7, Jan 2025
Samsung Expands ‘AI for All’ Vision at CES 2025 To Bring AI Everyday, Everywhere
LAS VEGAS – Jan. 7, 2025 – Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. today unveiled its new “AI for All” vision at CES® 2025, with the focus of making AI an “Everyday, Everywhere” experience. Building on a decade of connected home leadership, Samsung is leveraging the power of AI to bring intelligence to every day, enabling people to experience a more personal, impactful and empowering world.
Jong-Hee (JH) Han, Vice Chairman, CEO and Head of Samsung’s Device eXperience (DX) Division, opened Samsung’s CES 2025 press conference by introducing the company’s roadmap for Home AI, a plan for redefining the meaning of home by providing truly personalized services across all intelligent, connected devices. This strategy, alongside Samsung’s innovations in AI-powered devices across mobile, home appliances and visual display, is a testament to Samsung’s longstanding commitment to human-centric innovation and brings the power of AI to everyday experiences to make life better for all.

“I’m proud of how we have introduced new technologies and intelligence to the home, connected key devices and set the standard for the home of the future,” Vice Chairman Han said. “This year at CES, we are reinforcing our commitment to delivering personalized experiences through our widespread implementation of AI and we will continue this journey of AI leadership in the home and beyond, not just for the next decade, but for the next century.”
Elevating Everyday Experiences With Home AI
Later in the press conference, Jonathan Gabrio, Head of the Connected Experience Center at Samsung Electronics America, expanded on Samsung’s Home AI vision, underscoring the company’s commitment to integrating AI across the entire connected experience to cater to diverse lifestyles. From single person households to multi-generational families under one roof, Home AI learns from habits and adapts to individual routines for a hyper-personalized smart home experience.
Security and Privacy are at the heart of Samsung’s strategy for Home AI. Samsung recognizes that as users introduce more connected devices into their homes and AI becomes more personal, it must also protect users’ privacy. To meet these evolving needs, the company has extended its security capabilities. Now, Samsung Knox Matrix protects home appliances along with mobile devices and TVs with its signature blockchain technology, ensuring that connected devices are working together to protect the user’s home, data and each other from digital threats. With Knox Matrix Dashboard, a transparent privacy control, Samsung offers simplified security management across the entire connected home. As information syncs across devices, Knox Matrix’s Credential Sync ensures that data can only be encrypted or decrypted from the user’s devices, and Samsung Knox Vault adds another layer of protection, keeping sensitive information like passwords or PINs isolated in a secure location.
Samsung’s One UI provides an integrated software experience across all connected Samsung devices, enhancing interoperability, empowering users with AI-based features and providing software updates for up to seven years.
Underpinning it all is SmartThings, Samsung’s smart home platform that brings intelligent connectivity to hundreds of millions of users around the world. With Samsung’s belief in open innovation and partnership as a foundation, SmartThings is being equipped with the latest AI technology to streamline and personalize the smart home experience for complete convenience. SmartThings Ambient Sensing intuitively understands the user’s environment and situational context by analyzing even human movements and ambient sounds through connected devices within the home, thereby enabling those devices to intelligently and seamlessly respond and adapt to daily routines.
Bixby Voice, an enhanced AI voice assistant, will be integrated to increase usability. The assistant has been trained so that it can recognize individual voices and respond to commands in a way that works best for each user.
Another way SmartThings simplifies everyday life is with Flex Connect, Samsung’s energy demand response program which incentivizes customers to enroll their devices with SmartThings and use SmartThings Energy. Users can decrease strain on local electricity grids and receive rewards in the form of Samsung Rewards points. In 2025, the program will be expanded from New York and California to select regions in Texas, helping address critical grid needs in the state.
These Home AI updates free up time previously spent on home management, allowing users to focus on what matters most and explore new passions. Samsung’s new Galaxy Book5 Pro and Galaxy Book5 360 are AI PCs built to boost productivity with Intel® Core™ Ultra Processors (Series 2) and enhance creativity with features like AI Select and Samsung Studio. AI Select works to make browsing a breeze, while Samsung Studio lets users edit across their Galaxy smartphone, tablet or PC wherever inspiration strikes, at home or on the go. Powered by the NPU, Photo Remaster upscales low-resolution photos into high-quality visuals, while Storage Share lets users directly access the files on their smartphone from their PC, avoiding the process of downloading.
With productivity comes proactivity, too. When AI and Samsung Health combine, users are empowered to take control of their health and wellness. With AI-driven health insights gathered on the Galaxy Ring and Galaxy Watch, Samsung is helping users make sense of their data and arrive at more informed decisions about their well-being. These new capabilities will further improve the overall experience of Samsung Health, which stands apart as an end-to-end health solution that integrates the entire home seamlessly.
Seamless Entertainment in the AI Era
Samsung’s latest screen experiences, powered by Samsung Vision AI, bring unexpected joy to users’ days through unparalleled personalization and exciting new features. The AI Screen experience infuses intelligence into TVs, bringing Generative Wallpaper, Live Translate and Click to Search to users. At the forefront of this technology is the Neo QLED 8K, which provides the most advanced viewing experiences though AI features like 8K AI Upscaling Pro, Auto HDR Remastering Pro and Color Booster Pro — all of which work behind the scenes to intelligently enhance picture quality. Plus, The Frame’s art experience is expanding, allowing all Samsung QLEDs to come with a digital collection of over 3,000 art pieces, making it so that they can turn any room into a personal gallery.
Samsung’s commitment to its Screens Everywhere strategy is reflected in new display options for its appliances, including its new refrigerators with 9″ AI Home displays and other devices with 7″ screens. Consumers will be able to enjoy heightened functionality — including various entertainment services, AI features such as AI Vision Inside and direct access to the online grocery service Instacart — on a broader range of products.
Taking AI Everywhere
Beyond the home, Samsung’s AI innovations are set to transform new categories and industries with SmartThings Pro. Created to bring the same AI-powered digital solutions to business partners as SmartThings offers consumers, SmartThings Pro is a B2B solution spanning multi-residential homes to retail spaces, hotels, schools and more. Since its launch last June, SmartThings Pro provides businesses with integrations to better understand energy usage, proactively identify devices with maintenance needs and offer comprehensive control of connected solutions. Samsung is working with partners to create an innovative platform, Future Innovation Technology (FIT), for larger businesses and buildings to set automated climate controls that save energy and reduce electricity costs.
The company is also working with Samsung Heavy Industries on a new SmartThings collaboration that uses the Matter connectivity standard to connect with compatible ships. SmartThings for Ships offers a Pre-Sailing Mode, which allows captains and crews to automate when the engine starts and turn on settings for temperature and lights, saving time and energy. Meanwhile, Care Mode provides a complete view of a ship’s power, AC systems and smoke alarms, while Protection Mode constantly monitors for — and will alert captain and crew to — any abnormal activity.
Additionally, Samsung is expanding its SmartThings and automotive integrations in a new partnership with Hyundai Motor Group to bring SmartThings to Hyundai EVs. With the expanded ecosystem, users can now use SmartThings Find to easily locate their parked car, even in crowded parking lots. With the power of Home AI, SmartThings can make recommendations on when to recharge EVs based on schedules and rates. And if there is a neighborhood power outage, it will automatically activate Battery Backup Mode, which works alongside AI Energy Mode to extend the battery energy to power home essentials.
In the Automotive space, Samsung and its subsidiary Harman continue their promise to transform the in-car experience with new products that bring contextual awareness into the cabin. Leveraging Samsung’s expertise in UX and AI, HARMAN’s new in-vehicle avatar acts as an intelligent digital copilot that works with Harman products like Ready Care and Ready Vision to anticipate needs while drivers focus on the road.
Empowering the Next Generation
Finally, Inhee Chung, Vice President of the Corporate Sustainability Center, underscored how Samsung’s AI for All vision is rooted in the brand’s commitment to harness the power of advanced technology for a better, more inclusive world. Samsung is introducing diverse and enhanced accessibility features through its AI-powered devices and services, starting with the ability to automatically sync accessibility features across home appliances from a smartphone.
From the first half of this year, Bixby will automatically have connected devices display text in high contrast or provide a voice guide for family members with low vision, all by simply recognizing their voice. For those with low vision, AI is improving Audio Subtitles by lowering foreign language audio and reading out the subtitles in the language of the user’s choosing.
Chung also discussed how initiatives like Samsung Solve for Tomorrow, Samsung Innovation Campus and the company’s work with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) are enabling the next generation of innovators. Today, Samsung Solve for Tomorrow challenges more than 2.6 million students across 66 countries to use STEM to address challenges in their community. In particular, during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games last year, Samsung and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) launched a digital community “Together for Tomorrow, Enabling People” and appointed top 10 teams from global Solve for Tomorrow as community ambassadors. Meanwhile, Samsung Innovation Campus has helped prepare nearly 180,000 young people across 33 countries for the workforce through training on emerging technologies like AI, IoT and big data.
In a video message, Achim Steiner, UNDP Administrator, joined VP Chung to share an update on Samsung and UNDP’s partnership to harness the power of technology for good. Since its initiation five years ago, the Samsung Global Goals app has raised over $20 million thanks to nearly 300 million users who are using a Galaxy smartphone, tablet or watch. Plus, Samsung and UNDP’s joint work through the Generation17 initiative continues to inspire extraordinary young leaders around the world who are mobilizing their communities to advance the Global Goals.
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7, Jan 2025
Arena Animation Inaugurates New Centre at Dilsukhnagar, Hyderabad
Hyderabad, January 07, 2025: Arena Animation, one of India’s leading animation institutes in the country and a training brand of Aptech Limited, recently announce the inauguration of its new training centre at Dilsukhnagar, Hyderabad. This launch marks a significant step in extending Arena Animation’s legacy of delivering world-class training in animation, gaming, graphic design, and multimedia technologies to a broader audience.
The Dilsukhnagar centre is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, providing students access to the latest tools and technologies required to excel in the dynamic fields of animation and multimedia. This expansion aims to foster a new wave of creative professionals, empowering students with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in the global creative industry.

Speaking about the Centre in, Dilsukhnagar Mr. Sandip Weling, Chief Business Officer (Global Retail Business), Aptech Limited, and Brand Custodian, Arena Animation shares, “The launch of our new Arena Animation centre in Dilsukhnagar, Hyderabad, represents more than just an expansion—it’s a gateway to boundless creativity for the youth aspiring to join the AVGC (animation, VFX, gaming & comics industry). At Aptech, we are committed to equipping aspiring professionals with the skills and vision needed to shape the future of the creative industries. With this new centre, Hyderabad’s vibrant talent pool now has access to state-of-the-art education and resources of Arena Animation to bring their imagination to life and be industry ready professionals.”
The Dilsukhnagar centre is spread across 3000 square feet with a capacity to accommodate 350 students, Arena Animation new centre in Hyderabad marks a significant milestone in its vision of making creative education accessible to students across the nation.
The inauguration of the Dilsukhnagar centre is part of Arena Animation’s broader strategy to expand its footprint across the country, ensuring that aspiring creative minds have access to top-notch education and training, no matter where they are located.
7, Jan 2025
16th Edition of Apeejay Kolkata Literary Festival unfolds 10th January at Allen Park
7th January, Kolkata: The festival will be inaugurated by iconic singer Usha Uthup, with a special tribute to the legendary filmmaker Shyam Benegal. Esteemed author Arjun Sengupta will honour Benegal’s enduring legacy by releasing his book Shyam Benegal: Filmmaker of the Real India. AKLF 2025 boasts an impressive line-up of speakers, with more than 120 writers gracing the festival. Notable names include Akhil Katyal, Akshat Gupta, Dr. Alka Pande, Anand Neelakantan, Anuja Chandramouli, Anita Agnihotri, Ankita Konwar, Aparna Vaidik, Aritra Sarkar, Arunava Sinha, Ashis Nandy, Blossom Kochhar, Chinmoy Guha, Ira Mukhoty, Jael Silliman, Jayanta Sengupta, Kunal Basu, M K Raina, Mani Shankar Aiyar, Milind Soman, Monideepa Banerjie, Neha Dixit, Nusrat F Jafri, Pinaki De, Prayaag Akbar, Rajdeep Sardesai, Ramachandra Guha, Rana Safvi, Ruchir Joshi, Rudrangshu Mukherjee, Salil Tripathi, Samar Jodha, Nitish Bhushan, Samrat Choudhury, Sandip Roy, Shabnam Minwalla, Shalini Modi, Shenaz Treasury, Shobha Tharoor Srinivasan, Shobhaa De, Sudeep Chakravarti, Sugata Bose, Sumantra Ghosal, Shaun Kenworthy, Sunita Kohli, Vinay Sharma, Vandana Kohli, Usha Uthup, William Dalrymple, Ila Arun, Priyanka S Kaintura, Riddhi Bahl, Shabnam Minwalla, SV Raman and Sunil Bhandari among others.
This edition will feature the much-anticipated shortlist announcement of the 10th edition of the prestigious Oxford Bookstore Book Cover Prize. The festival will provide the first look at Ruchir Joshi’s much-anticipated new novel, giving readers an exclusive sneak peek into the literary gem to come. Further, the launch of Arjun Sengupta’s Shyam Benegal: Film- maker of the Real India, Anand Neelakantan’s Many Ramayanas, Many Lessons, Ira Mukhoty’s The Lion and the Lily and Sunita Kohli’s The India Cookbook:From the tables of my friends, shall be witnessed at the festival.
The Oxford Junior Literary Festival (OJLF), hosted at the Oxford Bookstore, promises an enchanting experience for young readers through a variety of engaging activities. Highlights include interactive “meet the author” sessions, hands-on activities, interaction, and captivating storytelling sessions. With a mission to inspire a passion for literature and foster creativity, the OJLF seeks to spark the imaginations of the younger generation. Concurrently, the Poetry Café at Alliance Française du Bengale will offer an energetic stage for both seasoned and emerging poets to present their work, encouraging a vibrant exchange of ideas and artistic creativity.
The three-day festival enjoys the support of esteemed partners – Kenilworth Hotel, as the Hospitality Partner; Cha Bar for Refreshments; Calcutta Business School, ILead and Teacher’s Centre as the Institutional Partners; and Glenburn Penthouse and Alliance Française du Bengale as Festival Collaborators along with The Park as the Festival Partner and Flurys as Gifting Partner. Additionally, 91.9 Friends FM serves as the Radio Partner. The event will feature contributions from numerous prominent publishing houses, fostering a collaborative and lively literary ambiance. To name a few- Aleph Book Company, Bloomsbury, Hachette, HarperCollins, Harvard University Press, Jadavpur University Press, Juggernaut, Niyogi Books, Penguin Random House, Readomania, Routledge, Rupa Publications, Speaking Tiger, Vitasta Publishing, Westland Books, and many others.
7, Jan 2025
Vastrado sponsored India’s Got Latent episode becomes fastest viewed branded episode in the show’s history
Mumbai, January 7th, 2025: Vastrado, Gen-Z’s loved apparel brand, made waves with its special New Year’s Eve collaboration with the wildly popular show India’s Got Latent, hosted by Samay Raina. With 28 million views and counting, the partnership proved to be a masterstroke, resonating strongly with Gen-Z audiences and driving exceptional brand traction. The episode achieved a series milestone, amassing over 2 million views within just 1.5 hours and making it the fastest viewed installment on the channel to date.

The episode’s impact was further cemented by its performance on YouTube’s Trending charts, holding strong at the #1 and #2 spots for 4 days straight since it went live. Vastrado also experienced an increase in revenue growth by 150% and a spike in website traffic by 20X.
The first winner of the show, Mr. Yuvraj Gupta received prize money of one lakh rupees by Vastrado. In addition, the episode marked a series first, with Vastrado’s founder, Mr. Vishwanshu Agarwal stepping into the spotlight, and matching the prize money for the second winner, Ms. Khushi Saini. In an unscripted moment that captured the show’s spirit, Mr. Agarwal also offered her a brand collaboration opportunity.
This surprise gesture not only amplified engagement but also showcased Vastrado’s commitment to foster young talent.
Reflecting on the partnership, Mr. Vishwanshu Agarwal, Founder, Vastrado shared, “India’s Got Latent’s massive Gen-Z appeal aligned perfectly with Vastrado’s vision to connect with our audience meaningfully. Kicking off the year with the episode trending at number one was the icing on the cake.”
The panel of judges including Samay Raina, Rakhi Sawant, Aashish Solanki, Maheep Singh, Yashraj and Balraj Ghai, kept the show entertaining through playful brand banter.
Mr. Shrenik Gandhi, Co-founder and CEO, White Rivers Media (WRM), added, “With WRM’s grip on the Gen-Z pulse, this collaboration served as the perfect blend of platform, audience and opportunity, creating a moment of genuine brand love.”
Founded in 2021 by Mr. Vishwanshu Agarwal and Mr. Tushar Agarwal, Vastrado has rapidly become the go-to destination for Gen-Z shoppers, combining trendsetting styles with accessible pricing.
7, Jan 2025
Akasa Air appoints Belson Coutinho as its Chief Operating Officer
National, 7 January 2025: Akasa Air, India’s fastest-growing airline, announced the appointment of Belson Coutinho as its Chief Operating Officer, effective January 6, 2025. Belson will lead Akasa Air’s crucial operational functions as the airline continues its path to becoming one of the top 30 airlines in the world by the turn of this decade.
In his new role, Belson will be responsible for Inflight Services, Airport Services, Maintenance & Engineering, Flight Operations, IOCC, Operational Excellence while also spearheading Akasa Air Learning Academy. With over two decades of experience in the aviation industry, Belson has delivered multiple industry-first initiatives in Indian aviation, underpinned by his strong operational, strategic and leadership skills.

Commenting on the appointment, Vinay Dube, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Akasa Air, said, “We are delighted to have Belson step into the role of Akasa Air’s Chief Operating Officer. Belson’s multifaceted role over the years had him successfully collaborate with cross-functional teams across airline operations, developing a good understanding of the functioning of operational departments. His passion for brand building, service excellence, training, technology, processes, employee centricity and sharp focus on cost leadership equips him to bring tremendous value to his new role as our COO. We are confident that under his leadership, we will continue to enhance our operational efficiency, deliver on our values of service excellence, and make significant strides toward achieving our vision of becoming a world-class airline.”
Belson has been a part of Akasa Air’s executive committee since the airline’s inception in 2022. Prior to assuming the role of Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer, Belson held the position of Co-Founder and Chief Marketing & Experience Officer at Akasa Air where he was instrumental in shaping the brand’s vision, driving category-redefining customer-centric initiatives, and creating a strong foundation for the airline’s unprecedented growth.
Akasa Air’s operational efficiencies and extremely positive customer feedback have made it a preferred carrier in India, serving over 14 million passengers since its launch in August 2022. Akasa Air currently connects with 22 domestic and five international cities, namely Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kochi, Delhi, Guwahati, Agartala, Pune, Lucknow, Goa, Hyderabad, Varanasi, Bagdogra, Bhubaneswar, Kolkata, Port Blair, Ayodhya, Gwalior, Srinagar, Prayagraj, Gorakhpur, Doha (Qatar), Jeddah, Riyadh (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia), Abu Dhabi (UAE) and Kuwait City (Kuwait).
7, Jan 2025
Mega Theatre Play Samvidhan 75 to be staged on 10th Jan in the city
Hyderabad, January 07, 2025…….Abhyasa International Residential School, a 28-year-old boutique boarding school to organise a Mega Theatre Play Samvidhan@75 at Shilpa Kala Vedika at 4 pm on 10th January.
It will be a 90-minute opera involving all the 400 students of the school. The Mega Skit to be performed involving so many students on a single stage is something rare and to be admired.
Abhyasa School is known for Mega Annual Cultural theatre performances. Theatre plays of the school in the past became the talk of Bollywood, Tollywood and Hyderabad’s Theater & Cultural Circles. Each time they schedule their annual day, they set a record, probably as the largest stage performance ever by any school in the country,
The opera traces the history of India from 5000 BCE to the present times, when the Indian Constitution turns 75 years old and the Indian Republic will be attaining 75 years on the 26th of January 2025. The opera is planned ahead of this milestone occasion.

Ancient Indians created a balanced & prosperous society, often referred to as the ‘Golden Age of Bharata Varsha’, wherein wealth was generated righteously and utilised for the collective growth of all! Even the goal of every human then, was not the accumulation of wealth but rather the liberation of the soul! However, this equilibrium began to shift with the advent of invaders in India and the confluence of cultures! Over time, these external influences shifted the people’s focus from service orientation towards accumulation & materialism! This event had profound implications on the Indian social fabric, which includes a current obsession among Indians to study abroad.
The school every year conducts its cultural nite on a ‘contemporary theme’ which is aesthetically creative and socially educative, not only for the students and parents of the school but our society at large.
Some of the mega operas planned in the past were ‘Anna Hazare’s Anti-Corruption Campaign’ in 2012, ‘100 Years of Indian Cinema’ in 2013, ‘Swatch Bharath Movement’ in 2016, ‘Dance of Democracy’ in 2019, and ‘Idea of Ram Rajya’ in 2024, just to name a few. These exemplary operas presented by Abhyasa students, wherein every student gets to participate in the program under the principle of ‘No Child Left Behind’, have won accolades from all quarters
7, Jan 2025
Ishq Jabariya Actress Siddhi Sharma Shares Her Thoughts on Surrogacy and Motherhood: Being a Mother is So Much More Than Just Carrying a Baby

In Sun Neo’s ongoing show Ishq Jabariya, intense emotions unfold as Siddhi Sharma, who plays the character of Gulki, finds herself in a challenging situation. Mohini, through Aditya, asks Gulki to become a surrogate mother for Anu’s child. However, Gulki refuses this offer, prompting Siddhi Sharma to share her thoughtful perspective on surrogacy.
Siddhi believes that surrogacy is much more than just the physical act of giving birth. She said, “Becoming a surrogate mother is all about love, care, and sacrifice. It’s not just about giving birth; it’s about forming a deep connection and nurturing a child. It shows us that motherhood isn’t always defined by biology—it’s about the heart. Helping another woman experience the joy of having a child is such a beautiful and kind thing to do. Surrogacy, both in movies and real life, teaches us that love can go beyond what we expect, and being a mother can mean so much more than just carrying a baby.”
The Ishq Jabariya actress further added, “I remember watching the movie Chori Chori Chupke Chupke, where Preity Zinta plays a surrogate mother for Rani Mukerji. It’s such a beautiful story that highlights how selfless it can be to become a mother for someone else’s child. But what’s even more touching is that, in real life, Preity Zinta herself chose surrogacy to become a mother to her own children. It’s an inspiring reminder that motherhood can take many forms, and it’s always rooted in love.”
Ishq Jabariya, airing on Sun Neo at 7:30 PM, is an engaging love story centered around Gulki, a determined young woman with big aspirations. The show boasts a stellar cast, including Kamya Panjabi, Siddhi Sharma, and Lakshay Khurana in key roles, bringing depth and emotion to this captivating narrative.
7, Jan 2025
Hyatt Centric Soalteemode Kathmandu Officially Debuts in Nepal
BENGALURU (January 07, 2025) – Hyatt Hotels Corporation and City Hotel Limited announced today the transformation of Hyatt Place Kathmandu to Hyatt Centric Soalteemode Kathmandu, which marks the opening of the first Hyatt Centric branded hotel in Nepal. The hotel is ideally located in the heart of the city, blending modern comfort with Kathmandu’s rich cultural heritage.
Hyatt Centric Soalteemode Kathmandu is a destination that invites modern travelers to discover the essence of Nepal’s capital city, promising a vibrant blend of contemporary design, vibrant art, culinary excellence and innovative experiences that inspire exploration. It embodies the local culture through dynamic social spaces, local collaborations, and shareworthy experiences that are light hearted, adventurous, and in-the-know.

Refreshed Spaces, Tailored Experiences
Hyatt Centric Soalteemode Kathmandu introduces guests to a dynamic property where every corner tells a story of the city.
“After an extensive renovation, we are excited to introduce the Hyatt Centric brand to Nepal, offering our guests a gateway to Kathmandu’s cultural and contemporary pulse,” said Akshay Golyan, Executive Director, City Hotel Limited. “Hyatt Centric Soalteemode Kathmandu is designed to inspire exploration while providing a modern local home base for savvy travelers, so they never miss a moment of adventure.”
The property introduces modern upgrades and features designed to enrich every aspect of the guest journey:
Vibrant Lobby: A welcoming, open-concept social space reimagined as a hub for exploration. The porte cocheÌre has been designed with eclectic elements and sculptures inspired by local architecture. The friendly and knowledgeable staff are also ready to share their local insights and go-to spots to help guests explore the city.
Revitalized Event Spaces: The property boasts more than 8,600 square feet of flexible meeting and event spaces with catering services available which makes it ideal for any occasion including meetings, weddings, and creative gatherings of 10 to 600 people – all customizable to guest needs.
The Centric Lounge: The Centric Lounge serves as a lively community bar, inviting locals and guests to mingle over expertly artisanal coffees, signature cocktails, and locally inspired bites.
Drinking & Dining Experiences:
NOON: An all-day dining restaurant celebrating simplicity and authenticity through globally inspired dishes infused with local flavors.
ZING Sky Pool Bar & Deck: A chic poolside retreat with stunning views of Kathmandu and a menu inspired by local and international influences.
Where Comfort Meets Adventure: Overdeliver on What Matters
Hyatt Centric Soalteemode Kathmandu’s 153 guestrooms are designed for functionality and flair. The hotel is built to offer everything guests need within easy reach including free Wi-fi.
“We are thrilled to open our doors and welcome guests and World of Hyatt members to the first Hyatt Centric branded hotel in Nepal. Our goal is to create unforgettable experiences by weaving the essence of Kathmandu into every facet of the property,” said Varun Talwar, General Manager, Hyatt Centric Soalteemode Kathmandu. “From meticulous design to innovative culinary offerings, we aim to become the starting point for every traveler’s adventure.”
A Journey Beyond the Hotel
Hyatt Centric Soalteemode Kathmandu stays true to the brand’s adventurous spirit by curating experiences that inspire exploration. Whether through collaborations with local artists, recommendations from the passionately engaged team, or uniquely crafted itineraries with off-the-beaten path experiences, guests are guided to the heart of Kathmandu’s culture and community.
7, Jan 2025
SUD Life Debuts MidCap Momentum Index Fund, Expanding Unit Linked Fund Offerings
7th January 2025, Star Union Dai-ichi Life Insurance Co. Ltd. (SUD Life) proudly announces the launch of the SUD Life MidCap Momentum Index Fund this new year, presenting policyholders with an exciting opportunity to harness the growth potential of India’s vibrant mid-cap market.
For those unfamiliar, midcap companies are those that have a proven business model, are primed for high growth, and which are under-owned by equity markets. While mid- cap indices may exhibit higher volatility, they often deliver superior returns over the long term compared to large-cap indices, making them a compelling choice for growth- oriented investors. Momentum investing, on the other hand, carries less risk. SUD Life Midcap Momentum Index Fund, with its 6-monthly rebalancing, highlights the best- performing stocks while systematically removing weaker ones. This rebalancing methodology not only focuses on strong returns but also rewards stocks exhibiting lower volatility.
This fund tracks the Nifty MidCap 150 Momentum 50 Index, which combines two powerful investment strategies: mid-cap growth potential and momentum, identifying the top- performing mid-cap stocks based on their price momentum over a defined period, ensuring a focused portfolio of companies demonstrating consistent performance and growth trends. The fund curates a low-cost, diversified portfolio of midcap stocks, helping investors capture the growth cycle across various stocks in the midcap universe.
“The fund is well suited for investors with a moderate to high-risk appetite, aiming for long term capital appreciation and exposure to India’s thriving mid-cap market. It suits those looking to enhance their portfolio with a smart, momentum-driven strategy”, said Prashant Sharma, Chief Investment Officer of SUD Life.
With SUD Life’s Midcap Momentum Index Fund, investors can stay ahead of market trends and position their portfolios to reap the benefits of India’s growth story while maintaining their life insurance cover. Invest today and take a confident step toward achieving your financial goals.
This fund will be available under SUD Life Star Tulip, SUD Life Wealth Creator, SUD Life Wealth Builder, and SUD Life e-Wealth Royale at present.
6, Jan 2025
DefSat 2025 Accelerating Defence Modernization and Space Ambitions
New Delhi, 6th Jan 2025 : SIA-India is set to host the 3rd DefSat Conference and Expo, scheduled for January 8-10, 2025, at the Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi. With the theme “Integrated Space Capabilities for Multi-Domain Operations,” the event will delve into the nexus of accelerating defence modernization and India’s expanding space ambitions. Gathering over 500 distinguished visionaries, thought leaders, and stakeholders from government, defence, space, technology, international embassies, and homeland security, the conference will highlight the strategic role of disruptive space technologies in modern warfare across land, maritime, aerospace, cyberspace, and homeland security domains. The event is supported by Department of Defence Production, Ministry of Defence, Defence Research and Development Organisation, NewSpace India Ltd, Astronautical Society of India, and Aeronautical Society of India and the Centre for Land Warfare Studies (CLAWS) as a knowledge partner.
“The conference comes at a crucial time as India’s space growth trajectory accelerates its defence modernization and space ambitions, with both sectors projected to grow at a robust 14-16% CAGR. The integration of space technology into defence strategies has become indispensable in today’s geopolitical landscape. The government’s commitment to national security is evident in the allocation of Rs 23,855 crore for DRDO in FY 2024-25 and Rs 25,000 crore for Defence Space Investments, emphasizing the need for advanced space capabilities.” Dr. Subba Rao Pavuluri, President, SIA-India and CMD, Ananth Technologies.
India’s defence forces are significantly enhancing their space capabilities, with plans to launch 52 new satellites for advanced surveillance and secure communication. These satellites will provide strategic support for monitoring activities along the country’s critical borders. The Defence Space Agency (DSA), tasked with managing these critical assets, is also expanding its workforce to address the increasing demands of space operations. This initiative underscores India’s commitment to preparing for the growing complexities of space-centric warfare and ensuring national security in an evolving geopolitical landscape
In Addition, DefSat 2025 will feature a dedicated session on Harnessing Space Technologies for Comprehensive Homeland Security with senior officers from Central Armed Police Forces, State Police Forces, and Para-Military Forces as panellists. This session will explore how space technologies can enhance border management, disaster response, counter-insurgency operations, and law enforcement, especially in India’s diverse and challenging environments.
“DefSat 2025 will spotlight next-gen military technologies, from quantum key distribution and non-kinetic space warfare to AI/ML-powered solutions, all designed to keep us at the forefront of future-ready defence operations. The event leverages India’s commitment to integrating cutting-edge defence and space technologies to address modern security challenges. With highlights like IndSpace Wargame 3.0, the conference will unite defence practitioners, industry leaders, and international experts to simulate real-world space security challenges, showcasing the complexities of space operations and underscoring India’s readiness to navigate the evolving space domain.” – Lt. Gen (Dr) PJS Pannu PVSM, AVSM, VSM (Retd), PhD, Senior Advisor, SIA-India
DefSat 2025 will feature dignitaries, including Lt. Gen. Gurmit Singh, Hon’ble Governor of Uttarakhand, Lt. Gen. Vinod G Khandare, Principal Advisor to MOD, Lt. Gen (Dr) PJS Pannu PVSM, AVSM, VSM (Retd), PhD, Senior Advisor, SIA-India, Dr. Subba Rao Pavuluri, CMD Ananth Technologies and President, SIA-India, Dr. AK Anil Kumar, Director, ISTRAC – ISRO, Lt. Gen. Manjinder Singh, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, South Western Command, Air Vice Marshal Rahul Bhasin, Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Space), Dr. Subrata Rakshit, Director General (TM), DRDO, AVM Pawan Kumar, DG DSA, Maj Gen Manjeet Singh, Jt Secy (Cyber), NSCS, Mr. Manoj Jain, CMD, BEL, Wg Cdr PRL Prakash, Vice President, Avantel Limited and others.
These leaders bring unparalleled expertise in governance, national security, defence operations, space technology, cybersecurity, and defence policy, strengthening India’s strategic capabilities across defence and space sectors. Their contributions ensure that India’s defence modernization and space ambitions are both innovative and resilient, setting the stage for global leadership in these critical domains.
In addition to these esteemed figures, the conference will feature high-level industry partners, including Ananth Technologies, Planet Labs, Safran, Galaxeye, Dhruva Space, XDLINX, Saptang Labs, Logic Fruit Technologies, ReOrbit, OrbitAID Aerospace, Qbit Labs, Raamtel Solutions, Pvt. Ltd. showcasing their latest advancements in satellite technology, defence systems, and space capabilities. DefSat 2025 is not only a critical gathering for defence professionals but a testament to India’s proactive approach in bolstering its space capabilities to secure its interests on the global stage.