Gurugram, April 07, 2025: The Indian School of Hospitality (ISH) brought together industry leaders, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and future professionals for Blueprint Conclave 2025. The conclave was designed to spark conversations that would shape the next decade of India’s travel and tourism industry.

Delving into the theme “Travel & Tourism 2035: Building India’s Next Decade,” the conclave focused on how the industry must evolve in response to changing consumer behavior, sustainability priorities, and digital transformation.

Some of the distinguished industry stalwarts who graced the event with their esteemed presence included Mr. Sharad Vats, Founder, Director, Nature Safari India Pvt. Ltd.,

Mr. Santosh Kumar, Country Head, Indian sub-continent & Indonesia, Booking.com, Mr. Indiver Rastogi, President & Group Head, Thomas Cook India, Mr. Rajeev Kohli, Joint Managing Director, Creative Travel, India and beyond, Mr. Aviral Gupta, Chief Strategy Officer & HR Head, Zostel, and Ms. Dipti Mohan, Associate Vice President (South Asia), Research HVS.

Mr. Kunal Vasudeva, Managing Director of the Indian School of Hospitality, highlighted the purpose of Blueprint Conclave 2025, stating, “At ISH, we are built by the industry, for the industry. Our role is to create meaningful discussions that lead to action. Blueprint Conclave 2025 is a structured platform where industry leaders, policymakers, and academia come together to deliberate on what’s next. The conversations that happened here will be captured, analyzed, and recirculated back to the industry. They will reach decision-makers, shape perspectives, and contribute to the evolving landscape of travel and tourism. Our purpose is clear, we are the bridge between knowledge and impact, bringing together the voices that matter to influence the future of this sector.”

 Echoing his views, Dean Smeetha Guha, Indian School of Hospitality, emphasized the role of academia in shaping future industry leaders.

“Education plays a crucial role in shaping industries. Blueprint Conclave 2025 allowed students, researchers, and industry professionals to engage in conversations that bridged knowledge with practice. These insights are expected to help shape how we prepare students for the evolving world of travel and tourism,” said Dean Guha.

The remarkable conclave featured numerous insightful keynotes, panel discussions, and masterclasses. One of the primary focuses was on India’s Travel Economy in 2035, aiming to understand the future landscape for businesses, policies, and consumer expectations.

Another significant topic was Destination Branding & Policy Evolution where experts shared their views on how effective branding and evolving policies could enhance India’s attraction to global tourists.

In addition, the conclave addressed Sustainable Growth Models, highlighting the importance of balancing tourism growth with long-term environmental responsibility. To ensure that the valuable discussions and insights from the conclave continue to benefit the industry and academia, a post-event Blueprint 2035 Summary Report was prepared.

Vita Student held a grand Eid celebration this year. At the event, Vita residents shared their culture and happiness, as it was an opportunity to bond. The event infused common elements brought by people, such as culture, community, and connection. 

Vita Student is full of real and meaningful cultural experiences, improving student relationships and creating lasting friendships by celebrating festivals like Eid. The brand doesn’t break the tradition of being for everybody and is full of real and meaningful cultural experiences; Vita Student is improving relationships between students and celebrating the festivities that bring lasting friendships.

All Vita Student buildings were glowing with beautiful Eid ornaments, a delight for all the students and staff. Delicious and beautifully decorated Eid grazing tables that got students to share with their friends added a chink of joy to this fantastic event, and chocolate box gifting brought everyone together.

Sanya Singh, Regional Business Development Head, India, Vita Student, said, “We enjoyed Eid because we were joyous, grateful, and united. We bring students from all over the world to our communal spaces, where they can genuinely and fully participate in the rituals that hold meaning for them. Thus, this Eid was no exception, and we will take you on a journey like no other with our festive events, which have all the decorations and sweet treats, plus a feeling of oneness that binds our community.”

As a student housing provider that has always valued experience and quality living, Vita Student focuses on fostering open and responsive relationships with its residents. In addition to providing an amazing opportunity to live a tradition, Eid celebrations allow students from different cultures but with similar worldviews to share with and learn from each other, thus creating a more close-knit society.

New Delhi, 07 April 2025: BattRE Electric Mobility, a leader in India’s electric two-wheeler industry, has announced a strategic collaboration with EV91, a third-party logistics (3PL) partner and logistics fleet aggregator, and evpe, a leading provider of integrated electric vehicle financing solutions. This initiative aims to deploy 10,000 electric vehicles, contributing to the advancement of sustainable urban mobility solutions.

Under the terms of the agreement, BattRE will provide its advanced electric two-wheelers, with evpe financing the deployment, enabling EV91 to expand its logistics fleet across major urban centers. As part of this partnership, BattRE has secured an order valued at ₹100 crore, marking a major milestone in its growth and reaffirming its position as a key player in India’s EV revolution.

In a significant move set to redefine urban and rural transportation in India, BizDateUp,  a startup enabler, has played a pivotal role in facilitating this partnership. This partnership is expected to significantly enhance last-mile delivery efficiency and accelerate India’s transition toward sustainable transportation.

Pankaj Sharma, Co-Founder of BattRE Electric Mobility, emphasized the importance of this collaboration: “At BattRE, we are committed to driving the shift towards sustainable mobility. Partnering with EV91 and evpe allows us to strengthen our footprint in the electric vehicle ecosystem, offering a viable and accessible solution for logistics and personal transportation.”

Arun Kumar, Founder and CEO of EV 91, echoed similar sentiments regarding the transformative potential of the partnership: “Our mission at EV 91 has always been to offer smart and sustainable mobility solutions. Joining forces with BattRE aligns perfectly with our strategic vision. The deployment of 10,000 electric vehicles is not just a business milestone—it’s a commitment to reducing urban congestion and carbon emissions, while providing our customers with an efficient and reliable transportation alternative.”

Rohan Yeggina, Co-Founder and CEO of evpe, also highlighted the strategic impact of this initiative:“This collaboration with BattRE and EV91 underscores our commitment to making electric vehicles more accessible. Working closely with BattRE founders Pankaj Sharma and Nishchal Choudhary, alongside my co-founder Suraj Penukonda, has enabled us to create impactful financing solutions that significantly lower barriers to EV ownership.”

Jeet Chandan, Founder at BizDateUp, conveyed his excitement about the partnership’s potential to revolutionize the EV landscape in India. “BizDateUp is committed to fostering collaborations that drive transformative change. This partnership between BattRE and EV91 exemplifies our mission to connect visionary companies and empower them to create solutions that benefit both the economy and the environment. We are proud to have played a role in bringing together these industry leaders to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles in India.”

The rollout of this initiative will commence in the coming months, with all three companies working in synergy to ensure seamless deployment. This large-scale introduction of electric vehicles is expected to support India’s environmental goals by reducing fossil fuel consumption and urban emissions, while enhancing fleet operations for the logistics sector.

As another financial year passes by, we assess how the spread of interest rates in India vis-à-vis the US has played out. This becomes crucial in determining the direction of investment flows besides affecting currency movements. In terms of key policy rate, the differential between India and US has widened as US rate cut cycle began much earlier compared with India. The higher quantum of cuts by the Fed has resulted in this differential increasing. On the other hand, the yield differential (reflective of market rates) between India and US has exhibited some bit of deviation compared to policy differential. This spread has fallen on account of stickiness in US 10Y yield due to higher debt levels and expectations of high inflation amidst a volatile geopolitical environment. However, going forward, we expect some stickiness in yield differential in favour of India, which will be further supportive of buoyant FPI flows which will aid the rupee.

Policy rate differential
The policy rate differential between India and US underwent some correction in FY25. It started with the easing cycle of Fed which came in earlier compared with India. The turnaround in inflation in favour of the US and weakening growth indicators resulted in the same. This led to increase in policy rate differential between India and US from Sep’24 onwards. The differential widened in Dec’24 with the frontloading of monetary easing by Fed happening at a fast pace. Thus, in the current fiscal, US Fed with a total cut of 100bps compared with RBI’s rate cut of 25bps has kept the policy rate differential between India and US slightly elevated compared to FY24.

However, if we compare it to long run averages, the policy rate differential is far lower. Hence mean reversion levels might call for faster pace of easing by Fed compared to RBI. The recent Fed commentaries have also been considerably dovish hinting at inflation bump due to tighter tariff norms being transitory. The Fed projections have priced in two rate cuts of 25bps each this year. We are expecting cumulative cut by RBI of another ~ 50bps, thus policy rate differential is expected to exhibit some bit of firmness in FY26.

Yield differential
10Y yield differential between India and US has witnessed significant decline. Here a bit of an anomaly has been witnessed as the easing policy by Fed has not been translated into 10Y yield. The stiffening of the US 10Y yield is a result of higher fiscal spending and inflation expectations getting entrenched under the shift in administration. As seen in Figure 4, from Oct’25 onwards (just ahead of the elections), the gap has started falling due to faster pace of pickup in the US 10Y yield compared with almost range bound domestic yields. Here as well, the yield differential is far lower compared to long run averages, which signal some rebound in the same. With RBI’s rate cut cycle expected to be in place as inflation is already on the downside, we estimate India’s 10Y yield in the coming year to trade terminally closer to 6.5%. Risk off sentiments on the other hand is expected to put downside pressure on US 10Y yield and with largely capped domestic yields, we expect that the yield differential between India and US to widen.

Higher yield differential to support capital flows
As per the theory of interest rate parity, the widening spread between India and US yield is expected to attract higher capital flows. However, this is contingent on the evolving domestic growth and inflation scenarios. Ceteris paribus, data shows that since Oct’24 onwards, with the moderation in yield spread between India and US, FPI flows (debt) have slowed down. Further, if we discount the FAR debt flows, the FPI moderation in flows is even sharper. It is important to mention that capital outflows have been affected by factors such as interest rate spread, currency volatility and inflation among other factors.

The volatility in FPI debt flows have also had an impact on the rupee which has tended to depreciate. Further, during this period the dollar has been strengthening due to the policies articulated by the US President.

Inflation differential:
The inflation differential between India and US was largely maintained at the FY24 levels. The major loss of momentum has been seen since Jan’25 onwards as inflation in India softened considerably driven by correction in food prices. Going forward, we expect inflation differential between India and US to be ~ 200bps. Inflation in the US is likely to exhibit some bit of firmness on account of the tariff related issues. For India, since CPI basket has limited pass through in terms of imported inflation, we do not foresee major risks.

US high frequency indicators are giving at times conflicting signals. There is some moderation on producer pricing power though consumer prices remain relatively firm. Labour market conditions of the region are stable. However, earnings are still sticky. Consumption demand is showing some blip as retail sales, new home sales and consumer confidence data are softening compared with earlier months. Manufacturing and services data remained supportive. Recent commentaries of Fed officials also hint at caution going ahead. Hence, the future course of action by the Fed would be interesting. The upcoming rate action will not only be contingent on tariff impact of inflation but its spillovereffect  on other parameters such as growth and employment conditions. 

High frequency data of India as well showed mixed picture. The rural recovery is underway as seen in domestic tractor sales. However, some indicators of urban consumption demand such as auto sales and vehicle registration remain muted. Credit demand remains buoyant. Production in the manufacturing sector is showing recovery, while the services sector holds ground. Going forward, some upward correction in growth fundamentals will be visible supported by favourable domestic policies. However, stricter tariff regime remains key risks for India’s exports.

We expect monetary easing and liquidity conditions to be growth inducing in the near term. However, for India, conducive inflation numbers, less dependence of food basket on imported commodities and late start to the easing cycle gives more headroom for RBI to give growth the desired impetus. For the Fed, a more cautious approach seems to be the way forward.

What to conclude?

Putting all the pieces together, the following can be said:

• Policy rate differential between India and US has widened in FY25. This is on account of steeper rate cut cycle by Fed till now, compared to RBI. On the other hand, RBI’s rate cut cycle came much later as inflation was the major barrier. Going ahead as well, we expect policy rate differential between India and the US to show some upward bias but the extent would dependent on underlying geopolitical dynamics and its impact on future monetary policy decisions.
  5
• Yield differential in an ideal situation should mirror policy rate differential. However, the similar was not observed in FY25. Yield differential between India and US has softened in contrast to stiffening of policy differential between India and US. This is on account of firmness in US 10Y yield due to expectation of higher inflation. However, we expect some firmness in India and US yield differential since risk off sentiment will keep US 10Y yield capped to some extent. For India, the benchmark yield has largely been rangebound.
• The higher yield differential between India and US in the near term will be supportive of FPI flows and hence is expected to provide currency some support.
• Inflation differential will also be tilted in favour of India as domestic food prices are largely contained. This will give RBI further headroom for more policy space to support growth.

New Delhi, April 7, 2025: The third and final day of Startup Mahakumbh concluded with high-octane energy as the Defence, Space & B2B, Precision Manufacturing Pavilion continued to spotlight India’s ascent in strategic and deep-tech innovation. With the spirit of Atmanirbhar Bharat resonating throughout, the sessions brought together bold founders, industry experts, and policy makers shaping the future of India’s high-impact sectors.

During a powerful panel on “Defence Startups: Growth Engines of Viksit Bharat”, anchored by Capt. Vishal Kanwar (Retd.), Managing Director and Aerospace, Defence & Space Leader at PwC, leading voices including Ankit Mehta (CEO, ideaForge Technology Ltd.), Prashant Chiranjive Jain (Head, Corporate, L&T), Prithwish Kundu (Founder & CEO, Green Aero), and Soma Sekhar Vedantam (CEO, Meridian Data Labs) came together. The conversation centered on fostering indigenous technologies, driving R&D efforts within the ecosystem, building cross-sectoral collaborations, and pushing India towards global leadership in innovation.

In a development on the sidelines of the event, National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) announced the signing of MoU with Pandit Deendayal Energy University (PDEU) to establish centre of excellence for skill development in energy technologies and semiconductor sector.

Furthermore, the session on ‘Opportunities in Defence and Space Tech’ was moderated by Yachna Luthra (Senior Associate, IVCA). The panel brought together prominent venture capitalists—Ashish Taneja (Founding Partner, GrowX Ventures), Cdr. Navneet Kaushik (Founder, Managing Partner, Jamwant Ventures), Girish Shivani (Executive Director and Fund Manager, Yournest), Raj Sethia (Founder, Managing Partner, MountTech Growth Fund – Kavachh), and Vinod Shankar (Founding Partner, Java Capital)— shared insights around what makes defence and space tech sector investible. Key highlights captured the need to develop India’s deep domain expertise, a dual-use approach to innovation, and strong regulatory navigation. The panel unanimously agreed that India’s expanding policy frameworks, evolving geopolitical posture, and investor confidence have created fertile ground for transformational startups in these sectors.

On the sidelines, another interesting panel on ‘Fintech Meets B2B: Evolving Financial Strategies for Enterprise Growth’ moderated by Karthik Prabhakar (Managing Partner, Peer Capital), including panelists Arup Kumar (Managing Director, SIDBI Venture Capital Ltd.), Parthesh Shah (Co-founder, Knight FinTech), and Sonali Jindal (Founder, Rezolv) provided actionable insights on unlocking India’s potential in fintech sector. The discussion underscored the need for long-term capital, seamless academic linkages, and policy-driven incentives to catalyze indigenous development in critical technologies. The panel collectively emphasized that for India to lead globally in deep-tech, fostering a resilient ecosystem that reduces financial strain on young entrepreneurs is crucial.

Rounding off the discussion around ‘0-1 in Manufacturing’ explored how founders are building from first principles in sectors like advanced textiles, specialty chemicals, and agri-tech. Moderated by Akshay Sharma (VP, 3one4 Capital), the session featured startup journeys from panellists – Piyush Jalan (Co-founder, Thimblerr), Sachin Santosh (Co-founder, Scimplify), and Shreshtha Kukreja (CEO, Whizzo). Their stories reflected the depth of India’s MSME ecosystem, regulatory readiness, and product-market co-creation, as well as their commitment to navigating stringent global frameworks like the US FDA and EPA to scale precision manufacturing ventures from India to the world.

National 7^th April 2025:  Cricket is more than just a sport – it’s an emotion that brings the entire nation together. As the excitement of the highly anticipated T20 cricket series grips the country, BIG FM, one of India’s leading radio networks, is back with Zor Se Shor Season 3. The campaign brings expert analysis, interactive fan engagement and an unmatched entertainment experience under the theme ‘Teams Ka Tashan, Fans Ka Jashan’. Taking the excitement a notch higher, BIG FM has roped in former cricketer and renowned commentator Aakash Chopra to helm the campaign, perfectly capturing the pulse of every cricket fanatic across the country.

As part of the campaign, Aakash Chopra will break down key moments, analyze strategies and decode player performances, while sharing fascinating cricket trivia and behind-the-scenes tidbits. Enhancing the fan experience further, listeners can put their cricket knowledge to the test through on-air contests, winning exciting prizes as they engage in the action. The campaign extends beyond the airwaves with a robust digital and social media presence, featuring interactive content, exclusive videos and engaging discussions that keep the cricketing buzz alive. Adding a fresh and entertaining twist, BIG FM introduces ‘Shordaar Fan’, a lively character infusing humour and energy into the campaign. With hilarious memes, live stadium updates and exclusive player interviews, Shordaar Fan will inject fun into the cricketing journey, making this season even more exciting.

Talking about Zor Se Shor Season 3, Sunil Kumaran, COO, BIG FM, stated, “At BIG FM, we have always believed in curating content that resonates with our audiences and with cricket, the passion runs deep. With each season, Zor Se Shor has emerged as the ultimate destination that brings cricket fans together in an engaging and immersive way. This year, Aakash Chopra brings his valuable game insights, sharp commentary and a fan-first approach, adding a new dimension to the campaign. With a strong multi-platform presence, we look forward to delivering an exciting season of cricket entertainment.”

Expressing his excitement about being a part of this season, Aakash Chopra said, “Cricket is more than just a game- it’s an emotion which binds millions of Indians together. I’m excited to collaborate with BIG FM for Zor Se Shor Season 3, bringing the thrill of every match, every cheer and every unforgettable moment straight to the fans. I am looking forward to celebrating cricket and its frenzy like never before. So, get ready for Teams Ka Tashan and Fans Ka Jashan!”

Zor Se Shor Season 3 is presented by Zuplay, Co-Powered by Canara Bank and Golidee Masale and LIC of India as Insurance Partner. With this campaign, BIG FM continues to showcase its expertise in bringing multi-platform initiatives, blending radio, digital and on-ground experiences to bring cricket fans closer to the game.

Kochi, April 7, 2025 : Aster Medcity celebrated World Autism Awareness Day 2025 with an event focused on legal rights, vocational empowerment, and the talents of individuals with autism.

The key highlight of the event was a session on “Legal Guardianship: A Lifelong Safety Net” by Adv. Preetha S Chandran, a disability rights advocate, who discussed the legal framework supporting individuals with autism and their families.

The event also featured an exhibition and sale showcasing the talents of autistic individuals. Displays included baked goods from ‘Ausome Bites’, a venture of autism club, Ernakulam; handmade scented candles from ‘Luiz Candles’, ; and ‘Talking Fingers’ a book authored by non-speaking autistic individuals, offering personal insights and aspirations.

A talent show further highlighted the diverse skills and abilities of autistic individuals, followed by refreshments.

The program also included addresses by Aster Medicity’s CEO, Dr. Nalanda Jayadev, Senior Consultant- Dr. Jeeson C Unni ( Paediatrics and Neonatology), and Consultant- Dr. Susan Mary Zachariah (Developmental Paediatrics) and Dr. Maria Grace Treasa (Senior Speech Language Pathologist).