Rising Varanasi Uniting Tradition with Urban Transformation

Rising Varanasi, the sixth edition of the Rising 100 Cities series, was held at Fabhotel Raghav Raj Inn, Uttar Pradesh. Organized by Network18, presented by Maruti Suzuki, and in partnership with the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, the event celebrated Varanasi’s unique position as a hub of history and innovation. Discussions focused on Sadak Suraksha (Road Safety), Swachh Bharat (Clean India), Sustainability, and Skill Development, exploring how the city can balance its heritage with forward-looking initiatives.

The event featured an impressive line-up of speakers, including Ravindra Jaiswal (Minister of State, Independent Charge for Stamps and Court Fees & Registration), S. Chinappa (Additional Police Commissioner), Himanshu Nagpal (CDO), Akshat Verma (Municipal Commissioner), Manoj Verma (RTO), Mohan Sharma (GM, Industries), Abhinesh Kumar (Chief Engineer, PWD), and S.K. Arya (Regional Officer, NHAI). Together, they offered valuable insights on driving sustainable urban development, strengthening road safety measures, and fostering skill-based opportunities for the local youth.

With Rising Varanasi, the series showcased how the city’s vibrant legacy and evolving aspirations can create a blueprint for balanced progress. The Rising 100 Cities initiative will next highlight cities such as Faridabad, Bhadohi, Mirzapur and other cities, continuing its mission of showcasing India’s diverse urban landscapes.

Uno Minda reports strong quarterly results with 19% growth in revenue

Gurugram – 6th February 2025 – Uno Minda limited (‘Uno Minda’) has announced its results for quarter ended December 31st, 2024. At a consolidated level, the company reported a strong revenue of ₹ 4,184 cr. for Q3 FY 25 as against ₹ 3,523 cr. for Q3 FY 24, registering the growth of 19%. Growth was driven by multiple businesses, notably- by Lighting, Switches, Casting, EV products, Sensors and Controllers. The Company continues to outperform the industry with revenue growth of 19% vis-à-vis industry volume growth of 7%.

The EBITDA for Q3 FY25 has been reported as ₹ 457 cr. vis-à-vis ₹ 380 cr. in Q3 FY24, growth of 20%. PAT (UML Share) for the quarter is ₹ 233 cr.in Q3 FY25 as against ₹ 193 cr. in Q3 FY24, growth of 21%.

For nine months ended December 31st, 2024, the company reported a revenue of ₹ 12,246 cr. as against ₹ 10,237 cr. for first nine months of FY 24, registering the growth of 20%. The EBITDA for 9M FY 25 has been reported as ₹ 1,347 cr. vis-à-vis ₹ 1,111 cr. in 9M FY 24, growth of 21%. PAT (UML Share) for the nine months is ₹ 677 cr. in 9M FY25 as against ₹ 588 cr. in 9M FY24, growth of 15%.

The Board of Directors has also approved capital expenditure of ₹ 72 cr. for expansion of manufacturing facility of its Aluminium die casting business at Hosur. This will enhance the capacity from 11k MT p.a. to 15k MT p.a to meet the growing demand and business nominations. The enhanced capacity is expected to commence in a phased manner starting from Q4 FY 26.

Mr. Nirmal K Minda, CMD, Uno Minda Group said, “The Indian automotive industry is on a path of rapid evolution, driven by innovation, sustainability, and a favourable economic environment. We saw the glimpses this evolution at the recently concluded Auto Expo Component Show 2025 where Uno Minda showcased splendid display of products aligned with PACE megatrend. We continue to work on ground breaking technologies, facilitating localisation contributing to make in India. With these strategies, we are confident of continued success and help shaping the future of mobility.”

Mr. Sunil Bohra, Group CFO, Uno Minda Group said, “We continued our outperformance during Q3FY25 with growth of 19% in consolidated revenues and 21% growth in PAT (UML Share). Our strategic focus on innovation, diversification, and operational efficiency continues to drive our upward trajectory, solidifying our position as a market leader in the automotive components sector. These initiatives position us for sustainable revenue growth and, most importantly, the creation of long-term value for our stakeholders.”

Particulars
Q3 FY 25
Q3 FY 24
YoY%
Q2 FY 25
QoQ%
9M FY 25
9M FY 24
YoY%
Revenue from Operations
4,184
3,523
19%
4,245
-1%
12,246
10,237
20%
EBITDA
457
380
20%
482
-5%
1,347
1,111
21%
Margin (%)
10.92%
10.78%
15 bps
11.36%
-44 bps
11.00%
10.86%
14 bps
PAT (UML Share)
233
193
21%
245
-5%
677
588
15%
Margin (%)
5.56%
5.47%
9 bps
5.77%
-21 bps
5.53%
5.75%
-22 bps
EPS (diluted) in ₹
4.04
3.35
21%
4.25
-5%
11.75
10.26
15%

Medi Assist Expands Technology Expertise with New Board Appointment

India, February 6, 2025: Medi Assist Healthcare Services (“Medi Assist”), India’s leading health benefits administrator, today announced the appointment of Mr. Ashwin Raghav as an Independent Director, further reinforcing its leadership in technology and innovation. The appointment highlights Medi Assist’s commitment to leveraging AI and other cutting-edge technology to transform healthcare benefits administration.

Currently the Chief Technology Officer at Unbound Ventures, Mr. Raghav brings 17 years of experience from global tech giants such as Google, X (formerly Twitter), Thoughtworks, and Zynga. His notable achievements include architecting Google’s Project IDX, demonstrating his ability to scale engineering teams and deliver breakthrough innovations in technology.

This strategic move follows Medi Assist’s expansion late last year, when Mrs. Alamelu TL, Mr. Narain Duraiswami, and Mr. Madhavan Ganesan were added to the board. These appointments further strengthen the company’s governance and strategic capabilities.

Medi Assist extends its gratitude to the outgoing board member, Mr. Ananda Mukerji for his invaluable contribution. His association and leadership has enabled Medi Assist to successfully progress through key milestones.

Satish Gidugu, CEO of Medi Assist said, “We welcome Mr. Raghav to our Board, strengthening our commitment to innovation and growth in healthcare benefits administration. With this strategic addition to our leadership, we continue to focus on harnessing advanced technologies that can enhance how millions of Indians access healthcare benefits and also set new standards for the industry as a whole.”

Shriram Life’s Retail Business Grows 49% In Apr-dec’24; Total Premium Up 21%

February 6, 2025: Steered by diversified sales, Shriram Life Insurance Company Ltd grew its Retail New Business to Rs 865 crore for the period April-December 2024, a 49% rise over the same period in the previous year.

For the period April-December 2024, the company’s key focus area Individual New Business APE grew by 49% compared to the same period previous year, growing faster than the private industry at 19%. Total premium for the April-December 2024 stood at Rs 2,782 crore at a y-o-y growth of 21%.

Sequentially, the company’s premium from group business in the third quarter more than doubled from Q2, from Rs 174 crore to Rs 336 crore. The insurer reported individual new business premium income of Rs 322 crore for its third quarter. Renewal premiums for both individual and group policies stood at Rs 494 crore compared to Rs 447 crore last quarter. Total premium increased by 21% to Rs 1,151 crore in Q3FY25 from Rs 952 crore in Q2.

Year-on-year, New Individual Business Premium increased by 36% to Rs 322 crore in Q3 FY25, up from Rs 237 crore in Q3 FY24. New Individual Business APE (Annual Premium Equivalent) rose by 36% to Rs 301 crore in Q3 FY25 from Rs 221 crore in Q3 FY24.

Casparus J.H. Kromhout, MD and CEO, Shriram Life Insurance, said, “Our quarterly results show our commitment to reaching and securing more customers, which also reflects the need for affordable life insurance solutions among various segments of the society. This success highlights effectiveness of our approach to providing accessible, comprehensive solutions, ensuring more families, especially in rural areas, have financial security.”

“At Shriram Life, we remain dedicated to meet the unique needs of the customers, ensuring that no family in the rural segment is left behind. We go above and beyond to ensure seamless service delivery, no matter where our policyholders live,” he added.

The company’s solvency ratio stands at 1.76. Its claim settlement ratio for FY24 was at 98%, with non-investigated claims being settled within 12 hours from the time of full document submission.

New Launch
Promoted by Shriram Group and Africa’s Sanlam Group, Shriram Life serves the rural and middle-income segment where its customers are mostly first-time insurance buyers. During the quarter, Shriram Life launched Sunishchit Laabh – a non-participating individual savings plan that guarantees high returns of up to 668% of the total premium paid. The plan offers flexible entry options with ages ranging from 30 days to 60 years, and a minimum ticket size starting at ₹30,000 annually, ₹15,500 half-yearly, ₹8,000 quarterly, and ₹3,000 monthly.
Particulars
Q3 FY25
Q2 FY25
YTD Q3 FY25
Q3 FY24
YTD Q3 FY24
New Business Premium (Individual)
322
331
865
237
581
New Business APE (Individual)
301
308
807
221
544
Group
336
174
708
178
693
Renewal Premium (Indv + group)
494
447
1209
427
1029
Total Premium
1151
952
2782
841
2304
Profit After Tax
43
23
94
50
121
Total AUM
 
 
12791
 
10626
Claims settlement
 
 
 
 
 
Count (Individual + Group)
12384
14960
43268
12330
34865

MoveInSync GCC Conclave 2025 Wraps Up with Mr. Jayesh Rajan’s Focus on Skilling and Business Efficiencies

Hyderabad, February 6th, 2025: Mr. Jayesh Ranjan, Special Chief Secretary of the Industries & Commerce (I&C) and Information Technology (IT) Departments of the Telangana government presided over the inaugural MoveInSync GCC Conclave 2025 in Hyderabad, today. The event was co-hosted by Humanize AI. The objective of GCC Conclave is to engage with stakeholders and explore areas of talent management, infrastructure, sustainability and innovation in driving GCC growth in the State

Deepesh Agarwal, Cofounder and CEO of global leaders in enterprise commute, MoveInSync, kicked off the conclave presenting key statistics that represent Hyderabad’s growth and state of commute. He said “The Indian GCC market is poised to grow to $100 B by 2030 and over 30% of GCCs chose Hyderabad over other cities. While Hyderabad’s GCC market size increased from 230 in FY19 to 355 in FY24, workforce has also seen an increase from 200,000 to 250,000 during the period. Added to that the population in Hyderabad is likely to grow by 12.7% over the next 5 years. Deepesh further pointed out the challenges faced by daily commuters and pointed at the increasing distance and time taken to commute. Hyderabadis today travel 10% more compared to pre-pandemic distances with about 45% living between 15kms-25kms from their workplace and has witnessed a 13.7% increase of travel time compared to pre-pandemic levels.

Mr. Jayesh Ranjan, Special Chief Secretary of the Industries & Commerce (I&C) and Information Technology (IT) Departments of the Telangana Government delivered a speech to inaugurate the conclave and said “GCCs have become an important driver of our economy. We have seen in the budget that a national GCC policy is on the anvil. Hyderabad’s performance across all parameters of growth have been one of the best in the country and a large part of this growth has come from GCCs” He further stressed on the need of ‘decentralization’, and Government of Telangana’s Tier 2 City policy that has been framed to incentivize companies to set up offices outside of the city of Hyderabad. He mentioned Medchal in East Hyderabad and Mallampet in South Hyderabad and the Government’s initiative in the regions and further urged businesses to consider organizing their workforce in these regions.

The speech was followed by a fireside chat between Mr. Jagdish Mitra, Cofounder and CEO of Humanize and Sirisha Voruganti, CEO and Managing Director, Lloyds Technology Centre India, on the greater role of AI in businesses in India and the possibilities that lie in artificial intelligence.

Speaking at the conclave, Mr. Jagdish Mitra, Founder & CEO of Humanize said, “India, the innovation hub for GCCs across industries, is poised to host nearly 2,400 captive units by 2030. Driven by key factors such as robust infrastructure, cutting-edge innovation, a thriving talent ecosystem, and business-friendly policies, the future holds immense promise.

Tier 1 cities will play a pivotal role in accelerating this momentum, with Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and NCR already home to 120,000+ AI/ML professionals. Notably, Hyderabad has emerged as a deep-tech powerhouse for Global Captive Centers, offering unparalleled technology and talent support. The growth trajectory of these units will be fascinating to witness, further shaped by progressive policies and a focus on niche technical expertise and enabling Tier 2 cities to attain scale.

I’m delighted to have been part of the insightful discussions at the GCC Conclave, mapping the remarkable journey of Global Captive Centers. Humanize with its focus on Agentic AI based services will undoubtedly remain at the forefront, driving excellence and empowering these units to scale with speed and sustainability.”

The chat was followed by a panel discussion that discussed how GenAI and Emerging Technologies Enhance Service Delivery in GCCs. Noted business leaders like Ashok Venkatachalam, Managing Director, Evernorth Health Services India, Rajesh Puneyani, VP and Managing Director, GCC Site Leader, Kenvue Solutions India GCC, Dr. Durga Prakash Devarakonda, Ex – Managing Director, Carelon, Hari Krishna Verma Nadimpalli, Vice President / Managing Director @ Global Innovation Center, Inspire, Raja Roy, Co-Founder & CTO, Humanize participated in the panel discussion

The conclave ended with a panel that focused on Hyderabad’s Growth Story, its Initiatives in Sustainability, CRE & Mobility Infrastructure. This panel featured Rakesh Singhania, Partner and CFO, Gloplax, Arvind Chittora, Managing Director, Sonoco India Performance Hub, Country Head, Conitex Sonoco India, Annapurna Alladi, Partner Digital Trust, KPMG and Ujjwal Trivedi, Vice President – Product & Growth, MoveInSync

USIBC Delegation at India Energy Week 2025

New Delhi, February 6, 2025 – The U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s U.S.-India Business Council (USIBC) will lead a high-level delegation to India Energy Week (IEW) 2025, taking place in New Delhi from February 11-14. As a high-powered gathering of the top energy corporates, international partners, technologists, and innovators, IEW is slated to be the world’s second- largest energy event.

USIBC’s participation at India Energy Week 2025 will feature key engagements including the “The Future of India-U.S. Energy Partnership” with Honorable Minister Shri Hardeep Singh Puri. U.S. and India share a commitment to expanding energy security and enabling deeper cooperation between the private sectors of both countries.

Rahul Sharma, Managing Director of USIBC India, underscored the important work that Indian and U.S. companies are leading. To showcase the strength of the U.S.-India energy partnership in cutting-edge technology and investments. He further emphasized, “The U.S. and India are primed to power up our energy security and economic growth. Both nations share a commitment to energy innovation, new technologies, and strengthening energy supply chains. The two greatest democracies in the world will further strengthen their energy cooperation as a strategic pillar of the bilateral trade and investment partnership.”

Venkat Kannan, President – Gas Power Solutions, Asia, GE Vernova, the lead for USIBC’s Delegation, stated, “As India’s energy transition accelerates, we are excited to partner with USIBC and join the dialogue at India Energy Week 2025. GE Vernova’s capabilities across power, wind, and electrification solutions positions us to play an important role in solving India’s energy trilemma. With over 10,000 employees and a significant manufacturing presence in the country, our commitment to this region is unwavering.”

USIBC congratulates the Government of India on the third edition of the India Energy Week and looks forward to continuing close engagement with Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.

Poonawalla Group Backs trackNOW with Extended Seed Fund for Expansion

TRACKNOW PICTURE

Delhi NCR, 06/02/2025: trackNOW, a leading Gujarat-based women-led award-winning fleet management and advanced telematic tracking solution company has recently raised an extended seed fund of an undisclosed amount. The funding round was led by Yohan Poonawalla, Chairman of the Poonawalla Group, and Michelle Poonawalla, Managing Director of the Poonawalla Companies. The company had previously secured seed funding in FY24, led by GI Ventures and BluSmart co-founder Anmol Jaggi, which successfully led the company to accelerate its business growth plans.

The latest investment from the Poonawalla Group will enable trackNOW to expand its R&D and boost operational efficiency, which will further solidify its position in the Indian logistics market.

Founded in 2016 by Pooja Khemka and Suyash Khemka, trackNOW has emerged as a leader in delivering cutting-edge solutions to streamline fleet management and tracking processes. Known for its focus on minimizing turnaround times and reducing operational costs across various industries, trackNOW has garnered immense recognition for its intelligent, technology-driven innovations.

“Investing in promising startups like trackNOW is not just about financial returns,” said Yohan Poonawalla, Chairman of Poonawalla Group. “It’s about mentoring and empowering young, visionary entrepreneurs by providing them with the resources and support needed to succeed. We believe in the transformative power of innovation and are committed to fostering an environment where groundbreaking ideas can flourish.”

Michelle Poonawalla, Managing Director of the Poonawalla Companies, added, “We are thrilled to partner with trackNOW and support their growth journey. This investment reflects our commitment to empowering Indian entrepreneurs. The partnership has the potential to unlock significant value for both trackNOW and the broader Indian economy by driving job creation, enhancing operational efficiencies across sectors, and strengthening India’s position in the global logistics market.”

Commenting on the investment, Pooja S. Khemka, Co-founder, trackNOW said, “The investment from the Poonawalla Group is a significant endorsement of our vision and a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team. We are honored to receive the support of such a respected group. This partnership will not only provide us with the capital required to scale operations but also invaluable mentorship and industry expertise.”

The Poonawalla Group, known for its pioneering ventures in engineering, pharmaceuticals, real estate, socio-economic initiatives, and green technology, brings strategic mentorship and investment expertise to trackNOW. This strategic investment by Poonawalla Group highlights their vision to empower next-generation entrepreneurs and fuel innovation across key sectors of the Indian economy.

trackNOW leverages innovation and technology to deliver real-time tracking solutions for fleet management, mobility, and IoT. Its user-friendly app, available on Android and iOS platforms, offers graphical reports, AI-based driver behavior scoring, and advanced analytics to optimize turnaround times. The platform serves diverse industries, including Coal, Oil & Gas, FMCG, Cold Chain, Education, Agriculture, Construction, and Healthcare. Additionally, trackNOW provides Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) for seamless ERP integration and highly customizable solutions. Recently, the company was honored with the ‘Excellence in Innovation’ award at the Logistics & Supply Chain Conclave for its transformative impact on logistics and fleet management.

Shriram Life’s Retail Business Grows 49 Percent, Premiums Up 21 Percent

SHRIRAM

National, February 6, 2025: Steered by diversified sales, Shriram Life Insurance Company Ltd grew its Retail New Business to Rs 865 crore for December 2024, a 49% rise over the same period in the previous year.

For the period April-December 2024, the company’s key focus area Individual New Business APE grew by 49% compared to the same period the previous year, growing faster than the private industry at 19%. The total premium for the April-December 2024 stood at Rs 2,782 crore at a y-o-y growth of 21%.

Sequentially, the company’s premium from group business in the third quarter more than doubled from Q2, from Rs 174 crore to Rs 336 crore. The insurer reported an individual new business premium income of Rs 322 crore for its third quarter. Renewal premiums for both individual and group policies stood at Rs 494 crore compared to Rs 447 crore last quarter. Total premium increased by 21% to Rs 1,151 crore in Q3FY25 from Rs 952 crore in Q2.

Year-on-year, New Individual Business Premium increased by 36% to Rs 322 crore in Q3 FY25, up from Rs 237 crore in Q3 FY24. New Individual Business APE (Annual Premium Equivalent) rose by 36% to Rs 301 crore in Q3 FY25 from Rs 221 crore in Q3 FY24.

Casparus J.H. Kromhout, MD and CEO, of Shriram Life Insurance, said, “Our quarterly results show our commitment to reaching and securing more customers, which also reflects the need for affordable life insurance solutions among various segments of the society. This success highlights the effectiveness of our approach to providing accessible, comprehensive solutions, ensuring more families, especially in rural areas, have financial security.”

“At Shriram Life, we remain dedicated to meeting the unique needs of the customers, ensuring that no family in the rural segment is left behind. We go above and beyond to ensure seamless service delivery, no matter where our policyholders live,” he added.

The company’s solvency ratio stands at 1.76. Its claim settlement ratio for FY24 was at 98%, with non-investigated claims being settled within 12 hours from the time of full document submission.

New Launch
Promoted by Shriram Group and Africa’s Sanlam Group, Shriram Life serves the rural and middle-income segment where its customers are mostly first-time insurance buyers. During the quarter, Shriram Life launched Sunishchit Laabh – a non-participating individual savings plan that guarantees high returns of up to 668% of the total premium paid. The plan offers flexible entry options with ages ranging from 30 days to 60 years, and a minimum ticket size starting at ₹30,000 annually, ₹15,500 half-yearly, ₹8,000 quarterly, and ₹3,000 monthly.

Rajkummar Rao & Patralekha Celebrate 3 Years of Love & Equality

Rajkumar Rao

Rajkummar Rao and Patralekha are proving that love isn’t just about grand gestures—it’s built in the little moments. After three years of marriage, their bond is stronger than ever, thanks to Raj’s everyday acts of partnership. The couple recently moved into a new house and despite their packed schedule, he ensures they share household responsibilities equally, making their relationship a true team effort.

Raj remembers seeing Patralekha in an ad film for the very first time and soon after meeting her knowing without a doubt that she is the one! He says, “When we took our vows we said that we will be there for each other always and there will be no hierarchy, we will both do everything equally.” Patralekha lovingly refers to Raj as her soulmate—not just for the love they share but because they understand the importance of equal partnership in every aspect of their lives.

The kitchen has become the couple’s favorite spot, where they share not only meals but also moments of pure connection. Raj, with his neat and tidy habits, keeps everything organized, whereas Patralekha loves being there with him, whether it’s chopping vegetables or deciding late-night snacks. It’s never about who does what; it’s about doing it together, as a team.
From washing dishes to making decisions together, they’re reshaping what modern relationships look like. Their #EqualVow isn’t just a trend—it’s a movement towards balance, respect, and shared commitment. Because real equality isn’t about words; it’s about showing up every single day.

And this is just the beginning! Are you ready to take the #EqualVow? Stay tuned, there’s more to come!

Mystery Unveiled? Prajakta & Taaruk’s Viral Photos Leave Fans Guessing

Actor Prajakta Koli and Taaruk Raina, the beloved faces from Mismatched, have sent the internet into a full-blown meltdown with their latest unseen pictures. And honestly? We can’t keep calm! Are they stepping into an all-new project that no one saw coming? Fans have been dissecting every detail. With Dimple (Prajakta) and Rishi (Rohit Saraf) parting ways in the series, could this signal an unexpected new equation? Or are we all just reading too much into it?

Adding fuel to the fire, Prajakta and Taaruk are both seen sporting a never-seen-before look that is dark, mysterious and stylish. Both actors are staying suspiciously quiet, letting curiosity spiral into full-blown theories. Whether it’s romance, a music collab, or a new project, one thing’s for sure – something massive is brewing.

This drop has “major reveal incoming” written all over it. Whether it’s love, art, or an unexpected twist no one saw coming, this duo has sparked a wildfire of intrigue. Stay tuned because this might just be the biggest plot twist of the season!