Category Archives: News

Overcoming Social Anxiety as an Introvert

By-Dr. Joseph Sunny Kunnassery- Founder of Prayatna ,Kochi, Senior Occupational Therapist and Honorary Secretary of All India Occupational Therapist Association (AIOTA) 

Life for introverts can feel like a balancing act. While some people thrive in bustling crowds, others prefer the tranquility of smaller, more intimate settings. However, introversion and social anxiety, though sometimes conflated, are not the same. Understanding the differences between the two is the first step in addressing social anxiety and learning to live more confidently.

Understanding Introversion
Introversion is a personality trait, not a disorder or condition. Introverts tend to:

● Recharge their energy through solitude rather than social interaction.

● Prefer meaningful, deep conversations over small talk.

● Feel drained after prolonged social engagements.

Being introverted doesn’t mean disliking people—it simply means valuing quiet and introspective moments. For introverts, alone time is essential for regaining energy and maintaining a sense of balance.

What Is Social Anxiety?
Social anxiety, on the other hand, is a mental health condition that involves a persistent fear of being judged, humiliated, or rejected in social settings. Symptoms can include:

● Sweating, trembling, or rapid heart rate in social situations.

● Avoiding eye contact or social gatherings.

● Overthinking every word or action, even after an event is over.

● Intense fear of public speaking, eating in front of others, or participating in group activities.

Social anxiety can feel paralyzing and interfere with daily life. Unlike introversion, which is a natural preference for quieter environments, social anxiety is rooted in fear and can limit opportunities for growth and connection.

Differentiating Introversion from Social Anxiety

Introverts thrive in low-stimulation environments and prefer fewer, deeper connections, managing their energy by choosing their social engagements. While they may enjoy socializing, they often feel drained afterward. In contrast, individuals with social anxiety experience discomfort and fear of judgment even in small groups, leading to avoidance of social situations. This fear stems from insecurity and manifests in physical and emotional symptoms, making social interactions overwhelming.

It’s possible to be both introverted and socially anxious, and this combination can feel like a double-edged sword. If you’re someone who values quiet but also feels overwhelmed by social interactions, it’s important to identify which challenges stem from anxiety and which are related to your personality.

Practical Coping Mechanisms for Social Anxiety
Here are some effective strategies for managing social anxiety while embracing your introverted nature:

1. Start Small
Social anxiety thrives on avoidance. Begin with manageable challenges, like:

● Saying hello to a neighbor.

● Joining a small, informal group activity.

● Practicing ordering food in a café.

Success in these small steps builds confidence over time.

2. Prepare for Social Interactions
Planning ahead can reduce anxiety. Before attending a social event:

● Research topics to discuss.

● Think of open-ended questions you can ask others.

● Visualize positive outcomes instead of focusing on fears.

3. Use Mindfulness Techniques
Mindfulness helps ground you in the present moment. Techniques include:

● Deep breathing exercises to calm physical symptoms of anxiety.

● Focusing on sensory details, like the texture of a chair or the sound of music.

● Practicing meditation to reduce overall stress.

4. Reframe Negative Thoughts
Challenge anxious thoughts by asking yourself:

● “Is this really true, or am I assuming the worst?”

● “What’s the worst that could happen, and how likely is that?”

Replacing negative self-talk with rational perspectives can make social situations less intimidating.

5. Set Boundaries
Introverts need time to recharge. Setting boundaries doesn’t mean avoiding socializing; it means:

● Scheduling downtime after a social event.

● Politely declining invitations when you feel drained.

● Focusing on quality interactions rather than quantity.

6. Find Your Comfort Zone
Social anxiety is less about avoiding interactions and more about navigating them on your terms:

● Attend events with a trusted friend for support.

● Choose environments where you feel at ease, like a quiet café instead of a loud club.

● Join activities that align with your interests, such as book clubs or art classes.

7. Celebrate Small Wins
Every step forward is progress. Celebrate achievements like initiating a conversation or attending an event. These milestones reinforce your ability to cope.

8. Seek Professional Support
If social anxiety significantly impacts your life, therapy can help. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is highly effective for managing social anxiety, teaching skills to change unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors.

Supporting Introverts with Social Anxiety
Supporting introverts with social anxiety requires patience and understanding. Allow them the time and space they need to recharge. Encourage gradual steps toward social interaction, starting with small, low-pressure situations. Listen empathetically to their concerns and validate their feelings without judgment. Finally, celebrate their unique strengths and remind them of their value beyond social interactions.

The Road to Confidence
Overcoming social anxiety is not about transforming into an extrovert; it’s about learning to manage fears and participate in life in a way that feels meaningful. Introverts don’t need to force themselves into the spotlight, but they can thrive by building connections on their terms, embracing their strengths, like active listening and empathy and learning strategies to navigate social environments with confidence.

Being an introvert is not a limitation, and social anxiety doesn’t define who you are. By distinguishing between the two and applying practical coping mechanisms, you can foster growth, build meaningful relationships, and lead a fulfilling life.

Panasonic Introduces OASYS, a New Whole Home Air Quality Management Solution to Support Homeowners’ Comfort and Peace-of-Mind

India (January 8, 2025) – Today at CES 2025, Panasonic unveiled an innovative new energy efficient approach to heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) that uses significantly less energy than conventional technologies. Building upon its rich history and founder’s guiding vision of making today better than yesterday, tomorrow better than today, the OASYS solution brings together two areas of focus: sustainable technology and the wellbeing of society.

Introducing OASYS

OASYS is a holistic home comfort solution created for modern, high-performance homes. As home building design has advanced with new materials and construction techniques, the standard approaches to conditioning and treating indoor air left room for innovation. Today, OASYS combines a suite of Panasonic technologies into a complete, proprietary solution to take a leap forward for one of the home’s most important systems.

Offering cleaner, fresher air; balanced humidity; and consistent temperature control across the house, this new approach to HVAC supports the comfort and wellbeing of families in their home environment with greater energy efficiency and cost saving advantages compared to traditional systems.

“OASYS is more than an HVAC system. It’s a holistic air quality management solution to support your family’s comfort and peace-of-mind by delivering cleaner air and consistent temperatures throughout the whole house,” said Naoki Kamo, President of Panasonic Eco Systems of North America. “Our homes are where our families flourish, and OASYS builds on Panasonic’s rich, 100-year history of inventing technologies to support the wellbeing and sustainability of people and society.”

Superior performance and comfort

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Americans spend on average about 90% of their time indoors1 where the concentration of some pollutants is often two to five times higher than typical outdoor air.2 Improving ventilation with outdoor air is one of the fundamental strategies to lowering concentrations of indoor air pollutants – but most home heating and cooling systems do not mechanically bring fresh air into the house.3

OASYS starts with ventilation: the system takes in fresh outdoor air, filters it, and tempers it to the homeowner’s temperature setting. It then circulates air constantly throughout the entire house for approximately four air changes per hour4 while continuously monitoring the air for comfort. The result is a more comfortable, cleaner indoor environment for the family, designed with their wellness in mind. It goes beyond what homeowners can expect from conventional systems today with:

• Consistent Temperature Control: maintains consistent temperature and airflow from room-to-room in the home, eliminating hot spots and cold corners.
• Balanced Air Circulation and Filtration: provides constant, ongoing ventilation and filtration of home air to help protect from allergens and pollutants while deodorizing the air to reduce odors.
• Humidity Control: delivers ongoing humidity control throughout the whole house with constant air movement and ventilation to help prevent excess moisture and mold.
•  Easy maintenance: requires minimal regular maintenance of a simple-to-clean air filter with no annual system maintenance necessary, and each component of the solution can be repaired or replaced individually.
• Quiet Operation: runs with whisper-quiet operation, with minimal fan noise to promote more comfort for families.

These features work together to improve the quality of the air inside the home, supporting the longevity of the home by helping protect against mold and excess humidity that can cause decay.

Improved efficiency and economics

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the HVAC system demands more energy on average than any other system in a home through its energy consumption in space heating and air conditioning.5 OASYS can reduce energy consumption for heating and air conditioning by up to 53%6 compared to traditional HVAC systems, making it an ideal solution for those looking to reduce their home’s energy usage and lower monthly energy bills.

The improved efficiency offered by OASYS makes it easier and more affordable to leverage renewable energy to power the home, such as residential solar and battery storage. Decreasing the energy needs of a home’s most demanding system means that smaller and more cost-efficient solar systems can be used to power the home, expanding solar power as an option for more houses. And when powered by solar panels and battery storage, homes are better able to withstand power outages, making them more resilient to weather disturbances caused by climate impacts.

OASYS delivers these performance and efficiency gains with a similar installation cost7 to existing technologies in high-performance homes. Achieving this dramatic reduction in HVAC power demand is a critical step towards achieving a more affordable and accessible zero-energy home.

Comic Con India rings in the New Year with its much-awaited 12th edition on January 18 and 19 in Bengaluru

Bengaluru, India – 8th January 2025 – In an era where pop culture enthusiasm has reached a fever pitch, the anticipation for what 2025 has in store for India’s comic, manga, anime, and superhero movie aficionados is palpable. Taking this excitement a notch higher, Comic Con India, the largest pop culture celebration in the subcontinent, is set to make waves by ringing in the New Year with its much-awaited 12th edition in Bengaluru. This highly anticipated edition promises a two-day extravaganza unfolding on January 18 and 19 at KTPO Whitefield. This season, Maruti Suzuki Arena, Bengaluru Comic Con, powered by Crunchyroll, promises to be bigger, colourful, and more exciting than ever!

This year, every visitor at Bengaluru Comic Con can expect a No. 1 Issue of Radiant Black by Image Comics and a Special Solo Levelling Poster by Yen Press, along with a commemorative Comic Con India Bag as a special token, upon entry. As for the Superfans, Comic Con India has curated a limited-edition box set, which includes Marvel’s Dr Doom Busts, Deadpool-Wolverine T-shirts and Keychains, Exclusive Comic Con India Puzzles, Heroic Capes, and many more interesting goodies.

This two-day extravaganza from Comic Con India, under the aegis of NODWIN Gaming, boasts a grand celebration of comics, featuring a diverse lineup of publishing houses and Indian artists, including Indusverse, Yali Dreams Creations, Graphicurry – Prasad Bhat, Garbage Bin, Sufi Comics, Bullseye Press, Holy Cow Entertainment, Bakarmax, Art of SAVIO, Tadam Gyadu, Somesh Kumar, Rajesh Nagulkonda, Art of Roshan, Hallubol, Corporat Comics, Happy Fluff Comics, and Saumin Patel, among others. Additionally, the event will be graced by Ron Marz, an acclaimed American comic book writer renowned for his work on titles such as Batman/Aliens, DC vs. Marvel, Green Lantern, Silver Surfer, and Witchblade. Joining him will be Jamal Igle, a New York Times bestselling and Eisner Award-winning comic book artist, celebrated for his work on Supergirl, Firestorm, Molly Danger, and The Wrong Earth. Both industry legends will host exclusive panels, share insights from their illustrious careers, and engage in meet-and-greet sessions with fans, making this a truly unforgettable experience for comic enthusiasts.

The most-awaited event will also feature The Arena, a 40000 sq ft gaming arena, which will have daily tournaments, popular streamers and exclusive gaming experiences. among many other exciting activities for all attendees.

The convention will also feature a string of live performances, promising fans two memorable days of all things pop culture. Stand-up icons Rahul Subramanian, Azeem Banatwalla, Quizzing with KV – Kumar Varun and The Internet Said So (comprising Varun Thakur, Kautuk Srivastav and Aadar Malik), will bring their signature wit and humour to the stage and leave the crowd in splits. The M.A.D. fame, Art Guy Rob and Rohan Joshi will inspire creativity and joy, taking fans on a trip down memory lane – to their childhood. The lineup also includes the beloved Geek Fruit band, who are sure to capture audiences’ hearts with their infectious energy.

At Bengaluru Comic Con 2025, fans can immerse themselves in unique experiential zones by Maruti Suzuki, Yamaha, Crunchyroll, Yamaha Racing, OnePlus, Radio Mirchi and Warner Bros. adding an exciting interactive dimension to the event. The convention will also feature an unparalleled geek shopping experience, spotlighting popular brands like Nerd Arena, Red Wolf, Bonkers Corner, and Topps among others. Attendees can even explore a wide array of comics, toys, apparel, accessories, and much more, ensuring there’s something for every pop culture enthusiast.

Expressing his excitement for the upcoming Bengaluru edition, Jatin Varma, Founder, Comic Con India, said, “As we step into 2025, we’re thrilled to kick off the year with Bengaluru Comic Con! Celebrating 12 incredible years of bringing fans together, this milestone is a testament to the passion and energy of India’s ever-growing pop culture community. Bengaluru has always been at the heart of this vibrant scene, and we’re excited to bring fans an even bigger and better experience this year. From unforgettable performances to immersive experiences, this is just the beginning as we gear up for an epic year ahead.”

Akshat Rathee, Co-Founder and Managing Director, NODWIN Gaming, shared, “NODWIN Gaming looks forward to delivering another world-class immersive experience for Karnataka’s youth at the 12th edition of Bengaluru Comic Con. In addition to bringing an iconic celebration of all thing’s anime and pop culture to the city, with the support of our incredible partners, this year’s event will feature an expanded Gaming Arena where we will showcase the latest in gaming and virtual reality. As always, we are looking forward to witnessing some legendary cosplays courtesy some of the most passionate and creative cosplayers in the country! Bengaluru Comic Con 2025 isn’t just an event—it’s a movement that celebrates the heart of fandom in all its forms. Here’s to starting the new year with innovation, energy, and the magic of being a geek!”

Onix Identifies Breakthrough Trends Defining AI, Data, and Cloud in 2025 and Beyond

Pune, India – January 08, 2024 – Onix, a global leader in data, cloud, and AI solutions powered by IP-powered technologies and innovation, today shared comprehensive trends shaping the future of technology in 2025. These insights reveal the convergence of technologies as a driving force behind industry innovation and digital transformation.

AI: From Potential to Practicality
In 2025, AI will evolve into a practical tool for addressing complex challenges. The focus will shift from generalized applications to highly specialized, industry-specific use cases powered by Generative AI and multimodal capabilities. These advancements will empower sectors like healthcare, finance, and supply chain management with tailored solutions.

Simultaneously, augmented intelligence, where humans and AI collaborate to enhance decision-making, will redefine how businesses operate. By automating routine tasks and delivering actionable insights, AI will enable professionals to focus on creativity and innovation.

“AI is no longer just a possibility—it’s an imperative for solving real-world problems. 2025 will be about integrating AI into practical, secure, and transparent implementations across industries,” said Niraj Kumar, CTO of Onix.

The Trifecta Powerhouse

The integration of data, generative AI, and search will emerge as a transformative force in 2025, redefining how businesses unlock value from their data and deliver impactful solutions. Generative AI, data, and search will combine forces and evolve as a disruptive technology for the businesses. This trifecta will enable businesses to make smarter decisions, hyper-personalization, precise customer targeting, and faster discovery of new opportunities. This trifecta will complement the developing technologies like Enterprise Search.

Data: Ready to be Productized
Data will solidify its role as a strategic asset, fueling AI advancements and enabling businesses to compete effectively. In 2025, organizations will increasingly treat data as a product, prioritizing data augmentation and synthetic data technologies to address scarcity and privacy concerns. This approach will empower enterprises to monetize and democratize their data assets, unlocking new growth opportunities.

With real-time analytics and context-aware systems, businesses in the near future will anticipate trends and drive decision-making with greater accuracy.

Cloud: The Backbone of Transformation
Businesses that have not yet moved to the cloud will fast-forward their planning and ramp to the cloud platform in 2025. Organizations will prefer cloud-native platforms that have AI readily available or hybrid cloud solutions that offer a balance between flexibility and security. Advanced AI services from cloud providers will simplify the deployment of intelligent solutions, ensuring that even late adopters can integrate cutting-edge technologies seamlessly.

Localized processing through small language models and edge computing will enhance security while enabling businesses to extract valuable AI-driven insights without compromising sensitive data.

Building Trust in Technology
As AI and cloud technologies become more pervasive, ensuring transparency, security, and fairness will be critical. The rise of explainable AI and advancements in cybersecurity will help address concerns, fostering trust and enabling responsible innovation.

Looking Ahead
Onix envisions a future where the trifecta of AI, data, and cloud technologies converge to create transformative solutions that enhance productivity and creativity. By prioritizing practical applications and trust in technology, 2025 promises to be a year of meaningful progress for industries worldwide.

What Design Can Do announces dynamic line-up at its first South Asia festival in Delhi on March 08, 2025

New Delhi — January 08, 2025

What Design Can Do (WDCD) will host its first-ever event in South Asia with WDCD Live Delhi 2025. On March 08, 2025, a dynamic crowd of designers, innovators and changemakers will gather at the vibrant cultural complex of India Habitat Centre in New Delhi. At the heart of the one-day festival is a packed programme of talks, exhibitions and workshops that address urgent issues in South Asia today, using creativity and design.

In partnership with Unbox Cultural Futures, Quicksand, and The Design Village, WDCD Live Delhi 2025 will explore innovative and regenerative solutions for a better world, and empower those who dare to build it.

Join us on 8 March 2025 for WDCD Live Delhi 2025!
For more information and to register, visit What Design Can Do, Delhi

Leading the conversation is a line-up of creative forces, from foundation heads, industry leads, design innovators, to social design practitioners — working across policy, material innovation, community engagement etc: Deepali Khanna, Head of The Rockefeller Foundation’s Asia Regional Office (IN) and a leading voice for climate action in the region; Somnath Ray, innovator, serial entrepreneur & CEO of CLIP (US); the visionary, Shashank Mani, Member of Parliament & Founder of Jagriti Yatra (IN); the innovative architect and founder of Ant Studio, Monish Siripurapu (IN); Kailash Nadh CTO of Zerodha and Founder of Rainmatter Foundation— a philanthropic initiative that works on climate change projects (IN); fashion designer, trend forecaster and waste textile artist, Femke van Gemert (NL); and Depanshu Gola and Abhimanyu Singhal from Breathe Easy (IND) to combat air pollution.

Joining the dynamic line-up are also Emma Van Der Leest, Bio Designer and Researcher (NL) who creates crossovers with craft, scientific research and new production techniques and Thomas Rau, Architect (NL), known for his innovative ideas including Light as a Service, Material as a Service, the Material Passport and the Turnaround Terminal; and more to be announced soon.

A CALL FOR URGENCY AND OPTIMISM

With each passing year, it becomes clearer that all of humanity’s most pressing problems are deeply interconnected. Fortunately, the same holds true for the best of our solutions.

“This is a must-attend event for anyone passionate about using design as a tool for good, and we are confident our program will provide the knowledge and inspiration needed to drive real-world change”, explains WDCD co-founder and creative director Richard van der Laken.

“What Design Can Do Delhi 2025 will be a powerful convergence of minds—designers, activists, funders, and policymakers—uniting to confront climate challenges with creative solutions that center people’s lived experiences of climate change. We are proud to bring this conversation to South Asia and to rally for designers & creative change-makers to have a seat at the table”, said Ayush Chauhan, Co-Founder — Unbox Cultural Futures.

“This festival is an opportunity to put our heads together, to discover fresh co-operations and foster existing ones, reinforcing design’s role for social impact”, said Mridu Sahai Patnaik, Co-Founder, The Design Village.

To explore the full range of creatives’ capabilities, the festival will dive into some of the greatest ecological and social issues of our time, as well as the threads that connect them:

Circular Planet: Rethinking design, production, and consumption through nature-inspired cycles.

The Power of Community: Radical collaboration across sectors to deliver impactful solutions.

Rethinking Technology: Exploring emerging technologies for social and environmental change.

A DAY DESIGNED FOR IMPACT

In a nutshell, here are the main components of WDCD Live Delhi 2025:

● A main stage programme featuring illuminating talks by thought-leaders in the creative industries.

● A parallel programme that invites visitors to dive deeper; featuring exhibitions, panel discussions, project showcases, immersive experiences and workshops & labs, on themes like circularity, radical community solutions and technology.

● The chance to collaborate and grow your own impact in a range of interactive workshops, breakout sessions and networking sessions.

● An after hours for visitors to raise a glass together and close the festivities in style, curated by Eyemyth Festival bringing Audio Visual experiences by D-fuse, a UK based art collective and performances.

Bank of Baroda: Analysis of FY25 GDP Numbers

By- Jahnavi Prabhakar, Economist

NSO has estimated that Indian economy is expected to clock a growth of 6.4% in FY25 growth compared with a growth of 8.2% in FY24. GVA growth is also estimated lower at 6.4% (previously 7.2%). Softer growth is expected across the industry sector in FY25 with manufacturing and mining sector to grow at 5.3% and 2.9% in FY25, much slower than last year. The agriculture sector is expected to record robust growth supported by recovery in rural demand and improvement in rabi sowing. Given the ongoing geopolitical conflict and threats of tariff war, the global headwinds signal weakness in global economy. On the other hand, India’s economy is expected to perform much better in H2FY25. The attention will now shift towards Union Budget and corporate performance for Q3 and Q4. For FY26, we expect the nominal GDP growth at 10.5% and real GDP growth at 6.8%.

 1 st Advance Estimate of FY25 GDP
GDP growth for FY25 has been estimated at 6.4% against an increase of 8.2% in FY24 on a YoY basis. This moderation is led by expectation of slower pace of growth in investment demand at 6.4% against a growth of 9% in FY24. Moreover, contraction in import (-1.3% versus 10.9% in FY24) growth is likely given the weakness in global economy. However, on the bright side both private and government consumption is expected to register strong growth of 7.3% (4% in FY24) and 4.1% (2.5% in FY24) respectively in FY25. Furthermore, in a positive surprise, the export growth is likely to register a strong growth of 5.9% against a growth of 2.6% in FY24.

 GVA to moderate
GVA growth is expected to moderate to 6.4% in FY25 compared with a growth of 7.2% in FY24. This was lowerthan our expectation of 6.6%. Tepid growth across manufacturing (5.3% from 9.9% in FY24), mining (2.9% against 7.1% in FY24) and electricity sector (6.8% from 7.5% in FY24) is expected in FY25 and the same has been reflected by YTD estimates of industrial production data. Growth in construction sector is expected to moderate down to 8.6% from 9.9% growth registered in FY24.

 Within services, trade, transport and hotel industry is likely to grow at a slower pace at 5.8% against a growth of 6.4% in FY24 reflecting slower demand in tourism and hospitality industry. Financial services sector is also expected to record marginally slower growth of 7.3% in FY25 (8.4% in FY24). On the other hand, in line with expectation of a steady pickup in government spending in H2, higher growth is expected for public admin at 9.1% (7.8% in FY24). Even agriculture growth is expected to register robust growth at 3.8% in FY25 (1.4% in FY24) supported by higher rabi sowing.

 Outlook for FY25
A range of economic and strategic risk prevails post the imposition of the tariff polices by the incoming US President Mr Trump. This could be far reaching impact on global trade, with any retaliatory measures pushing towards the possibility of a tariff war. This remains as a global risk and will adversely impact the global economies. Indian economy remains resilient on the back of the strong festive demand and steady improvement in economic activity. The same has already been reflected by some of the high frequency indicators witnessing an uptick in Q3, these include air passenger traffic, services PMI and a jump in GST collections. Additionally, higher rabi sowing bodes well for agriculture growth.

However, some downside risk to these estimations emerge due to global headwinds, especially the threat of tariff war. Investment and Consumption continues to remain critical factors supporting the growth in the coming months. Focus would also move towards the Union Budget, corporate performance in Q3 and Q4 and RBI’s rate decision, we expect the rate cut action in the next meeting scheduled in Feb’25. For FY26, we expect the nominal GDP at 10.5% and real GDP at 6.8%.

Birlasoft Joins UK Government’s G-Cloud 14 Framework to Drive Public Sector digital transformation

Noida, Pune (India), and London (UK), January 08, 2025: Birlasoft Ltd, part of the USD 3 billion diversified C.K. Birla Group, has been officially recognised as a supplier on the UK Government’s G-Cloud 14 Procurement Framework. This achievement reinforces Birlasoft’s commitment to advancing digital transformation and innovation within the public sector.

As an approved supplier under Lot 3 Cloud Support, Birlasoft will offer a wide range of cloud support and testing services tailored to meet the unique needs of public sector organisations. These services encompass our cloud migration, modernisation frameworks, security, assurance services (CloudOps), and financial operations (FinOps). Additionally, Birlasoft’s specialised offerings, such as advanced testing solutions including test consulting, automation, and quality engineering, along with enterprise systems and next-generation digital testing, will further bolster its capabilities.

Commenting on this milestone, Mr. Manju Kygonahally, CEO – Rest of the World Region, Birlasoft said, “Joining the G-Cloud 14 framework is a significant achievement for Birlasoft as we expand our presence in the public sector and align with the UK Government’s vision for digital transformation. At Birlasoft, we recognise the unique challenges that government organisations face on their path to modernisation and innovation. Our selection for the G-Cloud 14 framework gives us the opportunity to provide secure, scalable, and high-quality cloud solutions to help address these challenges. We are looking forward to demonstrating our capabilities to UK public sector organisations.”

The G-Cloud 14 Procurement Framework, overseen by the Crown Commercial Service (CCS), facilitates access to cloud-based computing services for public sector organisations. The framework simplifies procurement processes, providing a transparent and scalable platform for hosting, software, and support solutions. By including trusted suppliers, it ensures that public sector entities can leverage the latest cloud technology and innovation.

Birlasoft’s inclusion in the G-Cloud 14 framework aligns with its strategic objective of promoting digital transformation within the public sector. By providing secure and efficient cloud capabilities, Birlasoft aims to improve accessibility, streamline operations, and support the modernization of government services.

Bangaloreans Stunned as Fashionable M-Now Delivery Riders Take Over the City

Bengaluru, January 07, 2025: The city was recently taken by surprise as Myntra’s M-Now delivery riders, dressed in the latest fashion trends, zoomed through the city’s streets. This unique on-ground activation, launched to celebrate the launch of M-Now, caught the attention of fashion enthusiasts leaving social media abuzz.

This unexpected and eye-catching sight had Bangaloreans sharing videos and photos across social media platforms, expressing their admiration for the innovative approach. Filled with excitement over the concept, with numerous users expressing admiration for the campaign’s innovative approach. One user posted: “Why does my Myntra delivery guy have better rizz than me  I need to know M-Now” – Srishti Pandey

The campaign, aimed at highlighting the speed and style of M-Now, featured delivery riders sporting the latest fashion trends.

Myntra’s M-Now service—currently covering Bengaluru—is setting a new benchmark in fashion shopping by offering deliveries starting 30 minutes across a wide collection of 10k styles, across fashion, beauty, accessories and home. The one-of-its-kind expedited delivery feature is slated to be scaled to over 1 lakh styles in the next 3-4 months.

Myntra plans to expand M-Now to other major cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, Pune, and more in the near future. This initiative by Myntra bridges the gap between shopping and the instant gratification of getting the delivery.

Acies Wins ET Now Best Brands Award 2024 – Celebrating Innovation and Excellence in Technology-Led Transformations

Acies is proud to announce that it has been recognized as one of ET Now’s Best Brands for 2024, a prestigious honor that highlights the firm’s dedication to delivering innovative, technology-driven solutions and transforming businesses worldwide.

The ET Now Best Brands Conclave is an annual event that recognizes brands excelling in innovation, resilience, and customer connection. The 7th Edition of the Conclave, held on December 19, 2024, at Mumbai’s iconic ITC Maratha, brought together industry leaders to celebrate brands that are setting new standards in their fields.

Acies received this recognition for its exceptional approach to driving business growth and transformation. By combining high-performance no-code enterprise applications with impactful advisory services, Acies empowers institutions to achieve measurable outcomes and adapt to the rapidly evolving business environment.

 “This recognition is a testament to the vision we have at Acies—to enable businesses to stay ahead by leveraging the power of technology. It represents our commitment to delivering solutions that are not only innovative but also create lasting value for our clients and partners. We are honored to be acknowledged as a leader in democratizing technology and successfully delivering technology-led transformations, and this motivates us to keep raising the bar.” said Muzammil Patel, Chief Executive Officer of Acies.

 “This award reflects the hard work and dedication of our team in helping businesses achieve meaningful transformation…” said Arindam Banerjee, Head of Business Development at Acies. “By blending advanced technology with deep functional expertise, we deliver solutions that create real impact and help organizations overcome complex challenges.”

 Abhinava Bajpai, Head of Acies TechWorks, added, “Being named ET Now’s Best Brand for 2024 is an incredible achievement for us. It highlights the value of our no-code enterprise applications in providing flexible and scalable solutions that help institutions succeed in today’s dynamic market.”

This milestone is a reflection of the trust and support of our clients and partners. At Acies, we believe in working together to deliver meaningful results, and this recognition is a celebration of the strength of our collaborations.

Acies remains committed to empowering businesses with innovative solutions that address their unique challenges. By continuing to expand the capabilities of our no-code platforms and adopting cutting-edge technologies, Acies aims to set new benchmarks and enable sustainable growth for our clients.

Pre-Budget Insights from Experts

Mr. Pankaj Panjwani, CEO and Founder, KeenSemi

As we approach the Union Budget 2025, the semiconductor and technology sectors stand at a critical juncture. To propel India towards becoming a global semiconductor hub, it is essential for the budget to introduce comprehensive measures that strengthen the entire value chain—from design and R&D to manufacturing and talent development.

India’s National Supercomputing Mission (NSM) requires additional impetus, including increased funding for the homegrown development of high-performance computing semiconductor chip architecture, design, and ecosystem. In 2015, ₹4,500 crore was allocated to NSM for seven years. This year’s budget is expected to allocate over ₹5,000 crore for the next five years to drive HPC and GPU development in India.

Schemes such as the Design-Linked Incentive (DLI) must be made more attractive by integrating larger imperatives for startups and companies developing designs tailored to indigenous needs and customers.

Enhanced incentives for domestic chip production, along with robust support for advanced research in AI, IoT, microcontrollers, and high-performance computing, will be crucial for achieving this vision.

Investments in digital infrastructure, particularly in the expansion of 5G networks and the establishment of robust data centers, are vital to meet the growing demand for connected devices and services. Additionally, fostering industry-academia collaborations can help bridge the skills gap and ensure a workforce proficient in cutting-edge technologies.

We remain optimistic that the forthcoming budget will establish a strong foundation for sustainable growth, innovation, and self-reliance in India’s semiconductor and technology landscape.

Mr. Srinivas Rao Ravuri, Chief Investment Officer, Bajaj Allianz Life

“Amidst a mixed global and domestic economic environment, India’s financial markets displayed resilience in 2024. While the large cap Nifty 50 index delivered a modest ~9% return during the year, mid and small cap indices delivered ~24% return for the second successive year. Inflation so far this year averaged at ~5%, staying above the RBI’s 4% target, which led the central bank to hold policy rates steady while easing liquidity through a reduction in the cash reserve ratio.

GDP growth for FY24-25 is projected at 6.6%, slightly moderating as inflationary pressures impacted consumption and economic expansion. The consumption sector faced headwinds, with subdued demand growth, while corporate earnings in reflected muted growth amid challenging conditions.

Globally, with inflation moderating in the U.S., the Federal Reserve started cutting rates, providing relief to financial markets and improving sentiment. However, domestic headwinds, including a slowdown in consumption and tepid earnings growth, highlighted vulnerabilities in India’s recovery. Despite these challenges, strong government spending and robust economic fundamentals continue to position India as one of the fastest growing economies, offering long-term potential for wealth creation.”

Gopal Jain, Managing Partner & CO-Founder, Gaja Capital & Co-Chair of Regulatory Affairs Committee, IVCA

“At the pre-Budget consultation with Hon’ble Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, we emphasized the need to build on the positive policy momentum from the previous Union Budget to further strengthen the Indian alternate capital ecosystem. Additionally, unlocking pools of domestic capital remains critical.

By implementing these measures and modernizing regulatory frameworks, India can pave the way for a robust and globally competitive alternative investment landscape. We remain optimistic about the government’s continued support in the upcoming Union Budget.”

Mr. Pankaj Panjwani, CEO and Founder, KeenSemi

As we approach the Union Budget 2025, the semiconductor and technology sectors stand at a critical juncture. To propel India towards becoming a global semiconductor hub, it is essential for the budget to introduce comprehensive measures that strengthen the entire value chain—from design and R&D to manufacturing and talent development.

India’s National Supercomputing Mission (NSM) requires additional impetus, including increased funding for the homegrown development of high-performance computing semiconductor chip architecture, design, and ecosystem. In 2015, ₹4,500 crore was allocated to NSM for seven years. This year’s budget is expected to allocate over ₹5,000 crore for the next five years to drive HPC and GPU development in India.

Schemes such as the Design-Linked Incentive (DLI) must be made more attractive by integrating larger imperatives for startups and companies developing designs tailored to indigenous needs and customers.

Enhanced incentives for domestic chip production, along with robust support for advanced research in AI, IoT, microcontrollers, and high-performance computing, will be crucial for achieving this vision.

Investments in digital infrastructure, particularly in the expansion of 5G networks and the establishment of robust data centers, are vital to meet the growing demand for connected devices and services. Additionally, fostering industry-academia collaborations can help bridge the skills gap and ensure a workforce proficient in cutting-edge technologies.

We remain optimistic that the forthcoming budget will establish a strong foundation for sustainable growth, innovation, and self-reliance in India’s semiconductor and technology landscape.

Simranjeet Singh, Director, CYK Hospitalities

“The upcoming Union Budget 2025 is quite expected to have reforms for innovation. For start-ups and food and beverage (F&B) sectors, there is also great hope for simplified taxation, namely GST rate cuts on small eateries and essentials-those will ease financial stress. A very strong push has been made towards subsidies on packaging that preserve the environment so that food becomes scarce, aligning it to the perceptions of global sustainability. Increased budgetary support to food processing facilities might as well drive off multiple rural jobs and boost exports. Start-ups are also demanding continued tax exemptions and the removal of angel taxes so as to attract more funding. Investments into Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities will benefit from policy environments that promote digital ecosystems to stimulate innovation, especially in agri-tech, health-tech and green-tech.”

Nidhi Singh, Co-Founder, Samosa Singh

“Being a F&B brand dedicated to prioritizing quality and innovation, we look forward to the Union Budget 2025 reforms that may vicariously fuel the growth of startups pertaining to the former. Swiftly approved policies that would potentially simplify taxation, and promote sustainable business practices can act as promoters for escalating startups like ours. F&B sector being in the focus, stimuli for local sourcing, reduced taxes on essential supplies, facilitated support for cold-chain infrastructure, can result in significantly impacting operational efficiency and product quality in the constructive manner. We hope that implementation of this budget would make provisions for a far more resilient and thriving startup ecosystem, and be the breath of prerequisite fresh air.”

Vikesh Shah, Founder, 99 Pancakes

“At 99 Pancakes, we are committed to redefining the QSR dining experience & we are hopeful about the Union Budget 2025 to address key grown enablers for our F&B Industry. This sector has been brawling with inflating operational & input costs. With a reduction in GST on dining services along with a tax alleviation on sustainability packaging could be of crucial assistance.

Scalability & Market Expansion could be the necessary impact driven from adopting advanced kitchen technologies leading to operational efficiency.

Such robust measures accredit brands like ours to continue striving towards innovation, amplifying customer experience & contributing to our country’s economic momentum.”

MP Ahammed, Chairman, Malabar Group

”The demand for jewellery has strengthened after the gold import duty cut in the Union Budget 2024. Therefore, in the first full budget of NDA 3.0, the jewellery industry expects policy continuity to boost consumer demand for jewellery, thus generating more employment and playing a pivotal role in the economic growth. To boost demand for precious jewellery, the budget needs to propose tax relief measures to boost disposable income and consumption. Some strategic measures to control inflation impact on consumption are also welcome.

In addition, the budget needs to propose measures to make the gold monetisation scheme more attractive to the people. This way, more idle household gold will be mobilised, resulting in reduced gold import bill and decreased current account deficit. The government may propose measures to revise the existing gold monetisation scheme to facilitate participation of recognized and reputed retail jewellers. The budget should also announce measures to curb unaccounted business in the retail jewellery sector.

The budget should also continue with the capital expenditure on infrastructure development so that the organised jewellery retail segment can further enhance its market penetration and discover new demand centres.”

Radhika Koolwal, Co-Founder (Urban Space)

“As we approach the Union Budget 2025, the home decor industry is optimistic about measures that can bolster growth and innovation in the sector. We hope for policies that incentivize domestic manufacturing, such as subsidies on raw materials and machinery, along with tax breaks for MSMEs and startups. A reduction in GST rates on home furnishings and decor items would be a significant step toward making quality products more accessible to the growing middle class.

Additionally, we expect initiatives that encourage sustainable practices, such as tax benefits for brands adopting eco-friendly production processes and using sustainable materials. Expanding financial support for digital infrastructure and e-commerce platforms will further empower businesses like Urban Space to enhance customer experiences and reach underserved markets.

Investments in infrastructure, urban housing development, and affordable housing schemes will also be instrumental in spurring demand for home decor. Moreover, we look forward to enhanced export incentives, which can help Indian brands compete globally and showcase our designs on the international stage.”

Pushpamitra Das, Founder & Director, JUSTO

According to Pushpamitra Das, Founder & Director, JUSTO, India’s real estate sector plays a crucial role in driving economic growth, contributing significantly to GDP and employment. As the 2025 Union Budget approaches, the industry and stakeholders anticipate measures that could drive growth, address challenges, and ensure sustainability.

 · Enhanced affordable housing focus through increased PMAY allocation and tax incentives
· Infrastructure status for real estate sector to enable easier financing
· Potential GST rationalization for under-construction properties for commercial and residential segment
· Higher tax deductions on home loan interest
· Provide tax benefits to Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) to encourage retail and institutional participation, boosting commercial real estate.
· Reforms in land acquisition policies and single-window clearance system
· Increased focus on rental housing through tax benefits for both owners and tenants and co living assets
· Extension of SEZ benefits to boost commercial real estate
· Green building incentives through additional tax benefits

 A balanced and forward-looking budget can unlock the sector’s true potential while aligning it with the nation’s broader economic goals.

Mr. Umesh Revankar, Executive Vice Chairman, Shriram Finance Limited

“We anticipate that the upcoming Union Budget will prioritize infrastructure spending, which will significantly benefit our lending segments, particularly small businesses, contractors, and transporters. This focus on infrastructure is expected to lead to a surge in demand for steel, cement, and other materials, further driving demand in vehicle finance and other sectors reliant on bulk materials. This will not only boost economic activity but also create substantial employment opportunities, especially in semi-urban and rural areas. We foresee new vehicle sales growth in Q4 to be in double digits year-on-year, as we expect government spending on infrastructure to be much higher than previous quarters.”