Category Archives: Business

V-Guard Launches ‘Edam’ Counselling Hub in Kochi for Women’s Mental Health

Kochi, October 10, 2025: As part of its ongoing Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, V-Guard Industries Ltd. has launched Edam, a free counselling centre for women in Kochi, in collaboration with Welfare Services Ernakulam (Sahrudaya). The centre was inaugurated on World Mental Health Day, underscoring the need for accessible mental health care tailored for women. The inaugural ceremony was held in Kochi, with Hibi Eden, MP, formally inaugurating the initiative, and Dr. Reenaa Mithun Chittilappilly presiding over the event.

National and international health studies have consistently shown that women are disproportionately affected by stress, depression, and anxiety. Recognising this urgent need, Edam aims to provide a safe and supportive space where women can seek professional counselling, emotional support, and guidance — completely free of charge.

“Along with development in society, the mental health of its people is equally important. However, many are still unwilling to open up about the mental difficulties they experience. Even today, there remains a stigma around us. In this context, the initiative ‘Edam’ launched by V-Guard Industries Limited in collaboration with Sahrudaya is indeed a significant step forward,” said Hibi Eden, MP, while speaking at the inauguration.

Speaking at the launch, Dr. Reenaa Mithun Chittilappilly said, “Through Edam, we want to break the silence around mental health and ensure that women have access to the care and support they deserve. This initiative is an extension of V-Guard’s commitment to fostering healthier and more resilient communities. Women often carry invisible burdens while balancing roles at home, at work, and in society. With Edam, we want to give them a safe space to pause, reflect, and heal. This centre is not just about counselling — it’s about empowering women with resilience and hope.”

The initiative ‘Edam’ will operate from the Ponnurunni Welfare Services (Sahrudaya) campus.

For free counselling services, you may contact 9847610707. Services are available Monday to Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

At the heart of Edam is its free, confidential one-on-one counselling service, designed especially for women in need. Highly trained counsellors will provide personalised mental health support in a private and empathetic environment.

Other planned activities during its first phase include:

• Awareness Sessions & Community Outreach: Regular workshops in schools, colleges, and community centres to improve mental health literacy and encourage open conversations around women’s mental well-being.
• Mental Health Screenings & Camps: Community-level assessments to identify early signs of distress and connect women with timely professional support.

By March 2026, Edam aims to directly reach 750+ women in Kochi through awareness and counselling services, with over 350 women expected to benefit from individual counselling sessions.

With this initiative, V-Guard Industries Ltd. reiterates its dedication to building mentally healthy communities and breaking barriers to care ensuring that every woman, regardless of background, has access to confidential, compassionate, and professional mental health support.

Sreekumar A., Vice President, V-Guard Industries Ltd; Saneesh K., Chief Officer – CSR, V-Guard Industries Ltd.; Fr. Joseph Koluthuvallil, Executive Director, Sahrudaya; Fr. Sibin Thomas, Assistant Executive Director; John Joshy K. J., District Social Justice Officer, Ernakulam and Drusya A., Assistant Professor, Bharata Mata College, Thrikkakkara were also present at the inaugural event.

ET Brand Equity Brings Marketing Summit to Chennai, Highlights Southern Ad Market Potential

ET Brand Equity Takes Its Flagship Marketing Summit to Chennai, Spotlights India’s INR 50,000 Crore Southern Ad Market

Hyderabad, 09 October 2025- The Economic Times Brand Equity will launch Brand World Summit – South on December 5, 2025, in Chennai, marking the first regional chapter of its marquee marketing conclave. The inaugural summit brings together India’s leading Chief Marketing Officers, media planners, and brand custodians to address a strategic gap: how to unlock South India’s Rs 50,000 crore advertising market, which operates on fundamentally different consumer behaviours and media consumption patterns than the rest of the country.

The expansion recognizes South India as a market contributing an estimated Rs 50,000 crore to India’s total advertising expenditure of Rs 1,64,137 crore. Despite representing nearly one-third of the national advertising market, the region’s unique consumption patterns have remained underserved by industry platforms.

“Over seven successful editions of Brand World Summit, we have witnessed marketing evolve by leaps and bounds. However, having a ringside view of the industry also revealed distinct differences in media planning and buying in South India,” said Amit Kumar Gupta, Business Head, Economic Times B2B Vertical. “The propensity to pay in the southern market is high and television and cinema consumption behaviours are different, making a dedicated focus crucial.”

Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam television channels command approximately 30% of India’s TV advertising spend, with Tamil and Telugu genres registering annual growth of 9 to 12% compared to slower national Hindi programming. South India also leads in Connected TV penetration, with over 50 million CTV households nationally and significant concentration in Southern cities, making it the fastest-growing market for CTV monetization.

The regional content boom reinforces this trend. Nearly 48% of all OTT content produced in 2024 was in regional languages, with Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam productions seeing viewership across India and globally. Films like RRR, Pushpa, and Baahubali have demonstrated South Indian content’s ability to dominate international streaming charts.

Cultural intelligence has become critical. South Indian festivals including Onam, Pongal, Ugadi, and Kannada Rajyotsava drive advertising spikes comparable to Diwali, yet many national brands lack frameworks to capitalize on these opportunities. FMCG, automotive, real estate, BFSI, and telecom brands are shifting budgets to regional media buys as one-size-fits-all campaigns underperform.

The economic profile adds depth. Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, and Telangana contribute disproportionately to India’s IT and startup ecosystem, creating affluent, digitally native audiences. Over 25% of India’s SME digital advertisers operate from South India. Surprisingly, while print struggles nationally, Tamil and Kannada dailies remain stable or growing, underscoring dual strength in traditional and digital media.

Lotus Electronics Unveils the Much-Awaited ‘Lotus Deal Festival’ Lotus Ki Diwali, 6 Faydo Wali!

Central India,09 October 2025: Lotus Electronics, Central India’s largest and most trusted electronics retail chain, announces the Lotus Deal Festival 2025, its biggest sales event of the year. Running until 2 November 2025, the festival coincides with festive occasions like Karwa Chauth and Diwali, offering customers unmatched savings, rewards, and conveniences across its product portfolio.

The festival features 120+ leading global and domestic brands in categories including home entertainment, kitchen appliances, personal computing, mobile technology, audio systems, and more. Celebrating 25 years of customer trust, the event also includes expert in-store guidance, express delivery, easy exchange and EMI options, extended warranties, and after-sales support.

Gaurav Pahwa, Lotus Electronics, said:
“Diwali is a time for lifestyle upgrades. The Lotus Deal Festival allows us to celebrate our customers’ trust by making technology accessible through deep discounts, attractive cashback schemes, and exciting rewards. Our offers, combined with recent GST rate cuts, ensure that festive shopping becomes truly joyful.”

Highlights of the festival include:

• Televisions, air conditioners, refrigerators, and washing machines with significant discounts, cashback, and exchange benefits.

• Laptops and smartphones at attractive savings with added cashback and exchange options.

• Audio systems, kitchen appliances, and smartwatches with special offers tailored for diverse customer needs.

• Financial offers through major banks, including instant discounts and cashback options, along with flexible EMI plans.

Every purchase is backed by Lotus Electronics’ Express Delivery and a nationwide service network, ensuring swift doorstep delivery and seamless post-sale service.

Cosmo Ferrites Limited appoints Nikit Chaudhary as Business Head, eyes growth in new sector

New Delhi, 09 October 2025: Cosmo Ferrites Limited, a leading manufacturer and exporter of Soft Ferrites and an emerging player in wire wound magnetic components has announced the appointment of Mr Nikit Chaudhary as Business Head, Cosmo Ferrites effective immediately. In his new role, Mr Chaudhary will serve as Vice President and lead key business operations for Cosmo Ferrites Limited, driving the company’s continued growth and expansion.

With over 13 years of experience, Nikit Chaudhary brings an extensive knowledge and insight across various domains such as manufacturing, automotive and E-mobility sectors. Holding a PGDM (Operations & Marketing) degree from IIM Lucknow, along with, B.Tech (Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering) from NIT Bhopal, provides him with a strong foundation in technical and business domains.

“We are delighted to welcome Nikit to Cosmo Ferrites Limited,” said Mr Ambrish Jaipuria, Chairman, Cosmo Ferrites Ltd. “His proven track record and leadership across multiple domains is a perfect match for our ferrites division. Nikit brings a deep understanding of the automotive and E-Mobility sectors, which aligns perfectly with our vision to expand into new sectors and opening growth potential.”

Under his leadership, the Plant Operations, Finance & Accounts, Supply Chain, Secretarial & IT, Sales, Human Resources, along with, Research & Development functions will report directly to him. 

While retaining their current reporting structure, the Production, Quality, Maintenance, Process Engineering, NPD & Powder Production, and New Product Development teams, will coordinate closely with Nikit Chaudhary, realising the synergies these departments bring to the table for Cosmo Ferrites.

The appointment comes at an opportune time for Cosmo Ferrites, as it continues to expand its presence in the rapidly growing electronics, power and biomedical sector, providing an indigenous solution to the nation, catering towards export and domestic demands. 

This Diwali, Khetika Inspires Goodness with ‘Acchai Se Farak Padta Hai’

Mumbai, 9 October, 25: Khetika, the clean label food brand built on the promise of purity and honest choices, today unveils its new digital film “Acchai Se Farak Padta Hai” — a touching narrative that reminds us how small acts of goodness create real difference.

The film unfolds during Diwali preparations in a modern Indian home, where children playfully enact the Ramayan with toy bows and painted moustaches. In the kitchen, the house help, Shabari, is seen preparing kheer with Khetika dry fruits, symbolising prosperity and purity. Focused on her work, Shabari hadn’t planned to take time off and was ready to come the next day — until the child playing Ram gently reminds her, “Diwali to aapke ghar mein bhi hai na,” sparking a heartfelt realization for her and Ram’s mother.

His words prompt the mother to reflect, leading her to acknowledge Shabari’s role with gratitude. She offers her kheer enriched with Khetika dry fruits and a Khetika gift box, underlining the film’s message that while rituals brighten homes, it is acchai that truly makes celebrations meaningful.

Speaking on the launch of the campaign, Dr. Prithwi Singh, CEO, Khetika said: “This digital film is deeply personal to us because it mirrors what Khetika stands for — purity, honesty, and inclusivity. With ‘Acchai Se Farak Padta Hai,’ we wanted to remind people that true celebrations go beyond rituals and decorations. Just as our preservative-free dry fruits add goodness to something as simple as kheer, choosing kindness and gratitude brings depth to our relationships and traditions. We hope the campaign inspires people to celebrate with authenticity and goodness this festive season.”

With ‘Acchai Se Farak Padta Hai’, Khetika extends its festive wishes to households across India, reminding everyone that celebrations are most meaningful when shared with sincerity and gratitude. This Diwali, the brand encourages families to make mindful choices and celebrate the season in the spirit of genuine goodness.

SALT Indian Restaurant Illuminates Diwali with a Spectacular Festive Menu

9th October 2025 – This Diwali, SALT Indian Restaurant Bar and Grill invites food lovers to embark on a culinary celebration that’s as brilliant as the festival itself. With outlets across Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Pune, SALT is lighting up the season with an exclusive Diwali Special Menu that promises to dazzle taste buds and elevate festive gatherings. From the royal kitchens of Awadh to the coastal treasures of Goa, this carefully curated menu brings together tradition, innovation, and pure indulgence.

The celebration begins with show-stopping starters like Pappu’s Potli Bomb, crispy parcels bursting with spiced potatoes and cashew, and the fiery Gun Powder Calamari that packs a bold punch. The season-special Double Mince Rocket Sheekh Kebab artfully layers chicken and mutton seekh kebabs for an unforgettable flavor experience. The main course lineup features the Gobi Mussallam, a whole grilled cauliflower in rich gravy, and Martabaan Ka Gosht, a clay-pot mutton curry slow-cooked to perfection. No Diwali feast is complete without the legendary 1947 Butter Chicken, while the Mutton Mandi Biryani offers SALT’s contemporary take on this beloved classic. Sweet endings come in the form of Nolen Gur Bhapa Doi, infused with rare date palm jaggery, and the Baileys Kulfi for a modern twist.

Complementing the feast are SALT’s exclusive Diwali Mocktails. The Twilight enchants with blueberry and lavender notes, while Garlands refreshes with saffron and honeydew melon. The Paan-e-Sham brings together betel leaf, lime, and ginger ale for an aromatic celebration in a glass. “Diwali is about coming together and creating memories around the table,” says the Culinary Director – Chef Balaji Balachander. “This menu honors India’s rich culinary heritage while adding our signature contemporary twist.”

Known for its warm ambiance and impeccable service, SALT continues to be a premier destination for authentic Indian flavors with a modern edge. The Diwali Special Menu is available now through the festive season at all SALT outlets, perfect for family gatherings, corporate celebrations, or intimate dinners with loved ones.

Aion-Tech Solutions Launches ROQIT, Zero Emission Asset Management Platform

Hyderabad, India October 09, 2025: Aion-Tech Solutions Ltd. (BSE: 531439 | NSE: GOLDTECH and formerly Goldstone Technologies Limited), a publicly listed Business Intelligence and IT Services company, today announced the commercial launch of India’s first OEM-agnostic, AI-powered Zero Emission Sustainable Asset Management SaaS, Cloud Native Platform for intelligent fleet operations, developed by its wholly owned subsidiary, ROQIT Greenfleet Digital Solutions Pvt. Ltd.

As India accelerates toward net-zero targets and rapid EV adoption, ROQIT provides the long-missing digital backbone for managing zero-emission fleets across four-wheelers, buses, trucks, and railway assets. By addressing a critical gap in sustainable fleet technology, the platform empowers operators, manufacturers, and asset managers to scale clean mobility while staying profitable, unlocking financial and environmental benefits through carbon accounting and offsets.

Pavan Chavali, CEO, ROQIT, said, “ROQIT’s transition from concept to a commercially viable platform with the launch of its Zero Emission Asset Management solution marks a milestone for Aion-Tech Solutions and a defining step toward transforming fleet management in India. With India as our starting point, we are confident in ROQIT’s potential to scale globally enabling businesses and cities to accelerate their sustainability journeys while creating long-term value for our shareholders.”

Building on its enterprise asset management expertise, the company is also developing solutions purpose-built for India’s multi-modal city transportation landscape. The platform seamlessly integrates first-, mid-, and last-mile transport modes, to decongest roads, improve public transport utilization, and decarbonize mobility at scale. Together, these two strategic pathways enterprise asset management and sustainable multi-modal transport solutions define ROQIT’s role in advancing AION-Tech’s broader vision for a greener, more profitable, and future-ready economy.

The unified SaaS platform solution bridges the intelligence gap between diverse vehicle hardware and critical business operations, offering live asset tracking, predictive maintenance, AI-assisted route optimization, emissions monitoring, regulatory compliance, driver performance analytics, and plug-and-play integration with ERP, IoT, and telematics platforms. Its modular architecture ensures scalability across fleets of all sizes, geographies, making it both future-ready and deployable.

As India’s transport and logistics industry undergoes electrification at scale, the demand for intelligent fleet monitoring has never been higher. ROQIT positions itself as an industry benchmark for profitable operational excellence and sustainability.

ROQIT is designed to comply with national and state-level EV policies, and is ready for international markets.

For Aion-Tech, the launch signals a decisive move into the fast-growing intersection of technology, green mobility, and net-zero transformation, creating both business value and environmental impact.

realme and RICOH IMAGING Forge Strategic Partnership for Advanced Smartphone Street Photography

New Delhi, India, October 9, 2025: realme, India’s most popular smartphone brand among young users, today announced a strategic partnership with RICOH IMAGING COMPANY LTD., set to officially launch on October 14 in Beijing, China.

After four years of preparation, this collaboration is positioned as one of the industry’s most profound imaging partnerships. To celebrate, the two companies released the “4 Years in One Snap” video, highlighting four years of co-engineering and teasing features of their first co-created product, designed specifically for the realme GT 8 Pro.

A Joint Journey Starting from Mobile User Pain Points

In the video, realme Vice President and CMO Chase Xu discussed with Kazunobu Saiki, General Manager of Camera Business Division at RICOH IMAGING COMPANY LTD., the elements that brought two brands together, which grounded on a shared understanding of user demands. realme saw that young people struggled with two main pain points in mobile photography: increasingly similar hardware and over-processed algorithms that stripped photos of authenticity. “People are getting tired of the same ‘perfect style’ photos. More and more, everyone wants to show their own style, instead of copying the same look.” Chase Xu explained.

The RICOH GR series has been known as a “street photography hero” because of its sharp quality, portability, and quick response. “That’s exactly what we value,” Xu said. Saiki echoed this: “RICOH Imaging and realme share a base of young, creative users. Our collaboration is not only about innovation in products, but also about culture to inspire a new generation to enjoy street photography and discover the beauty of everyday life.”

This shared spirit is why the two brands came together: to give young people tools that allow for authentic capture and personal expression, carrying the tradition of conventional camera into mobile photography.

The GT 8 Pro Brings GR Heritage to Young People’s Pocket

Through extensive customizations between realme and RICOH GR’s R&D teams, the GT 8 Pro offers an unprecedented imaging experience, achieving groundbreaking innovations in optical capabilities, color algorithms, imaging tones, and a tailor-made UI design that mimics the feel of a RICOH GR camera.

This device seamlessly blends 30 years of RICOH GR heritage, including its iconic film-like aesthetic and five classic image tones, with realme’s strengths in mobile imaging and profound insights into the preferences of current generations, creating a unique synergy that advances street photography culture through joint development and co-engineering. More than just a competition of specifications or uniform filters, it infuses mood and emotional warmth into every photo, encouraging young users to document their daily lives with authenticity.

“Snap By No Rules”

This partnership isn’t just about a product, it’s about extending street photography culture into the mobile era. 4 Years in One Snap marks a milestone, encouraging young people to freely record and express their lives. “It’s a fresh, young way to take photos. You don’t wait or try to make the perfect shot but just press the button and capture the moment – Snap by No Rules,” said Xu.

“Through this collaboration, we hope that even those who don’t usually use dedicated camera would experience snapshot photography with the GT 8 Pro,” Saiki noted.

The journey now heads toward October 14, when realme and Ricoh GR’s partnership will make its official debut, ushering in a new era of mobile street photography.

Budget-Friendly OnePlus Products to Gift this Festive Season

India ,8th october 2025:As the festive season lights up with Dhanteras, Diwali, and Bhai Dooj, it’s time to honor traditions while embracing the joy of giving. What better way to celebrate than by gifting technology that beautifully blends style, innovation, and utility? With more people seeking premium yet practical choices, OnePlus presents a thoughtfully curated range from smartphones and audio devices to tablets—perfect for every kind of user. Whether for gamers, music lovers, binge-watchers, or multitaskers, these OnePlus picks go beyond gadgets; they’re meaningful gifts designed to enrich festive moments and create lasting memories.

OnePlus Nord 5

Surprise your loved ones with the OnePlus Nord 5, a smartphone that delivers a flagship-like experience without compromise. With its vivid display, ultra-smooth 144Hz refresh rate, powerful Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 processor, and advanced camera system, it’s ideal for gamers, binge-watchers, and photography enthusiasts. The Nord 5 perfectly balances performance and style, making it a thoughtful gift this festive season.

OnePlus Nord CE5

For those looking for a more accessible yet equally impressive option, the OnePlus Nord CE5 is a perfect choice. Featuring a sleek design, smooth performance powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 8350 Apex chipset, and long-lasting battery life, it’s an ideal companion for everyday multitaskers and entertainment lovers. It’s where elegant design meets reliable functionality perfect for festive gifting.

OnePlus Pad Lite

Gift smart this festive season with the OnePlus Pad Lite, an affordable tablet that blends productivity with fun. With its expansive 11-inch display, split-screen mode, and long-lasting battery, it’s perfect for students, parents, or kids alike. Whether for studying by day or streaming by night, the Pad Lite ensures uninterrupted performance and all-round entertainment, making it a complete gift for the season.

OnePlus Pad 3

Make celebrations grander with the OnePlus Pad 3 the ultimate festive second screen. Its large display, smooth refresh rate, and powerful performance make it perfect for watching festive specials, cricket matches, or even virtual card parties. Lightweight and portable, it doubles as a productivity partner for students and professionals on the go, offering the ideal blend of work and entertainment.

OnePlus Nord Buds 3r

For those who value comfort and style, the OnePlus Nord Buds 3r make a thoughtful festive gift. With a sleek design, seamless connectivity, and crystal-clear sound quality, they’re built for all-day use. Whether for long calls, immersive music sessions, or festive binge-watching, the Nord Buds 3r deliver an exceptional audio experience wrapped in everyday elegance.