All posts by Neel Achary

Maruti Suzuki Revises Car Prices, New Rates to Take Effect from August

New Delhi, July 21: Maruti Suzuki India has announced a price revision across select vehicle models, with increases of up to ₹30,000 set to take effect from August, citing rising input costs and operational expenses.

The company said the price adjustment is part of its ongoing efforts to offset higher manufacturing and supply chain costs while maintaining product quality and operational efficiency.

The extent of the increase will vary depending on the model and variant. Customers planning to purchase a Maruti Suzuki vehicle before the revised prices come into effect may benefit from the current pricing.

Automobile manufacturers periodically review vehicle prices in response to fluctuations in raw material costs, logistics expenses, and overall market conditions. The latest revision reflects the industry’s continued efforts to manage cost pressures while sustaining business operations.

Maruti Suzuki, India’s largest passenger vehicle manufacturer, continues to focus on offering a wide range of vehicles across different customer segments while strengthening its market presence through innovation, improved technology, and enhanced customer service.

The upcoming price revision is expected to influence buying decisions in the coming weeks as customers look to complete purchases before the new rates become effective in August.

JioStar Makes This Festive Season Bigg, Bringing Together Six Bigg Boss Editions Across India; Unveils India’s Bigg Reality Coffee Table Book

JioStar Makes This Festive Season Bigg, Bringing Together Six Bigg   Boss Editions Across India; Unveils India's Bigg Reality Coffee Table Book

India, 21st July: As India gears up for the festive season, JioStar is set to launch six editions of Bigg Boss across Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam and Bangla, creating an unprecedented celebration of the country’s biggest reality entertainment franchise. For the first time, audiences across India will experience the excitement, drama and fandom of Bigg Boss simultaneously, making this a landmark moment for reality entertainment in India. The six editions will be released pan-India starting September 2026 on the JioStar television network and JioHotstar. Adding to the scale of this celebration is the franchise’s iconic line-up of hosts – Salman Khan, Vijay Sethupati, Nagarjuna, Kichcha Sudeepa, Mohanlal – who have become synonymous with Bigg Boss in their respective markets. This year, Nation’s Dada and the pride of Bengal Sourav Ganguly, joins the franchise strengthening its star-studded appeal. To commemorate this milestone, JioStar has unveiled India’s Bigg Reality, a first-of-its-kind, data-rich coffee table book that chronicles the franchise’s remarkable journey, cultural influence and enduring legacy.

Drawing on two decades of Bigg Boss, India’s Bigg Reality showcases how one of India’s biggest entertainment franchises has become a proven growth platform for brands. In 2025 alone, the franchise recorded a reach of over 500 million, generated 438 billion+ viewing minutes and witnessed 47% y-o-y growth in engagement across six language editions. More than 625 brands have leveraged this scale to launch products, build awareness and create lasting consumer connections across national and regional markets. On JioHotstar, 6 in every 10 viewers watch the Bigg Boss 24×7 live feed, underscoring its ability to foster deep audience engagement, enabling brands such as Tide and Silver Coin Atta to extend sponsorship beyond episodes with always-on branding that keeps their message visible throughout the viewer journey.

The book offers a comprehensive view of how Bigg Boss makes brands come alive within the show, moving beyond traditional placements to create deeper, more engaging interactions. Through innovative integrations like the Snack and Snack drone delivery, specialized tasks highlighting Vaseline products, the dynamic presence of the elevator, or the interactive Spy Kuttan robot, brands achieve sharper audience targeting and deeper participation. This measurable brand impact makes Bigg Boss an indispensable strategic resource for companies looking to build meaningful connections with consumers across the country.

“Over the last two decades, Bigg Boss has consistently reinvented itself, growing in scale, engagement and cultural relevance with every season. This festive season marks our biggest milestone yet as six editions come together across languages, making it the biggest-ever celebration of the show. The enduring strength of Bigg Boss lies in its ability to drive sustained audience participation and create shared cultural moments that translate into measurable business outcomes for brands. India’s Bigg Reality captures this journey through data and insights, offering marketers a strategic overview of how the format became a cultural phenomenon. At JioStar, we believe shows like Bigg Boss deserve to be documented, not just celebrated; and, this coffee table book spotlights these defining moments in the evolution of India’s entertainment ecosystem,” said Mahesh Shetty, Head – Entertainment Sales, TV, JioStar.

 “In a landscape of fragmented audience attention specifically during festive season, Bigg Boss acts as a powerful magnet, delivering unified attention at scale for three most important sale months of the year. Driven by a 47% year-on-year growth in engagement—fuelled by 24/7 live feeds, billions of votes, and live chats—the show transforms passive viewers into active participants. For brands, this deep, measurable engagement offers an unparalleled opportunity to break through the clutter, moving beyond standard media tactics to innovate where content, culture, and commerce converge,” said Bhaskar Ramesh, Head – Entertainment Sales, Digital, JioStar.

The coffee table book also reveals why Bigg Boss is far more than a viewing experience. Audiences actively participate in shaping the franchise, with more than 9.32 billion votes cast and 43 million live chats recorded on JioHotstar. Nearly 3 in every 4 viewers engage with the show beyond passive consumption, reinforcing Bigg Boss as one of India’s most interactive entertainment ecosystems.

Bigg Boss drives massive internet obsession, generating over 1.7 billion social engagements and 30 million user-generated memes in 2025 alone. This always-on engagement extends the life of brand campaigns far beyond on-air integrations, creating multiple opportunities for marketers to participate in culture, spark conversations and build meaningful consumer connections.

India’s Bigg Reality highlights the show’s deep regional penetration and cultural resonance. Bigg Boss reaches more than 200 million viewers across Hindi-speaking markets and over 300 million viewers in Southern India, where 8 in every 10 television viewers engage with the show. Its reach is 3.5 times higher than every other reality show in the region combined, underscoring the strength of its multilingual footprint.

For brands, this scale translates into measurable business outcomes. The 2025 season alone saw over 625 advertisers across 46 categories, including 49 debutants, benefiting from average uplifts of 1.33 times in awareness, 1.26 times in consideration, and 1.25 times in purchase intent. This impact is vividly illustrated through successful collaborations such as Mamaearth’s deep integration with specialized tasks and their co-founder’s guest appearance, VZY’s strategic market penetration as a co-powered sponsor for both Hindi and Kannada editions, and Jar App’s targeted user acquisition in Bigg Boss Kannada for its micro-investment product.

India’s Bigg Reality brings together audience intelligence, participation metrics and commercial impact to offer a comprehensive view of one of India’s most influential reality entertainment shows. The coffee table book also highlights how Bigg Boss can serve as a platform for lasting audience participation, cultural relevance, and immersive brand engagement.

AVer Expands into Commercial Drone Market with AI Vision Intelligence, Targeting High-Value Enterprise Applications

AVer Expands into Commercial Drone Market with AI Vision Intelligence, Targeting High-Value Enterprise Applications

 Taipei, Taiwan – July 21: AVer Information Inc., an award-winning provider of AI audio-video solutions, is expanding into the commercial drone market by focusing its R&D on AI Vision Intelligence — the intelligent vision systems that power autonomous unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). As the global drone market enters a new phase of rapid growth, advanced optical imaging and AI vision are emerging as key drivers of industry transformation. Leveraging its expertise in professional optical imaging and Edge AI technologies, AVer is extending its innovations into commercial UAV applications, opening new opportunities in one of the industry’s fastest-growing markets while creating a long-term growth engine for the company.

“After years of developing AI-powered imaging solutions for the market, AVer has built deep expertise in Edge AI computing and image optimization,” said David Kuo, President of AVer Information Inc. “These capabilities have become the intelligence to power the eyes of next-generation autonomous drones. Beyond strengthening our core imaging technologies, they also create new opportunities through technology licensing and cross-industry collaboration, supporting AVer’s next phase of growth.”

Within the commercial drone market, AVer is focusing on two high-value applications with strong market potential:

lInspection of Industrial Facilities and Critical Infrastructure Traditional inspection of power grids and pipelines is costly, labor-intensive, and potentially hazardous. As industries increasingly adopt automated drone docking stations for remote inspections, maintaining image stability under strong winds at high altitudes remains a key technical challenge. By applying its precision PTZ technologies to drone gimbals and combining them with proprietary AI image stabilization algorithms, AVer enables drones to capture sharp, high-powered optical zoom images even in challenging conditions, allowing operators to accurately detect structural cracks, oil leaks, and other critical defects while reducing inspection costs.

lSmart Warehousing and Autonomous Indoor Logistics Labor shortages continue to accelerate warehouse automation and the adoption of dark warehouses. However, reliable drone operation under low-light conditions remains a significant technical barrier. Drawing on years of expertise in professional optics, low-light image enhancement, AI noise reduction, and intelligent object recognition, AVer enables drones to accurately identify barcodes, OCR text, and shelf anomalies even in dimly lit warehouse environments, significantly improving inventory efficiency.

Building on its strong foundation in AI-powered audio-video solutions, AVer is extending its Edge AI technologies into the commercial drone market. This strategic expansion not only brings AVer’s proven optical imaging expertise into a new high-growth industry, but also creates a new engine for future revenue and business growth.

 

 

 

Arvind Fashions Reports 24 pc Decline in Q1 Profit Amid Market Challenges

New Delhi, July 21: Fashion and lifestyle retailer Arvind Fashions, which manages brands including Arrow, Calvin Klein, and Tommy Hilfiger, reported a 24 per cent decline in its first-quarter profit, reflecting challenges in the current market environment.

The company’s performance was impacted by changing consumer demand, competitive pressures, and evolving retail trends during the quarter. Despite the decline in profitability, the company continues to focus on strengthening its brand portfolio and expanding its presence in the fashion and lifestyle segment.

Arvind Fashions has been working on improving operational efficiency, enhancing customer engagement, and adapting its business strategy to changing consumer preferences.

Industry observers said the retail sector continues to face pressure from cost challenges and shifting buying patterns, requiring companies to focus on innovation and sustainable growth strategies.

The company remains committed to building its premium and lifestyle brand ecosystem while exploring opportunities to drive long-term growth.

The latest quarterly performance highlights the need for fashion retailers to balance growth initiatives with cost management amid a rapidly changing consumer market.

India’s Housing Market Records 3 pc Growth in Residential Sales During January-June Period

New Delhi, July 21: India’s residential real estate sector witnessed steady growth in the first half of 2026, with housing sales increasing by 3 per cent during the January-June period, according to a latest industry report.

The growth reflects continued demand for residential properties, supported by improving infrastructure, urban development, and sustained buyer interest across key markets.

Real estate experts said the sector has maintained stability amid changing market conditions, with homebuyers showing preference for well-planned projects offering better amenities, connectivity, and long-term value.

The rise in sales highlights the resilience of India’s housing market and its important contribution to economic activity through investment, employment generation, and growth of allied industries.

Industry stakeholders expect residential demand to remain steady, driven by urbanisation, rising aspirations, and continued interest in home ownership.

The latest trend indicates a positive outlook for the real estate sector as developers and buyers continue to adapt to evolving market needs.

India’s Domestic Air Passenger Traffic Touches 864 Lakh in First Half of 2026

New Delhi, July 21: India’s domestic aviation sector witnessed steady growth during the first half of 2026, with passenger traffic reaching 864 lakh travellers, registering a 1.4 per cent increase compared to the corresponding period last year.

The growth reflects continued momentum in domestic air travel, driven by rising demand, improved connectivity, and expansion of aviation infrastructure across the country.

The increase in passenger numbers highlights the growing role of air transport in supporting business, tourism, and personal travel. Airlines and airports have continued efforts to enhance services, improve operational efficiency, and provide better travel experiences for passengers.

Industry experts said the steady rise in domestic traffic indicates sustained confidence in the aviation sector despite evolving market conditions. The expansion of regional connectivity has also helped bring more cities into India’s growing air travel network.

The latest figures underline the continued growth potential of India’s aviation industry and its contribution to the country’s broader economic development.

In a Bold First-of-Its-Kind Collaboration, Zee 5 and Collective Studios’ Historyverse Unveil Six AI-Driven Originals Drawing from Indian Mythology and History

July 21: In a bold move that underscores its commitment to innovating for evolving audience preferences, Zee 5 has entered into a landmark partnership with Collective Studios‘ Historyverse, unveiling an ambitious slate of six original titles inspired by India’s rich mythology, legends, and cultural heritage. Leveraging AI as a creative enabler, the collaboration seeks to unlock new storytelling possibilities, bringing timeless narratives to life through immersive, visually compelling, and culturally resonant experiences.
As audiences increasingly seek richer and more engaging content experiences, Zee 5 continues to embrace technological innovation to expand the creative boundaries of storytelling. More than a content collaboration, this initiative reflects the platform’s commitment to building future-ready storytelling ecosystems that blend cultural authenticity with new-age creativity. By harnessing AI to augment the creative process, Zee 5 is reimagining how stories are created and experienced, while remaining deeply rooted in narratives that resonate with audiences across generations.
At the heart of this partnership is a six-title slate comprising Garud – Ek Yodha Ki Gatha, Narmada Manasa Sundari- Shiv Parvati Ki Putriyan, Vikram Betal Aur Nar Pishachani, Shiv Sati Ki Ek Anant Prem Kahani, Param Sundari Chandrakanta Ki Amar Prem Katha and Bhakto Ke Bhagwan Tirupati Balaji. Developed by Zee 5 and Collective Studios’ Historyverse, the titles draw inspiration from Indian mythology, folklore, history and timeless literary traditions, transforming beloved stories into immersive AI-powered visual experiences designed for the global audience.
 
Each of the six titles will premiere across 7 languages – Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Marathi, Malayalam, Kannada, and Bangla marking the beginning of a new storytelling universe, bringing India’s timeless narratives to global audiences in innovative and engaging ways.
 
 
Tejkarran Singh Bajaj, Business Head – Zee 5 India said, “The future of entertainment will be defined not just by the stories we tell, but by the technology that powers them. At Zee 5, we see AI and emerging technologies as catalysts for the next era of storytelling, unlocking new creative possibilities, accelerating innovation, and enabling immersive, interactive experiences at scale. Our partnership with Collective Studios’ Historyverse reflects this vision, bringing together cutting-edge technology with India’s rich storytelling heritage to create future-facing entertainment IPs that are built for a global audience. As the entertainment landscape evolves, we remain committed to championing innovation that reimagines how stories are created, experienced, and discovered.”
 
Vijay Subramaniam, Founder & Group CEO, Collective Artists Network, said: “India’s mythologyhistory and folklore are among the world’s richest storytelling traditions, with a timeless ability to inspire, entertain and spark imagination across generations. At HistoryVerse, our ambition is to honour these stories while reimagining how they can be experienced by contemporary audiences”.
 
He added, “Partnering with Zee 5 on this slate is a significant milestone for us. Together, we’re bringing culturally rooted narratives to life in fresh, immersive formats that remain true to their essence while opening them up to new audiences in India and beyond.”
 
As Zee 5 continues to invest in category-defining stories and enduring intellectual properties, this landmark AI-powered slate reinforces its commitment to leading the next wave of entertainment innovation and take Indian stories to the world.
 

Rohde & Schwarz supplies conformance test systems to Marquistech for India’s first GCF RTO and PTCRB ATL lab

July 21: Marquistech has expanded its operations in Noida to build India’s first fully equipped conformance recognized test organization (RTO) lab for GCF and authorized test lab (ATL) for PTCRB testing based on Rohde & Schwarz systems. With this addition, the test house increased its local test capabilities for mobile devices, IoT products and wireless modules with support for 4G and 5G conformance, NB-IoT NTN, CAT-M, NB-IoT, MCX and location based service (LBS) certification.Rohde & Schwarz supplies conformance test systems to Marquistech for India’s first GCF RTO and PTCRB ATL lab

 

Caption: Conformance test solutions from Rohde & Schwarz

Marquistech has selected Rohde & Schwarz to equip its conformance and EMI/EMC test lab in Noida, India, with various systems for GCF and PTCRB certification testing. The investment includes the R&S TS8980FTA-3A RF/RRM full type approval system, the CMX500 radio communication tester for protocol conformance, the R&S TS-LBS positioning test system for location based service testing and the R&S TS9982 and R&S TS9975 EMI/EMC test systems.

With this expanded setup, Marquistech has become the first fully equipped conformance test house in India for both certification programs. The lab, strategically located in the Delhi National Capital Region, is aimed at serving companies in the mobile, IoT and wireless module markets, at a time when India is gaining importance as an export focused electronics manufacturing location.

The newly installed systems from Rohde & Schwarz support legacy 4G as well as advanced 5G features, including non-terrestrial networks (NTN) and mission-critical communications (MCX), and lead in numbers of validated test cases covered. Additionally, Rohde & Schwarz has provided regulatory testing capabilities for EMC and EMI at the site to enable abroad range of services offered. This helps the test house minimize costs and reduce reliance on outsourced testing. For customers, it reduces the time to complete a certification campaign.

Marquistech has been active for some time as a GCF field testing RTO. With the expansion of their site in the Delhi National Capital Region, the company has now extended its global operations to conformance testing. This adds a broader local test offering for device makers that need certification support during development and before market entry.

Prashant Jain, VP, Marquistech, said: “Our goal is to provide a globally competitive certification hub for GCF and PTCRB testing, delivering quality, flexibility and faster time-to-market. Together with Rohde & Schwarz, we are helping strengthen the global wireless certification ecosystem.”

The local support structure provided by Rohde & Schwarz was a decisive factor for Marquistech. Rohde & Schwarz operates a major development site nearby with integrated laboratories that cover the wireless product lifecycle for conformance solutions, supported by local engineering and application teams.

FCNR-B Inflows May Reach Dollar 70 Billion, Easing Bank Liquidity Concerns

New Delhi, July 21: India’s banking sector may see improved liquidity conditions as inflows through Foreign Currency Non-Resident (FCNR-B) deposits are projected to increase significantly, with estimates suggesting they could reach up to $70 billion.

The expected rise in FCNR-B deposits is likely to provide banks with additional foreign currency resources and help ease funding pressures. The inflows are seen as a positive development for banks managing liquidity requirements amid changing financial conditions.

FCNR-B deposits allow non-resident Indians (NRIs) to place fixed deposits with Indian banks in foreign currencies, offering them an investment avenue while supporting the country’s financial system with overseas funds.

Banking experts believe stronger inflows could improve foreign currency availability, enhance funding stability, and support smoother operations for financial institutions. The development also reflects continued confidence among NRIs in India’s economic growth prospects.

As banks monitor deposit trends and market conditions, the expected increase in FCNR-B inflows is likely to play a role in maintaining a balanced liquidity environment and supporting the broader financial ecosystem.

The move comes as financial institutions continue efforts to strengthen their funding base and ensure adequate liquidity to support economic activity.

K.M. Chandrasekhar Returns as Vice-Chairperson of Kerala Planning Board

Former Cabinet Secretary K.M. Chandrasekhar has been reappointed as the Vice-Chairperson of the Kerala Planning Board, bringing his extensive administrative experience back into the state’s policy planning framework.

Chandrasekhar, a former senior bureaucrat with decades of experience in governance and public administration, will continue to contribute to strategic planning and development initiatives through the board.

The Kerala Planning Board plays a key role in shaping the state’s development policies, preparing growth strategies, and advising the government on economic and social priorities. His reappointment is expected to strengthen the board’s expertise in areas related to administration, planning, and policy implementation.

During his long career in public service, Chandrasekhar has held several important positions, including serving as India’s Cabinet Secretary. His experience in handling complex administrative matters and policy issues has been widely recognised.

The state government expressed confidence that his leadership and knowledge will support Kerala’s ongoing development efforts and help address emerging challenges through effective planning and policy measures.

The reappointment highlights Kerala’s focus on experienced leadership and expert guidance in strengthening governance and long-term development planning.