Tata Elxsi & Garuda Aerospace Partner for UAV Excellence at Aero India 2025

Tata Elxsi and Garuda

Bangalore, 13th Feb 2025– Tata Elxsi, a global leader in design and technology services, and Garuda Aerospace, a pioneering UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) manufacturer, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at Aero India 2025, Asia’s biggest Airshow, being held from February 10th –14th. This partnership establishes a dedicated UAV design, engineering, and certification center to develop indigenous drone technologies specifically for Indian defence applications, along with agriculture, and smart cities, supporting the ‘Make in India’ initiative.

Tata Elxsi and Garuda Aerospace are showcasing prototypes, designs, and operational UAVs at Aero India 2025. In addition, a demonstration of indigenized UAV components highlights India’s advancements in autonomous UAV technologies.

Tata Elxsi will lead the design, development, testing, and certification of UAV subsystems, leveraging its expertise in avionics, miniaturization, ground control systems, secured communication, and energy optimization. Its proven capabilities in avionics certification, including compliance with DO-254 and DO-178C standards, will ensure regulatory adherence and safety. By integrating its proprietary autonomous and digital twin technologies, AI-driven solutions, and advanced propulsion and battery management systems, Tata Elxsi will enhance UAV efficiency, reduce energy consumption by 20%, cut costs by over 20%, and accelerate development cycles by up to six months.

Garuda Aerospace, as an OEM with a strong presence in defense and other sectors, will lead business acquisition and delivery. The drones developed under this initiative will cater to multiple applications such as payload management, goods delivery, precision agriculture, and ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) missions, addressing critical operational needs across industries.

The Indian defense forces and Border Security Force are expected to be key beneficiaries of this collaboration, gaining access to cutting-edge UAV capabilities. Additionally, this initiative will create new employment opportunities and contribute to workforce development in the aerospace sector.

Jayaraj Rajapandian, Head of Aerospace, Rail & Off-highway, Tata Elxsi, stated: “Our partnership with Garuda Aerospace marks a major milestone in India’s aerospace ambitions. By driving AI-powered UAV advancements, we are strengthening India’s defence ecosystem and reinforcing the country’s self-reliance in aerospace technologies.”

Agnishwar Jayaprakash, Founder & CEO of Garuda Aerospace, said “This strategic collaboration with Tata Elxsi reinforces our commitment to indigenous innovation. Over the next three to five years, we will focus on fully indigenised production and supply of airborne and ground systems, strengthening India’s leadership in UAV technology.”

upGrad Enterprise Expands Leadership to Scale India & North America Growth

Neeraj Gera,

Mumbai/Delhi, [13 Feb]: upGrad Enterprise, the corporate skilling division of one of Asia’s largest integrated skilling and forever learning majors has announced an expansion of its leadership team with key appointments of Neeraj Gera in India and Neha Prasad Mullick in North America.

The strategic move comes at a time when the continues to pursue a stronger market penetration across India, Eastern Europe, and North America.

Neeraj brings over 25 years of global experience in business and operational leadership across IT services, GCCs, and tech platform companies. With a proven track record of scaling businesses and driving transformation, he joins upGrad to lead Capability and Delivery for upGrad Enterprise. Previously, he served as Chief Operating Officer for Genpact’s BFS vertical and as President at TBO.com, where he played a key role in driving international growth and contributing to its unicorn IPO.

Neha has spent over 20 years driving transformation across various industries. She will lead customer success and go-to-market efforts in North America driving product market fit and the evolution of region and industry-specific offerings to enable workforce development for upGrad Enterprise’s customers. In her previous roles, she has spearheaded large-scale transformation programs across the Energy & Utilities, Pharmaceutical, Publishing, and Technology sectors.

  • Commenting on the growing market size and opportunity to scale, Srikanth Iyengar, CEO of Upgrade Enterprise, said “Enterprise revenue from international markets has been steadily growing, driven by organic market expansion and increasing global demand. We are looking to further deepen our presence in the Indian market, and at the same time, double down on our global aspirations. We have identified key industry segments to focus on and we expect to build a meaningful presence in these chosen areas within the next 3 to 4 quarters. It’s exciting to see the world’s enthusiasm for GenAI’s potential, and its impact on efficiency, revenue growth, and customer engagement. As the AI landscape evolves, India HQ organizations and GCCs have to keep ensuring that their talent is cutting edge and gets more hands-on with its real-world capabilities. Neha and Neeraj each bring extensive global experience in scaling businesses and their expertise will be pivotal as we scale upGrad Enterprise to a new level.”

upGrad Enterprise has focussed on both the non-tech and technology-dependent segments to enable organizations with a skilled talent pool. “We have been working very closely with our clients to curate bespoke training and skilling mandates to help address their main talent issues. This has strengthened our positioning as a valued partner to them, and helped increase our wallet share within their spend,” added Iyengar.

Interestingly, in Q3 of the current fiscal, the brand recorded over 80% repeat revenue, reflecting upGrad Enterprise’s high quality of delivery and focus on delivering outcomes successfully. upGrad Enterprise continues to see strong demand from BFSI and other GCCs followed by IT / ITES and Manufacturing. As it progresses into 2025, the brand aims to double its growth across India, North America, and Eastern Europe.

  • Neeraj Gera, President – Enterprise Delivery: “Education no longer ends with a college degree before landing your first job. In today’s dynamic landscape, professionals will experience multiple career pivots and must continuously upskill. I’m thrilled to join upGrad as we strive to make a meaningful impact in upskilling, with a strong focus on pedagogy and learning outcomes.”
  • Neha Prasad Mullick, Vice President – Enterprise Sales: “AI has the potential to power sustained differentiation for our customers, however, this requires an empowered and enabled workforce that can capitalize on the rapidly evolving AI landscape. With our strong industry partnerships and our experience in driving AI enablement for our customers, upgrade Enterprise is very well placed to be a critical partner in enabling enterprise-wide AI adoption for our customers.”

Celebrate Love This Valentine’s with Platinum

Bengaluru 13th February 2025: The month of love is here, inviting us to celebrate connections that are deep, real, and enduring. It’s a time to honor love that transcends doubt, shifting from the uncertainty of ‘Could this be?’ to the excitement of ‘This is it.’ It’s found in the laughter that lingers, the comfortable silences, and the certainty of knowing you’ve found the one. When moments spent together evolve into plans for a lifetime, you know you’ve discovered a love that is eternal, precious, and rare.

This month, as you celebrate love in its truest and rarest form, make it memorable, and #SealItWithPlatinum – the only metal worthy of capturing its essence. Crafted from 95% pure and exceptionally rare platinum, which is found in only a select few locations worldwide, and 30 times rarer than gold – Platinum Love Bands are not just jewelry; they are the ultimate symbol of love. A love that’s one of a kind!

With their contemporary designs Platinum Love Bands celebrate modern relationship values—cherishing each other’s individuality, celebrating mutual successes, and equally sharing life’s responsibilities. Platinum’s unparalleled strength ensures it doesn’t change form or lose its natural white, mirroring the resilience and constancy of a love that is truly one of a kind. Just as platinum endures without fading, so does the love it symbolizes—unwavering and eternal.

Through distinctive textures, fluid lines, and elegant motifs – Platinum Love Bands are designed to capture stories of love beautifully. Whether you prefer a minimalist and chic style or timeless elegance, the diverse collection of Platinum Love Bands offers something that deeply resonates with all couples committed to the journey of love. Opting for Platinum Love Bands is embracing an enduring symbol of love – one that you can wear every day and cherish, and is crafted to remain beautiful throughout your shared future.

This Valentine’s Day, when love speaks, #SealItWithPlatinum, and choose from an array of Platinum Love Bands to celebrate this special occasion:

LASTING PROMISES

The moment you realize that your love is a steady rock on which you can rely on in the face of uncertainty, you know you’ve found a love that’s truly rare. These love bands, designed with repeating forms, serve as a reminder of your unshakable trust in each other. No matter how many times life alters its course, your love remains steadfast. Cast in platinum, a metal with unmatched strength that makes it so rare, these Platinum Love Bands perfectly match the strength of your love. A love so rare. A love so platinum.

HEARTS IN HARMONY

The moment you realize that you mirror each other’s dreams and beliefs, you know you’ve found a love that’s truly rare. These love bands are mirror images of each other, reflecting how you grow together, backing each other all the way. Cast in 95% pure platinum, one of the highest standards of purity in precious jewelry, platinum is truly one of a kind. Let these Platinum Love Bands be enduring symbols of your unbreakable bond. A love so rare. A love so platinum.

BLISSFUL BALANCE

The moment you realize that your unique journeys have seamlessly united to forge a harmonious haven, you know you’ve found a love that’s truly rare. These love bands embody the essence of duality. They combine brushed and glossy textures on his ring, and plain studded finishes on hers, merging into beautiful central motifs that symbolize your love. They perfectly represent your two paths that merge into one cherished space. Cast in a celestial metal that arrived on Earth through a meteorite crash billions of years ago, platinum is truly rare. Let these Platinum Love Bands serve as a testament to your unique journey together. A love so rare. A love so platinum

Tata Power Renewables and ONGC Collaborate to Lead the Way in Battery Energy Storage System

Tata Power

Chandigarh, February 13, 2025: Tata Power Renewable Energy Limited (TPREL), a subsidiary of The Tata Power Company Limited and a leading player in India’s renewable energy sector, has signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC), India’s premier energy company, to explore joint opportunities in the Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) and its value chain. The MoU was signed at India Energy Week 2025 in the presence of Shri Hardeep Singh Puri, Hon’ble Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG), Mr. Arun Kumar Singh, Chairman and CEO of ONGC, Mr. Deepesh Nanda, CEO & Managing Director of TPREL, and other dignitaries.

The collaboration aims to jointly explore and identify commercial opportunities across various segments of the BESS value chain, including utility-scale systems, grid stabilization services, renewable energy integration, microgrids, hybrid energy solutions, industrial and commercial storage solutions, backup power, electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, and energy trading through ancillary services.

Commenting on the MoU, Mr. Deepesh Nanda, CEO & Managing Director, TPREL, said, “This partnership with ONGC marks a significant milestone in our journey to drive India’s energy transition. Battery Energy Storage Systems will play a crucial role in strengthening grid reliability, enabling greater renewable energy integration, and supporting India’s ambitious clean energy goals. Together, we aim to develop innovative storage solutions that will pave the way for a sustainable and resilient energy future”.

Mr. Arun Kumar Singh, Chairman and CEO, of ONGC, said, “As India transitions towards a sustainable energy future, ONGC remains steadfast in its commitment to advancing clean energy initiatives. This collaboration with Tata Power Renewable Energy Limited represents a strategic step towards strengthening energy storage capabilities, which are vital for grid stability and renewable energy adoption. By leveraging our collective expertise, we aim to contribute meaningfully to India’s energy transition and long-term energy security.”

This collaboration between Tata Power Renewable Energy Limited and ONGC underscores their shared commitment to promoting sustainable energy solutions and driving India’s energy transition. By exploring joint opportunities in the battery energy storage sector, both companies aim to contribute significantly to the country’s renewable energy targets and build a robust, future-ready energy ecosystem. TPREL’s recent success in commissioning India’s largest Solar and Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project—a 100 MW Solar PV plant with a 120 MWh Utility Scale BESS at Rajnandgaon, Chhattisgarh—demonstrates its technical expertise and leadership in pioneering large-scale Battery Energy Storage Systems. This milestone not only strengthens India’s green energy infrastructure but also sets a benchmark for future BESS projects in the country.

Social Beat Brings Fortune’s 25-Year Journey to Life through Digital Storytelling

Social Beat, one of India’s leading digital marketing agencies, successfully executed a comprehensive digital campaign for Fortune Foods to celebrate the brand’s 25-year milestone. Titled ‘Swaad Ka Safaar,’ the campaign aimed to bring alive the values and legacy of Fortune Foods through the love of Ghar Ka Khana, engaging audiences across generations through nostalgic and relatable storytelling.

The campaign’s creative approach resulted in a series of AI-generated videos and a brand-new 25-year logo launch film, encapsulating Fortune’s journey from then to now. The use of AI-driven creative assets brought a modern touch to the brand’s legacy content, ensuring relevance for both existing and new customers.

Commenting on the campaign’s success, Vikas Chawla, Co-Founder, Social Beat, said: “Fortune Foods has been a trusted name in Indian households for 25 years, representing a rich culinary heritage. Our objective was to create a campaign that not only celebrates this milestone but also resonates with people of all ages. The success of this campaign demonstrates the power of digital storytelling in building emotional connections with consumers.”

Jignesh Shah, Head of Digital, Fortune Foods, added, “Completing 25 years is a monumental achievement for Fortune Foods, and it was important for us to celebrate this milestone with our customers who have been part of our journey. Social Beat’s innovative approach to digital storytelling through Ai generated videos helped us convey the brand’s legacy and emotional connect in a way that truly resonated with our audience. The results speak for themselves, and we look forward to more collaborations with Social Beat in the future.”

The campaign was executed in three phases: pre-launch, launch, and sustenance, with key highlights including the unveiling of Fortune’s commemorative logo and a heartwarming 25-year journey video made by Social Beat that struck an emotional chord with audiences. The campaign across key cities including Bangalore, Delhi NCR, Chennai, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Pune, garnered massive digital traction with over 36 million impressions and a reach of 11.7 million users.

The campaign has set a new benchmark for digital-first brand celebrations in India. Social Beat continues to push the boundaries of creativity and innovation, delivering impactful campaigns that drive brand growth.

Mr. Jaykrishna Gandhi Talks Market Dynamics: A Perspective from Emkay Global Financial Services

by Mr. Jaykrishna Gandhi, Head – Business Development, Institutional Equities, Emkay Global Financial Services

‘’US Equities remain range bound during the week – with blips of volatility around tariffs and soft earnings. US Markets await CPI data to be released later tonight. January job’s data (NFP report) was strong yet again, adding 143k – this now leaves the 3-mth average at 237k (strong). The tariff saga continues – with TRUMP announcing 25% tariffs on aluminium and Steel early this week. While, the market is getting fatigued of this recurring news flow, the uncertainty would continue to prevail and may keep the market volatility high. For impact on Indian markets, we opine – a relative benefit to Indian exports to the US, should be negated by China’s reaction (likely price cuts) and another round of DXY appreciation – which would hurt equities and the currency

INDIA equities had a rough week, extending its time correction – SMID indices were hardest hit, with both MID/Small cap indices losing around 6%. The sentiment has completely gone sour. But, on valuation front, both SMID indices are now below the LT average band. Not much to take out of the Earnings this week – but, Autos gave good numbers – M&M outlined very strong outlook for tractors; Hero maintained double digit growth outlook with company scaling back some of the lost market share. Consumer names continue to see volume growth and margin pressures. In the MSCI Feb review – we saw inclusion of Hyundai and deletion of Adani Green from the Global standard Index.

Lot of action on the liquidity front this week – while a conventional 25bps rate cut was largely priced-in, there was some market disappointment on lack of further liquidity measures during the MPC meet. On further liquidity measures, we expect RBI would have to do additional OMOs amounting to INR 400bn, followed by more VRRs and FX swaps to tackle the liquidity deficit that is likely to turn ugly again by March end. This liquidity infusion and would be incrementally positive for the Banks, especially the ones starving for liquidity – HDFCB, IIB likely to get further leg up here

We hold Nifty Dec -25 target of 25000. For sector positioning – we retain our tilt toward consumption and add our weights on Consumer Discretionary (CD), which is our preferred route to play the consumption theme. Incremental growth is sharpest for these sectors and valuations are still reasonable.

Paras Defence Invests in Logic Fruit Technologies to Bolster Defence Tech at AERO India 2025

Bengaluru, India – February 13, 2025: Paras Defence and Space Technologies Ltd. (“Paras Defence”), a leading player in the defence and space sector, has announced a strategic investment in a deep tech company, Logic Fruit Technologies Private Limited (“Logic Fruit”), by acquiring an approx. 8% stake in the company for a value of Rs. 10 Cr. The announcement was made at AERO India 2025, one of the world’s premier aerospace and defence exhibitions, reinforcing India’s commitment to cutting-edge indigenous technology development.

Logic Fruit is a deep-tech, research-driven company, specializing in high-performance computing, FPGA/SoC-based embedded solutions, and advanced signal processing. With a strong focus on R&D and breakthrough technology development, the company plays a crucial role in designing mission-critical systems for aerospace, defence, telecommunications, and semiconductor industries.

Through this partnership, Paras Defence will be able to leverage Logic Fruit’s expertise in high-speed data processing, AI-driven embedded solutions, and real-time computing architectures to enhance the capabilities of its subsidiary, Paras Anti-Drone Technologies Private Limited. The collaboration aims to accelerate innovation in next-generation defence technologies and open new avenues for advanced research and commercialization of high-performance computing solutions.

Speaking at AERO India 2025, Munjal Sharad Shah, Managing Director of Paras Defence, stated: “This investment reinforces our vision of being at the forefront of India’s defence and aerospace technology landscape. Logic Fruit’s strong research orientation and deep-tech expertise makes them a valuable partner in developing next-generation solutions. Together, we aim to push the boundaries of high-performance computing and defence technology, contributing to India’s technological self-reliance.”

Logic Fruit has successfully delivered over 100 high-end technology solutions, working closely with defence research organizations, aerospace innovators, and global tech leaders. Its clientele includes ISRO, DRDO, HAL, and international giants like Collins Aerospace (USA), Kandou (Switzerland), Lattice (USA), and Achronix (USA). The company’s research-led product portfolio includes Single Board Computers, IF and RF Recorders, scalable data acquisition systems, and AI-powered avionics displays—all critical to modern aerospace and defence applications.

Mahakumbh 2025 Causes Major Surge in Service-Related Searches on Justdial

As Mahakumbh 2025 crosses its midway mark, Justdial, India’s No. 1 local search engine, has released compelling search data that demonstrates the enormous impact of this sacred gathering on local services and infrastructure. The data, covering both pre-event preparation and the first month of the festival, reveals unprecedented shifts in consumer behaviour and service demands.

In the lead-up to the Mahakumbh, which began on January 13, search patterns showed extraordinary growth from December 2024 to January 2025. Most notably, searches became 89-fold for Puja Item Dealers, while Sweet Shops and Pandits searches became 35-fold and 31-fold, respectively, indicating intensive preparation for the spiritual gathering.

The data becomes even more revealing when examining the period after the Mahakumbh began. Comparing January 22 to January 31 with January 14 to January 21 (the first week of the event), searches for Temples surged by 139%, while Petrol Pumps saw a 133% increase, and Ghats witnessed a 118% rise. This dramatic uptick reflects the massive influx of pilgrims as the event gained momentum.

The hospitality and travel sector has demonstrated remarkable growth throughout the event. Initial searches for Hotels, Dharamshalas, and Tourist Guide Services searches became fivefold from December to January. As the Mahakumbh progressed, the demand continued to rise, with Travel Agents seeing a 110% increase in the latter part of January, while Mahakumbh Mela Tents searches grew by 87% and Hotels by 86%.

Essential support services have also adapted to meet the growing demands of millions of pilgrims. Ambulance Services searches quadrupled in the pre-event period, while searches for ATMs, Car Rentals, and Chemists doubled, indicating robust preparation for visitor safety and convenience.

With two weeks remaining until the Mahakumbh’s conclusion on February 26, these search patterns not only reflect the festival’s massive scale but also demonstrate how technology is enabling pilgrims to better access vital services. The data suggests that this year’s Mahakumbh Mela has achieved new heights in terms of organised participation, with devotees actively using digital platforms to enhance their spiritual journey.

PhysicsWallah Students Excel in JEE Main: 1359 Score 99 Percentile, Including 4 Gujarat Toppers with 100 Percentile

Noida, Feb 13, 2025: PhysicsWallah (PW), an education company, has announced results in the JEE Main Session 1 2025 Exam, with four state toppers, one of whom secured a 100 percentile from Gujarat, along with more than 612 students scoring above the 99.5 percentile, over 1359 students scoring above the 99 percentile, and 3548+ students scoring above the 98 percentile, with counting still underway. With its far-reaching impact, PW is nurturing talent in the farthest corners of the nation, with state toppers emerging from diverse regions, stretching from the westernmost state of Gujarat to the easternmost state of Arunachal Pradesh.

The PW Achievers are four state toppers who have excelled in their exams with remarkable scores. Shiven Vikas Toshniwal from Gujarat secured a perfect 100 percentile, Ishant Verma from Mizoram achieved 99.57 percentile, Pranay Kumar Roy from Arunachal Pradesh scored 99.38 percentile, and Kamran Bilal Bhat from Jammu & Kashmir attained 99.89 percentile, closely matching his performance in PW’s mock test. These students studied from PW’s online batches- Arjuna JEE and Lakshya JEE and PW’s offline centers- Vidyapeeth & Pathshala. This reflects PhysicWallah’s integrated approach to education, seamlessly combining digital and physical platforms to offer a holistic and effective learning experience.

Alakh Pandey, Teacher, Founder & CEO, said, “Congratulations to all students who performed well- your hard work has yielded results. I am proud of each one of you, including the ones who didn’t achieve the expected results. Do not be discouraged. The next two months are crucial for your Session 2 exams. Focus on consistent revision and practicing the Session 1 paper, as the difficulty level will be similar. Stay committed, keep improving, and trust the process. We are here to support you every step of the way.”

As aspirants gear up for JEE Main Session 2 scheduled to be held in April 2025, PW aims to provide resources, guidance and support to help them maximize their potential. To aid in their preparation, PW has an ongoing Manzil 2.0, a free and comprehensive revision series available on YouTube, enabling students to revise key concepts in a short span.

Improving Eye Care in Rural Bangalore: Shraddha Eye Care Trust Partners with Padma Shri Dr. Ramana Rao’s ‘Village Clinic’

Bangalore, 13th February, 2025: Shraddha Eye Care Trust, the non-profit wing of Nethradhama Super Speciality Eye Hospital signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Sunday, with Padma Shri Dr. B. Ramana Rao, the renowned Bangalore-based Physician and Cardiologist, to provide eye care services at his ‘Bhanuvara Grama Chikitsalaya’, also known as Sunday Village Clinic in T.Begur, Bangalore.

Dr. B. Ramana Rao has been running a free medical clinic every Sunday for over 51 years, offering a variety of critical primary medical services and bridge the healthcare gap by making specialized healthcare services accessible to the underserved communities. The Village Clinic has become a lifeline for many individuals below poverty line who have limited access to quality healthcare.

The Village Clinic offers comprehensive, free healthcare, including basic health checkups like blood pressure and blood sugar, electrocardiograms (ECGs), nebulization, dental, oral care, medications, injections, and free hot meals for Patients traveling long distances. Dr. Sri Ganesh and Shraddha Eye Care Trust are now joining hands to offer a new Ophthalmic wing established at Dr. Rao’s Village Clinic, fully equipped and operated by Shraddha Eye Care Trust, to bring quality eye care services to the rural Patients.

“Quality healthcare is a basic human right and everyone deserves access to specialized treatment and advanced technology. Our collaboration with Shraddha Eye Care Trust allows us to provide just that, expanding our eye care services with a dedicated Ophthalmic wing. This will make a real difference in ensuring good eye health for all. The new Ophthalmic wing represents a significant milestone, bringing us closer to our goal of accessible and comprehensive healthcare for all rural communities,” said Padma Shri Dr. B Ramana Rao.

This dedicated eye care facility within the existing clinic structure will offer comprehensive eye care services. This partnership would ensure that patients visiting the camp can access quality eye care services, and address the critical need for advanced eye care services in underserved rural areas around Karnataka.

Prof. Dr. Sri Ganesh, Founder and Managing Trustee at Shraddha Eye Care Trust & CMD of Nethradhama Hospitals Pvt Ltd added, “We are honored to partner with Padma Shri Dr. Ramana Rao and his Village Clinic. The need for quality eye care in rural areas is immense. Many suffer from preventable vision loss simply because they lack access to basic eye care services. This collaboration will enable us to reach more people in rural Karnataka, and provide them with quality eye care services with advanced clinical equipment and specialty care. Through this partnership, we expect to conduct comprehensive eye examinations for the Patients who lack access to healthcare services.”

Over 2,000 people from across Karnataka visit the camp every Sunday to avail the facilities. Around 43% Patients were unaware that they need prescription eyeglasses, while 40% have untreated cataracts, which need a dedicated Ophthalmic care within the centre. This highlights the immediate need for proactive eye care intervention in rural communities.