India, 23 January 2025: A person smiling at the camera Description automatically generated – Coca-Cola India Southwest Asia (INSWA) Operating Unit today announced Desmond Nikhil D’Souza as Customer & Commercial Leadership (C&CL), effective February 1, 2025. He succeeds Greishma Singh, who recently transitioned to the role of Vice President, Marketing.

“With a distinguished track record of strategic vision and exemplary leadership in the FMCG industry, Desmond brings a wealth of experience and innovative ideas that align perfectly with our mission to drive customer satisfaction and commercial excellence,” said Sanket Ray, President, Coca-Cola India Southwest Asia. “His understanding of market dynamics and customer engagement, will be a cornerstone in achieving our growth objectives.”

In his new role, Desmond will be responsible for leading the C&CL function across INSWA, focusing on driving value growth, strengthening our customer partnerships, and aligning strategies to deliver long-term commercial transformation.

Desmond joins Coca-Cola from Mondelez, where he served as Vice President, Sales. Under his leadership Mondelez India grew significantly through footprint expansion, driving digital innovation in sales, and incubating and building new commercial capabilities to drive growth. Before his tenure at Mondelez, Desmond held key roles at PepsiCo, both in transformation initiatives and sales leadership. At Zomato, he contributed to customer subscription strategy, showcasing his ability to operate across diverse sectors and functions.

Desmond holds a postgraduate management degree from XLRI Jamshedpur and a bachelor’s degree in engineering (BE) from Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU).

Hyderabad, 23 January 2025: Master Minds Co-Founder CA Mohan Mattupalli, speaking about the remarkable achievement of his student securing All India Rank 1 in the CA finals, on the podcast “Backbenching with Vivek” with his characteristic candour, remarked, “Top ranks don’t come from fancy buildings; they come from exceptional teachers.” Master Minds, a leading coaching institute, has become synonymous with success, guiding thousands of CA/CMA aspirants each year to achieve their dreams. This latest triumph further cements their reputation for excellence and unwavering commitment to quality education. The platform “Backbenching with Vivek” has carved a remarkable niche, boasting a commanding reach of over 100,000 engaged YouTube subscribers.

In a candid conversation with the host Vivek Kandula, CA Mohan Mattupalli delved into critical yet overlooked aspects of education, the misplaced priorities of parents when selecting training institutes. “Parents often prioritize flashy facilities and premium ambience while overlooking the most crucial factor, faculty quality. This approach leaves many students falling short of qualifying for CA/CMA by a wide margin,” he remarked. He urged parents to look beyond glossy brochures and flashy promises of coaching institutes and emphasised on the need to focus on what truly matters, the quality coaching. CA Mohan unveiled the secret behind Master Minds’ incredible success in consistently cracking the top CA/CMA ranks, as a formula built on a foundation of exceptional teaching, unwavering dedication, and a relentless focus on student success.

“CA Mohan sir doesn’t just run an institute – he’s building India’s future CAs/CMAs,” says Vivek Kandula, founder of STRUX Digital and host of Backbenching with Vivek. “His success with Master Minds shows that focusing on strong fundamentals beats chasing fancy infrastructure.”

New Delhi, January 23, 2025: RenewBuy, India’s leading online insurance platform, today announced the launch of its third proprietary product, RenewBuy Smart Term Plan under RB Proprietary.
Term insurance is an important product and yet often deemed complex by many Indians. Amidst multiple choices of term plans available in the market, various premium options and complex features, consumers often find themselves overwhelmed on the ideal coverage amount, duration of the cover and sum assured. To address this, RenewBuy has launched its third proprietary product, RenewBuy Smart Term Plan, specifically designed for those who need term plans but often find them complex and struggle to decide.

Smart Term is a tailored term insurance plan, catering to the needs and demands of today’s consumers. Especially designed for working professionals and small business owners, the plan addresses common pain points with ease of access, affordability, simplified features and customised options. It has the potential to redefine the term insurance category, as RenewBuy’s extensive online distribution network will enable its insurance agents offer this affordable term plan nationwide, with a sharp focus on the underserved regions.

Speaking on this, Indraneel Chatterjee, Co-Founder, RenewBuy said, “Our RB Proprietary product line has been launched with the vision of bridging gaps and addressing the evolving insurance needs of today’s consumers. Term plans often address wide range of consumer cohorts with various features and options. Product complexity remains a key concern for many and are also perceived as potential financial loss due to very long-term premiums and lack of exit option if policyholder survives the policy term. We have kept the customer at the centre and addressed these key areas on complexity, affordability and duration.

“In the first phase, we have partnered with three leading insurance companies- LIC, ICICI Prudential C Digit Life for a larger consumer outreach and will be soon adding more products from other insurers,” he further added.

RenewBuy’s Smart Term has been introduced addressing the two key pain points of today’s consumers, especially the ones residing in Tier 2-3 cities (between 35-40 years). These consumers often face significant family responsibilities. It thus comes with a “10 Years Pay” policy, allowing consumers to pay premiums for a chosen 10-year period and receive whole life coverage of ₹50 lakhs and ₹1 crore (depending on the policy), upto 80 years and above.

Smart Term proposition also offers ‘Smart Return of Premium’ option, allowing policyholders receive full refund on premium paid, if they choose to withdraw the total premium amount during the policy term. The premium for Smart Term Plan starts at ₹2500 (per month), offering a sum assured of ₹50 lakhs to ₹1 crore. The product comes with additional features of Accidental Death Benefit, Critical Illness Benefit, Waiver of Premium on Disability, Premium Holiday and Smart Exit with select insurers.

Raipur, January 23, 2025: NMDC’s Bailadila Iron Ore Mine, Bacheli Complex, successfully hosted the inaugural-cum-flag-off ceremony and First Aid Competition for the ‘40th Annual Mine Safety Fortnight Celebration 2024’. Organised under the guidance of the Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS), Bilaspur and Raigarh regions, the inaugural event took place at Raipur on January 20, 2025, bringing together key stakeholders from the mining industry.

The ceremony was graced by esteemed dignitaries, including Shri R.K. Singh, Director of Mine Safety (Bilaspur Region-2), Shri Arun Kumar, Deputy Director of Mine Safety (Bilaspur Region-2), Shri B. Bhadaru, Deputy Director of Mine Safety (Bilaspur Region-1), Shri B. Venkateswarlu, Executive Director, Bacheli Complex, Shri Sanjeev Sahi, Chief General Manager, Kirandul Complex, and Shri T. Shivakumar, Mines Manager, Bacheli Complex. Their presence underscored the collective commitment to prioritising safety and sustainable mining practices.

The ‘First Aid Competition’, a key highlight of the event, witnessed enthusiastic participation from various mines across the Bilaspur and Raigarh regions. Teams showcased their emergency response skills, emphasising the importance of preparedness and safety in mining operations.

The event provided a valuable platform for mine owners, agents and managers from across the region to engage in discussions on best practices in mine safety. This collaborative approach reinforced NMDC’s unwavering commitment to achieving the highest safety standards within the Indian mining industry.

23 January 2025:India’s No. 1 real estate app, Housing.com, introduced 3D, augmented reality (AR), and virtual reality (VR) tools a decade ago, revolutionizing the home-buying experience. Building on this foundation, the platform has now launched a next-generation suite of these technologies, providing home seekers with an even more immersive and automated property exploration experience. This development reinforces Housing.com’s leadership in the proptech space and its commitment to innovation in real estate.

Adding to the immersive experience are two major AR and VR innovations: DigiAR and Digitour. DigiAR, an augmented reality solution, enables buyers to view full 3D prototypes of property designs as envisioned by developers. Accessible through WebAR, DigiAR allows users to visualize digital property replicas over real land plots, bringing a highly interactive and lifelike dimension to the search experience. Complementing this, Digitour in VR provides a fully immersive virtual “walk-through” of properties using pose tracking and near-eye 3D displays, allowing buyers to evaluate properties in detail without needing to be physically present. This VR solution is particularly advantageous for remote buyers who want to explore a property in depth before making any decisions.

Expanding on the innovative capabilities of Housing.com’s nextgen 3D product suite, the new tools set a benchmark in immersive real estate experiences. The suite features DigiPlot, offering a comprehensive 3D view of land plots, distinguishing sold and available spaces while showcasing proximity to key landmarks. Digislate empowers agents with real-time project insights, fostering trust by presenting up-to-date visuals and details during client meetings.

Digiport and Droneview take visualisation to the next level with interactive masterplan tours and aerial perspectives, providing a complete sense of layout and connectivity. Rounding out the suite, Floorplan 3D, powered by AI and ChatGPT, transforms 2D blueprints into detailed, interactive 3D models, letting buyers experience their future homes in detail. This suite ensures users make confident, well-informed property decisions with ease.

These next generation technologies aim to deliver a superlative consumer experience with an interactive and engaging journey that not only enhances understanding of individual properties but also brings the surrounding localities to life. This suite of innovations is designed to enable informed decision-making, reduce time and costs, and ultimately provide a richer, more accessible experience.

Through advanced algorithms, these tools cut down manual intervention, significantly lowering costs by over 70% and speeding up the turnaround time for floor plan creation. Buyers can now intuitively grasp spatial layouts and design elements, enhancing their comprehension of the property—all from their digital devices.

“These visualization initiatives are about creating meaningful experiences and adding value for our users,” shared Sangeet Aggarwal, Head of Product at HOUSING.COM, “By providing immersive, interactive tools, we’re allowing consumers to experience properties in a way that feels almost tangible, bridging the gap between virtual exploration and real-life decision-making. At HOUSING.COM, we are committed to harnessing machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance both our operations and the user experience. By constantly exploring innovative implementations of these technologies, we are not only improving efficiency but also gaining a competitive advantage in the market.”

India, Nationwide Release, 23 January 2025: Ludic, a footwear-first lifestyle brand renowned for its distinct and playful approach to fashion, has unveiled its latest slider collection with a humorous and engaging ad campaign. The campaign, featuring the tagline “Comfort aisa, ki ab kya bataayein” combines nostalgia with comedy, creating a relatable and joyful experience for audiences.

The campaign takes a fresh approach, highlighting the comfort and versatility of Ludic’s sliders through a humorous exchange between a customer and a sales staff. The storyline underscores the idea that no matter what other options are explored, the ultimate choice for unparalleled comfort and style is Ludic sliders. With its witty execution, the campaign effectively captures the essence of the brand while resonating with a wide audience.

The Slider collection is a true reflection of Ludic’s vision – one that sets a new standard for comfort in footwear. Designed from scratch, this collection delivers what the consumers have been looking for – all-day comfort and a fresh new look.

Commenting on the launch, Ishit Jethwa, the Founder of Ludic, said “At Ludic, we’ve always been committed to crafting products that blend comfort with bold, stylish designs. With over six months of meticulous development behind them, our new Sliders break the mold – quite literally. Furthermore, with multiple colourways and a competitive price point, we are confident that this product will enjoy a large acceptance. And working with Braindad on the campaign was an incredible experience, as this film perfectly captures the essence of Ludic – fun, functional, and deeply relatable.”

Vishal Dayama & Devarsh Thaker from Braindad, the creative agency behind the campaign, shared their thoughts, saying, “Working with Ludic has been super! At Braindad, we love brands who approach the unconventional ideas we bring to the table with a certain trust and freedom – allowing us to cook! Ludic has been a really supportive partner through this journey of concept to execution where humour and individuality shine, bringing forth the brand’s vision and personality.”

Ludic sliders are built with rugged CloudFrame™ material, and a recovery EVA footbed, designed to promote muscle recovery and deliver an unwinding experience. The no-stitch design enhances durability, while the unique shape ensures a secure fit, preventing slippage. Available in six vibrant colors, these sliders combine style, comfort, and versatility, making them perfect for any occasion. Priced accessibly, the sliders reflect Ludic’s commitment to offering quality products without compromising on affordability. The collection is now available on Ludic’s website and leading e-commerce platforms, ensuring convenient access for customers nationwide.

New Delhi, 22nd January 2025: OPPO’s latest Reno13 Series redefines user experience with groundbreaking innovation. Beyond its impressive camera system, the dual-chip configuration—comprising the MediaTek Dimensity 8350 and the SignalBoost X1 chipset—sets new standards in performance, connectivity and lag-free experience.

MediaTek Dimensity 8350

OPPO is the first to introduce the MediaTek Dimensity 8350 in the Reno13 Series, jointly optimized with MediaTek to deliver an exceptional gaming experience. Built on a 4nm process, it features an octa-core CPU featuring Arm Cortex-A715 processors operating at speeds of up to 3.35GHz and four energy-efficient Cortex-A510 cores. This architecture strikes a balance between powerful performance for demanding tasks and efficient performance for everyday applications.

MediaTek introduces StarSpeed Engine in Dimensity 8350, replacing the previous HyperEngine technology. This advance engine optimizes performance with a 10% reduction in power consumption during regular use and up to 24% savings during high-frame-rate gaming. It further enhances scene transition speeds by 24% and reduces jitter, resulting in smoother gameplay and improved responsiveness.

Additionally, the SoC is equipped with a capable Mali-G615 MC6 GPU, which delivers high-quality graphics rendering, making it suitable for graphically intensive games. It supports display refresh rates of up to 120Hz for Full HD+ panels, providing fluid visuals that enhance the gaming experience.

Lag-free gaming with SignalBoost X1 Chip

OPPO’s self-developed SignalBoost X1 chip is engineered to deliver seamless performance, even in low-signal conditions. Debuting in the Reno13 Series, the X1 chip represents a breakthrough in network management by enabling the device to connect with network signals with greater efficiency – ensuring smooth gameplay even with just a single bar of signal strength. The SignalBoost X1 chipset further enhances Wi-Fi transmission power by 25%, providing full signal coverage up to 115 meters. Whether gaming in the farthest corner or transferring files at an impressive 19.3 Mbps—a staggering 149% improvement over its predecessor—this innovation ensures weak signals are a thing of the past.

On top of this, the updated AI LinkBoost includes a Wi-Fi Positioning feature that guides users on how to place their phone in the optimal position to secure a strong connection even in difficult spots. Together, these new and improved technologies enable smoother online gaming, streaming, and file sharing without disruption in even more environments.

The Reno13 Series incorporates AI HyperBoost, ensuring up to 8 hours of lag-free gameplay. An AI Multi-Cooling System with an expanded Vapor Chamber effectively manages device temperature, enabling smooth, stutter-free gameplay at high settings, including 90fps in popular titles like BGMI, Free Fire, and Mobile Legends: Bang Bang.

The OPPO Reno13 Series has earned the prestigious TÜV Rheinland High Network-Performance Certification. Additionally, the Reno13 Pro 5G and Reno13 5G have been awarded with an S Rating in the TÜV SÜD Lag-Free Mobile Gaming Rating, recognizing their outstanding gaming performance and superior network capabilities.

Durable Battery Life

The Reno13 Series does not compromise on battery size. The Reno13 has a 5600mAh battery, while the Pro gets an even bigger 5800mAh battery. Both phones support 80W SUPERVOOCTM Flash Charge. In OPPO lab tests, these batteries now have an extended 5-year lifespan compared to the 4 years on the Reno 12.

New Delhi, January 22: There is nothing better than a home tie to groom future Davis Cup stars and the upcoming contest against Togo is a good opportunity to do that, according to India’s Davis Cup captain Rohit Rajpal.

The Davis Cup Squad which is slated to be played on February1-2, comprises five member team Sasikumar Mukund, Ramkumar Ramanathan, Karan Singh, N.Sriram Balaji and Rithvik Choudary Bollipalli.

India’s Sasikumar Mukund will be the highest-ranked player in the tie at number 368. He is making a comeback to the squad after playing against Morocco in Lucknow.

Captain Rajpal is delighted that India will get to play at home after playing both their in season 2024 away from home. India’s last four of the five ties have been away, including the historic match against Pakistan in Islamabad.

“Playing in home conditions is always beneficial. We have travelled a lot in the last two-three seasons. The slow, hard courts at the DLTA were ideal if Sumit Nagal had played but still, the conditions will suit us. Maybe the choice could have been grass courts if we knew Sumit would opt out from before,” Rajpal said, who is also the DLTA President.

Thomas Steodji will be Togo’s key player in the contest, Togo comes in with three wins -against Latvia, Indonesia and Benin.

“I will not say that it will be a cakewalk for us but the tie will give us the option to groom the next generation of players in the Davis Cup environment and playing at home, we can definitely utilize the home advantage and home support”, Rajpal further added.

The Indian Davis Cup team will start its preparation for the upcoming World Group I play-off tie starting from January 23 at the DLTA Complex, the venue for the contest.

Aryah Shah, Chirag Duhan and Yuvaan Nandal have been added to the squad. They will be training along with the Indian team and it will be a great exposure for each of them.

India, 22nd January 2025 – Virtusa, through the Virtusa Foundation, proudly announces that the restoration of the Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Parsee Charitable Institution (B.J.P.C.I) in Mumbai has been honored with the ‘Award of Merit’ from the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation 2024. This project, which aligns with the Virtusa Foundation’s core pillars of education, empowerment, and environment, highlights Virtusa’s commitment to sustainability and social impact. By supporting restoring this 134-year-old structure, Virtusa has helped preserve a vital piece of history while ensuring the institution continues to inspire and educate underserved communities for generations.

The restoration, led by conservation architect Vikas Dilawari and supported by the Virtusa Foundation, revitalized the school’s intricate architectural features, including teakwood screens and colorful glass. Renowned Victorian architect and engineer Khan Bahadur Muncherji C. Murzban designed the school, which is one of the last remaining structures in Mumbai built in the Gothic architectural style. Established in 1890 by Byramjee Jeejeebhoy, the restoration preserves the school’s historical significance while adapting it for future generations. Serving over 1,500 students, this initiative is a testament to Virtusa’s dedication to fostering education and uplifting communities through sustainable initiatives.

Amit Bajoria, Chief Financial Officer of Virtusa Corporation, stated “The UNESCO recognition of B.J.P.C.I. is a remarkable example of Virtusa’s commitment to engineering with purpose. This project beautifully illustrates how preserving heritage can inspire and educate generations while aligning with the principles of sustainability. At Virtusa, we see innovation as a means to safeguard legacies that empower the future. This restoration project exemplifies our dedication to education, cultural preservation, and creating meaningful connections between the past and the future.”

Rustom N.B., Trustee of the B.J.P.C.I remarked “This prestigious UNESCO Award profoundly acknowledges the importance of preserving our shared heritage for future generations. With the steadfast support of the Virtusa Foundation, the B.J.P.C.I stands as a beacon of resilience, excellence, and the timeless values of education and cultural preservation. This honor reinforces our commitment to advancing a legacy of leadership in cultural heritage and educational excellence.”

Since 2000, the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation have recognized over 900 projects across 27 countries, promoting heritage preservation and renewal. This year’s winners, including the B.J.P.C.I Restoration Project highlights how conservation efforts can transform communities, instilling pride and a renewed sense of purpose.

Mandi, India – January 22, 2025 – The School of Management, Indian Institute of Technology Mandi (IIT Mandi) proudly concluded the Himalayan Business Summit (HiBS) 2025, a remarkable two-day event held on January 18–19, 2025. The summit brought together industry leaders, renowned professionals, and academic experts to explore the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in shaping the future of businesses.

The event, hosted by IIT Mandi’s School of Management, served as a dynamic platform to address key technological disruptions, engage in thought-provoking discussions, and facilitate mentorship and collaboration opportunities between students and business stalwarts.

The summit was inaugurated with a formal welcome address by Prof. Anjan K. Swain, Chairperson of the School of Management,who introduced the vision of HiBS and the role of IIT Mandi’s School of Management in shaping the next generation of leaders in AI and business. Prof. Manoj Thakur, followed with a detailed overview of the institution’s initiatives in bridging the gap between academia and industry.

The keynote address was delivered by Mr. Anup Purohit, Global CIO at Wipro Limited, who highlighted how organizations can align AI with their business strategies to foster innovation and enhance digital transformation.

The first panel discussion of the summit, themed “AI-Powered Personalization: Tailoring Products and Services”, was moderated by Mr. Karun Jalali (Director, Deloitte). Esteemed panelists, including Mr. Nilesh Biniwale (Pattern India), Dr. Tanushyam Chattopadhyay (Adani AI Labs), and Mr. Sarosh Kumar (Cognizant), engaged in a robust discussion on the importance of leveraging AI to deliver personalized experiences in today’s competitive market.

A standout feature of the day was the mentorship sessions, where students interacted with industry leaders, discussing career opportunities, technological trends, and real-world business practices. The day ended on a high note with an engaging cultural night, showcasing the diverse creative talents of IIT Mandi’s students through traditional Mandiyali dance, music, and more.

Day two commenced with a keynote address by Dr. Umesh Udayaprakash (Innova Solutions), who emphasized the growing influence of AI-driven innovation in reshaping global industries.

The second panel discussion, “AI-Driven Business Intelligence: Unlocking Data-Driven Insights”, moderated by Dr. Vinay Kumar, featured panelists like Mr. Abhijit Dutta (Accenture), Mr. Sumanyu Panda (SKLasS.AI), and Mr. Sidharth Balakrishna (BOD Consulting). They shared insights on transforming raw data into actionable intelligence for competitive advantage.

The final panel discussion, “AI & Cybersecurity: Protecting Digital Assets”, was moderated by Mr. Samir Datt (Foundation Futuristic Technologies). Panelists, including Mr. Venkatagiri (KFin Technologies), Mr. Ajay Sabnani (Genexa.AI), and Mr. Arnab Banerjee (Micron Technology), deliberated on safeguarding sensitive digital assets in the era of growing cyber threats.

The case competition was the centerpiece of the summit, where MBA students from IIT Mandi presented innovative solutions to contemporary business challenges. Their analytical skills and strategic thinking were highly praised by the esteemed jury, comprised of industry experts.

The event concluded with a valedictory address by Dr. Ashish Bollimbala, who commended the collaborative efforts of participants, organizers, and mentors in making HiBS 2025 a resounding success.

HiBS 2025 offered a wealth of learning and growth opportunities for MBA students. The event fostered meaningful networking opportunities, allowing students to connect directly with industry stalwarts and gain valuable insights into emerging trends and business strategies. Personalized mentorship sessions provided a platform for career guidance and a deeper understanding of real-world business operations. The discussions during the event highlighted the importance of bridging academia and industry, emphasizing the need for collaboration between educational institutions and businesses to effectively address industry challenges. Adding a vibrant touch, the cultural night celebrated diversity, creativity, and teamwork, enriching the overall experience for participants.