Category Archives: News

Adnan Sami to Bring Heartfelt Music to Delhi with ‘Jazbaa’ Live Concert on 9th March 2025

New Delhi : Delhi is all set to ready for an unforgettable evening as Adnan Sami, the “Sultan of Music” and the world’s fastest keyboard player, takes the stage at Jazbaa: Dilon Ko Dilon Se Jodne Ka, a Musical Night organised by Rudraksha Communication on 9th March 2025 at Plenary Hall, Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. This magical night promises soulful melodies, timeless classics, and electrifying performances that will captivate your heart.

 Adnan Sami is more than an artist—he’s an emotion, a celebration of music that connects souls and creates lasting memories. Don’t miss this extraordinary celebration of love and music. Join us for a night that will stay with you forever.
Excited about his performance in Delhi, Adnan in a video message said, ” I am coming to increase your heartbeat at Jazbaa:Dilon ko Dilon Se Jodne Ka in India’s heartbeat Delhi on 9th March .

Adnan has been mesmerizing fans for years now. Credited with being the first person to play Indian classical music on the piano in a style he created through the Santoor, he can play over 35 musical instruments. He has also given the music industry several melodious songs.He is known for his chartbuster tracks like ‘Bhar Do Jholi’ from Salman Khan’s Bajrangi Bhaijaan, ‘Tera Chehra Jab Nazar Aye’,’Lift Karadey’, ‘Kabhi To Nazar Milao’, and ‘Sathiya’ .

Ghodawat Consumer Limited Unveils Revamped Kumar Vidya Mandir Under ‘Future First’ Program

Maharashtra, 6th March: Reinforcing its commitment to Education and Community development, Ghodawat Consumer Limited (GCL), the FMCG arm of the Sanjay Ghodawat Group, has successfully upgraded the educational infrastructure at Kumar Vidya Mandir, Tamdalge, under its flagship CSR initiative, ‘Future First.’ Focused on improving education and healthcare facilities, the initiative is designed to create a better learning environment for students, ensuring their holistic development and well-being.

The initiative introduced key infrastructural improvements, including upgraded desks and chairs, improved sanitation facilities, and enhanced cooling systems, fostering a comfortable and safe educational space. Additionally, new road safety measures were implemented to ensure the security of students, promoting better attendance and deeper community engagement. Recently, a handover ceremony was held to mark the completion of these significant enhancements, carried out with the support of the Tamdalge Gram Panchayat.

Salloni Ghodawat, CEO, Ghodawat Consumer Limited (GCL), emphasized the company’s dedication to social responsibility, stating, “At GCL, we are committed to making a real difference in communities through our CSR efforts. The ‘Future First’ program prioritizes education and healthcare to provide students with a conducive environment for learning and growth. Supporting Kumar Vidya Mandir aligns with our vision of fostering quality education, and we will continue investing in such impactful initiatives. Proper infrastructure in education and healthcare plays a crucial role in national progress, and through our contributions, we aim to create lasting positive changes benefiting students, teachers, and society at large.”

Beyond Kumar Vidya Mandir, GCL remains committed to expanding its impact on education in the region. Apart from this, Smt. Gangabai Khivraj Ghodawat MahaVidyalaya, Jaysingpur has played a pivotal role in shaping young minds by educating over 5,000 girls from 52 villages since 1995. In addition, GCL’s commitment to inclusive education is evident through its long-standing support for the ‘Lions Clubs Visually Disabled School’ in Miraj, where it manages daily operations and has donated the school building, ensuring a dedicated space for specialized education.

Sacred Pilgrimage, Secure Health: Directives for a Safe Hajj Journey

By- Dr Ankush Kommawar. Consultant Pediatrician & Neonatologist Ankura Hospital for Women and Children,

Meningitis is a serious and potentially life-threatening infection that causes inflammation of the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. It can be caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites, with bacterial meningitis being the most severe form. Among the various strains, meningococcal meningitis, caused by Neisseria meningitidis, is highly contagious and can spread rapidly in crowded environments.

To prevent meningococcal meningitis, the meningococcal vaccine is administered, offering protection against multiple strains of the bacteria. This vaccine is particularly crucial for individuals traveling to regions where outbreaks are more likely, given the massive congregation of people during Hajj from diverse geographical locations, the risk of infection transmission is significantly high. As a preventive measure, the Saudi Ministry of Health mandates that all Hajj pilgrims receive the meningococcal vaccine before entering the country.

Recognizing the importance of this health requirement, the Telangana State Haj Committee has made vaccination an essential prerequisite for all pilgrims from the state. In accordance with international health protocols, every pilgrim above the age of two must receive the vaccine from a certified healthcare provider. The vaccination remains valid for three years and must be administered at least 10 days before departure to ensure immunity.

To facilitate easy access to the vaccine, the Telangana government has designated major hospitals in Hyderabad, including Nampally, Malakpet, and King Koti, as official vaccination centers. Additionally, specialized vaccination camps are conducted in collaboration with the District Medical Health Officer to reach a broader population. In 2025, an estimated 9,000 pilgrims from Telangana will embark on the sacred journey, with 100% compliance required for meningococcal vaccination.

Ankura Hospital for Women and Children actively supports this initiative by providing comprehensive pre-travel health consultations, essential immunizations, and medical advice to ensure pilgrims are well-prepared for the journey. The hospital plays a vital role in addressing the specific healthcare needs of female pilgrims, who constitute over 40% of the total traveling group, ensuring they receive tailored medical attention before departure. With the increasing number of pilgrims from Telangana, strict adherence to health guidelines is paramount.

IIMB Development Foundation Hosts Prestigious Donor Reception 2025

6th March, 2025, Bengaluru: To celebrate the generosity of the people and organizations that play a significant role in the continued success of IIM Bangalore through meaningful contributions for various causes at the Institute, the IIMB Development Foundation (IDF) hosted ‘Donor Reception 2025’, earlier today.

 Welcome addresses
Prof. Sourav Mukherji, Dean, Alumni Relations & Development and faculty in the Organizational Behavior & Human Resources Management area of IIMB, who chairs the IIMB Development Foundation, delivered the welcome address and offered an overview of the session, followed by an address by Prof. Rishikesha T Krishnan, Director, IIM Bangalore.

 Enriching management education and driving innovation
Prof. RT Krishnan shared a glimpse of the Institute’s academic programmes, research, outreach to industry and future plans in its journey of academic excellence. “We will continue to provide the best possible support to our faculty and centres to make greater impact, nationally and globally. In fact, new Centres of Excellence, research programs and entrepreneurship activities are also on the cards. Here, I would like to thank Mathew Cyriac, Executive Chairman, Florintree Advisors Pvt Ltd and alumnus of the PGP Class of 1994. His generous contribution has paved the way to the setting up of a global Centre of Excellence, the Tony James Centre for Private Equity and Venture Capital, at the campus. Our incubation centre NSRCEL, thanks to its alignment with the national goal of driving a start-up culture, continues to receive significant recognition from the government and industry, including support from organizations such as Maruti Suzuki, ICICI Securities, Capgemini, to name a few. In fact, NSRCEL is geared to share its expertise with other incubators through a consulting-cum-product platform.”

 Sustaining high quality is at the core of IIMB’s future agenda, said Prof. RT Krishnan. “Although we have done well in the last 51 years, we need to do a lot more in few areas, such as, internationalization, as well as sustain and maintain the high quality in terms of faculty, research, infrastructure, etc. Our special thanks to organizations like NeSL, TCI, Mizuho Bank and many more – your continued support helps us strengthen our activities and deliver outstanding results. Our future plans include providing more support to faculty and centres, as well as focusing more on new projects like the second campus which will offer UG programmes. We look forward to working more with individual donors and corporate partners. And the IIMB Development Foundation is there to consolidate such efforts.”

  Promoting sustainability: A special address
Chief Guest of the event, Debajyoti Ray Chaudhuri, MD and CEO, National E-Governance Services Ltd (NeSL), delivered a special address on initiatives promoting sustainability. “The least we, as a community, can do is leave the planet the way we got it. We also have to reverse years of deforestation and polluting of lakes and rivers. In such a situation, IIMB’s stand on adopting sustainable practices, such as setting up of EV charging stations, is similar to that of NeSL. If you take an aerial view of the Institute, you will find that the entire rooftop is covered with solar panels. That is one of the reasons why we chose to partner with IIMB as we are happy to promote projects on sustainability. The IIMB campus is like an oasis in the city of Bangalore. The peaceful and tranquil nature is conducive to academic and professional pursuits.” A rooftop solar power plant, an initiative which is supported by NeSL, was inaugurated on the IIM Bangalore campus in April 2024.
“To achieve the Indian government’s aim to become Viksit Bharat by 2047, we need to harness the advantages of the demographic dividend through training and skilling. We need to implement projects within time limits, and IIMB has a crucial role to play in this area.”

 India and Japan – strategic partnership
The event also featured the Guest of Honor – Tatsuhiro Otake, CEO India, Mizuho Bank Ltd. He shared his own career trajectory – he has been with Mizuho Bank all through and in India since 2022, and provided an overview of Mizuho Bank’s CSR activities, significance of Mizuho Bank and MIJSC in promoting India-Japan collaboration, Japanese companies in India and why India is an attractive option for such companies. “India is poised to become the third largest economy by 2027, there is skilled workforce and stable monetary policy, government to government relationship with Japan is close, while Japan is faced with an aging society, decline in population, low economic growth rate and shortage of human resource. Japanese companies seek business opportunities in India as consumption market and product/export base, and aim to secure and diversify supply chains in India. Mizuho Bank has supported MIJSC by way of interacting with delegation of IIMB students, having a lecture called ‘Doing Business in India – Japanese Perspective’, and through contributions.”

 Endowment fund for deserving students
Another highlight was the announcement of the ‘Professor Prakash G. Apte Memorial Endowment Fund’, initiated by Alok Apte, son of Late Professor Apte, and his well-wishers. Recalling his student days, Prof. Sourav Mukherji said that Prof. Prakash G. Apte was a great teacher and mentor with immense respect for the Doctoral programme. Alok Apte said that this endowment fund has been created so that deserving students are not denied of quality education due to lack of funds and to promote academic excellence in research.

 Panel discussion on impact of donating for higher education
A panel discussion on, ‘The Multiplier Effect of Donating to Education’ was moderated by Rohit Jaisingh, CEO, IIMB Development Foundation. The panelists were PS Narayan, Global Head, Wipro; Sunil Khurana, CEO & MD, BPL Medical Technologies Pvt Ltd; Rajkiran Kanagala, President and Chief Business Officer, TCI; Madhu Moses T, Regional Head, Kotak Mahindra Bank, and Sandhya Shekhar, alumna of PGP 1984.

 The discussion focused on the rationale of donating for higher education and its impact. Sharing their experiences in collaborating with institutions in their CSR initiatives, the panelists listed robust and transparent policies as the top pick aiding their selection for possible partners. “Choose to partner with enterprises where leadership has its heart in the right place”, said Sandhya Shekhar. While PS Narayan advocated sustainability and bridging gap in the education system, Sunil Khurana recommended civic engagement and contribution to economy as their core objective. Rajkiran Kanagala said his organization believed in giving back to the industry, focusing on rural areas, sustainability and leaving a legacy behind. Madhu Moses advised that we need more scholarships, boost infrastructure and support the social stock exchange. All the panelists agreed that partnering with IIM Bangalore has been a rewarding experience.

Miror Wellness Pioneers Accelerated Support for Women Navigating Perimenopause and Menopause

Bangalore, 6th March 2025: International Women’s Day, celebrated globally on March 8, is a day to honor the achievements of women and acknowledge the ongoing challenges they face. This year’s theme, Accelerate Action, calls for an intensified effort to create positive change for women everywhere. One such key area in need of action is the often-overlooked journey of perimenopause and menopause. Millions of women undergo profound physiological changes during these stages, yet the support and understanding around them remain limited. Now is the time to push for better education, resources, and products that empower women through these life transitions. Miror Wellness stands out as a company dedicated to improving the well-being of women during this critical phase of life. It’s time to break the silence and empower women with the knowledge and care they need.

Perimenopause and menopause can be challenging times for women, both physically and emotionally. Perimenopause typically begins in the 40s, leading to menopause, defined by 12 months without menstruation, usually around 50. Symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, anxiety, fatigue, and changes in mood and memory can affect everyday life. Despite being a natural part of aging, many women feel unsupported, isolated, and misunderstood during this transition. The stigma surrounding menopause portrays it negatively, overlooking women’s resilience. Conversations remain taboo, leaving many without guidance, resources, or products to ease this phase. As a result, conversations around menopause and perimenopause have long been taboo, leaving many women without the resources, guidance, or products that could make their journey easier. How can you identify if you are going through this phase?

1. Hot Flushes and Night Sweats: Hot flushes are among the most recognizable symptoms of menopause. Women experience sudden surges of heat, often starting in the face and chest, accompanied by sweating and a rapid heartbeat that can lead to disruptive night sweats, affecting sleep quality and contributing to chronic fatigue.
2. Sleep Disturbances and Chronic Fatigue: Hormonal fluctuations can significantly impair sleep, leading to insomnia or frequent awakenings. Establishing a calming bedtime routine and seeking nutritional support can help restore a more natural sleep cycle.
3. Mood Swings and Anxiety: The decline in estrogen directly affects brain neurotransmitters, often resulting in pronounced mood swings, heightened anxiety, and emotional instability. These changes can strain relationships and mental well-being. Mindfulness practices, professional guidance, and strong social support can help manage these emotional shifts.
4. Weight Gain and Metabolic Changes: Many women experience unexpected weight gain, particularly around the abdomen, due to a slower metabolism and hormonal imbalances. Combined with lifestyle factors, this can lead to increased health risks.
5. Joint Pain and Muscle Stiffness: Estrogen plays a vital role in joint lubrication and muscle function. As its levels decrease, women may experience joint pain, stiffness, and increased susceptibility to inflammatory conditions such as arthritis. Engaging in low-impact exercises and maintaining a diet rich in calcium and vitamin D can help alleviate discomfort and support mobility.

 Miror Wellness is a brand that is actively contributing to the conversation on women’s health, particularly in the areas of perimenopause and menopause. They have a free WhatsApp community where hundreds of women find guidance, support, and expert insights. This inclusive space fosters meaningful discussions on symptom management, self-care, and holistic wellness and find solidarity in a community that understands their journey. They also have supplements like Miror Revive & Bliss that help women in this phase. Miror Revive, rich in antioxidants, promotes glowing skin and boosts energy, while Miror Bliss helps balance hormones and support restful sleep. These wellness solutions enable women to navigate this phase with greater ease and confidence.

 As we reflect on this International Women’s Day, let us pledge to support women through all phases of life. Miror Wellness is a key part of this shift, providing innovative solutions that make women feel supported, heard, and empowered. By accelerating action now, we can create a future where women going through perimenopause and menopause feel confident, cared for, and equipped to take charge of their health. Let’s celebrate women today, tomorrow, and every day by ensuring they have the resources they need to live well, regardless of their stage in life.

Shikha Goel to Inspire at FTCCI’s Empower Her Program Held at T-Hub

Hyderabad, March 05, 2025…….A Program “EmpowerHer: Accelerating Equality and Empowerment” will be held on Thursday at The Marvel, T-Hub.

Organised by The Federation of Telangana Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FTCCI), Ms. Shikha Goel, Director General of Police, Women Safety Wing, Telangana will be the chief guest.

A few prominent speakers Ms. Keerthy Reddy, Founder & CEO, Bold Fuse; Ms. Purnima Kamble, Senior Partner, Fox Mandal Foundation; Ms. Aakanksha Kumar, Chief Engagement Head, Telangana and AP, Image Consulting Business Institute; Ms. Dr Tasneem Shariff, Chairperson, Women Empowerment Committee, FTCCI and Ms. Sylvia Smetana, Founder Divershefy will speak.

The program organised to observe and celebrate International Women’s Day will have many sessions on Health, Wellness, Safety, Legal Rights, Personal Grooming, Branding and a Fireside chat on Raising the standard-achieving CXO level excellence.

Over 300 women professionals, Entrepreneurs, Aspiring Business Women, Students, Young Women, HR and Organisational Leaders and individuals who are passionate about women’s rights are expected to participate.

Veranda Learning’s Students Excel in CA Inter Exams with Top Results

CHENNAI, 5th March 2025: Students from the commerce vertical of Veranda Learning Solutions, a listed enterprise offering end-to-end education solutions, have delivered a standout performance in the CA Intermediate examinations held from January 11 to 21, 2025.

The results reinforce the company’s commitment to academic excellence. Veranda’s commerce vertical comprises five esteemed brands: JK Shah Classes, BB Virtuals, Navkar Digital Institute, Logic School of Management and Tapasya College of Commerce and Management. A total of 64 students feature in the all-India top-50 ranking list, with many securing shared ranks.

Leading the achievements was Deepanshi Agarwal from BB Virtuals, who secured All-India Rank 1 (AIR 1). While Deepanshi, a Taxation and Audit student from BB Virtuals, bagged the top rank, Harsh Kabra got AIR 5th. JK Shah Classes continued its legacy of excellence with Dev Jaiswal securing AIR 11th. He was closely followed by Vidhi Daglya and Vishnu Madhusudana.

Navkar Digital Institute also delivered impressive results, with eight students featuring in the AIR top-50 list. The complete list of students is shared in the annexure below.

Ms. Deepanshi, a Taxation and Audit student from BB Virtuals, credited her success to structured preparation, rigorous mock tests, and expert guidance. “Achieving AIR 1 is a dream come true. I was inspired by an interview of a top ranker on Mr. Bhanwar Borana’s YouTube channel last year, and I aspired to be among the best. The personalized mentorship and high-quality resources at BB Virtuals were instrumental in my journey,” said Deepanshi.

Congratulating Ms. Deepanshi, Mr. Bhanwar Borana, Founder of BB Virtuals, stated, “We are immensely proud of Ms. Deepanshi’s phenomenal achievement. Heartiest congratulations to her parents for their unwavering support. At BB Virtuals, we remain dedicated to equipping CA aspirants with the best learning experience. This result reflects our commitment to academic excellence and our students’ relentless determination.”

Mr. JK Shah, founder of JK Shah Classes, lauded the students for their outstanding performance. “These top-notch results have been possible thanks to the dedication of our students, the unwavering support of their families, and the exceptional guidance provided by our faculty. At Veranda Learning, we take immense pride in nurturing the next generation of finance professionals. The success of our commerce vertical in the CA Inter exams reflects our relentless focus on delivering the best educational resources to students.”

Indian Women Challenging Stereotypes and Embracing Leadership Roles, Prodigy Finance Finds

Sonal’s journey is a powerful testament to how a woman can triumph over numerous challenges to achieve success. From working at Ola and Flipkart to overseeing and optimising Prodigy Finance’s commercial operations on a global scale, strengthening client relationships, and enhancing overall customer experience, she demonstrates that resilience and determination can break the barriers of traditionally male-dominated tech and finance sectors. Sonal is now in a leadership role as the Global Chief Business Officer of Prodigy Finance, but her journey was not an easy one.

Sonal’s path began as many of yours might – a student with a dream too big for her bank account. After completing her Bachelor’s in Chemical Engineering, she refused to let the funding dim her vision. With a zeal to succeed, she took the bold leap by enrolling at the Indian School of Business for a Postgraduate Degree in Management, specialising in Marketing. This was the move that would set the stage for everything to come.

To make it work, she took out a student loan, and her father believed in her capabilities; he opted to help her by being a co-signer. This student loan came with its own set of responsibilities, along with opportunities to pursue her career goals. With this, she also had to be careful not to add any extra financial burden on her father. The load of this student loan was something she carried with her every day, fuelling her determination to succeed.

It was not an easy path. Every day while studying, Sonal often felt that she wouldn’t make it in her career and worried about the loan she had taken. She even thought of dropping out of her postgraduate studies to start her own business, but she held on, trusting that her education would pay off and unlock big opportunities for her in the future. All these experiences and the pressure of a student loan had a big impact on her. It gave her a deep understanding of what many students go through while completing their higher education.

After graduating, she worked with big names like Stanton Chase and Ola, broadening her skillset. That experience paved the way for a game-changing role at Flipkart, where she spent eight years and built their fintech ecosystem. During this period, she discovered the power of financial solutions and laid down strategies for funding the businesses.

Now, with over 14 years of experience in fintech, innovation, and product innovation, Sonal is working towards the mission of Prodigy Finance to break down financial barriers for students who want to study a master’s abroad. Prodigy Finance’s new loan option provides students with the flexibility to choose between a co-signer loan or a no co-signer loan, allowing them to select the option that best fits their financial situation.

Sonal’s passion ignites opportunities like scholarships, empowering ambitious women to reach their global goals. The big news is that Prodigy Finance will join hands with Esade to launch the Future Female Leaders Scholarship, specifically designed for women pursuing their aspirations in Esade’s graduate programs. This scholarship offers a significant one-time award of $8,000 to empower your educational journey. More information on this will be announced soon on Prodigy Finance’s website.

“That loan wasn’t just money; it was my promise to my father to succeed.” Sonal Kapoor states, “Signing those loan papers changed everything,” She further added. “The Esade Future Female Leaders Scholarship is a kickstart for women pursuing an Esade graduate program. I didn’t receive scholarship support while I was pursuing my higher education, and I wish I had. I believe this scholarship will be a ticket for women with big dreams to achieve their desired careers.”

Now, as the Global Chief Business Officer at Prodigy Finance, Sonal is working on creating innovative funding options for an international master’s degree. She uses her personal experiences to lift others who are going through similar funding issues.

Sonal’s story is for every student who’s ever worried about financing, doubted themselves, or dreamed of a global career. She is an example of what women can do when given equal opportunities. She has proven that leadership is more than gender – it’s about vision and impact. Her story shows that every dream can be achieved with determination, education, and the right support.

ET Nextech 2025 Reveals 69% of Indian Companies Are Automating HR, Ushering in the AI Revolution in Workforce Management

New Delhi, March 6, 2025:The Economic Times Nextech Human Capital Summit 2025, held on February 19-20, 2025, brought together top HR titans, industry experts, and business executives to transform human capital in India and discuss work in the AI era.

With an unparalleled lineup of over 100 speakers, 2000 plus attendees, more than 4 experiential tracks, over 92 partners and 2 days of networking, the summit addressed some of the most talked about challenges in human capital management today, including AI-driven workforce evolution, diversity and inclusion in the digital era, and redefining EVP in the post-pandemic world. This year’s theme, Elevate Work in the AI Age, was a call to action for organizations to embrace AI-driven transformation and implement forward-thinking strategies that redefine workforce development, ensuring agility, innovation, and long-term success in the digital era.

The Summit 2025 brought together speakers from industry giants such as Reliance Industries, Infosys, Titan, BluSmart, Flipkart, PhonePe, Amazon, Tata Motors, Maruti Suzuki, P&G, SBI, Apollo Tyres, Neemrana Hotels, Jindal Stainless, Ambuja Cements, Bata India, and Crompton Greaves Consumer Electricals, among many others.

Among the distinguished speakers was Ray Wang, Founder, Chairman & Principal Analyst at Constellation Research, Alexandra Levit, Founder & CEO of Inspiration At Work, Fermin Diez, Adjunct Professor, National University of Singapore, who provided deep insights into how organizations can harness AI and lead next wave of digital disruption in human capital.

Moreover, Navdeep Singh, Gold Medalist at the Paris Paralympics 2024 and an Arjuna Awardee, discussed his journey that underscored the importance of resilience, inclusion, and determination in achieving excellence. Adding a bold and unconventional perspective to this summit, Ashneer Grover, Former MD & Co-founder of BharatPe, shared some candid insights on leadership and work ethics.

Along with this, there were powerful and thought-provoking sessions on critical workplace transformations. Discussions ranged from how top CXOs are navigating AI at work to building scalable talent ecosystems in BFSI for next-gen excellence. Experts shed light on The World of Work Trends 2025, offering insights into the collective workforce’s evolving dynamics.

The presenting partner at the summit, Naukri Talent Cloud engaged in insightful conversations around the future of work. Dr. Pawan Goyal, Chief Business Officer, Naukri, expressed, “The event underscored the growing importance of technology in shaping the HR landscape and reaffirmed the need for innovation in talent management. As an industry leader Naukri remains committed to elevate recruitment in the AI age by bringing together cutting-edge talent solutions under one roof with Naukri Talent Cloud.”

The event also featured the grand launch of ETHRWorld’s exclusive report, Tech Transformations 2025. This comprehensive report unveils the HR Tech ecosystem in India and reveals groundbreaking information about how the AI-powered tech revolution is shaping workforce efficiency, talent strategies, and human capital investments.

Some of the key revelations of the report include:

• 69 percent of Indian organizations are leveraging technology to automate HR operations, drastically enhancing efficiency.
• AI adoption in HR is accelerating, with 46 percent of companies implementing AI-driven solutions for recruitment, learning, and talent management.
• Budget constraints (41 percent) and challenges in measuring ROI (22 percent) continue to be roadblocks in HR tech adoption, emphasizing the need for strategic investment and leadership alignment.
• Advanced analytics (62 percent), AI-powered decision-making (47 percent), and talent management suites (49 percent) are set to dominate future HR tech investments.

Alongside the summit and report launch, The Economic Times HCA Awards honored and celebrated the most visionary HR leaders who go beyond workforce management to elevate and empower their organizations. Further, the Emerging Leaders League provided a platform to celebrate the rising stars in HR leaders who are shaping the future of talent management and organizational culture.

The summit was proudly supported by industry-leading organizations, such as Naukri Talent Cloud as the Presenting Partner, AdvantageClub.ai as the Co-presenting Partner, and was hosted in association with Deel and Indeed. Additionally, the summit was powered by Infosys and Udemy.

Kota Cares Initiative Flourishes as 10,000 Auto Rickshaw Drivers Join After 4,000 Hostel Owners Introduce Student-Focused Policies

National, March 05th, 2025: In a significant expansion of the pioneering ‘Kota Cares’ initiative, auto rickshaw unions of Kota representing over 10,000 drivers have united to introduce reforms to transportation services for students, further cementing the education hub’s transformation into a model city for student welfare. The announcement comes just weeks after 4,000 hostel owners came together under ‘Kota Cares’ to introduce multiple student-friendly measures, including the elimination of security deposits. Three Auto rickshaw unions presented their proposal to district administration with the help of Kota student’s welfare society.

These unions, representing over 10,000 drivers across the student capital, have committed to a standardized fare structure, behavioural training programs, and enhanced support systems designed specifically for the city’s 1.25 students. The initiative marks the first time in Kota’s history that comprehensive transportation guidelines have been collectively established and displayed on all auto rickshaws operating in the city.

“Transportation is the lifeline of our city and often the first experience students have when arriving in Kota,” said Additional District Collector Anil Singhal, who presided over the meeting where the unions presented their proposals. “When auto drivers charge fair rates and provide good service, it creates a positive impression of our entire city. This unprecedented collaboration demonstrates our commitment to extending the Kota Cares philosophy to every aspect of student life.”

The reforms include several first-of-its-kind measures:

Standardized Fare Structure

• Fixed maximum fare of Rs. 20 per kilometer across all auto rickshaws
• Minimum fare of Rs. 30 for journeys up to one kilometer
• Standardized waiting charges of Rs. 50 per hour
• No additional charges on examination days or for student luggage

Safety and Support Measures

• Mandatory gatekeeper and behavioral training for all auto drivers
• Special focus on women auto drivers providing safe transportation for female students
• Protocol for reporting suspicious activities or student distress situations
• Continuation of emergency medical transportation services

Transparency Initiatives

• Fare charts and student guidelines to be prominently displayed in all 10,000 auto rickshaws with the help of Kota student’s welfare society.
• Information displays at coaching institutes about transportation guidelines
• Clear protocols for passenger belongings and emergency assistance

“We were inspired by what the hostel associations achieved under Kota Cares,” said Bhupendra Saxena, President of Kota Auto Driver Union. “As the first point of contact for most students arriving in our city, we recognize our crucial role in shaping their Kota experience. These self-imposed guidelines reflect our commitment to treating these young aspirants like our own children.”

The auto unions’ representatives, including Deepak Tiwari, President of Hadoti Auto Rickshaw Hitkari Seva Samiti, and Mohammad Shakeel, President of Janseva Autorickshaw Union, collaborated on the proposal, demonstrating unprecedented unity across the transportation sector.

Deputy Superintendent of Traffic Police Ashok Kumar Meena praised the initiative, noting: “Auto rickshaws provide 24-hour service in our city, making them essential to student safety and mobility. This proactive approach by the unions will address multiple challenges at once, and the traffic police stand ready to support both students and drivers in implementing these changes.”