05 April 2025: Spice Money (a subsidiary of DiGiSPICE Technologies), India’s pioneering rural fintech transforming the way Bharat banks, continues to bridge the financial literacy gap through its flagship learning platform, Spice Money Academy. Accessible via web and mobile app, the Academy empowers Adhikaris to operate as Non-Bank Business Correspondents (BCs) and has digitally trained 5,28,000 Adhikaris/Merchants, equipping them with essential skills and knowledge to facilitate seamless financial inclusion and digital transactions in the country’s most underserved regions.

This initiative has driven a transformational impact to strengthen Adhikaris’ proficiency in providing financial inclusion products. This has led to a 6.9% growth in AePS cash withdrawal transactions, reinforcing digital payments adoption across rural regions, while bill payments (BBPS) surged by 17%, streamlining essential service payments. Savings and current account transactions (CASA) jumped by 93%, indicating the intent of savings and inclusion of banking at convenient locations.

One of the key focuses of Spice Money Academy has been fostering women’s participation in the financial ecosystem. In 2024, the Academy trained 2,950 women Adhikaris across critical financial products, including Aadhaar Enabled Payment System (AePS), BBPS, instant PAN card issuance, and savings accounts. On top of this, Spice Money also conducts exclusive sessions for women Adhikaris/Merchants based on their convenience, thereby ensuring more participation from women. This initiative aligns with Spice Money’s broader mission of driving gender-inclusive financial empowerment, ensuring more women actively engage in digital and financial services, thereby strengthening the rural economy. 

The recent discussions by DFS on revising training modules for Non-Bank BCs highlights the industry’s shift towards stronger compliance and digital expertise. Spice Money Academy is also equipping Adhikaris with structured learning programs that enhance their digital banking skills. By staying aligned with these evolving regulatory changes, Spice Money continues to drive financial literacy and seamless compliance.

Spice Money Academy offers structured training modules covering key financial services such as AePS Cash Withdrawals & Deposits, Bharat Connect (Formerly  BBPS), CMS, domestic remittances, micro-ATM operations, and savings accounts. In 2024, the Academy provided product-specific training to Adhikaris, ensuring they are well equipped to serve their communities:

·         AePS: 1,49,026 trained

·         BBPS: 85,898 trained

·         CASA Services: 45,000 CASA trained

·         Instant PAN Card: 6,97,000 trained

·         Subscriptions-led Services: 17,800 trained

·         Cash: 20,026 trained

·         CASA(AXIS- CA): 41,300 trained

·         CASA(Axis-SA): 60,700 trained

Spice Money Academy is already empowering Adhikaris through a structured digital training approach. Online sessions, social media tutorials, and in-app and web-based content, followed by quizzes, ensure effective learning and comprehension. Certifications based on quiz performance validate their expertise, enabling continuous skilling and upskilling. This ensures Adhikaris stays ahead in the rapidly evolving digital landscape while maintaining seamless compliance.

“At Spice Money, we believe that true financial inclusion goes beyond just providing access to services; it requires deep-rooted knowledge, continuous skill-building, and grassroots empowerment. With the training of the non-bank business correspondents, we are committed to equipping them with the expertise needed to bridge the financial gap in underserved regions. Spice Money Academy is at the heart of this mission, ensuring that our Adhikaris are not just service providers but true financial enablers in their communities. The remarkable growth in transactions post-training is a testament to the Academy’s impact in driving last-mile financial access and strengthening Bharat’s digital economy,” said Dilip Modi, Founder & CEO, Spice Money.

By leveraging digital learning tools and strategic training programs, Spice Money Academy transforms financial enablers into rural nanoprenuers, ensuring that even the most remote communities can seamlessly access banking and financial services. As the Academy continues to expand its reach, it remains committed to bridging the digital divide and strengthening the rural fintech ecosystem.

As organizations manage growing volumes of unstructured content, traditional keyword-based search systems are proving insufficient. AI is now enabling a shift toward contextual, predictive, and user-aware discovery, helping teams surface relevant information faster and more accurately ultimately improving business decision-making.

AI is transforming the search landscape by enabling more intuitive, personalized experiences. Unlike traditional search methods, which rely heavily on predefined keywords, AI-powered systems understand the intent behind queries, providing results that are contextually relevant and aligned with the user’s needs. This advancement allows organizations to navigate vast datasets more efficiently, uncovering insights that were previously hidden or difficult to access. By leveraging machine learning algorithms, AI continuously adapts and improves, ensuring that search results become progressively more accurate over time. As AI continues to evolve, it will redefine how enterprises interact with information, paving the way for smarter decision-making and enhanced productivity across industries.

Lumina Datamatics, a strategic partner to 8 of the world’s top 10 publishers and 3 of the top 5 global eCommerce leaders, is at the forefront of this shift. The company enables enterprises to move from static repositories to intelligent content ecosystems powered by semantic discovery, real-time content recommendations, intelligent tagging, and conversational interfaces

3rd April, 2025 – India: Sanrio, the global brand behind Hello Kitty, is excited to announce the launch of dedicated Hello Kitty And Friends YouTube channels in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu. Fans can now enjoy their favorite episodes and special content in their preferred language, making the beloved characters more accessible to audiences across India and beyond.

This initiative underscores Sanrio’s commitment to connecting with Hello Kitty fans across diverse linguistic backgrounds and creating a more inclusive experience. By introducing content in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu, the brand aims to make Hello Kitty’s magical adventures more accessible and enjoyable for a wider audience. As Hello Kitty’s global popularity continues to grow, Sanrio remains dedicated to ensuring that fans can experience their favorite characters in a language that feels most familiar and engaging to them.

The Hello Kitty And Friends YouTube channels will offer a diverse range of content, including full episodes, special features, and exciting new programming, including Hello Kitty And Friends Supercute Adventures.

Hello Kitty And Friends Supercute Adventures is a beloved animated series with multiple seasons and episodes already available, bringing the charming world of Hello Kitty to life. The series follows Hello Kitty and her friends—including My Melody, Kuromi, Bad Badtz-Maru, Cinnamoroll, and Pompompurin—on fun and heartwarming adventures. Each episode is designed to entertain while reinforcing universal values such as friendship, kindness, and positivity, which are central to the Sanrio universe. With its delightful storytelling and lovable characters, the series continues to resonate with fans of all ages worldwide.

Watch the trailer here: https://youtu.be/ONTaP24NzSY?si=T6ork5Uf4vqoK2sw

Fans can also look forward to upcoming series such as DIY with Hello Kitty, which will inspire creativity through fun craft projects, and How to Draw Hello Kitty, where viewers can learn to sketch their favorite characters step by step. By expanding its content offerings, Sanrio aims to provide an engaging and interactive experience, allowing fans to connect with Hello Kitty’s world in new and meaningful ways.

3rd April 2025: Cricket and pizza – two of India’s greatest loves – come together in an unbeatable partnership this IPL season as Oven Story teams up with Star Indian Cricketer Abhishek Sharma to bring fans the ultimate match-day experience. With the launch of 2X Cheesy Pizzas, cricket-watching just got more indulgent, while an interactive cricket-themed packaging lets fans turn their pizza box into a mini cricket field and challenge themselves to hit 6 sixes to win free pizzas for an entire year.

Oven Story has roped in Abhishek Sharma, the rising star known for his explosive batting and fearless hitting, to add a thrilling edge to this campaign. The dynamic Indian cricketer, who has wowed fans with his powerful performances on the field, now takes on a new challenge – this time with Oven Story’s engaging packaging.

In a fun Instagram video, Abhishek gears up to smash six sixes, only to find himself playing on the innovative cricket-themed pizza box instead—bringing out the unexpected joy of cricket in a unique and entertaining way. His passion for the game and unstoppable energy make him the perfect face for this exciting IPL campaign.

Nishant Kedia, Chief Marketing Officer at Rebel Foods said, “At Oven Story, we believe that great food should come with great experiences. With our 2X Cheesy Pizzas and interactive packaging, we’re making sure cricket fans have something extra to cheer for this IPL season. And the chance to win free pizzas for a year? That’s just the cherry on top!“

Cricketer Abhishek Sharma said, “IPL is all about high-energy moments, big hits, and non-stop excitement—just like Oven Story’s pizzas! I love how this campaign brings cricket and food together in such a fun and interactive way. Can’t wait to see fans take on the six sixes challenge!” 

 

3^rd April 2025: The grandest Paw Pageant in India, launched in collaboration with Bark Out Loud, Solitario, and Supertails, was an absolute sensation! With over 1,000+ entries, 8 million+ impressions, and 3 lakh+ interactions from pet parents across the country, this celebration of our furry companions was truly one for the books!

With such an overwhelming response, our esteemed jury had the tough task of shortlisting 12 incredible finalists, whose videos were then put to public vote on social media.

What followed was pure magic! Each finalist’s video received an outpouring of love from the pet-loving community, amassing over 2.5 lakh votes. The excitement and engagement made this campaign a paw-some success!

While every finalist was a star in their own right, one entry stole hearts like no other— @thara_taau_ramphal charmed everyone with their quirky, adorable, and hilarious video, featuring [a humorous concept and conversational script]. With 5,400+ likes, 32,000+ shares, and 1,30,000+ impressions, they claimed the prestigious title of Crown Winner of the Paw Pageant!

The grand winner walked away with a stunning diamond-studded crown worth ₹7.8 lakh, designed by Solitario, a brand known for its sustainable and ethical lab-grown diamonds.

The celebration didn’t stop there!
@casperthefluffycloud – The new Face of Bark Out Loud for upcoming campaigns, with an exclusive professional photoshoot by a renowned photographer.
@pixiethelhasaprincess – Set to enjoy an entire year’s supply of Bark Boxes filled with exciting Bark Out Loud goodies, delivered by Supertails.

A huge shoutout to the campaign creators:
Bark Out Loud – A leading pet brand committed to crafting premium products that bring joy and well-being to furry companions.
Supertails – India’s first digital pet-care platform, offering a one-stop solution for pet food, supplies, and veterinary consultations.
Solitario – Specializing in lab-grown diamonds, promoting sustainable and ethical jewelry choices.

The Paw Pageant was a celebration of love, companionship, and the unbreakable bond between pets and their families. With such a woof-tastic response, we can’t wait to bring back an even bigger and better edition next year

April 03, 2025 – Honeywell (NYSE: HON) today introduced TrackWise Manufacturing, an artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted, cloud-native platform designed to transform how life sciences companies manage, automate and digitalize operations. Trackwise Manufacturing is one of the first in the life sciences industry to offer a revolutionary new approach to workflow management that bridges the gap between the digital and physical manufacturing environments.

Most organizations in the life sciences manufacturing sector still rely on paper-based methods for workflow management, leading to errors and inefficiencies that cause data to go unused and can delay the introduction of new drugs, resulting in profit loss per drug. To address these challenges, TrackWise Manufacturing enables organizations to digitize operations and automate workflows through AI-assisted processes that can help companies to bring drugs to market faster and safer.

The solution is built on a new containerized platform that allows software applications to run consistently across different computing environments, eliminating the need for complex, siloed integrations. As a result, manufacturers can achieve greater flexibility and efficiency, allowing them to respond quicker to business needs and regulatory changes.

“TrackWise Manufacturing is designed to advance the industry’s inefficient systems by leveraging Honeywell’s extensive expertise in automation technologies and life science compliance,” said Pramesh Maheshwari, President of Honeywell Process Solutions. “By embedding AI-assisted workflows, we are leveraging automation to help life science manufacturers reduce technology transfer times and get products to patients faster.”

By harnessing the capabilities of TrackWise Manufacturing, organizations can not only optimize process execution but can also safeguard operational continuity. The platform’s containerized architecture supports flexibility and adaptability, empowering manufacturers to adjust swiftly to evolving market demands while staying compliant with regulatory requirements.

“In the face of economic pressures, shifting market demands, and evolving regulatory requirements, the Life Sciences industry is at an inflection point,” said Daniel R. Matlis, President and Founder at Axendia, Inc. “Industry leaders must seize the opportunity to transform and leverage technological advancements to unify digital quality and manufacturing. Embracing modern technologies, Industry can significantly enhance operational effectiveness, improve product quality, streamline regulatory compliance, and accelerate time to market.”

The platform leverages Honeywell’s established Unit Operations Controller (UOC) for critical control functions while seamlessly embedding an industry-first quality framework that promotes true quality-by-design manufacturing. By embedding quality metrics into the manufacturing process, this framework changes how manufacturers handle production and compliance, which can ultimately result in faster time to market for products.

TrackWise Manufacturing expands on Honeywell’s TrackWise platform and its 30-year quality management legacy that has helped life sciences organizations get safe products to market in a timely manner. The platform’s launch marks a significant leap forward in the evolution of manufacturing technology, unifying various operational functions to streamline processes, enhance operational efficiency, and accelerate product time-to-market.