Archive: January 20, 2025

Wankhede Stadium’s Golden Jubilee marked with gala celebration; entertainment, stars and cricketing legends grace the occasion

New Delhi, January 20, 2025: The 50th Anniversary of the iconic Wankhede Stadium concludes with a gala celebration on January 19, in the presence of cricketing legends and dignitaries. Established in 1974, the iconic stadium has been witness to numerous historic cricketing moments, etching its name firmly in modern cricket history. Cricketing legends and captains, past and present, echoed their sentiments, while groundsmen and support staffs were honoured, among other celebratory activities that span a week-long celebration under the aegis of Mumbai Cricket Association.

The gala concluding evening was graced by Mumbai legends and former and current Indian cricket captains—including Sunil Gavaskar, Sachin Tendulkar, Rohit Sharma, Dilip Vengsarkar, Ravi Shastri, Ajinkya Rahane, and Diana Edulji. Mumbai’s legendary men’s and women’s players from both domestic and international cricket, were also present. All echoed the significance the stadium has had in shaping their career and India’s overall cricketing journey. The essence of Mumbai’s cricketing legacy that produces talented player’s year-on-year, also came to the forefront in deliberations among the star players.

In the enthralling evening hosted by Mandira Bedi and Prasanna Sant, performances by renowned artists Avadhoot Gupte and Ajay-Atul, and a breath-taking laser show, kept the spectators engaged for a memorable experience.

Earlier this week, the Honourable Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Shri Devendra Fadnavis, sent a letter to the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) and its fans, congratulating them on the 50th anniversary of Wankhede Stadium.

MCA President Shri Ajinkya Naik said, “Wankhede Stadium is that shining star of Indian cricket that would never be deemed, and the 50 year legacy is testimony to that. As we honor the ones who have been associated with the legacy of Wankhede and have contributed their bit in this glorious journey, we also stand in the threshold of a new era that would nurture the next 50 years of excellence in cricket. Wankhede is as synonymous with Mumbai as is a Mumbaikar’s association with cricket. I am confident the legacy will only grow multifold in the coming decades.”

To mark the occasion, the MCA office-bearers and Apex Council Members released a coffee table book and commemorative stamp celebrating the esteemed legacy of Wankhede Stadium, amidst the presence of cricketing legends and other dignitaries. The evening got even brighter with a photo-op with the ICC Champions Trophy and a cheerful 75th birthday celebration of Sunil Gavaskar.

The week-long celebration presiding the main event saw various unique events including the felicitation of former captains of the Mumbai cricket team, both men’s and women’s; felicitation of the members of the Mumbai team which played the first first-class match at the Wankhede Stadium in 1974; felicitation of the groundsmen clubbed with Polly Umrigar Health Camp and special lunch; and felicitation of the Sports Journalists Association of Mumbai (SJAM). Friendly matches were also played between Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA), Sports Journalists Association of Mumbai (SJAM), Consul Generals, and IAS Officers, among other activities.

The gala golden jubilee celebrations of one of India’s most iconic cricketing venues brought together legends and players – past and present, and all who are associated in any manner with the history of Wankhede. This paves the way for another exciting era of Indian cricket the stadium continues to serve.

Hundred proudly announces its partnership with badminton icon Srikanth Kidambi

Bengaluru, 20th January 2025: Hundred, a leading global performance-focused sports brand, proudly announces its partnership with badminton legend Srikanth Kidambi, Padma Shri Awardee, former World #1 Men’s Singles player and one of the most celebrated figures in the sport. Srikanth’s collaboration with Hundred marks a pivotal step in the brand’s mission to strengthen its presence in the Indian badminton market.

The partnership will make its official debut at the prestigious Indonesia Masters 2025, reflecting Hundred’s commitment to inspiring and empowering the next generation of badminton enthusiasts.

Badminton is now the second most popular sport among Gen Z in India, trailing only cricket, as revealed in the 2024 Google-Deloitte Think Sports report. Srikanth Kidambi’s association with Hundred underscores the brand’s dedication to fostering the sport’s growth in India and nurturing young talent to excel on the global stage. ⁠The partnership underscores Hundred’s mission to dominate and grow all sports segments in India including Badminton and compete against global legacy players, setting new benchmarks in performance and innovation.

Speaking about this association, Srikanth said, “I am thrilled to partner with Hundred, a brand that resonates with my passion for performance and pushing boundaries. Together, we aim to inspire the next generation of badminton players.”

Manak Kapoor, Director, Hundred Singapore, stated, “Welcoming Srikanth to the Hundred family is a testament to our commitment to pushing the boundaries of badminton globally. We see Srikanth as a pivotal figure in driving this mission, particularly in India, where his legacy and influence can inspire young players to embrace the sport, take it seriously, and compete at the highest levels.”

Vishal Jain, Director, Hundred India, added, “Badminton has seen tremendous growth in India over the past decade, becoming the second most played sport among the younger generation. At Hundred, we are strategically positioning ourselves to capture this momentum, not just by delivering high-performance products but by actively pushing the sport and the industry forward.”

Srikanth Kidambi joins “Club Hundred,” an exclusive group of global badminton stars. The Elite “Club Hundred” Team includes:

• Line Kjaersfeldt (Denmark)
• Rasmus Gemke (Denmark)
• Mads Christophersen (Denmark)
• Alexandra Boje (Denmark)
• Dejan Ferdinansyah (Indonesia)
• Gloria Emanuelle Widjaja (Indonesia)

Hundred is working with Srikanth Kidambi on exclusive product launches, which will debut in global markets. These high-performance products will cater to badminton professionals and enthusiasts alike, reflecting the highest standards of innovation and design. This collaboration further cements Hundred’s reputation as the brand of choice for the world’s top-performing athletes.

Beyond badminton, Hundred remains committed to making significant strides in other sports, including cricket, with exciting announcements on the horizon.

SmartQ, a Compass Group company, revolutionizes the Maha Kumbh 2025 Experience with World-Class Food Services

India, 20th January 2025: The world’s largest spiritual gathering, Maha Kumbh 2025, is currently underway in Prayagraj, welcoming more than 40 crore devotees from across the globe. Enhancing this monumental event, SmartQ, a subsidiary of Compass Group, the fastest-growing food and facility management services provider, is revolutionising the pilgrims’ culinary experience with its state-of-the-art SmartQ Rasoi Food Court.

Strategically positioned in Sector 6, near Nagavasuki Mandir and Rehen Basera, the SmartQ Rasoi Food Court has been meticulously designed to serve millions of visitors through a seamless blend of modern innovation, eco-conscious practices and cultural heritage.

Vikas Chawla, Managing Director of Compass Group India, remarked, “Maha Kumbh is a once-in-a-lifetime spiritual event that brings together millions of devotees in an extraordinary display of faith and tradition. Compass Group India is honoured to be a part of this sacred gathering, where our strategically located SmartQ Rasoi Food court is a culinary oasis in the heart of this festival.”

Krishna Wage, Founder & CEO, SmartQ said, “Being a part of the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 is a profound honour for SmartQ. We’re proud to serve not just food but heartfelt moments, blending tradition, innovation, and sustainability. Together, let’s celebrate faith, community, and the rich culinary heritage of India.”

Key Features of SmartQ Rasoi Foodcourt:

1. Tech-Enabled Convenience: A fully integrated digital ordering system ensuring a seamless dining experience for all visitors, minimising wait times and enhancing service efficiency.

2. Round-the-Clock Service: The food court provides uninterrupted service to meet the diverse needs of pilgrims and visitors at any hour of the day.

3. Diverse Culinary Offerings: The 10 specialised counters offer an extensive menu ranging from traditional North and South Indian fare to international favourites, including Domino’s Pizza and authentic Chinese cuisine by Hong’s Kitchen.

4. Affordability for All: With prices ranging from ₹10 to ₹300, the food court maintains exceptional quality while ensuring affordability for all visitors.

5. Sustainability at the Core: The facility operates with a zero-plastic policy, utilising eco-friendly packaging solutions and implementing comprehensive waste management systems.

6. Supporting NCC Battalions: Dedicated service to NCC battalions managing crowd control, delivering fresh, nutritious meals to 300 personnel per battalion daily.

SmartQ, powered by Compass Group India, is crafting a new paradigm in large-scale event catering. By seamlessly integrating cutting-edge digital technology with traditional culinary excellence, the company is setting unprecedented benchmarks in food service management.

Trend Micro is Recognized as a 2024 Gartner Peer Insights Customers’ Choice for Cloud-Native Application Protection Platforms

Bengaluru, January 20, 2025:  Trend Micro Incorporated (TYO: 4704; TSE: 4704), a global cybersecurity leader, has announced that it was named a Customer’s Choice in the 2024 Gartner Peer Insights Voice of the Customer for Cloud-Native Application Protection Platforms. According to Gartner, “Cloud-native application protection platforms (CNAPPs) are a unified and tightly integrated set of security and compliance capabilities designed to protect cloud-native infrastructure and applications.”

Sharda Tickoo, Country Manager for India & SAARC at Trend Micro: “Organizations have been grappling with a proliferation of security tools that fail to provide unified risk visibility, comprehensive protection for multi-cloud environments, and effective detection and response capabilities for hybrid clouds. That’s why we’re delighted to be named one of just four Customer’s Choice for CNAPP, with a ‘willingness to recommend’ customer rating of 96% based on 81 reviews submitted as of December 2024 on Gartner Peer Insights for Cloud-Native Application Protection Platforms market. We believe this recognition reflects our unwavering commitment to innovation and delivering exceptional customer experiences to help address the most pressing challenges in today’s dynamic and complex infrastructure landscape.”

Trend averaged a 4.7-star rating from customer reviews, three-quarters (72%) of which were five-star reviews and 27% four-star. It scored particularly highly in Product Capabilities (4.7) and Sales Experience (4.7) based on 81 reviews submitted as of December 2024.

Today’s businesses are leveraging cloud-native application in ever-greater numbers to drive competitive advantage, but too often cybersecurity solutions are still playing catch up.

Siloed point solutions lack automation, create security gaps for risk to thrive in, and exacerbate friction between security and developer teams caused by time-to-market pressures.

Trend Vision One™ – Cloud Security offers a modern approach to CNAPP for customers. The centralized platform enables deep visibility into risks, preventative measures such as runtime protection, and rapid response actions designed to minimize exposure.

By combining these capabilities in a single platform, organizations can remove developer-security friction, enhance compliance, and continuously mitigate risk in the cloud, through features such as:

• Cloud misconfiguration checks for open Amazon S3 buckets, databases and network ports
• Runtime monitoring and protection of cloud workloads such as instances and containers
• Automated detection of vulnerabilities within containers, virtual machines (VMs) or serverless functions
• Exposure scanning for CVEs, secrets, sensitive data and malware
• Infrastructure as code (IaC) and container image scanning enable early risk detection, allowing issues to be addressed before deployment to production.
• Agentless scanning capabilities identify risks, vulnerabilities, and threats in workloads where deploying agents is not possible.
• File security scanning detects and prevents any malicious files from being uploaded to critical cloud-native applications
• Cloud detection and response (CDR) correlates telemetry from workloads, applications, and cloud logs to provide security teams with real-time visibility into suspicious activities in cloud accounts
• Data security posture management (DSPM) helps identify sensitive information and correlates it with predictive attack paths, enabling organizations to prioritize the most critical risk based on their most valuable assets
• Cloud infrastructure entitlement management (CIEM) continuously monitors permissions and identity activities to prevent unauthorized access and potential lateral movements within cloud accounts

The Rare blend of ghazals-kathak to celebrate Mirza Ghalib held at Shilpakala Vedika

Hyderabad, January 20, 2025: Bayan-e-Ghalib a cultural tribute celebrating legendary Urdu poet Mirza Ghalib was held in the city at Shilpakala Vedia at Madhapur on Saturday

The Ghazals were rendered by Dr Prabha Srivastava, who revives Ghazals through dedicated concerts, preserving their allure for a new generation with unwavering passion. The Kathak Dance Drama was performed by Prof Kumkum Dhar & Troupe. Prof Kumkum is a renowned Kathak dancer who has made significant contributions to the art form. Narration was by Syd Kabir Ahmad and Sudhanshu Mani. Scholar Syed Kabeer Ahmad narrated Ghalib’s journey. Sudhanshu Mani is also the producer of the show. Stage and Lighting was done by Gopal Sinha.

Dr. Koustubh Dhumal, CEO of Maanaviaya Kalyan Trust, and Mr. Sudhanshu Mani, Producer of the show, a visionary leader behind the Vande Bharat Express shared these details that the show has come to Hyderabad after a successful show in Lucknow. It will also be staged in New Delhi soon.

The show is a rare combination of Ghazals and Kathak. It is a series of shows.

Anand Kutumb, a community senior living, was launched on the occasion. Sharing details about it Padmaja Patil it is a senior assisted living.

She also announced that Maanaviya Kalyana Trust will provide IVF facilities to the underprivileged free of cost. They are planning to start a Center in the Government Hospital for free. The first centre is coming up at KIMS in Hubli in February. Let us stand together to solve some of the society’s challenges she said

About 1500 people attended the show

Dr Koustubh Dhumal and Mr Sudhanshu Mani informed that it was a cultural tribute celebrating the genius of the legendary Urdu poet Mirza Asadullah Khan Ghālib is affectionately known as Mirza Ghālib. This immersive event combined powerful narration, soulful ghazal renditions, and enchanting Kathak dance to bring to life the poetry and persona of one of the most iconic figures in Urdu literature.

Ghālib’s timeless poetry and prose have transcended borders and eras, capturing universal themes of love, loss, and human emotion. His unique narrative style, or “andāz-e-bayāñ,” is celebrated as unparalleled, blending deep intellect with a profound understanding of the human condition. The event reflects on his poetic brilliance and the legacy of his letters, revered as masterpieces of Urdu prose, offering intimate glimpses into his life and the 19th-century Mughal India.

The Bayān-e-Ghālib was sponsored by Aand Kutumb Senior Community Living, which is committed to offering seniors a vibrant and supportive living environment.

Entry to the show was free for senior citizens and caregivers.

Maanaviya Kalyan Trust (MKT), founded with a deep passion for giving back to society, is dedicated to addressing critical social needs such as Senior Care, Health Care and Affordable Fertility Treatment

Shaping Tomorrow’s Commerce: GoKwik Future of Commerce Conclave 2.0 Redefines Innovation and Strategy in Bengaluru

Bengaluru, 20 January 2025: The GoKwik Future of Commerce Conclave 2.0, presented by Forbes India, brought together the brightest minds and leaders from across industries to explore the “transformative forces shaping the commerce landscape”. Held at the Ritz Carlton in Bengaluru, the event served as a melting pot of innovation, technology, and strategy.

From trailblazing advancements in AI to groundbreaking insights into omnichannel retail and fintech, the conclave offered a unique platform to discuss the future of commerce and the tools driving its evolution. With an impressive lineup of speakers and thought leaders, the event promoted dynamic discussions, bold ideas, and actionable insights for businesses to thrive in the modern digital era.

The event commenced with registrations, followed by a welcome from Neha Bothra of Forbes India, who set the tone for an evening brimming with innovation and strategic insights. Chirag Taneja, Co-Founder & CEO, GoKwik, delivered the opening address, emphasizing on the critical role of AI agents in creating a seamless shopping experience. He further delved into how tech will reimagine commerce in the years ahead. “The future will have three pillars: limitless discovery, invisible checkout, and Kwik delivery,” Chirag remarked, painting a vivid picture of what lies ahead.

A special address by Naveen Tewari, Founder and CEO, InMobi Group(InMobi & Glance), highlighted the convergence of mobile-first innovations and customer-centric strategies, which are essential for navigating the dynamic e-commerce ecosystem. “The future of the internet is moving towards generative AI,” Naveen addressed, shedding light on the transformative trends shaping the industry.

The discussions began with a panel on “The Future of AI in Commerce: Driving Personalization, Efficiency, and Customer-Centric Innovation,” moderated by Harichandan A. Arakali of Forbes India. The panel featured Raghu Krishnananda (CPTO, Myntra), Suman Guha (CTPO, Tata Cliq), Nikhil Bhushan (CTO, Starbucks), Kishore Thota (Director, Product & Technology, Amazon), and Goda Ramkumar (VP – Data Science, Swiggy). This engaging session explored how AI is reshaping commerce by optimizing customer experiences, driving operational efficiency, and sparking innovation.

The panelists shared insights on identifying customer preferences through behavioral patterns, creating niche-focused strategies to meet evolving demands, and using AI to redefine personalization at scale. The discussion highlighted the potential of AI to revolutionize the industry by empowering brands to deliver smarter, faster, and more customer-centric solutions.

The second panel shifted focus to “Omnichannel Commerce: Bridging Online and Offline for Seamless Experiences,” moderated by Neha Bothra. The panel featured Chaitanya Ramalingegowda (Co-founder, Wakefit), Kaushik Mukherjee (Co-founder & COO, SUGAR Cosmetics), and Siddharth Dungarwal (Founder & CEO, Snitch). Discussions highlighted the enduring significance of the offline world in an increasingly digital age, emphasizing how the integration of digital and physical touchpoints can revolutionize retail with omnichannel solutions.

Another key session on “Fintech Innovations: Driving the Future of Commerce,” moderated by Ritu Singh of CNBC-TV18, featured Amit Koshal (Co-founder, TWID), and Vibhav Hathi (Co-founder, OneCard). This panel emphasized the growing influence of financial technology in enabling secure, scalable, and customer-friendly commerce solutions.

A notable session, “The Intersection of Content and Commerce: Crafting Experiences that Drive Sales,” moderated by Mughda Kalra of Network18, featured Ronak Shah (CEO, Obvi), Amar Nagaram (Co-founder & CEO, VIRGIO), Parul Gulati (Founder, Nish Hair), and Varun Gupta (Co-founder, Boult). The panelists shared how storytelling and branded content fuel purchasing decisions and foster brand loyalty.

Capping off the discussions was a fireside chat on “The Rise of Q-Commerce in India: Challenges, Opportunities, and the Path to Profitability,” moderated by Neha Bothra, with Kaivalya Vohra (Co-founder, Zepto) and Anand Daniel (Partner, Accel). They discussed the rapid evolution of quick commerce, highlighting its challenges, scalability, and profitability.

The event concluded with a felicitation ceremony, followed by a heartfelt vote of thanks and a dinner and networking session, offering attendees the opportunity to forge meaningful connections. The GoKwik Future of Commerce Conclave 2.0 stood as a testament to the remarkable growth and potential of the commerce industry, reaffirming Bengaluru’s status as a hub for innovation and collaboration.

ASDC Advocates for 2 Lakh Skilled Professionals by 2030 to Power EV Revolution

New Delhi, 20 January 2025: Automotive Skills Development Council (ASDC) made a strong showing at the Bharat Mobility Global Auto Expo 2025, India’s premier automotive event, with prominent displays at both the Yashobhoomi Convention Centre in Dwarka and Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. The stalls, inaugurated by ASDC’s President F R Singhvi, aimed to showcase the council’s crucial skilling initiatives and underscore the importance of attracting young talent to the automotive sector.

Speaking at the expo, F R Singhvi, who also serves as JMD of Sansera Engineering Pvt Ltd, emphasized the event’s alignment with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for a greener India, focusing on advanced energy storage, green hydrogen, and e-mobility. “The battery is the core of this industry,” Singhvi stated, citing the India Battery Manufacturing Vision, which projects over 2.6 million jobs and a USD 35 billion investment by 2035. He further highlighted the rapid growth of EV sales as a cleaner alternative and reiterated the government’s ambitious goal of 30% vehicle fleet electrification by 2030.

Singhvi highlighted the surging adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) in India, propelled by the government’s ambitious target of 30% fleet electrification by 2030. “Achieving 100% localization of EV components will require adding 30,000 EV-ready workers annually,” he said. By 2030, the automotive sector will need up to 2 lakh skilled professionals to support this transformative vision. He added, “The auto industry’s biggest challenge lies in addressing the shortage of skilled manpower equipped for the electric vehicle sector.”

Vinkesh Gulati, Vice President, ASDC, forecasted substantial growth in India’s domestic EV market, stressing the need for rapid upskilling, reskilling, and fresh skilling to keep pace with global trends. “The transition from Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles to EVs demands expertise across multiple disciplines, including electrical, mechanical, chemical, and electronics engineering,” Gulati explained. He pointed out that technical overlaps between ICE and EV technologies are minimal, necessitating targeted training programs for existing and new talent pools.

Arindam Lahiri, CEO, ASDC reiterated the stalls’ purpose: showcasing the importance of skilling for the EV industry and attracting young professionals. He emphasized the need for industry outreach to academic institutions and participation in expos to expose students to the exciting opportunities within the automotive sector. ASDC is committed to bridging the industry-academia gap through faculty involvement in industry experiences and regular student interactions. The stalls highlighted various skilling initiatives and programs designed to address skill gaps within the industry.

ASDC also emphasized the importance of hiring assessed and certified professionals to improve talent retention and address skill mismatches during recruitment. The council invited expo attendees to visit their stalls to learn more about their skilling initiatives and encouraged stakeholders to collaborate in bridging the automotive industry’s skill gap.

Union Budget 2025 Must Focus on Creating New Job Opportunities: Puneet Arora

Puneet Arora, Managing Partner, Biz Staffing Comrade Pvt Ltd

The growing skills gap, job flexibility, shifting organizational priorities and the rise of AI are reshaping business, markets and the talent landscape right now. Organizations continue to prioritize upskilling, reskilling and cross-skilling their existing workforce to bridge skill gaps, especially in tech and other high-demand sectors and are currently shifting from credential-based hiring to a skills-first approach.

As skilling in the new and emerging technologies becomes the need of the hour for various industries, we expect the Union Budget 2025 to allocate more funds into a structured and comprehensive skilling programme. Simultaneously, encouraging deductions for training courses will promote professional development and lifelong learning, enhancing individual career growth and overall workforce competitiveness.

We also expect measures around employee welfare and taxation, formal job creation opportunities, reducing compliance complexity etc. The staffing industry plays a critical role in opening employment opportunities, helping the organisation to build their business, developing a talent pipeline and thus fueling economic growth. Hence this industry deserves to be given an industry status.

Sustainable employment generation and micro-entrepreneurship are crucial for driving India’s economic growth and development. It is also important to take proactive measures to encourage women to re-enter or remain in the workforce as this will contribute to a more balanced professional landscape.

While the government has been providing impetus towards job creation through several initiatives, it is important that the Union Budget 2025 lays a strong roadmap for economic growth and continues the momentum to create new job opportunities across sectors. The upcoming budget also presents a crucial opportunity for the government to chart a path towards sustainable and inclusive employment growth, ensuring that the benefits of economic development are widely shared.