr. Kumar is a seasoned professional with expertise in product sales, business strategy, and market expansion. He has been instrumental in driving revenue growth and launching innovative products in highly competitive markets. Prior to joining Elista, Mr. Kumar held leadership roles at esteemed organizations like OSCOO, Moser Baer and Beetel, where he drove growth and strengthened market presence. As Director (Sales), he will drive the growth of Elista’s upcoming product category while supporting the company’s global expansion goals.

Welcoming Mr. Kumar to the team, Mr. Pawan Kumar, CEO of Elista, said: “We are pleased to have Sanjay Kumar join us as we expand into the storage solutions category. His extensive experience and strategic approach will be pivotal in establishing this segment as a vital part of our diverse portfolio. The storage solutions market is evolving rapidly, and with Sanjay’s leadership, we aim to deliver innovative, high-quality products that address both consumer and business needs. His insights will also help us strengthen our presence in key markets and align with Elista’s long-term vision of growth and excellence.”

 Elista, part of the TeknoDome Group, has rapidly evolved since its inception in 2020, growing from a startup into a global brand present in over 18 countries. With plans to expand to 35 countries within two years and a revenue target of Rs 1,500 crore by 2026, Elista remains committed to delivering innovative, affordable products to diverse markets worldwide.

The addition of the storage solutions category reflects Elista’s focus on addressing the growing demand for high-performance, reliable products. This new segment will enhance Elista’s portfolio, positioning the brand to meet evolving consumer needs while capitalizing on emerging market opportunities.

New Delhi, 12 March, 2025 – Somany Ceramics, a leader in the ceramics and bathware industry, has been officially recognised as a Great Place to Work® Certified™ organisation in India for the period February, 2025 to 2026. This prestigious certification underscores the company’s steadfast dedication to fostering a workplace culture rooted in trust, collaboration, and excellence.

With a history of over 50 years, Somany is driven by innovation and excellence and people are the driving force behind its success. Somany Ceramics has built a work environment where employees feel valued, empowered, and motivated to contribute meaningfully. With a strong emphasis on innovation, inclusivity, and continuous learning, Somany Ceramics ensures that every team member thrives both professionally and personally.

Mr. Abhishek Somany, Managing Director & CEO, Somany Ceramics, on this occasion said “This certification is a testimony to our unwavering commitment to fostering a culture of trust, collaboration, and excellence—where every individual thrives, and innovation flourishes. I am happy that our employee participation stood at 97% and overall rating were at 93% which is a testimony of a culture of excellence and inclusivity.”

Somany Ceramics has implemented extensive policies that promote a healthy and supportive work culture. These programs aim to develop talent, promote innovation, and provide a sense of value, belongingness and motivation among employees. Furthermore, the organisation has developed structured reward schemes to honour performances, enhancing a culture of collaboration, honesty, and leadership.

Great Place to Work® is the global authority on workplace culture, dedicated to helping organisations build environment where employees can thrive. The certification process is the most sought-after recognition worldwide, leveraging proprietary research and methodologies to assess employee experiences across 150 countries, setting the global benchmark for workplace excellence.

India, 12th March 2025: Noise, India’s leading smartwatch and connected lifestyle brand, is taking its decade-long innovation and market leadership to the global stage. The company has officially announced its international expansion as part of its robust growth strategy, beginning with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region. This strategic move aligns with the brand’s vision of democratizing meaningful technology and making India’s best-in-class innovation accessible to consumers worldwide. Noise announced its entry into the Middle East market with leading partners to establish a strong presence in the region as part of its first expansion phase.

Noise is strengthening its overseas market presence through strategic retail partnerships, online marketplaces, and key distribution networks. To replicate its India success story globally, Noise is bolstering its presence through strategic retail partnerships, online marketplaces, and key distribution networks. As part of this expansion, Noise has entered the Middle East market in collaboration with Lime Concepts. Noise products will now be available across Virgin Mega Stores, a leading lifestyle and electronics retailer in the GCC region. This will provide consumers with a hands-on opportunity to explore and engage with Noise’s premium offerings.

Commenting on this milestone, Gaurav Khatri, Co-Founder of Noise, said, “After leading India’s wearable revolution for over a decade, we are thrilled to take our innovation and offerings to international markets. This global expansion marks the realization of our vision and the next bold chapter in our journey to become a leading force in smart wearables worldwide. Our goal has always been to create technology that seamlessly integrates and enhances users’ everyday lives, and we are excited to introduce the best of Noise to consumers around the globe. As we enter new regions, starting with the GCC through strong strategic partnerships, we are poised to replicate our success story on a global scale as a ‘Made in India, Made for the World’ brand.”

The GCC region marks a strategic first step in Noise’s global expansion, with a market that is primed for smart wearables. Today, the GCC region is home to one of the world’s youngest and most tech-savvy populations, with over 50% under the age of 25. Technology is deeply embedded in their daily lives—not just for convenience but as an essential part of their lifestyle. Smart wearables are no longer a luxury but a necessity; their role is no longer limited as a fitness tracker but encompasses fitness, health, lifestyle, enabling functionalities which allow users to do more with their wearables, while seamlessly integrating into their lives and enhancing their overall experience. With these parameters accelerating digital adoption, it makes this an opportune time for Noise to bring their offerings to the market.

Noise’s global expansion is a strategic effort towards replicating its India playbook of democratizing technology and building consumer trust worldwide. Noise will offer its full range of products across categories—smartwatches, smart rings, and audio devices including the celebrated Luna Ring, Master Buds with Sound by Bose, and the ColorFit Pro Series. The brand’s NoiseFit App—India’s highest-rated health and fitness platform—will also be a key part of its global proposition, creating an integrated experience for users while expanding the ecosystem with a growing global community.

As a proud ‘Made in India’ brand, Noise has strived to strengthen India’s position in the global smart wearables industry. Its success story has stemmed from its core belief of making premium wearable experience accessible, laced with consumer-centric innovations, industry-forward design and an unwavering consumer loyalty. This milestone further underscores Noise’s vision to empower global consumers with an intelligent, connected ecosystem and establish itself as an aspirational ‘Made for the World’ brand.’ Earlier this year, Noise showcased its offerings at CES, receiving an overwhelming response—further validating the global demand for its advanced wearables.

As Noise enters new territories, it continues to champion India’s innovation prowess, delivering premium smart wearables that cater to evolving global consumer needs. This expansion marks a significant milestone in its journey, reinforcing its mission to bridge technology and lifestyle while setting new benchmarks in the international smart wearables industry.

March 12, 2025 , Roorkee, India: In a landmark development for the food packaging industry , researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT ) Roorkee have presented an advanced , eco-friendly packaging solution designed to extend the shelf life of fruits and vegetables by up to a week . Led by Professor Kirtiraj K. Gaikwad and PhD Scholar Mr Pradeep Kumar of the Department of Paper Technology , the breakthrough involves a novel ethylene scavenger created using naturally occurring modified clay minerals in optimized proportions.

Ethylene , a natural plant hormone , accelerates the ripening of fresh produce , often leading to faster spoilage and significant food waste. Conventional ethylene scavengers typically use synthetic chemicals such as potassium permanganate that can pose health and environmental hazards. In contrast , IIT Roorkee’s 100% modified clay-based scavenger offers a sustainable alternative that effectively adsorbs ethylene , slowing down the ripening process and maintaining the nutritional quality and visual appeal of fruits and vegetables. Laboratory tests have demonstrated an impressive efficiency of 86% in ethylene adsorption under controlled conditions.

This breakthrough is a revolutionary step towards reducing food waste and promoting sustainable living – a goal that resonates with broader national initiatives such as the “Swachh Bharat Abhiyan” and “Atmanirbhar Bharat” . Drawing inspiration from the Institute’s legacy of practical , eco-friendly innovations , the new packaging technology exemplifies how modern research can offer viable solutions to global challenges. By utilising abundant , cost-effective clay minerals , the solution not only meets the growing demand for safe food packaging , but also contributes to a cleaner environment.

In addition to its efficiency , the sustainable packaging innovation is designed for scalability , making it an attractive option for the food packaging industry. “Our technology addresses the dual challenge of reducing food waste and ensuring environmental safety. It is a testament to how advanced research can lead to meaningful change ,” explained Prof. Kirtiraj K. Gaikwad. The technology is now available for licensing , promising to pave the way for widespread adoption of sustainable food preservation methods.

Prof. K.K. Pant, Director, IIT Roorkee, emphasising the Institute’s commitment to impactful research, said , “ At IIT Roorkee , we believe in developing solutions that address real-world challenges. This eco-friendly packaging innovation is a prime example of how scientific advancements can contribute to sustainability while benefiting both industries and consumers. We are proud to be at the forefront of such transformational research.”

With this advancement , IIT Roorkee has cemented its position as a leader in research-driven solutions , setting a new standard at the intersection of technology , sustainability, and public health.

Mumbai – March 12, 2025 – Enterprise software developers are increasingly tasked with going beyond their core skills to create secure, branded applications and digital experiences. WSO2 is addressing this demand with today’s introduction of new, integrated artificial intelligence (AI) based capabilities for automating IAM-related processes. The features are generally available on all three of the company’s identity and access management (IAM) offerings: WSO2 Identity Server open-source software (OSS), Asgardeo identity as a service (IDaaS), and WSO2 Private Identity Cloud.

WSO2 will demonstrate the new AI capabilities for IAM at WSO2Con 2025, which runs March 18-20, 2025 in Barcelona, Spain. Additionally, the company will use the event to preview new functionality for enabling AI-driven applications by providing robust IAM for AI agents and workloads, which will be rolled out in Q2 2025.

“As AI reshapes how developers create and deliver digital experiences, this evolution needs to extend to how we protect those services and the users who rely on them,” said Geethika Cooray, vice president and general manager of identity and access management at WSO2. “Through our new and forthcoming AI capabilities, we are not only helping developers to streamline key IAM-related functions; we’re also empowering them to provide a new generation of secure AI-driven applications and services.”

The new WSO2 product versions build on the proven IAM capabilities of WSO2 Identity Server, Asgardeo, and Private Identity Cloud. Collectively, they manage more than 1 billion identities worldwide and support a range of scenarios, including customer IAM (CIAM) business-to-business (B2B) CIAM, and government-to-citizen (G2C) IAM, among others. Because the three products share the same code base and user interface (UI), WSO2 customers have unprecedented flexibility to migrate between cloud, on-premises, and hybrid deployments while delivering a consistent, best-in-class user experience for developers, consumers, and other users.

The latest IAM product releases also extend WSO2’s leadership in delivering comprehensive functionality for complex B2B IAM and CIAM business scenarios, enhance extensibility to facilitate customization, and add identity verification and post-quantum security.

 Enhanced Productivity via AI-Driven Automation

The new versions of WSO2 Identity Server, Asgardeo, and Private Identity Cloud now offer AI-driven capabilities for the intelligent automation of IAM-related processes, including branding and login flows. The AI-powered branding function analyzes the visual elements of an organization’s existing website and automatically applies colors, fonts, button styles, and more to ensure brand consistency while reducing the manual design effort required for developers. Meanwhile, the AI-powered login flow generator empowers developers to use natural language requests to automatically create customized workflows, accelerating the configuration process while reducing the complexity of authentication.

In Q2 2025, WSO2 will complement current AI-driven developer productivity features with agentic AI security. New capabilities, among others, will include a pre-configured application template for AI agents with built-in IAM protocol support along with the ability to extend current AI agent frameworks with agent authentication and access delegation.

Expanded Comprehensive B2B Support

WSO2 Identity Server, Asgardeo, and Private Identity Cloud offer the industry’s most comprehensive B2B CIAM support. With WSO2, enterprises can easily onboard enterprise customers and their consumers; delegate administration to enterprise customers; flexibly manage complex, multi-level organization hierarchies; and support enterprise customers’ entire B2B application portfolio.

The latest WSO2 IAM products add three new features to further facilitate B2B CIAM implementations. First, enhanced IAM sub-organization functionality enables customers to sign on once to access multiple enterprise customers and sub-organizations or brands within those customers. Second, new impersonation capabilities enable primary organization administrators to operate on their customer organization’s behalf. Third, support for distinct branding and notification options facilitates customization, including application-specific branding for consumer-facing UIs.

Increased Extensibility and Security

WSO2 builds on the strong extensibility provided by WSO2 Identity Server via Java with a new API-based product extension architecture that works with all three IAM products: WSO2 Identity Server, Asgardeo, and Private Identity Cloud. Now enterprise developers can customize their experience—even within a simplified software as a service (SaaS) environment—by using any language they want to build and deploy extensions anywhere they choose, connecting them via APIs. Organizations can then control the execution of these extensions with custom rules.

Additionally, WSO2’s IAM products feature a number of security enhancements: Built-in support for post-quantum safe cryptography protects against a quantum computer’s ability to crack traditional cryptographic techniques. Integration with OnFido provides advanced identity verification (IDV) capabilities. Integration with Sift enables AI-powered fraud decisioning. Finally, a sovereign identity proxy from partner InCountry offers the ability to isolate identity data in other countries to address regulatory requirements.

March 12,2025:Love can be a powerful force but what happens when it’s tested like never before? Novocaine is a high-octane action thriller wrapped around a pulse-pounding love story. When Nate’s world is shattered by the kidnapping of the girl he loves, he must turn his rare condition – an inability to feel pain, into his greatest weapon.

Bringing the intensity to life is The Boys star Jack Quaid, who steps into Nate’s shoes with a fresh challenge of performing action scenes without showing any pain. Talking about this, Jack Quaid said, “The stunt scenes were very fun to do, I have to say. Like a lot of rigorous training and rehearsing and all of that but it was so worth it. And it was so fun to do these fight scenes as a guy who can’t feel pain, it’s a challenge cause your natural instinct is to wince or play like you got hurt like that’s what I’ve done for every other fight scene, and this you have to kind of fight that natural reaction, so we kind of found a way that Nate fights specifically cause he’s not a trained fighter, so that was really cool figuring out how these fight scenes play out”.

Talking about the action sequences and the team behind them, Jack added, “Shout out to Stanny and our entire stunt team. They did such a great job. I think maybe the kitchen fight was my favourite one to do and then there’s a scene in this rundown house that was unbelievably fun to do. Nathan Kane can’t feel pain, that’s about it!”

Directed by Dan Berk and Robert Olsen, Novocaine delivers a gripping mix of action, romance, and suspense, pushing Nate to his limits as he fights against impossible odds. Packed with intense chases, raw emotion, and a story that proves love is worth every battle, this is one ride you won’t want to miss.