Author: Neel Achary

HCLTech opens office in Calgary, expanding its presence in Canada

CALGARY, Alberta and NOIDA, India, Nov 19:– HCLTech, a leading global technology company, today announced the opening of its office in Calgary, Alberta, following the signing of a memorandum of understanding with Invest Alberta to advance technology collaboration and innovation in the province. The expansion reinforces the company’s commitment to growth in Alberta and across Canada.

Located at The Ampersand, one of downtown Calgary’s premier office complexes; the new facility is designed as a collaboration-first environment and will serve as a client co-innovation and delivery center. The space enables HCLTech to work closely with clients and ecosystem partners to drive innovation, inspire creativity and deliver transformative technology solutions across industries. HCLTech operates delivery and innovation centers in Mississauga, Moncton and Vancouver, supporting more than 50 major Canadian enterprises.

HCLTech is inaugurating the new office today at its Annual Year-End Reception in Calgary; where clients, partners and industry leaders are joining HCLTech executive leadership to mark this milestone. The office reflects HCLTech’s long-term vision to create local jobs, contribute to Alberta’s economy and strengthen Canada’s technology ecosystem. The company has also formed a strategic partnership with Invest Alberta to deepen its presence in the province and collaborate with local enterprises, educational institutions and government stakeholders.

“This is the fifth Indian IT company that IAC has helped land in Calgary;We are very proud of this milestone, as it demonstrates Alberta’s growing appeal in the global tech sector. We celebrate this achievement, the result of collaboration and true teamwork,” said Rick Christiaanse, CEO of Invest Alberta.

“The opening of our Calgary office marks an important step in expanding our presence in Western Canada and advancing the digital transformation journeys of our clients,” said Dave Chopra, Executive Vice President and Canada Country Head, HCLTech. “As we deepen our collaboration with Invest Alberta and accelerate our focus on AI, cybersecurity and data, we see tremendous opportunity to co-innovate with the region’s growing technology community.”

Choice International Expands Infrastructure Advisory Capabilities with acquisition of Ayoleeza Consultants

Mumbai, November 19, 2025: Choice International Limited, one of India’s leading diversified financial services and consulting group, announced that its subsidiary, Choice Consultancy Services Private Limited (CCSPL), has acquired 100% shareholding in Ayoleeza Consultants Private Limited.

Ayoleeza Consultants Private Limited is a two decades old reputed consultancy firm engaged in providing specialized advisory consultancy services in areas such as Railways & Metros, Road & Highways, Bridges, Tunnels and Urban Infrastructure in India and neighbouring countries.

The company currently manages live orders exceeding ₹200 Crores alongwith their Partners. Notably, about 69% of these projects are time-based payment contracts, ensuring consistent monthly revenue. Ayoleeza has recently secured several key assignments in the railway sector, driven by its strong technical capabilities and deep understanding of India’s transport infrastructure landscape. Additionally, the firm has bid for consultancy tenders worth ₹350+ Crores in Railway projects and ₹150+ Crores in Roads & Highways, which are presently under evaluation—indicating strong potential for future order wins.

Backed by a team of over 200+ qualified engineers, planners, and consultants, Ayoleeza Consultants brings strong technical expertise and multidisciplinary project experience under the leadership of Mr. Abhishek Kumar, Founder of Ayoleeza Consultants. The team’s capabilities span across detailed project reports (DPRs), design and supervision, project management consultancy (PMC), and quality assurance for both public and private sector clients. Their experience across national and state-level assignments further complements CCSPL’s growing infrastructure consulting portfolio.

This acquisition is strategically aligned with Choice Group’s vision to expand its Public Sector Consulting vertical and strengthen its capabilities across project advisory, design, supervision, and implementation monitoring services in Infrastructure domain. The integration of Ayoleeza’s strong technical expertise, diversified client base, and proven execution track record will enhance CCSPL’s ability to deliver large-scale infrastructure mandates across India.

Mr. Arun Poddar, Group CEO of Choice International Limited, added:

“We are delighted to welcome Ayoleeza Consultants into the Choice family. This acquisition reflects our continued commitment to scale our Public Sector Consulting business, create long-term value, and contribute to the nation’s growth through participation in key public sector development projects globally.”

With this transaction, CCSPL further consolidates its position as a comprehensive Public Sector consulting and advisory platform, leveraging a strong pipeline of ongoing and upcoming projects across transport segment specially Railways & Metro.

VARU by Atmosphere Elevates Island Dining with Two New Overwater Venues

Maldives, Nov 18: Celebrating the spirit of modern Maldivian hospitality, VARU by Atmosphere has expanded its culinary landscape with the launch of two exceptional overwater dining venues – Teppanyaki Over Water and Cellar at NÜ. A favourite among Indian travellers and couples seeking a blend of romance, relaxation, and refined gastronomy, VARU by Atmosphere continues to evolve its offerings while staying true to its “Naturally Maldivian” essence.

The new additions further enhance the resort’s reputation for immersive dining experiences, already highlighted by its signature restaurant Kaagé, a winner of the Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Award 2025 for the fifth consecutive year.

“At VARU, our cuisine, design, and service are intuitive and thoughtfully curated. With Teppanyaki Over Water and Cellar at NÜ, we have created dining journeys that are both enriching and true to the island’s generous spirit – giving our guests new reasons to return, season after season,” said Maurice Van Den Bosch, General Manager, VARU by Atmosphere. 

At Teppanyaki Over Water, the vibrant spirit of Japanese cuisine unfolds through the artistry of Teppan grilling. Guests are invited to a lively dining journey over the lagoon, where premium seafood, A5 Wagyu, and sushi are prepared with precision and flair. Enhanced by sake cocktails and the open-air, lantern-lit setting, every seating captures the essence of Japanese hospitality with a Maldivian touch.
As the sun sets over the Indian Ocean, Cellar at NÜ invites guests into an elegant overwater wine degustation lounge, perfect for intimate evenings. The experience celebrates the craft of pairing through rare vintages and bold New World selections, complemented by artisanal chocolate, cheese, and charcuterie platters. The highlight – a six-course Royal Wine Pairing Dinner – transforms each evening into a refined celebration of flavour and finesse.

Located in the North Malé Atoll, VARU by Atmosphere continues to earn global recognition, ranking among the top 1% of listings worldwide in Tripadvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Awards Best of the Best 2025. With these new dining additions, the resort invites guests to discover elevated culinary experiences that blend sophistication, creativity, and island soul.

A Decade of Tata Steel Kalinganagar: Forging India’s Self-reliance

Chandigarh, Nov,18: Tata Steel Kalinganagar (TSK) completes a decade of operations, marking a significant milestone in its journey of industrial leadership and community development. Commissioned in 2015, TSK has not only emerged as a formidable force in steel manufacturing but has also set new benchmarks in operational efficiency, technological advancement, safety, and sustainable practices, while deeply integrating with its surrounding communities.

From an initial capacity of 3 million tonnes per annum (MTPA), TSK has now expanded to 8 MTPA production capacity with a cumulative investment of over ₹50,000 crore — the largest organic capacity expansion in Tata Steel’s history. A key highlight of this expansion was the commissioning of India’s largest blast furnace. Today, TSK plays a crucial role in India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat story by producing over 100 different types of high-quality steel, significantly reducing the nation’s import dependence.

T. V. Narendran, CEO & Managing Director, Tata Steel, said: “For all of us at Tata Steel, Kalinganagar holds a very special place in our hearts. It represents a new era — one where we combined a century of experience with a vision for the future, creating a living blueprint for Indian manufacturing. Kalinganagar tested our resilience, teamwork, and faith, and each time, our people rose to the occasion. Over the past decade, Kalinganagar has demonstrated how growth, technology, and sustainability can work in harmony to build lasting value. Today, as we celebrate this 10-year milestone, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has been part of this journey – community, Odisha government, our employees past and present, customers, suppliers & vendor partners – for their unwavering support and belief in our vision.”

The establishment of TSK holds a unique place in the history of Tata Steel; For many years, the rich mineral resources of Odisha primarily served as raw material sources for the Jamshedpur plant. TSK fundamentally altered this dynamic by bringing large-scale steel production directly into Odisha. Odisha has emerged as the largest investment destination in India for Tata Steel, with a total cumulative investment of over ₹100,000 crore in the last 10 years.

TSK’s leadership in leveraging digital and smart manufacturing earned it global recognition from the World Economic Forum, making it the first manufacturing plant in India (and the second worldwide) to be designated as an Advanced 4th Industrial Revolution Lighthouse.

Sustainable growth is at the heart of TSK’s philosophy; The plant minimises its environmental impact through efficient supply chain management and reduced carbon emissions. Notably, 33% of its area is dedicated to green cover. TSK also operates as a Zero Effluent Discharge (ZED) site and ensures 100% solid waste utilisation, highlighting its commitment to environmental stewardship. In 2024, TSK achieved the prestigious ResponsibleSteel^TM certification, which validates its commitment to ethical sourcing and responsible production practices.

TSK is also a frontrunner in fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace; The plant proudly reports that 30% of its workforce comprises women, Persons with Disabilities (PwDs), LGBTIQA+ individuals, and members from Affirmative Action communities.

The positive impact of TSK extends well beyond its industrial operations into the local communities. Through robust collaborations with the Tata Steel Foundation, the plant has touched more than 14 lakh lives in the past 10 years. Community benefits include access to quality education through institutions like the Loyola School and advanced medical care at the 100-bed multispecialty Tata Steel Medica Hospital. TSK also supports local empowerment initiatives, such as the Navjeevan Cooperative Ltd., a self-help group of women artisans from Kalinganagar, which provides sustainable livelihoods to over 100 individuals.

The future holds even greater promise for Tata Steel Kalinganagar as it is poised to become a 16 MTPA complex – continuing to innovate, grow, and uplift the lives of countless individuals.