Author: Team

Shakti Conclave Draws to a Close, Promising Stronger Action for Women’s Leadership Development

New Delhi, March 5, 2025: Work Integrated Learning for Leadership (WILL), in collaboration with UPES, successfully hosted Shakti: Be the Champion for Accelerating Action at The Claridges, New Delhi, strengthening its commitment to shaping the future of women’s learning and leadership in India. The event brought together industry leaders, policymakers, and changemakers to address the critical need for upskilling, future readiness, and inclusive leadership in today’s corporate landscape.

Dr. Ram Sharma, Vice Chancellor, UPES, delivered the welcome note followed by a keynote address by Dr. Ganesh Natarajan, Chairman, 5F World, GTT Data Solutions, Lighthouse Communities, EPPS, and Honeywell Automation India Ltd.

Dr. Ganesh Natarajan, while complimenting WILL and UPES on the Shakti initiative, said, “The time has come for women to move beyond the equality agenda and train themselves to be leaders of a new world.”

Dr. Ram Sharma, Vice Chancellor, UPES, highlighted the urgency for action, stating, “Leadership has no gender, yet cognitive biases often associate terms like CEO, CXO, or leader with men. India’s spiritual wisdom teaches that while bodies have gender, the soul does not—a perspective that, if integrated into leadership, could help redefine it as truly inclusive. Through WILL and the Shakti Leadership Program, in collaboration with UPES, we are not just equipping women for leadership roles; we are reshaping the very foundation of future-ready, inclusive organizations—ones built on the core belief that every individual, regardless of gender or identity, possesses infinite potential.”

The event featured a fireside chat ‘Turn Up the Volume’ with Nisha Narayan, Director & COO, Red FM and Magic FM, moderated by Stuti Gandhi, Senior Director, Brand Strategy and Communications, GUS Global Services.

An engaging panel discussion on Disrupting the Workforce was led by Raginie Singh, Senior Director – HR, GUS Global Services, featuring key industry voices, including Seema Anand, Senior Human Resource Leader, DLF; Renu Rohtagi, CHRO, Air Liquide; and Pooja Dagar, Chief Manager, Human Resources, Air India.

Another thought-provoking panel discussion ‘Beyond the Status Quo’ was moderated by Vinod Sood, Co-Founder & Managing Director, Hughes Systique Corporation (HSC). This session brought together distinguished speakers such as Kanta Singh, Deputy Country Representative – UN Women, India; Snehlata Shrivastava, Retired IAS and Ex-Secretary, Justice, Government of India; Reena Asthana Khair, Senior Partner & Head of International Trade and Indirect Taxation Practice, Kochhar & Co.; and Salil Lal, CHRO, Maruti Suzuki India.

In his closing remarks, Dr. Antarpreet Singh, Director (Academics), WILL Education, emphasised on the transformative role of leadership programs like Shakti, saying, “The future of leadership focuses on judiciously embracing AI. The women must be at the forefront of leading the change in an era marked with high level of complexity, fluidity, and turbulence. WILL Education’s ‘SHAKTI’ initiative is actively bridging the gap by equipping women with the key competencies at personal, interpersonal, and strategic levels in a rapidly evolving business landscape.”

WILL’s flagship initiative equips women with the skills and strategic vision to excel in senior roles. With its hybrid model and industry-aligned curriculum, the program has already impacted women across industries, including PSUs. WILL now aims to scale it further, empowering over 10,000 women leaders by FY27 while forging global partnerships for lasting change.

British Council Library Kolkata Unveils Innovative Research Section on Arts, Culture, and Education

Kolkata, 05 March 2025: The British Council, the UK’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities, recently announced the launch of a research and publication section at its Kolkata library, reinforcing its commitment to advancing research and knowledge-sharing in the fields of arts, culture, and education. The dedicated space was officially inaugurated by Prof Nimai Chandra Saha, Director of Public Instructions, Education Department, Government of West Bengal.

After the inauguration, a panel discussion took place on “From Evidence to Impact: How Research in Culture, Arts, and Education is Shaping Our Future”. Bringing together thought leaders from academia, healthcare and cultural sectors, the discussion explored the role of evidence-based research in shaping policies, driving meaningful societal change, and advancing educational and cultural development.

Chaired by Dr Debanjan Chakrabarti, Director British Council, East and Northeast India, the panel featured Dr Swati Guha, Director, Institute for Language Studies and Research (ILSR); Sohini Chakraborty, Secretary and Founder Director of Kolkata Sanved; Dr Amit Ghose, Urologist, Apollo Gleneagles Hospital, Kolkata, and lead of the medical council of IBSA (Indo British Scholars’ Association) and Prof Amlan Chakrabarti, Professor and Director, A.K. Choudhury School of Information Technology, University of Calcutta, an expert on quantum computing and AI.

Mr Binod Kuma, IAS, Principal Secretary of Education, Government of West Bengal, said, “I am delighted that British Council library, which plays such an important role in the lives of students of all ages in Kolkata, is launching a section dedicated to research. West Bengal is one of the most important centres of science and humanities research, not just in India but the whole world. And we have an excellent track record of collaboration in research with UK universities through British Council’s initiatives like Going Global Partnerships and UKIERI, and in English language learning and teacher education at the school level through Ujjiban Charcha.”

In an era where evidence-based research is driving global transformation, British Council’s Research Corner initiative aims to showcase how academic inquiry leads to real-world impact.

Dr Debanjan Chakrabarti, who is also one of the South Asia Research Champions of the British Council, said, “The launch of this research and publication section is an important step to spotlight all the research the British Council does across arts, English and education, and how that drives the work that we do. Kolkata has been recently recognised as India’s top city for scientific research in the latest Nature Index and this space is a modest celebration of the city’s intellectual ethos. Our work in research across the globe fosters collaboration and helps researchers, educators, policymakers, and cultural practitioners drive meaningful progress in education, creativity and social development.”

Cosmo First Welcomes Yamini Kumar as Whole-Time Director

Mumbai,5th March 2025: The Board of Cosmo First Limited, an over four-decade old conglomerate with a global presence, has appointed Ms Yamini Kumar Jaipuria as Whole Time Director, Corporate Strategy, ESG & CSR, for a 5-year term, effective immediately. Ms Kumar is an accomplished business leader with nearly two decades of experience as Vice President, Human Resources at GE Europe, Asia, and India. along with significant contributions as Corporate Advisor to Cosmo First since 2020.

Ms Jaipuria will support the Chairman & Managing Director in transforming the Company into a ‘Future Ready’ organization and work closely with the Board, Group CEO, and business/functional heads on Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) including Corporate Social Responsibility and Business Ethics. Her focus areas will also include Social Media, Employer and Corporate Branding, and Diversity and Inclusion, along with leadership building and nurturing of the next generation of leaders within the organisation.

LS Digital’s DataQuark: A Dedicated Business Unit Set to Transform Data and Insights

INDIA – March 05, 2025 – LS Digital, India’s leading integrated Digital Business Transformation (DBT) company, today announced the launch of DataQuark, a dedicated business unit focused on revolutionising the Data & Insights; designed to revolutionize the measurement, analysis, and reporting of data, empowering modern businesses to thrive. Following an overwhelming response to the Data & Insights pillar of LS Digital’s DBT framework, the company decided to give it a strategic identity of its own. Vinay Tamboli, who was leading this domain as CEO of Data & Insights, will now take charge as the CEO of DataQuark.

The name DataQuark is inspired by the fundamental principles of data and physics. Quarks are the elementary particles that form the foundation of matter, just as data forms the foundation of every digital enterprise. DataQuark symbolises the building blocks of intelligence, enabling businesses to unify, process, and activate data to drive strategic growth and AI-led transformation.

Commenting on the launch of DataQuark business unit, Prasad Shejale, Founder & CEO, LS Digital said, “In today’s digital-first world, businesses must do more than just collect data; they must harness its full potential. The launch of DataQuark is a natural progression in our journey, ensuring data is not only a foundational asset but a key driver of business transformation. Just as bringing in Langoor, f1studioz, and Social Panga helped strengthened the respective pillars within our DBT framework, DataQuark will now lead the charge in Data & AI. This move is an integral part of our business growth strategy underscoring our commitment to empowering brands to reach new heights of success.”

Turning Data into a Competitive Advantage DataQuark is designed to bridge the gap between raw data and actionable intelligence, helping brands elevate their AI maturity and drive measurable business impact. The business unit follows the methodology of “Collect – Collate – Activate”, ensuring data integrity, privacy, and activation at scale. With a robust suite of offerings, DataQuark enables brands to transform their data infrastructure, enhance AI capabilities, and optimise marketing effectiveness.

“Over the years, we have witnessed how Data & Insights have been instrumental in driving digital business transformation across industries. As AI continues to evolve, the role of data has never been more critical. Through DataQuark, we are building a powerful ecosystem that integrates AI-driven solutions, advanced analytics, and strategic partnerships to help brands break data silos and accelerate innovation. The demand for privacy-first, AI-ready data solutions is soaring, and DataQuark is uniquely positioned to meet this need,” said Vinay Tamboli, CEO, DataQuark.

DataQuark offers four key services to help businesses unlock the full potential of their data. Marketing Data Infrastructure lays the foundation for growth by integrating first-party data with advertising platforms to drive revenue and conversions. Business Data Infrastructure connects finance, marketing, operations, and sales, using data lakes and streamlined engineering for better decision-making. With AI & ML Solutions, we deliver actionable insights, predict business KPIs, and automate processes to boost efficiency. Lastly, Data and AI Readiness services ensure organisations are primed for AI adoption through audits, strategy development, and customised playbooks.

By leveraging Google cloud partnership and Meta partnership DataQuark is future ready with latest AI technologies.

Powering the Future with AI & Strategic Partnerships DataQuark’s advanced solutions include DigiVerse, AI-powered data platforms, and partnerships with leading industry players such as Aqilliz, DataMorph, and VWO, enabling businesses to leverage blockchain-powered data collaboration, predictive analytics, and AI-driven insights.

By launching DataQuark as a standalone business unit, LS Digital is reaffirming its commitment to redefining how brands interact with data in an AI-driven economy. This launch is a strategic step in empowering CXOs to navigate an increasingly complex digital landscape with data as their competitive edge.

The Women Shaping Dupahiya: A Glimpse into the Minds Behind This Small-Town Drama

As Dupahiya revs up for its highly anticipated premiere on Prime Video on March 7, it’s time to shine the spotlight on the powerhouse women who have been instrumental in crafting this unique and heartwarming story. Set in the fictional village of Dhadakpur, the series unravels the chaos that ensues when a prized ‘Dupahiya’ (motorbike) is stolen— just as the village prepares to celebrate 25 years of being crime-free. With a wedding on the horizon, a silver jubilee trophy at stake, and the villagers’ pride teetering on the edge, the stage is set for an exhilarating mix of comedy, drama, and small-town charm.

Dupahiya, which is the first series created and produced by Bombay Film Cartel, takes forward Prime Video’s endeavor of backing fresh talent. The creative vision of the series being steered by creators and executive producers: Salona Bains Joshi and Shubh Shivdasani. Salona Bains Joshi holds the honour of being the first student from India to be selected into this prestigious Producer’s Program at UCLA and was also a part of the theatrical blockbuster ABCD2 and the rib-tickling direct to streaming horror comedy Kakuda. Shubh Shivdasani has been part of highly acclaimed film Barfi, directed by Anurag Basu which was also selected as India’s entry to the Oscars that year. They collectively worked on various acclaimed projects before Dupahiya, including Uri: The Surgical Strike, The Sky is Pink, Lust Stories, Sonchiriya and Kedarnath. Dupahiya is their first independent project.

Speaking of her experience on Dupahiya, creator and producer Salona Bains Joshi said, “India’s heartland is a treasure trove of stories, and at Bombay Film Cartel, we resonate with ideas that are both accessible and impactful. Showrunning and producing Dupahiya has allowed us to bring together an exceptional cast and crew. With Sonam’s skillful direction, we have brought to life the pages that Avinash and Chirag have written so wonderfully. Prime Video has wholeheartedly believed in and supported us in bringing this family entertainer to life.”

Creator and producer Shubh Shivdasani added, “Our journey as showrunners has been incredibly fulfilling. Bringing together the right creative forces, who have given their absolute best, has made Dupahiya a true entertainer. Sonam’s direction brought to life the script penned by Avinash and Chirag, making Bombay Film Cartel’s debut production a dream come true. With Prime Video’s unwavering support, we believe we have a true winner on our hands.”

Guiding the series with a masterful touch is director Sonam Nair, known for her work in Masaba Masaba, whose keen eye for storytelling seamlessly blends humor, drama, and small-town quirks into an irresistible watch. The director spoke about her experience on the series, stating, “When Shubh and Salona called me to direct this incredible script, written by Avinash and Chirag, I was so excited and so grateful. Dupahiya is unlike anything I had been offered before, and I dived into this heartland comedy with the hope that I can do justice to it. It was a blessed journey from the start as we got together a bunch of extremely talented actors, all perfect for their roles, along with the most passionate technicians all putting their best into this series. I have laughed nonstop from my first day on the series, and hopefully now the audience will laugh and love it as much as we have.”

Dupahiya is also defined by its powerful cast. At the heart of the ensemble are the remarkable women who have shaped its vision and characters with depth, nuance, and brilliance. Shivani Raghuvanshi, who essays the role of Roshni Jha, embodies a bride-to-be with an irresistible mix of innocence and resilience. Fun-loving, and lost in her own world, Roshni may appear carefree, but she knows exactly what she wants— and isn’t afraid to voice it. Matching her in presence and power is the legendary Renuka Shahane who plays Pushplata, the strong-willed yet endearing ‘sarpanch’ of Dhadakpur. With warmth and authority, she commands every scene, making her character a true force to be reckoned with.

Boasting a stellar cast featuring Gajraj Rao, Bhuvan Arora, Sparsh Shrivastava, Yashpal Sharma, and more, the series promises a delightful ride brimming with distinct characters, razor-sharp humor, and heartfelt moments. But at its very soul, Dupahiya is driven by an incredible league of women—both in front of and behind the camera—whose talent, vision, and creativity make them the driving force behind this compelling tale– true ‘Superwomen’ in every sense.