NEW DELHI: Wadhwani Foundation, a global not-for-profit focused on job creation through entrepreneurship, skilling, innovation, and government digital transformation, is entering the next phase of its growth in India by strengthening execution across 15 priority city ecosystems in Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu.

The focus is on scaling outcomes through stronger execution, ensuring that national platforms translate into local impact. Scaling outcomes means more local jobs and more local people placed into jobs. This approach enables faster execution, clearer accountability, and closer alignment between local employers, skilling institutions, and job outcomes.

This phase builds on a solid execution base established in 2025. During the year, the Foundation invested ₹300 crore in India, supported 7,000 businesses, engaged 1.2 lakh entrepreneurship students, and made 2.5 lakh youth job-ready through employability-linked skilling. In addition to this, it also launched an AI-enabled My Career Advisor platform with the Ministry of Education, offering free, personalised career guidance to youth across 1,500+ career options.

Under innovation, the Foundation strengthened the Wadhwani Innovation Network, enabling 10 Innovation Translation Centres, including two Super Hubs at IIT Kanpur (Wadhwani AI and Intelligent Systems Hub) and IIT Bombay (Wadhwani Health and Bio Hub). Together, these hubs support 50+ translation centres across the innovation ecosystem. Overall, 100 research projects were advanced toward product and startup pathways.

AI projects were delivered for six central ministries; ASHA (Anna Sahayata Holistic AI Solution) was launched to enable feedback from Public Distribution System (PDS) beneficiaries; and 30+ AI solutions were deployed across healthcare, agriculture, and education.

Building on this momentum, the Foundation will increase India investment by ~25% in 2026 and grow its India team by ~10%, expanding state- and city-level execution teams and deepening partnerships with governments, institutions, employers, and local ecosystems. Operating through a dual model for maximum impact, the Foundation’s national platforms will continue to provide scale and consistency, while state and city teams will drive delivery, coordination, and accountability on the ground. This includes limited role realignments to support state-level execution. All programs continue to be offered at zero cost to partners and beneficiaries.

With a sharp focus on moving closer to local ecosystems where impact is created and sustained, the Wadhwani Foundation continues its commitment to all programs across entrepreneurship, skilling, SMB growth, innovation, and government digital transformation. 

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Ever notice your town seems a little busier when a new factory opens up? People buzzing about, small shops staying open longer, maybe even a new sandwich spot popping up near the plant gates. It’s not just your imagination—when manufacturing jobs grow in a community, pretty much everyone gets a boost, whether you’re clocking in on the factory floor or just enjoying fresh-baked bagels at your local bakery.

Boosting Payroll—and Perks—Within Arm’s Reach

Let’s start with the big one: jobs. Manufacturing is a job-creator, plain and simple. And we’re not just talking about any jobs, but usually positions that come with decent pay, health benefits, and a steady schedule. I have a cousin who snagged a shift at a local plant, and suddenly, he was buying lunch for everyone at Sunday dinner. You see these ripples everywhere—the paycheck from the plant becomes groceries from local markets, repairs at the auto shop down the road, maybe even a treat for the family once in a while.

When people spend where they live, that cash loops back around. It helps other businesses stay open, and in many cases, it creates more jobs outside the factory itself. Your neighbor gets a raise, your kid’s school fundraiser sneaks over the goal line by a bit, and your grocery store is just a little less worried about closing next year.

Training, Skills, and That Feeling of Progress

Good manufacturing jobs don’t just hand out paychecks—they train people. Whether it’s running big machines, handling computers on the line, or learning the ropes from someone who’s done it for years, these gigs build real skills. Sometimes, factories partner with community colleges, launch apprenticeship programs, or even bring in manufacturing consulting experts to boost efficiency (and open up fresh roles). 

Community Perks—Way Beyond the Factory Walls

Here’s something folks don’t always think about: manufacturers have a habit of giving back. It’s not just because they want to look good (though that never hurts)—sometimes, it’s just easier to support sports leagues, scholarships, or food drives when you’re anchored in the neighborhood. I’ve seen local plants sponsor fireworks on the Fourth of July, update playgrounds, and even pitch in for new community centers when budgets are tight.

More Than a Paycheck: Stability, Confidence, and a Sense of Home

Maybe the biggest, quietest benefit is just stability. When you know there are good jobs in town, it eases pressure at home. Fewer families have to move away to chase work. Local businesses can plan for the future, and—let’s be real—you hear fewer stories about boarded-up shops or teachers leaving for other districts.

So, while factory noise or extra trucks might be a trade-off, the pluses for the community are huge. From fuller wallets to busier main streets, manufacturing jobs really are the backbone of neighborhoods that people feel proud to call home. If your area is seeing growth like this, it might be worth a quick high five… or at least a second helping at that new diner everyone’s talking about.

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The new facility is set to significantly scale up the company’s operations, increasing its total production capacity by 75% and generating 1000 new jobs in the Chakan-Pune industrial hub.

Strategic Investment and Commitment to ‘Make in India’

The expansive new plant covers 96,000 sq ft of floor space and is central to Otter Controls India’s strategy of strengthening the local supply chain, in firm alignment with the ‘Make in India’ philosophy. The company was previously honoured with the National Productivity & Innovation Award under this initiative.

“This new Manufacturing Facility is a true reflection of our belief in the resilience and potential of the Indian manufacturing sector,” said Ulhas K Joshi, Managing Director, Otter Controls India Private Limited. “By investing in capacity and creating 1000 new jobs here in Pune, we are not just scaling our business; we are investing in the community and helping to build a more robust, self-reliant domestic supply chain.”

Technology and Vision for Future Mobility

The 96,000 sq ft facility is equipped with advanced technology, including a Clean Room Facility ISO 8 / Class 100,000. This technological leap allows the company to enter the highly specialized EMS & SMT vertical (Electronics Manufacturing Services and Surface Mount Technology) for both the Automotive and Non-Automotive sectors. The new facility will also contribute in enhancing its offering of high-precision components such as Liquid Silicone Rubber (LSR) molded components and niche wire harnesses.

Dr. David Smith, Chairman, Otter Group & Mr. Alex Nijhoff, Managing Director & CEO, Otter Group, commented on the inauguration, “This investment in Pune is a key strategic decision for the global Otter Group. It underscores our commitment to providing world-class technology and quality, benchmarking our processes against leading international standards. The launch of this facility, especially its capacity to develop next-generation solutions like EMS Manufacturing and Relay Manufacturing for Defence Sectors, solidifies our position as a future-ready engineering partner in the Asia-Pacific region.”

The company’s future focus will include the introduction of EMS Manufacturing, In-house Commercial Stamping, Railway Switchgears, and Relay Manufacturing for the Defence Sectors.

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INDIA: Decathlon, a global leading multi-specialist sports brand, today announced a strategic target to scale sourcing from India to $3 billion by 2030, as it celebrates 25 years of production in the Country. This goal underscores the Company’s deepening commitment to its “Make in India” vision and its focus on local production capabilities to serve both domestic and global markets.

Currently, India accounts for 8% of Decathlon’s global sourcing quantities, to scale this to 15% by 2030. This growth will be driven by a focused push in high-potential categories such as footwear, fitness equipment, and technical textiles—designed to meet the evolving demands of both Indian consumers and global markets.

Speaking on the milestone, Sankar Chatterjee, Chief Executive Officer, Decathlon India, said: “Over the last 25 years, our production journey in India has been the backbone of Decathlon’s success in the country. The high quality, reliability, and agility of our local production ecosystem have directly enabled our strong retail expansion — from city centres to malls and beyond. Today, we’re able to offer a diverse and growing portfolio of categories, Made in India, that meet the evolving needs of Indian sports users. As we continue to strengthen our footprint across omni-channel platforms, production excellence remains at the heart of our strategy, powering sustainable business growth and deeper accessibility to sport for every Indian.”

Domestically, Decathlon’s local manufacturing presence is already strong, with over 70% of the quantities sold in India in 2025 being Made in India. This figure is expected to rise to 90% by 2030, reinforcing the brand’s focus on its local sourcing strategy.

This growth is anchored in Decathlon’s robust local production ecosystem, which includes a Design Centre focused on driving innovation and affordability, supported by 113 manufacturing sites, 83 suppliers, and 7 production offices across India. The Company is also deepening its focus on culturally rooted sports like Yoga and Cricket, with the latter entirely conceptualized and manufactured in India.

As part of this growth journey, Decathlon is working to create more than 300,000 new job opportunities in its direct and indirect workforce across the production ecosystem, strengthening Decathlon’s local impact and building a future-ready supply chain and in the backward value chain of raw materials, components & finished goods.

Frederic Merlevede, Head of Decathlon Production, said: “India has evolved into a cornerstone of Decathlon’s global production ecosystem — not just in terms of scale, but in its ability to deliver quality, innovation, and speed. Our long-term investment in India reflects the deep trust we’ve built with our partners and the strong potential we see in key categories like footwear, fitness equipment, and beyond. As we continue to grow, our ambition is clear: to make India one of Decathlon’s leading global manufacturing hubs — driving value, sustainability, and impact at scale.”

Deepak D’Souza, Head of Decathlon India Production, said: “Celebrating 25 years of production in India is a proud moment for us. At the heart of our model is a strong, distributed production ecosystem that has enabled us to deliver consistent quality, speed, and scale. Our journey has been shaped by close collaboration with our partners and the strength of our people on the ground — from technicians to factory teams — who drive excellence every day. As we look ahead, we will focus on accelerating innovation, driving smarter production, and advancing sustainable solutions. We’re not just building products in India — we’re building the future of sport, made in India, for India and the world.”

Decathlon currently operates 132 stores across 55 cities in India. Looking ahead, the Company’s strategy is anchored in scaling both capacity and capability, with a strong focus on category-led growth and retail-relevant production. As part of this, Decathlon aims to expand its retail footprint to over 90 cities by 2030.

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PUNE: nRoad, a pivotal player in AI-driven unstructured content processing, is enhancing its foothold in the Indian market via a strategic expansion of its Pune office and other locations across India. The objective is to fortify service delivery capabilities, with a plan to recruit a substantial workforce and continue to cultivate an expanding client base, both domestically and internationally, within the next year.

nRoad’s solutions have found remarkable success, and the company has recorded a 200% growth in revenue and customer base across the Middle East, APAC, and the US in the past year. As a self-funded enterprise, nRoad aims to make substantial investments in the Indian market.

nRoad also plans to augment its workforce by recruiting over 50 individuals, mostly AI engineers, this year. It is set to expand across the Middle East, Singapore, and Australia, with a specific focus on the burgeoning Indian market. Bullish about 2024, nRoad foresees a substantial growth rate of 500%.

Speaking about this, Aashish Mehta, Chief Executive Officer, of nRoad, said, “As we reflect on the impact of our advanced solutions, empowering numerous US enterprises to glean valuable insights from unstructured data, it is clear that amidst India’s rapid digital transformation, our solutions play a pivotal role in optimizing outcomes. There is incredible potential in the Indian markets and the data being generated by consumers and businesses can be of great value to enterprises operating in India as well as those aiming to be a part of the Indian growth story. The expansion of our Pune office is designed to establish robust local partnerships and make a meaningful contribution to the global tech ecosystem.”

Adding further, Hrishikesh Rajpathak, CTO, of nRoad, said, “The overarching goal is to unravel unstructured enterprise data, generate actionable insights, and envision a future where the collaborative synergy of individuals and AI drives unparalleled success for enterprises.”

Leading the Pune operations, visionaries with extensive experience, including Prabhod Sunkara, COO, Jeet Desai, Chief Architect, and Sidharth Singla, are integral to nRoad’s mission of transcending traditional boundaries, understanding unstructured data, and converting it into actionable insights.

The current business landscape is characterized by a surge in multi-channel operations and a continuous influx of global data streams, posing challenges for companies in handling and effectively utilizing generated data. Despite significant investments in data generation, a staggering 80% of data remains unstructured, providing minimal value to enterprises.

Conventional data analytics solutions, such as NLP-based approaches, struggle with content diversity, language intricacies, and regional nuances. nRoad stands out with its groundbreaking AI-powered solutions, capable of contextualizing data, organizing it into domain-specific themes, and identifying insightful interrelations for financial enterprises worldwide.

With a focus on decoding dark data and democratizing knowledge that has posed challenges for corporations globally, nRoad is dedicated to advancing digital transformation goals and consolidating its position in the flourishing Indian market. The company is on a mission to transform the processing and utility of unstructured content.

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This brand-new unit will have a BSL3 facility for the manufacture of Drug substances and a Fill-Finish capability for the production of both drug products FMD vaccine and the FMD+HS vaccine.

Telangana State Industrial Infrastructure Corporation Ltd (TSIIC), a Government of Telangana undertaking had allotted the land to IIL at Biotech Park, Phase III, Karkapatla, Siddipet district in Telangana. The proposed facility has a capacity of 150 million doses/annum of FMD vaccine and  150 million doses/annum of  FMD+HS vaccine each. With an investment of approximately INR 700 Cr, the proposed facility is expected to create more than 750 direct and indirect jobs.

Indian Immunologicals Limited is a subsidiary of the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB). In its more than 40 years of journey, IIL has carved a niche space as a leading “One Health” organization, manufacturing animal and human vaccines. IIL also exports its products to more than 60 countries across the globe.

Today the Chairman of NDDB & IIL led the groundbreaking ceremony in the presence of IIL board members, employees, and officials from NDDB. Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Meenesh Shah, Chairman of NDDB and IIL said, “IIL continues to fulfil the purpose for which it was created by NDDB as a world-class vaccine manufacturer. This new vaccine manufacturing facility in Hyderabad is dedicated to the nation and will certainly aid in the eradication of Foot and Mouth Disease in our country. IIL’s ability to discover and manufacture affordable vaccines has saved the exchequer several thousand crores of rupees”.

Dr. K Anand Kumar, Managing Director, IIL said, “We are the largest supplier of FMD vaccine to Government of India’s prestigious Livestock Health Disease Control Programme (LHDCP). We are in an exponential growth phase and expected to grow 40% this year alone. To sustain the momentum, IIL is seriously considering making additional investments in building infrastructure within India and in other emerging geographies including Africa in a manner to develop tools that will help in control and eradication of diseases.”

Indian Immunologicals Limited headquartered in Hyderabad, India is one of the largest producers of vaccines in Asia. IIL was set up by the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) in 1982. IIL has multiple GMP manufacturing sites and exports to over 50 countries. IIL has a strong R&D pipeline and has launched several animal and human vaccines in the Indian market at affordable prices. IIL specializes in the development of various types of vaccines ranging from inactivated and live viral vaccines, polysaccharide conjugate vaccines, recombinant subunit vaccines, toxoid vaccines, and live bacterial vaccines.

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Gujarat, with its diverse geographical landscape, boasts a treasure trove of attractions, including UNESCO Heritage sites, vibrant festivals like the Kite Festival and Garba, Rann Utsav, Wildlife Sanctuaries, and pristine beaches. The state is also home to architectural marvels, including the world’s tallest statue, the Statue of Unity, at Kevadia, and the only habitat for Asiatic Lions in Gir. The city of Ahmedabad, recognized as India’s first World Heritage City by UNESCO, adds another layer to Gujarat’s cultural richness.

As a testament to its appeal, Gujarat ranks 1st in India in the number of Foreign Tourist Visits (FTVs), drawing tourists from the United Kingdom, Canada, and the USA. To enhance tourist facilitation, the Government of Gujarat has embraced technology, implementing initiatives like the Atithyam Portal for digitizing tourist footfalls, Tourist Information Bureaus (TIB), and Tourist Reception Counters (TRC) across India.

Moreover, Gujarat stands as the only state with dedicated policy interventions for various sub-sectors of tourism, like the Heritage Tourism Policy 2020-2025, Cinematic Tourism Policy 2022-2027, Tourism Policy 2021-2025, and the Gujarat Homestay Policy 2020. The state’s commitment to promoting sustainable tourism was recently recognized with the UNWTO Best Village award for Dhordo village, Garba dance enters UNESCO’s list of ‘intangible cultural heritage’ and the state is also now set to host the prestigious Filmfare Awards in 2024.

During the international and national roadshows, the Government of Gujarat engaged in discussions with leading global and national Tourism and hospitality sector companies. Several companies expressed keen interest in establishing hotels and resorts at prominent tourist destinations, including Shivrajpur Beach, GIFT City, Statue of Unity, and Sabarmati Riverfront. Notable agreements were reached during the Vibrant Gujarat roadshow in Bengaluru, including an Investment Intention signed with Wonderla Park & Resorts for setting up an Amusement Park in Gujarat. The proposed investment is estimated at INR 350 Crores, with a projected employment impact of 1,000 jobs.

Other international and national companies, such as Lego Group (Denmark), Creative Visions Media Production Company (USA), People of Culture Studios (USA), Vietravel Corporation (Vietnam), and Ramada Plaza (Chandigarh), also engaged in discussions to explore investment opportunities in Gujarat’s vibrant tourism sector. Gujarat, with its blend of tradition and modernity, continues to open its doors to the world, inviting investors and tourists alike to be part of its journey towards becoming a global tourism destination. The Government of Gujarat remains steadfast in its commitment to creating an environment conducive to collaboration, innovation, and sustainable economic development in the tourism sector

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Spread over 50,000 sq. ft., M-NH brings together Malabar Gold & Diamonds’ multiple operations such as retail, procurement and supply chain, e-commerce, digital gold, digital marketing, CRM, omnichannel operations, merchandising and bullion, corporate gifting, and B2B divisions, human resources, and legal. M-NH will be the strategic foundation for the brand’s current and future business aspirations in India.

The new facility will be the strategic foundation for the brand’s current and future business aspirations in India. The company has deployed more than 450 employees to run the operations at M-NH. Mumbai being the financial capital of India and a major global jewelry and diamond trading hub, Malabar Gold & Diamonds has set up its base for its national operations in the city to leverage its strategic advantages.

Commenting on the inauguration of M-NH, Shri M.P Ahammed, Chairman, of Malabar Group said, “As we celebrate 30 glorious years of our journey, the opening of Malabar National Hub is a proud moment and a significant landmark for us. It will further fuel our global growth aspiration and lay the foundation for the next phase of growth. The consolidation of all our key functionalities at M-NH will enhance efficiency and streamline management, as we focus on further growing our network of more than 190 retail showrooms across the country.”

“The opening of Malabar Gold & Diamonds’ national operational base in Mumbai is a strong testimony to the state’s conducive environment for investment and favorable business ecosystem,” commented Shri Devendra Fadnavis, Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra. “With the brand’s well-documented tradition of transforming the jewelry trade, providing employment opportunities, and championing social causes, I am confident that Malabar National Hub will be a key proponent of our state’s development, further enriching our legacy in the global diamond and gold trade,” he added.

“M-NH will play a pivotal role in spreading the famed jewelry craftsmanship of our country both in the domestic and global markets. India is our biggest market, our aim is to strengthen our retail presence in existing regions and expand into new territories including Rajasthan, Puducherry, Uttarakhand, Jharkhand, Goa, Assam, Tripura, and Jammu and Kashmir. Mumbai’s strategic edge will help us further drive growth in India,” said Shri Asher O, Managing Director – India Operations, Malabar Gold & Diamonds.

In strict adherence to Malabar Gold & Diamonds’ commitment towards ESG (Environmental, Social & Governance) guidelines, various environmental and sustainable initiatives have been incorporated in the building’s designs, and the facility is in the process of getting its LEED GOLD certification.

Malabar Gold & Diamonds was established in 1993 and is the flagship company of Malabar Group, a leading diversified Indian business conglomerate. With an annual turnover of $5.2 billion, the company currently ranks as the sixth-largest jewelry retailer globally and today has a strong retail network of over 330 outlets spread across 11 countries in addition to multiple offices, design centers, procurement centers, and factories spread across India, Middle East, Far East, the USA & the UK. The group, owned by more than 4,000 shareholders, has more than 21,000 employees from over 26 countries working towards its continued success.

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NEW DELHI: Air India, India’s leading airline and a Star Alliance member, announced plans to hire over 4200 cabin crew trainees and 900 pilots in 2023 as the airline adds new aircraft and rapidly expands its domestic and international operations.

Earlier this month, Air India announced a mega order to purchase 470 aircraft from Boeing and Airbus to support its growth plans. It has already announced plans to lease 36 aircraft of which two
B 777-200 LR have already joined the fleet.

The cabin crew, who will be recruited from around the country, will undergo a 15-week program imparting safety and service skills and will be coached to exemplify the best of Indian hospitality and Tata group culture. The training program will include extensive classroom and in-flight training at the airline’s training facility in Mumbai as well as familiarization flights.

Notably, between May 2022-February 2023, Air India hired over 1900 cabin crew. Over 1,100 cabin crew have been trained in the last seven months (between July and 22-January’23), and in the past three months, approximately 500 cabin crew have been released for flying by the airline.

Commenting on the hiring plans, Sandeep Verma, Head – of Inflight Services said, “With a sizeable aircraft order that was announced earlier in the month, more flights on international and domestic networks and re-alignment of domestic routes with AIX connect, cabin crew will play a decisive role in shaping the present and future of the Air India group. The addition of fresh talent will also accelerate the pace of cultural transformation at Air India, which is an integral part of our Vihaan.AI transformation program. We are also looking to step up hiring more pilots and maintenance engineers.”

Candidates interested in a career as Cabin Crew or Pilot at Air India can apply at cabincrewcareers@airindia.com and pilotcareers@airindia.com respectively.

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Aspiring candidates can meet Airbus executives at stand number CR7.1 in Hall C, where they can explore career opportunities in airframe design, avionics, aircraft systems simulation, data analytics, cybersecurity, and cabin engineering. Candidates will also get a chance to interact with senior Airbus officials to find out more about the company’s already extensive and growing footprint in India and South Asia.

“Airbus is a top destination for the very best of India’s engineering and information management talent with a passion for aerospace,” said Suraj Chettri, Director – HR, Airbus India, and South Asia. “As a company, we believe in encouraging an atmosphere of ownership where employees feel valued, respected, and professionally fulfilled. This is why Airbus is recognized as a great place to work for and was recently awarded Top Employers certification by the Top Employers Institute, a global independent authority, recognizing excellence in people management and HR policies.“

The talent scouting event at Aero India is part of Airbus’ ramp-up for 2023 when it intends to recruit more than 13,000 people globally. The new hires will be instrumental in supporting Airbus’ industrial ramp-up, its ambitious decarbonization roadmap, and preparations for the future of aviation.

Visitors to the Airbus stall will also get an opportunity to see its extensive range of products, cutting-edge technologies, services, and innovations from its Commercial, Helicopters, and Defence and Space portfolios. The stand will display scale models of the new-generation tanker A330 MRTT as well as the C295 military aircraft that the company will build under its ‘Make in India’ program with its industrial partner, Tata Advanced Systems Ltd, in Gujarat. Visitors to the stand can also see digital displays of the earth observation satellite, the Pléiades Neo, OneAtlas, which provides premium satellite imagery, and Sirtap, a tactical unmanned aerial system (UAS). Scale models of the VSR700 from the UAS category, the H225M from the military category, and the H160 from the civil helicopter range will also be on the show along with the commercial aircraft model of the A350.

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