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.

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.

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 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!

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!

New Delhi, February 6th, 2025: realme, the most popular smartphone brand among Indian youth, is excited to announce exclusive Valentine’s Week offers on a range of its best-selling smartphones. Running from February 6th to February 14th, the sale will be available across e-commerce platforms, realme.com and mainline channels, giving customers an opportunity to grab their favorite realme devices at incredible prices.

As part of this special Valentine’s Week celebration, customers can enjoy discounts of on selected realme smartphones, along with easy EMI options. Whether gifting a loved one or upgrading to a new device, this limited-time sale ensures the perfect tech companion for the season of love.

February 6th, 2025 | Bengaluru, India – India’s EV charging market is at an inflection point, with over $450 million already invested in startups operating charging networks and battery-swapping models. Yet, with only 1 public charger per 135 EVs—far below the global average of 1 per 6–20 EVs—urgent expansion is needed to meet India’s goal of 3.9 million charging stations by 2030. The newly released report, Charging Ahead II by GameChanger Law Advisors and Speciale Invest, provides a deep dive into India’s investment trends, regulatory shifts, and infrastructure challenges, offering strategic recommendations to accelerate the country’s EV transition.

India’s electric vehicle (EV) market has witnessed remarkable growth in recent years, but charging infrastructure remains a critical bottleneck. The country currently has one public charger per 135 EVs, far below the global standard of 1 per 6–20 EVs. To meet its ambitious 2030 EV adoption targets, India needs to install at least 3.9 million charging stations, making charging accessibility one of the most pressing challenges for the industry. The report highlights how scaling up public and private investments, improving policy incentives, and adopting global best practices will be crucial to bridging this infrastructure gap.

Investment in India’s EV charging sector has surged, with over $450 million deployed in public charging networks and battery-swapping models over the last five years. Leading companies like Charge Zone, Tata Power, and Statiq are spearheading expansion efforts, supported by growing investor confidence in the long-term viability of EV infrastructure. The report notes that charging infrastructure investment is expected to continue its double-digit growth trajectory, creating significant opportunities for both domestic and international stakeholders.

Beyond investment trends, “Charging Ahead II” also examines how India can learn from global EV leaders such as California, the UK, and Singapore. These regions have successfully accelerated EV adoption through a combination of policy incentives, public-private partnerships (PPPs), and regulatory clarity. The report suggests that India must adopt similar incentive-driven models and focus on streamlining permits, land acquisition, and interoperability standards to create a more robust charging network.

Standardization and interoperability are key enablers for EV adoption, and India is taking steps to address this challenge. The recent introduction of IS17017-2023, India’s first combined AC & DC charging standard, based on Ather Energy’s LECCS connector, represents a major step toward charging infrastructure efficiency. The report highlights that implementing common charging protocols will reduce infrastructure costs, improve ease of access, and encourage wider participation from private charging operators.

Commenting on the findings, Amrut Joshi, Founder, GameChanger Law Advisors, emphasized the urgent need for regulatory clarity and a structured policy framework to accelerate EV charging infrastructure in India. “India’s EV ambitions are on the right trajectory, but without a well-defined and scalable charging ecosystem, adoption could face significant roadblocks. Our report highlights the critical role that streamlined regulations and incentive-driven models can play in addressing the current infrastructure deficit. The key to success lies in a collaborative approach—where government support, private investment, and technological innovation converge to build a resilient, future-ready charging network that ensures accessibility, affordability, and long-term sustainability.”

Vishesh Rajaram, Managing Partner at Speciale Invest, underscored the massive investment potential in India’s EV charging ecosystem, emphasizing the need for sustainable financing models. “India’s EV transition isn’t just about vehicles—it’s about the infrastructure that enables mass adoption. Charging networks present one of the most exciting investment opportunities in energy and mobility today. To scale effectively, we need a strategic mix of public-private partnerships, innovative financing models, and policy support.”

Key suggestions for Indian Policy Makers

To unlock India’s EV potential, the government must create investment-friendly policies, including tax incentives and blended capital models. Streamlining approvals through a single-window clearance system, enforcing fire-safety standards, and ensuring disabled-friendly charging infrastructure will be critical for attracting institutional and foreign investments into India’s $450M+ EV charging sector.

Bengaluru, 6th February 2025: AKSI Aerospace, a Hyderabad-based emerging UAV innovator in India, is set to participate in Aero India 2025 from February 10th to 14th at Yelahanka Air Force Station, Bengaluru. The company is at the forefront of indigenous UAV manufacturing, producing not only high-performance drones but also critical subsystems—including navigation systems, cameras, propulsion systems, batteries, battery management systems, and airframe composites—ensuring self-reliance, security, and efficiency in India’s drone industry.

By manufacturing key drone subsystems in-house, AKSI Aerospace and its specialized group companies reduce dependence on imports, reinforcing India’s strategic independence in UAV technology. This strengthens the Make in India initiative by ensuring secure, high-performance, and scalable UAV solutions, reducing dependency on foreign technology that may pose security and operational risks. By integrating its indigenously manufactured components, AKSI Aerospace delivers UAV solutions across agriculture, industrial applications, logistics, security, and retail.

Backed by a leadership team with over 50 years of collective experience in UAV development, AKSI Aerospace operates a 40,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility, has developed 25+ drone models, and offers 35+ UAV-based services. Its solutions address industry challenges such as high costs, regulatory complexities, and operational inefficiencies, making drone technology more accessible and scalable.

“For any nation aspiring to lead in technology, self-reliance in critical subsystems is non-negotiable,” said Pankaj Akula, CEO, of AKSI Aerospace. “At AKSI Aerospace, we are not just manufacturing UAVs; we are developing the fundamental building blocks that ensure performance, security, and reliability. Aero India 2025 is an opportunity to showcase our indigenous capabilities and collaborate with global partners who share our vision for a secure UAV ecosystem.”

During Aero India 2025, AKSI Aerospace will sign strategic MoUs with a European aircraft design developer to export its indigenous UAVs under the Make in India initiative, reinforcing India’s position as a global drone technology provider.

Visit Hall A, Stall AS1.5 & AS1.6 at Aero India 2025 to explore AKSI Aerospace’s cutting-edge UAV solutions, discuss collaborations, and experience how the company is shaping the future of UAV technology.

6th February 2025: Hungama Digital Media, a pioneer in digital entertainment, rebrands its flagship platform, Hungama App, as Hungama OTT. This strategic evolution reflects Hungama’s vision of a unified, all-in-one entertainment destination.

Hungama OTT offers a diverse and premium content library, including binge-worthy Hungama Originals, blockbuster movies, hit music videos, podcasts, audio dramas, and audiobooks. With a rich selection of regional and international hits, the platform caters to a wide audience.

Since its inception, Hungama has been at the forefront of digital entertainment, delivering innovative, user-centric experiences. This rebranding reinforces its commitment to seamless accessibility, ensuring entertainment is always at users’ fingertips. Whether it’s music lovers, movie buffs, or podcast enthusiasts, Hungama OTT remains the go-to destination for immersive entertainment.

The platform enables users to access blockbusters from Hollywood, Bollywood, and regional Indian languages across genres. With its foray into original programming, Hungama is redefining digital content in India. Hungama Originals go beyond conventional storytelling, offering quality narratives to digital audiences.

The Hungama video library includes over 5,000 films in English, Hindi, and regional languages, along with a vast catalogue of 1,500+ short films. Additionally, it features 7,500+ hours of kids and television content and over 150,000 short-format videos across various genres like music, film gossip, humour and spirituality.

With its refreshed identity and expanded content ecosystem, Hungama OTT continues to revolutionize the digital entertainment landscape, offering unparalleled variety and accessibility to users worldwide.

On the day of love this year, make it truly meaningful and exciting with your Valentine! Choose a destination where you both can immerse yourselves in nature’s purest beauty, bond over adventures, indulge in premium hospitality, and find your rhythm in an enchanting world away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Skyview by Empyrean, a 22-acre mountain harbour located in Jammu’s Patnitop-Sanget valley is the perfect Valentine’s Day getaway offering all this and much more against the backdrop of the most romantic setting!

Here’s why you need to surprise your partner with a stay at this premium property:

Views To Take Your Breath Away
Imagine waking up to the sight of mist-kissed Pir Panjal mountains and lush, verdant valleys- all from the comfort and warmth of your elegantly designed yet cozy suite! Skyview by Empyrean offers the perfect blend of luxurious opulence and nature’s simplicity. Snuggle up, unwind, and let the magic of the hills take over.

Culinary Excellence at the Banana Leaf
What is romance without food for the soul? After all, a heart full of love needs fuel, right? At the in-house Banana Leaf restaurant, you’ll be treated to a feast you won’t forget.. Enjoy the lovingly curated menu featuring exquisite regional and global flavors Let the ambiance, flavors, and warmth of hospitality create the perfect setting for your special moments, turning your dining experience into a cherished memory that lasts forever.

A Special Package, Packed with Love
Want to sweep your partner off their feet? The luxurious property’s exclusive Valentine’s Day package offers everything you can dream of, for an unforgettable celebration! Enjoy a 1-night stay in a room of your choice on 14th and 15th February 25, wake up to a delightful breakfast for two, and indulge in a private barbecue dinner under the stars. A decadent cake and a non-alcoholic sparkling beverage add a touch of sweetness to your evening, while heart-shaped balloon decorations create the perfect romantic ambiance. Complete your experience with a scenic return Gondola ride – all starting at just ₹12,999! Did your heart just skip a beat?

Adventures For the Daring Duo
For fun-loving, adventurous couples who crave excitement, the mountain harbor offers an adrenaline-packed lineup of activities to choose from! Race each other in archery challenges, speed through thrilling ATV rides, glide down the magic carpet, or take on Asia’s longest zig-zag zipline. Elevate your experience with India’s highest Gondola ride (in terms of ground clearance). Ramp up the thrill factor with each activity you tick off and create memories that will last a lifetime!

A Local touch
Who doesn’t love receiving gifts, especially something handmade with love ? Treat your partner to a shopping spree at Hands of Gold, Skyview’s very own artisanal boutique store where you’ll find beautifully handcrafted souvenirs. From exquisite pashmina shawls and Kashmiri saffron to organic Himalayan honey, there’s plenty to explore and take home for your loved ones too!

This Valentine’s, leave a piece of your heart at Skyview and carry back priceless memories of your time spent amidst the charm and beauty of the mountains!