GECs
Indian Railways signs UTStarcom for broadband solutions
MUMBAI: UTStarcom, Inc., a global player in IP-based, end-to-end networking solutions and services, will supply its NetRing 600 and 2500 optical transport solutions to the Indian Railway subsidiary RailTel of India Corporation for implementing optical, fiber-based broadband telecom long haul as well as access network with new-generation optical networking systems.
The desired network aims to accommodate the growing demand for bandwidth, while maintaining compatibility and enhanced flexibility to transport and route all traffic types.
“India boasts one of the oldest, busiest and largest railway networks in the world, one that caters to the most remote areas of the country,” South Asia at UTStarcom, Inc. MD Vijay Yadav says. “NetRing platform is designed to help cost effectively expand the internal communication network of Indian Railways, principally in the northern, western and southern parts of the country. In doing so, it intends to create a flexible, nationwide network for providing managed voice, video and data services in India to ISPs and telcos along the railway route in even the most remote locations,” he adds.
Fiber-Based NetRing Products Provide Multi-Service Support. RailTel chose the NetRing product because it provides the state-of-the-art in fiber connectivity and is a building block for expanded communications across India, states an official release.
UTStarcom’s NetRing product line provides aggregation, grooming, cross-connect, and transport functionality to deliver high-density, highly efficient STM-1 to STM-16, PDH (E1/DS1, E3/DS3), Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, and ATM services in SDH-based carrier networks. All systems are designed to support full redundancy, multiple protection options, and in-service upgrades, the release adds.
GECs
Vikram and Ajinkya Gandhe win Masterchef India season finale
Chef Sanjeev Kapoor joins judges for emotional MasterChef finale
MUMBAI: The latest season of MasterChef India concluded on a high note, with brothers Vikram Gandhe and Ajinkya Gandhe crowned winners in the grand finale aired on Sony Entertainment Television.
The duo from Nagpur lifted the coveted trophy and donned the show’s signature golden apron after a season that celebrated India’s diverse culinary traditions under the theme “Pride of India”.
This edition of the popular cooking reality show introduced a new jodi format, with 50 pairs from across the country competing in the Masterchef kitchen. Contestants brought personal stories, regional flavours and family bonds to the competition.
The grand finale featured the final three pairs: Vikram and Ajinkya Gandhe (brothers), Saisree and Chanda (mother and daughter), and Anju and Manju (sisters).
The finale was attended by celebrity chef Sanjeev Kapoor, who joined the show’s judging panel comprising Vikas Khanna, Ranveer Brar and Kunal Kapur.
Kapoor said the show has long served as a platform to celebrate India’s rich culinary heritage and provide passionate home cooks with a national stage. He noted that the current season reflected a confident India that takes pride in its roots while embracing new culinary ideas.
Judge Vikas Khanna said the contestants’ journeys and the memories created during the season would remain with the team long after the show’s conclusion. Ranveer Brar described the show as a family that continues to grow with every season, while Kunal Kapur praised the contestants’ creativity and determination.
With the finale now concluded, the latest season of MasterChef India once again highlighted how food can reflect identity, heritage and storytelling, inspiring home cooks across the country to pursue their culinary ambitions.






