Indian Chamber of Commerce Award
Kolkata; 13th of March 2025: Rezaul Hoque, from Naodapara village in Murshidabad district, used to a daily wage earner, staring at an uncertain future. However, his fate took a turn when iTrain on Wheels mobile upskilling project approached him to take up the free paint applicator’s training. Today, he is an established and sought-after master painter in his region and employs 18 other paint applicators. His story is not merely one of professional success; it is a narrative woven with challenges, perseverance, and a relentless pursuit of excellence.
The thought of a household paint applicator or the painter brings a man into the picture naturally. However, women too are disrupting this male-dominated sector across India. Thanks to iTrain on Wheels programme, an innovative CSR initiative from Berger Paints India Limited, implemented by Smile Foundation.
Amrutben from Madhapar village in Kachchh, Gujarat used to supplement her family income by working as a construction labourer not long ago.
Then came a moment that changed everything. When the iTrain on Wheels mobile training team came to her village, with a lot of hesitation, she became the lone female participant braving the unknown. “I learned valuable skills, mastered innovative painting skills and home decoration techniques. The specialized tools and equipment also brought confidence in me to take up work,” reminisced Amrutben.
Today she has employed a team of eight to ten men, with a monthly earning ranging between Rupees 60,000 to 80,000. She says this is still unbelievable to her at times. The programme has transformed Amrutben from a labourer into a leader, proving that with right support and opportunities has helped her paint a brighter future.
The story of change is no different for Ferdinancy Laloo in Meghalaya’s Shillong. She has been a dedicated wife and mother of three who was finding it hard with her husband’s meagre income. Today she has turned her family’s fortune around, becoming an inspiration in the community.
There are 2.98 lakh paint applicators who have transformed their future in the last three years across 443 districts in 25 states and three UTs of India under iTrain on Wheels initiative.
Mr. Abhijit Roy, MD & CEO of Berger Paints India Ltd. said, “By empowering paint applicators, especially women in small towns and villages, we are investing in their future and helping them build a better life for themselves and their families. We are proud to be a part of their journey towards a brighter tomorrow through excellence in skills and with dignity.”
Mr. Santanu Mishra, Co-founder & Executive Trustee of Smile Foundation said, “Skill development plays a crucial role in the nation’s economic and social advancement. India faces a pressing need for skilled workers as well as job creators. We are thankful to Berger Paints India Ltd for its trust and the partnership for this unique and impactful CSR initiative.”
Berger Paints India Limited and Smile Foundation came together in 2021 to implement iTrain on Wheels programme. This upskilling initiative is aimed at honing the skills of unorganized paint applicators (household painters) by training them in contemporary painting techniques while simultaneously upskilling existing paint applicators (painters) to enhance their employability and earning opportunities. The paint applicators receive the skilling and training free of cost in their vicinity.
Besides technical skills development, the programme also places a significant emphasis on soft skills training, as well as entrepreneurial skills development.
An independent study on the programme shows that as many as 73 per cent of the respondents saw an increase in spending on vegetables and other nutritional food. This indicates a prioritization of health and well-being of the entire family and a comfortable standard of living. A significant 74 per cent of respondents have also purchased a vehicle each. It reflects their financial stability and an increase in the ability to realize their aspiration with the change in the income growth after completion of the iTrain programme. There has also been a corresponding increase in multiple expenditure areas related to family members.
As a recognition to the socio-economic impact that the initiative has been creating on the ground, iTrain on Wheels programme received the 7th Indian Chamber of Commerce Social Impact Awards 2025 under “Employment Enhancing Vocational Skills” category in Kolkata.
Tata Power and NSDC Forge Alliance to Elevate Workforce Training in Energy Industry
Chandigarh, 13th March 2025: Tata Power, one of India’s largest integrated power companies, and the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) have entered into a strategic partnership to strengthen workforce readiness and skill development initiatives in India’s power sector, particularly focusing on green jobs and transmission & distribution skills leading to employability.
Under this agreement, the Tata Power Skill Development Institute (TPSDI), established by Tata Power, will be NSDC’s Training Partner, delivering industry-aligned skilling programs in key domains such as green energy, power transmission, power distribution, and industrial safety. These programs will emphasize hands-on training, ensuring that trainees are equipped with practical, employability-enhancing skills. The curriculum will also be aligned with the evolving demands of the energy transition and the net-zero workforce, making trainees future-ready.
As a testament to its growing impact, TPSDI has already sensitized and trained over three lakh individuals, playing a vital role in bridging the skill gap across the power sector. Building on this momentum, Tata Power plans to significantly expand TPSDI’s reach by setting up more training centers across the country, in addition to the 11 centers currently in operation, thereby strengthening access to quality vocational training for youth across diverse geographies.
The partnership also provides a platform for the addition of new, future-ready domains such as energy storage, green hydrogen, and pumped hydros, aligned with India’s rapidly evolving green energy ecosystem. These structured programs will bolster the nation’s talent pipeline and accelerate its clean energy transition.
The agreement was formally signed at TPSDI-Shahad, one of TPSDI’s seven training hubs, during the Institute’s Annual Meet. Mr. Nitin Kapoor, Vice President, NSDC Academy, and Mr. Alok Prasad, Head – TPSDI, signed the agreement in the presence of key dignitaries, including Mr. Himal Tewari, CHRO, Chief – Sustainability & CSR, Tata Power; Mr. Varun Batra, General Manager, NSDC Academy; and Mr. Sachin Mujumdar, Chief of Transmission Projects at South East UP Power Transmission Company Limited (SEUPPTCL), a Tata Power subsidiary. All dignitaries emphasized the importance of skill development, youth empowerment, and inclusive skilling programs as critical levers for nation-building and sustainable growth.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Himal Tewari, CHRO, Chief – Sustainability & CSR, Tata Power, said: “We deeply value our partnership with NSDC, which reinforces our shared commitment to building a future-ready workforce for India’s rapidly transforming energy sector. Tata Power has always believed that human capital development is central to nation-building. TPSDI, established over a decade ago, has already trained more than three lakh individuals and continues to bridge the sectoral skill gap through industry-relevant, employability-focused training. This collaboration with NSDC underscores TPSDI’s scale, impact, and excellence in workforce transformation. Going forward, we aim to significantly expand TPSDI’s footprint by establishing more centers beyond our current network of eleven. Through this, we will further strengthen India’s green energy talent ecosystem and contribute meaningfully to the national vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat.”
Mr. Nitin Kapoor, Vice President, NSDC Academy, echoed the sentiment: “This partnership with TPSDI and Tata Power is a significant milestone for Skill India. We admire TPSDI’s legacy in capacity building, inclusive skilling, and employability enhancement. Skilling is no longer a luxury but a necessity, and TPSDI’s commitment will help industry professionals continuously upskill and reskill in a rapidly transforming power landscape. The strength of the Tata brand and this partnership will accelerate India’s goal of creating a digitally enabled, energy-smart workforce.”
This collaboration is a pivotal step toward creating a highly skilled, industry-ready, and digitally empowered youth base, aligned with India’s vision of green growth, sustainable livelihoods, and a robust energy sector talent pool.
Nemssis Secures Spotlight with a Dazzling Multicolored Fabric Collection for Holi
March 13,2025:With its special Holi Fabric Collection, Nemssis, a leading menswear brand in fashion and fabric innovation, is ready to add joy and vibrancy to your wardrobe as the festival of colors, Holi, draws near. Nemesis has created a collection of fabrics that precisely capture the essence of Holi, giving you the ideal balance of comfort, style, and elegance. These fabrics are inspired by the rainbow of colors that characterize this joyous festival. Each fabric is thoughtfully designed to elevate your kurta outfits with premium quality, intricate detailing, and vibrant hues, ensuring you stand out effortlessly.
The Holi Fabric Collection by Nemssis honors the variety of hues that represent this festive occasion. The collection offers an exquisite selection of fabrics with rich textures, elaborate patterns, and vivid hues. Every piece, which ranges from vivid pastels to striking hues, has been carefully designed to capture the spirit of Holi, making it a perfect option for both traditional and modern festivities. Every fabric is distinctive and vibrant, reflecting the ethnic diversity of Holi.
Ambuja Cements Leads Rural Health Movement in Chandrapur
Chandigarh, 13 March 2025: Ambuja Cements, the cement and building material company of the diversified Adani Portfolio, is driving a health movement in Chandrapur through its CSR efforts to combat rising non-communicable diseases (NCDs) including hypertension and diabetes. Through screenings, risk assessments, nutrition awareness, and fitness programmes, the initiative has impacted over 20 villages and 11 health centres, mobilising Sakhis (community health volunteers) and frontline health workers to create lasting behavioural change.
In Chandrapur, Vinod Thamke, once unaware of his high blood pressure risks, has transformed his lifestyle with support from the CSR team. After attending a village screening camp and receiving personalized counselling, he joined walking groups and adopted healthier eating habits, leading to stabilised blood pressure and improved energy levels.
Similar interventions—including annual screenings, kitchen gardening programmes, open-air gyms, and tobacco cessation initiatives—have helped identify high-risk individuals and connect them to healthcare services, ensuring continuous follow-ups and preventive care.
Ambuja Cements’ CSR team is creating a sustainable health movement in rural Maharashtra by addressing both prevention and management of NCDs. Through continued efforts in screening, early detection, and lifestyle interventions, the Company remains committed to fostering healthier communities and combating lifestyle diseases at the grassroots level.
A Royal Treat Awaits! Chef Gul Ali’s Nawabi Rasoi at Sheraton Hyderabad
4 Tech-Driven Platforms Revolutionizing Upskilling
Tech-driven platforms are revolutionizing upskilling by offering personalized, on-demand learning experiences that cater to the evolving needs of the modern workforce. These platforms leverage cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence and data analytics to tailor learning paths to individual skill levels, career goals, and learning styles. With interactive courses, hands-on projects, and virtual labs, learners can gain practical, industry-relevant skills at their own pace. Additionally, many platforms provide certifications that validate newly acquired expertise, boosting career opportunities. By making learning more flexible, scalable, and accessible, these platforms empower professionals to bridge skill gaps, enhance productivity, and remain competitive in an ever-changing job market. They are not only shaping how individuals learn but also transforming the way companies upskill their teams for the future of work. Here are 4 Tech-Driven Platforms Transforming the Future of Workforce Upskilling.
SkillUp
SkillUp is a leading online learning platform dedicated to equipping individuals and organizations with the skills needed for the future. It offers a wide range of courses in cutting-edge domains like artificial intelligence, data science, cybersecurity, and cloud computing, catering to learners at all levels from foundational knowledge to advanced job-ready expertise. With flexible learning options, including self-paced courses, instructor-led sessions, and live classes. Beyond courses, the platform provides valuable services such as one-on-one career mentoring, resume preparation, interview practice, and opportunities for practical experience, helping learners seamlessly transition into their desired careers. Collaborating with industry giants like IBM, Microsoft, Future Skills Prime, Pacific Lutheran University, and Google Cloud.
Imarticus Learning
Imarticus Learning is an award-winning ed-tech company offering finance, analytics, technology, and marketing courses. We are a classroom and online training institute that provides certification programs, and job-assured, executive, and university-assured courses.Our vision is to prepare the global community with the best educational programs for the new-age market. They are present globally, and in India, they have centers in Mumbai, Thane, Pune, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Delhi, Gurgaon, Noida, Patna, Lucknow, Dehradun, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Coimbatore, Cochin, and Kolkata.
UpGrad
UpGrad is one of India’s leading EdTech startups, UpGrad offers an extensive array of programs in partnership with prestigious universities worldwide. Known for its personalized 1-on-1 mentorship and robust placement support, UpGrad sets itself apart in the competitive market. The platform provides diverse courses, spanning MBAs in Business, Law, Insurance, Software Development, Blockchain, and much more, empowering learners to achieve their professional aspirations. Instahyre Instahyre is an advanced hiring platform based on artificial intelligence, enabling recruiters to hire top talent effortlessly. It is renowned for its innovative approach to revolutionizing HR processes, has demonstrated unprecedented success in the recent fiscal year, surpassing its own projections and industry expectations. The company’s steadfast commitment to leveraging technology to streamline hiring processes has garnered widespread attention within the HR industry and beyond.
BridgeLabz Solutions
Bridgelabz is an AWS-recognised incubator and is solely focused on solving tech employability. Over the last 5 years, it has worked with 500+ top tech companies and 2500+ engineers have been hired from Bridgelabz. It has labs in Mumbai and Bangalore. It has partnered with over 500 companies, including Yatra, Capgemini, Meru Cabs, LafargeHolcim, JDA, UrbanLadder, Fullerton India, and RBL bank.
South Indian Bank Champions Green Initiatives with Energy Transition Discussion
March 13,2025:Coimbatore: South Indian Bank, in collaboration with Pantokrator, a UK-based global investment bank, organized a discussion on Sustainability and Energy Transition at The Residency Tower, Coimbatore. The event brought together industry leaders and experts to explore investment opportunities in the sustainable energy sector.
The discussion focused on the viability of renewable energy sources, efficient energy distribution, and key global trends shaping the industry. Corporate customers of South Indian Bank participated in the interactive session, engaging with panelists and sharing insights on emerging investment opportunities.
The panel featured Mr. Andre Shortell, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Pantokrator, UK; Mr. Rajaram Venkataraman, Senior Advisor at Pantokrator, UK; Mr. R. Venkatesh, Group CEO of Everrenew Energy Pvt. Ltd.; and Mr. P. R. Seshadri, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of South Indian Bank.
Ms. Minu Moonjally, Senior General Manager and Head of the Corporate Business Group at South Indian Bank welcomed the panelists and distinguished dignitaries at the event.
Addressing the gathering, Mr. P. R. Seshadri highlighted the bank’s focus on sustainable finance, stating, “At South Indian Bank, we recognize the critical role of financial institutions in fostering a sustainable future. Our commitment extends beyond banking services to actively supporting investments in renewable energy and sustainability-driven initiatives. By facilitating responsible financing, we aim to contribute towards a greener and more resilient economy.”
SanDisk Debuts Automotive-Grade UFS 4.1 at Embedded World 2025
New Delhi, India, March 13, 2025: Building on its comprehensive portfolio of advanced automotive-grade storage technology, Sandisk today introduced the industry’s first automotive grade UFS4.1 interface device, the Sandisk® iNAND® AT EU752 UFS4.1 Embedded Flash Drive (EFD). The evolution of Software Defined Vehicles (SDV) is further driving the need for increased performance and more frequent over-the-air software updates. The fast UFS4.1 interface enables software updates to happen faster, reducing downtime for customers and allowing SDVs to get on the road more quickly and reliably.
Automotive AI systems such as Advanced Driver Assist Systems (ADAS), Autonomous Driving (AD) and eCockpit need to pull information from sensors, maps and AI databases to function safely. iNAND embedded flash drives become crucial to making sure data is available and reliable when it’s needed and provide real-time in-vehicle storage for the AD computer to overcome latency and connectivity issues that arise when accessing the cloud. The Sandisk iNAND AT EU752 UFS4.1 EFD is a key component in enabling high interface performance in these systems.
Projected to be more than 2x the performance of Sandisk’s previous UFS3.1 device and double the capacity previously available on the market[i], this ground-breaking solution available up to 1TB2 with Sandisk’s latest BiCS8 TLC NAND technology will help revolutionize automotive applications requiring increased data storage performance, capacity, endurance and reliability to fuel automotive artificial intelligence (AI) innovations.
Key features for the Sandisk iNAND AT EU752 UFS4.1 EFD include:
- Health status reporting so the host can monitor the device and take proactive measures as needed to prevent potential system failures while the vehicle is operating.
- Fast boot replaces the need for a separate NOR device, thus reducing board space and costs. The fast boot feature is also critical for safety systems such as rearview camera systems that need to be operational within two seconds.
- Capacities 128GB to 1TB[ii] with projected performance of up to 3,900 MB/s sequential write and 4,200 MB/s sequential read1(1TB). It is also fully backward compatible to work with UFS3.1 hosts.
The iNAND AT EU752 UFS4.1 EFD is currently shipping to select customers and partners. The new device complements Sandisk’s robust portfolio of automotive-grade SD cards, e.MMC, UFS2.1, UFS3.1 and NVMe products.
Sandisk is showcasing the AT EU752 UFS4.1 EFD at Embedded World 2025 alongside its other flash storage solutions, including its industrial embedded and removable flash storage solutions, client SSDs for workstations and laptops and industry-leading data center solutions, such as the SanDisk® DC SN861 NVMe™ SSD and Ultrastar® DC SN655 NVMe SSD.
Appli Expands to Simplify College Admissions, Empowering Students Across India
13th March 2025, Bengaluru; Every year, the college admissions process in India sparks waves of anxiety for both students and their parents. Weeks are spent navigating multiple college websites, trying to understand the unique application processes, filling out numerous forms, submitting documents, and waiting for shortlist results. It’s a stressful journey—one that often leaves students confused and overwhelmed.
India has over 50,000 colleges, and nearly 5 crore students aspire for higher education, yet the Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) is just 27.1%, significantly lower than the global average of 38%. Compared to the U.S. and China, where GER is much higher, India still faces barriers in making college education accessible to all. The cumbersome application process is a big reason why many students give up before they even begin.
This is where Appli steps in—to make college admissions simpler, faster, and more accessible for students across India.
A Vision Born from a Personal Promise
Appli was built with a single mission: to remove the unnecessary complexities of college applications and make the process seamless for students and parents.
The idea for Appli came from a father’s realization of the system’s complexity. Nanjunda Prasad saw his daughter struggle with multiple applications, countless forms, and overwhelming processes. He knew there had to be a better way. That promise led to the creation of Appli—a platform that helps students navigate college admissions effortlessly.
How Appli Helps Students
Appli is a mobile-based common application platform that allows students to:
✅ Search: Access a vast database of verified colleges with detailed information on courses, faculty, admission criteria, and campus facilities.
✅ Shortlist: Filter colleges based on interests, eligibility, and future career plans.
✅ Apply: Submit multiple college applications in just a few clicks, instead of filling out separate forms for each institution.
No more spending weeks on applications—Appli reduces the entire process to just a few minutes.
Appli ensures verified, unbiased information about colleges, so students can make informed decisions without external influence.
To make things even easier, Appli Lens, a YouTube series, provides exclusive campus tour videos for different colleges. Instead of relying on scattered and unverified sources, students get firsthand insights into campus life, infrastructure, and academic offerings.
Seamless Profile Creation with Digilocker Integration
Creating a profile on Appli is quick and effortless. Students can:
✔ Manually enter their academic and personal details, OR
✔ Use Digilocker to automatically fetch all essential documents.
With this feature, Appli ensures accuracy while eliminating repetitive data entry. Students can apply to multiple colleges in minutes without worrying about lost or incomplete forms.
A patent has been filed for this unique profile creation system—making it an industry-first solution in streamlining college applications.
How Appli Helps Colleges
Appli isn’t just a game-changer for students—it’s equally beneficial for colleges.
● Efficient Application Management – Colleges receive applications in a standardized format, making it easier to review, shortlist, and process them.
● Wider Reach & Visibility – Colleges on Appli attract a diverse pool of applicants from different cities and states, improving inclusivity and accessibility.
● Data Security & Authenticity – Appli ensures that student records are secure and verified, eliminating fraudulent applications and improving the credibility of student data.
Appli is already making waves, with top universities coming on board. Bangalore’s leading institutions, along with multiple colleges from Bangalore and other major cities, are in the final stages of onboarding. Built with the guidance of Vice-Chancellors and education experts, Appli is transforming the way colleges manage admissions.
Data Security: A Bold Promise
In an age where data privacy is a major concern, Appli stands apart by ensuring that no student data is ever shared with third-party agencies.
✔ Strict security measures are in place to protect user data.
✔ Only students and authorized colleges have access to relevant details.
This bold promise reinforces trust and transparency, ensuring that students can apply with confidence and peace of mind.
National Housing Bank’s 2024 Report on Housing Trends in India
13 MAR 2025
National Housing Bank (NHB), a statutory body under the Government of India has released the Report on Trend and Progress of Housing in India, 2024 pursuant to provisions of Section 42 of National Housing Bank Act, 1987.
The report broadly covers the housing scenario and house price movements, flagship programmes of GoI on housing sector, role of Primary Lending Institutions (PLIs) in providing housing credit, performance of Housing Finance Companies (HFCs) and outlook for the sector.
Key highlights are:
- Individual housing loans outstanding as on 30-09-2024 stood at ₹33.53 lakh crore, showing growth of 14% over the corresponding period of previous year.
- As on 30-09-2024, EWS & LIG accounted for 39%, MIG accounted for 44% and HIG accounted for 17% of outstanding individual housing loans.
- Individual housing loan disbursements during half year ended 30-09-2024 were ₹4.10 lakh crore while disbursements during the year ended 31-03-2024 were ₹9.07 lakh crore.
- For the quarter ended September 2024, the Housing Price Index (NHB-RESIDEX) recorded y-o-y increase of 6.8% as compared to 4.9% during previous year.
- Major initiatives of GoI, such as PMAY-G, PMAY-U, impact assessment of PMAY-U, Urban Infrastructure Development Fund (UIDF), Affordable Rental Housing Complexes (ARHC) scheme, etc. have been covered in the report.
- The report identifies regional disparities in credit flow and vulnerability to climate related risks, as some of the key challenges to be addressed by the sector. It also identifies technological advancements in construction, digitization of land records etc. as some of the factors which will facilitate growth opportunities for the sector.
Outlook for the housing sector remains promising, driven by budget announcements on PMAY 2.0, urbanization, transit-oriented development, digitization and other factors.
Commenting on the report, Mr. Pradeep Aggarwal, Founder & Chairman, Signature Global (India) Ltd., said,”The NHB report reinforces what we’ve been seeing in the market—the mid-income group (MIG) is becoming the backbone of the housing sector, making up 44% of outstanding individual housing loans. This segment is growing rapidly, driven by urbanization, increasing incomes, and supportive government policies, reflecting a strong desire for homeownership. Middle-income buyers are looking for well-designed homes in prime locations that offer a balance of quality and convenience. This trend is expected to continue in the coming months, further strengthening the sector. At Signature Global, we remain committed to catering to this evolving demand by delivering thoughtfully planned, high-quality homes that align with modern lifestyles.”
Mr. Ashok Kapur, Chairman, Krishna Group and Krisumi Corporation, said, “India’s housing sector is on a strong growth path, fueled by rising homeownership aspirations, rapid urban expansion, and supportive policies. The National Housing Bank’s report highlights this momentum, with individual housing loans increasing by 14% and home prices continuing their steady rise. Government initiatives like PMAY and infrastructure-driven development are further shaping demand across segments, making homeownership more accessible. As cities grow, homebuyers are prioritizing well-planned, well-connected communities that enhance their lifestyle and long-term investment value. This trend is expected to continue, with evolving buyer preferences driving demand for homes that offer a blend of quality, convenience, and future-ready design.”