Embark on a Himalayan Culinary Adventure at Tamra, Shangri-La Eros New Delhi

(New Delhi, February 2025) Shangri-La Eros New Delhi presents a journey to the heart of the Himalayas with an exclusive Himachali food pop-up at Tamra from February 19th to 23rd, 2025. This special culinary showcase brings the warmth and comfort of traditional Pahadi cuisine straight from the mountains to the table, offering both lunch and dinner experiences that celebrate the rich heritage of Himachal Pradesh’s time-honored recipes.

At the heart of this exclusive pop-up is the Sous Chef Laxmikant Sharma, working to create an authentic mountain dining experience. The menu showcases the true essence of Himachali cuisine, from traditional non-vegetarian pickles to dishes prepared using old-school cooking techniques.

Each meal is crafted with seasonal mountain ingredients like wild apricots, red rice, millets, and aromatic Himalayan herbs.  Savor the rich Sepu Wadi ka Madra, a traditional preparation that perfectly captures the region’s love for lentils, and the tangy Kale Channe ka Khatta that brings back memories of winter afternoons. The aromatic Ghee Sidhu and robust Khatta Meat showcase the hearty flavors of Himachali homes, while the comforting Mash ki Dal and Tudkia Bhaat speak of simple mountain meals made with love. To complete your experience, taste the homestyle Till ki Chutney and Apple ki Chutney, adding the perfect balance of nutty and sweet notes to your meal.

Guests can experience lunch buffet at INR 3,200 plus taxes and dinner buffet at INR 3,500 plus taxes, to be part of a culinary journey that preserves and celebrates the rich heritage of Himachal Pradesh.

Every dish served at Shangri-La’s Tamra is a step towards keeping these age-old recipes alive, supporting local communities, and bringing the authentic taste of the mountains to Delhi.

Acerpure’s New Chef 2-in-1 Air Fryer Brings Versatility to Your Kitchen for Rs. 10,990

Bangalore/Mumbai, India – 20 February 2025 – Acerpure India, a division of the global Acer Group, has introduced the Acerpure Chef 2-in-1 Flip Air Fryer, a sleek and versatile kitchen appliance designed for healthier and more convenient cooking. This all-in-one device seamlessly integrates air frying, grilling, and hot pot functions, making it a must-have for modern kitchens.

Available in elegant matte black and matte white, the air fryer not only enhances kitchen aesthetics but also delivers top-tier performance. Equipped with 360° Turboheat Air Fry Technology, it ensures even cooking with up to 80% less oil than traditional methods (based on lab testing, the Acerpure Chef 2-in-1 Flip Air Fryer reduces oil by 80% compared to traditional deep fryers when cooking frozen fries). With a 5.5L air fryer capacity and a 2.5L cooking pot, it caters to various culinary needs. The intuitive LED touch panel provides precise temperature control, ranging from 80°C to 200°C for air frying and 80°C to 220°C for the cooking pot, making it perfect for frying, grilling, baking, and sautéing.

The Acerpure Chef 2-in-1 Flip Air Fryer is crafted for seamless meal preparation, featuring five intelligent cooking modes that streamline the process. Designed for versatility, it caters to bachelors, married couples, and individuals on a diet by making soups, sautéing, and grilling effortless. The innovative flip mechanism enhances usability and prevents residue accumulation, ensuring hassle-free maintenance, while its durability is proven through over 3,000 flip tests. The borosilicate glass air fryer basket minimizes food odors, maintaining a fresh kitchen atmosphere. Certified by Germany’s LFGB and the U.S. FDA for food safety, the appliance meets the highest quality benchmarks. Thoughtfully equipped with an exclusive cooking pot lid, silicone clip, and anti-scald gloves, its user-friendly design supports effortless cleaning and adaptable cooking, making it perfect for everything from quick bites to elaborate meals.

Speaking on the launch, Mr. Vasudeva G, Director of Acerpure India, said, “At Acerpure, we are redefining home appliances with innovation, quality, and smart technology at the core of everything we do. As a new-age brand, we are thrilled by the overwhelming response from Indian consumers to our growing portfolio, including TVs, water purifiers, air purifiers, air circulator fans, hair dryers, and stylers. In just eight months, we have expanded into six product categories, a testament to our commitment to delivering cutting-edge, user-friendly solutions. The Acerpure Chef 2-in-1 Flip Air Fryer is another step in this journey, designed to make cooking healthier, easier, and more versatile. We aim to bring thoughtful innovations that enhance everyday living, making homes cleaner, safer, and happier.”

Long-Term Impact of AI Hard to Gauge, but 94% of Indian B2B Marketers See High ROI

India, February 20, 2025: The pressure for B2B marketers is intensifying as nearly half of them in India have to justify marketing spend to C-suite executives on a monthly basis, according to new research from , the world’s largest professional network and leading B2B advertising platform. With the length of B2B buying cycles getting longer, the majority (89%) of B2B marketers say it’s getting harder to measure long-term impact of a campaign.

LinkedIn’s new ‘B2B ROI Impact’ research, which surveyed over 1,000 B2B marketers in the US, UK, France, and India, highlights the ongoing pressures that marketers face to demonstrate the impact of their work on company revenue. 84% of B2B CMOs in the country say that proving campaign return-on-investment (ROI) has become more important in the past two years.

Research shows that there are three key barriers B2B marketers face when demonstrating ROI – lack of standardised industry benchmarks and metrics, particularly for B2B campaigns (42%); difficulty in accurately attributing conversions to specific campaigns (39%), integration issues between different data platforms (39%); and lack of organisational alignment on metrics between sales and marketing (38%).

Sachin Sharma, Director, LinkedIn Marketing Solutions, Indi, says, “As proving ROI remains the core priority for Indian B2B marketers in 2025, their relationship with senior leaders will be in sharper focus. With 9 in 10 already using AI tools to improve campaign returns and measure ROI better, B2B marketers must work with leaders to prioritise ‘value metrics over volume metrics’. To do this, they must adopt the right AI tools that can help measure a campaign’s impact with greater precision – resulting in real business outcomes.”

Majority of B2B marketers say value metrics are stronger indicators of campaign success Although research finds that volume metrics, like Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC), Cost per Engagement (CPE), and Return on Ad Spend (RoAS) are some of the most frequently requested metrics from senior leadership, B2B marketers know that mindsets need to shift. Despite data showing that 46% of senior leaders in India are focused on RoAS, B2B marketers consider value metrics, like Marketing Qualified Leads (MQLs) and Sales Qualified Leads (SQLs), as stronger indicators of campaign success.

Looking ahead into the next year, B2B marketers say that understanding buyer intent – a buyer’s likelihood to purchase – will be the biggest challenge in proving campaign effectiveness, signaling the criticality in effectively measuring qualified leads. As a result, over half (53%) of B2B marketers are pivoting to a buyer group marketing strategy to influence purchase decisions and drive conversions, and focusing on Customer Lifetime Value (CLV) in reporting.

96% of B2B marketers believe AI will have a positive impact on measurement. As the buying group continues to evolve and B2B marketers find it harder to reach the right decision-makers and prove campaign effectiveness, more than 9 in 10 B2B marketers in India believe AI will have a positive impact on measurement over the next five years.

And, 94% of B2B marketers also agree that they are seeing improved ROI when using AI to build and optimize campaigns. Research shows they are using AI to enhance audience segmentation and targeting (65%), drive predictive analytics for better lead scoring (61%), personalize content at scale (57%), and optimize ad spend and creative content in real time (55%).

When looking to the future, B2B marketers believe that over the next five years, AI will prove to be the most valuable in measuring ad effectiveness (62%); content creation and personalisation (60%); and predictive analytics (53%)

Zee Entertainment’s Punit Goenka Lays Out Strategic Path for Future Success

This is to inform you that in an exclusive interview with Zee Business, Punit Goenka, CEO of Zee Entertainment, addressed key questions surrounding the company’s performance, leadership changes, and the much-discussed merger with Sony. Mr. Goenka clarified that while the merger with Sony did not materialize, he remains open to future proposals that align with the interests of shareholders, employees, and the company. He emphasized that despite stepping down as Managing Director, his role and approach to leading the company remain unchanged, allowing him to focus more on business growth without the added burden of board responsibilities.

Mr. Goenka highlighted Zee Entertainment’s impressive profit growth over the past year, attributing it to cost optimization, content monetization, and operational efficiency. He outlined the company’s strategic pillars for future growth, including high-quality content creation, effective monetization strategies, and maintaining financial discipline. Goenka also addressed the growing competition in the media industry, asserting that Zee is well-positioned to compete effectively through its strong content offerings and customer-centric approach, while reaffirming his passion for storytelling and commitment to the company’s success.

Prachay Capital Ltd Plans INR 100 Crore Public Issue of Secured NCDs

Hyderabad, 19 February 2025: Prachay Capital Limited, an RBI-registered Non-Banking Financial Company – Investment and Credit Company (NBFC-ICC), has announced the public issue of its Secured, Rated, Redeemable Non-Convertible Debentures (NCDs) to raise up to ₹100 Crore. The issue opens on 28 February 2025 and closes on 13 March 2025.

The BBB-/Stable CRISIL-rated NCDs offer investors a 13% p.a. return with monthly interest payments, making it a fixed-income investment opportunity. The proceeds from this issue of NCDs will be primarily used for the stated fund utilization.

Speaking about the issue, Mr Girish Murlidhar Lakhotiya, Managing Director, Prachay Capital Limited said: “This NCD issue is a key step in Prachay Capital’s expansion strategy. With our focus on structured corporate lending and investment in private debt instruments, we aim to generate strong and sustainable returns for our investors while maintaining a robust financial profile.

Prachay Capital has zero delays in servicing liabilities and has Gross NPA of 0% on its Assets Under Management (AUM). The Company’s AUM has grown at a CAGR of 46.61% from ₹ 132.92 Crore as at March 31, 2022 to ₹ 285.70 Crore, as at March 31, 2024 and has return on equity (ROE) above 17% post tax over the last three financial years. The Company’s Net Interest Margin (NIM) for the last three financial years ending on March 31, 2024, March 31, 2023 and March 31, 2022 stood at 8.40%, 9,49% and 11.02%, respectively and Company’s Return on Total Assets (ROTA) have been in range of 4% to 5% for the same period. As on quarter and six months period ended September 30, 2024, the Company’s Capital Risk Adequacy Ratio (CRAR) was 27.32%.

With BSE listing, the issue is open for subscription by retail individual investors, high-net-worth individual investors (HNIs), institutional investors, and corporates. For details relating to eligible investors, see “Issue Structure” beginning on page 189 of the Prospectus.

In the first half of fiscal 2025, 607 different issuers tapped the corporate bond market, issuing bonds totalling Rs 5.11 lakh crore. In the fiscal 2025, the corporate bond market saw 200+ new issuers, reflecting growing confidence and participation in the debt market. Moreover, AAA-rated corporate bonds dominated the bond market with ~67% issuances in the first half of fiscal 2025.” He added

Dr. Kala Venkata Uday Receives 2024 WCDM Disaster Preparedness Award for Outstanding Contributions

February, 19th, Mandi : Dr. Kala Venkata Uday, a pioneering geotechnical engineer and associate professor at IIT Mandi, received the prestigious Disaster Preparedness Award at the WCDM-DRR Awards Ceremony 2024. The event, held at the Constitution Club of India, celebrated trailblazers in disaster risk reduction and resilience.

The ceremony was graced by esteemed dignitaries, including Shri Piyush Goyal, Hon’ble Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, as the Chief Guest, and Justice Shri M.M. Kumar, Former Chief Justice of Jammu & Kashmir, as the Guest of Honor. Shri Sanjay Kumar, IAS, Secretary of the Department of School Education & Literacy, also attended, adding to the occasion’s grandeur.

Dr. Uday was recognized for his groundbreaking contributions to landslide disaster risk reduction, nature-based mitigation solutions, and innovations in bio-geotechnics. With over 15 years of experience, including spearheading IIT Mandi’s pioneering initiatives in landslide monitoring and early warning systems, Dr. Uday’s research has transformed disaster management practices, particularly in the Himalayan region.

Expressing gratitude, Dr. Uday highlighted the collective effort of his team and the unwavering support of IIT Mandi, stating, “This award is a testament to our commitment to building disaster-resilient communities. It motivates us to further our mission of saving lives and safeguarding infrastructure.”

The WCDM-DRR Awards, organized by the Disaster Management Initiatives and Convergence Society (DMICS), spotlight leaders in disaster resilience. This year’s event featured policymakers, scientists, and industry experts, fostering dialogue on innovative solutions for disaster management.

Dr. Uday’s achievements underscore the critical role of academia in addressing real-world challenges. His innovative solutions, including IoT-based early warning systems and sustainable construction practices, continue to inspire and empower communities to mitigate disaster risks effectively.

New Research Alliance Between Amity University and University of Oulu Aims to Revolutionize Hydrogen Sector

A delegation from the University of Oulu, Finland visited Amity University Noida with the aim to foster strong research partnership by leveraging collective expertise, resources, and innovations to propel breakthroughs in the Hydrogen Sector. The delegation comprised of Professor Marko Huttula, Head of Nano and Molecular Systems Research Unit, Ms. Katja Nieminen, Head of International Affairs, Professor Matti Silveri, Lead of Superconducting Quantum Simulations and Quantum Information Group, and Mr. Marianne Kinnula, Associate Professor Human-Computer Interaction Research Unit, amongst others.

On this occasion, an MoU was signed between Amity University and University of Oulu, Finland, with the aim to identify the potential collaboration opportunities in the Hydrogen Value Chain. Dr. Marco Huttula, Head of NANOMO Research Unit, University of Oulu, Finland, averred, “Our research areas include Green Transition and Circular Economy, Biodiverse Arctic, Digital Water Systems, Global Resilience Hydrogen Future and Sustainability, Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence, amongst others. University of Oulu offers courses on energy, technology and systems, sustainable development and many other related areas. Amity University and University of Oulu can collaborate in Research and Leadership on Hydrogen Value Chain through double degree initiatives, joint projects and funding, and signing different MoUs to support joint objectives.”

Dr. Balvinder Shukla, Vice Chancellor Amity University Uttar Pradesh, stated, “Hydrogen is emerging as a key driver of the global clean energy transition, therefore, a mission-mode collaboration with top Universities of the world and industries is essential to accelerate cutting-edge research, technological advancements, and real-world applications. “The National Hydrogen Mission, launched in January 2023 is a government initiative to establish India as a global leader in green hydrogen production, use, and export and it will create a sizable market for green hydrogen production and associated technologies. We are excited to partner with University of Oulu which is a research driven University like Amity and together we will achieve significant innovations in the Hydrogen Sector.”

Deliberating upon the collaboration opportunities between Amity and University of Oulu, Ms. Katja Stephenson, Head of International Affairs, University of Oulu, Finland, said, “We look forward to collaborating with Amity University for creating a Hydrogen Research Hub and Centre of Excellence, fostering student exchange, and broadening research and education collaboration to other disciplines.”

Sharing the proposed objectives for MNRE Centre of Excellence, and the initiatives under ‘Amity Hydrogen Mission’, Dr. W Selvamurthy, President ASTIF, said, “The Centre of Excellence will enable the performance evaluation and development of large-scale Photocatalytic Reactor for Solar-driven green Hydrogen Production, Wastewater Hydrogen Production Systems, development of advanced electrode materials, cost effective membranes for industrial level hydrogen production via electrolyzer technologies and the establishment of pilot-scale green hydrogen plant, as per the industrial standards and processes.”

On this occasion, Dr. A K Singh, Sr. Vice President, Amity Foundation for Science Technology and Innovation Alliance presented an overview of the R&D Ecosystem and International Landscape of Amity University and Dr. Sunita Rattan, Dean, Faculty of Science & Technology, presented Amity’s research contribution focusing on the ‘Hydrogen Sector’.

Flipkart Launches Tablet Premier League 2025 with Special Offers You Can’t Miss

Flipkart, one of India’s leading e-commerce marketplaces, is set to launch the first edition of this year’s Flipkart Tablet Premier League 2025 (TPL 2025) from February 20th at noon. Building on its past success, TPL 2025 continues Flipkart’s commitment to affordability and accessibility while catering to the growing demand for entertainment on the go. This edition brings industry-leading deals on top-rated tablets, allowing customers to upgrade their devices without stretching their budget.

With the theme of “Screen Bada, Scene Bada,” TPL 2025 highlights that entertainment, education, and productivity are key drivers of tablet sales, with OTT and sports streaming playing a significant role in increasing usage. Flipkart’s data shows tablet searches surged 16-18% during major cricketing seasons in 2023 and 2024. Recognizing this trend, TPL 2025 has been strategically scheduled to coincide with the upcoming cricket events, ensuring consumers have access to premium tablets for an enhanced viewing experience.

Flipkart’s Tablet Premier League 2025 will feature top-selling brands, including Samsung, Lenovo, Apple, Realme, OnePlus, Redmi, Mi, POCO, and Infinix offering customers a diverse range of choices. With offers up to 50% off for a limited period of time on best-selling tablets enabled by sellers, customers can enjoy limited-time price drops offered by brands, exchange offers, and attractive deals on tablet accessories such as folio covers and keyboards.

Recognizing the growing demand for tablets among students, young professionals, and tech enthusiasts aged 18 to 40, Flipkart has designed TPL 2025 to go beyond just deals. To enhance the shopping experience, Flipkart has introduced several consumer-friendly innovations.  Flipkart’s ‘Minutes’  ensures ultra-fast deliveries, with tablets reaching select pin codes in 10 minutes. To make shopping more interactive and hassle-free, Flipkart has an on-demand video assistance feature, where expert agents will guide customers through their purchase journey, ensuring they find the perfect tablet to meet their needs. Additionally, Flipkart prioritizes affordability by enabling customers to trade in their old tablets and benefit from No-Cost EMI, bank offers, and exchange deals, making premium devices more accessible to a broader audience.

The Tablet Premier League is now an annual event, aligning with major cricket tournaments. With customer-centric innovations and a strong commitment to delivering value, Flipkart envisions bigger screens, better experiences, and unbeatable prices with TPL 2025, making it a much-anticipated yearly event series.

Choice Broking Acquires Arete Capital (RS. 5,151 Crore AUM)

Mumbai, 18th February 2025 – Choice Equity Broking Private Limited (Choice Broking), a leading full-service brokerage firm and a subsidiary of Choice International Limited (BSE: 531358, NSE: CHOICEIN), today announced the acquisition of Arete Capital Services Private Limited (Arete), a prominent wealth management firm with an Assets Under Management (AUM) of ₹5,151 crores. This strategic acquisition strengthens Choice Broking’s position in the wealth management and investment advisory space, enhancing its ability to serve High Net Worth Individuals (HNIs) and institutional clients with a more comprehensive suite of financial solutions.

With this acquisition, Choice Broking’s total wealth management AUM will grow from ₹1,090 crores to ₹6,241 crores, representing a 5.73x increase—nearly a sixfold expansion in its total AUM. This marks a major step in Choice Broking’s expansion strategy, enhancing its ability to provide a wider range of investment solutions and advisory services to an evolving client base.

Commenting on the acquisition, Mr. Arun Poddar, CEO & Executive Director, Choice International Limited, said: “The acquisition of Arete Capital Services is a key milestone in our journey to become a leading player in the wealth management space. With Arete’s strong reputation and expertise, we are confident in our ability to deliver superior investment solutions and personalized financial planning for HNIs and institutional clients. This move emphasizes our vision of offering technology-driven, research-backed financial solutions that empower investors to achieve long-term wealth creation.”

Kamal Somani, Director, Arete Capital Services, added:
“Arete Capital Services has always been committed to providing customized investment solutions that align with the unique financial goals of our clients. Joining forces with Choice Broking presents an exciting opportunity to enhance our offerings, leverage cutting-edge technology, and extend our reach to a broader investor base. We look forward to this new chapter that will unlock greater value for our clients and stakeholders.”

The integration of Arete Capital Services into Choice Broking’s ecosystem is expected to strengthen its wealth management portfolio, deepen client engagement, and scale its market presence. The combined expertise of both firms will enable the delivery of high-quality investment solutions, reinforcing Choice Broking’s commitment to innovation, excellence, and investor success.

Choice Equity Broking Private Limited

Choice Equity Broking Private Limited is a leading financial services firm providing equity, commodity, and currency trading. As a subsidiary of Choice International Limited, the company is committed to leveraging technology-driven platforms and deep research insights to offer best-in-class investment solutions across retail and institutional segments.

Arete Capital Services

Arete Capital Services Private Limited is a well-established wealth management firm specializing in the distribution of investment products and advisory services. With an AUM of ₹5,151 crores, Arete serves a strong clientele of HNIs and institutional investors, offering tailored financial solutions focused on long-term wealth creation and investment growth.

Innovative Agritech Startup Ideas: Finding Your Next Big Opportunity

India’s agritech landscape is witnessing a transformative shift, thanks to innovative startups that are redefining traditional farming practices. These companies are leveraging cutting-edge technologies to empower farmers, enhance productivity, and promote sustainable agriculture. Here are some of the top startups leading this revolution:

1. BioPrime AgriSolutions
Founded in 2016, Pune-based BioPrime AgriSolutions is at the forefront of agricultural biotechnology. The company has developed proprietary platforms like SNIPR (Smart Nanomolecules Induced Physiological Response) and Bionexus to create advanced agri-biological products. These innovations help crops withstand climate-induced stresses, reduce dependency on synthetic fertilizers, and improve overall yield. BioPrime’s commitment to farmer empowerment is evident through initiatives like the “King Farmers Cohort” program, which offers crop-specific training and mentorship to enhance sustainable farming practices. For more information.

2. Kheyti
Established in 2015, Kheyti addresses challenges faced by smallholder farmers through its “Greenhouse-in-a-Box” solution. This affordable, modular greenhouse is designed to protect crops from environmental uncertainties, reduce water usage, and increase yields by up to seven times. Kheyti’s holistic approach includes end-to-end support with training and market linkages, ensuring farmers can maximize the benefits of their investment. The startup’s impactful work has been recognized globally, earning accolades like the Earthshot Prize in 2022.

3. Plantix
Originally developed to combat pesticide overuse, Plantix has evolved into a comprehensive digital platform for farmers. The app utilizes artificial intelligence to diagnose crop diseases through smartphone images, providing instant recommendations for treatment. While its mission has shifted over time, Plantix remains a valuable tool for farmers seeking to identify and manage crop health issues efficiently.

4. CropIn Technology
CropIn offers a suite of digital solutions aimed at making farming data-driven. Their platforms enable real-time monitoring of crop health, weather forecasting, and supply chain traceability. By integrating artificial intelligence and machine learning, CropIn assists farmers in making informed decisions, thereby enhancing productivity and profitability.

5. Ninjacart
Ninjacart is revolutionizing the agricultural supply chain by connecting farmers directly with retailers and businesses. Through its technology-driven platform, the startup streamlines the distribution process, reducing wastage and ensuring farmers receive fair prices for their produce. This direct linkage eliminates intermediaries, benefiting both producers and consumers.