Carlton Unveils New Retail Identity with Exclusive Colaba Store

Mumbai, 31 January 2025: VIP Industries, Asia’s largest and the world’s second-largest luggage maker, has unveiled Carlton’s new retail identity with the launch of an exclusive 872 sq. ft. store in Colaba, Mumbai. Carlton aspires to be the preferred luggage choice for discerning travelers by offering thoughtfully designed, sophisticated travel solutions that go beyond mere badge value. With a focus on craftsmanship, discernment, and intelligent design, our products reflect the spirit of modern travelers. Aligned with this philosophy, Carlton’s new retail identity marks a significant step in strengthening its premium positioning.

The new Carlton store in Colaba sets the foundation for its future retail journey, offering a refined, immersive space that reflects its evolving premium identity. Thoughtfully designed to enhance engagement, it blends sophisticated aesthetics with seamless product discovery for a truly elevated shopping experience.

As part of its aggressive expansion strategy, VIP Industries is investing massively to strengthen Carlton’s presence in key markets across India. The company plans to open 25 exclusive Carlton stores over the next six months, further solidifying the brand’s position in the premium luggage segment.

Speaking on the occasion, Ms. Neetu Kashiramka, Managing Director of VIP Industries, said, “The launch of Carlton’s exclusive store in Colaba marks a pivotal step in strengthening our brand’s premium presence. This store embodies the new retail identity we envision for Carlton, offering a seamless blend of innovation, luxury, and customer-centricity. More than just a retail space, it is a gateway to a rich and immersive shopping experience. With this expansion, we aim to establish Carlton as the preferred choice for discerning travelers, offering a refined retail experience that blends sophistication with functionality in the premium luggage space.”

Carlton has been witnessing a strong growth momentum, with 11.4% growth in Q3FY25 over Q3FY24, reaffirming its market performance. The launch of this flagship store is a testament to VIP Industries’ commitment to enhancing the retail experience and catering to the evolving needs of premium consumers.

The Future of Pharma and MedTech: Key Trends to Watch in 2025

The pharmaceutical (Pharma) and medical technology (MedTech) industries are evolving rapidly, driven by technological innovations, shifting regulatory landscapes, and changing patient needs. Here are some of the top trends to watch in 2025:

1. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) Integration

Drug Discovery & Development: AI and ML are accelerating drug discovery, identifying promising drug candidates faster and at lower costs by analyzing vast amounts of data to predict molecular behavior.

Personalized Medicine: AI tools help tailor treatments based on individual genetic profiles, improving efficacy and minimizing side effects.

Diagnostic Tools: AI-powered imaging and diagnostic systems are enhancing the accuracy and speed of disease detection, especially in fields like oncology and cardiology.

2. Sustainability and Green Practices

Eco-Friendly Packaging: Both Pharma and MedTech companies are focusing on reducing their environmental impact by transitioning to biodegradable, recyclable, and eco-friendly packaging for drugs and medical devices.

Sustainable Manufacturing: With growing attention on reducing carbon footprints, the focus is shifting toward green chemistry and sustainable manufacturing processes in drug and device production.

3. Regenerative Medicine & Cell Therapies

Stem Cell Research: Advances in stem cell therapies are opening new possibilities in the treatment of chronic diseases, injuries, and age-related conditions.

Gene Editing: Technologies like CRISPR are becoming more refined, offering potential for curing genetic disorders and personalizing treatments.

Tissue Engineering: The development of bioprinted tissues and organs, along with other regenerative techniques, may reduce organ shortages and provide alternatives to traditional organ transplants.

4. AI-Driven Healthcare Robotics

Surgical Robots: Robots are becoming more precise and minimally invasive in surgeries, leading to faster recovery times and fewer complications. Robotic surgeries and automated assistance tools are expected to see widespread adoption.

Robotic Caregiving: Robots designed to assist elderly or disabled individuals with daily tasks are gaining traction, improving quality of life and reducing caregiver burden.

5. Telemedicine & Remote Patient Monitoring

Post-Pandemic Growth: Telehealth remains a key trend, with many healthcare systems adopting it as a permanent feature. Remote consultations, monitoring, and follow-up care are streamlining healthcare delivery.

Wearables & IoT Devices: Wearables that track vital signs, glucose levels, heart rate, and other metrics will continue to grow, offering real-time data that can be used for early intervention.

Virtual Clinical Trials: The use of telemedicine and remote monitoring in clinical trials enables a wider pool of participants, reduces costs, and allows for quicker recruitment and data collection.

6. Advanced Diagnostics & Point-of-Care Testing

Non-Invasive Tests: Advancements in diagnostic tools, including liquid biopsies and home diagnostic kits, allow for non-invasive testing to detect diseases earlier, such as cancers, heart conditions, and infections.

Point-of-Care (POC) Devices: Devices that provide real-time diagnostic results at the point of care, such as in clinics, pharmacies, or even at home, are expected to become more advanced and accessible.

7. Digitization and Data Analytics in Pharma

Big Data in Pharma: Data analytics is becoming essential in understanding patient outcomes, streamlining drug development, optimizing manufacturing processes, and enhancing supply chain management.

Real-World Evidence: Real-world data is being used to better understand drug efficacy and patient outcomes beyond controlled clinical trials, leading to more informed regulatory decisions and treatment plans.

8. Mental Health and Digital Therapeutics

Mental Health Focus: There is growing recognition of mental health conditions, particularly in the context of the post-pandemic world. Digital therapeutic solutions, such as apps and online platforms for managing conditions like anxiety, depression, and PTSD, are gaining prominence.

Psychiatric Digital Health: Digital tools for therapy and medication management, along with advancements in neurostimulation devices and wearables, will shape mental health care in 2025 and beyond.

Maintaining Cardiovascular Health in Winter by Dr. Joy Saibal Shome

By: Dr Joy Saibal Shome, Consultant Intervention Cardiologist at BM Birla Heart Hospital.

Many might rejoice the decline in temperature, as it means a return to the comfort and snugness of the winter months. However, these cold months pose a serious risk for the heart health and for any individual with pre-existing heart disease, special attention must be paid to heart care. While various factors put extra strain on the cardiovascular system during winter, some studies reveal that the winter months see almost 53 per cent more potentially serious heart conditions like heart attacks and strokes than the summer months.

Winter poses unique challenges to heart health, with colder temperatures causing blood vessels to constrict and increasing the workload on the heart. Winter is associated with a higher incidence of cardiovascular events due to the increase in stress that a drop in ambient temperature puts on heart walls and the decrease in flow to the arteries that supply blood to the heart. Moreover, during the winter, people tend to do less physical activity, which can lead to weight gain and a consequent increase in blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Exposure to extreme cold may even result in hypothermia in which body temperature drops to dangerously low levels, thus complicating cardiovascular health even further.

The increased workload on the heart coupled with lack of physical activities and the consumption of heavier foods put people most at risk for cardiovascular events during the cold months. Protecting the heart from heart diseases during winter months requires an active approach. Primarily during winter, people should dress warm to avoid sudden exposure to cold, which can elevate blood pressure and strain the cardiovascular system. People should also maintain a balanced diet rich in seasonal vegetables, whole grains, and heart-healthy fats while limiting processed and high-fat comfort foods.

Navigating the cold months with a healthy heart require people to stay active and engage in physical activities. With the limitation on outdoor activities, simple indoor workouts such as a home workout or yoga or just walking indoors can facilitate proper blood flow and reduce the level of stress on heart. Hydration and sleep, in turn, are equally significant to the maintenance of a healthy heart. During the winter, the body tends to easily get dehydrated, blood thickens, and the chance of clots increases. So, it is always advised that people should drink enough water even if not thirsty to maintain hydration and not put much pressure on the heart.

For those in high-risk groups — such as individuals with health conditions like diabetes, hypertension, or a history of heart disease — regular health checkups and adherence to prescribed medications are vital. Through regular consultations with the doctor, potential health issues can be diagnosed early and people can get timely advice to stay healthy throughout the cold season.

Stress can be another major factor in heart problems during the winter. People should limit stress and set aside time to relax and unwind through simple daily activities like meditating, listening to music or taking a hot shower. It is also noteworthy that the winter is the time for people to stay safe from common illnesses like fever or common flu. Vaccinations like the flu and pneumococcal vaccines can help prevent winter-related infections, which can indirectly strain the heart.

Keeping the heart safeguarded from the cold can make winter a beautiful time of the year for every individual. Not only individuals with pre-existing heart conditions but those prioritizing heart health should also have an understanding on the impact of cold weather on the heart health. By taking certain proactive measures, individuals can significantly reduce the risk of winter-related heart complications and maintain optimal cardiovascular health.

HCLTech & Microsoft Partner with Cricket Australia to Transform Fan Experience

SYDNEY and NOIDA, India, Jan 31, 2025 — Leading global technology companies, HCLTech and Microsoft, have partnered with Cricket Australia (CA) to leverage generative AI (GenAI) to enhance the way fans experience live matches via the Cricket Australia Live app.

The app’s new AI Insights matchday companion feature provides fans with a regular feed of text-based updates as matches progress. The feature uses AI rooted in a deep understanding of cricket to identify key narratives, player performances and notable milestones that go beyond the live scores and commentary, giving new context and insight to what is happening on the field.

The AI Insights matchday companion launches today at the Day-Night Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) during the CommBank Women’s Ashes series between Australia and England. This innovative feature is now accessible to all users of the Cricket Australia Live App worldwide.

“By harnessing the power of GenAI, we have the ability to reimagine the way fans engage with sport,” said Sonia Eland, Executive Vice President and Country Manager, Australia and New Zealand, HCLTech. “HCLTech has partnered with Cricket Australia for several years through our long-term role as the sport’s Official Digital Technology Partner, but our collaboration with Microsoft will further enhance the digital experience. Ultimately, our goal is to bring cricket fans even closer to the action.”

Cricket Australia has leveraged Microsoft’s Azure Open AI Service as well as HCLTech’s front-end and API development support to create a more accessible match day AI companion for cricket fans.

“We’re excited to bring cutting-edge AI technology to cricket fans through our partnership with Cricket Australia and HCLTech,” said Sarah Carney, Chief Technology Officer at Microsoft Australia and New Zealand. “This innovation demonstrates how generative AI is transforming the way we interact with the world around us, bringing insight, meaning and personalisation to audiences old and new.”

HCLTech and Cricket Australia began working together in 2019 to transform the organization’s core API platforms. In 2023, they extended the partnership for another five years, with HCLTech continuing its role as the CA’s Official Digital Technology Partner. The multi-year partnership has included initiatives like TechJam, a crowdsourcing effort to develop innovative tech solutions for the sport, as well as HCLTech’s role in making Cricket Australia Live the number one sporting app in Australia.

“We are very excited to partner with both HCLTech and Microsoft to create brilliant experiences for our fans by enhancing the CA Live app,” said Nick Hockley, CEO, Cricket Australia. “Our aspiration is to be a world leader in the way sporting codes bring fans closer to the game through digital technologies and we’re thrilled to launch this latest innovation at the CommBank Women’s Ashes Day-Night Test.”

SILA Pioneers a Movement to Change How India Sees Cleanliness Workers

Mumbai, 31 January 2025: SILA, a leading player in facility management and real estate services, has teamed up with Schbang to launch a ground-breaking campaign that challenges societal perceptions of housekeepers. This initiative encourages audiences to reflect on their behaviours and biases, driving home the importance of treating housekeeping staff with the dignity and respect they deserve.

Despite the societal acknowledgment of housekeepers’ contributions, genuine respect often remains superficial. SILA and Schbang’s campaign seeks to disrupt this cycle by illuminating everyday hypocrisies and encouraging people to align their actions with their words.

The key component of this effort is a thought-provoking film ‘Sachh Hi Swachh Hai’ put together by Schbang. The narrative centers on a professional who, while fervently advocating for cleanliness workers in a work conference, unintentionally exposes his own prejudices at home. He is forced to consider his behaviour after having this epiphany, which results in the moving message:

“Swachh Banane Se Pehle Hume Sach Banna Hoga.”

The film emphasizes SILA’s continued commitment to transforming lives, as the company has already trained and employed over 27,000 Facility Management professionals in 125 cities across India.

Shoppin Lands Dollar 1Million to Revolutionize Fashion Discovery with AI

New Delhi, January 31, 2025: shoppin’, a new-age fashion search engine powered by AI, has successfully raised $1 million in pre-seed funding from Info Edge Ventures. The platform is on a mission to make fashion discovery seamless, personalized, and accessible for all, enabling users to discover apparel products using prompts, vibes, product descriptions and images, putting consumer needs at the heart of its operations.

In an era where online shopping can feel overwhelming and 80% consumers find poor fashion search as a barrier to purchase, shoppin’ stands out by simplifying the process of helping users find their perfect style. The platform has already built an impressive base of over 35,000 Instagram followers and 20,000+ waitlist sign-ups, all in 3 weeks —achieved at 0 marketing spend—highlighting the need for the problem they’re solving and shoppin’s growing popularity among fashion enthusiasts.

The newly acquired funding will be allocated towards three key areas: hiring top talent, enhancing proprietary technology, and fostering growth. A large majority of the funds will be deployed towards building a team of AI engineers, developing, fine-tuning and scaling its advanced AI models, incl. their custom built SLMs and embeddings model, tailored specifically for fashion.

“If OpenAI’s multi-modal and NLP search prowess, Google’s indexing algorithm, and Pinterest’s social DNA were to have a fashion-obsessed baby, it’d be us,” said Shlok, Founder & CEO of shoppin’.

“For Gen-Zs, over 75% of fashion inspiration discovery happens on Instagram and Pinterest. We started shoppin’ seven months ago with the idea of bridging the gap between inspiration discovery on social platforms and e-commerce discovery on marketplaces and D2C brand websites. Our mission at shoppin’ is to make fashion discovery as seamless and easy as clicking an image. With Info Edge Ventures’ support, we’re committed to innovating further, pushing the boundaries of AI, to help every shopper find what they love effortlessly,” said Shlok.

“Our foundational AI models for fashion and autonomous agents for commerce have enabled us to revolutionize fashion search,” added Utsav, Co-founder & CTO of shoppin’.

“Fashion discovery needs to be much more intuitive and enjoyable. With the emergence of many new fashion D2C brands in the country in the last five years, we strongly believe that surfacing upcoming and innovative D2C brands to the right customers and solving brands’ distribution challenges is essential,” said Kitty Agarwal, Partner at Info Edge Ventures. “The founders are young and mission-driven—I’m yet to see any consumer product get the kind of social and word-of-mouth-driven organic waitlist shoppin’ has been able to garner in the run-up to the launch. We are very excited,” added Kitty

shoppin’ is laying the groundwork to become a shoppable Pinterest by integrating cutting-edge AI with a user-friendly experience. With a team of 20 Gen-Z engineers and marketers, shoppin’ is well positioned to launch its beta search engine in February, with subsequent versions enhancing accuracy and personalization.

With partnerships already established with many leading D2C brands, Shoppin’ strives to be a trusted partner for both brands and consumers. Looking ahead, Shoppin’ plans to collaborate with even more brands, increasing its offering to Gen-Zs, further solidifying its position as the premier fashion platform for consumers and brands alike.

Instant Payouts Now Available in India: Runa Enhances Cross-Border Payment Solutions

Runa, the leading global fintech infrastructure for the next generation of payouts experiences, today announced its expansion into India, opening access to the country’s $8.9 billion gift card market. With this expansion, Runa allows its business customers the ability to easily send instant, domestic and cross-border payouts to consumer recipients in India, dramatically reducing the traditional barriers of cost and complexity.

India’s rapid digital payment transformation—expanding at a notable rate of 44% CAGR by transaction volume from 2017 to 2024—paired with a surge in cross-border consumer transactions, which grew by 121% in the last nine months of 2024 alone, has created a strong demand for alternative consumer payout solutions.

By unlocking access to India, Runa emerges as a strategic partner for companies looking to tap into India’s thriving gift card sector for consumer disbursement, rewards, recognition and incentives. With the Indian market growing by 15.3% year over year, Runa enables companies to simplify regulatory compliance, reduce foreign exchange risks, and provide flexible funding options when sending funds to Indian recipients.

“We’re proud to bring Runa to India, where digital payments and gift cards are transforming how people connect and transact,” said Aron Alexander, CEO of Runa. “India’s fast-growing market is full of opportunity, and we’re here to help businesses effortlessly join one of the world’s most exciting economies and connect with millions of new consumers.”

Through Runa’s technology, businesses can now deliver instant payouts via an expansive network of thousands of global and leading Indian merchants, including e-commerce giants like Amazon, Flipkart, Shoppers Stop and popular digital wallets like Amazon Pay. Runa’s customers benefit from:

  • Real-Time Payouts: A streamlined solution for instant payments, eliminating the delays and costs associated with traditional cross-border transactions.
  • Flexible Funding & Foreign Exchange Options: Mitigation of capital control risks and seamless transactions without the need to hold Indian Rupees.
  • Built-in Regulatory Compliance: Comprehensive handling of Reserve Bank of India (RBI) guidelines, GST regulations, and data protection requirements.
  • Extensive Merchant Network: A single integration granting access to top Indian and global merchants.

The expansion comes at a pivotal time, as The International Trade Administration reports that India is experiencing a digital payments revolution and e-commerce boom, fueled by rapid smartphone adoption, 650 million users in 2024, and internet connectivity extending to more than 950 million people.

“Runa has done all of the heavy lifting to pave the way for us to launch in India, sourcing popular merchants and alleviating the hassles and compliance challenges,” said Mike Bowles, Senior Director of Operations at Augeo Marketing. “We’re looking forward to launching our program into the Indian market.”

Ambuja Cements SEDI Launches AI Course for Himachal Youth

Shimla/Solan, 31 January 2025Ambuja Cements, the cement and building material company of the diversified Adani Portfolio, is committed to skilling the youth of the nation towards a better tomorrow. The Company’s Skill & Entrepreneurship Development Institute (SEDI) has launched a new Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Data Science course at its centres in Darlaghat and Nalagarh.

This innovative course aims to equip graduates in Science, IT, Commerce, or Arts with the skills needed for high-demand careers in AI and Data Science. The programme is designed to address the employment challenges faced by graduates in the region and prepare them for roles such as data analysts, data scientists, and python developers.

Ambuja Cements’ CSR team, through its 15 supported SEDIs, has a commendable track record, having trained over 75,000 rural youth with a 75% placement rate across various industries. It is committed to empowering underserved youth with essential skills, fostering employment, and industry readiness through forward-looking initiatives.

Praj announces Q3 FY25 results: Revenue at Rs. 8,530.279 million, PAT at Rs. 411.044 million

Performance Review for Q3 FY25 – Consolidated:

  • Income from operations stood at Rs. 8,530.279 million (Q2 FY25: Rs. 8,161.920 million; Q3 FY24: Rs. 8,286.226 million)
  • PBT is at Rs. 588.220 million for the period (Q2 FY25Rs. 744.419 millionQ3 FY24: Rs. 919.217 million)
  • PAT is at Rs411.044 million (Q2 FY25Rs. 538.310 millionQ3 FY24: 704.143 million)
  • Order intake during the quarter Rs.10,530 million (Q2 FY25: 9,210 millionQ3 FY24: Rs. 10,370 million)

Performance Review for 9M FY25 – Consolidated:

  • Income from operations stood at Rs. 23,683.613 million (9M FY24: Rs. 24,477.138 million)
  • PBT is at Rs. 2,121.444 million for the period (9M FY24: Rs. 2,544.371 million)
  • PAT is at Rs. 1,791.161 million (9M FY24: Rs. 1,914.548 million)
  • Order intake Rs. 28,620 million (9M FY24: Rs. 32,010 million)

Commenting on the Company’s performance, Mr. Shishir Joshipura, CEO & MD, Praj Industries said, “Our performance this quarter reflects resilience of the business in face of challenges on account of global volatility and uncertainty in the economy. On the strategic vectors, the company continues its positive journey as reflected in growing order book as well as constitution of orders in favour of increasing international business. Initial delays in readying the Mangalore facility have impacted the planned business activity for the GenX business in the current year, which we expect to recover as we move forward through the next financial year.”

Key Developments:

  • The Board at its meeting held today, approved an appointment of Mr. Ashish Gaikwad as Managing Director- Designate for period of 5 years with effect from 3rd February 2025 in order to ensure smooth transition as Mr. Shishir Joshipura (CEO & Managing Director) will be completing his tenure on 30th June 2025.
  • India’s First National Highway constructed using Bio-Bitumen Developed byPrajwas inaugurated Hon’ble Minister Shri Nitin Gadkari. Roads constructed with lignin-based bio-bitumen, blended at 15% can achieve a 70% reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions compared to conventional fossil-based bitumen.
  • Prajboard has approved formation of JV with BPCL for setting up CBG plants across India. BPCL board has already approved this in their board meeting earlier this month.
  • Received a significant international order to set up 50 KLPD Molasses to Ethanol plant in Tanzania, Africa.

Praj Industries Limited: Praj, India’s most accomplished industrial biotechnology company is driven by innovation, integration and delivery capabilities. Over the past four decades, Praj has focused on the environment, energy, and agri-process industry, with 1000++ customer references spanning 100+ countries across all 6 continents. BioMobility® and Bio-Prism® are the mainstays of Praj’s contribution to the global Bioeconomy. The BioMobility® platform offers technology solutions globally to produce renewable transportation fuel, thus ensuring sustainable decarbonization through circular bioeconomy. The company’s Bio-Prism® portfolio comprises of technologies for the production of renewable chemicals and materials, promises sustainability, while reimagining nature. Praj Matrix, the state-of-the-art R&D facility, forms the backbone for the company’s endeavors towards a clean energy-based Bioeconomy. Praj’s diverse portfolio comprises Bio-energy solutions, Critical process equipment & modularization, Breweries, Zero liquid discharge systems and High purity water systems. Led by accomplished and caring leadership, Praj is a socially responsible corporate citizen.

L&T Minerals & Metals Vertical Wins Order in the Middle East

Chandigarh, January 31, 2025: L&T’s Minerals & Metals (M&M) vertical has secured a significant order for setting up freight handling facilities in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region. This is a repeat order from a leading railway company in the GCC, which has ambitious plans for capacity expansion in multiple phases.

The scope of work involves engineering, procurement, construction & commissioning (EPCC) of freight handling facilities with advanced automation and control at two locations, including an add-on package.

L&T has successfully executed several freight handling facilities across the railway corridors in India and the Middle East, and these projects are a testament to L&T’s capability and reputation as a major player in EPC and Design-Build projects.

“With this prestigious project, M&M further solidifies its reputation as a leader in freight handling facility projects. The repeat order from GCC’s largest railway company highlights M&M’s proven capabilities in delivering EPC projects matching international standards in quality, safety, and on-time completion,” said Mr D K Sen, Executive Committee Member and Advisor to the CMD, L&T.

L&T’s M&M vertical offers world-class end-to-end solutions in EPC domain across sectors such as mining, minerals processing, industrial products and material handling. Its product business provides cost-effective end-to-end solutions for industries such as mining, cement, steel, fertilisers and ports.