Preserve wealth and manage inflation with ICICI Pru GIFT Select

Chandigarh, March 20, 2025: In today’s uncertain economic environment, financial planning to ensure an additional income stream has become important which can aid individuals to manage rising inflation, navigate market fluctuations, and achieve financial goals. To meet this need individuals are looking for investment options which provide both safety of capital invested and growth. To fulfil this need, ICICI Prudential Life Insurance has launched a unique long-term savings product – ICICI Pru GIFT Select, a product designed to provide guaranteed income while preserving wealth.

“Our goal is to help customers achieve their long-term financial aspirations with certainty,” says Mr. Amit Palta, Chief Product and Distribution Officer, ICICI Prudential Life Insurance. The product offers flexibility, allowing customers to choose the duration of their guaranteed income while also receiving a lump sum on maturity in a tax-efficient manner. The increasing income feature, compounding at 5% annually, helps them manage inflation effectively.

ICICI Prudential Life Insurance is also transforming life insurance distribution with digital innovations, empowering agents through the IPRU Edge mobile app. “Agents play a crucial role in helping customers make informed financial decisions. With IPRU Edge, we are equipping them with a digital office at their fingertips,” Mr. Palta explains. The mobile app provides business leads, social media marketing content, and a paperless buying journey, allowing agents to focus on growth.

Between April and December 2024, the productivity of agents using IPRU Edge surged by 25%. Notably, 98% of eligible agents using the app were paid commissions on the same day. AI-powered solutions have enabled the Company to issue approx. 50% of the savings policies on the same day.

ICICI Prudential Life’s commitment to customers is evident in its 99.3% claim settlement ratio for the period April 2024 to December 2024, with an average claim settlement time of just 1.2 days for non-investigated claims. With its customer-centric approach and digital-first innovations, the Company continues to set new industry benchmarks, ensuring financial security for policyholders and seamless career growth for agents.

Aakash Launches Aakash Digital for Medical & JEE Test Prep

National, March 20, 2025 – Aakash Educational Services Limited (AESL), the national leader in test preparatory services, is Breaking Barriers in the Test Preparation sector by making high-quality coaching more accessible, affordable, flexible and result-oriented than ever. As part of the Aakash 2.0 strategic plan, AESL is scaling up its digital intervention by bringing out a new and unique digital offering.

All Aakash products have been merged in the digital space under one roof – Aakash Digital 2.0 – a transforming online learning, AI-powered, interactive platform that delivers high-quality, affordable, and results-driven coaching for NEET, JEE, and Olympiads. Leveraging AI-powered insights, interactive learning tools and expert mentorship to ensure students across India receive top-tier coaching from the comfort of their homes.

A beta version of Aakash Digital 2.0 was launched a year ago and has delivered impressive results. Students in remote corners of the country have taken advantage of Aakash Digital’s new offerings and performed well in the high stakes exams of NEET and JEE. An opportunity they would not have otherwise got the benefit of.

Some notable examples are Gandhi Varda Jaimin from the tribal district of Banaskantha in Gujarat secured AIR 350 in NEET 2024; Rashmi Prakash Palai from Sundergarh in Odisha got AIR 649 in NEET 2024; Ishant Patel and Siddha Nema from Satna in Madhya Pradesh secured AIR 1482 and 2558 respectively in JEE Advanced 2024; Harish Kumar Uma Senthilkumar from Karur in Tamil Nadu obtained AIR 4357 in JEE Advanced 2024 among many more such success stories from remote corners of the country.

Key features of Aakash Digital:

  • Learn from Home, Save Time & Effort – No more commuting to coaching centers. Study in a comfortable home environment, maximizing time for revision and practice.
  • Affordable, High-Quality Education – Access top-tier coaching at a fraction of traditional costs, ensuring financial constraints never hinder success.
  • Flexible Learning Anytime, Anywhere – Attend live or recorded classes at your convenience—ideal for students balancing school and test prep.
  • Focused & Distraction-Free Learning – Create a personalized, stress-free study space at home for better concentration and retention.
  • More Time for Practice & Mastery – With less travel time, students can allocate more hours to solving problems and mastering concepts.
  • AI-Driven Performance Insights – Advanced SWOT analysis highlights strengths, weaknesses and opportunities, helping students refine their preparation.
  • Real-Time Parent Engagement – Parents receive regular progress updates, fostering transparency and accountability.
  • Personalized Learning & Progress Tracking – Digital tools provide in-depth performance analysis, allowing students to track their growth.
  • Unmatched Interactive Learning – Two-way interactive classes ensure real-time doubt resolution with India’s top educators.
  • Expert-Led Nurturing Programs – Designed by leading academicians, these programs provide instant academic support and mentorship
  • Live Doubt Resolution – Students can access up to 10 hours of Live Doubt-Solving sessions daily with expert faculty.

Sharing his thoughts, Mr. Deepak Mehrotra, Managing Director & CEO, Aakash Educational Services Limited, said, “At AESL, we believe in empowering students with the right guidance, knowledge, and resources to achieve academic excellence. Aakash Digital is paving the way for a new era in test prep by making high-quality education accessible, engaging, and outcome-driven. Students across the country can now experience India’s most trusted coaching from anywhere in the world with best-in-class faculty, advanced learning tools, and personalized mentorship.”

Mega Medical Camp in Bind A Historic Public Health Initiative

Bind, Bihar, 20th March 2025 – A historic Mega Medical Camp was successfully conducted at the High School in March second week at Bind campus under the banner of the Dr. Dheeraj Welfare Foundation. The camp, designed to offer quality healthcare services to the needy, received an overwhelming response from the local population.

The inaugural ceremony was attended by Girivar Dayal Singh (IAS), Secretary, Revenue Department, Government of Bihar, and Deepak Kumar Mishra, Municipal Commissioner, Bihar Sharif, who together lit the ceremonial lamp to signal the starting of the event.

Addressing the gathering, Dr. Dheeraj Kumar, Founder of the Dr. Dheeraj Welfare Foundation, underscored the importance of affordable healthcare. “Our mission is to make medical facilities available to all sections of society. A healthy society is the cornerstone of a safe future,” he added. He again went on record saying that he will make sure more such medical camps are organized in order to bring necessary healthcare services to the people and raise awareness among people”.

The camp was able to provide free medical care and consultations to around 4,000 patients. A group of 17 specialist doctors from PMCH Patna, IGIMS Patna, and IMS Patna were actively involved in the process, devoting their skills to treating the people of Bind and nearby regions.

This effort reiterated Dr. Dheeraj’s strong conviction that helping humanity is a moral responsibility. He promised that such initiatives would keep coming in the future, making sure that more people get the medical care they deserve.

The Dr. Dheeraj Welfare Foundation expresses its sincere thanks to all the doctors, volunteers, and well-wishers who helped make this Mega Medical Camp a grand success.

ICRA Business Activity Monitor report for March 2025

This report highlights a significant moderation in year-on-year (YoY) economic activity, with the index registering a 35-month low of 5.6% in February 2025, down from 9.4% in January 2025. This slowdown is attributed to weaker YoY growth across a majority of the constituent indicators, partially influenced by the base effect related to the leap year in 2024.

Key findings of the report include:

The year-on-year (YoY) growth in economic activity, as measured by the ICRA Business Activity Monitor – an Index of high frequency indicators, moderated sharply to a 35-month low of 5.6% in February 2025 from 9.4% in January 2025, amid weaker YoY growth performance across 10 of the 15 constituent indicators, partly reflecting the base effect related to the leap year in 2024. The average YoY growth in January-February FY2025 stands at 7.5%, lower than the 8.8% growth seen during Q3 FY2025. The early trends for March 2025 are mixed, amid an uptick in the growth in electricity generation and a deterioration in the growth performance of average daily vehicle registrations.

  • YoY growth of ICRA Business Activity Monitor moderated to 5.6% in February 2025: After witnessing a robust performance in January 2025, the YoY growth in economic activity slowed in February 2025. The ICRA Business Activity Monitor rose by 5.6% in the month, the slowest pace in 35 months, although this was partly led by the unfavourable base effect owing to the leap year in 2024. There was a deterioration in the YoY growth for as many as 10 of the 15 constituent indicators in February 2025 vis-à-vis January 2025, including most automobile and mobility/transport-related indicators and non-oil exports. With this, the average growth in January-February FY2025 stands at 7.5%, trailing the growth of 8.8% seen during Q3 FY2025.
  • MoM contraction in the index widened in February 2025 vs. February 2024: The index declined by 5.0% on a sequential basis in February 2025 as against the 1.7% fall seen in February 2024, partly on account of higher number of days in the latter month, with 2024 being a leap year. As many as eight of the 13 non-financial indicators witnessed a deterioration in their MoM performance in February 2025 vis-à-vis February 2024, with a particularly weaker performance in vehicle registrations, motorcycle production, non-oil exports, and GST e-way bills.
  • Data for early-March 2025 is mixed: The average daily vehicle registrations stood at 49.9k units during March 1-18, 2025, ~20% lower on a MoM basis and ~27% lower on a YoY basis. In contrast, the YoY growth in electricity demand surged to an eight-month high of 6.7% during March 1-17, 2025 from 2.9% in February 2025, aided by above-normal temperatures and a greater number of heatwave days in the month

ICRA Business Activity Monitor is a composite indicator that comprises:

  • Auto production (2Ws and PVs)
  • Vehicle registrations ▪ Output of Coal India Limited (CIL)
  • Power generation
  • Non-oil merchandise exports
  • Cargo handled at major ports
  • Consumption of petrol and diesel

Finished steel consumption

  • Generation of GST e-way bills
  • Domestic airline passenger traffic
  • Aggregate deposits and non-food credit of SCB

Uber Enhances Moto Safety with New Features and Kits

Chandigarh, March 20, 2025: Uber, India’s leading ridesharing company, is ramping up safety for two-wheeler riders and drivers with new technology-led safety features and the distribution of 3,000 safety kits across the country.

As part of the first phase, select Uber Moto drivers in Delhi received safety kits comprising helmets, reflective vests, safety stickers, and protective gear today from Hon’ble Minister of State, Ministry of Road Transport & Highways and Corporate Affairs, Shri Harsh Malhotra. In addition, Uber plans to introduce AI-powered Helmet Selfies for drivers and in-app ‘helmet nudges’ for riders to improve helmet adoption. Women Rider Preference, a first-of-its-kind feature allowing female drivers to filter for female riders, will now be extended to Moto rides.

Bike taxis have become a preferred mobility option due to their affordability, convenience, and ability to navigate traffic. According to the India Economic Impact Report 2024, compiled by UK-based Public First, Uber Auto and Moto contributed INR 36,000 crore to the economy in 2024. A KPMG report titled “Unlocking the potential of bike taxis in India” estimates the sector could create 5.4 million flexible livelihood opportunities in India by 2030, reinforcing its growing significance.

Hon’ble Minister of State, Ministry of Road Transport & Highways and Corporate Affairs, Shri Harsh Malhotra, said: “India is among the world’s largest two-wheeler markets, and ensuring road safety is our shared responsibility. Helmet compliance is a major factor in saving lives from road accidents involving two-wheelers. Uber’s proactive efforts to enhance road safety with tech-driven features like Helmet Selfies and nudges are commendable. Safety kits with helmets and protective gear will keep drivers and riders safe. These efforts need to be scaled further, and we hope that similar initiatives will be adopted by other companies too.”

Manish Bindrani, Head of Regional Supply Growth, Uber India & South Asia, added: “Uber Moto is one of the fastest-growing segments for Uber, loved for its affordability, ability to cut through traffic and easy integration with public transport. Today, the total number of two- and three-wheeler trips on Uber has surpassed car rides. With new safety features and the distribution of safety kits, we are reinforcing our commitment to safer roads while supporting drivers with flexible earning opportunities.”

New Safety Features for Uber Moto

  • Helmet Selfies for Drivers: This industry-first AI-powered feature ensures compliance with helmet use. Drivers are periodically prompted to take a selfie wearing a helmet before starting a trip. If the helmet is missing, they will not be able to begin the trip.
  • Helmet Nudges for Riders: Moto trips will begin with an in-app reminder prompting riders to wear a helmet before starting their journey. This will encourage riders to use helmets during rides and stay safe.
  • Women Rider Preference (WRP): Initially launched for cars, WRP will now extend to Moto rides, allowing female drivers to filter for only female riders, when they want to. This option will give female drivers peace of mind and flexibility, particularly during late hours.

Beyond these new initiatives, every Moto trip on Uber is backed by key safety features, including a 24×7 Safety Line, an in-app emergency button, phone number anonymization, and RideCheck, which detects long stops, midway-drops and route deviations, prompting Uber to check in with the rider and driver. These efforts reinforce Uber’s commitment to making two-wheeler mobility safer, more reliable, and accessible to millions of Indians.

Venturi Partners Launches INR 225M Fund for Consumer Brands in India & SEA

Singapore/Mumbai, March 20, 2025 – Venturi Partners, a leading growth-stage consumer-focused investor in India and Southeast Asia, has announced the launch of its second fund, targeting $225 million, with a hard cap of $250 million. Building on the success of its first fund, the new fund will continue to focus on Venturi’s core strategy of backing consumer brands that are disrupting their sectors and creating innovative products and services tailored for the evolving Asian consumer.

The second fund will target high-growth sectors such as retail, education, healthcare, and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), with a continued focus on India and Southeast Asia. Venturi is aiming for a first close by Q2 CY2025, with visibility towards $130 million, backed by continued strong support from existing investors.

In April 2022, Venturi had raised $180 million from prominent families in Europe & Asia. Venturi’s first fund has invested in 7 high-growth consumer companies across various sectors such as education, F&B subscription, beauty & personal care, retail, and home interiors. Its existing portfolio includes Livspace, Country Delight, Believe, Pickup Coffee, DALI, K-12 Techno and JQR.

Nicholas Cator, Founder of Venturi Partners, said: “Our investment philosophy remains unchanged, backing brands that create meaningful change and deliver innovative solutions to consumers. We take an active ownership approach with our portfolio companies, working closely with founders to help unlock growth and scale their businesses. With this second fund, we are excited to continue partnering with ambitious entrepreneurs across the region.”

Venturi’s unique hands-on approach is centred around working closely with management teams to scale operations and create lasting value. The firm’s expertise in identifying and scaling consumer businesses has made it a trusted partner for founders in India and Southeast Asia.

Hexaware Wins Multiple Accolades at World HRD Congress 2025

Mumbai, India, March 20th 2025: Hexaware Technologies, a leading global provider of IT services and solutions, made a remarkable impact at the 33rd World HRD Congress, securing multiple prestigious awards in recognition of its transformative learning initiatives and leadership development programs. The company’s commitment to fostering a culture of innovation, inclusivity, and continuous growth earned it top honors, including three organizational awards, one results-based training award, and the coveted Chief Learning Officer of the Year title for Satyendu Mohanty, Executive Vice President & Global Head – Talent Supply Chain and L&D, Hexaware.

Hexaware’s award-winning programs showcased its dedication to empowering employees at all levels:

Best Leadership Development Program for Middle Management

The Mid-Management Transformation Program (MMT) under Hexaware’s Ignite initiative equips delivery and sales leaders with strategic skills to drive business growth. Through workshops, mentoring, and peer learning, MMT cultivates client-centricity, solution-oriented thinking, and measurable outcomes, enabling leaders to scale key accounts and foster high-performance teams.

Best Organizational Development Program & Excellence in Training & Development Awards

Hexaware’s role-based upskilling engine, Sonic, offers employees access to 1,000+ industry certifications and 800 Target State Roles (TSRs) across domains like Cloud, AI, and Agile. With gamified learning paths, hackathons, and full certification reimbursements, Sonic ensures a future-ready workforce. Over 17,000 certifications have been achieved, reinforcing Hexaware’s industry-aligned talent strategy.

Best Training and Development Program

Hexaware’s democratized learning model prioritizes choice and recognition. Employees design their growth journeys via curated e-learning modules, virtual labs, and collaborative platforms like technical clubs. The innovative Learning Partner system bridges individual units with Hexavarsity (Hexaware’s L&D arm), tailoring training to niche needs while fostering a “learn-for-fun” culture.

Celebrating a Visionary Leader

Satyendu Mohanty was honored as Chief Learning Officer of the Year for his transformative impact. With over 22 years of experience, Satyendu has redefined Hexaware’s L&D landscape through initiatives like:

  • Sonic Program: Driving role-based certifications and skill democratization.
  • Ignite 3.0: Leadership development for 155+ managers via programs like MMT and Unlock Executive Coaching.
  • GenAI Readiness: Certifying over 90% of employees in GenAI, positioning Hexaware as an AI-first organization.
  • Mavericks & Segue: Revolutionizing campus hires’ onboarding with virtual training and early skill-building, ensuring seamless project readiness.

“These awards reflect our unwavering belief in our people’s potential,” said Vinod Chandran, Chief Operating Officer, Hexaware. “By investing in cutting-edge learning ecosystems, we’re not just building skills—we’re shaping leaders who drive tomorrow’s innovations. Our efforts are yielding tangible results, too. We have one of the lowest attrition rates in the industry and are among the top-rated workplaces on Glassdoor.”

Elaborating on Hexaware’s learning culture, Satyendu Mohanty added, “Empowering employees to own their growth is at the heart of our strategy. From GenAI to gamified hackathons, we’re creating a culture where learning is limitless, collaborative, and aligned with global tech evolution. When learning is joyful, it becomes transformative.”

Hexaware’s triumph at the World HRD Congress underscores its efforts to be the best place to learn and grow. By blending technology, inclusivity, and strategic foresight, the company continues to set benchmarks in talent development, ensuring its workforce—and clients—stay ahead in a rapidly evolving digital world.

RedVersity Trains Cult.fit Workforce in Emergency Response in One Day

India, March 20, 2025: In a landmark initiative to enhance emergency preparedness in fitness spaces, RedVersity, the training and education arm of Red Health, successfully partnered with Cult.fit to equip its employees with hands-on training in CPR, first aid, and emergency response protocols. On 12th February, 611 employees across 12 centers were trained to respond effectively to medical emergencies and fire hazards, reinforcing the commitment of both organizations to workplace safety and public well-being.

Fitness centers are high-energy environments where immediate response to emergencies can be critical. Through this large-scale training program, Cult.fit’s trainers, support staff, and employees gained practical knowledge in Basic Life Support (BLS), first aid essentials, and fire safety measures. Conducted by expert trainers from RedVersity, the hands-on sessions included real-life simulations, interactive demonstrations, and skill assessments, ensuring that participants are well-equipped to handle critical situations with confidence.

Highlighting the significance of this initiative, Prabhdeep Singh, Founder & CEO of Red Health, said, “Emergencies don’t come with a warning, and in those critical moments, immediate action can save lives. Through RedVersity, we are committed to empowering individuals with the right skills to respond effectively. Training over 600 Cult.fit employees in a single day aligns with the growing awareness and need for emergency preparedness in India. Our collaboration with Cult.fit is a step towards making life-saving knowledge a fundamental skill for every individual.”

Emphasizing the impact of the initiative, the spokesperson of Cult.fit said, “The safety of our members forms the foundation of everything we do at Cult.fit. With our centers serving numerous clients throughout the day, from personal training sessions to group classes, ensuring security in these close-contact environments is paramount. Through RedVersity training, we’ve significantly enhanced our emergency response capabilities. Our team now stands ready to handle critical situations with confidence and expertise, reinforcing our commitment to creating secure fitness environments across India.”

Through RedVersity’s expertise, this initiative marks a pivotal step toward integrating emergency preparedness into fitness and corporate environments. As more organizations recognize the value of life-saving training, the ripple effect of such programs extends beyond workplaces, ensuring safer homes, communities, and public spaces.

National Level IP Yatra Programme for MSMEs

Kolkata, 20th March, 2025: MSME-Development & Facilitation Office, Kolkata under Ministry of MSME, Govt. of India organized National Level IP Yatra Programme (2 Days IP Workshop) at Hotel Hindusthan International, Kolkata from 19th March, 2025 to 20th March, 2025. The Government of India envisioned creating the MSME Innovative Scheme through a combination of Incubation, Design intervention and IPR protection initiatives to enhance MSME competitiveness and transform them as National and International Champions.

The National Level IP Yatra Programme for MSMEs was inaugurated by: Mr. Vijay Bharti, IAS, Secretary, Department of Science and Technology and Biotechnology, Govt. of West Bengal; Dr. Tapas Kumar Bandyopadhyay, Professor, IIT Kharagpur; Mr. Pramathesh Sen, Joint Controller of Patents & Designs, Head of office, Patent Office Kolkata; Mr. N. Babu, Deputy Registrar of Trade Marks and G.I., Head of office, Trade Marks office, Kolkata; Mr. P. K. Das, JD & HoO, MSME-DFO, Kolkata & many other eminent personalities.

On this occasion, Mr. P. K. Das, Joint Director & HoO, MSME-DFO, Kolkata expressed his satisfaction for organizing this event for exclusive benefits of MSMEs for the State of West Bengal. He also informed that more than 300 MSMEs are expected to participate in the Programme. Sharing his views, he said, “Government of India has taken several measures to enhance the competiveness of MSMEs through IPR which is a new concept for MSMEs with a combination of innovation in incubation, design intervention and by protecting IPR in a single mode approach to create awareness amongst MSMEs about India’s innovation and motivate them to become MSME Champions. This acts as a hub for innovation activities facilitating and guiding development of ideas into viable business proposition that can benefit society directly and can be marketed successfully”.

MSME Innovative Scheme is an amalgamation of the Incubation, Design and IPR Schemes of the Ministry of MSME. These erstwhile three schemes are operated as separate verticals with interflows and connections. These verticals are also integrated sequentially and parallelly into one singular formulation to promote and encourage innovative activities for improved synergy and higher efficiency.

The programme covered workshop cum seminar on Intellectual Property Rights with special focus on Basic understanding on various components of IPR, Procedural and Regulatory Aspects of IP Prosecution, with reference to MSMEs, IP strategy and Startups, role of IPR in Technology commercialization challenges and opportunities, Importance of Packaging for GI Products & use of IP in Packaging, Technology Transfer and impact of IPR on Business growth etc.

OPPO’s Picks for Holi 2025 From Gulal to Great Shots

The colors of Holi fade, but the memories don’t have to! OPPO smartphones capture every moment of laughter and love in all its vibrancy. Celebrate Holi with a gift that keeps the festival alive all year long!

Capture the Festival of Colors with the OPPO Find X8 Series

The OPPO Find X8 Series is the perfect Holi companion, capturing every vibrant moment with its dual periscope system and 50MP low-light sensor. Its IP68 rating ensures protection against splashes, while the 5,630mAh battery with 80W SuperVOOC charging powers up fast for all-day celebrations. The 6.78-inch 120Hz AMOLED display brings your festive memories to life, and the MediaTek Dimensity 9400 chipset ensures seamless performance for capturing and sharing. This Holi, let the Find X8 Series make every color pop with stunning clarity!

The OPPO Reno13 5G Series is your perfect Holi companion, capturing every color-splashed moment—even underwater! Click stunning underwater selfies during Holi water with its AI-powered Underwater Mode, ensuring vibrant, crystal-clear shots. Its 50MP and 8MP ultra-wide lens, deliver breathtaking detail, while AI tools like AI Live Photo, AI Clarity, and AI Eraser 2.0 ensure every festive moment is preserved flawlessly. The IP66, IP68, and IP69 certifications make it waterproof and dustproof, so you can enjoy carefree celebrations. Powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 8350 chipset and a 5600mAh battery with 80W SuperVOOC charging, it keeps up with your energy all day.

Available in Luminous Blue, Ivory White, and Mist Lavender, the Reno13 5G is more than just a smartphone—it’s your Holi memory maker!

The OPPO K12x 5G is the ultimate Holi companion, combining style, durability, and power! Available in Breeze Blue, Midnight Violet, and Feather Pink, its stunning colors perfectly match your festive outfits, making it the ideal smartphone to twin with your Holi look. With an IP54 rating, it’s resistant to dust and splashes, ensuring worry-free celebrations. Powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 6300 5G processor, it delivers smooth performance, while the 120Hz AMOLED display enhances every visual with vibrant clarity. The 5,100mAh battery with 100W SuperVOOC charging keeps you powered up throughout the festivities with minimal downtime. Whether you’re capturing Holi’s colorful chaos or indulging in a gaming session, the OPPO K12x 5G is built for non-stop fun—bold, durable, and Holi-ready!