Upgrade your kitchen with the perfect blend of innovation, safety, and style. Whether you’re a passionate home chef or someone who values convenience, these five high-performance hobtops are designed to elevate your cooking experience. Featuring smart automation, durable materials, and precision flame control, each hobtop brings unique features tailored for modern kitchens and Indian cooking needs.
From flame failure detection and timer-controlled cooking to sleek designs and easy maintenance, discover these 5 hobtops that combine cutting-edge technology with elegance, making every meal a delight to prepare.
The Dorado HOBTOP by Beyond Appliance perfectly combines innovation, safety, and convenience to transform your cooking experience. Its Timer Controlled Cooking feature brings smart automation by automatically turning off the flame to prevent overcooking, burnt dishes, and unnecessary whistles. Safety is further enhanced with Flame Failure Detection on all burners, which instantly cuts off the gas supply if the flame goes out, giving you peace of mind in the kitchen. Ignition is made effortless with the Superior Auto Ignition system built into the knobs, sparking flames instantly without the need for external lighters. Complementing this is the Smart Digital Timer, which allows you to precisely control cooking times, making it easy to cook dishes perfectly every time while avoiding overcooking. The Convertible HOBTOP design adds flexibility, adapting seamlessly to your kitchen layout for a customized cooking setup.
Faber Hob 4 Burner
This hobtop features a sturdy and stylish black glass surface that’s easy to clean and looks great in any kitchen. With four burners of different sizes, it lets you cook multiple dishes at once, whether you need high heat or a gentle simmer. The burners light up quickly with a built-in ignition system, so you can start cooking without any hassle. Designed for convenience and cleanliness, it includes a spill-proof flat concealed chamber that makes cleaning easy. Premium metal knobs provide a smooth and sturdy control experience, while the burner caps are crafted from brass with a sleek black coating for durability and style. Versatile in use, this product functions both as a hob and a hobtop, making it an excellent addition to any modern kitchen.
Elica Hobtop
Elica Hobtop is a thoughtfully designed cooking solution featuring energy-efficient multi-flame Italian SABAF burners, specially crafted for Indian cooking to deliver fast and precise heat with a simmer option. It comes with heavy-duty brass burners that provide powerful and consistent flames, while the sturdy cast iron pan supports with Heat Guard keep your pots and pans stable for uniform heating without any wobble. This versatile hobtop can be used as a built-in or free-standing unit and includes a battery-operated auto electric ignition system.
Whirlpool Hob 4 Burner Crystal Glass
The Whirlpool hobtop features a high-efficiency multi-ring burner with Intellicook multi-flame Sabaf Italian enameled black burners, designed to deliver optimal flame levels perfectly suited for Indian cooking, including both high flame and simmer options. Its heat-resistant knobs are specially crafted to withstand longer cooking durations typical of Indian cuisine, ensuring durability and ease of use.
Hindware Ka Hob Ella Plus
The hob features an elegantly finished toughened glass surface that not only adds a sophisticated touch to the kitchen but is also easy to clean. Its 8 mm thick glass is resistant to high temperatures, scratches, and corrosion, ensuring long-lasting durability and performance. Complementing this is a matte finish drip tray designed for both aesthetics and functionality; it effectively prevents spilled liquids from entering the hob cavity, is simple to clean, and resists oxidation. The hob is equipped with sturdy cast iron pan supports that enhance stability and maintain proper cooking hygiene.
The CEO of the US chipmaker Intel has been urged by President Donald Trump to step down “immediately” after being accused of having problematic ties to China. He said that CEO Lip-Bu Tan was “highly conflicted” in a social media post, seemingly alluding to Mr Tan’s purported interests in businesses the US claims have ties to the Chinese military.
It is uncommon for a president to order a company CEO to quit. Mr Tan was brought on board in March with the goal of revitalising the tech giant, which was a pioneer in the US chips sector but has recently lagged behind rivals. As part of the endeavour to revive America’s semiconductor manufacturing sector, the US government has given it billions of dollars. Intel said in a statement on 7 August that it was supporting Trump’s “America First agenda” by making large investments in the US.
According to Intel, Lip-Bu Tan, the Board of Directors, and the firm are all steadfastly dedicated to furthering the economic and national security objectives of the United States. The business went on to say that it anticipates continuing to work with the administration.
Intel Limiting its Footprints in USA
Mr Tan, a venture capitalist renowned for his proficiency in the semiconductor sector, is a naturalised US citizen who was born in Malaysia and brought up in Singapore.
In a recent update to investors, he stated that in order to meet consumer demand, the company would be reducing its production investments, including those in the US. In an attempt to “right-size” the company, Intel has already laid off thousands of employees this year.
Stock Market Reacts to Trump’s Comments
Trump, who has previously criticised the company and is planning to increase taxes on the semiconductor industry, attacked Intel, causing its shares to drop more than 3% by midday. Trump stated that Intel’s CEO is extremely conflicted and ought to step down right away. This problem can’t be solved in any other way. But, as both Democrats and Republicans publicly express concerns about national security, Washington has tightened restrictions since Trump’s first term, pushing to sever commercial links between the US and China in the area of advanced technology.
National Security Concerns Intensify
Republican Senator Tom Cotton expressed worries about Trump’s criticism in a letter to Intel’s board this week, stating that Mr Tan’s affiliations cast doubt on Intel’s capacity to manage American taxpayer funds responsibly and adhere to relevant security laws.
Cotton cited Mr Tan’s position as the long-time CEO of Cadence Design Systems, a tech company that entered a guilty plea in July and agreed to pay $140 million to the US over allegations that its Chinese subsidiary had violated US export controls by repeatedly doing business with the nation’s National University of Defence Technology.
With the developing and expanding digital platforms, things (especially shopping) have become extremely handy and fun. You do not need to visit the market or mall to purchase something. Digital platforms and the Internet have made shopping absolutely convenient, and you can have your product on your doorstep. E-commerce websites have shown massive growth graphs and are becoming more popular than physical stores and markets.
Nowadays, every little thing is available on the Internet, and you can purchase any item just by clicking some buttons. From electronics to vegetables, and even Eyewear products are also available online, so that you can purchase anything without getting yourself into any physical activity.
Eyewear plays a very amusing role in our fashion statement. That’s why it needs to be classy and suitable for our face and eyes. The eyewear industry has experienced enormous growth over the past few years. Numerous eyewear brands in India offer you various types of categories and features that would help you in choosing your eyewear product.
And as celebrities promote several popular brands, people become more amused by their style and choice of eyewear. Therefore, these eyewear brands have become more popular. In this article, we present to you some very prominent eyewear brands in India. Let’s get started!
Indian Eyewear Industry and Market Size
According to IMARC, the Indian eyewear market was worth about US$9.7 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow to US$18.6 billion by 2032, with a CAGR of 7.3% between 2024 and 2032. Indian eyewear brands are gaining popularity for offering stylish designs, quality craftsmanship, and affordability to meet the diverse needs of consumers.
India’s growing economy is giving the market a big push. With higher disposable incomes, people are now willing to spend more on luxury eyewear. Greater awareness about eye health, thanks to public initiatives and marketing campaigns, has also encouraged regular eye check-ups and the proper use of corrective lenses.
Online shopping is another growth driver. E-commerce makes it easier for consumers to browse a wide variety of brands and styles from the comfort of their homes. Social media has also influenced the fashion side of eyewear, with global luxury brands introducing stylish, well-crafted designs that appeal especially to Gen Z and Millennials.
The extremely popular online eyewear brand in India, Lenskart, has been promising since 2010. The company was the first-ever eyewear brand to establish itself on an online platform. It made purchasing eyewear products very popular and fun.
Lenskart makes optometrist availability very handy in India. It is customised according to your convenience; you just need to choose a few categories and select some options, after which your eyewear product will be delivered to your address. It is absolutely handy and does not require much of your time.
It offers you the features to try numerous specs just by sitting at home. Moreover, Lenskart offers several other services and options for you to choose your eyewear product according to your choice and preference.
The very prominent and worldwide famous eyewear brand, Polaroid, looks after the proper care of your eyes. The International pioneer eyewear brand whose name came from an amazing invention of polaroid lenses, that changed the definition of optical technology. Polaroid is a leading eyewear brand that offers tons of categories to choose your eyewear product very smoothly.
It was established in the year 1937 by Edwin Land, and since then, it has always maintained its reputation and strengths. Polaroid is now counted among the top leading brands that use polarised lenses.
Prada
Brand
Prada
Founded
1913
Founder
Mario Prada
Headquarters
Milan, Italy
Prada, one of the most prestigious as well as extremely innovative eyewear brands. It is a very famous brand in the industry of luxury and fashionable products. Prada always keeps up with the trends and focuses on the little details. It offers various services and features that would help you choose the standard eyewear product.
Prada is a splendid style for fashion accessories. Also, it is well known for its tremendous refined charm and absolutely promising quality.
When it comes to keeping up with the youth and their fashion trends, Coolwinks is the first preference for eyewear accessories. They offer an extremely cool and amusing collection of products that also includes several discount services.
Coolwinks offers you fashion compliments and always has something new in stock. They offer free shipping and a very promising quality of products. Last year, Coolwinks presented a splendid collection of eyewear products that turned out to be absolutely amazing.
Titan Eye Plus
Brand
Titan Eye+
Founded
2007
Founder
Titan Company Limited (a Tata Group company)
Headquarters
Bengaluru, India
Best Specs Brand in India – Titan Eye+
Titan, a very well-recognised brand that offers the most amazing collection of watches and eyewear products. Titan Eye Plus is a very promising brand that looks after the incredible design and quality of its products. It is counted among the best online eyewear brands in India.
Titan Eye Plus is one of the biggest eyewear brands in India that has more than 550 physical stores all around India. They offer plenty of features, such as try-on to make your choice simpler and amusing. When it comes to eyewear brands, Titan Eye Plus is the company that you can trust blindly.
Fastrack
Brand
Fastrack
Founded
1998
Founder
Titan Company Limited (a Tata Group company)
Headquarters
Bengaluru, India
Top 10 Sunglasses Brands in India – Fastrack
The widely famous brand, Fastrack, has the most incredible collection of watches and eyewear products. The company is very prominent and established in the year 1998 as an urban youth brand. Fastrack always keeps up with trends and steps to the soul of youth by its enormous uprising and adventurous thoughts that come out in its products.
Fastrack is very well known for its super cool and protective sunglasses that can complement your fashion statement with a modest look. It catches the unique style and applies it to their products. Fastrack is very promising when it comes to product quality and design. It offers a great collection of products for all your moods and attire.
The company was established in 1975, Oakley as a subsidiary of Luxottica, a great Italian company. Oakley is counted among the most standard and top sunglasses brands. It works by designing, styling, and developing great products for every fashion attire, as well as sports performance tools.
Oakley is an absolutely promising eyewear brand that would never disappoint you, even in the worst temperature and weather. It has a wide range of products for all purposes and occasions.
Carrera
Brand
Carrera
Founded
1956
Founder
Wilhelm Anger
Headquarters
Padua, Italy (under Safilo Group)
Top 10 Eyeglasses Brands – Carrera
Carrera is an Italian brand, part of the Safilo Group of Industries. It was established in 1956, and since then, it has been serving high-quality eyewear products. Carrera looks after the enormous range of products that holds an accurate manner of style and design. It mainly manufactures sports eyewear and sunglasses. It is one of the top sunglasses brands in India.
Carrera offers a wide range of eyewear products that include an array of lenses, shapes, and frames, together with some great iconic and protective features.
Eyedo
Brand
Eyedo
Founded
2012
Founder
Ronen Yemini
Headquarters
Mumbai, India
Specs Brands in India – Eyedo.in
The very well-known and prominent online eyewear brand, Eyedo, offers a great variety of products for all your choices. Although its online journey began recently, it has been serving physical stores for more than 25 years in the market.
Eyedo is extremely promising and a great choice for eyewear products. You can rely on this brand. Eyedo offers great features as well as an incredible collection of eyewear products. It makes purchasing eyewear products very handy and wonderful. With its online stores, it is now serving its customers with great expansion.
Ray-Ban
Brand
Ray-Ban
Founded
1937
Founder
Leonardo Del Vecchio
Headquarters
New York City, New York, USA
Top Eyewear Brands in India – Ray-Ban
The American-based brand, established in the year 1937, Ray-Ban, offers a great collection of eyeglasses and sunglasses. It possesses a very amusing collection of designs that are proven to be very classy, timeless, and the latest trend.
Ray-Ban eyewear products complement your fashion with a great mixture of style and practicality. Wayfarers and aviators are the most famous products of Ray-Ban.
Eyewear has always been pretty amazing in complementing your fashion style. It adds more charm and style to your getup and makes you look more elegant and classy. That’s why it’s very necessary to choose the right eyewear product that suits your eyes, face, and style perfectly.
Several sunglasses and eyewear brands in India offer you great features and services to make your purchase more fun and precise. These brands include a great collection of products right for your mood and style.
Several brands even keep up with the trends to provide you with the latest fashion and design of eyewear products. It’s essential to choose the right product for you. Therefore, through this article, you know the most promising eyewear brands in India.
FAQs
Which is the best spectacles brand in India?
Some of the best eyewear brands in India are:
Titan Spectacles
GKB Spectacles
Fastrack Spectacles
Ray-Ban Spectacles
Tag Heuer Spectacles
Who owns Coolwinks?
Essilor International owns the Indian eyewear brand Coolwinks.
Which is the best eyewear brand?
Some of the best eyewear brands are:
Lenskart
Polaroid
Prada
Coolwinks
Titan Eye PLus
Fastrack
Oakley
Carrera
Eyedo
Ray-Ban
Which spectacle lenses are best in India?
Best spectacle lenses are:
Crizal
Varilux
Eyezen
Xperio
Optifog
Who owns Lanskart?
Peyush Bansal owns Lenskart. He is the founder and CEO of Lenskart.
It was TCS last month, Microsoft just two days ago, and now Dell. Layoff season strikes Dell, with reports by CNR stating that Dell’s New Logo acquisition team might be wiped out entirely. 2025 hasn’t been a good year for corporate employees worldwide, and the upcoming days don’t look promising either. Many others are still holding their seats tight at Dell because the company reportedly fired several who thought they were safe yesterday. The report also indicates that Dell will lay off more in the upcoming days, meaning broken trust and shaken will for its employees. Did AI cause trouble again?
How Many Were Laid Off By Dell?
Dell hasn’t confirmed the exact number at the moment. However, based on the reports and findings by CNR, about 150 employees were onboard with the ‘New Logo’ team. If what was suggested (the New Logo team being wiped out) was true, then you can estimate that part of the number.
These employees were put on a task to acquire the commercial and enterprise clients who hadn’t done business with the company for three years. Now, Dell no longer sees the value in maintaining the team. Dell’s sales organization is said to have taken a major hit, too. A few were sent to another team to fit into new roles, and the other were let go.
It is also suspected that Dell was in collaboration with Bain & Company, the global management consulting firm, when the layoffs occurred. It is said that Bain & Company pointed fingers at middle management, frontline staff, and others. As a result, Dell also terminated their employment.
What AI Has to Do With Dell Laying Off Employees?
Dell is now working with AI servers. These are high-performance computers specifically designed to run artificial intelligence. The company garnered $12.1 billion in orders (AI servers) and also shipped $1.8 billion of them last quarter. However, it’s not entirely AI, but AI is driving the layoffs.
Notably, the company moved from selling to everyone to selling to high-value customers only. Dell had to narrow down the team. Now, if you rethink it, it makes so much sense, why Dell particularly targeted the New Logo and the sales workforce.
Final Thoughts
We don’t know the full impact of the layoffs, the numbers, or the reasons behind them yet. Dell is expected to comment and release its statement about the speculation. We’ll be back as soon as the numbers hit the headlines for you.
A tax demand and penalty order totalling INR 1.34 Cr for the fiscal year 2021–2022 has been issued to Eternal, a food delivery and rapid commerce company.
Tax Order Issued by Lucknow Authorities
According to a stock exchange filing by the firm, which owns Zomato and Blinkit, the order was issued on 6 August by the Deputy Commissioner of State Tax in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, in accordance with Section 74 of the CGST and UPGST Acts. In addition to relevant interest, the total sum consists of INR 67.25 lakh in tax demand and an equal amount in penalty.
Company Plans to Appeal GST Ruling
The overuse of input tax credits and the underpayment of output taxes were the reasons for the increase in demand. In a filing, Eternal said that it thinks the company has a compelling argument on its own merits and that it will appeal the ruling to the relevant authority.
GST Troubles Are Not New for Eternal
Companies like Eternal frequently receive GST notices for non-payment of taxes; in fact, several state government offices have sent out these notices. For example, in December of last year, the CGST and Central Excise of Thane Commissionerate sent Eternal a GST demand notice and a penalty demand of INR 803 Cr.
Before that, the company had received GST notices from the governments of West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Haryana within the previous 12 months.
Financial Performance: Profit Drop Despite Revenue Surge
In terms of finances, the company’s first-quarter net profit for FY26 dropped 90% to INR 25 Cr from INR 253 during the same period last year. From INR 4,206 Cr in Q1 FY25 to INR 7,167 Cr, Eternal’s operating revenue increased by more than 70%.
The penalty coincides with reports that Antfin, an Alibaba Group unit, will sell 18.8 Cr shares of Eternal in a block deal valued at around INR 5,375 Cr. At the conclusion of the June quarter, Antfin owned 1.95% of Eternal, according to the company’s shareholding that was listed on exchanges.
NRAI Demands Clarity on Zomato’s Long-Distance Fee
The National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI) has chosen to speak with Zomato this month after a flurry of restaurant complaints regarding the food tech giant’s recently implemented long-distance service charge.
According to various media reports, the restaurant industry association had preliminary talks with Deepinder Goyal, the CEO of Zomato parent company Eternal, about the matter and intends to meet with him this month to try to find a solution.
Zomato announced in May of this year that, regardless of order value, it would charge restaurants a service fee of INR 15 for deliveries within 4 to 6 km and INR 25 to INR 35 for deliveries over 6 km.
Restaurants are furious about this action. Zomato asserts that it sets a 30% commission cap on restaurant orders, but eateries complain that this cap has been violated as a result of the new long-distance price.
Using AI in academics is a no-brainer. A survey by the Digital Education Council (a global alliance of universities and industry experts) shows that about 86% of students use AI in their studies. Roughly 66% use ChatGPT specifically. And around 89% use it for their homework. Well, finished in seconds, but who is getting smart, here? Not certainly the students. Many parents believe that this approach goes well against the purpose of doing homework. That’s why ChatGPT came with a “Study Mode”, and Gemini is joining the list next with ‘Guided Learning.’ Will Gemini make independent learning less dependent on AI, or is it just a fancy new feature addition?
Gemini’s Guided Learning
Google launched ‘Guided Learning’ on Wednesday (August 7), just a week after OpenAI tossed ‘Study Mode’ on ChatGPT (July 29). According to Google, the feature adds value to students like a tutor, let’s say a study buddy. Unlike the usual AI use, the tool shifts into a complete study mode. Instead of pushing answers, the AI helps the user understand the how, what, and whys of the subject matter.
How Gemini’s Guided Learning Works?
When given a problem, Guided Learning breaks it down step by step.
In Guided Learning, everything follows an order, unlike a question-and-answer flow.
It gives simple to simpler explanations based on the level of one’s understanding.
Incorporates images, videos, diagrams, and short quizzes to keep the learning engaging.
Students can now ask the AI to make flashcards and study guides for their exams.
Hereafter, Guided Learning will include relevant YouTube videos whenever necessary.
Bonuses From Google
Google rolled out a special bonus to students from the U.S., Japan, Indonesia, Korea, or Brazil: 1 year free access to its AI Pro plan.
The bonus will give students access to:
Gemini 2.5 Pro
NotebookLM (it’s like a smart notebook)
Veo 3 (for videos)
Deep Research Tools and more.
In a recent blog post, Maureen Heymans, VP of Learning, Google, wrote, “We worked with educators to design Guided Learning to be a partner in their teaching, built on the core principle that real learning is an active, constructive process. It encourages students to move beyond answers and develop their own thinking by guiding them with questions that foster critical thought,” said Google VP of Learning.”
Final Thoughts
With 86% of students using AI daily for learning and a rise in plagiarism, Google and OpenAI are implementing necessary improvements. Only time can say if these features are any help to students. We’ll be bringing more news and stats on every new update the world gets.
On 7 August 2025, RENÉE Cosmetics made headlines by raising $30 million in its Series C, achieving a $200 million valuation, a testament to its strong growth trajectory and omnichannel ambitions. Meanwhile, in the IT sector, TCS announced upcoming salary hikes for 80% of its workforce, set to take effect from 1 September, even as it proceeds with layoffs, highlighting a careful balancing act between retention and restructuring. Here’s your quick roundup for the top funding deals and key business highlights in India today.
Daily Indian Funding Digest – 7 August 2025
Company
Funding Round
Amount Raised
Lead Investors
RENÉE Cosmetics
Series C
$30 million
Playbook (with secondaries from Midas)
MangoPoint
Pre‑Series A
$1 million
Inflection Point Ventures
Outzidr
Pre‑Series A
₹27 crore (~$3.1 million)
RTP Global (with Stellaris Venture Partners)
Nuuk
Follow‑on Round
Over $2 million (~₹19 crore)
Vertex Ventures SEA & Good Capital
NPrep
Pre‑seed
Undisclosed amount
All In Capital, IIMA Ventures, Chegg founder & others
Xovian Aerospace
Pre‑seed
$2.5 million
Piper Serica & TurboStart (with IPV & Eaglewings)
RENÉE Cosmetics Raised $30 Million at $200 Million Valuation
Beauty brand RENÉE Cosmetics has raised $30 million in Series C funding, reaching a $200 million valuation. The round was led by Playbook, with secondary transactions involving Midas. RENÉE aims to drive product innovation, expand its omnichannel presence, and scale its technology and marketing initiatives. The company currently posts an ARR of ₹500 crore and plans to double that figure within two years.
MangoPoint Raised $1 Million in Pre-Series A Round Led by IPV
Chennai-based MangoPoint, which offers chemical-free mangoes through a controlled supply chain, has secured $1 million in a Pre-Series A round led by Inflection Point Ventures. The fresh capital will be used to enhance infrastructure, expand into new markets, develop backend systems, and grow the product portfolio. MangoPoint currently manages over 2,000 MT of mangoes annually.
Outzidr Raised INR 27 Crore (~$3.1 Million) in Pre-Series A Round
Gen-Z fashion startup Outzidr raised INR 27 crore (~$3.1 million) in a Pre-Series A round led by RTP Global, with additional backing from existing investor Stellaris Venture Partners. Founded in 2024 and launched in February 2025, the company boasts over 100,000 customers and has released 8,000 styles. The funds will help Outzidr launch its first exclusive offline store by March 2026 and scale teams across tech, design, and operations.
Nuuk Raised Over $2 Million in Follow-on Round
D2C home appliance brand Nuuk has raised over $2 million (~₹19 crore) in a follow-on round led by Vertex Ventures SEA and Good Capital. Both had previously participated in Nuuk’s Series A round. With total funding now exceeding $10 million, the company will use the new capital to strengthen its domestic supply chain, increase brand visibility, and boost product development.
NPrep Raised Undisclosed Pre-Seed Funding Led by All In Capital
AI-driven nursing education platform NPrep raised an undisclosed pre-seed round led by All In Capital, with participation from IIMA Ventures, Chegg founder Aayush Phumbhra, and other angels. The platform currently supports over 2 million learners monthly and has onboarded 40,000 users in the last six months. NPrep plans to expand course offerings, enhance AI features, and grow its placement partnerships.
Xovian Aerospace Raised $2.5 Million in Pre-Seed Round
Spacetech firm Xovian Aerospace raised $2.5 million in pre-seed funding led by Piper Serica and TurboStart, with additional support from Inflection Point Ventures and Eaglewings Ventures. The Bengaluru-based startup focuses on AI-powered RF nanosatellite systems. The funding will support the development of space-ready hardware, R&D, and upcoming orbital trials.
Key News Highlights from 7 August 2025
Kalaari and Iron Pillar Offload INR 443 Crore Bluestone Stakes Ahead of IPO
Early-stage investors Kalaari Capital and Iron Pillar Fund exited a combined INR 443 crore stake in Bluestone through secondary transactions between February and September 2024. Iron Pillar sold shares worth INR 103 crore to 360 One, while Kalaari conducted two tranches, INR 220 crore to Peak XV on 2 September and ₹120 crore to Steadview Capital on 26 September, priced at INR 5,403 per share. These off-market transfers were disclosed in Bluestone’s December 2024 DRHP, ahead of its upcoming IPO, which now targets a valuation near INR 7,800 crore.
PharmEasy CEO Siddharth Shah Steps Down; Rahul Guha to Take Over
Siddharth Shah, co-founder and current CEO of API Holdings (parent of PharmEasy), is stepping down from his executive role to become Vice Chairman and Director, effective 27 August 2025. Rahul Guha, currently MD and CEO of Thyrocare and President of Operations at API, has been appointed as the new MD & CEO of API Holdings. Guha will continue to lead Thyrocare alongside his new responsibilities.
TCS to Hike Wages for 80% of Workforce from 1 September Amid Layoffs
Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) will implement delayed annual salary increases for 80% of its workforce, specifically eligible employees up to grade C3A, covering freshers to mid‑level staff, effective 1 September 2025. This decision follows a five-month delay in the appraisal cycle amid planned layoffs affecting over 12,000 mid and senior-level employees. Wage hikes are estimated to range from 4.5% to 7%, with some variation by onshore/offshore roles.
Adani Power announced on 7 August that it had obtained a Letter of Intent (LoI) to invest $3 billion in the development and operation of a 2,400 MW greenfield thermal power project in Bihar.
2,400 MW Thermal Project to Supply Power to Bihar Utilities
North Bihar Power Distribution Company Ltd. (NBPDCL) and South Bihar Power Distribution Company Ltd. (SBPDCL) will receive 2,274 MW of power from a 2,400 MW thermal power project that will be built at Pirpainti in the Bhagalpur District of Bihar, thanks to the bid that India’s largest private sector thermal power generator won from Bihar State Power Generation Company Ltd. (BSPGCL).
In a very competitive bidding procedure, Adani Power came in last with a final supply price of INR 6.075 per kWh. A greenfield 3×800 MW ultra-supercritical power plant, to be established under the Design, Build, Finance, Own, and Operate (DBFOO) model, will provide power as part of the contract.
Project Timeline: First Unit to Be Commissioned in 48 Months
Within 48 months of the scheduled date, the first unit will be put into service, and the last one within 60 months. Adani Power’s CEO, S.B. Khyalia, expressed the company’s satisfaction at winning the proposal to build and run a 2,400 MW thermal power project in Bihar.
With a $3 billion investment, it will establish a new greenfield factory that will help the state’s industrialisation even further. He added that the plant will be a state-of-the-art, low-emission Ultra-supercritical, one that will provide reliable, reasonably priced, and high-quality power.
It is anticipated that the project will create 10,000–12,000 direct and indirect jobs during development and 3,000 after it is operational.
SHAKTI Policy to Provide Fuel Linkage
Fuel for the plant will come from the designated coal linkage under the Central government’s SHAKTI Policy. According to the corporation, the Power Supply Agreement (PSA) with the State Utilities would be signed after it receives the LoA (Letter of Award) in due order.
The biggest private thermal power producer in India is Adani Power, which is a component of the Adani portfolio. In addition to a 40 MW solar power plant in Gujarat, the corporation has an installed thermal power capacity of 18,110 MW distributed across 12 power plants in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Tamil Nadu.
Acquisition Watch: Adani Group Bids for Jaiprakash Associates
According to media sources, the Adani group has emerged as the front-runner to purchase Jaiprakash Associates Ltd (JAL), which is presently going through insolvency processes, with a bid of up to INR 12,500 crore.
With no limitations attached, the company has offered an upfront payment of about INR 8,000 crore.
However, if a legal issue pertaining to its JP’s sports city project is settled, Dalmia Group is anticipated to present a serious challenge to Adani Group and maybe outbid Adani’s offer. The Supreme Court of India is still considering the matter.
OpenAI is officially launching its new AI model, GPT-5, possibly this month, but oops. Oops, because some key information about GPT-5 was accidentally leaked on GitHub. The drama drew quick attention, and the blog was soon deleted. However, the details remain forever on the internet. The blog confirms that the new version will be available starting today (August 7) and will be accessible on GitHub models. What more did the blog leak about GPT-5?
What Information About GPT-5 Leaked?
The highly anticipated GPT-5 is seemingly setting higher standards for its users worldwide. The deleted blog on GitHub offers a glimpse of what will come to life after its launch. The leaked blog post on GitHub suggested that GPT-5 is the most powerful model OpenAI has ever developed. In addition, the tool has improved at having smarter conversations.
The model excels at:
Writing quality code with minimal inputs.
Handling complex tasks with few prompts.
Providing accurate code explanations and reasoning.
Serving as a better assistant for its users.
What Are The Different Versions of GPT-5?
Reportedly, GPT-5 has four variants for four different needs:
1. gpt-5 – Made for multi-tasking and logic. 2. gpt-5-mini – Designed as a light-weight version for budget-conscious applications. 3. gpt-5-nano – Acts super speed for applications that need quick replies. 4. gpt-5-chat – Made for human-like (context-aware) conversations for businesses (enterprise applicants).
Cost of GPT-5?
Such a high-end launch can make one wonder whether payment is required to access GPT-5. Here’s a clear breakdown of access for different ChatGPT users.
A regular ChatGPT user will have access to a standard intelligence level of GPT-5. There is no need for any pay at this level.
ChatGPT Plus users can access GPT-5 at higher intelligence settings. If you want to get your hands on new GPT-5 you’ll have to subscribe at $20 (about ₹1,750) per month.
ChatGPT Pro users can access the advanced intelligence level of GPT-5. To unlock the advanced features, you’ll have to subscribe for $200 per month (₹17550 INR per month).
GPT-5 Will Be Available On?
The developers can now play around with GPT-5 in GitHub via tools and APIs. An average ChatGPT user can access the new version on the website and mobile applications
Users can access Microsoft Copilot in Word and Excel as usual. CPT-5 in Copilot will introduce a new “Smart Mode.” The latest version will work according to your needs and help you work faster and smarter.
Former Google executive Mo Gawdat issued a warning on the Diary of a CEO podcast, stating that middle-class livelihoods would soon be destroyed by artificial intelligence (AI). He predicted that automation driven by AI would end all occupations, from podcasters to software engineers and CEOs, and that the disruption would start as early as 2027, a time he referred to as “hell before we get to heaven”.
How AI is Replacing White-Collar Jobs
Gawdat mentioned his own company, Emma.love, an AI-enabled emotional and relationship-focused firm currently operated by just three people. Gawdat was the Chief Business Officer at Google X until 2018. On the other hand, similar operations once employed as many as 350 developers. He said, “As a matter of fact, podcaster is going to be replaced,” highlighting the sheer number of jobs being lost.
He also cautioned that the educated middle class, which is the foundation of contemporary economies, will be destroyed by the impending wave of automation. “Unlike previous revolutions that largely affected manual work, this one will sweep through offices and jobs once thought secure.”
The Decline of the Middle Class
A grim future of growing inequality and deteriorating social cohesiveness was depicted by Gawdat. He projected that people would lose their economic significance unless they were among the top 0.1%. He went on to say that you are a peasant until you are among the top 0.1%. The middle class does not exist.
As people lose their purpose and their careers, he cautioned of an increase in mental health problems, loneliness, and discontent. In spite of his dire cautions, Gawdat nevertheless outlined a positive outlook for the years after 2040. He envisioned a world freed from consumerist ideals and routine work, one that prioritised love, community, creativity, and spirituality.
But in order for this to occur, he contended, governments and businesses need to take immediate action, putting in place safeguards like universal basic income and moral, value-based AI development, as reported by the New York Post. He informed Bartlett that although the world is on the verge of a short-term dystopia, we still have the power to determine what happens next. He added that fair access and regulation have a critical role in determining results.
Industry Experts Echo Concerns
The tech and scientific research community is becoming increasingly concerned, as seen by Gawdat’s warnings. Up to half of entry-level office jobs could go in the next five years, according to Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, who has warned of a possible “white-collar bloodbath”.
According to Harvard experts, approximately 35% of white-collar jobs are now automatable, and 40% of businesses globally anticipate staff cutbacks as a result of AI breakthroughs, according to a World Economic Forum study. His worries about plummeting wages, high wealth concentration, and increased social volatility are also echoed by a number of organisations, including MIT and PwC, unless significant legislative actions are implemented.
Another source of worry is the recent warning from Geoffrey Hinton, who is frequently called the “Godfather of AI”, that AI models may create secret internal languages that are incomprehensible to humans, making it hard to decipher their motivations and reasoning processes.
