iQOO Seeks Gen Z Chief Gaming Officer with INR 10 Lakh Reward
New Delhi, March 21, 2025: iQOO, a high-performance smartphone brand, is on the hunt for its Chief Gaming Officer (CGO) for 2025 to co-create its smartphones, lead the brand’s eSports vision, and actively engage with India’s top eSports gamers. The opportunity offers young gaming enthusiasts, under the age of 25, a chance to turn their passion into a fulfilling and rewarding career. The CGO will gain access to iQOO’s latest products and represent the brand at major gaming events across the world.
Talking about the quest for Chief Gaming Officer, Nipun Marya, CEO, iQOO, said: “We have always believed in the power of India’s gaming community, and the phenomenal response to our previous CGO hunt reaffirmed this. After receiving countless requests from our community, we knew we had to bring it back. At iQOO, we are committed to empowering young gaming enthusiasts by giving them a platform to step into the eSports industry and shape the future of mobile gaming in India. With CGO as an I.P, we continue to create opportunities for Questers to turn their passion into a profession and be a part of the vision.”
The number of gamers in India has grown at an annual rate of 14.6% over the past six years, from 2018 to 2024, with the latest estimate of gamers reaching approximately 48 crore, based on trends from the IMARC report. In 2023, the gaming population stood at 43.9 crore, according to the same report. With the CGO 2.0, iQOO aims to further engage its rapidly expanding community, fostering innovation, and empowering young gaming enthusiasts to shape the future of mobile gaming in India.
iQOO recently teamed up with seven of India’s biggest gaming icons—Dynamo Gaming, GamerFleet, Mortal, Payal Gaming, Scout, Shreeman Legend, and UnGraduate Gamer—in the largest co-creation initiative in mobile gaming. These top gamers are putting iQOO’s gaming smartphones to the test, providing real-time feedback, and certifying devices.
In December 2024, the brand also joined forces with six top BGMI eSports teams and over 100 gamers to fuel the eSports boom in India.
Bajaj Broking Drives Growth with Exclusive Investor Awareness Programme for Ludhiana Doctors
March 21,2025:Bajaj Broking, a part of Bajaj Finserv group, organised an exclusive investor awareness programme for the doctor community in Ludhiana. This special session was designed to provide valuable insights into the dynamics of broking and empower doctors with financial growth and wealth management strategies. The 2-hour session saw engaging discussions on strengthening doctors’ understanding of the capital market, wealth creation, investment planning and trading sessions. The attendees also interacted with experts from Bajaj Broking, who provided valuable insights into intraday, swing, and positional trading.
At the special meet-up, doctors were invited to join the Bajaj Broking family and were offered exclusive benefits like a seamless onboarding process with zero account opening fees, lifetime zero annual maintenance charges and complimentary portfolio check-up with timely expert advice to optimize their investments. The event witnessed the attendance of more than 100 doctors visiting from all around Ludhiana making it a successful event in promoting financial awareness among medical professionals.
Kotak Mutual Fund Launches ‘Choti SIP’ to Help Plan Your Dreams
Bengaluru, March 21, 2025: Kotak Mahindra Asset Management Company Ltd (“KMAMC” / “Kotak Mutual Fund”) today announced the launch of the “Choti SIP” facility. Choti SIP will be available for all eligible schemes of Kotak Mahindra Mutual Fund*. SEBI and AMFI recently introduced the Choti SIP (Small Ticket SIP), offering an excellent opportunity to bring more Indians into the wealth creation journey.
Nilesh Shah, Managing Director, KMAMC, said, “Only about 5.4 crore unique investors of India’s population are mutual fund investors—leaving a massive, untapped opportunity for penetration and bringing the Indian saver closer to financial freedom. Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs) have been an excellent way to bring new investors and kick-start their mutual fund journey. With the launch of Choti SIP, a new investor can begin their wealth creation journey with a minimum amount of Rs. 250. We can call it ‘Choti Rakam – Bada Kadam’.”
This initiative enables new investors to invest via SIP with a minimum amount of Rs. 250. The rationale behind “Choti SIP” (small Systematic Investment Plan) is to make mutual fund investments more accessible to a wider audience, particularly first-time investors, by lowering the entry barrier. The investor must not have previously invested in mutual funds (SIP or Lumpsum) at the industry level. The investor must invest in the Growth Option and commit to a minimum of 60 instalments on a monthly basis. The payment of instalments should be made through NACH or UPI auto-pay only.
Investors should consult their financial experts and tax advisors if in doubt about whether the plan is suitable for them. Kotak Mahindra Asset Management Company Limited (KMAMC) does not guarantee or promise any returns/futuristic returns.
Shiv Nadar University and ISRO’s NRSC Join Forces to Drive Cutting-Edge Space Solutions
Greater Noida, 21st March 2025: Shiv Nadar University, Delhi-NCR has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC), a key arm of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), to accelerate research in space technology and artificial intelligence.
The signing ceremony, held in August, brought together Dr. V. Narayanan, Secretary, Department of Space & Chairman, ISRO, along with Dr. Prakash Chauhan, Director, NRSC; Dr. Karthik Krishnan, Associate Dean, Research, Shiv Nadar University, Dr. S. K. Srivastava, CGM, RCs, NRSC; and Dr. Sameer Saran, DGM, RC-North, NRSC.
This collaboration will advance research in remote sensing applications for environmental and urban planning, disaster management using satellite imaging and predictive analytics, AI-driven precision agriculture for crop monitoring and yield optimization, climate resilience studies leveraging earth observation data, and autonomous UAV-based environmental assessments.
Speaking on the significance of this collaboration, Professor Ananya Mukherjee, Vice Chancellor, Shiv Nadar University, Delhi – NCR said, “This MoU marks a significant milestone in the University’s journey of expanding its research footprint in space sciences and allied fields. Collaborating with ISRO opens up unprecedented opportunities for our faculty and students to work on pioneering projects with national and global relevance. We are committed to leveraging this partnership to drive impactful innovations in space technology, data analytics, and climate resilience. This collaboration will not only advance research but also inspire the next generation of scientists and innovators,” she said.”
The partnership will promote joint research initiatives, technology commercialization, student projects, and skill development programs. It aims to strengthen India’s leadership in space exploration while enabling the university to play a meaningful role in shaping the future of space research. Dr. V. Narayanan, Secretary, Department of Space & Chairman, ISRO, reaffirmed ISRO’s commitment to academic collaborations that promote innovation and knowledge exchange. “ISRO has always prioritised collaboration with academic institutions to promote a culture of innovation and knowledge exchange. This partnership with Shiv Nadar University underscores our commitment to harnessing research excellence for addressing real-world challenges. By engaging with the university, we are not only expanding our research outreach but also reinforcing India’s leadership in space science, earth observation, and sustainable development,” he said.
This initiative will lay the foundation for capacity-building programs to train the next generation of space scientists, joint publications and technology incubators for emerging space technologies, and industry collaborations that bridge the gap between research and real-world applications. Bringing together scientists, faculty, and students, the partnership will contribute to groundbreaking discoveries in space research and reinforce India’s position in remote sensing and AI-driven innovations.
Stonecraft Group Champions Clean Air with AQI Monitoring Station at Woods Shamshabad
New Delhi, India, March 21, 2025: Stonecraft Group, a trailblazer in biophilic and sustainable real estate, has inaugurated its groundbreaking AQI (Air Quality Index) Monitoring Station at Woods Shamshabad. This initiative underscores the company’s steadfast commitment to environmental responsibility and its mission to create eco-conscious living spaces.
The event was graced by the presence of distinguished dignitaries, including Mateja Vodeb Ghosh, Ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia, Ms. Tea Pirih, Economic Counsellor of the Republic of Slovenia, Ms VVL Subhadra Devi (IFS), Additional Commissioner, Urban Biodiversity Wing, GHMC and Mr Ashok Pavadia, Former Additional Secretary, Government of India, along with other eminent experts and media representatives.
This landmark project not only highlights Stonecraft Group’s dedication to monitoring air quality for the benefit of the community but also catalyses raising awareness about environmental sustainability. The inauguration ceremony featured a series of meaningful events, including a ribbon-cutting, a symbolic tree-planting activity, and an interactive media session to discuss the project’s broader impacts.
Speaking at the event, Mateja Vodeb Ghosh, Ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia emphasised the global significance of sustainable initiatives, said, ” It is essential for all organisations’—whether governments, NGOs, corporates, or businesses—to collectively work towards improving air quality and promoting environmental sustainability. A key responsibility lies with town planners, architects, and real estate developers, such as Stonecraft Group, headed by Mr Kirthi Chilukuri. Their role in building environmentally sustainable and well-ventilated spaces, with cleaner air and efficient lighting, is critical. Sustainable buildings should use clean water resources, implement water harvesting and recycling, and harness renewable energy. Around the world, we are seeing such innovative projects. It is inspiring to see companies like Stonecraft Group championing sustainability with impactful projects like the AQI Monitoring Station. International cooperation is vital to tackling environmental challenges, and I hope this initiative serves as a beacon for others to follow. These efforts need to be celebrated.”
Mr Kirthi Chilukuri, Founder & Managing Director of Stonecraft Group, reflected on the importance of collective efforts of environmental care and added, ” At Stonecraft, we believe that real estate development is more than just creating physical spaces; it’s about building sustainable communities. The AQI Monitoring Station at Woods Shamshabad is just one of the many steps we are taking towards promoting environmental responsibility. As developers, we have a significant role in shaping spaces that are better ventilated, use clean energy, recycle water, and contribute to the health and well-being of communities. It is crucial for all of us to change our mindset and take personal responsibility for our environment. By fostering a culture of sustainability, we can create impactful change that replicates the kind of eco-friendly habitats we are developing at Stonecraft.”
The AQI Monitoring Station aims to provide critical air quality data, benefiting local communities while contributing to long-term improvements in air quality management. This initiative aligns seamlessly with Stonecraft Group’s vision of combining sustainable practices with innovative living spaces. The inauguration was a perfect opportunity to engage with dignitaries and gain deeper insights into the project’s objectives and impact.
Stonecraft Group has recently achieved significant milestones with the successful launch of three flagship projects: PGA Golf City, Woods Indresham, and Assisted Living — showcasing its commitment to redefining real estate with sustainability, biophilic design, and innovative living solution
Nisus Fund Exits Wholly Owned Subsidiary of Shapoorji Pallonji Real Estate
Mumbai, March 2025:
Nisus Finance, a leading real estate credit fund, has recently made its 1st exit from its Real Estate Special Opportunities Fund – 1 (RESO-I). RESO-I had invested INR 105 Crs into rated listed NCDs issued by Suvita Real Estate Private Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Shapoorji Pallonji Real Estate Private Limited (SPRE).
The Fund had invested in Senior Secured Rated Listed Non-Convertible Debentures issued in January 2024, wherein the Debentures were listed in the wholesale debt segment of the Bombay Stock Exchange.
The entire NCDs was redeemed by SREPL, the Issuer through internal accruals and capitalization by SPRE. This investment marks the 1st exit from Nisus Finance’s special situation fund “Real Estate Special Opportunities Fund – 1 (RESO-I), managed by Nisus BCD Advisors LLP with an exit IRR of 18.74%.
The investment was towards a land parcel of 12.16 acres located in Manjri Budruk, Pune, which was to assist the SPRE Group in accelerating its assets in Pune within the mid-income affordable housing space. The land has the potential to be developed as an affordable housing mixed-use township with a saleable area of ~2.1 Mn sq. ft. The subject land is a part of a larger layout being developed by the Shapoorji Pallonji Group. Located in the eastern part of Pune, Manjri Budruk is one of the fastest-developing suburban localities of the city that has witnessed significant sales and value appreciation over the past three years, being on the Pune-Solapur Road (National Highway No. 9).
The RESO-1 Fund of Nisus Finance focuses on highly value-accretive opportunities in real estate projects, which provide higher yield and asset cover to unlock value through structured capital in special situations. The investment projects are highly profitable and de-risked within the key micro markets of seven major metros with short to medium tenures of investment.
Mr. Amit Goenka, Chairman & Managing Director of Nisus Finance, stated, “This investment and its timely exit are a testimony to the rigor of our investment process to back strong counterparties like SPRE through smart structured capital. It is a win-win for all stakeholders. We look forward to our continued relationship with SPRE as they accelerate unlocking value across their development portfolio.”
Mr. Venkatesh Gopalakrishnan, Director Group Promoter’s Office, MD – Shapoorji Pallonji Real Estate (SPRE), stated, “Partnering with Nisus Finance helped accelerate our business plan. Given our strong footing, we were able to exit the investment well before its maturity term. We look forward to continued engagement with Nisus Finance as an institutional partner for short- term structured credit.”
Strong Women, Strong Stories: Laapata Ladies, Girls Will Be Girls, and More Define CCA 2025
March 21,2025:The Critics’ Choice Awards (CCA) 2025, presented by GroupM Motion Entertainment in collaboration with the Film Critics Guild, continues its legacy of honoring excellence in Indian cinema and streaming. Recognized as one of the most credible awards in the industry, Critics’ Choice Awards celebrates outstanding storytelling across languages and categories. This year, women-driven narratives take center stage, with films like Laapataa Ladies and Girls Will Be Girls securing multiple nominations. These films, along with other standout titles, highlight complex female characters, bold storytelling, and fresh perspectives on identity, ambition, and resilience. With nominations spanning Best Film, Best Director, and acting categories, the awards spotlight some of the most compelling voices in contemporary cinema. The Critics’ Choice Awards 2025 are set to take place on March 25, marking a night dedicated to celebrating artistic excellence and groundbreaking storytelling.
Laapataa Ladies (Netflix)
Set in rural India, Laapataa Ladies follows the journey of two young brides who accidentally get separated during a train journey, leading to a series of unexpected events. Directed by Kiran Rao, the film beautifully blends humor, emotion, and social commentary, highlighting themes of identity and self-discovery. With its engaging narrative and heartfelt performances, Laapataa Ladies has received Best Feature Film nominations at the Critics’ Choice Awards 2025.
All We Imagine As Light (JioHotstar)
In the heart of Mumbai, two nurses find solace in each other as they navigate love, longing, and the search for personal freedom in a city that never slows down. All We Imagine As Light, directed by Payal Kapadia, delicately unfolds their journey, capturing moments of quiet resilience and dreams waiting to take flight. With its evocative storytelling and stunning visuals, the film has earned multiple nominations at the Critics’ Choice Awards 2025, including Best Feature Film and Best Director, solidifying its place among the year’s finest cinematic achievements.
Girls Will Be Girls ( Amazon Prime Video)
Produced by Ali Fazal and Richa Chadha, Girls Will Be Girls is a story of a 16-year-old girl who begins to explore desire, rebellion, and the blurred lines between adolescence and adulthood. With its bold storytelling and powerful performances, the film has earned multiple nominations at the Critics’ Choice Awards 2025, including Best Feature Film, Best Director and Best Actress.
Kottukkaali ( Amazon Prime Video)
The story of Kottukkaali (The Adamant Girl) follows Meena, a defiant young woman in rural Tamil Nadu who loves a man from a lower caste, rejecting her family’s arranged marriage to Pandi. Believing she’s possessed, her family seeks an exorcism, but Meena’s silent resistance speaks volumes. Directed by P.S. Vinothraj, this 2024 Tamil drama uses minimal dialogue and stunning visuals to critique patriarchy. At the 7th Critics Choice Awards India 2025, it earned nominations for Best Feature Film, Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress.
And, Towards Happy Alleys ( Amazon Prime Video)
Inspired by Iranian cinema and Forough Farrokhzad’s poetry, a young Indian director journeys to Tehran, uncovering how resistance fuels daily survival. Despite strict censorship, they capture raw, candid interviews with Jafar Panahi, activists, and everyday women, revealing a nation’s simmering fears, hopes, and defiance. Spanning six years, this powerful documentary offers an intimate look at Iran on the brink of revolution. Nominated for Best Documentary at the Critics Choice Awards 2025, it stands as a bold testament to resilience and freedom.
Ullozhukku (Amazon Prime Video)
Ullozhukku (Undercurrent) is a 2024 Malayalam drama directed by Christo Tomy, follows Anju (Parvathy Thiruvothu) and her family as they confront buried secrets and grief during a flood, unfolding with raw emotional depth. Set against a waterlogged backdrop, the film’s nuanced exploration of human bonds has earned acclaim. At the 7th Critics Choice Awards India 2025, it’s nominated in categories like Best Supporting Actress for Parvathy Thiruvothu, whose compelling performance drives this tale of resilience.
Public Sector Emerges as Key Client for Investment Banks Emkay
Mumbai, March 21, 2025: Emkay Investment Banking – the investment banking arm of Emkay Global Financial Services Limited held a virtual media webinar on the state of affairs of the Indian investment banking industry, key highlights and the outlook for the IB industry. While the correction in the market has slowed down activities in the deal street, the government divestment plan is likely to provide a push to the fund raising activities. The SIP flows and DII buying has negated the FII outflows.
Fund raising by PSUs at centre stage
Public sector is turning out to be a material client for Investment Banks in India. The Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM) has set a divestment target of Rs 47,000 crore for FY26. This is a huge opportunity for Investment Banks in FY26 and beyond. In the past 3 years, IPOs of LIC, IREDA and OFS of ONGC, IRCTC, HAL, Coal India, RVNL, NHPC, Hudco, Ircon, Cochin Shipyard has kept the deal street buzzing from the PSU segment. The ongoing IPOs of Bharat Coking coal, CMPDI, MNGL and QIP/OFS of IREDA, GRSE, Veedol, Central Bank, Uco Bank, IOB, Bank of Maha, Punjab & Sind is likely to provide prospects to the investment banking industry in FY26 and beyond.
Correction in secondary market is reflecting on the primary markets
The correction in the equity market has started showing its impact on fund raising activities. CY24 saw 92 IPOs, thereby raising over Rs 1,62,261 crores, whereas companies raised over Rs 1,36,424 crores via 91 QIPs. If we compare the YoY data, the IPOs in Jan-Feb 2025 is limited to only 10 vs 15 in Jan-Feb 2024, whereas QIPs in Jan-Mar 2025 is limited to only 7 vs 18 in Jan-Mar 2024.
SIP flows to the rescue
The resilient SIP inflows are supporting markets to a large extent. SIP flows has been over Rs 20,000 crore for the past 11 months (entire FY25, April 2024 till February 2025). The SIP flows has risen to over Rs 25,000 crore for the past 5 months which is quite an encouraging sign, this despite negative returns from the market since September 2024. The street was expecting a slowdown, fall in SIP flows, – which is quite normal in a falling market. A fall in SIP going forward could have a severe impact on overall market performance.
DII inflows negating FII outflows
DII inflows has more than compensated for the FII outflows in FY25. As per the available data, DIIs have invested over Rs 5,70,000 crore in the market vs 2,88,000 crore in the 11 months of FY25.
RBI rate decision, liquidity measures key to market performance
Key decisions by the RBI to boost lending is expected to trigger liquidity in the markets in the near to medium term. The bank credit is expected to get a strong boost in the medium to long term due to
- Repo rate cut
- Relaxation of risk weights for SCBs on NBFC loans by 25%
- Liquidity measures undertaken by the RBI
- Measures announced in the Union Budget to boost consumption demand
FLAME University’s DigiNiti Conclave Welcomes Experts to Chart India’s Tech-Led Policy Evolution
March 21,2025:India’s rapid digital transformation, with over 750 million internet users and 1.2 billion Aadhaar enrolments, highlights the urgent need for technology-driven policymaking to ensure efficient and inclusive governance. At the same time, the rise in cybersecurity threats, with over 2.3 million cyberattacks in 2021, and India’s thriving tech startup ecosystem, with over 50,000 startups, further underscore the need for policies that will foster innovation while ensuring fair regulation. Aligning with this mission, FLAME University’s DigiNiti Technology, and Policy Conclave brought together policymakers, industry thought leaders, academia, and young scholars on the same platform to explore the complex intersections of governance and technology in India.
Key Highlights:
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Fostering an inclusive ecosystem, the conclave witnessed the presence of tech-policy stakeholders such as Shamika Ravi, Member, Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister; Prashant Girbane, the Director General of the Mahratta Chamber of Commerce, Industries, and Agriculture; and Rishikesha Krishnan, Director of the Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore
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The conference will culminate in a post-conference proceedings document, consisting of key insights from panels and published presentations as working papers
Pune, India, March 20, 2025: FLAME University recently hosted the DigiNiti Technology and Policy Conclave 2025 themed ‘Tech in Policy: Technological Innovations and their Integration into Policymaking and Implementation.’ The event brought policymakers, thought leaders, and young scholars together to explore the intersection of governance and technology. The conclave’s main aim was to promote meaningful collaborations and interdisciplinary research among young minds and to upskill policymaking by integrating technological innovations while also ensuring the right balance between innovation and inclusivity. A leader in India-focused research, FLAME University has been instrumental in hosting a series of events to establish a platform for researchers to bridge the academia-policymaking gap and the academia-industry gap in India.
The conclave fostered discussions around the two-way causal relationship between technology and public policy, on how technology enables data-driven policymaking while also necessitating robust regulatory frameworks. The discussions covered system-disrupting and system-transforming technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), cryptocurrency, and blockchain.
Bridging the gap between real-world policy application and academic research, the conclave featured youth forums, research presentations, panel discussions, and keynote lectures. In her keynote speech on data-driven policymaking, Shamika Ravi, Member, Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister, said, “India is at the point where the baseline needs are met, and there is now a need to move towards precision policy. The data should now focus on state or district-level for precision policymaking.”
In a panel on “How Much to Regulate Technology,” prominent lawyer Apar Gupta spoke about the importance of striking the right balance between regulation of digital content and safeguarding citizen privacy and freedom of expression. In another panel on “Bridging Academia and Industry: Crafting Tomorrow’s Policy Path,” Prashant Girbane, the Director General of the Mahratta Chamber of Commerce, Industries, and Agriculture, spoke about the need for academia and industry to closely collaborate as part of a ‘whole of society’ effort to come up with technological innovations and policies conducive to economic growth and rapid job creation. Rishikesha Krishnan, Director of Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore (IIM-B), spoke at length in his keynote address on the key role of carefully designed public policies in accelerating the rise of India’s innovation potential.
With in-depth discussions on technology’s role in governance, the conclave received enthusiastic participation from research scholars, undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral students across India who presented their fresh perspectives on emerging themes such as the use of efficient IoT, artificial intelligence (AI) in public policy, the future of digital finance, fintech policies, smart cities, and blockchain for governance, among others. Best presentations were awarded across the undergraduate, postgraduate, and young researcher categories.
The conference will culminate in a post-conference proceedings document, consisting of key insights from panels and presentations that will be further developed into working papers. This publication will not only extend the impact of the conclave beyond its duration but also catalyze ongoing discourse, shaping the future of technology-driven policymaking in India.
Reflecting on the conclave’s impact, Prof. M.A. Venkataramanan, Pro Vice-Chancellor, FLAME University, stated, “The DigiNiti Technology and Policy Conclave represents our commitment to promoting an environment where research meets real-world application. By engaging students in critical policy discussions, we empower them to contribute meaningfully to India’s governance landscape through technology-driven solutions.”