Friday, April 18, 2025

NMIMS School of Business Management’s Executive MBA (MBA-NEx): A Transformative 2 year Program for Professionals to Unlock Their Full Potential

 


Secure your spot — admissions for working professionals are now open! From one of the Top MBA Institutes of India!

Mumbai, 18th April 2025 — For ambitious professionals looking to advance their careers without taking a break from work, the NMIMS Executive MBA (MBA-NEx) 2-year program, offered by the NMIMS School of Business Management, provides a unique opportunity to gain a world-class management education. NMIMS SBM is a globally recognized institution known for its robust learning ecosystem, academic excellence, leadership-focused pedagogy, and industry - aligned curriculum.

Admissions to the MBA-NEx program for the academic year 2025–2027 are now open and will remain so from 1st April 2025 to 30th April 2025. This dynamic “Two-Year” Hybrid program, is specifically designed for working executives who aspire to grow into leadership roles while continuing to work. With live online sessions and immersive on-campus modules, the program offers a rigorous curriculum designed to enhance managerial capabilities and broaden industry perspectives, ultimately driving career growth.

With a problem-solving approach, the program blends theoretical concepts with real-world applications to develop skilled managers who can thrive in today's dynamic business environment. The MBA-NEx is a 102-credit, trimester-based, 2 year  program that integrates core and elective courses to equip professionals with a multidisciplinary understanding of business. Key focus areas include Strategy, Data Analytics, Marketing and Sales, HR- Leadership Management, Organisational behaviour, Economics, Finance, Product Management, AI Impact on Management, International Business and more.

The curriculum is designed to provide strategic insights and analytical frameworks that help professionals navigate complex business challenges. Core and elective modules span all critical areas of business management, including Operations and Supply Chain Management, Corporate Strategy, Leadership and Organisational Behaviour, and Analytics and Decision Science. A mandatory 6-credit industry project or dissertation ensures the reinforcement of learning and the development of a deeper business perspective.

The MBA-NEx , 2 year Program stands out with its prestigious AACSB & EQUIS accreditation, positioning it among the top business programs globally. With its flexible hybrid learning model, professionals can seamlessly balance work commitments with academic advancement. The industry-focused curriculum allows executives to learn from real-world business scenarios and engage with top industry leaders. Participants will also benefit from access to world-class campus infrastructure, including the Bloomberg Lab and a fully equipped library. They can build digital mastery through modules on Machine Learning, Blockchain, IoT, and Artificial Intelligence. Case Method Pedagogy, mainly from Harvard Case studies.

Enrolling in the program also grants “Lifetime NMIMS Alumni” status, offering access to a powerful professional network and exclusive alumni privileges.


The program fee is ₹8 Lakhs for the full two-year duration (Rs. 4 lakh per annum). Final selection is based on academic qualifications, work experience, a written test, and a personal interview. To be eligible, candidates must have a minimum of five years of full-time work experience in an executive, supervisory, or managerial role in a medium or large organization.

This program is ideal for professionals who aspire to grow, lead change, enhance their career trajectory, and step into senior leadership roles

About School of Business Management:

Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies (NMIMS) was established in Mumbai in the year 1981 by a leading public charitable education trust, Shri Vile Parle Kelavani Mandal (SVKM). NMIMS was established with the initial intent to offer management programs at the Diploma and Masters’ (graduate) level. Since its commencement in 1981, NMIMS has been offering Mumbai University (University of Bombay) programs like Masters in Management Studies, Diploma in Management Studies, Masters’ Program in Marketing Management, Human Resources Management and Finance Management. In 1991, the Government of India set up the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), a regulatory body created for technical education.

Website- https://sbm.nmims.edu/

Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/nmims_india/ 

Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/NMIMS.India 

LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/school/417042/admin/

Twitter- https://twitter.com/nmims_india

Thursday, April 17, 2025

At the iconic NGMA, Dr Rati Godrej unveils Reeta Ramamurthy Gupta's book " Win The Battle of Your Mind, Scroll, Less Read More"

The Reading Coach launches book on benefits of reading and perils of scrolling 

It was a packed audience at NGMA, including eminent names like Dr Swati Popat Vats of President of Podar, Rajiv Mehta of the Ratna Nidhi Charitable Trust, Silicon Valley leadership mentor Ravi Gundlapalli, Prerana Langa, CEO Aga Khan Agency for Habitat Indiabusiness owners, students and avid readers.

Nidhi Choudhari, director NGMA presided over the book launch as the very learned Dr Rati Godrej offered insights about how reading offers benefits, as potent as augmenting the longevity of human life itself. Author Reeta Ramamurthy Gupta, lovingly known as 'The Reading Coach' steered an exciting discussion that traversed the journey of the human brain, the acquisition of language and our ability to read, and how reading transformed us as a species. As it was time to unveil the cover of the book, Publisher Sohin Lakhani of Embassy Books did the honours, along with Dheeraj Gupta, founder Jumboking.

“This is an extremely important and relevant book for every student , parent and professional given the daily demands of digital technology in our lives," said Dr Rati Godrej, who had received an advance copy in preparation of the book launch.

"A reader is a leader, reading can connect us to places and to people. Reading makes a full man, not full of ego but full of awareness, full of understanding and full of surroundings, so do read, " said Nidhi Choudhari, Director, National Gallery of Modern Arts (NGMA), while addressing the audience.  

"Loss of skills due to lack of reading and its long-term impact on humanity, bothers me. This is why I became a reading coach," said author Reeta Ramamurthy Gupta at the launch. The book launch was followed by an engaging Q&A by a very involved audience.

David Dhawan brings together a strong ensemble for Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai; Varun Dhawan and team head to Scotland for final schedule

After delivering box office hits like Main Tera Hero and Judwaa 2, Varun Dhawan is reuniting with his father David Dhawan for another comedy entertainer titled Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai. The film, which also stars Mrunal Thakur and Pooja Hegde, has already completed over half of its shoot. Now, the team is gearing up for a major 30-day international schedule in Scotland, starting April 22.


“Apart from the leading pair of Varun, Mrunal, and Pooja, Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai features Maniesh Paul, Jimmy Shergill, Mouni Roy, Chunkey Panday, Rakesh Bedi, and Ali Asgar in key roles. A lot of combination scenes, leading to chaos on screen will be shot in Scotland. The conclusion of Scotland schedule will lead to a film wrap, not-with-standing a couple of songs and some patchwork sequences,” the source shared. 


Produced by Ramesh Taurani under the Tips banner, Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai sees Varun Dhawan return to his signature comic flair. The actor will also showcase his dancing skills on some vibrant desi tracks that echo the iconic style of David Dhawan’s cinema.


Fans are really excited to see Varun back in his lover-boy era!

DHIRUBHAI AMBANI HONOURED POSTHUMOUSLY WITH “LIFETIME ACHIEVMENT AWARD

     MUMBAI, 16TH APRIL 2025

AMRIT MAHOTSAV OF SHREE MARKET SILK MERCHANTS ASSOCIATION ENDED ON 14TH APRIL, 2025 WITH ALL ITS GRANDEUR

Grand 75th anniversary celebrations of Shree Market Silk Merchants Association ended on 14th April at Garware Club House, Mumbai. During the celebrations, Chief Guest Mangal Prabhat Lodha, Maharashtra Cabinet Minister presented “Lifetime Achievement Award” posthumously to Late Dhirubhai Ambani, Founder of The Reliance Group. He also unveiled a Textile Souvenir on this occasion.

. Mangal Prabhat Lodha stated That India has a rich heritage of textiles. 400 years ago, Dhaka's muslin saree used to pass through the ring. The second phase of development was spent by Dhirubhai Ambani and he created a huge production capacity of fiber, yarn, textiles. The third phase has been created by Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the slogan 'Make in India'.

 Padmabhushan Kundanbhai Vyas, who was the Guest of Honour at the function, said that today Surat and Ahmedabad have overtaken while Mumbai has lagged behind in the production and trade of textiles. Mumbai's textile business will flourish only if Bhiwandi's power loom industry and Dombivli's processing industry flourish.  Mumbai is no longer a manufacturing centre, but a distribution centre, as the 8 small and big textile markets in the C ward have become outdated. These textile markets should be redeveloped and modernized and connectivity should be improved there.

Neeraj Mehta, newly elected President of Shree Market Silk Merchants Association, stated, "We are now on the cusp of a new era, new opportunities have emerged from sustainable fashion, digital transformation, global trade and innovation. We now have to take the rich legacy of 75 years of textile trade beyond Maharashtra to India and globally.  Referring to the Shree Market Silk Merchants Association Education Fund, Neeraj Mehta informed that with the help of Reliance Foundation, educational assistance has been provided to 650 students in the last four years. We provide educational assistance to the children of staff, gumasta and mathadi workers.

. Narendra Mehta, former President of Shree Market Silk Merchants Association, informed that our second important task is that of arbitration. The award that our arbitrator gives is also recognised by the law. First of all, we try to find a solution through mutual settlement and dialogue between the two parties. Our legal advisor is Advocate Rakesh Jain.

 Pankaj Sheth (Orbit Exports Ltd.), Guest of Honour & Sponsor of the event commented that this is a history, a tradition and a family journey. We, the merchants are the bridge between weavers and consumers. The role of traders is similar to that of service industries.  

  Smt. Sushma Morthania, Founder and Director, India SME Forum informed that 75 industrial hubs are coming up in the country, which should be availed by the industry.

2

Jayantilal Jain, Honorary Secretary of the association gave the vote of thanks.

PHOTOLINE:

Maharashtra Cabinet Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha is seen presenting  “Lifetime Achievement Award” posthumously to Late Dhirubhai Ambani, during the Amrit Mahotsav celebrations of Shree Market Silk Merchants Association  on 14th April at Mumbai.

Seen Left to Right, Devang Shah, Narendra Mehta, Jayantilal Jain, Niraj Mehta, Mangal Prabhat Lodha, Kundanbhai Vyas and Ashwin Malkan.


Wednesday, April 16, 2025

Dinesh Vijan, Maddock Films and Sony Music India drop the love song of the year - Koi Naa- from Rajkummar Rao and Wamiqa Gabbi starrer Bhool Chuk Maaf!

_Rajkummar Rao & Wamiqa Gabbi light up the screen with their chemistry in the latest song Koi Naa, a romantic track composed by Tanishk Bagchi and Gifty._


Following the buzz around its captivating trailer, the much-awaited romantic comedy, from the house of Dinesh Vijan and Maddock Films - Bhool Chuk Maaf is back in the spotlight with the launch of its first track, ‘Koi Naa’. The teaser has already stirred excitement among fans, giving a glimpse of what’s in store. Backed by the visionary Dinesh Vijan, Bhool Chuk Maaf continues Maddock Films’ streak of delivering heartfelt and refreshing stories. Directed by Karan Sharma, the film stars the ever-versatile Rajkummar Rao and the talented Wamiqa Gabbi in the lead roles of Ranjan Tiwari and Titli Mishra. The film is set for a global release on May 9, 2025.


‘Koi Naa’ beautifully captures the dreamy and romantic essence of Bhool Chuk Maaf, offering a glimpse into the charming world of Ranjan and Titli. A soft and dreamy love anthem, the track explores silent glances, fleeting moments, and the delicate beginnings of love. With its tender lyrics and moving vocals, the song highlights the emotional heartbeat of the film. Composed by the enigmatic Tanishk Bagchi and Gifty, with poignant lyrics by Irshad Kamil, and produced by Tanishk Bagchi & Ganesh Waghela, the song is beautifully sung by Harnoor and Shreya Ghoshal - a musical pairing that radiates chemistry and charm. The music video offers a visual treat, packed with playful, romantic scenes between Rajkummar and Wamiqa, giving fans a peek into their delightful on-screen chemistry. It sets the perfect mood for the emotional and entertaining journey the film promises.


Sharing his excitement, Rajkummar Rao said, “The response to the trailer has been truly overwhelming, it’s always incredibly fulfilling when audiences connect with your work. With Koi Naa, we’re now adding a whole new romantic layer to the story. The song captures the quiet, unspoken emotions of love in such a beautiful way, it brings depth and soul to Ranjan and Titli’s journey. The first time I heard the track; I was completely hooked. It’s been on loop ever since! A big shout out to the entire music team for crafting such a heartfelt and vibey track.”


Wamiqa Gabbi, who brings elegance and effortless charm to the screen, added, “Shooting for ‘Koi Naa’ with Rajkummar was a blast! It’s hands down one of my favourites from the Bhool Chuk Maaf album. It makes you want to dream, feel, and just lose yourself in its rhythm. We hope everyone feels the same magic we felt while filming it.”


The singer of Koi Naa, Shreya Ghoshal, shared, “Bringing this track to life has been such an exciting ride! From the very first note, ‘Koi Naa’ pulls you into the whimsical world of Bhool Chuk Maaf. It's got the energy of love, and a beat that makes you move. Can’t wait for everyone to vibe with it!”


Harnoor, the singer of the track added, “‘Koi Naa’ is about the beauty of falling in love and how it captures the most raw and vulnerable state of two individuals who are in love. For me Koi Naa is something very special as it not only beautifully captures the emotion of love but it also gave me a chance to collaborate with one of India’s most talented singers, Shreya Ghoshal. I am grateful to be a part of this multi-talented team. in unexpected ways. We wanted to bring an experience that mirrors the emotional journey of the movie, captures the essence of Ranjan and Titli's character. 


Music composer Tanishq Bagchi said, “With Koi Naa, we wanted to create a timeless, all-consuming love track- something that lingers with you. Thanks to Irshad’s evocative lyrics and the amazing voices of Shreya Ghoshal and Harnoor, and our full-hearted production, I think we’ve hit the right note.”

Irshad Kamil added Creating 'Koi Naa' for 'Bhool Chuk Maaf' was truly a magical journey from start to finish. Koi Naa is not just a song but a feeling brought beautifully to life on screen by Rajkummar and Wamiqa. I feel truly grateful to have been part of a track so close to my heart. I hope audiences give it as much love as we felt while making it."


Bhool Chuk Maaf is all set to tell the story of Ranjan and Titli’s love urging to uncover the reason behind the endless cycle to set things right and take audiences on a ride of emotions. With a perfect mix of humour, heart, and mystery, the film promises an unforgettable cinematic ride. Catch it in theatres worldwide on May 9, 2025.


Listen to ‘Koi Naa’ from Bhool Chuk Maaf here: bit.ly/KoiNaa


*About Sony Music:* 


Sony Music Entertainment is a global recorded music company that has on its roster a rich and storied history of iconic artists like Beyonce, Michael Jackson, Shakira, Mariah Carey and Britney Spears and today’s superstars like Harry Styles, Camila Cabello, Travis Scott and Khalid, pan-Indian superstar Raftaar, pop sensation AKASA, new age artists like OAFF-Savera, Mitraz, Talwiinder and South India’s biggest acts like Anirudh, A.R. Rahman, GV Prakash, Yuvan Shankar Raja, Devi Sri Prasad, Thaman S, Vivek-Mervin, Darbuka Siva and Ghibran including several decades-long relationships with Dharma Productions, Maddock Films, Red Chillies Entertainment, Vishesh Films, Madras Talkies, Raaj Kamal Films International. Seven Screen Studio, The Route, Mythri Movie Makers, Vyjayanthi Movies and SVCC among others. On offer is a vast catalogue that comprises some of the most important recordings in history spread across multiple genres, languages, and geographies.

Singapore Homeland Security Selects Living Optics to Showcase Cutting-Edge Hyperspectral Imaging


Company to Demonstrate Market-Ready Hyperspectral Imaging Capabilities for Border Security and Forensic Intelligence

Abingdon, England, April 16 – Living Optics, a hyperspectral imaging (HSI) company with defense technology applications, has been selected by Singapore Homeland Security’s HTX division for a strategic proof of concept initiative to demonstrate its advanced imaging capabilities for security and forensic use cases. Living Optics will showcase its ready-to-deploy technology, demonstrating how its advanced imaging capabilities strengthen border security, support forensic scene analysis, and serve a wide range of homeland security applications.

At the core of the Living Optics platform is a compact, high-performance hyperspectral video camera that enables security teams to identify threats and anomalies invisible to traditional sensors. By analyzing the unique spectral signatures of materials, the system can uncover hidden objects, track movements, detect camouflage, and identify residual traces of activity. With edge computing and AI-powered analytics, the solution delivers actionable intelligence in real-time, without requiring extensive technical training or complex setup.

“This initiative underscores our technological maturity and readiness for immediate deployment in practical national security scenarios,” said Dr. Steve Chappell, Co-founder and CTO at Living Optics. “Our mission has always been to make hyperspectral imaging practical and impactful for frontline teams. The camera was designed so that non-specialist personnel can operate it effectively and make faster, smarter decisions. We are excited to demonstrate our technology's versatility, readiness, and potential to shape next-generation security solutions across the region.”

Unlike conventional forensic tools, Living Optics’ HSI technology enables authorities to rapidly examine a scene without disturbing or contaminating it—replacing chemical sprays and invasive techniques with clean, non-contact scanning. In the proof of concept, the system will detect signs of human presence and oil residues on water, providing key insights into illegal border crossings by boat or aircraft. The camera’s compact design allows potential integration with drones and CCTV infrastructure for wide-area or tactical surveillance applications.

Living Optics' technology has been validated in trials and research conducted with the UK Armed Forces, Singaporean defense accelerators, and NATO-affiliated science teams. It has the potential to detect landmines, assess battlefield damage, and spot wear and tear on equipment, giving security forces greater awareness while minimizing risk to personnel. Designed for deployment in urban and remote environments, the Living Optics camera is lightweight, rugged, and easy to use in the field or integrated into robots, drones, and vehicles.

The company’s imaging solution has broad applications across defense and homeland security, including surveillance enhancement, emergency response, and maintenance and inspection activities. It can detect burned or degraded materials in post-fire investigations, reveal signs of smuggling activity in hidden compartments, and identify stress or fatigue in structural materials. These capabilities are transforming how military and security professionals gather and act on intelligence, making hyperspectral vision a mission-critical advantage.

About Living Optics
Living Optics is revolutionizing machine vision by making hyperspectral imaging widely accessible. Its full-stack solution—combining pioneering cameras with advanced software—captures rich spectral data far beyond the reach of human vision or conventional imaging systems. This empowers AI-enhanced insights across a wide range of real-world applications, including food, healthcare, security, academia, and industry.
A spinout from the University of Oxford, Living Optics is backed by leading investors and headquartered in the U.K., with a growing global presence spanning Europe, the Americas, and Asia. In September 2022, the company raised $25 million in Series A funding to accelerate the commercial rollout of its breakthrough platform.



Tuesday, April 15, 2025

Air India Innovates with Agentic AI Adoption By Collaborating with Salesforce Agentforce for Enhanced Customer Experience

Agentforce will help Air India automate customer service processes, improve agent productivity, and deliver faster issue resolution

Mumbai, April 15, 2025 — Salesforce, the world’s #1 AI CRM*, today announced the expansion of its collaboration with Air India with the adoption of Salesforce Agentforce. As part of its ongoing digital transformation, Air India is among the first airlines to go-live with Agentforce, leveraging it to automate key customer service processes. The first roll out of Agentforce in customer service will help drive faster resolution of a class of refund issues, and elevate its customer experience at scale.

Air India has been a long-standing Salesforce customer, using Service Cloud, Sales Cloud, Data Cloud and Einstein AI to power its customer engagement and business operations. The latest expansion marks a strategic step towards becoming an AI-infused airline, focused on delivering seamless, responsive, and personalised experiences for its passengers using emerging agentic AI technologies bolstered by its extensive data fabric.

Addressing a high-impact customer challenge with AI-powered automation

Refund requests often require multiple handoffs between Air India’s contact center, refunds team, and the customer,  which can occasionally slow down resolution times.

By deploying Salesforce Agentforce, Air India is reimagining this process through adoption of agentic AI. The solution streamlines and accelerates the end-to-end handling of such requests — automating routine steps, reducing human effort, and enabling agents to focus on higher-value interactions. Customers now benefit from faster resolutions, timely refund processing, and proactive updates.

Following the successful implementation of their first use case, Air India plans to scale the use of Agentforce across other contact center operations and customer touchpoints, including voice-based interactions, over the next several months.

Comments on the news:

Arundhati Bhattacharya, President & CEO at Salesforce - South Asia, said, "Agentforce represents the next frontier of customer service — where AI works alongside humans to deliver faster, smarter, and more personalized experiences at scale. With its adoption of Agentforce, Air India is setting a new benchmark for modern, AI-driven customer engagement in the aviation industry globally. Their vision of becoming an AI-first airline aligns perfectly with Salesforce’s commitment to help businesses automate at scale, deliver faster service, and foster loyalty through every interaction.”

Dr. Satya Ramaswamy, Chief Digital & Technology Officer for Air India, said, “We are happy to partner with Salesforce in pioneering Agentforce in the aviation industry, starting with transforming how we manage certain classes of refund cases using cutting-edge Agentic AI — drastically reducing resolution times. For our guests, this means instant acknowledgment of these claims with real-time updates and a seamless experience across all touchpoints, reinforcing trust and valuing their loyalty. This isn’t just a technological leap—it’s a customer-first commitment, delivering faster, smarter, and more empathetic service to our valued guests at every step.”

Powering Air India’s broader digital transformation

Agentforce complements Air India’s broader digital transformation roadmap, where Salesforce continues to be a trusted technology partner. Beyond Service Cloud and Sales Cloud, Air India already leverages Salesforce Data Cloud to unify customer data and Einstein AI to drive insights and personalization across the customer journey.

As the airline accelerates its transformation journey, future deployments of Agentforce, including AI-driven voice capabilities, are expected to further strengthen Air India’s customer engagement strategy.

About Salesforce

Salesforce helps organizations of any size reimagine their business with AI. Agentforce — the first digital labor solution for enterprises — seamlessly integrates with Customer 360 applications, Data Cloud, and Einstein AI to create a limitless workforce, bringing humans and agents together to deliver customer success on a single, trusted platform. Visit https://www.salesforce.com/in/ for more information.

*Salesforce, the #1 CRM, powered by AI technology and capabilities.