Mumbai, January 23rd, 2025: Bank of Baroda (Bank), one of India’s leading public sector banks, concluded the 7th edition of its flagship rural outreach programme, ‘Baroda Kisan Pakhwada’ on a high note. Through the fortnight-long initiative, the Bank connected with over 348,000 farmers across the country and cumulatively sanctioned agri loans of over Rs 3,300 crore. Through a combination of mega kisan melas, choupals, health camps and other drives, the Bank showcased its strong ties with the agricultural community.

As a part of the Baroda Kisan Pakhwada programme, Bank of Baroda organised outreach events across its 22 zones and 119 regions pan-India, with the ‘Baroda Kisan Rath’ travelling across the country to raise awareness and to share information on the Bank’s agriculture lending products & services as well as Government initiatives, such as lending schemes under the Atmanirbhar Bharat Package, micro insurance, social security schemes etc. The Bank also felicitated progressive farmers, entrepreneurs and customers for their contributions to the sector.

This year’s theme focused on leveraging technology to empower Indian farmers and the Bank introduced two digital initiatives – the Digital Baroda Kisan Credit Card (BKCC) and Digital Gold Loan to facilitate seamless access of credit to farmers.

Speaking on the occasion, Shri Lal Singh, Executive Director, Bank of Baroda said, “The success of Baroda Kisan Pakhwada underlines our unwavering commitment to India’s agriculture community. Through our digital initiatives like Digital BKCC and Digital Gold Loan, our aim is to simplify access to credit, making banking services more accessible and convenient for farmers. Through the Baroda Kisan Pakhwada, we have helped create a strong awareness on the range of offerings available with the Bank, thus empowering farmers to take advantage of financial schemes that will fuel their growth.”

23 January 2025: Summercool Group, the parent company of Summercool Home Appliances Ltd. and Thermocool Home Appliance Ltd., is proud to announce their strategic advertising initiatives with Indian Railway, Prayagraj city authorities, and Kumbh authorities, enhancing the brand presence during the sacred Mahakumbh Mela. By committing to the “Make in India” and “Vocal for Local” initiatives, Summercool Group embarked on an advertising initiative that reflects its dedication to innovation, community, and cultural heritage.

Summercool has partnered with Indian Railways for train body branding on local UP trains connecting Uttar Pradesh. The vibrant and engaging branding on these trains reaches thousands of passengers daily, fostering a sense of pride and support for locally manufactured products and manufacturers.

Along with that, the brand has showcased its brand advertisement on approx 500 boats at Kumbh Mela, providing a convenient way for pilgrims to reach Sangam Ghat for the sacred bath. Furthermore, massive advertising hoardings have been placed at all entry and exit locations of Kumbh Mela, as well as across Prayagraj city, to maximize exposure and ensure the brand’s presence during the pilgrimage.

Sanjeev Kumar Gupta, CMD, Summercool Home Appliances Ltd., said, “We are thrilled to be a part of this holy Mahakumbh Mela to connect with a diverse and vast audience of India coming from different regions and places. The Mahakumbh, recognized as one of the largest human gatherings globally, offers a unique platform for businesses like us to connect directly with millions of people as their customers. Our marketing initiatives during kumbh align with the government’s vision of promoting and supporting locally manufactured products and contributing to India’s economic growth. By supporting PM Modi’s ‘Make in India’ and ‘Vocal for Local’ initiatives, we are not only enhancing our brand presence but also encouraging consumers to choose homegrown solutions and support them.”

Summercool Appliances has been a trusted name in Uttar Pradesh for years, offering an array of affordable, high-quality, and energy-efficient home appliances designed to cater to the evolving needs of every Indian household. With this campaign, the brand underscores its mission to blend tradition and technology, providing sustainable and innovative solutions.

Nagpur, January 2025: Axis Bank, one of the largest private sector banks in India, partners with Marg ERP, a prominent player in integrated business applications, to provide simplified business banking solutions to small and medium enterprise (SME) customers. The aim is to seamlessly bring accounting and banking solutions at one place, and ensure that customers don’t need to toggle between accounting and banking applications.

This collaboration empowers Axis Bank current account holders to connect their Business accounts directly with Marg ERP software, creating a unified platform for managing all banking transactions such as NEFT, RTGS, IMPS, and more. Axis Bank current account holders can simply log in to Marg ERP, select the necessary bills, and process payments through their connected Axis Bank account.

With this connected banking solution, businesses can automate their banking processes, enhance fund-flow control with real time account balances, manage payments and reconciliation, and enjoy a wide range of features directly from their ERP system.  This integration eliminates the need for manual data entry and reduces accounting errors, as transactions are automatically fetched from the ERP. Real-time visibility of bank balances and transaction statuses on the accounting software enables swift decision-making.

With the key features of the Axis Bank-Marg ERP Integration, customers can:

• Simplify the work of reconciling payments into bank accounts with Auto-Bank Reconciliation
• Initiate real-time direct payments through Marg ERP software via different payment options like NEFT, RTGS, IMPS and Intra bank fund transfers
• Schedule recurring payments as per the business requirements
• Stay updated on the status of payments with integrated banking options
• View the bank statement; download and organize reports to make informed business decisions
• Automate Ledger Entry

On the partnership, Vivek Gupta, President & Head – Wholesale Banking Products, Axis Bank commented, “This Partnership with Marg ERP is a testament to Axis Bank’s unwavering commitment to serve our SME clients better by harnessing cutting-edge technology and delivering integrated, customer-centric solutions. With secure and seamless integration of banking functions with Marg ERP, we are making it simpler for our customers to manage their financial operations with high efficiency and agility, while making quick well-informed decisions on growth. This initiative is a continuation of our ongoing efforts to significantly improve the digital experience of our clients.”

Commenting on integration, CMD & Founder Thakur Anup Singh from Marg ERP said, “This tie-up with Axis Bank is a milestone for B2B businesses across the region as it provides them with advanced digital banking solutions that will streamline their business operations. The partnership is well aligned with the government’s ongoing efforts to promote digitalization and drive economic growth. This collaborative effort, focusing on a simple, integrated business and banking offering, is expected to bring positive outcomes for regionally headquartered MSMEs, from major centres to the more remote districts.”

Reflective of Axis Bank’s commitment to innovation and digital excellence, this partnership equips businesses with advanced digital tools at no extra cost.

23rd January, 2025 : Absolut, as part of its long-standing commitment to fostering inclusivity and breaking biases, announces the launch of its latest campaign, UNLABEL, BORN COLOURLESS. The campaign builds upon the brand’s long-standing commitment towards breaking biases, a journey that began with the ‘Born Colourless’ campaign in 2018. UNLABEL BORN COLOURLESS encourages individuals to look beyond labels and stereotypes, and instead, focus on getting to know people for who they truly are. By asking individuals to move beyond judgments and casting labels, Absolut aims to foster a more open-minded and accepting world, where everyone can thrive without the constraints of preconceived notions.

Absolut has partnered with White Label to bring this powerful message to life through a series of four compelling films. The campaign features four powerful films that aspire to spark a movement, encouraging people to look beyond labels.

Featuring personal stories from influential voices, the campaign highlights real experiences of being misjudged based on name, age, gender, profession, or background. While Ankush Bahuguna shares his journey of breaking stereotypes around men and makeup, Sunny Leone challenges the ‘item girl’ label by showcasing her life as a successful entrepreneur and a mother. Navtej Singh Johar redefines masculinity beyond traditional norms, and Deepa Malik proves that physical limitations do not define one’s potential. Through these narratives, UNLABEL reinforces the idea that we were all BornColourless—without labels or biases.

Commenting on the association, Pulkith Modi, General Manager – Marketing, International Brands at Pernod Ricard India, said, “We live in a world where people are often defined by labels based on race, gender, and societal expectations. At Absolut, we believe in a world where everyone is free to express their true selves, unburdened by these constraints. The UNLABEL BORN COLOURLESS campaign calls for a shift towards inclusivity, it is a call to action, encouraging people to look beyond assumptions and stereotypes, and to celebrate individuality and authenticity. We are thrilled to partner with such inspiring voices to bring this message to life.”

Rohit Tugnait, CEO, White Label, (a unit of White), added, “There’s a reason we’re called White Label – it’s because we believe that sticker value is just not as important as the value of the content we create. The brief from Absolut resonated with this belief system. The UNLABEL films inspire people to think beyond preconceived notions, to think beyond the sticker value of labels applied to different types of people – we love this! It’s why making these films was not just incredibly fun, it was something we, as a team, could also cherish.”

by Tarun Chugh, MD & CEO Bajaj Allianz Life

India’s economic growth presents immense opportunities for the insurance sector to enhance financial resilience. Anticipated income tax cuts in the upcoming budget could boost disposable income, driving higher life insurance penetration.

With the elderly population (50+) projected to grow by 22% in the next six years, incentivizing pension product is imperative.

Aligning tax deduction of life insurance annuity products with the National Pension Scheme (NPS) and addressing the issue of tax on principal component on annuity products can evolve retirement needs effectively.

We urge the government to introduce separate tax deduction for term insurance and extending the tax deduction on life insurance premium under new tax regime as well. These measures will empower individuals to build robust financial safety nets and advance the vision of ‘Insurance for All by 2047’, thereby fostering long-term financial security and inclusivity.

by Mr. Naveen Chandra Jha, MD & CEO, SBI General Insurance.

“Health insurance has emerged as a crucial safety net for Indian families, shielding them from unexpected medical expenses. According to the IBEF report, India is the 4th largest general insurance market in Asia and the 14th largest globally. Data from IRDAI’s annual reports reveals that health insurance has grown steadily at approximately 25% annually over the past three years, highlighting its importance in protecting households.

As India advances toward financial inclusivity and universal healthcare, Budget 2025 offers a pivotal opportunity to further strengthen the health insurance sector. Anticipated policy measures include enhancing accessibility, simplifying tax benefits, and encouraging innovation in insurance products. Initiatives such as Bima Sugam, designed to achieve the goal of ‘Insurance for All’ by 2047, are expected to receive regulatory and fiscal support to address the protection gap. Additionally, the budget is likely to focus on expanding access in underserved regions through government-private partnerships, targeted subsidies, and advancements in digital infrastructure. By fostering a conducive ecosystem, Budget 2025 can empower insurers to contribute to a healthier, more secure India, aligning with the vision of a Viksit Bharat.”

by Srikanth Kandikonda – Chief Financial Officer, ManipalCigna Health Insurance.

With the Hon. Finance Minister presenting the Union Budget in a few days, the health insurance sector stands at a pivotal moment where policy reforms could significantly transform the landscape of healthcare accessibility and coverage in India.

Healthcare costs are rising significantly and expected to double in six years, we urge the government to implement measures that can help make healthcare more affordable for all Indians. For a healthier Bharat, the outlay for healthcare spend has been proposed to be increased to 2.5% of the GDP by 2025 as per the National Health Policy. While India’s out-of-pocket expenditure has seen a decline from 64.2% 2013-14 to around 40% in 2021-22 as per the national health accounts estimate, we are still working towards our mission of achieving Universal Health Coverage. Hence, we request the government to increase outlay for public healthcare spend during this budget, as this is the need of the hour.

Given the rising healthcare costs and the need for higher sum insured cover, the government should reduce tax burden by increasing the limits under Section 80D of income tax for premium paid for health insurance to Rs 50,000 for all and Rs 1 Lakh for senior citizens. This is crucial for achieving the government’s vision ‘Insurance for all by 2047’ and would substantially reduce the financial burden on families investing in their health and financial wellbeing.

23 January, 2025: Taneira, a TATA product has unveiled its first-ever brand campaign, a strategic initiative designed to reinforce its core promises of Trust, Authenticity, Purity, Craftsmanship, Diverse Indian Weaves Under One Roof. The campaign features the legendary Usha Uthup, well-known for her deep love for sarees, alongside the graceful Mrunal Thakur. Together, they bring alive the brand’s dedication to preserving and promoting the textile heritage of the country while empowering consumers to make informed choices. The campaign highlights the timeless elegance of handwoven sarees and the stories they carry, reaffirming Taneira as the ultimate destination for those seeking sarees unequivocally rich in both tradition and trend.

The film unfolds within a vibrant Taneira store, where Mrunal Thakur is seen draping a stunning pure silk saree and seeking the ‘expert’ opinion of Usha Uthup. What follows is an interaction laced with playful exchanges that are a slice of everyday life and resonates with every ardent saree shopper. Their conversation adds a touch of charm while addressing common concerns that many consumers have, from choosing the right fabric to gauging the authenticity of a saree. Through a series of delightful moments, the film underscores the unique qualities of Taneira Sarees, such as pure silk credentials, proudly certified with the Silk Mark tag, to their intricately handwoven designs crafted by master artisans from across the country. It brings to life the enduring allure of these pieces while reassuring consumers that Taneira offers transparency, authenticity, and craftsmanship they can trust.

Sharing her thoughts on this campaign, singer Usha Uthup expressed, “For me, sarees are not just a part of my attire, they are a part of my personal identity. Taneira’s commitment to preserving the art of saree weaving while embracing contemporary design interpretations mirrors my own values of celebrating cultural legacy and individual expression. It is truly special to be involved with a brand that celebrates the timeless beauty of sarees, while making them accessible to women who value both style and meaning in their wardrobe.”

At the heart of the narrative lies the breathtaking ‘Mor design’ Banarasi saree, adorned with over a hundred intricately woven peacocks. This masterpiece spotlights Taneira’s ability to bring unique yet timeless designs to life through unmatched craftsmanship of India’s weaving traditions.

Uthup added, “This partnership feels like a natural extension of my long-standing love for sarees and my passion to support artisans whose craft deserves to be cherished and shared with the world”.

Speaking on the launch of the campaign, Mr. Ambuj Narayan, CEO, Taneira, said “At Taneira, our goal is to offer authenticity with transparency, all at a price that reflects value, while telling the stories of the hands that painstakingly bring each piece to life. We are dedicated to celebrating the seamless blend of heritage and modernity, and this campaign embodies that vision by bringing to life the rich legacy of Indian textiles at the heart of what Taneira represents. It has been an honor to collaborate with a legend like Usha Uthup and the very gracious Mrunal Thakur to tell this story and inspire a deeper connection with the artistry behind every Taneira saree”.

Speaking about the association, actress Mrunal Thakur said, “It has been my pleasure to be a part of this campaign with Taneira and a living legend, Usha Uthup Ma’am. Over the past year, my collaborations with Taneira have been truly enriching. Not only have I been privileged to experience their differentiated designs, but also the diverse crafts they embody. Every collaboration has deepened my appreciation for the sarees and stories they tell. This campaign perfectly captures that journey and feels incredibly meaningful as it aligns with my own fashion philosophy”.

Puneet Kapoor, Chief Creative Officer, Ogilvy South – “Taneira set out to showcase its value propositions to both new saree enthusiasts and seasoned connoisseurs. We asked ourselves some tough questions: Can a brand withstand the scrutiny of the most knowledgeable customers—those who might know as much, if not more, about sarees than we do? While Mrunal has long been the elegant face of Taneira, the real triumph was bringing on the iconic Usha Uthup, the undisputed goddess of sarees in India. This dynamic duo infused our story with charm, entertainment, and emotion, offering a compelling spin on the essence of our value propositions.”

23rd January 2025: Vrindavan Chandrodaya Mandir and the Hare Krishna Movement are currently participating in the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025, the World’s largest spiritual gathering, held in Prayagraj from January 13 to February 26, 2025. Millions of devotees, visitors, sadhus and saints of different sects will converge at the sacred confluence of the three rivers, the Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati.

In this 45-day grand event, Vrindavan Chandrodaya Mandir aspires to enrich the spiritual and cultural experience of everyone visiting Kumbh Mela. Vrindavan Chandrodaya Mandir and Hare Krishna Movement are actively contributing to this once-in-12-year festival of faith and culture through various devotional, spiritual and social initiatives on the sacred land of Prayagraj.

Talking about the Maha Kumbh Mela, Sri Chanchalapathi Dasa, President – Vrindavan Chandrodaya Mandir and Vice Chairman & Co-Mentor- Hare Krishna Movement said, “Kumbh Mela this year is called Maha Kumbh Mela. Once in 12 years comes a Purna Kumbh Mela and 12 such cycles later, Kumbh Mela that comes is called Maha Kumbh Mela. So. this Maha Kumbh Mela is coming after 144 years. Hence, it is a very special Kumbh Mela.”

He added, ”In 1971, Srila Prabhupada (Founder – Acharya of the Worldwide Hare Krishna Movement) personally participated in the Kumbh Mela and invited devotees worldwide to join him. He considered it a wonderful opportunity in distributing Krishna consciousness. So, this year too, we are having Bhagavat Katha, Harinaam Sankirtan, Distribution of books like Bhagavad Gita and very importantly – Profuse Prasadam Distribution. You will be able to participate in all these festivities. Do come and join us.”

Key Initiatives and Services by Vrindavan Chandrodaya Mandir

1. Annadan Seva: One of the significant services, through Annadan Seva, we aim to provide over 20,000 nutritious and fresh meals daily to all the pilgrims and sadhus.
2. Blanket Distribution: Free blankets will be distributed to the pilgrims, saints and visitors to protect them from freezing cold weather.
3. Book Distribution: Distribution of Vedic literatures like Bhagavad Gita, Srimad Bhagavatam and others to spread the spiritual wisdom to all the visitors and pilgrims.
4. Pravachan / Spiritual Discourses: Daily discourses on the Bhagavad Gita and Srimad Bhagavatam will be conducted by the senior devotees on a daily basis to inspire and encourage the visitors towards spiritual enlightenment and knowledge.
5. Nagar Sankirtan and Shobha Yatra: Daily processions will be organised where the Deities will be taken around on a palanquin accompanied by sankirtan and devotional prayers.

Facilities at Mahakumbh Mela by Vrindavan Chandrodaya Mandir

1. Katha Hall: A spacious Katha hall where spiritual discourses are held will be facilitated, which can accommodate 1000 people at a time.
2. Temple Hall: A temple where Deities will be worshipped with Sankirtana, arati and other pujas.
3. Mega Kitchen: The well-equipped mega kitchen with trained staff, who will prepare and serve more than 20,000 meals everyday.
4. Food Distribution Hall: The Food Distribution or Feeding Hall is planned to accommodate 1,000 people per batch with clean water and sitting facility.

The Vrindavan Chandrodaya Mandir and Hare Krishna Movement Camp is located at Sector 6, Near Nag Vasuki Temple, Maha Kumbh Mela, Prayagraj.

Important Dates

13 January, 2025: Paush Poornima

14 January, 2025: Makar Sankranti

29 January, 2025: Mauni Amavasya

03 February, 2025: Basant Panchami

04 February, 2025: Achala Saptami

12 February, 2025: Maghi Purnima

26 February, 2025: Maha Shivratri

Mumbai, India, 23rd January 2025: Paras Defence & Space Technologies Limited (Paras Defence), a leader in optics and optronic systems for defence and space, is set to invest Rs. 12000 crores to establish India’s first Optics Park in Maharashtra. In this regard, the defence company signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Maharashtra (GoM). The announcement, made at the prestigious World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, marks a historic milestone in India’s journey toward self-reliance in advanced optical technologies.

The monumental investment is set to create a state-of-the-art technology hub that will reshape India’s optics and optical systems sector and establish itself as a World Leader in Optical Technologies. It also reaffirms Paras Defence’s commitment to the ‘Make in India’ initiative while advancing India’s aspirations for technological independence in critical sectors. The project is poised to generate over 2,000 direct employment opportunities and catalyze technological advancements across key industries such as defence, space, automotive, industrial, and commercial applications.

Under the planned MoU, the Government of Maharashtra has pledged its comprehensive support to Paras Defence in securing land, various incentives and approvals to bring this ambitious project to fruition.

Speaking about the announcement, Munjal Sharad Shah, Managing Director, Paras Defence & Space Technologies Ltd, stated, “The Optics Park reflects our unwavering commitment to advancing India’s technological capabilities. This revolutionary project will not only boost the domestic manufacturing ecosystem but also solidify India’s position as a global innovation hub. Our Optics Park will bridge technological gaps and create opportunities for knowledge exchange, innovation, and growth across sectors. This initiative represents a monumental milestone for both Paras Defence and India’s technological aspirations.”

Commenting on the partnership, [Spokesperson from Government of Maharashtra] said, “We are proud to collaborate with Paras Defence to drive innovation and foster technological leadership in Maharashtra for Optical Technologies for Defence, Space, Automotive, Semiconductor and other applications. This project exemplifies our commitment to establishing the state as a hub for advanced industries and investments.”

The Optics Park, a greenfield project, is a cornerstone of Paras Defence’s vision to transform India into a self-reliant hub for optics and optical systems, eliminating dependence on foreign technologies. Paras Defence plans to leverage its robust network of mentor institutions, international partnerships, and it’s access to Capital Markets, FDI and domestic investors etc. to deliver on this ambitious project.

MAHLE is completing the next important step in its transformation. The automotive supplier is streamlining its group structure to become faster and more efficient in the implementation of its strategy MAHLE 2030+. The changes include the reorganization and merger of business units in order to strengthen the strategic areas of electrification and thermal management, both structurally and in production. In the course of these changes, MAHLE will acquire all the remaining minority interests, amounting to almost 25 percent, in the thermal management specialist MAHLE Behr GmbH & Co. KG. The Group Management Board will be downsized from seven members at present to four in the future. “MAHLE is doing its homework for the transformation,” said Arnd Franz, Chairman of the Group Management Board and CEO. “Through these far-reaching changes, we will make our business ready for the future. We are accelerating the implementation of our group strategy which will position us as an innovative and sustainably profitable shaper of future mobility.” “Through the reorganization and the resulting streamlining of the Management Board, we will significantly improve the integration of our group and be able to make more effective use of synergies,” said Prof. Dr. Heinz K. Junker, Chairman of the MAHLE Supervisory Board.

Merging of business units

Effective January 1, 2025, MAHLE will reduce the number of its business units from five to three. Four existing business units will be merged to form two new business units. In doing so, the group is following industrial logic by pooling business areas with related production technology. “The reorganization of our business units will not only significantly accelerate internal cooperation. It will also offer new prospects for locations closely connected with the internal combustion engine and peripheral components. They will be able to contribute their industrial know-how to these future-oriented areas,” the CEO emphasized. In addition, he said that it would now be possible to form a high-performance production network and further reduce costs.

In future, the former business units “Engine Systems and Components”, and “Electronics and Mechatronics” will operate under the name of “Powertrain and Charging”. This way, MAHLE will strengthen its strategy field of electrification by allowing the focus areas of efficient electric motors and intelligent charging to benefit from the group’s over 100 years of experience with engine systems and components. An example of interaction between mechanical, electrical and electronics is the development of the electrical compressor, one of the company’s most successful products.

The activities of the former business units “Filtration and Engine Peripherals” and “Thermal Management” will be merged in the new business unit “Thermal and Fluid Systems”. Here, thermal management will be able to access production competencies in filtration developed within the group over many years, enabling it to place competitive future-oriented technologies on the market. MAHLE is committed to thermal management and intends to continue growth in this area. This is confirmed by the company’s decision to fully take over the affiliated company MAHLE Behr GmbH & Co. KG. with effect from January 1, 2025. MAHLE had acquired its first shares in the thermal management specialist in 2010 and had gradually increased its stake to slightly more than 75 percent since then.

“Following several major acquisitions in the thermal management field, this step will successfully complete the integration of this business in the MAHLE Group,” said Franz.

The Aftermarket business unit with its established product range and additional competence in electrification and digitalization will be continued as a separate business unit under the name of “Lifecycle and Mobility”.

Downsizing of Group Management Board

With this new group structure, the MAHLE Management Board will consist of the following four members from January 1, 2025:

Arnd Franz will continue to be the Chairman of the Management Board and CEO. In future, Human Resources will no longer be a separate Management Board function. Arnd Franz will also assume the function of statutory Labor Director. It has been mutually agreed with Dr. Beate Bungartz, the previous Labor Director and Member of the Management Board, that her work for the company will end. She has resigned from her positions with effect from November 29, 2024.

Markus Kapaun remains a Member of the Group Management Board and CFO

Jumana Al-Sibai, responsible to date for the “Thermal Management” business unit, will remain a Member of the Group Management Board, responsible for “Thermal and Fluid Systems” in the future. It has been mutually agreed with the previous Management Board Member responsible for the merged business unit of “Filtration and Engine Peripherals”, Martin Weidlich, that his work for the company will end. He has resigned from his positions with effect from November 29, 2024.

Georg Dietz, responsible to date for the “Engine Systems and Components” business unit, will remain a Member of the Management Board, responsible for “Powertrain and Charging” in the future. Martin Wellhoeffer, responsible for the merged “Electronics and Mechatronics” business unit, will transfer to the “Thermal and Fluid Systems” business unit as Chief Operating Officer (COO).

Supervisory Board thanks leaving Board Members

Prof. Dr. Heinz K. Junker, Chairman of the MAHLE Supervisory Board, who developed the new group structure in close cooperation with CEO Arnd Franz, said: “On behalf of the MAHLE supervisory bodies, I would like to thank the Management Board Members Dr. Beate Bungartz and Martin Weidlich, who are now leaving the group, for their excellent and dedicated work. In his five years with MAHLE, Martin Weidlich has performed great services both for the “Filtration and Engine Peripherals” business unit and in his group responsibility for operational excellence, production and purchasing. Over the past two years, Dr. Beate Bungartz has successfully continued the development of our human resources organization and has initiated the transformation dialog with employee representatives in Germany. Dr. Beate Bungartz and Martin Weidlich have my best wishes for their personal lives and careers in the future.

Equally, the supervisory bodies and I would like to thank Martin Wellhoeffer for his considerable commitment as a Management Board member. Under his leadership for almost two years, the “Electronics and Mechatronics” business unit has significantly expanded the competences of MAHLE in the fields of efficient electric drive systems and intelligent charging. We are convinced that Martin Wellhoeffer will forge ahead with the operational excellence and transformation as COO of what is to be our largest business unit in the future.”

New Delhi, 23rd January 2025: Sony is pleased to announce new features and operational improvements have been added to the upcoming BURANO Version 2.0 firmware update. Planned to be released in March 2025, BURANO Version 2.0 offers many new features and improvements requested by the user community, including new recording formats, new 1.8x de-squeeze, and monitoring improvements.

BURANO Version 2.0: New Recording Formats

As previously announced, Version 2.0 will include new recording formats, including a new 3.8K Full Frame crop that leverages nearly the entire sensor and can shoot up to 120 fps and a 1.9K mode that can shoot up to 240 fps. These new recording modes allow the filmmaker to prioritise faster sensor performance depending on the needs of their application. Other new recording formats include the addition of 24.00 fps to X-OCN 16:9 imager modes and the following:

Full Frame	3.8K 16:9 Mode	Up to 120 fps	XAVC and X-OCN
Super 35	4.3K 4:3 Mode (for Anamorphic)	Up to 60 fps	X-OCN only
Super 35	1.9K 16:9 Mode	Up to 240 fps[i]	XAVC only

BURANO Version 2.0 will also add a 1.8x de-squeeze setting as well as additional high frame rate (S & Q) modes, including up to 66, 72, 75, 88, 90, 96, and 110 fps. It will also add proxy recording for 24.00 fps recording formats.

BURANO Version 2.0: Monitoring, SDI, and Metadata Improvements

In addition to the new recording formats, Version 2.0 offers various monitoring and metadata improvements, including standardised SDI video output for monitoring across X-OCN and XAVC[ii]. It adds breathing compensation and image stabilisation metadata in X-OCN, time code and clip name metadata to SDI output.

Based on feedback from BURANO users, Version 2.0 will offer an improved on-screen display that places camera status information outside of the image and also includes View Finder Gamma Display Assist while using S-Log3 for monitoring.  Version 2.0 will add 24V output to the PL Mount Voltage menu. In addition, it adds compatibility with Focus/Iris/Zoom control for PL Mount lenses while using the BURANO’s optional GP-VR100 handgrip.

BURANO Version 2.0: Improved Image Output and Added Exposure Tools

BURANO Version 2.0 will also include several image output improvements, including enhanced image output when using the preset S-Log3 look or 3D User LUTs. Additionally, Version 2.0 will enhance Auto Focus performance when recording with the following frame rates: 23.98, 24, 25, and 29.97.

Version 2.0 also includes additional exposure tools (High/Low Key) derived from the flagship VENICE camera system. It will also expand white balance memory presets from 3 to 8 and support Active/High Image Stabilisation in Full-Frame crop 6K and Super 35 1.9K 16:9 imager modes.

In addition, BURANO Version 2.0 will improve ease of use functionality with the ability to format media from the status screen as well as set CAM ID and Reel Number, which is standard for documentary and reality TV applications.  Version 2.0 will also change the factory default frequency setting from 59.94 to 23.98p and will add a setting to “reset to factory defaults” setting.

Finally, BURANO Version 2.0 will add live event and multicam functionality, including variable ND control from RCPs, improved camera control from Camera Remote SDK, and tally control for devices connected via LAN.