Roorkee, 22-01-2025: Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee (IIT Roorkee) and Jagatjit Agri India Private Limited have signed a Technology Transfer Agreement on the technology related to biomass torrefaction developed at IIT Roorkee by Prof. Sonal K Thengane of Hydro and Renewable Energy Department.

The design provides an effective solution that obviates the existing limitations by providing a system and a method for continuous oxidative torrefaction of biomass through an auger-based continuous moving bed reactor using air that enhances the efficiency of a torrefaction process through the use of an annulus cooling the torrefied biomass.

S. Dharam Singh, Chairman and Jagatjit Singh, Managing Director of Jagatjit Agri India Private Limited said regarding the technology transfer, “We are pleased to collaborate with IIT Roorkee on this promising technology for continuous oxidative torrefaction of biomass. This agreement marks the beginning of a journey toward leveraging innovative solutions for sustainable energy practices. The innovative system aligns perfectly with our commitment to sustainable practices and technological advancement that embraces delivering tools that revolutionize farming practices. This collaboration is a crucial step toward leveraging biomass as a renewable resource and addressing the challenges of energy efficiency and environmental sustainability.”

Speaking on the collaboration with Jagatjit Agri India Private Limited, Prof. Akshay Dvivedi, Dean of Sponsor Research and Industrial Consultancy (SRIC), IIT Roorkee, said, “This technology transfer is a significant milestone in IIT Roorkee’s efforts to transform cutting-edge research into impactful industrial applications. The development of this system for continuous oxidative torrefaction of biomass demonstrates our focus on sustainable and scalable innovations. We are confident that this collaboration with Jagatjit Agri India Private Limited will pave the way for more efficient and environmentally friendly biomass utilization solutions.”

Prof. K.K. Pant, Director, IIT Roorkee, highlighted, “This technology transfer underscores IIT Roorkee’s commitment to translating innovative research into practical solutions that address critical global challenges. The system for continuous oxidative torrefaction of biomass is a testament to the ingenuity of our researchers in developing sustainable technologies. We are delighted to collaborate with Jagatjit Agri India Private Limited and are confident this partnership will contribute significantly to the efficient utilization of biomass resources.”

The transfer agreement was also attended to and coordinated by Prof. Vivek Malik, Coordinator of IPR Cell, Mr Vikrant Kaushik, IPR Cell Office and Prof. M. K. Singhal, Head, HRED, who congratulated Prof. Sonal on this milestone transfer.

Mumbai, January 22, 2025: The Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) has partnered with Credlix, a global leader in supply chain financing solutions, through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance the growth of Indian exporters and strengthen their global presence. This collaboration focuses on streamlining international trade by providing exporters with innovative financial solutions, logistical support, and other critical resources.

By combining FIEO’s extensive network with Credlix’s expertise in financial services, the partnership aims to address key challenges faced by exporters. Initiatives include workshops, training, financing advisory, and technological support to raise awareness — a solution that helps businesses scale their operations effectively.

Mr. Rahul Garg, Founder & CEO, of Credlix, stated, “We are proud to collaborate with FIEO to empower Indian exporters on their path to growth and self-reliance. This partnership shows our shared commitment to overcoming key trade challenges. Through innovative financial and logistical support, we aim to simplify export operations and help businesses establish a strong presence in global markets.”

The partnership includes technological and logistical solutions from Credlix, such as warehousing and supply chain management, to address exporters’ operational hurdles. FIEO will actively promote the initiative, encourage exporter participation, and guide businesses in navigating complex global markets.

Dr. Ajay Sahai, Director General & CEO, FIEO, remarked, “This collaboration with Credlix marks a significant milestone in advancing India’s vision of self-reliance and strengthening its export sector. By providing SMEs with financial and logistical resources, we aim to help them overcome barriers, enhance operational efficiency, and capitalize on opportunities in international trade.”

Dr. Sahai further highlighted the liquidity gap and lack of credit flow in the Indian economy, which has posed persistent challenges for exporters. “Export finance remains a critical issue for various segments, particularly for MSMEs, which are the backbone of India’s export ecosystem,” he noted.

The MSME sector contributed 45.73% of India’s exports in 2023-24, yet it continues to struggle with limited access to export finance. With 35,000 members, primarily from the MSME segment, FIEO sees this MoU as a pivotal step in addressing these challenges and unlocking growth opportunities for exporters.

This alliance is set to simplify export operations, enhance business capabilities, and accelerate the growth of Indian exporters, contributing to India’s economic progress and reinforcing its position in global trade.

Unicus Olympiads, a leading name in summer academic competitions, is thrilled to announce that registration for the Summer Olympiad Exams is now open for the 2025 academic season. The Olympiad offers students from Grades 1 to 11 the unique opportunity to test their knowledge based on the syllabus of their previous grade, helping them solidify concepts and prepare for future academic challenges. Unicus Olympiads assesses students’ practical application of concepts based on what they have studied.
For example, if you’re in 3rd grade in the 2024-25 school year, you’ll be tested on topics from the 2023-24 and 2022-23 school years. This ensures a fair evaluation of student’s knowledge and skills based on what they’ve already studied.

List of Unicus Summer Olympiad Exams

•  Unicus Mathematics Olympiad (UMO)
•  Unicus Science Olympiad (USO)
•  Unicus English Olympiad (UEO)
•  Unicus General Knowledge Olympiad (UGKO)
•  Unicus Critical Thinking Olympiad (UCTO)

Note: The exam is scheduled to take place in July 2025.

How to register

Registering for the Olympiad Exams is simple. Follow these steps to get started:

1.  Go to the Unicus Olympiad’s official website, www.unicusolympiads.com.
2.  Explore the list of available Olympiad exams such as Mathematics, Science, English, and others.
3.  Select the exam(s) you wish to register for.
4.  If your school is participating, you can register through your school also.
5.  For individual registrations, click on the “Individual Registration” section on the website.

Award and prizes

For participants appearing for Grades 2 to 11, the awards and recognition are as follows:

1.  Overall top 3 participants in each subject from classes 2-11 will be awarded with Scholar’s Trophy and Certificate of Excellence.
2.  Top 3 participants (registered through school)from every school with more than 25 participants in a class appearing for Olympiad exam will be awarded with a Gold Medal and a Certificate of Excellence.
3.  Top 10% of overall participants or those who have zonal ranks less than or equal to 10 will be awarded with a Gold Medal and a Certificate of Excellence.
4.  Top 25% participants will be awarded with a Certificate of Excellence.
5.  Top 25 to 50% participants will be eligible for a digital Appreciation Certificate. Participants registered though school will get a hard copy of Appreciation Certificate.

For participants appearing for Grade1, the awards and recognition are as follows:

1.  All participants scoring more than 60% will be sent a Certificate of Excellence and a Medal
2.  Remaining participants will be awarded as a digital Certificate of Participation. This will be available in the dashboard of the participant.
3.  No ranks or percentile will be declared for all the participants.

Maharashtra, 22nd January 2025: Celebrating the legacy of Marathi film industry, BIG FM, one of India’s leading radio networks, returns with its highly anticipated show BIG Marathi Bioscope with Subodh Bhave. Known for its intriguing narrative, fascinating trivia and nostalgic journeys through Marathi cinema, the show’s third season was officially launched at a press conference held in Pune with the acclaimed actor Subodh Bhave. With innovative themes and engaging elements, the new season will strengthen listeners’ connection to Marathi cinema while honoring its unique and timeless legacy. The show is all set to premiere on 27th January from 7 pm to 8 pm, Monday – Saturday in Pune and from 7 am to 10 am on Sundays in both Pune and Mumbai only on BIG FM.

Taking on the host’s mantle once again, the multi talented actor, writer, producer and director, Subodh Bhave, embodies the essence and brilliance of Marathi cinema. With his masterful storytelling, Subodh will guide audiences on a riveting journey celebrating the industry’s finest moments. Season 3 will introduce a captivating ‘Jodi Special’ theme, honoring iconic duos, from beloved on-screen pairs to creative collaborations like singer-composer, director-actor and lyricist-composer partnerships. Adding a personal touch, listeners can dedicate songs to their favorite stars, fostering a unique connection between fans and the legends they admire.

The third season of BIG Marathi Bioscope unfurls the magic of Marathi industry by exploring rare stories, offering insights into the lives of celebrities who have sparked positive societal change. This fusion of entertainment and meaningful storytelling makes the show a heartfelt tribute to Marathi cinema landscape, celebrating both culture and community.

Sharing his excitement, Subodh Bhave said, “I am thrilled to host another season of BIG Marathi Bioscope, especially after the incredible response from the audience for the past two seasons. For me, the true power of storytelling lies in its ability to create meaningful bonds and I’m grateful to BIG FM for providing a platform that nurtures this connection. This season brings fresh elements and I’m confident it will resonate even more profoundly with listeners, bringing them closer to the artists and stories they love.”

Sunil Kumaran, COO, BIG FM, added, “At BIG FM, we take pride on crafting content that connects with audiences on a personal level and BIG Marathi Bioscope with Subodh Bhave has been a true testament of these ethos. The tremendous success of the past two seasons reaffirms the deep connection Marathi cinema fans share with the show. With Subodh Bhave as the host, we are confident that the third season will set new benchmarks in audience engagement. We’re also immensely grateful to our sponsors for their unwavering support, which has been instrumental in shaping this journey.”

Promising an extraordinary experience, BIG Marathi Bioscope Season 3 with Subodh Bhave is sponsored by Lokmanya Multipurpose Co-op Society Ltd, co-powered by Deshpande Eye Hospital & Laser Centre, supported by Associate Sponsor Valentina Industries, in partnership with Indian Oil and Saam TV as telecast partner. The show will air across multiple cities, including Pune, Ahilyanagar, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, Solapur, Kolhapur and Nagpur, from Monday to Saturday, 7 pm to 8 pm. On Sundays, it will air from 7 am to 10 am in Pune, Mumbai, Goa, Indore and Nagpur and 8 am to 11 am in Ahilyanagar, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, Solapur and Kolhapur. The season will conclude with a grand finale in Pune, featuring iconic celebrity duos who have left an indelible mark on the Marathi film industry. The show is further amplified with extensive promotions across BIG FM’s on-air programming, social media channels and other digital platforms, ensuring a wider reach and engagement.

22, January 2025, New Delhi: Young Leaders for Active Citizenship (YLAC), along with City Sabha, Raahgiri Foundation, and Safetipin, announced the launch of the Delhi Sustainable Mobility Charter, or the Dilli Charter, under the Sustainable Mobility Network—a citizen-driven initiative to reimagine Delhi’s transport system and demand actionable solutions for improving urban mobility, combating air pollution, and fostering inclusivity.

Delhi is home to over 33.8 million people—a bustling, historically rich, and complex city. Lately, however, this home has increasingly become uninhabitable for many. From suffocating air pollution to rising heatwaves, crumbling transport systems, and unsafe public spaces, the very essence of urban living in Delhi is under threat. As Delhi prepares for its Legislative Assembly Elections, citizen groups are coming together to demand urgent action for a sustainable, equitable, and accessible transport system.

Transportation is at the heart of Delhi’s challenges with 51.5% of local pollution attributable to transport emissions. With over 2 million private vehicles registered in 2023, the lack of reliable and affordable public transit options has forced many residents to rely on personal vehicles, exacerbating air pollution, traffic congestion, and social inequities.

The Charter focuses on four key pillars:

• Expanding and Improving Public Transport Infrastructure
• Ensuring Inclusivity and Safety in Urban Mobility
• Combating Climate Change and Air Pollution Through Sustainable Practices
• Strengthening Accountability and Governance

Each pillar is backed by actionable solutions, ranging from enhancing bus and metro connectivity to promoting walking and cycling, ensuring accessibility for all, and advocating for stricter enforcement of air quality standards. The Dilli Charter serves as a comprehensive framework and a call to action for transforming Delhi into a thriving and equitable city. Developed through consultations with 30+ diverse stakeholders including urban mobility and air pollution experts, and public transport users, the Charter reflects the voices and aspirations of Delhi’s citizens. The solutions presented are not only efficient and sustainable but also aim to achieve socially inclusive and equitable access to mobility.

There is an ongoing signature campaign, hosted on Civis and Jhatkaa, to generate public awareness for the charter while the organizers present it to political parties ahead of the Delhi elections.

Aparajita Bharti, Founding Partner at YLAC, stated: “With the Delhi elections scheduled for February 5, there is a crucial window for citizens to engage and advocate for a more efficient, equitable, and sustainable mobility framework for the state. This is an attempt by citizens to set the agenda for the next government, no matter which party comes in power, this should be the first priority for the new government.”

Kalpana Viswanath, CEO and co-founder of Safetipin -“ The pervasive feeling of unsafety in public spaces and transport has long hindered women’s ability to fully participate in city life and access the economic and social opportunities that a city like Delhi offers. With elections around the corner, this is the moment to raise our voices and demand that every citizen’s right to a safe and inclusive public space is upheld”

Sarika Panda Bhatt, Co-Founder and Trustee at Raahgiri Foundation: The Delhi Sustainable Mobility Charter is a step towards a much-needed shift away from an urban planning paradigm that promotes fossil fuel driven private transport that exacerbates the triple problems of air pollution, climate change and unsafe roads. Delhi urgently needs to transition to a sustainable transport system that prioritizes walking, cycling, and public transport.

Saleha Sapra, Co-Founder of City Sabha, states – “The Dilli Charter brings a list of unaddressed or unchecked priorities to its public and state actors, spanning climate change, air pollution, and public transport issues. There is no such thing as a lack of political will; these collectives and collaborations create a willingness to act for the better. Therefore, we must re-imagine a Delhi that is logically more accessible, breathable, safe, and receptive to the ever-evolving urban complexities of its residents. Together, we have a real-time opportunity (before the state elections) to demonstrate a will for comprehensive mobility planning and the right to breathe and move safely in the city.”

This initiative is undertaken as part of The Sustainable Mobility Network, a coalition of organizations advocating for “Zero Emissions, Zero Exclusion, and Zero Road Deaths,” which envisions a Delhi that is accessible, inclusive, and sustainable. The charter is supported by a broad coalition of organizations, including CEEW, Civis, OMI Foundation, People Resources Centre, Save Life Foundation, and Jhatkaa, who are amplifying the Charter’s message through digital advocacy and public engagement.

As Delhi stands on the cusp of change, the Dilli Charter represents an opportunity for citizens to demand accountability from their leaders and shape the future of their city. It is time to ensure that Delhi doesn’t just survive but thrives as a sustainable, inclusive, and resilient city for all.

Bengaluru, January 22, 2025: HDFC Life, one of India’s leading life insurers, has recently entered into a Corporate Agency tie–up with CARS24 Financial Services Pvt. Ltd.

CARS24 Financial Services Private Limited (“CARS24 Financial Services”) is a professionally managed Non-Banking Financial Company (“NBFC”) registered with the Reserve Bank of India and with IRDAI as an Insurance Corporate Agent. The Company is a part of CARS24 group and offers a variety of vehicle financing solutions to customers. INSURE24, a major milestone for CARS24, is set to transform the digital insurance landscape for India’s rapidly growing online consumer base.

This partnership will enable CARS24 Financial Services Pvt. Ltd. to distribute products of HDFC Life to existing and future customers of CARS24. The life insurance solutions of HDFC Life will be offered across the branches as well as the digital platforms of the partner. Both partners aim to work together with the objective of increasing the reach of life insurance across locations where CARS24 has a presence. This in turn would contribute towards the larger objective of ‘Insurance for all by 2047’.

HDFC Life, with 70 products (including individual and group products) and a claim settlement ratio of 99.50% and CARS24 with a strong presence of over 280 branches across the country look forward to a long and fruitful partnership that will play a significant role in financially securing more Indians.

Speaking on the partnership, Vineet Arora – Chief Business Officer, Distribution, Data & technology, HDFC Life, commented “We are pleased to partner with CARS24 Financial Services Pvt. Ltd. Their focus on innovation and technology complement our wide range of offerings and together we can reach out to a wider audience thereby providing them with life insurance solutions. We believe life insurance is a must-have for every individual with responsibilities. Financial security is the foundation stone to building a strong future for oneself and one’s family. This partnership with Cars24 Financial Services Pvt. Ltd. will further strengthen our efforts to reach out to individuals across the country and secure them, financially.”

Vikram Singh Pathania, Vice President of Consumer Finance at CARS24 and Head of INSURE24, expressed his enthusiasm about the partnership, saying, “We are delighted to join hands with HDFC Life to take our product offerings to the next level. HDFC Life‘s forward-thinking strategies, and profound understanding of the digital landscape, perfectly complement our mission to make insurance simple and accessible for all consumers.

HDFC Life‘s strengths in product innovation, digital expertise, and seamless technology integration will empower INSURE24 to effectively engage with today’s digitally-savvy consumers.”