4, Feb 2025
Vantage Knowledge Academy Joins Marwadi University to Redefine Global Finance Education
Mumbai, February 4, 2025 – Vantage Knowledge Academy, a BSE listed recognized leader in global modern finance education is proud to announce its association with Marwadi University, one of the top universities in Gujarat, to offer university programs to students in Mumbai. Together, they will offer MBA Finance with CPA (Certified Public Accountant) and MBA Finance with CMT (Chartered Market technician) courses. This collaboration will witness the introduction of specialized finance and accounts aimed at nurturing the next generation of global finance leaders.
Aiming to disrupt the financial education space, this collaborative partnership with internationally recognized curriculum, will benefit students to meet the demands of an evolving global finance landscape. By integrating real-world applications, globally recognized and expert faculty, and advanced resources, this association will ensure students are well-equipped to take on leadership roles in finance sectors not just in India but worldwide.
Vantage Knowledge Academy has expanded its network by partnering with over 7 colleges in the last one year, offering a diverse range of 30 courses. The academy’s extensive reach has helped foster a rich online and offline student base of over 5000+ till date. With a team of over 20 proficient faculty members, the academy continues to grow as a trusted learning institute for accounting and finance education, shaping professionals who thrive in the competitive finance industry.
Delighted on this potential partnership, Rajesh Dedhia, Founder and CFO of Vantage Knowledge Academy said, “At Vantage Knowledge Academy, we have always focused on bridging the gap between academia and industry, ensuring our students are equipped with the necessary skills to excel in the global finance sector. Our collaboration with Marwadi University reflects our commitment to nurturing skilled professionals and elevating banking and finance curriculum to meet the demands of an ever-evolving world. We need to constantly adapt to the modern education system, and this partnership underscores the importance of staying updated with changing policies and trends”.
Dr. Rajeshkumar Patel, Director, Centre for Distance and Online Education, Marwadi University, stated, “Empowering the next generation of finance leaders is at the heart of Marwadi University’s mission. Our partnership with Vantage Knowledge Academy marks a major breakthrough in providing students with world-class knowledge, skills, and practical experience, in full compliance with UGC regulations. Together, we’re committed to shaping the future of finance education and preparing students for success in an ever-changing world.”
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4, Feb 2025
For the love of Math, Epsilon India Camp this summer
04, February 2025,Chennai: The journey from being a deeply enthusiastic Math learner to an extraordinary Math genius is just a camp away. This summer, Epsilon India Camp returns with an intense, fun and immersive summer programme for students aged 9 to 13.
Organised by the Raising A Mathematician (RAM) Foundation, Epsilon India is a residential summer camp that empowers mathematically gifted students by combining advanced mathematics education with personal and social development. Epsilon India draws inspiration from the highly regarded Epsilon Camp, founded in the USA in 2011 by veteran research mathematician Dr George R Thomas, founder of Epsilon USA, MathPath and MathCamp.
This year the camp is hosted at the lush green 40-acre campus of Krea University, a leading Liberal Arts and Sciences college situated in Sri City, 70 km from Chennai. Away from the hustle and bustle of a metropolitan, this self-sustained campus boasts of neighbours such as Sriharikota, Kalahasti, Tada and Pulicat.
Cost of accommodation is sponsored by Krea University. For details on other costs, please write to epsiloncampindia@gmail.com. This year the camp is slated from 29 April to 12 May 2025, and the last date for submission of online application is February 10, 2025. To learn more about the application process, visit www.epsilonindia.org.
The camp offers a rigorous curriculum covering a wide array of topics, including Methods of Proofs, Combinatorics, Geometry, Group Theory, and Number Theory. Students are selected on the basis of their performance in the qualification test, a letter of recommendation and an interview. Around 40-50 students are selected from all over India and overseas, out of hundreds of applications. Children spend two screen-free weeks, attending undergraduate-level courses each day, immersing themselves in their passion for the subject. Many participants of the Epsilon India camp perform exceptionally well in Mathematics, Computer Science and Science Olympiads apart from other prestigious competitions at the international level. The camp also offers children and their parents the opportunity to connect with like-minded families, sharing opportunities and perspectives.
The students will be taught primarily by professional Mathematicians, Scientists, Computer Scientists and Statisticians from both academia and industry. Participants will also have Teaching Assistants to help with homework and other academic queries. Counsellors will take care of the students’ socio-emotional needs. Past and current faculty and speakers include Dr S Muralidharan, former Chief Examination Coordinator for India’s official Mathematical Olympiads; Professor Manjul Bhargava, Princeton University, Fields Medalist and Padma Bhushan awardee; Professor Rajeeva L Karandikar, Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Awardee and former director of Chennai Mathematical Institute, Professor Rajiv Gandhi, founder of the PACT, Professor at Rutgers University-Camden, Professor K V Subrahmanyam, Dean of Studies, Chennai Mathematical Institute and more.
4, Feb 2025
Raghubir Yadav’s Musical Journey at Spoken Fest Mumbai Takes Audiences on a Nostalgic Ride
As dusk fell upon a sea of eager listeners, actor, music composer, and singer Raghubir Yadav took the stage on Day 2 of Spoken Fest Mumbai, weaving together echoes of his past, with his performance. Widely known for his presence on stage and television, he was seen presenting as a musician at the Spoken Fest—his first live performance of this kind. His soulful performance unravelled childhood memories from his birthplace, Adartal, where music wasn’t just an art form but a way of life.
Raghubir Yadav shared stories and melodies from his childhood. He fondly reminisced how the rhythmic sounds of Adartal’s bylanes marked the start of his artistic journey. From the bhajans of Surdas that he first heard at the age of three to the melodic calls of street vendors—like the papad seller and the chana wala—his performance at Spoken Fest was an ode to a fading era when music flowed effortlessly through daily life. He recalled his childhood when travelling caravans of 10-15 carts would sing as they moved, how melodies emerged even from the most unexpected corners and how these sounds shaped his musical journey.
As he sang Bhojpuri folk songs like “Hamka joganiya bana gaye… “ the crowd swayed, mesmerised. When he broke into “Mehngai Dayain Khaye Jaat Hai” from Peepli Live, the energy shifted to lighthearted and deeply immersive. The festival grounds pulsed with an undeniable nostalgia, transporting audiences to a time when music wasn’t just composed but lived! At one point, Yadav picked up a simple straw (pipni) and played music on it, reliving his childhood. Accompanied by three other musicians Naynesh Pimpale, Siddharth Joshi & Hardik, he transformed Spoken Fest into a time capsule where melodies were born from the simplest joys of life.
His performance left an imprint—one of warmth, simplicity, and the undeniable magic of folk music. Raghubir Yadav didn’t just sing; he painted pictures with his voice, leaving the audiences at the Spoken Fest with hearts yearning for melodies from the past!
4, Feb 2025
Wardwizard Innovations Partners with SpeedforcEV to Revolutionize Fleet Operations with Electric Mobility
Vadodara, February 4, 2025: Wardwizard Innovations & Mobility Limited, a leading manufacturer of electric vehicles under the brands ‘Joy e-bike’ and ‘Joy e-rik’, has announced its entry into fleet operations and last-mile delivery mobility under its flagship brand, Joy e-bike. In collaboration with SpeedforcEV under the banner of Optimotion, the company deployed its first batch of 100 electric two-wheelers in Hyderabad today. This strategic move marks a significant step toward providing sustainable, technology-driven solutions for delivery partners and fleet operators.
Unlike traditional fleet operations that focus solely on vehicle deployment, Wardwizard Innovations & Mobility Limited is introducing a first-of-its-kind holistic approach in India to ensure seamless operations for delivery partners. The initiative encompasses vehicle supply, 24/7 maintenance, spare parts availability, charging infrastructure, financing solutions, and insurance support—all provided through strategic partnerships. This integrated approach ensures zero downtime for fleet operators, maximizing vehicle uptime and optimizing revenue potential. Cashless Insurance services will be managed by Bluebells, financing by Mangalam Industrial Finance Limited, charging stations by Ampvolts Limited, and spare parts and maintenance by SpeedforcEV.
With an initial deployment for Zomato, Swiggy, Flipkart, Amazon, and BigBasket, the company plans to expand rapidly across major metropolitan cities beyond Hyderabad, including Chennai, Mumbai, Pune, Vadodara, Ahmedabad, Kolkata, Bangalore and Surat.
Speaking on the initiative, Mr. Yatin Gupte, Chairman & Managing Director of Wardwizard Innovations & Mobility Limited, said: “This is a landmark moment for the Indian EV industry, as we are building endeavouring a complete end-to-end ecosystem to support fleet operations. Our partnership with SpeedforcEV for fleet operations, Mangalam Industrial Finance Limited, Mufin Green Finance, Bluebells Insurance Broking Pvt. Ltd., Ampvolts Limited and other key industry players ensures a hassle-free experience for businesses, maximizing uptime and revenue potential. We are targeting the deployment of 8,000 vehicles by March 2025, and scaling up to 50,000 vehicles by March 2026, reinforcing our commitment to driving EV adoption in the country. We are dedicated to revolutionizing last-mile mobility and fleet operations with innovative and sustainable solutions.”
This initiative represents a first-of-its-kind fully integrated smart mobility solution for fleet and logistics operations. Looking ahead, Wardwizard plans to extend its partnerships to B2B, B2C, and retail players, further strengthening its presence in the rapidly growing electric mobility sector.
4, Feb 2025
Focus on Urban Development, Agriculture & Food Security
Sudhindra Holla, Director of India & SAARC at Axis Communications
“The Union Budget 2025 sets a transformative agenda that aligns with our vision for secure and smart urban environments. With a focus on urban development and agriculture, the budget’s initiatives, such as the PM Dhan Dhyan Krishi Yojana aimed at enhancing crop yields, are crucial for fostering resilience in our food supply chains. This directly supports the security of critical infrastructure by ensuring stability in essential services.
The focus on youth empowerment and women’s welfare through targeted programs opens avenues for integrating advanced surveillance technologies. As we transition to a more digital economy, Axis Communications is dedicated to utilizing cutting-edge surveillance systems that enhance public safety and ensure robust data protection.
The proposed regulatory reforms will also play a vital role in creating a conducive environment for innovation in security technologies. As we look forward, we believe that these budgetary measures will not only strengthen India’s security landscape but also pave the way for sustainable growth in smart city projects across the nation.”
4, Feb 2025
GMDC Ltd. and J K Cement Ltd. Sign Strategic Long-Term Supply Agreement for Limestone from Kutch Mine
New Delhi: 04 February 2025: Gujarat Mineral Development Corporation Ltd. (GMDC) has signed a Long-Term Supply Agreement (LSA) with JK Cement Ltd. for the supply of 250 million tons of limestone over a period of 40 years from its upcoming Lakhpat Punrajpur Mine in Lakhpat Taluka of Kutch District in Gujarat. The signing event was chaired by the Chairman of GMDC Ltd. Dr. Hasmukh Adhia, IAS (Retd.) on January 29, 2025 (Wednesday) and the agreement was officially formalized by Shri Roopwant Singh, IAS, Managing Director of GMDC Ltd., and Shri Anuj Khandelwal, Business Head – Grey Cement of JK Cement Ltd., representing their respective organizations.
This agreement marks a strategic partnership towards monetizing the large limestone asset of GMDC Ltd. and benefiting both the partners. It will support J K Cement Ltd. in setting up a greenfield integrated mega-capacity cement plant, fostering industrial growth in the region. The collaboration will stimulate investment, enhance industrial development, and generate thousands of direct and indirect employment opportunities in Kutch, contributing significantly to the socio-economic progress of Gujarat. Kutch’s coastal proximity, improved access to domestic and international markets, and cost-efficient logistics position it as an ideal hub for cement production. Furthermore, this initiative will contribute substantially to the State Exchequer through revenue generation in the form of Royalty, National Mineral Exploration Trust (NMET) contributions, District Mineral Foundation (DMF) funds, and Goods & Services Tax (GST) on both limestone and cement production.
4, Feb 2025
Gopal Vittal appointed as Acting Chair of the GSMA Board
Bangalore, February 3, 2025: Gopal Vittal, Vice Chairman & MD, Bharti Airtel and Deputy Chair GSMA has been appointed as the Acting Chair of the GSMA board following the resignation of José Maria Álvares-Pallete, Chairman & CEO, Telefónica from the company. By virtue of this resignation, he is no longer able to continue in the position of the Chair of the GSMA.
Gopal was recently re-elected as the Deputy Chair of the GSMA board. He has also served the board as a key member for the term 2019-2020.
GSMA represents the global telecommunications industry with over 1100 companies from the telecom ecosystem across the world including telecom service providers, handset and device makers, software companies, equipment providers and internet companies, as well as organizations in adjacent industry sectors.
4, Feb 2025
Dr. P.N. Arora Praises Government’s Move to Set Up 200 Cancer Day Care Centers in District Hospitals
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the 2025 budget on Saturday, announcing the establishment of 200 cancer day care centers across the country. Along with this, she also declared exemptions on several essential medicines. The health sector responded positively to these announcements, expressing happiness and stating that these measures will make medical treatment significantly more accessible for people.
The government’s decision to set up cancer day care centers in district hospitals to make cancer treatment more accessible has been welcomed by the health sector. Dr. P.N. Arora, CMD of Yashoda Super Specialty Hospitals, Kaushambi, praised the steps taken in the 2025-26 budget to strengthen the healthcare sector. He particularly highlighted the decision to open 200 cancer day care centers in district hospitals as a major move that will facilitate early cancer detection and treatment, especially in remote areas.
Additionally, the exemption of customs duty on 36 essential medicines and reduced taxes on cancer drugs will make treatment more affordable for patients. The government’s plan to add 10,000 new medical seats in 2025-26 and increase the total by 75,000 seats over the next five years will further enhance healthcare services.
Dr. Arora expressed hope that more such reforms will be introduced in the coming years, ensuring that every individual has access to better and more affordable healthcare facilities.
4, Feb 2025
Jaipur Kala Kendra to Host NSD’s Bharat Rang Mahotsav, February 9-13, 2025
The National School of Drama (NSD) is organising its flagship Bharat Rang Mahotsav (BRM), International Theatre Festival of India, which completed a successful run of 25 years in 2024. Fondly called ‘Bharangam’, BRM is the world’s largest theatre festival, and is set to take place from February 9 to 13, 2025 in Jaipur. Through this pioneering effort, NSD is expanding the festival’s outreach with enhanced international engagement, building on last year’s theme ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, Vande Bharangam.’
“One Expression, Supreme Creation.” This slogan for Bharat Rang Mahotsav 2025 resonates with the spirit of unity in creative expression, and the oneness of all. Noted actor and NSD alumnus Sh. Rajpal Yadav has been named the Rang Doot (Festival Ambassador) for this year.
In collaboration with Rajasthan International Centre, Jaipur the festival will flag off in the city with an inauguration ceremony on February 9, 2025, at 6:00 PM at Jaipur Kala Kendra featuring the play The Rose.
Take a glance at the programme schedule for Jaipur:
| Sun, Feb 9, 2025 (Opening Ceremony)
Programme: The Rose Time: 6:00 PM Writer & Dir: Ram Hari Dhakal Group: Individual, Oslo, Norway
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Mon, Feb 10, 2025
Programme: Images of Love Writer & Dir: Theodore Hoidekr Group: Hilt Black Light Theatre, Prague, Czech Republic Language: English
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| Tue, Feb 11, 2025
Programme: Lyric Dragonfly (Solo) Time: 6:30 PM Dir: Amparo Nogues & Zelia Lanaspa Group: Mikropera, Zaragoza, Spain |
Wed, Feb 12, 2025
Programme: Clan Macbeth Writer: William Shakespeare Director: Daniele Scattina |
| Thu, Feb 13, 2025 (Closing Ceremony)
Programme: Karna Time: 6:00 PM Dir: Chongtham Jayanta Meetei Group: Ex-Theatre Asia, Taiwan |
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Speaking on the occasion, Shri Chittaranjan Tripathy, Director of the National School of Drama, said: “Bharat Rang Mahotsav has become a quintessential theatre festival on the global stage with its expansive approach. It has not only served as a platform for theatre performances from around the world but has also offered opportunities for the amalgamation of various traditional performing art forms. Additionally, it has facilitated knowledge-sharing and idea-exchange among individuals from the dramatic arts and other creative fields.”
Shri Rajpal Yadav shared his thoughts as, “To return to NSD as a Rangdoot for Bharangam 2025, after graduating as a student in 1997, feels like life has come full circle. As I celebrate 25 years in cinema, I’m deeply moved to be part of this incredible gathering. It’s truly commendable to witness the high level of artistry achieved here, often with limited resources, a stark contrast to the world of cinema. I’m awestruck.” He further added, “With a mission to unite people through theatre and natya, I stand with you now and always. NSD, one of the world’s premier theatre institutes, has produced extraordinary talent, and under the leadership of Shri Chittaranjan Tripathy, I have no doubt that we will soon be recognized as leaders on the global stage.”
Welcoming one and all to Bharangam 2025, Professor Bharat Gupt, Vice Chairperson, National School of Drama said, “As we celebrate Bharat Rang Mahotsav 2025, marking the 65th Anniversary of the National School of Drama and the 60th Anniversary of the NSD Repertory Company, we embrace ‘Ek Rang, Shreshth Rang,’ (One Expression, Supreme Creation) as theatre unites us all, transcending borders through the universal language of storytelling. With the Rang Shashthi festival taking iconic productions to cities across India and beyond, we honour our legacy while looking forward to a future of limitless creativity. Welcome to a festival that celebrates unity, excellence, and the timeless power of theatre.”
BRM 2025, which spans a period of 20 days, from January 28, 2025 to February 16, 2025, will feature more than 200 unique productions from 9 different countries apart from India, showcased across 11 locations in India and 2 abroad, which are Kathmandu and Colombo. International theatre groups participating in the said festival are hailing from Russia, Italy, Germany, Norway, Czech Republic, Nepal, Taiwan, Spain, and Sri Lanka.
Alongside the festival’s epicenter in Delhi, Indian satellite locations include Agartala, Ahmedabad, Bathinda, Bengaluru, Bhopal, Goa, Gorakhpur, Khairagarh and Ranchi including Jaipur.
“In continuation of NSD’s legacy, we are organising the Bharat Rang Mahotsav 2025 in two international locations this time. In the coming years, we aim to broaden the scope of this festival further, and extend it to other continents,” Shri Tripathy added.
4, Feb 2025
Beacon, Bharat Connect, and YES BANK Launch Indian Bill Pay Service for Canadian NRI
New Delhi, India (February 4, 2025) – Beacon, a company redefining financial services for immigrants in Canada has launched a groundbreaking feature allowing direct bill payments to India in Canadian dollars from their Beacon Money account. India Bill Pay is the newest addition to the Beacon super app, a platform designed specifically for immigrants to Canada and now available for download on Google and iOS. The first of its kind, Beacon’s India Bill Pay is a pioneering cross-border bill payment solution launched in collaboration with Bharat Connect (BBPS) and YES BANK in India.
With approximately 60% of remittances to India used for family maintenance, many Indians face the delicate balance of building their lives in Canada while fulfilling their home obligations. Non-resident Indians (NRIs) are restricted in their ability to access India’s banking and payment systems from abroad.
This creates major pain points for NRIs around the world looking to pay bills in India either for themselves or for their family. Currently, people must rely on maintaining NRI bank accounts or family and friends to pay Indian bills, both of which are inconvenient. Managing multiple accounts is costly, and culturally, asking for help often leaves NRIs feeling guilty about not meeting their obligations independently. With the launch of India Bill Pay, Beacon expands its financial services for immigrants, providing a seamless way for Indians to pay bills across borders.
“As an NRI in Canada, I faced challenges paying bills in India for my family. That’s why we partnered with YES Bank and Bharat Connect to build Beacon India Bill Pay, a product designed to provide seamless experience to NRIs like me.” said Aditya Mhatre, Co-Founder and Chief Product and Technology Officer of Beacon. “With Beacon India Bill Pay, we’ve recreated the same simplicity of paying bills while in India, but tailored it for NRIs using foreign currency. So stop sending money—just pay the bill directly. We are already planning to bring Beacon India Bill Pay’s revolutionary service to more countries.”
Powered by YES BANK, the service ensures smooth payment processing for Indian billers under the Rupee Drawing Arrangement (RDA), a framework regulated by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). This system facilitates structured and compliant fund transfers from overseas to India, efficiently converting foreign currency payments into Indian rupees and settling them with Indian beneficiaries, including billers on the Bharat Connect network.
Beacon India Bill Pay also leveraged India’s national bill payment infrastructure known as Bharat Connect, previously known as Bharat Bill Payment System (BBPS), to enable these payments. Conceptualized by the RBI, Bharat Connect provides technology solutions that simplify collections and settlements of bill payments for millions of customers and businesses across India. It ensures convenience, end-to-end encryption for security, and strict adherence to RBI regulations, connecting billers, payment providers, and customers seamlessly.
The unique benefits of Beacon’s India Bill Pay are:
- 100% digital KYC and onboarding process that can be completed within 10 minutes to start paying Indian bills
- Users can pay over 21,000 Indian billers such as utilities, student and home loans, school fees, and hospital charges and more directly using Canadian dollars
- Beacon India Bill Pay can auto-fetch bill due amount and send bill reminders for hassle-free payments.
- 100% secure and compliant with Reserve Bank of India policies, Beacon’s integration with Bharat Connect and YES BANK’s robust infrastructure ensures efficient and secure payment settlements, delivering an enhanced user experience.
Ms. Noopur Chaturvedi, CEO of NBBL, said, “We are pleased to partner with Beacon to extend the convenience of Bharat Connect (BBPS) to users in Canada. This collaboration reflects our commitment to offering a seamless, convenient and reliable platform for bill payments, ensuring Indians abroad can easily manage essential services back home.”
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Ajay Rajan, Country Head – Government, Multinational and International Business, Transaction Banking and Knowledge Units, YES BANK said, “YES BANK is proud to partner with Beacon to introduce this transformative cross-border payment solution. Leveraging the Bharat Connect model and the RDA framework, we are bridging the gap between Indian and international financial ecosystems, simplifying the process for NRIs to manage their obligations back home.”
