Category Archives: Business

Purabi Ice Cream scales up distribution across Assam amid soaring summer demand

Guwahati, May 28, 2025: Just a year after its launch, Purabi Ice Cream is making a mark of its own. As temperatures soar, the brand is now expanding its footprint statewide, aiming to become the go-to frozen treat for summer.

Purabi, a brand of the West Assam Milk Producers’ Cooperative Union Ltd. (WAMUL), entered the market with six flavors of ice cream: Vanilla, Strawberry, Kesar, Pista, Chocolate, Mango, and Fruit n Nut – and quickly won over ice-cream lovers across the state. Unlike many commercial brands that sell frozen desserts under the guise of ice cream, Purabi takes pride in being an authentic dairy-based ice cream, made from pure milk sourced from Assam’s farmers.

At the product’s unveiling last year, Assam Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma had highlighted its superior quality and taste, crediting the farmers of Assam for providing the fresh, high-quality milk that sets Purabi apart.

North East Dairy and Foods Limited (NEDFL), a joint venture between Govt of Assam and National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) is marketing Purabi Ice Cream. Now, with summer heat beating down, NEDFL has already strengthened its distribution network. This season, the ice cream and flavoured milk, which was launched in September 2024, are being made widely available across the state, making it easier for consumers to enjoy a truly local, farm-fresh treat.

“We are extremely pleased with the response to our new products – both ice cream and flavoured milk. Last year, we launched ice cream just before the summer season, though its distribution was primarily limited to Guwahati. Similarly, flavoured milk was introduced towards the end of the season. Despite these challenges, our sales numbers were remarkable. Now, with an expanded distribution network across eastern and western Assam, we are confident in our ability to meet consumer demand,” said Satya Brata Bose, Managing Director at NEDFL.

He added that along with Purabi Ice Cream and Purabi Flavoured Milk, other Purabi products like standard milk, curd etc. are now available on leading quick-delivery e-commerce platforms like Blinkit, Flipkart Minutes, BigBasket Now, and Swiggy Instamart.

With its commitment to quality and authenticity, Purabi Dairy is not just satisfying sweet cravings but also supporting Assam’s dairy farmers, ensuring that the state’s milk industry continues to thrive. As the demand for authentic, dairy-based ice cream grows, Purabi is set to become a household name in Assam’s ice cream industry.

Q4FY25 Revenue from operations at INR 11,974 Mn up 2% YoY, EBITDA at INR 2,524 Mn down 1% YoY, PAT at INR 1,520 Mn up 17% YoY

Mumbai, India, May 28, 2025: Granules India Ltd., a vertically integrated pharmaceutical company, today announced its financial results for the quarter and financial year ended March 31, 2025.

 Financial and Business Summary for Q4FY25

• Revenue from Operations of Q4FY25 stood at INR 11,974 mn, a growth of 2% YoY, Sustained increase in formulations’ share despite slowdown in productivity of Gagillapur facility with ongoing US FDA remediation activities. Revenue share from the North America increased to 79% in Q4 FY25 as compared to 70% in Q4 FY24.
• Active Pharmaceuticals Ingredients (API), Pharmaceutical Formulation Intermediates (PFI), and Finished dosages contribute 12%, 10%, and 77% of revenue from operations respectively for Q4FY25.
• ROCE is at 6% as compared to 16.5% YoY.
• Net debt stood at INR 7,061 mn, a reduction of INR 1,360 mn and Net debt to EBITDA at 0.75x

Commenting on the results, Dr. Krishna Prasad Chigurupati, Chairman & Managing Director of Granules India Limited said, “We are pleased to report a resilient bottom line and cash flow performance this year, despite sales remaining steady. This was achieved with a profitable Formulations growth of 18%, even though we proactively paused Gagillapur’s production operations in Sep-24 for more than a month to re-assess the risks and undertake necessary USFDA remediation activities. Productivity of Gagillapur facility has been lower in H2 FY25 with ongoing remediation activities. Our strong financial performance reflects the success of our strategic initiatives, particularly our focus on enhancing our product mix by prioritizing high- margin offerings and expanding our portfolio of non-legacy molecules. This reflects the strength and adaptability of our business model, and our unwavering commitment”.

Ather Energy and Infineon Technologies partner to accelerate India’s electric two-wheeler revolution

Chennai, 28th May 2025: Ather Energy, a leading electric two-wheeler manufacturer in India and Infineon Technologies Asia Pacific Pte Ltd, a global leader in semiconductor solutions, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Seoul, South Korea, to jointly drive innovation in the electric vehicle (EV) industry in India. The collaboration focuses on advancing semiconductor technologies to support light electric vehicles (LEVs), charging infrastructure, and safety, with a shared vision to contribute to India’s growing EV ecosystem.

The partnership aims to leverage cutting-edge semiconductor solutions from Infineon based on various technologies, microcontrollers and automotive related sensors, alongside Ather’s expertise in designing state-of-the-art LEVs (Light Electric Vehicles). Together, the companies will work towards enabling more efficient, reliable, and cost-effective EV solutions, driving the adoption of electric two-wheelers in India.

Speaking on the occasion, Swapnil Jain, Executive Director and CTO, Ather Energy, said: “At Ather, we’ve always believed that building great EVs starts with getting the fundamentals right – performance, efficiency, reliability. Our approach has always been grounded in first-principles thinking and deep engineering, questioning how every system can be made better, faster, and more efficient. That’s where semiconductor innovation becomes critical. Infineon’s leadership in semiconductors and system solutions brings deep expertise that aligns with our engineering-first approach. Our partnership with Infineon gives us access to advanced technologies that can help us improve key systems, from charging to safety and explore ways to reduce system complexity and cost. We’re looking forward to seeing how this collaboration can help us push the boundaries, not just for our products, but for the larger EV ecosystem in India.”

Highlighting the importance of this partnership, Peter Schaefer, Executive Vice President and Chief Sales Officer Automotive at Infineon, said: “India is one of the fastest-growing EV markets globally, and electric two-wheelers are at the heart of this transformation. We are thrilled to partner with Ather Energy to enable the next generation of sustainable mobility solutions. Our advanced SiC and GaN technologies will help drive energy-efficient and high-performance electric vehicles. This partnership will foster innovation that contributes meaningfully to India’s ambitious objective to reach a 30 percent sales share for EVs by 2030.”

This collaboration will explore sensing and safety innovations to elevate vehicle safety and user experience. These solutions deliver significant advantages in terms of energy efficiency, charging speed, and overall system reliability, making EVs more accessible, sustainable, convenient and appealing to consumers.

Kansai Nerolac Paints Limited Wins Big at ABBY 2025 with ‘Dukaan It Yourself’

28 May 2025, Mumbai – Kansai Nerolac Paints Limited (KNPL), one of the leading Indian paint companies, has won top honours at the prestigious ABBY 2025, with 1 Grand Prix, 4 Gold, 2 Silver, and 5 Bronze awards. The recognition comes for its groundbreaking Dukaan It Yourself initiative, developed in collaboration with Tribes Communication, which looks at transforming retail spaces and empowering small vendors.

Launched at the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025, the Dukaan It Yourself campaign addressed a critical challenge faced by local vendors, of visibility in crowded marketplaces. Kansai Nerolac’s foldable, larger-than-life shade cards, enabled vendors to convert makeshift stalls into organised retail shops with eye-catching and vibrant displays, signage, and ample storage. The initiative not only enhanced vendor identity but also further helped boost footfalls and improve livelihoods.

The campaign’s success was reflected in its stellar performance at the ABBY. Over the course of three days, Kansai Nerolac secured wins in multiple categories, including OOH, Design, Branded Content and Entertainment, Public Relations, and Design. The winning streak culminated with a Grand Prix, in Brand Activation and Promotions (FMCG – Personal Care, Homecare, Healthcare & Others), on day 3. Its award tally further included Gold in Best Use of Experiential Events, Creative Positioning via Events, OOH (Ambient Media), and Small Budget, Big Impact Marketing. The tally concluded with two silvers and five bronze awards, among others, further solidifying its impact.

Ramakrishna Naik, Chief Marketing Officer, Kansai Nerolac Paints Limited, said, “Dukaan It Yourself is more than a campaign for us at Kansai Nerolac. We look at it as a movement that celebrates and champions entrepreneurship, creativity, and community upliftment, which makes this awards sweep even more meaningful. Winning at ABBY 2025 is a testament to our commitment towards innovation and in creating impactful experiences that resonate with people. It also is a recognition of the dedication and hard work of the team.”

“We launched the initiative at Maha Kumbh Mela 2025, with the purpose of contributing in a small yet meaningful way at the most iconic symbol of India’s rich spiritual and cultural heritage. These awards validate our efforts and are an honour that reinforces the impact we aimed to achieve”, he added.

Gour Gupta, Managing Director & Chairman, Tribes Communication said, “We didn’t set out to win the most awards, we set out to solve a problem for a brand that trusted us. At Tribes, we’ve always told stories that are proudly Indian, in colour, character, and conviction. As an independent agency, we pour ourselves into every campaign. And when that passion is recognised on such a global stage, it reminds us why we started — to create work that connects, moves, and matters. This is a win powered by partnership. Together, we’ve proven what’s possible when passion meets purpose.”

With over 4.1 million digital views and a double-digit month-on-month sales growth in Uttar Pradesh during the campaign period, Dukaan It Yourself has set a new benchmark in retail activations and brand engagement for Kansai Nerolac. Thanks to eco-conscious designs of the store fronts, it also achieved an 89% reduction in emissions compared to conventional MDF-based setups, reinforcing Kansai Nerolac’s commitment to sustainable innovation.

Medhavi Skills University, AIRSC Partner to Launch Global Rail Safety Centre

New Delhi, May 28, 2025: In a groundbreaking initiative aimed at transforming railway safety and skill-based education in India, Medhavi Skills University (MSU) and the All India Rail Safety Council (AIRSC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a 24×7 Global Center of Excellence in Rail Safety, Technology, and Management. This partnership marks a big leap forward in training a new group of world-class experts ready to tackle the changing needs of the railway industry.

The strategic partnership between MSU and AIRSC combines MSU’s expertise in job-ready education with AIRSC’s strong focus on enhancing rail safety. The collaboration aims to work together to create and offer UG, PG degree programs for college students and graduates that are aligned with the industry needs. MSU and AIRSC will together curate curriculum to develop special training courses and start new research projects. These programs will be part of the AIRSC Academy of Safety and Disaster Management, which is the learning branch of the All India Rail Safety Council. India’s National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 serves as a blueprint for this partnership, which aims to make education more flexible, groundbreaking, and relevant in real time.

The programs will reach students through a three-pronged approach: Online, Blended, and Manual (traditional classroom). This setup ensures that learners across the country can access, adapt to, and build strong practical foundations. To help deliver content, track progress, and engage with specific industries, the partnership will also set up a digital learning portal. As part of this effort, MSU will provide AIRSC-approved courses at its campuses, partner institutions, and authorized centers across the country to boost India’s rail safety and operations.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Kuldip Sarma, Co-Founder and Pro-Chancellor of MSU said, “This partnership demonstrates our shared commitment to developing skill-based learning via innovation and industry collaboration. We’re launching a 24×7 Global Center of Excellence in Rail Safety Education by combining MSU’s workforce development vision and AIRSC’s rail safety expertise, offering flexible, job ready programs, structured internships, and dedicated placements to bridge training with global employment opportunities in the rail sector.”

Dr. R. Padmanabhan, Chairman of the AIRSC, is leading the partnership with a clear vision pushing for better rail safety and modern infrastructure in India. Dr. R. Padmanabhan, said, “Our partnership with Medhavi Skills University is a big step forward in our goal to improve safety in Indian Railways and prepare it for the future. By bringing academic knowledge into safety measures and planning rail infrastructure, we want to create a new group of railway experts who are skilled on a global level and focused on safety.”

As per a June 2023 PTI news report, over 2.74 lakh posts in the Railways remain vacant, more than 1.7 lakh of them in the vital safety category, highlighting the urgent need for robust skill development initiatives to bridge the talent gap and strengthen the safety and efficiency of India’s railway network. This agreement not only seeks to raise safety standards but also lays the foundation for a transformative partnership, integrating multidisciplinary education and research in railway technology and management.

Thomas Cook & SOTC Unveil 2025 India Travel Trends in Latest Holiday Report

Mumbai, May 28, 2025: Thomas Cook (India) Limited, India’s leading omnichannel travel services company, and its Group Company SOTC Travel, have released their India Holiday Report 2025 – a comprehensive study capturing the evolving aspirations and travel behaviour of Indian consumers. The survey conducted across digital platforms covering over 2500 respondents (a combination of past Thomas Cook India and SOTC Travel customers, as well as non-customers) over a duration of one month, reflects a significant shift driven by rising disposable incomes and the growing aspirational value of travel, including experiential holidays.

 With 85% of Indians planning to increase their frequency of holidays and a significant number intending to boost budgets by up to 50%—the report paints a picture of a booming travel economy. Experiential and event-led travel such as polar/ icebreaker cruises, music concerts, global sporting events, wildlife safaris, gastronomy and vineyard trails, stargazing camps and phenomenon travel (Northern Lights, Cherry Blossom, Midnight Sun, etc.) are at the forefront of Indian travellers’ preferences. Phygital journeys, blending digital discovery with human touch-points, continue to influence and drive bookings. Additionally, travellers are showing a clear inclination towards longer holidays – both domestic and international. Today’s new-age Indian traveller is also keen on spiritual travel, hidden-gems and distinctive accommodation like igloos, treehouses, chalets-chateaux…

 Key findings include:
1. Key Holiday Drivers: Travel has now become a necessity – an essential part of the Indian lifestyle and is driven by factors like:
• Influence of Social media, OTT platforms and Movies: 60% respondents indicated that social media, OTT platforms and movies are increasingly shaping their travel decisions
• Simplified visa processes and easy access: 44% respondents are more likely to visit countries offering simplified visa processes like e-visa or visa-on-arrival options such as Thailand, Malaysia, UAE, Sri Lanka; while countries that issue long-term visas are also seeing uptick like the Australia, Japan, USA
• Enhanced connectivity: 43% Introduction of new routes and direct flights are significantly improving accessibility – fuelling travel demand not just from metros, but significantly from India’s rapidly growing Regional Tier 1 & 2 markets
• Indian consumers continue to remain value-seekers: 39% prefer to actively seek promotions, highlighting the strong influence of discounts/special offers on their purchasing decisions. Promotional campaigns & deals from tour operators and tourism boards are driving travel interest. At the same time, there is a clear shift towards trusted travel brands for premium holiday experiences, reflecting a focus on reliability
• Word of mouth still relevant: 30% of respondents reported that recommendations from friends, family and colleagues continue to impact their holiday decisions

2. Increased frequency of Holidays and Longer Stays:
• Holidays set to double/Triple: 85% of respondents plan to increase their holidays from 2 per year to 4-6 trips annually
• Smart planning fuels mini-cations: 47% of respondents intend to leverage long weekends/ public holidays for short getaways
• Equally, Strong shift towards longer trips with 54% respondents preferring longer holidays by extending for an additional 5-10 days, to create holidays of an average of 8-15 days

3. Strong Holiday Spend Intent:
• Approximately 84% of respondents plan to increase their travel spends by 20-50% in 2025, with over 18% intending to boost budgets by a significant 50%
• This mirrors a broader trend, where travellers are allocating more budgets to gastronomy, experiences and shopping – including premium outlets like McArthurGlen and Bicester Village

4. Evolving Travel Companion Preferences:
• Travelling together remains the preferred mode, with 90% opting for company. Multigenerational families (65%) lead the chart, followed by couples (60%) and a rising segment—‘frolleagues’ (colleagues who double as friends) at 28%; Solo at 10%
• Family bonding trips on the rise: There’s been an increase in travel experiences focused on family connections, such as mother-daughter trips and sibling/cousin holidays
• Growing subsets, including solo female travellers, also in older age groups and empty nesters, reflecting diverse companion preferences across demographics

5. Experiential Travel Takes Centre Stage:
• Close to 75% respondents indicating strong interest for experience-led holidays
• Over 45% of respondents are prioritizing phenomenon-based travel (like Northern Lights – Norway, Murmansk; Japan-S Korea’s Cherry blossoms; Midnight sun –Iceland, Russia) – a pivot towards bucket list experiences
• Uptick in Safaris, self-drives, outdoor adventures (32%)
• Gastronomy (26%) reflecting – evolving palates and desire to experiment – with France, Spain, Australia, Thailand, Malaysia, Japan, South Korea
• Event tourism—global music concerts, sporting events and festivals are also on the rise, aligning with a focus on entertainment-driven travel experiences (22%). Australia, Abu Dhabi, Thailand
Spa-Wellness (19%) Relaxation & rejuvenation seeing demand – especially in destinations like Thailand, Bali, Kerala
6. Premium & Luxury Holidays on the Rise:
• Over 36% respondents are opting for premium experiences like transportation via super cars/bikes, luxury cruise holidays (Scandinavia, Mediterranean, USA), private island dining in Australia, upscale stays in boutique hotels, French chateaux/Swiss chalets, heritage properties in India, glacier landings in New Zealand

7. Destination Preferences:
• Internationally, Europe continues to top the list (50%) led by Switzerland, France, Austria, Germany; Eastern Europe’s Czech Republic, Hungary, Croatia emerging well. Short-hauls like Southeast Asia follows with favourites like Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore (46%); also Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Oman, Ras Al-Khaimah (37%); Japan & South Korea (35%) and Australia-New Zealand¬ (26%); Island locales – Mauritius, Maldives, Bali, Sri Lanka (22%); South Africa & Kenya (12%)
• Central Asia’s Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan (32%) signal growing interest for unique short hauls with easy access and affordability
• Morocco, Iceland, Greenland (8%) emerging on the radar
• For travel in India and subcontinent: Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand (55%) remain top favourites; North East (25%); Bhutan (32%); Rajasthan & Kerala (21%). Island/beach escapes like Andaman & Lakshadweep (3%); are also gaining strong momentum; Goa (13%)

8. Increasing Demand for New Travel formats: Indians are increasingly opting for new and unique travel formats
• Cruises (45%), self-drives (35%) and scenic train journeys (20%) have entered the top three holiday travel formats apart from flights, as more travellers seek unique, curated, comfort-first experiences.
• Cruises across domestic and international for both ocean and river options, are emerging as popular choices
• This shift reflects the growing appeal of slow, immersive travel over rushed itineraries, including sustainable options like scenic train journeys in Switzerland

9. Booking Patterns: Travellers are increasingly using a blend of digital platforms for research, contact centers and retail outlets for bookings, making phygital journeys a key driver of conversions
• 58% prefer a mix of online convenience with offline guidance (phygital), 59% opt for in-person visits to tour agency or talking over the phone while 68% book online
• While digital adoption is growing, there remains a strong dependency on in-person visits to agencies, valued for the human touch, personalized guidance and expert recommendations

10. Travellers Equally Divided Across Travel Styles: The report reveals a near-equal distribution in travellers preferences for type of holidays
• 35% prefer partially guided tours, valuing a balance of structure and autonomy
• 33% respondents opted for fully packaged and guided tours, seeking a seamless, worry-free experience. Interestingly an equal number of respondents (32%) opted for entirely self-planned journeys

11. Sustainability focus: 37% of respondents are increasingly prioritizing sustainability and eco-conscious practices in their travel choices

12. Impact of AI & Tech on Travel Planning: The rise of AI and technology is transforming travel planning, with 35% of travellers using digital platforms for research, bookings and itinerary planning

 Rajeev Kale, President & Country Head – Holidays, MICE, Visa, Thomas Cook (India) Ltd., said, “The Indian traveller story is no longer just about destinations—it’s a reflection of evolving lifestyles and rising aspirations. Our Holiday Report 2025 clearly signals the emergence of a bold, experience-first traveller mind-set. Indians are not only travelling more, but also increasing spends – choosing depth, discovery and emotion over traditional sightseeing tours. While multigenerational family segments continue to lead, we are seeing strong emergence of new travel subsets like frolleagues and solo travellers.
Our Holiday Report 25 reflects a strong shift towards offbeat travel and emerging destinations like phenomenon travel – whether it’s experiencing cherry blossoms in Japan/South Korea or witnessing the midnight sun in Scandinavia/Russia. At Thomas Cook, we’re excited to witness the rapid evolution of Indian travellers and are curating exciting holidays that reflect this experience-first outlook.”

SD Nandakumar, President & Country Head – Holidays & Corporate Tours – SOTC Travel, said, “Our Holiday Report 2025 reflects evolving travel formats, with Indians moving away from rushed itineraries in favour of comfort-first, immersive experiences. Slow travel is seeing an uptick, with river and ocean cruises and sustainable rail journeys offering unique opportunities for exploration. Additionally, spiritual/pilgrimage tourism is on the rise – with our ‘darshans’ portfolio coupled with adventure tourism is gaining popularity – interestingly from young India’s millennials and GenZ.

 Booking behaviours have also shifted—while Indians are researching online, they continue to value expert guidance, making SOTC’s phygital approach a key driver of trust and convenience. At SOTC, we’re proud to offer experiences to suit every Indian traveller segment. With over 75 years of experience and a deep understanding of Indian travellers’ evolving needs, SOTC ensures that every journey is memorable and enriching.”

The Thomas Cook India and SOTC Travel’s India Holiday Report 2025 showcases the Companies’ commitment to understanding evolving traveller preferences and catering their offerings accordingly. While the 2025 findings delve deeper into emerging patterns, the consistent trend line from 2023 to 2025 is unmistakable: India is travelling more, spending more and wanting more from every holiday.

Indian HR Leaders Expect Agentic AI Adoption to Grow 383% by 2027

National, 28 May 2025: Salesforce’s latest research, which surveyed 200 global human resource executives, reveals that digital labor isn’t just a trend — it’s a business strategy revolution. With AI agent adoption expected to jump 383% over the next two years, leading to a productivity gain of 41.7%, HR leaders in India are reimagining the way organizations structure and skill their workforce. The findings reveal that CHROs in India expect to redeploy nearly a quarter (24.7%) of their workforce as their organizations implement and embrace digital labor.

The study also highlighted a growing focus on AI reskilling programs. 88% of Indian HR chiefs are or are planning to reskill their workers to be more competitive in a market shaped by AI agents. Most of these leaders (81%) also agree that soft skills like relationship building and collaboration will be even more critical as humans work alongside agents.

Why it matters: 85% of Indian HR leaders agree the workforce will be made up of humans and agents in the next five years. And yet, 88% say their organizations have yet to implement agentic AI and 63% say employees don’t yet understand how digital labor will impact their work. As agentic AI reshapes the workplace — and the skills workers need to succeed — understanding how HR leaders are ensuring organizational resilience is critically important.

Comments on the news:

“We’re in the midst of a once-in-a-lifetime transformation of work with digital labor that is unlocking new levels of productivity, autonomy, and agency at a speed never before thought possible,” said Nathalie Scardino, President and Chief People Officer at Salesforce. “Every industry must redesign jobs, reskill, and redeploy talent — and every employee will need to learn new human, agent, and business skills to thrive in the digital labor revolution.”

Key insights from the research include:

1. HR leaders in India believe digital labor is the future and its integration is critical to their role
   85% believe that within five years, most workforces will have humans and AI agents/digital labor working together.
   92% of CHROs say that integrating digital labor alongside their existing workforce will be a critical part of their job.
   CHROs project a 383% growth in agent adoption within their organizations by 2027 (from 12% adoption today to 58% two years from now).
   Once agentic AI is fully implemented, CHROs expect an average employee productivity gain of 41.7% and a 26.2% reduction in labor costs.
2. CHROs in India plan to reskill and redeploy their employees to work alongside agents
   83% of CHROs believe AI agents/digital labor will transform their organizational structure.
   93% of CHROs believe AI agents/digital labor will empower them to reassign employees to new, more relevant roles.
   They anticipate redeploying nearly a quarter (24.7%) of the workforce to new roles or teams.
   88% of CHROs believe redeployment is the more cost-effective approach compared to hiring outside the business for new roles.
   88% of CHROs are either already reskilling (15%) or plan to reskill (73%) employees for roles with better future opportunities.
3. With 88% of businesses yet to embrace agentic AI, CHROs in India direct near-term efforts toward AI implementation — including IT and research and development
   CHROs anticipate research and development (R&D) (59%), IT (51%), and sales teams (34%) will grow as their business begins to adopt AI agents.
   CHROs plan to reassign employees to governance, compliance, and ethics roles (60%), like defining standards and monitoring AI inputs, and technical roles (60%), like data scientists or technical architects, in the near term.
   CHROs believe AI literacy is the number one skill workers need as businesses move into the agentic economy.
4. As businesses implement digital labor strategies, CHROs in India believe soft skills and relationship-building roles will become more valuable
   81% of CHROs say AI agents/digital labor will increase the need for soft skills at their organization.
   CHROs also plan to reassign employees to relationship-building roles (54%), like partnerships and account management and say collaboration and adaptability skills will be valuable in the agentic economy.
5. Despite the urgency of digital labor, many Indian HR chiefs are still in early planning phases with preparing their workforce.
   Just 12% of Indian CHROs say their organization has fully implemented agentic AI.
   63% of Indian HR chiefs say their employees remain unaware of how AI agents will impact their work

Rosatom Presented Solutions for the Region’s Sustainable Development at the NT2E Forum in Brazil

Moscow, 28th May 2025 – The State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom took part in the NT2E-2025 Forum (Nuclear Trade & Technology Exchange) – the largest nuclear industry event in Latin America. The forum brought together more than 2,700 participants, including representatives of government agencies, businesses, academia, and international organizations, highlighting the growing role of Russian-Brazilian cooperation in the energy and climate agenda.

Rosatom’s corporate booth featured key solutions for Brazil – from small modular reactors (SMRs) to strengthen energy system resilience and supply power to remote regions, to approaches for managing used nuclear fuel, which is particularly relevant for the Angra nuclear power plant and nuclear medicine, one of the Forum’s key discussion topics.

Ivan Dybov, Director of Rosatom America Latina, spoke at the Forum’s opening plenary session. In his address, he focused on the sustainable and expanding cooperation between Russia and Brazil in the nuclear sector: “For Rosatom, developing relations with Brazilian partners in the peaceful use of nuclear energy is among our strategic priorities. Our partnership began over 30 years ago. Today, Rosatom supplies 100 % of the enriched uranium needs of the Angra nuclear power plant, which generates electricity for São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, and also provides the Brazilian market with medical isotopes for cancer diagnosis and treatment. Emphasizing the importance of nuclear projects in addressing climate challenges and regional development, we are ready to expand our cooperation by offering Brazil both small modular nuclear power plants (SMRs) and large-capacity power units to strengthen the national energy system – technologies whose reliability is backed by the 80-year history of the Russian nuclear industry.”

At the session “Engaging the New Generation: The Future of the Nuclear Sector”, Elena Vesna, Vice-Rector of MEPhI, emphasized that international cooperation and academic exchange are fundamental to training highly qualified professionals who will shape the future of the nuclear sector. The National Research Nuclear University MEPhI trains specialists for Rosatom’s international projects and is among the world’s leading universities in the field of nuclear energy. Within the cooperation with Brazil, an updated agreement with IPEN (Brazil’s Institute for Energy and Nuclear Research) was signed in 2024, and a joint “1+1” Master’s program in nuclear engineering is scheduled to launch in 2025. Currently, 48 Latin American students from Bolivia, Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia, Cuba, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Peru, Chile, and Ecuador are studying at MEPhI.

During the discussion “Global SMR Projects”, Ruan Souza (Rosatom America Latina) highlighted the potential of SMR technology in Brazil: “Small modular reactors are not a concept of the future, but a practical solution for energy access, decarbonization, and the development of remote areas. SMRs provide clean energy at predictable prices, are easily scalable, and are suitable for isolated regions – not only in the Arctic, but also in Brazil’s rainforest – without harming the climate and with the potential for integration with data centers and local industry.”

In the thematic session “The Clean Energy Revolution”, he also described SMRs as a highly promising tool for replacing coal-based generation, especially given Brazil’s ongoing dependence on hydropower and its vulnerability to droughts.

At the session “Uranium Mining Market in Brazil and Globally”, Alexander Boytsov (TENEX) emphasized the importance of international cooperation and the competitive advantages of Russia’s experience in uranium logistics and processing. Rosatom’s approach is based on closing the nuclear fuel cycle. Used nuclear fuel is viewed not as waste, but as a valuable resource. As a sustainable, safe, and economically viable solution for used nuclear fuel (UNF) management, Rosatom offers partners a comprehensive product called the Balanced Nuclear Fuel Cycle (Balanced NFC).

“The Balanced NFC allows for the generation of stable and clean electricity with minimal waste, ensuring its safe and reliable isolation. Our comprehensive solution is based on innovative technologies and enables the return of up to 97% of the components of used nuclear fuel to the fuel cycle, making the use of natural resources truly responsible,” said Mikhail Baryshnikov, Director of the Department for Innovation and Technology at TENEX.

At the session “Used Nuclear Fuel and Waste Management Scenarios”, Gonçalo Castillo, Business Development Manager at Rosatom America Latina, described Rosatom’s approach to environmental protection: “Rosatom has unique expertise in radioactive waste management and the remediation of radiation-affected territories. We are ready to offer Brazil not only technologies, but a step-by-step methodology for implementing such projects – from regulatory frameworks to commissioning. We transform post-industrial areas into safe platforms for new eco-friendly initiatives.”

On the sidelines of the Forum, a session of the BRICS Nuclear Energy Platform took place – an independent international initiative aimed at promoting nuclear energy as a tool for energy transition, technological sovereignty, and sustainable development. The session was titled “Financing Tools for Nuclear Projects: Development Prospects.” Participants included representatives from financial institutions, state bodies, and companies from BRICS and partner countries.

In his speech, Rosatom’s representative Stanislav Shpakovsky emphasized: “Nuclear energy must be fully integrated into the global sustainable development financing agenda as a reliable, carbon-free energy source. It is a tool that can simultaneously deliver sustainable growth, energy security, and progress toward climate goals.”

Rosatom’s participation in the Forum contributes to promoting sustainable, safe, and economically efficient nuclear technologies, building partnerships with both established industry leaders and new market entrants.

No Plates, Just Patties – A Boomburger Ode to International Burger Day

This International Burger Day, forget the fancy and go straight for the flavour. Boomburger is serving up a mouth-watering lineup of stacked, saucy, and seriously satisfying burgers that hit all the right spots. Whether you’re craving sweet and smoky, spicy and juicy, or just straight-up indulgent, we have got the goods to make your burger binge worthwhile.

BOOM PULLED PORK BURGER – Smoky, Saucy, and Simply Unmissable
A slow-cooked pulled pork patty dripping with BBQ sauce, topped with tangy slaw and a zesty house-made aioli. It is rich, tender, and a must-have for the hardcore meat lover.

 BOOM DOUBLE SMAASH BURGER – Double the Patty, Double the Pleasure
Two juicy, smashed-to-perfection beef patties, topped with oozy cheese, caramelized onions, and Boom’s signature burger sauce. The ultimate bite for when you’re all in for the beef.

 BOOM BACON & JAM BURGER – Sweet, Savoury, Smoky
A thick, juicy patty layered with crispy bacon strips, a slathering of sweet onion jam, and molten cheddar. It is the perfect mash-up of sweet and savoury that you won’t forget.

BOOM PORK AND APPLE BURGER – A Bite of Bold & Bright
A succulent pork patty paired with a crisp apple slaw and tangy mustard aioli. It’s sweet, smoky, and refreshingly different – just the way we like it.

WTFund Opens Applications for Third Cohort Backing India’s Most Innovative Young Founders

National, Wednesday, May 28, 2025 – WTFund, India’s leading platform for entrepreneurs under 25, has opened applications for its third cohort – C1/25 inviting young, ambitious founders to apply for its pioneering non-dilutive grant and mentorship program.

Following the success of its first two cohorts, WTFund continues to champion early-stage startups by offering INR 20 lakh in non-dilutive grants per selected startup, alongside unmatched access to mentorship, strategic guidance, and a powerful network of industry leaders, operators, and investors.

Founded by investor and entrepreneur Nikhil Kamath, WTFund has quickly emerged as a launchpad for India’s youngest founders. Focused on democratizing access to capital, it supports first-time entrepreneurs to scale bold ideas with global ambition.

Comprehensive Support for Young Builders
WTFund’s highly selective program offers early capital along with insights and hands-on support, giving young founders the runway to grow without the pressure of giving up equity too soon. Selected startups get hands-on support, practical mentorship, and direct access to industry leaders and domain experts – the kind of backing early-stage founders usually don’t have easy access to. What sets WTFund apart is that all of this is offered with no strings attached.

Whether building in health tech, clean energy, agri innovation, AI, or consumer tech, WTFund offers holistic support across the entire journey: from ideation to execution, crafting go-to-market strategies, and even preparing to raise capital from investors. It’s a high-impact platform built to turn bold ideas into scalable ventures.

In less than two years, WTFund has received over 5,000 applications and disbursed non-dilutive capital to high-potential startups across 50+ cities. The fund has enabled founders from all backgrounds to build scalable solutions in sectors including SaaS, D2C, EdTech, FinTech, HealthTech, AgriTech, and CleanTech.