All posts by Bhumika Lenka

Turkish Airlines Partners with Samsung to Launch Smart Tagged Baggage Service

Kochi: Turkish Airlines, the airline flying to more countries than any other, has entered into a partnership with Samsung, marking yet another milestone towards its digital transformation efforts aimed to enhance the travel comfort of its guests. Beginning on December 1^st, passengers will be able to seamlessly track their baggage using Smart Tagged Baggage Service, powered by SmartThings Find, which enables faster and more efficient tracking of misplaced or delayed baggage that are equipped with Galaxy SmartTag.

Through this collaboration, Turkish Airlines has become the launch airline to implement SmartThings technologies in passenger baggage tracking worldwide, showing the national flag carrier’s commitment to digital transformation with passenger-first mindset to elevate the travel experience. Utilizing Samsung’s technology, passengers will also be able to upload a photo of their luggage within SmartThings Find app, helping identify their baggage more easily. The airline aims to extend the use of SmartThings Find beyond baggage services, integrating location-based capabilities into future passenger-focused digital solutions.

Commenting on the partnership, Turkish Airlines Chief Information Technologies Officer, Kerem Kızıltunç stated: “Turkish Airlines continues to lead the industry on its road to digitalization. We are delighted to partner with Samsung to leverage their cutting-edge technology for the benefit of our passengers. We will continue to strengthen our industry leadership with technological collaborations that prioritize guest satisfaction and set new standards for the aviation industry.”

Samsung Electronics Executive Vice President and Head of SmartThings Jaeyeon Jung said: “Samsung is expanding the SmartThings Find experience through partnerships across industries to help customers stay connected and at ease wherever they are. We are delighted to work with Turkish Airlines to deliver a more convenient and streamlined travel experience.”

This strategic collaboration represents another significant step in Turkish Airlines’ unwavering commitment to innovation and excellence. As the national flag carrier of Türkiye, the airline remains dedicated to developing technologies and partnerships that enrich every stage of its guests’ journey.

Holiday Season Shines Brighter At Bhartiya Mall of Bengaluru With Christmas-Themed Markets

Bengaluru, Dec 06th: Bhartiya Mall of Bengaluru is set to usher in the most wonderful time of the year with festive flair. Beginning December 6, 2025, the mall invites visitors to immerse themselves in a vibrant lineup of Christmas–themed markets featuring curated retail experiences and gourmet seasonal treats. Designed to spark joy, excitement, and community spirit, the celebrations promise a memorable holiday season for families and shoppers alike. 

The festivities begin with The Mistletoe Market, launching on 6th December, offering an enchanting selection of Christmas trees, sparkling ornaments, themed décor, and holiday essentials. It is the ideal destination for those looking to decorate their homes and pick up festive must-haves ahead of the celebrations. 

Stepping out into the crisp December air, visitors can also explore The Merry Market, an open-air flea market starting on 6th December. This lively marketplace showcases an eclectic mix of apparel, footwear, jewellery, gifting items, and lifestyle accessories. From artisanal products to unique finds and last-minute presents, the market promises something delightful for every shopper. 

Adding a sweet touch to the festivities, the Joy Bake Sale will be held on the weekends of 13th–14th and 20th–21st December. Shoppers can indulge in an assortment of cakes, cookies, desserts, and Christmas–themed treats. The Joy Bake Sale features popular brands including Zed the Baker, Toscano, Geist, Eleven Bake, and Starbucks, alongside talented home chefs, bringing together the most-loved flavours of the season. 

With its curated festive offerings and immersive holiday atmosphere, Bhartiya Mall of Bengaluru reaffirms itself as the go-to destination to celebrate the season’s magic, enjoy memorable experiences, and indulge in the finest flavours that bring people together during Christmas. 

Event Details:

When:6th December 2025 Onwards

Where: Bhartiya Mall of Bengaluru

STN Awards Honour Outstanding South Asian Entrepreneurs at 2025 Annual Conclave

Dec 06th: The Seed Transformation Network (STN) proudly launched the STN Awards at the Annual Conclave held from November 27 to 29, 2025. The Conclave brought together many of South Asia’s most enterprising SME leaders under one roof. The inaugural edition of the STN Awards honoured some of those exemplary individuals who embody excellence, impact, and community leadership, which are core values of the STN community. This year’s STN Awards showcased the remarkable achievements of the diverse STN community.

In the Transformation Excellence category, Sukrit Bharati, Managing Director of Virtuoso Optoelectronics, and Raj Prakash and Vanchinathan Sendhamizh Kodhai, co-founders of Zifo were recognised for demonstrating sustained business transformation and outstanding leadership since graduating from the Seed Transformation Program. Their achievements highlight how purposeful growth and operational excellence can drive telling impact across industries and communities.

In the Social Impact category, the awards were presented to Shuchin Bajaj, founder of Ujala Cygnus Hospitals, and Nidhi Pant, co-founder of Science for Society Techno Services. Their work reflects the power of mission-driven entrepreneurship to create jobs, improve lives, and push the boundaries of social innovation across the region. Their recognition stands as testimony to the fact that meaningful social impact can co-exist alongside tangible business performance.

Recognising exceptional commitment to strengthening the STN community, the Network Champion Award honoured Seby Kallarakkal, CEO of FluidStructure Technologies; Vinay Kumar, CEO of Verbinden; and Abhishek Rungta, Founder & CEO of Indus Net Technologies (INT.). These leaders have played a pivotal role in fostering collaboration and championing purposeful networking within the STN South Asia community.

This year’s STN Annual Conclave served as a vibrant platform for learning, collaboration, and inspiration. Over three days, entrepreneurs participated in immersive workshops, peer-led forums, and keynote speeches focused on scaling businesses responsibly in emerging markets. Distinguished speakers, including Captain G. R. Gopinath, Founder of Air Deccan, and Viraj Bahl, Founder of Veeba Foods, shared powerful insights on leadership and business growth.

The successful launch of the STN Awards marks a new chapter for STN, shining a spotlight on visionary entrepreneurs who are truly shaping the future of South Asia’s business landscape. As the STN community continues to expand, these award winners stand as inspiring examples of what is possible when businesses scale with purpose, impact, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.

More Indians Getting Access to Credit as ML Improves Lending Decisions: Experian Report

Mumbai, Dec 06th: Experian’s, latest research, conducted by Forrester Consulting, reveals how artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are transforming credit decisioning across India. Based on inputs from 109 Indian senior decision makers in credit risk, the findings show that ML is helping financial institutions expand access to credit, improve portfolio performance, and accelerate digital decisioning. The study also highlights the challenges that continue to hinder wider adoption across the country.

Over the years, India’s credit landscape has undergone rapid digitalisation, fuelled by rising consumption, the expansion of new-to-credit (NTC) borrowers and the growth of digital lending. As lending dynamics continue to evolve, ML is helping lenders to make faster and more accurate credit decisions while proactively managing risk and extending responsible lending to a broader set of customer segments.

ML as a driver of financial inclusion and sustainable growth 

The report shows that ML is enabling lenders to expand access to financial services for underserved segments, including thin-file and new-to-credit consumers. By leveraging richer data and advanced analytical techniques, ML models help make more accurate and inclusive assessments.

According to the research, 79% of ML adopters in India agree that the technology allows them to responsibly serve new customer segments that traditional scorecards often exclude. At the same time, 71% of respondents report that ML improves profitability by enhancing risk prediction and reducing bad debt. This dual impact, expanding access while strengthening portfolio quality, positions ML as a strategic asset for lenders seeking sustainable, long-term growth in a competitive and fast-evolving market.

Automation, efficiency and cost savings are top ML benefits. 

Close to 68% of ML users cite improved risk prediction accuracy and operational efficiency as key benefits. These capabilities enable lenders to confidently increase automation, with 71% agreeing that ML allows them to automate more credit decisions, reducing manual workloads and speeding up time-to-decision.

Looking ahead, 78% of respondents believe that in five years’ time, most credit decisions will be fully automated.

Generative AI is emerging as a powerful productivity tool in credit risk. 

Generative AI (GenAI) is emerging as a powerful productivity tool, particularly in traditionally time-consuming areas such as model documentation, reporting and business intelligence. 84% of respondents believe that GenAI can significantly reduce the time and effort required to develop and deploy new credit risk decisioning models.

More than two-thirds (70%) agree that GenAI’s biggest advantage lies in streamlining regulatory documentation, enabling faster validation cycles and improving collaboration between risk, analytics and compliance teams.

Organisational resistance to ML adoption persists. 

Despite the benefits, many organisations remain cautious. The report reveals that cost, market uncertainty and lack of internal expertise remain significant barriers to ML adoption. Two-thirds (65%) of non-adopters believe the cost of implementation outweighs the perceived benefits, while 44% admit they do not fully understand the value ML can bring.

Concerns around explainability and compliance also persist, with 54% of non-adopters worried about model transparency and 55% fearing regulatory misalignment. These challenges are compounded by legacy IT and data infrastructure, which 39% say is not equipped to support ML deployment.

Commenting on the insights, Manish Jain, Country Managing Director of Experian in India, said “India’s lending ecosystem is undergoing a fundamental transformation, and machine learning is at the heart of this shift.

Lenders today need to balance growth with resilience. ML enables them to sharpen risk prediction, approve the right customers faster, and extend credit to millions who were previously excluded from the formal financial system. ML is not just improving acceptance rates and reducing bad debt; it is helping build more transparent, efficient, and inclusive credit journeys.”

“As India continues its digital credit expansion, institutions that invest early in ML and GenAI will be positioned to compete, comply, and innovate. At Experian, we see ML as a critical enabler that will shape the next decade of lending in India.” He added

“Machine Learning is unlocking access to financial services for millions who have historically been excluded from the financial system. By leveraging alternative data and more advanced risk models, ML enables lenders to make fairer, more accurate decisions, especially for consumers with limited financial histories. This technology is becoming central to building more inclusive and sustainable financial systems,” says Mariana Pinheiro, CEO, Experian EMEA & APAC

MMR’s Worli Sees 30+ Ultra-luxury Homes Sold for INR 5,500 Cr in 2 Years

Mumbai, Dec 06th: Worli in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region has officially crossed the threshold from aspirational luxury destination to India’s undisputed ultra-high-net-worth residential fortress. New data from the ANAROCK and 360 One Wealth report, ‘The Pinnacle of Luxury: Worli’, reveals a staggering concentration of wealth – 30+ homes priced above INR 40 crore each were sold in just 24 months, totalling over INR 5,500 crores – a transaction velocity that redefines India’s residential real estate pecking order.

Worli’s Stranglehold on Ultra-Luxury 

Anuj Puri, Chairman – ANAROCK Group, says, “40% of India’s entire ultra-luxury apartment market is now Worli. That singular statistic captures the micro-market’s unprecedented dominance. Across the entire country – from Bangalore’s sprawling tech corridors to Delhi’s power pockets – Worli accounts for nearly half of all transactions exceeding INR 40 crores.”

“The momentum is only accelerating,” he adds. “2025 alone witnessed one of India’s costliest apartment transactions – 2 duplexes sold for INR 700+ crores. Over the past three years, Worli has seen over 20 residential deals individually priced above INR 100 crores closed.”

Where Mumbai’s Ultra-Luxury Lives

Premium tower apartments in Worli now command INR 65,000 to INR 1,00,000+ per sq. ft. – pricing that positions it as India’s equivalent to New York’s Lower Manhattan, not merely in aspiration, but in hard economics.

The price-to-size breakdown tells the story:

• Below INR 8 Cr: Sub-1,000 sq. ft. units
• INR 8-16 Cr: 1,000-2,000 sq. ft. apartments
• INR 16-24 Cr: 2,000-3,000 sq. ft. apartments
• INR 24-32 Cr: 3,000-4,000 sq. ft. apartments
• Above INR 32 Cr: 4,000+ sq. ft. ultra-premium residences

Rather than mere real estate appreciation, this can be seen as wealth concentration becoming geographic. 

From Industrial Pocket to Global Skyline

Two decades of relentless development have transformed from a largely nondescript industrial zone into a curated lifestyle ecosystem. There are nearly 4-5 million sq. ft. of premium residential and retail space currently under construction here, and this is just the visible layer of a deeper structural shift.

Supporting Infrastructure – INR 69,000+ crores in completed or ongoing infrastructure projects now ribbon through the Worli micro-market. The iconic Bandra-Worli Sea Link and partially operational Mumbai Coastal Road are new economic corridors reshaping Mumbai’s geography. 

Commercial Office Market 

Residential dominance masks another reality in Worli – commercial office space commands INR 180-375 per sq. ft. monthly rents with a razor-thin 8.1% vacancy rate. In India’s commercial real estate context, this is scarcity pricing which signals that institutional capital sees Worli not as a residential-only play but as Mumbai’s emerging central business district.

INR 36,000+ Crore Incoming Pipeline

Land transactions totalling INR 7,600+ crores have already closed from 2023 onwards in and around Worli, with revenue potential exceeding INR 36,000+ crores. In residential alone, INR 19,000-21,000 crore worth of projects are mid-construction.

Looking ahead, at least 40 acres of real estate projects by India’s most reputed developers are in the pipeline, denoting a land bank that can potentially generate tens of thousands of crores in future transaction value.

Wealth Consolidation 

Worli today represents something larger than a luxury residential market. It is the physical manifestation of India’s wealth concentration – a 40% stranglehold on the nation’s ultra-high-net-worth residential transactions, commanding prices that rival global peers, supported by INR 69,000+ crore infrastructure ecosystem, and fed by an incoming INR 36,000+ crore pipeline. 

VIAVI and QNu Labs Partner to Accelerate Quantum-Safe Network Security

Dec 6th: Viavi Solutions Inc.  and QNu Labs, a global leader in hybrid quantum cybersecurity solutions, today announced a strategic partnership to develop cutting-edge quantum security and advanced network intelligence technologies. These collaborative R&D programs represent the first phase in the creation of a global industry consortium to foster open collaboration and accelerate quantum-safe communication across multiple industries and research organizations.

As quantum-safe technologies develop, it becomes crucial to ensure architectures and system deployments operate with maximum resilience, security, efficiency, and real-world reliability. This is particularly important at the optical layer, where quantum technologies intersect with physical infrastructure. In many cases, the challenge is to transform quantum science, especially quantum optics, from experimental setups into reliable, field-ready solutions.

The transition from traditional security architectures to quantum-resilient systems involves the deployment of quantum physics-based technologies such as quantum key distribution (QKD), quantum random number generation (QRNG), and advanced post-quantum cryptography (PQC) in hybrid configurations.

Under the partnership, VIAVI and QNu will deliver defined test cases and badging mechanisms for quantum-safe technologies, including standalone PQC, QKD, QRNG, and hybrid PQC/QKD systems. The partnership will provide a solutions framework for enterprises, telecom operators, banking, aerospace, defense, government, and research organizations worldwide.

Additionally, the collaboration will develop detailed specifications and reference architectures to guide the deployment of quantum-safe communications. This includes the definition of functional and performance testing standards and the integration of quantum-safe algorithms across the core, RAN, transport, edge, and cloud network layers. By following these frameworks, organizations can ensure seamless compatibility with existing classical and hybrid infrastructures and build trust through certification and badging programs.

The alliance will advocate for harmonized global approaches to quantum-safe readiness that align with NIST PQC recommendations, ETSI, and other international quantum-safe efforts. These initiatives will encourage joint research in crypto-agility, crypto-readiness, PQC resilience, QKD scalability, and quantum-secure orchestration.

“Quantum-safe communications is no longer a distant goal but instead an urgent need. Trusted partners that offer innovation and deep expertise are essential for successful and secure quantum networks, and VIAVI is uniquely positioned by combining decades of leadership in fiber optics with advanced quantum research,” said Sameh Yamany, Chief Technology Officer, VIAVI. “We offer a rare perspective on how to securely and efficiently transition quantum-safe communication from the lab to practical deployment, and we look forward to validating quantum-safe environments and solutions by partnering with QNu Labs.”

“The QNu and VIAVI partnership is a milestone in the evolution of secure digital communications, combining VIAVI’s expertise in network intelligence with QNu’s leadership in quantum-safe security to build the foundation of next-generation, trust-centric networks,” said Sunil Gupta, CEO, QNu Labs. “Together, we will provide tools and roadmaps to assist enterprises and service providers in migrating from classical to quantum-safe systems.”

Check Point Software Unveils Quantum Firewall Software R82.10 to Secure the AI-Driven Enterprise

India, Dec 06th: Check Point Software Technologies Ltd., a pioneer and global leader of cyber security solutions, today announced its new Check Point Quantum Firewall Software, R82.10, introducing 20 new capabilities designed to help enterprises safely adopt AI, protect distributed environments and simplify Zero Trust across hybrid networks.

“As organizations embrace AI, security teams are under growing pressure to protect more data, more applications and more distributed environments,” said Nataly Kremer, Chief Product Officer at Check Point Software Technologies. “R82.10 helps enterprises shift to a prevention-first model by unifying management, strengthening Zero Trust and adding protections that support safe, responsible AI adoption and development.”

Enterprises are rapidly increasing their use of AI tools and LLM development, expanding connectivity across users, branches and cloud environments. This creates new risks, including AI-generated threats, identity abuse and configuration drift. R82.10 addresses these challenges with unified, prevention-first capabilities that improve visibility, control and protection across hybrid mesh networks.

“With the efficiency gains promised by AI, security professionals cannot slow down business innovation or risk being excluded,” said Frank Dickson, Group Vice President, Security & Trust, IDC. “The benefits of innovation do not negate the looming security threat being introduced by AI. Enterprises need to reduce risk, unify controls and stay ahead of sophisticated malicious actors. Check Point’s approach of embedded AI security into the network stack is an appropriate approach to quickly improve an organization’s AI security posture.”

Check Point R82.10 introduces 20 new capabilities in four core areas where enterprises face the highest operational pressure today:

1. Supporting Safe AI Adoption
   R82.10 strengthens oversight of AI-driven activity by detecting unauthorized GenAI tools, expanding visibility into AI applications such as ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and monitoring MCP (model context protocol) usage to protect AI-powered workflows.
2. Strengthening Hybrid Mesh Network Security
   Organizations gain more consistent protection across distributed environments with centralized internet access management for SASE and firewalls, simplified gateway-to-SASE connectivity, and improved identity and device posture validation to support Zero Trust at scale.
3. Taking a Prevention-First Approach to Modern Threats
   R82.10 introduces phishing protection that works without HTTPS inspection, adaptive IPS to reduce alert fatigue, and new Threat Prevention Insights to highlight misconfigurations and posture gaps before attackers can exploit them.
4. Eliminating Silos with a Unified Security Platform
   R82.10 expands Check Point’s open-garden architecture with more than 250 integrations. These integrations allow organizations to apply endpoint posture signals from their existing providers directly within Check Point policies, improving identity-based controls and Zero Trust enforcement. 

“Check Point continues to deliver AI Security innovations at the exact moment customers need them,” said Chris Konrad, Vice President, Global Cyber, World Wide Technology. “Their AI-driven security capabilities help organizations safeguard their businesses from the latest cyber threats, while providing enterprise-grade protection for sensitive AI workloads from model training to inference without compromising performance.”

Check Point Quantum Firewall Software R82.10 integrates with Check Point’s full AI security stack, strengthened by the recent acquisition of Lakera. Together with the Infinity Platform and Check Point’s open-garden architecture, enterprises gain a unified path to secure AI usage, automate prevention and ensure resilience across their hybrid environments.

The new capabilities will be highlighted in Check Point’s upcoming webinar  Securing the AI Transformation in a Hyperconnected World on December 4^th, featuring leaders from Check Point, NVIDIA, and IDC. The R82.10 software will be available to download later this month.

Myntra Delivers a High-Voltage OOH and Print Campaign for EORS 23 Price Crash

Bengaluru, Dec 06th:  In a bold and unconventional creative leap, Myntra has introduced a striking OOH activation that brings ‘Price Crash,’ the campaign value proposition for the 23rd edition of EORS, into high-impact, cinematic storytelling. This edition also marks Rohit Shetty’s debut as Myntra’s “Crash Expert,” with his trademark filmy-action aesthetic carried into outdoor media and translated into dramatic visuals at Bandstand, Mumbai.

In keeping with Myntra’s ethos of playful disruption, this year’s EORS OOH strategy features a ‘Wrecking Ball Billboard,’ where a massive, branded wrecking ball is depicted bursting through hundreds of oversized price tags, visually representing Myntra’s Price Crash proposition. The impact crater, broken tag fragments, and large-format 3D visual effect together create a high-energy moment engineered for instant recall, especially among fans of immersive, visually driven marketing.

Adding to the dramatic appeal, Myntra has also issued a creative print advertisement in a witty, cautionary tone, alerting citizens to brace themselves for the impending Price Crash. With humorous side effects like “sudden urge to just check once” and reminders to “add to cart responsibly,” the advisory inserts itself into shoppers’ lives with playful urgency, ensuring no one escapes without at least one “accidental” checkout.

The 23rd edition of EORS is live now and is set to be Myntra’s most expansive yet, with 10,000+ brands and more than 6 million styles. The event will feature heightened traction across marquee brands like Levi’s, Nike, adidas, H&M, MANGO, L’Oréal, Lakmé, Libas, Decathlon, New Balance, Wrogn, US Polo Assn., Puma, and Rare Rabbit, among others.

Together, these innovations, from 3D cinematic takeover to tongue-in-cheek advisory, form a cohesive, high-impact extension of this edition’s EORS campaigns, reinforcing Myntra’s leadership in innovative marketing campaigns and setting the stage for what promises to be its most value-packed edition to date.