Pramod Thomas is a senior correspondent with Asian Media Group since 2020, bringing 19 years of journalism experience across business, politics, sports, communities, and international relations. His career spans both traditional and digital media platforms, with eight years specifically focused on digital journalism. This blend of experience positions him well to navigate the evolving media landscape and deliver content across various formats. He has worked with national and international media organisations, giving him a broad perspective on global news trends and reporting standards.
NARAYANA MURTHY, the co-founder of Infosys and father-in-law of former UK prime minister Rishi Sunak, has reignited controversy with his advocacy for a 70-hour work week.
Speaking at a leadership summit, the 78-year-old billionaire criticised the notion of "work-life balance," describing it as detrimental to India’s productivity.
Murthy expressed disappointment over India’s shift to a five-day work week in 1986, calling the change a missed opportunity for economic growth.
“Frankly, I was not happy when we moved from a six-day week to a five-day week. In this country, there is no substitute for hard work, even if you’re the most intelligent person,” he was quoted as saying.
He cited Indian prime minister Narendra Modi as an example of relentless dedication, claiming Modi works up to 100 hours a week without holidays.
According to him, hard work is crucial if India is to compete globally and urged young people to take responsibility for the nation’s progress.
“In this country, there’s no substitute for hard work. Even the smartest people must work hard. I stand by my opinion and will hold onto it until my last breath," he said.
“My request to youngsters is simple: say, ‘This is my country, and I’m willing to work 70 hours a week."
Murthy reflected on his own career, during which he worked 14-hour days, six and a half days a week. “I’m very proud of it,” he remarked, maintaining that his views on hard work are deeply ingrained and unchangeable.
Murthy’s remarks have sparked widespread debate across India, with critics highlighting the already gruelling work culture many Indians endure. Reports from the International Labour Organisation show that Indian workers clock in over 2,000 hours annually on average—significantly higher than their counterparts in countries like the US and Germany.
For many in India’s informal economy, weekends are a luxury. Labourers, drivers, and delivery workers often work long hours just to make ends meet. However, younger professionals are questioning the practicality of Murthy’s suggestions.
“At the end of the day, companies treat us as numbers. Why should I sacrifice my well-being for a job that offers no security?” said Atish Fernandes, a 28-year-old web designer from Delhi. “We value a balanced life over burning out.”
Samsung unveils Galaxy Z Fold 7, Z Flip 7, and Z Flip 7 FE at Unpacked event in New York
Galaxy Watch 8 series revealed with upgraded health and fitness tracking
AI and performance take priority across devices
All products available for pre-order now, releasing on 25 July 2025
New York event showcases Samsung’s foldable future
Samsung Unpacked July 2025, the company’s second major launch event of the year, took place today in New York and brought a strong focus on foldables and wearable innovation. Leading the announcements were the next-generation Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7 series, alongside a reimagined Galaxy Watch 8 lineup. All devices are now available for pre-order and will be released globally on 25 July.
The event reinforced Samsung’s commitment to flexible form factors and AI-powered experiences, with its foldables and wearables receiving notable upgrades in design, display, performance, and health tracking.
Galaxy Z Fold 7 leads with power and portability
The flagship announcement was the Galaxy Z Fold 7, which Samsung described as its “thinnest, lightest, and most advanced” foldable yet. Weighing just 215g, the device is lighter than the Galaxy S25 Ultra but retains a premium 8-inch AMOLED inner display and a 6.5-inch cover screen.
Running on the new Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chip, the Fold 7 boasts significant performance gains, particularly in AI and graphics. Camera improvements include the first 200MP sensor on a Galaxy Z device, while AI features such as Gemini Live and Circle to Search highlight Samsung’s growing investment in smart interaction.
Available in Jetblack, Blue Shadow, and Silver Shadow, with an exclusive Mint colour on Samsung’s website, the Fold 7 starts at £1,749 and comes in storage options up to 1TB.
Galaxy Z Flip 7 and FE bring flexibility to more users
Samsung also introduced the Galaxy Z Flip 7 and the more affordable Z Flip 7 FE. The standard Flip 7 arrives with the largest and brightest FlexWindow yet, measuring 4.1 inches with up to 2,600 nits of brightness. Inside is a 6.9-inch main display, an improved 4,300mAh battery, and a dual camera setup featuring a 50MP wide lens.
The Flip 7 is the first in the series to support Samsung DeX, bringing desktop-like productivity to a foldable clamshell.
For those seeking a more budget-friendly option, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE retains key features, including a 6.7-inch main screen and 50MP FlexCam, starting at £799.
The Galaxy Z Flip 7 starts at £949, available in Jetblack, Blue Shadow, Coralred, and an exclusive Mint variant on Samsung.com.
Galaxy Watch 8 series focuses on wellbeing
Alongside the foldables, Samsung used the Samsung Unpacked stage to launch its Galaxy Watch 8 series, with a strong emphasis on health and performance.
The standard Galaxy Watch 8 is 11% thinner than its predecessor and features 3,000 nits peak brightness, a new 3nm processor, dual-frequency GPS, and upgraded BioActive sensors. Features include improved sleep tracking, a Vascular Load monitor, and an Energy Score that combines physical and mental data to provide wellness insights.
Other models in the series include the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic, which revives the rotating bezel design, and the Galaxy Watch Ultra, which boasts Samsung’s longest battery life in a smartwatch and comes in premium titanium finishes.
Galaxy Watch 8 starts at £299 (Bluetooth) and £349 (LTE)
Galaxy Watch 8 Classic starts at £449 (Bluetooth) and £499 (LTE)
Galaxy Watch Ultra starts at £579, with up to 64GB of storage
AI integration across the board
Artificial intelligence played a key role in Samsung’s announcements, with One UI 8 on Android 16 powering many of the new features. Gemini Live, Samsung’s multimodal AI assistant, allows contextual queries based on what’s on screen. Circle to Search, a tool allowing users to circle content to get real-time information, has also received upgrades for smoother performance in apps and games.
- YouTube YouTube/ Samsung
Looking ahead: tri-fold on the horizon?
While not formally launched, Samsung hinted at its next frontier—a potential tri-fold display device. Though no dates or specs were confirmed, teasers shown during the event suggest that the company’s foldable ambitions may soon expand beyond the familiar Flip and Fold categories.
With Samsung Unpacked 2025 complete, the tech giant has once again positioned itself at the forefront of foldable innovation and wearable wellness, setting the tone for the rest of the year’s mobile landscape.
By clicking the 'Subscribe’, you agree to receive our newsletter, marketing communications and industry
partners/sponsors sharing promotional product information via email and print communication from Garavi Gujarat
Publications Ltd and subsidiaries. You have the right to withdraw your consent at any time by clicking the
unsubscribe link in our emails. We will use your email address to personalize our communications and send you
relevant offers. Your data will be stored up to 30 days after unsubscribing.
Contact us at data@amg.biz to see how we manage and store your data.
Cardi B continues her bold fashion streak with floral runway glamour
Cardi B wore a ruby-red custom Rahul Mishra gown with sculptural 3D flowers at Paris Couture Week.
The outfit followed her earlier dramatic appearance at Schiaparelli in a fringe dress with a live crow.
She’s currently working on her debut album Am I the Drama? and a beauty venture with Revolve.
The look featured diamond accessories, a sculpted bun, and smoky makeup to match the theatrical dress.
Cardi B took her fashion game to new heights in Paris, stepping out in a dramatic Rahul Mishra creation that fused red carpet glamour with runway sculpture. The rapper’s custom-made gown, featuring 3D blooming flowers and a shimmering ruby base, was a highlight at Paris Haute Couture Week, making it one of her most talked-about looks this season.
Cardi B's red gown features 3D sculpted flowers and intricate embroideryInstagram/rahulmishra_7
The Rahul Mishra dress with blooming details
Cardi’s gown, from Rahul Mishra’s autumn 2025 collection, brought together intricate hand-embroidery with sculptural design. The dress, in a deep red shade covered in tiny rhinestones, caught the light with every movement. Beaded detailing mimicked vines climbing up her silhouette, and from behind, eight large flowers unfolded in a wire structure, making her look like a walking floral sculpture.
This bold look came just hours after her appearance at Schiaparelli, where she wore a structured black dress complete with a live crow perched on her arm. But it was Mishra’s floral fantasy that stole attention, and not just for its complexity, but for how effortlessly Cardi carried it.
Rahul Mishra’s couture creation turns heads on the Paris streetsInstagram/rahulmishra_7
A beauty look to match the drama
To complement the outfit, Cardi B kept her beauty choices both elegant and powerful. Her hair was pulled back into a low bun with styled baby hairs, a signature she’s owned over the years. She wore a diamond choker, drop earrings, and a bracelet that added more sparkle without competing with the dress. Her makeup leaned into drama too: smoky eyes, winged liner, and sharp black nails.
Known for pushing boundaries on red carpets, Cardi often prioritises fashion over beauty. “Great outfit. Every time,” she once said, emphasising how first impressions are made by what you wear.
Cardi B steps out in a custom Rahul Mishra dress at Paris Couture WeekInstagram/rahulmishra_7
Album on the way, beauty line next
Beyond couture, Cardi B is focused on finishing her long-anticipated debut album Am I the Drama?, while also preparing to enter the beauty industry with Revolve. Speaking to WWD, she hinted that both ventures are deeply personal, aimed at building a brand that reflects both her roots and spirit.
Whether she’s teasing a new single or stepping out in sculptural fashion, Cardi B continues to command attention, not by playing it safe, but by transforming every appearance into a performance of its own.
Keep ReadingShow less
This is also part of Mattel’s mission to extend the boundaries of imaginative play
The doll features a glucose monitor, insulin pump and CGM app
Created in collaboration with type 1 diabetes charity Breakthrough T1D
Part of Mattel’s broader push for inclusivity and representation in toys
Barbie with type 1 diabetes joins inclusive fashionistas range
Mattel has launched its first diabetes Barbie doll, designed to represent children with type 1 diabetes and promote greater inclusivity in children’s toys.
The new addition to the Barbie Fashionistas line comes with realistic medical features including a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) on her arm, secured with heart-shaped medical tape, and an insulin pump to help manage her blood sugar levels. She also carries a smartphone with a CGM app to monitor glucose throughout the day, and a bag large enough to store snacks and other essentials.
Designed in partnership with Breakthrough T1D
The diabetes Barbie doll was developed in collaboration with Breakthrough T1D, a global not-for-profit organisation supporting people with type 1 diabetes (T1D). The autoimmune condition typically develops in childhood and requires patients to monitor their blood glucose and take insulin regularly.
Krista Berger, senior vice-president of Barbie and global head of dolls, described the launch as “an important step in our commitment to inclusivity and representation.”
“Barbie helps shape children’s early perceptions of the world, and by reflecting medical conditions like T1D, we ensure more kids can see themselves in the stories they imagine and the dolls they love,” she said.
Karen Addington, CEO of Breakthrough T1D UK, welcomed the collaboration: “I’m absolutely thrilled that Barbie now includes a doll with type 1 diabetes. For children with T1D who don’t often see themselves represented, this doll will be a powerful role model, celebrating their strength and bringing recognition, inclusion and joy to their play.”
A growing legacy of inclusive design
Since the original Barbie’s debut in 1959, the brand has evolved to reflect greater diversity. The first Black Barbie dolls were introduced in the 1960s, followed by Hispanic dolls in the 1980s. From the 1990s onwards, Mattel expanded the range to include Barbies in under-represented careers such as astronauts and scientists.
It wasn’t until 2019 that Barbie dolls with visible disabilities were introduced. Since then, Mattel has launched more than 175 diverse Barbie looks as part of the Fashionistas range, which now includes dolls with hearing aids, prosthetic limbs, wheelchairs, vitiligo, and Down’s syndrome. A black Barbie with Down’s syndrome and a blind Barbie are also part of the line.
The diabetes Barbie doll continues that trend, offering children with the condition a chance to see themselves positively reflected in their toys.
Industry-wide shift toward representation
Barbie is not the only toy brand prioritising diversity. UK-based brand Lottie includes dolls with autism and Down’s syndrome, while Lego offers a variety of inclusive minifigures, including characters with physical and non-visible disabilities.
Arjun Panesar, founding chief executive of Diabetes.co.uk, praised Mattel’s decision, stating: “Representation matters – especially in childhood. Seeing a Barbie doll with type 1 diabetes helps normalise the condition, reduce stigma and show children that they are not alone.
“It’s a positive step forward in building confidence, inclusion and understanding around living with diabetes.”
Promoting empathy through play
The launch of the diabetes Barbie doll is not just about inclusion—it is also part of Mattel’s mission to extend the boundaries of imaginative play. The company says the goal is to encourage children to engage with experiences beyond their own, helping them to understand the challenges others may face.
As Barbie continues to evolve, the inclusion of realistic medical conditions such as type 1 diabetes signals a more inclusive future for toys and the children who play with them.
Keep ReadingShow less
Rajkummar Rao and Patralekhaa expecting first child, share news with sweet Instagram post
Rajkummar Rao and Patralekhaa announced their pregnancy via a joint Instagram post on Wednesday.
The image showed a floral cradle with “Baby on the way” written on it, captioned simply: “Elated ❤️.”
Industry friends including Farah Khan, Sonam Kapoor, Bhumi Pednekar, and Esha Gupta congratulated them.
The couple, who were together for 11 years before marrying in 2021, recently launched their production house, KAMPA Film.
Rajkummar Rao and Patralekhaa shared that they are expecting their first child together in a joint Instagram post on Wednesday. The announcement came with a floral-themed image featuring a cradle illustration that read, “Baby on the way,” along with their names. The couple summed up their feelings in one word: “Elated.”
Rajkummar Rao and Patralekhaa smiling during a public appearance earlier this year Instagram/patralekhaa/rajkummar_rao
Couple’s first baby on the way
Rajkummar and Patralekhaa’s quiet reveal drew instant love from fans and colleagues alike. Filmmaker Farah Khan, who knew beforehand, joked in the comments, “Finally the news is out!! I was having a tough time keeping it to myself.” Others like Sonam Kapoor, Bhumi Pednekar, Neha Dhupia, and Esha Gupta also sent in their warm wishes.
The duo dated for over 11 years before tying the knot in November 2021. Their relationship began well before they co-starred in CityLights, a 2014 film directed by Hansal Mehta. They've since appeared together in Bose: Dead/Alive and remained one of the industry’s most low-key but admired couples.
Rajkummar Rao will next be seen in Maalik, set for release on 11 July. He plays a gangster in the crime drama, which also stars Manushi Chhillar and Prosenjit Chatterjee. Patralekhaa, last seen in Phule, continues to balance film and OTT roles.
The couple recently launched KAMPA Film, a production banner named using the initials of their mothers’ names. “We’ve always believed in the power of storytelling,” Patralekhaa shared. Rajkummar added, “KAMPA is an extension of our love for cinema and each other.”
Keep ReadingShow less
Royal Challengers Bengaluru's Virat Kohli (C), along with his teammates, celebrates with the trophy after winning the Indian Premier League (IPL) Twenty20 final cricket match against Punjab Kings at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on June 4, 2025. (Photo by ARUN SANKAR/AFP via Getty Images)
THE Indian Premier League's business value has been estimated at $18.5 billion (£13.5bn) with reigning champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru its wealthiest franchise, according to a report by an investment bank.
The world's richest cricket tournament has been a top revenue earner for the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and in 2020 was estimated to generate more than $11bn (£8bn) a year for the Indian economy.
According to US investment bank Houlihan Lokey, which has valued several sports franchises around the world, the brand value of the 10-team T20 franchise tournament has seen a sharp rise of 13.8 per cent to $3.9bn (£2.8bn) over the past year.
Bengaluru, who along with star player Virat Kohli won their first IPL title this year, have overtaken five-time winners Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians to achieve a brand value of $269 million (£196m). Mumbai is second with $242m (£176m), followed by Chennai at $235m (£171m).
The Houlihan Lokey report called the IPL "a global phenomenon" that has become more than just a cricket league.
"The IPL continues to set benchmarks in sports business. Franchise valuations have soared, media rights deals have reached record highs, and brand partnerships have diversified across sectors," Harsh Talikoti from Houlihan Lokey, said in a statement.
"The league's ability to attract global investors and sponsors reflects its status as a premier sports property with enduring appeal."
Bengaluru beat Punjab Kings for the title at the world's biggest cricket stadium in Ahmedabad in June to conclude the 18th edition of the league.
The report said the 2025 final had more than 678 million views on the official streaming platform JioHotstar, surpassing the India-Pakistan clash during the Champions Trophy in February this year.
The IPL, which is broadcast around the world and features top international stars such as Australia's Pat Cummins and England's Jos Buttler, mixes sport and showbusiness in a glitzy format, with a number of teams fronted by Bollywood movie superstars.
Since it launched in 2008 it has inspired a range of other franchise-based leagues in India in sports as diverse as boxing, badminton, poker and kabaddi, and spawned copycat cricket tournaments elsewhere.