MUMBAI: As the global air travel industry becomes larger and more complex with each passing decade, airlines and airports are increasingly moving towards digitisation. From printed paper tickets that came in airline jackets, to home-printed e-tickets, to today’s digital boarding passes on mobile phones; from conventional check-in and immigration counters to biometric gates; and from local storage of information to cloud-hosted passenger systems, digitisation has transformed every stage of the passenger journey.One of the most closely watched developments is unfolding at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG), where a trial is under way to use computer vision and biometrics to identify and track checked baggage. The system captures a bag’s “biometrics” or digital signature through high-resolution imaging and AI-driven pattern recognition, reducing reliance on printed tags. The AI-driven system makes it easier to track bags that go errant, especially at mega transfer hubs. If successful, this could cut sharply into the US$5 billion in annual losses the aviation industry suffers from mishandled baggage, losses borne largely by airlines, Sumesh Patel, SITA President for Asia Pacific said in an interview with TOI. The trial also marks a turning point: “For any such technology to be effective, every stakeholder has to step up—airlines, airports, and ground handlers,” Patel said. “Airlines must integrate new baggage platforms, airports must install advanced imaging cameras across conveyor systems, and backend applications must be synchronised to handle massive real-time data,” he said, adding that he expects the adoption timeline to be under a decade, which is much faster than the past tech cycles.Auto-reflight: Lost bags now rebook themselvesA companion technology already in commercial use is auto-reflight, currently being used by Lufthansa. Lost bags are automatically matched to the next logical flight using AI, without waiting for human intervention, Patel said, adding that Lufthansa now processes around 70% of its missed bags through auto-reflight. The feature could be especially impactful in large global hubs such as London Heathrow, Frankfurt, Dubai, Doha, where tight connections and high transfer loads drive most baggage mishandling, he said. Whether Indian carriers adopt it may depend less on domestic volumes and more on their exposure to such transit hubs. “If a carrier’s major hub adopts the solution, the airline would be keen to participate,” Patel noted. Some airlines are also experimenting with auto-notification, where passengers are alerted the moment a bag is confirmed missing. For Qantas, the first rollout sent notifications during flight, unintentionally overwhelming cabin crew with questions. The system now alerts passengers only when they step off the aircraft.India’s aviation growth is forcing a digital leapIndia, meanwhile, is undertaking one of the world’s largest aviation digitisation programmes. The country has the world’s largest airport cloud-enabled platform that handles passenger processing across its 61 private and govt-owned airports, a digital backbone that handles tasks like conventional check-in and biometrics enabled DigiYatra check-in along with other jobs like baggage processing, passenger identity documentation etc. The 61 airports include 50 govt-run Airports Authority of India (AAI) airports. The programme is part of AAI’s shift to a unified, cloud-based platform that will modernise passenger and baggage processing at its airports. More than 3,500 touchpoints are planned, giving smaller airports the same scalable, technology-driven capabilities as larger ones, said Patel.Unlike other markets where individual airports drive adoption, making for a fragmented adoption, India’s change is being led system-wide as AAI is govt-owned while DigiYatra is a govt-backed initiative. Even conventional check-in counters across dozens of airports now run fully on cloud, enabling uniform upgrades, faster deployment, and real-time data access.India has the third largest domestic aviation market in the world, the country handled 411 million passengers last year (including international passengers) and contributes USD 53 billion to GDP through aviation. With new airports like Navi Mumbai and Jewar designed as digital-first terminals, cloud-enabled operations, biometrics, automated baggage systems, and integrated resource management are becoming foundational. At Navi Mumbai International Airport, for instance, 22 automated self-bag-drop units will enable touch-free processing from Day One.Learning from global IT outagesThe industry’s dependence on digital infrastructure also means outages hurt more than ever. From the global CrowdStrike-triggered disruption to local fibre cuts, the causes vary widely making prediction difficult. Patel emphasises the need for redundant systems like ‘Local DCS’, which act as on-site fallbacks if main airline systems disconnect. Singapore mandates such backups under its Critical Information Infrastructure (CII) framework. Patel said more governments may eventually follow.Airlines, too, are adapting. After IndiGo’s extensive early-December disruptions, the carrier announced more proactive passenger notifications last week and revised processes to prevent passengers from arriving at airports without clarity on delayed or cancelled flights. “The data is always there; it’s about how quickly processes evolve in response,” Patel said.The passenger is changing — fastSITA’s Passenger IT Insights reveal a striking trend: the world’s travellers are no longer dominated by frequent flyers. The fastest-growing cohorts are first-time or occasional flyers and older travellers, a shift visible across Europe, Asia, and North America. These passengers place a premium on clarity, trust, and convenience driving demand for biometrics, simpler check-ins, and real-time baggage visibility, according to the survey.Sanjeev K, SITA, VP Asia Pacific said the shift in passenger profiles globally has made digital adoption a critical focus. India and South Asia are witnessing rapid uptake of mobile and digital services, comparable in some ways to China’s advanced digital payment and app-driven ecosystem, he said, adding that passengers who may not be highly literate or familiar with airport processes are still adapting quickly when technology is made simple, visual and intuitive, often through formats similar to short social-media videos. “Older travellers gain confidence and a sense of accomplishment when they adopt the new technology,” he said. “older passengers are now comfortable with digital tools in their daily lives whether banking, messaging or other services. The initial difficulty lies mainly in understanding airport processes during a first trip. To bridge that gap SITA works closely with airports to ensure support systems are available to guide travellers through steps like using Digi Yatra, kiosks or self-bag drops,” he said. He added that any new technology involves a learning curve, and the aim is to make that first experience stress-free by providing timely assistance so that, after one or two uses, the process becomes second nature to passengers. Patel said that airlines and airports plan to invest USD 8.9 billion and USD 37 billion, respectively, in digital and biometric systems globally. The goal is a frictionless, self-service journey from curb to boarding. The long-term roadmap envisions a world where passengers check in once, digitally, and use that identity throughout their journey: at border control, retail, boarding, and baggage retrieval.

Rupee stayed under pressure on Wednesday, opening at a record low of 91.07 against the US dollar, down 0.05% from its previous close, before clawing back part of its losses, likely supported by intervention from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Reuters reported.The central bank stepped in aggressively after the currency hit record lows for four straight sessions, triggering its strongest intraday recovery in about seven months. The rupee had been weighed down by sustained portfolio outflows and an ongoing stalemate in US–India trade talks.After opening near 91.07, the rupee rebounded sharply, rising to an intraday high of 89.75 on the interbank order matching system from levels close to 91 seen before the intervention.

Market participants noted that Wednesday’s intervention mirrored RBI actions in October and November, when it stepped in on multiple occasions to curb one-way moves in the currency.Earlier on Tuesday, the domestic currency breached the 91-per-dollar mark for the first time during intraday trade, touching an all-time low of 91.14 before recovering partially to close 15 paise weaker at 90.93. Traders said the decline came despite weakness in the US dollar and a sharp fall in global crude oil prices.Rupee has been under sustained stress in recent sessions. It slipped past the 90-per-dollar level on Monday and has hit fresh record lows for the third straight session, driven by concerns over a prolonged deadlock in India–US trade talks and persistent portfolio outflows. Over the past 10 trading sessions, the currency has fallen from around 90 to 91 against the dollar, losing nearly 1% in just the last five sessions. Traders said the period was marked by strong dollar demand and a disconnect between the rupee and other Asian currencies, alongside growing interest in speculative short positions.So far this year, the rupee is among the worst-performing global currencies, down about 6% against the greenback. A widening trade deficit, punitive 50% US tariffs and steady investment outflows have pushed the currency to record lows near the 91 level.

Last Updated:December 17, 2025, 08:07 IST

From a modest garage to a IT powerhouse, his journey reshaped India’s tech dreams. But what truly sets him apart is how quietly his wealth flows back into society every single day

Success Story: One name stands out whenever India’s IT success stories are told: Shiv Nadar. What began in a modest garage in 1976 went on to become Hindustan Computers Limited (HCL), one of India’s leading global IT companies.

Today, Shiv Nadar is not only a celebrated entrepreneur but also one of the country’s most generous philanthropists, donating nearly Rs 7.4 crore every day.

From A Small Garage: The Birth Of HCL

Shiv Nadar was born on July 14, 1945, in the Tiruchirappalli district of Tamil Nadu. After completing his engineering education, he joined the DCM Group. During his time there, discussions with colleagues about the future of computers and electronics in India sparked a bold idea, that is, to start something of their own.

In 1976, Shiv Nadar and a small group of engineers founded HCL from a garage in Delhi. Initially, the company focused on computer hardware and electronic products, with a clear aim: to bring computer technology to India and create employment opportunities for young professionals.

Challenges On The Road To Success

The early years were far from easy. HCL faced financial constraints, technical hurdles, and intense market competition. However, Shiv Nadar’s long-term vision and commitment to innovation kept the company moving forward. He firmly believed that technology should simplify lives and drive progress for everyone.

During the 1980s and 1990s, HCL diversified from hardware manufacturing into software development and IT services. The company steadily expanded beyond India, establishing operations across the US, Europe, and Asia.

Today, HCL Technologies operates in nearly 60 countries and employs more than 2,22,000 people. It is a major player in areas such as cloud computing, cyber security, digital transformation, and enterprise software solutions.

Passing The Baton To Roshni Nadar Malhotra

After leading HCL for over four decades, Shiv Nadar stepped down as chairman in 2020. He appointed his daughter, Roshni Nadar Malhotra, as the new chairman, making her the first woman to hold the position in the company’s history.

Shiv Nadar now serves as Chairman Emeritus and Strategic Advisor.

According to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, Shiv Nadar’s net worth stands at $38.2 billion (approx. Rs 3.17 lakh crore), placing him among the world’s richest individuals at 54th position globally. As of now, HCL’s market capitalisation is Rs 4,49,369 crore.

Commitment To Social Service and Philanthropy

Shiv Nadar’s legacy extends far beyond business. Through the Shiv Nadar Foundation, he has made significant contributions to education by establishing schools and universities across India.

As per the ‘EdelGive-Hurun Philanthropy List 2025’, Shiv Nadar and his family topped the list of India’s biggest philanthropists for the fourth time in five years. In the past year alone, the family donated Rs 2,708 crore, averaging Rs 7.4 crore every day. In recognition of his contribution to the IT sector and his vision for empowering India’s youth, Shiv Nadar was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 2008. Today, HCL symbolises India’s technological strength on the global stage.

Shiv Nadar’s journey proves that extraordinary success can begin with the smallest of steps. From a single garage to a global IT empire, his story remains one of vision, perseverance, and purpose.

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