Category Archives: News

Embark on a Flavor-Packed Anime Quest at Miyuki’s Otaku Kai

Miyuki, the Japanese Teppanyaki specialty restaurant at DoubleTree by Hilton Pune-Chinchwad, brings a vibrant twist to traditional Japanese dining with Otaku Kai – A Culinary Journey Through Your Favorite Anime, happening from April 14th to 30th. “Otaku” – meaning anime fans, and “Kai” – a gathering, sets the tone for this unique food festival that merges beloved anime worlds with authentic Japanese flavors. Whether you’re an anime enthusiast, a foodie, or both, this festival promises a nostalgic yet fresh experience for your palate.

Guests can indulge in an exciting menu inspired by iconic dishes seen in popular anime series. Start with the Onigiri Trio, crispy Takoyaki Delight, or Gyoza. Slurp your way through soulful noodle bowls like Ichiraku Miso Ramen, Spicy Mapo Tofu Ramen from Shokugeki no Soma, or Ghibli’s Chicken Ramen. For those who crave hearty comfort, the Japanese Curry Rice, and Omurice offer warm, familiar flavors. Wrap up with whimsical desserts like the Chocolate Cornet or the silky Tofu Cheesecake with pineapple vanilla ice cream!

So, gather your fellow anime enthusiasts and step into this limited-time celebration of flavor, fandom, and fun at Miyuki, DoubleTree by Hilton Pune-Chinchwad.

STAR Rice Unveils Sealed Purity in New Kitchen-Ready Packaging

National, 23rd April 2025: Ghodawat Consumer Ltd. (GCL), the FMCG arm of the Sanjay Ghodawat Group, recently unveiled the new packaging for its STAR Rice range, marking a significant milestone in the company’s journey. While the original STAR Rice packaging remains in the market, this newly designed pack offers consumers more choice in how they experience one of their daily essentials. What sets it apart is what’s inside the pack as much as the packaging itself. Using advanced Swiss technology, the grains are sorted by size, shape, and texture through a fully automated, contactless system ensuring quality, hygiene, and consistency in every bite. This modern process eliminates human touch and prevents adulteration, setting a new benchmark for how daily staples should be handled.

Salloni Ghodawat, CEO, Ghodawat Consumer Ltd., stated, “For generations, rice has been the backbone of Indian meals that was purchased in open sacks from local stores. While familiar, this practice came with hidden risks: exposure to dust, insects, rodents, and adulteration. But in an era where health and hygiene matter more than ever, packed rice is no longer a luxury, it’s a smarter and safer choice. Our focus has always been on delivering staples that people can rely on. This new packaging, it’s about reimagining how a daily product like rice reaches households with more care, more clarity, and more confidence. We believe staples can be simple yet smart, traditional yet future-ready.”

The newly designed 5 kg STAR Rice packs are now available in three popular variants—STAR Jeera Rice, STAR Sona Masoori, and STAR Lachkari Kolam—across Mumbai, Pune, South Maharashtra, and North Karnataka.

Packed rice offers several advantages that go well beyond convenience. It is tamper-proof and ultra-hygienic, processed in clean, controlled environments that safeguard against contamination. The advanced grain-sorting system ensures only the finest grains make it to the final pack, offering purity and authenticity with every serving. Each batch undergoes strict quality checks to maintain consistent taste, texture, and aroma—making it ideal for both everyday meals and festive occasions. Designed with the modern kitchen in mind, packed rice is also easier to store, pour, and trust, bringing simplicity and assurance to daily cooking.

This initiative aligns with GCL’s broader ambition of becoming a leader in the staples segment by combining modern processing with consumer-first thinking. With a growing portfolio across essentials and impulse categories, the company is working towards a ₹5,000 crore topline in the next five years.

India Tops APAC in AI/ML Deals: Zscaler Study

BENGALURU, INDIA – APRIL 23, 2025 – Zscaler, Inc., the leader in cloud security, today announced the release of its ThreatLabz 2025 AI Security Report, which draws on over 536 billion AI transactions analyzed globally on the Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange™ between February and December 2024. The report reveals a staggering 3,465% year-over-year increase in AI/ML transactions showcasing 36x usage over a year. This report also explores recent developments in areas that will undoubtedly influence AI in 2025 and beyond, including agentic AI, the emergence of DeepSeek, and the evolving regulatory landscape.

The report reveals a 3,000+% year-over-year growth in enterprise use of AI/ML tools, highlighting the rapid adoption of AI technologies across industries to unlock new levels of productivity, efficiency, and innovation. Enterprises are sending significant volumes of data to AI tools, totaling 3,624 TB, underscoring the extent to which these technologies are integrated into operations. However, this surge in adoption also brings heightened security concerns.

Enterprises blocked 59.9% of all AI/ML transactions, signaling enterprise awareness around the potential risks associated with AI/ML tools, including data leakage, unauthorized access, and compliance violations. Threat actors are also increasingly leveraging AI to amplify the sophistication, speed, and impact of attacks—forcing enterprises to rethink their security strategies.

“As AI transforms industries, it also creates new and unforeseen security challenges,” said Deepen Desai, Chief Security Officer at Zscaler. “Data is the gold for AI innovation, but it must be handled securely. The Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange platform, powered by AI with over 500 trillion daily signals, provides real-time insights into threats, data, and access patterns—ensuring organizations can harness AI’s transformative capabilities while mitigating its risks. Zero Trust Everywhere is the key to staying ahead in the rapidly evolving threat landscape as cybercriminals look to leverage AI in scaling their attacks.”

Key Insights from the ThreatLabz 2025 AI Security Report

India leads in APAC, ranks second globally

India emerged as the second-highest contributor to global enterprise AI/ML traffic, trailing only the United States. Within the APAC region, India was the highest, accounting for 36.4% of all AI/ML transactions — more than double Japan’s share of 15.2% and nearly triple that of Australia (13.6%). The rest of APAC, including the Philippines (6.5%), Singapore (5.6%), and New Zealand (4.6%), collectively accounted for less than 20%.

ChatGPT Dominates AI/ML Transactions, But Security Concerns Remain

ChatGPT emerged as the most widely used AI/ML application, driving 45.2% of identified global AI/ML transactions in the Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange. However, it was also the most-blocked tool due to enterprises’ growing concerns over sensitive data exposure and unsanctioned use. Other most-blocked applications include Grammarly, Microsoft Copilot, QuillBot, and Wordtune, showing broad usage patterns for AI-enhanced content creation and productivity improvements.

DeepSeek and Agentic AI: Innovation Meets Escalating Threats

AI is amplifying cyber risks, with usage of agentic AI and China’s open-source DeepSeek enabling threat actors to scale attacks. So far in 2025, we’ve seen DeepSeek challenge American giants like OpenAI, Anthropic, and Meta, disrupting AI development with strong performance, open access, and low costs. However, such advancements also introduce significant security risks.

Finance & Insurance Lead Enterprise AI Traffic by Industry

The Finance & Insurance sector accounted for 28.4% of all enterprise AI/ML activity, reflecting its widespread adoption, and indicative of the critical functions supported by the industry, such as fraud detection, risk modeling, and customer service automation. Manufacturing was second, accounting for 21.6% of transactions, likely driven by innovations in supply chain optimization and robotics automation. Additional sectors, including Services (18.5%), Technology (10.1%), and Healthcare (9.6%), are also increasing their reliance on AI, while each industry also faces unique security and regulatory challenges posing new risks and possibly impacting the overall rate of adoption.

“India’s rise to the top spot in APAC’s AI/ML adoption underscores a thriving innovation landscape but it also highlights the growing attack surface,” said Suvabrata Sinha, CISO-in-Residence, India at Zscaler. “With GenAI tools becoming integral to everyday workflows, enterprises need real-time visibility, precise controls, and scalable protection. Zscaler’s Zero Trust solutions enable Indian organizations to safeguard users, workloads, and data with policy-driven access rather than outdated network assumptions. Our platform leverages AI to combat AI-driven threats—be it AI-powered attacks, shadow AI, or data leakage delivering predictive breach insights, automated segmentation, and continuous risk assessments. This allows India’s digital leaders to innovate quickly without compromising trust.”

The report also identified how agentic AI and open-source tools such as DeepSeek have unlocked efficiencies and new avenues for threat actors. A surge in AI-powered phishing, fake AI platforms, and deepfake-driven fraud marks a new phase of cyber threats in India and beyond. Malware campaigns like “Flora AI” have already begun exploiting enterprise interest in GenAI by mimicking legitimate AI tools to deliver infostealers.

Methodology

Analysis of 536.5 billion total AI and ML transactions in the Zscaler cloud from February 2024 to December 2024. The Zscaler global security cloud processes over 500 trillion daily signals and blocks 9 billion threats and policy violations per day, delivering over 250,000 daily security updates.

Unlock a Summer of Confidence and Creativity with British Council’s Summer School 2025

Summer holidays are the perfect time for children to explore, create, and grow beyond the classroom. To help young learners make the most of their break, the British Council, UK’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities, is delighted to launch Summer School 2025. This lively, theme-based programme is designed for children aged 6 to 17 and combines learning with creativity and fun.

Held in a friendly, low-pressure classroom setting, Summer School 2025 strikes the ideal balance between developing language skills, nurturing confidence, and encouraging self-expression.

This year’s programme features two dynamic themes:

• Communicating with Clarity – Helping students express themselves confidently in both speech and writing. Lessons focus on articulation, vocabulary building, and the ability to share ideas with precision and flair.
• Engaging with Confidence – Through writing, pitching, and discussion-based tasks, students learn to analyse and present content effectively—skills they can apply both in and out of the classroom.

With age-appropriate tracks tailored to different age groups, children will be supported at every step of their learning journey. By the end of the course, learners will walk away with stronger communication skills and greater confidence that extends far beyond the summer.

AIC T-Hub Semiconductor Program Wins ‘Best Conceived Cohort 2025’ at Startup Mahakumbh

23 April, 2025: T-Hub, one of the world’s leading startup incubators, in collaboration with Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), has been awarded the prestigious “Best Conceived Cohort 2025” for its AIC T-Hub Semiconductor Program at Startup Mahakumbh 2025, held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. The accolade recognizes the program’s strategic depth, robust incubation model, and transformative impact on India’s semiconductor ecosystem.

Launched on October 14, 2022, the AIC T-Hub Semiconductor Program has emerged as a benchmark in deep-tech incubation. It has conducted three cohorts to date, with the third currently in progress. To date, 20 startups have graduated from the program, with 8 more nearing completion, operating in cutting-edge sectors such as automotive and EV, 5G and wireless communications, biomedical devices, data and video analytics, and semiconductor IP design.

These startups are also innovating across key semiconductor sub-sectors, including:

• Fabless design – chip design, verification, and testing
• Chip equipment manufacturing – fabrication and packaging infrastructure
• Chip manufacturing – including microfabs and supporting tech
• Semiconductor materials – such as silicon, germanium, and gallium arsenide
• Tool development – Electronic Design Automation (EDA) solutions

 The program’s robust framework, deep-tech orientation, and tangible outcomes helped it earn top honors at Startup Mahakumbh. Among the program’s measurable achievements are ₹40.29 Cr in grants received, ₹21.48 Cr in investments raised, ₹19.28 Cr in orders secured, 35 pilot projects completed, and 4 chips successfully taped out. The program offers access to Multi Project Wafer (MPW) shuttles for affordable, rapid chip prototyping; EDA tool support for VLSI design and validation platforms; direct interfaces with semiconductor foundries and assembly houses for real-world manufacturing and testing; as well as mentorship from top industry experts, researchers, and global partners. Startups also benefit from structured startup, market, and funding gap analyses; investor demo days; corporate AMA sessions; and roundtable discussions, making it a comprehensive and high-impact incubation experience.

The award was presented in the presence of eminent dignitaries, including Shri Piyush Goyal, Minister of Commerce and Industry; Shri Amardeep Singh Bhatia, Secretary, DPIIT; Shri Sanjiv, Joint Secretary, DPIIT; Shri Amit Kumar, Deputy GM, ECGC; Prashanth Prakash, Founding Partner, Accel India ACT Grants; Sunali Rohra, Senior EVP, HDFC; Sanjeev Bikhchandani, Founder, Info Edge; Aman Gupta, Co-Founder, boAt; Sonam Kapoor Ahuja, Actor-Entrepreneur; Rikant Pittie, CEO, EaseMyTrip; and Archana Jahagirdar, Founder, Rukam Capital. Their presence highlighted the vital role of innovation-led incubation programs in shaping India’s tech future.

Speaking on the recognition, Rajesh Adla, CEO of AIC T-Hub Foundation, said, “Winning the ‘Best Conceived Cohort 2025’ is a proud moment and a strong validation of our deep-tech focus and strategic execution. The AIC T-Hub Semiconductor Cohort was uniquely designed with a deep-tech focus, unlike typical startup programs. It offered access to MPW shuttle services for chip prototyping, EDA tools for VLSI design, and direct interfaces with foundries and assembly houses. The cohort also integrated structured startup and market analyses, expert-led sessions, and strong industry-government partnerships to drive innovation, compliance, and commercialization in the semiconductor space.”

India to Host 2nd Asian Yogasana Championship, Ushering Global Sport Era

New Delhi, April 23, 2025: The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India, in collaboration with the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and Yogasana Bharat, officially announced that India will host the 2nd Asian Yogasana Sports Championship from April 25 to 27, 2025, at the prestigious Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, New Delhi.

The press conference was addressed by leading dignitaries from the Yogasana movement: Shri Udit Sheth (President, Yogasana Bharat), Dr. Sanjay Malpani (President, Asian Yogasana), and Dr. Jaideep Arya (Secretary General, World Yogasana).

Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Hon’ble Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, will grace the Opening Ceremony on April 25, 2025, as the Chief Guest, further reinforcing India’s commitment to promoting Yogasana as a competitive global sport.

The Championship will feature:
• Participation from over 20 plus Asian countries,
• 170 athletes, along with
• 40 technical officers, and
• 30 team managers and coaches.

This event is a landmark step toward establishing Yogasana on the global sporting map.

Speaking at the press briefing, Shri Udit Sheth emphasized: “It’s a milestone moment for Yogasana sport as we host the Asian Championship in India and establish a global platform for our sport; my best wishes to the Indian National Team as this historic moment will echo for a lifetime in competitive sports.”

Dr. Sanjay Malpani, President of Asian Yogasana, shared: “The overwhelming response from athletes and federations demonstrates that Yogasana is ready for mainstream global recognition. This edition will be more inclusive and grander, promising a truly world-class event.”

Dr. Jaideep Arya, Secretary General of World Yogasana, highlighted: “Yogasana’s journey from a sacred practice to a celebrated global sport reflects the vision, resilience, and leadership of India. This Championship is poised to set new standards in competitive Yogasana sports.”

The Championship will bring together the finest Yogasana athletes competing across strength, flexibility, endurance, and artistic categories, while reflecting the deep spiritual roots and rigor of Yogic traditions.

As part of the celebrations:

Team India was officially introduced, showcasing athletes from diverse regions across the country. Each athlete’s story is one of grit, dedication, and excellence.

The official mascot was unveiled, embodying the spirit and strength of Yogasana.

The official Championship anthem was launched, capturing the energy, pride, and vision behind Yogasana’s emergence as a global sport.

CrowdStrike Launches Falcon Privileged Access, Unifying Hybrid Identity Security

CrowdStrike announced the general availability of Falcon® Privileged Access, a new module within Falcon® Identity Protection. With unified privileged access controls, the AI-native CrowdStrike Falcon® cybersecurity platform is the only platform that secures the entire identity attack lifecycle – from initial compromise to privilege escalation and lateral movement – across hybrid environments.

The company also extended breakthrough automation capabilities for Charlotte AI Agentic Detection Triage and Falcon® Next-Gen SIEM to accelerate response to identity-based attacks. These innovations empower organizations to move beyond fragmented legacy tools and unify end-to-end identity security across on-premises Active Directory, cloud-based identity providers and SaaS applications with AI-powered platform protection.

“Identity is under relentless attack, and adversaries are going straight for the keys to the kingdom – privileged access,” said Michael Sentonas, president of CrowdStrike. “From social engineering to sophisticated insider abuse, they’re escalating privileges to access the most sensitive systems and data. With Falcon Privileged Access, we’re leveraging the power of the Falcon platform to eliminate standing privileges and make real-time, risk-aware access decisions. This latest innovation sets a new standard for end-to-end identity security, securing customers against persistent identity-based threats.”

Seventy-nine percent of attacks to gain initial access are malware-free, as adversaries exploit trusted identities to infiltrate organizations undetected and move laterally to reach high-value targets. Groups like SCATTERED SPIDER use stolen credentials and social engineering, manipulating IT help desks to grant unauthorized access to targeted accounts. Others, like FAMOUS CHOLLIMA, embed malicious insiders equipped with company-issued laptops preloaded with remote access tools and registering their own MFA devices to escalate privileges.

Stopping these threats requires live attack signals – like compromised credentials and risky device behavior – and the ability to assess risk and revoke access in real time. As a native part of the Falcon platform, Falcon Privileged Access uses real-time signals from endpoints/devices, industry-leading threat intelligence and advanced AI trained on trillions of security events to analyze user behavior and privilege status, and dynamically grant, block or revoke access. Paired with Falcon Identity Protection’s advanced capabilities for initial access prevention and identity threat detection and response (ITDR), CrowdStrike secures the entire identity attack lifecycle across hybrid environments. New features and benefits include:

• Just-in-Time Privileged Access: Eliminates standing privileges and manual requests with dynamic, risk-aware access decisions. CrowdStrike ensures users only receive elevated permissions when they need them, and only under secure conditions. Real-time risk signals from the Falcon platform continuously assess user and device context, instantly revoking access if risk levels change. Just-in-Time Access complements broader Privileged Access Management (PAM) capabilities – including password vaulting and session recording – by delivering real-time visibility and dynamic policy enforcement from a unified platform that secures the identity attack lifecycle.
• Agentic Detection Triage for Identity-Based Attacks: CrowdStrike is bringing the power of agentic AI to Falcon Identity Protection with Charlotte AI Agentic Detection Triage, autonomously triaging cross-domain attack detections with over 98% accuracy (Accuracy rating is a measure of Charlotte AI triage decisions that match the expert decisions from the CrowdStrike Falcon Complete Next-Gen MDR team) to rapidly prioritize the most critical threats.
• Unified Identity Security and Next-Gen SIEM: The combination of Falcon Identity Protection and Falcon Next-Gen SIEM enables security teams to detect and prioritize identity-based threats in real time, while Falcon Fusion SOAR automates Active Directory actions – like disabling compromised accounts and MFA enforcement – to respond at machine speed.

To help customers strengthen their overall cybersecurity posture, CrowdStrike also unveiled CrowdStrike Pulse Services, an expert-led engagement program designed to reduce active risk and accelerate security program maturity. Specifically for identity-focused use cases, customers can leverage Pulse Services for cloud configuration assessments, identity policy reviews and identity threat protection optimization. These ongoing, outcome-focused and bite-sized sessions help teams uncover misconfigurations, enforce least privilege and fine-tune defenses to stop credential abuse.

Britannia Marie Gold Her Start-Up Show Returns with 10 Lakh Grants for Women Entrepreneurs

New Delhi, April 23 2025: Britannia Marie Gold announces the launch of Season 2 of Her Start-Up Show. Launched in partnership with GroupM Motion Entertainment and Mindshare, it is the first-ever national reality series dedicated to women entrepreneurs from across the country, a platform to showcase their ideas. The show, which premiered on JioHotstar on 19th April, features 40 finalists competing for the ₹10 lakh Golden Grant

Conceptualized by GroupM Motion Content, Britannia Marie Gold Her Start-Up Show is more than just a series—it’s a catalyst for change, empowering women to turn their ideas into impact through funding, mentorship, and national visibility.

The show is the culmination of the Britannia Marie Gold Her Start-Up Contest, launched in July 2024, which saw participation from over one lakh aspiring women entrepreneurs across India. From these, over 100 women underwent professional training, with 40 moving to the shortlisting stage. Every participant stands to receive 10 Lakh of Britannia Marie Gold Grant or mentorship, in addition to national visibility and ecosystem access. The standout top 10 performers will win the prestigious ₹10 lakh Golden Grant, while the other promising women entrepreneurs will gain entry into the NSDC Women Entrepreneurs Mentorship Program.

Representing cities like Indore, Aurangabad, Coimbatore, Jammu & Kashmir, and more, the 40 contestants pitch ideas across food, fashion, sustainability, tech, and agri-solutions. The show is presented in six languages—Hindi, Bengali, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada—with subtitles and audio options available on JioHotstar. Spread across eight episodes, two new ones drop every weekend from April 19 on JioHotstar, showcasing journeys from pitches to mentorship to the ₹10 lakh Britannia Marie Gold Grant.

Hosted by actress Shriya Saran, the show features an all-star jury: actor-entrepreneur Neha Dhupia, MasterChef winner Shipra Khanna, artisan Ruma Devi, Suta’s Sujata Biswas, Aarti Gupta (Jagran Group), Riya Joseph (Britannia), and Shreshtha Gupta (NSDC India), to name a few.

Siddharth Gupta, General Manager – Marketing, Britannia, said, “Britannia Marie Gold’s journey of empowering women entrepreneurs began five years ago with a simple belief that millions of women across India have powerful ideas, and all they need is a platform to be seen and supported. What started as a nationwide contest has grown into a robust ecosystem with initiatives like HerStore and now, Season 2 of Her Start-Up Show. Each step has deepened our commitment to helping women ‘Do More, Be More’. We’re proud to partner with GroupM and Mindshare, whose belief in the power of storytelling has helped bring these entrepreneurial journeys to life. With this show, we not only celebrate ambition but also create access to mentorship, funding, and national visibility. Together, we remain committed to enabling every woman who dares to dream and dares to build.”

Ashwin Padmanabhan, COO, GroupM South Asia, “We have always believed in media’s power to spark movements, not just moments. Her Start-Up Show blends storytelling with purpose, driving real economic empowerment. The overwhelming response to Season 1 showed how deeply this platform resonated with women in one region. That’s why, in Season 2, we are expanding to six languages and a broader reach across India.  Thus, bringing every ambitious woman closer to the support she deserves. This show goes beyond visibility; it is about bringing dreams alive via action, impact, and a re-imagined future for women entrepreneurship.” 

“At Mindshare, we believe in building brands that don’t just sell but spark change. In its second season, Her Start-Up Show goes far beyond amplification, it’s about creating access, fuelling aspiration, and offering a platform to women entrepreneurs across India. We are incredibly grateful to our client, Britannia, for backing this bold vision and partnering with us to bring it to life. What started as a pioneering idea is now an award-winning show, with its impact resonating across markets and touching countless lives. With its expansion to a larger OTT platform, the show’s reach and influence have scaled significantly, finding its way into more homes, hearts, and boardrooms. These aren’t just stories; they are real journeys of transformation. Together with GroupM Motion Entertainment and Britannia, we are proud to drive a narrative where media becomes a powerful force for empowerment and enduring change.” Amin Lakhani, CEO, Mindshare South Asia.

Actress and host Shriya Saran said “Being part of Her Start-Up Show has been truly inspiring. It’s a powerful platform that gives women across India the opportunity to turn their dreams into reality. I’m proud to be part of a show that celebrates ambition, courage, and the spirit of women entrepreneurs.”

Britannia Marie Gold has always shown its unwavering commitment to empowering millions of women in their entrepreneurial dreams through initiatives like the Marie Gold HerStartup contest, previously known as MyStartup Contest and Her.Store. The Britannia Marie Gold Her Start-up Show is a continuation of that legacy, celebrating women who are shattering barriers and inspiring a nation.

Season 2 of Britannia Marie Gold Her Start-up show is streaming exclusively on JioHotstar.