Author: Bhumika Lenka

Haier India Brings Republic Day Joy with Special Discounts and Pay Re 1 Offer on Select Products

India is gearing up to celebrate its 76th Republic Day on January 26. As the nation prepares to honor this significant milestone, Haier India is thrilled to announce exclusive Republic Day discounts on its wide range of consumer durables, including refrigerators, air conditioners, LED TVs, washing machines, robot vacuum cleaners, microwave ovens, and more.

In recognition of India’s Republic Day celebrations, Haier India is offering a variety of exciting deals, including the unique “Pay Rs 1 and Take Haier Home” initiative, ensuring that Haier products are within reach for everyone across the country. Additionally, a generous 25% instant discount on all Haier products across categories is available, making it the perfect time to upgrade your home and living spaces with high-quality consumer durables.

Haier India is also offering an easy and convenient fixed EMI option starting at Rs 994, flexible payment plans of up to 36 months, and an extended warranty for added assurance. These offers enable customers to enjoy the benefits of Haier appliances with ease, enhancing their daily lives with superior products and services.

India’s One Nation One Subscription Initiative Welcomes Cambridge as a Partner

National, 21 January 2025: Cambridge University Press is one of the key publishers in the Government of India’s groundbreaking One Nation One Subscription (ONOS) initiative, a transformative effort aimed at boosting academic and research excellence across the country. Cambridge will be expanding access to its vast repository of journals, enabling India’s academic community to leverage high-quality research and peer-reviewed articles.

Spearheaded by the Government of India, ONOS is a landmark effort to ensure access to quality scholarly research journals across the nation. As one of the 30 global publishers participating in this initiative, Cambridge will provide access to 430 journals across Science, Technology & Medicine and Humanities & Social Sciences.

ONOS provides seamless access to high-quality academic and research content to over 1.77 crore users across 6,380 government-funded institutions in India. This move comes at a critical juncture in India’s progress towards its vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 and Cambridge is committed to supporting India’s vision of democratising knowledge and giving rise to a robust research ecosystem.

On her recent visit to India, Mandy Hill, Managing Director of Academic Publishing at Cambridge University Press, engaged with stakeholders to discuss various initiatives, including ONOS and how to advance global learning and research through broader access to academic resources. “The ONOS initiative directly supports Cambridge’s mission of furthering the advancement of learning, knowledge and research worldwide. We believe broader access fuels greater research impact, and ONOS allows us to put this principle into practice. We hope to build an inclusive ecosystem that promotes knowledge sharing and innovation through collaboration with local institutions. We applaud the Indian government’s commitment to encourage the country’s researchers and learners through this initiative,” she added.

Cambridge will have a clear focus on India’s ONOS initiative facilitating equal access to high-researched peer-reviewed journals, advancement of Indian research by way of discounted publication fees, and alignment with the National Education Policy 2020 for building a holistic research ecosystem. Cambridge aims to empower Indian scholars by providing access to its journals, supporting educational advancement, and enhancing output, ultimately amplifying the country’s standing in research globally.

“ONOS is a game-changer for India’s higher education landscape,” said Arun Rajamani, Managing Director of Cambridge University Press & Assessment, South Asia. “We’re proud be part of this endeavour, empowering the next generation of researchers and unlocking India’s potential for groundbreaking discoveries. This association with the Government of India enables us to share the wealth of knowledge that Cambridge has cultivated over decades.”

Through ONOS, Indian universities will get access to select esteemed journals by Cambridge including Journal of Fluid Mechanics, Industrial and Organizational Psychology, Acta Numerica, British Journal of Psychiatry, Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences, European Psychiatry, Epidemiology & Infection, Journal of Financial and Quantitative Analysis, amongst others.

To maximise the impact of its participation under ONOS, Cambridge is planning a series of activities, across the country, tailored specifically to support the academic and research community. These include a series of publishing workshops designed to enhance scholarly communication, guidance on author services to facilitate publishing and building a researcher community. By integrating these diverse activities, Cambridge aims to create a robust ecosystem for knowledge-sharing and academic growth across India.

Godrej Design Lab Highlights India’s Pivotal Role in Global Decarbonization in Latest Report

New Delhi, 21st January 2024: Godrej Design Lab, part of the Godrej Enterprises Group, in collaboration with the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) and Integrative Design Solutions (IDS), has unveiled the ‘Building a Climate-Conscious India: Scalable Solutions for a Low-Carbon Built Environment’ report at Conscious Collective 2024. The report provides a comprehensive roadmap to decarbonize India’s building sector, a critical contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions, and serves as a guide for architects, designers, developers, and policymakers to scale proven solutions.

Speaking about the trends report, Nyrika Holkar, Executive Director, Godrej Enterprises Group, said, “The built environment and cities are pivotal to India’s net-zero ambitions. With 40% of India’s buildings yet to be constructed over the next 20 years, decisive action by the building sector today can set the nation firmly on a net-zero trajectory. The report offers a comprehensive framework for convergence across the built environment, providing tailored recommendations for stakeholders. By prioritizing behavioural change, fostering collaboration, and driving innovation, it equips policymakers, industry leaders, and consumers with the tools to enable large-scale adoption and realize a sustainable, net-zero future”.

The built environment accounts for 37% of global greenhouse gas emissions, with cities contributing 70%. The report projects that strategic interventions could enable an 81% reduction in carbon emissions from India’s building sector by 2050. It emphasizes the need for scalable solutions across four critical areas: urban planning, material and design innovation, building-level energy efficiency, and consumer-driven initiatives.

Dr Arunabha Ghosh, Founder-CEO of CEEW, stated, “Decarbonizing India’s built environment hinges on collaboration among policymakers, businesses, and consumers to align on cost-efficient solutions, skills development, and individual action. As time runs out, the emphasis must shift from isolated pilot successes to models that deliver impact at scale. Achieving this requires the right mix of cost-efficiency, skills development, and alignment with consumer preferences. Encouragingly, the market is showing readiness to embrace low-carbon interventions. The next step is to empower key actors and unlock the levers that will transform this opportunity into a win for both business and the climate.”

The report offers actionable steps, including implementing performance-based green building codes, streamlining compliance, and adopting innovative tools like gamification and blockchain-based energy trading. With successful case studies like Telangana’s Cool Roof Programme, Krushi Bhawan in Odisha, and blockchain-enabled Power Ledger projects are highlighted in the report alongside global best practices, such as Medellin’s Green Corridors, which reduced local temperatures by 2°C. These examples demonstrate the potential for widespread impact through innovative strategies.

Aligned with Godrej Enterprises Group’s commitment to creating a Good and Green India, the report reinforces the company’s dedication to empowering consumers, reducing emissions, and conserving biodiversity for a sustainable future.

Duolingo English Test Unveils DETermined Scholarship to Empower Students, in Partnership with Principal Scientific Adviser’s Office

New Delhi, 21 Jan, 2025 – The Duolingo English Test (DET), a global pioneer in digital English proficiency testing, trusted by over 3 million test-takers worldwide and accepted by more than 5,500 leading universities across the globe, has launched the DETermined scholarship to empower Indian women in STEM. The initiative was announced at a press conference in New Delhi by Severin Hacker, CTO and Co-Founder of Duolingo, who was joined by Carrie Wang, Senior Director, Head of Growth, Duolingo English Test. Launched in collaboration with the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) as the knowledge partner, the DETermined scholarship is designed to support ambitious and talented Indian women by offering a one-time grant of USD 30,000 to cover tuition fees for a master’s degree in STEM at a US university that accepts the DET for admissions for the academic year 2026–2027.

India has made significant strides in STEM education, achieving the highest global women in STEM participation, rising from 38.4 percent a decade ago to 42.6 percent, according to data from the University Grants Commission (UGC). The DETermined Scholarship is a significant step toward breaking gender barriers in STEM education for the next generation of women leaders. This initiative reaffirms DET’s commitment to fostering a more inclusive and diverse global education ecosystem. By supporting women innovators and leaders, DET aims to contribute to India’s growing reputation as a global hub for science, technology and innovation.

The Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India (GoI) will play a pivotal role as the knowledge partner for this initiative. The GoI has consistently emphasized the importance of bridging gender gaps in STEM, recognizing that increasing the participation of women in these fields leads to enhanced scientific outcomes, greater diversity and economic growth. Empowering women in STEM also drives innovation, introducing fresh perspectives and ideas that accelerate progress in science and technology. The DETermined Scholarship builds on this vision by offering talented women the opportunity to pursue world-class education and return to India as innovators and changemakers. The PSA will facilitate applications through the Manthan portal and contribute to the jury that selects the scholarship awardees to ensure a transparent and impactful selection process.

Key Features of the Scholarship

• Mentorship Opportunities: Finalists will receive guidance and support from STEM experts, helping them navigate their academic and professional journeys.
• Comprehensive Selection Process: Applicants will undergo a rigorous three-step selection process, including an application phase, a STEM impact proposal challenge and a final interview.
• Eligibility: Open to women who are Indian citizens, hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a STEM field, have demonstrated leadership in science and technology and show intent to contribute to India’s global innovation footprint upon returning from their studies.

Dr. Sapna Poti, Director, Strategic Alliances, Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India said “The Office of the PSA is deeply committed to empowering women in STEM to foster diversity and drive innovation. With India leading globally in women’s participation in STEM, we are pleased to partner with the Duolingo English Test for the DETermined Scholarship. This initiative will offer talented Indian women access to world-class education and cutting-edge skills. By making English testing more accessible, the DET opens doors to premier institutions, empowering women to contribute to the vision of Viksit Bharat and become leaders in driving global innovation.”

Severin Hacker, Co-founder and CTO, Duolingo said “Having experienced the transformative power of education as a student abroad who had the chance to study in the US, I strongly believe that providing opportunities to students is key to unlocking their potential. The philosophy behind the DETermined Scholarship is rooted in Duolingo’s mission to make education accessible to all. We are pleased to partner with the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser for this scholarship, aligning our shared vision of empowering the next generation of leaders. By supporting talented women in STEM, we are not only helping them realize their dreams but also contributing to a more inclusive and innovative future for India and the world. It reflects our commitment to breaking down barriers and ensuring that every student has the chance to thrive, regardless of their background.”

The Duolingo English Test serves as an accessible, flexible and affordable way for students to showcase their English proficiency. With a focus on convenience, DET allows students to take the test online from anywhere and at any time with results available in 48 hours. Its AI-powered security protocols ensure test integrity, providing a reliable and widely accepted measure of English language skills. By taking the DET, students can gain admission to over 5,500 programs worldwide, making it a valuable tool in pursuing academic dreams particularly for those applying for the DETermined Scholarship.

By addressing financial and mentorship barriers, the DETermined Scholarship is poised to inspire countless Indian women to pursue their aspirations in STEM. This initiative exemplifies DET’s mission to create accessible pathways for students and demonstrates its deep commitment to India’s educational advancement.

SGF India Expands to Amritsar with a 24/7 Outlet, Introducing Unique Culinary Flavors

New Delhi, India – January 21st, 2025 – SGF India, a leading name in vegetarian dining, is excited to announce the opening of its 24/7 outlet in Amritsar. Famous for its vibrant street food culture and diverse culinary offerings, Amritsar now welcomes SGF’s distinctive flavors, including its celebrated soy chaaps, which have quickly become a favorite among food lovers.

SGF India is redefining vegetarian dining with a focus on healthy, protein-rich meals. The Amritsar outlet features the brand’s signature live tandoor counters, offering a range of mouthwatering soy chaaps, flavorful North Indian specialties, and refreshing coolers, all in a modern, inviting setting. To celebrate this launch, SGF India is offering a Buy One Get One (BOGO) promotion, giving foodies the perfect opportunity to explore the brand’s signature dishes.

Adding to the convenience and appeal, SGF India has partnered with Tree House Hotel on Queen’s Road to offer both dine-in and takeaway options. This collaboration enables SGF India to provide a seamless dining experience for locals and travelers alike. The hotel’s strategic location, just five minutes from the railway station and fifteen minutes from the iconic Golden Temple, makes it an ideal spot for food enthusiasts. Furthermore, SGF India is offering catering services for special occasions, gatherings and other events, ensuring a delightful and hassle-free experience for customers.

“Amritsar is known for its rich street food culture, and we are excited to bring SGF’s unique, nutritious offerings to the city. Our unique chaaps, a favorite among food lovers, will now be available around the clock, offering a delicious and health-conscious dining experience,” said Mr. Kewal Ashwani Ahuja, Founder & CEO of SGF India.

SGF India continues to expand its footprint, with an upcoming opening in Bhopal in January 2025, further strengthening its presence in the country. The brand remains committed to providing nutritious, flavorful meals in modern spaces, catering to health-conscious diners across India.

TUV SUD Unveils E-Mobility Training Facility in Bengaluru to Boost Industry Skills

Bengaluru, India. TÜV SÜD South Asia, a leading certification, testing, auditing, inspection, and training company and the wholly owned subsidiary of TÜV SÜD Group, Germany, announced the launch of the E-Mobility Training Mobile Lab. This initiative aims to provide advanced, hands-on training opportunities for technicians, engineers, and first responders, equipping them with essential skills to safely handle high-voltage systems in the rapidly evolving Electric Vehicle (EV) industry.

The ‘TÜV SÜD E-Mobility Training Mobile Lab’ was inaugurated at the hands of Mr. Simon Lemin, CEO, TÜV SÜD South Asia, Mr. Vishal Nerurkar, Senior Vice President – Business Assurance, TÜV SÜD South Asia, Mr. Robert Kees, CEO, TÜV SÜD Business Assurance Division and Mr. Jorg Schemat, Head of BU Academy and CEO of TÜV SÜD Akademie GmbH.

TÜV SÜD offers a range of EV training programs, including the E-Mobility Course Level 1: Safe Handling of High Voltage Systems in Motor Vehicle, E-Mobility Course Level 2: Qualified Electrician for HV Systems in Motor Vehicle, and E-Mobility Course Level 3: Live Working for Qualified Electrician for HV Systems in Motor Vehicle. These programs benefit participants by enhancing their expertise in high-voltage safety, ensuring proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE), and providing a thorough understanding of the integration of components within EV. Through the training, participants are equipped with the necessary knowledge to assess and implement risk mitigation strategies. The E-Mobility Training Mobile Lab supports both organisations lacking EV infrastructure and individuals seeking to advance their e-mobility knowledge in the evolving automotive landscape.

“The launch of our E-Mobility Training Laboratory represents a significant step forward in advancing the skills and safety standards of professionals in the e-mobility sector,” said Mr. Simon Lemin, Chief Executive Officer, TÜV SÜD South Asia. “We are proud to empower organisations and individuals through practical training solutions that deliver real-world, hands-on experience with high-voltage systems, fostering both knowledge and skill development.”

TÜV SÜD South Asia has been catering to the learning needs of professionals in India, Bangladesh, and other English-speaking countries for over two decades. With more than 300 training topics, these training programs are designed and developed by industry experts with the goal of equipping learners with the latest information, technologies, and real-world use cases, while enhancing their ability to apply this knowledge effectively in a dynamic business environment.

Skydo Earns RBI In-Principle Authorization to Launch Cross-Border Payment Aggregator Services

Bengaluru, Jan 21

Skydo Technologies Private Limited, a leading cross-border payments company, has received in-principle authorization from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to operate as a Payment Aggregator-Cross Border (PA-CB) entity. Skydo is among the first companies in the cross-border payments space to receive this authorization.

This further strengthens Skydo’s mission of making cross-border payments compliant, seamless and cost-effective for India’s exporters. Skydo started operations in 2022 and currently serves over 12,000 exporters in India, processing over USD 250 million in annual export payments.

“The RBI in-principle authorization is a testament to our compliance-first culture, secure systems and robust risk controls”, said Awadhesh Ranjan, Head of Risk & Compliance at Skydo.

Skydo’s customers are small and medium businesses selling a range of products and services to customers globally. Skydo partners with leading banks across the world and provides a comprehensive solution to manage their invoicing, payments and reconciliation. Key features include transparent pricing and fees with no markup on live mid-market forex rates, digital onboarding with instant KYC, dedicated customer support, fast settlements, and streamlined regulatory compliance with instant issuance of Foreign Inward Remittance Advice (FIRA).

“As an Indian fintech startup with global ambitions, we are thrilled to receive this approval. We plan to scale our payments volume by 10x over the next 18-24 months, expand to support import payments, and build out more trade corridors globally,” said Srivatsan Sridhar, Co-Founder and CEO of Skydo.

Looking ahead, Skydo plans to introduce several first-to-market offerings for India’s growing MSME export sector. “Starting with payments, we will extend our offerings to credit, tax compliance, treasury services and Export Data Processing and Monitoring System (EDPMS) reconciliation. Together, these products will be a comprehensive cross-border financial operating system for any exporter. By bringing cross-border payments into the Payment

Aggregator framework, RBI has enabled companies like us to build superior technological products and power the international ambitions of Indian businesses,” said Movin Jain, Co-founder of Skydo.

Bandhan Life Insurance Rolls Out Guaranteed Income Plan with Immediate Payouts, Exclusively at Bandhan Bank

Kolkata, January 21, 2025: Bandhan Life Insurance, a leading life insurance company in India, launched the Bandhan Life Guaranteed Income Plan, now available at Bandhan Bank branches nationwide. This innovative plan offers policyholders a reliable income stream from the very first month, along with life insurance coverage- making it an ideal solution for both short-term needs and long-term financial goals. The plan addresses diverse needs like funding a child’s education, securing retirement, or achieving significant life milestones. With its flexible structure and guaranteed benefits, the plan is an ideal choice for those seeking financial security and protection for their loved ones.

Regarding the launch, Satishwar B., MD & CEO, Bandhan Life Insurance, shared, “At Bandhan Life Insurance, we are committed to empowering our customers with financial security and confidence to achieve their aspirations. Today, when education costs in India are rising by 8-10% annually, and medical costs are increasing by more than 10% each year, having an additional source of income becomes invaluable. Our Guaranteed Income Plan reflects this vision, offering a blend of protection and assured returns that enables individuals to plan for the future without worry. Policyholders can use the additional income for managing everyday expenses or building a long-term fund. With its flexible structure and guaranteed benefits, we believe this plan will meet the need of customers seeking financial stability and peace of mind.”

Key Highlights of Bandhan Life Guaranteed Income Plan

• Assured Regular Payouts: Enjoy a consistent income from the first policy month, ensuring financial stability.
• Multiple Payout Options: Opt for regular income payouts or a lump sum payment at maturity to suit your financial needs.
• Life Insurance Coverage: Along with assured payouts, the plan offers life cover, ensuring financial protection for families in unforeseen circumstances.
• Tax Benefits: The plan qualifies for tax benefits under prevailing laws, making it a smart choice for tax-efficient financial planning.
• Customizable Tenures: Flexible policy, premium payment terms, and income period allow customers to align the plan with their financial objectives and timelines.
• Return of Premium: Get back all your premiums depending on the plan option chosen.

The launch of the Guaranteed Income Plan reinforces Bandhan Life’s commitment to delivering simple, flexible, and reliable financial solutions. In line with its brand promise of ‘Bharat Ki Udaan, Bandhan Se,’ this plan ensures that individuals from diverse regions and backgrounds can easily benefit. It reflects the company’s ongoing efforts to create products that meet real-world needs and help customers achieve their financial goals with confidence.

BHIM Partners with Fintech Yatra to Boost Financial Inclusion and Digital Literacy Initiatives

Mumbai, 21 January 2025: BHIM, India’s flagship digital payments app powered by NPCI BHIM Services Limited (NBSL) has joined forces with The FinTech Yatra 2025 as a Principal Partner. The FinTech Yatra is a 10,000 km long epic road journey aimed at identifying, understanding and catalysing players in financial services across India. This strategic collaboration aims to accelerate India’s digital payment revolution by empowering communities and fostering financial inclusion.

As a part of this partnership, more than 200 individuals from select NGOs will be trained under a train-the-trainer model, equipping them with knowledge and tools to spread digital payment awareness. By empowering trainers at the grassroots level, this initiative ensures that the benefits of digital payments reach the most underserved and remote areas of the country.

Speaking on the partnership, Rahul Handa, Chief Business Officer, NBSL, said, “BHIM’s partnership with Fintech Yatra 2025 is an important step towards bridging the digital divide and educating citizens about secure and efficient digital payment solutions. This initiative aligns with our mission to create a financially inclusive and digitally empowered India. We are excited about the opportunities this partnership brings to strengthen the fintech ecosystem.”

The FinTech Yatra 2025 is a movement to make India digitally independent. It is a platform that enables connection between innovation providers like start-ups and innovation seekers like financial institutions, venture capitalists and large corporates. By visiting multiple cities, engaging with fintech innovators, and collaborating with platforms like BHIM, the Yatra is set to amplify the adoption of seamless and secure digital payments across the nation.

Abhishant Pant, Founder of The FinTech Meetup, added, “Our partnership with BHIM brings a transformative element to this year’s Yatra. BHIM’s proven leadership in the UPI ecosystem ensures that financial inclusion is not just a vision but a reality for millions across the nation. Together, we aim to empower every Indian to embrace the digital economy. Our endeavor has been to support early stage fintech founders with idea validation, network support and guidance around venture capital, so that they become a catalyst to push for more digital adoption in financial services.”