20, May 2025
ASCI Releases Whitepaper on Opinion Trading: Calls for Regulatory Clarity Amidst Growing Concerns
Mumbai, May 20, 2025: The Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) has released a whitepaper titled “Examining Opinion Trading in India,” shedding light on the emerging area of opinion trading /prediction markets and the need for regulatory clarity around this rapidly growing sector. As per the National Initiative for Consumer Interest (NICI), these platforms have over 50 million users and transactions exceeding INR 50,000 crore annually. Opinion platforms engage users to make monetary bets on binary (yes/no) outcomes of real-world events ranging from sports to politics.
Globally, opinion trading is regulated either as a financial instrument, or under gambling laws. In India, SEBI has already issued an advisory dated April 29th, 2025 cautioning the public that “… opinion trading does not fall within regulatory purview of SEBI, as what is traded is not security…”. There are several public interest litigations and the courts are also evaluating its standing in the country.
ASCI has come across advertising from various players both global and local, as well as influencers on social media that promote opinion trading as knowledge and skill based games. However, analysis of such posts reveals that some of these appear to be pure speculation and can pose financial risks – especially for young and financially vulnerable groups.
ASCI has called for regulatory clarity on the status of such activities in India. If such activities and their advertising are permitted, then certain advertising guidelines need to be developed to safeguard consumers. However if such activities are not legally permissible, then all stakeholders need to establish mechanisms to monitor any violations of the law.
Besides seeking clarity on the legal status of opinion trading, the whitepaper spotlights the current advertising practices and applicability of existing laws, as well as examines regulatory approaches to similar services in other countries.
Ms. Manisha Kapoor, CEO & Secretary General of ASCI, said, “Opinion trading platforms raise serious concerns as their structure and mechanics closely resemble betting in some instances, and can expose consumers to significant financial risk. The advertising that accompanies these platforms often heightens the risk, with exaggerated claims of easy winnings and false assurances of reliability. No disclaimers cautioning consumers are provided. ASCI’s whitepaper highlights these risks and urges urgent regulatory clarity so appropriate steps can be taken to protect consumers from potential harm.”
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- By Neel Achary
20, May 2025
The Sock Street Secures Strategic Investment from Knit World Inc.
Delhi, May 20, 2025: The Sock Street, India’s first direct-to-consumer lifestyle brand redefining socks into bold fashion statements, has successfully closed a new funding round for an undisclosed amount. The company retains a valuation of 1 mn USD, showcasing support from the investor community towards their vision and growth plan.
Founded by media industry entrepreneur Shobhit Gaur and currently led by CEO Udit Mayor, The Sock Street has already established itself as a category-defining player in the lifestyle essentials market. The brand’s most recent investment will support its plan for rapid expansion, product development, and omnichannel access across the country.
“The Sock Street is not just a seed of a company, but the start of a movement that establishes socks and assumes and disrupts how everyday essentials are perceived,” said Shobhit Gaur, Founder. “This new funding is a testament to our team’s relentless pursuit of excellence and the growing trust our investors and customers have placed in our vision. We are excited to accelerate our journey towards making socks a global symbol of self-expression and sustainability.”
The brand has seen explosive growth since launching, growing online presence, increasing international demand, and a devout customer base throughout India. From funny pop-culture-inspired collections to sustainable fabric-based luxurious collections, The Sock Street continues to lead through innovation.
CEO, Udit Mayor added, The new funds will drive The Sock Street’s global expansion, fuel design innovation, and enhance its omnichannel experience. Known for its bold, fashion-forward socks and artist collaborations, the brand is capturing the attention of Gen Z and millennials. With a strong focus on quality, sustainability, and plans to open 500 dark stores across India, The Sock Street is set to become a major player both online and offline.
“Our ambition is to take this homegrown brand to the world stage,” further commented Udit Mayor, CEO of The Sock Street. “This new inflow of capital means we will be doubling down on product R&D, expanding into global markets, and creating hyper-local immersive retail experiences.”
CBO Saurabh Srivastava commented, “Raising funds at a $1 million valuation is a proud moment for The Sock Street. This milestone is not just about capital—it’s about the confidence our investors have in our vision. The funds will help us strengthen our supply chain, expand our footprint into global markets, and accelerate our journey towards introducing more sustainable, performance-driven products. We’re committed to building a brand that stands for comfort, innovation, and responsibility.”
Anuj Dhingra and Manu Gulati, Partners at Knit World Inc, said: “We see tremendous potential in The Sock Street’s unique brand proposition and commitment to disrupting the lifestyle essentials space. The team’s passion, clarity of vision, and focus on quality and innovation convinced us to come on board as strategic partners. We are excited to back their journey and help scale the brand to new heights—both in India and globally.”
20, May 2025
Aptech partners with Franchise India Knowledge Services & GrevX to deliver world-class training services for education, institutes & corporates
INDIA, May 20th, 2025: In a step towards shaping a future-ready workforce, Aptech Limited, a pioneer in the non-formal vocational training business in the country for over 39 years, has signed two strategic Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs)—with Franchise India Knowledge Services Pvt. Ltd. & GrevX—to scale up its enterprise learning and training solutions ecosystem. The collaboration offers leadership, performance and time management, sales, and productivity training through Franchise India Knowledge Services Pvt. Ltd. and modules on financial literacy through GrevX.
These partnerships are part of Aptech’s broader mission to make India more employable by delivering industry-aligned training services to help today’s professionals become more capable, competent and highly skilled.
The move signals a focused push among corporates and business leaders to expand their workforce’s skillsets through curated content, seamless learning models, and access to wider market trends. While Aptech operates as a content aggregator, the partnerships leverage the expertise of established training content providers to offer high-impact and scalable programs for today’s professionals. As part of the collaboration, Aptech Training Solutions is also the official partner for globally renowned training brands, Brian Tracy and ActionCOACH, to provide their services across India to corporates and educational institutions.
The programs are curated for learners across the board, including educational institutes. Higher education institutions and the K-12 segment are not just knowledge hubs—they are foundational ecosystems where mindsets, skillsets, and future-readiness begin to take shape. Training solutions, if seamlessly integrated into academic curricula, can empower students with industry-relevant skills early on, and bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world employability.
With 4 decades of experience in education and training services, Aptech specialises in skill-based vocational training, corporate training, workforce upskilling, and digital learning solutions, including blended training. Aptech supports government and public sector skilling initiatives and has delivered over thousands of training modules for the government bodies.
Aptech’s Training Solutions are deployed to extract best results out of the large workforce. The modules support identifying training gaps & needs and includes end-end solutions – content development, trainer certifications, training delivery and post training support. Aptech’s training methodology includes a broad range of services such as psychometric pre-assessments, modular, role-based curriculum, blended learning modules, and adaptive learning techniques via cognitive style profiling. The implementation is taken care of by focusing on four key pillars of learning that include – Content, Delivery, Evaluation, and Certification.
Mr. Neeraj Malik, Chief Business Officer, Enterprise Business Group, Aptech Limited, remarked, “Today’s learners expect speed, relevance, and trusted quality from the brands they choose to engage with. At Aptech, with our strong legacy of excellence, we are fully aligned to this new pace of learning. These partnerships with Franchise India Knowledge Services and GrevX are a strategic step forward to meet these evolving aspirations. Together, we are committed to delivering world-class, industry-relevant training solutions that are not only faster and smarter but also highly impactful. By combining the strength of our brand with the expertise of our partners, we aim to build a robust, future-ready workforce that thrives in today’s dynamic economy.”
The agreements outline clear frameworks around content licensing, branding, delivery, certification, and post-sales support. The collaborations also prioritise compliance with intellectual property and data privacy regulations, reinforcing Aptech’s commitment to ethical and secure education delivery.
A Shared Vision for Employability and Growth
As industries rapidly transform in response to artificial intelligence and automation, the demand for agile, upskilled professionals is more pressing than ever. Aptech’s strategic collaborations represents this strategic shift to empower learners and organisations with future-ready capabilities.
20, May 2025
‘Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning’ Opens to Blockbuster Weekend, Becomes Biggest Hollywood Opener of 2025: PVR INOX
By- Mr. Gautam Dutta, CEO- Revenue & Operations, PVR INOX Ltd.
“There are very few franchises that have consistently delivered edge-of-the-seat entertainment for nearly three decades, and Mission: Impossible stands tall among them. The film has opened to blockbuster numbers, recording a phenomenal 50% occupancy over the opening weekend, making it the biggest Hollywood opener of 2025. The excitement around The Final Reckoning truly reflects the enduring love for the franchise and Tom Cruise’s unparalleled commitment to delivering cinematic excellence. Given the legacy of Ethan Hunt and the iconic action sequences that define the series, this film is more than just a finale—it’s a celebration of the cinematic experience itself.
At PVR INOX, we are thrilled to be the destination where fans can immerse themselves in this high-octane farewell, experiencing the sheer scale, spectacle, and thrill that the big screen was made for. We are confident that it will continue to break records and keep audiences captivated.”
20, May 2025
CureBay raises Dollar21 Million from Bertelsmann India Investments, Elevar Equity and British International Investment to lead the equitable healthcare movement for Bharat
May 20, 2025, National: CureBay, a tech-first hybrid healthcare platform, has raised $21 million in its Series B funding round led by Bertelsmann India Investments. The round saw participation from existing investor Elevar Equity, reaffirming its commitment to Curebay’s mission along with British International Investment, the UK’s development finance institution and impact investor. This marks a significant milestone in CureBay’s journey to build India’s trust infrastructure for rural health by driving equity, access, and innovation across underserved geographies.
Launched in 2021 and headquartered in Odisha, CureBay has developed a scalable eClinic network powered by a best-in-class tech stack and a dedicated community workforce of trained and active Swasthya Mitras. It provides quality, accessible and affordable services for doctor consultation, diagnostics, pharmacy and tertiary care for rural households through its network of 150+ eClinics operational across Odisha and Chhattisgarh. Its preventive health program boasts 90,000 active members with a renewal rate exceeding 60%.
The latest capital infusion will be deployed to strengthen CureBay’s in-house, proprietary technology stack, expansion across India, while building the right teams to drive its next phase of growth. The company is utilising its AI and data capabilities for improving predictive care and operational efficiency and aims to expand its footprint to new states, including Jharkhand, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. It will also invest in platform upgrades, proprietary algorithms and rural-first workflow automation tools that can one day be adapted for global health contexts.
Commenting on the development, Priyadarshi Mohapatra, Founder and CEO of CureBay, said, “At CureBay, we are a mission-driven team focused on transforming public health outcomes for every Indian. This is not just a fundraiser—it’s a mandate to build India’s trust infrastructure for rural health. With an active network of 150+ eClinics and 1,000+ Swasthya Mitras, we are solving for Bharat, where a large part of the population still lacks access to dependable care. The capital will help us scale technology, talent, and reach to bring dignified, affordable healthcare to the last mile. CureBay’s model is deeply aligned with national priorities like Ayushman Bharat and the Digital Health Mission, and we are proud to be a tech-enabled partner in public health delivery. This is not just a startup getting funded—it’s a public health movement getting backed.”
Pankaj Makkar, Managing Director, Bertelsmann India Investments, said, “We’re excited to partner with CureBay as it builds a differentiated, ecosystem-driven approach to rural healthcare in India. While most rural solutions remain fragmented, CureBay uniquely delivers the full continuum of care under one platform —seamlessly integrating consultations, diagnostics, pharmacy access, and surgeries through its tech-enabled eClinics and robust partner network. This investment reflects Bertelsmann India’s strong commitment to supporting mission-driven companies that are transforming Bharat, with CureBay making quality healthcare both accessible and affordable for rural communities.”
Jyotsna Krishnan, Managing Partner, Elevar Equity, said, “Curebay has demonstrated that a thoughtfully constructed business model can deliver robust unit economics and contribution margins. On the one hand, they leverage cutting-edge technology and AI, but more importantly, they blend into the local ecosystem to build critical trust on the ground in rural markets through a unique distribution set-up. Entrepreneurial Households in India are keen to pay for quality healthcare, and this is a massive underserved segment. We are glad Elevar’s original investment thesis in 2022 played out well. This round is an important milestone for the company as they continue to build scale in a disciplined manner.”
CureBay’s proprietary technology—built entirely in-house—is designed to meet the complex needs of rural healthcare delivery. It leverages AI/ML, Generative AI, and IoT diagnostics to enhance early detection, forecasting, and personalised care, making last-mile healthcare both intelligent and inclusive. The newest infusion of funds from marquee investors is a testament to CureBay’s scalable and strong business model. It recently announced that its Balasore and Puri Circles have achieved operational profitability.
20, May 2025
KIIT World School students excel in CBSE 10th and 12th board exams
Gurugram: Students of KIIT World School, Sohna Road, have excelled in the Class XII and Class X exams conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE).
Yoshita Mehta from Humanities stream of Class XII emerged as the topper of the school with an impressive score of 95%. Manashi Choubey from Commerce stream secured second position with 94.2% marks and Yuvraj Gaur secured third position with 93.8% marks.
The school proudly announces a 100% pass rate in CBSE Class X exams. The overall average score is 76%, which reflects the dedication and hard work of both students and teachers. Tanishka Singh of Class X scored 91.2% with 456 marks, Abhishek Kumar Sinha scored 90.8% with 454 marks and Aarav Verma scored 90.4% with 452 marks.
Expressing pride in the exceptional achievements of the students, Neelima Kamrah, Principal, KIIT World School said, “The success of our students reflects their unwavering dedication and the constant support of our faculty. This achievement highlights the strength of our holistic educational approach. The focus of the school will always be on holistic education, enabling students to excel academically and personally.”
20, May 2025
Finnair offers a record number of flights to Lapland next winter
New Delhi, 20 May 2025: Next winter, Finnair will offer a record amount of capacity to Finnish Lapland and will increase weekly frequencies to the popular winter destinations Rovaniemi, Ivalo and Kittilä. The additional services are concentrated on the busiest travel days around the weekend, when most of the rental cottages have their changeover day, for example.
“We are happy to be able to offer our customers even more comprehensive connections to all our Lapland destinations throughout the winter. The additional flights will be focused especially on the high season from December to February, but we have also added flights in March, thus supporting the whole winter travel season”, says Perttu Jolma, Vice President, Network, Finnair.
Finnair, also known as Santa’s official airline, will have up to 72 weekly flights to Rovaniemi next winter, 10 flights more than last winter. During the busiest season, the airline will fly to Rovaniemi up to 16 times a day on Saturdays and 14 times a day on Sundays.
Kittilä, which is popular among travellers heading to, for example, Levi and Ylläs, will have up to 41 weekly flights this winter, seven flights more than last winter. During the busiest weeks, Finnair flies to Kittilä up to eight times a day on Saturdays and Sundays. Finnair’s northernmost Finnish destination, Ivalo, will be operated up to 33 times a week, with additional flights on Saturdays and Sundays.
In addition to Lapland, Finnair will also add two additional frequencies for Saturday and one for Sunday to Kuusamo, a popular winter destination in Eastern Finland.
20, May 2025
Request for listing Shriram Bharatiya Kala Kendra presents ‘Kendra Dance Festival’ reference May 25th, 27th and 29th, 2025
Sunday, May 25th, 2025 : MEERA, a journey of Liberation and Enlightenment
An embodiment of fearless devotion and unwavering inner strength, Meera brings to life the spiritual odyssey of the poet-saint who defied societal norms in pursuit of divine truth. Through evocative Rajasthani and Gujarati folk movements, this production draws from the meticulous documentation of folklorist Komal Kothari, capturing not just a woman’s voice but a nation’s inner compass—resilience rooted in faith.
Tuesday, May 27th, 2025 : PARIKRAMA, the journey of the Atman
Choreographed in the martial and expressive styles of Mayurbhanj Chhau and Kalaripayattu, Parikrama delves into the elemental cycle of existence—life, death, and rebirth—mirroring the nation’s capacity to regenerate with strength after every trial. Inspired by the Panch Tattvas and layered with insights from the Padma Purana, the production is a meditative journey that resonates deeply in times of renewal and reflection.
Thursday, May 29th, 2025 : KARNA, the Marginalised Hero of Mahabharata
A deeply layered portrayal of honour and identity, Karna revisits the life of one of Mahabharata’s most tragic heroes, who struggled between duty, loyalty, and truth. Drawing from Rashmi Rathi by National Poet Ramdhari Singh ‘Dinkar’, and choreographed in the raw intensity of Chhau and Kalaripayattu, Karna finds new resonance today—as it embodies the virtues of courage, sacrifice, and complex morality, qualities India has demonstrated on and off the battlefield.
The above productions are Produced and Directed by Padmashri Shobha Deepak Singh (Chairperson – Shriram Bharatiya Kala Kendra).
20, May 2025
HCG Hospitals Ahmedabad promotes Preventive Heart Health with a Week-Long BP & ECG Free Screening Camp
Ahmedabad, May 20, 2025: HCG Hospitals Ahmedabad, organized a week-long free BP and ECG free Check-up Drive from May 17 to May 24, 2025, along with a special awareness Health Talk Session on Blood Pressure and Its Complications to support the objectives of World Hypertension Day 2025. The drive, conducted within the hospital premises, aimed to raise awareness about the importance of regular blood pressure monitoring for everyone above the age of 20 and the imperative need to prevent cardiovascular complications—a silent and growing health concern, observed across age groups, in recent years.
This initiative featured dedicated booths for comprehensive blood pressure and ECG screenings. The initiative aimed at raising awareness and encouraging the public—particularly those with risk factors, or a family history of heart disease—to proactively assess their cardiovascular health.
Leading interventional cardiologists from HCG Dr. Bhupesh R. Shah and Dr. Jay Shah were the Chief Speakers at the Health Talk Session held as part of the initiative. They provided valuable insights and guidance on the theme, “Blood Pressure and Its Complications” and stressed the importance of ‘knowing your numbers’. Hypertension has emerged as a silent threat, accompanied by negligible or no noticeable symptoms, but fraught with significant risks to health and the potential to trigger serious conditions, such as heart attacks, strokes, and kidney failure.
Dr. Bhupesh R. Shah, Senior Interventional Cardiologist, HCG Hospitals, Ahmedabad, said: “Hypertension isn’t just a medical condition—it’s a wake-up call. In today’s fast-paced urban scenario, stress, improper diet, and inactivity have become part of lifestyle routines. Unless we make conscious health-monitoring choices and stay aware of our numbers, high blood pressure will continue to silently erode our health. Awareness is only the first step; taking charge through regular check-ups and healthier habits is what will induce a tangible difference.”
At HCG Hospital, preventive care is the cornerstone of our commitment to community health. Recognizing that conditions, such as hypertension often go undiagnosed until they cause severe complications, the hospital believes in taking proactive steps to educate the public. By conducting informative awareness initiatives and offering accessible screening programs, HCG aims to empower individuals to take charge of their health before problems arise—especially in fast-paced urban environments, where lifestyle-related health risks are on the rise.
Dr. Jay Shah, Senior Interventional Cardiologist, HCG Hospitals, Ahmedabad shared: “Hypertension is often called the silent killer because it shows no clear symptoms until serious damage has occurred. That’s why early detection through regular screenings is not just important, but life-saving. The large turnout for this initiative demonstrates growing awareness, and we hope it will encourage more people to proactively monitor their heart health before complications arise.”
Participants who attended the free health screening camp and health talk are eligible for an exclusive discounted Cardiac Health Check-up package, valid for a period of one week following the event.
HCG Hospitals Ahmedabad
HCG Hospitals Ahmedabad has dedicated itself to the goal of providing quality healthcare services to patients to restore their health, as holistically as possible. This multispecialty hospital unit was established in 2007, inspired by the principles of compassion, caring, and community partnership. HCG Hospitals strive to find innovative ways to elevate the quality of patient care by setting exceptional standards, implementing optimal and advanced treatment protocols, and ensuring both compassion and comfort, while leveraging the latest technology in executing every aspect of patient care.
At HCG Hospitals, our six Centers of Excellence — Cardiac Sciences, Spine Surgery, Neurosciences, Bone & Joint Care, Emergency & Critical Care, and Internal Medicine — reflect our unwavering commitment to quality healthcare. Every step we take is centered around patient care and comfort, ensuring excellence in every experience.
20, May 2025
Innova Captab Delivers Strong Q4 and FY25 Performance with Rs314.7 Cr Revenue, Rs29.6 Cr PAT
Mumbai 20th May 2025: Innova Captab Limited is a leading integrated pharmaceutical company committed to delivering high-quality healthcare solutions through a robust presence across the entire pharmaceuticals value chain, including research and development, manufacturing, distribution, marketing, and exports. The company is pleased to announce its financial results for the quarter and financial year ending March 31st, 2025.
Key Highlights
Q4 FY25 vs Q4 FY24
- Revenue from Operations registered robust growth of20%, reaching₹ 314.7 crores vs ₹ 262.6 crores in Q4 FY24, driven by strong performance across all business areas
- Overall EBITDA registered stellar growth of17%, reaching₹ 51.1 crores vs ₹ 43.8 crores in Q4 FY24. EBITDA margins were 16.2%
- PAT rose by3%year-over-year to ₹ 29.6 crores after absorbing the impact of depreciation and finance costs associated with Kathua, Jammu plant (commercialized in January 2025). PAT margins stood at 9.4%
FY25 vs FY24
- Revenue from Operations grew15%to ₹ 1,243.7 crores vs ₹ 1,081.3 crores in FY24, led by volume growth across business areas
- EBITDA registered robust growth of19%to ₹ 198.2 crores vs ₹ 166.9 crores in FY24. EBITDA margin increased by 50 basis points to 15.9%
- PAT witnessed strong growth of36%to ₹ 128.3 crores vs ₹ 94.3 crores in FY24, driven by higher EBITDA and reduced finance costs. PAT margins improved by 160 basis points to 10.3%
Commenting on the results, Mr. Vinay Lohariwala, Managing Director – Innova Captab Limited said “We ended the year on a strong note, with all business areas performing in line with expectations. Strategic decisions taken over recent years are now delivering clear, measurable results—reflected in both our financial and operational performance. This momentum underscores the strength of our business model and the disciplined execution by our teams. We remain focused on our core priorities—growth, innovation, and customer centricity—despite a dynamic and evolving market environment.
Operationally, we deepened our CDMO partnerships, broadened our product portfolio, expanded further in global markets, and strengthened our domestic reach. The commissioning of our Kathua, Jammu facility is a major milestone, enabling scaled production of new products and dosage forms—fueling our next growth phase.
All these enabled us to deliver stellar performance, and we closed the year at ₹ 1,243.7 crores, up 15% from last year. Profitability also improved with PAT increasing by 36% to ₹ 128.3 crores.
These achievements reaffirm our long-term strategy. With sharper focus, enhanced capacity, and strong execution, we are well-positioned to drive sustainable growth and create lasting value.”
