20, Dec 2024
Visteon expands its footprint in India with new technical centre in Kolkata, accelerating innovation in automotive software
India, 20th December 2024 – Visteon Corporation, a global leader in automotive cockpit electronics and connected car solutions, today announced the inauguration of its new Global Capability Center (GCC) in Kolkata, India. The center is set to become operational by January 2025 and underscores Visteon’s commitment to leveraging India’s growing importance in global automotive technology development.
The inauguration featured key dignitaries from the Visteon’s India and global leadership, including President and CEO Sachin Lawande.
Strategically located, Kolkata’s strong talent ecosystem and proximity to top engineering colleges make it an ideal hub for advanced software and technology development. The center will initially seat 300 engineers by the end of 2026, with plans to scale up to 500+ engineers in the next two to three years. It will specialize in Android-based infotainment, autonomous vehicle solutions, cybersecurity, multimedia & remote projection, and cloud technologies, establishing itself as a Center of Excellence (COE) exclusively focusing on Android-based infotainment and cockpit software development.
“India has been central to our strategy for over 20 years, with over 2,000 of our people driving automotive innovation. The new Kolkata center strengthens our focus on Android-based automotive solutions and expands our fastest-growing product portfolio. At Visteon we meet the talent where it’s at, and we’re glad to strengthen our team with Kolkata’s engineering expertise and collaborate with the city’s top universities to support the evolving needs of automakers worldwide,” Sachin Lawande, President and CEO of Visteon shared.
The Kolkata center is designed as a USGBC LEED Platinum-certified facility, featuring solar panels and water recycling systems to promote energy efficiency and sustainability. It reflects Visteon’s commitment to not just innovation but also environmental stewardship.
India is a significant contributor to Visteon’s global operations, with advanced technical centres in Chennai, Goa, Bangalore, Pune, Trivandrum, and Coimbatore, and a robust network of technical and manufacturing teams driving innovations for global automakers. Over the past year, India teams have delivered cutting-edge solutions in connected car technology, solidifying the country’s position as a pivotal innovation hub. To sustain a steady pipeline of skilled talent, Visteon is strengthening its early career programs and establishing partnerships with leading universities across the region.
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20, Dec 2024
Anmol Industries presents Anmol Swiss Roll – a delight for all taste buds
New Delhi, 20th December 2024: Anmol Industries Limited, a prominent player in the Indian packaged food market, has introduced a tempting new offering – Anmol Swiss Roll. This delicious treat comes in two tempting varieties, Choco Vanilla and Strawberry, and is priced at just ₹10, making it an affordable choice for dessert lovers across India.
The launch of Anmol Swiss Roll highlights the brand’s commitment to innovation and providing enjoyable experiences for its consumers. With its soft, velvety texture and rich, creamy fillings, it offers a luxurious flavour experience in every bite. Whether it’s the luscious Choco Vanilla or the refreshing Strawberry variant, each roll is crafted to satisfy the cravings of all ages.
Commenting on the launch, Mr. Aman Choudhary, Executive Director – Marketing at Anmol Industries Limited said, “With Anmol Swiss Roll, we are introducing a new snacking experience that combines rich flavours with unmatched quality. Our aim is to offer a treat that appeals to taste connoisseurs, while ensuring it is accessible to everyone. This product embodies our commitment to delivering satisfaction in an affordable and delightful way.”
Anmol Swiss Roll caters to the growing demand for indulgent products that are both delicious and budget-friendly. Produced in-house at the company’s Hazipur plant, it ensures superior quality and freshness. With its strategic pricing, it serves a vast consumer base across urban and rural India, making it accessible to all.
Anmol Industries has also ensured that the Swiss Roll is widely available across various retail outlets, providing consumers easy access to this delectable addition to the brand’s expanding line-up. The roll-out across urban and rural markets reflects the company’s dedication to making premium offerings available to all.
Anmol Industries continues to strengthen its position as a leader in the FMCG sector, offering a diverse range of high-quality products. With products like Anmol Swiss Roll, the company remains committed to delivering exceptional experiences that bring joy to every moment.
20, Dec 2024
Real-Time Payments Projected to Boost India GDP by Dollar76.5 Billion, Bring Banking Access to 25.5 Million Indians by 2028 – ACI Worldwide Report
Mumbai, India—20th December 2024—Real-time payments boosted India’s GDP by $50 billion in 2023, making it the world’s largest market in terms of GDP growth, according to the Real-Time Payments: Economic Impact and Financial Inclusion report published by ACI Worldwide (NASDAQ: ACIW), an original innovator in global payments technology, in collaboration with The Centre for Economics and Business Research (Cebr). This is equivalent to the output of approximately 6.8 million workers.
The report leverages data from 40 countries and reveals—for the first time—an empirical link between real-time payments and financial inclusion. According to the report, real-time payments are forecast to contribute $76.5 billion of additional GDP to India’s economy by 2028, equivalent to 1.5% of GDP, or the output of 8.0 million workers. India is on track to become the world’s third-largest economy by 2030–31, according to S&P Global. Real-time payments play a pivotal role in supporting this trajectory, driving unparalleled economic efficiency and growth.
Real-time payments are driving unprecedented growth in enabling financial access for unbanked and underserved communities, accelerating remittance flows and creating opportunities for economic participation. The phenomenal surge in real-time payments and the resulting rise in financial inclusion present a significant growth opportunity for banks. The report reveals that by 2028, real-time payments are expected to add 25.5 million new bank account holders. The projected growth in new account holders presents a $24.6 billion profit opportunity for financial institutions, derived from the typical customer lifetime value estimated at $963.
“India dominates the global real-time payments market, with 129.3 billion transactions in 2023. The rise of real-time payments in India has revolutionized banking access, bringing millions of Indians into the formal financial system and empowering them with fast and seamless transactions. As India leads the charge in real-time payments adoption, banks and financial institutions have a unique opportunity to align profitability with purpose, fostering inclusion while capturing untapped growth,” said Santhosh Rao, Senior Vice President, Sales – MEASA, ACI Worldwide.
Globally, real-time payments are expected to contribute $285.8 billion in additional GDP growth—a 74.2% increase over five years—and create more than 167 million new bank account holders by 2028. The report highlights how real-time payments create a win-win scenario, driving benefits not only for the financial sector but also for the broader economy. India has emerged as a shining example of how real-time payments can drive global connectivity and inclusion, setting a benchmark for building a more integrated and empowered world.
20, Dec 2024
United We Care Shatters Google and Meta’s Accuracy Records with United-MedASR in Conversational AI
New Delhi, 20 December 2024 – United We Care, a global leader in AI innovation for mental health, has launched United-MedASR, an advanced Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) system that sets new global benchmarks for clinical accuracy.
Designed to revolutionize medical communication, United-MedASR tackles critical healthcare challenges with unmatched precision—achieved through a model built on capital efficiency rather than the massive foundational budgets of Meta and Google.
United-MedASR has outperformed major benchmarks, setting new records:
- LibriSpeech Test-Clean: 0.986% Word Error Rate (WER), a 26% improvement
- over Google’s 1.34%.
- Tedlium: 0.29% WER, a 93% improvement over NVIDIA’s 3.92%.
- FLEURS (English): 0.336% WER, a 98% reduction from Meta’s 21.9%.
“Our achievement is a milestone in ASR technology,” said Sourav Banerjee, Founder and CTO of United We Care. “We’ve proven that true innovation doesn’t require boundless resources—it requires focus, expertise, and a commitment to solving real-world problems.”
Precision That Saves Lives
In healthcare, the margin for error is razor thin. Traditional ASR tools, with error rates of 3–5%, posed risks to patient safety. United-MedASR achieves an industry-leading 0.5% error rate, ensuring accuracy in critical interactions. Its ability to understand the thickest regional accents and provide precise medical documentation redefines reliability in high-stakes environments.
“When a doctor says, ‘Administer epinephrine,’ the difference between 99% and 99.7% accuracy is life or death,” said Ritu Mehrotra, Founder and CEO of United We Care. “This isn’t just incremental progress—it’s a paradigm shift. Stella, our virtual wellness and mental health support AI, is globally the best in conversational AI. We’ve built a system that transforms how healthcare professionals interact with technology, enabling unprecedented levels of accuracy and reliability.”
United-MedASR is more than a technological breakthrough—it’s a tool designed to improve lives. With Stella, conversations feel authentic, blending AI precision with human-like interaction. From enabling accurate documentation to understanding diverse accents, United-MedASR is poised to make healthcare safer, more accessible, and more reliable.
United We Care’s dedication to purpose-driven innovation cements its place as a global leader, bridging cutting-edge technology with human-centric care.
20, Dec 2024
Christmas just got merrier with Secret Santa at Third Wave Coffee
Mumbai, December 20th, 2024: This Christmas season, Third Wave Coffee, the coffee-first QSR brand, is sprinkling a little extra holiday magic by brewing up more than just coffee. With its delightful ‘Secret Santa’ campaign, the brand is surprising its customers with gifts, embracing the spirit of holidays with a dash of playful mystery and festive cheer. Known for its warm spaces and expertly crafted brews, Third Wave Coffee is turning its cafes into treasure troves of surprises. From 19th to 24th December, customers can experience the thrill of discovery while sipping their favourite coffee. Look around and you may stumble upon a little gift left by none other than the Third Wave Coffee Secret Santa. Catch a glimpse of what happiness at a Third Wave Coffee cafe looks like here: Third Wave Coffee’s official Instagram page. The wide smiles and sheer joy felt by the customers is only the most apt expression of the season! Adding to the festivities, Santa Claus would be making special appearances at select cafes, spreading joy by handing out Christmas cards and scratch cards with exciting offers for the season.
Ayush Bathwal, Co-founder at Third Wave Coffee, shares more about the spirit fuelling the campaign, “Holidays are all about warmth, joy, community and connections. And it is this very feeling that we want to recreate at our stores. This Christmas, we wanted to go beyond just great coffee and food, to bring a sense of festive adventure to our in-store experiences. Third Wave Coffee’s ‘Secret Santa’ campaign is our way of celebrating the season by delighting our customers, making their time at the cafe even more memorable. After all, it’s all about enjoying the little things – a perfect brew, festive vibes, and the joy of an unexpected gift!”
The campaign is designed to spread joy and make every visit to Third Wave Coffee a memorable holiday adventure. Keeping the element of surprise alive, customers are encouraged to explore their surroundings, peek behind the festive decor or check under their comfortable seating for the coveted gifts. The best part – finders are keepers! Making it more enjoyable will be the vibrant Christmas decor and live carol singing sessions at select cafes. The festivities don’t end here. Amidst holiday hues of red & green, indulge in seasonal delights as Mocha Toffee Nut Frappe, Mocha Toffee Nut Latte and S’mores Hot Chocolate, paired with S’Mores Cookie and Hummingbird Cake. To take the indulgence a notch higher, or to delight your loved ones, browse the exclusive holiday merchandise and curated Christamas hampers. So don’t keep Santa, and your surprise gifts waiting; swing by your nearest Third Wave Coffee store and make it a December to remember!
20, Dec 2024
KIIT World School receives Times Education Icons Award 2024
Gurugram: KIIT World School has achieved another major milestone in the field of education. The school has been honored under the North Zone category in the Times Education Icons Award 2024. Through this prestigious award, KIIT has been ranked among the top 10 schools in Gurugram.
This honor reflects KIIT’s strong commitment to academic excellence, holistic development, and innovation in education. This achievement is a proud moment for the entire KIIT family, and the school is inspired to strengthen further its commitment to shape the future of education in the region.
Speaking on this special occasion, Dr. Neelima Kamarah, Principal, of KIIT World School said, “This is a result of hard work, dedication and unwavering belief in quality education of our entire KIIT family. This award further motivates us to provide our students with the best academic environment and appropriate opportunities for their holistic development. Our priority has always been to prepare students for the challenges of the 21st century by adopting innovative education methods.”
KIIT World School has always been dedicated to the education, culture, and personality development of students. This achievement is a matter of pride not only for the school but also for all the parents and students who have been a part of its journey. The school thanks Times Education Icons for this honor and is committed to setting new dimensions of excellence in the future as well.
20, Dec 2024
Ziptrrip Partners with PeopleStrong to Revolutionize Corporate Travel and Expense Management
Mumbai, 20th December 2024: Ziptrrip, the innovative AI-powered corporate travel and expense management platform, is pleased to announce a strategic partnership with PeopleStrong, Asia’s Choice of HR Tech to elevate employee experience and streamline HR processes. This strategic collaboration embeds Ziptrrip’s advanced capabilities into PeopleStrong’s HCM platform, simplifying travel and expense management while enabling enterprises to optimize processes, improve compliance, and achieve operational excellence.
By integrating Ziptrrip’s AI-powered travel and expense management solutions into PeopleStrong’s HRMS platform, the partnership empowers HR and finance leaders with real-time visibility, streamlined workflows, and actionable insights. Data from corporate travel and expenses will flow seamlessly between the two platforms, allowing HR teams to efficiently track, approve, and analyze travel-related costs in real-time, significantly simplifying the overall workflow. Together, Ziptrrip and PeopleStrong are setting a new benchmark for managing corporate travel, fostering a unified and tech-enabled approach that delivers greater value to businesses and employees alike.
Shan Prabhakaran, Co-founder and CEO of Ziptrrip, shared his thoughts on the partnership, stating, “At Ziptrrip, we are committed to transforming the way companies manage travel and expenses, and this partnership with PeopleStrong reinforces that commitment. Combining Ziptrrip’s travel management
tools with PeopleStrong’s HRMS platform offers a comprehensive solution that enhances efficiency and visibility into travel expenditures.
Beyond being a standalone product, the Ziptrrip integration will provide PeopleStrong users with a specialized, powerful solution. Travel and expense management will be directly linked to HRMS modules, resulting in enhanced functionality and greater control over expenses. Companies will benefit from automated expense tracking, real-time approvals, and detailed analytics—all within the PeopleStrong HR Tech 4.0 platform, which means more efficient management of corporate travel for businesses of any size.
Prakash Rao, President – Customer Success, PeopleStrong emphasized the value of the integration, noting, ” At PeopleStrong, our mission has always been to simplify work life through innovative HR technology. Corporate travel and expense management is often a significant administrative challenge for organizations, and by integrating Ziptrrip’s advanced capabilities into our HRMS platform, we are equipping our customers with a powerful solution to streamline these processes. This collaboration not only reduces the complexity of tracking and managing travel expenses but also provides deeper financial visibility and compliance. We are excited about how this integration will help businesses optimize their travel operations while enabling HR and finance teams to focus on more strategic initiatives.”
In addition to this partnership with PeopleStrong, Ziptrrip continues to expand its ecosystem. The company has already forged collaborations with experience package creators, offering corporate team engagement activities and personal leisure travel packages for employees through its platform. Moving forward, Ziptrrip is exploring potential partnerships with fintech companies to further enhance its corporate payment solutions, offering streamlined financial management for businesses and unlocking new market opportunities for fintech partners.
This transformative partnership between Ziptrrip and PeopleStrong revolutionizes corporate travel and expense management by seamlessly integrating cutting-edge solutions into PeopleStrong’s HRMS ecosystem. As corporate travel demand surges, this collaboration empowers PeopleStrong to deliver unparalleled value to its customers, optimizing operations and catalyzing new avenues for innovation and growth within the HR and finance landscape
20, Dec 2024
YES BANK Partners with FICCI FLO to Launch YES PowherUp – to Support Women Entrepreneurs
Mumbai, December 20, 2024: YES BANK, the sixth-largest private sector bank in India, in collaboration with FICCI FLO, South East Asia’s largest women’s chamber of commerce, is pleased to announce the launch of YES PowherUp, a specialised MSME programme designed to empower women entrepreneurs in scaling their businesses.
YES PowherUp offers a comprehensive suite of financial solutions tailored to the unique needs of women-led enterprises. The programme includes specialised SME loans, premium business accounts, international trade and forex services, investment opportunities, credit card options, and insurance plans. By addressing the specific challenges faced by women entrepreneurs, YES PowherUp aims to provide the necessary support for businesses to establish, grow, and succeed sustainably.
Mr. Dhavan Shah, Head of SME Banking at YES BANK, shared his perspective on the initiative, “India’s MSME sector is witnessing unprecedented growth, with women entrepreneurs emerging as vital contributors to this dynamic ecosystem. Through our partnership with FICCI FLO, we are proud to launch YES PowherUp, a comprehensive and innovative MSME proposition tailored for women-led businesses. At YES BANK, we are deeply committed to enabling women entrepreneurs to thrive, offering them the tools and support needed to scale their ventures and shape India’s growth story. Together, we aim to empower women entrepreneurs, fostering their financial independence and enhancing their impact on the economy.”
Ms. Joyshree Das Verma, National President, FICCI FLO, shared her thoughts on the partnership, “At FICCI FLO, with 40 years of experience supporting women entrepreneurs, we understand their unique challenges. Many women-led businesses hesitate to borrow for growth, missing the transformative potential of financial support. Our partnership with YES BANK’s YES PowherUp initiative aims to change this narrative. Despite constituting 50% of the population, only a small percentage of women access loans to grow their businesses, highlighting untapped potential. This women-centric MSME solution empowers women-led businesses, nurtures financial independence, and encourages a shift in borrowing attitudes. Together, we strive to help women entrepreneurs realise their full potential and make significant economic contributions.”
At the launch event of YES PowherUp at the FICCI FLO Interstate Meet in Guwahati, YES BANK’s SME team engaged with women MSMEs from various sectors, including health, pharma, manufacturing, textiles, and startups, highlighting YES PowherUp and YES Business as key solutions for business growth and success.
Key features of YES PowherUp include:
- SME Loans: Comprehensive funding solutions, including a 50% processing fee waiver for FICCI FLO members
- YES First Business Account: Premium transactional accounts with exclusive benefits for women entrepreneurs
- Trade & Forex Solutions: Access to international markets with a variety of trade and forex solutions
- Investment Solutions: Trade up to ₹1.5 Cr at zero brokerage for 60 days with YES Securities
- Card Solutions: Business credit cards for domestic and international travel, featuring low foreign currency markups
- Insurance Plans: Specialized offerings for asset protection, cancer coverage, and discounted term plans
YES PowherUp is committed to supporting women entrepreneurs at every stage of their business journey, fostering growth, and ensuring their success in a competitive marketplace.
19, Dec 2024
Pocket FM Playback 2024 Insights Highlight a New Era of Entertainment
India; December 19, 2024: Audio series platform Pocket FM today announces its 2024 app consumption insights through Pocket FM Playback 2024, offering an in-depth look at how the world embraced storytelling and immersive audio experiences over the year. This report celebrates a landmark year of record-breaking engagement and revenue, driven by an ever-expanding content library and a passionate global audience.
A Phenomenal Year of Entertainment
The numbers speak volumes about the monumental year Pocket FM experienced in 2024. Globally, listeners streamed over 100 billion minutes and completed more than 45 million transactions. With a listener demographic comprising 54% Gen Z, 37% Millennials, and 5% Gen X, Pocket FM continues to captivate young audiences. Interestingly, the platform’s gender distribution showcased a near balance, with 53% male and 47% female listeners.
Pocket FM’s AI-powered innovation fueled this growth. AI-generated audio series expanded the content library by an astounding 36X, while human-narrated series improved by 2X. This commitment to innovation translated into massive financial success, with over seven audio series surpassing $10 million in revenue – a 600% increase from 2023 – and 35 audio series achieving million-dollar status, three times more than the previous year.
The Genres That Ruled the Charts
Romance and Drama reigned supreme in both India and the US, followed closely by Fantasy and Sci-Fi and Horror and Thriller. These genres not only captured imaginations but also drove hours of engagement, proving that immersive storytelling knows no borders.
The Only 24/7 Entertainment Category
Over 200,000 listeners spent more than 3 hours every day on the platform throughout the year, and more than 10,000 listeners listened over 3,000 hours – roughly 8 hours daily – a third of the day.
Listening patterns revealed a shift in consumer behavior, with morning hours (5-8 AM) and commute hours (8-11 AM) accounting for nearly 30% of daily consumption. Notably, leisure hours (8-11 PM) saw almost 8% consumption as listeners likely to have opted for audio series over traditional TV series. Late-night hours (11 PM-5 AM) accounted for a striking 22.9% of total listening.
India: A Nation Spellbound by Stories
India stood out as a key market, with millions of listeners tuning in from its vibrant cities. The top 10 cities included Bangalore, Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Pune, Ahmedabad, Surat, Chennai, Jaipur, and Lucknow. Popular genres like Romance and Drama, Fantasy and Sci-Fi, and Horror and Thriller kept the audience captivated.
Top-performing audio series in India reflected the nation’s love for gripping narratives:
- Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh: Played over 100 million times.
- Secret Ameerzaada: Played over 85 million times
- Insta Millionaire: Played over 60 million times
- Insta Empire: Played over 50 million times
- Super Yoddha: Played over 42 million times
“In 2024, we didn’t just grow; we redefined the very nature of entertainment by establishing audio series as a mainstream entertainment. Audio series, as a category, is no longer a niche—they are the next evolution of global entertainment. This year’s achievements are a testament to the immense potential of this category and our commitment to leading its growth” said Rohan Nayak, CEO and Co-founder of Pocket FM “At Pocket FM, we have combined the power of human creativity with AI innovation to build a scalable, sustainable content ecosystem that transcends cultural boundaries and reimagines the way audiences consume stories.”
19, Dec 2024
LM Thapar School of Management Announces Admissions for MBA and PhD Programs for the Upcoming Academic Year
Patiala, Punjab – December 19, 2024 – Thapar Institute of Engineering & Technology (TIET), recognized as one of India’s premier institutions, announces the opening of admissions for the MBA and PhD programs at its business school, LM Thapar School of Management (LMTSM), for the upcoming academic year. TIET is renowned for its academic excellence, research contributions, and strong industry linkages, offering a wide range of undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs across various disciplines.
As a part of TIET, LM Thapar School of Management is committed to academic excellence and innovative research. Its MBA and PhD programs are meticulously designed to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and opportunities needed to thrive in today’s competitive global environment. The school continues to uphold its legacy of nurturing future leaders who drive impact across industries and communities.
The MBA program welcomes graduates or postgraduates from any discipline who have achieved at least 50% aggregate marks or equivalent CGPA from a recognized university. The PhD program is open to candidates with a postgraduate degree or equivalent qualification, with a minimum CGPA of 6.00 on a 10-point scale or 55% aggregate marks. The admission process involves a thorough selection mechanism, including evaluating academic qualifications, standardized test scores, interviews, and relevant work experience. Interested candidates can apply through the official website, https://lmtsm.thapar.edu.
Dr Gurbinder Singh, Director, Dera Bassi Campus (Punjab), LM Thapar School of Management and TIET, said: “At LMTSM, we are committed to nurturing future leaders who can make a meaningful impact in their chosen fields. Our programs are designed to combine academic rigor with practical insights, equipping students with the tools to navigate and lead in a rapidly evolving world. This year, we look forward to welcoming a diverse group of talented individuals who are eager to challenge themselves and contribute to society.”
LMTSM’s programs are supported by a distinguished faculty that includes scholars, industry experts, and practitioners from renowned institutions worldwide. The faculty combines academic knowledge with practical insights to create an engaging and dynamic learning environment. The campus is equipped with modern classrooms, cutting-edge research labs, and an extensive library offering both digital and physical resources. Collaborative spaces are designed to foster innovation and peer-to-peer learning, ensuring a well-rounded educational experience.
In addition to these resources, LMTSM is committed to supporting talented students by offering 90 merit-based scholarships for the MBA course. These scholarships are designed to recognize academic excellence and provide financial assistance, ensuring that deserving students can pursue their higher education without financial constraints. This initiative further strengthens LMTSM’s dedication to fostering academic brilliance and helping students achieve their full potential.
The MBA program offers diverse specializations, including Business Analytics and Big Data, Finance, Information Systems, Marketing, Operations, and Human Resource Management, allowing students to align their education with career goals. The PhD program emphasizes research excellence, offering specialization in Organizational Behavior, Strategy, International Management, Finance, Marketing, and Operations.
Placement and career development support are integral to LMTSM’s approach. The MBA program has an impressive track record of placing graduates in leading companies across sectors like finance, consulting, marketing, and technology. Students benefit from corporate partnerships, internships, live projects, and networking events that provide invaluable industry exposure. PhD students have opportunities for applied research collaborations, academic networking at conferences, and guidance toward postdoctoral or faculty positions.
LMTSM also offers students international exposure through exchange programs and partnerships with global universities. Aspiring entrepreneurs benefit from specialized mentorship and resources to nurture their ventures. The school’s inclusive environment celebrates diversity, fostering unique perspectives and a global outlook.
