Category: Education

NEET-UG 2025 Results-Allen has 4 students in top-10 and 39 students in top-100

Allen’s Mrinal Jha bags AIR-4 and Aashi Singh secures All India Rank-2 in Girls Category

Kota,16^th June 2025: Allen Career Institute has once again proved its superiority in the NEET-UG 2025 results declared by the National Testing Agency.

In NEET-UG 2025 results, Allen Career Institute students have secured top ranks in the country as well as admission in a large number of government medical colleges.

Allen Career Institute CEO Nitin Kukreja said that in the results, Allen’s classroom course student Mrinal Jha has secured All India Rank-04. Along with this, four students have secured a place in the top-10, in which Keshav Mittal got All India Rank 07 and Bhavya Chirag Jha bagged All India Rank 08. All three are Allen’s classroom students. Aarav Agarwal has got All India Rank 10 who is associated with Allen through distance education. Allen’s Aashi Singh has got All India Rank-12 and has been ranked-2 in the All India Girls category. As per results seen so far Allen has 19 students in the top-50 and 39 students of Allen in the top-100. In this, 30 are from the classroom program. 9 are from distance learning and online test series program.

Allen’s Directors Dr. Govind Maheshwari, Rajesh Maheshwari, Dr. Naveen Maheshwari and Dr. Brajesh Maheshwari have congratulated all the successful students and their parents.

CEO Nitin Kukreja said that Allen’s results have been better in terms of quality as well as numbers. Until the results are seen, a large number of students are coming forward, whose admission is considered certain for admission in MBBS in Government Medical College.

He said that Allen believes in excellence. Along with the best environment, best faculties, Allen is giving the best results. In the last 16 years, 13 classroom students of Allen have secured All India Rank-1 in medical entrance exams. In the year 2024, every fourth student taking admission in AIIMS Institute, considered to be the best institute in the country for medical education, was from Allen. Along with this, more than 10450 students of Allen got admission in government medical colleges.

He said that Allen also believes in the authenticity and transparency of the results and to maintain it, it has got its results validated by the country’s largest audit firm EY India.

It is noteworthy that in the results of JEE-Advanced-2025, Rajit Gupta, a classroom student of Allen Career Institute, topped All India. There were 4 classroom students in the top-10 and maximum 46 students in top-100 were from Allen.

ISH expands Executive Education portfolio with Cinnamon Hotels in Sri Lanka and the Maldives

Gurugram, June 16^th 2025: The Indian School of Hospitality (ISH) has launched an intensive leadership development program in collaboration with Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives. The initiative is part of a six-month engagement following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) earlier this year.

The first cohort of 15 senior managers from Cinnamon Hotels completed a week-long bootcamp at the ISH campus in Gurugram, followed by a week-long orientation across Leela Palace properties in New Delhi, Jaipur, Udaipur, and Bengaluru. The bespoke program is designed to groom high-potential talent for General Manager roles as Cinnamon scales its brand and enters the luxury segment.

Faculty from academia and industry delivered core modules on Finance, Digital Transformation, Marketing, and People Leadership. The orientation at Leela’s flagship luxury hotels gave participants both guest and operational exposure, immersing them in delivering luxury experiences from front to back.

This collaboration falls under ISH Business Solutions, the institution’s executive education vertical focused on delivering capability-building interventions for the hospitality and service sectors. Built on ISH’s academic foundation and global affiliations with Sommet Education, the vertical represents ISH’s deep and sustained engagement with the industry in India and offshore markets.

“The need to build a strong pipeline of future General Managers remains a strategic priority across the global hospitality sector. Future-ready brands like Cinnamon Hotels recognise the value of investing in human capital as they pursue rapid regional growth. ISH is delighted to be their knowledge partners to support the continued learning of their managers,” said Dilip Puri, Founder and Executive Chairman, Indian School of Hospitality.

As the hospitality sector continues its transformation, ISH remains focused on shaping future-ready talent through programs that continuously align academia and business. The collaboration with Cinnamon Hotels brings this vision to life at a time when leadership development has become a clear business priority.

“This initiative is designed to immerse our high-potential talent in transformative, real-world experiences that broaden their global outlook and enhance their leadership capabilities,” said Ishara Naufal, Senior Vice President – Human Resources, Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts. “By investing in hands-on, future-focused development, we are not only strengthening our leadership pipeline but also reinforcing our commitment to positioning Cinnamon as a globally competitive hospitality brand.”

IIMB hosts closing ceremony of PGP and PGPBA orientation 2025-27

16 June, 2025, Bangalore:  The Indian Institute of Management Bangalore concluded a week-long orientation programme for the PGP & PGP-BA class of 2025-27 with a closing ceremony, held on campus from 9 to 15 June, 2025. The event brought together students, faculty, alumni, and guests to mark the beginning of a new and fruitful academic journey. The key highlight of the event included the presentation of the Distinguished Alumni Awards (DAA) 2025, among other academic recognitions, and scholarships.

Keynote Address

Mr. Raghu Polisetty, Senior Managing Director and Global Lead at Accenture Strategy & Consulting. Drawing from over three decades of experience, he urged students to anchor themselves in values that endure amid rapid change especially in a world being reshaped by GenAI & AI and shifting paradigms of work.

Quoting Nicole Malachowski, he said, “Nothing of significance ever happens alone”, and asked students to write a thank-you note to those who made their journey possible: parents, mentors, or well-wishers.

Outlining his five constants for lasting success, Mr. Polisetty emphasized:

• Lifelong learning – staying curious and moving toward the unknown
• Personal branding – building credibility beyond qualifications
• Responsible influence – using power to enable change
• Enduring belief and optimism – even in moments of uncertainty
• A strong moral compass – doing what’s right even when there are no rules

He closed with a powerful reflection, “Success is not just about talent it’s about grit, curiosity, and character.”

Distinguished Alumni Awards 2025

The 2025 Distinguished Alumni Awards (DAA) were conferred upon four distinguished alumni at the ceremony for their exceptional achievements across sectors and their unwavering commitment to values that define the IIMB community. Prof. Sourav Mukherji, Dean, Alumni Relations and Development, introduced the DAA awardees and Mr. Ganeshan Ramachandran, Managing Director with Accenture’s Global Capability Network, presented the awards.

Dr. Sandhya Shekhar (PGP 1984), Advisor in Digital and Business Strategy and former CEO of IIT Madras Research Park, reflected on the challenges of upholding ethical values in the professional world and credited IIMB for instilling the courage to do so. She shared, “IIMB is where I discovered my inner strength—and that it’s cool to be ethical.”

Prashant Jain (PGP 1991), Founder of 3P Investment Managers and former CIO at HDFC Mutual Fund, shared how IIMB shaped his transition from engineering to finance and laid the foundation for a lifelong focus on learning and integrity. As he put it, “Learning is like a balance sheet of assets built over time, and the liabilities teach you.”

Mathew Cyriac (PGP 1994), Chairman at Florintree Advisors and Co-founder of Yali Capital, credited IIMB with transforming his self-doubt into confidence and providing the mentorship and friendships that propelled his career. He noted, “IIMB gave me confidence, mentorship, and friendships that became my life’s compass.”

Vineet Saraiwala (PGP 2015), Founder & CEO of Atypical Advantage, spoke movingly of how IIMB empowered him as a visually impaired student and inspired his mission to build an inclusive India. He shared, “IIMB gave me the platform and belief to solve some of the toughest social problems.”

The ceremony began with opening remarks from Prof. Manaswini Bhalla, Chairperson, PGP & PGPBA, who described the orientation week as “a trailer of what the next two years will look like.” She encouraged the PGP1 students to embrace the opportunities ahead with enthusiasm and urged the PGP2 cohort to be “worthy seniors” and role models for those just beginning their journey.

Prof. Rishikesha T Krishnan, Director, IIM Bangalore, reflected on the significance of the Distinguished Alumni Awards and the values embodied by the awardees. He spoke about the importance of perseverance, purpose, and the quiet dedication behind their achievements. The Director highlighted how their journeys exemplify the kind of impact IIMB hopes its students will strive for, grounded, responsible, and far-reaching.

Prof. Mukta Kulkarni, Chairperson, Dean Programmes, encouraged students, “If you want to see yourself in the shoes of alumni, then focus on the multiple opportunities.”

Revanth Reddy, President, Students Affairs Council, PGP’26, welcomed the incoming cohort and reflected on his own journey at IIMB. Speaking about ‘Life at IIMB’, he encouraged both cohorts of over 1,200 students to strive for meaningful societal impact, drawing inspiration from the accomplishments of the four distinguished alumni.

Awards, Scholarships, and Achievements

The event also featured the announcement of the Director’s Merit List, Director’s Honours List, section toppers, and scholarship recipients. The Mirae Asset Foundation Scholar Award was also presented to recognize meritorious and deserving students at IIMB across the Post Graduate Programme in Management (PGP), the Post Graduate Programme in Business Analytics (PGPBA), and the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programme. The students of PGP & PGPBA 2024-26, Gangineni Sandeep, Revat Mehra, Sampath Majeti, as well as Divya Dwivedi, Information Systems area and Sanchit Jain, Finance & Accounting area, were awarded the scholarship.

Cultural Performance

The ceremony concluded with a soul-stirring performance by the Chennai Children’s Choir from the NalandaWay Foundation. 

India’s First Transdisciplinary MA in Creative Writing Debuts at Alliance University

Mumbai, 16th June 2025: Alliance University, South India’s first UGC-recognized private university, has launched India’s first multilingual and transdisciplinary MA in Creative Writing. This two-year program blends literary depth with practical writing skills to prepare students for diverse genres and industries. With electives in Kannada and Hindi literature and a strong focus on translation, students will engage with vernacular and world literature, encouraging cross-cultural understanding and creative expression.

Unlike traditional MA English programs that focus on literary criticism and canonical texts, Alliance University’s MA in Creative Writing is a transdisciplinary, creation-focused program. Open to individuals from all academic and professional backgrounds, it requires no prior experience in literature or writing. The course encourages exploration across fiction, poetry, non-fiction, scriptwriting, brand storytelling, content creation, science writing and comic design. It focuses on fostering imagination, clarity and originality while building a strong foundation in literary technique.

Dr. Liju Jacob Kuriakose, Assistant Dean and Head of the Department of Language and Literature at Alliance University, said: “With this programme, we are building a creative ecosystem that nurtures the writer not just as an artist but as a contemporary communicator. Whether you want to author a novel, write a podcast series, or shape public narratives through compelling storytelling, this course gives you the foundation, the craft, and the community to do it.”

One of the most distinctive aspects of the programme is its emphasis on hands-on, immersive learning. Students participate in intensive writing workshops conducted by celebrated authors, poets, and screenwriters from India and abroad. They also gain real-world experience by organizing the Alliance Literary Festival, India’s largest university-led literary event, and by producing podcast and video content for the university’s YouTube channel, Cosmopolis. In addition, students conceptualize, edit, and publish the university’s in-house literary magazine and research journal.

“At Alliance, we believe creative writing is no longer a niche discipline. It is a modern necessity,” said Dr. Ravi Chakraborty, Program Director of the MA in Creative Writing. “From novels to newsletters, from poetry to product storytelling, the ability to craft compelling narratives lies at the heart of meaningful communication. This program is for anyone who wants to master that craft and apply it across a wide range of industries.”

The programme curriculum is dynamic and continually evolving, shaped by feedback from students, faculty, and industry professionals. It includes practical training in digital content creation, marketing communications, and storytelling for new media platforms. Through a combination of mentorship, community engagement, and project-based learning, the programme prepares students for careers in publishing, media, content strategy, advertising, creative arts, and academia.

Graduates of the MA in Creative Writing will be well-equipped for careers in publishing, journalism, screenwriting, digital marketing, advertising, public relations, content strategy, media production, arts programming, and academia. The programme also provides a strong foundation for those pursuing authorship, independent storytelling projects, or advanced research in literature and media. With internship and placement opportunities through the university’s industry network, students receive career support aligned with their creative and professional aspirations.

The MA in Creative Writing is a two-year, four-semester programme. Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 50 percent aggregate marks and must have studied English as a compulsory subject. A relaxation of 5 percent in marks is offered to candidates from SC and ST categories in accordance with UGC norms.

Key features of the programme include ease of entry for students and professionals from non-literary backgrounds, immersive learning through participation in Bengaluru’s vibrant creative economy, structured exposure to publishers, editors, and established writers, and hands-on workshops with award-winning practitioners from literature, film, and media. The programme also offers guided mentorship for developing book-length projects from conception to publication and provides flexible academic pathways, including a diploma exit option.

Applications for the MA in Creative Writing are now open, the last date to apply is 30th June 2025. For more information on eligibility and the admission process, candidates are encouraged to visit the programme page on the official website: www.alliance.edu.in.

Hyderabad Runners Host 7th OK Kids Run with 300 Govt School Finishers

Hyderabad Runners hosts “7th OK Kids Graduation Run” — 300 Government school children among finishers

Hyderabad, 16th June 2025: In a spirited celebration of fitness, inclusion, and youth empowerment, the Hyderabad Runners Society conducted the 7th edition of the OK Kids Graduation Run on Sunday morning at the Telangana State Forest Academy, Dulapally.

The run marked the grand finale of an 8-week Outdoor Kids Summer Camp, a unique initiative designed to build healthy habits, instil fitness awareness, and nurture self-confidence in children aged 6 to 14.

A highlight of this year’s event was the participation of over 300 children from government schools, trained under Hyderabad Runners’ flagship social impact program, Project Champion. These children, from 10 government schools across Hyderabad, were introduced to the fundamentals of physical literacy through structured training sessions, and proudly crossed the finish line alongside their peers. All Project Champion participants were also gifted school bags and running shoes to support their journey beyond the event.

Conducted across 20 city locations, the OKkids initiative is part of the broader “Couch to Playground” mission of Hyderabad Runners—a not-for-profit organisation founded in 2007 to promote running as the most accessible and inclusive form of fitness.

The event was supported with on-ground medical assistance by Apollo Hospitals, while families and participants enjoyed a festive morning complete with hydration stations, nutritious snacks, and fun-filled activities in a natural green setting.

The OK Kids Graduation Run is more than just a run—it’s a community movement that reimagines the way children engage with fitness, especially those from underserved backgrounds.

Prodigy Finance Helps Pramendra Kushwaha Reach Germany Goal

Germany is fast becoming a top destination for international students, offering world-class universities, affordable education, and strong career opportunities in Europe’s largest economy. But while the country opens its doors academically, financial access remains a challenge for many students from emerging markets.

Pramendra Kushwaha, a young professional from Bangalore, knows this well. After earning a BBA and working at Tata Consultancy Services, he managed high-net-worth European clients, many of whom had global degrees. One conversation, in particular, with a German client left a lasting impact. “I gained insight about how a global degree has shaped their career, lifestyle, and confidence,” Pramendra recalls. “That moment made me realise what I was missing.”

Driven by his ambition to up-skill and expand his career prospects, Pramendra pursued a master’s program abroad. Despite holding a well-paying position at TCS, he faced skepticism about leaving a stable job during the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic. Determined to advance his expertise, he took full initiative to make his goal a reality, navigating financial constraints and securing his path forward through perseverance and strategic planning.

He secured admission to Imperial College London and ESMT Berlin and chose Germany for its industry-integrated curriculum and growing relevance in global business. A €10,000 scholarship helped, but he still needed €30,000 to cover tuition and living costs.

That’s when he discovered Prodigy Finance through ESMT’s website and joined a webinar in Bangalore. What stood out was their student-first approach, with no collateral, no co-signer, and full clarity on interest rates and foreign exchange costs. Unlike traditional lenders, Prodigy Finance focuses on a student’s future earning potential. “The process was fast, transparent, and truly designed for international students,” Pramendra says.

“We created Prodigy Finance to support students like Pramendra, talented, ambitious, and ready to lead, but held back by traditional lending models,” said Sonal Kapoor, Global Chief Business Officer at Prodigy Finance. “Germany is one of the most promising study destinations, and we’re proud to help students make that leap.”

Prodigy’s loan covered both tuition and living expenses, which international students must prove to obtain a visa. Pramendra arrived in Berlin in August 2020, right in the middle of the pandemic. With no family support, no backup, and the world in lockdown, the odds were stacked against him.

But kindness found him early. His landlord in Germany personally picked him up from the airport and had already arranged everything he would need to settle in. “In a time when everything felt uncertain, that gesture meant the world,” Pramendra recalls.

During his Master’s studies at ESMT Berlin, Pramendra Kushwaha completed a six-month Finance and Controlling internship at Bosch, where he was responsible for budget planning, financial forecasting, and cost optimisation. He contributed to global headcount planning, sales performance analysis, and engineering cost assessments, helping streamline financial operations and reduce rental costs by 35%.

Following this, he joined Vanilla Steel, a digital steel trading platform in Berlin, where he focused on financial reporting, business operations, and fundraising, playing a key role in securing $2M in funding. By graduation, he had accumulated two years of local work experience, strengthening his expertise in controlling, supplier negotiations, and strategic financial management.

Today, Pramendra serves as a Global Financial Controller at Audibene, a leading digital health company specializing in hearing care solutions. In this role, he oversees strategic budgeting, cross-functional financial planning, and performance optimisation across international markets, advancing his career at the intersection of health tech and finance within Germany’s dynamic business landscape.

Driven by his motto, “Never settle for less,” Pramendra is also learning German to expand his opportunities and holds a Germany-issued Blue Card, which grants him the right to live and work across the EU.

“To anyone dreaming of studying abroad, don’t just chase a passport or salary,” he says. “Finish your bachelor’s, get 1-2 years of experience, and choose a great university. Focus on skills and real learning. Everything else will follow.”

He also encourages students to research their lenders. “Traditional banks have hidden charges and rigid terms. With Prodigy Finance, I have always had the freedom to repay on my terms, no early repayment fees, no surprise costs.”

From walking away from a stable job without family support to building a career in Germany, Pramendra’s journey reflects resilience and the power of the right support at the right time.

And for every student like him who’s ready to aim higher, Prodigy Finance remains that bridge, believing in potential and backing those who dare to move beyond borders.

Skilling for Viksit Bharat@2047: A Paradigm Shift Needed

By Prof PB Sharma and Sanskrit Sharma

As India moves forward on the pathways of rapid track sustainable development as the largest democracy of the world, it needs to effectively capitalise its “Advantage India” that lies in its over 660 million youth between the age group of 15-29 years. It is this vast pool of Young India that needs both the technology skills as well as the character skills of integrity, responsibility, and accountability akin to the clarion calls of Viksit Bharat of our dreams.

 Skilling Youth with AI and Digital Skills:

Young India needs to be empowered with digital skills in a hyper-connected world, of which India is one of the most promising leaders in the age of Artificial Intelligence, AI. These AI and Digital skills are required all across the board for all sectors of the economy.

New Skill Infrastructure Urgently Needed:

The current level of skilling infrastructure and the skilling ecosystem in India requires a paradigm shift both in respect of content as well as in the delivery systems being adopted at present.

The mass scale skilling by organising workshops or seminars or even skill camps is no answer to the skilling needs of AI and digital skills, nor is a solution to seriously align the conduct and character of Young India to the needs of integrity, responsibility and sustainability, the ‘holy trinity’ of the New Age.

Skill Universities need a Redesign:

The initiative of the state governments in India to establish skill universities in public and private domains, though sounds good at the first instant, may end up with unemployable skill degree holders unless these skill universities change their approach of imparting skills to the inspired young minds who come to these skill universities to get the experience and exposure to the hi-tech digital skills and their practice for the most modern manufacturing and service applications.

 The design and delivery system for skill programs must necessarily differ from the traditional knowledge-based degree programs of today’s forward-looking universities and institutions of higher learning.

Future Readiness to be the Mantra:

The primary goal of a Skill University should be to produce graduates who are immediately employable, job-ready, and possess the higher-end digital skills so much needed in the workplace today by employers. These universities should necessarily emphasize fostering internships in industry, on learning by doing, and activity-based learning a lot more than ‘learning to know’ and know deeply, as the conventional universities usually are accustomed to providing.

The outcome of a skill university has to necessarily be a ready-to-run a kind of industry or service sector workforce that not only has the skills of today but is also capable of self-empowerment with the skill sets of the future in the industry or a service organisation.

Catch them Young from School Onward:

Ideally, the interest in skills of the new age should be cultivated from the school level onward. There was a time when India had technical schools which focused at that time on skill-based learning of engineering and technology. These students, after passing their technical schools, became highly successful engineering and technology graduates once they joined their degree programs.

Skilling Youth Should Be a National Priority:

Today, when we are in an era that requires competency, calibre and character to work alongside smart and intelligent machines, robots and humanoids, the importance of skilling  Young India cannot be overemphasised.

It would be highly desirable for the universities and colleges in India to establish multifunctional, multi-sectoral skill centres and high-tech skill towers to empower the youth of India with skill sets for the future-ready workforce that the Viskit Bharat@2047 mission so well requires.

World Youth Skills Day 2025:

 The UN  World Youth Skills Day 2025,  celebrated throughout the world each year on July 15, has given a call to “Youth empowerment through AI and Digital Skills” as its theme for this year. This is in line with the needs of Industry 4.0 and Service Sector 5.0 that require empowerment of youth with next-generation AI and digital skills embedded with the character skills of sustainability, integrity, and responsibility that the new age so much requires to create a green and blissful future for the world community.

Let skilling Youth be a matter of great national priority and let India take a lead in redesigning it’s skill infrastructure for the New Age learners.

Authors Prof PB Sharma is a renowned academician, past President of AIU, Founder Vice Chancellor of DTU, and currently Vice Chancellor of Amity University Gurugram, and Sanskrit Sharma is an 11th class student at Amity International School.

Prof. G Shainesh joins pioneer Prof. Philip Kotler in 17th edition of global standard: Marketing Management

The book launch reflected on a renewed vision for marketing education and India’s growing centrality in the global market discourse

13 June, 2025, Bengaluru: The 17th edition of Marketing Management, the acclaimed global standard that, across nearly six decades and sixteen editions, has shaped the teaching and practice of marketing, was officially launched at a virtual event featuring author Prof. Philip Kotler, Professor Emeritus of Marketing, Northwestern University; and coauthors Prof. G. Shainesh, Chairperson, Initiatives on Consumer Insights, IIMB; and Prof. Kevin Lane Keller, E.B. Osborn Professor of Marketing, Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College, on 12 June. Widely regarded as the definitive text in the discipline, the new edition fortifies its intellectual legacy while responding meaningfully to contemporary shifts in marketing thought and practice.

The latest edition features case studies, brand stories, and a sharpened focus on developments in artificial intelligence, sustainability, and market innovation. Of particular note is the integration of over 50 India-specific narratives spanning legacy and emerging enterprises, which signal to the country’s growing centrality in the global market environment.

A legacy recalibrated for a changing world

In his prepared remarks, Prof. Philip Kotler, the pioneering voice behind the original text and widely regarded as the father of modern marketing, reflected on the intellectual foundations of the book and the spirit of its continuous evolution. “I had decided, while putting together the prose for my first book, that I would use economic and organizational theory, solid consumer and buyer behavioral theory, and a little mathematics to put together the foundation of my ideas”, he noted. On the success of his first book, he said, “When I was trying to figure out why the book was such a success, people told me that it gave status and standard to the field of marketing. Marketers were finally able to view it as a science and essentially give the discipline creative respect”, he said.

Reflecting on the contemporary relevance of the 17th edition, Prof. Kotler stressed the need for marketing to remain purpose-driven and anchored in value creation. “Efficiency is essential, but not at the expense of purpose. He also highlighted the book’s expanded treatment of responsible business, environmental sustainability, and the role of marketing in advancing social good.

Prof. Kotler also spoke of the core principles of marketing that remain timeless in a world defined by constant and unending change. “The essence of marketing is service. You may say it’s creating products, but at its core, it is satisfying the demand or need of any group that is trying to make the world become a better place”. He added that the field will always be guided by the principle of exchange, one that is free, voluntary, and oriented towards being a win-win practice for all parties involved.

The Indian marketing landscape: Local contexts, global conversations

Prof. G. Shainesh, a distinguished marketing expert specializing in customer relationship management, services marketing, and services innovation, and co-author since the 16th edition, led the effort to infuse this edition with India-specific insights. He reflected on his journey with the book, saying, “As a student at IIM Bangalore, I first read Marketing Management in its 8th edition. While it was comprehensive and formative in its contents, I sensed the need to expand the narrative beyond FMCG and consumer products. When I joined the authorship team, I saw an opportunity to widen its scope to include services, B2B markets, startups, and tech-led businesses to help better contextualize the relevance, the adaptation of theory and concepts discussed in the book.”

Prof. Shainesh noted that the edition features a broader set of examples, including new case studies drawn from Indian enterprises and multinational companies operating in India. It includes detailed discussions on the relevance of AI in marketing operations, as well as a dedicated chapter on responsible business and sustainability, with reference to India’s evolving regulatory and consumer landscape. “The Indian market has unique complexity and immense learning potential. Localizing global frameworks is vital to preparing marketers who can lead in diverse, high-growth environments,” he said. He further noted that this has been the fastest transition to a new edition, completed in under three years, reflecting the accelerating pace of change within the discipline.

AI, agility, and the new rules of value creation

Prof. Kevin Lane Keller spoke of the book’s recalibration in the age of artificial intelligence. “This edition responds to a pivotal inflection point. AI is reshaping how we understand customers, how we design experiences, and how we communicate value,” he said. He acknowledged the essential contributions of his Indian co-authors in adapting the book to the subcontinent’s dynamic marketing context. “The Indian adaptation of Marketing Management has become a gold standard in itself. I thank my esteemed Indian co-authors for leading this effort”.

Prof. Keller noted that the book addresses AI as a cross-cutting theme that affects all dimensions of marketing, from product innovation to customer engagement, from market research to strategic decision-making. “What we offer in this edition is a framework to think about change: to reflect on what remains timeless and what must be reimagined. Marketing is evolutionary. It is a discipline of movement, agility, and relevance. And ultimately, it is about trust”, he said.

Continuity and change in the discipline of marketing

Across their remarks, the authors echoed a shared view that while technologies and platforms continue to rapidly evolve, the foundational principles of marketing remain rooted in service, exchange, and trust. As AI and data reshape how brands engage with customers, ethics and responsibility will be the compass points that define credibility and success, they pointed.

In keeping with this ethos, the 17th edition, which also features insights from Prof. Alexander Chernev, Northwestern University, and Prof. Jagdish Sheth, Emory University, introduces students and practitioners to a comprehensive treatment of contemporary marketing challenges, with updated content on globalization, digital platforms, and technology-led transformation. Brands featured include Asian Paints, Bajaj, Bandhan Bank, bigbasket, Biocon, Cadbury, Eureka Forbes, FabIndia, Fevicol, Flipkart, HDFC Bank, Infosys, JSW Paints, Kaya Clinic, Mahindra, Maruti Suzuki, PaperBoat, PayTM, Plaeto Shoes, Reliance Jio, SBI Yono, Taj Hotels, Tata Motors, Tanishq, Tata Trusts, Titan, TCS, Wipro, and many more. New-age firms such as Ather Energy, cult.fit, Lenskart, and udaan have also been featured.

It also offers deep insights into evolving consumer behavior, including contemporary understandings of consumer psychology, shifting engagement patterns, and the growing role of personalized marketing in the digital era. It introduces analytical tools such as customer lifetime value (CLV), advanced segmentation and positioning models, and frameworks to evaluate marketing ROI metrics. The book also explores the dynamics of new-age business models, from startups and platform-based enterprises to direct-to-consumer (D2C) ventures, while examining how traditional firms are adapting to remain competitive in this changing landscape.

Bosch Global Software Unveils ARC to Empower Inclusive STEM Learning

Bengaluru, June 12, 2025: Bosch Global Software Technologies (BGSW), in collaboration with Vision Empower (VE) and the Centre for Accessibility in the Global South (CAGS) at the International Institute of Information Technology, Bangalore (IIITB), has inaugurated the Accessible Resource Center (ARC)—a pioneering inclusive education hub designed to students with visual impairment through assistive technology and special educators empowerment and training program through a specially curated pedagogy.

As part of BGSW’s CSR commitment to inclusive and sustainable development, ARC is focused on increasing access to quality STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education for students with visual impairment in Grades K–10, while building the capacity of special educators to provide effective, technology-enabled instruction.

Located at IIITB, ARC follows the principles of universal design and is equipped with cutting-edge assistive technologies including tactile tools, refreshable Braille readers, interactive STEM kits, and an accessible Learning Management System. The center currently supports over 250 special educators from 28 schools across Karnataka, directly impacting more than 1,000 visually impaired students. It also emphasizes Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE), to build foundational learning pathways for preschool-age children with visual impairments.

The ARC initiative addresses key challenges in special education by enhancing access to STEM content, providing specialized teacher training, and improving assistive infrastructure. It aims to drive sustainable, research-driven impact through a multi-pronged approach, which includes:

• Pragya: Technology-enabled STEM training for special educators
• Anubhav: Hands-on learning sessions for students using adaptive tools
• School Cluster Model: Collaborative school networks to tackle shared challenges
• A structured academic calendar supported by accessible teaching tools, digital content, and mentorship

A Celebrated Inauguration

The launch event featured a ribbon-cutting ceremony and engaging live demonstrations by students and educators, highlighting the transformative impact of assistive technologies in STEM education for the visually impaired. Key attendees included Prof. Debabrata Das, Director of IIIT Bangalore; Mr. Jacob Peter, Senior Vice President and Chairman of the CSR Steering Committee at BGSW; Prof. Amit Prakash, Co-convener of CAGS at IIIT, Bangalore and Ms. Shilpa Deodhar, CSR Head at BGSW; and representatives from Vision Empower, Microsoft Research, Azim Premji University, I-Stem foundation, and other accessibility-focused partners.

Highlights included the launch of the ARC microsite, the release of a comprehensive Landscape Mapping Research Report on the visual disability sector, and a panel discussion on “Converging to Design Collaborative Spaces for Inclusive Education,” featuring thought leaders from academia, technology, and the development sector. A specially designed tactile chessboard designed by Innovator Mr. Paul Dsouza, for visually impaired individuals was also unveiled, symbolizing ARC’s commitment to innovation, inclusion, and empowerment.

A Shared Vision for an Inclusive Future

Speaking at the event, Ms. Shilpa Deodhar, CSR Head at BGSW, said, “The ARC demonstrates the need for a mix combining inclusive design, customized pedagogy, assistive technology, personalized social engagement, and active community partnerships being instrumental in transforming education for students with visual impairment. We are proud to collaborate with Vision Empower and IIITB to build this holistic model, thereby paving a pathway for sustained impact.”

This partnership reflects a long-term vision to build accessible education ecosystems that are collaborative, scalable, and rooted in empathy and innovation. BGSW, Vision Empower, and IIITB remain committed to creating equal learning opportunities for visually impaired students through inclusive design, accessible content, and educator empowerment.