16, May 2025
HDFC Bank Launches Biz Plus Current Accounts to Empower MSME Growth
Hyderabad, May 16 2025: HDFC Bank, India’s leading private sector bank in Current Account deposits announced the launch of its new Biz+ Current Accounts, a reimagined suite of Current Account offerings designed to meet the evolving needs of Indian businesses. The range of accounts aims to empower businesses by bringing the entire Bank to the customer from day one.
Each Biz+ Current Account comes equipped with core benefits including cash handling services, seamless digital banking platforms and dedicated Bank/Relationship Manager support along with bundled solutions that address the full spectrum of banking needs for businesses.
A standout highlight of the new offering for new to bank current account customers is the inclusion of comprehensive business and payment protection insurance coverage from day one for the first year. This helps business owners safeguard their enterprises against unforeseen risks.
The Bank has introduced a tiered structure under the Biz+ Current Accounts, offering four distinct variants designed to cater to different stages of a business journey:
- Biz Lite+ Account is ideally suited for businesses in the Setup stage. It offers:
- Free 6X cash deposit limit on account balance
- Up to 5% savings on tax payments with complimentary debit cards
- Free shop/payment protection insurance
- Monthly rental waiver on soundbox based on usage
- Biz Pro+ Account is ideally suited for those in the Growth stage. It offers:
- Free 10X cash deposit limit on account balance
- Free shop/payment protection insurance
- Zero-collateral Overdraft Loan at special rates
- Rental waiver on PoS devices based on usage
- Biz Ultra+ Account is ideally suited for the Expansion stage. It offers:
- Free 12X cash deposit limit on account balance
- Savings of up to ₹1.3 lakh annually with BizPower Credit Card
- Free shop/payment protection insurance
- Special offers on banking services under the Preferred Program
- Biz Elite+ Account is ideally suited for businesses in the Diversification stage. It offers:
- Free 15X cash deposit limit on account balance
- Special offers on banking services under the Imperia Program
- Free shop/payment protection insurance
- Collections across 3,200 pin codes with Cash Management Systems
- Nil foreign bank charges on all overseas remittances
For all the above, terms and conditions apply as per product variant
In line with its leadership position, HDFC Bank has designed the Biz+ current Account range to scale with the success of its customers Moreover, these accounts adapt dynamically to individual business segments such as manufacturers, traders, service providers, and more — offering sector-specific solutions to meet distinct business needs.
Speaking on the launch, Mr. Parag Rao, Country Head – Payments, Liability Products, Consumer Finance and Marketing, HDFC Bank, said “This is a strategic shift towards offering a value-based engagement from a transactional one, and addresses both business and personal banking needs. We are now delivering a more modular, scalable and business life stage-aligned proposition. Our Biz+ Account range is designed to be adaptive—with Dynamic Multiplier Benefits that scale with business growth, removing friction.”
The Biz+ Current Account variants will offer bundled benefits under a One Bank approach and will be available across over 9,455 branches nationwide.
Additionally, over 45 lakh existing customers will benefit from the new Biz+ Current Accounts offerings, thereby facilitating a more structured, value-driven banking experience. Through the Biz+ Account offerings, customers will have access to a simplified, structured and higher value bundled proposition including liability products, asset solutions, digital payments and business cards.
The launch of Biz+ Current Account range reaffirms HDFC Bank’s commitment to fostering India’s entrepreneurial ecosystem by delivering smarter, more holistic banking experiences to support business growth.
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- By Neel Achary
15, May 2025
Swati Shah Calls Co-Actors Her ‘Extended Family’
Speaking about the importance of her real family, Swati shares, “Family is my biggest strength. They are always by my side, through my ups and downs, guiding me with love and support. I believe family is not just about living under one roof, but about being there for each other in every moment. Their prayers, encouragement, and unconditional love keep me going every day. On International Day of Families, I’m reminded how lucky I am to have such a close-knit, loving family that is the heartbeat of my life.”Talking about the beautiful bond with her on-set family, she adds, “Spending nearly 12 hours daily on the set of Sun Neo’s Rishto Se Bandhi Gauri, my co-actors have become like an extended family. We laugh together, share food, help each other through tough scenes, and celebrate small joys as one. It’s more than just work—it’s like living another family life on set. This bond keeps us happy, motivated, and full of positive energy. I feel so grateful to have found not one but two beautiful families in my life!”
15, May 2025
Smarter Wearables: Google Gemini Is Coming to Samsung Galaxy Watch and Buds
Bengaluru, India – May 15, 2025 – Your Galaxy wearables are about to get even smarter in the coming months. Google Gemini is set to debut on Samsung Galaxy Watches, making its first integration into the Galaxy wearable lineup. Moreover, activating Gemini will be smoother than ever when paired with the Galaxy Buds3 series. This update will extend AI functionalities across the entire Galaxy ecosystem, creating a more cohesive and intelligent user experience.
Galaxy Watch: Get More Done, Hands-Free
With Gemini on your Galaxy Watch, you can get hands-free assistance using natural voice commands to stay productive on the move. When running on the treadmill at the gym, simply ask Gemini to “Remember I’m using locker 43 today” so you can focus on your workout without a second thought. Or when you receive an important email while your hands are tied up carrying groceries, just ask Gemini to “Summarize my last email” for a quick overview. Gemini handles these requests across your apps, letting you quickly glance at the response and get right back to what you’re doing.
Galaxy Buds: Seamless Device Interaction
When used with Galaxy Buds, the Gemini experience becomes even more seamless. By using voice or pinch and hold controls, you can activate Gemini on your Galaxy Buds and smoothly interact with your Galaxy smartphone. So when you are lacing up your running shoes before a jog, just ask Gemini, “What’s the weather for my run today?” without having to reach for your phone. With Gemini, a more intelligent Galaxy experience is at your fingertips.
15, May 2025
DEVI Sansthan and Asifabad District Administration Sign MoU to Launch ALfA Pedagogy
Lucknow, 15th May 2025 – DEVI Sansthan successfully hosted Leadership Circle 3 at the WUCC Auditorium, City Montessori School, LDA Branch, Lucknow. The two-day seminar brought together over 600 education leaders, policy-makers, and change makers from across India to strengthen the national movement for Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN), aligned with the NIPUN Bharat Mission.
The Chief Guest for the event was Mr. Awanish Kumar Awasthi (IAS), Chief Advisor to the Chief Minister, Government of Uttar Pradesh. Other distinguished guests included Mr. Puneet Bali, Director of Smile Foundation; Mr. Arun Arora, Executive Director of Chetak Foundation; Ms. Gauri Bhure-Roy, CSR Head at DXC Technology; and Mr. Yogesh Kumar, Head of HCL Foundation, among others.
A key highlight of Day 2 was the formal signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between DEVI Sansthan and the district administration of Asifabad, Telangana, to initiate the pilot implementation of the ALfA program in the region.
In his address, Mr. Awasthi emphasized, “Strong learning outcomes in children and effective skilling of youth are the cornerstones of a nation’s growth. Countries like China have made remarkable strides in technology and infrastructure—especially in schools—laying a strong foundation for future generations. In India, through initiatives like the NIPUN Bharat Mission, we are also seeing promising progress. In Uttar Pradesh alone, about 1,18,000 schools exist, out of which 80,000 have applied for NIPUN accreditation, and 57,000 have achieved NIPUN readiness. While this is an encouraging milestone, there is still a critical need to further strengthen learning outcomes and empower schools to independently conduct and prepare for NIPUN assessments.”
Building on the success of previous editions, Leadership Circle 3 evolved from a state-level initiative into a nationwide platform, drawing participation from mid-level government officials—Block Education Officers (BEOs), DIET Principals, and Block Resource Coordinators—from 10 states and union territories, including Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu, Telangana, Maharashtra, Delhi, Jharkhand, Sikkim, Nagaland, and Andhra Pradesh.
Participants engaged in dynamic panel discussions on topics such as “FLN – The World’s Best Investment,” “Overcoming Challenges to FLN for All,” and “Quality Education & Grassroot NGOs.” Hands-on training sessions introduced attendees to the Accelerating Learning for All (ALfA) pedagogy, DEVI Sansthan’s evidence-based and fast-track approach to foundational learning.
One of the highlights was the Educators’ Panel on Day 2, where leaders from Jammu, Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, Telangana, and other states shared their ALfA implementation experiences. Mr. Babu Singh, Zonal Education Officer from Jammu, remarked, “Around 30 trainers in our district have been trained with modern methodologies. It is vital to constantly update teaching methods and empower educators with innovative tools. We are now implementing these approaches across all zones.”
The ALfA methodology, developed through extensive research and practical field experience, is designed to accelerate foundational literacy and numeracy for children across varied contexts. Since its introduction in 2022–23, the ALfA program has expanded from 20 schools to over 35,000 government schools across India and has been adapted into 33 national and international languages, setting the stage for global dissemination. Implementation efforts are ongoing in states like Uttar Pradesh, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Telangana, Jharkhand, and select regions in Maharashtra, Haryana, and Punjab, with more partnerships in progress.
Dr. Sunita Gandhi, Founder of DEVI Sansthan, emphasized the event’s significance, stating, “Leadership Circle 3 witnessed enthusiastic participation, with leaders sharing ground-level experiences of adopting innovative methodologies to boost student learning outcomes. The event successfully unified educators, teachers, and officials onto a common platform to strategize for achieving the NIPUN 2027 goals. The role of government officials is particularly crucial in ensuring the statewide adoption and sustainability of these innovative practices.”
A special focus was placed on building institutional capacity across 50 blocks in Uttar Pradesh to embed foundational learning practices deeply into the education system, ensuring scalability and sustainability. DEVI Sansthan aims to reach over 500,000 students in the next five years through these initiatives.
15, May 2025
Kriscore Capital Announces First Close of 200 Crore Early Stage Venture Capital Fund
Mumbai, May 15th, 2025 Kriscore Capital, a new venture firm focused on early-stage Indian tech startups, has announced the first close of its debut ₹100 Cr fund (with a provision for an additional ₹100 Cr greenshoe). With initial commitments of ₹50 Cr from a curated group of family offices and high net worth individuals, Kriscore plans to partner with 16 – 18 breakout companies that are solving large-scale problems using technology.
The sector-agnostic fund will invest into tech-driven businesses at the pre-seed and seed stages with a bias for exceptional founders building across key trends in India including (1) Blossoming digital consumer story (2) China+1 supply chain opportunities (3) Global export of India’s premium market, (4) Gen AI powered services, and (5) Net zero 2070. Kriscore has already made its first investment into a stealth-mode startup.
“India’s startup ecosystem is exploding, and Indian founders are building generational global businesses. Apart from technical prowess and team strength, enduring entrepreneurship needs an ecosystem of support – including financial expertise, capital firepower, compliance mentorship, and strategic global connectivity to build exceptional businesses. We invest more than capital – we commit our time, expertise, and passion to help founders build something truly groundbreaking.” says Nilesh Balakrishnan, General Partner of Kriscore Capital.
With a unique team that boasts decades of experience across early-stage VC, investment banking, and financial services – Kriscore Capital will provide value-added services that focus on critical but non-operational aspects of the Founder journey that are underserved, but essential to derisking early-stage investments. The fund also has an eminent Advisory Board comprising of Mr. D Sundaram (Lead Independent Director, Infosys Ltd), Mr. Shyam Srinivasan (ex-MD & CEO, Federal Bank Ltd), and Mr. Manish Khetarpal (Founding Partner, WaterBridge Ventures) in addition to a strong partner ecosystem of accomplished senior industry professionals to support its investee companies.
15, May 2025
Allcargo Group Elevates Ravi Jakhar as Strategy Head and Group CFO
Commenting on the appointment, Shashi Kiran Shetty, Founder and Chairman, Allcargo Group said, “Ravi has played a key role in our strategic and financial initiatives in recent years. His flair for initiative and risk taking abilities with a balanced approach make him a strong leader. He has turned around Latin America in a very quick time bringing key people on board and contributed immensely to the group. Ravi together with the support of skilled finance team around the world & respected members of board of directors, internationally & domestically, will work towards the mission to accomplish world class finance organization for the group. I wish Ravi continued success in his expanded responsibilities.”
Commenting on his new role, Ravi Jakhar, Director – Strategy & Group CFO, Allcargo Group, said, “I am truly honoured by the trust placed in me and am excited to take on additional responsibility. I see immense opportunities for growth for our group across all businesses and also believe that we can create significant value for all stakeholders with sharper focus on financial management. I place a very high focus on governance, building systems & processes and creating an agile organization. We shall continue to build a world class institution by investing in right people and talent and continuing to be resilient in the face of all adversities and driving change through tech and commercial mindset. I look forward to chart the Group’s next phase of growth.”
15, May 2025
Aghathiyaa Movie Marks Milestone for Indian Horror; Enters Amazon Prime’s Top 10
National, May 15, 2025: Following its grand theatrical release across 600+ screens and three languages, Aghathiyaa, the fantasy-horror spectacle directed by Pa. Vijay is now making waves on OTT. The film has officially entered Amazon Prime Video’s Top 10 trending titles in India, marking a milestone moment for regional genre cinema.
Presented by Vels Film International Ltd. and WAMINDIA, Aghathiyaa follows an ordinary man caught in an extraordinary war between angels and dark forces. With its rich blend of mythology, horror, and historical intrigue, the film pushes the boundaries of visual storytelling in Indian cinema. Shot with breathtaking VFX and backed by a compelling score from Yuvan Shankar Raja, the film offers audiences a deeply cinematic experience that is now accessible at home.
Aghathiyaa stars Jiiva, Action King Arjun Sarja, Raashii Khanna, and Yogi Babu, with standout performances that balance drama, suspense, and emotional depth. The film also adds a poignant layer by exploring India’s colonial history and a touching mother-son bond, all while delivering edge-of-the-seat thrills.
Aneesh Arjun Dev, Founder & Managing Director of WAM India, shares, “Aghathiyaa was created as a passion project to blend storytelling with technology. Seeing it embraced by audiences on Prime is a proud moment for our entire team.”
With its digital success now echoing its theatrical impact, Aghathiyaa is poised to inspire a new era of Indian genre filmmaking, where myth, meaning, and mainstream entertainment meet.
15, May 2025
Golden Dragon Presents Dim Sum and Then Some A Taste of Cantonese Flavours
Golden Dragon, the signature Cantonese and Sichuan cuisine restaurant at Taj Coromandel Chennai, invites you to embark on a flavourful journey with its newest culinary showcase – Dim Sum & Then Some. This experience celebrates the fine artistry of dim sums with an array of thoughtfully curated delicacies from the Cantonese repertoire. Each dim sum is a testament to tradition, technique and taste, presented with contemporary flair by the team of chefs led by Executive Chef, Sujan Mukherjee.
Guests can begin their journey with a comforting bowl of our signature soup – Lemon Garlic Wonton Broth for the vegetarians, while the non-vegetarians may savour a hearty version with chicken. The experience continues with the signature dim sum medley, a delectable selection of five exquisite varieties, available in both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options. Each guest will enjoy two servings of each variety, freshly steamed and crafted to perfection.
The vegetarian selection features delicately wrapped Edamame and Truffle; Water Chestnut and Cilantro; Mushroom and Cheese; Asparagus Gua Bao; and Steamed Tofu Steak, Chilli Bean. Non-vegetarian guests can indulge in sumptuous choices such as Prawn Har Gao; Lamb Gyoza; Chicken Sui Mai; Chicken Gou Bao; and Steamed Fish, Chilli Bean. To round off the meal, guests will be treated to the elegant Chocolate Terrine, thoughtfully chosen to complement the flavours of the feast.
15, May 2025
India Joins Global Ranks with Enliva’s Accelerator-Free Nitrile Gloves from Wadi Surgicals
New Delhi, India – May 15, 2025 – Wadi Surgicals, India’s foremost manufacturer of nitrile gloves, has announced a major innovation milestone with the launch of accelerator-free nitrile gloves under its flagship brand Enliva. Developed through intensive R&D and global collaboration, these gloves are India’s first accelerator-free nitrile gloves, representing a leap forward in skin-safe, allergy-free hand protection.
This innovation eliminates the use of common chemical accelerators such as thiurams, carbamates, and MBTs compounds known to cause allergic contact dermatitis (Type IV hypersensitivity) among frequent glove users. The gloves are manufactured using alternative non-sensitizing crosslinking agents and have been rigorously tested for dermatological safety, mechanical strength, and chemical resistance.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Anindith Reddy, Managing Director of Wadi Surgicals said “With this launch, we are proud to bring Indian glove manufacturing to the forefront of global innovation. Accelerator-free nitrile gloves are no longer a luxury reserved for global brands – we are making them accessible and affordable. This product not only addresses a critical health concern for healthcare workers and industrial users but also reinforces our commitment to safe, high-performance, and sustainable glove solutions.”
The gloves are certified under EN 455, EN ISO 374, ISO 13485:2016, and REACH-compliance frameworks, and are suitable for use in hospitals, cleanrooms, biotech labs, food processing, and electronics manufacturing.
Mr. Selvam Subramaniam, Vice President – Operations said “This achievement is the result of deep material science innovation and relentless process engineering, Our team worked closely with global polymer experts to create a glove that not only eliminates skin sensitizers but also matches or exceeds global standards of durability, flexibility, and protection. It’s a proud moment for Indian manufacturing.”
The Enliva Accelerator-Free range will be available across multiple variants:
- Enliva Pro – BIS-Compliant Medical Gloves
- Enliva Premium Nitrile Gloves – ASTM Standard Examination Gloves
- Enliva QuickDraw – Multipurpose Disposable Gloves
- Enliva UrbanShield – Food-Grade Gloves
White-label and OEM options will also be offered to international partners.
This development places Enliva in league with leading global brands such as Ansell’s DermaShield, Hartalega’s NGX, and SHIELD Scientific—reaffirming India’s ability to compete at the highest level of innovation in medical disposabl
15, May 2025
Naveen Chandra Kulkarni Launches Muscleheadon, Mumbai’s Premier Wellness Hub
National, India – Internationally acclaimed fitness expert Naveen Chandra Kulkarni is set to revolutionize Mumbai’s wellness landscape with the grand opening of Muscleheadon, his state-of-the-art fitness and wellness studio in Bandra West. This ambitious venture represents the culmination of Naveen Kulkarni’s decade-long journey in transforming lives through holistic fitness approaches.
“Muscleheadon is the physical manifestation of my lifelong vision to create a complete wellness ecosystem,” says Naveen Kulkarni, whose illustrious career includes competing at Mr. Olympia in Las Vegas for five years, at Dubai Muscle Show for three years and at the Arnold Sports Festival for one. “Every element of the studio has been meticulously designed to reflect my philosophy that true transformation requires addressing physical, nutritional, and mental well-being simultaneously.” His comprehensive background uniquely positions him to pioneer this revolutionary wellness concept, which he personally oversees at every level.
Naveen Kulkarni’s new establishment features his signature 90-day transformation program, which includes expert body assessments, customized nutrition plans, personalized supplement recommendations, and access to an exclusive fitness tracking app—all personally developed by Kulkarni to deliver comprehensive results.
Naveen Kulkarni’s vision extends beyond traditional fitness training. His(the) Muscleheadon facility features an extensive recovery wing offering treatments including UV and 0zone filtered cold plunge therapy, infrared sauna sessions, steam rooms, and contrast therapy.
“What makes Muscleheadon unique is that clients aren’t just joining another gym—they’re accessing my complete system for transformation,” explains Naveen Kulkarni, who was also featured as a TEDx speaker in 2024. “Every aspect of the client experience reflects my personal approach to optimal wellness.” The facility also houses a supplement store and health café curated by Kulkarni himself, offering only products and nutrition options that meet his exacting standards.
