Prega News Challenges Perceptions with Women’s Day Campaign

Mumbai; March 3, 2025: Prega News, India’s leading pregnancy detection kit brand from Mankind Pharma, has unveiled its latest Women’s Day campaign that addresses the critical issue of societal attitudes towards working mothers. The thought-provoking campaign video titled #shecancarryboth showcases how society often struggles to accept and appreciate women who excel in both their professional and maternal roles.

The emotionally resonant narrative follows a parent-teacher meeting at a school, where Sanvi, a young student, awaits her mother’s arrival amidst judgmental whispers from other parents. The story takes a powerful turn when Sanvi’s mother, a decorated Army officer, arrives in full uniform, just in time for Sanvi’s turn. Before the meeting, Sanvi’s teacher asks her to read out a paragraph she wrote on her role model, challenging preconceived notions about maternal responsibilities and professional commitments.

“Through this campaign, we aim to spark a crucial conversation about how society views and treats working mothers,” said Joy Chatterjee, Vice President, Sales and Marketing Head of Mankind’s Consumer Business Unit. “While women have made significant strides in their professional journeys, societal mindsets often lag behind, creating unnecessary pressure and judgment. This campaign reinforces our commitment to supporting and celebrating women who challenge these stereotypes.”

The campaign gains added significance as an Ashoka University report revealed that 73% of Indian women exit their jobs after childbirth and struggle to re-join the workforce. Among those who manage to return to work, 48% drop out within four months of reintegration. By showcasing a military officer who successfully balances her role as a mother and a defender of the nation, Prega News emphasises that maternal love isn’t measured by conforming to traditional expectations.

“What makes this campaign special is its focus on the child’s perspective. Through Sanvi’s heartfelt essay about her ‘superhero’ mother, we see how children appreciate and draw inspiration from their working mothers,” Mr Chatterjee added. “This narrative challenges the guilt often imposed on working mothers by highlighting how their professional success can positively influence their children’s aspirations.”

The #shecancarryboth campaign builds upon Prega News’ consistent commitment to women’s empowerment, following last year’s successful #shecancarryboth initiative. As India’s premier pregnancy detection brand with an 85% market share (as per IQVIA, MAT March 24), Prega News continues to champion progressive values and challenge societal norms that limit women’s potential.

Godrej Launches Smart Security Range for Modern Homes and Businesses

Chandigarh 3rd March, 2025: The Security Solutions business of Godrej Enterprises Group has introduced its latest range of premium, tech-enabled Home Lockers, strengthening its portfolio and market share in the Security domain. Designed to seamlessly integrate with modern home aesthetics, these home lockers combine sophisticated design with technology, ensuring both uncompromised security and elegant appeal. The business is targeting a growth of 20% in FY26.

Mr. Pushkar Gokhale, Executive Vice-President and Business Head of the Security Solutions Business of Godrej Enterprises Group, said, “As a preferred brand for over a century, we have continuously reinvented ourselves shaping a category that has evolved alongside Indian homes. With our latest range of home lockers, we are once again redefining security. We are eager to launch our new range of lockers that are equipped with varied of unique features, robust security and spacious design to meet the need of the consumers. We have also launched lockers that are catering to Tier 2 markets to further strengthen our brand presence. We are constantly exploring new technology partnerships and investments to stay ahead of the market. We have invested significantly in the past 3 years to build a robust portfolio of advanced security products and solutions”.

He further added, “We continue to lead the home locker category and we are aiming to achieve a market share of close to 70% in the category by FY2026, and these state-of-the-art products shall further strengthen our leadership in the security solutions market”.

As the only player offering a comprehensive suite of security solutions across households, institutions, BFSI and large-scale infrastructure projects, Godrej is strategically positioned to expand its footprint in both consumer and institutional segments. Building on this momentum, the company’s latest home locker range addresses diverse consumer needs; from offering discreet, space-saving designs to robust security solutions that are premium and aesthetic. A key driver of this growth is continuous investment in R&D that Godrej has been instrumental in. The new range of home lockers reinforces Godrej’s commitment to offering future-ready security solutions tailored to evolving consumer needs.

The newly launched range of home lockers includes NX Pro Slide, NX Pro Luxe, Rhino Regal, and NX Seal. Designed to cater to diverse consumer needs, these products feature dual-mode access (digital & biometric), intelligent Ibuzz alarm system, efficient storage and elegant interiors that seamlessly integrate security with modern home aesthetics. Additionally, Godrej has also launched the Defender Aurum Pro Royal Class E safe, a BIS-certified high-security safe designed for jewellers, meeting the new Quality Control Order (QCO) effective June 2024. The AccuGold iEDX Series enables precise, non-destructive gold testing for jewelers, banks, and hallmarking centers. The Godrej MX portable strong room modular panels offer high-security, easy transport, and setup.

Expanding into Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, Godrej is strengthening its distribution, partnerships, and digital presence while accelerating global expansion across 45+ countries. With cutting-edge products and a customer-first approach, Godrej Security Solutions continues to set industry benchmarks in safety and reliability.

With a strong pipeline of innovative products, strategic investments, and a customer-first approach, the Security Solutions business of Godrej Enterprises Group continues to set industry benchmarks—offering security solutions that protect, empower, and inspire confidence.

AMD Unveils RDNA 4 Architecture with Radeon RX 9000 Series

India, March 3rd, 2025 – AMD (NASDAQ: AMD) today unveiled the highly-anticipated AMD RDNA™ 4 graphics architecture with the launch of the AMD Radeon™ RX 9070 XT and RX 9070 graphics cards as a part of the Radeon™ RX 9000 series. The new graphics cards feature 16GB of memory and extensive improvements designed for high-quality gaming graphics, including re-vamped raytracing accelerators and powerful AI accelerators for ultra-fast, cutting-edge performance, and breakthrough gaming experiences.

In a YouTube Premier, David McAfee, CVP and GM, Ryzen CPU and Radeon Graphics at AMD, was joined by Andrej Zdravkovic, SVP of GPU Technologies and Engineering and Chief Software Officer, as well as Andy Pomianowski, CVP of Silicon Design Engineering, to discuss the outstanding performance and value proposition of the Radeon RX 9000 Series. In a related event in Zhuhai, China, Jack Huynh, SVP of the Client and Graphics Group, AMD, led a regional event for the new products. Huynh was joined by David Wang, SVP of GPU Technology and Engineering, and Lanzhi Wang, Senior Director of Product Management. The celebration was also marked by a customer celebration with Darren Grasby, EVP and AMD Chief Sales Officer, Spencer Pan, President of AMD China, and partners including Asrock, ASUS, Gigabyte, Sapphire, Tul, Vastamore, Veston, and XFX.

“Today, we’re thrilled to unveil the AMD Radeon™ RX 9000 series, a significant leap forward in graphics performance powered by our next-generation AMD RDNA™ 4 architecture,” said McAfee. “These GPUs are designed to meet the demands of today’s games, delivering enthusiast-class gaming experiences to gamers everywhere, while ready to support tomorrow’s innovations. Through the power of advanced AI and Raytracing accelerators, we’re not just improving frame rates – we’re fundamentally enhancing the gaming experience. Offering incredible performance, AI-powered features, and next-gen display support at competitive price points, the Radeon RX 9000 series delivers exceptional value for gamers looking to upgrade their systems.”

The RX 9000 series, powered by the new AMD RDNA™ 4 architecture, offers gamers and creators a powerful blend of performance, visuals, and value. These advanced graphics cards redefine incredibly fast, high-resolution gaming with third-generation raytracing technology enabling realistic lighting, shadows, and reflections to deliver immersive gaming experiences while integrating a suite of AMD features to maximize hardware utilization. Beyond gaming, the RX 9000 series GPUs leverage new second-generation AI accelerators with up to 8x INT8 throughput per AI accelerator (for sparse matrices) to enhance creative applications and effectively run generative AI applications (vs. RDNA 3). The RX 9000 series GPUs also implement the newly redesigned AMD Radiance Display™ Engine & Enhanced Media Engine for broad display support and elevated quality in both recording and streaming.

Gaming For Today and Tomorrow

The Radeon RX 9000 Series unlocks new levels of performance while delivering a suite of new and enhanced features that improve the gaming experience. The Radeon RX 9070 Series offers 16GB of GDDR6 memory, allowing gamers to render the most exciting games of today and tomorrow at max settings. Compared to the previous generation RX 7900 GRE, the latest AMD Radeon RX 9070 is able to deliver over 20% more performance on average when gaming at 1440, with the AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT extending that lead to over 40% on average.

Both graphics cards make smart upgrades for gamers looking to future-proof their systems with a suite of next-gen features that will keep their experiences feeling fresh for years to come. Key features include:

  • Unified AMD RDNA™ 4 Compute Units – Features up to 64 advanced AMD RDNA™ 4 compute units delivering up to 40% higher gaming performance than the previous-generation AMD RDNA™ 3 architecture.iii
  • High-Performance Raytracing – With 3rd generation Raytracing Accelerators, AMD RDNA 4 is able to deliver over 2x the Raytracing throughput per compute unit when compared to our previous generation.i Gamers with the latest AMD Radeon RX 9000 series are ready for immersive gaming experiences with high-quality graphics, including realistic lighting, shadows, and reflections.
  • Supercharged AI Acceleration – 2nd Generation AI Accelerators received several enhancements, allowing AMD RDNA™ 4 to efficiently process advanced AI models much faster than what was possible with RDNA 3, through a combination of additional math pipelines for AI calculations, expanding the capabilities of the AI Accelerator to support new emerging data types such as FP8, and support for inference optimization techniques such as structured sparsity. These changes deliver up to 8x INT8 throughput per AI accelerator (for sparse matrices) per compute unit vs the previous generation. i
  • AMD FidelityFX™ Super Resolution Technology 4 (FSR 4) – AMD’s new cutting-edge ML-powered upscaling technology delivers high-quality boosted frames under even the most demanding workloads such as 4K gaming with maximum raytracing settings and will be supported in over 30 games at launch.
  • Innovative suite of features through HYPR-RX – Gamers can instantly improve their experience by activating AMD HYPR-RX and the suite of features within AMD Software, including AMD Radeon™ Super Resolution, AMD Fluid Motion Frames 2.1, AMD Radeon™ Anti-Lag, and AMD Radeon™ Boost. These features can all be tailored to gamers’ hardware and preferences within AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition™ to drive increased FPS, responsiveness and efficiency.
  • AI-Enhanced AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition™ Application – A new suite of software and resources designed to deliver an industry-leading AI user experience with AMD Radeon RX 9070 series graphics cards. Keep your drivers and AI software up to date with the new Software Manager. Find the answers to your questions about all things AMD or create free and private text and images with AMD Chat. Discover, download and install new and exciting AMD-partnered AI applications with the App Portal, and leverage AI to improve software quality with the AMD Image Inspector. Learn more about these new features here.
  • Ready for Next-Generation Displays – AMD Radiance Display™ Engine supports the latest DisplayPort™ 2.1a and HDMI® 2.1b connections, enabling ultra-high resolutions and refresh rates up to 8K 144Hz, with 12-bit HDR and full REC2020 Color Space for incredible color accuracy. Paired with AMD FreeSync™ technology, gamers can enjoy tear-free, stutter-free gaming experiences on over 4000 compatible displays, including upcoming 4K 240Hz and 8K 144Hz DisplayPort™ 2.1 monitors.

ML-Powered AMD FidelityFX™ Super Resolution 4 (AMD FSR 4) upgrade

  • Available exclusively on AMD Radeon™ RX 9000 Series graphics cards, AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition™ adds a new easy-to-use AMD FidelityFX™ Super Resolution 4 (AMD FSR 4) Upgrade feature that helps maximize performance at maximum quality in over 30 games at launch, with 75 coming later this year. AMD FSR 4 delivers a substantial image quality improvement over AMD FSR 3.1 upscaling, with the new ML-based algorithm helping to improve temporal stability, better preserve detail, and reduce ghosting.
  • Utilizing features already built into the AMD FidelityFX™ API added when game developers integrate AMD FSR 3.1 into their games, AMD FSR 4 enables an easy upgrade for supported FSR 3.1 games and can be combined with existing in-game AMD FSR 3.1 advanced frame-generation and AMD Radeon™ Anti-Lag 2 for ultra-smooth, ultra-responsive gaming at incredible frame rates on AMD Radeon RX 9070 Series graphics cards.
  • The new ML-accelerated AMD FSR 4 upscaling algorithm is trained using high-quality ground truth game data on AMD Instinct™ Accelerators and uses the hardware-accelerated FP8 Wave Matrix Multiply Accumulate (WMMA) feature of the AMD RDNA™ 4 architecture to ensure maximum upscaling quality while still providing a substantial game performance boost.

AMD Radeon RX 9000 Series Product Specifications

Model Compute Units GDDR6 Game Clock (GHz) Boost Clock (GHz) Memory Interface Infinity Cache TBP Price

(USD SEP)
AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT 64 16 GB 2.4 Up to 3.0 256-bit 64 MB 304W $599
AMD Radeon RX 9070 56 16 GB 2.1 Up to 2.5 256-bit 64 MB 220W $549

Germany Backs India Strengthening Diplomatic and Economic Ties

3rd March 2025: Germany has reaffirmed its strong ties with India, emphasizing continuity in diplomatic and economic cooperation despite political transitions. Dr. Philipp Ackermann, German Ambassador to India, assured that Germany’s commitment to India remains steadfast, with Chancellor-elect Friedrich Merz expected to uphold a friendly and strategic approach. As India’s economy continues its rapid ascent, surpassing global benchmarks, German businesses are increasingly eyeing opportunities for deeper collaboration, reinforcing a long-term partnership built on trade, investment, and mutual growth.

Key Highlights: Germany Reaffirms Strong Ties with India:

  •  Unwavering Commitment: Dr. Philipp Ackermann, German Ambassador to India, at NXT 2025, confirmed that Germany’s focus on India remains unchanged despite political transitions.
  •  Policy Continuity: Chancellor-elect Friedrich Merz is expected to continue Germany’s dedicated and friendly approach toward India.
  •  Stable Foreign Relations: Ackermann highlighted that Germany’s foreign policy remains steady, regardless of political leadership changes.
  •  Upcoming High-Level Visits: Potential visits from key members of Germany’s new government to India are anticipated in the coming months.
  •  German Elections Outcome: Center-right conservatives won the February 23 elections; coalition-building is in progress, with the new government expected by April 20.
  •  India’s Economic Growth: India is projected to become the world’s third-largest economy by 2030, possibly surpassing Germany in global economic rankings.
  •  Economic Collaboration: German businesses are increasingly interested in India’s expanding industrial and private sectors.
  •  Strengthening Bilateral Trade: Enhanced trade relations and business opportunities between India and Germany are expected as India’s economy grows.
  •  Long-Term Partnership: Ackermann emphasized the potential for deeper collaboration in trade, investment, and diplomacy in the coming years.

Skyview By Empyrean Wins FICCI Excellence Award For Its World-Class Gondola

New Delhi: March 3, 2025 – Skyview by Empyrean, a mountain harbour that seamlessly blends adventure, luxury, nature and hospitality in Jammu’s Sanget valley, has won the 2nd FICCI Award for Excellence in Maintenance Systems for its world-class ropeway system.

The prestigious award was presented to Mr. Upen Anand – General Manager, Skyview by Empyrean today by Dr. Vikas Kumar, Managing Director of DMRC Limited, at a ceremony held at FICCI’s Federation House in New Delhi. The FICCI Awards for Excellence in Maintenance Systems recognise best-in-class maintenance practices adopted by companies that contribute to operational
efficiency and global competitiveness.

The rigorous award-selection process involved a comprehensive evaluation through a detailed questionnaire, a physical site audit, and a jury round. Skyview showcased the advanced maintenance practices implemented in the maintenance of its ropeway while addressing technical queries from industry experts.

“We are deeply honoured to receive this recognition from FICCI, which reinforces our position as a leader in ropeway mobility and sustainable tourism development in India. This award is a testament to our unwavering commitment to excellence in the maintenance, safety, and operational efficiency of Skyview Gondola. We remain committed towards promoting sustainable tourism for years to come,” said Owais Altaf Syed, Group Director, FIL Industries Private Ltd.

Skyview by Empyrean’s state-of-the-art ropeway system, was first operational in 2019 connecting Sanget-valley to Patnitop in only 10 minutes. The ropeway is one of India’s leading tourism infrastructure projects, setting new benchmarks for safety, innovation, and environmental responsibility through local and global collaborations. Our partners are POMA, E.R.I.C Ropeways, MND Group, Sage Geotech Inc. and Dianeige Mountain Design. The company follows internationally accredited maintenance protocols, ensuring uninterrupted operations, passenger safety, and minimal ecological impact.

Skyview has also been declared ‘RTSOI Champion’ of Sustainability in Tourism Services by The Responsible Tourism Society of India.

The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) is India’s oldest and largest apex business organization, dedicated to supporting enterprises and
fostering industrial growth.

Blossoming Creativity IHM-Hyderabad’s Flower Competition

Hyderabad, March 3rd, 2025: The Institute of Hotel Management, Hyderabad (IHM-Hyderabad), a prestigious central government institute under the Ministry of Tourism; transformed into a floral wonderland as it hosted the much-anticipated Intra-Collegiate Flower Arrangement Competition. The event was a visual spectacle, celebrating artistic expression and creativity while underscoring the significance of floral aesthetics in the hospitality industry.

In a first-of-its-kind initiative, the competition introduced a Professional Category, welcoming skilled florists and professionals from leading hotels. Their exquisite arrangements not only elevated the competition but also served as an inspiration to budding hospitality enthusiasts, bridging the gap between academic learning and real-world industry standards.

The event saw enthusiastic participation from students across Hyderabad, including from other premier institutes such as the Culinary Academy of India; Regency College of Culinary Arts & Hotel Management; Indian Institute of Hotel Management and Culinary Arts, and Chennai’s Amirta International Institute of Hotel Management, participants showcased their artistic prowess across multiple categories, Freestyle, Flower Decoration, Ikebana, and Bouquet Making, with each creation judged on creativity, colour harmony, and presentation.

With its vibrant displays and high-spirited competition, the event was a resounding success, reaffirming IHM-Hyderabad’s commitment to nurturing talent and fostering excellence in the hospitality sector.

The competition was graced by an esteemed panel of industry experts, including Ho-Kiku A. Vineetha Sunil Kumar, a distinguished Ikebana Master, Hoka Sukanya Reddy, and other renowned professionals. The judges meticulously evaluated each entry, applauding participants for their exceptional craftsmanship, creativity, and keen attention to detail.

Sanjay Thakur, Principal of IHM-Hyderabad, expressed his appreciation for the participants, stating, “Floral arrangements play a pivotal role in hospitality and event décor. This competition serves as an invaluable platform for students to hone their artistic skills, which are essential in creating memorable guest experiences.

The event concluded on a joyous and celebratory note, with participants and spectators marveling at the stunning floral displays. With its unwavering commitment to creativity and holistic learning, IHM-Hyderabad continues to nurture future hospitality leaders, equipping them with the skills and artistry needed to excel in the industry.

The winners were felicitated with certificates and accolades, recognizing their outstanding talent and dedication to the art of floral arrangement. The winners of various competitions were

Free Style Category

First Place: Hariom Shukla, Ihm-Hyderabad

Second Place: Pranav Gawande, Ihm-Hyderabad

Third Place: Sara Ashish Reddy, Chennais Amirta International Institute of Hotel Management

Flower Decoration

First Place: Shivaprasad, Regency College of Culinary Arts & Hotel Management

Second Place: Susan Sara Singh, Ihm-Hyderabad

Third Place: Saraswati Birwakarma, Regency College of Culinary Arts & Hotel Management

Ikebana

First Place: Divyansh Gupta, Culinary Academy of India

Second Place: T. Mukhteshwar, Regency College of Culinary Arts & Hotel Management

Third Place: Sattwikee Ray, Ihm-Hyderabad

Bouquet Making

First Place: Sunidhi Nair, Ihm-Hyderabad

Second Place: Manthan Bahadure, Culinary Academy of India

Third Place: Md Abdul Ahad, Indian Institute of Hotel Management and Culinary Arts

Life doesn’t give us purpose We give life purpose

3rd March 2025: Gillco International School, Mohali, hosted a spectacular Foundational Stage Annual Show—THE FABLE FEST—with the enchanting theme, “Where Stories Come Alive,” alongside the Kindergarten Graduation Ceremony. This momentous occasion marked the culmination of a successful academic year and the graduation of our young learners.

The program commenced with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp of knowledge by the school’s Trustee, Ms. Paramjit Kaur Gill, and the Principal, Dr. Kritika Kaushal.

The little stars of the Foundational Wing captivated the audience with their vibrant performances, featuring colorful costumes, melodious music, lively dances, and beautifully crafted props. They took the spectators on a whimsical journey—from a fairyland to the sea of courage and up to the cloud kingdom—bringing beloved tales to life.

Each act conveyed profound values such as hope, kindness, friendship, and togetherness. The students showcased their talents through a series of cultural performances, including songs, dances, and skits. The highlight of the evening was the electrifying Bhangra performance by the graduating students, which had everyone tapping their feet in joy.

The event concluded with a heartfelt vote of thanks by Headmistress Ms. Gursimran Khosla, expressing gratitude to all for making the occasion memorable.

Principal Dr. Kritika Kaushal lauded the students’ achievements, stating, “We are incredibly proud of our students’ growth and accomplishments over the past year. Our Annual and Graduation Day celebration is a testament to their dedication and hard work.” She congratulated the students and faculty on their success and encouraged them to continue striving for excellence in all aspects of life.

WISE 2025 Day 2 Highlights from Women’s Summit on Entrepreneurship

Hyderabad, March 3, 2025: The second day of the Women’s International Summit on Entrepreneurship (WISE) & B2B Expo 2025, organized by the Confederation of Women Entrepreneurs (COWE), continued its momentum at the Engineering Staff College, Gachibowli, Hyderabad, with impactful sessions, business networking, and thought leadership discussions. Following a successful inaugural day, Day 2 focused on sustainability, circular economy, rural entrepreneurship, and global market integration for women entrepreneurs. The sessions provided valuable insights, hands-on learning opportunities, and crucial networking platforms to help women-led enterprises scale globally.

The day commenced with student interactions with international speakers, followed by a series of high-impact panel discussions and knowledge-sharing sessions covering key areas of business growth. The session on Circular Economy – Reduce, Recycle, Reuse, Redesign was moderated by Ms. Nidhi Toshniwal, Director, Toshniwal Cables & Founder, Crafts Etectera Organiks. The panel featured distinguished speakers including Ms. Karuna Gopal Vartakavi, Founder President, Foundation for Futuristic Cities, Dr. Ravindra Kumar Singh, CGM, SIDBI (Small Industries Development Bank of India), Mr. Ovais Sarmad, Former Deputy Executive Secretary, UNCC, Spain, and Ms. Geetha Vangari, Co-Founder, Navaratnam Eco Products, USA.

The Global to Rural – Learnings & Technology Transfer session was moderated by Ms. Geetha Rao, Co-Founder, Office Republic, and featured insights from Ms. Usha Gopalratnam, Ex-President, Score.org, USA, Mr. Seelam Rajasekar Reddy, Founder & MD, 24 MANTRA, Dr. Jagat Shah, Founder, Vibrant India & International Business-Exports Advisor, and Mr. Ram Subramanian Oruganti, Director, Samanvaya Social Venture Pvt. Ltd., Chennai. They discussed ways to bridge the gap between global advancements and rural entrepreneurship to create inclusive economic growth.

The Gearing Up SMEs for Global Supply Chains session, moderated by Mr. Sudhakar Budaraju, Business Coach & Independent Management Consultant, Ex-Joint President, Adani Group, explored strategies for integrating SMEs into global supply chains. Speakers included Mr. Ravi Verma from GEM Portal, Mr. Arunachalam Karthikeyan, Head of iMOVE Representation, and Ms. Rubylyn Hernandez from Aartees Education Foundation Inc, Philippines, who provided valuable insights on scaling businesses to meet global standards.

The Innovative and Sustainable Startups session, moderated by Ms. Radhika, CEO, GR Sustainable Solutions, showcased emerging entrepreneurs making a significant impact in their respective fields. Featured startups included MOWO by Ms. Jayabharathi, Ajhnhawk by Ms. Prayushi & Ms. Kajol, Green Breath by Ms. Sanjana, Karotimam by Ms. Chitra Lekha, Rent a Toy by Ms. Revathi, and Sanatana Dolls by Ms. Sreedevi Chitti. The session concluded with an inspiring talk by Master Chef Shipra Khanna, who shared her entrepreneurial journey and encouraged women to pursue their business aspirations.

Grand Conclusion with Networking & Awards

The summit concluded with an inspiring Networking Session, providing entrepreneurs, investors, and industry leaders an opportunity to forge new collaborations, explore funding avenues, and discuss strategies for sustainable business growth.

COWE Success Stories Series showcased entrepreneurial journeys of women-led businesses, highlighting the success and impact of women entrepreneurs supported by COWE over the last two decades.

Organizing Committee & Strategic Partners

WISE 2025 is organized by the COWE National Board, including Lalitha Aluri (National President), Jyotsna Cheruvu (National Secretary), Usha Paliath (CEO), and the Telangana Team of COWE.

Indian Stock Market Hit by Global Domestic Challenges

1) Dr. Narayani Ramachandran, Director & Professor of Finance at NMIMS Bengaluru:
The Indian stock market’s weak opening is driven by global and domestic factors. Key reasons include weak earnings expectations from Indian banks due to rising bad loan provisions and margin pressure. MSCI index reshuffling has caused volatility, leading to outflows from passive funds. DIIs, having invested at higher levels, now face reduced buying support. Rising US bond yields make equities less attractive, prompting FIIs to shift funds to China, where better valuations and policy measures offer opportunities. Given these factors, volatility may persist, and investors should monitor trends closely while considering defensive sectors like FMCG, pharma, and IT.

2) Mayank Mundhra, FRM- VP Risk & Head Research Abans Group:
The recent downturn in Indian stock markets is driven by both global and domestic challenges. Globally, escalating trade tensions have played a significant role as Donald Trump has announced a 25% tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico, effective March 4, along with an additional 10% duty on Chinese goods.
Adding to market uncertainty, the U.S. Federal Reserve has delayed further interest rate cuts, leading to worries about prolonged tight financial conditions. Soft U.S. economic data has further spooked investors—the S&P Global Flash U.S. Composite PMI Output Index, which tracks business activity across the manufacturing and services sectors, fell to 50.4 in February, its lowest in 17 months, indicating a near-stagnant economy.

Domestically, several factors have exacerbated market declines. India’s GDP growth had slowed to a two-year low of 5.4% in the second quarter of FY25. Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) have pulled nearly ₹2 lakh crore from Indian equities since October 2024. A depreciating rupee—recently weakening to 87.37 against the U.S. dollar—has made Indian assets less attractive to foreign investors, further accelerating outflows. A weaker rupee also raises concerns about inflation due to increased import costs, adding to market pressures.

In response, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has taken measures to stabilize the economy. In February, it cut the repo rate by 25 basis points to 6.25%, the first rate cut in nearly five years. Additionally, the RBI announced a $10 billion dollar-rupee swap auction to inject durable liquidity into the banking system and ease financial conditions.

The markets are adjusting valuations of stocks, particularly the high PE ones, as long term growth prospects are being looked at more realistically vs optimistically . The euphoric nature which was prevalent till october’24, is being normalised towards long term mean, in this fall.

Despite these headwinds, improving Q3 corporate earnings indicate underlying resilience. As global trade tensions ease and RBI’s policy measures take effect, investor confidence should improve, potentially leading to renewed inflows and a market recovery.

The Secret to Timeless Luminous Skin

1st March 2025: As we age, our skin undergoes numerous changes, including the thinning of the dermis—the second layer of our skin. This natural process is exacerbated by the loss of essential proteins like collagen and elastin, leading to wrinkles and sagging. While many individuals turn to skincare products and supplements to combat these signs of aging, recent studies emphasize the powerful impact of aerobic and resistance exercise, particularly weightlifting, on skin health. Weightlifting, in particular, has been shown to significantly increase dermal thickness. This form of resistance training promotes the production of proteins that strengthen connective tissues within the skin. When we lift weights, the mechanical stress stimulates fibroblast activity, enhancing collagen synthesis. This process not only improves skin elasticity but also fortifies its structure, making it more resilient against the effects of aging.

Additionally, weightlifting enhances blood circulation, ensuring that skin cells receive sufficient oxygen and nutrients. Improved circulation also aids in the removal of toxins from the skin, contributing to a clearer and healthier complexion. Furthermore, the increased muscle mass gained through regular resistance training provides better support for the skin, reducing the appearance of sagging. Dr. Subhro Bhattacharjee, Consultant Aesthetic Dermatologist & Laser Specialist, explains, “During weightlifting, micro-injuries stimulate the body’s repair process, replacing old tissue with new. This regeneration tightens tissues, increases collagen and elastic fibers, improves blood vessels, enhances skin tone, and contributes to a radiant complexion, providing significant anti-aging benefits.”

However, while weightlifting plays a crucial role in maintaining youthful skin, a comprehensive skincare routine remains essential. According to Dr. Debasish Biswas, Senior Aesthetic Physician and Founder of Radiantt Estheticis, “Serums are concentrated formulations designed to address specific skin concerns, making them a vital component of an effective skincare regimen. They penetrate deeply into the skin, delivering active ingredients that help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by promoting collagen production and skin regeneration.” Serums also play a key role in minimizing dark spots and hyperpigmentation, evening out skin tone for a brighter, more uniform complexion. Rich in antioxidants, they help protect the skin from free radicals—unstable molecules that damage skin cells and accelerate aging. This protective barrier reduces the environmental impact on the skin, including damage from pollution and sun exposure. Regular use of serums leads to smoother, more refined skin, enhancing texture and providing a radiant glow.

To address specific skin concerns, different types of serums can be incorporated into a skincare routine. Hyaluronic acid serum is essential for hydration, while a biphasic serum effectively targets pigmentation. Vitamin C serum works to correct uneven skin tone, whereas retinol serum provides powerful anti-aging benefits by stimulating collagen production and improving skin texture. For those struggling with dark spots, tranexamic acid serum is highly effective in lightening hyperpigmentation and restoring a balanced complexion.

In conclusion, while skincare products such as serums contribute to maintaining a youthful and healthy complexion, integrating weightlifting into your fitness routine offers remarkable benefits. By promoting dermal thickness, enhancing collagen production, and improving circulation, weightlifting helps keep the skin firm, elastic, and radiant. The next time you hit the gym, remember—those weights are not just sculpting your muscles; they’re also giving your skin a lift.

This comprehensive approach combines the power of resistance training with targeted skincare to achieve a radiant, youthful complexion. We believe this synergy of fitness and skincare could resonate well with your audience and spark meaningful conversations around holistic approaches to skin health.