Category Archives: News

BITS Design School’s B Des applications to close on January 31

Mumbai, 16 January 2025 | BITS Design School (BITSDES) will close the application window for 2025 admissions to its 4-year residential Bachelor of Design (Honours) programme on January 31, 2025. This intake will be for the second cohort of the programme. BITSDES was set up under the aegis of BITS Pilani – itself established in 1964 and one of the first universities in the private sector to be recognised by the Govt of India in 2020 as an “Institution of Eminence”.

BITSDES has an intake of 180 students for its B Des (Hons) programme which offers five pathways—Physical Product Design, Digital Product Design (UX/UI), Design Research and Insights, Experience Design, and Visual Design.

Admissions to the programme are based on a holistic assessment beginning with the scores of either NID DAT Prelims, UCEED, or the BITS Design Aptitude Test (BITSDAT). Students who plan to apply with the NID DAT Prelim or the UCEED score are also required to submit their BITSDES application by the Jan 31 deadline. They can do so using registration numbers or roll numbers for NID DAT Prelim / UCEED. The application portal will be re-opened between 5th and 8th April for them to upload their scores.

Students also have the option of taking the BITSDAT between March 31 and April 5, 2025. The BITSDAT is a 60-minute test with multiple choice questions on general aptitude and design concepts.

The list of shortlisted candidates based on test scores will be announced on April 14, 2025. Selected candidates will need to upload their portfolios, and online interviews will be scheduled between May 2 to May 12, 2025.

Nandita Abraham, Dean, BITS Design School, said, “BITS Design School is a place where people from around the world come together to harness the power of design and shape a more thoughtful and impactful future. Our students are learning in a transdisciplinary environment and have a strong inclination toward addressing real-world problems through design. We emphasize international exposure, hands-on experiences, and industry-relevant projects, equipping our students to adapt to evolving trends in the global design landscape.”

BITS Design School has collaborated with global institutions to enhance its academic offerings – with Aalto University in Finland for curriculum design and annual review, with Arizona State University for student and faculty exchange, joint research programmes and projects, and with RMIT University in Melbourne, to create opportunities for student/faculty exchange and immersion. The institute has as its advisors, renown professionals and academicians – Don Norman, Founding Director, Design Lab, University of California, San Diego (retired); Biju Dominic, Chief Evangelist, Fractal, and CEO, Final Mile; John Thackara, Sr. Fellow, Royal College of Arts; and Sandy Speicher, Professor, Stanford d. School, Ex-CEO, IDEO. Remarkably, the founding class has had an opportunity to meet and interact with each of the advisors on campus, as have the faculty during the curriculum and pedagogy review. With a strong focus on industry integration, the School has set up a mentorship programme with design professionals who interact with students in small groups to help them understand the design industry landscape and frame their career choices.

Air India Announces Daily Flights Between Delhi and Bhuj

GURUGRAM, 16 January 2025: Air India, India’s leading global airline, today announced daily flights between Delhi and Bhuj, starting February 1, 2025. Air India will operate the route with its A320 aircraft, complementing its daily flights between Mumbai and Bhuj.

The new service also enables travellers from Bhuj to take seamless one-stop connections via Delhi to other parts of India as well as to points in North America, UK, Southeast Asia, and vice versa.

Air India will operate the route with its A320 aircraft, bringing the only full-service flying option to customers travelling to and from Bhuj.

Watch the Trailer of ‘Saubhagyavati Sarpanch’ – A Powerful Tale on Women’s Empowerment in Rural India

Mumbai, Jan 2025: The much-awaited trailer of “Saubhagyavati Sarpanch’ was launched today. This captivating web series is not just the story of one woman’s success, but a beacon of hope & motivation for women in our country who aim to carve a niche for themselves in society. It highlights the fundamental role of women’s empowerment in societal progress, emphasizing that every woman has an undeniable right to freedom, education, and leadership. It is a Republic Day Special and will be streamed from 22nd January on Ultra Jhakaas OTT

Saubhagyavati Sarpanch features a stellar cast including Devika Daftardar, Kishore Kadam, Asha Jante, Nagesh Bhosale, Ashwini Kulkarni & Padmanabh Bhind. It is directed by well-known Director Santosh Kolhe & produced by Mr. Sushilkumar Agrawal

The series chronicles the extraordinary journey of Awali, a simple housewife who, after being elected as the Sarpanch in a women-reserved position, takes on the challenge of village development. The story beautifully captures her struggles and triumphs as she breaks stereotypes and shatters societal norms, offering a powerful message: everyone has the right to dream and achieve. . It delves deeply into themes like relationships, patriarchal mindsets, and the transformative power of women emancipation making it both relatable and thought-provoking.

Mr. Sushilkumar Agarwal, CEO of Ultra Media and Entertainment Pvt. Ltd., shared, “’Saubhagyavati Sarpanch’ is more than entertainment. It’s a clarion call for social change. We are confident that it will inspire audiences to champion women empowerment. Ultra Jhakaas remains committed to delivering meaningful and high-quality content regularly.”

Celebrate the spirit of Republic Day by witnessing the remarkable journey of Awali and her pursuit of progress and equality. ‘Saubhagyavati Sarpanch’ premieres exclusively on Ultra Jhakaas from 22nd January 2025 – a tribute to women’s power and dreams in rural Maharashtra. Don’t miss this extraordinary tale!

Cancer survivors to participate in Tata Mumbai Marathon 2025

Mumbai, 16th January 2025 – Ten cancer survivors will participate in the prestigious Tata Mumbai Marathon 2025. Competing with participants from across the globe – two from Lucknow, three from Delhi, one from Kolkata, and four from Mumbai, will take to the marathon course. Participating under the aegis of CanKids KidsCan, the National Society for Change for Childhood Cancer in India, these marathon runners will participate in the ‘Dream Run’ category, symbolizing their strength, determination.

For the 15th consecutive year, CanKids KidsCan will participate in this iconic event, spotlighting the courage and resilience of childhood cancer survivors. For the last six years, CanKids’ survivors have been regularly participating in the marathon.

“The survivors are the heart of our mission,” said Ms Poonam Bagai, Founder-Chairman of CanKids and a cancer survivor herself. “Their participation in the Tata Mumbai Marathon symbolizes the strength, hope, and determination it takes to fight and overcome cancer. They are not just survivors but warriors who inspire us all.”

Among the survivors running in the Tata Mumbai Marathon 2025 is 17-year-old Sumit Gupta, a passionate cricketer from Varanasi. Diagnosed with tuberculosis at 6 and Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (Stage 3) at 11, Sumit persevered through surgeries, chemotherapy, and setbacks, staying active and dedicated to his cricket dreams. Now training in Mumbai to represent India, Sumit’s participation is a powerful symbol of resilience and hope for children battling cancer.

Also participating is 21-year-old Atul Singh Rathod, a survivor of Retinoblastoma. Diagnosed with eye cancer at just 2, Atul triumphed with the unwavering support of his mother and exceptional care at AIIMS. Now thriving, he is running to raise awareness and funds for children with cancer, advocating for timely care as the key to overcoming childhood cancer.

Sugandha Kumari, a Germ Cell Tumor survivor who now leads over 200 cancer survivors in Uttar Pradesh, is also running, raising awareness and funds for children battling cancer.

Running alongside these survivors are 175 CanKids supporters, individual runners, and senior citizens. This group includes Ms Vidya, an avid marathoner who has completed over 100 half-marathons. Vidya comes especially from Singapore to participate in her 12th TMM for CanKids. “It’s a rush of energy and pride when I run along with childhood cancer survivors. It is also a very humbling experience when I see the energy and enthusiasm of the kids,” shared Vidya.

Rashmeet Kaur Returns with Behja– A Bold Punjabi-Pop Anthem

Rashmeet Kaur is back with her latest single, Behja, releasing today only on Times Music. This tongue-in-cheek pop track draws inspiration from the playful taunts and romance dynamics of Punjabi culture. A theatrical exchange between lovers, Behja blends catchy lyrics, vibrant visuals, and irresistible beats to create a song designed to make you dance.

Directed by Rashmeet herself, Behja continues her streak of self-directed hits like Haye Ri Duniya and Udd Jana. Sharing her vision for the track, she explains, “Pop and Punjabi music are both designed to make people want to move, to repeat lyrics, to dance—that’s what Behja is.”

Produced by Saurabh Lokhande, the song combines traditional folk elements like the harmonium with electronic production to deliver a modern dance anthem. The choreography, crafted by Alisha Singh, lets Rashmeet dive into her passion for movement, blending isolations and stylings from Punjabi folk giddha to pop formations.

But Behja is just the beginning. Fans can look forward to two more exciting tracks from Rashmeet—Crazy in Love and Na Kaha—releasing soon only on Times Music. With these upcoming hits, 2025 is shaping up to be a groundbreaking year for Rashmeet Kaur.

Thailand Week Bangalore 2025 at Orion Mall Brigade Gateway

16th January 2025: Orion Mall @ Brigade Gateway will be hosting Thailand Week 2025 from 17th January to 19th January 2025 featuring 24 prominent Thai exhibitors across four primary categories including food and beverage, health & beauty, household products, and fashion & accessories. The event will also host an engaging array of authentic Thai cultural performances and culinary demonstrations.

IMR Doctoral Conference 2025 on 17th and 18th January

16 January, 2025, Bengaluru: The IMR Doctoral Conference 2025 (IMRDC 2025), organized by Indian Institute of Management Bangalore’s flagship quarterly journal IIMB Management Review (IMR) and the Office of the Doctoral Programme, will be held on 17th and 18th January 2025, at N-001 of the institute campus. The 16th IMRDC will consist of a hybrid model to facilitate the participation of virtual delegates.

IMRDC is an annual doctoral colloquium in Management and associated disciplines, which aims to encourage doctoral research and facilitate collaborative work among researchers from different institutions.The benchmark event is commended by academicians and participants for the thorough and constructive feedback provided through its ‘one exclusive discussant per paper’ format.

This year, the two-day event will comprise a keynote address, panel discussion and 11 select paper presentations by doctoral students.

Prof. Viral V. Acharya, C.V. Starr Professor of Economics, Department of Finance, New York University Stern School of Business (NYU-Stern), will deliver the keynote address on, ‘Banking Sector in India: The Past, the Present and the Future’, during the inaugural session on Day One.

Prof. Acharya will provide an overview of how the banking sector was stabilized during the past decade following excesses of the prior decade (especially following the Global Financial Crisis), the current opportunities as well as challenges in the face of digital finance and competition from non-tech lenders, and the implications going forward for risk management and financial stability for the banking sector as well as for the overall macroeconomy.

On Day Two, the panel discussion on, ‘Academic Job Market: Recruiters’ Perspective’, will be moderated by Prof. Chetan Subramanian, RBI Chair Professor in Economics at IIM Bangalore.

This year’s conference received around 100 full paper submissions by students from leading Indian and global management schools and universities. Eleven papers have been selected for presentation at the conference with a dedicated discussant to critique each paper. The selection was through a rigorous three-tier review process by the IMRDC Review Committee.

AuthBridge Introduces its New Brand Identity Taking the Positioning of “Trust Simplified”

Jan 16, 2025, India

AuthBridge, India’s leading trust and authentication technology company, is unveiling its refreshed brand identity, reflecting a forward-looking positioning of “Trust Simplified.” This evolution signals the company’s ongoing commitment to transforming the trust-building process for businesses, making it faster, simpler, and more secure. Whether for employees, customers, or third-party partners, AuthBridge is dedicated to streamlining the complexities of building trust, enabling businesses to thrive without the hassle.

As a pioneer in identity and verification solutions, AuthBridge, with its new identity, positions itself as more than just a solutions provider. It emerges as a trusted partner, working behind the scenes to empower businesses on their growth journey with precision and care—verifying the right talent, customers, and partners. This new positioning encapsulates the essence of the company’s promise: delivering frictionless, efficient, and secure solutions that simplify the process of building trust in the digital ecosystem.

“With over two decades of expertise, AuthBridge has been at the forefront of enabling businesses to verify, onboard, and build trust with individuals or entities. Our refreshed brand identity reinforces our commitment to providing innovative, scalable solutions that simplify complex trust-building processes, ensuring businesses thrive in a rapidly evolving digital landscape,” said Ajay Trehan, Founder and CEO of AuthBridge.

“Trust Simplified” is a promise that AuthBridge fulfills with reliability and diligence. It empowers business strategies with clear, actionable insights—free from jargon and confusion—delivering exactly the information needed to act with confidence. By seamlessly integrating into workflows, AuthBridge’s solutions simplify change, ensuring smooth operations and enabling businesses to focus on growth, rather than the complexities of verification and risk management related to employee background verification, customer onboarding, and third-party due diligence.

Maha Kumbh Police Equipped with Eveready Siren Torches for Effective Crowd Management for a Safer Maha Kumbh 2025

Jan 16 2025 Prayagraj, India

In an endeavour to ensure the safety and security of millions of devotees attending the Maha Kumbh Mela, this year, Maha Kumbh Police is further enhancing safety at the event with support from Eveready Industries India Ltd., the country’s leading flashlight and battery manufacturer. As part of the initiative, Police personnel deputed for the grand duo-decennial occasion will be equipped with 5000 Eveready Siren torches, featuring a powerful safety alarm, to help maintain order. In addition, safety norms will be propagated across 56 police stations within the Mela premises.

The Maha Kumbh Mela 2025, a once in a lifetime event, is expected to draw approximately 400 million pilgrims this year. Given its sheer magnitude, it will be paramount for authorities including the Maha Kumbh Police to ensure a peaceful and transformative experience for all devotees at the event. To contribute to this objective, Eveready has stepped forward to present its latest innovation, the Siren Torch DL102, to the Maha Kumbh Police.

Eveready Ultima Batteries & Siren Torches will also be prominently visible across the Kumbh VIP Dome City and various parts of the holy city.

Commenting on the initiative, SSP Kumbh Mela, Shri. Rajesh Dwivedi, said, “We have made extensive arrangements for the safety and security of pilgrims. Eveready’s Siren torches will also be an important part of this arrangement. It will definitely help strengthen our efforts.”

The Eveready Siren Torch, while serving as a traditional flashlight, transforms into a powerful and empowering safety device with a 100dbA sound alarm that can be activated by simply pulling an attached keychain. As part of this initiative, Eveready will undertake a practical demonstration for the Maha Kumbh Police to showcase the dual functionality and utility of the device. This versatile and pocket-friendly flashlight which is more than just a product, is a symbol of safety, empowerment and the ability to raise one’s voice in critical moments.

Anirban Banerjee, Sr. Vice President & SBU Head (Batteries & Flashlights) at Eveready Industries India Ltd., said, “The Maha Kumbh Mela is one of the world’s largest congregations and this year the 44-day long spectacle is expected to draw unprecedented visitors. Over the years, police has consistently done a commendable job by efficiently managing large crowds thereby safeguarding millions of pilgrims during their spiritual journey. This year, we are proud to join forces with the Maha Kumbh Police equipping them with the powerful Siren Torch to assist them in effective crowd management and maintaining a safe environment.”

Protinex Partners with Kaun Banega Crorepati 16 to Raise Awareness About Daily Protein Intake for a Healthy Body and Mind

Jan 16, 2025  Mumbai, India

Features Protinex in this celebrated season to spotlight protein’s critical role in a healthy lifestyle

During every audience poll segment, each member of the studio audience will receive an exclusive Protinex hamper as a token of appreciation for their participation

Protinex, India’s leading health nutrition brand from the house of Danone, is thrilled to announce its collaboration with India’s most beloved gameshow, Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC), hosted by the iconic actor Amitabh Bachchan that airs every Monday to Friday at 9 PM on Sony Entertainment Television. This unique partnership celebrates the perfect synergy of knowledge and health.

As a co-powered partner of KBC 16, Protinex aims to amplify awareness about the critical role of protein in maintaining a healthy lifestyle by integrating itself into the gameshow to promote its message of holistic health. During every audience poll segment, each member of the studio audience will receive an exclusive Protinex hamper as a token of appreciation for their participation. Adding further value to the collaboration, Amitabh Bachchan himself will educate viewers on the importance of protein as a macronutrient and the necessity of choosing trusted supplements to meet daily nutritional requirements.

“At Danone India, we believe in empowering individuals to take charge of their health through informed choices. Our partnership with Kaun Banega Crorepati is a testament to our commitment to spreading awareness about protein’s vital role in everyday nutrition. By associating with a platform as influential as KBC, we aim to inspire millions of viewers to prioritize their health and well-being,” said Sriram Padmanabhan, Marketing Director, Danone India.

Sandeep Mehrotra, Head—Ad Sales, Network Channels, at Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) added, “Kaun Banega Crorepati is more than just a show – it’s an institution that brings families together. As an iconic property, it offers brands a unique opportunity to connect with their target audience in a trusted and engaging environment. We’re delighted to partner with Protinex for the first time and craft bespoke solutions that not only meet their business objectives but also seamlessly integrate into the content, creating a holistic and impactful brand experience.”

Further speaking about the association, Shekhar Banerjee, Chief Client Officer, and Office Head – West, North & East, Wavemaker India said, “At Wavemaker, we strive to bring brands closer to audiences in ways that truly matter. This partnership between Protinex and Kaun Banega Crorepati is all about sparking conversations that can inspire healthier choices for millions of viewers. By seamlessly integrating the message of daily protein intake into one of India’s most iconic shows, we are not just amplifying awareness but creating a lasting impact on the way people perceive health and nutrition.”

Protein is a cornerstone of good health, contributing to muscle repair, immunity, and overall energy levels. However, research indicates that India faces a significant protein gap, with many individuals unaware of their daily protein needs. Protinex’s collaboration with KBC is designed to raise awareness towards bridging this gap by combining entertainment with education, leveraging the show’s massive reach and popularity to inspire healthier dietary choices.

Protinex’s association with KBC underscores the shared values of perseverance, growth, and championing excellence. With every episode, this partnership seeks to not only entertain but also equip audiences with the knowledge to make healthier lifestyle choices.