NSE and Odisha Government Sign MoU to Boost Financial Literacy and Skilling
India’s leading stock exchange, the National Stock Exchange (NSE) and the Government of Odisha signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance Financial Literacy through Investor Awareness Programs and to implement the Student Skilling Programs for the youth across Odisha.
This MOU was exchanged between Shri Sriram Krishnan, Chief Business Development Officer, NSE and Shri Prashant Kishore Mohapatra, Special Secretary, Govt. of Odisha in the distinguished presence of Suryabanshi Suraj, Hon’ble Minister of State(I/C), Higher Education, Sports & Youth Services, Odia language, Literature & Culture, Govt. of Odisha, today at Bhubaneshwar. As part of the understanding, NSE with the support of the Government of Odisha shall conduct awareness drive through seminars, camps, knowledge sessions, road shows, workshops to spread financial literacy and investor awareness. This MoU also aims to empower the youth with industry-relevant skills and enhance their employability in the BFSI sector.
Odisha has an expanding financial ecosystem and it is imperative to empower the students, investors and corporates. This understanding embraces various fabrics of the financial ecosystem targeting various stakeholders. This multifaceted MoU is a step towards enhancing financial literacy, promoting investor awareness and fostering empowerment of the existing and new investors. Additionally, the MoU focuses on preparing youth with essential skills through NSE’s Student Skilling Program—an initiative aligned with the central government’s vision of unlocking human capital and enabling both employability and self-employment in the BFSI sector.
Shri Suryabanshi Suraj, Hon’ble Minister of State(I/C), Higher Education, Sports & Youth Services, Odia language, literature & Culture, Govt. of Odisha said, “The Government of Odisha is proud to partner with NSE to drive financial literacy, investor awareness and student skilling in our region. This MoU is not just about expanding financial knowledge; it is about empowering our students with the knowledge and skills they need with respect to financial sector. Together, we are creating a robust financial ecosystem that will pave the way for sustainable growth in Odisha”.
Shri Sriram Krishnan, Chief Business Development Officer, NSE said, “Our collaboration with the Government of Odisha highlights our shared dedication of boosting financial literacy and empowering investors. Through initiatives like investor awareness programs and the Student Skilling Program, we are fostering a well-informed community for both seasoned and new investors. Moreover, we are also committed to equipping the youth of Odisha with the vital skills needed to thrive in today’s ever-evolving financial landscape.”
From April 2024 to March 2025, NSE conducted 14,679 Investor Awareness Programs across all 36 states & Union Territories in 14 languages, reaching more than 8 lakh participants. Under the Student Skilling Program more than 7500 students have been trained across various states.
Four Indian REITs Distribute Rs 1,553 Crores in Q4 FY2024-25
Commenting on the consolidated performance, Mr. Alok Aggarwal, MD & CEO of Brookfield India Real Estate Trust and Chairman of the Indian REITs Association, said, “The robust quarterly distributions and expanding investor base reflect the increasing maturity and investor confidence in India’s REIT ecosystem. A 13% year-on-year increase in distributions underscores the strength and stability of the sector, driven by high-quality assets and strong leasing activity, particularly from Global Capability Centres (GCCs) and strong domestic demand. We remain optimistic about the long-term prospects of Indian REITs amid evolving market dynamics.”
Moneyboxx Finance expands Leadership team, Sandipan Thakur appointed as Head – Collections
Welcoming him to the company, Mr. Deepak Aggarwal, Co-founder, Moneyboxx Finance, said: “We are pleased to welcome Sandipan Thakur to our leadership team. His deep domain expertise in collections strategy, litigation, and operational risk will be invaluable as we continue to strengthen our portfolio and scale sustainably. As we expand our footprint across underserved regions, his leadership will play a pivotal role in enhancing our credit quality and supporting our broader vision of empowering grassroots entrepreneurs through responsible lending.”
Commenting on his appointment, Mr. Sandipan Thakur said, “I am thrilled to join Moneyboxx Finance in their commitment to making meaningful strides in enabling financial inclusion and rural entrepreneurship. The strong mission-driven culture and the team’s focus on building impactful lending solutions is truly inspiring. I look forward to contributing to this journey by designing and implementing robust, phygital collection frameworks that not only drive efficiency but also ensure a seamless and supportive experience for our customers.”
Himmat Singh strikes again , bringing you Special Ops Season 2, premiering soon only on JioHotstar!
Mumbai, 15th May 2025: JioHotstar proudly announces the return of a landmark show that redefined the Indian espionage thriller genre, Special Ops. Built in its own league with compelling storytelling, sharp characters, and high-stakes action, this new installment promises to deliver an even more gripping narrative, delving deeper into the world of Indian intelligence. With the stakes higher than ever, Special Ops season 2 is set to push the boundaries of the spy genre in India.
Alok Jain, Head of Cluster, Entertainment (Colors, Digital Hindi, Niche, Movies and Studio), JioStar, said, “At JioHotstar, we are committed to bringing bold, high-impact storytelling to our audiences, and Special Ops has been a defining example of that vision. The return of Himmat Singh in Special Ops season 2 marks not just the continuation of a beloved franchise, but a significant milestone in the evolution of premium Indian content. We are excited to deliver a season that’s bigger, smarter, and even more gripping.”
Creator Neeraj Pandey said, “With Special Ops, we aimed to create a lasting legacy in action, scale, and storytelling, something that resonates across audiences and generations. The overwhelming response to past seasons not only humbled us but challenged us to push our creative boundaries even further. This season, we’ve dialled up the stakes, the intensity, and the emotional arcs, delivering an even more thrilling experience. This journey, from the show’s inception to now with Season 2, has been exhilarating, thanks to the incredible passion of our team at Friday Storytellers and the unwavering support and collaboration with JioHotstar. We can’t wait for audiences to embark on this new chapter with us.”
Versatile Actor Kay Kay Menon who is portraying the iconic character of Himmat Singh said, “Himmat Singh is a character that has resonated deeply with audiences. Returning to this role is both a challenge and a privilege. In Special Ops season 2, viewers will witness new facets of Himmat’s journey – his vulnerabilities, his grit, and the weight of choices he’s made. It’s a powerful script, and I can’t wait for audiences to experience it.”
Special Ops season 2 raises the bar even higher — it’s bigger, bolder, and grander in scale, vision, and ambition. Premiering soon on JioHotstar.
MediBuddy Appoints Sidhartha Mehra as CFO to Boost Growth
Mumbai, 15 May, 2025: MediBuddy, India’s leading digital healthcare company, has announced the appointment of Sidhartha Mehra as Chief Financial Officer (CFO). With over 20 years of global and Indian experience across multinational corporations and high-growth enterprises, Sidhartha has led Finance, Legal, Compliance, HR, Investments, and Procurement functions. He brings a rare blend of financial acumen and cross-functional leadership, with expertise in IPO, M&A, and strategic financial management.
In his role at MediBuddy, Sidhartha will lead MediBuddy’s financial strategy, capital management, and regulatory compliance. His proven expertise in managing large-scale M&A, corporate restructuring, finance transformation, and strategic capital allocation will be instrumental in driving long-term value creation for the company and its stakeholders.
Satish Kannan, Co-founder and CEO of MediBuddy, said, “Sidhartha’s strategic foresight, combined with his cross-functional expertise, makes him the ideal partner to help MediBuddy navigate its next phase of growth. His ability to align financial performance with broader business strategy will be key in building a financially resilient organisation that can scale sustainably.”
Commenting on his new role, Sidhartha Mehra, CFO, MediBuddy, said, “I’m thrilled to join MediBuddy as it accelerates its mission to make high quality healthcare accessible to all. Aligned with this vision, my focus will be on building a world-class finance function that enables scale, drives strategic growth, and unlocks long-term enterprise value. I look forward to driving measurable impact at scale—both within the business and across the communities we serve. It is deeply fulfilling to be associated with a purpose-driven company that is transforming lives through empathetic and tech-led healthcare.”
Sidhartha has held senior leadership positions across global financial institutions and leading Indian companies. Most recently, he served as the CFO and CHRO at Zolo, where he played a pivotal role in leading enterprise-wide transformation, driving operational efficiency and governance frameworks. Prior to this, he held leadership roles at Jupiter Capital, GE Capital, and Barclays, managing financial planning, regulatory compliance, and business analytics across global markets including the UK, Ireland, Belgium, and India.
In addition to his corporate leadership, Sidhartha also serves as a Professor of Practice at the Manipal Centre for Innovation, Leadership, and Entrepreneurship, highlighting his passion for shaping future leaders in finance and strategy.
Auto Industry Performance of April-2025
Monthly Performance: April 2025
Production: The total production of Passenger Vehicles1, Three Wheelers, Two Wheelers, and Quadricycle in April 2025 was 2,318,882 units
Domestic Sales:
- Passenger Vehicles2 sales were 3,48,847 units in April 2025.
- Three-wheeler sales were 49,441 units in April 2025
- Two-wheeler sales were 1,458,784 units in April 2025.
Commenting on April-2025 performance, Mr Rajesh Menon, Director General, SIAM said, “Passenger Vehicles segment posted its highest ever sales of April in 2025 of 3.49 Lakh units, with a growth of 3.9% as compared to April 2024. Three-Wheelers de-grew marginally by (-) 0.7% compared to April of previous year, with sales of 0.49 Lakh units. The Two-Wheeler segment de-grew by (-) 16.7% in April 2025, as compared to April 2024, with sales of 14.59 Lakh units, due to high base effect of April last year, while it is likely to pick up in coming months. Auto industry smoothly transitioned to the new regulatory regime of 2nd stage of On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) 2 regulation for Two and Three Wheelers from April 2025 onwards, in addition to rolling out E-20 compliant gasoline vehicles across the country from this month.”
Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers
Domestic Sales: Monthly
|
Category |
Domestic Sales (In Nos.) |
||
|
Segment/Subsegment |
April |
||
|
2024 |
2025 |
% Change |
|
|
Total Passenger Vehicles2 |
3,35,629 |
3,48,847 |
3.9% |
|
Three Wheelers |
|||
|
Passenger Carrier |
39,383 |
40,167 |
2.0% |
|
Goods Carrier |
8,818 |
8,135 |
-7.7% |
|
E-Rickshaw |
1,308 |
830 |
-36.5% |
|
E-Cart |
265 |
309 |
16.6% |
|
Total Three Wheelers |
49,774 |
49,441 |
-0.7% |
|
Two Wheelers |
|||
|
Scooters |
5,81,277 |
5,48,370 |
-5.7% |
|
Motorcycles |
11,28,192 |
8,71,666 |
-22.7% |
|
Mopeds |
41,924 |
38,748 |
-7.6% |
|
Total Two Wheelers |
17,51,393 |
14,58,784 |
-16.7% |
|
Quadricycle |
19 |
3 |
-84.2% |
Thakur Anoop Singh Visits the Capital to Promote His Upcoming Action Thriller Romeo S3
Speaking at the press event in Delhi, Thakur Anoop Singh said, “Delhi always feels electric. The warmth and energy of this city are unmatched. It’s an honor to be here and share a glimpse of Romeo S3, a film that’s intense, emotional, and packed with action. I’m excited for audiences to experience it in theaters this Friday.”
Thakur Anup Singh said at a press event held in Delhi, “The energy in Delhi is always amazing. The warmth and vibrancy of this city is something else. It is an honour to be here and share a glimpse of Romeo S3. The film is emotional, intense and full of action. I am sure the audience will enjoy watching the film in theatres this Friday.”
Ixigo Delivers Record-Breaking Q4 and FY25 Results
Rajnish Kumar, Group Co-CEO, ixigo and Aloke Bajpai, Group CEO, stated: “This has been our strongest quarter yet, driven by consistent quarter-on-quarter acceleration across all lines of business. Our outstanding growth in categories such as flights and buses stems from a unique playbook that combines a customer-centric approach, ability to cross-sell and up-sell to a unique captive user-base, a tech-centric DNA, AI-driven efficiency and enhanced brand awareness — all while maintaining healthy margins. We’re also seeing operating leverage kick in as demonstrated in our robust cash flow from operations amounting to Rs. 122 crores in FY25.”
Saurabh Devendra Singh, Group CFO, ixigo, added: “We went public in FY25 and this has become a defining year for our trajectory. This fiscal we achieved ₹14972 crore in GTV, ₹914 crore in Operating Revenue, and delivered a 71% YoY increase in Adj. EBITDA proving that scale and financial discipline need not be mutually exclusive”
Sheraton Hyderabad Appoints Sourav Pal Chowdhury as Assistant Director of Food & Beverage
Hyderabad, 15th May 2025: Sheraton Hyderabad Hotel announced the appointment of Mr. Sourav Pal Chowdhury as the new Assistant Director of Food & Beverage. With a robust career spanning over 16 plus years in the hospitality industry, Sourav brings with him a wealth of experience in luxury hotel operations, food and beverage management and customer service excellence.
In his new role, Sourav will oversee the strategic and operational leadership of the hotel’s food and beverage division, which includes multiple restaurants, banqueting and ODC operations, MBOW and in-room dining services. His focus will be on elevating the food and beverage offerings, driving guest satisfaction, and optimizing service standards in line with Sheraton’s brand ethos.
Prior to joining Sheraton Hyderabad, Mr. Chowdhury held key leadership positions with several prestigious hospitality brands including Conrad Bengaluru, Hilton Bangalore Embassy GolfLinks, MHRS Kochi & Jaipur , Novotel & Ibis Bengaluru, and Hyatt Hotels, among others. He also brings unique cross-industry experience from his tenure as Unit Head at Cinepolis India Pvt. Ltd., where he managed food and cinema operations for a 10-screen multiplex based out of Bengaluru.
Throughout his career, Mr. Chowdhury has consistently demonstrated a passion for guest service, team leadership, and innovative F&B concepts. Mr. Chowdhury holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Hotel Management and Tourism from Annamalai University and has been associated with pre-opening teams, specialty dining establishments, and large-scale banquet operations.
With his expertise and people-first approach, Sourav is set to bring fresh energy and innovation to the hotel’s food and beverage landscape.
Discover Vietnam and beyond with Vietjet’s hot summer deals and baggage allowance up to 20kg
Mumbai, May 15, 2025: Vietjet is kicking off summer 2025 with an exciting promotion, offering millions of tickets from just INR11 plus taxes and fees across its India-Vietnam flight network, and other Vietnam domestic and international routes. The airline is also introducing a variety of special summer perks to enhance the travel experience.
Promotional tickets are available for booking from now until May 18, 2025, via www.vietjetair.com and the Vietjet Air mobile app. These promotional fares are valid for travel between June 1, 2025, and March 28, 2026, making them ideal for summer holidays, autumn getaways, and early 2026 trips.
To make summer travel even more convenient, the airline is offering 20kg of free checked baggage on all flights between India and Vietnam for travellers booking or modifying tickets via official Vietjet channels from now until May 31, 2025. Those flying between Vietnam and Australia will enjoy 40kg of free checked baggage. This offer is valid for travel until July 31, 2025 , perfect for summer holidays and overseas getaways.
Indian travellers can explore Vietnam’s top destinations of Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and coastal cities—Phu Quoc, Nha Trang, Da Nang—or venture to vibrant international destinations across the Asia-Pacific region in Australia, Northeast and Southeast Asia.
In addition to the attractive fares, Vietjet is offering a limited-edition summer travel kit, featuring must-have items including bucket hats, bandanas, luggage tags, passport covers, badges, and exclusive souvenirs. For young flyers, Vietjet’s Kid’s Combo offers a special in-flight meal paired with adorable, never-before-seen gifts.
Vietjet invites travelers to embrace the spirit of summer with unforgettable experiences—from vibrant festivals to scenic escapes and exciting urban adventures—made even better with the airline’s modern, fuel-efficient fleet, professional service, and warm, attentive crew.
Vietjet has further strengthened its presence in India by launching two new non-stop routes from Hyderabad and Bengaluru to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam’s bustling economic hub. With these additions, Vietjet now operates 10 direct routes between the two countries, offering a total of 78 flights per week—making it the airline with the most comprehensive India–Vietnam network. These routes connect New Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Kochi, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru with Vietnam’s key destinations, including Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Da Nang.
A whole new world, a whole new summer – let’s Vietjet!