i-merit Partners with DBUU for Skill Development Programs
07th April 2025: i-merit, the flagship program of Scholars Merit Online Pvt. Ltd., has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Dev Bhoomi Uttarakhand University (DBUU) to introduce a variety of skill development programs under the i-merit banner. These programs, spanning 120 hours, 12 weeks, and 25 weeks, are designed to enhance students’ employability by equipping them with industry-relevant skills through the i-merit Accelerate and Elevate initiatives.
The i-merit Nova courses, an integral part of this collaboration, aim to bridge the skill gap by providing hands-on training, real-world industry exposure, and essential professional skills. DBUU students will gain access to structured learning modules that align with current job market demands, ensuring they are well-prepared for future career opportunities.
Speaking about the partnership, Sumit Shukla, CEO of Scholars Merit, stated,
“Employability is one of the biggest challenges that graduates are facing in India. Our collaboration with DBUU aligns with our vision to empower students with industry-specific skills that make them job-ready. Through the i-merit Nova courses, we are committed to providing structured, hands-on learning that enhances both technical knowledge and workplace competencies.”Dr. R. K. Tripathi, Registrar, Dev Bhoomi Uttarakhand University, emphasized,
“At DBUU, we prioritize not only academic excellence but also the holistic development of our students. This partnership with i-merit allows us to further strengthen our commitment to skill-based education. By integrating these programs into our curriculum, we are ensuring that our students receive the practical training needed to excel in the workforce.“
Dev Bhoomi Uttarakhand University, recognized as one of the top educational institutions in North India, is known for its diverse academic programs across 11 constituent schools. Accredited by multiple regulatory bodies, including UGC, PCI, INC, BCI, and CoA, DBUU provides a strong foundation for students across various disciplines such as Engineering, Management, Law, Pharmacy, and Aviation & Airport Management, among others.
This partnership with DBUU is part of i-merit’s broader strategy of partnering with 100 colleges and impacting 50,000 students by December 2025. Notably, it follows recent MoUs signed with Kanpur Institute of Technology (KIT), SRM Institute of Science & Technology, and Sri Sai Group of Institutes, reinforcing i-merit’s commitment to skill development and employment readiness for students nationwide.
IIM Bodh Gaya Celebrates 7th Annual Convocation with 471 Graduates
The Indian Institute of Management Bodh Gaya hosted its 7th Annual Convocation, marking the graduation of 471 students across three academic programs. This year, 310 students from the MBA program, 91 from DBM, and 70 from HHM were conferred degrees. This convocation marked the graduation of students from the flagship MBA program, along with the first batches of the MBA in Digital Business Management (DBM) and MBA in Hospital & Healthcare Management (HHM), underscoring the institute’s growing focus on industry-responsive and future-ready education.
The convocation ceremony began with a welcome address by Dr. Janmejaya Sinha, Member of the Board of Governors, IIM Bodh Gaya. In his address, Dr. Sinha inspired the audience with his words, “Be an optimist. Start where you are, use what you have, and do what you can.”
Dr. Vinita Singh Sahay, Director of IIM Bodh Gaya, then presented the Annual Report for 2024–2025, highlighting the institute’s academic excellence, infrastructural advancements, and global partnerships. She also shared the institute’s placement performance, reporting that over 370 students were placed across the three programs out of 441 eligible candidates.
Prof. Sahay also highlighted the status of final placements, emphasizing compensation trends across all programs. The top 25% of the MBA, DBM, and HHM batches secured average CTCs of ₹18 LPA, ₹21 LPA, and ₹15 LPA, respectively. The overall batch average stood at ₹12 LPA for MBA, ₹12 LPA for DBM, and ₹11 LPA for HHM. Key recruiters included Deloitte, PwC, Accenture, ICICI Bank, and Tata Power, covering sectors such as consulting, BFSI, IT, and manufacturing.
As part of the ceremony, medals and degrees were awarded to students from all three programs. The awards were conferred in three categories: Chairman’s Gold Medal, Director’s Gold Medal, and the IIM Bodh Gaya Gold Medal for Best All-Round Performance.
In the MBA programme, the Chairman’s Gold Medal was awarded to Mr. Mihir Shaw, the Director’s Gold Medal to Mr. Aniket Kumar Gupta, and the Best All-Round Performance Medal to Mr. Goud Shriprasad Arun. In the MBA in Digital Business Management programme, the Chairman’s Gold Medal was awarded to Ms. Ankita, the Director’s Gold Medal to Mr. Udit Aggarwal, and the Best All-Round Performance Medal to Mr. Swapnil Sanjay Narkhede. In the MBA in Healthcare & Hospital Management program, the Chairman’s Gold Medal was awarded to Mr. Satyam Kumar, the Director’s Gold Medal to Mr. Abhinaba Manna, and the Best All-Round Performance Medal to Mr. Adarsh.
The ceremony concluded with an address by the Chief Guest, Mr. Arun Kumar Singh, Chairman and CEO of ONGC. He encouraged students to focus on depth and purpose in their careers. “Once you acquire width, it’s all about acquiring depth. Be a net giver instead of a net taker—true leadership comes from giving more than you take,” he said, offering a message of responsibility and growth.
CARE Hospitals Hi-Tech City Upgrades Orthopaedics with Expert Surgeons
On the addition of these esteemed doctors, Dr. Nikhil Mathur, Group Chief of Medical Services, CARE Hospitals, said “The addition of these highly skilled orthopaedic surgeons reinforces our commitment to delivering world-class, patient-centered care. Their expertise in advanced surgical techniques, combined with our cutting-edge technology, enables us to provide the highest quality orthopaedic services and improve patient outcomes.“Mr. Nilesh Gupta, Chief Operating Officer, CARE Hospitals, Hi-Tech City added, “We extend a warm welcome to our esteemed orthopaedic surgeons, whose expertise and dedication will further elevate our commitment to exceptional patient care”.
The Good Club Padel League Launches Live Auction in Chandigarh
Chandigarh, 07th April, 2025 – The Good Club, a vibrant community hub renowned for fostering social connection and active lifestyles, has done its first ever live player auction at 6, Vishnu Gdn Rd, behind Rock Garden, Kaimbwala, Kansal, Chandigarh 160001. The GCPL teams for the live auction were Smash Bucklers, Santa Banta Smashers, Ninja Steel Warriors, Raging Racketeers, Sunbrave Strikers & Net Ninjas.
The GCPL is not just a league; it’s a movement. Built on the foundation of camaraderie, healthy competition, and lifestyle elevation, the GCPL is a way of redefining what community sport looks and feels like. It brings together spirited individuals, families, and businesses, all under one common goal: to play hard, connect deeper, and grow together.
Padel, a dynamic and inclusive sport, has captured the hearts of people across all age groups. Its unique doubles format promotes teamwork, communication, and social interaction, making it an ideal activity for bonding with friends, family, and new acquaintances. This inherent camaraderie perfectly aligns with The Good Club’s vision of creating a space where everyone feels welcome and connected.
The Good Club has rapidly become a popular destination, attracting over 200 visitors daily. It offers a diverse range of activities, from fitness and social gatherings to relaxation in its café, ensuring there’s something for everyone. This welcoming atmosphere has solidified its position as a beloved community hangout.
Building on this success, The Good Club has launched the GCPL, a competitive league designed to unite regular club players with top-tier talent from across India. The league aims to provide a platform for players of all skill levels to compete, grow, and contribute to the sport’s burgeoning popularity.
On the occasion, The Good club and the GCPL founders Aashna A Mehra and Pranav Mehra said, “The GCPL is excited to host first-ever live player auction. With the vision to create a space where everyone feels welcomed, The Good Club padel league is an extension of the same. This league provides an incredible opportunity for players of all skill levels to compete, grow, and contribute to the expansion of this dynamic sport.”
The GCPL has witnessed an overwhelming response from Team Buyers, culminating in a Live Auction where the top six bidders secured their teams. This excitement continued with the highly anticipated Live Player Auction, which occurred on the 5th of April. Top Indian Players like Shashank Narde, Famas, Manav k Sreekumar were sold at record prices. Nearly 100 registered players were available for bidding, allowing teams to strategically build their squads for the upcoming matches.
The GCPL represents The Good Club’s commitment to fostering a vibrant and inclusive community through the power of sport. By bringing together players of all levels, the league aims to elevate the profile of padel in India and create a lasting legacy for the sport.
Loveyapa The Ultimate Love Test, Now Streaming on JioHotstar
Get ready for a Delhi-sized dose of romance, chaos, and pure masala as Loveyapa is now streaming exclusively on JioHotstar. Directed by Advait Chandan, the film blends humour, emotional depth, and social commentary, exploring modern relationships in the digital age, fueled by the sizzling chemistry between Khushi Kapoor and Junaid Khan. Loveyapa is the Hindi adaptation of the 2022 Tamil blockbuster ‘Love Today’.
Set in Delhi, the story follows the journey of a young couple named Gaurav and Bani who fall in love and decide to get married. However, their lives take a drastic turn when Bani’s father, Atul Kumar Sharma (Ashutosh Rana), presents them with a unique challenge: they must exchange their mobile phones. As their secrets begin to unfold, the story takes unexpected twists. Directed by the remarkable Advait Chandan and produced by AGS Entertainment and Phantom Studios, Loveyapa stars a powerful cast of Khushi Kapoor, Junaid Khan in key roles along with Grusha Kapoor, Ashutosh Rana, Tanvika Parlikar, Kiku Sharda, Aaditya Kulshreshth and Nikhil Mehta.
Advait Chandan, the director of Loveyapa commented, “We all set out thinking we’re in love and then Loveyapa ho jaata hai. The film is a coming of age story of a couple. And I had an absolute blast making it. I can’t wait for it to come to JioHotstar so that a huge audience can watch it!!.”
Actor Junaid Khan added, “It was an exciting script that pulled me out of my comfort zone and it helped me expand my horizon as an actor. Loveyapa has a relatable take on the timeless themes of trust, honesty and love in relationships. I am so glad that it is now streaming on JioHotstar and I hope that more people will have an opportunity to watch it.”
The stunning Khushi Kapoor, who essays the role of Bani said,“I recall when I was first introduced to the film’s script by Advait, I felt there was a fresh perspective and an instant connection with the script. It’s a chaotic, funny love story that is highly relatable with catchy songs – it’s full on masala. I had a blast working with the cast and crew. With Loveyapa releasing on JioHotstar, I can’t wait for more and more people to watch the film.”
PNB Housing’s Affordable Book Surpasses INR 5,000 Crore Mark
Chandigarh, April 7, 2025: PNB Housing Finance Limited is delighted to announce a significant milestone of INR 5,000 crore Affordable book as on 31st March 2025.
This remarkable achievement is a testimony of our unwavering commitment to empowering individuals and families in their journey towards owning a home.
With the performance of Affordable and Emerging Markets Segment, the Retail segment loan book grew by ~18% YoY as on 31st March 2025. The total loan book of the Company crossed INR 75,000 crore as on 31st March 2025.
Commenting on the performance Mr. Girish Kousgi said: With the dedicated efforts of the team towards the common goal of making lives better, we are thrilled to achieve our first stated milestone of Affordable loan book of INR 5,000 crore. This accomplishment reflects our commitment towards enabling financial inclusion by providing accessible housing finance solutions to customers.
The housing sector is poised to continue its growth backed by favourable growth drivers viz improved affordability, rising urbanisation, nuclearization of families and government initiatives like PMAY 2.0 etc. PNB housing with its multiple product offerings through Prime, Emerging Markets and Affordable segment will continue to cater customers across the affordability pyramid and contribute towards the Government mission of “Housing for All”.
French DJ HUGEL Announces Maiden Show In India
India, 7th April 2025 – Platinum French DJ and producer HUGEL is set to unleash an electrifying night of pure sonic fire for his debut gig in the region with a standalone show in Mumbai on 27th April 2025 at Dome SVP Stadium.
Fresh off dominating global charts and igniting dance floors worldwide, this French maestro of deep house, Latin-infused and high-octane EDM is set to transform Mumbai into a pulsating epicenter of rhythm and light. His unforgettable remix of ‘Bella Ciao’ catapulted him into the spotlight, making him a favorite among music enthusiasts worldwide.
HUGEL states, “For me, every set is a chance to lose yourself in the music, to feel the energy of the crowd, and create something truly unforgettable. I can’t wait to bring that vibe to Mumbai!”
After hosting a successful sold-out show featuring Keinemusik’s &ME which saw the likes of Sanjay Dutt, Suhana Khan, Ibraham Ali Khan in attendance, Team Innovation in association with Paradox and Spacebound are bringing this world-class event to India.
Mohit Bijlani, Co-Founder, Team Innovation states, “We’re all about pushing boundaries and creating moments that resonate. Bringing an artist of HUGEL’s caliber to Mumbai is exactly how we aim to deliver those unforgettable cultural experiences.”