MS Dhoni Leads the Charge at Allen’s Largest-Ever Student Summit, Inspiring 3.5 Lakh Students

Mumbai, February 05th, 2025 – The legendary MS Dhoni addressed over 3,50,000 students at ALLEN Career Institute’s first-ever pan-India student summit ‘Sangam’. Speaking at Mumbai’s SVP Stadium Dome, the former Indian captain drew from his own small-town success story to inspire students preparing for India’s most challenging competitive examinations.

 “If a boy from Ranchi can conquer the world, it shows that with the right guidance, dedication, and mindset—success is possible no matter where you come from,” Dhoni said, addressing the gathering that combined 5,000 in-person attendees with digital participants across 11 cities, including Kota.

 It was also announced that, effective immediately, ALLEN is offering free revision tools for all exam takers across India on the ALLEN App, aimed at helping students prepare for their Board exams, IIT JEE, and NEET, among others. Dhoni unveiled a showreel of the ALLEN App, spotlighting resources such as video lectures, revision notes, flashcards, mock tests, and an extensive question bank. The audience also got a sneak peek at ALLIE, an AI-powered doubt-solving bot and 24/7 personal study companion designed to assist NEET aspirants.

 During the event, ALLEN’s CEO Nitin Kukreja highlighted the organization’s ongoing commitment to making quality education accessible to students across India, including those in the most remote regions. He emphasized ALLEN’s focus on democratizing education and providing the best resources to students nationwide. Mr. Kukreja revealed that ALLEN would be launching a new ALLEN centre in Ranchi, marking a crucial step in making quality education accessible to students in the region.

 Through the event, Dhoni emphasized the importance of honesty, hard work, and meticulous planning for achieving the best results. He acknowledged that success and failure are part of life, encouraging students to learn from failures and keep moving forward.

 Responding to a student’s question on the importance of focusing on the process rather than the outcome, Dhoni advised, “Live in the present and enjoy every moment. I never thought about playing for India; I only focused on giving my best in every match I played while growing up.”

 He also highlighted the role of pressure in performance, the value of learning from failure, and the life lessons sports can teach. Dhoni stressed the importance of respect for leaders, embracing challenges, and the irreplaceable value of hard work.

From HR to Audit: Poonawalla Fincorp’s Bold AI Leap into Governance with ServiceNow

Mumbai, February 05, 2025: Poonawalla Fincorp, a leading NBFC focused on Consumer & MSME Lending, is working with ServiceNow the AI Platform for business transformation and global digital workflow leader, to implement Generative AI-powered solutions aimed at enhancing audit and governance capabilities. This strategic collaboration will drive greater efficiency, automation, and compliance, reinforcing Poonawalla Fincorp’s commitment to leveraging technology for operational excellence.

With the global AI in Audit market projected to reach USD 11.7 billion by 2033 at a CAGR of 27.9%, as mentioned in the market.us ‘Global AI in Audit’ report , many attribute this growth to GenAI’s ability to pinpoint high-risk areas and detect anomalies, enabling a sharper focus on critical issues that might otherwise go unnoticed.

By integrating ServiceNow’s AI-driven workflows, Poonawalla Fincorp will not only strengthen its risk management framework and streamline internal audits but also optimize governance mechanisms. This transformation will enhance the accuracy and reliability of audit outcomes, building trust with clients and regulatory bodies. Generative AI goes beyond analyzing existing data and aims to create new content for the auditors that resembles the patterns and characteristics of the data it was exposed to. These models learn patterns and features from large datasets, enabling them to generate new content which enriches the overall governance mechanism.

The adoption of Generative AI-based automation shall enable:

• Automated Audit Report generation & risk assessments with greater accuracy and speed.

• Smarter Anomaly Detection & outliers

• Data-Driven Insights for Decision-Making: AI-powered analytics will provide predictive insights, enabling auditors to forecast potential risks and take proactive governance measures.

Speaking on the collaboration Arvind Kapil MD & CEO, Poonawalla Fincorp, said: “At Poonawalla Fincorp, we continuously invest in digital transformation to enhance operational efficiency and governance. By leveraging ServiceNow’s Generative AI solutions, we will significantly improve the accuracy, speed, and depth of our audit processes. This will not only help in proactive risk identification but also ensure seamless compliance with evolving regulations.”

Ganesh Lakshminarayanan – GVP, Sales and Managing Director, India and SAARC – ServiceNow added: “We are excited to work with Poonawalla Fincorp as they continue to set new benchmarks in governance and risk management by embracing Generative AI-powered solutions. Their governance-first and risk-first approach reflects a deep commitment to operational excellence, regulatory compliance, and trust. The ServiceNow platform will help enhance the accuracy and efficiency of audit processes and transform financial operations with intelligent automation, enabling Poonawalla Fincorp to navigate the evolving regulatory landscape with confidence and agility. We look forward to working together to drive innovation and deliver meaningful, long-term value.”

Moscow Sees Record Indian Tourism in 2024, Welcoming 61,000 Visitors in Nine Months

Mumbai, February 5, 2025: Moscow continues to reinforce its status as a premier travel destination, experiencing a substantial rise in international tourist arrivals. In the first nine months of 2024 alone, the Russian capital welcomed 19.7 million visitors, including 1.9 million foreign tourists — a 19% increase compared to the previous year. India has emerged as one of Moscow’s top two non-CIS inbound tourism markets, with over 61,000 Indian travelers visiting the city during this period.

Building on this momentum, Moscow made a strong impression at OTM 2025, held in Mumbai from January 30 to February 1, by captivating the Indian travel trade industry with its rich cultural heritage and diverse tourism offerings. The Moscow City Tourism Committee presented an engaging showcase of the city’s cultural, leisure, and business tourism opportunities, emphasizing its partiality towards the Indian market.

“India remains a key market for Moscow’s tourism strategy, and we are pleased to see a steady increase in Indian visitors to our city. Through strategic partnerships, customized travel experiences, and immersive initiatives, we look forward to welcoming more Indian tourists and providing them with an unforgettable experience in our vibrant and historically rich city,” stated Evgeny Kozlov, First Deputy Head of the Office of the Mayor and the Government of Moscow, Chairman of the Moscow City Tourism Committee.

He further highlighted Moscow’s active engagement with the Indian market, including participation in SATTE 2024 and initiatives such as the Meet Global MICE Congress: BRICS Edition and the Moscow International Film Festival (MIFW), where India played a key role. The participation of the Moscow delegation at OTM 2025 further solidified the city’s commitment to fostering ties with Indian travelers and industry professionals.

On the sidelines of the exhibition, the Moscow City Tourism Committee finalized two significant agreements aimed at bolstering tourism cooperation with Indian partners. A landmark cooperation agreement was signed with the State of Maharashtra, India’s second most populous and third-largest state. This strategic partnership is designed to foster mutual growth and promote tourism between Moscow and Maharashtra, with a special emphasis on enhancing travel links between the Russian capital and Mumbai.

 In addition, the Moscow delegation signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Thomas Cook India Group, the country’s largest tour operator. This pivotal agreement marks the beginning of collaborative effort to develop tailored travel products for Indian tourists, facilitate the exchange of expertise and best practices, and increase awareness of Moscow’s diverse tourism offerings. Special focus will be placed on promoting the city’s MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) potential among key stakeholders in the Indian travel industry.

At OTM 2025, Moscow’s delegation included key tourism stakeholders, featuring six leading tour operators, including Tari Tour and FUN & SUN, along with three premier hotels such as Swissôtel Krasnye Holmy and VEGA Hotel & Convention Center. Visitors to the Moscow stand could explore exclusive tour packages, luxury accommodations, and uniquely curated travel experiences tailored for Indian tourists.

Throughout the event, the Moscow stand hosted over 2000 business meetings and negotiations, facilitating direct engagement between Moscow’s tourism representatives and their Indian counterparts. Experts presented the city’s flagship projects, including the Moscow Tea Time Project, which revives Moscow’s historic tea traditions, the Moscow Estates Festival, an iconic cultural event drawing over 100,000 visitors annually, the City of Discoveries educational initiative, and the RUSSPASS travel planning service. Of special note is the project “Russian Holidays. From Moscow to Siberia”, facilitating joint tours to Moscow and Tyumen region, which have been gaining significant popularity among Indian travelers. The Moscow+ initiative was also showcased at the trade show, promoting the concept of interregional travel and thus enriching the tourist trips to Moscow with new and unusual experiences.

Additionally, the stand highlighted key attractions such as the VDNH Complex, which merged Soviet-era architectural marvels with contemporary interactive museums, and Moskino Cinema Park, increasingly recognized by the Indian film industry as a promising filming destination. To enrich the visitor experience, the Moscow stand also offered traditional Russian tea and delicacies as part of the Moscow Tea Time initiative, providing attendees with a taste of the city’s famed hospitality.

Ahead of OTM 2025, Moscow hosted a Business Mission on January 28, bringing together 14 Moscow-based travel companies and 109 foreign travel agencies. As a result, business contacts were established and more than 1,200 negotiations were held.

India remains a priority market in Moscow’s tourism outreach strategy. With strong cultural, strategic, and economic partnerships, Moscow actively participates in key Indian travel events such as BLTM, SATTE, OTM, and MILT Congress to deepen ties and gain insights into Indian traveler preferences. Business missions, familiarization trips, and B2B negotiations further strengthen these connections, fostering growth in both leisure and MICE tourism.

Akums Revolutionizes Diabetes Care with Combined Medication for Better Outcomes

New Delhi 05.02.2025 Akums Drugs and Pharmaceuticals, a leader in contract development and manufacturing, has launched Dapagliflozin + Pioglitazone tablets; an advanced combination therapy designed to tackle the growing challenge of diabetes management. While conventional treatments often fall short in maintaining stable blood sugar levels, this dual-action formulation offers a more potent solution for individuals struggling with existing metformin-based regimens. Approved by the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI), it goes beyond glycemic control, overcoming broader obstacles associated with diabetes care.

This dual-action therapy combines two complementary mechanisms of action. Dapagliflozin, a sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor, aids in eliminating excess glucose via urine while delivering additional benefits such as improved cardiovascular and renal outcomes, along with better weight management. Pioglitazone, on the other hand, augments insulin sensitivity in key tissues, such as muscles and the liver, helping combat the root issue of insulin resistance. Together, they provide sustained results while minimising risks like hypoglycemia and weight gain, which are common hurdles in diabetes care.

Compared to monotherapy, this dual approach ensures more comprehensive blood sugar regulation by addressing multiple pathways simultaneously. While single-drug regimens may provide partial benefits, the combined action of Dapagliflozin and Pioglitazone offers superior control, reducing fluctuations in glucose levels more effectively. Moreover, dual therapy lowers the likelihood of treatment failure, ensuring long-term stability without necessitating frequent medication adjustments. Its once-daily dosing further enhances adherence, making diabetes management simpler and seamless for patients.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has emerged as a significant health challenge in India, with over 77 million adults affected and an additional 25 million on the brink of developing the condition, as per World Health Organisation estimates. What’s more alarming is that a significant portion of these cases remain undetected, often leading to severe complications. By 2045, this number is projected to climb to an astounding 134 million, highlighting the critical need for impactful interventions.

Commenting on the launch, Mr. Sandeep Jain, Managing Director of Akums Drugs and Pharmaceuticals, stated, “The rise in diabetes cases in our country calls for novel and accessible solutions. By introducing Dapagliflozin + Pioglitazone tablets, we aim to equip healthcare providers with an advanced treatment option that caters to the diverse needs faced by patients. Our goal is to deliver therapies that make a real difference in people’s lives.”

Adding to this, Mr. Sanjeev Jain, Managing Director of Akums, noted, “The fight against diabetes requires a collaborative effort between healthcare providers, patients, and pharmaceutical innovators. Managing the condition often presents significant lifestyle hurdles for those affected. At Akums, we are committed to elevating well-being and enabling sound health outcomes. Backed by robust research, this dual-action therapy is developed to progress patient outcomes and overall well-being.”