Brands
Singer India stitches together a new sewing machine strategy
MUMBAI: Sewing, stitching and tailoring enthusiasts can rejoice. Nashville (Tennessee)-hqed SVP Worldwide – the company behind the renowned Singer sewing machines – announced on 28 November that it was launching two premium sewing machine brands – Pfaff and Husqvarna Viking – in India.
The Pfaff Passport 3.0 Sewing Machine is specially designed for small spaces, featuring 100 stitches, IDT fabric feeding, and The Original IDT system integrated dual feed for perfect stitching every time. This electronic home machine offers maximum control and customization for demanding sewers and quilters.
Rooted in Swedish engineering since 1872, Viking delivers innovative solutions for sewing enthusiasts at all levels. The home sewing lineup includes: Onyx 15 & 25: mechanical zig zag machines designed for everyday sewing needs. Designer Topaz 50: A sewing and embroidery machine recognized as a Consumers Digest “best buy.” Its key features include: An interactive color touch screen for intuitive navigation, design positioning for perfect placement of large embroideries, and Internet-enabled updates for continuous performance enhancements.
The new brands will be available at Singer India’s newly inaugurated flagship experience & retail center in Nehru Place, Delhi. The two level store that looks like a modern day cottage spread over 1,550 sq foot has a product showcase are displaying Singer’s’s top models, including straight stitch, artisan, zig-zag, embroidery, and industrial machines; a sewing studio where workshops and classes can be organized to encourage creativity among hobbyists and aspiring designers; and a history wall demonstrating Singer’s 170 year journey like its role in crafting Nasa’s Apollo mission space suits.
21 existing stores nationwide are slated to undergo a refurbish and be converted into experience centres like the one in Delhi.
Singer India vice-chairman & managing director Rakesh Khanna is pretty excited about the three launches. Says he: “This is an exciting time for Singer India. We are transforming the sewing experience on multiple fronts. The launch of our experience center provides a unique destination for sewing enthusiasts to explore, learn, and connect. It’s a place where they can experience firsthand the latest innovations in sewing technology, participate in interactive workshops, and become part of a vibrant community. By introducing Pfaff and Husqvarna Viking—renowned for precision engineering and advanced features—we are bringing world-class expertise to India. These are not just new machines but represent a leap forward in capability and performance, empowering sewists of all levels to achieve professional-grade results. We believe this combination of innovative retail experiences and premium brands will empower a new generation of Indian sewists while driving growth and innovation across the sewing industry.”
Brands
Uidai partners with Google to help users locate Aadhaar centres
Verified Aadhaar centres to appear on Maps with services and access info
MUMBAI: Finding an Aadhaar centre may soon be as easy as finding your favourite café. In a move aimed at making public services more accessible, the Unique Identification Authority of India has partnered with Google to display authorised Aadhaar centres on Google Maps. The feature, expected to roll out in the coming months, will allow residents to locate verified centres quickly and confidently.
More than 60,000 Aadhaar centres, including state of the art Aadhaar Seva Kendras, will be mapped. When users search on Google Maps, they will be directed to authorised facilities rather than unverified listings, helping curb misinformation and confusion.
The listings will do more than drop a pin. Users will be able to see the nature of services offered at each centre, whether it is adult enrolment, child enrolment, or limited to address and mobile number updates. Details such as operating hours, parking availability and divyang friendly infrastructure will also be shown wherever applicable.
Uidai CEO Bhuvnesh Kumar, said the collaboration is part of the authority’s continued effort to improve ease of living for Aadhaar holders by making authorised centres simpler and faster to navigate.
The partnership will deepen in its next phase, with Uidai using Google Business Profile to manage information and respond directly to public feedback. Looking ahead, the two organisations are also exploring the option of enabling appointment bookings through the Google Maps interface, potentially allowing residents to plan their visits with greater efficiency.
Google India country head, strategic partnerships Roli Agarwal, said integrating verified Aadhaar centres would help millions access trusted services with confidence, bringing essential government infrastructure closer to the people who need it most.
If all goes to plan, a routine Aadhaar update may soon begin not with a queue, but with a search bar.
