18, Dec 2025
IIT Delhi Alumni Day 2025 – A Celebration of Legacy, Camaraderie & Excellence
New Delhi Dec 18:The Indian Institute of Technology Delhi Alumni Association is set to host 12thAlumni Day on 21stDecember at the IIT Delhi campus. The annual flagship gathering will bring together alumni, leaders, innovators, entrepreneurs, artists, and students to celebrate shared legacy, lifelong bonds, and future-forward ideas.
With a global alumni strength of nearly 65,000 graduates, the Annual Alumni Day has emerged as a powerful platform for networking, collaboration, mentorship, and nation-building through education and innovation.
Key highlights of ‘IITDAA Alumni Day 2025’ include;
- Inaugural Session &Discussions by with distinguished speakers
- Startup Club Showcase & Funding Pitch, connecting IIT Delhi Start-ups with leading investors and venture capital firms
- Cultural performances, comedy, poetry, and musical evenings
- Alumni networking sessions and campus nostalgia walks
- The 1st Diamond Jubilee of a Batch – 1966 & 1967 Batches
- Silver Jubilee celebrations of the 2000 Batch, marking 25 years of memories and milestones
The event reinforces IIT Delhi’s commitment to fostering alumni engagement, entrepreneurship, and cultural expression beyond academics. The Motto remains ENGAGE ENRICH EMPOWER
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- By Neel Achary
18, Dec 2025
Zaggle Allots Convertible Warrants to RAN Ventures (Promoter Group) and Bennett Coleman & Company Limited
Mumbai, Dec 18: Zaggle Prepaid Ocean Services Limited (“Zaggle”), India’s leading spend management and SaaS-led FinTech company, today announced that its Board of Directors has approved the allotment of 1,058,201 convertible warrants on a preferential basis, pursuant to shareholder approval obtained at the Extraordinary General Meeting held on October 31, 2025, and in-principle approvals received from the stock exchanges. The capital infusion by the Promoter Group and BCCL, which was announced in October 2025, has been undertaken in line with the company’s strategic growth plans.
The warrants have been issued at an issue price of INR 567 per warrant, in accordance with the provisions of the SEBI (Issue of Capital and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2018. Of the total warrants allotted:
- 3,52,734 warrants have been allotted to RAN Ventures Private Limited, part of the promoter group
- 7,05,467 warrants have been allotted to Bennett Coleman and Company Limited (BCCL), a non-promoter investor
This dual reinforcement of internal conviction and external validation firmly positions Zaggle for its next phase of growth. The Promoters’ infusion stands as a clear testament to their belief in the company’s intrinsic worth. They have reiterated their view that even at this valuation, Zaggle remains significantly undervalued and expressed intent to further increase their stake, a move that strengthens long-term shareholder alignment and underscores their confidence in Zaggle’s future trajectory.
BCCL has consistently partnered with some of India’s fastest-growing enterprises, accelerating brand equity through media-first investments that build trust, drive customer acquisition and establish category leadership.
Management Commentary
Commenting on the development, Dr. Raj P. Narayanam, Founder & Executive Chairman, Zaggle, said,
“The allotment of warrants reflects the continued confidence of our stakeholders in Zaggle’s long-term strategy, governance standards, and growth trajectory. The proceeds from the preferential issue will further strengthen our capital base and support our strategic growth initiatives, while remaining fully aligned with regulatory requirements and shareholder interests. Together, these investments provide a strong foundation of stability and credibility, while also accelerating our execution, positioning Zaggle for sustained long-term success.”
The Zaggle Advantage lies in the dual reinforcement of promoter-led conviction and brand-led validation. This dual milestone not only strengthens governance and alignment but also accelerates market reach, empowering Zaggle to continue its mission of delivering intelligent, AI-led spend management solutions to enterprises across India.
18, Dec 2025
Breaking E-Commerce Monopolies: Divya Devarajan Urges MSMEs to Join ONDC
Hyderabad, Dec 18: The National Small Industries Corporation Ltd. (NSIC), a Government of India Enterprise under the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, organised an MSME Marketing Conclave at KLN Prasad Auditorium, FTCCI, Hyderabad, under the TEAM (Trade Enablement & Marketing) Initiative, a key component of the RAMP Programme on Wednesday.
The conclave was organised with the objective of onboarding 5 lakh Micro and Small MSMEs onto the ONDC (Open Network for Digital Commerce) platform, a Government of India–backed initiative aimed at creating an open, interoperable digital commerce ecosystem.
Addressing the gathering, Smt. Divya Devarajan, IAS, CEO, SERP, Hyderabad, Chief Gest, stated that “monopoly is not good for democracy” and appealed to micro and small MSMEs to onboard their businesses onto the ONDC platform. She emphasised that traditional e-commerce platforms such as Amazon and Flipkart operate as closed systems where a single company controls buyers, sellers, data, algorithms, pricing visibility, and logistics. Sellers are forced to operate under high commissions, advertising pressure, and restrictive platform policies, creating strong gatekeeping power.
She explained that ONDC changes this model by moving from a platform-centric approach to an open network, where no single entity owns or controls the market. Buyers and sellers can transact seamlessly using different applications, thereby breaking dependency on dominant platforms. “ONDC helps micro and small MSMEs by making digital commerce open, affordable, and inclusive. For women MSMEs, it offers freedom, flexibility, visibility, and economic empowerment without traditional barriers,” she added.
The conclave aimed to onboard 5 lakh MSMEs from across India, of which 50 percent will be women-led enterprises. Speaking on the occasion, Sri V. Suresh Babu, Zonal General Manager (Telangana & Andhra Pradesh), NSIC, said that similar conclaves are being organised simultaneously across the country to accelerate MSME participation in the ONDC ecosystem.
Over 200 MSME entrepreneurs participated in the conclave. Mr. R. Ravi Kumar, President, FTCCI, urged entrepreneurs to embrace digital platforms, stating, “Go digital or you will miss the bus. If you don’t go online, you are dead offline.”
Mr. Srinivas Nayak, Ms. Swaroopa Rani, Vice President, ALEAP, and other dignitaries also addressed the gathering. Mr. Pradeep of Local Cart gave a presentation on the technical aspects of onboarding to ONDC.
The conclave reinforced the Government of India’s commitment to building a competitive, inclusive, and monopoly-free digital commerce environment for MSMEs, with special focus on women-led enterprises.
18, Dec 2025
The Galleria Mall Lights Up Bengaluru with a Magical Christmas Celebration
Bengaluru, Dec 18: Brookfield Properties, a leading global developer and operator of high-quality real estate assets, kicked off the holiday season with a spectacular Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on December 9 at the Galleria Mall, its premium lifestyle retail destination located at Yelahanka. The community members and a few special invitees gathered for an evening full of festive cheering, live music, and engaging activities where they enjoyed a curated high-tea experience by Nasi & Mee, followed by the eagerly awaited countdown to the Christmas Tree lighting.
The stunning illumination turned the mall atrium into a glowing festive scene, accompanied by cheerful Christmas carols. The festivities continued with an interactive Christmas Cookie Decoration workshop with Vea by Leo’s Gold & Diamonds. Participants decorated Christmas themed cookies at individual stations and took home their creations along with festive goodie bags filled with holiday keepsakes and exclusive mall vouchers. A post-event gathering for the special invitees was held at Jollygunj. The celebration reflects Brookfield Properties’ placemaking philosophy, which focuses on creating vibrant, community-centric spaces where people can connect and engage.
This event marks the start of ‘A Very London Christmas’ at The Galleria Mall. A series of festive performances, workshops, parades, and holiday attractions are planned throughout December.
18, Dec 2025
MAHE Inaugurates HBSF Clinical Block to Strengthen Palliative Care at Manipal Hospice
Alumnus Philanthropy Drives Palliative Care MAHE Inaugurates Harish & Bina Shah (HBSF) Clinical Block at Manipal Hospice and Respite Centre, MAHE
Manipal, Dec 18: The Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), an Institution of Eminence Deemed to be University, today inaugurated the ‘Harish & Bina Shah Foundation (HBSF) Clinical Block’ at the Manipal Hospice and Respite Centre (MHRC), Manipal. This initiative is very significant, where an alumnus of MAHE has collaborated with his alma mater in its continued commitment to advancing healthcare infrastructure and compassionate patient care.
The ceremony was graced by Mr. Harish Shah, Chairperson of the Harish & Bina Shah Foundation as the Chief Guest. Mr. Harish Shah, an esteemed alumnus of Manipal Institute of Technology (MIT Manipal, Batch 1975-80), has been an active supporter of MAHE’s initiatives in healthcare and education. Mrs. Vasanti R Pai, Trustee, MAHE Trust, was also present during the event.
Speaking at the event, Mr. Harish Shah said,
“I am indebted to MAHE for providing a values-based education journey, one which has shaped my life in significant ways. This new clinical block for palliative care amplifies our shared belief that every individual deserves dignity, comfort and respect, at all stages of life. It is an honour to support a cause which adds “life to days”. Additionally, under the Harish & Bina Shah Foundation-MAHE Edu Empower Scholarship, in the current year, 19 students have been awarded a full scholarship for pursuing their engineering program at MIT, Manipal, and Bengaluru. The foundation is also an active supporter of the Access Life Assistance Foundation, an initiative which provides accommodation and allied services for children undergoing bone marrow transplantation and ensures that their families are also well supported. HBSF supports multiple centres, including one in Manipal.
Delivering Presidential address Dr. H. S. Ballal, Pro Chancellor, MAHE, highlighted,
“The naming of this Clinical Block represents far more than the creation of a physical infrastructure. The involvement of our alumni in this Endeavor reinforces the core value of our Founder, Dr TMA PAI, that the purpose of education is to empower and equip students to do good for society. We are deeply grateful to the Harish & Bina Shah Foundation for their vision and generosity in supporting this vital facility that will serve countless patients and families.
In his special address Lt. Gen. (Dr.) M. D. Venkatesh, VSM (Retd), Vice Chancellor, MAHE, ,
“This day marks a major milestone in the history of any university when its Alumni come forward to support a societal cause, an amazing way to express gratitude. The facility inauguration today underscores MAHE’s dedication to advancing healthcare that truly transforms lives. MHRC will serve as a ray of hope and healing, combining clinical excellence with the warmth of human compassion that defines quality palliative care”.
Welcoming the gathering, Dr. Sharath K Rao, Pro Vice Chancellor – Health Sciences, stated,
“The integration of state-of-the-art facilities with our research initiatives at MHRC demonstrates the holistic approach to the healthcare ecosystem. This Clinical Block will provide our students and faculty with an exceptional environment to learn, practice, and innovate in the field of palliative and supportive care.” The event was followed by a special video presentation on MHRC.
This ceremony comes at a pivotal time as MHRC continues to expand its role in palliative care research and education. In October 2025, MAHE established the ICMR-MAHE Centre for Advanced Research (CAR) at MHRC, supported by a ₹12.84 crore grant from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).
Dr. Seema Rajesh Rao, Director and Consultant, MHRC, provided an overview of the facilities at MHRC and delivered the Vote of Thanks.
Dr. Anand Venugopal Chief Operating Officer, MAHE, Mr. Harinarayan Sharma, Chief Executive Officer, Manipal Foundation, Bengaluru and Dr. Naveen Salins, Professor & Head, Department of Palliative Medicine and Supportive Care, KMC Manipal, were also present on the occasion.
18, Dec 2025
ASN Bank signs a contract with HCLTech to accelerate digital transformation and enhance customer experience
UTRECHT, Netherlands and NOIDA, India, Dec 18: HCLTech, a leading global technology company, announced that it has been selected as a strategic partner by ASN Bank (formerly de Volksbank), the fourth-largest retail bank in the Netherlands.
As part of its new strategy ‘Simplify and Grow’, ASN Bank aims to modernise and standardise its IT architecture, which will involve consolidating IT services, simplifying the vendor landscape and building a future-ready organisation. Under the multi-year agreement, HCLTech will support ASN Bank’s enterprise applications, and streamline services through a distributed delivery model to enhance efficiency and customer experience.
Michel Ruijterman, Chief Information Officer, ASN Bank: “By signing this agreement, HCLTech’s proven track record in delivering scalable, innovative solutions tailored to the financial services sector means we can now confidently press on with streamlining our business by reducing the number of existing products and aligning the underlying processes and systems under our new strategy. Standardising and further automating our systems will enable us to organise our business operations more efficiently and effectively.”
Sudip Lahiri, Executive Vice President and Head of Financial Services for Europe, HCLTech: “By aligning our engineering mindset and scalable, domain-led solutions with ASN Bank’s strategic goals, we are set to deliver tangible impact and long-term value, laying the foundation for future-ready operations. Collaborating with ASN Bank marks a major step forward for HCLTech as we grow our presence in the Dutch banking sector.”
17, Dec 2025
The Minimalist Backs Regional Influencers as the Next Driver of Brand Growth
Mumbai, Dec 17: As brands rethink how they connect with audiences in an increasingly fragmented digital ecosystem, The Minimalist- an integrated creative agency with offices in Mumbai and Delhi- has been building region-first culture-led creator strategies for consumer brands across India.. This approach, the agency says, is already driving stronger engagement, higher stickiness and better platform performance across YouTube and Meta.
According to the data derived by the Minimalist’s recent hyperlocal campaigns, the sharpest performance gains on YouTube Shorts and Instagram Reels today are coming from creators who speak one city, one language and one lived truth, rather than generic pan-India messaging.
“One-size-fits-all influencer marketing worked when discovery was new. Today, it feels predictable and easy to scroll past,” says Sahil Vaidya, co-founder of The Minimalist. He adds, “Audiences now reward familiarity, cultural relevance and creators who genuinely reflect their everyday lives.”
Moving Beyond Broadcast-Style Influencer Marketing;
The Minimalist has seen this shift play out across multiple digital campaigns, including a monsoon-led campaign for CEAT executed with regional influencers across Bangalore, Hyderabad and Kochi that garnered over 1.3M average views and 2.4% engagement, outperforming pan-India creator benchmarks by prioritising cultural relevance over scale.
That cultural resonance was most visible during Eveready’s Durga Puja campaign in Kolkata, where collaborating with city based creators led to authentic connection and stronger audience appeal.
“These weren’t translated ideas. They were locally imagined ones, and that’s what stuck” the agency noted.
On Instagram and other Meta platforms, The Minimalist has observed that performance is increasingly tied to quality of engagement over scale an advantage regional creators consistently deliver.
“India isn’t one feed. It’s thousands of micro-cultures living side by side,” adds Sahil Vaidya. “The brands that win will be the ones that respect that reality and build presence within communities, not just impressions around them.”
The Minimalist works with a dynamic portfolio of consumer brands including Parle, Birla Estates, CEAT, Eveready, among others, delivering culture-first influencer and content campaigns that balance strategic rigour, platform understanding and creative instinct.
17, Dec 2025
C-DEP Warns of Energy Security Risks as India’s Baryte Reserves Decline
New Delhi, Dec 17: The Centre for Domestic Economy Policy Research released a landmark report today warning that India is on the verge of exhausting its only major baryte reserve, placing the country’s long-term energy security at risk. With domestic extraction continuing at high levels, India is now the only major economy in the world with less than 10 years of accessible baryte reserves left.
Baryte is an essential mineral for oil and gas drilling, with no viable substitutes for stabilising high-pressure wells during exploration. Without an assured domestic supply, India’s exploration programmes in the Andaman Basin and the Krishna Godavari Basin will face immediate operational disruptions.
The report highlights that 95% of India’s baryte wealth is concentrated in the Mangampet mine in Andhra Pradesh, where proven reserves have declined from 49 million tonnes in 2015 to under 23 million tonnes in 2024, a 53% fall within a decade. This decline has been driven by unsustainable exports without parallel efforts to build a strategic reserve for India’s long-term energy and domestic requirements.
The report, titled “Analysis of the Impact of Rapid Depletion of Baryte Reserves on Energy Security,” was released at IIT Delhi by Shri Praveen Prakash IAS (retd.), former Managing Director of the Andhra Pradesh Mineral Development Corporation the state-owned PSU responsible for managing the Mangampet reserve.
“The depletion of the baryte reserve is not just a mineral issue; it is a national energy-security concern,” said Mr. Prakash. “With 90% of India’s crude oil demand met through imports, the ability to explore and extract domestic reserves is essential. Baryte determines whether India can drill safely and efficiently in the future. Conserving this resource must become a strategic priority.”
The report notes that the rapid fall in reserves is driven primarily by exports, mainly to the United States, which now accounts for a major share of APMDC’s output. APMDC has also raised nearly INR 10,000 crore in bonds backed by baryte revenues, creating fiscal dependence on continued extraction rather than conservation.
C-DEP analysis shows that India became the world’s largest exporter of baryte because China restricted exports in 2016 to conserve its own reserves. India now supplies nearly 44% of U.S. baryte imports despite holding far smaller reserves than major producers such as the United States, Iran, Kazakhstan and Turkey. “Oil-producing nations such as Russia, Iran and the United States are either restricting baryte exports or calibrating production to ensure several decades of reserves left,” said Dr. Jaijit Bhattacharya, President, C-DEP. “India must adopt a similar long-term approach to safeguard domestic exploration and avoid future strategic dependence.”
India has an estimated 22 billion barrels of oil equivalent yet to be explored across the Andaman, Krishna Godavari and Mahanadi basins, C-DEP estimates that unlocking this potential would require over 600 million tonnes of baryte, far exceeding the reserves left at Mangampet.
Given these developments, the report calls for calibrated export restrictions, a fiscal transition plan for APMDC’s bond obligations, revision of export allocation policies and inclusion of baryte in the National Critical Minerals Mission The study contributes to India’s ongoing discussions on mineral security, strategic reserves and strengthening domestic capacity for future oil and gas exploration.
17, Dec 2025
Zane’s Cafe Launches Festive Christmas Menu with Strawberry Delights & Winter Treats
Christmas delights make their place within small plates, main course, desserts and there’s a crafted drinks menu too. You can start with Rosemary & Thyme Potatoes, accompany a healthy Citrusy Beetroot Salad while you wait for Winter Berry Pancakes or Crimson Chicken from the mains. For some warmth, order the Slow-Cooked Lamb or Broccoli Risotto, another green holiday classic that comes with shaved almonds. The desserts bring out fresh berry goodness. Panna Cotta w Strawberries, rich dark Mousse or spiced plum cakes with vanilla bean ice cream, topped with berry and caramel drizzle in their Christmas Sundae.
A slow-sipping hot chocolate anchors the festive season. Zane’s Unreal X’mas Hot Chocolate Flight comes in three seasonal flavours: Holiday, Fireside and Winterfresh. There’s also white chocolate variants and a Peppermint Tux for those who like sharper sips. For Matcha fans, they’ve an Xmas special The Grinch Matcha topped with peppermint cold foam.
Talking about the special menu, the spokesperson says;
“People have showered Zane’s with their love and X’mas is the season of holiday gifting. The menu is designed to make their visit feel like a holiday season treat. We’ve the classic comforts of the season to make every table a part of X’mas cheer.”
The Christmas menu runs for a limited time so don’t miss out on the chance to enjoy the holiday specials at your and your pet’s favourite cafe in the city.
17, Dec 2025
India’s Retail Boom to Attract USD 3.5 Bn in Next 3 Years, US Malls Crumble
Mumbai, Dec 17: As malls in western countries of the world brace for an existential crisis, global capital is pivoting toward a market that seems to defy every global retail trend – India. While the U.S. has witnessed a net closure of nearly 1,200 mall stores since 2020—with rising vacancies forcing almost 40% of empty malls to undergo rezoning or repurposing—India is experiencing a retail resurgence driven by strong consumer demand and growing institutional investor confidence.
Anuj Kejriwal, CEO – Retail Leasing and Industrial & Logistics, ANAROCK Group, says,
“Latest ANAROCK data shows that in next 3 years, Indian malls are set to see over USD 3.5 Bn of capital inflows. Meanwhile, 88+ foreign brands have entered the Indian retail market and are seeking to expand aggressively. Several more global brands are in the pipeline, seeking space in the severely restricted Grade-A assets currently available.”
As a sharp counterpoint to Western countries’ markets, India’s massive unmet demand from a young consumer base and limited organized retail competition, backed by supportive FDI policies, are exactly what foreign brands and investors now seek.
A major confidence driver is the extreme undersupply of quality retail space in the country. India’s per capita retail stock remains one of the lowest in the world – Tier 1 cities operate with just 4 to 6 sq. ft. per person, Tier 2 and 3 cities with 2 to 3 sq. ft., and Grade A mall space alone sits at barely 0.6 sq. ft. per capita. In contrast, the US averages close to 23 sq. ft. while China exceeds 6 sq. ft.
“This gap, combined with India’s per-capita income nearly doubling in the last decade, has created a demand–supply mismatch virtually unheard of in global retail,” says Kejriwal. “Grade-A malls are running near-full occupancy, reporting 95-100% occupancy with long waitlists for key zones. Rental growth has consistently surpassed pre-pandemic levels, and developers now find leasing cycles outpacing construction cycles – a rarity anywhere in the world.”
For investors seeking predictable, inflation-hedged cash flows, this imbalance is a compelling long-term opportunity.
Consumption Gravitates to Quality Malls
With its rare combination of demographic demand drivers, India’s consumption story is creating new headlines. The country is on track to become a USD 6 trillion consumption economy by 2030. Unlike their Western counterparts, Indian malls are lifestyle destinations anchored in entertainment, dining, and social experiences. Daily footfalls in major malls routinely exceed 20,000 on weekdays and surge beyond 40,000 on weekends. F&B and entertainment now account for 30–35% of footfalls, resulting in a resilient retail mix almost completely immune to the online retail disruptions that are defeating Western malls.
Sharpened Investor Appetite
India has over 600 operational malls, but less than 100 meet the institutional benchmarks that attract global funds – triggering aggressive competition for top-tier assets.
“With its 19 malls’ portfolio housing 1,000+ brands and generating INR 1,600 Cr in annual NOI, Blackstone’s Nexus Select Trust REIT listing in 2023 kick-started retail-led REITs in India,” adds Kejriwal. “It established the sector’s credentials as a transparent, scalable, and professionally managed asset class. By 2030, at least two more retail REITs are expected to enter the Indian market.”
E-commerce Not a Spoilsport
Among the most attractive dynamics for global investors is that Indian malls have not capitulated to e-commerce – they are, in fact, benefiting from it. India’s e-commerce penetration remains around 8%, far below the 20%-plus levels seen in China and the US. Brands here are increasingly going ‘phygital’, with offline stores now experience and trust-building centers while online platforms drive scale.
Many leading D2C brands report that offline conversions are 2-3 times higher than online. In India, physical retail has retained its relevance in a digital age.
Peerless Value Proposition for Global Investors
Indian Grade-A malls typically deliver 14-18% IRRs, almost twice the yields seen in many Western markets. Rental escalation cycles, consumption growth-linked revenue-sharing arrangements, and consistently low vacancies signal stability and upside for global capital seeking both yield and long-term growth.
“This renders India unique among the world’s leading retail markets,” Kejriwal sums up. “In the US and Europe, malls are contending with oversupply, declining footfalls, online cannibalization – and the looming specter of repurposing into other formats. In contrast, the Indian retail market has limited quality supply, rising incomes, heavy footfalls, and rapid brand expansion. In the first half of 2025, retail leasing in India rose almost 70% Y-o-Y, and new mall supply grew by over 160%.”
