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Business Standard
13-07-2025
- Politics
- Business Standard
With ambition rising, Congress struggles to hold young leaders close
Once a formidable force in Maharashtra, the Congress is facing a silent but steady erosion of its traditional support base as the new generation of several loyalist families, once the party's backbone, are either aligning with rivals or retreating from active politics. This shift is weakening the Congress' organisational depth and compounding its troubles ahead of the crucial local body polls this year, party sources said. Last year, the party faced its worst rout in assembly polls, winning only 16 seats in the 288-member House. It contested 101 seats in alliance with the Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (SP). In recent months, leaders from families with long-standing Congress ties have made moves that reflect the party's diminishing appeal among its once-committed base. Senior Congressman Anant Gadgil, who belongs to perhaps one of the last loyalist families that have remained committed to the party, expressed concern over the spree of desertions by second generation of families associated with the organisation for decades. Gadgil, a third generation politician, told PTI that as a person deeply embedded with the Congress ideology, he was concerned about the future of the 139-year-old party. He said he was disturbed to see that children of his father's (V N Gadgil) colleagues in the Central cabinet and many others have left the Congress and joined the BJP. In Maharashtra, ex-Union minister Milind Deora left the Congress in 2024 and is now a Shiv Sena MP. In Sangli, Satyajit Deshmukh, son of Shivajirao Deshmukh, a staunch Congressman, joined the BJP. "Look at the irony. The BJP which aligned with other parties to unceremoniously remove Shivajirao Deshmukh as chairman of the council later made his son an MLA. In Dhule, Kunal Patil, son of staunch Congressman Rohidas Patil, recently joined the BJP. "In Pune, Sangram Thopte, son of another Congressman and ex-minister Anantrao Thopte, joined the BJP claiming the Congress did not reward him suitably. Rajashri Patil, granddaughter-in-law of Congress stalwart Vasantdada Patil, too, joined the BJP," said Gadgil. "Satyajit Tambe, nephew of senior leader Balasaheb Thorat and once believed to be close to Rahul Gandhi not only became an independent MLC, but also a critic of Rahulji. All of them belonged to the traditional Congress families," the former MLC noted. Archana Patil, daughter-in-law of Congressman Shivraj Patil, moved to the BJP before the 2024 assembly polls and contested from Latur City against Congress' Amit Deshmukh. Gadgil said over the years there has been a change of approach within the Congress which is not going down well with loyalists as well as cadres. "There is a growing feeling among loyalists that party hoppers are immediately rewarded. They point out that in Maharashtra, in last 10-12 years, prominent posts were given to those who had either earlier deserted the Congress or joined Congress with party hopping record. There is an issue of wrong choice of (poll) candidates. Loyal Congressman are unable to digest all this," he argued. According to him, some senior functionaries are of the view the party's national leaders are not getting right feedback. "(Congress MPs) Soniaji, Rahulji and (president Mallikarjun) Khargeji have to look after party affairs in the entire nation. Its wrong to expect them to know everything. Therefore, party observers are appointed during polls. But if observers lack in their assessment, the party suffers," Gadgil contended. He said the Pune Lok Sabha seat was won by his grandfather and later his father several times, but it is now with the BJP whose candidate Murlidhar Mohol defeated Ravindra Dhangekar (Congress) in June 2024. "The Congress fielded a candidate (in LS polls) who had switched two parties. He lost and yet he was repeated for assembly polls (in Nov 2024). He lost that too. Now, he has left the party. All this happened in 9 to 10 months," he noted. The Congress needs to be on streets on issues like EC's "partisan" approach, "mishandling of post-Pahalgam situation" and unemployment, he said. Gadgil said the Congress split in 1969, but swept back to power at the Centre in 1971. "The party lost in 1977, but came back to power at the Centre in 1980. The Congress is like a phoenix," he argued. "Many of these younger politicians don't see a future in the Congress anymore. The organisation is weak. Their switch is more about survival than ideology," noted a senior Congressman, who did not want to be named. Political observers said the problem in the Maharashtra Congress is not just one of defections but of fading generational loyalty. Families that stood by the Congress through decades now find their younger members disconnected from the party's ideological moorings, they said. "Earlier, being with the Congress meant stature, access to Delhi, and legacy. Today, it means being in the opposition without direction," said a political analyst. Congress leaders, however, sought to downplay the impact of exodus of leaders. "Yes, some have left, but these are individual choices. The Congress still has a committed cadre and support among people," said MPCC working president Naseem Khan. A senior leader, who did not wish to be quoted, admitted there is unrest among the new generation of families loyal to the Congress.
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Business Standard
13-07-2025
- Politics
- Business Standard
With ambition rising, Cong struggles to hold young leaders close
Once a formidable force in Maharashtra, the Congress is facing a silent but steady erosion of its traditional support base as the new generation of several loyalist families, once the party's backbone, are either aligning with rivals or retreating from active politics. This shift is weakening the Congress' organisational depth and compounding its troubles ahead of the crucial local body polls this year, party sources said. Last year, the party faced its worst rout in assembly polls, winning only 16 seats in the 288-member House. It contested 101 seats in alliance with the Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (SP). In recent months, leaders from families with long-standing Congress ties have made moves that reflect the party's diminishing appeal among its once-committed base. Senior Congressman Anant Gadgil, who belongs to perhaps one of the last loyalist families that have remained committed to the party, expressed concern over the spree of desertions by second generation of families associated with the organisation for decades. Gadgil, a third generation politician, told PTI that as a person deeply embedded with the Congress ideology, he was concerned about the future of the 139-year-old party. He said he was disturbed to see that children of his father's (V N Gadgil) colleagues in the Central cabinet and many others have left the Congress and joined the BJP. In Maharashtra, ex-Union minister Milind Deora left the Congress in 2024 and is now a Shiv Sena MP. In Sangli, Satyajit Deshmukh, son of Shivajirao Deshmukh, a staunch Congressman, joined the BJP. "Look at the irony. The BJP which aligned with other parties to unceremoniously remove Shivajirao Deshmukh as chairman of the council later made his son an MLA. In Dhule, Kunal Patil, son of staunch Congressman Rohidas Patil, recently joined the BJP. "In Pune, Sangram Thopte, son of another Congressman and ex-minister Anantrao Thopte, joined the BJP claiming the Congress did not reward him suitably. Rajashri Patil, granddaughter-in-law of Congress stalwart Vasantdada Patil, too, joined the BJP," said Gadgil. "Satyajit Tambe, nephew of senior leader Balasaheb Thorat and once believed to be close to Rahul Gandhi not only became an independent MLC, but also a critic of Rahulji. All of them belonged to the traditional Congress families," the former MLC noted. Archana Patil, daughter-in-law of Congressman Shivraj Patil, moved to the BJP before the 2024 assembly polls and contested from Latur City against Congress' Amit Deshmukh. Gadgil said over the years there has been a change of approach within the Congress which is not going down well with loyalists as well as cadres. "There is a growing feeling among loyalists that party hoppers are immediately rewarded. They point out that in Maharashtra, in last 10-12 years, prominent posts were given to those who had either earlier deserted the Congress or joined Congress with party hopping record. There is an issue of wrong choice of (poll) candidates. Loyal Congressman are unable to digest all this," he argued. According to him, some senior functionaries are of the view the party's national leaders are not getting right feedback. "(Congress MPs) Soniaji, Rahulji and (president Mallikarjun) Khargeji have to look after party affairs in the entire nation. Its wrong to expect them to know everything. Therefore, party observers are appointed during polls. But if observers lack in their assessment, the party suffers," Gadgil contended. He said the Pune Lok Sabha seat was won by his grandfather and later his father several times, but it is now with the BJP whose candidate Murlidhar Mohol defeated Ravindra Dhangekar (Congress) in June 2024. "The Congress fielded a candidate (in LS polls) who had switched two parties. He lost and yet he was repeated for assembly polls (in Nov 2024). He lost that too. Now, he has left the party. All this happened in 9 to 10 months," he noted. The Congress needs to be on streets on issues like EC's "partisan" approach, "mishandling of post-Pahalgam situation" and unemployment, he said. Gadgil said the Congress split in 1969, but swept back to power at the Centre in 1971. "The party lost in 1977, but came back to power at the Centre in 1980. The Congress is like a phoenix," he argued. "Many of these younger politicians don't see a future in the Congress anymore. The organisation is weak. Their switch is more about survival than ideology," noted a senior Congressman, who did not want to be named. Political observers said the problem in the Maharashtra Congress is not just one of defections but of fading generational loyalty. Families that stood by the Congress through decades now find their younger members disconnected from the party's ideological moorings, they said. "Earlier, being with the Congress meant stature, access to Delhi, and legacy. Today, it means being in the opposition without direction," said a political analyst. Congress leaders, however, sought to downplay the impact of exodus of leaders. "Yes, some have left, but these are individual choices. The Congress still has a committed cadre and support among people," said MPCC working president Naseem Khan. A senior leader, who did not wish to be quoted, admitted there is unrest among the new generation of families loyal to the Congress.
Business Standard
28-06-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
PrepareBuddy "prepares" to redefine AI-driven transformations in higher education
It sometimes takes only one powerful purpose and vision to create greater positive impact in industries and lives. Founder Ravi Gadgil of PrepareBuddy exemplifies this approach. Based in Ghaziabad, he founded the company this year and has already established significant operations across India. The Engineering and MBA graduate, who worked over 14 years with prominent brands including Delhivery, Meesho, and Tokopedia, brings extensive experience in managing and scaling infrastructure with modern technology. PrepareBuddy has emerged as a complete AI educational ecosystem for universities, colleges, and coaching institutes, powering the entire student journey from career discovery to academic excellence. Comprehensive AI-Powered Offerings PrepareBuddy provides comprehensive solutions spanning the complete academic journey—from psychometric testing for career field selection to preparation for major competitive exams including GRE, GMAT, IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE. The platform's adaptive assessment systems, real-time feedback evaluation, and intelligent quiz generation create personalized learning experiences. Higher education institutions gain access to enterprise-grade assessment infrastructure typically found in premium systems costing hundreds of thousands annually. The platform leverages cutting-edge AI technologies through advanced text generation for personalized content creation, image recognition for visual learning assessment, text-to-voice and voice-to-text capabilities for accessibility, and sophisticated voice pattern recognition for authentic assessment verification. Unlike reactive platforms, PrepareBuddy's AI proactively understands behavioral patterns and anticipates learning needs before students realize them. Measurable Impact: Transforming Institutional Efficiency One recent implementation showcases PrepareBuddy's transformative power. The company's AI-powered Quality Assurance system revolutionized assessment review processes for multiple universities. Previously, institutions spent hundreds of man-hours manually reviewing student assessments and evaluating teacher feedback quality. "What once required teams of administrators working for weeks can now be completed in hours with superior accuracy," explains Mr Gadgil. PrepareBuddy's AI handles this entire process efficiently while maintaining higher quality standards. The system has processed over 50,000 assessments, with universities either integrating it into existing infrastructure or using PrepareBuddy's platform directly. AI Technology in Action The platform delivers specific AI-driven benefits across the educational spectrum. For students beginning their academic journey, psychometric AI analysis helps identify optimal fields of study based on personality traits, interests, and aptitudes. This guidance extends through comprehensive exam preparation where AI tutors provide 24/7 support, adapting teaching methods to individual learning styles. During assessments, PrepareBuddy's adaptive systems adjust question difficulty in real-time based on student performance, ensuring optimal challenge levels. Voice pattern recognition technology enables authentic language proficiency evaluation for IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE preparation, while image recognition capabilities assess visual learning materials and handwritten responses. For educators, AI teaching assistants automate routine tasks, generate personalized quiz content, and provide detailed analytics on student progress. Institutions benefit from behavioral analytics that predict learning outcomes, identify at-risk students early, and recommend intervention strategies. Strategic Market Approach The inspiration originated from recognizing that higher education institutions struggle integrating AI technology into teaching and assessment methods. Traditional learning management systems lack the intelligence and adaptability needed for modern academic environments. "We overcame the challenge of demonstrating AI value to institutions accustomed to traditional methods by initially offering comprehensive evaluation access," notes Mr Gadgil. "This allows universities and colleges to experience our full capabilities before transitioning to premium institutional solutions." This strategic approach differentiates PrepareBuddy from competitors who focus on individual segments. The platform uniquely serves the complete educational spectrum—from career guidance through competitive exam success—within a single, integrated system. Advanced Capabilities Setting New Standards PrepareBuddy's multimodal approach includes voice pattern recognition for language preparation, behavioral analytics predicting learning needs, and adaptive systems adjusting difficulty in real-time. The platform's proactive intelligence doesn't just respond to student queries—it anticipates knowledge gaps, suggests optimal study paths, and provides interventions before students struggle. This represents a fundamental shift from reactive to predictive educational technology, where AI continuously learns from student interactions to optimize learning outcomes across psychometric guidance, exam preparation, and institutional assessment processes. Future Vision and Growth Strategy Looking ahead, PrepareBuddy aims to become the leading AI learning technology provider for higher education institutions worldwide. The company envisions expanding its current evaluation model to premium enterprise solutions offering advanced AI capabilities, custom integrations, and dedicated support. "We're fundamentally transforming how academic institutions operate," explains Mr Gadgil. "Our technology enables universities to redirect resources toward high-value academic activities while maintaining superior quality standards through AI." As PrepareBuddy continues onboarding universities and refining its comprehensive AI offerings, the platform stands positioned to redefine higher education's digital transformation through measurable, end-to-end solutions.
Fashion Network
17-06-2025
- Business
- Fashion Network
India's PNG Jewellers launches lightweight jewellery brand as gold prices surge
India's P N Gadgil Jewellers on Tuesday launched Litestyle, a new sub-brand for lightweight and lower-carat jewellery, as record gold prices push consumers towards more budget-friendly options. Gold prices have jumped sharply in the past few months, but consumers' budgets haven't risen in the same proportion, leading them to look for budget-friendly options, Saurabh Gadgil, chairman of the Pune-based company, told Reuters. The lightweight jewellery segment is growing rapidly at around 30% per annum, and the company will launch 12 Litestyle stores this year to tap into this segment, Gadgil said. Local gold prices, which hit a record high of 101,078 rupees per 10 grams on Monday, have risen 29% so far in 2025, after rising 21% in 2024. Consumers are slowly adjusting to higher prices, Gadgil said, forecasting a 30% to 35% year-on-year jump in revenue in the fiscal year ending March 2026. Investment demand for gold and silver has been rising as both metals are yielding better returns than other asset classes, he added.
Time of India
17-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
India's PNG Jewellers launches lightweight jewellery brand 'Lifestyle' as gold prices surge
ndia's P N Gadgil Jewellers on Tuesday launched Litestyle , a new sub-brand for lightweight and lower-carat jewellery, as record gold prices push consumers towards more budget-friendly options. Gold prices have jumped sharply in the past few months, but consumers' budgets haven't risen in the same proportion, leading them to look for budget-friendly options, Saurabh Gadgil, chairman of the Pune-based company, told Reuters. The lightweight jewellery segment is growing rapidly at around 30% per annum, and the company will launch 12 Litestyle stores this year to tap into this segment, Gadgil said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Reduza custos logísticos Sistema TMS embarcador Saiba Mais Undo Local gold prices, which hit a record high of 101,078 rupees per 10 grams on Monday, have risen 29% so far in 2025, after rising 21% in 2024. Consumers are slowly adjusting to higher prices, Gadgil said, forecasting a 30% to 35% year-on-year jump in revenue in the fiscal year ending March 2026. Live Events Investment demand for gold and silver has been rising as both metals are yielding better returns than other asset classes, he added.
