Archive: February 28, 2025

Build India Infra Awards 2025 Secures Spotlight on Excellence in Infrastructure & Development

Mumbai, February 28, 2025: The Second Edition of the Build India Infra Awards 2025 honored India’s most outstanding infrastructure projects, recognizing impact, innovation, and sustainability across key sectors. With significant participation, the awards highlighted engineering marvels that are shaping India’s journey toward world-class infrastructure. Primus Partners, India’s largest home-grown consulting services firm, served as the Knowledge Partner, ensuring a rigorous selection process. The nominees presented their projects and this was followed by two rounds of deliberation among a distinguished jury comprising of IAS officers, MDs, and CEOs of leading companies to evaluate them. The awards were founded by Shri Vaibhav Dange (Public Policy Expert on Infrastructure, Green Fuels & Sustainable Mobility), who welcomed the guests and celebrated the achievers.

Emphasizing India’s rapid growth, Shri Vaibhav Dange highlighted that the country now has the third-largest road network in the world, while its aviation sector is set to become the third-largest globally. The Build India Infra Awards 2025 recognize and celebrate excellence in infrastructure development, spotlighting 4 key sectors from Edition 1 2024 viz. roads and highways, railways, ports, airports and 3 new sectors introduced in this Edition 2 namely urban transport, water infrastructure, power transmission that have made significant contributions to India’s growth story. In addition to these 7 sectors, Edition 2 of Build India Infra Awards has instituted a special category – “Trailblazing infrastructure” which aims to provide a platform to showcase projects which are the ”Pride of India”.

He noted that no one was better suited to present the aviation category awards than Shri Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu – Minister of Civil Aviation, who is leading India’s aviation transformation.

Shri Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, Minister of Civil Aviation, who attended the event highlighted India’s rapid aviation growth, stating: “Over the past five years, ₹91,000 crore has been invested in aviation, expanding connectivity across India. The UDAAN scheme has added 88 new airports, enabling 4 crore more passengers to travel. By 2047, India will be the world’s No.1 aviation market. With 26 projects worth ₹8,000 crore underway, we are transforming the sector, expanding into Tier-3 cities, and ensuring inclusive growth. The NDA government is not just the National Democratic Alliance, it is the National Development Alliance, committed to building a stronger, more connected India.”

The event witnessed experts from diverse sectors of Indian infrastructure coming together to celebrate excellence and innovation. It brought together distinguished leaders, policymakers, and industry stalwarts who have played a pivotal role in shaping the nation’s infrastructure landscape.

The award ceremony was also graced by Shri Piyush Goyal, Minister of Commerce and Industry, who virtually addressed the audience, stating: “These awards celebrate excellence in infrastructure, recognizing not just projects but also the businesses driving India’s growth. Every milestone we achieve reflects our nation’s bold aspirations. Through initiatives like ‘Gati Shakti’, we are making transportation seamless and cost-effective. With ₹11.21 lakh crore allocated for capital expenditure (capex), in Union Budget 2025, India is laying the foundation for a stronger, more connected future. Let’s work together to create a better India for tomorrow. As we march towards Viksit Bharat 2047, our collective efforts will shape a nation that stands tall on the global stage.”

In another virtual address, Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs Shri Manohar Lal Khattar emphasized the impact of the PM Gati Shakti initiative, stating that it is driving the nation’s progress. He lauded the awards as a great initiative that promotes innovation and sustainability while congratulating all nominees for their contributions. Minister of Road Transport and Highways Shri Nitin Gadkari echoed similar sentiments, expressing his pleasure at being part of the event and highlighting India’s position as the world’s third-largest economy, urging continued efforts toward growth. Quoting John F. Kennedy, he reiterated that “America’s roads are not good because it is rich; America is rich because its roads are good.” He emphasized the government’s strong commitment to infrastructure development, with increased budget allocations to generate jobs and boost economic progress. He also stressed the importance of aligning knowledge with international standards, reaffirming his dedication to advancing the sector.

Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, in his virtual address, stated:”The Build India Infra Awards 2025 celebrates the leaders and innovators shaping India’s infrastructure. Under Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji’s leadership, India is modernizing ports, inland waterways, and shipping through initiatives like Sagarmala, PM Gati Shakti, and Maritime Vision 2047.”

Davinder Sandhu, Co-Founder & Chairperson of Primus Partners, delivered the vote of thanks to Shri Naidu and commended the awards for evolving with India’s infrastructure landscape. He stated, “This year, I have seen some remarkable new elements in these awards, reflecting the sector’s transformation. With the government’s capital expenditure (capex) allocation taking shape, we are witnessing a shift in how projects are being executed. I congratulate all the captains of industry for their contributions to nation-building.”

Adding to the event’s prestige was an esteemed jury panel, led by Amitabh Kant, India’s G20 Sherpa, who stated, “For India to grow from a $4 trillion to a $30 trillion economy, we need world-class expressways, highways, and metros. With solar capacity scaled 31 times and 40 million houses built, India is executing projects at an unprecedented scale. Platforms like the Build India Infra Awards are key to driving this excellence.”

The jury comprised top bureaucrats, industry leaders, and infrastructure experts. Their extensive expertise ensured a rigorous and transparent selection process, reinforcing the credibility of the awards. Davinder Sandhu, Co-Founder & Chairperson, Primus Partners and Vaibhav Dange, a Public Policy Expert on Infrastructure, Green Fuels & Sustainable Mobility, further strengthened the discourse on sustainable and futuristic infrastructure development.

The event was a landmark occasion that recognized and honored the efforts of individuals and organizations that have contributed to nation-building through pioneering infrastructure projects. With thought-provoking discussions, networking opportunities, and a shared vision for India’s growth, the evening reinforced the importance of collaboration between government, industry, and thought leaders to drive the country’s infrastructure forward.

As Knowledge Partners, Primus Partners spearheaded the conceptualization and execution of the nomination and jury process for the Build India Infra Awards 2025, ensuring a rigorous and transparent selection. Designed around the three core principles—People, Process, and Product—the jury was presented with a robust framework for holistic assessment, a crucial step in identifying India’s most iconic infrastructure projects.

Instituted as a prestigious initiative, the Build India Infra Awards 2025 serves as a cornerstone in recognizing and applauding groundbreaking projects that have left an indelible mark on the nation’s infrastructure landscape. With a commitment to celebrating excellence, Primus Partners plays a pivotal role in honoring the visionaries and innovators who continue to shape and advance India’s infrastructure ecosystem.

Ericsson & Jio Secure Unmatched Connectivity for Maha Kumbh 2025 Amid Record Crowds

Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC) and Jio Infocomm Ltd (Jio) today announced that the Jio True 5G Standalone (SA) network delivered exceptional customer experience amidst record-breaking participation at Maha Kumbh 2025, the world’s largest spiritual gathering in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. This special spiritual event is being held after 144 years between January 13th to February 26th and saw participation from over 660 million people. During this period, unprecedented traffic surge was also observed in Varanasi and Ayodhya.

Millions of visitors shared images and videos of the Maha Kumbh and stayed connected with friends and family during the event leveraging the Jio True 5G SA network. The unprecedented voice and data traffic demand during the event was met with pro-active planning, advanced design, innovative mega capacity solution deployments and real time traffic monitoring by Ericsson and Jio. Jio 5G users were able to experience superior voice quality using Voice over NR (5G voice).

In preparation of the high density of visitors expected during the Maha Kumbh, Ericsson and Jio collaborated to implement strategic solutions across the Jio True 5G SA network using SA features such as network slicing, carrier aggregation using 700 MHz band, and VoNR. Extensive real-time traffic monitoring, data analytics, and instantaneous optimizations further ensured superior network performance accommodating the surge of connected users and their service demands in the most dense traffic consumption areas. Dedicated teams, supported by five on-field war rooms, worked round the clock on foot in “no vehicle zone area” to ensure service availability.

Vijay Sharma, Head of Customer Unit Reliance Jio at Ericsson says, “Ericsson is proud to have collaborated with Jio to deliver an exceptional network experience during the Maha Kumbh 2025. During one of the peak days, Jio network catered to 20 Mn voice and 400 Mn data service requests on 5G successfully. An estimated 55 percent of the total data traffic during the event has been served by Ericsson 5G solutions.

Our proactive approach, software solutions and real-time monitoring were instrumental in maintaining network reliability and performance, demonstrating our commitment to driving excellence in mobile communications even under the most demanding conditions.”

Key network optimizations, such as accessibility handling, including priority access for government agencies managing the event, resource management, congestion control, network coverage and continuity and serviceability played crucial roles in preventing network congestion due to spikes in voice and data traffic. Ericsson’s Automated Radio Resource Partitioning feature for network slicing helped Jio secure existing Fixed Wireless Access performance while ensuring the eMBB performance.

To further support LTE traffic demand, a 10 MHz spectrum in the 700 MHz band was deployed without additional hardware or physical changes. This rapid deployment significantly alleviated congestion, handling 10 percent of eMBB traffic and 25 percent of voice traffic on the overall LTE network.

Ericsson and Jio’s partnership exemplifies the power of innovation and proactive planning in delivering a superior customer experience, even under the most challenging conditions.

GMLR Secures Growth with a Transformative Vision for Central & Western Suburbs Real Estate

The Goregaon-Mulund Link Road (GMLR) is set to revolutionize Mumbai’s real estate dynamics by significantly enhancing connectivity between the eastern and western suburbs. This ambitious 12.30 km-long project, featuring 6.65 km twin tunnels under the Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP), will reduce travel time between Goregaon and Mulund from over an hour to just 25 minutes. With an investment of Rs 1,958 crore allocated in the BMC’s 2025-26 budget and an expected completion by 2028, this infrastructure initiative is poised to be a game-changer for Mumbai’s urban landscape.

The GMLR is expected to spur real estate activity along its corridor, particularly in Mulund, Malad, Borivali, and Goregaon. Industry leaders weigh in on the transformative impact this project will have on Mumbai’s property market.

With enhanced connectivity via the GMLR, Mulund is set to emerge as a high-end residential destination. This mega infrastructure project will make Mulund increasingly attractive to luxury homebuyers seeking seamless access to key city hubs.

Mr. Nishant Deshmukh, Founder and Managing Partner of Sugee Group, highlighted how the GMLR will elevate Mulund’s standing as a preferred residential hub. “With improved east-west connectivity, Mulund will attract homebuyers looking for better commute options to the western suburbs. The reduction in travel time will enhance its appeal for professionals working in Goregaon, Malad, and Andheri. Additionally, we anticipate heightened demand for premium residential projects as Mulund evolves into a well-connected urban center.”

Mr. Navin Makhija, Managing Director of The Wadhwa Group, echoed similar sentiments, stating, “The Goregaon-Mulund Link Road (GMLR) is a strategic infrastructure initiative that underscores the government’s commitment to enhancing Mumbai’s connectivity and addressing congestion on the western corridor. By seamlessly linking the eastern and western suburbs, this project will not only alleviate traffic pressure on the Western Express Highway but also catalyze real estate growth in the eastern suburbs. The improved infrastructure and accessibility will make locations like Mulund and its surrounding areas even more attractive for homebuyers and investors. As demand surges, we foresee a firming up of property prices in the East, which are currently around 60-65% of the West, eventually bridging the gap and unlocking immense value for both residents and developers. The GMLR will play a pivotal role in reshaping Mumbai’s real estate landscape, making the city more integrated and well-connected.”

On the western front, the Malad to Borivali corridor is also set to gain prominence, with the GMLR serving as a crucial infrastructure catalyst. This arterial connectivity will not only improve east-west mobility but also reduce travel time, boosting demand for real estate in the region and positioning it as a prime residential and commercial hub.

Mr. Rohan Khatau, Director, CCI Projects, underscored the positive outlook for the Malad to Borivali corridor, stating, “The GMLR will alleviate congestion on existing routes and provide a seamless travel experience for residents commuting to the eastern suburbs. With improved access to business districts and employment hubs, the real estate market in these areas will witness heightened demand, particularly benefiting mid-segment and premium residential developments.”

Mr. Umesh Jandial, Chief Business Officer at Omkar Realtors & Developers, noted, “Goregaon and Malad have evolved into thriving residential and commercial zones, and the GMLR will further solidify their position in Mumbai’s real estate landscape. Improved connectivity will make these locations more attractive for homebuyers, resulting in higher property appreciation and increased interest from developers looking to launch new projects.”

Ms. Shraddha Kedia-Agarwal, Director of Transcon Developers, added, “The GMLR will be a game-changer for Malad and Goregaon, enhancing accessibility for professionals working in the eastern suburbs. This ease of commute will drive demand for premium residential spaces, mixed-use developments, and commercial hubs. We foresee a major boost in real estate transactions as these micro-markets become well-connected urban centers.”

As per Knight Frank India report, in January 2025, the Western suburbs and Central suburbs continued to dominate, accounting for 86 per cent of total market share in terms of property registrations in Mumbai. “This growth reflects a surge in supply and heightened end-user interest in these locations,” the report said.

Beyond residential developments, the GMLR is expected to attract significant commercial and retail investments, further strengthening Mumbai’s real estate sector. Its integration with major highways, including the Pune-Mumbai Expressway and the upcoming Navi Mumbai airport, will unlock new business opportunities and drive increased footfall in these areas.

Moreover, reduced vehicular congestion will not only enhance the overall quality of life but also contribute to sustainable urban mobility, fostering a more connected and efficient Mumbai.

As the city eagerly anticipates the completion of this landmark infrastructure project, the GMLR is poised to redefine Mumbai’s real estate landscape, opening new avenues for growth and investment.

Culinary Art India 2025 Secures Grand Showcase with 600+ Chefs Demonstrating Mastery

New Delhi, 28th February 2025: The Indian Culinary Forum (ICF) proudly announces the 17th Edition of Culinary Art India (CAI) 2025, set to take place alongside the 39th Edition of AAHAR International Fair from 4th to 8th March 2025 at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. This prestigious event is brought to you by the Indian Culinary Forum (ICF) and is being organized by ITPO and Hospitality First, with technical guidance from the ICF. It promises an extraordinary platform for culinary innovation, creativity, and professional excellence.

With an expanded lineup of 18 competition categories, Culinary Art India 2025 is expected to attract over 600 participants, including senior and apprentice chefs from across India, who will compete on an internationally modeled stage. The event serves as a professional arena for culinary professionals to showcase their skills, share experiences, and foster valuable industry partnerships. These competitions will be judged by a distinguished panel of World Association of Chefs Societies (WACS)-certified jury members from India and abroad. The Malaysian Culinary Legend Illy Lee Chan Hoong will serve as the Chairperson of this year’s jury, while Chef Sireesh Saxena and Chef Arvind Rai will oversee the competition as Organizing Secretaries.

Chef Davinder Kumar, President of the Indian Culinary Forum, said, “Culinary Art India has grown to become a highly anticipated event in the Indian hospitality industry. Each year, we see immense talent and creativity on display, and 2025 will be no different. With new categories and more participants, we aim to continue fostering the growth of the culinary arts in India. It is not just a competition but a benchmark of excellence that brings together top culinary talents, industry experts, and hospitality brands under one roof.”

The event provides chefs with a platform to demonstrate their skills while encouraging knowledge-sharing, innovation, and professional growth. Designed to test a wide range of techniques, this year’s competition will highlight sustainability, plant-based cuisine, and modern plating trends, reflecting the evolving landscape of the culinary world.

Chef Vivek Saggar, General Secretary of the Indian Culinary Forum, added, “This event not only celebrates culinary excellence but also provides chefs with an opportunity to benchmark their skills against industry standards. We are excited to introduce new categories that align with global trends, offering chefs a chance to push the boundaries of culinary creativity.”

The competition will feature 18 categories across Individual Competition: Artistic Display, Cold Display, and Live Competition. The Artistic Display segment will highlight chefs’ craftsmanship through 3-Tier Wedding Cakes, Artistic Pastry Showpieces, Artistic Bakery Showpieces, and Fruit & Vegetable Carving. The Cold Display category will focus on technical precision and plating skills with competitions in Plated Appetizers, Petit Fours or Pralines, Three-Course Dinner Set Menu – International, Plated Desserts, and Authentic Indian Regional Cuisine.

The Live Competition will test chefs’ speed and creativity in real-time culinary challenges, including Contemporary Sushi Platter, a two-course live cooking challenge in 1 hour 30 minutes, and a 45-minute rice dish competition open to all. Additional categories include a Cooking Challenge for students and apprentices, Egg Benedict, Chocolate Mania, Cake Decorating – Dress the Cake, Mocktails Competition, and a Live Sandwich Making Competition. With 18 diverse competition categories, Culinary Art India 2025 remains a defining platform for chefs to push creative boundaries and set new standards of excellence in the culinary industry.

Moglix Secures Sustainable Growth by Powering India’s Clean Energy Future with Biofuels

Mumbai, 28th February 2025: Moglix, one of Asia’s leading B2B e-commerce companies, is introducing biofuels as a new category to accelerate India’s clean energy goals. The fragmented and decentralized market for solid biofuels—including briquettes, pellets, biochar, and bio-coal—has posed challenges for industries in terms of availability, quality, and supply chain efficiency. Moglix aims to address these gaps by creating a structured, full-stack solution that ensures consistent fuel quality, reliable procurement, and seamless access for enterprises while empowering rural communities and driving industrial adoption of cleaner fuels.

Moglix will utilize their platform to simplify biofuel procurement across India. It will provide industries with access to a variety of biomass briquettes and pellets with year-round availability, on-time delivery, and consistent quality—solving a major pain point for enterprises. The focus is on ensuring high-quality fuel from best-in-class manufacturing facilities governed by proprietary SOPs, enabling seamless procurement through an integrated logistics platform with full tracking and transparency, securing long-term rate contracts to ensure uninterrupted supply. And strengthening the biomass sourcing ecosystem by engaging directly with farmers to enhance rural incomes through structured trade of agro-waste.

Biofuels, derived from biomass, offer a viable alternative to fossil fuels. While the government has outlined a clear sustainability mandate, industry-wide adoption remains a challenge. Moglix aims to bridge this gap by not only aligning with national clean energy goals but also actively educating stakeholders on the benefits of transitioning to biofuels, fostering industry collaborations, and enabling structured solutions to drive large-scale adoption of sustainable energy sources.

Rahul Garg, Founder and CEO of Moglix, stated, “India’s energy transition needs scalable and reliable alternatives, and the biofuels sector holds immense potential. However, its fragmented structure has slowed progress. Moglix plans to build an organized, transparent ecosystem that enables industries to make a seamless shift to sustainable fuels.”

Moglix’s initiative aims to help industries transition to cleaner fuels, generate employment in the renewable energy sector, support policy development through industry-led case studies, and invest in biomass densification technology to enhance fuel efficiency and cost-effectiveness, ensuring biofuels become a mainstream energy source for industrial consumers.

Dress for Success Tampa Bay Secures Leadership with Lisette Parsons as Executive Director

TAMPA, FL February 28th, 2025: Dress for Success Tampa Bay, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering local women to achieve economic independence, is pleased to announce the appointment of Lisette Parsons as its Executive Director. Parsons was selected for the leadership role following a comprehensive national search conducted with the assistance of a third-party recruiting agency, Living HR, to lead the organization into its next chapter of growth and impact.

Laurell Jones, Dress for Success Tampa Bay’s immediate past board president, said, “We are delighted to welcome Lisette as our Executive Director. Her dedication, leadership, and vision will be instrumental in furthering our mission and expanding our impact in the community.”

“It is an absolute honor to step into the role of Executive Director and continue serving an organization so close to my heart,” Parsons said. “My journey began as a volunteer, driven by a deep passion for our mission, and it has been truly inspiring to witness the impact we create. I am excited to lead alongside this incredible team and build on the foundation of empowerment, support, and opportunity for those we serve.”

With a deep understanding of the organization’s mission and a strong commitment to empowering women, Parsons brings both passion and experience to the role. She began volunteering with Dress for Success Tampa Bay in 2021 as an event volunteer before becoming the interim executive assistant to long-time Executive Director Katie McGill. After an extensive search for McGill’s successor, the organization chose Parsons to honor her legacy and lead the mission forward. Professionally, Parsons has served as the National Senior Vice President of Operations and Business Development in the outsourcing sector.

As Executive Director, Parsons will focus on program expansion, community engagement, and fundraising. Under her leadership, Dress for Success Tampa Bay looks forward to continuing its work locally to empower women and help them achieve economic independence by providing professional attire, a network of support, career search assistance, job skills training, and other development tools.

Since its inception in 1998, Dress for Success Tampa Bay has relied on grants, donations, and fundraising events to continue offering programs and services locally. All donations are tax-deductible.