PUNE: Infotek Software & Systems Pvt. Ltd. (i-TEK), India’s pioneering RFID and IoT solutions company, celebrated its Silver Jubilee with a landmark event at its headquarters in Pune. The occasion was graced by Shri Nitin Gadkari Ji, Union Minister of Road Transport & Highways, Government of India, as the Chief Guest and General Manoj Pande, PVSM, AVSM, VSM (Retd), Former Chief of Army Staff, as the Guest of Honour. The event was graced by dignitaries from across industry, academia, government, and media, joined by i-TEK’s valued customers and partners, all uniting to mark the company’s 25-year journey of innovation and contribution to the nation.

Over the past 25 years, i-TEK has grown from a modest Pune-based startup into one of India’s most trusted names in RFID Systems and Solutions. The company has been central to several national technology transformations, from pioneering the rollout of FASTag, which today powers every second vehicle in India that carries a FASTag manufactured by i-TEK, to introducing RFID-enabled container eSeals that secure exports across 105 ports and Inland Container Depots. Its solutions have also revolutionized retail and warehousing by reducing inventory cycles from months to just days, while enabling the tracking and tracing of over 300 crore objects annually across industries such as logistics, oil & gas, mining, utilities, and manufacturing. With its consistent focus on innovation and nation-building, i-TEK has established itself as a true homegrown leader in India’s digital infrastructure journey.

Addressing the gathering, Hon. Shri Nitin Gadkari Ji, Union Minister of Road Transport & Highways, Government of India, commended i-TEK’s role in India’s technology-led transformation. In his address, he said, “The introduction of RFID and FASTag has been truly transformative. What was once a frustrating experience of long queues and inefficiency at toll plazas has now become seamless, saving citizens time, money, and fuel while also boosting government revenue through transparency. i-TEK and its founder, Ashim Patil, have played a pioneering role in making this possible, and their innovations in RFID container tracking and anti-counterfeiting solutions are strengthening India’s logistics, exports, and markets. Technology like this is nation-building; it brings transparency, efficiency, and fairness, while reducing delays and leakages. I was delighted to inaugurate the Panchajanya Experience Centre today, which showcases world-class solutions developed by Indian engineers and entrepreneurs. With such innovation and talent, I am confident that India will not only lead in digital infrastructure but also become the world’s number one automobile and technology hub in the years ahead. I extend my congratulations to Ashim Patil, Avantika Pati,l and the entire i-TEK team on their Silver Jubilee and wish them continued success in taking India’s innovations to the world.”

Reflecting on the importance of indigenous innovation, General Manoj Pande, PVSM, AVSM, VSM (Retd), Former Chief of Army Staff, said, “It is an honour to be part of i-TEK’s Silver Jubilee celebrations, marking 25 years of innovation and resilience. RFID, which had its origins in military applications during World War II, has today become integral to our daily lives and businesses, revolutionising logistics, supply chains, and operational efficiency. The Panchajanya Experience Centre beautifully captures the richness of our country’s scientific legacy while showcasing the transformative power of this technology. With the integration of AI, IoT, cloud, and blockchain, RFID is poised to play an even more promising role in the coming decade. The remarkable progress made by i-TEK under the leadership of Ashim and Avantika Patil is a shining example of how vision, perseverance, and commitment can create a homegrown technology leader aligned with national priorities. I extend my best wishes to Team i-TEK for continued success in their journey ahead.”

The newly launched Panchajanya Experience Centre embodies i-TEK’s vision for the future. Designed as a first-of-its-kind globally, the Centre allows visitors to experience live applications of RFID and IoT, including FASTag-enabled tolling, inventory and supply chain traceability in Retail, smart fitting rooms, faster checkouts, secure container movements in trade logistics, and AI-enabled monitoring of smart warehouses and retail supply chains. It highlights how i-TEK’s innovations are shaping industries across different verticals while contributing to India’s broader digital economy.

Speaking at the event, Ashim Patil, Managing Director & CEO of i-TEK, expressed his gratitude to employees, partners, and customers. He said, “Marking 25 years is a proud milestone for i-TEK and for every individual who has been part of this journey. From pioneering RFID-based tolling and contributing to the FASTag ecosystem, to securing India’s exports and transforming supply chains, our focus has always been on building solutions that deliver real impact. At i-TEK, we are deeply committed to supporting the Hon. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji’s vision of building an Atmanirbhar Bharat and achieving a $5 trillion economy. As India advances towards the goal of Viksit Bharat 2047, I am confident that i-TEK will continue to play a steady and significant role in strengthening the nation’s digital infrastructure and showcasing Indian innovation on the global stage. With the launch of Panchajanya and the expansion of our GarudaVigil platform, we are entering a new era of growth where Indian innovation will not only strengthen our nation’s digital infrastructure but also shape global supply chains. I would especially like to thank Hon. Shri Nitin Gadkari Ji for his vision and constant encouragement, which have created the right policy environment for companies like ours to innovate and scale. Last year, over 54 billion objects were tagged using RFID, representing $1.7 trillion in value and contributing $17 billion in EBITDA for enterprises”.

He further added, “With the market expected to grow from $4 billion to $10 billion by 2030, i-TEK is poised to ride this wave, delivering world-class traceability solutions through our new RFID platform, Garuda Vigil. As we look ahead to our next phase, including global expansion and an upcoming IPO, our commitment to nation-building through technology remains stronger than ever.”

Avantika Patil, Chairperson, i-TEK, said, “As i-TEK celebrates its Silver Jubilee, I see this milestone as both a reflection of our journey and a promise of what lies ahead. What began as a small dream 25 years ago has grown into a strong, resilient enterprise that continues to innovate, adapt, and serve the nation. Panchajanya is more than an experience centre; it is a symbol of our growth, a space that captures how a homegrown company from Pune has built solutions that touch millions of lives across India. For us, this moment is not only about celebrating the past but also about setting our sights on the future. We aspire to scale i-TEK into a billion-dollar enterprise, expand globally, and continue contributing to Atmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat 2047, while staying rooted in the values of trust, innovation, and service.”

Looking forward, i-TEK is entering a new growth phase. Its GarudaVigil cloud-native platform, which integrates RFID, IoT, and AI, is poised to become a cornerstone of its future strategy by offering real-time monitoring, predictive analytics, and anomaly detection across global supply chains. This shift from project-driven revenues to subscription-based models will create sustainable, recurring growth while also strengthening the company’s international presence. With a strategic investment from Tech Mahindra in 2019 and plans for an IPO within the next three years, i-TEK is preparing to scale globally while consolidating its leadership in India.

Beyond its technological achievements, i-TEK continues to embrace its role as a socially responsible enterprise. Through the Ashim-Avantika Foundation, it actively supports initiatives in child healthcare and the promotion of traditional Indian sports, reflecting its belief that true nation-building extends beyond business and innovation.

As i-TEK marks its Silver Jubilee, the company reflects with pride on 25 years of innovation and impact while looking ahead to an ambitious new chapter of growth. With pioneering solutions, global expansion plans, and a deep alignment with India’s national priorities, i-TEK is poised to play an even greater role in strengthening the country’s digital infrastructure and advancing the vision of a Viksit Bharat by 2047.

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PUNE:  Shoppers Stop, India’s leading fashion, lifestyle, and gifting destination, turned one customer’s wedding shopping journey into the experience of a lifetime. As part of its highly successful India Weds campaign, Shoppers Stop announced Mr. Arjun Chavhan from Pune as the lucky winner of a dream holiday to Europe.

The felicitation ceremony at Shoppers Stop, Westend Mall, Aundh was a thoughtfully curated affair that celebrated Arjun’s milestone with Shoppers Stop in style. Welcomed with floral décor and a red carpet, Arjun’s celebration featured a photo zone, cake-cutting, and the symbolic cheque reveal, making the moment unforgettable and reflecting Shoppers Stop’s thoughtful approach to marking customer milestones. It was a perfect embodiment of the India Weds campaign – a landmark initiative that positions Shoppers Stop as the one-stop premium destination for India’s wedding tribe. From Haldi to Reception, the campaign highlights how the brand walks alongside customers through every step of their wedding journey, offering curated fashion, beauty, and gifting all under one roof.

“At Shoppers Stop, we cherish every celebration with our customers. Through our ‘India Weds with Shoppers Stop’ initiative, we are excited to express our heartfelt gratitude by creating truly unforgettable experiences. This season, the love and trust of our customers have inspired us to redefine wedding shopping and offer rewards that exceed expectations – including a dream trip to Europe as our way of saying thank you,”

said Jiten Mahendra, Customer Care Associate and Chief Marketing Officer, Shoppers Stop.

With over 500 premium brands, Personal Shopper services, and loyalty benefits via its First Citizen Club, Shoppers Stop continues to lead the premiumisation journey in Indian retail, one elevated customer experience at a time.

This celebration in Pune is part of a Pan-India winner felicitation series, with similar moments planned across Hyderabad and Bengaluru, for winners of the India Weds with Shoppers Stop campaign.

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PUNE: Samsung, India’s largest consumer electronics brand, inaugurated another experience store in Viman Nagar in Pune, further reinforcing its commitment to enhancing premium retail presence across cities. Spanning 1050 sq. ft., the new store offers a one-stop destination for customers to explore Samsung’s cutting-edge innovations and seamless connected ecosystem under one roof.

The store features dedicated zones showcasing the latest smartphones, tablets, laptops, smartwatches, smart rings, and the innovative SmartThings ecosystem that supports connected living. Through interactive displays and hands-on experiential areas, visitors can discover how seamlessly these devices integrate across productivity, entertainment, wellness, and smart home automation.

Located in one of Pune’s most affluent and high-footfall neighbourhoods, the new Samsung experience store offers customers an opportunity to explore and engage with the brand’s latest innovations across categories. As cities emerge as growth drivers, this store is poised to serve as a vital retail touchpoint, enabling deeper consumer engagement and strengthening Samsung’s presence in these high-potential markets.

“At Samsung, we aim to create inspiring retail experiences that bring innovation closer to our customers. The inauguration of our premium experience store in Viman Nagar, Pune, marks another significant step in strengthening our premium presence. This new store embodies our broader vision of growing our premium retail presence and offering a holistic, all-in-one destination that brings together cutting-edge innovation, meaningful customer engagement, and outstanding service, all under one roof,” said Sumit Walia, Vice President, Head of D2C Business & Corporate Marketing at Samsung India.

Reinforcing its commitment to customer satisfaction and digital empowerment, the new store will host Samsung’s flagship ‘Learn @ Samsung’ initiative, which has seen success in other locations across India. This programme offers a variety of workshops designed to equip consumers—especially millennials and Gen Z—with the skills and knowledge to make the most of advanced tech. These interactive sessions that provide hands-on experiences with Galaxy devices, cover topics such as AI-powered photography, productivity, creativity and digital doodling, enhancing both user engagement and tech proficiency.

To celebrate the launch, customers visiting the store can avail:

• Over 30 free subscriptions across leading OTT, music, wellness, and infotainment platforms.
• Exclusive discounts on over 40 brand gift cards and over 25 top deals from premium brands.
• Buy-1-Get-1-Free buffet deals across over 100 premium restaurants across India.
• Paytm First membership rewards, special travel savings on flights, and discounts at over 14,000 restaurants nationwide.

The store also introduces Samsung Store+, a user-friendly digital platform that enables in-store visitors to explore detailed product information and conveniently choose home delivery, creating a smooth and integrated online-offline shopping experience. In addition, a dedicated service centre within the store ensures enhanced post-purchase support for customers.

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BENGALURU: Global technology brand, OnePlus, today shared its vision for a future centred around personalized artificial intelligence for everyone. Supporting this vision, OnePlus unveiled the Plus Key, a new hardware customization which will debut on the upcoming OnePlus 13s, alongside a new OnePlus AI brand and a suite of new AI features designed to enhance productivity, creativity and security.

“The foundation of OnePlus AI is built upon a deep understanding of our users, and they’ve told us they want AI to help them work smart, play hard, and be their authentic selves,” said Arthur Lam, Director of OxygenOS and AI Strategy at OnePlus. “That’s why our mission for OnePlus AI is to help our users go All In On Life, creating personalised AI solutions based around our users’ unique wants and needs.”

Plus Key: A New Gateway to Personalized AI

Complementing the aim of a personalized AI experience, OnePlus introduced the all-new Plus Key. This customizable hardware button debuts on the upcoming OnePlus 13s and is planned to roll out across all OnePlus smartphones launching this year.

As an evolution of the iconic OnePlus Alert Slider, the Plus Key is a customizable button programmable for various actions like switching sound profiles, launching the camera, initiating translation, or starting recordings. Crucially, the Plus Key also activates AI Plus Mind, a new feature designed to quickly save, catalog, and recall key information found on the screen. This capability marks a major step towards delivering truly personalized AI.

When users find information they wish to retain, such as schedules, event details, reservations, or listings, they can capture it by pressing the Plus Key or swiping up with three fingers. AI Plus Mind intelligently saves the relevant on-screen content to a dedicated Mind Space, helping users combat information overload by capturing precisely what is needed and keeping it organized in one accessible location.

Beyond simple screen capture, AI Plus Mind leverages AI to analyze content contextually. For instance, it can extract schedule details from an image or text and add them directly to the user’s calendar. AI Search, integrated with AI Plus Mind, supports natural language queries for easy retrieval of saved content. Later this year, AI Plus Mind will also automatically categorize saved content for better organization.

AI Plus Mind will debut on the OnePlus 13s and become available on the rest of the OnePlus 13 Series via a future software update, with wider rollout plans for other devices to follow.

Work Smarter, Play Harder with OnePlus AI

OnePlus is actively developing a suite of tools leveraging OnePlus AI to enhance user efficiency and creativity:

• AI VoiceScribe: Enables users to record, summarize, and translate calls and meetings directly within popular messaging, video, and online meeting applications.
• AI Call Assistant (coming to India): On the OnePlus 13s, the OnePlus Dialer will offer options for automatic Call Summaries or real-time Call Translation during calls.
• AI Translation: Consolidates all translation capabilities – text, live voice, camera-based, and screen translation – into a single, intuitive app, making it easier to understand foreign languages and connect globally.
• AI Search: AI Search enables conversational, natural language queries, seamlessly searching local files, settings, notes, and calendars for contextually relevant results. Integrated with AI Plus Mind, it enhances productivity through intuitive, interactive searches.
• AI Reframe: Intelligently analyzes photo scenes, identifies the subject, and adjusts composition, generating multiple creative framing options for users to choose from.
• AI Best Face 2.0 (coming this summer through OTA): Enhances group photos by automatically detecting and correcting issues like closed eyes or suboptimal expressions for more polished results. This feature supports images with up to 20 individuals and works even with photos captured on other devices.

Furthermore, OnePlus has unveiled deeper integration with Google Gemini. Coming soon, Gemini will work across OxygenOS apps, such as OnePlus Notes, Clock, and more, as well as Google’s apps, making it a seamless AI experience.

With Gemini Live with camera and screen sharing, users will have real-time conversations about what is captured by their camera and what is on their phone screen, creating a more practical, engaging, and intimate interaction with their surroundings.

Private Computing Cloud: Balancing Privacy and Performance

For AI features involving highly sensitive information, OnePlus prioritizes on-device processing within a trusted environment. When more intensive computation is required, the company’s Private Computing Cloud provides a secure, encrypted environment for data processing, designed to keep user data private and inaccessible to unauthorized parties. This is achieved through a Trusted Execution Environment (TEE) that spans the user’s device, the cloud servers, and the data transfer process itself.

With the hybrid approach, OnePlus ensures user privacy remains protected while delivering seamless and powerful AI performance.

Building a Personalized and Secure AI Future

OnePlus AI embodies an approach founded on understanding user needs and prioritizing data security through innovations like the PCC.

Through these advancements and a dedication to continuous innovation, OnePlus aims to deliver deeply personalized and secure AI experiences via an intelligent AI operating system that seamlessly integrates into and enhances users’ lives.

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INDIA: Hansa Research, India’s leading consumer insights firm, has released the 1^st edition of the Health Insurance Customer Experience Score (CuES) 2025 report. This comprehensive study offers a deep dive into the evolving preferences, expectations, and satisfaction levels of health insurance customers across the country, drawing insights from over 3,800 respondents across 12 health insurance brands, and presents a robust framework for insurers to sharpen their strategies and drive stronger customer engagement.

India’s health insurance sector, which saw a surge in adoption during the pandemic, continues to expand since then (albeit at a moderated pace), as consumers prioritize financial protection amidst rising medical costs. According to the report, nearly half (48%) of health insurance buyers cited ‘protection from rising healthcare expenses’ as the primary driver for purchasing insurance, reflecting heightened concern over medical inflation. Moreover, customers increasingly view health insurance not just as a financial product, but as a gateway to access quality healthcare and better health outcomes. We are also seeing that nearly 30% of Policyholders supplement existing corporate health coverage with additional policies.

As the health insurance landscape in India becomes increasingly competitive, with a mix of public sector giants, private insurers, and standalone health firms, understanding and improving customer experience is no longer optional. 

The Health Insurance CuES 2025 report pegs the Industry Net Promoter Score at 55%, and among the top-ranked brands, Bajaj Allianz General Insurance, SBI General Insurance, and ICICI Lombard General Insurance emerge as standout performers. These brands are not only perceived as ‘trustworthy’ but also excel in product-related aspects, ease of claim filing, hospital network access, and customer support responsiveness, among other things.

Among these, Bajaj Allianz General Insurance is leading the rankings with an impressive Net Promoter Score (NPS) of 68%, winning customer loyalty through strong product delivery, digital support, excellent claims experience, and a well-rated hospital network. The brand has successfully positioned itself as a customer-centric insurer, fostering high levels of satisfaction and loyalty.

Sharing some insights on the Hansa Research, Health Insurance CuES report, Praveen Nijhara, CEO, Hansa Research, said, “The Health Insurance CuES 2025 report is a timely benchmark for the industry. It reflects a major shift in consumer mindset. Customers today are informed, vocal, and expect a seamless experience, and this highlights the importance of transparency, service quality, and innovation in building lasting trust.”

Key Findings from the Health Insurance CUES 2025 Report

1. Evolving Customer Expectations
   Customer expectations are rapidly changing, driven by a digital-first mindset for policy purchase and management. There is a clear preference for personalized, flexible, and wellness-oriented plans, which are associated with higher satisfaction and stronger brand affinity. Insurers that align offerings with these preferences are more likely to attract and retain today’s informed and health-conscious consumers.

2. Consumers’ brand preferences for health insurance 

Consumers’ preferences for health insurance brands are shaped by three core factors: the product offering, particularly the range and coverage of critical illnesses and plan flexibility; a strong and trustworthy brand reputation; and convenient access to 24/7 customer service. Notably, younger millennials place greater emphasis on round-the-clock support and seamless digital experiences, making these critical differentiators for insurers targeting this demographic.

3. Portability Empowers Consumers
   The growing ease of health insurance portability has shifted the balance of power toward the consumer, pushing insurers to focus on delivering value across the entire policyholder journey, not just at the point of acquisition. Increased competition is driving accountability. The study finds that premium increases, lack of transparency, and unsatisfactory claim experiences are the top reasons consumers switch providers. This highlights a growing demand for fair, transparent, and consistent service.

4. Claims Experience Remains a Key Challenge
   The claims process continues to be a critical friction point, with 55% of claimants reporting difficulties. Key concerns include limited hospital networks, pre-authorization delays, and slow payouts. These issues are even more pronounced among millennials, who have higher expectations for speed and simplicity. A smooth and efficient cashless claims process is strongly linked to overall satisfaction, underlining the need for insurers to invest in both digital capabilities and operational efficiency.

5. Barriers Among Non-Policyholders
   Despite rising awareness, several barriers continue to prevent non-policyholders from entering the health insurance ecosystem. The most cited concerns include a lack of perceived need/ benefits of health insurance, affordability, and complexity of terms and conditions. Addressing these barriers through clear communication, affordable micro-products, and simplified onboarding processes will be essential for expanding coverage and inclusion across demographics.

Piyali Chatterjee, Executive Vice President, CX, Hansa Research, said, “Expansion of network coverage, simplifying pre-authorization protocols, and ensuring timely settlements will improve customer trust. Addressing these issues is critical for strengthening India’s healthcare financing ecosystem and delivering a seamless insurance experience.”

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Born as a digital platform in 2020, Trendia’s journey has culminated in a physical space that resonates with authentic Indian artistry, a space where nostalgia, craftsmanship, and culture intertwine to offer visitors a taste of home. The Aurora Experience Centre marks a significant evolution for the brand, reflecting its mission to be more than a store, to be a cultural revivalist, connecting generations and geographies through meaningful craftsmanship.

The launch event began with a sacred prayer led by Priest Aditya Sharma, setting a spiritual tone that reflected the values behind the brand. The event’s high point came when Aurora Mayor Richard C. Irvin, affectionately self-identifying as a “Blindian” (Black and Indian), presented a commemorative plaque to Trendia, acknowledging the store’s role as a vibrant contributor to the city’s cultural tapestry. He rang a ceremonial bell three times, a ritualistic gesture symbolizing Trendia’s formal embrace into the community.

Alderman Dan Barrero of Ward One and Alderwoman Shweta Baid, Aurora’s first Indian American and Southeast Asian council member, delivered deeply personal remarks. “This isn’t just a store,” said Baid, “It’s a mini-India—a space where smells, colours, textures, and spirituality meet.” Her sentiment echoed throughout the gathering as guests experienced what many described as a “time capsule” to their roots.

Trendia was founded in August 2020 by Vijay Karumanchi and his wife Sampurna Sikha, inspired by an emotional yet everyday story, a father-in-law’s longing to send his daughter her favourite mango pickle from India, during the travel-banned days of the COVID-19 pandemic. That modest act sparked the launch of Trendia, originally focused on Indian sweets, pickles, snacks, and savouries, designed to comfort and connect displaced families.

The overwhelming community response fueled Trendia’s evolution into a lifestyle brand that today includes traditional Indian apparel, and in the last 18 months, an ambitious move into home decor and art collectibles. The new Aurora Centre is not only a brick-and-mortar expansion, but it is also a manifestation of memory, heritage, and home.

Beyond being a shopping destination, Trendia is now emerging as the go-to space for all gifting needs, be it corporate gifting, festive gifting, wedding return gifts, or thoughtful personal presents. The carefully curated inventory, direct access to artisans, antique craftsmanship options, and aesthetic packaging make it the perfect one-stop solution for organizations and individuals looking to make their gifts meaningful and memorable.

Trendia’s Experience Centre is a one-of-a-kind cultural emporium, offering over 3,000 artisanal items from 13 Indian states. It includes: Brass idols of deities like Krishna and Jagannath Swami, Marble and brass Buddha statues with intricate inlay, Wooden temples and home altars, designed with both traditional and contemporary sensibilities, Stone sculptures by Padmashri awardee Pravakar Maharana from Bhubaneswar, Patented wooden art from President’s Award winner Charuhas Pandit ji in Pune, Rare Cheriyal masks, hand-painted by Mr. D Vaikuntam one of the last surviving families practicing this dying art in Andhra Pradesh, Upcycled vintage furniture—crafted from salvaged doors and window frames in Jodhpur, Papier-mâché, clay pots, jharokha mirrors, and seasonal décor sourced directly from rural Indian artisans. The collection bridges past and present, offering pieces that reflect deep mythology, spirituality, and symbolism, while also serving as functional and aesthetic decor for global homes.

During his welcome speech, Vijay Karumanchi shared the deeper purpose behind Trendia’s expansion: “When someone walks through our doors, it shouldn’t feel like they’re walking into a store. It should feel like they’ve stepped into India itself—their grandmother’s home, a street in Rajasthan, or a temple in Bhubaneswar. We strive to create that emotional connection,” he said, his voice filled with warmth and pride.

“When they take a piece of Trendia back to their homes, it shouldn’t just be a product. It should be a memory. A feeling. A piece of their heritage. I want it to remind them of festivals with family, take them back to the lanes of their homeland, the vibrancy of Indian markets, or the quiet serenity of a prayer at dawn. I want them to feel like they’ve brought home a piece of India. Not just to decorate their space, but to nourish their soul. That’s the soul of Trendia.”

Sampurna, the co-founder and driving force behind Trendia’s creative and operational vision, emphasized the family-first and artisan-forward philosophy of the brand. She noted that the entire venture is powered by a small but passionate team, including their children, her sister in law, sister, and a dedicated group of over 40+ individuals in India, working side by side with the artisans whose lives are uplifted through fair trade and creative dignity.

Trendia is also actively seeking to join hands with more like-minded entrepreneurs, community leaders, and partners across cities and states. The goal is to co-create spaces that celebrate Indian identity and craftsmanship while making heritage accessible, relevant, and rooted in local communities across the U.S. and beyond. Trendia welcomes those who share the same vision of making “Indianness” deeply felt, not just as a design aesthetic, but as a way of life. People who believe in preserving the essence of India—its traditions, stories, and soul, through the revival and promotion of its timeless art and craftsmanship. Together, the aim is to build a movement that honours India’s roots while enriching the global cultural landscape.

More than a shop, the Aurora centre is an interactive destination. It is A cultural classroom for children who visit with curiosity, some even instinctively removing their shoes in reverence, A space for live artisan demos and storytelling weekends, beginning this summer, A resource for heritage educators and local institutions interested in Indian art forms.

The grand opening also served as the kick-off celebration for Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month, further reinforcing Aurora’s dedication to cultural representation. As the ceremonial ribbon was cut, with a Bollywood-style flair and cheering crowds, the message was loud and clear: Trendia is here to stay, to serve, and to share. Mayor Irvin, inspired by the experience, declared: “I’ll be back for my Diwali outfit. And I urge every Auroran, Indian or not, to come and witness what cultural pride looks like.”

“Trendia’s Experience Centre is a living bridge between India and America. It doesn’t just preserve art, it dignifies artisanship, empowers creators, and educates the next generation. It is a temple of culture wrapped in fabric, wood, brass, and soul,” said Suresh Bodiwala, Chairman and Founder of Asian Media USA.

Photographs and Press release by: Asian Media USA

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PATNA: Ultraviolette, makers of the ‘Fastest Indian Motorcycle’, continues its expansion across India with the inauguration of a state-of-the-art experience center in Patna today. This significant milestone marks the company’s debut in East India, underscoring its dedication to delivering high-performance and sustainable electric two-wheelers nationwide.

Spanning across 2500 square feet, the UV Space Station will provide customers with a comprehensive experience to explore Ultraviolette’s high-performance motorcycles – the F77 MACH2 and the F77 SuperStreet. The UV Space Station is a 3S facility and is designed to offer an immersive experience, starting with a test ride experience, sales, service, charging infrastructure, and a range of motorcycle accessories- all under one roof. The center is also equipped with the UV SuperNova DC fast charging infrastructure.

Narayan Subramaniam, CEO and Co-founder of Ultraviolette commented on the inauguration, “We are excited to unveil our first experience center in the Eastern region of India, right here in the historic city of Patna. This marks a significant milestone for Ultraviolette as we aim to bring our innovative products and exceptional services closer to our customers across India. Patna, with its rich cultural heritage and growing economic importance, is the ideal location for this expansion and we see immense potential in this region. We are committed to providing an unmatched customer experience not just within Patna but neighboring regions as well.”

The Experience Center will display the company’s performance motorcycles: the F77 MACH2 and the F77 SuperStreet. The products redefine electric performance with a powertrain boasting 40.2 hp and 100 Nm of torque, accelerating from 0 to 60 kph in just 2.8 seconds. Equipped with a 10.3 kWh battery, it boasts an IDC range of 323 kms on a single charge.

The company recently unveiled two new mainstream products – The World’s Most Advanced Electric Scooter -‘Tesseract’ and a disruptive Electric Motorcycle- ‘Shockwave.’ The Tesseract features a segment-first integrated radar and dashcam, seamlessly coupled with Omnisense mirrors, providing advanced safety technologies such as Blindspot Detection, Lane Change, Overtaking Assist, and Collision Alerts. It is also equipped with Traction control and Dynamic regen for enhanced safety and optimizing energy consumption. In addition, Tesseract boasts a 7″ touchscreen TFT display, and multi-color LED displays embedded in the ORVMs. Shockwave – a meticulously designed and engineered motorcycle that meets the demands of riders who seek an exhilarating riding experience and reignite the joy in riding. It promises the same iconic thrill of the ‘2-stroke’ motorcycling era that represented lightweight, fun, and accessible motorcycles.

Pre-bookings for Tesseract and Shockwave are open on the company website for ₹ 999.

Address of the UV Space Station in Patna: 1st Floor, 102, Shakti Tower, Fatuha Marg, Mahavir Nagar, Patna, Bihar – 800002.

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PUNE: Panasonic Avionics Corporation (Panasonic Avionics), a world-leading provider of in-flight engagement and connectivity (IFEC) solutions, has today opened a new software design and development facility in Pune, India. Founded in 1979, Panasonic Avionics delivers engaging experiences that connect airlines with their passengers, revolutionizing the in-flight experience and redefining the value of in-flight engagement and communication (IFEC) systems for a new era of air travel.  Over 200 leading airlines across the world have chosen to install Panasonic Avionics’ in-flight engagement, satellite Wi-Fi connectivity, and digital services on their aircraft.

Panasonic Avionics’ new facility in Pune was opened in the presence of Chief Guest, the Honorable Minister of State for Civil Aviation & Cooperation, Shri. Murlidhar Mohol. He was welcomed to the opening ceremony by Mr Ken Sain, Chief Executive Officer of Panasonic Avionics Corporation, and Mr Manish Sharma, Chairman of Panasonic Life Solutions India and South Asia, and Director of Panasonic Avionics India.

Ken Sain, Chief Executive Officer of Panasonic Avionics Corporation, said: “Innovative, future-focused, and proven software is at the heart of every IFEC solution that Panasonic Avionics develops, creating a digital channel that enables our airline customers to engage with their passengers more effectively than ever before. With its huge number of skilled engineers, and fast-growing aviation sector, India is a natural location for us to invest in for the future of our business, and we look forward to accelerating our software innovation and design capabilities from our new Pune facility.”

Satyen Yadav, Chief Technology Officer of Panasonic Avionics Corporation, said: “Today marks a significant milestone as we embark on a journey to accelerate the delivery of personalized digital experiences for airline passengers. We look forward to delivering cutting-edge software solutions that delight customers both in the region and globally, and to growing our software talent in Pune.”

Manish Sharma, Chairman of Panasonic Life Solutions India and South Asia, and Director, of Panasonic Avionics India, said: “India has become synonymous with ‘Capability, when it comes to software talent’. Today, India is providing IT support and IT services to the world and Panasonic has invested in setting up innovation centers and global capability centers to provide high-quality services to our other subsidiaries across the world. Panasonic Avionics’ facility in Pune is the latest in our series of investments in India and we are looking to cater to multiple markets and airlines with innovative solutions for in-flight engagement and communication (IFEC).”

The new facility is the first in India dedicated to supporting the development and delivery of IFEC solutions. It is employing over 200 skilled engineers at the point of launch, with growth plans in place to scale the software engineering talent at the facility to support the increasing demand from airlines for IFEC solutions that will deliver personalized experiences for their passengers.

Panasonic Avionics’ new software design and development facility is integral to the company’s strategy of enabling airlines to realize their passenger digital engagement visions by using the most innovative IFEC solutions, supported by best-in-class enterprise software tools that are self-service and designed to lower IFEC solution lifecycle costs.

A range of software will be developed, tested, and sustained in state-of-the-art laboratories throughout the facility to deliver passenger experiences for narrowbody and widebody aircraft that meet airlines’ needs. These include the X Series in-flight entertainment system and digital solutions including airline interactives that enable airlines to create unique seatback passenger experiences, IFEC development support via SDKs (software development kits), and mobile companion apps to name a few.

The new facility in Pune will accelerate Panasonic Avionics’ software development capabilities, and help improve the time to market of robust, next-generation IFEC and digital solutions.

To accelerate the growth of the new facility, Panasonic Avionics is developing partnerships with universities in the state of Maharashtra, and right across India, to nurture and develop skilled engineering graduates.

Panasonic Avionics’ new facility in Pune is the latest Panasonic investment in India. Panasonic entered the Indian market in 1972 and since then the company has grown from strength to strength now Panasonic Avionics joins Panasonic Life Solutions India, which currently has 11,000 employees over multiple locations across India.

The new facility has been developed through a ‘build-operate-transfer’ (BOT) operation. It was initiated in 2021 with investment from Panasonic Avionics and has resulted in the creation of a team of skilled engineers who will drive the company’s software design and development from Pune going forward.

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Driving Leadership with Smart Internet of Lighting (IoL) technology and Design Excellence across Workplace, Industrial, and Outdoor Lighting

PUNE: Wipro Commercial & Institutional Business (CIB), a leader in lighting and seating solutions, proudly announces the grand opening of its new Experience Centre in Pune.

The Experience Centre is designed to meet the evolving needs of modern businesses via advanced IoT and Smart Technology applications. Featuring open collaborative spaces, the center showcases Wipro’s innovative Internet of Lighting (IoL) solutions and ergonomic seating designs. The center also features vibrant and inclusive designs aimed at boosting employee productivity and promoting mental well-being,

The facility highlights Wipro’s Smart & Connected solutions for Smart Factories, Smart Cities, and Smart Offices, utilizing technologies like Power over Ethernet (PoE) and wireless lighting management systems. The showcase features Wipro’s iSense, an advanced wireless IoT solution, which is widely adopted by office and industrial clients for seamless, wireless control of lighting fixtures, TVs, and AC units.

“The opening of our new Experience Centre marks a significant milestone for Wipro’s Commercial and Institutional Business,” said Anuj Dhir, Senior Vice President & Business Head of Commercial & Institutional Business at Wipro Consumer Care & Lighting. “This center exemplifies our commitment to innovation and excellence, offering customers firsthand access and experience to our cutting-edge solutions. With India’s burgeoning office spaces, industries, and infrastructure bolstered by robust government initiatives and investments, we are poised for unparalleled growth.”

He further added, “ As we expand nationally and replicate this model in key cities, our goal is to make our pioneering innovations more accessible across India. This expansion aligns seamlessly with our growth strategy, reinforcing our mission to deliver comprehensive lighting and seating solutions. This new facility empowers architects, interior designers, facility managers, and business leaders to immerse themselves in transformative smart lighting and seating solutions, offering practical insights to enhance their work environments.”

The facility provides live demonstrations that show how different lighting settings can influence space functionality and mood. Visitors can explore Wipro’s innovative and ergonomically designed seating solutions and receive personalized advice and project support from in-house design consultants and technical experts.

Wipro Seating Solutions offers a variety of solutions for offices, public spaces, collaborative environments, and auditoriums. The company has integrated acoustic materials, launching partitions and luminaires that add vibrancy to office interiors while delivering excellent noise reduction for peaceful and productive workspaces.

In addition, as part of Wipro’s Industrial Solutions, the company offers advanced LED highbay products that are designed for high ambient temperature environments, such as foundries and glass plants, exemplifying its innovative approach to industrial lighting. The company’s smart industrial lighting solutions, utilizing the iSense IoT lighting management system, have received high praise from industrial customers.

Wipro has revolutionized office lighting with its brightness management concept, providing optimal and soothing illumination. The company’s dedication to Green Building and WELL standards has earned substantial recognition, illuminating around 55% of green building projects in India, including the nation’s first Green Building in Hyderabad.

Wipro CIB is certified with ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001, ensuring the highest standards of quality in its products and services. Wipro’s commitment to product and design innovation has earned national and international recognition, including awards such as the Red Dot Award, the India Design Mark, the Frost & Sullivan Award for LED lighting visionary innovation leadership, and the International Diamond Prize for excellence in quality by ESQR.

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MUMBAI: The Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA), the apex body championing the interests of India’s Automobile Retail Sector, has teamed up with Frost & Sullivan, a Growth Pipeline Company to spearhead an ambitious Customer Experience Index (CEI) Study. This ground-breaking project aims to meticulously analyze various aspects of the customer journey, encompassing sales, after-sales service, and product quality across the passenger vehicle spectrum.

In its maiden year, the comprehensive study will target the Passenger Vehicle Category, including Hatchbacks, Sedans, SUVs/MPVs, EVs, and Luxury vehicles, utilizing a detailed questionnaire to capture insights from 8,000 participants across 26 cities. This includes seven metropolitan areas, sixteen Tier-2 cities, and three Tier-3 locations, ensuring a broad data set that spans the diverse Indian landscape.

Manish Raj Singhania, President of FADA, expressed his enthusiasm for the initiative, stating, “Launching this study marks a significant milestone in our continuous effort to deeply understand and meet the evolving needs of automobile consumers. FADA remains dedicated to deploying its collective expertise for the betterment of the entire Automobile Industry. Over the past three years, we have conducted the Dealer Satisfaction Survey (DSS) and recently launched a specialized DSS focusing on Finance & Insurance. Now, by incorporating this Customer Experience Index survey, we are broadening our analytical scope to encompass all facets of the Indian automobile ecosystem, thereby providing a comprehensive voice and strategic vision for all stakeholders. Partnering with Frost & Sullivan not only enhances this study’s credibility but also amplifies our commitment to advancing the Industry. The insights garnered from this expansive survey will directly inform and refine OEM strategies, facilitating tailored customer experiences that foster brand loyalty and satisfaction.”

Further emphasizing the study’s strategic importance, Vinkesh Gulati, Chairman of FADA’s Research & Academy, highlighted, “The Indian automotive sector is at a critical juncture, poised for significant growth amidst changing consumer behaviors and technological innovation. This Customer Experience Index survey is a strategic initiative designed to systematically harness customer feedback across a wide demographic, something that has not been undertaken at this scale in our industry before. By integrating detailed assessments of sales, after-sales & product quality experiences from various vehicle categories, we aim to provide OEMs and Dealers with the insights necessary to elevate their service standards and product offerings. This study is about transforming anecdotal feedback into empirical data that will drive operational changes and enhance customer satisfaction across the board. Our goal is to not only meet but exceed customer expectations, setting new benchmarks for excellence in the automotive sector.”

Aroop Zutshi, Global Managing Partner & Executive Board Member at Frost & Sullivan, said, “Transformation is imminent. Every organization and every industry needs to be agile to adapt to evolving customer needs to survive. India is poised to witness exponential growth in the automotive industry driven by the rising middle-income and youth population, adoption of electric vehicles, increased investment in the Indian automotive industry, and Government policy impetus. The Customer Experience Index by FADA in association with Frost & Sullivan will be a powerful tool for all OEMS and the Dealer fraternity to leverage.”

The Customer Experience Index by FADA and Frost & Sullivan is set to redefine industry standards for customer satisfaction and service excellence. The results, which will provide invaluable insights for the entire automotive ecosystem, are eagerly awaited in September 2024.

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