Startup Mahakumbh Launches ‘Startup Maha Rathi’ with Rs30 Cr Prize Pool

New Delhi, February 27, 2025 – The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), in collaboration with Avaana Capital, LetsVenture, Karnataka Digital Economy Mission (KDEM), IVCA, HDFC, among others, announced the launch of the Startup Maha Rathi challenge as part of the second edition of Startup Mahakumbh. A flagship initiative aimed at empowering Indian startups through every nook and corner of the country with funding, mentorship, and strategic guidance, this challenge aligns with India’s long-term vision of becoming a developed economy (Viksit Bharat) by 2047. The challenge is set to provide access to up to a ₹30 crore fund, mentorship from industry experts, and networking opportunities with global investors. In addition, it will also entail special awards for innovative startups from emerging states and union territories through a dedicated program.

Startup Maha Rathi – Rising towards Viksit Bharat – is designed to open doors for budding entrepreneurs across 11 key sectors, including AI & DeepTech, BioTech & Healthtech, Gaming & Sports, Fintech, Incubators & Accelerators, Mobility, Agritech, B2B & Precision Manufacturing, D2C, ClimateTech, and Defence & SpaceTech. The program would be awarded by the Honourable Minister of Commerce and Industry and is aimed at equipping startups with the necessary resources to scale their operations and contribute to India’s technological and economic advancement. Startups selected through this initiative will gain exposure to global markets through Startup India, access to mentorship from industry veterans, investor networking opportunities, and national-level recognition by DPIIT.

The competition will follow a structured, multi-phase selection process, beginning with the application launch on February 26, 2025, and culminating in an exclusive live pitching finale from April 3-5, 2025, at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. While each startup shortlisted for the grand jury round receives a guaranteed ₹1 Lakh, the top two startups from each sector will be awarded ₹10 Lakh respectively, while the next five will receive ₹5 lakh each. The next 5 startups in each track will gain access to ₹3 lakhs each in addition to financial grants, participating startups will receive expert guidance and investor access through a jury comprising 100+ leading VCs, angel investors, and domain specialists from Startup India and organizations such as Avaana Capital, LetsVenture, KDEM, IVCA, HDFC among many others.

Sharing his thoughts on the launch, Shri Piyush Goyal, Union Minister for Commerce and Industry, said, “The Startup Maha Rathi initiative marks a pivotal stride toward achieving India’s vision of ‘Viksit Bharat 2047.’ By offering strategic financial support and expert mentorship, this initiative will empower the nation’s most promising startups to scale, innovate, and drive transformative change, strengthening India’s position as a global leader in entrepreneurship and innovation.”

Shri Amardeep Singh Bhatia, Secretary, DPIIT, added, “India’s startup ecosystem is at an inflection point, and initiatives like this are crucial in ensuring that high-potential ventures receive the right support to thrive. By enabling a strong innovation-driven culture, the initiative will play a pivotal role in shaping the next generation of disruptive entrepreneurs.”

Commenting on the initiative, Shri Sanjiv, Joint Secretary, DPIIT, said, “Our mission is to focus on bridging the gap between startups and investors and this initiative will provide a structured, high-impact platform for startups to showcase their innovations and gain direct access to funding and mentorship.”

Anjali Bansal, Founding Partner, Avaana Capital, stated, “Initiatives like Startup Maha Rathi provide catalytic support to entrepreneurs solving for India’s critical priorities—green growth, sustainability, energy transition, food systems, agriculture, and deep tech. The programs not only showcase India’s entrepreneurial strength but also reinforce our ability to develop scalable solutions aligned with national priorities and position India as a global leader to accelerate towards a sustainable, inclusive, and globally competitive Viksit Bharat.”

Prashant Prakash, Founding Partner, Accel, remarked, “Aimed at evaluating more than 5,000 startups, Startup Maha Rathi presents a unique opportunity to identify and invest in startups that have the potential to drive India’s economic transformation. We are proud to collaborate on this initiative and support entrepreneurs in scaling their businesses with the right financial and strategic backing.”

Indian Bank Organises Mega SHG Credit Campaign

Chennai, February 27, 2025: Indian Bank today organized a Mega SHG Credit Campaign at Thiruchirapalli, Tamil Nadu, to empower the Women SHG members in the State. The Bank sanctioned SHG loans amounting to over Rs.1500 Crores to various beneficiaries. Shri Binod Kumar, MD & CEO of the Bank handed over the sanction tickets to the beneficiaries in a program held at Thiruchirapalli.

The event saw the participation of around 1,000 women SHG members. During the occasion, the Bank also recognized NGOs, who have made considerable efforts in promoting SHGs and providing rural women a better social status. To further encourage self-reliance, the Bank provided a platform for showcasing products manufactured by local SHG members. By supporting the income-generation initiatives of these rural women, the Bank reaffirms its commitment to improving the living conditions of rural families and their upliftment.

The bank also entered into an MoU with M/s. Sri Vethaa Diary Pvt Ltd aims to facilitate hassle-free loans to dairy farmers in the district through digital diary loans, a recent initiative by the Bank. Shri Chandrasekaran. V, General Manager (FI/Rural Banking / SLBC / RRB), along with senior officials of the Bank, was present at the event.

ServiceDesk Plus by ManageEngine Receives ITIL Certification for 14 ITSM Practices

Chennai, India — Feb. 27, 2025 — ManageEngine, a division of Zoho Corp. and a leading provider of enterprise IT management solutions, today announced that ServiceDesk Plus, its flagship AI-driven unified service management platform, has achieved ITIL-certification for 14 key ITSM practices, awarded by PeopleCert, a premier global training and certification provider. The certification and inclusion of ManageEngine as a Silver-tier member in PeopleCert’s ATV program validates ManageEngine’s efforts towards building an ITSM platform aligned with industry-recognized best practices.

PeopleCert’s ITIL-ATV Program

ITIL continues to be the most widely recognized ITSM best practice standard globally, guiding organizations focused on streamlining their service delivery workflows. PeopleCert’s ATV program verifies the ITIL alignment of IT service management vendors by undertaking a comprehensive assessment of the tool’s functionality and the ITIL proficiency of staff engaged in functions like development, sales and implementation on the vendor’s side.

ManageEngine’s position in the ATV program signifies the organization’s proficiency in the ITSM domain and its expertise in building a service management platform that is closely aligned with ITIL. This empowers customers to design and implement industry-recommended best practice workflows right out of the box on the ServiceDesk Plus platform.

Dmitry Isaychenko, portfolio director at PeopleCert, added, “Businesses trust ITIL for success. For them, ITIL is not just a brand but a source of proven best practices. Claims of ITIL adherence raise their expectations regarding the quality of implementations. This is why PeopleCert launched the ATV accreditation program. Today, we are delighted to welcome ManageEngine as an ITIL-accredited tool vendor. Together, we can help customers make more informed decisions when selecting ITSM tools and planning long-term investments in their implementations.”

14 Key ITSM Practices Certified With ITIL Alignment

This certification marks ServiceDesk Plus’ ITIL alignment for 14 practices, which include Change Enablement, Deployment Management, Incident Management, IT Asset Management, Knowledge Management, Measurement and Reporting, Monitoring & Event Management, Problem Management, Release Management, Service Catalogue Management, Service Configuration Management, Service Financial Management, Service Level Management and Service Request Management.

Currently, ManageEngine has been onboarded as a Silver-level member with plans to move up the tiers by certifying more ManageEngine staff in the coming year. “We are excited to partner with PeopleCert and join their ITIL-ATV program. This partnership reaffirms our commitment to building a best-in-class service management platform that adheres to industry best practices,” said Kumaravel Ramakrishnan, director of technology at ManageEngine. “For over 20 years, ServiceDesk Plus has been empowering customers to streamline service delivery for IT and other business teams. We will further this with deep investments in cutting-edge tech like AI to deliver transformative value to customers and prospects. ServiceDesk Plus will continue to evolve as an intelligent service management platform that aligns with industry best practices, providing transformational business outcomes to enterprise IT teams.”

Ludic’s New Ad Film for Sliders Campaign Delivers Laughs and Fun

India-wide release, 27th February 2025: Ludic, a footwear-first lifestyle brand known for its distinct and playful approach to fashion, launched its flagship Slider collection with a relatable and engaging ad campaign. Featuring the tagline “Comfort aisa, ki ab kya bataayein,” the ad combined nostalgia with comedy and has been well-received by audiences across all ages, from Millennials to Gen-Z, proving that comfort is cool for everyone, a trend that never dies.

With its second film, it brings comfort into focus through a hilarious exchange between a doctor, a father and his teenage son. When the doctor informs the family that the son’s legs must be amputated, the son remains unfazed — until his father excitedly points out that he can now use his son’s Ludic Sliders. In a comedic twist, the son is willing to wear the Sliders on his hands rather than part with them, emphasising just how comfortable they are. With its clever storytelling, the ad reinforces the idea that Ludic Sliders are the ultimate choice for all ages, delivering unparalleled comfort and style.

The new Slider collection is the result of over eight months of meticulous development, designed to push the envelope of comfort in footwear. Made from the ground up, these Sliders break the mold – quite literally – offering an all-new level of ease and style.

Ishit Jethwa, the Founder of Ludic, said, “At Ludic, we believe comfort is for everyone—whether you’re a college student, a working professional, or someone simply looking for everyday ease. The Slider collection is a reflection of this belief, designed to offer a seamless blend of comfort and style for all age groups. Once again, collaborating with Braindad was a fantastic experience in bringing this vision to life. The film perfectly encapsulates the brand’s essence—fun, functional, and deeply relatable. The humor-driven narrative not only entertains but also reinforces how Ludic embraces wit and playfulness, making comfort the true hero of the story.”

Vishal Dayama & Devarsh Thaker, Co-founders, Braindad added, “Collaborating with Ludic for this ad campaign has been an exciting journey – it’s a brand that not only embraces bold and fresh ideas but actively encourages them. From day one, they trusted us and gave us the creative freedom to push boundaries and create a campaign that truly reflects Ludic’s playful yet relatable personality. This made all the difference, allowing us to bring Ludic’s vision to life in a way that feels authentic and undeniably fun.”

Ludic sliders are built with rugged CloudFrame™ material and a recovery EVA footbed designed to promote muscle recovery and deliver an unwinding experience. The no-stitch design enhances durability, while the unique shape ensures a secure fit, preventing slippage. Available in six vibrant colourways, these sliders combine style, comfort, and versatility, making them perfect for any occasion. Priced accessibly, the sliders reflect Ludic’s commitment to offering quality products without compromising affordability. The collection is now available on Ludic’s website and leading e-commerce platforms, ensuring convenient access for customers nationwide.

VFAE Launches ‘Shiva Shakthi’: Robotic Elephant for Ethical Alternative in Kerala

Thrissur, 27th-02-2025 – In response to the ongoing crisis surrounding captive elephant welfare and public safety in Kerala, Voices for Asian Elephants (VFAE) has launched Shiva Shakthi, a life-sized robotic elephant, at Chakkamparambu Sree Bhagavathi Temple near Mala, Thrissur. This pioneering initiative offers a humane and culturally sensitive alternative, allowing temples to uphold sacred traditions without the cruelty and dangers associated with live elephants. VFAE is now accepting requests from temples seeking to adopt their robotic elephant, which the organization will consider sponsoring.

The launch of Shiva Shakthi comes as Kerala grapples with a surge in tragic incidents involving captive elephants. In just two months of 2025, six people have lost their lives due to captive elephant-related incidents. A festival in Koyilandi, Calicut district, turned into a tragedy, leaving three people dead and 50 injured when two distressed elephants, tormented by fireworks and exhaustion, panicked. Another captive elephant in Thrissur gored his mahout and ran 14 kilometers in distress before being recaptured. In 2024 alone, 24 captive elephants died due to neglect, mistreatment, and disease. Over the past six years, 154 elephants have perished in Kerala, alongside countless human casualties.

“We have an opportunity to rewrite history, to lead the way in compassionate traditions. The high-tech, high-touch robotic elephant is the future—it allows us to preserve our sacred customs while upholding the values of ahimsa (non-violence) that are deeply rooted in our culture. This is not about abandoning tradition; it is about evolving with wisdom and kindness. If we truly respect our heritage, then we must embrace progress that honors all living beings—human and elephant alike,” said Sangita Iyer, Founding Executive Director of VFAE.

Shiva Shakthi stands 10 feet tall, weighs 600kg, and is crafted from fiber and rubber, offering a lifelike presence. Its eyes, ears, tail, and trunk move electrically, and it can even carry up to four people, ensuring temples can conduct rituals without inflicting suffering. The robotic elephant was designed by Four He-Arts Creations in Chalakudi, marking a breakthrough in ethical festival practices.

“We believe in the concept of robotic elephants, and we’re seeing increasing awareness among temples regarding the ethical concerns and safety risks posed by live elephants. We are deeply grateful to Voices for Asian Elephants for their generous sponsorship of Shiva Shakthi,” said C.D. Sreenath, President of Vijnanadayini Sabha, the public trust managing Chakkamparambu Sree Bhagavathi Temple.

This initiative follows the successful pilot project at Sree Sankaran Kovil, where VFAE introduced Tamil Nadu’s first robotic elephant. More temples are recognizing that tradition does not need to come at the cost of cruelty.

Beyond addressing captive elephant welfare, VFAE is also committed to protecting wild elephants. VFAE’s dedication extends far beyond temple festivals. The organization has Donated 4 acres of private land in Kerala’s South Nilambur, securing a vital corridor for 340 wild elephants. Prevented 1,139 train-elephant collisions in West Bengal using AI-driven EleSense technology. Planted 50,300 elephant-friendly trees, restoring habitats while employing 200+ tribal individuals in Odisha.

V. K Venkitachalam Secretary -Heritage Animal Task Force, Thrissur attended the ceremony representing VFAE.