Mumbai, 25th February 2025: Marico, one of India’s leading FMCG companies, is set to redefine the convenience in the Oats category with the launch of Saffola Cuppa Oats—a delicious, nutritious, and hassle-free snack tailored for today’s fast-moving consumers.

Saffola Cuppa Oats, ready in 4 minutes by just adding boiling hot water, will be available in two flavours – Magic Masala and Spicy Mexicana, along with a delightful blend of oats, millets & crunchy multigrain bites. Not only does the product guarantee a masaledaar flavour with crunchy bites but also is high in fiber and acts as a source of protein. True to Saffola’s ‘No Nasties’ promise, the product is crafted as NO Maida, No artificial flavours, No colours, No preservatives, and No palm oil, making it a better-for-you snack without compromising on taste.

Designed for minimal effort and maximum flavour, it ensures that new-age consumers that comprises of working professionals, young adults and students can enjoy a delicious snack without hampering their schedules. Whether it’s a rushed morning, a midday boost, or a late-night craving, Saffola Cuppa Oats delivers a seamless and satisfying experience, combining taste, nutrition, and ease of preparation in just four minutes, delivering on its promise of ‘Masaledaar taste, no time waste’.

Saffola Cuppa Oats will be currently available in leading retail stores and quick-commerce platforms, making it the perfect go-to snack for modern consumers.

Introducing Saffola Cuppa Oats, Nilanjan Roy Choudhury, Business Head – Foods Business at Marico Ltd shared insights on the launch, “At Marico, we are committed to continuous innovation that meets the evolving health needs of our consumers. We recognised that modern consumers crave for a snack that delivers flavour and nutrition without compromising on the chores of their busy life. To bridge this gap, we curated Saffola Cuppa Oats, a category-redefining easy-cook oats offering a quick, tasty, and nutritious mess-free snack that fuels their ambitions and effortlessly fits into their dynamic lifestyles. This unique product represents a fusion of modern convenience and wholegrain goodness, designed for today’s fast-moving world.”

Bengaluru, 25 February 2025: Cambridge University Press & Assessment has launched a advisory panel comprising leaders from top global corporations, aiming to bridge the employability gap and better align academic output with industry needs. The panel, stemming from Cambridge’s industry-academia conferences held last year, includes talent acquisition heads from Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Wipro, Infosys, Cognizant, Tech Mahindra, and Sutherland Global, to name a few.

At the inaugural session held Friday, industry experts discussed the challenges of preparing today’s youth for the evolving job market. A key highlight was the release of a white paper, at the Bridging Industry & Academia Expectations Conference 2025 on ‘Redefining Communication Skills for a Future-Ready Workforce’, which brought together leaders from industry and universities such as Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Technological University, VFSTR University, ITM Group, and Rungta Educational Foundation. It addressed the growing importance of communication skills, the need for stronger collaboration between industry and universities, and strategies to bridge the persistent skill gap.

Authored by Dr M. Muruganant, Founder, AcadNet, the paper outlines strategies to modernise curricula, enhance academia-industry collaboration, and examines 17 essential skills and 12 HR variables for success in today’s business landscape. It introduces a four-cluster model for skill development, emphasising not only technical skills but also cognitive, interpersonal, and adaptability traits for sustainable employment and leadership.

At the panel discussions, talent heads explained how they are struggling to find candidates with strong communication abilities, particularly among blue-collar workers in tier 2 and 3 cities. They pointed out that while technical skills are teachable, communication and life skills require a different approach. Early engagement between academia and industry is crucial to equip students with job-ready skills.

The conference also highlighted the need for stronger English proficiency, a critical skill for success in global industries. This need is supported by earlier research from the University of Cambridge and the British Council in schools, which underscores the importance of multilingual education in developing cognitive and interpersonal skills. Additionally, NITI Aayog’s recent report ‘Expanding Quality Higher Education’, calls attention to talent outflows due to inadequate employability skills, especially in English proficiency.

Arun Rajamani, Managing Director, Cambridge University Press & Assessment, South Asia, said: “At Cambridge, we recognise that there is a growing gap between the skills required by employers and the abilities of the workforce. As this divide widens, it is crucial that industry and academia work together to better align educational outcomes with the evolving demands of the workplace. Through this advisory panel, our aim is to bridge the employability gap and further ensure that the necessary skills and communication needs are enhanced to meet industry requirements.”

Additionally, the whitepaper provides actionable strategies for educational institutions, employers, and policymakers to bridge skill gaps. It recommends modernising curricula to align with industry needs, implementing targeted training programmes, fostering diversity and inclusion, and integrating technology to enhance learning and development. These insights aim to equip professionals with the skills needed to thrive in an evolving global economy.

Recognising the industry need, TCS recently included Linguaskill from Cambridge as one of the English proficiency assessments that the organisation accepts on its job portal, reinforcing the increasing demand for soft skills alongside technical expertise. As one of the largest recruiters in the country, the company highlighted the lack of strong communication skills among candidates and called for greater focus on this issue at both the school and university levels.

Arunachalam TK, Regional Director, English, South Asia, added, “With talent becoming more vibrant, there is an increasing need for holistic skills that put effective communication skills on a par with technical expertise. Industry data underscores that strong English skills correlate with broader job opportunities and global employability. We recognise English as a skill has a far-reaching impact on career prospects and overall workforce readiness. The Cambridge approach is forward-thinking, and our aim is to enhance global employability of the Indian youth.”

The conference concluded with the key takeaway that future talent development must be a collaborative effort between academia, industry, and policymakers. Experts shared insights on aligning education with industry needs to maintain global workforce competitiveness, emphasising the importance of skill-building to empower professionals in an AI-driven, rapidly evolving digital landscape.

India, February 25, 2025: Gaining acceptance to an MD program is a huge accomplishment. While it’s certainly a celebration-worthy event, medical school students need to quickly transition to prepare for the rigors of medical school. That not only means hitting the books in the classroom, but also preparing yourself for clinical rotations, licensing exams, and matching for residency.

Here’s the top 10 tips from some practicing physicians had to say about how to study in medical school. Although these are not the only ways, the list below provides some of the most efficient ways to study in medical school that helps you best retain material.

1. Review material regularly 

The need to study regularly is one piece of advice just about every doctor recommends. Dr. Inna Husain, laryngologist and assistant residency program director for simulation education at Rush University Medical Center. She recommends developing diligent study habits and a daily study practice as soon as possible.

2. Write it down

While reading all of your assigned text is essential, you probably shouldn’t expect to remember all of it. For Dr. Malini Reddy, an internist at Reddy Medical Group, writing things down was a must and helped with retention.

3. Test yourself

Regularly testing yourself is essential to preparing for licensing exams like United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE), sometimes referred to as “the boards.” You can quiz yourself from your own notes or as part of a group, but you should also contemplate question banks. Consider that there are multiple ways to test yourself with the same list of questions.

4. Create an effective learning environment

Identifying a good learning environment is a key component of figuring out how to study in medical school—perhaps just as important as the study methods themselves.

Dr. Reddy did a mix of reviewing material at home and in the library. While both worked, she liked how efficiently she could study in the latter location.

5. Improve memorization with mnemonics

Elementary students rely on the acronym mnemonic “Roy G. Biv” to remember the order of colors in a rainbow, and that same strategy can work just as well in medical school. In fact, some medical residency programs use a mnemonic approach to help trainees retain critical knowledge.

6. Use visuals

If you’re a visual learner, take advantage of opportunities to use imagery by creating sketches that make it easier to digest complex medical material. It also helps reinforce what you see and read during your courses.

7. Incorporate auditory methods

Some individuals find they’re able to recall information better if they hear it. For example, Goljan Audio is a popular lecture series Dr. Reddy and many others recommend. It contains more than thirty lectures.

8. Consider forming a study group

While reviewing material with others doesn’t work for everyone, study groups are a great option for those who do learn well when collaborating with fellow students. Dr. Husain says study groups can be particularly helpful for reviewing clinical scenarios and answering practice quiz questions.

She has several recommendations for forming a group of your own:

• Keep study groups to a maximum of four students

• Find students who have similar goals

• Share the work equally

• Avoid studying with your regular social group to minimize distractions

You may even be able to use your school to form a group. Some institutions, like St. George’s University (SGU), build collaborative review sessions right into the program along with other support services.

9. Ask for help

Because there’s so much material to get through in medical school, it’s essential to be proactive about seeking help when you need it.

10. Take care of yourself

While good study habits are important, make sure to incorporate regularly timed breaks to allow yourself some time to recharge.

Now that you have a better idea of how to study in medical school, you can feel confident about gearing up for the medical licensing exam series later on in your education.

Mumbai, India, 25 February 2025: Average housing prices across the top eight markets in India witnessed a 10% YoY rise during the last quarter of 2024, led by healthy demand momentum and positive market sentiment. Interestingly, average housing prices have been on a rising spree for the 16th consecutive quarter, starting 2021. Price appreciation was evident in all the eight major cities, with Delhi NCR witnessing the highest rise at 31% YoY growth, followed by Bengaluru at 23% YoY rise during Q4 2024. While affordable housing segment will continue to form the bulk of housing sales, demand within luxury and ultra-luxury segments can amplify further in 2025. Traction in these segments is likely to drive average housing prices upwards across most major residential markets of the country in the next few quarters.

Overall unsold inventory continued to decline for the fourth consecutive quarter and dropped 5% annually during Q4 2024 backed by healthy demand. At the end of December 2024, unsold inventory at the India level stood below 10 lakh housing units for the first time in the last two years. MMR, with a share of ~40%, continued to account for a majority of the unsold inventory. Notably, Pune saw the highest annual drop in unsold inventory at 14%, closely followed by Hyderabad with 13% decline.

Mr. Boman Irani, President of CREDAI National stated, “The sustained growth in housing prices underscores the strong confidence among homebuyers, driven by a preference for spacious living and lifestyle upgrades. With evolving consumer aspirations, we are witnessing increased demand for larger homes, better amenities, and integrated living spaces. This positive sentiment has translated into steady sales momentum across segments. While evolving preferences and lifestyle upgrades remain key motivators, cost pressures in construction and land acquisition are also significantly contributing to pricing trends. As we look ahead, a potential reduction in interest rates could further boost affordability and drive even greater demand. This positive trend is expected to continue and thrive through the year, making it an opportune time for homebuyers to invest in real estate.”

“Overall housing prices across the top eight Indian cities surged 10% on an annual basis in 2024. Prominent markets such as Delhi NCR and Bengaluru saw the steepest rise in average housing prices amidst rise in demand for luxury and ultra-luxury segments. Furthermore, the recent repo rate reduction along with government initiatives to fund stressed residential projects will provide boost to affordable housing segment. Going ahead, with elbowroom for further reduction in benchmark lending rates, most cities are likely to witness traction in housing sales across categories. Resultantly, average residential prices can potentially increase at similar levels in 2025 on an annual basis. “ added, Badal Yagnik, Chief Executive Officer, Colliers, India.

“Sales witnessed a marginal decline, led by moderated new launches in the last quarter. We anticipate a growth in affordable and mid-segment supply and sales going forward, which will change the composition of supply, which has been skewed towards the luxury segment for the last four years”, said Pankaj Kapoor, Managing Director, Liases Foras.

Mumbai, 25 February 2025 – Fineotex Chemical Limited (FCL), one of India’s leading multinational speciality performance chemical manufacturers, has been awarded the prestigious Two Star Export House status by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India. The certification, valid till March 31, 2028, recognizes FCL’s significant contribution to India’s export growth and international trade.

This recognition reinforces FCL’s position as a key player in the global specialty chemicals market and acknowledges the company’s consistent export performance. The Two Star Export House status brings various benefits that will further strengthen FCL’s international trade capabilities and global market presence.

Mr. Sanjay Tibrewala, Executive Director of Fineotex Chemical Limited, commented on the achievement, “The Two Star Export House status is a testament to our robust export growth and global market expansion strategy. This recognition comes at an opportune time as we continue to expand our international footprint with innovative solutions like Aqua Strike Premium and strengthen our manufacturing capabilities across India and Malaysia.”

Mrs.Aarti Jhunjhunwala, Executive Director of Fineotex Chemical Limited, added, “This recognition from DGFT validates our strategic focus on global markets and our commitment to making India a manufacturing powerhouse in specialty chemicals. This certification will enhance our ability to serve international markets more effectively and reinforces our position as a reliable global supplier of sustainable chemical solutions.”

The certification aligns with FCL’s recent achievements, including successful development of sustainable solutions like the recently approved Aqua Strike Premium mosquito control solution. This recognition will further support FCL’s mission to provide innovative, sustainable chemical solutions to global markets while contributing to India’s export growth.

New Delhi, 25th February 2025: Venture Catalysts, India’s leading early-stage investment firm, recently participated in a $1.1 million pre-seed funding round for Dodo Payments, the first global Merchant-of-Record platform for India and emerging markets. The investment round, co-led by Antler and 9Unicorns, also saw participation from notable angel investors including Nitin Gupta (Uni Cards and PayU,) Maninder Gulati (former Oyo CSO/Lightspeed), Nishant Verman (former Flipkart CorpDev head), Raymond Russell (former Chief of Staff at Boom Supersonic), Preethi Kasireddy (former Partner, a16z) and others.

Founded in 2023 by Rishabh Goel and Ayush Agarwal, Dodo Payments is revolutionizing cross-border transactions for digital-first businesses. The platform addresses critical challenges in international payments, such as low success rates, lack of access to alternate payment methods, complex documentation processes, and poor vernacular support. As the first Merchant-of-Record platform for India and emerging markets, Dodo Payments enables businesses to accept payments from over 150 countries with success rates of over 90%.

Expressing enthusiasm about the investment, Dr. Apoorva Ranjan Sharma, Co-founder and President of Venture Catalysts, said, “At Venture Catalysts, we are committed to identifying and supporting innovative businesses that have the potential to transform industries. Our investment in Dodo Payments is closely aligned with this vision : the company’s groundbreaking approach to cross-border payments. Their solution not only addresses a critical need in the market, but also has the potential to significantly impact how businesses in emerging markets engage in global commerce. We are excited to be part of their journey and look forward to supporting their growth and expansion.”

The funding will be strategically utilized for product development, expanding local processing in 30+ new markets, and enhancing compliance and security measures. Dodo Payments plans to support 100+ currencies and 300+ local payment methods across key global markets in the coming year. The company has already made significant strides, working with 1000+ merchants from more than 30 countries, and aims to onboard over 10,000 merchants globally by the end of 2025.

Dodo Payments stands out in the fintech landscape with its innovative use of AI and machine learning for fraud detection, chargeback resolution, and merchant underwriting. The platform currently supports 25+ local payment methods, including Apple Pay, Klarna, Affirm, CashApp, UPI and all major card networks.

Rishabh Goel, Co-founder and CEO of Dodo Payments, commented on the significance of the funding, saying, “We are immensely grateful to all our investors for the trust they have placed in us. With the backing and expertise of investors like Venture Catalysts, we are well-positioned to accelerate our mission of powering seamless global transactions for digital businesses of allsizes. This investment will enable us to expand our reach and continue innovating in the cross-border payment space, thereby helping businesses from emerging markets to compete on a global scale.”

Ayush Agarwal, Co-founder and CPTO of Dodo Payments, added, “The complexities of international payments are constantly evolving. With this funding, we are poised to advance our platform’s architecture,

incorporating modules that address the nuanced challenges of cross-border transactions. Our focus remains on delivering a secure, efficient, and user-friendly experience for our merchants, empowering them to expand their reach without the typical constraints associated with global payments.”

Rajesh Mane, Partner, 100unicorns commented, “At 100Unicorns, we recognize Dodo Payments’ unique positioning as the first Merchant of Record platform bridging emerging markets with global commerce. Their AI-driven approach to solving cross-border payment complexities, from dynamic currency conversion to regulatory navigation, perfectly complements our vision of backing category-defining fintech infrastructure. We are particularly impressed by their superb transaction success rate and rapid merchant adoption, which shows a strong product-market fit in underserved regions.”

As the world’s first Merchant of Record platform to offer UPI to global merchants, Dodo Payments is set to play a pivotal role in facilitating international transactions for businesses from emerging markets. The company’s long-term vision is to power frictionless global transactions for digital businesses of all sizes, capitalizing on the increasing trend of cross-border transactions driven by AI-first startups.

As Dodo Payments continues to grow and expand its offerings, it is poised to become a key player in reshaping the landscape of international digital payments, particularly for businesses in emerging markets. Venture Catalysts’ investment in Dodo Payments is an extension of its continued support to transformative ventures across all sectors. The firm remains committed to fostering innovation and supporting high-potential startups in global markets.