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  • 2070 Kgs of Waste Removed: VES Students Lead Mumbai Beach Cleanup with IGBC & Project Mumbai

    With 26 institutions and a legacy of 50+ years, VES strengthens its commitment to sustainability through large-scale beach clean-up

    In a powerful demonstration of student-led environmental responsibility, over 300 National Service Scheme (NSS) volunteers from Vivekanand Education Society (VES) took part in a large-scale beach clean-up drive at Dadar Chowpatty, clearing a staggering 2070 kilograms of waste. The initiative was carried out in partnership with Project Mumbai’s ‘Jallosh’ coastal cleanup campaign and the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC), furthering VES’s long-standing commitment to sustainable development and civic engagement.
    Founded in 1962, VES is a collective of 26 educational institutions under the Vivekanand Education Society umbrella, based in Chembur, Mumbai. For decades, it has not only educated generations of students but actively contributed to shaping socially aware citizens. This latest initiative reflects VES’s deep-rooted belief that the responsibility of an institution extends beyond the classroom and into the community it serves.

    The cleanup took place under the expansive umbrella of Project Mumbai’s Jallosh initiative a movement aimed at cleaning rivers, lakes, and coastlines across the city. Dadar Chowpatty, one of Mumbai’s most popular public beaches and one often left littered after festivals, was chosen as the focal point for this particular drive. The volunteers, wearing gloves and high-visibility vests, combed the shoreline and meticulously segregated the waste into biodegradable and non-biodegradable categories.
    The activity saw the participation of not just students, but more than 20 faculty members who supervised the effort and worked alongside students throughout the day. The 2070 kilograms of collected waste included single-use plastics, thermocol remnants from idol immersions, discarded offerings, packaging waste, and general litter items that pose significant threats to marine ecosystems and coastal biodiversity.

    The day also carried symbolic weight. Taking place close to Ganesh Visarjan festivities, the event served as a reminder of the environmental cost of religious celebrations if not managed responsibly. By engaging students in such community-focused programs, VES aims to create long-term behavioral change, sensitizing the next generation of citizens to issues of waste management, water pollution, and climate resilience.
    Representatives from IGBC India’s foremost authority on green building practices provided students with insights into the broader significance of environmental action, including how localized efforts like beach clean-ups contribute to larger goals like urban sustainability and carbon footprint reduction. Project Mumbai, the civil society group behind the Jallosh initiative, facilitated logistics and coordination, ensuring the smooth execution of the program.

    Dr. Hemlata Kothari, Principal of VES College of Arts, Science and Commerce, noted that the event was not merely symbolic but a strategic part of VES’s academic mission to instil real-world problem-solving among students. She highlighted that such on-ground initiatives blend practical action with environmental science, civic responsibility, and leadership development.
    The cleanup effort also dovetailed into VES’s broader sustainability strategy, which includes campus-wide waste segregation, rainwater harvesting, energy efficiency audits, and curriculum modules centered on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). With India facing mounting environmental challenges including rising urban waste and coastal degradation initiatives like these signal a much-needed shift in how educational institutions can function as active agents of change.

    With more than 26 institutions under its fold and a history spanning over five decades, Vivekanand Education Society continues to lead by example. This beach cleanup was not just about removing trash, it was about restoring the ecological integrity of one of Mumbai’s most beloved public spaces, and in doing so, nurturing a culture of care, consciousness, and collective action.
    At Prittle Prattle News, we honor your dedication and inventiveness led by showcasing you in a positive light. Under the direction of Editor-in-Chief Smruti Bhalerao, our platform is committed to disseminating powerful narratives that raise awareness and motivate change. For more important stories, follow us on LinkedInInstagram, and YouTube.
  • Savings Before Tax: Kia India’s Festive Campaign Offers Up to ₹1.75 Lakh Off

    Seltos, Carens Clavis, and Carens buyers get dual festive and tax relief benefits until 22 September 2025

    As India’s festive season begins and a revised GST framework looms on the horizon, Kia India has launched a limited-time offer that combines the best of both worlds pre-GST savings and Diwali-driven promotional benefits. Customers looking to purchase Kia models like the Seltos, Carens, or the recently launched Clavis stand to gain total benefits of up to ₹1.75 lakh, making this one of the most lucrative buying windows of the year.
    Kia India, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kia Corporation, has emerged as a key player in India’s competitive passenger vehicle segment. Known for models that blend design-forward thinking with smart pricing and solid performance, the company has rolled out this offer with an aim to front-load consumer value ahead of anticipated price revisions triggered by the upcoming GST slab realignments.

    This dual-benefit campaign includes direct festive savings and pre-GST relief. While base savings vary by model and variant, the maximum combined offer across select models reaches ₹1.75 lakh including cash discounts, exchange bonuses, and extended warranty packages. Specific variants of the Kia Seltos, Carens, and Clavis are eligible for discounts that include pre-tax inventory adjustments as well as dealership-level festive promotions.
    The announcement comes amid a period of intense competition and market anticipation. Automotive industry watchers have forecasted increased footfall in showrooms during the upcoming Ganesh Chaturthi and Navratri weeks. Kia India’s early move is positioned as a way to capture first-wave festive buyers before other OEMs respond with their own incentives. The offer is available at all authorised Kia dealerships across the country and will run until 22 September 2025, subject to model and stock availability.

    The Clavis, introduced earlier this year, has become one of Kia’s fastest-selling subcompact SUVs, especially among first-time urban buyers. The Carens continues to be a strong player in the premium MPV segment, while the Seltos remains a benchmark in the midsize SUV space. All three vehicles have undergone recent updates in design, safety, and tech features, adding greater consumer pull ahead of this campaign.
    While Kia India has not released a detailed city-wise breakdown of offer slabs, the cumulative savings reflect a mix of pan-India pricing adjustments in anticipation of GST impact, as well as regionally adjusted dealership incentives. Industry analysts suggest that similar moves may be made by other automakers if GST changes proceed in Q4.

    This campaign also aligns with Kia’s ongoing strategy to strengthen its dealership footprint and customer experience in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, where price sensitivity remains high. The company recently crossed the milestone of 1 million units sold in India since its market entry in 2019. With a robust product portfolio, the brand is working to expand its market share in the petrol and electric segments, while leveraging consumer shifts toward feature-rich mid-segment vehicles.
    Speaking on the campaign, Kia India’s Head of Sales and Marketing commented, “With the festive season around the corner and expected shifts in tax policies, we want to give customers the best possible value. This initiative is designed to bring together the joy of celebration and smart financial timing. We invite buyers to visit our dealerships and experience our vehicles first-hand before the 22nd.”

    In addition to monetary savings, Kia has also partnered with finance companies to offer bundled EMI plans, extended insurance, and instant loan approvals to accelerate decision-making during the short offer period. Consumers can check eligibility, offers, and book test drives through Kia India’s official website or by visiting local dealerships.
    With this campaign, Kia joins the ranks of leading OEMs that are adapting promotional strategies to the evolving tax landscape and changing buyer preferences. As consumers weigh purchase decisions against market volatility and upcoming regulatory changes, Kia’s campaign stands out for its timing, clarity, and immediate impact.
    For buyers interested in locking in pre-GST prices while also taking advantage of festive finance deals, this 11-day campaign window may be the optimal time to drive home a Kia.
    At Prittle Prattle News, we honor your dedication and inventiveness led by showcasing you in a positive light. Under the direction of Editor-in-Chief Smruti Bhalerao, our platform is committed to disseminating powerful narratives that raise awareness and motivate change. For more important stories, follow us on LinkedInInstagram, and YouTube.

  • From 5-Star Safety to AI Driving Tech: Nexon.ev Adds ADAS to Empowered+ Variant

    Tata.ev’s latest update to the Nexon.ev includes segment-first safety automation, aiming to strengthen the EV’s market edge ahead of Diwali 2025.

    Tata.ev, the electric mobility division of Tata Motors, has upgraded its flagship Nexon.ev with Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) in its Empowered+ variant. The move introduces active safety features typically found in luxury segments, pushing the Nexon.ev further ahead in India’s competitive EV landscape. Already awarded a 5-star safety rating under Bharat NCAP, the Nexon.ev now takes a significant step into intelligent mobility by integrating camera- and radar-based driver assistance systems designed for Indian roads.
    With this addition, the Nexon.ev becomes the first electric SUV in its class to offer Level 2 ADAS features. These include automatic emergency braking in the event of an imminent collision, forward collision alerts to warn of approaching traffic, and real-time lane departure warnings that help drivers maintain control on highways. The car also provides gentle lane keep assistance, traffic sign recognition, high beam assist for night-time driving, and a series of alerts to monitor rear traffic movement, blind spots, and doors opening in unsafe conditions. Each of these systems is calibrated for Indian traffic behaviour, which has long been a challenge for imported ADAS solutions.

    Tata Motors emphasizes that the technology is not merely ported from international vehicles but developed with local conditions in mind. Uneven road markings, unpredictable vehicle movements, and densely populated driving environments have been factored into the algorithmic tuning of the system, ensuring that alerts are timely without being intrusive.
    The Nexon.ev has already crossed the 65,000-unit sales mark, making it the highest-selling electric SUV in the country. The addition of ADAS reinforces its leadership not just in sales, but also in safety and user experience. With the Empowered+ trim, Tata.ev now provides a sophisticated package that merges electrification, connected tech, and real-world safety enhancement in a single product.

    Positioned just ahead of the Diwali festive season, the ADAS-enabled Empowered+ variant will be available across Tata.ev showrooms nationwide, including in its popular #DARK Edition. Pricing is expected to begin near ₹19 lakh ex-showroom, aligning with consumer demand for intelligent features without crossing into luxury pricing territory.
    This upgrade complements Tata.ev’s wider strategy of ecosystem development. Alongside the Nexon.ev, Tata Motors continues to grow its Acti.ev platform the base for a full range of upcoming electric cars and its collaboration with Tata Power ensures expanded access to fast-charging infrastructure across urban and semi-urban India. The mobile app ecosystem allows users to remotely control, diagnose, and schedule their EVs, while also mapping nearby charging stations.

    As the electric vehicle market matures and new models enter the fray from Mahindra, Hyundai, MG, and BYD, Tata Motors appears committed to raising the bar. The ADAS addition isn’t a gimmick; it’s a sign of what mainstream Indian EVs are beginning to offer: real-world safety, AI-enabled driving aids, and an increasingly confident consumer experience.
    Auto industry analysts believe the timing couldn’t be better. With safety now becoming as important as cost in the Indian buyer’s checklist, and Bharat NCAP ratings gaining visibility, Tata.ev’s update positions the Nexon.ev as the benchmark in its segment. From functional design to intelligent safety, the Nexon.ev represents what modern Indian families now seek and what Tata Motors intends to deliver.
    At Prittle Prattle News, we honor your dedication and inventiveness led by showcasing you in a positive light. Under the direction of Editor-in-Chief Smruti Bhalerao, our platform is committed to disseminating powerful narratives that raise awareness and motivate change. For more important stories, follow us on LinkedInInstagram, and YouTube.
  • Bringing Big-City Screening to Small Towns: Fujifilm Powers Mammography Access in Nizamabad

    The new AMULET Innovality system marks a milestone in early breast cancer screening access for Tier II India.

    In a move set to significantly enhance women’s health diagnostics in Tier II India, Fujifilm India has installed its flagship AMULET Innovality mammography system at Vishwam Diagnostics in Nizamabad. This installation is part of Fujifilm’s broader commitment to bridge the diagnostic access gap between urban and non-urban India, especially in the realm of early breast cancer detection.
    The AMULET Innovality is one of the most advanced Full-Field Digital Mammography (FFDM) systems available globally. Known for its high-resolution imaging, low radiation dosage, and 3D tomosynthesis capabilities, it delivers precision imaging that is critical for early and accurate breast cancer diagnosis. Its integration into Vishwam Diagnostics now enables women in and around Nizamabad to access mammography quality that was previously available only in metro cities.

    Why This Matters
    Breast cancer is the most common cancer among Indian women, with recent data from the National Cancer Registry Programme estimating over 1.5 lakh new cases annually. Early detection remains the single most effective strategy in reducing mortality, but access to timely and accurate mammography screening has remained a challenge outside India’s metros.
    This collaboration between Fujifilm India and Vishwam Diagnostics directly responds to this gap.
    “Access to advanced imaging technology should not be a privilege limited to big cities,” said Koji Wada, Managing Director of Fujifilm India. “Our partnership with Vishwam Diagnostics is aligned with our commitment to expand healthcare access across India’s Tier II and Tier III regions.”

    Inside the Technology: AMULET Innovality
    Developed in Japan and refined for global screening needs, the AMULET Innovality includes:

    • 3D Breast Tomosynthesis: Offers layered imaging, making it easier to identify masses in dense breast tissue.

    • Faster Scanning Times: Reduces compression duration and improves patient comfort.

    • Low Dose Technology: Adheres to global radiation safety norms, crucial for repeat screenings.

    • Flexible Patient Positioning: Designed for diverse body types, improving image accuracy.

    “Precision, comfort, and confidence, that’s what this system brings to our patients,” said a senior radiologist from Vishwam Diagnostics. “We are proud to now offer Nizamabad the same imaging quality found in hospitals in cities like Hyderabad, Mumbai, or Delhi.”

    Expanding Fujifilm’s Vision in Preventive Healthcare
    Fujifilm India has been steadily expanding its healthcare technology footprint across India, with special attention to breast health. This installation is part of its ‘Find It Early, Fight It Early’ initiative, focused on equipping diagnostic centres with high-precision tools and training support.
    The installation at Vishwam Diagnostics also represents a decentralization of health infrastructure, making advanced diagnostics available at the first point of care, rather than forcing patients to travel hundreds of kilometers.
    “This is not just a machine upgrade, it’s a shift in healthcare access, especially for women in smaller towns,” noted a senior member of Fujifilm’s medical systems division. “With every installation, we’re rewriting the geography of diagnosis.”

    About the Partners
    Fujifilm India is the Indian arm of Fujifilm Holdings Corporation, a global leader in imaging, healthcare, and optical devices. The company has made significant inroads into digital radiography, endoscopy, and AI-enabled diagnostic imaging over the past decade in India.
    Vishwam Diagnostics, based in Nizamabad, is one of the region’s fastest-growing diagnostic centres, offering pathology, radiology, and specialty scanning services. The addition of the AMULET Innovality system is expected to draw patients not only from Nizamabad but also neighboring districts in Telangana and parts of Maharashtra.
    At Prittle Prattle News, we honor your dedication and inventiveness led by showcasing you in a positive light. Under the direction of Editor-in-Chief Smruti Bhalerao, our platform is committed to disseminating powerful narratives that raise awareness and motivate change. For more important stories, follow us on LinkedInInstagram, and YouTube.
  • From Swadeshi Style to ₹30 Loot: Snapdeal’s Bharat Swagotsav Ushers in Festive Value Shopping

    Starting 19 September, the mega-sale offers lakhs of festive deals on fashion, food, electronics, and home with Loot Hours, Swadeshi picks, and GST-driven savings

    Snapdeal, one of India’s leading value commerce platforms, has announced the return of its most anticipated event of the season, the Bharat Swagotsav Sale, launching on 19 September 2025. Built around the idea of delivering festive delight to value-conscious households across Bharat, the sale combines high-impact deals, culturally resonant merchandise, and daily ₹30 Tehalka offers designed to capture India’s mass festive appetite.
    With consumer spending across Tier 2, Tier 3, and rural India rising sharply during festival months, Snapdeal’s Bharat Swagotsav is positioned as the value-first shopping destination of 2025. The platform, known for curating relevant products at accessible prices, is introducing special festive segments such as Swadeshi Picks, GST Saver Deals, and Loot Hours in addition to a rotating daily lineup of ₹30-only blockbuster offers.

    Targeting Bharat with Celebration-Driven Discovery
    The Bharat Swagotsav campaign is not just an e-commerce event, it is a strategic reorientation toward cultural and pricing resonance with middle India. According to industry insights from Statista, over 60% of India’s next wave of digital shoppers will come from non-metro cities, where value-for-money, regional relevance, and mobile-first UX dominate shopping behaviour.
    Snapdeal, through this sale, amplifies its leadership in that segment by offering:
    • Tehalka Deals at ₹30, refreshed every few hours
    • Swadeshi Picks – India-first brands and local artisan-led categories
    • GST Saver Offers – early access to pre-GST clearance deals across home, fashion, and food
    • Bank and UPI Offers – strategic tie-ups with PhonePe, Paytm, HDFC Bank, Cred, and BHIM
    • Exclusive Value Packs in fashion, festive wear, electronics, home improvement, and kitchen essentials

    From ethnic kurtas and puja décor to kitchen combo deals, dry fruits, and mobile accessories, the sale is tailored for families gearing up for Navratri, Durga Puja, and Diwali, all while keeping affordability at its core.

    A CEO’s Vision for Bharat’s Festive Identity
    “Bharat Swagotsav is not just a sale. It’s a celebration of India’s real economy rooted in families, budgets, and festive spirit,” said Achint Setia, CEO of Snapdeal. “We’ve curated it to help value-conscious households celebrate big, without spending big.”
    Setia’s vision underscores a larger trend in Indian e-commerce: the shift from urban, discount-driven audiences to emotionally resonant, culturally driven value buyers. With rising competition from marketplaces and social commerce platforms, Snapdeal’s decision to double down on affordability and Bharat-first narratives appears both strategic and timely.

    Beyond Gimmicks: Trust, Localisation, and Utility
    Unlike traditional flash sales that rely on limited-stock hype or urban brand bombast, the Bharat Swagotsav is built for reliability and accessibility. The entire event is accessible via Snapdeal’s app, which remains optimised for low-data and regional language users.
    Moreover, the sale promotes brands that manufacture or source locally, aligning with India’s Make in India and Vocal for Local movements. Products sold during Bharat Swagotsav adhere to Snapdeal’s trusted merchant framework, which includes quality verification, delivery time assurance, and easy returns.
    For example, categories like modular kitchen tools, regional festival decor (Bandhanwars, Rangoli kits), copper bottles, ethnic jewellery, and DIY puja boxes are gaining traction across the platform, reflecting demand from both small towns and newly digital rural buyers.

    Financial Sweeteners & Payment Partnership
    This year’s sale comes equipped with integrated bank partnerships, allowing users to unlock additional discounts when transacting via:
    • PhonePe
    • HDFC Bank Cards
    • Paytm Wallet
    • BHIM UPI
    • CRED Pay
    These strategic tie-ups allow Snapdeal to expand financial accessibility without complicating the buying process. It’s value simplified—not gamified.

    Making the Festival Affordable for Everyone
    In a post-pandemic world where discretionary spending is still cautious, platforms like Snapdeal are playing a key role in ensuring that every household whether in Muzaffarpur, Raigarh, or Erode can access a festive lifestyle without compromising their budget.
    With daily ₹30 Tehalka deals and curated festive sets, the Bharat Swagotsav is a celebration of Indian thrift meets Indian joy.
    At Prittle Prattle News, we honor your dedication and inventiveness led by showcasing you in a positive light. Under the direction of Editor-in-Chief Smruti Bhalerao, our platform is committed to disseminating powerful narratives that raise awareness and motivate change. For more important stories, follow us on LinkedInInstagram, and YouTube.
  • Trust Meets Colour: Dulux Assurance Evolves into Full-Fledged Warranty Across India

    The ‘Lage Shaandaar, Chale Shaandaar’ campaign highlights Dulux’s dual promise: premium performance and warranty-backed trust

    Five years after pioneering India’s first consumer-facing paint promise, AkzoNobel India has now transformed its Dulux Assurance program into a full-scale pan-India warranty initiative, supported by a new multi-media campaign titled “Lage Shaandaar, Chale Shaandaar.” The campaign, conceptualised by Lowe Lintas and directed by the acclaimed Prasoon Pandey, captures the emotional and practical value of trust one brushstroke at a time.
    The Dulux Assurance program, originally launched to guarantee colour accuracy, uniform finish, and coverage across premium products like Dulux Velvet Touch, Dulux Weathershield Max, and Dulux Promise, has now evolved to offer a written, accessible warranty across both interior and exterior paints.
    This transformation is particularly significant in India’s fragmented paint landscape, where consumers often hesitate to trust premium products due to lack of post-purchase assurance. With Dulux Assurance, AkzoNobel has created a category-defining proposition: if Dulux paints fail to deliver on the promised quality parameters, the consumer is eligible for a product replacement.

    Building Trust in Every Corner of the Country
    What sets the current rollout apart is its grassroots activation strategy. Dulux Assurance’s new leg reaches beyond metros into peri-urban towns and rural clusters like Vellikulangara (Kerala), Merta (Rajasthan), Darrang (Assam), and Halvad (Gujarat). These are regions where word-of-mouth, generational loyalty, and painter trust still play dominant roles in brand selection.
    “Our customers don’t just paint their homes they express emotion, identity, and aspiration,” said Rajiv Rajgopal, Managing Director of AkzoNobel India. “With Dulux Assurance, we are delivering more than a paint product. We’re delivering a commitment one that holds across geography, weather, and wear.”
    According to Rajgopal, the expansion into a formalised warranty system also reflects the evolving expectations of Indian home owners who now see their home aesthetics as an extension of personal and social identity while still expecting product dependability.

    A Campaign That Paints Emotions, Not Just Walls
    The “Lage Shaandaar, Chale Shaandaar” campaign doesn’t focus on celebrities or glitz, it leans into realism. Shot by legendary filmmaker Prasoon Pandey, the TVC focuses on slice-of-life moments where colour and finish become symbolic of pride, celebration, and familial milestones.
    Through relatable characters like a newly married couple painting their first home or a grandmother overseeing a festive renovation the film explores how visual perfection enhances emotional satisfaction. The campaign will roll out in seven Indian languages across TV, digital platforms, and cinema halls, aiming to reach consumers across demographic and linguistic divides.
    The phrase “Lage Shaandaar, Chale Shaandaar” does double duty—it reaffirms Dulux’s visual excellence while anchoring the long-term reliability promised by the warranty.

    The Brand Behind the Brush
    As part of AkzoNobel, a global leader in coatings and paints with brands like Dulux, International, Sikkens, and Interpon, the India business has steadily positioned itself as a consumer-first entity that blends European R&D standards with Indian lifestyle aesthetics. Dulux Assurance, in many ways, is an articulation of this strategy local relevance backed by global reliability.
    The warranty program covers three key areas:
    • Colour Accuracy: The shade chosen is the shade delivered
    • Uniform Finish: No patchiness, streaks, or unexpected texture
    • Coverage Promise: The amount of paint covers the declared area

    Each product under Dulux Assurance is tagged with an easy-to-activate warranty code that allows the consumer to register their purchase. Should a defect arise, an inspection is arranged and product replacement initiated without the ambiguity that often surrounds service claims in the home improvement sector.

    Setting a New Benchmark in the Paint Industry
    In India’s ₹70,000 crore decorative paint market, where brands are increasingly competing on price, branding, and visual appeal, AkzoNobel’s Dulux Assurance is a standout in the ‘guaranteed outcome’ space—especially in premium emulsions and weatherproofing segments.
    This strategy reflects an important market shift. Indian homeowners, particularly in Tier 2 and 3 cities, are moving from short-term repainting cycles to more value-conscious decisions. The warranty-backed promise now positions Dulux as a lifestyle essential rather than a seasonal expense.
    Looking Ahead
    As climate resilience, smart home design, and material longevity become critical consumer considerations, paint as a category will continue to evolve. For AkzoNobel India, this means focusing not just on colour palettes, but on trust as a product feature.
    With “Lage Shaandaar, Chale Shaandaar”, Dulux Assurance is no longer just a marketing promise. It is a nationwide standard. One that tells Indian consumers: we see your walls, we see your aspirations, and we’re here to stand by them.
    At Prittle Prattle News, we honor your dedication and inventiveness led by showcasing you in a positive light. Under the direction of Editor-in-Chief Smruti Bhalerao, our platform is committed to disseminating powerful narratives that raise awareness and motivate change. For more important stories, follow us on LinkedInInstagram, and YouTube.
  • Escape Plan Recruits Expertise from Myntra, Samsonite, Wipro, and More to Drive Brand Growth

    Team enhancements include CFO, CBO, sourcing and commercial heads to sharpen travel gear execution

    In a decisive step toward scaling its travel gear ecosystem, Escape Plan has announced a series of high-calibre leadership appointments across finance, business, sourcing, and operations. The newly inducted team includes professionals from some of India’s most trusted and design-driven brands, including Samsonite, Myntra, Wipro, Porter, Aditya Birla Group, and Blissclub. This move signals the company’s ambitions to not only compete but lead in India’s growing lifestyle-travel segment.
    Sitting at the heart of this revamp is Pankaj Shroff, who takes over as Chief Financial Officer. With past tenures at KPMG, Ernst & Young, and most recently Porter, where he was CFO, Shroff brings over two decades of finance and compliance expertise. He will be responsible for charting Escape Plan’s financial roadmap, strengthening investor relations, and embedding fiscal discipline as the brand moves into its next phase of growth.

    Also joining the core team is Soumen Samanta, who has been named Chief Business Officer and Founding Member. A graduate of XLRI Jamshedpur, Samanta has previously held pivotal roles at Swiggy, Myntra, Meesho, Aditya Birla Group, and was most recently part of the CXO team at Blissclub. At Escape Plan, he will lead business expansion, growth strategy, and execution across retail channels, both online and offline.
    On the sourcing and vendor management front, Anuj Singh brings a wealth of experience from his tenure at Samsonite South Asia, where he served as Director of Sourcing. He now leads the end-to-end supply chain for Escape Plan, ensuring that the brand’s design language is matched by material quality and scalable manufacturing partnerships.

    Rounding out the leadership slate is Rohit Rungta, who has joined as Chief Commercial Officer and a Founding Member. With a background that includes roles at Wipro and Cuemath, Rungta is tasked with overseeing cross-functional strategy, commercial planning, and operational delivery.
    This collective shift in leadership comes at a time when Escape Plan is quickly gaining traction for its stylish, durable, and thoughtfully designed travel gear. Launched with a mission to make travel products that are as aesthetic as they are functional, the brand currently offers a range of luggage, backpacks, and accessories distributed across marketplaces and retail kiosks with an omnichannel app in the pipeline.

    Co-founded by Abhinav Pathak, previously co-founder at Perpule (acquired by Amazon), and Abhinav Zutshi, a former retail head at Splash and Forever 21 India, Escape Plan has set its sights on becoming a consumer-first lifestyle brand. In just one quarter of operations, the company has already crossed an ARR of ₹100 crore, backed by strategic investments from Fireside Ventures and Jungle Ventures.
    Speaking on the appointments, Pathak said:
    “What we’re building isn’t just a luggage brand, it’s a platform where travel meets identity. Each member of this team brings a unique lens on scale, sustainability, and user experience.”

    Zutshi added:
    “Retail is a high-stakes category, especially in travel. Execution matters as much as design. This team understands the mechanics behind high-growth consumer brands and they’re here to help Escape Plan become one of them.”
    The addition of experienced leaders across verticals enables the company to manage rapid scale without compromising on user experience or operational maturity. It also reflects a broader trend in India’s D2C ecosystem, where challenger brands are drawing top talent from legacy and unicorn organisations.
    As the company doubles down on product innovation, tech-backed retail, and brand identity, Escape Plan’s newest hires are expected to play a pivotal role in making the brand synonymous with modern travel essentials in India and eventually, global markets.
    At Prittle Prattle News, we honor your dedication and inventiveness led by showcasing you in a positive light. Under the direction of Editor-in-Chief Smruti Bhalerao, our platform is committed to disseminating powerful narratives that raise awareness and motivate change. For more important stories, follow us on LinkedInInstagram, and YouTube.

  • Automation Meets Storage: Honeywell’s New System Targets Grid-Ready Factories

    With storage sizes from 250 kWh to 5 MWh, the unit is built for large sites facing energy load challenges and automation needs.

    In a move aimed at addressing the rising energy demands of modern industries, Honeywell has introduced a compact, integrated battery energy storage system named Ionic™ Modular All-in-One. Designed for both commercial and industrial use, this newly launched platform combines lithium-ion storage, a built-in energy management system, and industrial-grade cybersecurity into a single modular unit.
    The Honeywell Ionic system enables businesses to monitor, store, and optimize energy consumption in real time crucial for facilities where power stability is non-negotiable. With modular configurations starting from 250 kilowatt-hours and scaling up to 5 megawatt-hours, the system supports a wide spectrum of energy needs, from mid-sized commercial buildings to large-scale operational plants.

    Unlike conventional battery banks that often require external control systems and fragmented integration, Ionic includes a native control and energy management layer. This allows operators to automate energy decisions, regulate load balancing, and respond to fluctuations in supply and demand with minimal manual intervention. Its embedded ISA Secure 2-compliant cybersecurity architecture ensures that all energy operations remain protected from external threats, offering resilience in an increasingly digital energy landscape.
    What sets the solution apart is its ability to operate either independently or under Honeywell’s Remote Operations Center, giving users the option to manage the system on-site or let Honeywell oversee its performance remotely. This flexibility is particularly valuable for industries operating in regions with grid instability, or for enterprises scaling toward more autonomous energy operations.

    Jim Masso, President of Honeywell Process Solutions, noted that industrial customers are increasingly looking for compact, secure systems that offer visibility and control. “Honeywell Ionic addresses a clear market need. It’s an energy automation platform engineered to help users stabilize costs, improve uptime, and reduce dependency on grid reliability,” he said in the official announcement.
    While large battery energy storage systems have traditionally been seen in utility-scale deployments, the Ionic system is engineered for use in high-consumption private sector facilities. These could include logistics hubs, data centers, production lines, and even campuses seeking to balance renewable input with operational demand.

    The launch of the Ionic platform also reflects Honeywell’s broader shift toward solutions that support global sustainability goals. As part of its “Energy and Sustainability Solutions” business unit, the company is positioning this new product at the intersection of clean energy use and industrial continuity.
    Available globally starting September 2025, the Ionic Modular All-in-One unit is expected to see early adoption in markets like India, where industrial energy consumption is growing rapidly and grid conditions remain variable in several regions.

    Honeywell’s approach with Ionic is not to disrupt but to reinforce. By embedding storage, automation, analytics, and cybersecurity into a single hardware-software product, the company aims to redefine how industries interact with power: not just as consumers, but as active managers of their own grid resilience.
    At Prittle Prattle News, we honor your dedication and inventiveness led by showcasing you in a positive light. Under the direction of Editor-in-Chief Smruti Bhalerao, our platform is committed to disseminating powerful narratives that raise awareness and motivate change. For more important stories, follow us on LinkedInInstagram, and YouTube.
  • BenQ Launches VS25 and WDC15 at InfoComm India 2025, Making India the Global Debut Hub for Wireless Collaboration Tech

    At InfoComm India 2025, BenQ unveils InstaShow VS25 and WDC15 wireless conferencing and presentation devices designed for hybrid meetings, multi-user connectivity, and zero-software deployments

    At this year’s InfoComm India in Mumbai, global display technology major BenQ made a decisive move by choosing India as the global launchpad for its latest wireless conferencing systems. The company officially introduced the InstaShow VS25 and InstaShow WDC15, signalling not just a product upgrade but a strategic acknowledgement of India’s growing influence in enterprise technology adoption.
    Unlike many global rollouts that begin in North America or Europe, BenQ’s choice to debut these devices in India reinforces the country’s shift from being a high-growth market to a global innovation influencer. The VS25 and WDC15 are positioned to tackle long-standing inefficiencies in digital meetings, boardroom presentations, and hybrid workplace setups without requiring any app, driver, or IT intervention.

    The flagship VS25 is designed for fluid multi-user environments with support for up to 64 paired buttons and four presenters on screen at once. It offers native 4K at 60Hz resolution, seamless touchback control, and full platform compatibility with conferencing services such as Zoom, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams. Crucially, it operates independently of the company’s network infrastructure, offering Wi-Fi 6 performance through a secure hardware link. This enables enterprises to bypass latency, firewall, and compatibility challenges typically faced in corporate boardrooms.
    Complementing the VS25 is the InstaShow WDC15, a leaner model optimised for boardrooms, training sessions, and corporate education environments. This version supports up to 16 presenters and is aimed at simplifying workflows across departments without sacrificing performance or security.

    BenQ India’s Managing Director Rajeev Singh cited that as hybrid work becomes entrenched in India, the loss of meeting productivity due to device setup has become a critical concern. “Our studies show that enterprises lose an average of 15 minutes per meeting due to basic connectivity issues. That’s 1.25 hours per employee per week adding up to thousands of hours annually for mid-size organisations,” he said. “The VS25 and WDC15 are designed to eliminate those frictions entirely. You plug in, press the button, and you’re on.”
    In line with India’s evolving workplace culture, both products support major screen-sharing protocols such as Apple AirPlay, Google Cast, and Miracast. This ensures cross-platform compatibility across iOS, Android, Windows, and MacOS. Whether used in modern huddle rooms or traditional conference settings, BenQ’s approach eliminates the need for guest Wi-Fi access, corporate LAN configurations, or last-minute dongle hunts.

    BenQ also stressed security, noting that both models meet high compliance standards with AES-128 encryption, WPA3 support, and CVSS 4.0 compliance key for regulated industries like BFSI, healthcare, and government.
    The InstaShow VS25 is priced at ₹1,99,000 and the WDC15 at ₹99,000. Both are now available across India through BenQ’s authorised partner ecosystem. While many hardware brands reserve advanced launches for mature markets, BenQ’s decision to debut here stems from a sharp rise in India’s hybrid workforce, enterprise tech investments, and demand for frictionless conferencing.

    The global group, which includes companies like AU Optronics, Qisda, and Darfon, is part of a $25B+ ecosystem with interests spanning healthcare, education, precision manufacturing, and display innovation. With offices across 30+ countries and a workforce exceeding 100,000, BenQ’s commitment to India is not symbolic, it’s strategic.
    As enterprise digitisation accelerates, India’s role in influencing product direction and user experience design is expanding. The global-first launch of VS25 and WDC15 at InfoComm India 2025 confirms that India is no longer a test market, it is where the future of digital collaboration is being built.
    At Prittle Prattle News, we honor your dedication and inventiveness led by showcasing you in a positive light. Under the direction of Editor-in-Chief Smruti Bhalerao, our platform is committed to disseminating powerful narratives that raise awareness and motivate change. For more important stories, follow us on LinkedInInstagram, and YouTube.
  • Tata Elxsi and Bayer Join Forces in Pune to Develop Next-Generation Radiology Devices

    A strategic collaboration to design and build precision-driven radiology systems focused on molecular imaging from Tata Elxsi’s Pune centre, powering Bayer’s global healthcare roadmap.

    In a move that strengthens India’s role in global medical engineering, Tata Elxsi has launched a dedicated technology centre in Pune to support Bayer’s radiology innovations. This centre will work on the engineering and development of advanced imaging devices, with a specific focus on molecular imaging technologies.
    The facility is part of a deeper collaboration between the two companies to streamline the journey from concept to clinic. Rather than functioning as a support office, the Pune centre will lead product design, digital integration, and development for radiology hardware used across global markets. Bayer, a leading healthcare enterprise, is investing in this initiative to enhance diagnostic accuracy, clinical safety, and market readiness through smarter and faster development cycles.

    Tata Elxsi brings to the table its expertise in product engineering, software development, and AI-led digital platforms. For Bayer, this collaboration allows for accelerated timelines and broader access to innovation talent. Both companies have highlighted the partnership’s focus on regulatory compliance, usability, and medical safety essential in healthcare product engineering.

    This initiative reflects a larger trend where India is no longer just a delivery hub but a strategic base for life sciences R&D. The Pune centre will support development work for international markets, including Europe and North America, where Bayer has a strong footprint in radiology.

    The partnership aims not only to build devices but to shorten the distance between patient needs and product design. By combining Bayer’s domain expertise with Tata Elxsi’s technical depth, the centre will work on making medical imaging more intelligent, accessible, and future-ready.
    At Prittle Prattle News, we honor your dedication and inventiveness led by showcasing you in a positive light. Under the direction of Editor-in-Chief Smruti Bhalerao, our platform is committed to disseminating powerful narratives that raise awareness and motivate change. For more important stories, follow us on LinkedInInstagram, and YouTube.