Category Archives: News

The spirit of ‘Me to We’ is the very soul of India: Prime Minister

Ghaziabad/NCR June 21, 2025: On the occasion of International Yoga Day 2025, the Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI), in collaboration with Yashoda Medicity and with the support of the Ministry of Ayush, Government of India, organised a grand yoga session under the banner “Yoga Sangam” at Yashoda Medicity, Indirapuram.

The session commenced with the live broadcast of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s address and yoga session, which was joined by millions from across the globe. Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister said, “After 11 years, we are witnessing people doing yoga even in space. Be it the steps of the Opera House or the heights of Mount Everest, one message echoes everywhere: yoga is for all and belongs to all. Yoga transcends boundaries, age, and ability.”

He further added, “This spirit of public participation is the foundation of a developed India. When citizens take ownership of a movement, set their own goals, no force can stop them from achieving success. The will and effort of the people are visible everywhere.

The idea of ‘Me to We’ is the soul of India. When an individual rises above self-interest to think of society, that is when the welfare of humanity becomes possible. Indian culture teaches us ‘Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah’. This journey from ‘me to We’ is the essence of service, dedication, and co-existence. Such a mindset promotes social harmony.”

At Yashoda Medicity, around 500 participants attentively followed the Prime Minister’s lead, performing asanas and breathing exercises together. This was followed by a Common Yoga Protocol session conducted by certified trainers.

Aligned with this year’s theme, “Yoga for One Earth, One Health,” the event witnessed large-scale participation at Yashoda Medicity. Citizens turned out in impressive numbers for the early morning session, demonstrating their commitment to health and conscious living. Among the dignitaries present at the event were Prof. R.M. Acharya, from Swami Vivekananda Yoga University, and Shri. Mahendra Nath Pandey, Former Minister of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises of India, who graced the occasion with their presence.

Dr. Upasana Arora, Managing Director of Yashoda Group of Hospitals, said, “Yoga is a powerful way to support mental well-being. It helps reduce stress and brings a sense of calm and balance. It was heartening to see so many participants, from our doctors and staff to residents from nearby societies, and passionate yoga enthusiasts, come together at Yashoda Medicity for this meaningful session. The collective energy and intent with which everyone participated truly reflected how deeply people value preventive care and mindful living.”

Mr. Jaison Chacko, Secretary General, FHRAI, added,“It was an honour to be part of Yoga Sangam 2025. Yoga today is a symbol of India’s cultural leadership and commitment to global wellness. We are grateful to the Ministry of Ayush  for making this event possible. The enthusiastic response from Ghaziabad reflects the growing public awareness around health, harmony, and sustainability.”

Suzlon Powers Ahead with Third Successive 170.1 MW Order from AMPIN Energy Transition

India: In a major boost to India’s clean energy ambitions, two of the country’s leading Make in India champions—Suzlon Group and AMPIN Energy Transition—have come together once again to fast-track the nation’s transition to a low-carbon economy by decarbonizing DISCOMs. Suzlon has secured its third successive order from AMPIN for a 170.1 MW project to be developed in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh.

This continued collaboration reflects a shared vision to enable Indian industry to transition towards a cleaner, more self-reliant energy future, driven by locally manufactured renewable energy solutions. Together, Suzlon and AMPIN are playing a pivotal role in making green power both accessible and affordable for Indian businesses.

As part of the contract, Suzlon will supply 54 of its advanced S144 wind turbine generators (WTGs) with Hybrid Lattice Towers (HLT), each with a rated capacity of 3.15 MW. The scope includes full project execution — from equipment supply and installation to commissioning and long-term operations and maintenance services.

JP Chalasani, Chief Executive Officer, Suzlon Group, stated, “India’s decarbonization journey will be won or lost at the distribution level. DISCOMs are the critical link between renewable energy generation and everyday consumption—from industries to households. To empower them with reliable, cost-efficient clean power is not just a goal—it’s a national imperative. Together, we’re proving that clean energy isn’t just viable—it’s vital, scalable, and transformative for the power sector.”

Vivek Srivastava, Chief Executive Officer, India Business, Suzlon Group, added, “Three orders from AMPIN reflect the power of shared mission. Together; we’re committed to a self-reliant, affordable and sustainable energy future by blending innovation, local manufacturing, and deep sectoral expertise in promoting decarbonization of India’s power distribution infrastructure.”

Pinaki Bhattacharyya, Founder, Managing Director & CEO, AMPIN Energy Transition Limited, said, “Our continued partnership with Suzlon reflects our confidence in their deep expertise in wind energy and their alignment with India’s self-reliance goals through local manufacturing. This project is a strategic step forward in AMPIN’s journey toward a 25 GW renewable energy portfolio by 2030, reinforcing our commitment to delivering clean, dependable power to India’s growing Commercial and Industrial sector.”

Compass Group India’s New Central Kitchen in Gurgaon Sets New Standard in Scale, Speed and Sustainability

20^th June, 2025: Compass Group India, the market leading food and facility management services provider, announces the launch of another one of its state-of-the-art Central kitchen in Gurgaon. Spanning an impressive 30,000 sq. ft., this culinary hub is designed to operate at scale, powered by technology and guided by sustainability, a kitchen that truly never sleeps.

Strategically located to serve the dynamic demands of Gurgaon, the new CPU has a production capacity of over 40,000 meals per day, making it one of the largest and most efficient of its kind in India. Equipped with five dedicated docks for high speed dispatch of vehicles, it ensures speed, precision, and freshness in food delivery across corporate, healthcare, education, and industrial sectors.

“This facility marks a defining moment in our journey to reshape India’s food services landscape with meals that are deliciously nutritious and purposefully served. We have established an operation of extraordinary scale and precision, one that harnesses advanced culinary technologies while preserving the essence of quality that our clients depend on. The integration of artificial intelligence, automation, and sustainable practices positions us at the forefront of industry transformation. This is not merely expansion; it is a strategic evolution. I am confident this facility will serve as the cornerstone for our continued leadership in the market,” said Vikas Chawla, Managing Director & CEO, Compass Group India.

Innovation is at the core of this new facility. From AI-powered ‘Compass Eye’ systems that monitor operational efficiencies in real time to advanced food automation and smart bakery systems, every corner of this kitchen is engineered for excellence. The facility uses Piped Natural Gas with a standby LOT system for uninterrupted cooking. Its intelligent electrical backbone includes PLC-based control panels with auto changeover features for seamless operations.

Sustainability has been woven into every aspect of the CPU’s design. A 135-kW rooftop solar plant generates up to 30% of the unit’s daily power requirement, while a 100 KLD water treatment plant and rainwater harvesting system ensure responsible water usage. The centralised HVAC system with VRF and energy-efficient plug fans, along with RO & UV water filtration, further reduces environmental impact without compromising on performance.

This is more than just a kitchen – it’s a people-first space designed to foster well-being, learning community. The CPU houses a dedicated training zone to continuously upskill culinary talent, a ladies’ lounge, and a spacious community dining area. Employees can also enjoy an in-house badminton court, an innovative approach to workplace wellness.

Safety and hygiene are paramount, with over 100 smart CCTVs, centralised hot water systems, a hydro-pneumatic water distribution network, and best-in-class fire protection protocols ensuring a secure, sanitised environment at all times. The launch of this CPU marks a bold step forward in redefining food production for Compass Group India. It reflects the brand’s deep-rooted dedication to smart innovation, sustainable practices, and compassionate service, bringing to life the true spirit of the Compass Way.

JioStar takes TATA IPL 2025 to a Billion Viewers

Chandigarh, June 19, 2025: JioStar, the official broadcast and streaming partner for TATA IPL 2025, shattered multiple records and delivered a landmark event, reaching an unprecedented one billion viewers across TV and digital. The highly anticipated 18^th edition, which witnessed the spirited rise of ‘Generation Bold’ alongside the iconic ‘Generation Gold,’ recorded the highest-ever cumulative watch-time of over 840 billion minutes.

JioHotstar, the league’s digital home, set new benchmarks with over 23.1 billion views and 384.6 billion minutes of watch-time, reflecting a 29% year-on-year surge in digital viewing. This momentum was driven by a sharp rise in Connected TV (CTV) consumption, which alone grew by 49%, underscoring the growth of large-screen digital viewing in India, in parallel with the existing penetration of linear large-screens.

On linear television, the league set a new benchmark for live broadcast viewership, with Star Sports powering 456 billion minutes of watch-time and recording the highest average TVR (rating) across the viewing universe and key demographics on the network.

The TATA IPL 2025 Final amassed an unprecedented 31.7 billion minutes of watch-time across JioStar’s platforms (Star Sports and JioHotstar), making it the most-watched match in the history of T20 Cricket. Across linear and digital platforms, the final set new benchmarks in the history of T20 Cricket. On TV, powered by Star Sports, it registered the highest ever reach for a T20 match at 169 million viewers and watch-time at 15 billion minutes. On JioHotstar, the match rewrote digital history, emerging as the biggest T20 match ever with 892 million video views, 55 million peak concurrency, and 16.74 billion minutes of watch-time.

This season will be remembered as one of the most iconic in the league’s history, with Royal Challengers Bengaluru lifting the trophy among the many firsts which included Virat Kohli finally clinching an IPL title and 14-year old Vaibhav Suryavanshi becoming the youngest centurion at this level. It will also be remembered for firsts in viewing experiences offered on JioStar’s platforms including MaxView 2.0 – the native mobile experience now enriched with intuitive “swipe” navigation for clips, dedicated FAST channels serving key fan tribes, voice-based video search and VOD content in 12 Indian languages.

Sanjog Gupta, CEO – Sports and Live Experiences, JioStar, said, “The incredible viewership numbers are reinforcement of our belief in the commitment to serve fans and the potential for growth of even a scaled property like the TATA IPL.”

“We had a two-pronged approach this season. We wanted to widen the consideration for the tournament experience, by focusing on key viewer cohorts which had a light-touch relationship with IPL while also offering a deep, navigable consumer journey to grow engagement with committed fans. From non-viewers and fringe viewers co-viewing the IPL to deeply immersed fanatics, JioStar offered customized offerings for a wide spectrum of distinct cohorts defined by age, consumption profile and region. From the invite and proposition to the broadcast, we were committed to delivering hyper-personalized experiences that are inclusive, intuitive, interactive, and immersive. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the fans, whose passion and love for the game inspires us. We would also thank BCCI and our partners, whose support is critical in our endeavor to constantly raise the bar on industry-defining experiences we offer on our platforms,” he added.

The season also opened strong, with the first weekend (three matches) clocking 49.56 billion minutes of watch-time across platforms, which is an all-time IPL record.

TATA IPL 2025 raked in record viewership and engagement despite suspension of the league mid-season, reaffirming the core thought behind the season – ‘Yahaan Sab Possible Hai’.

JioStar delivered an unmatched presentation of the world’s biggest T20 league, with over 25 feeds in 12 languages across TV and digital. The coverage came alive through 170+ experts, including former TATA IPL champions, Indian and international cricket legends, and some of the most trusted voices in the game. Live match action was further enriched by a compelling line-up of content building into Season 18, featuring interviews with league icons, team owners, commentators, and former mentors.

The presentation was made more inclusive and immersive and engaging for fans with options and experiences such as 4K with Dolby Atmos audio, VR 360 Live, Live Audio Descriptive, Indian Sign Language, and a Multi-Cam feed among other features. Engagement for core fans was bolstered via enhanced interactivity features such as popular free-to-play contest, Jeeto Dhan Dhana Dhan.

With another benchmark season of the TATA IPL successfully completed, JioStar will now bring India’s tour of England to fans as Shubman Gill’s ‘generation bold’ prepares to take on Ben Stokes’ ‘ruthless Bazball’, live on JioHotstar from June 20.

NTPC Hands Over Five Hydrogen Fuel Cell Buses to Leh Administration

Boosting its decarbonization efforts, NTPC Limited, India’s largest integrated power utility, handed over 05 Hydrogen fuel cell buses to SIDCO (Sindhu Infrastructure Development Corporation, a wholly owned corporation of Leh Administration) for operation and use on 18th June 2025.

This initiative marks India’s first commercial deployment of hydrogen fuel buses and sets a global benchmark for green mobility by operating at the highest altitude in the world.

Last November, NTPC launched world’s first hydrogen fueling station and first-of-its kind Green Hydrogen Mobility Station in Leh. The station at an altitude of 11,562 ft is co-located with dedicated Solar plant of 1.7 MW for providing renewable power for its entire operational requirements.

The hydrogen fuel is dispensed at 350 bar (India’s first high pressure hydrogen dispensation system) in 05 fuel cell buses, designed for operation in sub-zero temperature in rarefied atmosphere, typical to such altitude locations. The hydrogen mobility project shall mitigate the carbon emissions of approx. 350 MT/year and contribute 230 MT/year of pure oxygen into the atmosphere equivalent to 13000 tree plantations.

The buses were handed over in the esteemed presence of Shri Bhupesh Chowdhry, IAS, MD (SIDCO) & Secretary Transport, Shri K K Hota, GM & CEO (NUGEL) and other senior officials from NTPC and Leh Administration. Dr Pawan Kotwal, IAS, Chief Secretary, UT of Ladakh congratulated NTPC for setting up Nation’s First Hydrogen Mobility Project at Leh.

The Chief Secretary, UT of Ladakh appreciated the innovative technology and efforts of NTPC and requested to accelerate the adoption of hydrogen applications for achieving Carbon Neutral Ladakh. He also advised to document the precious learnings and findings from the project for insights in execution of similar projects in Ladakh.

NTPC Ltd. is India’s largest integrated power utility, contributing one-fourth of the India’s power requirements and has an installed capacity of over 81 GW, with an additional capacity of 29.5 GW under construction, including 9.6 GW of renewable energy capacity. The company is committed to achieving 60 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2032. With a diverse portfolio of thermal, hydro, solar, and wind power plants, NTPC is dedicated to delivering reliable, affordable, and sustainable electricity to the nation. The company is committed to adopting the best practices, fostering innovation, and embracing clean energy technologies for a greener future.

Gadkari Receives Collector’s Edition Books on Parrot Conservation, Gandhi’s Legacy from Ultra Media Founder

Union Minister Shri Nitin Gadkari was presented Collector’s Edition books on Parrot Conservation and Gandhi’s Legacy by Shri Sushilkumar Agrawal Founder Ultra Media and Mintage World

National, 19 June 2025: Shri Sushilkumar Agrawal, the Visionary CEO of Mintage World, Founder of Ultra Media and Entertainment Group, Author and a life member of the Bombay Natural History Society recently met and presented Shri Nitin Gadkari, Minister of Road Transport & Highways, with exclusive Coffee table books from Mintage World titled Endangered Parrots of the World on Stamps, Coins & Banknotes and Global Collectibles of Mahatma Gandhi through Stamps, Coins and Banknotes. “Mintage World”, is world’s first online museum dedicated to vintage and modern coins, stamps, and currency notes, promoting numismatics and philately in younger generation.

Shri Nitin Gadkari was genuinely intrigued by the concept and engaged in a detailed conversation about the countries represented in the parrot collectibles. When he asked why the book focuses exclusively on parrots, the author explained it’s just the beginning — future editions featuring other bird species are already in the pipeline. Shri Nitin Gadkari also mentioned the Mumbai roadside bird park project — a publicly announced initiative by the government, which resonates well with the book’s theme of conserving and appreciating birds. He recognized the potential synergy between the park and such collectible editions in spreading awareness about conserving endangered species and their habitats.

Endangered Parrots of the World” is being launched to celebrate the captivating beauty of these Colorful Parrots from all over the Globe. This Collectible is a unique & a rare Compilation of the various legal Coins, Stamps & Bank Notes issued by various Countries globally on the threatened & endangered species of Parrots worldwide.

It compiles, chronicles, and combines all the legal stamps, coins, and banknotes issued on threatened and endangered parrots, along with their historical and geographical importance globally. It brings to light the various serious issues faced by these adorable pets & the challenges being faced for their sustenance & conservation.

This coffee table book is a well-researched collection that was initiated by identifying endangered parrot species worldwide & determining the scope of data collection, including the period, geographic region, and types of collection. Mintage World engaged with collector communities, online forums & social media groups to source rare and unique information. They also partnered with conservation organizations to ensure the accuracy and relevance of the collection. Additionally, they collaborated with organizations specializing in stamps, coins, and banknotes to access their expertise and resources. Furthermore, Mintage World also teamed up with  Bombay Natural History Society(BNHS), one of the largest non-governmental organisations in India, engaged in conservation and biodiversity research & took their support in research & statistics.

“Global Collectibles of Mahatma Gandhi through Bank Notes, Coins & Stamps” is the only book in the world which showcases & explains the various Stamps, Coins & Notes issued by 144 countries around the world on Gandhiji from 15th August 1948 .  This Compilation Chronicles & combines in a sequential order along with its historical importance of all the commemorative issues printed and legally minted by different countries and post offices around the world to honour Mahatma Gandhi. Each Coin & Stamp issued in India & Globally on Mahatma Gandhi portrays a significant historical journey of him & India. Starting from the 1st Stamp issued with his figurine on India’s first Independence Day in 1948 to the 50th & 75th anniversary of Indian independence. It also showcases the 75th anniversary of Gandhi’s Dandi March & The Non Violent moment. Also collections on more than 40 countries joining hands to celebrate Gandhi’s glorious legacy of 100 & 150 years & many more

“The Godfather of Metals” Meets “The Godfather of Cinema” – Anil Agarwal’s Full-Circle Moment with Francis Ford Coppola

Chandigarh, June 18, 2025: Vedanta Group Chairman Anil Agarwal recently met iconic filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola in London, marking a personal milestone decades in the making. The two spoke about India, storytelling, Sanskrit, and the timeless influence of cinema. What caught everyone by surprise? Francis Ford Coppola wants to learn Sanskrit — a rare cultural connection between two masters of their craft.

In a social post that has since gone viral, Mr. Agarwal reflected on how The Godfather shaped his early years. “I was around 20 when The Godfather released. A boy from Bihar, new to Bombay, I didn’t know English then. A friend got hold of the film, and 9–10 of us crowded into a small room to watch it on VHS,” he wrote. “We didn’t understand every word, but we felt every scene.”

That first encounter turned into a lifelong influence. “’I’ll make him an offer he can’t refuse’ — a line I once didn’t understand, now one I live by,” he added.

Decades later, from that crowded Bombay room to Riverside Studios in London, Mr. Agarwal’s journey with The Godfather came full circle — culminating in a one-on-one conversation with the man behind the film.

He recalled a line that stayed with him through the years, “Great men are not born great, they grow great.” A line, he says, that mirrors his own journey.

“Koi bhi ek din mein bada nahi banta. Mehnat, niyat aur waqt — yeh teen cheezein sahi ho, toh kuch bhi mumkin hai.”

The meeting was a celebration of cinema’s ability to inspire across generations and geographies. Mr. Coppola’s work not only reached a small-town boy in India, but accompanied him on his journey — from the bylanes of Bihar to the global stage.

When The Godfather became his guru — Anil Agarwal met the man whose art unknowingly shaped his journey.

Cloud for a Cause: VergeCloud Powers Sri Sathya Annapoorna Trust’s Digital Infrastructure

18th, June 2025: VergeCloud, a burgeoning edge-cloud solutions provider, has extended lifetime access to its core digital infrastructure services to Sri Sathya Sai Annapoorna Trust and SaiSure Nutritions LLP. This CSR initiative includes VergeCloud’s Professional CDN, advanced DDoS protection, and Web Application Firewall (WAF) services. The goal is to enhance security, performance, and uptime for the NGOs’ digital platforms, which serve as vital connection points for donors, corporate partners, and government stakeholders.

Commenting on the initiative, Amin Habibi, COO and Co – Founder at VergeCloud, said, “This partnership reflects VergeCloud’s commitment to supporting India’s social backbone. NGOs like Sri Sathya Sai Annapoorna Trust are delivering real change at the grassroots. We believe that safeguarding their digital operations is as important as the physical work they do on the ground. Our CDN and security tools are designed to help them scale their efforts without fear of cyber threats or performance issues. We are honored to be a catalyst to the NGO’s mission.”

“Partnering with VergeCloud has been incredibly beneficial. As a non-profit serving morning nutrition to school children across rural hinterlands of India, using VergeCloud’s CDN and edge infrastructure has significantly reduced our digital media downtime alongside our content load time. VergeCloud’s real-time monitoring tools and AI-based DDoS protection have provided our tech team with the required tools to monitor and secure the incoming traffic. With their unwavering support, we, as an NGO, can scale up till our vision of ‘Let no child go to school hungry ever’ is fulfilled,” added Vibhavari K, National Manager – IT Communications, Sri Sathya Sai Annapoorna Trust.

With this initiative, VergeCloud continues its mission to empower changemakers by delivering secure, scalable, and future-ready cloud solutions that can help nonprofits grow their reach and resilience.

Sri Sathya Sai Annapoorna Trust plays a pivotal role in combating child hunger in India, serving nutritious morning meals to over 10 million school-going children across 25 states and 4 union territories. As the NGO continues to expand its footprint, having a resilient and secure digital backbone has become critical to managing scale and sustaining its impact.

Times Black ICICI Bank Credit Card Unveils Surreal New Ad Film, Narrating the Origin of Extraordinary

New Delhi, 16th June, 2025: Since its grand launch at the historic Gateway of India in December, the Times Black ICICI Bank Credit Card has made a remarkable impact on the industry. Following its meteoric rise, the brand has now launched a short film that narrates the origin story of the card. Designed to cater to the needs of its discerning members, Times Black ICICI Bank Credit Card, powered by Visa, is forged to introduce a ‘new you’.

The visually stunning brand film takes viewers on a surreal journey through dreamlike landscapes and transformative moments, embodying the visionary concept behind the Times Black ICICI Bank Credit Card. It beautifully narrates the card’s origin story, emphasizing its unique position as a premium offering designed for those who seek the exceptional.

“Born from the powerful convergence of The Times of India Group’s legacy of trust and influence with ICICI Bank’s unwavering banking heritage, the Times Black ICICI Bank Credit Card is rapidly establishing itself as a legacy of distinction in the world of premium banking. The film subtly highlights this powerful synergy, underscoring the card’s foundation of heritage and innovation.” said Harshita Singh, Business Head – Times Black ICICI Bank Credit Card.

This informative film is an elegant, self-explanatory piece designed to articulate the core proposition of Times Black. This multifaceted video clearly defines what the Times Black ICICI Bank Credit Card is, what it offers, and what it truly means to own one. Beyond enhancing brand perception, the film is intended to serve as a powerful communication tool, helping audiences understand the card’s unique positioning and aspirational value with clarity and conviction.

Ramakrishnan Gopalan, Head – Products & Solutions, India & South Asia, Visa, added, “Today, true luxury is not just in premium materials or exclusive access; it’s about creating meaningful moments that elevate everyday experiences. Visa is proud to be the partner of choice powering the Times Black ICICI Bank Credit Card with our worldwide reach and superior global standards of security and excellence. This co-created film captures the very essence of what the card stands for – convenience, curated experiences and the consumer at its center.”

This film represents a joint commitment to redefining what premium means in the fintech space: a seamless blend of heritage, innovation, and personalization that anticipates our members’ needs before they even arise. We’re not just launching a credit card; we’re crafting a new standard for how discerning individuals engage with their finances and experience the world.

Bajaj Allianz Life Offers Fast-Track Claims Support After Ahmedabad Tragedy

Chandigarh, June 16, 2025: Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance, one of India’s leading private life insurance providers, expresses its deepest condolences to the families affected by the tragic aircraft crash in Meghani Nagar area of Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025. In response to this unfortunate incident, the Company has activated special measures to assist families of its policyholders affected by the crash.

Understanding the immense challenges faced by the affected lives assured’s families during this difficult time, Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance has established a dedicated special claims settlement desk to prioritize the processing of death and disability claims for its customers impacted due to this tragedy. With utmost urgency, an expeditious process has been established to swiftly settle these policy claims.

To simplify the process, Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance has listed a minimal documentation process that nominees, legal heirs or policyholders need to submit to process their claims. In case the Death Certificate is not immediately available, a certificate issued by the municipal authority or hospital will also be accepted to initiate the claim process along with nominee KYC and bank mandate. Claims can be notified, and details can be submitted through any of the following convenient modes: