29, May 2025
PUMA India’s ‘RCB Shotline’ Is the Ultimate Crossover Campaign — Featuring Virat Kohli, Usain Bolt, PV Sindhu, Jack Grealish & More
May 2025: What do you get when global sporting icons and cricket royalty share the same hotline? Pure entertainment. PUMA India’s latest campaign, RCB Shotline, brings together a power-packed lineup including Virat Kohli, Usain Bolt, PV Sindhu, Jack Grealish, Rajat Patidar, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, and Krunal Pandya — all in one high-energy Instagram campaign that’s already taken the internet by storm.
In the campaign, RCB stars Virat, Rajat, and Krunal man the PUMA “Shotline,” fielding calls from excited fans — and some rather legendary ones. The fun begins with Virat picking up a call from none other than Usain Bolt. “How can I help the fastest man in the world?” he asks, only for Bolt to hang up in record time. “Typical! I guess he does everything in record time,” Virat quips.
From there, the campaign is packed with playful banter: Jack Grealish calling in and mistaking Virat for Ben Stokes; PV Sindhu cheekily asking whether her smash is tougher than a fast bowler — to which Virat replies, “Definitely your smash. As you know, we do have helmets in cricket”; and Rajat and Krunal fielding fan calls about VIP match passes and more.
Set in a fictional, fun-filled PUMA-verse, RCB Shotline is a light-hearted peek into what happens when the worlds of cricket, football, track, and badminton collide. With swagger, humor, and unmistakable star power, the campaign showcases the effortless blend of sport and street that PUMA India is known for.
The high-energy campaign shows Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) stars like never before — off the pitch, on a hotline, answering wildly entertaining calls. From fans begging for VIP tickets, to excuses for skipping work to attend a match, and even surprise questions from Bolt and Sindhu themselves — the video is a laugh-out-loud glimpse into a fictional PUMA-verse where top athletes share one hotline, one vibe, and one massive fanbase.
With a mix of swagger, banter, and squad chemistry, the RCB Shotline campaign captures what makes PUMA India stand apart — a bold blend of performance and play, of sport and street. It’s not just a video; it’s a celebration of iconic personalities, shared love for the game, and the spirit of entertainment that fans crave.
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- By Neel Achary
29, May 2025
Malabar Group Allocates INR 150 crore to scale up its CSR Initiatives in 2025-26
Delhi, May 28th, 2025: Malabar Group, India’s leading business conglomerate and the parent company of Malabar Gold & Diamonds, has allocated INR 150 crore in 2025-26 for scaling up its CSR initiatives focused on healthcare, education, hunger & poverty alleviation, women empowerment, environment protection and housing for less privileged.
Under its flagship CSR initiative ‘The Hunger Free World’, the Group has committed to distribute 70,000 meals daily in India and Zambia to the under-privileged, totalling 2.50 crore meals in 2025-26. This represents a significant leap from its cumulative achievement of 2.5 crore meals served over the past 3 years and signals a deepened commitment to the cause of food security for underserved communities. The initiative is aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 2 – Zero Hunger.
At an event held at the Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, Janpath, New Delhi on May 28, 2025 which also marks the World Hunger Day, Dr. Amitabh Kant, former CEO of NITI Aayog & G-20 Sherpa launched the next phase of the Group’s CSR programmes. Other dignitaries included M.P. Ahammed, Chairman of Malabar Group; KP Abdul Salam, Vice Chairman; O Asher, Managing Director of India Operations; Group Executive Directors Nishad A K and K P Veerankutty, Group Director PA Abdulla Ibrahim, Dr. Idrees V, Chairman, THANAL Daya Rehabilitation Trust, Jishad N K, Zonal Head – North and other management officiates.
Commenting on the initiative, MP Ahammed, Chairman of Malabar Group said, “At Malabar Group, CSR is an integral part of our culture and we believe in giving back to society. We dedicate May 28 as our annual CSR day; we reaffirm our pledge to stand with the underserved through sustained and impactful action. Our CSR initiatives are a reflection of that enduring commitment. While we are doing our utmost, a greater impact can be achieved if more organisations join this mission. With 295 million people globally facing acute hunger (as per UN data), immediate action is non-negotiable. This urgency drives our meal distribution efforts under the Hunger Free World initiative. Having said that, along with food distribution, the need of the hour is concerted efforts to boost production, creating jobs, and fostering economic growth to bring in sustainable change.”
The Hunger Free World project currently distributes 70,000 meal packets daily across India and Zambia. In India, over 60,000 nutrient-rich meals are provided daily through 167 centres spanning 20 states. In Zambia, the group collaborates with the Zambian government to serve daily meals to 10,000 students across three schools. The Hunger Free World project operates state-of-the-art kitchens equipped with modern facilities and staffed by trained culinary experts and hygiene-conscious personnel.
Under its educational and social welfare initiative, Malabar Group has established 716 micro-learning centres across India, providing primary education and nutrition to street children. Over 32,000 children have enrolled, with 9,000 already integrated into formal schools. This project is being run in collaboration with Thanal. In addition, scholarships have been awarded to 1,14,000 girls to support their education.
The Group has also launched an initiative called Grandma Homes under which shelters have been built to offer free accommodation and care for destitute women. Currently operational in Bengaluru, Kerala and Hyderabad. Plans are underway to expand the initiative to Chennai, Kolkata, Delhi, and Mumbai.
On the healthcare and disaster relief front, the Group has plans to set up non-profit medical stores in all 140 locations in Kerala, offering medicines at subsidised rates. Such stores are already operational in 27 locations in the state.
Malabar Group has also launched the Uyirppu Project which supports higher education for children affected by last year’s landslide in Wayanad, providing financial aid to 134 students. Since its inception, Malabar Gold and Diamonds has been allocating 5% of its profits to social welfare.
28, May 2025
BigBears Advertising and Branding shines at Goafest 2025
Hyderabad, 28th May 2025: Hyderabad-based BigBears Advertising and Branding, a leading full-service agency known for its 360° branding and promotional expertise, made a powerful impression at Goafest 2025, attending with one of the largest delegations from the city.
The BigBears team featured department heads from Account Management, Digital Marketing, UI/UX & 3D, Art Direction, and Video Production, each fully immersed in curated sessions across their areas of expertise. From the latest in AI-powered performance marketing and Meta strategies to YouTube storytelling and avant-garde art direction, the learning experience was both rich and forward-looking.
“Goafest truly lived up to its promise — a vibrant confluence of creativity, insight, and inspiration under the sun,” shared Bankupalli Ganesh Shastry, Creative Head and Managing Director, BigBears.
A personal highlight for Mr. Shastry was reuniting with Mr. Senthil Kumar, Chief Creative Officer at VML, rekindling memories of his formative years at JWT along with him — a nostalgic moment that reminded him just how far the journey has come.
Mr. Shastry remarked, “Looking at the 2025 ABBY entries and winners, it’s clear that films and interactive print are setting new benchmarks. With visionary clients like Café Niloufer, whose brand identity and ongoing campaigns are crafted by BigBears, Monarch, MSR, NSL, and other esteemed partners, I’m confident we’ll soon be bringing ABBYs home to Hyderabad.”
28, May 2025
Gujarat Govt Honours Woman Kho Kho Player with Rs10 Lakh
New Delhi, 28 May 2025: In a bid to promote indigenous games, the Gujarat government has given Rs 10 Lakh as a prize to Ms. Opina Bhilar, who was part of the Indian Women’s Kho Kho team that won a Gold Medal at the 1st ever Kho Kho World Cup 2025 held in New Delhi from January 13-19, in which both the Indian men’s and women’s teams emerged victorious. Twenty-three countries across six continents participated in the World Cup making it a truly historic event.
Bhilar hails from Biliamba village in Dang district of Gujarat, and her father Devjibhai is a farmer.
“I thank the Gujarat government for this support which is a great help. I am also thankful to KKFI which has been very supportive of the players and helped us at every stage. I would continue to play Kho Kho and contribute to the game to the best of my abilities,” said Opina Bhilar.
“Many Kho Kho players come from humble backgrounds, and support—whether financial or through government job opportunities—goes a long way in uplifting both the athletes and their families. Such assistance not only empowers these talented sportspersons to continue their journey in Kho Kho, but also strengthens the sport itself, as they contribute immensely through their dedication and performance,” said Sudhanshu Mittal, President, Kho Kho Federation of India.
Kho-Kho, a traditional Indian game with deep-rooted cultural and sporting significance, has witnessed a resurgence in recent years, both domestically and internationally.
28, May 2025
Remedium Lifecare Emerges as a Resilient, High-Growth Opportunity amid Concerns Over Trump’s Pharma Tariffs
As speculation grows over potential pharmaceutical tariffs, global pharma stocks are experiencing renewed volatility. However, market experts suggest the concerns may be overstated, particularly for companies with limited direct exposure to the U.S. market.
Remedium Lifecare, a mid-cap BSE-listed pharma company, stands out as a safe haven amid the noise. The company’s business is strategically insulated from U.S.-centric policy risks, with a focus on API intermediates and a strong footprint across Europe and Asia. Most notably, Remedium recently secured a ₹182.7 crore export contract with a leading UK-based pharmaceutical player, demonstrating both market confidence and global relevance.
As global investors reassess their exposure to pharma stocks heavily reliant on U.S. trade, attention is shifting toward firms with diversified geographies, robust pipelines, and innovation-led growth. Remedium’s ongoing expansion into CNS, oncology, and metabolic research, coupled with its Singapore-based subsidiary Remlife Global focused on cutting-edge, animal-free API production, strengthens its long-term value proposition.
Adding to its innovation strategy, Remlife Global has partnered with JiyaYu Lifesciences, a green chemistry platform. The partnership focuses on replacing animal-origin raw materials in API manufacturing. JiyaYu will license its technologies to Remlife Global, which will scale and commercialize them using sustainable, regulatory-compliant bioprocesses at GMP-certified contract manufacturing facilities.
Remedium recently raised ₹182.7 crores through issue and these funds will be used towards strengthening of working capital, strategic investments in R&D and market expansion.
With limited U.S. dependency and a forward-looking innovation strategy, Remedium Lifecare offers geopolitical insulation and significant upside potential—positioning itself as a compelling choice in an uncertain global pharma landscape.
Market experts have expressed strong confidence in Remedium Lifecare’s growth prospects, recommending a BUY rating on the stock. The company’s strategic diversification, robust R&D pipeline in CNS, oncology, and metabolic therapies, and recent international contract wins as key drivers for future growth.
28, May 2025
CSITM hosts book launch for Prof. Rahul De’s latest work ‘AI for Managers’
28 May, 2025, Bengaluru: The Centre for Software and IT Management (CSITM) at IIMB hosted the book launch of former Information Systems area faculty Prof. Rahul Dé’s ‘AI for Managers’, as part of an AI bootcamp for Business Managers on 24 May 2025. The unveiling brought together Dr. Rohini Srivathsa, Chief Technology Officer, Microsoft India & South Asia; Prof. Rishikesha T. Krishnan, Director, IIMB; and Prof. Sourav Mukherji, Dean, Alumni Relations & Development. Prof. Shankhadeep Banerjee, Chairperson, CSITM, delivered the opening remarks.
Prof. Dé’s academic journey began in the AI lab at the Katz Graduate School of Business, University of Pittsburgh, where he studied under Nobel Laureate Herbert Simon. His work, since his days as a doctoral researcher, has focused on the application of AI in information systems and management. AI for Managers has brought this experience together in a volume designed to help business professionals navigate AI capability without deep backgrounds in mathematics or coding.
“What I set out to write,” Prof. Dé shared, “was a low-math, low-code book that explains AI in terms that managers can intuitively grasp. The goal is to empower readers to think critically about the technology and its implications for business and society”.
The book spans 16 chapters covering topics such as digital transformation, machine learning, responsible AI, natural language processing, deep learning, Bayesian learning, reinforcement learning, swarm intelligence, and agent-based modeling.
Rejecting both stances of unbridled optimism beating the AI drums and dystopian alarmism claiming breakdown of nation states, loss of jobs, mega control by corporations, and massive global poverty caused by the deluge of AI applications, Prof. Dé emphasized the importance of independent thinking. “We must understand the technology deeply enough to form our own judgments, not adopt ready-made positions”, he said.
Dr. Rohini Srivathsa shared perspectives on the shifting enterprise landscape: “With AI becoming mainstream, we are moving beyond use-case adoption to deeper transformation”. She outlined four emerging archetypes: shaper conversational employee engagement through generative AI, workplace and workflow transformation, operational efficiency, and innovation-led product development.
Prof. Sourav Mukherji, who moderated the panel, posed a question to Prof. RT Krishnan about the threat AI poses to knowledge building and delivery. “What we are now seeing is that AI, ML, and deep learning technologies have permeated business to the extent that when an MBA student goes to a job interview, there is an expectation of a fairly comprehensive understanding of AI capability. And the expectation might be higher depending on the industry”. He further added, “At IIMB, we were quick to realise that our curriculum needs to iteratively grow at an increasing pace so that our students are conversant with AI. The challenge for us now is to decipher to what extent we want AI to be part of the learning process itself”.
Commenting on organizational readiness, Dr. Srivathsa added, “We are still in the early days of enterprise AI adoption. But the frontier is expanding. AI will soon be seen not as a tool for optimization, but rather a general-purpose technology capable of reshaping core business processes”.
Workshop on fundamentals, best practices, and emerging trends in Artificial Intelligence
The AI bootcamp for Business Managers was led by Sunil Mishra, Founder, The Product Way, who drew from over 25 years of technology experience with organizations such as Infosys, Accenture, McKinsey & Company, and Oracle, to map the ways in which AI capability has created differentiation not only at an organizational level, but also in terms of everyday reasoning and decision-making.
The bootcamp brought together students from IIMB’s PGPEM programme for Working Professionals, PhD scholars, thinkers, developers, and professionals from diverse sectors, including aerospace, automotive, healthcare, fintech, banking, blockchain, and cybersecurity, representing Boeing, OLA, Adobe, IBM, OPTiM, and more.
Participants engaged with core AI developments, from early machine learning in the late 1990s, to deep learning as a form of predictive AI in 2006, the breakneck growth of generative AI in 2021, and the rapid emergence of agentic AI in 2025, which is poised to disrupt reasoning, automation and interoperability through autonomous decision-making.
The interactive session also raised critical questions around job redundancy in the face of accelerating AI adoption. The rapid proliferation of AI applications has brought us to a clear inflection point, the discussion pointed. “The disruptive impact is undeniable, but embracing AI tooling will only continue to serve as a source of competitive advantage, relevance, and agency”, said Sunil Mishra. Participants were encouraged to consider the nature of future work and to engage with this transformation as a necessary and constructive challenge.
Throughout the day, participants indulged in workshops, discussions and presentations on Introduction to classical AI stack, Neural networks and transformers, Evolution of LLMs, Architecture, training process, capabilities and limitations, Exploring zero-shot, one-shot and few shot-learning, Use of GenAI tools, Exercise for creating customer support bot, product prototypes and an online survey application, Finetuning LLM for specific use cases, Overview of RAG architecture and use cases, Overview of Agentic AI and use-cases, Use of Agentic AI platforms, Creating your own autonomous agent, Creating an HR policy agent, Create personal AI stock analyst, Emerging trends in Gen AI, and its Ethical, Regulatory, and Strategic considerations.
28, May 2025
Hero Realty Unveils ‘The Palatial’ – A Landmark Residential Project by Hero Homes on Dwarka Expressway
Gurugram, 28th May 2025: Hero Realty, the real estate arm of Hero Enterprise, today announced the launch of its marquee luxury development, The Palatial by Hero Homes, an ultra-premium residential project located in Sector 104, Dwarka Expressway, Gurugram. Spanning approximately 11 acres, this high-rise enclave sets a new benchmark for upscale living by blending sophisticated design, modern technology, and sustainable sensibilities.
The Palatial comprises architecturally striking towers housing more than 680 luxury residences, offered in expansive 3.5 and 4.5 BHK formats with prices starting from ₹4.68 crore and going up to ₹6.15 crore. Each home is designed for elevated living, with access to digital automation, smart security, and personalized design options across 13 curated interior palettes. Additionally, The Palatial includes over 3 lakh sq. ft. of integrated high-street retail, fashion, and entertainment, creating a vibrant lifestyle ecosystem steps away from each home. Committed to responsible development, The Palatial integrates EV charging stations, Wi-Fi-enabled common zones, and optimized spatial design to support an eco-conscious and tech-forward lifestyle.
Rohit Kishore, CEO, Hero Realty, said: “The Palatial is envisioned as a landmark destination, a community where refined architecture, smart systems, and open, green spaces come together to offer aspirational urban living. It is not just a residence, but a sanctuary built for comfort, connection, and convenience.”
At the heart of the development is a 57,000 sq. ft. grand clubhouse featuring a dramatic double-height entrance and amenities that include a banquet hall and fine-dining restaurant, a Temperature-controlled swimming pool, a Fitness center, wellness zones, a spa, and a salon, Badminton and squash courts, Dedicated spaces for music, dance, and aerobics, and a Business center with flexible work-from-home zones Positioned along the rapidly evolving Dwarka Expressway, The Palatial offers swift access to IGI Airport, Aerocity, Cyber Hub, and Future Smart City. Major infrastructure upgrades such as multi-level interchanges, underpasses, and elevated corridors ensure enhanced connectivity to key business districts, healthcare institutions, and lifestyle hubs across Delhi NCR.
28, May 2025
Scaler School of Technology Reports 96.3% Internship Placement for First Batch, Backed by Strong Industry and Global Participation
Bangalore, 28th May 2025 – Scaler School of Technology (SST), India’s premier destination for computer science education has reported a 96.3% internship placement rate for its first batch (2023-27), according to its first Internship Placement Report, audited by B2K Analytics – the same firm that audits the placement report of prestigious institutes like IIM Ahmedabad, XLRI, MDI Gurgaon, and other premier management institutes. With the process still underway, students have already secured roles across 96 organisations, ranging from high-growth startups to global technology firms, with a few more offers in the pipeline.
Companies offering internships include Zomato, Swiggy, 1MG, and international names such as Stash Away and Neurowyzer (Singapore), Apple Developer Academy (Indonesia), and Digital Product School (Germany). A total of 232 internship offers have been extended so far, with 36% of students even receiving multiple offers, signalling strong employer interest across in SST’s 2nd year students. The highest monthly stipend offered was INR 2,00,070 (converted to INR from SGD), while the average stipend stood at INR 31,264. Moreover, students in the top 10% secured an average monthly stipend of INR 92,000, reflecting robust demand for high-performing, job-ready talent.
A distinctive outcome of this placement cycle is that nearly 50% of students came in without a prior computer science background. These results are particularly noteworthy as they represent second-year students in a 4-year program – a rarity in Indian undergraduate education where most placements typically occur in the final year. Their successful internship conversions across diverse industries and geographies reflect the effectiveness of Scaler School of Technology’s applied learning approach and deep alignment with current industry requirements.
Anshuman Singh, Co-founder and Dean at Scaler School of Technology said, “Internships or industry exposure are no longer an optional good-to-have. They are a necessity to bridge the gap between education and employment. This year’s results reflect a growing industry need for talent that’s not just academically trained but truly execution-ready. The strong industry response, including participation from global companies, reinforces our belief that when education is closely aligned with real-world expectations, it opens meaningful opportunities early in a student’s journey.
Our goal: in the next five years, we intend to establish SST among the world’s top undergraduate institutions for career outcomes – be it placements, entrepreneurship, or global postgraduate admits. We’re deeply grateful to our ecosystem of mentors, recruiters, parents, and above all, our pioneering students for making this possible.”
The internship program is a key feature of SST’s 4-year undergraduate programme in Computer Science and AI, which includes a one-year industry immersion. This extended structure is designed to provide students with hands-on experience well before they graduate, aiming to make them workforce-ready from day one.
As industry exposure or internships become a critical barometer of future employability in the tech sector, the report offers a snapshot of how new-age institutions are closing long-standing skill gaps through redesigned models of education and mentorship with first principles and razor-sharp execution .
28, May 2025
Tata Elxsi Presents Battery Aadhaar Powered by MOBIUS+ at Battery Summit 2025
Mumbai, India, May 28, 2025: Tata Elxsi, a global leader in product engineering and innovation, showcased the technology demonstrator of Battery Aadhaar at the Battery Summit 2025, organised by the World Resources Institute (WRI) India. This demonstration formed part of a consortium-led initiative aligned with India’s ambitions for sustainable mobility and circular energy systems. The initiative was supported under the UNEP-led programme ‘Electrifying Mobility in Cities’, coordinated by NITI Aayog and the Department of Science & Technology, Government of India.
Tata Elxsi, along with leading consortium partners—including Tata Motors, Tata AutoComp Systems (TACO), IIT Kharagpur, WRI, LOHUM Cleantech, NUNAM Technologies, and Oorja Energy—presented the Battery Aadhaar concept to Hon’ble Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh, Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Science and Technology and key government stakeholders as an end-to-end Indian battery ecosystem enabler.
Battery Aadhaar represents a national effort to provide batteries with secure, digital identities, enabling traceability, regulatory alignment, and lifecycle transparency—from raw material sourcing to second-life usage and recycling. By capturing key lifecycle data such as manufacturer identity, usage history, and material composition, Battery Aadhaar helps prevent unsafe reuse, non-compliance, and environmental risk.
Built on Tata Elxsi’s MOBIUS+ platform, the solution integrates blockchain-backed traceability, dynamic data flows, and automated compliance reporting. Through MOBIUS+, Tata Elxsi is enabling the foundation for a trusted, digital, and transparent battery ecosystem in India.
The demonstration included:
• Creation of Battery Aadhaar and Digital Product Passport (DPP)
• Chain of custody and lifecycle mapping
• Public and private data access views
• Role-based dashboards for OEMs, battery manufacturers, recyclers, and regulators
• Real-time analytics including battery health prediction and residual useful life estimation
The platform has been designed to align with evolving Indian regulatory initiatives and is architected to adapt to international frameworks including the EU Battery Regulation, emerging Japanese and North American standards, and future global battery passport specifications.
Anil Radhakrishnan, Chief Product Officer, Tata Elxsi, said: “MOBIUS+ is designed to accelerate the transition to a cleaner mobility future by enabling digital transparency, traceability, and compliance through initiatives like Battery Aadhaar. Our goal is to empower stakeholders across the ecosystem with scalable, future-ready solutions that support India’s green growth ambitions.”
The MOBIUS+ platform offers an AI Copilot layer for assisted interpretation of regulations, data quality checks, and automated reporting. Its modularity enables seamless onboarding of ecosystem participants, while blockchain capabilities ensure verifiable, tamper-proof audit trails.
Delegates at the Battery Summit, experienced a live demonstration, including QR-code based access to real-time battery data views—offering a tangible glimpse into the future of policy-aligned digital battery infrastructure and innovation.
28, May 2025
CaratLane launches ‘Runway’: a first-ever fine jewellery tribute to women in aviation
28th May 2025, Mumbai: CaratLane – A TATA Product, has recently unveiled a ground-breaking new jewellery collection — Runway, celebrating the spirit, ambition, and elegance of women in aviation. With this launch, CaratLane becomes the first Indian jewellery brand to ever pay tribute to the trailblazing women of the skies.
The campaign film brings to life the stories of a commercial pilot, a cabin crew professional, and a fighter pilot, all of whom found their unique ways to express their love for flying through this exquisite collection. In a world-first moment for the category, the Runway collection soars above convention, featuring a stunning line-up of 20+ designs crafted in 9KT & 14KT gold and diamonds. Some of the designs have mobile aircraft motifs that move with grace. Each design narrates a story of flight, courage, and sky-high dreams, through fine jewellery.
CaratLane hosted an exclusive collection preview event with full grandeur at the signature store in Bandra, Mumbai, where real-life cabin crew were invited for a first look. The event was graced by the presence of Gul Panag—actress, politician, and adventure enthusiast—who is also a licensed private pilot.
Saumen Bhoumik, MD – CaratLane, said, “Aviation in India is one of the fastest-growing industries globally, and we proudly have the highest share of lady pilots. Right from the days of a single national carrier, Air India, aircrew members have been icons of style and symbols of a rising, modern India. This thoughtfully designed collection is our tribute to the brave women who make our skies safer, better, and smarter every single day.”
Gul Panag remarked, “This collection speaks straight to my heart. Aviation gave me wings, and now there’s jewellery that celebrates that feeling in such a stylish and everlasting way. It is definitely a must-have for aviation enthusiasts. There’s only one thing better than flying, and it’s flying in style!”
