17, Jan 2025
Guwahati to host direct selling industry leaders and policymakers at IDSA Northeast Direct Selling Expo on January 21st
January 16, 2025, Guwahati is set to become the epicenter of discussions and innovations in the direct selling industry on January 21, 2025, as eminent government dignitaries, top industry leaders, policymakers, academics, and social activists converge here for the 2nd Edition of IDSA Northeast Direct Selling Conference and Expo.
The event, being organized by the Indian Direct Selling Association (IDSA), will witness brainstorming on crucial topics such as industry growth, regulatory frameworks, consumer awareness, reforms, policy advocacy, and empowerment of women and youth through direct selling opportunities.
The IDSA, in a press release issued here today, said the event will feature a grand exhibition showcasing products, services, and innovations from IDSA member companies. Other key attractions include recognition of women entrepreneurs for their achievements in the Northeast region to celebrate entrepreneurial success and interactive sessions with direct selling entrepreneurs and students of colleges and universities. The Expo will further witness a unique showcase of Northeast culture and Innovation sin the direct selling industry through a product ramp walk by models adorned in northeast attire, it added.
The release highlighted India’s direct selling industry’s robust growth, with a market size exceeding ₹21,282 crore, ranking 11th globally. The sector demonstrated a 12% growth rate in 2022–23 and boasts a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of over 8%. It has provided self-employment and micro-entrepreneurship opportunities to over 86 lakh individuals, including 32 lakh women, emphasizing its role in socio-economic transformation.
The release underscores that the Northeast, with a market share of 8.7%, contributes over ₹1,800 crore to the national turnover while providing self-income opportunities to over 4.2 lakh direct sellers in the region. Assam, being the 9th largest direct selling market in the country, leads with ₹1,009 crore in sales and a 4.7% market share, supported by over 2.4 lakh direct sellers. The contribution of the other seven northeastern states includes Manipur (Rs 288 cr.), Nagaland (Rs 227 cr.), Mizoram (Rs 156 cr.), Arunachal Pradesh (Rs 78 cr.), Tripura (Rs 72 cr.), Meghalaya (Rs 19 cr.), and Sikkim (Rs 5 cr.). The industry contributes over ₹270 crore annually to the region’s state exchequer, reinforcing its role in the Northeast’s development.
IDSA is of the strong view that the 2025 Northeast Direct Selling Expo is expected to serve as a platform for fostering growth, innovation, and collaboration, further solidifying the Northeast’s pivotal role in India’s direct selling sector.
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17, Jan 2025
PM POSHAN, Assam Takes Exemplary Steps to Combat Malnutrition and Develop Nutritional Status of School Children in Collaboration with Sri Sathya Sai Annapoorna Trust
Malnutrition remains a significant barrier to the proper growth and development of children. The Government of Assam is deeply committed to improving the nutritional status of children, enabling them to pursue proper education and unlock their full potential.
Under the PM POSHAN initiative in Assam, numerous exemplary steps have been taken to address malnutrition among children studying in Ka-shreni to Class VIII. These efforts aim to ensure better health and learning outcomes. Key initiatives include:
- Sampriti Bhojan: A community-driven program where local members voluntarily contribute food items to schools on special occasions like birthdays, weddings, and national importance days.
- Additional Egg Provision: Weekly provision of two extra eggs for children in government schools located in Tea Garden and Char/Chapori areas to improve their nutritional intake.
Recognizing that many children worldwide, including in Assam, attend school hungry, the State Government has intensified its focus on alleviating malnutrition and ensuring that children have the nutrition they need to thrive.
In a groundbreaking collaboration, the Sri Sathya Sai Annapoorna Trust under the Sri Madhusudan Sai Global Humanitarian Mission has joined hands with PM POSHAN, Assam. Sri Sathya Sai Annapoorna Trust nourishes over 10 million schoolchildren across 143,000 schools in India and abroad, providing essential nutrients for their growth and development.
At the core of this partnership a Multi Nutrient drink which is scientifically formulated will be provided to the students of Assam. When this powder is mixed withwater and jaggery delivers around 50% of a child’s Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA), ensuring their essential nutritional needs are met.
As part of this collaboration, PM POSHAN, Assam has decided to provide a glass of multi-nutrient drink every morning to children in Government schools in Tea Garden and SC/ST dominated areas on pilot basis during the year 2024-25. The drink will be prepared using 10 grams of SaiSure Ragi mixed with 10 grams of jaggery, yielding 250 ml of a nutritious beverage that can be served to two children.
This pilot initiative, launched on January 9, 2025, under PM POSHAN in convergence with the Sri Sathya Sai Annapoorna Trust, marks a significant step forward in addressing malnutrition. It is anticipated that this intervention will:
- Eradicate malnutrition among school-going children.
- Improve children’s overall health and well-being.
- Reduce school dropout rates in underserved communities.
By serving SaiSure multi nutrient drink mixed with jaggery, the Government of Assam is laying the foundation for a brighter, healthier generation of students, committed to holistic development and education for all.
17, Jan 2025
Rosmerta Technologies Secures Tender to Establish 21 Automated Testing Stations a Maharashtra in five years
Mumbai, 17th January 2025 – Rosmerta Technologies, a leader in mobility solutions, has secured a tender worth INR 400 crore to set up 21 Automated Testing Stations (ATS) across Maharashtra, solidifying its position as a pioneer in road safety innovations. This landmark project aligns with the Government of India’s commitment to ensuring road safety through technology-driven solutions. The tender entails that these stations will come up in the state over the next five years.
India’s vehicular population has grown significantly, reaching 354 million by 2022, according to MoRTH. In 2023-24 alone, 28.4 million vehicles were produced, contributing 6.8% to India’s GDP and 40% to manufacturing GDP. Despite this growth, India also reports 1.5–1.6 lakh annual road fatalities, highlighting the urgent need for enhanced vehicular safety measures. In response, the government introduced Chapter XI in the Central Motor Vehicle Rules (CMVR) to mandate the establishment of ATS nationwide, requiring significant investments to standardize and automate roadworthiness testing.
Rosmerta’s scope of work under this tender includes constructing and operating the ATS centers to provide efficient, reliable, and automated testing for public service vehicles. This builds upon Rosmerta’s successful implementation and ongoing operation of 10 pilot I&C centers initiated by MoRTH. Rosmerta also executed three centers in Karnataka and has tested over half a million vehicles nationwide. The Maharashtra project represents a significant step forward, with plans to operationalize all 21 centers within a year under the supervision of the State Transport Department.
Mr. Kartick Nagpal, President of Rosmerta Technologies, commented, “At Rosmerta, we view safety as the foundation of sustainable mobility. Winning this tender is a significant step toward realizing our vision of a safer transportation network across India. By leveraging cutting-edge technology in Automated Testing Stations, we aim to provide vehicle owners and operators with the assurance of compliance, while helping the nation tackle the pressing challenge of road safety with greater efficiency and accountability.”
This initiative highlights the necessity of government-led financial assistance, akin to the PLI scheme, to expedite the nationwide rollout of ATS infrastructure. It also underscores the importance of a standardized model across states to ensure the authenticity and reliability of testing processes, preventing fraudulent practices seen in some manual systems.
As Maharashtra leads the way with an organized approach to ATS deployment, Rosmerta continues to champion technology-driven solutions for safer, smarter roads. This project is a testament to the company’s enduring partnership with the government and its unwavering focus on building a sustainable and secure future for India’s transportation sector.
In addition to the ATS rollout, Rosmerta will showcase a live demo of the automated testing station at the Bharat Mobility Exhibition from January 17-22, 2025, offering a glimpse into the future of technology-enabled road safety initiatives.
17, Jan 2025
Prime Video Releases First-Look Images for Invincible Season Three
Mumbai – January 17 – Prime Video is thrilled to share first look images from the highly anticipated Season Three of Invincible. The craziest and bloodiest season yet introduces a new supervillain in Powerplex. The first three episodes of the critically acclaimed adult-animated superhero series, co-produced by Skybound Entertainment and Amazon MGM Studios, will be available to stream exclusively on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories beginning on Thursday, February 6, 2025, with additional episodic drops every Thursday through March 13.
The first two seasons of the animated series received “Certified Fresh” rankings on Rotten Tomatoes and was awarded Rotten Tomatoes’ Golden Tomato Award for Best Animated Series in 2023.
17, Jan 2025
In-Line with Global Trends: Juice Cosmetics on the path to redefine beauty for 2025
Back in October 2024, ‘Wish A Color, We Deliver’ was a contest held by Juice Cosmetics to celebrate the milestone of a decade of excellence in the beauty industry and showcase the creativity of participants from across India. Ms. Agriti Khurana was crowned as the Face of Juice for her winning nail polish shade, ‘Agriti’s Latte. In a delightful turn of events, the winning shade from our ‘Wish A Color, We Deliver’ contest, ‘Agriti’s Latte,’ bears a remarkable similarity to the color that has gained prominence for 2025. Agriti wished, Juice Cosmetics delivered, and the world chose! This beautiful alignment underscores their ability to intuitively resonate with global beauty trends, reflecting the desires and aesthetics of our community.
Latte is a color representing a meticulously handpicked shade of coffee. Juice cosmetics recognized its warm hue that closely mirrors the rich, comforting tones of freshly brewed coffee, offering a sophisticated yet inviting appearance that embodies both elegance and warmth. Interestingly, this color was highlighted long before it aligned with the global color trends, highlighting how Juice Cosmetics’ intuitive approach to beauty resonates with the desires of its community.
Mr. Amrit Kamra, Project Lead at Juice Cosmetics stated: “Agriti’s Latte is a testament to how individual inspiration can resonate universally. It’s heartwarming to see this shade, born out of personal passion, gain widespread recognition and align with global trends. This serendipitous connection is a proud moment for Juice Cosmetics and our community.”
Juice Cosmetics continues to redefine beauty by combining trend-forward designs with a commitment to safety and sustainability. The brand also invites beauty enthusiasts to embrace the Color of the Year as a bold expression of confidence and style. Encasing elegance and quality, Juice calls upon every individual to delve into this journey of re-invention and self-discovery. Stay tuned for more inspiring initiatives and offerings as Juice continues to lead the way in the beauty industry, making every moment a celebration of self-expression.
17, Jan 2025
KRAFTON Unveils ‘Franchise IP’ Strategy to Drive Corporate Value
Bengaluru, 17 January 2025 – KRAFTON, Inc. (CEO CH Kim) announced its 2025 management strategy and mid-to-long-term plans during its company-wide town hall meeting, KRAFTON LIVE TALK (KLT), held on January 16.
Marking the company’s 113th KLT, KRAFTON CEO CH Kim shared his vision under the theme of ‘KRAFTON’s Next 5 Years: Franchise IP.’ With this, Kim set his mid-to-long-term goal to secure a ‘Big Franchise IP’ and highlighted three key strategies towards growth: Increase of investment in first-party production, Expansion of publishing volume, and Optimization of resource allocation.
Increase of Investment in First-Party Production
KRAFTON plans to significantly boost investment in first-party production to secure original and competitive franchise IPs. Focusing on its 14 creative studios, the company aims to enhance its pipeline of new releases, secure top talent, and further specialize its development capabilities. These efforts are designed to create franchise IPs that are scalable with a high potential to succeed.
Expansion of Publishing Volume
In terms of publishing, KRAFTON aims to transform both quantity and quality of its IPs to grow user base and revenue. The company plans to leverage its accumulated expertise and capabilities to build core Franchise IPs, while releasing multiple new titles to the market. On its journey towards diversification, KRAFTON intends to adopt various approaches such as Second Party Publishing (2PP) and licensing. Additionally, the company will expand its platforms (e.g., PC, mobile, console), as well as strengthen its global publishing capabilities to enhance market competitiveness.
Optimization of Resource Allocation
KRAFTON plans to evolve its studio management system to reach its mid-to-long-term objectives and sustainable growth. By efficiently allocating resources throughout the entire development process, from creative discovery to production and commercialization, the company aims to maximize the potential of highly competitive IPs.
“Our new titles will officially launch starting this year,” said CH Kim. “We are committed to securing a new ‘Big Franchise IP’ that builds on the success of ‘PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS’ and look forward to driving exponential growth in corporate value through this step-by-step approach.”
17, Jan 2025
Equirus Welcomes Ronak Modi as Director, Head of Strategy and Finance
Mumbai, 17th January 2025: Equirus is pleased to announce the appointment of Ronak Modi as Director, Head of Strategy and Finance. Ronak brings over 13 years of rich and diverse experience across leading organizations, including Ananta Capital, Zomato Ltd, Jindal Poly Films Ltd, Bajaj Consumer Care Limited, and Jindal Steel & Power Ltd.
In his new role, Ronak will spearhead strategic initiatives and financial planning, working closely with the leadership team to drive growth and innovation.
A Chartered Accountant by qualification, Ronak further honed his expertise by completing an Executive MBA from the prestigious Indian School of Business (ISB). His extensive background and dynamic leadership approach make him a valuable addition to the Equirus team.
Ronak’s appointment underscores Equirus’ commitment to strengthening its leadership team and advancing its mission to create long-term value for clients and partners.
16, Jan 2025
BITS Design School’s B Des applications to close on January 31
Mumbai, 16 January 2025 | BITS Design School (BITSDES) will close the application window for 2025 admissions to its 4-year residential Bachelor of Design (Honours) programme on January 31, 2025. This intake will be for the second cohort of the programme. BITSDES was set up under the aegis of BITS Pilani – itself established in 1964 and one of the first universities in the private sector to be recognised by the Govt of India in 2020 as an “Institution of Eminence”.
BITSDES has an intake of 180 students for its B Des (Hons) programme which offers five pathways—Physical Product Design, Digital Product Design (UX/UI), Design Research and Insights, Experience Design, and Visual Design.
Admissions to the programme are based on a holistic assessment beginning with the scores of either NID DAT Prelims, UCEED, or the BITS Design Aptitude Test (BITSDAT). Students who plan to apply with the NID DAT Prelim or the UCEED score are also required to submit their BITSDES application by the Jan 31 deadline. They can do so using registration numbers or roll numbers for NID DAT Prelim / UCEED. The application portal will be re-opened between 5th and 8th April for them to upload their scores.
Students also have the option of taking the BITSDAT between March 31 and April 5, 2025. The BITSDAT is a 60-minute test with multiple choice questions on general aptitude and design concepts.
The list of shortlisted candidates based on test scores will be announced on April 14, 2025. Selected candidates will need to upload their portfolios, and online interviews will be scheduled between May 2 to May 12, 2025.
Nandita Abraham, Dean, BITS Design School, said, “BITS Design School is a place where people from around the world come together to harness the power of design and shape a more thoughtful and impactful future. Our students are learning in a transdisciplinary environment and have a strong inclination toward addressing real-world problems through design. We emphasize international exposure, hands-on experiences, and industry-relevant projects, equipping our students to adapt to evolving trends in the global design landscape.”
BITS Design School has collaborated with global institutions to enhance its academic offerings – with Aalto University in Finland for curriculum design and annual review, with Arizona State University for student and faculty exchange, joint research programmes and projects, and with RMIT University in Melbourne, to create opportunities for student/faculty exchange and immersion. The institute has as its advisors, renown professionals and academicians – Don Norman, Founding Director, Design Lab, University of California, San Diego (retired); Biju Dominic, Chief Evangelist, Fractal, and CEO, Final Mile; John Thackara, Sr. Fellow, Royal College of Arts; and Sandy Speicher, Professor, Stanford d. School, Ex-CEO, IDEO. Remarkably, the founding class has had an opportunity to meet and interact with each of the advisors on campus, as have the faculty during the curriculum and pedagogy review. With a strong focus on industry integration, the School has set up a mentorship programme with design professionals who interact with students in small groups to help them understand the design industry landscape and frame their career choices.
16, Jan 2025
Air India Announces Daily Flights Between Delhi and Bhuj
GURUGRAM, 16 January 2025: Air India, India’s leading global airline, today announced daily flights between Delhi and Bhuj, starting February 1, 2025. Air India will operate the route with its A320 aircraft, complementing its daily flights between Mumbai and Bhuj.
The new service also enables travellers from Bhuj to take seamless one-stop connections via Delhi to other parts of India as well as to points in North America, UK, Southeast Asia, and vice versa.
Air India will operate the route with its A320 aircraft, bringing the only full-service flying option to customers travelling to and from Bhuj.
16, Jan 2025
Watch the Trailer of ‘Saubhagyavati Sarpanch’ – A Powerful Tale on Women’s Empowerment in Rural India
Mumbai, Jan 2025: The much-awaited trailer of “Saubhagyavati Sarpanch’ was launched today. This captivating web series is not just the story of one woman’s success, but a beacon of hope & motivation for women in our country who aim to carve a niche for themselves in society. It highlights the fundamental role of women’s empowerment in societal progress, emphasizing that every woman has an undeniable right to freedom, education, and leadership. It is a Republic Day Special and will be streamed from 22nd January on Ultra Jhakaas OTT
Saubhagyavati Sarpanch features a stellar cast including Devika Daftardar, Kishore Kadam, Asha Jante, Nagesh Bhosale, Ashwini Kulkarni & Padmanabh Bhind. It is directed by well-known Director Santosh Kolhe & produced by Mr. Sushilkumar Agrawal
The series chronicles the extraordinary journey of Awali, a simple housewife who, after being elected as the Sarpanch in a women-reserved position, takes on the challenge of village development. The story beautifully captures her struggles and triumphs as she breaks stereotypes and shatters societal norms, offering a powerful message: everyone has the right to dream and achieve. . It delves deeply into themes like relationships, patriarchal mindsets, and the transformative power of women emancipation making it both relatable and thought-provoking.
Mr. Sushilkumar Agarwal, CEO of Ultra Media and Entertainment Pvt. Ltd., shared, “’Saubhagyavati Sarpanch’ is more than entertainment. It’s a clarion call for social change. We are confident that it will inspire audiences to champion women empowerment. Ultra Jhakaas remains committed to delivering meaningful and high-quality content regularly.”
Celebrate the spirit of Republic Day by witnessing the remarkable journey of Awali and her pursuit of progress and equality. ‘Saubhagyavati Sarpanch’ premieres exclusively on Ultra Jhakaas from 22nd January 2025 – a tribute to women’s power and dreams in rural Maharashtra. Don’t miss this extraordinary tale!
