Kolkata, January 20, 2025: Bharti Airtel, one of India’s largest telecom services providers and Bajaj Finance, the country’s largest private-sector Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC), today announced a strategic partnership to create one of India’s largest digital platforms for financial services and transform last mile delivery.

The one-of-a-kind partnership brings together Airtel’s highly engaged customer base of 370 million, 12 lakh+ strong distribution network, and Bajaj Finance’s diversified suite of 27 product lines, and distribution heft of 5,000+ branches and 70,000 field agents.

Airtel will initially offer Bajaj Finance’s retail financial products on its Airtel Thanks App for seamless and secure customer experience, and later through its nation-wide network of stores. The combined strength of the companies’ digital assets will enable Airtel and Bajaj Finance to significantly deepen penetration of financial products and services.

Gopal Vittal, Vice Chairman and MD, Bharti Airtel, said, “Airtel and Bajaj Finance, two trusted names in this country, have the shared vision of empowering millions of Indians with a diverse portfolio of financial needs. The combined reach, scale and distribution strength of the two companies will serve as the cornerstone of this partnership and help us succeed in the marketplace. We are building Airtel Finance as a strategic asset for the group and will continue to invest in and grow the business. Today. we are trusted by over 1 million customers and our vision is to make Airtel Finance a one-stop shop for all the financial needs of our customers.”

Rajeev Jain, Managing Director, Bajaj Finance, said, “India’s digital ecosystem has been at the heart of data-driven credit underwriting and financial inclusion. Our partnership with Airtel not only leverages India’s digital infrastructure for inclusive growth but also brings together the expertise and reach of two of India’s leading and most-trusted brands. Together with Airtel, we seek to be the financier of choice to India and enable millions to access financial services, even in remote areas. We are excited to join hands with Airtel at a time when Bajaj Finance is harnessing the power of AI to enhance efficiencies and elevate customer experiences.”

So far, two products of Bajaj Finance have been piloted on the Airtel Thanks App. By March, four products of Bajaj Finance will be available to customers on the Airtel Thanks App. These include Gold Loan, Business Loan, a co-branded Insta EMI Card and Personal Loan. Airtel will progressively offer close to 10 financial products of Bajaj Finance within this calendar year.

Airtel customers have the opportunity to apply for the Airtel-Bajaj Finserv Insta EMI card via the Airtel Thanks App and later through its nation-wide network of stores. Airtel-Bajaj Finserv EMI card provides access to a range of offers available to Bajaj Finance customers. Users will benefit from flexible EMI options and payment plans for purchasing various goods, including electronics, furniture and groceries at over 1.5 lakh partner stores across more than 4,000 cities. Additionally, the co-branded card is applicable for e-commerce transactions on multiple platforms.

The Airtel Thanks App now also enables customers to secure a gold loan, enabling new-to-credit customers to access finance and integrate with the formal financial system.

As part of the partnership, both the companies are committed to strong regulatory compliance, data privacy and security, and seamless customer service.

New Delhi Jan 20, 2025: In a bid to address the growing technological demands of modern defence systems, IP Bazzaar, in collaboration with Reinforce Intellectual Property Association (RIPA), is organizing a Tech Talk on “Emerging Technologies Shaping Modern Defence.” The event will take place on January 24, 2025, at the National Productivity Council, Lodhi Road, New Delhi, from 2:30 PM to 6:00 PM.

The roundtable discussion will bring together experts from the defence sector, academia, and the industry to focus on enhancing collaboration for the development of cutting-edge defence technologies. The event will explore the current state of India’s defence technology landscape in comparison to global advancements and will seek to identify critical gaps that need to be addressed to foster self-reliance.

A key theme of the discussion will be the importance of aligning academic research with the strategic needs of the defence sector to create indigenous solutions that meet India’s specific requirements. The organizers have emphasized the need for targeted research and development initiatives to address the challenges of modern defence systems and improve country’s technological readiness.

“India’s defence sector is at a pivotal point where technological advancement is critical to meet evolving security challenges. Strategic collaboration between industry and academia is essential for cultivating innovation, facilitating international cooperation, and developing state-of-the-art Indigenous technologies,” said Mr Lalit Ambastha, Co-Founder of IP Bazzaar.

The Tech Talk will include perspectives from key stakeholders, highlighting the gaps in defence technology development and strategies to bridge them. Discussions will focus on research and development priorities, innovation frameworks, and long-term pathways for collaboration between academic institutions and the defence industry. The event will also touch upon ways to foster a culture of innovation within the defence sector, ensuring that India remains competitive in the global defence landscape.

The roundtable is expected to feature notable speakers and delegates from leading institutions, think tanks, and organizations, including the Centre for Joint Warfare Studies (CENJOWS). These discussions aim to identify actionable steps for enhancing India’s defence capabilities through focused innovation and partnerships.

January 20, 2025: InterGlobe Foundation, the philanthropic arm of InterGlobe Enterprises, and IndiGoReach, the CSR arm of IndiGo, in collaboration with Sahapedia, organised an enriching Heritage Walk under the ‘My City My Heritage’ campaign. The specially curated walk was held in Kozhikode, Kerala, and explored the rich history and cultural legacy of the Zamorin era.

The ‘My City My Heritage’ campaign promotes awareness of India’s heritage and culture, fostering conversations and partnerships to preserve both tangible and intangible heritage. It acts as a catalyst for the local citizens of these cities and towns to learn more about the rich history and culture that engulfs their surroundings. Similar walks have been held previously in Prayagraj, Bhubaneswar, Shillong, Nashik, and Hyderabad.

The walk, themed “Zamorin’s Trail: Exploring Kozhikode’s Glorious Heritage,” offered participants a unique opportunity to delve into the city’s vibrant past. It commenced in the morning from the Tali Shiva Temple and concluded at the 1980’s restaurant, passing through significant heritage landmarks, including Palayam, SM Street (Mittai Theruvu), Kuttichira’s historic mosques, Gujarati Street, the Big Bazaar Market, and more. The journey truly highlighted the city’s rich legacy of cosmopolitanism, religious harmony, governance, literature, and scholarship. Led by Sruthin Lal, a culture and heritage practitioner, the walk was attended by members of the local community, government officials, media, and senior leadership of IndiGo and InterGlobe Foundation.

Speaking on the occasion, Rohini Bhatia, Chairperson, InterGlobe Foundation, said, “We are thrilled to showcase the naturally beautiful and culturally rich city of Kozhikode through the ‘My City My Heritage’ campaign. Building on our previous Heritage Walks, this initiative reinforces our ongoing efforts and commitment to preserve and promote India’s built and natural heritage. Kozhikode’s enduring cultural significance, shaped by centuries of history and diverse influences, offers a fascinating glimpse into India’s rich heritage, and we are delighted to share this experience with the community.”

Speaking at the occasion, Pieter Elbers, Chief Executive Officer, IndiGo said, “Kozhikode, a prominent tourist destination, is distinguished by its rich cultural heritage. This sixth Heritage Walk underscores IndiGo’s commitment to celebrating and preserving the historical legacy of the Zamorin era. IndiGo’s extensive network connects Kozhikode to 6 domestic and 4 international destinations, enhancing global accessibility to this culturally significant region. As India’s leading airline, we remain dedicated to promoting tourism and showcasing Kozhikode’s unique history, further solidifying our commitment to responsible corporate citizenship and community engagement by connecting people, places, and culture.”

InterGlobe Foundation, in partnership with Sahapedia, launched the ‘My City My Heritage’ project in 2019, dedicated to reviving and celebrating the rich cultural heritage of Indian cities. This initiative transcends traditional preservation efforts by actively engaging with local communities to explore, document, and share the diverse heritage assets that shape urban identities. After initially covering ten cities across India, the program has expanded to explore the rich heritage of Srinagar, Kozhikode, Lucknow, and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (formerly Aurangabad), aiming to create an immersive experience for a diverse audience.

Both the InterGlobe Foundation and IndiGoReach have undertaken various projects to promote heritage conservation and preservation in India. Some of the major initiatives of InterGlobe Foundation include the conservation and cultural revival of Abdur Rahim Khan-I-Khanan’s mausoleum in Delhi, the cultural mapping and documentation of ten cities, restoration of ‘Indra Kund’ stepwell in Delwara, tile restoration of Qutb Shah’s Mausoleum, and Heritage Fellowships. IndiGoReach has done projects for the conservation of Qutb Shah’s Mausoleum at the Qutb Shahi Heritage Park in Hyderabad and the restoration of the interiors of the Lal Bagh Palace in Indore.

MUMBAI, 20 January 2025: Maya Academy of Advanced Creativity (MAAC), a premiere institute and a pioneer in high-end 3D animation, Gaming & VFX training, organised a special webinar for its students, giving them an exclusive and in-depth behind the scenes (BTS) access into the making of popular Netflix hits from India, Chamkila, CTRL and much more. Over 5000 students from MAAC’s centres across India and interested aspirants of MAAC attended the webinar online. The event, which is part of MAAC’s ongoing initiative called Behind the Screens, aims to provide real-world industry exposure to its students, setting a new benchmark by leveraging strong industry ties to prepare students for successful careers in the growing AVGC (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming and Comic) industry.

Speaking about the initiative, Mr. Sandip Weling, Chief Business Officer, Global Retail, Aptech Limited and Brand Custodian, MAAC said, “At MAAC we believe that initiatives & platforms such as Behind the Screens play a far crucial role skilling our students to prepare them for a successful and effective career in the media & entertainment industry. These sessions offer a pivotal industry exposure for our students. Interactive sessions with an industry expert always help bridge the gap between academic training and the dynamic demands of the industry – especially in a fast-paced sector like OTT. It is our constant endeavour to empower our students by connecting them with top industry professionals, giving them insights into the latest technologies and trends shaping the world of filmmaking,”

The webinar was presented by Mr. Sumit Mandre of philmCGI at the MAAC centre in Mumbai and live streamed at all its centres pan India. Mr. Sumit holds over 10 years of experience as an animator, character design, and storyboarding, among others. He shared an exclusive window into the world of VFX for MAAC students and aspirants, talking through the creative and technical challenges of bringing some of the most ambitious and competitive stories to life. The live demonstration showcased the films’ complex VFX breakdowns, providing a rare look into the making of one of the most visually stunning films in recent Indian cinema.

With the AVGC industry poised for significant growth, MAAC’s continued efforts to provide such platforms to students ensures they are well-prepared for future opportunities in the global media landscape. The webinar not only showcased MAAC’s commitment to skill-building but is also aligned with the government’s vision of fostering a self-reliant India (Viksit Bharat). The real-world exposure and professional insights shared during the event strengthened the trust in MAAC’s commitment to inspiring future industry leaders.