February, 19^th, 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.

A delegation from the University of Oulu, Finland visited Amity University Noida with the aim to foster strong research partnership by leveraging collective expertise, resources, and innovations to propel breakthroughs in the Hydrogen Sector. The delegation comprised of Professor Marko Huttula, Head of Nano and Molecular Systems Research Unit, Ms. Katja Nieminen, Head of International Affairs, Professor Matti Silveri, Lead of Superconducting Quantum Simulations and Quantum Information Group, and Mr. Marianne Kinnula, Associate Professor Human-Computer Interaction Research Unit, amongst others.

On this occasion, an MoU was signed between Amity University and University of Oulu, Finland, with the aim to identify the potential collaboration opportunities in the Hydrogen Value Chain. Dr. Marco Huttula, Head of NANOMO Research Unit, University of Oulu, Finland, averred, “Our research areas include Green Transition and Circular Economy, Biodiverse Arctic, Digital Water Systems, Global Resilience Hydrogen Future and Sustainability, Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence, amongst others. University of Oulu offers courses on energy, technology and systems, sustainable development and many other related areas. Amity University and University of Oulu can collaborate in Research and Leadership on Hydrogen Value Chain through double degree initiatives, joint projects and funding, and signing different MoUs to support joint objectives.”

Dr. Balvinder Shukla, Vice Chancellor Amity University Uttar Pradesh, stated, “Hydrogen is emerging as a key driver of the global clean energy transition, therefore, a mission-mode collaboration with top Universities of the world and industries is essential to accelerate cutting-edge research, technological advancements, and real-world applications. “The National Hydrogen Mission, launched in January 2023 is a government initiative to establish India as a global leader in green hydrogen production, use, and export and it will create a sizable market for green hydrogen production and associated technologies. We are excited to partner with University of Oulu which is a research driven University like Amity and together we will achieve significant innovations in the Hydrogen Sector.”

Deliberating upon the collaboration opportunities between Amity and University of Oulu, Ms. Katja Stephenson, Head of International Affairs, University of Oulu, Finland, said, “We look forward to collaborating with Amity University for creating a Hydrogen Research Hub and Centre of Excellence, fostering student exchange, and broadening research and education collaboration to other disciplines.”

Sharing the proposed objectives for MNRE Centre of Excellence, and the initiatives under ‘Amity Hydrogen Mission’, Dr. W Selvamurthy, President ASTIF, said, “The Centre of Excellence will enable the performance evaluation and development of large-scale Photocatalytic Reactor for Solar-driven green Hydrogen Production, Wastewater Hydrogen Production Systems, development of advanced electrode materials, cost effective membranes for industrial level hydrogen production via electrolyzer technologies and the establishment of pilot-scale green hydrogen plant, as per the industrial standards and processes.”

On this occasion, Dr. A K Singh, Sr. Vice President, Amity Foundation for Science Technology and Innovation Alliance presented an overview of the R&D Ecosystem and International Landscape of Amity University and Dr. Sunita Rattan, Dean, Faculty of Science & Technology, presented Amity’s research contribution focusing on the ‘Hydrogen Sector’.

Flipkart, one of India’s leading e-commerce marketplaces, is set to launch the first edition of this year’s Flipkart Tablet Premier League 2025 (TPL 2025) from February 20th at noon. Building on its past success, TPL 2025 continues Flipkart’s commitment to affordability and accessibility while catering to the growing demand for entertainment on the go. This edition brings industry-leading deals on top-rated tablets, allowing customers to upgrade their devices without stretching their budget.

With the theme of “Screen Bada, Scene Bada,” TPL 2025 highlights that entertainment, education, and productivity are key drivers of tablet sales, with OTT and sports streaming playing a significant role in increasing usage. Flipkart’s data shows tablet searches surged 16-18% during major cricketing seasons in 2023 and 2024. Recognizing this trend, TPL 2025 has been strategically scheduled to coincide with the upcoming cricket events, ensuring consumers have access to premium tablets for an enhanced viewing experience.

Flipkart’s Tablet Premier League 2025 will feature top-selling brands, including Samsung, Lenovo, Apple, Realme, OnePlus, Redmi, Mi, POCO, and Infinix offering customers a diverse range of choices. With offers up to 50% off for a limited period of time on best-selling tablets enabled by sellers, customers can enjoy limited-time price drops offered by brands, exchange offers, and attractive deals on tablet accessories such as folio covers and keyboards.

Recognizing the growing demand for tablets among students, young professionals, and tech enthusiasts aged 18 to 40, Flipkart has designed TPL 2025 to go beyond just deals. To enhance the shopping experience, Flipkart has introduced several consumer-friendly innovations.  Flipkart’s ‘Minutes’  ensures ultra-fast deliveries, with tablets reaching select pin codes in 10 minutes. To make shopping more interactive and hassle-free, Flipkart has an on-demand video assistance feature, where expert agents will guide customers through their purchase journey, ensuring they find the perfect tablet to meet their needs. Additionally, Flipkart prioritizes affordability by enabling customers to trade in their old tablets and benefit from No-Cost EMI, bank offers, and exchange deals, making premium devices more accessible to a broader audience.

The Tablet Premier League is now an annual event, aligning with major cricket tournaments. With customer-centric innovations and a strong commitment to delivering value, Flipkart envisions bigger screens, better experiences, and unbeatable prices with TPL 2025, making it a much-anticipated yearly event series.

Hyderabad, 18th February 2025: Tenali Double Horse Group – the house of authentic and premium quality culinary essentials; as part of its initiative to foray abroad with an aggressive global expansion plans, participated in Gulfood 2025, the world’s largest annual food and beverage trade exhibition, held at the Dubai World Trade Centre. After successfully showcasing its products at INDUSFOOD 2025 in January at Greater Noida, the brand now marks its second consecutive participation at Gulfood, reaffirming its commitment to reaching international markets and introducing Indian food heritage to a global audience.

Beyond the expo, Tenali Double Horse is also making significant strides in the Middle Eastern market with the establishment of its newly launched office in Dubai. This move marks a strategic step towards expanding distribution, building strong local partnerships, and reaching new customer segments across the region. Our goal is simple—to cross international borders and take our legacy forward. With Gulfood and our Dubai office, we are unlocking more doors to new horizons, added Shri Mohan Shyam Prasad, CMD of Tenali Double Horse Group.

During his visit to the Tenali Double Horse stall at the prestigious Gulfood 2025 Expo, Shri Chirag Paswan, Hon’ble Cabinet Minister for Food Processing Industries, Government of India, experienced the brand’s signature urad laddu, a traditional delicacy crafted with premium-quality ingredients. Delighted by its rich, authentic taste, he remarked, “Delicious and mouth-watering!” The moment was a proud testament to Tenali Double Horse’s unwavering commitment to delivering time-honored flavors that transcend borders, celebrating India’s culinary heritage on a global stage.

This year, Tenali Double Horse has introduced Millets to its Gulfood lineup, recognizing the growing global shift towards healthier food choices. “With nearly 38% of consumers already adapting to millets, it is clear that the world is moving towards more sustainable and nutritious options. We are here to be a part of that transformation, said Shri Mohan Shyam Prasad. The inclusion of millet-based products aligns with the brand’s mission to offer a perfect balance between tradition and innovation.

As Tenali Double Horse continues its journey from Rural to Global, the brand remains focused on innovation, integration, and customer-centric growth. With a strong presence in India and expanding footprints worldwide, the company is committed to bringing high-quality, health-focused food products to every corner of the world. Visitors at Gulfood 2025 are invited to experience the essence of India’s finest offerings at the Tenali Double Horse stall, where tradition meets excellence.

New Delhi, 18th February 2025 – Bharat Tex 2025 is not just a textile exhibition; but a testament to India’s rich heritage and forward-thinking approach to sustainability, which is also an integral theme of the event. The focus on sustainability at Bharat Tex 2025 is a conscious effort to redefine the future of the textile industry. The Ministry of Textiles, through its various initiatives, is actively promoting sustainable practices, with upcycling emerging as a key solution to tackle textile waste. This effort is further strengthened by the introduction of certification for upcyclers, ensuring that their work receives the recognition and support it deserves.

The Ministry is taking concrete steps to support upcycling at a national level. Through its statutory body, the Textiles Committee, the Ministry has introduced a certification system for upcycles. This initiative is designed to provide formal recognition to artisans and entrepreneurs who transform textile waste into valuable products. The certification process ensures that upcycled products meet quality and sustainability standards, making them more accessible to Government and private sector buyers. By promoting certified upcyclers, the Ministry aims to integrate sustainable practices into mainstream textile production, benefiting both the environment and the artisans involved. To further support upcyclers, the Ministry has launched an online dashboard that showcases a state-wise list of registered upcyclers. This platform provides visibility to artisans and helps connect them with potential buyers, ensuring that their work receives the appreciation and market access it deserves.

One of the most significant aspects of this initiative is the inclusion of upcycling in the Sustainability & Innovation Pavilion, also known as Vastra Katha. This dedicated space within Bharat Tex 2025 serves as a platform for upcyclers to showcase their creativity and craftsmanship. By bringing together artisans, entrepreneurs, and policymakers, Vastra Katha aims to highlight the importance of sustainable practices and encourage collaboration in the industry.

Another notable feature is Fabrics of India, which is a tribute to India’s textile legacy. This is an awe-inspiring upcycled installation that embodies the essence of sustainability, women’s empowerment, and India’s vibrant textile diversity. Fabrics of India is a breathtaking tapestry of colors, textures, and patterns that showcase the vast variety of fabrics produced across the country. However, beyond its aesthetic appeal, this installation carries a deeper meaning. It is made entirely from discarded fabric scraps collected from different households and communities, stitched together by skilled women artisans. Each piece represents a story, a tradition, and a craft that has been passed down through generations.

The installation draws inspiration from traditional Indian techniques like appliqué, Kantha, and dori embroidery—art forms that have long embraced the concept of upcycling. These methods, practiced for centuries, have allowed Indian artisans to breathe new life into old fabrics, turning them into functional and decorative pieces. In many ways, Fabrics of India is not just an art piece but a tribute to these time-honored sustainable practices. This wall of upcycled fabric also symbolizes India’s unity in diversity. Just like the people of India, each piece of fabric is unique in its color, design, and texture. Yet, when brought together, they form a seamless whole—an artwork that reflects the collective spirit of the nation.

A unique aspect of Fabrics of India is the role of women artisans in bringing this vision to life. Each fabric scrap in the installation has been handcrafted by rural women, many of whom rely on textile work as their primary source of livelihood. By participating in this initiative, these women are not only preserving traditional crafts but also gaining financial independence.

By upcycling textile waste, these women are helping to reduce environmental impact while ensuring that traditional crafts remain relevant in the modern textile landscape. Their work is not only an artistic expression but also a step toward a more sustainable and inclusive future.

New Delhi, 18 February 2025: BattRE Electric Mobility, a leading electric vehicle manufacturer, today unveiled its latest offering – the LOEV+, a high-performance electric scooter designed to meet the demands of modern urban commuters. With a combination of advanced battery technology, cutting-edge safety features, and a sleek design, the LOEV+ sets a new benchmark in the electric mobility space.

The LOEV+ is powered by an advanced 2kWh Amaron battery, coupled with a 13-amp charger. Both the battery and charger are IP67-rated, offering exceptional water and dust resistance. The battery uses premium 21700 cells (5Ah), ensuring long-lasting performance, while a quick-charging capability allows the battery to be fully charged in just 2 hours and 50 minutes. The LOEV+ comes with a 3-year warranty on both the battery and charger, giving users peace of mind and reliability.

Safety remains a top priority for BattRE, and the LOEV+ incorporates several innovative features, including a combined disc-brake system, 180mm ground clearance, and a parking switch to prevent accidental acceleration while the scooter is parked. Additionally, a saree guard ensures enhanced safety for pillion riders.

The LOEV+ also boasts advanced rider assistance features such as Cruise Control, Hill Hold Assist, and a fully CAN-enabled communication system. These technologies improve ride stability, comfort, and overall user experience.

Beyond performance, the LOEV+ stands out with its sporty and minimalist design. Featuring 12-inch alloy wheels, LED dual lamps for improved visibility, and a choice of five premium colors – Starlight Blue, Stormy Grey, Ice Blue, Midnight Black, and Pearl White – the LOEV+ is as stylish as it is practical.

“It is not only the most affordable high-speed scooter in the country but also one of the most feature-packed scooters, powered by the most advanced battery from Amaron,” said Nishchal Chaudhary, CEO & Managing Director of BattRE Electric Mobility. “This scooter is designed with the future of urban commuting in mind, combining top-tier performance, safety, and design. We believe it will play a pivotal role in the transition towards sustainable mobility.”

The BattRE LOEV+ offers three riding modes—Eco Mode (35 km/h top speed, 90 km range), Comfort Mode (48 km/h top speed, 75 km range), and Sports Mode (60 km/h top speed, 60 km range). The scooter also features smart connectivity via an informative speedometer displaying key details such as distance to empty (DTE) and state of charge (SoC).

National, 18 February 2025: India’s outsourcing landscape is undergoing a significant transformation, with 81 percent of organisations planning to increase their outsourcing efforts over the next three to five years, according to Deloitte’s latest report, The Outsourcing Compass: Decoding Strategies of Today. This shift is driven by the increasing need for technological advancements, access to specialised expertise, and cost efficiency. As India is set to become the third-largest economy by 2027, the country is reinforcing its position as a key hub for outsourcing and advanced service functions.

The nature of outsourcing is shifting, with organisations moving beyond traditional transactional and back-office services to higher-value, strategic services. AI and automation are playing an increasingly crucial role in outsourcing agreements, with 98 percent of organisations depending on service providers for AI and GenAI capabilities. To optimize these collaborations, companies are embedding AI-specific clauses in outsourcing contracts, ensuring better performance tracking, cost optimisation, and risk mitigation. This shift has led to a rise in outcome-based contracts, now preferred by 36 percent of organisations over traditional FTE-based contracts, reflecting the demand for value-driven, innovation-led collaborations.

The report highlights that better alignment with business strategy (28 percent) has overtaken cost savings as the primary driver for outsourcing. This transition is fuelled by advancements in AI, automation, and digital transformation, which enable organisations to outsource complex functions such as product development, supplier evaluation, and strategic brand management.

Outsourcing models are evolving to include a blend of GBS centers, third-party providers, and flexible talent solutions. According to the report, 55 percent of organisations use GBS centers for governance and oversight while relying on third-party providers for execution and efficiency optimisation. Additionally, 35 percent of organisations have adopted the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model, which enables them to scale capabilities while maintaining long-term operational control. These models offer businesses greater agility, cost efficiency, and seamless integration between IT and business functions.

Yatin Patil, Partner, Deloitte India, said, “Supported by a thriving start-up ecosystem and continuous upskilling initiatives, India is shaping the future of outsourcing by driving cost efficiency and innovation. Nearly 70 percent of organisations engage with non-traditional service providers to optimize costs while gaining access to new-age technologies and innovative solutions.”

While geopolitical stability remains a key consideration for outsourcing decisions, India continues to be a preferred destination due to its expanding services sector, reliable business environment, and strong policy framework. Despite global uncertainties, India’s expertise in digital transformation, cybersecurity, and vendor management has positioned it as a scalable and secure outsourcing hub.

The report indicates that strategic supplier collaborations have enabled organisations to achieve an average annual cost savings of 10–25 percent from their outsourced contracts. Organisations balancing strategic service providers and niche providers have achieved even higher savings of 15–35 percent. As outsourcing engagements become more complex, organisations are strengthening their vendor management strategies, with 45 percent of mature outsourcing firms now operating dedicated Vendor Management Offices (VMOs) to enhance governance, supplier risk management, and outsourcing effectiveness.

As organisations continue to redefine their outsourcing strategies, India is well-positioned to lead the next phase of global outsourcing expansion. With technological advancements, evolving vendor management practices, and a highly skilled workforce, India offers long-term business sustainability, innovation, and cost efficiencies. The findings from the report reinforce India’s role as a cornerstone in global business strategies, driving transformation across industries worldwide.