23, May 2025
Ishaan Khatter Wears Giorgio Armani at Cannes 2025 for Homebound Premiere
At the 78th Cannes Film Festival, Ishaan Khatter graced the red carpet for the premiere of Homebound. He brought effortless sophistication in a Giorgio Armani ensemble that perfectly balanced relaxed tailoring with sharp intent. Styled by Alexander Roth, he wore a double-breasted, sleeveless taupe linen waistcoat layered over a crisp white shirt with rolled-up sleeves, paired with matching pleated trousers featuring zip-pocket detailing.
Directed by Neeraj Ghaywan, Homebound premiered in the Un Certain Regard section to a standing ovation. Khatter’s contemporary yet grounded style mirrored the film’s emotional depth—quietly powerful, rooted, and globally resonant.
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- By Neel Achary
23, May 2025
Five IHCL Hotels in Tamil Nadu Honoured with Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards 2025
Chennai – May 23, 2025: Five iconic IHCL (The Indian Hotels Company Limited) hotels in Tamil Nadu have been honoured with the prestigious Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards 2025. The award-winning properties are Taj Fisherman’s Cove Resort & Spa, Chennai, Vivanta Chennai, IT Expressway, Gateway Coonoor, Savoy – IHCL SeleQtions, Ooty, and Gateway Madurai.
Tripadvisor presents the Travellers’ Choice Award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor. This recognition underscores IHCL’s unwavering focus on customer-centricity and operational excellence.
Speaking on the achievement, Ian Dubier, Area Director Operations for Tamil Nadu and General Manager of Taj Coromandel, said, “We are truly honoured that five of our hotels in Tamil Nadu have been recognised by Tripadvisor’s global community of travellers. These awards reaffirm our commitment to delivering exceptional service and memorable experiences. We thank our guests for their continued support and trust, and our associates for their passion and dedication.”
Each hotel brings its own distinctive charm to its location. Taj Fisherman’s Cove Resort & Spa, Chennai, set along the picturesque East Coast Road (ECR) and built on the ramparts of an old Dutch fort, seamlessly blends contemporary design with rustic coastal beauty. The soulful and tranquil ambience of this beach resort combines beautifully with a plethora of experiences at the hotel, offering a refreshing escape at the water’s edge. Vivanta Chennai, IT Expressway, located in the heart of Chennai’s IT corridor, is a sleek and stylish address for both business and leisure travellers. With modern interiors, vibrant culinary offerings and excellent amenities, the hotel delivers the perfect mix of comfort and convenience.
Gateway Coonoor, nestled in the scenic Nilgiris, is a luxurious haven for both business travellers and leisure seekers. Guests are attracted to its old-world charm and curated local experiences – making it a peaceful getaway in the hills. Savoy – IHCL SeleQtions, Ooty, a landmark in the misty hills of Ooty, is a heritage hotel steeped in old-world charm. Surrounded by pine forests and flower-filled gardens, it is a timeless destination offering a luxurious escape in the heart of Ooty. Gateway Madurai, set amidst 62 acres of lush greenery, is a serene sanctuary that offers a unique blend of heritage and modern comfort for an unforgettable stay. It is a preferred choice for both pilgrims and leisure travellers exploring the cultural richness of Madurai.
23, May 2025
TBO Tek Ltd delivers a strong performance in FY25 on the back of robust growth in Hotels segment
Mumbai, May 23rd, 2025: TBO Tek Limited , one of the largest global travel distribution platforms, announced its unaudited financial results for Q4 & FY25 today.
Consolidated Financial Performance for FY25 [YoY Growth]
· GTV of INR 30,832 Cr v/s INR 26,536 Cr [+ 16% YoY]
· Revenue from operations of INR 1,737 Cr v/s. INR 1,393 Cr [+ 25% YoY]
· Adjusted EBITDA of INR 329 Cr v/s. INR 270 Cr [+ 22% YoY].
· PAT of Rs. 230 Cr v/s. Rs. 201 Cr [+15% YoY]
Consolidated Financial Performance for Q4 FY25 [YoY Growth]
· GTV of INR 7,788 Cr v/s INR 7,511 Cr [+ 4% YoY]
· Revenue from operations of INR 446 Cr v/s. INR 369 Cr [+ 21% YoY]
· Adjusted EBITDA of INR 79 Cr v/s. Rs. 69 Cr [+ 15% YoY].
· PAT of INR 59 Cr v/s. INR 46 Cr [+ 27% YoY].
Key Business Updates
Robust growth in Hotels & Ancillaries segment, both in India and international markets. Company is geared towards increasing Hotel saliency, accelerating market expansion and implementing AI-led technologies for improving customer engagement and operational efficiencies.
· Rolled out our next-generation hotel booking platform H-Next to customers in India (100% covered) and in international market. Very encouraging response from customers and witnessing increased conversion.
· Continued progress on automation of back-end processes using AI driven automatic handling of supplier notifications being scaled up.
· Significant ramp-up in adding on-ground salesforce – 73 additions in FY25. Supply and supporting functions also beefed up to support rapid growth.
· Sales leader for North America onboarded.
· Stakeholder outreach – felicitated the top-performing agents (both Air & Non-Air) in more than 40 cities across India.
Management Commentary
“Our Hotels & Ancillaries segment continues to demonstrate strong growth, now contributing 16% to India GTV,” said Mr. Ankush Nijhawan, Co-founder and Joint MD, TBO Tek Limited. “We are strategically focused on driving higher share of wallet through cross-sell initiatives, supported by robust demand for outbound travel and a clear shift in consumer preference toward experiential, high-value itineraries. These structural tailwinds position us well for sustained, profitable growth in the Indian market.”
Mr. Gaurav Bhatnagar, Co-founder and Joint MD, TBO Tek Limited said, “In FY25, we laid the foundation for accelerating our business across geographies. Europe & APAC led the growth with 50%+ yoy growth. Company’s Tech and AI initiatives complement the rapid footprint expansion by helping drive better user experience and by improving platform performance. This gives us the confidence to maintain our expansion plans and aim for market leadership in the next 5-10 years.”
23, May 2025
Upasana Kamineni Konidela Champions Purpose-Driven Wellness at FLO Hyderabad, Launches National ‘FLO Health Kavach’ Initiative
Hyderabad, May 23, 2025: The FICCI Ladies Organisation (FLO), Hyderabad Chapter, hosted an interactive session titled “Legacy, Leadership & Purpose – The New Age of Wellness” with Ms. Upasana Kamineni Konidela, renowned healthcare entrepreneur and Vice Chairperson of the Apollo Foundation. The event took place at a city hotel in Begumpet on Friday.
During the session, Ms. Upasana also launched FLO Health Kavach, a first-of-its-kind national initiative by FLO. This dedicated support system addresses key challenges faced by women, including legal rights, financial literacy, mental health, and cybersecurity.
In conversation with FLO Hyderabad Chairperson Ms. Prathibha Kunda, Upasana shared her personal journey and professional experiences, highlighting how purpose-driven leadership in healthcare can impact lives and communities. She stressed the significance of mental well-being, inclusive healthcare, and active community outreach.
Speaking on legacy, she said, “To me, legacy means bringing more women into the workforce. A stronger female workforce leads to healthier families and a more progressive nation.”
Reflecting on Apollo’s evolving vision, she remarked, “what we envisioned 40 years ago—to bring the best healthcare to India—is no longer enough. Today, our vision is to keep people out of hospitals. Preventive care is our new goal.”
She urged the audience to prioritise health insurance, calling it “the most empowering gift you can give yourself.”
On her entrepreneurial challenges, Upasana recounted, “When I wanted to start my own company and sought funding, my ideas weren’t taken seriously—only my identity was. I want to be respected for my work, not just my name. I’m here because of my self-worth, not my birth.”
Encouraging the audience to prioritise self-care, she asked, “What have you done for yourself today?” and emphasised, “don’t wait to get sick. Prevention is better than a cure. Rest is the best respect you can give yourself.”
She further added, “If a woman is healthy, the whole household will be healthy.”
As an environmentalist and wildlife conservation advocate, she recalled a lesson from her grandfather during the COVID-19 pandemic, noting its zoonotic origins. “Humans and animals must coexist in harmony. That’s why I love and respect wildlife—we must protect nature,” she said.
She also highlighted a key initiative by Apollo Hospitals in partnership with WWF-India, offering free medical care and rehabilitation to forest staff across India, from Jammu & Kashmir to Kanyakumari, who work in challenging terrains.
“Success, to me, is defined by the number of jobs I create, how happy I am, and the time I make for myself. Don’t chase success. First, define what success means to you, then pursue it,” she told the audience.
In her welcome address, Ms. Prathibha Kunda stated, “from predictive tools that detect disease early to virtual platforms delivering healthcare at our doorstep, technology is redefining wellness and how we engage with it. That’s why today’s conversation is so relevant.”
Praising the guest speaker, she added, “Ms. Upasana represents a legacy that has transformed healthcare in India. She leads with compassion, innovation, and purpose—embodying wellness not just as a concept, but as a lifelong mission.”
Ms. Prathibha also shared that FLO Hyderabad was invited to participate in the Miss World Arts & Crafts Workshop, held on May 21 at Shilparamam, where the chapter showcased Dokra art, a traditional metal craft of Telangana. “The live artisan interaction gave Miss World contestants from around the globe a chance to witness Telangana’s rich cultural heritage,” she said.
The session concluded with a dynamic Q&A, where attendees explored topics such as wellness trends, work-life balance, and sustaining purposeful leadership during uncertain times.
23, May 2025
Venus Pipes & Tubes Limited – Commencement of Operations of 3,600 MTPA of value-added Welded Tubes
Dhaneti, Gujarat: 23rd May 2025: Venus Pipes & Tubes Ltd, one of the leading stainless-steel pipes and tubes manufacturers and exporters in India has commenced operations for value added Welded Tubes; with a capacity of 3,600 MTPA. With this expansion the total capacity of Welded Pipes & Tubes for the company stands at 27,600 MTPA.
Commenting on the same, Arun Kothari, Managing Director, Venus Pipes & Tubes Ltd, said, “We are happy to announce that the company has operationalized capacity for production of 3,600 MTPA of value-added Welded Tubes. This marks our entry into a high-margin product segment and represents a significant milestone in our journey towards becoming one stop piping solution provider. We are confident that this expansion will not only enhance our market presence but will also open doors for us to cater to companies which require critical applications. Furthermore, with the planned addition of fittings manufacturing capacity in coming months, we are set to become one of the few companies in the country offering a comprehensive and integrated range of piping solutions. This will significantly strengthen our value proposition and reinforce our commitment to delivering quality, innovation, and end-to-end service to our customers.”
23, May 2025
Dvara KGFS Secures Long Term Capital From Foreign Institutional Investors
Mumbai, National, 23rd May 2025 – Dvara Kshetriya Gramin Financial Services (Dvara KGFS), a major NBFC working in India’s financial inclusion space, has successfully raised Equity of 3Mn Euro from Sparkassen International Development Trust GmbH (SIDT) and 5Mn USD through issuance of Subordinated Bonds to FMO Entrepreneurial Development Bank. This infusion will further strengthen the capital base of the Company thus enabling it to augment its growth plans and expand its outreach. The company is strategically pivoting towards enhancing wholistic financial access to Micro Entrepreneurs in the inclusion space.
SIDT is part of the German Sparkassen Group, considered the largest financial group in Europe. SIDT launches its first equity participation in the Indian financial inclusion space with this investment in Dvara KGFS.
FMO Entrepreneurial development bank is a public-private development bank supervised by the Dutch Central Bank (DNB). FMO’s first investment in Dvara KGFS came in FY24.
Speaking about the funding, Mr. LVLN Murty, Managing Director and CEO, Dvara KGFS, said, “At a time when the inclusion space in India is witnessing unprecedented challenges, this fund raise is a testimony of the resilience, agility and scalability of the Dvara KGFS business model and lending infrastructure. With the strong backing of our highly reputed investors and lenders, we are confident in our ability to deepen our impact in providing finance to the underserved and reinforce our mission to enable financial well-being at the last mile by opening 50 branches in this financial year that would originate Enterprise Loans exclusively, thereby taking the total branch strength to 477 by the end of this fiscal This fund raise not only fortifies our capital base but also validates the impact driven, resilient path we have charted in the financial inclusion ecosystem. The company is investing in digital transformation using artificial intelligence for enhancing operational efficiency and customer experience.”
On the development, Ms. Shilpa Bhatter, CFO, Dvara KGFS, said, “We have embodied highest standards of corporate governance and financial discipline in our organization. This infusion of capital reinforces our commitment to ethical and prudent portfolio management and further fortify our lending infrastructure by investing more meaningfully into state of the art technology and data analytics capabilities, thereby strengthening our core operations while continuing to deliver measurable social and financial outcomes.”
Sharing his thoughts, Mr. Carsten Steffan from Sparkassen International Development Trust GmbH said, “We are pleased to support Dvara KGFS in its mission to improve financial access in rural India. As part of the Sparkassen-Finanzgruppe, our focus is on enabling responsible and inclusive financial services in emerging markets. This investment reflects our commitment to creating sustainable impact by supporting institutions that demonstrate deep local insight, strong governance, and scalable models. We look forward to a long-term collaboration that contributes to financial empowerment and community development in India.”
Dvara KGFS provides an array of loans and third-party products tailored to meet its customers’ diverse financial needs through an omnichannel approach. It remains steadfast in its commitment to bridging the financial gap and empowering individuals and micro businesses through its financial services in the inclusion space. With the success of this fundraise, Dvara KGFS is positioned to significantly enhance its impact on the lives of its customers.
23, May 2025
Goafest Day 2 Ignites Ideas, Insight, and Innovation: Creative Leadership, Streaming Power, Unskippable OOH, and Star-Studded Storytelling Dominate the Day
May 23, 2025; National: The second half of Day 2 proceeded with an engaging session titled ‘WTF is Creative Leadership Now?’ under the theme ‘IGNITE THE NEW’, powered by SUN NEO and Amar Ujala. This thought-provoking discussion brought together some of the most prominent names in the creative industry including Bobby Pawar, Poet, storyteller, consultant, and man of leisure; Sonal Dabral, Creative Consultant, Film Director & Founder, Tribha; Senthil Kumar, Chief Creative Officer, VML India; and Lulu Raghavan, President, APAC Landor. The session was moderated by Rohit Ohri, Founder, OHRIGINAL.
Bobby Pawar set the tone, declaring the CCO as the ‘right brain of the agency’ and the ‘instigator-in-chief.’ “If you’re not in an agency where the CCO is central, you’re in the wrong one,” he quipped, emphasizing that without creativity at the core, everything else collapses. Lulu Raghavan painted the modern CCO as more than a creative lead — a unifier of brand vision, a business growth partner, and a Chief Culture Officer. She stressed the importance of nurturing talent, offering strategic clarity to clients, and embracing AI while staying rooted in human intuition and cultural insight. “CCOs must evolve and inspire while remaining creatively grounded,” she said.
Senthil Kumar championed the role of the CCO as a ‘playing captain,’ leading by example and fostering breakthrough ideas. For him, the core idea remains the ‘center of the universe’ — execution and innovation must orbit around it. “Creative leadership is about spotting, curating, and elevating team brilliance,” he said. Sonal Dabral asserted that agencies lost their creative edge by chasing tech, transformation, and revenue. He called for the reinstatement of the CCO as the agency’s creative spine, advocating for courage, conviction, and creative independence. “Creative leadership must be the supreme role in any agency,” he declared. Bringing it all together, Rohit Ohri redefined modern creative leadership as less about volume and more about vision. “The CCO today is not the loudest voice in the room but the one building safe, collaborative spaces where creativity thrives,” he concluded.
Thereafter, Karan Bedi, Director & Head, Amazon MX Player, in his keynote said, streaming video ads are outperforming other formats in driving brand recall and building positive brand associations. With increasing viewer engagement, digital video ad spending is on a steep rise and is expected to match traditional TV advertising spends by 2026, he said.
Positioning Amazon MX Player as a key player in this shift, Bedi revealed that the platform has over 1.4 billion downloads and 250 million active users. Its content spans drama, romance, reality TV, and international shows dubbed in Indian languages, now available across Amazon surfaces — from Prime Video to the shopping app. “Streaming video ads are outperforming other formats in driving brand recall, building positive brand associations, and boosting brand recognition,” Bedi asserted, adding that digital video advertising is set to overtake TV in India within a year. At Amazon MX Player, the approach rests on three pillars: differentiated reach, unique content, and contextual ad solutions.
In the end, he said that Amazon has evolved its offering to provide advertisers a full-funnel solution that enables meaningful connection with their audiences at every stage of the customer journey. Amazon MX Player offers brands exciting opportunities to drive relevant reach across consumers through rich in-show brand integrations, innovative ad formats and create awareness.
Following that a knowledge seminar was presented at Gyaan Podium by IOAA titled ‘IGNITE THE ATTENTION – The Last Unskippable Medium’. The session brought together Shekhar Narayanaswami, CEO of Times Innovative Media Ltd. (Times OOH); Ajay Kakar, Head, Corporate Branding, Adani Group; Sandeep Bomireddi, Managing Director, Adonmo; and Promita Saha, Vice President, Karukrit Advertising Pvt. Ltd. The session was moderated by Praveen K Vadhera, CEO, Indian Outdoor Advertising Association (IOAA).
Industry leaders championed the evolving role of Out-of-Home (OOH) advertising as a high-impact, unskippable medium in today’s fragmented attention economy. Ajay Kakar emphasized that OOH grabs attention with minimal distractions, outperforming cluttered screen-based formats. He urged the industry to stop siloing media into ‘digital’ and ‘non-digital’ — what matters is a consumer-first strategy. “OOH needs original creative thinking — not print adaptations”, he said, adding that agencies must lead clients, not just follow briefs. Shekhar Narayanaswami positioned OOH as a break from digital fatigue. “You can’t swipe past a billboard,” he noted. He advocated for phygital storytelling — integrating physical formats with social media to boost brand recall. Sandeep Bommireddi redefined digital as a horizontal transformation, not a siloed channel. “Every medium, including OOH, can digitalize — integration is key”, he said. Dipankar Sanyal added that gut-led decisions are obsolete. Today’s OOH thrives on data, impressions, and performance metrics, bringing precision to the medium. Promita Saha highlighted the importance of consumer context and local culture. “OOH must match mindset and environment — think melas, not metros alone,” she said, pushing for custom, location-sensitive storytelling. The panel collectively echoed: OOH is no longer static — it’s strategic, data-backed, and experiential — the last truly unskippable medium in a world of scrolls and skips.
Next in line was a candid and compelling conversation presented by Network18 under the theme ‘IGNITE CONVERSATIONS’ titled ‘WHY SO SERIOUS? The Making of Gautam Gambhir’. This captivating fireside featured Gautam Gambhir, Cricket Legend & Team India Coach and was moderated by Anand Narasimhan, Sr Anchor & Managing Editor Spl Projects CNN News 18.
Dismissing the obsession with statistics, Gambhir declared, “10,000 runs don’t matter — it’s match-winning moments that define you,” referencing his gritty 97 in the 2011 World Cup Final. He emphasized that true recognition comes from the common man. “You play for people who watch the game with heart,” he said. Gambhir urged young athletes and leaders to embrace failure and back their decisions with conviction. “It’s okay to make mistakes,” he said, reflecting on the mindset that powered him through high-pressure matches like the World Cup and Champions Trophy. In a parting note that underscored his grounded philosophy, he summed it up: “Cricket is a part of my life, not my life.”
The following session was part of ‘IGNITE THE NEXT’, presented by Amazon MX Player, and was titled ‘Rewriting rules of Storytelling’. This dynamic conversation featured fireside sessions with Suniel Shetty, Entrepreneur, Actor, Investor & Mentor, Sportsman at Heart and Deepak Dhar, Founder & Group CEO at both Banijay Asia and Endemol Shine India. The session was moderated by Aruna Daryanani, Director, Amazon MX Player.
In a conversation with Aruna, Suniel Shetty reflected on discipline, storytelling, and the evolution of Indian action content. He credited consistency and holistic wellness — including nutrition and mental health — for his peak fitness later in life. “Fitness isn’t just muscles; it’s sustainable health,” he said, urging audiences to move past nutrition myths.
Discussing Hunter Season 2, Shetty highlighted its emotional depth. “It’s not just action — it’s about a father’s journey to rebuild family bonds,” he said, emphasizing the show’s strong music, production, and message of unity and respect for uniformed forces. He wrapped up with a message of gratitude, noting that “honest effort earns lasting fan loyalty.”
Further, in a dynamic conversation with Aruna, Deepak Dhar, emphasized the relentless pursuit of bold storytelling formats. He highlighted the need to scale compelling narratives into mass entertainment with the right blend of story, format, and face. “Adaptation is key,” Dhar said, citing the importance of localizing global ideas for Indian audiences.
Speaking about Rise and Fall, he described it as a social experiment examining power and personal hustle, set in a symbolic house split into a basement (struggle) and penthouse (privilege). The show features a diverse cast—from celebrities to activists—and blends branding seamlessly into the environment. Dhar credited simplicity, structure, and strong creative teams for hits like Campus Beats and The Night Manager, underlining, “Great content is built on process and passion.”
Adding a touch of exclusivity to the day’s agenda was a Wine & Cheese invite-only gathering hosted by Amazon MX Player. The crowd was buzzing with excitement as Advertising Rocks presented by Muzartdisco kicked off, setting the stage for an epic battle of creativity and talent. Advertising Rocks is a unique musical competition that shines a spotlight on the hidden talents within the advertising, media, and marketing community. It offers professionals from the industry a dynamic platform to step out of the boardroom and onto the stage. As the clouds took over the skies of Goa, delegates gathered for a Sundowner which was powered by Truecaller & BIG LIVE.
Alongside the main sessions, Goafest Day 2 also hosted a series of insightful masterclasses, offering attendees deep dives into emerging trends and creative strategies shaping the industry. Shahad Anand, in a session powered by MediaKart, explored immersive advertising in ‘Next-Gen Ads: Where Context Meets 3D creatives.’ Sana Shaikh, in a Flipkart-sponsored session, presented ‘Stay Ahead: Decode Flipkart Ads’ Latest Innovations & Product Launches,’ offering a look into the platform’s evolving ad solutions. Nick Eagleton, supported by D&AD, shared key principles in ‘Storytelling: The Fundamentals.’ while Senthil Kumar, in a session sponsored by VML, delivered ‘Split Second Storytelling,’ focusing on crafting impactful narratives in minimal time.
The festival also featured experiences at Bioscope – The Cinema where attendees were treated to exclusive screenings curated by Amazon MX Player, YouTube Shorts, SET India, and SONY SAB.
The stage was set for ABBY Awards 2025 Powered by One Show. SET India and Sony SAB in association with Snapchat presented the Broadcaster, Public Relations, Design, Direct, Technology awards whereas ShareChat and Moj presented the awards in the Digital & Digital Craft, Mobile categories.
The gala dinner was presented by Times Network and the Afterhours Party with DJ Melroy was presented by Amazon MX Player.
22, May 2025
Tamarind Restaurant Introduces Refreshing South Indian Summer Specials
As the summer heat intensifies across Kolkata and South India, the craving for light, refreshing, and cooling food grows stronger. Tamarind Restaurant, known for its authentic South Indian cuisine, has introduced Summer Saviour Dishes—a special menu curated to provide relief from the sweltering temperatures. These dishes are designed to keep the body cool, aid digestion, and ensure hydration without being heavy or overly spiced.
The Summer Saviour menu features classics like Curd Rice, Buttermilk with Mint and Coriander, and Lemon Rice, which are known for their cooling properties. For those seeking a heartier yet refreshing meal, Mutton Stew with Appam and Tawa Fish offer the perfect balance of flavor and lightness. Other highlights include Tomato Pappu, Beans Poriyal, Tamarind Rice, and Manidakai Pappu, each packed with nutrients while being easy on the stomach.
“Tamarind’s summer menu is crafted to help diners stay cool and comfortable during the hottest months,” said Gautam Purkayastha, Owner of Tamarind Restaurant. “From refreshing drinks to wholesome meals, every dish is meant to nourish while offering relief from the heat.” With a perfect mix of traditional ingredients and minimal spices, Tamarind’s Summer Saviour Dishes promise a flavorful escape from the summer sun.
22, May 2025
Pointo Revive India’s Ambassador for a Greener Tomorrow in Kolkata
22nd May 2025, New Delhi : Pointo, a leading innovator in India’s Energy Solution sector, has announced a strategic collaboration with Jadavpur University (JU) to transform fossil fuel-powered Hindustan Ambassador cars into fully electric vehicles (EVs). This landmark project goes beyond retrofitting and is a powerful move towards the larger national goal of transitioning from fossil fuels to sustainable electric mobility.
Known for their reputation in creating a circular economy in the battery industry, Pointo is at the forefront of offering affordable and scalable energy solution models and building a vast supply and distribution network. This collaboration marks a significant leap in showcasing batteries as power sources and also as enablers of transformation, converting decades-old diesel-run vehicles into emission-free electric cars.
The initiative follows a comprehensive two-part roadmap:
Part A involves the detailed design and engineering of the retrofitting process for Hindustan Ambassador models – Classic, Grand, Avigo, and Encore. This includes vehicle diagnostics, electric motor and powertrain integration, smart battery placement, chassis and suspension adaptations, and embedding advanced BMS (Battery Management System) and telemetry software.
Part B focuses on achieving full regulatory compliance for pan-India deployment. The EVs will undergo rigorous testing to meet the Central Motor Vehicles Rules (CMVR), receive emission-free certification, and secure approvals from authorities like the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI).
This project addresses a deeper societal and environmental challenge. For instance, the iconic yellow Ambassador taxis, still in operation in parts of Kolkata and other cities, are powered by ageing diesel engines. These contribute significantly to urban air pollution and declining public health standards.
By transforming these vehicles into EVs, the initiative tackles air quality degradation at its source, providing a replicable, scalable solution for thousands of such vehicles across Indian cities.
While the project begins in West Bengal, its implications are national. India’s larger vision of going all-electric by 2030, as championed by Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, makes the timing of this initiative especially significant.
With successful execution, this model can be replicated across other legacy diesel fleets and diesel engines in various other industries (energy storage, replacement of heavy diesel engines/ generators, integration with renewables and large-grid supplies) in Delhi, Bangalore, Mumbai, Chennai, and beyond. This will usher in a new era of urban electric mobility and energy storage powered by Indian engineering and innovation, especially in areas with lower energy storage support and the use of heavy diesel engines as power source.
“This partnership with Jadavpur University marks a major step towards transforming India’s Clean Energy Storage and Power legacy,” said Riki Biswas, CEO and Director, Pointo. “With our expertise in battery technology and JU’s engineering excellence, we aim to not just retrofit vehicles but build a platform where the dependency on fossil fuels is reduced and batteries as a source of power and storage are promoted. This project has the potential to reduce emissions at scale, create livelihood opportunities, and preserve automotive heritage while aligning with our national electric mobility goals.”
The retrofitted Hindustan Ambassadors will represent a unique fusion of India’s automotive history with the future of electric transportation. More than a product innovation, this initiative embodies a systems-level change, bringing together battery technology, sustainable engineering, and energy policy alignment.
This collaboration between Pointo and Jadavpur University is a bold step in shaping a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable India, one vehicle at a time.
22, May 2025
Glance AI Launches AI-Native Commerce Platform Built on Deep Commerce Intelligence and Hyper-Real Visual Shopping
Chandigarh, May 22, 2025 – In a pivotal moment for global commerce and AI innovation, Glance, a leading consumer technology company backed by Google, has unveiled Glance AI, an AI-native commerce platform powered by its most advanced proprietary AI models. Built to revolutionize how people shop and to reshape how intelligence drives decisions and economies, Glance AI moves online shopping beyond search to an inspiration-led discovery experience. It also marks the emergence of the ‘AI consumer’, one who does not wait to browse, but expects the technology to understand them, imagine for them, and spark desire even before they know what they want.
The standalone app launches today available worldwide on both Google Play Store and Apple App Store, with deeper integrations rolling out to Android handset makers and telecom operators. While the initial model is trained on fashion, Glance plans to extend the same experience to categories such as beauty, accessories, and travel later this year, setting a new benchmark in AI commerce.
Unlike conventional e-commerce stores that simply display multiple products to browse or search for, Glance AI lets users discover their AI-curated stylized looks. By simply taking a selfie or uploading an image, Glance AI immerses them in a visual world where they take centre stage. Each experience is generated in real-time with an AI-native commerce engine using advanced diffusion models, personalization engines, and a live commerce layer that maps each user’s unique AI look to real, shoppable products from curated brands across the globe. With one tap, users can now explore looks and products tailored to their preferences and complete purchases seamlessly from 400+ global brands. All of this while the user retains control over their data.
Naveen Tewari, Founder & CEO of InMobi & Glance shared “The internet is being rewritten from curated feeds to AI-generated realities. At Glance, we’re proud to lead this transformation with our most advanced AI-native commerce platform yet. Glance AI reimagines how billions of consumers worldwide will discover, visualize and shop, replacing intent with inspiration and search with intelligent, autonomous agents. Embedded across phones, TVs and brand stores, Glance AI marks a paradigm shift in commerce. It is one of the most ambitious technological efforts in our journey and a bold step toward shaping the future of AI-driven consumer experiences.”
At its core, Glance AI is built on a three-layered deep tech architecture:
· Commerce Intelligence Model; trained on decades of global commerce data, learning from new trends, cultures, and consumer behavior.
· GenAI Experience Model, generating hyper-realistic visualization based on thousands of parameters such as gender, body type, ethnicity, skin tone, fit, style and season to simulate how a particular clothing will look on an individual.
· Transaction Journey Model, an agent that understands shopping intent before consumers do, pairing visualizations with best matched product from millions of catalogues globally
Glance AI has integrated its proprietary models with cutting-edge platforms including Google Gemini and Imagen on Vertex AI delivering hyper-realistic, personalized experiences to users.
Glance AI is a fully opt-in platform, with privacy and user control built into its core design. Users can explore looks, save or share them, set them as wallpapers, and visualize themselves in unique looks and collections driven by global trends and occasions.
Glance AI is beyond the app experience. It is built on an open architecture with deep integrations across hardware and software with manufacturers, telecom operators, and brands. It turns phones into AI phones, TVs into household commerce devices and brand stores into AI shopfronts.
