Business

Telecom operator Vi has launched the Vi Guarantee Programme aimed at 2G handset users, offering 24 extra validity days per year on unlimited voice prepaid recharges of ₹199 and above. With 2 bonus days added to each recharge cycle, customers can now enjoy a full 30-day service instead of the usual 28 days—helping many avoid the inconvenience of double monthly recharges. This initiative is particularly significant for voice-only and low-data users, many of whom rely on basic phones and tight budgets. Popular packs like ₹199 (Unlimited Calls, 2GB/3GB, 300 SMS) and ₹209 (with Caller Tunes) now provide extended usability, ensuring users don’t lose connectivity due to lapses in recharge timing. Where a sizable section of the population still uses 2G handsets, local shopkeepers say the sc...

India’s MSME sector is undergoing a steady digital transformation, according to Vi Business’s Ready for Next MSME Growth Insights Study 2025, released on World MSME Day. The study reports a national rise in the Digital Maturity Index (DMI) from 56.6 in 2023 to 58.0 in 2025, with 76% of MSMEs planning to invest in cybersecurity and 72% in cloud technologies—signals of a sector shifting from digital awareness to digital action. Telangana leads the digital readiness scale with a DMI of 71.2, followed by Kerala (63.7) and Maharashtra (59.2). While Financial Services, Retail, and Transportation rank as the most digitally mature sectors, the report also indicates that only 12% of MSMEs have fully embraced digitalization, suggesting implementation challenges amid rising intent. MSM...

Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) has inked a strategic MoU with Bengaluru-based Ohmium International to co-develop scalable Green Hydrogen-based integrated power solutions in India. The move underscores Toyota’s commitment to carbon neutrality and supports India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission, aiming for energy independence by 2047 and net-zero emissions by 2070. The collaboration will focus on developing microgrid solutions powered by Ohmium’s PEM electrolyzers and Toyota’s fuel cell modules, targeting use-cases like data centers and remote industrial zones. This marks a shift "beyond mobility" as Toyota expands hydrogen use in stationary applications. The initiative reflects the spirit of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ through Make-in-India innovations. Industry leaders and ministers, includ...

Samsung’s nationwide innovation initiative, Solve for Tomorrow 2025, is inspiring a wave of tech-driven ideas across India’s youth with its latest roadshows energizing students in Jammu, Kolkata, and Shillong. Launched on April 29, the programme invites youth aged 14–22 to develop real-world solutions through design thinking. The top four winning teams will receive INR 1 crore each for incubation, alongside mentorship from Samsung leaders and IIT Delhi faculty. The final date for applications is June 30. At North Eastern Hill University (NEHU) in Shillong, students showcased powerful ideas rooted in local realities. Bashan Kur Buhroy’s concept — a drone-based system for delivering emergency medicine to remote villages — struck a chord. “Many areas in the Northeast have no ambulance ...

Lauritz Knudsen Electrical & Automation has launched its most ambitious product portfolio yet. With over 10 next-gen solutions—including EV charging ecosystems, digital power distribution systems, and IoT-enabled automation tools—the company has embarked on a 30-city ‘Technology Tour’ to connect with local businesses, engineers, and policymakers. Designed to cater to India’s diverse industrial clusters, the initiative reflects Lauritz Knudsen’s commitment to inclusive growth and its support for the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision. “We believe innovation must be accessible, adaptable, and locally relevant,” said Naresh Kumar, COO. “Our goal is to make industries safer, smarter, and more sustainable—no matter the city or sector.” In Shillong, where urban growth and small-scale industrie...