German Design Awards Honour TECNO PHANTOM V Fold2 5G and PHANTOM V Flip2 5G: A Triumph of Product Design Excellence

New Delhi, 23rd December 2024: TECNO, an innovative technology brand and globally recognized innovator, has once again underscored its prowess in designing excellence by securing two prestigious “Excellent Product Design” awards at the esteemed German Design Awards 2025. The TECNO PHANTOM V Flip2 5G and PHANTOM V Fold2 5G were both honoured in the Computer and Communication category, reflecting the brand’s unwavering commitment to harmonizing cutting-edge technology with unparalleled fashionable designs.

The German Design Awards are the premium prize of the German Design Council. With its global scope and international appeal, it is one of the most prestigious awards in the design landscape across all industries. The German Design Awards have been identifying key design trends, presenting them to a broad public and honouring them since 2012. This year’s competition was particularly intense, featuring submissions from 59 countries vying for the top accolades.

The TECNO PHANTOM V Fold2 5G, a standout winner at the German Design Awards for its innovative design, impressed the judging panel with its revolutionary foldable technology. It seamlessly integrates a compact 6.42” outer screen with an expansive 7.85” main 120Hz LTPO display, all powered by a robust 5750mAh Aircell battery with rapid 70W charging. The FreeForm imaging system elevates its functionality and creativity to new heights. The Rippling Blue edition, a collaboration with German high-end TV and audio brand LOEWE., embodies sophisticated elegance while upholding sustainable design principles. Its eco-friendly packaging, crafted from plant fibres and recycled materials, further underscores TECNO’s dedication to sustainability.

Equally impressive, the TECNO PHANTOM V Flip2 5G, an icon of sleek and flowing design, captivated the panel of judges with its revolutionary ThruPool Cover Screen, inspired by infinity pools. This stylish creation features a 3.64” screen seamlessly integrated with the slightly curved main body, with a suspended camera lens immersed in flowing pixels. Its ultra-slim flagship 120Hz main screen balances aesthetics with functionality. With AI-enhanced features like the advanced Gemini-integrated Ella AI Assistant and AI Artboard, the user experience is further elevated. The foldable design flips traditional shooting on its head, enabling creative imaging experiences with FreeCam, which allows hands-free shots at any angle from 30-150°.

The judges of the German Design Awards 2025 commended TECNO for its dedication to design excellence. Regarding the PHANTOM V Fold2 5G, the jury remarked, “The TECNO PHANTOM V Fold2 5G exemplifies the seamless integration of innovative technology and sophisticated design. The device’s foldable screen, coupled with its potent AI features and refined aesthetics, sets a new benchmark in the smartphone market.”

TECNO’s success at the German Design Awards 2025 builds upon the brand’s impressive legacy in design. Last year, the TECNO PHANTOM V Flip 5G received a Special Mention at the German Design Awards 2024 for its distinctive circular outer screen, themed ‘The Planet,’ and its cosmic-inspired aesthetic. This year, however, the TECNO PHANTOM V Flip2 5G has achieved an even higher honour at the GDA 2025, further cementing TECNO’s status as an innovator at the forefront of the design landscape and marking consecutive victories at the prestigious awards.

“We are honoured to receive these awards, as they signify the recognition of TECNO’s steadfast commitment to design excellence,” said Jack Guo, General Manager of TECNO. “Guided by our ‘Stop At Nothing’ ethos, we relentlessly push the boundaries of design and technology to deliver cutting-edge, stylish innovations to our global audience. Our continued focus on the foldable market highlights our dedication to pioneering design. Looking forward, we are poised to further strengthen our position as a leader in AI-driven innovation, bringing even more transformative technologies to our users around the world.”

As an innovative technology brand operating in over 70 markets, TECNO has been dedicated to revolutionizing the digital experience in emerging markets worldwide. Through its unwavering pursuit of design excellence and the seamless integration of contemporary aesthetics with the latest technologies, TECNO is poised to continue making a significant impact on the global design landscape.

Nand Ghar, An Anil Agarwal Foundation Initiative Expands with New Milestones in Education, Nutrition, and Skill Development for 2024

National, December 2024: Nand Ghar, the flagship initiative of AAF, marked a momentous year of growth and impact. This transformative project, dedicated to improving the lives of women and children in rural communities, made significant strides in advancing its mission of holistic development. So far, Nand Ghar has upgraded over 6,600 anganwadi centers across 15 states. The initiative supports over 2,60,000 children and 1,90,000 women, making strides toward empowering communities and driving sustainable change.

The year began with The Vedanta Culture Festival in February, held at Dilli Haat. It celebrated India’s artistic heritage with a vibrant display of crafts and cultural traditions. Organized by Vedanta and AAF, the festival brought together artisans from across the country, offering a rich experience of India’s diverse artistry. Ms. Rajni Rathor and Mr. Shyam Singh Rathor, associated with Nand Ghar in Jaipur, showcased candle-making as part of the Samota Mata Self Help Group. This initiative empowered women artisans, fostering skill development and entrepreneurship.

Nand Ghar also served as the Social Impact Partner at the Jaipur Literature Festival 2024, showcasing its efforts to improve early childhood education, health, and nutrition, particularly for rural women and children. At the festival, AAF introduced the ‘Nand Ghar Bagaan’, a vibrant experience centre celebrating India’s cultural diversity that featured skill development workshops on activities like Candle Making, Block Printing, Puppetry, and cooking indigenous recipes such as millet laddoos, empowering local women and highlighting the role of women’s Self-Help Groups.

In May, Nand Ghar launched the ‘Khaana Khaaya Kya’ campaign featuring Manoj Bajpayee to make child nutrition a national priority. It aimed to drive public action through donations, volunteering, and partnerships. The renowned actor joined the movement as its first ever ambassador, helping spread the message that “no child should go to bed hungry” to Indian households. A simple question, “Khaana Khaaya Kya?” sought to inspire 1.4 billion Indians to nourish the dreams of India’s future. Over 600 volunteers participated, and the movement garnered significant support through partnerships and monetary contributions.

Priya Agarwal Hebbar, Chairperson, Hindustan Zinc Ltd., and Non-Executive Director, Vedanta remarked, “This year has been a significant one for us as we expanded our impact in Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra, transforming over 6,600 Anganwadis into vibrant Nand Ghars across 15 states, touching the lives of thousands of women and children. I’m thankful for all the partnerships, volunteers, and everyone who contributed to the efforts of taking the Nand Ghar Movement forward. As we look ahead, we remain committed to scaling these efforts and creating lasting change for India’s future generations as we continue our journey of positively impacting 7 crore children and 2 crore women.”

Following the success of the multi-millet nutri bar that was distributed last year to combat malnourishment amongst children, AAF observed Poshan Maah 2024 in September with a two-phase “millet shake” distribution program across Nand Ghars. These protein-dense, dairy-free shakes are rich in 23 essential vitamins and minerals, designed to provide long-lasting nutritional support to children. With the aim to facilitate supplementary nutrition, Nand Ghar introduced these shakes to promote the intake of millets in the daily diet. In the first phase, over 50,000 shakes were distributed to 6,000 children in Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and Jharkhand. In the second phase, the program expanded to Punjab, Karnataka, and Goa, where over 52,500 millet shakes were shared with 12,500 children.

From enhancing nutrition and education to skill development and cultural empowerment, Nand Ghar’s efforts in 2024 have been a testament to AAF’s commitment to creating lasting social change.

Over the course of the year, extensive focus was on the state of Rajasthan wherein more than 550 Nand Ghars were developed across 6 districts bringing the footprint to a total of around 3500 across 15 districts. With the commitment of upgrading a total of 25,000 Nand Ghars in the state, over the next 2 years, the initiative aims to create a lasting impact on the lives of children and women by fostering nutrition, education, healthcare, and women empowerment in Rajasthan’s rural communities.

In Odisha, AAF seeks to develop 700 Nand Ghars in Jharsuguda, Kalahandi, and Raygada districts. Towards this end, AAF also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the District Social Welfare Office (DSWO) to upgrade 500 Anganwadi centers across Jharsuguda district into state-of-the-art Nand Ghar.

Nand Ghar project will also see expansion in other states, including Maharashtra (Thane, Gadhchiroli, and Vardha districts), Andhra Pradesh (Visakhapatnam and Nellore), Chhattisgarh (Sakti District), and Rajasthan (Udaipur, Rajsamand, and Barmer).

The Nand Ghar initiative continues to be a cornerstone of Vedanta’s commitment to social responsibility, focusing on sustainable development that addresses the needs of the most vulnerable populations in India. With these new expansions, the foundation is poised to significantly enhance the quality of life for millions more children and women, ensuring a healthier and more prosperous future for India’s next generation. Celebrating 50 years of Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) in 2025, Nand Ghar intends to lead the way towards establishing the ideal model for anganwadis and help pave the way for a brighter and a better future.

Delhi-NCR tops Housing Price Index for Sep 2024: Housing.com-ISB Report

New Delhi, 23rd December 2024: Property values in India’s National Capital Region (NCR) have shown significant increase in a rather short time span as the country’s rich continue to pour millions in this highly promising residential market, inspired by lifestyle aspirations. According to the latest findings of the Housing Price Index (HPI), a leading indicator of price trends in India’s key realty markets, the NCR, with an HPI reading of 178, has outperformed its peers, primarily driven by strong end-user demand, investor interest and significant value appreciation in key micro-markets such as New Gurgaon, Noida Extension and Dwarka Expressway.

Developed jointly by leading real estate app Housing.com and global business school Indian School of Business (ISB), the HPI serves as a tool that tracks changes in residential home prices across India’s 13 major markets.

All-India HPI moves 2 points up in Sept; Bengaluru, Kolkata show 12-point jump

The All-India HPI reached 128 in September, marking a 2-point quarter-on-quarter increase, reflecting steady growth in property values across major residential hubs. These findings reaffirm the strength of India’s residential real estate market, as it navigates global and domestic challenges while responding to evolving buyer needs, the report notes.

Other cities that have displayed significant improvement in price growth include Bengaluru and Kolkata. Demand-driven growth in micro-markets such as Varthur and Devanahalli triggered value growth in India’s IT capital: the city saw its reading jump 12 points, from 155 to 167, from June to September. The reading for Kolkata showed a similar jump, from 138 to 150 in the same period.

“With an improvement in infrastructure and connectivity, Kolkata is gradually showing improvements in terms of liveability. Despite a sharp price rise, the city remains more affordable than other metros, providing it a certain edge, especially to people looking for post-retirement homes,” says the report.

‘Rising property values reflect a stable, maturing market’

Mr. Amit Masaldan, Chief Revenue Officer, Housing.com, said: “Delhi-NCR’s remarkable performance in the Housing Price Index is a testament to the region’s strong fundamentals, underpinned by robust demand and strategic developments in key micro-markets. This growth aligns with India’s broader real estate trajectory, where rising property values reflect a stable and maturing market. Despite affordability challenges, end-users and investors are demonstrating confidence, driven by the promise of long-term value creation.”

“India’s real estate sector continues to evolve, shaped by transformative infrastructure projects, urbanisation trends, and growing aspirations for larger homes. As we move forward, the sector is poised to contribute significantly to India’s economic narrative, offering opportunities across residential, commercial, and emerging segments. With strategic planning and alignment to buyer preferences, the market is set to sustain its growth momentum while adapting to the new realities,” Mr. Masaldan added.

“We see a significant variation in the trends in the overall Indian market. Over the past two years, the NCR region has experienced sharp price increases, accompanied by a significant slowdown in sales. In contrast, the Mumbai region has witnessed modest price growth alongside a robust increase in sales. While there are broader economic headwinds, India’s real estate sector is mature and well-positioned to withstand short-term turbulence,” said Mr Shekhar Tomar, Assistant Professor, Economics and Public Policy, ISB.

A Breakthrough in India’s Medical Industry: Bangalore Hospitals Introduces the First 640 Slice CT Scan Imaging

Bangalore, 23rd December 2024 – Bangalore Hospitals, a renowned brand in healthcare innovation and quality, has introduced the first-ever 640-slice CT Scan imaging technology in India, setting a global benchmark for the least radiation exposure ever in a CT scan. This cutting-edge technology guarantees quicker, safer, and more detailed imaging, revolutionizing diagnostic precision and reinforcing the hospital’s commitment to unmatched patient care.

The 640 Slice CT Scan stands out with its unparalleled speed and accuracy. It completes heart scans in just 3 seconds and whole-body scans in 9 seconds, providing a life-saving tool to detect issues swiftly and precisely. Amid rising concerns about sudden young cardiac deaths, this scan offers a non-invasive, rapid, and safe solution to identify potential cardiac problems before they escalate, enabling timely intervention and saving lives.

“We are raising the bar in healthcare with the adoption of this innovative technology. Our doctors can give life-saving diagnoses in rapid time thanks to the 640 Slice CT’s ability to acquire comprehensive images faster,” said Dr. Lahari Surapaneni, CEO, Bangalore Hospitals. “This demonstrates our steadfast dedication to providing patients with the best diagnostic resources currently accessible.”

Why the 640 Slice CT Scan Stands Out

· Unparalleled Safety: Delivers the least radiation exposure globally, ensuring safety even for repeated scans.

· Unmatched Speed: Completes scans in seconds, with India’s fastest rotation speed.

· Precision Diagnosis: Produces clearer images, aiding in the early detection and treatment of critical conditions.

“Our 640 Slice CT Scan Imaging offers a non-invasive solution for detecting life-threatening conditions before they escalate,” said Dr. Abhishek Mannem, Medical Director, Bangalore Hospitals. “This technology enables patients and professionals to take prompt action by clearly exposing concealed concerns. It’s a dedication to saving lives, not merely an advancement in technology.”

I would consider the 640 Slice CT as a noninvasive cardiac angiogram, particularly for patients with Chest Pain and any patients that are at high risk for a heart attack. This machine gives high quality and high resolution coronary angiograms as well as peripheral angiograms and the images are really accurate. It is a very good noninvasive screening test and is highly recommended to rule out blockages of arteries in high risk individuals such as those with longstanding diabetes, smokers as well as those with family history of cardiac deaths, as per medical advice said Dr. CN Manjunath, Member of Parliament and Director of Cardiac Services, Bangalore Hospitals.

The launch also marks a transformative chapter for Bangalore Hospitals, which is regaining its former glory under new management. Now operating under a USA-based brand, the hospital embraces transparent, truthful practices, enhancing its standing as a beacon of trust and excellence.

Dr. Lahari continued, “Our goal has always been to blend state-of-the-art technology with a human touch. We’re making that mission a reality for each and every patient who enters our doors with the 640 Slice CT.”