New Delhi, January 29th, 2025 – Indian Hotel Academy (IHA) successfully hosted the “A Skilled India is A Stronger India” Convocation and Conclave, a landmark event celebrating the vision of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji and highlighting India’s commitment to skill development. The event, held at the USI Auditorium in Vasant Vihar, New Delhi, was a resounding success, drawing attention to the crucial role of skilled professionals in shaping the future of India’s hospitality industry.

The event recognized and awarded over 300 young hospitality influencers with certifications from theTourism and Hospitality Skill Council (THSC), in line with the national Skill India Mission and the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative. These young professionals, who represent the next generation of leaders in hospitality, were honored for their dedication and potential to contribute to India’s growing hospitality sector.

Mr. G.P. Gautam and Devipshita Gautam, Founders of Indian Hotel Academy, expressed their thoughts on the occasion stating, “This event marks a pivotal moment in our journey to contribute to the nation’s skill development. By empowering over 300 young hospitality professionals, we not only recognize their hard work and potential but also reaffirm our commitment to shaping a skilled workforce that will drive India’s future in hospitality and beyond. We are proud to support the vision of Skill India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat, and look forward to seeing these young professionals excel in their careers.

The event was graced by the presence of several esteemed dignitaries, including Ms. Rekha Sharma, Hon’ble Member of Rajya Sabha and Former Chairperson of the National Commission for Women; Mr. Ashok Thakur, Director,NAFED, Government of India; Mr. Rajesh Sodhi, State Executive Member and Convener of Intellectual Cell; and Mr. Dishant Kapil, State Executive Member and Chief Member of the Special Liaison Sub-Committee.

The presence of these distinguished leaders underscored the importance of skill development and youth empowerment in India’s growth. Their speeches highlighted the pivotal role that skill-building plays in fostering a workforce that can meet the challenges of an evolving economy. Through this event, Indian Hotel Academy and its partners reinforced their commitment to building a highly skilled and industry-ready workforce in the hospitality sector.

The Association of Hospitality Professionals (AHP) served as the hospitality partner for the event,further strengthening the alliance between industry and educational institutions dedicated to excellence in hospitality. The conclave provided a platform for young professionals to connect with industry leaders, gain valuable insights, and learn from the experiences of established figures in the hospitality field.

The “A Skilled India is A Stronger India” convocation and conclave was a testament to the dedication of all those involved in empowering India’s youth and shaping the future of the hospitality industry. By aligning with the Skill India Mission, Indian Hotel Academy continues to play a key role in creating a skilled and self-reliant workforce, in keeping with the vision of a prosperous and self-sufficient nation.

The event was an overwhelming success, and Indian Hotel Academy is proud to have hosted such a significant milestone in advancing skill development within the hospitality sector. As India moves forward with its vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, the importance of skill development cannot be overstated, and this event served as a key step in recognizing and advancing the future leaders of the hospitality industry.

MUMBAI, 29th January 2025: Aptech Limited, a pioneer in the non-formal vocational training business in the country has recently introduced “Creval” – a first-of-its-kind, AI-powered creative evaluation tool that combines generative AI with human expertise to evaluate visual creatives in real-time. Creval is designed to protect a creative professional’s artwork using Amazon Bedrock capabilities of model choice, customization, security, privacy, and safety guardrails. Creval marks a significant step forward in the integration of generative AI within the education and the creative arts industries. Creval is available for creative professionals and aspiring artists across the globe.

In a world driven by creativity, artists in the media and entertainment industry are constantly seeking tools to refine their craft and produce top-tier work. Addressing this need, Creval is a generative AI-powered tool that provides specific and comprehensive feedback, detailed analyses, actionable insights and a composite score. Creval assesses a variety of visual arts including Animation, 3D, Graphics, Photography, and much more.

This tool represents a significant advancement in how creative works can be assessed, enabling skill enhancement at an unprecedented scale and in a standardised manner. This is the first time that an advanced generative AI-driven evaluation system has been implemented in the AVGC-XR education, training, and skill-building industry.

Key Features of Creval

1. Comprehensive Evaluations  : Creval dives deep into the analysis of submitted artwork, offering precise and insightful evaluations tailored to the unique demands of animation, VFX, gaming, and digital design.
2. Supportive Feedback : Artists receive tips, and feedback aimed at enhancing their creative skills. The feedback emphasizes growth and improvement, making it an indispensable tool for both learners and professionals.
3. Detailed Reports : Creval generates downloadable reports that serve as a ready reckoner for artists. These reports are designed to provide clear, actionable insights, making them valuable for refining current projects or guiding future ones.
4. Accessible as an e-commerce platform : Creval is accessible and available for students of Aptech Limited and its training brands as well as externally to any creative professionals, aspirants and individuals looking to make a mark in the creative industry.
5. Your Art’s Digital Guardian : Amazon Bedrock allows responsible AI usage through configuration for content filtering, protects user privacy by processing data in isolated environments, and ensures that user input and model outputs are not shared with any foundation model (FM) providers to train their models.

 Creval’s user-friendly workflow ensures a seamless experience from start to end.

1. Access the Platform: Users log in via Creval’s intuitive web-based platform.
2. Enter Details: Users personalize the experience by entering relevant information.
3. Purchase Credits: Users buy evaluation credits tailored to their specific needs.
4. Upload Artwork: Users submit their creative work for analysis.
5. Review Results: Users access a comprehensive evaluation report with a score, insights and feedback.

Each step has been carefully designed to minimize effort while maximizing impact, ensuring a smooth journey for artists seeking growth.

Mr. Sandip Weling, Chief Business Officer, Global Retail Business, Aptech Limited, said, “Creval is another milestone in our journey of using the power of generative AI to revolutionize education and training and setting a new benchmark for creative learning in India. By harnessing the power of generative AI from Amazon Bedrock’s capabilities, we’re equipping our students with tools to excel in their fields by offering them a standardised and interactive feedback mechanism. Creval isn’t just an evaluation platform; it’s a personal mentor for every aspiring artist and creative professional. The new Creval product aligns with Aptech’s commitment to unleash generative AI’s potential in preparing students and aspirants for every possible future. We believe this innovation will empower students and aspirants to refine their craft like never before, providing them with valuable insights and guidance throughout their learning journey.”

Speaking on this announcement, Mr. Kanishka Agiwal, Head – Service Lines, Public Sector, AWS India Private Limited said, “Generative AI is a powerful technology that is reinventing customer experiences, enhancing productivity, and accelerating innovation. By powering Creval with Amazon Bedrock, Aptech and its training brands are re-imagining how generative AI can boost ideation and productivity in the creative arts field, and enabling educators and students to work smarter and faster. Amazon Bedrock offers a choice of industry leading foundation models and built-in features for responsible AI, enabling Creval’s users to develop artwork creatively, while protecting their intellectual property. This is an exciting example of how generative AI can augment human skills and potential.”

Pune, 29 January, 2025: Bajaj Allianz Life, one of India’s leading private life insurers, has launched Bajaj Allianz Life New Critical Illness Benefit Rider, a non-linked, non-participating, individual, pure risk health rider, covering up to 60 major critical illness (CI) conditions. It is a smart add-on designed to strengthen financial protection against major health setbacks, ensuring customers’ savings stay intact during a medical crisis. Customers can avail the rider with the Company’s flagship term plan Bajaj Allianz Life e-Touch II.

Designed to bridge gaps in healthcare costs, Bajaj Allianz Life’s new Critical Illness Benefit Rider provides critical financial support across different customer needs. For those without Mediclaim, it acts as a financial cushion, preventing savings from being depleted during a medical emergency. For those with a basic Mediclaim cover, it helps bridge the gap between policy limits and actual treatment costs, which can often exceed coverage. Even for those with a higher Mediclaim cover , this rider ensures financial stability by covering loss of income and protecting one’s lifestyle, making it a vital addition to a well-rounded financial plan.

Tarun Chugh, MD & CEO, Bajaj Allianz Life said, “adding the Critical Illness Rider to your policy is like a booster shot for your financial health—an extra layer of protection against life’s medical uncertainties. A serious illness can bring unexpected expenses forcing you to dip into your savings and potentially disrupting your long-term financial plans. This rider ensures that doesn’t happen. With an affordable yet powerful safeguard, Bajaj Allianz Life helps you stay financially secure and focused on your life goals”.

Bajaj Allianz Life New Critical Illness Benefit Rider:

• Broad Coverage: With a minimum age of 18 years to maximum of 80 years, one can get protection against a wide range of critical illnesses including cancer, heart attack, stroke, and more.
• Flexible Options: Choose from three rider options like Critical (10 major CIs), Enhanced (25 major CIs), and Comprehensive (60 major CIs) tailored to individual needs.
• Tax Benefits: Offers tax deductions as per eligibility.
• Health Management Services: Access to medical second opinions and consultations from registered service providers.

College Vidya, a leading online platform enabling students to make informed career and course decisions, has conducted an in-depth study to analyze the growth and trends in enrollment for AI and data science courses over recent years. The findings underscore the surging demand for these technical programs, driven by increasing professional aspirations and industry needs.

The study reveals a significant quarter-over-quarter enrollment growth in AI and data science courses, with an average increase of 25-30% for programs such as Bachelor of Computer Applications (BCA) and Master of Computer Applications (MCA), both offering specializations in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Data Science. Notably, the Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) program with a specialization in Generative AI witnessed an unprecedented 30% growth in 2024, reflecting the burgeoning interest in cutting-edge technologies.

Specializations such as Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Data Science & Data Analytics, and Cloud Computing continue to gain popularity among learners enrolled in BCA and MCA programs. Similarly, Cyber Security has emerged as another preferred field for individuals seeking advanced technical expertise. The DBA program’s focus on Generative AI has particularly captured the attention of professionals aiming for leadership roles in the tech industry.

The study highlights the changing demographics of students enrolling in these programs. Online MCA programs are particularly popular among working professionals with 1-2 years of experience who are keen to upskill themselves. On the other hand, the Online DBA program appeals to seasoned professionals with 5-6 years of experience, especially those aspiring to CTO and other leadership positions. Interestingly, some students with prior graduation degrees are also opting for Online BCA programs, driven by a strong interest in tech-sector jobs.

In terms of geographic distribution, the study notes that learners enrolling in Online DBA programs predominantly hail from South Indian states. Meanwhile, BCA and MCA programs attract students from Tier I, Tier II, and Tier III cities across India, with Maharashtra, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, and West Bengal being prominent contributors. The demand for Online BCA and MCA programs can be gauged by their ranking among the top three trending courses in 2024. This further reinforces the relevance and appeal of these programs in addressing the evolving needs of learners and the tech industry.

Rohit Gupta, COO of College Vidya, highlighted the transformative impact of these findings, stating, “I believe the rising demand for AI and Data Science courses is a clear indication of how education is transforming to meet the demands of a digital-first economy. Learners today are focused on acquiring skills that not only enhance their individual capabilities but also contribute to larger technological advancements and industrial growth. At College Vidya, we are committed to empowering individuals with access to quality education that equips them to innovate, lead, and drive meaningful change.”

The findings also indicate a rising trend in placement success among AI and Data Science graduates, with learners securing roles in Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, Healthcare Management, and Marketing. The growing completion rates for these programs, ranging from three to twelve months, further reflect the dedication of learners to position themselves for impactful careers.

Gurugram, 29th January 2025– Bizloan, a non-banking finance company (NBFC) dedicated to providing credit solutions for small businesses, has successfully raised INR 35 Crores in Series A funding. The investment round was led by the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation and BLinC Invest. Resurgent India acted as an advisor to Bizloan for this round.

This funding will enable Bizloan to expand its reach in underserved markets, enhance its suite of loan products, and invest in cutting-edge technology to streamline its lending operations. The company’s goal is to empower 2,500+ micro and nano enterprises in the next 12 months, particularly in regions with limited access to traditional financing options. Bizloan has already made a notable impact in the MSME sector, disbursing approximately INR 774 crore in loans across 26 branches. To date, Bizloan has provided financial support to more than 3,000 entrepreneurs in key regions, including Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, NCR, Karnataka, and Rajasthan.

Rahul Jain, Chief Executive Officer & Co-Founder of Bizloan Private Limited stated, “The current round of investment shall help the Company enter the next phase of fast-paced growth by expanding its footprint in BharatThis funding round will also enable us to fulfill our objective of simplifying credit for small businesses, which remain underserved, particularly in smaller towns and cities. We are actively investing in technology as a driver for better operational efficiency. The pedigree of investors on board shall also help us to develop and nurture sustainable talent which will further help us achieve the vision of our Company.”

Amit Ratanpal, Founder and Managing Director, BLinC Invest commented on this partnership, “Indian Tier II and Tier III cities are witnessing a high growth rate and increasing urbanization, creating a high need for micro-entrepreneurs to expand their business- resulting in a monumental credit gap. Our partnership with the Bizloan Team aims to support these entrepreneurs in powering the Bharat growth engine with their technology-focused and innovative underwriting approach.”

Rakesh Goyal, Director, of Michael & Susan Dell Foundation said, “Supporting small businesses is crucial for economic growth, but their access to formal credit remains limited. This funding marks a crucial step forward in our mission to empower micro and nano enterprises, providing them with the capital and financial tools they need to fuel business growth, increase household incomes, and create employment opportunities.”

Leveraging robust cashflow underwriting capabilities and innovative credit assessment models, Bizloan is unlocking new avenues for sustainable growth in India’s vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem. Known for its innovative approach to credit assessment, Bizloan employs the ABC (Asset, Behaviour, Cashflow) methodology to evaluate borrowers, most of whom come from informal income backgrounds or are new to credit. With this funding boost, Bizloan is poised to scale its operations, introduce new financial products, and empower even more small businesses across India, driving growth in the nation’s dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystem.

The upcoming tracks of &TV shows Bheema, Happu Ki Ultan Paltan, and Bhabiji Ghar Par Hai will entertain the audience and keep them glued to the screens. Talking about &TV’s Bheema track, Amit Bhardwaj, who plays Mewa in the show, says, “Kailasha Bua sends people from the asylum to take Dhaniya while Bheema is at school. Sensing something is wrong, Bheema rushes to rescue her in time. Meanwhile, Phulmatiya teams up with Kailasha Bua to frame Dhaniya, planning to send her away. However, Bheema’s aunt, Babita, arrives just in time to save Dhaniya. Bheema thanks Babita for her help.”

About &TV’s Happu Ki Ultan Paltan’s upcoming track, Yogesh Tripathi, who portrays Happu Singh, shares, “Happu (Yogesh Tripathi) dreams that he has been promoted. The next morning, he shares this dream with his family, but Malaika (Sonal Panwar) makes fun of it. Happu then discusses this with Beni (Vishwanath Chatterjee), who suggests an idea: create your case and solve it; this will ensure your promotion. Happu likes the idea and, with Beni’s help, sneaks into the Commissioner’s house and steals his wife’s necklace. However, just then, Happu receives a call from a blackmailer who says he has recorded a video of Happu stealing the necklace. Happu has no choice but to follow the blackmailer’s instructions, which creates tension and arguments in his family.” About &TV’s Bhabiji Ghar Par Hai’s upcoming track, Shubhangi Atre, who plays Angoori Bhabhi, shares, “Anita (Vidisha Srivastava) comes up with the idea of starting a winter clothing business. Tiwari (Rohitashv Gour) shows interest and agrees to invest in the business. It is decided that Vibhuti (Aasif Sheikh) and Chacha (Anup Upadhyay) will manage the stall. Initially, Vibhuti hesitates but eventually agrees. The next day, when the stock of winter clothes arrives, Vibhuti suggests that Chacha wear a trench coat to scare Angoori Bhabhi (ShuhangiAtre). He plans to intervene, scold at Chacha, and chase him away to appear heroic. Chacha follows the plan and scares Angoori by wearing a trench coat. However, Angoori gets so frightened that she is reminded of a childhood trauma. When Angoori regains consciousness, she starts tearing everyone’s winter clothes and attacks anyone wearing warm clothes. Everyone tries to figure out what has caused Angoori’s sudden change in behavior and begins avoiding her out of fear. The situation escalates to the point where the police announce that no one should pass through Angoori Bhabhi’s lane, and if anyone does, the police will not be held responsible. Meanwhile, a client comes to meet Anita, and Tiwari sneaks him into her house. However, Angoori sees them and ends up beating both the client and Tiwari mercilessly.”

Noida, India, January 29, 2025: AI-powered customer experience and business process solutions provider, TELUS Digital India, is further elevating its workspaces to reflect the changing preferences of today’s employees. The company is known for having some of the most inspiring sites in the industry, and designs them intentionally, keeping in mind the evolving needs of its young workforce, particularly millennials and Gen Z employees.

TELUS Digital India’s flexible spaces encourage collaboration and creativity, and also prioritize mental and emotional wellbeing, with dedicated areas for relaxation and self-care. The layouts of the sites aren’t conventional; they have been designed as spaces that inspire and encourage human connection.

The company embraces the philosophy, “inspired spaces create inspired people”. In line with this belief, TELUS Digital has quirky environments that radiate positivity and enhance productivity.

TELUS Digital India’s themed meeting rooms transform brainstorming sessions into engaging, creative experiences. Just imagine having a team meeting in the Batcave, or getting coaching from your leader in a garden setting. These spaces also provide employees with areas to socialize and unwind. There are also game rooms equipped with billiard tables, gaming consoles, and board games, providing spaces to unwind, bond, and relax. Additionally, café-style dining areas with free flowing coffee offer a warm, informal setting where employees can come together and feel at home.

Workstations for each team member are also equipped with ergonomic office chairs, and some areas are furnished with standing desks. This provides a health-oriented option for those who are looking to minimize the time they spend sitting down during their work hours.

Through continuous efforts to improve accessibility and inclusion, TELUS Digital India ensures that every employee feels welcome and at home. Gender neutral restrooms are available in all of their offices, and their spaces are designed with accessibility in mind, offering features such as wheelchair-friendly entrances, adjustable workstations, and accessible restrooms. The company also prioritizes diversity, creating a supportive environment where individuals from all backgrounds and abilities are empowered to thrive.

TELUS Digital India also provides access to dedicated learning spaces, such as libraries with ample resources, encouraging lifelong learning, and ensuring employees can undertake personal and professional growth. Additionally, the company has launched a digital library with more than 500 books in multiple languages for on-site, hybrid and remote employees, further supporting the company’s commitment to learning and development for all.

In addition to the many collaboration and learning spaces, employees at TELUS Digital India also have access to in-house gyms and holistic wellness programs. These initiatives are designed to support employees’ physical and mental well-being.

TELUS Digital India Facilities Director, J Shankar, shares, “‘Fun and belonging at work’ are no longer unrealistic expectations; they are key elements in creating a positive, healthy and inclusive workplace where employees can thrive and succeed. Having different work styles among our team members means we must design offices that are more than just spaces — they are destinations that inspire collaboration, creativity, and a sense of belonging. The overall employee experience is essential, making inclusive design a top priority. Workplaces can no longer adopt a one-size-fits-all approach; instead, we need to create environments where individuals from all backgrounds feel comfortable, empowered, and equipped to do their best work.”

Chandigarh, January 29, 2024: The Board of Directors of Mahindra & Mahindra Financial Services Limited (Mahindra Finance), a leading provider of financial services in Emerging India, at its meeting held today, announced the unaudited financial results for the quarter ended December 31, 2024 (Q3FY25).

Standalone:

Key Points:

•  AUM (Business assets): ₹ 1,15,126 crores v/s ₹ 97,048 crores, YoY 19%á
•  Disbursement: ₹ 16,467 crores v/s ₹ 15,436 crores, YoY 7%á ; YoY 4% á for 9M FY25
• Total Income: ₹ 4,144 crores v/s ₹ 3,490 crores, YoY 19% á ; YoY 20% á for 9M FY25
•  While Market Share in Tractors was stable there was stiff competition in Passenger Vehicle, CV, and Used vehicle business
•  Asset quality: GS2+GS3 @ 10.2%. Stage-3 @3.9%. Credit Cost: 0.0% v/s 1.2% (Q3FY24)
•  Capital Adequacy healthy at 17.8%, Tier-1 Capital @ 15.1%. Provision coverage on Stage 3 loans is prudent at 50.1%. Total liquidity buffer comfortable at ₹ 9,322 crores

Operations: Q3 FY25

The company leveraged the buoyancy of the festive season demand in Q3 with disbursements of Rs. 16,467 crore reflecting a YoY growth of 7%. The disbursement for the first nine months stands at approximately Rs. 42,370 crore, which is 4% over the previous year. The gross assets under management increased by 19% compared to the previous year, reaching Rs. 1,15,126 crore.

The collection efficiency remained stable at 95%, consistent with the same quarter of the previous year. With a continued focus on maintaining underwriting standards and addressing early-stage delinquencies, asset quality remained steady. Stage 3 assets stood at 3.9%, versus 4.0% as of December 31, 2023, while Stage 2 assets were at 6.3%, compared to 6.0% on the same date. The company continued to maintain a comfortable liquidity position on its balance sheet, with a liquidity chest of over Rs. 9,322 crore.

CORE

Wheels Business:

During the third quarter of the year, the Company saw 5% YoY growth in disbursements for Wheels, while business assets grew by 18% YoY. Tractor financing segment disbursements grew by 24% YoY in Q3FY25. Mahindra Finance continues to be a leader in the tractor-financing segment and remains the top five NBFCs for financing three-wheelers, passenger vehicles (PVs), Used passenger vehicles, light commercial vehicles (LCVs), and small commercial vehicles (SCVs).

During the quarter, the company stabilized the operating model changes brought about in the previous quarter across the Centralized processing center (CPC), and the new retail branch structure. These changes will drive improvements on efficiency, standardization, controls, customer service, and cross-sell in the future.

NEW ENGINES

The company continues to expand into new categories beyond vehicle financing through a focus on SME lending, leasing, insurance, payments, and mortgages. The company is driving these new engines by broadening its product offering, improving its technology stack, strategic partnerships, data analytics, and equipping its workforce to meet customer requirements. The non-vehicle finance portfolio grew by 27% over the past year.

SME:

The company recognizes the growth potential within the MSME sector in India, with specific focus on the micro and small enterprises segment. During the quarter, this segment delivered a Disbursement growth of 60% YoY (9MFY25 YoY growth: 60%), which drove asset book expansion by 20% on a YoY basis and was at ₹ 5,464 crore as of December 31, 2024. The growth is driven through its secured product offering, Loan against property (LAP) which now

accounts for 42% of the overall SME assets. Asset quality remains strong, with stage-3 assets at 1.10% as of December end.

Leasing:

Leasing disbursement grew 51% YoY in Q3FY25 & 36% YoY in FY25 YTD. The company is working to increase customer engagement through dedicated Account Managers, customized portal & cross-sell. The business is also focusing on augmenting B2C subscription business with increased dealer & OEM tie-ups, and curated offerings for self-employed, professionals & salaried employees.

Insurance:

The company has increased its number of partners to nine leading insurance providers across life, non-life, and health categories with the objective of offering comprehensive insurance offering solutions to customers. The company continues to evaluate partnerships with Insurtech’s to improve the customer onboarding experience. As part of its commitment to be a responsible financial services provider, the company is training its employees as per regulatory guidelines on insurance cover selling.

Mortgage:

The company is in investment mode, and is currently focused on recruitment, infrastructure build out, and technology setup towards building up its mortgage capabilities.

Partnerships, Payments, and Fixed Deposits (FD):

During the quarter, the company inked a co-branded credit card partnership with RBL bank and was granted a TPAP license that will allow it to offer payment solutions to its customers. Mahindra Finance is one of the few deposits taking NBFCs and the company’s FDs are an attractive investment avenue, with an AAA rating from both CRISIL and India Ratings, reflecting the highest safety standards. The company has increased the contribution of FDs in its total borrowings from 8.6% on September 2024, to 9.2% on December 2024.

Mahindra Finance is advancing its digital transformation capabilities and integrating these technologies into its operations to enhance customer experiences, streamline loan processing, and reduce turnaround times. New and upgraded tech & digital solutions across loan journeys are being adopted which aims to deliver superior and seamless experience to customers, channel partners and employees.

Recognitions

Mahindra Finance received multiple recognitions during the quarter. The company was named among the best workplaces in the categories of ‘Top Rated Large Company’ and ‘Top Rated Financial Services Company’ at the AmbitionBox Employee Choice Awards 2024. It also won the ‘Best Learning & Development Program of the Year – NBFC/HFC/MFI’ for its Transformational Leadership Development Program at the ETBFSI Exceller Awards 2024. Additionally, it was awarded ‘Best NBFC in Talent & Workforce’ at the Business Today Banking and Economy Summit 2025.

Mumbai, January 29, 2025: The Maharashtra Defence and Aerospace Venture Fund (MDAVF), a SEBI-registered Category II Alternative Investment Fund (AIF) managed by IDBI Capital Markets & Securities Limited (ICMS), has emerged as a pivotal driver of India’s defence, aerospace, and allied sectors. Since its inception, MDAVF has committed an impressive  across 27 MSMEs, focusing on critical areas such as missile systems, aerospace technologies, naval systems, and electronic warfare.

To date, MDAVF has invested approximately ₹406 crore in 22 MSMEs. The fund has successfully executed full and partial exits from 12 companies, realizing divestment proceeds of around ₹281 crore and achieving a strong Internal Rate of Return that highlights the fund’s disciplined and strategic approach to value creation.

Mr. Amey Belorkar, Fund Manager – Maharashtra Defence and Aerospace Venture Fund (MDAVF), IDBI Capital Markets & Securities Ltd., stated, “MDAVF is committed to supporting India’s vision of self-reliance in defence and aerospace by channelizing strategic investments into high-potential ventures. We are dedicated to fostering technological breakthroughs that not only strengthen national security but also enhance indigenous capabilities. By backing innovative and sustainable growth in critical sectors, MDAVF is proud to contribute to India’s defence ecosystem and the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat.”

MDAVF’s investments have led to the creation of over 3,000 direct jobs and an estimated 10,000-15,000 indirect jobs across Maharashtra. By nurturing a robust ecosystem for defence and aerospace within the state, the fund has catalysed skill development, indigenization, and technological advancement in critical defence manufacturing sectors. Notably, 13 of the 27 MDAVF-backed companies are led by women promoters and entrepreneurs, actively driving innovation and growth in the defence and aerospace industry. This highlights MDAVF’s unwavering commitment to diversity, inclusivity, and empowering women within India’s defence ecosystem.

The fund’s investments align seamlessly with the government’s visionary ‘Make in India’ initiative, prioritizing the development of indigenous capabilities in defence production. Sectors such as nuclear solutions, UAV automation, marine technologies, and aerospace advancements have witnessed remarkable progress, positioning India as a global leader in cutting-edge defence manufacturing. MDAVF is poised to leverage emerging opportunities in advanced technologies and manufacturing, providing a resilient platform for sustainable growth, innovation, and self-reliance.

Managed by IDBI Capital Markets & Securities Limited, MDAVF continues to play a transformative role in driving indigenous innovation, fostering self-reliance, and enhancing India’s global competitiveness in the defence and aerospace sectors.

Mumbai, 29th January 2025: Alliance, one of the leading tire brands in the off-highway tire segment from the Yokohama-ATG group is celebrating 70 successful years in the industry. To commemorate the special occasion, the brand has launched the campaign “Always by Your Side” for customers and partners across the globe. The campaign highlights the strong bond that Alliance has with its customers and focuses on how multiple generations of farmers have shown their trust in the products and have chosen it as their reliable partner who stands by their side through thick and thin.

Alliance, backed by a rich legacy coupled with continuous innovations and advanced research, is an industry leader and the go-to choice for customers in the agricultural and forestry segments. Over three decades of expertise in radial technology and a global presence in more than 120 countries, Alliance remains at the forefront, driving trust, excellence, and commitment in the industry.

Alliance offers a comprehensive portfolio of tires with world-class technologies like Agriflex Technology, SLT Technology, and ELITE Technology. The brand also offers an extensive range of radial, bias, and solid tires that are specifically engineered for sectors such as construction, material handling, lawn garden, and turf, etc.

Angelo Noronha, President & CEO – Yokohama-ATG, commented, “We are extremely happy to celebrate 70 glorious years of Alliance in the off-highway tire segment and are thrilled to launch the “Always by Your Side” campaign globally. It honors the strong ‘alliances’ we have built and nurtured with our trusted customers and partners over the years”

“The campaign also talks about the quality, excellence, and commitment that the Alliance brand offers to its customers. Our extensive on-ground service teams worldwide play a crucial role in keeping this commitment, ensuring we are always there to offer support” added Noronha.

Alliance’s – ‘Always by Your Side’ campaign will run through 2025, and as part of this exercise, the brand plans to felicitate top customers and partners globally. The campaign also aims to reinforce Alliance’s position as a trustworthy and dependable brand that is always ready to deliver custom-made solutions for its customers and partners.