Category Archives: News

Guwahati to host direct selling industry leaders and policym­akers at IDSA Northe­ast Direct Selling Expo on January 21st

January 16, 2025, Guwahati is set to become the epicenter of discussions and innovations in the direct selling indust­ry on January 21, 20­25, as eminent gover­nment dignitaries, top industry leaders, policymakers, acade­mics, and social act­ivists converge he­re for the 2nd Editi­on of IDSA Northeast Direct Selling Conf­erence and Expo.

The event, being organized by the Indi­an Direct Selling As­sociation (IDSA), wi­ll witness brainstor­ming on crucial topi­cs such as industry growth, regulatory frameworks, consumer awareness, reforms, policy advocacy, and empowerment of women and youth through direct selling opp­ortunities.

The IDSA, in a pre­ss release issued he­re today, said the event will feature a grand exhibition sho­wcasing products, se­rvices, and innovati­ons from IDSA member companies. Other key attractions include recognition of wom­en entrepreneurs for their achievements in the Northeast region to celebrate entrepreneurial succe­ss and interactive sessions with direct selling entrepreneurs and students of co­lleges and universit­ies. The Expo will further witness a uni­que showcase of Nort­heast culture and In­novation sin the dir­ect selling indust­ry through a product ramp walk by models adorned in northeast attire, it added.

The release highli­ghted India’s direct selling industry’s robust growth, with a market size exceed­ing ₹21,282 crore, ranking 11th globally. The sector demonst­rated a 12% growth rate in 2022–23 and boasts a compound ann­ual growth rate (CAG­R) of over 8%. It has provided self-em­ployment and micro-e­ntrepreneurship oppo­rtunities to over 86 lakh individuals, including 32 lakh wom­en, emphasizing its role in socio-econom­ic transformation.

The release unders­cores that the North­east, with a market share of 8.7%, contr­ibutes over ₹1,800 crore to the national turnover while prov­iding self-income op­portunities to over 4.2 lakh direct sell­ers in the region. Assam, being the 9th largest direct sell­ing market in the country, leads with ₹1,009 crore in sales and a 4.7% market share, supported by over 2.4 lakh direct sellers. The contri­bution of the other seven northeastern states includes Manip­ur (Rs 288 cr.), Nag­aland (Rs 227 cr.), Mizoram (Rs 156 cr.), Arunachal Pradesh (Rs 78 cr.), Tripu­ra (Rs 72 cr.), Megh­alaya (Rs 19 cr.), and Sikkim (Rs 5 cr.). The industry contr­ibutes over ₹270 cro­re annually to the region’s state excheq­uer, reinforcing its role in the Northea­st’s development.

IDSA is of the str­ong view that the 20­25 Northeast Direct Selling Expo is expe­cted to serve as a platform for fostering growth, innovation, and collaboration, further solidifying the Northeast’s piv­otal role in India’s direct selling sect­or.

Rosmerta Technologies Secures Tender to Establish 21 Automated Testing Stations a Maharashtra in five years

Mumbai, 17th January 2025 – Rosmerta Technologies, a leader in mobility solutions, has secured a tender worth INR 400 crore to set up 21 Automated Testing Stations (ATS) across Maharashtra, solidifying its position as a pioneer in road safety innovations. This landmark project aligns with the Government of India’s commitment to ensuring road safety through technology-driven solutions. The tender entails that these stations will come up in the state over the next five years.

India’s vehicular population has grown significantly, reaching 354 million by 2022, according to MoRTH. In 2023-24 alone, 28.4 million vehicles were produced, contributing 6.8% to India’s GDP and 40% to manufacturing GDP. Despite this growth, India also reports 1.5–1.6 lakh annual road fatalities, highlighting the urgent need for enhanced vehicular safety measures. In response, the government introduced Chapter XI in the Central Motor Vehicle Rules (CMVR) to mandate the establishment of ATS nationwide, requiring significant investments to standardize and automate roadworthiness testing.

Rosmerta’s scope of work under this tender includes constructing and operating the ATS centers to provide efficient, reliable, and automated testing for public service vehicles. This builds upon Rosmerta’s successful implementation and ongoing operation of 10 pilot I&C centers initiated by MoRTH. Rosmerta also executed three centers in Karnataka and has tested over half a million vehicles nationwide. The Maharashtra project represents a significant step forward, with plans to operationalize all 21 centers within a year under the supervision of the State Transport Department.

Mr. Kartick Nagpal, President of Rosmerta Technologies, commented, “At Rosmerta, we view safety as the foundation of sustainable mobility. Winning this tender is a significant step toward realizing our vision of a safer transportation network across India. By leveraging cutting-edge technology in Automated Testing Stations, we aim to provide vehicle owners and operators with the assurance of compliance, while helping the nation tackle the pressing challenge of road safety with greater efficiency and accountability.”

This initiative highlights the necessity of government-led financial assistance, akin to the PLI scheme, to expedite the nationwide rollout of ATS infrastructure. It also underscores the importance of a standardized model across states to ensure the authenticity and reliability of testing processes, preventing fraudulent practices seen in some manual systems.

As Maharashtra leads the way with an organized approach to ATS deployment, Rosmerta continues to champion technology-driven solutions for safer, smarter roads. This project is a testament to the company’s enduring partnership with the government and its unwavering focus on building a sustainable and secure future for India’s transportation sector.

In addition to the ATS rollout, Rosmerta will showcase a live demo of the automated testing station at the Bharat Mobility Exhibition from January 17-22, 2025, offering a glimpse into the future of technology-enabled road safety initiatives.

Prime Video Releases First-Look Images for Invincible Season Three

Mumbai – January 17 – Prime Video is thrilled to share first look images from the highly anticipated Season Three of Invincible. The craziest and bloodiest season yet introduces a new supervillain in Powerplex. The first three episodes of the critically acclaimed adult-animated superhero series, co-produced by Skybound Entertainment and Amazon MGM Studios, will be available to stream exclusively on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories beginning on Thursday, February 6, 2025, with additional episodic drops every Thursday through March 13.

The first two seasons of the animated series received “Certified Fresh” rankings on Rotten Tomatoes and was awarded Rotten Tomatoes’ Golden Tomato Award for Best Animated Series in 2023.

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.