New Delhi, 3rd February 2025: Panasonic Energy India Co. Ltd. (PECIN) a part of Panasonic Holdings Corporation today announced its financial results for the quarter ending December 31st, 2024. PECIN demonstrated a quarter-on-quarter growth in revenue by 6.9% for current financial year. However, the company reported a dip in revenues by 6.7% when compared to YTD FY24 (9 months). The company’s profitability improved by 7% YTD FY25 (PAT) despite drop in revenue and they closed the balance sheet with a market cap of INR 3416 million.

While announcing the results, Mr. Akinori Isomura, Chairman and Managing Director Panasonic Energy India Co. Ltd. (PECIN) said, “At PECIN, we are committed to our stakeholders and our focus is to close the FY2024-25 on a profitable note. Despite increase in raw materials, we continue to stay invested and, are focusing on cost optimisation, strategic initiatives to penetrate the market further. For instance, we are strengthening our rural presence and also investing in Quick Commerce channels to expand our reach to serve our customers across length and breadth of the country. This will be a long-term strategic initiative that entails investments and will have a momentary impact on our profitability. Similarly, to improve our product mix and productivity we are leveraging technology and have invested in sales force automation. This will aid data management, enhancing our efficiencies thereby, boosting sales productivity. We are confident to further solidify our performance and market competitiveness through these prudent initiatives.”

The PECIN factory in Pithampur (Madhya Pradesh) is a Carbon Neutral Factory and has received a Certificate of Verification Carbon Unit (VCU) Retirement from Verra. Additionally, it has been certified by the International REC Standard. We have recently installed additional solar panels at our PECIN factory generating (150KV) to ensure 30% solar coverage (maximum permissible limit as per state guidelines) aimed at Co2 reduction. The wastewater treatment at the factory results in zero discharge of wastewater and furthermore, 50% of factory land has a forest cultivated by PECIN. At present, company uses approximately 6% recycled materials in their products which is in-line to the direction of 3R (Reduce, Reuse Recycle). The company is committed to invest more on plantation of trees for the 2nd year under its Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives in line with Schedule VII of the Companies Act, 2013.

On manufacturing front, PECIN aims for better quality of human life and preservation of the planet. Majority of the products manufactured by the Company are eco-friendly in nature with no addition of (Mercury) Hg, (Cadmium) Cd, (Lead) Pb. Company’s manufactured products are compliant with the limits set by RoHS Directives (EU) 2015/863. Currently, the product portfolio is around 87% zinc carbon batteries and 5% alkaline batteries, 5% rechargeable batteries, and 3% Lithium coin batteries.

 

by Mr. Rajendra Kumar Setia, MD & CEO, SK Finance Limited
“This marks a significant step towards strengthening India’s economic backbone, focusing on MSMEs and the middle class while maintaining fiscal prudence. The revision of MSME classification is going to be a major game changer for the manufacturing sector. With over 1 crore MSMEs already driving 45% of India’s exports, the enhanced investment and turnover limits will empower these businesses to scale up operations and embrace technological innovation.

Enhancement of the credit guarantee cover for MSMEs to Rs 10 crore; term loans for exporter MSMEs to Rs 20 crore and start-ups to Rs 20 crore, will provide a big fillip to the industry. These measures will enable NBFCs in scaling up their operations, and will drive inclusive growth. The announcement of customized credit cards with a Rs. 5 lakh limit for micro-enterprises will increase liquidity and lead to establishment of new entrepreneurs. All in all, Budget 2025 will have a positive impact on India’s economic growth trajectory, with MSMEs driving growth,” says Rajendra Kumar Setia, MD & CEO, SK Finance Limited.

by Mr. Ronak Morbia, Chairman & Managing Director, ArisInfra Solutions Ltd:

“The Union Budget 2025 reinforces India’s commitment to infrastructure development through Public-Private Partnerships (PPP), with each ministry proposing three PPP projects and ₹1.5 lakh crore allocated as interest-free loans for capital expenditure. The provision of term loans up to ₹20 crore for MSMEs is a crucial step in fostering financial inclusion and enabling small businesses to scale operations.

“We welcome these reforms that align with our mission of streamlining the construction materials supply chain. Through our vendor network and digital procurement platform, we connect over 1,600 suppliers (as of September 30, 2024), including MSMEs, with customers engaged in large infrastructure and real estate projects, helping MSMEs expand their reach. Additionally, with India’s infrastructure spending projected to exceed ₹143 lakh crore by 2030, we remain committed to leveraging our expertise in construction materials procurement and logistics to support sustainable growth. We believe that the government’s focus on infrastructure and credit access will further strengthen the role of MSMEs, paving the way for economic resilience and expansion.”

by Mr. Umesh Uttamchandani, Managing Director, Dev Accelerator Limited (DevX).

“DevX Applauds Budget 2025’s Focus on Innovation and Infrastructure for Startups. The Union Budget 2025 underscores the government’s commitment to fostering a robust startup ecosystem by enhancing infrastructure, providing financial incentives, and promoting digital transformation. The push for increased capital expenditure, ease of doing business, and technology-driven growth will significantly benefit co-working spaces, accelerators, and innovation hubs.

At DevX, we see these initiatives as key enablers for startups and enterprises looking to scale in a dynamic business environment. As India’s leading managed office space provider, we continue to support businesses with state-of-the-art infrastructure, collaborative workspaces, and growth-driven solutions. The Budget’s emphasis on digital and physical infrastructure will further strengthen India’s position as a global startup powerhouse, and we remain committed to facilitating this transformation”.

by Mr. Amith Agarwal, Whole Time Director & CEO

“The recognition of agriculture as the first engine of growth and MSMEs as the second growth engine in the Union Budget 2025 reflects the government’s strategic vision for India’s economic development.

The comprehensive reforms announced, particularly the Prime Minister Dhan Dhanya Krishi Yojana, demonstrate a holistic approach to agricultural transformation through enhanced irrigation, credit access, and skill development across 100 agri districts, benefiting 1.7 crore farmers, while initiatives like the National Mission on High Yielding Seeds and Cotton Productivity Mission create a robust framework for sustainable agricultural growth.

As part of the StarAgri Group, we are well-positioned to support this proposed reform through our technology led integrated agricultural value-chain services such as procurement, trade facilitation, warehousing, collateral management, financing solutions, digital marketplace and technology based value added services, to farmers, traders, millers, processors and corporates. With our network of 2,189 warehouses which enables us to create and benefit from a networking effect and our technology driven integrated platform offering key services to the agricultural sector, we remain committed to redefining the agricultural landscape, providing transparency, efficiency, and security to all stakeholders involved.”

Bengaluru, 3rd February 2025: Titan Company Ltd., a leading retail conglomerate, is thrilled to announce the upcoming premiere of ‘Made in India – A Titan Story,’ a six-part series that delves into the brand’s extraordinary journey from its inception to becoming a symbol of Indian innovation and excellence. The series will premier exclusively on Amazon MX Player in 2025. This compelling series chronicles Titan’s remarkable journey from its inception to becoming one of India’s most iconic consumer brands.

Produced by Almighty Motion Picture and T-Series Films, the series is directed by Robbie Grewal and written by Karan Vyas. The stellar cast features renowned actors Naseeruddin Shah and Jim Sarbh, bringing depth and authenticity to this inspiring story. Adapted from Vinay Kamath’s acclaimed book, TITAN: Inside India’s Most Successful Consumer Brand, the series offers an intimate portrayal of Titan’s evolution. Through the visionary leadership of its first CEO, Xerxes Desai, and the embodiment of JRD Tata’s philosophy, the series highlights, how Titan navigated early challenges to achieve entrepreneurial success. The narrative captures pivotal moments, including the creation of the world’s slimmest watch, highlighting Titan’s commitment to innovation and excellence.

C.K. Venkataraman, Managing Director, Titan Company Ltd., expressed his enthusiasm, “Titan’s journey is a testament to the spirit of Indian entrepreneurship and the passion of everyone involved in building a brand that resonates with millions. We are excited to share our story with the world through this compelling series.”

Prabhleen Sandhu, Founder, Almighty Motion Pictures, the producer of the series, shared her sentiments, “It’s an honour to get an opportunity to tell such an important chapter of history. Titan’s story is one of perseverance and innovation, and we are proud to bring it to the screen.”

Bhushan Kumar, Founder, T-Series Films, also the producer of the series, added “We are honoured to present this prestigious project—ATitanStory,—an extraordinary narrative that brings to light one of India’s most treasured stories, one that truly deserves to be told in this era.”

Amogh Dusad, Head, Content – Amazon MX Player, said, “We are excited to bring our vision to life with this compelling story featuring talented cast. The story around the journey of Titan brand building is inspiring and would be a treat for the Amazon MX Player customers to watch and appreciate. We begin filming this soon and it’s a special project for all of us.”

Each episode will unveil the essence of Indian entrepreneurship and its pivotal role in shaping the nation’s spirit of innovation. The show will be premiering exclusively on Amazon MX Player in 2025.

Mr. Aditya Narayan Mishra, MD & CEO, CIEL HR Services Limited

The Union Budget 2025 aligns with the principles of fiscal discipline by reducing the deficit further. Secondly, it lays emphasis on innovation, skilling, and industrial growth. The push for AI Centers of Excellence, National Skilling Centers, and capacity expansion in institutions of higher education such as IITs, reflects a commitment to equipping the workforce for the evolving job market. Thirdly, investments in manufacturing, particularly in MSMEs and new technologies such as clean tech and MSMEs, alongside support for new technologies such as clean tech show a well-rounded approach to job creation and economic resilience. The focus on employment-led development is encouraging.

While the tax reforms will certainly boost consumer spending and influence market sentiment, the real transformation lies in the government’s commitment to skills development and job creation. The success of these initiatives will ultimately depend on how effectively we can bridge the skills gap and create an agile workforce ready for tomorrow’s opportunities.

Mr Meghdut Roychowdhury, Founder of Make Calcutta Relevant Again and Chief Innovation Officer of Techno India Group.
The announcement of a new Rs 10,000 crore Fund for startups is a game-changer for India’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Funding has always been one of the biggest challenges for startups, especially those outside metro cities. With Rs 91,000 crore already committed through Alternate Investment Funds (AIFs), this fresh infusion of capital is a much-needed boost that will help startups scale, innovate, and take bigger risks.

More importantly, this initiative signals the government’s belief in young entrepreneurs and the power of homegrown innovation. It’s not just about financial support—it’s about creating an environment where startups, especially from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, can access the resources they need to thrive.

The key now is in the execution. If this fund is distributed transparently and inclusively, reaching a diverse pool of founders across industries, it could set the stage for India to truly become a global startup powerhouse. As someone passionate about nurturing talent and innovation, I am excited to see the impact this will have on the next generation of changemakers.

New Delhi, February 2025: The newly reopened Chor Bizarre at Asaf Ali Road serves regional Indian cuisine and authentic signature Kashmiri dishes in a setting that is unabashedly Indian. Originally debuting in 1990 as India’s first theme restaurant, Chor Bizarre gained iconic status with its unique ‘thieves market’ ambience and authentic regional Indian cuisine.

It is especially known across the world for its Kashmiri dishes and was the first to bring the Kashmiri Wazwan as well as other delicacies from Kashmiri pandit cuisine, out of the valley. Chor Bizarre has taken its pop-ups across the country and the world. However, the restaurant has always been proud of the ever-changing regional favourites too on its menu.

Chor Bizarre recently hosted a pop up of Mangalorean cuisine by Chef Shriya Shetty. Prior to that, it showcased Odia cuisine by actor-filmmaker Nandita Das. Last year, it also held a pop-up featuring Purani Dilli cuisine as well as brought its sister restaurant, Hosa from Goa, for a pop up to New Delhi. Another recent pop-up featured 40 dishes from the Kashmiri Wazwan for its regulars.

Starting February 7th, Ladakhi cuisine will take centre stage at Chor Bizarre, offering a rich exploration of this unique culinary tradition in collaboration with Stok Palace, Leh. This pop-up promises to bring authentic, time-honoured recipes from Ladakh to Delhi, further enriching the culinary experience for its regular guests.

Says Stanzin Jigmed Namgyal, Prince of Ladakh,‘’We, at Stok Palace, endeavour to honour Ladakh’s culinary heritage by presenting guests with an authentic taste of the royal kitchens. We try to deliver a genuine experience, keeping the dishes simple and thoughtfully prepared. We look forward to doing the same for our esteemed guests during this weekend in New Delhi.”

At its core, Ladakhi food is comfort food—rooted in the use of indigenous, organically grown ingredients that flourish in the unique environment of Ladakh. Each region within Ladakh brings its own variation and flair to the table, with dishes that tell the story of the land and its people. For instance, Yarkhandi Pulao, a delicacy with origins tracing back to the Silk Route era, showcases the historical exchanges and influences that have shaped Ladakhi culinary traditions. Other delights on the menu include Khambir with Tangthur, a traditional sourdough flatbread; Gyathuk, a Chinese-style Thupka; O-Skyu, thumbprint pasta; Pheymarr and more, with both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options available.

Ladakhi cuisine, deeply rooted in the region’s geography and traditions, reflects its people’s resourcefulness and deep connection to nature. The food is based on locally sourced ingredients like barley, wild herbs, and apricots, prepared with techniques passed down through generations. This pop-up will showcase a variety of dishes that capture the heart and soul of Ladakhi culinary culture.

Says Chef Srinivas, Brand Chef of Chor Bizarre: “We’re thrilled to introduce Ladakhi cuisine to our guests in Delhi. This is a wonderful opportunity for our diners to discover the authentic and distinctive flavors of Ladakh, which are not often found in the city. With the culinary expertise of Stok Palace combined with Chor Bizarre’s touch, we’re excited to offer a truly memorable dining experience.”

India, 2025

In a groundbreaking celebration of art, culture, and spirituality, Atelier Ajanta proudly announces its pan-India launch with the unveiling of its latest masterpiece: Devon Ke Dev Mahadev. Created by visionary Dutch artists Hans Goedoen and Jerrel Goedoen, the piece is a striking interpretation of Lord Shiva, a modern piece of art symbolizing resilience, faith, and cultural continuity. Founded in Amsterdam, Atelier Ajanta is named after the iconic Ajanta caves; the birthplace of Indian art. The studio serves as a creative hub where the Goedoen brothers blend the intricacies of Hindu iconography with modern European design. Their art bridges the past and present, the spiritual and the material, making ancient traditions accessible to contemporary audiences.

Hans & Jerrel’s journey is a testament to the strength of identity across continents and centuries. Descendants of Hindu indentured laborers transported to Suriname during British rule in India, the Goedoen brothers’ family migrated to The Netherlands in the 1970s. Despite the upheavals of migration, their Hindu faith remained a guiding force, shaping their identity and artistic expression.

“It’s incredible how our ancestors carried Lord Shiva in their hearts across oceans and generations,” says Hans. “This connection to Sanatan Dharma became the foundation of our art. Our sculpture is more than art; it’s a homecoming,” adds Jerrel. “Shiva’s journey mirrors our own—from India to Suriname, to The Netherlands, and now, back to India. Hinduism is not just a religion; it’s a way of life that has stood the test of time. In fact, our piece of art is a true manifestation of the meaning of Sanatan Dharma – eternal truth. Sanatan Dharma is regarded as eternal because it embodies the timeless, universal laws governing the cosmos and human existence. It recognizes truths that transcend time, place, and culture. Across continents, generations, and diverse cultures, the essence of this dharma has remained unchanged—its enduring nature is vividly reflected in our timeless piece of art that stand as evidence to this phenomenon. Through this masterpiece, we aim to share this strength and spirituality not only with India but also the rest of the world.”

Our masterpiece named “Devon Ke Dev Mahadev” is a bold, contemporary tribute to the essence of Hinduism and a celebration to its resilience. Crafted from hand-spray painted dry cast resin and standing at 35 cm tall, the 12kg solid sculpture embodies both Shiva’s cosmic power and meditative stillness. Each piece is signed by the artists and comes with a certificate of authenticity, making it both a collector’s item and a profound statement of faith and heritage. Atelier Ajanta issues only a limited number (hundred pieces), keeping it exclusive and rare.

By returning their interpretation of Lord Shiva to India, Hans and Jerrel complete a spiritual and cultural circle that began generations ago. The launch of Devon Ke Dev Mahadev in India represents not only their personal journey but also the resilience of Hinduism, which has flourished across continents and adversities.

In a time when the pride in India’s cultural and spiritual heritage is resurging under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the story of Hans and Jerrel Goedoen becomes even more symbolic. Their journey and art are a testament to the unmatched resilience of Hinduism—a religion and way of life that has survived time, distance, and adversity to emerge stronger than ever. How powerful is Hinduism, if it can withstand generations of migration, crossing oceans and continents, yet remain unbroken and eternal? The Goedoen brothers’ masterpiece exemplifies this strength, inspiring pride in every Hindu who reflects on the unshakable truth of Sanatan Dharma.

Devon Ke Dev Mahadev is now available across India for both progressive members of the Hindu community and art enthusiasts. Each piece is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity. Limited edition.