Mumbai, – Apex Superspeciality Hospitals proudly announces a groundbreaking achievement by Dr. Vividh Makwana, a leading orthopedic surgeon at Apex Superspeciality Hospitals, Borivali. Dr. Makwana has successfully performed 582 Total Knee Replacement (TKR) surgeries in the past financial year (April 2024 – March 2025), including an impressive 363 robotic-assisted knee replacements using the advanced CUVIS Joint robotic system from Meril. This milestone sets a new benchmark for precision, efficiency, and superior patient outcomes in orthopedic care.

With over 20 years of expertise, Dr. Makwana has been at the forefront of orthopedic innovation, continuously enhancing surgical techniques to improve patient recovery and mobility. By integrating robotic-assisted technology, his surgical procedures have demonstrated greater accuracy, reduced recovery time, minimized post-operative pain, and improved long-term functionality for patients suffering from knee ailments. Speaking on this significant achievement, Dr. Vividh Makwana, Orthopedic Surgeon at Apex Superspeciality Hospital, stated: “The CUVIS Joint robotic knee replacement system ensures unmatched accuracy and transparency in surgeries, particularly benefiting senior citizens and individuals with arthritis. This technology enables precise bone cuts, leading to minimal tissue damage, reduced blood loss, and faster recovery. At Apex, we are dedicated to providing world-class orthopedic care, helping patients regain mobility and live pain-free lives.”

Dr. Vividh Makwana further added,  Robotic knee replacement surgery in India has seen significant growth in recent years, driven by advancements in medical technology and a rising demand for improved orthopedic procedures. Patients undergoing robotic TKA often experience faster rehabilitation, reduced post-operative pain, and a higher likelihood of long-term implant durability compared to traditional methods.Robotic-assisted total knee arthroplasty (TKA) has demonstrated high success rates, with patient satisfaction often exceeding 90%. 

Apex Group of Hospitals, a trusted healthcare network with over 25 years of medical expertise, is committed to delivering high-quality and accessible healthcare services. With 350+ beds across multiple locations in Borivali, Kandivali, and Mulund, Apex Hospitals offers state-of-the-art facilities, ensuring comprehensive and patient-centric medical care.

Punjab Kings, the popular IPL franchise, has officially onboarded the internet’s crush and everyone’s new favorite sports presenter, Sahiba Bali, as their marketing and digital content curator. This IPL season, Sahiba will be catching all the behind-the-scenes action, bringing fans closer to the team with exclusive content and fun-filled player interactions.

Sahiba Bali

As part of this collaboration, Punjab Kings has introduced a brand-new digital segment, “Kandid with Kings ft. Sahiba Bali,” where Bali will offer fans an insider’s look at the squad through candid conversations, engaging challenges, and unfiltered BTS moments. 

Expressing her thoughts on working so closely with the players, Sahiba commented, “With my love for cricket, brand building, and content creation, this just seemed natural. Punjab has been the original IPL team – they had never won a title, but this year, I have a strong feeling about winning. Grateful to Satish Menon, the owners, and Saurabh from PBKS for trusting me with this.”

The team announced a special Instagram reel featuring Sahiba, where she was seen in a lively exchange with the players, such as Shreyas Iyer, Harshdeep Sing,h and Shashank Singh. In a lighthearted moment, cricketer Shreyas Iyer even called her a lucky mascot, adding to the excitement surrounding the new segment. 

Quote by Mr. Saurav Ghosh, Co – Founder at Jiraaf

“Asian countries have a higher trade deficit with the US along with EU, so it is natural that they are higheron the list. A 54% tariff on China, 46% on Vietnam, 37% on Thailand and 25% on Korea lead the way. US has a $120bn trade deficit with the Vietnam alone. The example cited by President Trump of Toyota importing more cars to US reducing the opportunity for domestic players like GM and Ford exemplifies the thinking behind the move. Reduction of trade deficit being the driving thought, President trump said that non tariff barriers including domestic VAT and unfair currency rates have played a part in determining reciprocal tariff. The raising of tariff is ultimately the old trick in the book to bridge labour cost gaps. It is a protectionist attempt to bring manufacturing back to US which remains unlikely in the short term. Asian countries have maintained lower labour cost and built significant capabilities including infrastructure (Especially China) for manufacturing along with maintaining a favourable currency. They continue to be the manufacturing hub of the world.  It is hence not surprizing to see that President Trump taking a harsher line on Asian countries.”

Quote by Mr. Vineet Agrawal, Co – Founder at Jiraaf

“The reciprocal tariff is higher than expected, however the silver lining for India is that it remains on the lower end when compared with China, Vietnam, Bangladesh and Thailand. As President Trump attempts to bring manufacturing to the US, he has ignited a high stakes gamble which has raised the possibility of high inflation in the short term followed by a recession. As early reactions from Australia, South Korea and China suggest, there would be measures that impacted countries would take to reverse the impact of globalization and impact global trade flows. It is also worrying that there might be more sector specific tariff that might be announced later. While manufacturing shift remains improbable in the short term due to differential in labour cost, countries will try to re-negotiate tariffs with trade agreements to establish a plausible way forward.

Regards to tariff on India, it is good to note that currently Pharma and semiconductor remains exempt. However, the net GDP impact would be c. 0.4%-0.45% of GDP. It would be critical to understand impact on key commodities like oil and gold in an uncertain economic environment which could fuel domestic inflation. From a markets standpoint, the higher tariff on other countries could also possibly lead to some positive flows in India if the domestic indicators turn stronger.”

Attributed to : Mr Deepak Verma, MD and CEO, Findi

UPI’s record-breaking ₹24.77 lakh crore transaction volume this March represents a crowning achievement for India’s homegrown financial innovation. This extraordinary milestone showcases how a solution designed specifically for India’s unique needs has transformed the nation’s payment landscape. 

The widespread adoption of UPI is building a foundation of trust in India’s digital economy. As millions of Indians increasingly rely on UPI for transactions ranging from daily essentials to significant purchases, this trust is fostering comfort with digital financial services more broadly. This growing confidence is critical as it creates pathways for previously excluded populations to access formal financial systems.

To achieve true financial empowerment across India, we must continue building a comprehensive ecosystem that addresses diverse needs. The journey from Financial Inclusion to Financial Expansion requires that all citizens—particularly the underserved and underbanked—can access financial services through channels and payment methods that match their preferences and circumstances, especially for those for whom cash still remains the key medium of transaction. The ecosystem must balance innovation with inclusivity, allowing even those with limited digital literacy to participate in the growing Indian economy.

As UPI expands globally and integrates with credit, insurance, and investment platforms, its collaborative development model between regulators, financial institutions, and technology companies sets a powerful example of innovation that respects user choice while driving national progress. India isn’t just participating in the digital payments revolution—it’s defining it through solutions built by Indians, for Indians, that now inspire the world.

Attributed to : Mr. Dilip Modi, Founder & CEO, Spice Money

The record-breaking UPI transactions of ₹24.8 lakh crore in March 2025, marking a 25% surge in value and an impressive 36% growth in volume compared to last year, demonstrate the unstoppable momentum of India’s digital payments revolution. With daily transactions averaging ₹79,903 crore, up 1.9% from February, and volumes rising 2.6%, these numbers underscore the rapid adoption and trust in digital financial solutions. This sustained growth signals deeper financial inclusion, enhanced consumer confidence, and a thriving digital economy. As UPI cements itself as the backbone of India’s payment ecosystem, businesses, fintech players, and policymakers must strategically leverage this expansion to drive innovation, enhance security, and scale financial services for the next wave of digital transformation.

At Spice Money, we take immense pride in contributing to this transformation by empowering rural and underserved communities with inclusive, secure, and user-friendly fintech tools. This exponential growth reflects the success of India’s financial inclusion policies and the collaborative efforts of the fintech ecosystem. As we celebrate this milestone, we remain steadfast in our mission to bridge the urban-rural financial divide, ensuring every Indian, from metros to villages, can actively participate in and benefit from the digital economy

Wooden Street, India’s leading home furniture brand, proudly announces the opening of its 104th experience store in Hyderabad. This expansion strengthens the brand’s presence in the city with its 11th store, reaffirming its commitment to offering high-quality and innovative furniture solutions to Indian homeowners.

Located in one of Hyderabad’s top malls, the newly inaugurated store spans over 3,000 sq. ft. and showcases a curated collection of furniture designs. The store is designed to offer an immersive shopping experience, allowing customers to explore a wide range of furniture, home décor, and furnishing products tailored to evolving tastes and preferences.

“Our vision has always been to make premium furniture accessible to every Indian home. The launch of our 104th store in Hyderabad is a result of our rapid growth and dedication to customer satisfaction. Hyderabad continues to be a key market for us, and we are thrilled to bring our experience-driven retail approach closer to its residents,” said Lokendra Ranawat, CEO, Wooden Street.

Wooden Street’s aggressive expansion plan focuses on strengthening its nationwide footprint by entering both metro cities and tier-2 and tier-3 markets. With robust supply chain capabilities and cutting-edge manufacturing infrastructure, the company is poised for continued growth.

 Wooden Street at a Glance:

• 104+ Experience Stores across India
• 20+ Warehouses ensuring seamless supply chain operations
• 15 Lakh Sq. Ft. State-of-the-Art Manufacturing Facility
• Over 30,000 Products in furniture, home décor, and furnishings
• 1 Million+ Homes Transformed with Wooden Street’s offerings

Since its inception in 2015, Wooden Street has secured approximately $78 million in funding, accelerating its omni channel presence across India. With a focus on customer-centric service, quality craftsmanship, and innovative designs, the brand continues to redefine the home furniture landscape in India.

The launch of this new store in Hyderabad further solidifies the company’s position as a leading home furniture destination, offering customers a seamless blend of aesthetics, functionality, and superior shopping experience.

05 April 2025: Spice Money (a subsidiary of DiGiSPICE Technologies), India’s pioneering rural fintech transforming the way Bharat banks, continues to bridge the financial literacy gap through its flagship learning platform, Spice Money Academy. Accessible via web and mobile app, the Academy empowers Adhikaris to operate as Non-Bank Business Correspondents (BCs) and has digitally trained 5,28,000 Adhikaris/Merchants, equipping them with essential skills and knowledge to facilitate seamless financial inclusion and digital transactions in the country’s most underserved regions.

This initiative has driven a transformational impact to strengthen Adhikaris’ proficiency in providing financial inclusion products. This has led to a 6.9% growth in AePS cash withdrawal transactions, reinforcing digital payments adoption across rural regions, while bill payments (BBPS) surged by 17%, streamlining essential service payments. Savings and current account transactions (CASA) jumped by 93%, indicating the intent of savings and inclusion of banking at convenient locations.

One of the key focuses of Spice Money Academy has been fostering women’s participation in the financial ecosystem. In 2024, the Academy trained 2,950 women Adhikaris across critical financial products, including Aadhaar Enabled Payment System (AePS), BBPS, instant PAN card issuance, and savings accounts. On top of this, Spice Money also conducts exclusive sessions for women Adhikaris/Merchants based on their convenience, thereby ensuring more participation from women. This initiative aligns with Spice Money’s broader mission of driving gender-inclusive financial empowerment, ensuring more women actively engage in digital and financial services, thereby strengthening the rural economy. 

The recent discussions by DFS on revising training modules for Non-Bank BCs highlights the industry’s shift towards stronger compliance and digital expertise. Spice Money Academy is also equipping Adhikaris with structured learning programs that enhance their digital banking skills. By staying aligned with these evolving regulatory changes, Spice Money continues to drive financial literacy and seamless compliance.

Spice Money Academy offers structured training modules covering key financial services such as AePS Cash Withdrawals & Deposits, Bharat Connect (Formerly  BBPS), CMS, domestic remittances, micro-ATM operations, and savings accounts. In 2024, the Academy provided product-specific training to Adhikaris, ensuring they are well equipped to serve their communities:

·         AePS: 1,49,026 trained

·         BBPS: 85,898 trained

·         CASA Services: 45,000 CASA trained

·         Instant PAN Card: 6,97,000 trained

·         Subscriptions-led Services: 17,800 trained

·         Cash: 20,026 trained

·         CASA(AXIS- CA): 41,300 trained

·         CASA(Axis-SA): 60,700 trained

Spice Money Academy is already empowering Adhikaris through a structured digital training approach. Online sessions, social media tutorials, and in-app and web-based content, followed by quizzes, ensure effective learning and comprehension. Certifications based on quiz performance validate their expertise, enabling continuous skilling and upskilling. This ensures Adhikaris stays ahead in the rapidly evolving digital landscape while maintaining seamless compliance.

“At Spice Money, we believe that true financial inclusion goes beyond just providing access to services; it requires deep-rooted knowledge, continuous skill-building, and grassroots empowerment. With the training of the non-bank business correspondents, we are committed to equipping them with the expertise needed to bridge the financial gap in underserved regions. Spice Money Academy is at the heart of this mission, ensuring that our Adhikaris are not just service providers but true financial enablers in their communities. The remarkable growth in transactions post-training is a testament to the Academy’s impact in driving last-mile financial access and strengthening Bharat’s digital economy,” said Dilip Modi, Founder & CEO, Spice Money.

By leveraging digital learning tools and strategic training programs, Spice Money Academy transforms financial enablers into rural nanoprenuers, ensuring that even the most remote communities can seamlessly access banking and financial services. As the Academy continues to expand its reach, it remains committed to bridging the digital divide and strengthening the rural fintech ecosystem.

As organizations manage growing volumes of unstructured content, traditional keyword-based search systems are proving insufficient. AI is now enabling a shift toward contextual, predictive, and user-aware discovery, helping teams surface relevant information faster and more accurately ultimately improving business decision-making.

AI is transforming the search landscape by enabling more intuitive, personalized experiences. Unlike traditional search methods, which rely heavily on predefined keywords, AI-powered systems understand the intent behind queries, providing results that are contextually relevant and aligned with the user’s needs. This advancement allows organizations to navigate vast datasets more efficiently, uncovering insights that were previously hidden or difficult to access. By leveraging machine learning algorithms, AI continuously adapts and improves, ensuring that search results become progressively more accurate over time. As AI continues to evolve, it will redefine how enterprises interact with information, paving the way for smarter decision-making and enhanced productivity across industries.

Lumina Datamatics, a strategic partner to 8 of the world’s top 10 publishers and 3 of the top 5 global eCommerce leaders, is at the forefront of this shift. The company enables enterprises to move from static repositories to intelligent content ecosystems powered by semantic discovery, real-time content recommendations, intelligent tagging, and conversational interfaces

3rd April, 2025 – India: Sanrio, the global brand behind Hello Kitty, is excited to announce the launch of dedicated Hello Kitty And Friends YouTube channels in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu. Fans can now enjoy their favorite episodes and special content in their preferred language, making the beloved characters more accessible to audiences across India and beyond.

This initiative underscores Sanrio’s commitment to connecting with Hello Kitty fans across diverse linguistic backgrounds and creating a more inclusive experience. By introducing content in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu, the brand aims to make Hello Kitty’s magical adventures more accessible and enjoyable for a wider audience. As Hello Kitty’s global popularity continues to grow, Sanrio remains dedicated to ensuring that fans can experience their favorite characters in a language that feels most familiar and engaging to them.

The Hello Kitty And Friends YouTube channels will offer a diverse range of content, including full episodes, special features, and exciting new programming, including Hello Kitty And Friends Supercute Adventures.

Hello Kitty And Friends Supercute Adventures is a beloved animated series with multiple seasons and episodes already available, bringing the charming world of Hello Kitty to life. The series follows Hello Kitty and her friends—including My Melody, Kuromi, Bad Badtz-Maru, Cinnamoroll, and Pompompurin—on fun and heartwarming adventures. Each episode is designed to entertain while reinforcing universal values such as friendship, kindness, and positivity, which are central to the Sanrio universe. With its delightful storytelling and lovable characters, the series continues to resonate with fans of all ages worldwide.

Watch the trailer here: https://youtu.be/ONTaP24NzSY?si=T6ork5Uf4vqoK2sw

Fans can also look forward to upcoming series such as DIY with Hello Kitty, which will inspire creativity through fun craft projects, and How to Draw Hello Kitty, where viewers can learn to sketch their favorite characters step by step. By expanding its content offerings, Sanrio aims to provide an engaging and interactive experience, allowing fans to connect with Hello Kitty’s world in new and meaningful ways.