UST Named Top Employer by TEI for Global Workplace Excellence
Mumbai, 19th February, 2025: UST, a leading digital transformation solutions company, has been awarded the Top Employers Institute’s (TEI) prestigious Enterprise Certification in the large enterprise category in addition to receiving 2025 Regional Certification (Blue Seal) for North America and APAC as well as being recognized with TEI’s Red Seal in a total of 10 countries. UST has been re-certified as a 2025 Top Employer in the United States, Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, Taiwan, India, Malaysia, Australia, the Philippines, and Spain.
The TEI Enterprise Certification is a testament to UST’s continuous efforts to invest in its employees, and foster a culture of innovation, inclusion, and excellence. This certification is only issued to organizations with 10 or more red seals, provided that the number of employees in the participating countries collectively represents more than ninety-five percent of the company’s total number of employees. With these prestigious certifications, UST ranks among a distinguished group of prominent global companies who have achieved excellence in employee conditions, people policies, and programs.
These recent awards from TEI underscore UST’s commitment to fostering a positive workplace environment at all its offices worldwide. UST has been repeatedly certified as a TEI top employer, also winning recognition in 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024.
Certification as a Top Employer showcases UST’s dedication to a better world of work, demonstrated through excellent HR policies and people practices. The Top Employers Institute program certifies organizations based on the participation in and results of their HR Best Practices Survey, which covers six HR domains consisting of 20 topics, including People Strategy, Work Environment, Talent Acquisition, Learning, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Wellbeing, and more.
“Employee engagement is central to our identity at UST, and we remain committed to doing all we can to foster an open workplace culture that accelerates personal and career growth. TEI’s rigorous criteria help us to stay focused on meeting the emerging needs of our employees as we create boundless impact and transform lives through digital transformation,” said Colleen Doherty, Chief People Officer, UST.
“Consistency in a not-so-consistent world? Amidst constant change—through technological advances, economic shifts, and evolving social landscapes—it is inspiring to see people and organizations rise to the challenge. This year, the Top Employers Certification Program highlights the dedication of our Top Employers as they continue to set the standard, consistently delivering world-class HR strategies and practices. These Top Employers strive to foster growth and wellbeing, all while enriching the world of work. We are proud to celebrate these people-first leaders and teams as the Top Employers for 2025,” said David Plink, Chief Executive Officer, Top Employers Institute.
Sorrento at Shangri-La Eros Delhi Presents Truffle & Caviar
(New Delhi, February 2025): Shangri-La Eros New Delhi presents Truffle & Caviar, an exclusive dining experience at the Italian restaurant, Sorrento, from 17 to 23 February 2025. This limited-time menu serves the world’s most coveted delicacies, truffles and caviar, offering an exceptional culinary experience available à la carte for lunch and dinner.
Sorrento, renowned for its authentic Italian flavours and certified with the Golden Q from Ospitalità Italiana, provides the perfect setting for this extraordinary affair. Guests can look forward to a meticulously crafted selection of dishes that bring out the depth and elegance of these prized ingredients.
The menu commences with an exquisite caviar platter featuring premium Beluga, and Oscietra caviar, served with melba toast and blini pancake. The pan-seared scallops, paired with a truffle polenta cloud and salmon caviar, deliver a delicate balance of flavours and textures.
For pasta lovers, the basil-laminated single egg yolk raviolo, filled with spinach and ricotta, and crowned with fresh truffle and Oscietra caviar, is a star. The truffle and lobster tagliolini, coated in a rich Parmesan sauce with winter black truffle, embodies indulgence in every bite.
The experience continues with signature mains, including the sweet butter-poached Canadian lobster tail, complemented by lobster bisque and truffle hollandaise. The truffle chicken with smoked celeriac, enhanced by a potato tart and Oscietra caviar, presents a rich and refined taste. Vegetarian diners can appreciate the Peruvian white asparagus, elegantly finished with truffle snow and citrus-infused sauces.
Research Alternative Data Goes Mainstream for Hedge Funds and Investors
19th February 2025: Hedge funds and other active Investment managers plan to further increase their use of alternative data for research and insights with geolocation and consumer spending data expected to see the biggest growth in demand, new research from leading alternative data platform Exabel and BattleFin shows.
The global study with hedge funds and other active investment managers and analysts working for fund management firms with total assets under management of $820 billion, found 86% expect to increase their use of alternative datasets over the next two years. All categories of data will see growing demand with 51% expecting dramatic increases in usage for geolocation data over the next three years and 50% dramatic increases in use of consumer spending data.
Exabel’s research report Alternative Data Buy-side Insights & Trends 2025 found all the managers and analysts questioned in the US, UK, Singapore and Hong Kong currently use alternative data in some form. Almost all (98%) agree that traditional data and official figures are becoming too slow in reflecting changes in economic activity.
Consumer spending datasets are seen as the most likely to provide an outsized informational edge in the near future, the study found. Around 75% questioned chose consumer spending data compared with 50% choosing Natural Language Processing (NLP) and sentiment while 45% selected social listening and 43% chose employment and people moves data. Just 7% selected satellite data.
The study found investment managers and analysts have built up experience using alternative data with 61% questioned saying they began using it three to five years ago, while nearly one in ten (9%) did so more than five years ago. Around 28% started using it a year to three years ago. Their experience of using it has been generally positive with 87% saying the process of using alternative data is good or excellent.
Andreas Aglen, President of Exabel said: “Institutional investors have embraced alternative data as a key source of differentiated insight and the demand for alternative data as a crucial component of alpha generation for institutional investors continues to accelerate.
“It is even more clear now that alternative data has gone mainstream, serving as a vital source of insights to investment managers around the world.”
FinX Teams Up with KBP College for B.Com in Capital Markets
19th February 2025, Mumbai: FinX has signed an MoU with KBP Modern College (Mumbai University, NAAC A++) to introduce a B.Com programme in Capital Markets, marking a significant step towards bridging the BFSI talent gap. With over 50% of graduates deemed unemployable due to a lack of practical exposure (India Skills Report), the industry is in urgent need of job-ready professionals. Through this collaboration, FinX is bringing real-world training, expert mentorship, and industry exposure into mainstream education, ensuring that students are well-prepared for careers in investment banking, wealth management, and financial markets.
Speaking about the initiative, Himanshu Vyapak, CEO of FinX, highlighted the need for industry-aligned education. “The BFSI sector needs professionals who can hit the ground running. Traditional courses tend to focus heavily on theory, but what the industry truly requires is hands-on learning, market simulations, and direct interaction with financial experts. This MoU is a step towards ensuring that students graduate with the practical skills and industry experience needed to thrive.”
The programme has been designed with employability at its core, blending technical knowledge with real-world applications, including market simulations, industry-led mentorship, and internship opportunities.
By integrating financial education with practical experience, FinX and KBP Modern College are not only strengthening India’s capital markets but also shaping a highly skilled workforce to support the country’s fast-growing £10 trillion economy.
Zee Entertainment’s Punit Goenka Lays Out Strategic Path for Future Success
This is to inform you that in an exclusive interview with Zee Business, Punit Goenka, CEO of Zee Entertainment, addressed key questions surrounding the company’s performance, leadership changes, and the much-discussed merger with Sony. Mr. Goenka clarified that while the merger with Sony did not materialize, he remains open to future proposals that align with the interests of shareholders, employees, and the company. He emphasized that despite stepping down as Managing Director, his role and approach to leading the company remain unchanged, allowing him to focus more on business growth without the added burden of board responsibilities.
Mr. Goenka highlighted Zee Entertainment’s impressive profit growth over the past year, attributing it to cost optimization, content monetization, and operational efficiency. He outlined the company’s strategic pillars for future growth, including high-quality content creation, effective monetization strategies, and maintaining financial discipline. Goenka also addressed the growing competition in the media industry, asserting that Zee is well-positioned to compete effectively through its strong content offerings and customer-centric approach, while reaffirming his passion for storytelling and commitment to the company’s success.
Prachay Capital Ltd Plans INR 100 Crore Public Issue of Secured NCDs
Hyderabad, 19 February 2025: Prachay Capital Limited, an RBI-registered Non-Banking Financial Company – Investment and Credit Company (NBFC-ICC), has announced the public issue of its Secured, Rated, Redeemable Non-Convertible Debentures (NCDs) to raise up to ₹100 Crore. The issue opens on 28 February 2025 and closes on 13 March 2025.
The BBB-/Stable CRISIL-rated NCDs offer investors a 13% p.a. return with monthly interest payments, making it a fixed-income investment opportunity. The proceeds from this issue of NCDs will be primarily used for the stated fund utilization.
Speaking about the issue, Mr Girish Murlidhar Lakhotiya, Managing Director, Prachay Capital Limited said: “This NCD issue is a key step in Prachay Capital’s expansion strategy. With our focus on structured corporate lending and investment in private debt instruments, we aim to generate strong and sustainable returns for our investors while maintaining a robust financial profile.
Prachay Capital has zero delays in servicing liabilities and has Gross NPA of 0% on its Assets Under Management (AUM). The Company’s AUM has grown at a CAGR of 46.61% from ₹ 132.92 Crore as at March 31, 2022 to ₹ 285.70 Crore, as at March 31, 2024 and has return on equity (ROE) above 17% post tax over the last three financial years. The Company’s Net Interest Margin (NIM) for the last three financial years ending on March 31, 2024, March 31, 2023 and March 31, 2022 stood at 8.40%, 9,49% and 11.02%, respectively and Company’s Return on Total Assets (ROTA) have been in range of 4% to 5% for the same period. As on quarter and six months period ended September 30, 2024, the Company’s Capital Risk Adequacy Ratio (CRAR) was 27.32%.
With BSE listing, the issue is open for subscription by retail individual investors, high-net-worth individual investors (HNIs), institutional investors, and corporates. For details relating to eligible investors, see “Issue Structure” beginning on page 189 of the Prospectus.
In the first half of fiscal 2025, 607 different issuers tapped the corporate bond market, issuing bonds totalling Rs 5.11 lakh crore. In the fiscal 2025, the corporate bond market saw 200+ new issuers, reflecting growing confidence and participation in the debt market. Moreover, AAA-rated corporate bonds dominated the bond market with ~67% issuances in the first half of fiscal 2025.” He added
Infinity Learn & Sri Chaitanya Celebrate JEE Main 2025 Top Achievers
India, 19 February 2025: Infinity Learn – India’s only hybrid learning platform delivering outcome-based learning at scale, continues its streak of excellence with an outstanding performance in the JEE Main 2025 Session 1 examination. Following the launch of 50+ offline Test Prep Centres across India under the Sri Chaitanya Academy brand in 2025, learners from Infinity Learn have delivered exceptional performances, reinforcing the hybrid learning platform’s commitment to high-quality, outcome-driven education. Notably, the platform takes pride in having Uttar Pradesh’s Girl Topper, Ananya Tripathi, who scored 99.94 percentile. Gyan Prakash secured an impressive 99.97 percentile, emerging as the Patna Topper. Additionally, the topper from the online platform, Prachit Umesh G, achieved a 99.94 percentile, while the platform’s Lucknow Topper, Pragyam Srivastav, secured a 99.90 percentile.
The National Testing Agency (NTA) announced the results on 11th February, highlighting the remarkable achievements of Infinity Learn’s learners. This year, 60+ learners scored 99+ percentile, while 90+ learners crossed the 95+ percentile mark, and an impressive 100+ learners secured 90+ percentile. These results underscore Infinity Learn’s guided test preparation, data-driven insights, and hyper-personalized mentorship, equipping learners with the tools to excel in highly competitive exams like JEE and NEET.
Congratulating the toppers, Ms. Sushma Boppana, CEO and Director of Sri Chaitanya Group and Co-founder of Infinity Learn, said, “We are incredibly proud of our learners’ outstanding performance in JEE Main 2025 Session 1. Their success is a testament to Infinity Learn’s commitment to delivering high-quality, outcome-driven education. This achievement highlights not only their dedication and perseverance but also the effectiveness of our pedagogy, personalized mentorship, and world class study materials. As we celebrate this milestone, we remain dedicated to equipping learners with the skills, knowledge, and confidence needed to excel in JEE Main Session 2 and JEE Advanced—helping them secure seats in India’s top-tier engineering colleges.”
Commenting on the toppers, Mr. Ujjwal Singh, Founding CEO, Infinity Learn by Sri Chaitanya, said, ” I am proud of the exceptional achievements of our learners in JEE Main 2025 Session 1. This success is a powerful reflection of the impact of our hybrid learning platform and, more importantly, to the effectiveness of online teaching enhanced by AI tools. At Infinity Learn, we are committed to ensuring ‘Baccha Seekha Ki Nahi’, focusing on real learning with customized attention and support so that learners can reach their highest potential from the comfort of their hometowns. Moments like these make me immensely proud of the work we do at Infinity Learn and inspire us to continue nurturing learners to become toppers in competitive exams.”
“We are elated by the outstanding results of our learners from Patna and Varanasi in JEE Main 2025 Session 1, particularly Ananya Tripathi – Uttar Pradesh’s Girl Topper, whose achievement underscores our commitment to girls’ education. Gyan Prakash – Patna Topper, has also made us immensely proud. This achievement made possible through Sri Chaitanya Academy – our Test Prep Centre, demonstrates our dedication to providing quality education in Tier 2 cities,” he added.
The impressive results highlight Infinity Learn’s commitment to delivering exceptional education at affordable rates, making it accessible to a diverse group of learners, especially in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. This hybrid learning platform, driven by a strong vision to foster a culture of academic excellence, integrates AI-driven, hyper-personalized learning with traditional pedagogy. With a focus on learner success, Infinity Learn is working relentlessly to achieve its dream of becoming the leader in Tier 1 college admissions for engineering and medical programs in India.
Chief Minister Shri Revanth Reddy Garu inaugurated SHIELD 2025
Hyderabad, February 19, 2025:
The Telangana Cyber Security Bureau (TGCSB), Cyberabad Police, and the Society for Cyberabad Security Council (SCSC) successfully inaugurated SHIELD 2025, Telangana’s premier cybersecurity conclave, at HICC, Hyderabad. The conclave was inaugurated by the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Telangana, Shri Anumula Revanth Reddy, in the presence of Guest of Honour, Shri D. Shridhar Babu, Minister for IT & Industries, Telangana, Shri Ravi Gupta, IPS, Special Chief Secretary, Home Department, Telangana, Dr. Jitender, IPS, Director General of Police, Telangana, Smt. Shikha Goel, IPS, Director General CID & I/C Director, TGCSB, Shri Avinash Mohanty, IPS, Commissioner of Police, Cyberabad & Chairman, SCSC, and Shri Ramesh Kaza, Secretary General, Society for Cyberabad Security Council (SCSC).
The conclave received an overwhelming response, bringing together 900 delegates, including top leaders from law enforcement, industry, government, academia, and students. Attendees included senior officers from law enforcement agencies across 14 states in India, cybersecurity experts, representatives from the IT sector, BFSI, telecom, defense, and public policy organizations, as well as leaders from global tech companies and startups. The event also saw active participation from students and academic institutions, encouraging the next generation of cybersecurity professionals. Additionally, the conclave was live-streamed at three different locations, at a parallel hall in the venue, Cyberabad Commissionerate – where 100 cyber warriors were actively engaged and Society for Cyberabad Security Coouncil (SCSC),. The discussions highlighted the growing importance of collaborative cybersecurity efforts, ensuring a resilient and future-ready digital ecosystem.
The Hon’ble Chief Minister, Mr. Anumula Revanth Reddy, in his keynote address, emphasized the growing cyber threats in an increasingly digital Telangana and reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to strengthening cybersecurity infrastructure. He highlighted how cyber resilience is crucial for protecting businesses, government systems, and citizens, especially as Telangana continues to expand its digital footprint. He commended TGCSB’s proactive efforts in cybercrime prevention, particularly its role in the development of the Centralized Cybercrime Portal, which is now used by 27 states, and its efforts in victim restitution, ensuring ₹183 crores were refunded to 18,000 victims in 2024 alone.
The Chief Minister also stressed the need for stronger collaboration between the government, law enforcement, tech leaders, and academia to develop a future-ready cybersecurity framework. He highlighted the importance of leveraging AI, blockchain, and cloud security to strengthen Telangana’s digital infrastructure and emphasized building a skilled workforce in cybersecurity by encouraging young professionals and students to take up careers in this field. He further reiterated the government’s focus on investing in
cybersecurity innovations, enhancing intelligence-sharing frameworks, and establishing key partnerships to ensure a safer digital ecosystem for the state.
Mr D. Sridhar Babu, IT Minister, spoke about Telangana’s rapid digital transformation and how cybersecurity is integral to the state’s IT growth. He emphasized the importance of securing critical infrastructure, fostering cybersecurity startups, and integrating cybersecurity into government initiatives and policies. Additionally, he announced that discussions are underway to establish the Telangana Cyber Defence Center (TGCDC), a dedicated initiative to proactively defend police departments and government agencies against cyber threats. This center will serve as a centralized hub for monitoring, mitigating, and responding to cyber risks, ensuring enhanced security across government institutions.
Sri Ravi Gupta, IPS, Special Chief Secretary, Home Department, Telangana, emphasized the critical need for cybersecurity preparedness across government departments and public services. He spoke about how cyber threats are evolving rapidly, impacting governance, financial systems, and critical infrastructure, making robust security policies and swift action essential. He highlighted the state’s commitment to strengthening cybersecurity frameworks, enforcing best practices, and fostering innovation to stay ahead of cyber threats.
DGP Dr. Jitender commended TGCSB’s significant achievements, including the refund of ₹183 crores to 18,000 victims in 2024, demonstrating the state’s commitment to ensuring swift action and victim restitution. He also highlighted the use of AI-driven investigative tools like Crime OS, which have helped law enforcement enhance cybercrime detection and improve response times. He also emphasized the need for advanced training programs and specialized task forces to tackle emerging threats such as ransomware, financial fraud, and AI-powered cyberattacks.
Smt. Shikha Goel, IPS, Director, TGCSB, highlighted the rising threats of AI-driven cybercrime, deepfakes, and financial frauds, emphasizing the need for proactive countermeasures. She announced that MOUs will be signed with IIT Hyderabad, NALSAR, and ISB, academic partners of SHIELD 2025 for future collaborations in cybersecurity research, policy reforms, and skill development. She also underscored the role of AI-powered tools like Crime OS and real-time threat intelligence systems, along with upcoming collaborations with Google, in strengthening Telangana’s cyber defenses. Reaffirming that SHIELD 2025 is about action, not just discussions, she emphasized the importance of collaboration in shaping a more resilient cybersecurity framework and called for collective efforts to build a safer digital future.
Sri Avinash Mohanty, IPS, Commissioner of Police, Cyberabad & Chairman, SCSC, highlighted the growing role of technology in law enforcement and crime prevention. He emphasized that cybersecurity is no longer a niche concern but a mainstream law enforcement priority, requiring collaborative efforts between police, private sector security firms, and academic institutions. He spoke about Cyberabad Police’s efforts in tackling cybercrime through
technology-driven policing, awareness campaigns, and strategic partnerships with industry experts.Ramesh Kaza, Secretary General of SCSC, delivered the vote of thanks, expressing gratitude to all dignitaries, speakers, and attendees for their active participation in making SHIELD 2025 a meaningful and action-driven cybersecurity conclave. He acknowledged the collective efforts of law enforcement, industry leaders, and academic partners in fostering a safer digital environment and encouraged continued collaboration to enhance cyber resilience in Telangana and beyond.
The inaugural session set the stage for two days of high-impact discussions, keynote speeches, technology showcases, and strategic collaborations, marking a major milestone in Telangana’s cybersecurity landscape. A significant highlight of the event was the virtual launch of the Cyber Fusion Center (CFC), Cyber Protection Unit (CPU), and Security Operations Center (SOC), by the Hon’ble Chief Minister, these units will play a pivotal role in strengthening Telangana’s cyber defense capabilities. These initiatives aim to enhance real time threat monitoring, streamline cyber incident responses, and fortify the security infrastructure of police and government departments.
A key attraction at SHIELD 2025 is the Technology Experience Zone (TEZ), where delegates can explore AI-driven cybersecurity innovations, live cyberattack simulations, and hands-on defense technologies. The zone features AI-powered threat detection, digital forensics tools, neural network-based facial recognition, AI-driven authentication and payment fraud protection, as well as surveillance drones and AR/VR cybersecurity training modules. Attendees will have the unique opportunity to interact with AI-powered humanoids and witness how AI, drones, and immersive technologies are reshaping cybersecurity.
ORRA Fine Jewellery Opens 7th Store in Hyderabad’s Kompally
Hyderabad, 19th February 2025 – ORRA, India’s leading diamond jewellery brand, is enhancing its footprint in Hyderabad by launching and inaugurating a new store at Kompally, Hyderabad. With over 96 retail stores across India, this 4326 sq. ft. store is set to redefine the jewellery shopping experience for the city’s discerning clientele. It showcases our latest diamond jewellery collections, notably featuring the exclusive 73-faceted ORRA Crown Star. The store is designed with comfortable seating and modern interiors, all contributing to an elevated shopping experience. A dedicated wedding jewellery lounge offers a personalized experience for bride-to be’s, families and friends, ensuring a seamless selection of exquisite pieces for everyone.
The new store’s interiors showcase ORRA’s dedication to luxury and sophistication, with a modern layout, plush décor, and ambient lighting extending across ground and first levels. Customers are invited to explore ORRA’s opulent collections, including the renowned ‘ORRA Crown Star’ collection, featuring the 73-faceted diamond that is exclusively patented in India, the contemporary ‘Aekta’ The Wedding Collection, Astra, Desired, and Platinum collection.
Mr. Dipu Mehta, Managing Director of ORRA, expressed excitement about the Kompally store launch, stating, “We are thrilled to inaugurate our new store in Hyderabad, a city that has always had a deep appreciation for fine jewellery. Hyderabad is a market that blends tradition with modernity, much like ORRA’s collections, which balance heritage craftsmanship with contemporary designs. We are confident that our new store will become a beloved destination for jewellery enthusiasts in the city.
Each collection showcases its unique features and captivating designs, highlighting ORRA’s commitment to quality and excellence. ORRA also unveiled Solis – Always on Shine, the latest collection designed to keep you effortlessly chic and stylish throughout your everyday routine. From boardroom meetings to casual brunches and self-care days, Solis provides everyday diamonds for every occasion, with prices starting at ₹9,999.*
ORRA’s commitment to craftsmanship and elegance is beautifully showcased through their collections, ensuring that every piece tells a unique story of love and celebration. ORRA is known for providing 100% certified jewellery with complimentary insurance* and free lifetime maintenance. The brand offers a lifetime exchange, buyback, a seven-day return policy, and our diamonds are conflict-free. Additionally, ORRA provides a 6-month upgrade facility, and all its jewellery is BIS Hallmark Certified.
Dr. Kala Venkata Uday Receives 2024 WCDM Disaster Preparedness Award for Outstanding Contributions
February, 19th, Mandi : Dr. Kala Venkata Uday, a pioneering geotechnical engineer and associate professor at IIT Mandi, received the prestigious Disaster Preparedness Award at the WCDM-DRR Awards Ceremony 2024. The event, held at the Constitution Club of India, celebrated trailblazers in disaster risk reduction and resilience.
The ceremony was graced by esteemed dignitaries, including Shri Piyush Goyal, Hon’ble Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, as the Chief Guest, and Justice Shri M.M. Kumar, Former Chief Justice of Jammu & Kashmir, as the Guest of Honor. Shri Sanjay Kumar, IAS, Secretary of the Department of School Education & Literacy, also attended, adding to the occasion’s grandeur.
Dr. Uday was recognized for his groundbreaking contributions to landslide disaster risk reduction, nature-based mitigation solutions, and innovations in bio-geotechnics. With over 15 years of experience, including spearheading IIT Mandi’s pioneering initiatives in landslide monitoring and early warning systems, Dr. Uday’s research has transformed disaster management practices, particularly in the Himalayan region.
Expressing gratitude, Dr. Uday highlighted the collective effort of his team and the unwavering support of IIT Mandi, stating, “This award is a testament to our commitment to building disaster-resilient communities. It motivates us to further our mission of saving lives and safeguarding infrastructure.”
The WCDM-DRR Awards, organized by the Disaster Management Initiatives and Convergence Society (DMICS), spotlight leaders in disaster resilience. This year’s event featured policymakers, scientists, and industry experts, fostering dialogue on innovative solutions for disaster management.
Dr. Uday’s achievements underscore the critical role of academia in addressing real-world challenges. His innovative solutions, including IoT-based early warning systems and sustainable construction practices, continue to inspire and empower communities to mitigate disaster risks effectively.