Transform Your Space with The Great Eastern Home’s French Collection
Transport yourself to an era of grace and grandeur with The Great Eastern Home’s French Collection. Crafted to echo the essence of historic French design, this collection infuses interiors with a regal charm, seamlessly blending classic artistry with enduring elegance.
The Great Eastern Home offers a breathtaking selection of French-inspired furniture and décor, each piece a testament to the legacy of master artisans. From intricately carved chairs and dining sets to ornate cabinets that exude charm, the collection celebrates the beauty of traditional craftsmanship. Elegant vases and lamps add a touch of luminous sophistication, while stately beds and mirrors transport you to the grand salons of France’s aristocratic past. Every item in this collection, from its delicate embellishments to its rich textures, is designed to create an atmosphere of opulence and timeless allure.
Designed to transform rooms into luxurious palatial settings, The Great Eastern Home’s French Collection brings opulent sitting areas adorned with gold leafing and rough texture. From a single statement piece to a full collection for your living room, these pieces allow you to create an atmosphere of unparalleled beauty.
Immerse yourself in the elegance of The Great Eastern Home’s French Collection and enjoy furniture that stands the test of time.
Chef Mary Lalboi Showcases Northeast India’s Culinary Magic at Hyatt Pune’s Café 88
18th March 2025 | Pune, India – Embark on a culinary journey to the northeastern region of India as Chef Mary Lalboi, in collaboration with Chef Pin, presents The Northeast Table, a 3-day food pop-up celebrating the rich and diverse flavors of North East India. This exclusive pop-up will take place from March 20th to March 22nd, 2025, at Cafe 88, Hyatt Pune.
Chef Lalboi, renowned for her expertise in northeastern Indian cuisine, brings a curated menu that reflects the bold, aromatic flavors of the region. Through this collaboration with Chef Pin, a platform dedicated to celebrating diverse culinary traditions, the pop-up will offer an authentic and immersive experience, showcasing the best of North Eastern food culture. Guests can indulge in a variety of dishes that highlight the unique ingredients and preparation methods that define the region’s cuisine.
Among the offerings are Kelsa, a traditional dish brimming with comforting flavors, and Vatawt Meh, a smoky, tender meat preparation that will captivate your palate. The menu also features Sanpiau, a soupy rice dish that brings warmth and richness, alongside the aromatic Chakhao, a special black rice from Manipur that forms the base for many regional delicacies. For a unique experience, guests can enjoy Tingmo, soft and fluffy steamed buns, perfect when paired with hearty stews or curries. To satisfy your sweet tooth, Chakhao Kheer, a dessert made with Chakhao rice, offers a fragrant and delicate finish to the meal. Another standout dish, Nguingoshing, features roasted minced fish wrapped in banana leaves, delivering an aromatic and smoky flavor that represents the authentic tastes of the region. The menu also includes Kerot, a savory dish that showcases the earthy flavors of the region.
Chef Lalboi, who hails from the region, has always been passionate about showcasing the food of her homeland. Through The Northeast Table, in collaboration with Chef pin, she aims to bring forward dishes that are not only flavorful but also steeped in cultural significance, many of which are lesser-known outside the North Eastern states.
Cargill Honored for Excellence in Food Safety at CII Awards 2024
National, March 18, 2025: Cargill, a global leader in food and agriculture, has been recognized for Outstanding Performance and Strong Commitment in Food Safety at the 15th edition of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Food Safety Awards 2024. The awards, presented at a ceremony in New Delhi highlights Cargill’s ongoing commitment to maintaining the highest food safety standards across its operations.
The company received these recognitions in the ‘Large Manufacturing Food Businesses – Fats & Oils’ category, ‘Outstanding Performance in Food Safety’ for Kurkumbh plant in Maharashtra and ‘Strong Commitment in Food Safety’ for Kandla plant in Gujarat. This honor underscores Cargill’s dedication to stringent food safety protocols, superior quality control, and cutting-edge manufacturing practices. The award was presented by Hashmat Ali Yatoo, IAS, Commissioner of Food Safety and Drugs Administration in Jammu and Kashmir, Mr Minhaj Alam, IAS, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Dr Alka Rao, Advisor – Science, Standards & Regulations Food Safety & Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), and Ms. Kavery Ganguly, Principal Lead, CII Food and Agriculture Centre of Excellence (FACE).
Commenting on the achievement, Mr. Simon George, Managing Director, Cargill Food South Asia, said, “This recognition is a reflection of our team’s unwavering commitment to food safety and quality. At Cargill, we prioritize world-class practices to ensure that our products not only meet but exceed global food safety standards. The Kurkumbh and Kandla plants are a prime example of our efforts in automation, testing, and training, which work together to provide safe, high-quality food to our consumers. We remain dedicated to continuous improvement and innovation in food safety.”
Mr. Sunil Nair, B2B Go-to-Market and R&D and Technical Services & Application Leader added, “We are proud to be recognized for our dedication to food safety excellence. The ‘Outstanding Performance in Food Safety’ Award not only highlights our rigorous standards—exemplified by the success of our Kurkumbh and Kandla plants—but also reinforces our role as a trusted partner in delivering safe, high-quality food solutions to our customers across India.”
The CII Food Safety Awards serve as a benchmark for excellence in food safety across various sectors of the food industry, including Beverages, Dairy, Bakery, Edible Oils, Ready-to-Eat Snacks, and more. The awards evaluate companies based on their adherence to rigorous food safety standards, leadership in implementing food safety measures, and compliance with regulatory and statutory guidelines. The assessment process includes detailed onsite evaluations by a team of experts, ensuring that only the best practices in food safety are recognized.
Cargill’s Commitment to Food Safety
For over 35 years, Cargill has implemented robust food safety mechanisms in India, ensuring compliance through advanced infrastructure, trained personnel, and stringent quality control processes. The Kurkumbh plant, which was the recipient of this year’s award, is a prime example of Cargill’s dedication to food safety. It features state-of-the-art infrastructure, in-house testing facilities, and automated packaging lines that minimize manual intervention, ensuring product safety at every stage.
Cargill’s Product Safety, Quality, and Regulatory Policy adheres to Indian food safety and international standards, ensuring product safety, quality, authenticity, and regulatory compliance. In addition, the company has a Continuous Improvement Production Excellence (CIPE) team that is dedicated to enhancing quality management programs and processes across all products and services. Cargill’s continuous focus on food safety has earned it multiple accolades at the CII Food Safety Awards.
In 2023, the company received two awards for ‘Significant Achievement in Food Safety’ for its Kurkumbh and Davangere plants. This year’s recognition for the Kurkumbh and Kandla plants further validates Cargill’s leadership in food safety and its continued commitment to excellence.
The CII Food Safety Award, with its emphasis on Food Safety Maturity Assessment, serves as a symbol of credibility and pride in the industry. It recognizes and celebrates the capacity-building efforts of organizations and promotes the adoption of internationally benchmarked food safety practices.
Moneycontrol Global Wealth Summit Explores India’s INR 10 Trillion Market Cap
Mumbai | March 18, 2025: Held on 7th March, Friday in Mumbai, the Moneycontrol Global Wealth Summit 2025 centred around the theme ‘Next Wave Of Wealth Creation: India’s $10 Trillion Market-Cap Opportunity.’ The summit served as a key platform for global investors, business leaders, strategists, and policymakers to discuss India’s emerging market trends and investment opportunities.
As the world’s fastest-growing major economy, India is navigating global market volatility, geo-economic shifts, and a post-boom stock market. Against these dynamics, the Global Wealth Summit 2025 facilitated high-impact discussions on economic growth, policy shifts, and strategies for long-term wealth creation.
Nalin Mehta, Managing Editor, Moneycontrol, set the tone by highlighting India’s financial evolution, emphasizing that Demat accounts surged from 22 million in 2014 to 185 million today, while India’s IPO activity led globally, raising $19.2 billion last year – more than double that of China. “A decade ago, India was the world’s 10th largest economy. Today, we are the 5th and on track to becoming the 3rd. Our equity markets have quadrupled in size, and financial participation is deepening, with nearly half of mutual fund assets coming from beyond India’s top cities,” Mehta said.
Howard Marks, Co-Chairman & Co-Founder, Oaktree Capital Management, shared insights on ‘Macros, Micros & Market Cycles’, stressing that interest rates today are not high in absolute terms but are returning to historical norms. “For over a decade, investors got used to near-zero interest rates, but that was the exception, not the rule. A healthy economy doesn’t need ultra-low rates or extreme hikes – it needs balance. Investors should prepare for moderate rates instead of waiting for past anomalies,” he said.
SEBI Chairman Tuhin Kanta Pandey outlined the next phase of market regulation, governance, the importance of transparency and investor confidence. “Maintaining trust is paramount. SEBI itself must be transparent about conflicts of interest, and we are working on a framework to ensure greater disclosure,” he stated.
“As per IMF estimates, emerging markets are expected to grow at 4.2% in 2025, while India is projected to grow at 6-6.5%. We aspire to accelerate this growth beyond forecasts through Viksit Bharat efforts,” he added.
V. Vaidyanathan, MD & CEO, IDFC FIRST Bank highlighted financial inclusion and digitalisation as key drivers of India’s economic expansion. “The credit-to-GDP ratio in India is expected to rise significantly, presenting both opportunities and responsibilities for banks in ensuring sustainable growth,” he stated.
The Moneycontrol Global Wealth Summit 2025, presented by IDFC First Bank, co-powered by PhonePe, and associate partners World Gold Council, SBI Mutual Fund, and Reliance Industries, featured a series of compelling discussions on key market trends and economic shifts.
Mark Coombs, CEO, Ashmore Group, analysed how Trumponomics is reshaping global capital flows, while David Tait, CEO, World Gold Council, examined the sustainability of gold’s bull run, followed by an insightful session featuring Anish Shah, Group CEO & MD, Mahindra Group, and Neelkanth Mishra, UIDAI Chief & Member, PM Economic Advisory Council, discussing India’s roadmap to a $10 trillion market cap.
A high-powered panel featuring Ashish Chauhan, MD & CEO, NSE; Ananth Narayan, Whole-Time Member, SEBI; Harsh Jain, Co-founder & COO, Groww and D. P. Singh, DMD & Joint CEO, SBI Mutual Fund, provided insights into India’s equity boom, the rise of SIPs & F&Os, and the evolving retail investor mindset.
Beyond traditional markets, the summit featured discussions on cryptocurrencies, REITs, and alternative investments. Daniel Pink, renowned author of The Power of Regret, led a thought-provoking conversation on how reflecting on past decisions can lead to smarter financial choices and long-term success.
Morgan Housel, Author of The Psychology of Money & Same as Ever; Director, Markel Group highlighted that successful investing is more about managing emotions than analysing numbers. He stressed that endurance matters more than short-term gains and that luck plays a bigger role in investing than most people admit. “Markets are driven by narratives. Tesla, for example, produces a fraction of the cars that Volkswagen does but is valued many times higher—that’s the power of a compelling story,” he stated.
He added, “If you cannot control FOMO, you should give up on investing—it’s never going to work. The most successful investors know what they can’t do and stay away from it.”
The summit concluded with a powerful address by Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis, outlining the state’s roadmap to becoming India’s first $1 trillion sub-economy by 2030.
“Maharashtra is the only state that has chased the half-trillion path, and by 2030, we will achieve the $1 trillion milestone,” he affirmed.
Highlighting grassroots financial inclusion, he added, “We launched the Laadli Bahin Yojana, where women receive ₹1,500 per month. In Nagpur, a women-led finance society mobilised ₹30 lakh in small deposits, creating a thriving business model. We are focused on empowering such initiatives.”
With insights from global financial leaders, visionary policymakers, and industry pioneers, the Moneycontrol Global Wealth Summit 2025 provided a definitive platform for shaping the future of wealth creation, investment strategies, and economic resilience. As India charts its path towards a $10 trillion market-cap opportunity, the discussions and perspectives shared at the summit will play a crucial role in navigating this transformative journey.
Tech Mahindra Welcomes Stronger Ties with Google Cloud to Drive AI Innovation
New Delhi – March 18th, 2025: Tech Mahindra (NSE: TECHM), a leading global provider of technology consulting and digital solutions to enterprises across industries, announced an expanded long-term strategic partnership with Google Cloud to boost the adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and lead digital transformation for enterprises globally. The partnership will enable Tech Mahindra to help enterprises worldwide achieve agility, scalability, and sustainable growth through cutting-edge technologies.
The partnership will combine Tech Mahindra’s deep domain expertise with Google Cloud’s powerful AI capabilities, including Google’s Gemini models, AI development platform, and agentic AI technology to develop industry-specific solutions for sectors such as communications, healthcare and life sciences, manufacturing, automotive, retail, and financial services. Together, Tech Mahindra and Google Cloud will help enterprises modernize their infrastructure and data architecture while optimizing the return on investment from their AI-powered cloud solutions.
Atul Soneja, Chief Operating Officer, Tech Mahindra, said, “AI’s promise is undeniable, yet enterprises face significant challenges in its adoption, from ensuring compliance to driving tangible outcomes. Our expanded partnership with Google Cloud reinforces our commitment to scaling AI adoption responsibly by co-creating tailored solutions powered by Agentic AI. These solutions will empower businesses to navigate operational complexities, enhance efficiency, and unlock new growth opportunities while adhering to evolving regulatory standards.”
Through the enhanced partnership, both organizations will help enterprises realize the full potential of AI for business transformation and growth. The partnership will accelerate the time-to-market for new AI-driven solutions, providing customers with early access to emerging technologies. Additionally, Tech Mahindra has made substantial investments in talent upskilling and advanced delivery capabilities to enhance its partnership with Google Cloud.
Kevin Ichhpurani, President, Global Partner Ecosystem & Channels, Google Cloud, said, “Maximizing value from AI investments requires two things: advanced agent-building technology and deep industry expertise. Our partnership with Tech Mahindra will provide customers with the managed services needed to successfully build and deploy AI agents with Google Cloud’s leading AI development platform.”
The expanded partnership with Google Cloud further strengthens Tech Mahindra’s position as a leading provider of innovative AI and cloud solutions, ensuring efficient solution deployment while maximizing the resources available. To support this, Tech Mahindra has established dedicated delivery centers in Guadalajara and Mexico. These centers focus on providing Google Cloud-centric solutions and assisting customers in modernizing their infrastructure. Tech Mahindra is a premier systems integrator Google Cloud Partner with 2000+ certified resources and 10,000+ trained engineers deployed across 75+ programs globally.
UNISOC 5G SoC T8300: The Heart of Future-Proof Gaming & Streaming
Key Highlights:
- Octa-core CPU, dual-core GPU, supporting the Android 15 version, and scoring over 510,000 on AnTuTu V10.
- Powered by UNISOC 7th generation Vivimagic imaging engine with a new quad-core ISP, next-gen image algorithms, and enhanced audio processing for superior multimedia experiences.
- Powered by UNISOC Miracle Gaming Engine, offering flagship-level gaming performance.
- Supports 3GPP R17, integrating 5G NR NTN satellite communication and 5G MBS broadcasting.
New Delhi, 18th March 2025: UNISOC 5G SoC T8300 is designed to provide a premium multimedia and gaming experience for mainstream global users. Supporting dual SIM dual standby 5G, Android 15, and featuring the 7th generation Vivimagic imaging engine along with HiFi-grade sound quality, the T8300 delivers an enhanced audiovisual experience. For the first time, the T8300 combines 5G NR NTN satellite communication and 5G MBS broadcasting, bringing users a groundbreaking 5G experience.
Powerful Performance
The T8300 utilizes a 6nm process with an octa-core CPU configuration, featuring 2 high-performance Arm Cortex-A78 cores@2.2GHz and 6 energy-efficient Arm Cortex-A55 cores@2.0GHz , offering a 28% improvement in power efficiency compared to its predecessor. Its Mali G57 dual-core GPU and UFS2.2 flash paired with LPDDR4X memory, allow the T8300 to achieve over 510,000 on AnTuTu V10.
To enhance visual experiences, the T8300 supports FHD+ resolution with a 120Hz refresh rate and HDR Vivid, HDR10+ technologies for ultra-realistic, detailed visuals. VideoPQ dynamically adjusts video contrast, delivering richer colors and sharper details for an immersive viewing experience.
Advanced Imaging
The UNISOC T8300 powered by the 7th generation Vivimagic imaging engine, delivering a significant leap in imaging performance. With a new quad-core ISP capable of processing 1.6 billion pixels per second, the T8300 supports up to 108MP photos and dual 16MP cameras with Zero Shutter Lag at 25fps. The result is stunningly clear and detailed images in every frame.
The UNISOC T8300’s hardware Multi-Frame Noise Reduction and Temporal Noise Reduction ensure crisp, clear images even in low-light conditions. The new 3A algorithm 5.0 improves facial brightness and color rendering, faster and more accurate focusing, and enhanced dynamic range using XTM3.0. The revamped 3A architecture allows for customized parameter adjustments and submodule extensions for higher flexibility and personalization.
The UNISOC T8300’s multi-frame super night mode, captures exceptional details in low light, while enhanced portrait segmentation and depth estimation provide superior portrait photography. The next-gen HDR algorithms further enhance dynamic range and contrast, ensuring every shot radiates charm.
HiFi-grade Audio
The UNISOC T8300 incorporates a new audio architecture with significantly improved Audio Codec performance, offering pure, lifelike sound. For the first time, the T8300 features Hi-Fi4, delivering HiFi-grade sound quality for an immersive audio experience.
Its advanced sound processing algorithms cover all scenarios, including calls, media playback, recording, and voice wakeup. The new smart noise reduction and Cancellation 3.0 ensure clear, smooth calls, while stereo sound for both speakers and headphones is significantly enhanced with Spatial Audio 2.0, bringing users closer to a live concert experience.
Smart voice interaction is upgraded with specialized VTS ADC voice wakeup technology, supporting screen-off wakeup, interruption wakeup, and custom voice recognition in both Chinese and English. This allows for smart answering, voice-controlled photography, and customized voice commands for an even more intuitive and intelligent user experience.
Moreover, UNISOC T8300’s DSP software architecture is customizable, allowing clients to use platform and third-party algorithms to boost product differentiation. The modular design ensures efficient development of new features to meet changing user needs.
UNISOC Miracle Gaming Engine
The UNISOC T8300 powered by the new UNISOC Miracle Gaming Engine, which integrates five core engines: scheduling, networking, graphics, memory, and storage. This multi-dimensional optimization accelerates game performance for a seamless gaming experience.
The UNISOC Miracle Gaming Engine supports high frame rates and stability in popular games such as Honor of Kings, MLBB, and Free Fire, maintaining 90fps at high graphics settings. Performance optimizations reduce frame drops by 41%-85%, with game loading times cut by up to 50%. Additionally, the T8300 minimizes input lag during gameplay, including gun aiming and shooting actions, by up to 80%. Exclusive gaming networks reduce latency by 80% for Honor of Kings, offering gamers a smoother and more competitive gaming experience.
UNISOC has partnered with Tencent Game Voice for game voice communication. This collaboration ensures clear and stable voice chat even under weak network conditions, significantly enhancing the voice communication experience.
In terms of visual quality, the UNISOC T8300 includes game-enhancing technologies like SDR2HDR, which expands dynamic range and improves image quality. Game super-resolution technology reduces GPU load and boosts performance, ensuring high-quality graphics without compromising system stability.
Satellite Connectivity
Supporting the latest 3GPP R17 standard, the UNISOC T8300 integrates 5G NR NTN satellite communication and 5G MBS broadcasting functions, greatly expanding the application scenarios for 5G. This brings more diverse and convenient 5G experiences for users.
The UNISOC T8300 supports 5G NR 100MHz bandwidth and multi-mode full-network support from 2G to 5G. Its energy-efficient design reduces power consumption by more than 20% in typical 5G use cases. Enhanced coverage and intelligent network switching ensure a stable, high-efficiency, low-power communication experience across all scenarios.
UNISOC aims to leverage 5G technology to bring the convenience of advanced communication technologies to a broader audience, enabling users to embrace the smart lifestyle that 5G offers. As 5G technology advances, UNISOC has optimized its mobile platforms to meet evolving market demands, introducing a new product naming system that includes T9100, T8300, T8200, and T8100 models. The 8-series focuses on performance leadership, delivering high performance, long battery life, and fast connectivity, while the 9-series represents cutting-edge technology with stronger performance and innovations aimed at users who seek advanced technology and top-tier quality.
At the 2025 MWC, the nubia Neo3 5G gaming phone, powered by the UNISOC T8300, made its global debut, delivering a smooth and exhilarating operational experience for gamers. Currently, UNISOC’s 5G chips are being widely shipped globally, with 5G smartphones powered by UNISOC chips now available in 76 countries and regions, offering users around the world convenient and advanced 5G experiences.
TimesPro & AWS Drive Innovation with GenAI Hackathon
March 18, 2025: Amazon Web Services (AWS) successfully concluded the inaugural ‘AWS Hackathon’ in Mumbai in collaboration with TimesPro a leading higher edtech platform—an event designed to drive GenAI-powered innovation, accelerate AI adoption, and develop cutting-edge automated solutions. This milestone initiative not only fostered an innovative mindset but also equipped employees with future-ready skills through hands-on experimentation with GenAI technologies.
The three-day hackathon brought together 14 teams comprising over 80 participants, who tackled critical challenges in education and business. Participants developed AI-driven solutions aimed at improving post-class support, automating interview processes, and enhancing competition tracking—key factors influencing learner experience, operational efficiency, and workforce development. The most promising prototypes are set for further refinement to meet production standards and integrate into future product roadmaps.
Among the standout innovations was a GenAI powered resume builder trained on a dataset of 32,000 resumes. This tool enables users to generate professional CVs through text or voice commands in multiple regional languages, significantly enhancing accessibility. Another groundbreaking solution was a GenAI-driven academic companion designed to provide personalised post-class support. This tool assists students with step-by-step answers to queries, generates interactive quizzes, summarises lectures using word clouds and enables precise topic searches with timestamps for efficient revision.
Additionally, an AI-based interview automation platform was developed, featuring proctoring capabilities such as human-object detection and eye-tracking to ensure integrity and efficiency in hiring. The hackathon also produced an AI-driven career guidance tool that helps users define career goals based on their profile and aspirations. By leveraging cutting-edge technologies, including Amazon Bedrock, Claude, these innovations not only addressed pressing business challenges but also provided employees with hands-on experience in AI-driven problem-solving.
Reflecting on the event’s impact, Anish Srikrishna, CEO, TimesPro, stated, “Technology will be the driving force behind all services and the TimesPro-AWS Hackathon is a testament to our commitment to tackling core challenges that shape our industry. Learning is transforming at an unprecedented pace and will be unrecognisable in five years. Our teams have demonstrated remarkable dedication, leveraging GenAI to build innovative solutions that will enhance student learning and drive business impact for TimesPro and the industry. The outcomes of this hackathon will play a pivotal role in shaping the future and we look forward to continued collaboration with AWS to drive innovation.”
AWS played a crucial role in supporting the hackathon, conducting GenAI-centric workshops for TimesPro’s engineers to enhance their AI competencies and providing a robust infrastructure to enable seamless AI and ML integration. A panel of experts, including TimesPro’s leadership, AI specialists, business heads and AWS representatives, evaluated the projects based on criteria such as technical feasibility, business impact and scalability, ultimately identifying the most promising innovations for further development.
The hackathon also served as a foundational step in embedding AI across TimesPro’s digital initiatives. It reinforced TimesPro’s commitment to integrating AI into future projects, ensuring a scalable and customisable approach that caters to specific use cases and extends across partner institutions. Looking ahead, TimesPro aims to deepen its collaboration with premier institutions such as IITs, IIMs and IISc, fostering knowledge exchange and co-creating innovative solutions with a lasting impact.
Strategic Growth: Manba Finance Unites with Industry Leaders to Promote Sustainability & Inclusion
Manba Finance Limited uses technology to streamline lending, ensuring efficiency and transparency, which helps build strong, long-term relationships with clients by offering fast, accessible loans across India’s cities, towns, and villages. With a focus on innovation and empathy, Manba Finance Limited aims to create a digitally advanced India, providing quick, paperless finance solutions while positively impacting society. Manba Finance Limited offers a range of financial solutions for new 2-wheelers, 3-wheelers, Electric 2 Wheelers, Electric 3 Wheelers, used cars, Small Business Loans and Personal Loans.
Mr. Monil Shah, Executive Director and Chief Business Officer, Manba Finance Limited, speaking about the partnerships, said, “Our partnerships with BGauss Auto, Fin Coopers Capital, and ProsParity will help us to strengthen our commitment to delivering innovative and accessible financial solutions. These partnerships enable us to expand our reach, enhance our offerings, and support communities across India with efficient, transparent, and socially responsible services. Together, we aim to empower individuals and businesses, driving positive change and fostering long-term growth.”
Manba Finance Limited’s collaboration with BGauss Auto allows making financing for electric vehicles (EVs) more accessible to customers and promotes sustainable, eco-friendly transportation as well. This collaboration also positions Manba Finance Limited to tap into the growing green mobility market, meeting the increasing demand for sustainable transportation while expanding their customer reach. The collaboration will help make electric vehicle financing more accessible and affordable, supporting eco-friendly transportation and sustainable choices.
The association with ProsParity will give Manba Finance Limited. access to an advanced digital platform that streamlines credit flow and enhances loan processing. By leveraging data analytics and technology, we can improve risk assessment and offer better financial solutions while supporting electric vehicle adoption and growth in the green mobility sector.
Manba Finance Limited’s alliance with Fin Coopers Capital in vehicle financing offers significant advantages for both companies and their customers. The alliance gives Manba Finance Limited the opportunity to leverage Fin Coopers Capital’s expertise in investment and capital management to offer more competitive and flexible financing options for customers seeking vehicle loans. It allows for better access to funding, enabling faster approval processes and more attractive interest rates.
While the alliance with Fin Coopers Capital and ProsParity will help Manba Finance Limited expand their presence across Madhya Pradesh, the relationship with BGauss Auto will help Manba Finance Limited increase its presence in their dealer network and make EV financing accessible to potential buyers of EVs.
Delhi-NCR Real Estate Hits INR 1 Lakh Crore Outpaces Hyderabad and Mumbai
Delhi-NCR: The real estate sector in Delhi-NCR has achieved a historic milestone in 2024, surpassing ₹1 lakh crore in housing sales, with Gurugram emerging as the driving force behind this remarkable growth. According to a report by PropEquity, Delhi-NCR has outpaced Hyderabad and Mumbai, reinforcing its position as India’s leading real estate hub.
The surge in housing sales has been fueled primarily by the growing demand for luxury and premium homes in Gurugram. The city’s well-developed infrastructure, improved connectivity, and expanding corporate presence have significantly contributed to this unprecedented rise in real estate transactions.
The shift toward high-end residential properties in Delhi-NCR, particularly in Gurugram, has been notable. Developers are responding to evolving homebuyer preferences by offering world-class amenities, sustainable designs, and integrated lifestyle experiences. This shift has not only propelled record-breaking sales but also attracted substantial investments from both domestic and international players. Key drivers of this growth include enhanced infrastructure and seamless connectivity.
Amit Modi, Director, County Group, said, “The increase in prices and strengthening demand in Delhi-NCR is due to strong infrastructure development, growing corporate presence, and more job opportunities. Recently, there has been a significant rise in office leasing in Delhi-NCR. Additionally, the government’s stance towards real estate is also positive, as evident from the last budget and the subsequent reduction in the repo rate. People are now moving towards luxury homes to improve their lifestyles. As a result, there has been a rapid increase in the demand for homes priced at two crores and above. While this trend is expected to continue, a potential stabilization in prices could emerge if supply aligns with demand and interest rates remain conducive to homebuyers.”
Vishal Sabharwal, Head Sales, Orris Group says, the Delhi-NCR’s real estate boom is the direct impact of infrastructure expansion and strong economic growth. The 63% rise in sales of residential properties highlights the growing demand for properties. This substantial growth is largely attributed to Gurugram, where housing sales escalated to 66%. With the advent of the Dwarka Expressway, upcoming metro extensions, and improved road networks, the city has become even more accessible for businesses and residents. This, coupled with Gurugram’s status as a corporate hub, has fueled an influx of professionals seeking premium housing. As connectivity and commercial activity continue to expand, we foresee Delhi-NCR continuing to remain a key driver of India’s property market.
Umesh Rathore, VP-Sales & Marketing at VVIP Group, emphasized the transformation of Delhi-NCR’s luxury housing segment, particularly in Noida-Greater Noida. He noted, “Luxury real estate in the region has evolved tremendously, driven by robust infrastructure, enhanced connectivity, and an increasing appetite for premium living. Noida-Greater Noida, in particular, offers aspirational homebuyers an ideal blend of opulence and investment potential at competitive prices. With property values appreciating and rental yields on the rise, Delhi-NCR is shaping up as India’s next major luxury real estate destination. As future developments unfold, we aim to create projects that cater to this growing demand in this thriving hub.”
Neeraj Sharma, MD of Escon Infra Realtors, underscored the growing investor interest in Delhi-NCR’s real estate market. “With the Noida International Airport nearing completion, land values along the Noida-Greater Noida and Yamuna Expressway corridors have doubled. The upcoming 3,500-hectare Fintech City and dedicated zones for Japanese and Korean enterprises have further attracted developers to the region. As a result, prices along the Noida Expressway have surged by 66% since 2019. Additionally, private equity firms and REITs are channelling capital into Delhi-NCR’s luxury segment, banking on India’s rapid urbanization.”
Gurugram’s ascent as a premier real estate destination is intrinsically linked to its infrastructural advancements. Improved road networks, the expansion of metro corridors, and the development of the Dwarka Expressway have significantly enhanced connectivity to Delhi and other parts of the National Capital Region. These developments have boosted the region’s desirability, attracting both investors and homebuyers. The surpassing of Hyderabad and Mumbai in sales value further underscores investor confidence in Delhi-NCR’s real estate potential, driven by a flourishing startup ecosystem, a steady influx of multinational corporations, and rapid urban expansion.
As policy support strengthens, infrastructure continues to advance, and demand for luxury housing rises, experts believe that Delhi-NCR’s dominance in the real estate sector will persist, making it a prime location for both residential and commercial investments.
Cyber Threat Alert: India Drives Majority of Global Ransomware Attacks, Check Point Reports
Key Highlights for India:
- India accounted for over 50% of the ransomware activity recorded throughout the entire year for Q424
- India ranked as the second most affected country by ransomware attacks, with 20 reported incidents
- The top 10 most targeted countries in 2024 remain nearly unchanged from 2023 with India replacing the Netherlands in the tenth position after recording 99 incidents a 38% increase from the previous year
In 2024, the ransomware landscape recorded 5,414 published attacks on organizations worldwide, representing an 11% increase compared to 2023. While the year began with a decline in ransomware activity during Q1, the frequency of attacks surged in Q2 and continued to rise through the remainder of the year. This culminated in a dramatic spike during Q4, which saw 1,827 incidents—33% of all ransomware attacks for the year—making it the most active quarter.
This can mostly be attributed to many new groups forming from the breakup of certain veteran groups detailed below. This led to many experienced affiliates forming professional new groups leading to a spike in attacks.
This year law enforcement actions targeting large ransomware operations like LockBit in February 2024, resulted in arrests, identity revelations of group leaders, and the seizure of cybercriminal infrastructure.
Active Group Surge
The crackdown on major ransomware groups led to their fragmentation, fostering increased competition among smaller ransomware gangs and enabling other threat actors to gain prominence. This shift is evident in the rise of 95 active ransomware groups in 2024, a 40% increase from the 68 groups active in 2023.
Among the 46 new groups that emerged, RansomHub stood out as a dominant force, even surpassing the well-established LockBit in activity. These new entrants, such as FOG, Lynx, APT73, and Eldorado, have reshaped the threat landscape, accounting for a growing share of ransomware incidents. Notably, the top 10 groups were responsible for 52.8% of attacks, highlighting both the influence of newcomers and a decline in the dominance of legacy groups.
Unsurprisingly, the U.S. remained the most targeted country, with 936 ransomware attacks within its borders. For the fourth quarter, India recorded 44 ransomware attacks, reflecting its growing vulnerability to such cyberattacks.
The combination of established leaders like RansomHub, LockBit, Play, Akira, IncRansom, and Medusa, alongside the rise of new groups, had devastating consequences for global organizations, seeing financial losses and disrupted operations.
With regards to sectoral targets, the business services sector continued to bear the brunt of ransomware attacks, mirroring trends from 2023, suffering 451 recorded attacks, followed by Retail and then Manufacturing, which saw a significant increase in ransomware activity over the last three months of the year with 201 incidents in Q4, a heightened focus on this industry by ransomware operators. The construction industry should be a growing concern, as ransomware incidents increased by 50% 2024 versus 2023. This surge jumped the construction industry to fourth place, overtaking the Financial, Education, and Healthcare sectors, that ranked higher in 2023.
Driving Forces Behind the Increase
- Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS): This business model has democratized ransomware, enabling even novice threat actors to launch sophisticated attacks. Groups like RansomHub, which emerged as a dominant player with 531 attacks, exemplify the power of this model.
- Fragmentation: The takedown of major players spurred smaller, agile groups to fill the void, driving increased competition and innovation.
- Evolving Tactics: Threat actors are increasingly targeting Linux and VMware ESXi systems, recognizing their critical role in enterprise environments. Additionally, they are exploiting cloud-based tools for data theft and leveraging AI to enhance attack efficacy.
With these rising ransomware attacks, it is imperative that organizations must adopt a proactive, multi-layered approach to cyber security, including :
- Comprehensive Threat Detection: Deploy solutions that offer real-time visibility into network activity and identify emerging threats.
- Patch Management: Regularly update systems to address known vulnerabilities, particularly in Linux and VMware environments.
- Education and Training: Equip employees with the knowledge to recognize phishing attempts and other common attack vectors.
- Collaborative Defense: Work with industry peers and law enforcement to share intelligence and strengthen collective defenses.