Hyderabad to witness a three-day music and dance extravaganza – Ramayana Kalpavrksam

Hyderabad, 28th January 2025: The third edition of the iconic 3-day music and dance extravaganza, ‘Ramayana Kalpavrksam’, conceived and curated by Hyderabad-based acclaimed dancer Dr. Ananda Shankar Jayant, a celebrated artist and cultural ambassador, will be hosted from 31st January 2025 to 2nd February 2025, at the CCRT campus, Hyderabad. The signature festival and India’s finest talents in classical arts in a unique confluence of art, tradition, and scholarship is being presented by Shankarananda Kalakshetra and Natyarambha, in collaboration with Brhat. The festival is to be inaugurated by Chief Guest Sri Tejasvi Surya, Member of Parliament.

According to Ananda the creator of the annual festival, Ramayana Kalpavrksam brings Sri Rama Chetana back into our lives, a 3-day immersion into all things Rama through the prism of top-class performances, of dance, music, and Harikatha, through stars and doyens in the field, inspiring and scholarly talks, by renowned and young scholars, learning workshops on Indic knowledge, exhibitions, crafts and more.

The highlights performances in the evening segment, ‘Ramarasa’ promises to be a mesmerizing celebration of art and devotion, featuring an array of stellar performances from the worlds of Carnatic music, classical dance, and storytelling, with the renowned Carnatic duo Ranjani-Gayatri, premiering their much-anticipated musical feature, ‘RAMA by RaGa’; Vishaka Hari, the Harikatha legend, will enchant the audience with ‘Ramayana: The Life-Giving Tree’; a breathtaking presentation of Rukmini Devi Arundale’s iconic dance choreography, ‘Sabari Moksham,’ brought to life by the Kalakshetra Foundation; the rare and vibrant Manipuri Raas, Pung and Dhol Cholam, performed by the JN Manipuri Dance Academy, Imphal, transporting audiences to the cultural heart of Manipur and a soulful invocation, ‘Takkuvemimanaku,’ performed by the Shankarananda Kalakshetra ensemble. Each performance is a testament to the timeless legacy of Indian art forms, weaving together music, dance, and storytelling in an unforgettable homage to Lord Rama.

The morning sessions, ‘Ramamrita’ brings together six remarkable and scholarly speakers, each offering a unique perspective on the timeless epic of the Ramayana. Prof. Shrinivasa Varakhedi, Vice Chancellor of Central Sanskrit University, renowned for his deep understanding of Sanskrit literature and philosophy; Yashodeep Deodhar, creator of the widely popular 21Notes, sharing innovative insights into the Ramayana; Ami Ganatra, acclaimed author of bestselling books on the Ramayana, known for her fresh and thought-provoking interpretations; Dr. Anupama Kylash, a celebrated dance scholar, illuminating the Ramayana through the lens of classical Indian dance and culture; Dr. DK Hari and Dr. DK Hema, creators of the Bharat Gyan series, bringing their extensive research on India’s ancient wisdom and the Ramayana to life and Vikram Sridhar, a gifted young storyteller, weaving the magic of the Ramayana with his compelling narratives. This exceptional lineup promises to delve into the myriad facets of the Ramayana, blending scholarship, creativity, and storytelling to inspire and enlighten.

As part of the vibrant three-day festival, an array of engaging learning workshops and unique experiences await participants, in ‘Kala Charan’: a Sanskrit Learning Workshop, led by Udaya Shreyas of the Sanskrit Channel, offering an immersive dive into the beauty and essence of Sanskrit. A hands-on fabric painting session will have the young and talented artist Anusha Namburi, exploring the art of adorning fabric with creativity and a traditional Cheriyal Painting art form is brought to life by acclaimed Cheriyal artist Madhu Merugoju. The fest will also have a captivating display of vintage lithographs from the treasured collection of Pratima Sagar and MC Mohan, showcasing the divine in Indian households, ‘Framing Divinity – Devas in Our Homes’ as well as ‘Kala Grama’, a bustling bazaar celebrating the craftsmanship of talented artisans, offering a glimpse into India’s rich heritage and artistry, Ramayana Kalpavrksam promises to captivate attendees and leave them enriched by India’s timeless traditions.

Unity in Diversity: The Fern Hotels & Resorts Celebrates Republic Day with Vibrant Celebrations

Mumbai, January 24, 2025: This Republic Day, The Fern Hotels & Resorts, India’s leading environmentally sensitive hotel chain, invites guests to celebrate the nation’s spirit of unity, diversity, and shared heritage.

With vibrant tricolour-themed decorations, traditional music and dance performances and specially curated menus, select properties are set to offer unique experiences to honour India’s 76th Republic Day. Guests can enjoy culinary delights such as tricolour sandwiches, dumplings, and idlis, complemented by vibrant desserts and mocktails inspired by the Indian flag, all crafted with locally sourced ingredients.

Through these specially curated offerings, The Fern Hotels & Resorts aims to create an experience that brings our guests closer to the heart of India and the ideals that make our nation truly great.

Celebrate the essence of India with The Fern Hotels & Resorts, where every detail reflects the pride and diversity of our great nation.

Barracuda Research Uncovers Tycoon 2FA Phishing Service Update to Prevent Security Inspection

India, January 24, 2025: Barracuda’s threat analysts have identified the widely used Tycoon 2FA Phishing-as-a-Service (PhaaS) has been updated with a range of tactics designed to make it harder for security tools to confirm its malicious intent and inspect its webpages, according to a new research report. The findings underscore how PhaaS developers are investing significant resources into building advanced and evasive toolsets and templates to enable cyber attackers to quickly deploy complex and targeted phishing campaigns.

According to Barracuda threat analysts, around 30% of the credential attacks seen in 2024 made use of PhaaS and this is expected to rise to 50% in 2025.

Tycoon 2FA allows attackers to intercept and bypass two factor authentication (2FA) security measures by collecting and using Microsoft 365 session cookies. In early November 2024, Barracuda threat analysts noted a rise in the use of a new version of Tycoon 2FA that is stealthier than earlier editions and makes use of a range of sophisticated tactics to obstruct detection and analysis.

These tactics include:

● The use of legitimate — possibly compromised — email accounts to launch attacks

● Specially crafted source code to obstruct web page analysis

● Measures to block the use of automated security scripts and penetration-testing tools

● Listening for keystrokes that suggest web inspection and then blocking further activity

● Disabling the right-click menu that could reveal the web pages’ true intent

● Blocking users from copying meaningful text from the webpage for offline analysis

“Phishing has evolved into a complex and sophisticated attack vector that is increasingly well resourced,” said Deerendra Prasad, Associate Threat Analyst at Barracuda. “PhaaS groups play a key role in this new ecosystem, and we expect their role to increase. We have observed Tycoon 2FA used in numerous phishing campaigns over the past months and expect cyber attackers to continue to refine their methods to circumvent traditional security measures and thwart deeper analysis. It is essential to have agile and innovative multilayered defense strategies in place and foster a strong security culture to stay ahead of this ever-evolving threat.”

Dr.Jart+ Introduces the VHS Hydrating Lip Mask

Mumbai, January 2025: Say hello to smooth, plump, and perfectly hydrated lips with Dr.Jart+’s latest innovation—the VHS Hydrating Lip Mask! Combining science-backed skincare with playful design, this lip mask features a unique jelly texture that melts effortlessly into your lips, delivering a surge of hydration and nourishment. Packaged in an irresistible jelly bear jar, it’s the perfect blend of fun and functionality for your lip care routine.

The VHS Hydrating Lip Mask is enriched with hyaluronic acid, a superstar ingredient known for its unmatched hydrating properties. Hyaluronic acid works by locking in moisture and boosting the skin’s natural hydration levels, leaving your lips feeling soft, plump, and deeply moisturized. Perfect for repairing dry, chapped lips, this mask helps maintain a healthy lip barrier while delivering an instant hydration surge. With its quirky, retro-inspired packaging, the VHS Hydrating Lip Mask turns your lip care routine into something fresh and exciting.

Why You’ll Love It:

• Jelly-Soft Texture: The mask’s lightweight jelly formula glides onto your lips, instantly moisturizing and soothing dry or chapped skin.
• Hyaluronic Acid Boost: Packed with this hydration superstar, it locks in moisture, leaving your lips feeling plump, soft, and supple.
• Irresistible Packaging: Housed in a playful jelly bear jar, this lip mask is as fun to use as it is effective—perfect for your beauty shelf or a cute Instagram moment.
• Deep Repair: Strengthens the delicate lip barrier while delivering long-lasting hydration for a healthy, natural glow.

Coforge delivers another exceptional performance in Q3 FY25

Noida, January 24, 2025: Coforge Limited, a leading global IT solutions organization, today announced its financial results for the quarter ended December 31, 2024 (Q3 FY25).

Key Financial Highlights

• Revenue: INR 3,318.2 crore/ US$ 397.1 million
• Up 8.4% Q-o-Q and 40.3% Y-o-Y in constant currency (CC) terms
• Up 7.5% Q-o-Q and 40.8% Y-o-Y in USD terms
• Up 8.4% Q-o-Q and 42.8% Y-o-Y in INR terms
• EBITDA: INR 519.0 crore, up 29.3% YoY.
•  Adjusted PAT: INR 268.0 crore (Excl Minority), up 10.3% on a YoY basis
• The Board has recommended an interim dividend of INR 19/- per share, and the record date for this payout will be January 30th, 2025

“A 8.4% sequential cc growth, a 40.3% cc YoY growth in a seasonally weak quarter, four large deals in that same quarter, a concurrent and material sequential expansion of 122 bps in margins, a Cigniti business that has already touched an EBITDA margin of 17.3%, a large deals pipeline that is looking very robust and finally an ever strengthening next twelve month signed order book which now is 40% higher YoY gives us confidence that the coming year shall once again see robust and sustained growth.” said Sudhir Singh, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director, Coforge Ltd

Key Business Highlights

• Order Intake: US$ 501 million – second consecutive quarter of US$ 500+ million order intake
• Sustained Large Deal Momentum: Four large deals signed this quarter across North America and ASEAN
• Headcount: stood at 33,094; net addition of 611 sequentially. Headcount has increased 16% organically since the beginning of the year
• Broad based growth across Americas (69.2%), EMEA (20.5%) and RoW (3.3%) YoY
• Cigniti business delivered 3.5% cc QoQ growth; EBITDA margin improved to 17.3%; up from 11% in Q4 FY24

Recognitions

• ISG recognized Coforge as a ‘Leader’ in the Insurance Services 2024 ‘ ISG Provider Lens Study – North America
• Nelson Hall recognized Cigniti, A Coforge Company, as a ‘Leader’ in NEAT Quality Engineering 2024 in the following categories – Overall, Gen AI Use Cases, AI-Based Analytics and Automation, RPA-Based Automation, Application Migration to Cloud Testing
• Nelson Hall recognized Coforge as a ‘Major Player’ in the Market Assessment on Transforming Core Banking Services in the AI & Analytics Services and Operation Services market segments
• ISG positioned Cigniti, A Coforge Company, as a ‘Leader’ in ISG Provider Lens™ – Next Gen ADM Services 2024 – Continuous Testing Specialist – US
• Everest Group positioned Cigniti, A Coforge Company, as ‘Leader’ in Quality Engineering Services for Mid-Market Enterprises PEAK Matrix® Assessment 2024

Partnerships

• Coforge was announced as the winner of the Appian Europe 2024 Partner Impact and Excellence—Industry Award for Public Sector
• Coforge was awarded the Microsoft Azure Expert Managed Service Provider (AEMSP) status, third year in a row
• Coforge gained the Microsoft “Solutions Partner” designation for Data and AI

Awards

• The Coforge Public Library was honored as the Best Education Initiative for the General Public of the Year, at the prestigious Indian CSR Awards 2024.
• Coforge was recognized as one of India’s Best Workplaces in IT & IT-BPM 2024 by Great Place to Work third time in a row
• Coforge was recognized as one of the Most Preferred Workplaces for Women 2024-2025 by Marksmen Daily
• The Hyderabad campus of Coforge was awarded the coveted LEED Gold certification by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) for Interior Design and Construction

Dabur Chyawanprash special CSR Initiative at Mysore

Mysore – 24 January 2025: Winter is one of the most awaited seasons in India, but it may also bring a plethora of diseases like Cold, Cough, and Respiratory problems to name a few; which are most prevalent in this season and usually occur due to low immunity. Chyawanprash is an around 3000-year-old & well-known Ayurvedic formulation that is used for boosting immunity and helps protect against common day-to-day infections like cough and cold. Dabur Chyawanprash contains many ‘Rasayana’ herbs which help in the prevention of a variety of infections through its immunomodulatory effects.

As part of its commitment to safeguard the health of future generations, Dabur Chyawanprash announced the launch of a mega awareness initiative aimed at securing the health of underprivileged kids across the country. Under this initiative, Dabur Chyawanprash, along with a renowned doctor, will conduct Immunity awareness sessions to educate children about the need to build a stronger immune system to fight against illnesses due to the changing season, common bacteria, and viruses.

The drive was flagged off in Mysore with a special session conducted for more than 150 kids from GHPS Gungral Chhatra llawala Hobli in Mysore With the esteemed Head Mistress, Mrs. Susheela, and Mr. Rajeev John, Marketing Head, Dabur India Ltd, Dinesh Kumar Dabur India Ltd & teachers from school attendance. The session was aimed at creating awareness among kids to fight illness in winter. The kids were also educated on ways to boost their immunity through basic hygiene and a nutritious diet.

Speaking on the occasion, Dabur India Ltd, General Manager Marketing, Mr. Amit Garg said, “Dabur Chyawanprash has been committed to helping every Indian achieve the strongest immunity for over 100 years. This initiative is a leap forward towards this commitment. We are concerned about the cold wave that claims so many lives every year. Through this initiative, we will attempt to reach out to provide protection to underprivileged kids by highlighting the importance of Immunity besides providing Chyawanprash to these kids.”

Dr. Parmeshwar Arora, M.D. (Ayurveda), B.H.U, said, “During cycles of seasonal change, there is a sudden temperature variation, which leads to illnesses like cough, cold & flu. Enhancing immunity is an effective way to fight illnesses like cold, cough, respiratory problems, etc. Dabur Chyawanprash is an effective solution to boost one’s immunity needs through changing weather cycles.”

Under this campaign, Dabur Chyawanprash has joined hands with leading NGOs from 22 cities in India i.e. Agra, Varanasi, Gorakhpur, Lucknow, Udaipur, Jaipur, Bhubaneswar, Kolkata, Siliguri, Patna, Gaya, Indore, Raipur, Pune, Aurangabad, Ranchi, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Mysore, Nasik, Nagpur, Gwalior, and Bhopal.

Inspira Enterprise Appoints Rajesh Ananthakrishnan as New President of Managed Security Services

Mumbai, 24 January 2025: Inspira Enterprise, a global cybersecurity services organization today announced the appointment of Rajesh Ananthakrishnan as President and Head of Managed Security Services. Rajesh, a seasoned professional with over 20 years of experience in the IT Security domain, will be responsible for accelerating the growth and strengthening Inspira’s Managed Security Services portfolio. Based in Chennai, Rajesh will enable organizations across the globe to bolster their defenses against ever-evolving threats with advanced Cybersecurity services from Inspira.

Having held extensive leadership roles in the cybersecurity space at multi-national organizations, Rajesh brings a unique blend of leadership skills and technical expertise to his role at Inspira. Prior to joining Inspira, Rajesh served as the General Manager at HCLTech where he was responsible for Security Monitoring & Incident Response, Security Operations, Threat & Vulnerability Management, and Security Assurance, among others. He has also worked with Wipro and Hewlett-Packard during his earlier years.

Commenting on the appointment, Chetan Jain, Managing Director, Inspira Enterprise., said, “We are pleased to welcome Rajesh Ananthakrishnan to our leadership team. With proven expertise in the cybersecurity space, Rajesh will be a key asset to address the security challenges faced by organizations worldwide as we continue to help these customers protect themselves in an ever-expanding threat landscape”

Rajesh Ananthakrishnan, President and Head of Managed Security Services at Inspira Enterprise states. “I am honored to join Inspira Enterprise and lead the organization’s managed security services team and associated innovative initiatives to excel in today’s complex cybersecurity space. I look forward to working with my new colleagues to develop and deliver cutting-edge MSS solutions that empower our customers to achieve exceptional security and resilience at all given times.”

Inspira’s Managed Security Services deliver a cost-effective and scalable solution to manage cybersecurity risks, detect threats, and respond in real-time, allowing organizations to focus on their core business. Inspira’s core services include Managed Detection and Response, Cloud Security Operations, Managed Identities and Access, Managed Risk and Compliance, Managed Infrastructure Operations, and Managed Threat & Vulnerability Management. Inspira has forged strategic alliances with industry leaders such as IBM, Palo Alto, Microsoft, Fortinet, Saviynt, and others in the industry to help its customers stay one step ahead of threats. The organization is expanding its service portfolio with innovative solutions while its proactive approach positions it as a forward-thinking partner in the ever-evolving field of cybersecurity services.