Shravan Gupta and the Beginning of MGF’s Real Estate Journey

The MGF Group traces its origins to 1930, when it was established as Motor and General Finance. The group initially built its business around automobile financing and financial services.

MGF’s transition into real estate began in 1997 with the establishment of MGF Developments Ltd. According to the company’s account, the move represented an important diversification of the group into residential, commercial, retail and hospitality development.

For Shravan Gupta, this diversification created an opportunity to participate in the rapidly developing urban property market in India.

Creating Modern Retail and Commercial Spaces

One of MGF’s notable areas of development has been retail real estate. The group developed shopping destinations in markets including Delhi, Gurgaon and Jaipur. Projects associated with MGF include The Metropolitan, The Metropolis, Megacity Mall, City Square Mall and MGF Metropolitan Mall.

The company states that MGF Developments created more than five million square feet of retail space, alongside residential and commercial developments.

These projects reflected the changing nature of Indian cities, where shopping centres increasingly became destinations combining retail, entertainment, food and leisure.

The Emaar-MGF Partnership

A major milestone in MGF’s real estate journey came through its partnership with Dubai-based Emaar Properties. In 2005, MGF Developments entered into a joint venture with Emaar, resulting in Emaar MGF.

The partnership brought together MGF’s understanding of the Indian market and Emaar’s international real estate experience. MGF’s official account describes the venture as a significant milestone in the development of India's real estate industry and foreign investment in the sector.

Shravan Gupta subsequently served as Executive Vice Chairman and Managing Director of Emaar MGF Land until June 2016, according to his executive profile.

A Broader Approach to Real Estate

Real estate today is no longer simply about constructing buildings. Buyers and investors increasingly consider location, connectivity, amenities, sustainability, community infrastructure and long-term value when making property decisions.

This changing environment has encouraged developers to think beyond individual buildings and focus on complete environments. Residential communities, commercial centres and retail destinations are increasingly planned around the way people live, work and spend their leisure time.

This broader perspective is relevant to the evolution of MGF’s real estate activities, which have covered multiple segments of the property market. MGF states that its real estate operations span residential, commercial, retail and hospitality sectors.

Shravan Gupta’s Role in the Real Estate Story

Shravan Gupta’s professional career has included both financial services and real estate. His experience with the MGF Group preceded his leadership role at Emaar MGF, giving him exposure to both the financial and development sides of the property business.

His tenure at Emaar MGF was particularly significant in the period when the joint venture was expanding its presence in India's property market. His executive profile records more than 15 years of experience across real estate and financial services and identifies his involvement with MGF Developments and other group companies.

What Makes Real Estate a Long-Term Solution?

A successful real estate strategy requires more than acquiring land and constructing property. It involves understanding market demand, infrastructure, demographics, financing, regulations and changing lifestyles.

For developers and investors, some of the most important considerations include:

●        Strategic location and connectivity

●        Quality of construction and design

●        Reliable infrastructure

●        Sustainable development practices

●        Strong community amenities

●        Long-term demand

●        Regulatory compliance

●        Responsible financial planning

These factors have become increasingly important as India's cities expand and consumers become more informed about property investments.

The Future of Indian Real Estate

India's continuing urbanisation is expected to create opportunities across residential, commercial and mixed-use real estate. At the same time, buyers are increasingly interested in energy efficiency, environmentally responsible construction, better amenities and technology-enabled communities.

The next phase of Indian real estate is therefore likely to be defined by a combination of innovation, sustainability and customer-focused development.

For businesses such as MGF, the experience of operating across different real estate segments provides a foundation for adapting to these changing market expectations.

Conclusion

The story of Shravan Gupta and the MGF Group illustrates how a business that began in financial services expanded into the real estate sector as India's cities and consumer markets evolved.

MGF's entry into real estate in 1997, its development of retail and commercial properties, and its subsequent partnership with Emaar represent important chapters in the group's property journey.

Today, the idea of a “real estate solution” goes beyond simply building properties. It is about creating spaces that respond to the changing needs of residents, businesses, investors and communities. As Indian real estate continues to mature, experience, adaptability and a long-term approach will remain important factors in shaping the industry's future.

Be Younique – Open Learning Center (BY OLC) is a Human Design–based learning space where children grow through alignment with their natural design—at their own pace, in their own way. Human Design forms the foundation of how we understand the child: their natural way of engaging, responding, making decisions, using their energy, and moving through life. Learning begins with understanding the child, not with imposing a structure upon them.

At BY OLC, its believed that every child has their own way of thinking, learning, developing, and experiencing the world. When this individuality is recognised rather than corrected, learning can unfold as a natural and joyful process. Our role is not to fit the child into a predefined path, but to create an environment where the child can discover and develop their own.

The learning journey therefore unfolds in five stages: Settling In and Deconditioning, Exploration (Response/Interaction), Recognition of Design, Focused Development, and Pathway Option. Each stage allows the child to move at their own pace, with experience preceding structure and recognition preceding direction.

Settling In and Deconditioning creates space to loosen learned habits, comparison, pressure, and external expectations. Exploration allows children to engage with life through their natural way of interacting—responding, initiating, waiting for recognition, or observing their environment. Recognition of Design develops through lived experience, as children begin to notice their own patterns, energy, decision-making style, and rhythms. Focused Development allows structure to emerge from the child’s design and natural consistency, rather than from age, grade, or a predetermined curriculum.

The fifth stage, Pathway Option, is an optional interface with formal systems. This is where an academic pathway such as NIOS can become relevant—not as a milestone, expectation, or destination, but as a bridge available when the child and family choose to engage with formal certification. Certification is simply one possible outcome; it is not the purpose of the learning journey.

Founder Dr Yogeshwar Kasture says: “At the heart of BY OLC is a simple trust: nothing about the child needs to be fixed. The child leads the pace. There are no imposed timelines, no comparison-driven learning, and no need to prepare for a system before the child is ready to engage with it. Structure exists to support the child, never to control them.”

This reflects what Be Younique stands for more broadly: creating spaces where individuals can recognise their own nature and live from it, without distortion. Through Human Design, we invite recognition rather than correction, trust in the body’s intelligence rather than reliance on mental authority, and alignment with what is naturally true within each individual.

BY OLC therefore does not seek to take every child toward the same destination. It creates the environment, holds the space, and walks alongside the child—so that each child can recognise, experience, and develop their own way of being and learning.

If parents feel that they want to explore this kind of learning they can get in touch with Dr Yogeshwar Gajanan Kasture on 9270219622 or can visit their website https://beyounique.life/

The recognition comes at a pivotal time. According to the latest NASSCOM–Zinnov India GCC Landscape Report, India is now home to over 2,100 Global Capability Centres, employing more than 2.3 million professionals and generating close to $100 billion in revenue – making it the world’s largest GCC ecosystem. Many of these centres are standardising on Apple devices to support engineering, R&D, and innovation-led teams that expect enterprise-grade security alongside a best-in-class user experience. Team Computers has positioned itself as a partner of choice for these organisations, helping them modernise their digital workplace, streamline device lifecycle management, and align global technology standards with local execution.

“This recognition from Apple is a strong validation of the trust enterprises place in us to build their digital workplace. As we work towards our $1 billion vision, our focus remains on going deeper into segments like GCCs, where the demand for secure, high-performing device ecosystems is only growing. Being India’s top Apple partner is a reflection of the discipline and customer-first approach that has shaped our growth for nearly four decades,” said Nizam Siddiqui, Apple Practice Head, Team Computers.

Building the Digital Workplace of Choice for GCCs and Enterprises

As GCCs and large enterprises expand their footprint in India, the demand for secure, seamless, and scalable device ecosystems has never been greater. Team Computers works closely with organisations across industries to deploy Apple solutions that improve collaboration, strengthen security, and deliver an exceptional user experience at scale – combining deep technical expertise with end-to-end consulting, deployment, and support capabilities to simplify IT management and optimise total cost of ownership.

Apple Premium Business Partner, Tier 1 – and More

In addition to its Tier 1 Apple Premium Business Partner status, Team Computers is also an Apple Authorised Service Provider (AASP), enabling customers to benefit from comprehensive lifecycle support under one roof. From procurement and deployment to device management, maintenance, repair, and refresh, the company provides end-to-end services that maximise the value of enterprise Apple investments – a capability increasingly critical for GCCs and enterprises managing large, distributed device fleets.

A Milestone on the Way to $1 Billion

This recognition is one of several markers of Team Computers‘ broader growth strategy, as the company continues to invest in its enterprise offerings – spanning digital workplace, cybersecurity, cloud, managed services, AI analytics, and business applications – to support India’s fastest-growing business segments.

With nearly four decades of experience delivering enterprise IT transformation, Team Computers continues to empower businesses – from global capability centres to large domestic enterprises – with future-ready workplace solutions that combine world-class technology, operational excellence, and customer-centric service.

New Delhi [India], September 17 : Yugality is an AI-powered legal workspace designed to help lawyers research, draft, organise, manage their practice—and connect with clients and lawyers from one platform.

A hearing date to remember. A judgment to find.

A chronology to prepare.

A document buried somewhere in a folder. A client waiting for an update.

And another draft that needs to go out today.

For lawyers, these are not separate problems. They are part of the same working day.

The practice of law requires legal knowledge, analysis and judgment. Yet valuable time can also go into legal research, document management, legal drafting, case management, hearing tracking and client communication.

Yugality is built around a simple idea: lawyers should spend more time working on the law and less time managing the work around it.

One Workspace for Every Legal Workflow

A single legal matter can involve case laws, documents, drafts, evidence, hearing dates, client communication and a constantly evolving chronology.

Managing these across different platforms can create unnecessary fragmentation.

Yugality brings these workflows together through an AI-powered legal workspace, combining AI legal assistance, legal research, legal drafting, document management, case management, Legal Calendar, Chronology Builder, legal translation, notetaking and client connection.

The goal is simple: fewer disconnected tools and a more connected legal workflow.

More Than Legal Management — Find Clients Managing cases is only one part of building a legal practice. For many lawyers, another challenge is finding the right clients.

Yugality’s Find Clients capability is designed to help lawyers discover potential clients based on their legal requirements and improve their professional discoverability.

Instead of relying entirely on referrals, personal networks or conventional outreach, lawyers can have a dedicated digital space to connect with people seeking legal assistance.

Your legal expertise should be easier to discover when someone is looking for legal help.

Find a Lawyer When You Need One

The challenge also exists from the client’s side.

When someone faces a legal emergency, finding the right lawyer can involve multiple searches, messages and referrals.

Whether it is a legal notice, property dispute, family matter, business issue or court-related concern, Yugality’s Find Lawyers capability is designed to make connecting with legal professionals easier.

This creates a connected legal ecosystem where lawyers can find clients and people can find lawyers.

AI That Assists Lawyers, Not Replaces Them

AI is changing legal technology, but legal practice will always require professional judgment.

Yugality’s AI legal assistant and legal AI capabilities are designed to assist with activities such as legal research, understanding documents, organising information and preparing drafts.

Context matters. Accuracy matters. Professional judgment matters. The objective is not to let AI decide the law.

It is to help lawyers work with the law more efficiently while keeping the lawyer in control.

From Legal Research to Case Management

Yugality connects multiple stages of legal work—from legal research and AI-assisted drafting to document management, case chronology and hearing management.

Its Legal Briefcase helps organise matter-related documents, while the Legal Calendar and Chronology Builder help lawyers keep important dates and case timelines structured.

The result is a connected workflow that helps lawyers spend less time searching, organising and reconstructing information—and more time focusing on their cases.

Built Around the Reality of Modern Legal Practice

Yugality was built around the changing needs of India’s legal professionals.

Mr. Yug Raman Srivastava, from National Law University, Patiala, and Mr. Raman Nagpal built Yugality around a straightforward belief: technology should simplify legal practice, not add another layer of complexity.

For advocates, chambers and law firms, the opportunity is not simply to adopt legal technology. It is to build a better way of working.

One Platform. Multiple Legal Needs.

For lawyers, Yugality helps bring together:

• AI legal assistance and legal research

• Legal drafting

• Case and document management

• Legal Calendar and hearing tracking

• Chronology Builder

• Legal translation and notetaking

●          Find Clients

• Professional discoverability

For people seeking legal help:

• Find Lawyers based on their requirements

• Discover legal professionals digitally

• Connect with legal assistance more easily

Together, these capabilities form a connected legal ecosystem for lawyers and people seeking legal assistance.

A More Connected Future for Legal Work

The vision behind Yugality is to connect the journey from having a legal problem to finding legal help, and from accepting a matter to managing it.

For lawyers, that means better tools and greater opportunities. For people, it means easier access to legal professionals.

Less hoch-poch. Fewer disconnected steps. One connected legal ecosystem.

First Time Ever. One Legal Ecosystem.

AI Legal Assistant. Legal Research. Legal Drafting. Case Management. Find Clients. Find Lawyers.

Yugality brings them together in one platform.

Yugality — All Legal Needs, Made Easier.

Smarter Legal Work. One Connected Legal Ecosystem. 

Watch the Yugality Demo

See how Yugality brings legal research, AI assistance, drafting, case management and client-lawyer connectivity together in one platform.

Watch the Yugality Demo on YouTube:

https://youtu.be/x8v15-Kok1s?si=CXfvQ0T3Hegv4RNL

Yugality — making legal work and legal access easier, more connected and more intelligent.

Developed & Marketed by Campaigning Source Pvt. Ltd.

Bengaluru, Karnataka, India, September 17, 2026 : With the UK's September 2026 - 2027 intake under way, Unlimit Mobile — the international connectivity brand operated by Zetexa Global, an India-based travel ancillary and licensed telecom infrastructure company — is offering Indian students a UK mobile number that is purchased, verified and activated before they leave India, removing one of the most common friction points in the first week abroad.

Students arriving in the United Kingdom typically face a circular set of requirements: opening a bank account calls for a UK mobile number; a UK pay-monthly mobile contract calls for a UK address and credit history; and a tenancy agreement calls for a bank account. With no UK credit file on arrival, most students are declined for contract plans and fall back on premium-priced starter SIMs bought at airport kiosks, which they replace within weeks.

Unlimit Mobile's UK plans are prepaid and require no credit check. Students check coverage, select a plan, pay and complete a digital eKYC verification online from India; the eSIM then installs by QR code in about two minutes. Physical SIM cards can be shipped to any home address in India before departure, existing UK numbers can be ported in using a PAC code, and the service works on any carrier-unlocked, eSIM-compatible handset, so no new phone is required. Plans run on the Vodafone UK network with 4G LTE and 5G coverage across major cities and university towns.

"The first week of a student's course is an administrative week, and almost all of it runs through a phone number they do not yet have," said Amit Agarwal, Founder & CEO, Zetexa Global. "Landing with a live UK number means the bank application starts on day one rather than the first free weekday, and everything behind it — accommodation, enrolment, part-time work — unblocks in sequence."

All UK plans carry unlimited local calls and SMS, with high-speed data allowances sized for online classes, streaming and navigation; hotspot and tethering on compatible handsets, so a single plan can also cover a laptop in halls where Wi-Fi is unreliable; no 12- or 24-month tie-in and no exit penalty; pricing from £0.39 per day; and 24/7 support across time zones. Groups of five students purchasing together pay half price for the first month, while referrals earn £10, £25 or £45 depending on the plan length purchased. Purchase, renewal and top-ups are managed through the Unlimit Mobile app on iOS and Android.

"Because the process is entirely online, it is independent of the departure airport," said Srujan Yeleti, Founder & COO, Zetexa Global. "A student flying out of Kochi, Lucknow or Ahmedabad on a connecting itinerary sets up on exactly the same terms as one flying direct from Delhi or Mumbai."

Longer UK plans additionally draw on Zetexa Global's travel ancillary stack, carrying airport meet-and-greet assistance for visiting parents, lounge access in the event of a flight delay, eligibility for the Unlimit Mobile scholarship and internship programmes, and a multi-year rate lock — extending a single connectivity purchase across the duration of a student's course.

About Unlimit Mobile
Unlimit Mobile is a global connectivity brand under Zetexa Global, built for international students, travellers and newcomers relocating to the USA, Canada and the United Kingdom. It offers prepaid eSIMs, physical SIM cards and virtual phone numbers with no contracts, no credit checks and instant activation.

About Zetexa Global
Zetexa Global is an India-based travel ancillary and licensed telecom infrastructure company holding telecom licences across the FCC (USA), CRTC (Canada) and DoT (India), with a UK subsidiary, Zetexa Limited. Its consumer brands are ZetSIM, a travel eSIM covering 180+ countries, and Unlimit Mobile. Its B2B platform offers white-label, API, reseller and SDK connectivity products to travel, fintech and mobility partners.

Media contact: Unlimit Mobile | unlimitmobile.com | zetexa.com

Commenting on the development, Ashish Puravankara, Managing Director, Puravankara Limited, said, “Redevelopment is an important pillar of our Mumbai growth strategy and allows us to participate in some of the city’s most established and sought-after neighbourhoods. Our eighth redevelopment project reflects the momentum we have built in Mumbai and the confidence homebuyers are placing in our brand. We see a significant opportunity to build a scaled and sustainable redevelopment platform in the city, backed by disciplined capital allocation, strong execution and a long-term approach to value creation.”

Located in the western suburbs, Goregaon West is a well-established residential market with strong connectivity to key business districts and social infrastructure. The project further expands Puravankara’s footprint in one of Mumbai’s important residential corridors.

Rajat Rastogi, CEO-West & Commercial Assets, Puravankara Limited, added, “Mumbai’s redevelopment opportunity is about more than adding new supply; it is about reimagining some of the city’s most established neighbourhoods. With projects across marquee locations including Breach Candy, Pali Hill, Lokhandwala, Malabar Hill, Cuffe Parade and now Goregaon West, we are steadily expanding our presence across the city as we rebuild Mumbai’s skyline. Our approach is anchored in the Puravankara way of life: thoughtful design, quality, transparency and a strong focus on the people and communities we build for. With this addition, our Mumbai redevelopment portfolio alone represents a potential GDV of approximately ₹17,500 crore.”

Over the past three years, Puravankara has steadily expanded its Mumbai redevelopment portfolio across locations including Breach Candy, Pali Hill, Lokhandwala, Chembur, Malabar Hill and Cuffe Parade. The Goregaon West project adds another established residential micro-market to this portfolio and underscores the company’s continued focus on redevelopment as a key growth engine in Mumbai.

Bengaluru, 16 September 2026  :  HARTING India, a global leader in industrial connectivity solutions, is proud to announce its participation in Electronica India 2026, taking place from 16-18 September 2026 at the Bangalore International Exhibition Centre (BIEC), Bengaluru. Visitors can meet HARTING at Hall 5, Booth C91, where the company will showcase its latest connectivity technologies designed to accelerate the future of automation, transportation, energy, and digital transformation.

As Indian industries continue to advance toward smart manufacturing, renewable energy adoption, and intelligent mobility, HARTING remains committed to delivering robust, reliable, and sustainable connectivity solutions that drive innovation and industrial growth.

●      Han® Modular – Latest developments in Modular side along with Han® Easy Frames, flexible connector solutions enabling customized and efficient system integration.

●      Connectivity for Automation & KAVACH System – Powering the shift towards sustainable energy and transport solutions.

●      Miniaturization & High-Performance Interfaces – Compact Solutions that meet the demand for lightweight yet powerful designs.

●      Han® MPC & ICC20 – Built for Performance.

●      Har-flex® - Compact PCB connectivity solutions enabling miniaturization, flexibility, and high-performance interconnections for modern electronic devices and systems.

Electronica India is the premier platform for showcasing electronics and connectivity innovations, and we are excited to engage with industry leaders, customers, and partners. “Our solutions are enabling Indian Industries to embrace digitization, sustainability, and efficiency, which aligns with India’s vision of becoming a global, manufacturing hub” said Mr. Jacob Chandy – Managing Director – HARTING India Pvt Ltd.

HARTING experts will be available at the booth to demonstrate products applications, share technical expertise, and discuss how the company’s connectivity portfolio can support diverse industries including machinery, railways, energy, and automotive. 

About HARTING:

The HARTING Technology Group is a leading global provider of industrial connectivity. Around 6,000 employees are active across the globe in 42 sales companies, 14 production facilities and seven R&D sites. HARTING connectivity solutions are used to transmit "data and power" in numerous industrial sectors. Among others, in transportation, electromobility, renewable energy production, automation and mechanical engineering. In the 2025/26 business year the family owned and managed company generated sales of EUR 940 million.

About HARTING India

HARTING in India was set up in April 2005. The company began its India operations with a full-fledged office headquartered in Chennai, India in Oct 2005. The company is registered under Indian Companies Act. In addition to Chennai Headquarter, HARTING India has sales offices located in Bengaluru, Pune and Noida.

HARTING India seeks to enhance the country's Industrial capability and competitiveness to become a Global Player in terms of Technology and Markets, by providing the latest technology and innovative Interconnection solutions. With its vast experience and global reach, HARTING will be the most preferred partner for Interconnection solutions in India in the field of Factory Automation, Machinery, Energy, Transportation, Event Management Technology, Infrastructure and Medical technology. HARTING India is also an associate member of the Indo-German Chamber of Commerce, VDMA and the CII.

Meet us at Electronica India 2026: Hall 5, Booth C91, Bangalore International Exhibition Centre.

Gurugram (Haryana) [India], September 16 : Team Computers announced the launch of the Gemini Enterprise Experience Center at Team Computers’ Gurgaon office, providing enterprises with a dedicated space to experience Google Cloud Gemini Enterprise and explore how AI can be applied to real-world business workflows.

The Experience Center brings together Google Cloud Gemini Enterprise capabilities, enterprise AI use cases, live demonstrations and Team Computers’ cloud and technology expertise under one roof. It is designed to help business and technology leaders move beyond AI experimentation and understand how AI agents can be applied to real-world business challenges across functions and industries.

As enterprises move from generative AI pilots toward more connected ways of working, Gemini Enterprise brings together AI models, enterprise data, agents and governance to help organizations discover, create, share and run AI agents.

“The Gemini Enterprise Experience Center is designed to help make enterprise AI tangible for businesses. It brings technology, use cases and live demonstrations together, giving leaders a space to explore what is possible and identify opportunities aligned to their own business priorities,” said Ranjan Chopra, CEO & MD, Team Computers.

This Experience Center will serve as a platform for customer engagements, executive briefings, AI discovery workshops, solution demonstrations and proof-of-concept discussions. Use cases will span areas including employee productivity, knowledge discovery, research and insights, talent acquisition, customer experience and workflow automation.

A key focus will be helping enterprises understand the transition from stand-alone AI tools to an agentic enterprise, where AI agents can work across systems, data and business processes to support multi-step workflows.

“The enterprise AI landscape is rapidly moving from experimentation to business transformation. Google Cloud Gemini Enterprise is elevating this shift by bringing AI, agents and enterprise data together to fundamentally rethink how work gets done. The Experience Center gives enterprises an opportunity to experience this evolution firsthand,” said Rajpal Singh Sisodiya, Business Head – Cloud, Team Computers.

The Experience Center will also enable Team Computers to bring these AI capabilities closer to customers through interactive demonstrations and solution-led engagements.

“The Experience Center gives us an opportunity to move beyond presentations and showcase AI solutions to our customers in a live, hands-on environment. It allows businesses to experience real use cases, understand what is possible and see how AI can address their specific needs,” said Sagar Kukreja, Head of Marketing, Team Computers.

“Businesses across India are eager to move from AI experimentation to scalable, outcome-driven business transformation. Through the Gemini Enterprise Experience Center and our collaboration with Team Computers, we are providing leaders with an interactive environment to experience how Google Cloud’s agentic AI capabilities can seamlessly integrate into their daily workflows, unlock workforce productivity and accelerate business growth,” said Abhinav Kishore, India Head – SMB, Google Cloud

Through the Gemini Enterprise Experience Center, Team Computers aims to create a collaborative environment for enterprises to explore the practical applications of AI and accelerate their journey toward AI-powered ways of working.

For Chandukaka Saraf Jewels, the festival provides a natural connection between Lord Ganesha, auspicious beginnings, family traditions, prosperity and gold jewellery. Jewellery is traditionally associated with important family occasions and celebrations, making the category particularly relevant during the festive season.

Chandukaka Saraf Jewels has positioned itself around a heritage dating back to 1827, describing itself as a jewellery brand built on trust, transparency and generations of customer relationships. The company is currently celebrating its 200-year legacy. This heritage can be particularly powerful during Ganesh Chaturthi because the festival itself represents the continuity of Maharashtrian traditions across generations.

Ganesh Chaturthi is one of Pune's most celebrated and culturally significant festivals, bringing together millions of devotees, families, communities, and visitors in an atmosphere of faith, tradition, celebration, and togetherness. 2026 Ganesh Chaturthi provides an excellent opportunity for Chandukaka Saraf Jewels to build a strong and memorable brand presence across Pune city by associating with prominent Ganpati mandals and becoming an integral part of the city's festive celebrations. Through a strategically planned Ganpati Mandal Marketing and Branding Campaign, Chandukaka Saraf Jewels can create extensive visibility across key locations while establishing a strong emotional connection with consumers through the shared values of tradition, auspiciousness, trust, and celebration. The campaign includes branding across selected high-footfall Ganpati mandals like Hirabagh Mandal, Khajina Vihir and Shri SevaMitra Mandal, covering major areas like Shivaji Road, Bajirao Road, Shaniwar Wada, Sadashiv Peth,Shivajinagar gaothan and Tilak Road, as well as a wider network of neighbourhood mandals, ensuring that the brand reaches diverse audiences across Pune city. Prominent branding opportunities can include welcome archways, running mandaps, hoardings, and a building wrap at Kadam Jahagirdar Building, opposite Dagdusheth Mandir, Shivaji Road – locations where devotees and visitors spend considerable time around the city.

The branding can be designed with an elegant jewellery-inspired visual identity, combining the festive spirit of Ganesh Chaturthi with the premium branding of Chandukaka Saraf Jewels.

Strategic coverage can focus on major areas of Pune city and surroundings as well as residential areas, helping the brand connect with both existing customers and potential new audiences coming from all across Maharashtra.

The objective of the campaign is to go beyond conventional logo placement and create a meaningful, premium, and culturally relevant brand experience. By combining the immense reach of Pune's Ganpati mandals with creative branding, experiential marketing, digital engagement, and community participation, Chandukaka Saraf Jewels can establish a distinctive presence during Ganesh Chaturthi and strengthen its association with trust, tradition, celebration, and timeless values.

This city-wide campaign can provide repeated visibility, strong consumer engagement, enhanced brand recall, and valuable goodwill making Ganesh Chaturthi an ideal platform for Chandukaka Saraf Jewels to celebrate Pune, connect with its people, and reinforce its position as a trusted name in jewellery for generations to come.

Aligning with the Summit theme, ‘India Unbound: Defining Tomorrow’s Leadership,’ keynote speaker Raamdeo Agrawal, Chairman & Co-founder of Motilal Oswal Financial Services Ltd, shared his perspectives on India’s emergence as a multi-trillion-dollar economy and the unprecedented wealth creation opportunity it presents. Drawing on over four decades of investing experience, he underlined that India is entering a new era of financialisation, where expanding capital markets, rising household participation in equities, and entrepreneurial growth will redefine the country’s economic landscape.

He also emphasised that the next generation of leaders will benefit not merely from India’s GDP growth, but from its accelerating creation of financial wealth. He urged students to cultivate curiosity, disciplined learning, and long-term thinking, encouraging them to view the capital markets as one of the most powerful platforms for creating value and shaping India’s growth story.

At the 23rd edition of the ISB Leadership Summit, Professor Madan Pillutla, Dean, ISB, emphasised the unprecedented scale of opportunity ahead for the nation and the vital role of adaptive leadership.

Reflecting on ISB’s 25-year journey, Dean Pillutla said the school’s story began with an ambitious idea: to create a world-class management institution in India. Twenty-five years later, he noted, that vision has become a reality. He added that ISB’s founders recognised that resources and technology alone cannot drive progress and what matters is the leadership to put them to work effectively and create lasting impact. This idea remains relevant today as India works to address challenges such as climate change and inclusive growth.

He further noted that technology is only part of the equation. Referencing Nobel Laureate Daron Acemoglu, he pointed out that technology’s impact depends on how people and leaders choose to use it and how its benefits reach society.

Other sessions explored pressing business and societal challenges, including agility in evolving markets, entrepreneurial resilience, institutional innovation, technology, finance, space, law, and the changing consumer landscape. Speakers included Dr. Vasudevan Gnana Gandhi, Padma Shri Awardee and Senior Vice President – Propulsion, Skyroot Aerospace; Dr. Ananda Shankar Jayant, Padma Shri Awardee, renowned Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi dancer; Lt. Gen. Anil Puri, PVSM, AVSM, VSM, SM, Former Additional Secretary, Department of Military Affairs and Administrative Member, Armed Forces Tribunal; Vikas Divyakirti, Founder, Drishti IAS; Gaurav Gupta, Founder, Gabit, Vivek Gambhir, Venture Partner, Lightspeed India,  Former CEO, Godrej Consumer Products & boAt Lifestyle, Nigar Shaji, ISRO scientist and Project Director, Aditya-L1; Tapan Mishra, former Director, Space Applications Centre, ISRO; and Raju Ramachandran, former Additional Solicitor General of India and Senior Advocate, Supreme Court of India, among other distinguished leaders, entrepreneurs, experts and ISB alumni.

The Summit also featured a Women in Leadership panel, ‘Her Own Way: Ambition, Identity & Building on Your Own Terms,’ featuring Anuja Chauhan, Author; Shubhika Sharma, Founder, Papa Don’t Preach; Varija Bajaj, Entrepreneur and Founder, Varija Lifestyles and Priyanshi Sharma, Co-Founder of Peek TV. The Sports Panel, ‘Winning Beyond the Scoreboard: Leadership, Teams & the New Indian Sporting Ecosystem,’ featured Ambati Rayudu, Former Indian Cricketer; and Joy Bhattacharjya, CEO, Prime Volleyball League and former Team Director, Kolkata Knight Riders.

Through a series of keynotes, panel discussions, fireside chats, and interactive sessions, the ISB Leadership Summit 2026 provided a platform for meaningful dialogue between established trailblazers and aspiring professionals. Participants concluded the day equipped with the foresight, adaptability, and resilience needed to lead effectively in an increasingly complex and unbound world, ready to shape the country’s next chapter of growth and global influence.

About the Indian School of Business (ISB)

The Indian School of Business (ISB) is India’s highest-ranked business school and features in the top league of several global business school rankings. A vibrant pool of research-oriented resident faculty, robust academic partnerships, a thriving alumni network, the backing of an influential board, and the guidance of the industry’s thought leadership have enabled ISB to fast emerge and consolidate itself as a premier global business school that grooms future leaders for India and the world.

Gurugram, Sep 16 , 2026 : Arena Animation, a leading institute in animation, gaming, visual effects, and digital media education and a training brand of Aptech Limited, recently hosted its Alumni Meet at Holiday Inn, Sector 36, in Gurugram. The event brought together alumni and partners, creating a vibrant platform to celebrate achievements, exchange industry insights, and strengthen community connections.

The event witnessed participation from over 100 attendees, including distinguished alumni who are now contributing across leading studios and organisations in the AVGC-XR (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, and Extended Reality) and creative industries. The gathering served as a platform to celebrate their journeys and inspire the next generation of creative professionals.

Notable alumni in physical & virtual attendance included Mr. Gurmeet Singh,  Director of the Movie, Mirzapur, Ms. Anjali Dutta, Vice President, Tech Mahindra, Mr. Mukund Sagar Vasishta, Director - Client Relations, Lakshya Digital, Ms. Nancy Kapoor, Design Head, Vedanta Oil & Gas, Mr. Vikas Saini, Sr. Art Director, Aristocrat Technologies, Mr. Sachin Yadav, Creative Director, Mastercard and Ms Priyanka Kapoor, Partner, Neovation, among many others, reflecting both creative excellence and entrepreneurial mindset fostered at Arena Animation.

The event was also attended by Mr. Shajan Samuel Sr. Vice President & National Sales Head, Arena Animation, Aptech Ltd. Following the successful establishment of alumni chapters in Indore, Vadodara, Nashik, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Siliguri, Chennai, Mumbai, Delhi, Aligarh, Ahmedabad, Jaipur & Pune, Arena Animation is expanding its alumni network with the launch of its 14th chapter in Gurugram. With more than 1500 alumni engaged across multiple chapters, the initiative continues to strengthen professional connections, celebrate alumni achievements, and nurture a thriving community of creative professionals. As part of this initiative, the brand will host similar meets across metro and non-metro cities, aimed at recognising the achievements of its alumni and fostering stronger connections within its growing creative network.

Mr. Sandip Weling, Whole-time Director & Chief Business Officer, Global Retail, Aptech Limited said, “It is inspiring to see our alumni from Gurugram successfully building ventures leading creative enterprises making meaningful contributions across leading studios and creative organisations. As Arena Animation marked 30 years, this milestone is not only a reflection of our legacy, but of the strong industry network we have cultivated over time. The Gurugram Alumni Meet celebrates these achievements while reinforcing our commitment to nurturing talent, strengthening alumni connections, and fostering a collaborative ecosystem that inspires the next generation of creative professionals.”

Mr. Nitesh Jawarani,  Business Partner & Centre Director, Arena Animation, Gurugram, Sector 14, said, “After three decades of being associated with Aptech & Arena Animation, it is truly special for us to host our first Alumni Meet of this scale and bring together the very people who have been an integral part of our journey. Our alumni are the living testament to what we have built over the years -  from students who once walked through our doors to professionals who have gone on to create successful careers worldwide. This gathering is much more than a reunion; it is a celebration of the relationships, opportunities and shared experiences that have shaped our journey.”

Mrs. Preeti Jawarani, Academics Director, Arena Animation, Gurugram, Sector 14, said, “Arena Animation, Gurugram has consistently placed strong emphasis on career-oriented education and quality placements, helping its students build successful careers in the animation, VFX, gaming, multimedia and creative industries. Over the past three decades, its shining placement record stands as a testament to this sustained focus on employability, industry readiness and nurturing talent that meets professional standards.”

Spread across 5000 sq ft, self-owned premises, Arena Animation, Gurugram provides its students with an environment that goes well beyond computer-based learning, with dedicated space for professional shoots, creative workshops, collaborative activities and alumni interactions fostering a vibrant creative community.

Continuing its legacy of shaping India’s creative ecosystem, Arena Animation also launched a slew of innovative and future ready training programs including AI in Video Editing, AI in Motion Graphics & Design.  The celebration also highlighted Arena Animation's continued focus on strengthening industry-academia collaboration, encouraging original intellectual property creation through initiatives such as Arena Animation Originals, integrating emerging technologies into learning, and developing globally competitive creative professionals.

The Alumni Meet also enabled engaging discussions around emerging technologies, evolving career pathways, and industry expectations. Alumni shared their professional journeys and insights, offering valuable guidance to aspiring creators on navigating a dynamic and competitive creative ecosystem.

With Gurugram being a key hub for creative arts, culture, heritage and storytelling, the event further reinforces Arena Animation’s role in nurturing talent that contributes to both national and global creative industries.

ABOUT ARENA ANIMATION:

Arena Animation is a pioneer, trendsetter, and global leader in Media & Entertainment education. Since its inception in 1996, Arena Animation has trained over 4,50,000 students globally through its extensive network of centers.

Arena Animation offers industry-relevant courses in Animation, VFX, Gaming, Digital, AR/VR, and Multimedia, empowering students to build global careers in the rapidly evolving creative industries. The curriculum is supported by top-tier faculty, global partnerships, and cutting-edge learning tools. Arena Animation’s students are placed in leading studios and companies such as DNEG, Rockstar Games, Zebu Animation, Green Gold Animation, ILM, NY VFXWALA, Network 18, Digitoonz, and more across the Media & Entertainment landscape.

Tapah [Malaysia] : The Sai Baba Peace Torch brought a powerful message of peace, unity and humanity to Tapah, Malaysia, as more than 500 Sai devotees gathered for a special ceremony dedicated to promoting harmony across communities and nations.

The ceremony was attended by Hitesh Rajpal, Deputy High Commissioner of India to Malaysia, and Malaysian Minister Dato’ Sivakrishnan Sivaram. The event was led by Aushim Khetarpal (Aushimji), Head of the Shirdi Sai Baba Peace Foundation, who was invited by Datuk SP Kannan (Kannan Baba) and the South Malaysian Sai Baba organisation to bring the Peace Torch to the gathering.

The ceremony witnessed an emotional response from devotees as the Peace Torch was carried through the gathering. Several devotees came forward to touch and hold the torch, while others stood with folded hands. The deeply emotional atmosphere reflected the significance attached to the torch as a symbol of peace, compassion, and universal brotherhood.

Speaking on the occasion, Aushimji reiterated the Foundation’s core philosophy, “Spirituality is Humanity.”

“This torch is not about one religion or one nation. It belongs to humanity. Whether Christian, Tamil, Parsi, Muslim or Hindu, before anything else, we are human beings,” said Aushimji.

He further highlighted the emotional connection witnessed during the ceremony, saying, “When people from different backgrounds come together, and tears flow simply by touching a symbol of peace, you realise that peace is not merely an idea. Peace is an emotion. Humanity does not need a passport, a religion or a language.”

The participation of Hitesh Rajpal, Deputy High Commissioner of India to Malaysia, underlined the longstanding cultural and spiritual ties between India and Malaysia. The presence of Dato’ Sivakrishnan Sivaram further added to the significance of the gathering, bringing together representatives of India and Malaysia alongside devotees in a shared expression of peace and harmony.

The Sai Baba Peace Torch is part of the Shirdi Sai Baba Peace Foundation’s international peace initiative and has travelled across borders carrying its message of peace, service and compassion. Its journey has included associations with institutions and humanitarian landmarks such as the United Nations, South Africa, the Mahatma Gandhi Foundation, the Mother Teresa Foundation, the Vatican and Amma.

Following its Malaysia chapter, the Peace Torch is scheduled to continue its international journey towards the World Peace Palace in The Hague, Baba Mundi and the Vatican, before travelling onward to South Africa. The torch is subsequently expected to return to India for the grand finale of the Foundation’s international peace initiative, planned for April next year.

The Tapah gathering marked another significant chapter in the journey of the Peace Torch, bringing together people from different backgrounds around a common message of peace and humanity.

The Shirdi Sai Baba Peace Foundation continues to promote the belief that spirituality is not confined by religion, nationality or geographical boundaries, but is ultimately rooted in humanity and the shared aspiration for a peaceful world.

“Spirituality is Humanity.”

About Shirdi Sai Baba Peace Foundation

The Shirdi Sai Baba Peace Foundation is dedicated to promoting peace, harmony, compassion and humanity through spiritual and humanitarian initiatives.

Ahmedabad (Gujarat) [India] : I have sat across the table from some of Gujarat’s most ambitious developers. Brilliant projects. Stunning renders. Competitive pricing. And yet—unsold inventory is piling up.

The product was never the problem. The communication was.

Gujarat’s residential real estate market in 2025–26 is at one of its most exciting inflexion points in a decade. But the developers who will win are not just the ones building the best homes—they are the ones telling the best stories.

The Market Reality: Opportunity vs. Sentiment

Let us start with the facts. Housing demand in Ahmedabad surged by 21.4% year-on-year in early 2026, with SG Highway, Bopal, and SP Ring Road emerging as prime demand drivers. Average ticket sizes continue to rise steadily across micro-markets.

Yet, a sharp contrast remains: developers cut back on new project launches in mid-to-late 2025 due to market sentiment hesitation and buyer caution. The buyers are active, and liquidity exists. The missing link is confidence, communication, and conversion. That is a marketing problem—and it is 100% solvable.

Mapping Gujarat’s Real Estate Expansion Hubs

Before you market, you must understand the geography of demand across Gujarat’s prime corridors:

• West Peripheral (Shela, Shilaj, SP Ring Road): Dominates new supply driven by proximity to the Sanand industrial hub and outer ring road access.

• Northern Corridor (GIFT City, Vaishnodevi, Science City): Expanding rapidly off the back of GIFT City’s global financial growth and nearby mega-infrastructure projects, delivering 20%+ rental yield momentum.

• SBD / Commercial Arteries (SG Highway, Sindhu Bhavan Road): Driving high-end residential and commercial demand through metro connectivity and corporate hub proximity.

The Core Shift: Buyers in 2026 are not buying square footage alone. They are buying proximity to metro lines, GIFT City jobs, and lifestyle upgrades. Developers must market the ecosystem, not just the apartment.

5 Strategic Marketing Shifts for Developers

1. Stop Advertising. Start Educating: Modern buyers in Ahmedabad, Vadodara, and Surat research projects online long before calling a sales office. Winning developers publish useful market guides, RERA breakdowns, and locality reports instead of relying purely on display ads.

2. Market the Micro-Market First: Locations like Shela, Shilaj, and Nikol have shown massive 5-year capital appreciation, yet buyers lack local market data. Developers should publish location intelligence reports to frame buying as a smart wealth decision.

3. Target the NRI & Premium Segment Intentionally: With luxury properties seeing 15–20% appreciation, NRIs represent a major growth driver. They require remote confidence built via 3D virtual site tours, direct WhatsApp relationship management, and structured FEMA guides.

4. Build a Full Digital Funnel: Over 70% of Indian homebuyers begin their search digitally. Developers must replace outdated offline-only channels with an end-to-end digital journey:

Search Discovery ➔ Video Content (YouTube/Reels) ➔ High-Converting Landing Page ➔ WhatsApp/CRM Lead Nurture

5. Turn RERA Transparency into a Brand Asset: Delivery delays remain a primary buyer concern. Proactively displaying RERA compliance, monthly video progress updates, and delivery track records builds instant market trust.

The Affordability Advantage: Ahmedabad vs. Top Metros

Among India’s top metropolitan cities, Ahmedabad remains one of the most value-rich real estate markets:

The Value Proposition: “What commands ₹2+ Crore in Mumbai or Bengaluru yields larger living spaces, superior amenities, and equal growth potential at ₹80 Lakhs to ₹1.2 Crore in Gujarat.”

The Developer’s Execution Roadmap

[PRE-LAUNCH] ➔ Publish micro-market research | Feature RERA metrics | Set up 3D tours

[ACTIVE SALES] ➔ Weekly site update videos | Run Meta/Google funnels | Collect buyer testimonials

[POST-HANDOVER] ➔ Build resident communities | Launch referral programs | Publish case studies

Final Word

Gujarat’s residential market is fundamentally strong. While other major Indian metros face demand fluctuations, Ahmedabad has sustained stable growth. But structural strength alone does not sell units. Transparency, visibility, and narrative build real estate leaders.

About the Author

Jyoti Keswani is Senior VP at Sheetal Infrastructure Pvt Ltd. A PhD Scholar in Management and an alumna of Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA) and Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies (NMIMS), she specializes in organizational strategy, People management, and Brand and Marketing in real estate.

The call center will be operated in partnership with a customer experience management provider and will give customers a single, reliable point of contact for product queries, service requests, and support, available in both English and Hindi.

As musical instruments and audio equipment become long-term companions for musicians, students, and enthusiasts alike, the ownership experience extends well beyond the point of purchase. Prompt servicing, reliable guidance, and easy access to assistance directly shape how customers experience a brand over time. With this in mind, Yamaha Music India has made after-sales service a core pillar of its customer strategy, ensuring that product queries, service request, or troubleshooting needs are met with the same standard of care that defines its instruments and audio equipment.

Key details:

●      Channels: Phone and email support

●      Languages: English and Hindi

●      Operating hours: Monday to Saturday, 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM

●      Product coverage: Musical Instruments (MI) and Audio Products

●      Contact number: +91 85273 23300

"After-sales service is not an afterthought for us, it is an extension of the promise we make when a customer chooses Yamaha. This call center allows us to be more accessible and responsive, so that support is never far away for anyone who owns a Yamaha product," said Mr. Yusuke Honda, General Manager, CX Division, Yamaha Music India.

With the launch of this call center, Yamaha Music India reaffirms its commitment to building lasting relationships with its customers and setting a new benchmark for after-sales care in India's musical instruments and audio industry.

Pune, India, 16 September 2026 : The Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) convened the inaugural India Sustainability Forum (ISF) 2026 in partnership with CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory (CSIR-NCL), Pune and INFLIBNET Centre at the CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory, Pune bringing together leading scientists, industry experts, policymakers and innovators to explore how chemistry can accelerate India's sustainability ambitions.

Held under the theme "Advancing Sustainability through Chemistry", the one-day forum served as a national platform for dialogue, collaboration and knowledge exchange on some of India's most pressing sustainability challenges, including climate action, energy transition, circularity, sustainable manufacturing and environmental stewardship.

India is at a pivotal stage in its sustainability journey. Achieving national goals in areas such as clean energy, resource efficiency and sustainable industrial growth will require science-led innovation and stronger partnerships across academia, industry, government and the wider research ecosystem. Chemistry and the chemical sciences are expected to play a central role in enabling these solutions, from developing sustainable materials and advancing green chemistry to supporting cleaner manufacturing processes and resource-efficient technologies.

The India Sustainability Forum 2026 aims to strengthen connections between research and real-world impact by fostering collaboration, supporting innovation and encouraging engagement between scientific and industrial communities.

Dr Venkatesh Sarvasiddhi, Managing Director, RSC India and South Asia, said: "India has an extraordinary opportunity to lead the way in developing science-driven solutions for sustainability. Through the India Sustainability Forum, we aim to bring together diverse stakeholders to share knowledge, build partnerships and accelerate the translation of research into meaningful societal and environmental impact."

The forum featured keynote addresses and expert panel discussions involving distinguished leaders from government, academia and industry. Speakers include representatives from the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, CSIR-NCL, INFLIBNET Centre, Shiv Nadar University, JNCASR, IIT Bombay, Sun Pharma Advanced Research Company, Pidilite Industries, Praj Industries, and several other leading institutions.

Key discussions focused on:

●        Translating laboratory research into industrial sustainability solutions

●        Advancing sustainable innovation through academia-industry collaboration

●        Green chemistry and sustainable manufacturing

●        Building partnerships to accelerate climate and sustainability goals

●        Supporting India's transition towards a circular and low-carbon economy

The programme included a virtual address on the Royal Society of Chemistry's global sustainability strategy by Jo Reynolds, Director, Global Impact, Royal Society of Chemistry, alongside recognition programmes celebrating leadership and innovation in sustainable chemistry. These include She Leads Sustainability, the Chemistry for Sustainability: Emerging Researcher Award, and recognition of RSC Fellows from the Pune region.

A video address from Dr Helen Pain MBE CSci CChem FRSC, Chief Executive Officer of the Royal Society of Chemistry, reinforced the organisation's commitment to supporting scientific excellence and sustainable innovation worldwide.

As the first edition of what is envisioned as a flagship event for the Royal Society of Chemistry in India, the India Sustainability Forum aims to catalyse meaningful collaborations, strengthen the connection between science and society, and help accelerate the development of sustainable solutions for India's future.

The event was organised in partnership with CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory (CSIR-NCL), Pune, with support from the INFLIBNET Centre, alongside academic and industry associations from across India.

Dr Ashish Lele, Director of CSIR NCL Pune, said “As the host institution, we  are absolutely delighted to partner with the Royal Society of Chemistry and IFLIBNET in bringing together an exciting community of researchers, industry leaders, policymakers, innovators and young scientists to exchange ideas in the panel discussions, and shape solutions for a more sustainable future.

“Sustainability is the defining challenge at the planet level, at national level, at societal level and at societal levels.”

Those thoughts were echoed by the keynote speakers, including Dr Devika Madali, Director of INFLIBNET Centre, said:who said: “Sustainability is practically not a research question anymore. It’s about existence itself.”

In his keynote, Dr BLV Prasad, Chief Scientist CSIR National Chemical Laboratory, Pune, concluded: “Climate change doesn’t need a passport or a visa”.

Notes for editors: About the Royal Society of Chemistry

We work at the heart of the chemical sciences community to create a future that is more open, more green, and more equal. Together, we’re helping chemistry to change the world.

We enable exciting progress that would be otherwise impossible. As an independent catalyst for change, we connect people and ideas through partnerships, conferences, events and networks that span the globe.

We publish scientists’ discoveries and insights so they can be used to improve our health, environment and lifestyles. And we’re transforming how we do that with a commitment to open access: everyone, everywhere, should have the same potential to read and share knowledge.

We care about protecting our natural environment, about tackling discrimination to build a truly inclusive world, and about making cutting-edge chemistry accessible wherever it’s needed for the good of society.

It’s all built upon and lifted up by our diverse global membership, with every one of those 60,000 members bringing a unique and valuable perspective. The chemical science community has the knowledge, skills and passion to make those a reality – together, we’re changing the world.

www.rsc.org  

RSC India Media Contact:
Shweta Bhagat [BhagatS@rsc.org]

Gurugram, September 2026 : Entrepreneur and marketing professional Attrri Bhhardwaj has launched his second venture, Renaco Media, expanding his entrepreneurial journey beyond the hospitality sector into the wider creative and experiential marketing space.

Bhhardwaj is the founder of GrowVista Hospitality, a marketing venture focused on helping hotels, resorts and hospitality businesses strengthen their digital presence and grow their businesses. While GrowVista Hospitality will continue to focus on the hospitality industry, the launch of Renaco Media opens a new avenue for Bhhardwaj to explore creative opportunities across a much broader range of industries.

From Hospitality to a Wider Creative Landscape

Over the course of building GrowVista Hospitality, Bhhardwaj developed a deep understanding of how brands use storytelling, content and digital marketing to connect with their audiences. Renaco Media comes from a desire to take that experience beyond hospitality and work with brands across different industries.

Renaco Media is being positioned as a creative and experiential marketing agency that brings together strategy, storytelling, content, influencers, events and technology under one platform.

The agency will work across areas including brand launches, creative campaigns, social media, influencer marketing, event and experiential marketing, podcasts, long-form and short-form content, video production, website development and digital brand experiences.

Rather than limiting itself to traditional digital marketing, Renaco Media aims to help brands create meaningful experiences and conversations around their businesses.

A Creative Partner Beyond Conventional Marketing

According to Bhhardwaj, the idea behind Renaco Media is rooted in the changing nature of modern marketing.

Today, brands are no longer built only through advertisements. They are built through stories, communities, creators, experiences, conversations and consistent content.

Renaco Media aims to operate at the intersection of these different creative disciplines.

From helping a new company launch its brand to developing a creative campaign, from producing a podcast for a founder to executing an influencer-led activation or an experiential event, the agency intends to work across the complete creative journey of a brand.

“GrowVista Hospitality will continue to be focused on hospitality. That is an ecosystem we understand deeply and will continue to build in. Renaco Media gives us the opportunity to go beyond that space — to work with different kinds of brands, explore new creative formats and experiment with ideas that may not necessarily fit within hospitality.”

Built Within an AI Venture Studio

One of the key aspects of Renaco Media is that it is being built within an AI Venture Studio, giving the agency an opportunity to explore the intersection of creativity and emerging technology.

The venture plans to experiment with AI across various aspects of marketing and creative production, including content ideation, campaign development, creative workflows, digital experiences and marketing solutions.

The focus is not simply on using AI as a production tool, but on exploring how technology can enable creative teams and brands to think, create and execute differently.

By combining creative strategy, storytelling and AI-led innovation, Renaco Media aims to build a modern approach to brand communication.

Expanding Across Industries

While hospitality remains at the centre of GrowVista Hospitality, Renaco Media will allow Bhhardwaj to work with a much wider range of businesses and creators.

The agency's potential focus areas include real estate, jewellery, restaurants and cafés, personal brands, creators, consumer businesses and emerging companies.

This broader approach is intended to give the team greater creative freedom while allowing brands from different sectors to access an integrated creative and marketing partner.

 Two Ventures, Two Distinct Focus Areas

The launch of Renaco Media does not mark a shift away from GrowVista Hospitality.

Instead, Bhhardwaj sees the two ventures as complementary.

GrowVista Hospitality will continue to build its presence within the hospitality ecosystem, while Renaco Media will explore opportunities across the wider creative economy.

This allows both ventures to develop their own specialised identities while giving Bhhardwaj the opportunity to pursue different areas of entrepreneurship.

“Renaco is not about leaving hospitality behind. GrowVista will continue to grow in that space. Renaco is about opening another door — one that allows us to work across industries, collaborate with creators, build experiences and explore what the future of creative marketing can look like.”

Looking Ahead 

Renaco Media's long-term vision is to become a creative partner for ambitious brands looking to build stronger identities and deeper connections with their audiences.

Beyond client work, the venture also plans to explore original content initiatives, including a podcast focused on entrepreneurship, marketing, creativity, technology and the evolving world of business.

With the launch of Renaco Media, Attrri Bhhardwaj is expanding his entrepreneurial journey from a specialised hospitality marketing business into a broader creative ecosystem.

The new venture brings together brand building, content, creators, experiences and technology, with the ambition of helping brands turn their ideas into stories and experiences that people remember.

Renaco Media

Your Story, Seamlessly Told.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/attrri-bhhardwaj/

https://www.renacomedia.com

Mumbai, September 15, 2026 : Business Viewpoint Magazine and The Enterprise World concluded the third edition of the Bharat 2.0 Conclave series, Bharat 2.0 Conclave: Shakti Edition, at Hotel Sahara Star, Mumbai. It brought together more than 200 leaders, professionals, entrepreneurs and changemakers to spotlight women’s leadership and India’s growth story.

The event began with an interactive “Stand Up If…” activity, followed by the Shakti Pledge and a collective tricolour flag-waving ceremony. The opening keynote by Dhruv Apte, “Who Writes the Next Chapter? The Power of Storytelling, Shakti & Leadership in a Changing Bharat,” was followed by Rashoo Sachdeva’s keynote on “Identity, Leadership & Beyond.”

The conclave’s leadership dialogue continued with a panel featuring Roopa Lobo, Dr. Mandeep Maitra, Dr. (Hon.) Ridhima Dua, Rishita Malhotra and Swati Satapathy, moderated by Dhruv Apte. The discussion explored the journey from organisational leadership to entrepreneurship.

A major highlight was the presence and felicitation of Dr. Kiran Bedi, followed by a candid conversation moderated by Dr. Ankita Singh, Founder of the HR Association of India. The conversation explored Dr. Bedi’s leadership journey, experiences, choices and lessons, as well as the meaning of Shakti through her personal leadership story.

The Leadership Excellence Awards recognised 69 women leaders, with honours spanning technology, AI, healthcare, education, FinTech, engineering, sustainability, HR, entrepreneurship, marketing, logistics, law and social impact.

One of the attendees, Deepika Pillai, Vice President of TELUS Digital, said the event’s purpose was among its strongest draws: “The name Shakti drew me to this conclave. The fact that this is a platform being built for recognizing women in the industry, I think that's what stood out for me and that brought me here.”

The Shakti Edition placed women’s leadership within the broader vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, framing the journey from participation to leadership and transformation.

Here’s the awardee list:

Ar. Bhagyashri Varma, Swati Thakur, Kshama Rangan, Priyanka Chande, Pallavi Srivastava, Dr. Rini Singh, Roopa Lobo, Seema Sutradhar, Dr. Mandeep Maitra, Deepika Pillai, Dr. Snehal Pinto, Dr. Anjana Vinod, Maansi Gupta, Diksha Panesar, Namita Shrivastava, Itisha Jalan, Agatha Sushila Dias, Treesa Bizira, Dr. Aruna Ashok, Swati Satapathy, Richa Agrawal, Jharna Dhar, Rishita Malhotra, Dr. Shivani Mayekar Rao, Dr. Vaishali Ashok Bhide, Shilpi Baid Dewangan, Isha Oswal, Shaily Gupta, Prerana Deshnur, Shelley Bhasin, Dr. Shivani Modi, Rachana JG, Sudarshana Mitra, Jaya Sengupta, Reethika Azariah Kuruvilla, Dr. Karishma Kagodu, Kaveri Ingale, Pooja Chawla Gandhi, Mamtaa Nitturkar, Dr. Richa Pathak, Dr. (Hon.) Ridhima Dua, Rabiya Naushad Khan, Dr. Henrietta Newton Martin, Dr. Meenal Mategaonkar, Archhana Agarwaal, Col. Madhumita Dhall, Preeti Kamalakar, Renu Jethani, Sudarshana Niraj Dravid, Rashoo Sachdeva, Richa Varshney, Anisha Pandeya, Preiti Patel, Aanchal Gupta, Dr. Sharmila Amin, Aastha Atray Banan, Sakshi Pandey, Sonica Aron, Yamini Agarwal, Aprma Kumar Anand, Veena Bhogaonkar, Akshata Mallya Shenoy, Anamika Dikshit, Dr. Anjali Dalwadi Prajapati, Ira

Agarwal, Sathya VP, Sabira Arefin, Anisha Chandy Eckardt and Gautami Deshmukh.

About Bharat 2.0 Conclave

Bharat 2.0 Conclave is a leadership and business platform that brings together entrepreneurs, industry leaders, innovators, educators, policymakers, and changemakers to foster dialogue around leadership, innovation, and nation-building while celebrating excellence across industries

Mumbai (Sept. 15, 2026) :  A new SAS report with research insights by IDC uncovers what’s powering the organizations winning the race to profit from their AI investments: embracing trustworthy AI measures. Organizations applying trustworthy AI practices were 15 times more likely to report strong return on investment (ROI) from their AI projects.

As identified in the second annual Data and AI Impact Report: The New Economics of Trust, organizations with the strongest governance, data quality and auditability practices – a comparatively small market segment – consistently outperformed peers, reporting at least double the ROI from AI deployments. Fewer than one in 20 trustworthy AI ‘laggard’ organizations reported the same.

“When AI works, it’s incredibly impactful,” said Bryan Harris, CTO at SAS. “However, it is well documented that state-of-the-art agents can have error rates that exceed 25% on complex tasks – which is unacceptable in high-stakes decision-making. In order to achieve accuracy and repeatability, organizations must embed domain expertise into agentic workflows, while keeping people at the center of governance and oversight. Organizations that do this successfully will close the trust gap and gain a competitive advantage in the market with AI.”

Noshin Kagalwalla, Vice President – Public Sector, APAC & Managing Director, SAS India, said, “The findings reflect a broader shift among organizations in India toward strengthening the foundations required to support trustworthy and explainable AI. With over 90% of surveyed organizations planning to increase AI investments, establishing trust in AI systems will be critical to realizing lasting business value.”

“As AI becomes more autonomous, organizations face a new challenge: maintaining confidence in systems people don't fully understand,” said Chris Marshall, Vice President at IDC. “Our findings show that stronger oversight, explainability, accountability and data foundations are becoming prerequisites for scaling AI successfully.”

In India, organizations reported year-on-year improvements across measures of AI trustworthiness, while also highlighting the continued need to strengthen explainability, accountability and data quality as adoption expands. Among surveyed organizations, the financial services and technology sectors demonstrated notable progress across measures of maturity and infrastructure.

Investment intentions among surveyed organizations in India remain strong, with 91.8% expecting AI spending to increase over the next 12 months. Notably, the proportion planning a significant increase of more than 20% rose from 5% in 2025 to 27.3% in 2026, reflecting continued confidence in AI as a strategic business priority.

The report’s findings span three themes:

AI that can't explain itself is a major business liability
Researchers found that at many organizations, employees are increasingly hesitant to rely on systems that may or may not be able to offer correct output or explain how AI arrived at a final decision. As AI gains autonomy, this liability grows, making explainability crucial for success.

The report also explored a major hurdle to success in AI adoption: when employees' lack of trust in AI decisions leads them to override and make manual corrections. This only perpetuates the AI trustworthiness deficit, and can cost organizations time, productivity and profitability. When AI decision-making is only as good as the data it’s based on, building a strong data foundation becomes pivotal for organizations looking to reduce override rates.

Among surveyed organizations in India, insufficient explanation behind AI-generated recommendations and inadequate context were cited as the most common reasons employees override AI outputs. The results suggest that as AI systems become more capable, the ability to explain decisions and provide business context remains critical to user confidence and adoption.

Key findings:

●      97.2% of users override AI-generated recommendations in at least some cases.

●      The number one reason employees decided to override AI, regardless of whether its output was considered correct, was when the AI could not provide an explanation behind its decision.

●      Trust falls from 76% for generative AI to 66% for agentic AI, highlighting growing concerns as AI systems gain more autonomy.

Trustworthy AI practices drive business success

The report exposes a widening ROI divide between organizations that prioritize trustworthy AI practices and those that do not. The findings suggest organizations gaining the most value from AI are not necessarily deploying different technologies but instead managing AI differently.

Key findings:

●      Organizations investing in trustworthy AI measures are 15 times more likely to report strong or high ROI on their AI projects (62% vs. 4%).

●      Organizations with the strongest trustworthy AI practices realize 1.85 times greater gains across 13 different business outcomes, including revenue growth, cost savings and customer experience.

●      85% of these AI leaders with trustworthy practices are increasing their investment in this area by more than 10% this year, actively widening the performance gap.

Too many organizations are losing time and money to weak data foundations
Most organizations are deploying AI on severely underdeveloped or outdated data and data infrastructure. Without a strong data foundation to support crucial transparency and explainability, organizations struggle to govern AI effectively and realize value.

The findings also point to the growing importance of data quality as organizations scale AI adoption. In India, Data Quality & Governance emerged as one of the most important factors for 69.4% of surveyed organizations, reflecting a broader shift toward strengthening the foundations required to support trustworthy and explainable AI.

Key findings:

●      Only 17.5% of enterprises have a fully optimized data infrastructure mature enough for the demands of agentic AI, which negatively impacts performance.

●      Organizations with an optimized data foundation are four times more likely to expect strong ROI from AI projects, and six times more likely to mandate the data quality and explainability controls necessary to build trust.

Take a deeper dive

The findings are based on a global survey of 2,699 decision-makers with knowledge of or influence over their company's data and AI initiatives. The survey was conducted across 28 countries and four focus industries: banking, insurance, life sciences and the public sector. The report highlights industry use cases and findings that demonstrate how leaders in each of these industries around the globe are approaching AI.

Key findings:

●      Banking leaders are going beyond compliance, treating robust AI governance as a competitive advantage and operational necessity – 85% of AI leader banks have established governance frameworks, compared to just 29% of laggards.

●      Forty-one percent of public sector leaders are increasing trustworthy AI investment by more than 20% in the year ahead, which is as fast as the most ambitious organizations across any industry.

●      23% of life sciences organizations have scaled AI company-wide – the highest of any industry.

Explore study findings and access the full report here.

What makes AI trustworthy?

Trustworthy AI  is artificial intelligence designed to be reliable, fair, secure, up to regulatory standards, and able to clearly show how it arrived at a decision. Users and decision-makers at all levels within an organization must be able to hold an AI system to a pre-determined chain of accountability for incorrect or missing AI output. Any AI system must also be governed and proven to be in compliance with clear rules.

What makes an organization a trustworthy AI leader?

Within the study, organizations were scored out of 100 against five dimensions of trustworthy AI. The report’s trustworthy AI leaders were organizations with an average total score of 80 or higher.

Each organization was scored across the following five trustworthy AI criteria.

1. Data quality and governance.

2. Model governance and oversight.

3. Explainability and fairness.

4. Responsible AI policy.

5. Audit and accountability.

About SAS

SAS is a global leader in data and AI, helping organizations make confident decisions with AI they can trust. For decades, SAS has set the standard for delivering software that drives meaningful impact, incorporating deep industry expertise, transparency and governance. SAS gives you THE POWER TO KNOW®.

SAS and all other SAS Institute Inc. product or service names are registered trademarks or trademarks of SAS Institute Inc. in the USA and other countries. ® indicates USA registration. Other brand and product names are trademarks of their respective companies. Copyright © 2026 SAS Institute Inc. All rights reserved.

Editorial Contacts:

Kunal Aman, SAS

kunal.aman@sas.com

sas.com/news

Thoughtfully formulated for Indian heat and humidity, the new jelly moisturiser offers non-sticky hydration leaving skin feeling fresh and dewy with a lasting bounce

National, 15th September 2026 : Dot & Key, India's fastest-growing D2C skincare brand, has expanded its moisturizer range with the launch of its new Dragon Fruit Bounce Jelly Moisturiser. Designed for oily and combination skin that craves hydration without the heaviness or grease, the new light-weight moisturiser offers deeply layered hydration and visibly plumps skin with lasting bounce.

This new launch reflects the brand’s continued focus on innovation with unique science-backed formulations that address evolving skincare needs of Indian consumers. Finding effective hydration for oily yet dehydrated skin without a greasy residue can be a constant challenge. The Dragon Fruit Bounce Jelly Moisturiser solves this with a quick-absorbing, cushiony jelly texture that glides on effortlessly, leaving skin feeling fresh and dewy without the unwanted shine.

The moisturiser is powered by three key hero ingredients, Plant-PDRN, Niacinamide and multi-peptides, which work together to support collagen, improve skin elasticity and balance excess oil. The formula is further enriched with multi-weight Hyaluronic Acid, Ectoin and a Ceramide-Cholesterol lipid matrix, which help lock in moisture and strengthen the skin’s barrier while protecting against environmental stressors.

The fast-absorbing formula layers effortlessly under sunscreen and makeup, making it ideal for everyday wear. Thoughtfully formulated for Indian heat and humidity, the fragrance-free moisturiser is suitable for daily AM and PM skincare routines.

Priced at ₹499, the Dot & Key Dragon Fruit Bounce Jelly Moisturiser is now available across Dot & Key's website, leading online marketplaces, quick commerce platforms and offline retail stores. Dot & Key’s Dragon Fruit range also features the Dragon Fruit Bounce Sunscreen launched earlier this year. To know more, visit www.dotandkey.com

About Dot & Key Skincare

Dot & Key is India's fastest-growing D2C skincare brand, known for its consumer-first approach and category-defining innovations. Headquartered in Kolkata, the brand was founded in 2018 by Anisha Agarwal Saraf and Suyash Saraf, with a mission to make global-standard skincare accessible to Indian consumers. Dot & Key has emerged as a leading player in India's beauty market, with strong positions across sunscreens, moisturisers, facewash and lip balms including its flagship Vitamin C and Blueberry Barrier Repair ranges. All innovation is developed in-house at Dot & Key's own R&D lab, where a team of skincare scientists with over 50 years of combined experience blend the best of fruit actives and high-performance ingredients. The brand is backed by Nykaa, India's leading beauty and wellness aggregator, and reaches millions of consumers through a robust omnichannel presence.

Pune : Two hundred years ago, a small flame of trust was lit, and today it has grown into the magnificent banyan tree that is Chandukaka Saraf Jewels. Under the shade of this tree, countless family memories have been cherished, the warmth of thousands of relationships has been shared, and behind every piece of jewellery lies a priceless story woven with trust.

Established in 1827, Chandukaka Saraf Jewels has completed an illustrious journey spanning two centuries. Over this remarkable journey, times have changed, generations have changed, fashion has evolved, and jewellery designs have transformed. Yet, beyond all these changes, the trust of customers and the tradition of purity have remained unwavering.

This enduring trust, the unbreakable relationships built with customers, and the rich legacy of 200 years were celebrated in grand style at a spectacular event held at Laxmi Lawns, Manjari. The celebration beautifully brought together 200 years of tradition, the modernity of the present, and new dreams for the future.

No matter how large an institution grows, its true stature is defined by the people who walk alongside it with dedication and loyalty. As part of Chandukaka Saraf Jewel’s glorious 200-year journey, loyal employees who have devoted several years of their lives to the organisation were specially honoured.

Employees who demonstrated outstanding performance were presented with cars and two-wheelers, while other employees were felicitated with silver articles in recognition of their contribution. For those who had devoted some of the most valuable years of their lives to the organisation, the institution placed the keys to cars and two-wheelers in their hands. What greater expression of gratitude could there be?

This unique recognition of employee loyalty stood out as a special gesture in Maharashtra's business landscape. The honour was not merely about gifts; it was a celebration of hard work, a tribute to loyalty, and a living expression of belonging — an affirmation that “You are one of us.”

The felicitation ceremony was further enhanced by a series of cultural performances, adding to the atmosphere of enthusiasm, joy, and togetherness.

Speaking on the occasion, Director Atul Shah said, “Times have changed, generations have changed, and the forms of jewellery have evolved; but the trust placed in Chandukaka Saraf Jewels has never changed. This 200-year journey does not belong to us alone; it belongs to our customers and to every employee who has stood firmly beside us.”

Speaking about the organisation's journey ahead, Director Siddharth Shah said, “We will certainly carry forward the tradition of purity and trust built over 200 years. At the same time, we now aspire to establish Chandukaka Saraf Jewels as a distinctive name for exceptional and innovative jewellery. This is our commitment for the next 200 years.”

Meanwhile, presenting the vision of “System ab aapki mutthi mein,” Director Aditya Shah emphasised the extensive use of new-age technology across the business. He spoke about the organisation's intent to provide customers with services that are more seamless, faster, and increasingly customer-centric, in keeping with changing times.

The historic celebration was attended by Directors Atul Shah and Sangeeta Shah, along with Aditya Shah, Damini Shah, Siddharth Shah, and Ankita Shah. Employees, family members, well-wishers, and associates came together to make this landmark occasion even more memorable.

Today, CS Jewels has expanded its network of jewellery stores across Pune, Maharashtra, and Karnataka. The brand is also set to open a new jewellery showroom in Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh, in the near future.

Mumbai, 15 September 2026 : DBS Bank India today announced the expansion of capabilities on DBS MAX, its merchant collections platform, with a digital payment management solution powered by Juspay, a global payment infrastructure company. The solution helps merchants improve payment resilience, optimise transaction flows and gain consolidated visibility across digital collections.

India’s digital payments landscape has evolved rapidly with UPI transaction volumes having increased by more than 12,000 times over the last decade. Businesses are increasingly adopting more than one payment aggregator to support growing transaction volumes so that they can, in turn, provide reliable digital payment experiences to their customers. The new integration on DBS MAX, backed by Juspay’s platform supports intelligent routing, based on merchant-defined rules and payment performance. A unified dashboard provides consolidated visibility across payment gateways and payment methods, including transaction success rates, refunds and reconciliation, helping merchants quickly understand payment performance and identify actionable insights. Businesses can add or switch between supported payment aggregators with minimal technical changes, reducing time and effort spent on multiple integrations.

Divyesh Dalal, Managing Director and Country Head, Global Transaction Services, Corporate Banking- Financial Institutions and SMEs, DBS Bank India, said: “The acceleration of online commerce has led to a rise in consumer expectations for seamless online payment journeys. Given this ongoing evolution, corporates are now seeking platforms which provide a comprehensive suite of online payments with optimal payment modes for enhanced decision making.  As a future forward bank, we envision our partnership with Juspay as the first step towards providing an intelligent payments platform offering a more streamlined merchant and end user experience. Leveraging our global credibility, local distribution and technology prowess, DBS is uniquely placed to provide advanced digital solutions to a wide number of enterprises across India. This marks the beginning of a new era in treasury management for corporates.”

Through this partnership with Juspay, DBS MAX offers increased functionality designed to address common merchant concerns with solutions such as a gateway-agnostic card tokenisation when merchants switch between supported gateways. In addition, consolidated visibility across payment gateways enables merchants to better assess payment performance and tailor promotional campaigns to drive customer engagement.

“By partnering with Juspay, DBS Bank India brings its established payments franchise and Juspay's leading payment orchestration capabilities together to further enhance DBS MAX for businesses.” said Sheetal Lalwani, Co-Founder and COO of Juspay. “Together, we are bringing the strengths of banking and modern payments infrastructure to create a more intelligent and connected payments ecosystem for businesses. This collaboration aims to simplify the complexity of digital payments while giving businesses greater visibility, and control across their payment operations.”

DBS has been recognised globally for its transaction banking capabilities and digital expertise with awards like Asia's Best Digital Bank and Asia’s Best Bank for Customer Experience at the Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2026, as well as Best Bank for Payments – Asia-Pacific and Best Bank for Transaction Banking – Asia-Pacific at the Global Finance Treasury & Cash Management Awards 2026. DBS was also named the Best Corporate Digital Bank - India by Global Finance in 2026, underlining its continued customer focus.

About DBS

DBS is a leading financial services group in Asia with a presence in 19 markets. Headquartered and listed in Singapore, DBS is in the three key Asian axes of growth: Greater China, Southeast Asia and South Asia. The bank's "AA-" and "Aa1" credit ratings are among the highest in the world.

Recognised for its global leadership, DBS has been named “World’s Best Bank” by Global Finance, “World’s Best Bank” by Euromoney and “Global Bank of the Year” by The Banker. The bank is at the forefront of leveraging digital technology to shape the future of banking, having been named  “World’s Best AI Bank” by Global Finance, “World’s Best Digital Bank” by Euromoney and the winner of multiple digital assets awards. In addition, DBS has been accorded the “Safest Bank in Asia“ award by Global Finance for 17 consecutive years from 2009 to 2025. DBS Bank India was recognised by CRISIL Coalition Greenwich as the Best Bank for Corporate Cash Management in India in 2025 and 2026. The bank was also named Best Bank for ESG in India at the Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2026 and was recognised as the Best Bank in Emerging Tech and AI at the Business Today-KPMG India’s Best Banks Awards 2026.

DBS provides a full range of services in Consumer, Wealth, SME and corporate banking. As a bank born and bred in Asia, DBS understands the intricacies of doing business in the region’s most dynamic markets.

DBS Bank has been present in India for more than 30 years, opening its first office in Mumbai in 1994. DBS Bank India Limited is the first among the large foreign banks in India to start operating as a wholly owned, locally incorporated subsidiary of a leading global bank. As a trusted partner, DBS provides a range of banking services for large, medium, and small enterprises and individual consumers in India, focusing on a seamless customer experience that helps them ‘Live more, Bank less’. In November 2020, Lakshmi Vilas Bank was merged with DBS Bank India Limited. DBS Bank India is now present in ~350 locations in 19 Indian states.

DBS is committed to building lasting relationships with customers, as it banks the Asian way. Through the DBS Foundation, the bank creates impact beyond banking by uplifting lives and livelihoods of those in need. It provides essential needs to the underprivileged, and fosters inclusion by equipping the underserved with financial and digital literacy skills. It also nurtures innovative social enterprises that create positive impact.

With its extensive network of operations in Asia and emphasis on engaging and empowering its staff, DBS presents exciting career opportunities. For more information, please visit www.dbs.com

Fourth edition of Salespreneur, the Gurugram-based revenue B-school's flagship placement event, draws 28 recruiters and 62 interview requests across 21 students in a single afternoon; Day Zero offers range from ₹16 LPA to ₹31.5 LPA for roles across North America, Europe, the Middle East and APAC

Salespreneur is the stage on which Day Zero happens. In the months before the event, student teams adopt a real company and build a complete go-to-market plan for it, from ideal-customer research and market sizing to live outbound cadences and a detailed GTM plan, then pitch it to a room of founders, sales leaders and recruiters. After each pitch, every guest records one of three responses: an interview request, a mentoring commitment, or a pass with written feedback. Interview slots open on the day itself, and offers can be made before the room empties. This season's four teams pitched plans for Dclutter, NeuroFin, Aqqrue and Structured AI. Guests of honour were Ashish Cherian, Director at Adobe, and Zeeshan Jawed, Director of Sales at Kaseya.

Every Day Zero offer was for a revenue-adjacent role, with recruiters hiring across the length of the sales cycle: Sales Development Representative, Business Development Representative, Account Executive and Customer Success Manager. Markets spanned North America, the UK and Europe, the Middle East, India and APAC, with several roles remote-first, selling into North American and European hours from India. Offers ranged from ₹16 LPA to ₹31.5 LPA, with the highest at ₹31.5 LPA and an expected average of ₹20.75 LPA across offers in the offer stage.

The 28 recruiters in the room spanned SaaS, fintech, developer tools, research and IT infrastructure. Companies that hired or opened interviews from the Salespreneur room include Karbon Business, PineGap, Recepto, Forrester, Cast.ai, Supa, GobbleCube and Practice by Numbers; the full list of 28 will be published with the season report. Also present were revenue leaders from MongoDB and members of the institute's CXO advisory board, including Rajeev Chari, founder of axiTrust, and Anupreet Singh, Chief Revenue Officer at Gan.ai.

The IIM slot, run by a 9-month B-school

Day Zero is the day before a placement season formally opens. A small set of recruiters, invited on the strength of the roles and compensation they bring, get first access to the cohort, and offers made on the day close before the wider process begins. The Indian Institutes of Management introduced the slot for their most sought-after recruiters, and over time it became the benchmark every B-school season is read against: the highest offers, the most competitive roles and the earliest signal of how a batch will do.

New-age B-schools have largely run rolling placements across a semester and reported a single average at the end. As they compete for the same recruiters, the Day Zero format is finding its way into their placement calendars as a way to concentrate demand and give students a time-bound outcome. HiveSchool runs it as a recurring institutional event for its PGP in Revenue, Tech and Entrepreneurship; Salespreneur is now in its fourth edition. The comparison the institute draws with the legacy institutes is to the method, not the money.

Season on season

Both ends of the Day Zero range moved up this edition. The floor rose from ₹12 LPA to ₹16 LPA, an increase of 33%, and the top from ₹25 LPA to ₹31.5 LPA, an increase of 26%. The institute's annual numbers have moved the same way: average CTC rose from ₹14.76 LPA in 2024-25 to ₹16.47 LPA in 2025-26, with the median moving from ₹14 LPA to ₹15 LPA (Annual Placement Report 2025-26). The remaining two-thirds of the cohort now interview through the regular placement window, and the institute expects the full-season average to settle at ₹16 to ₹17 LPA, consistent with previous cohorts, with a batch twice the size of the last one.

Report card, not brochure

The Day Zero report states that its ranges reflect Day Zero offers only, and that the ₹20.75 LPA average is an expected figure that will be restated as offers close. That follows the standard the institute set in August, when it published a placement report and video naming every placed student along with their story, opened direct, unmediated access for prospective students to speak with any of them, and committed its founder to personally answering every placement-related query. The full placement report follows at the close of the season.

"We didn't invent Day Zero. The legacy institutes refined it over decades, and we studied it closely. What we did was apply the same discipline to revenue roles that no B-school had treated as a core discipline, and run it for a cohort you can actually get into. Sixty-four interview requests in one afternoon for 21 students is what that looks like. We'll publish every number that follows, including the ones that don't flatter us," said Nikhil Gaur, Founder and CEO, HiveSchool.

Recruiters in the room pointed to the work rather than the resumes. "What stood out was the pipeline math. They could defend every number in the revenue model. That is a skill I hire for," said Ashish Cherian, Director, Adobe. "The ICP thinking was sharp. They knew who not to sell to, which is the hardest thing to teach," said Zeeshan Jawed, Director of Sales, Kaseya.

What produced the day

Every team built its pitch on the same four pillars, mirroring how a revenue team operates inside a company: ideal-customer research that ends in a tiered account list with disqualification criteria; market sizing that ties pipeline coverage to a quarterly number; a live outbound cadence sequenced across LinkedIn, email, calls and WhatsApp over 14 days, with real replies and booked meetings; and a  go-to-market plan with owners, milestones and a pipeline target. Recruiters decide on evidence of selling, not a CV.

The 9-month Postgraduate Program in Revenue, AI and Entrepreneurship is built backwards from the roles it places into. Delivered fully offline in Gurugram, it runs on daily business challenges, live simulations, sprints and founder-led workshops, with a curriculum designed alongside startup operators and students mentored by people currently doing these jobs at leading tech companies.

With admissions open for its next cohort, Hive School of Business is staying with the model it believes previews where Indian education is headed: tightly targeted outcomes, built input by input, as a credible, high-return alternative to the traditional MBA for freshers and early-career professionals. Recruiters who want a seat in the Salespreneur room next season can register through hiveschool.co.

About Hive School: Hive School is India's first dedicated Revenue B-School. Its flagship 9-month Postgraduate Program in Revenue, Technology and Entrepreneurship is delivered fully offline in Gurugram and led by senior startup operators; the school also runs an AI Marketing Fellowship and undergraduate programmes. With a growing placement track record and a community of founders and investors behind it, Hive School is building business education for the next generation.

●      Four-pillar investment framework spanning Growth Potential, Competitive Positioning, Operational Excellence and Financial Strength

New Delhi, September 15, 2026 : Axis Max Life Insurance Limited (“Axis Max Life”/ “Company”), formerly known as Max Life Insurance Company Ltd., announced the launch of the Axis Max Life Rising India Manufacturing Fund (SFIN: ULIF05007/09/26RISINGINDM104), an actively managed thematic fund designed to provide policyholders an opportunity to participate in India’s expanding manufacturing ecosystem.

The fund will invest primarily across the manufacturing sector and related and allied industries, including ancillary businesses, industrial infrastructure providers, engineering companies, automation solution providers, logistics participants and other businesses deriving a significant share of their revenues from the manufacturing ecosystem. Through this diversified approach, the fund seeks to capture opportunities emerging from India’s growing focus on domestic production, localisation and global competitiveness.

India’s manufacturing sector continues to benefit from policy support, infrastructure investments, supply-chain diversification and rising domestic demand. Initiatives such as Make in India, the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes, National Logistics Policy and PM Gati Shakti are supporting investments across manufacturing industries, while rising private-sector capital expenditure and export competitiveness are creating opportunities across the broader manufacturing ecosystem.These trends are creating opportunities across sectors including automobiles, capital goods, defence, electronics, chemicals, pharmaceuticals and industrial services.

Vaibhav Kumar, Head – Product Management and E-Commerce Channel, Axis Max Life, said, “India’s manufacturing ecosystem is at an important stage of its evolution, supported by a combination of policy reforms, infrastructure development, domestic demand and the growing diversification of global supply chains. As the country strengthens its position as a competitive manufacturing destination, we believe the opportunity extends beyond traditional manufacturers to a much wider ecosystem of businesses enabling this transformation.

With the Axis Max Life Rising India Manufacturing Fund, our endeavour is to provide policyholders an actively managed avenue to participate in this long-term structural opportunity. The fund’s diversified approach and disciplined investment framework will enable us to identify businesses with strong growth potential, competitive positioning, operational capabilities and financial strength, while expanding the range of investment choices available to our customers.”

As an actively managed fund, the Axis Max Life Rising India Manufacturing Fund will provide the fund manager flexibility to identify opportunities across manufacturing and allied sectors based on growth prospects, company fundamentals, valuations and evolving market conditions. This approach enables dynamic allocation across manufacturing and allied sectors, with the flexibility to identify emerging opportunities and adapt to changing market conditions. The fund will use the Nifty India Manufacturing Index as its benchmark and will be available across online and offline channels through applicable Axis Max Life unit-linked insurance products. The annual Fund Management Charge (FMC) will be 1.35% of assets under management. With the launch of the Rising India Manufacturing Fund, Axis Max Life continues to expand its suite of investment options, providing policyholders greater choice to participate in long-term opportunities emerging across India’s economy.

About Axis Max Life Insurance Limited (https://www.axismaxlife.com)

Axis Max Life Insurance Limited (the “Company”), formerly known as Max Life Insurance Company Ltd., is a subsidiary of Max Financial Services Limited (“MFSL”) with Axis Bank Limited and its affiliates also being shareholders of the Company. Axis Max Life offers comprehensive protection and long-term savings life insurance solutions through its multi-channel distribution, including agency and third-party partners. The Company has built its operations on a need-based sales process, a customer centric engagement model and trained human capital. As per audited financials for FY2025-26, Axis Max Life recorded a gross written premium of INR 38,877 crore.

IRDAI Registration. No – 104

Company Identification Number - U74899HR2000PLC143012

Pune, September 12, 2026 : Aishwaryam Group, one of Pune and PCMC’s established real estate developers is strengthening its position as among PCMC’s largest developers, selling more than 1,800 homes annually across its portfolio. With around 1,200 agreements registered in the last year, the Group is now entering its next phase of growth with a sharper focus on premium and lifestyle-led residential development. The Group’s sustained performance reflects the strength of its residential portfolio and its ability to cater to homebuyers across different segments and locations.

The shift marks an important evolution for Aishwaryam. Since its inception in 2008, the Group has built significant scale by addressing the aspirations of first-time and value-conscious homebuyers across Pune and PCMC. Today, its portfolio extends from smart and mid-segment housing to premium and branded residences, reflecting both the evolution of the company and the changing aspirations of homebuyers.

Key Highlights

• Sells more than 1,800 homes annually across its residential portfolio 

• Registered around 1,200 agreements in the last year 

• Residential portfolio spread across North PCMC and West Pune 

• F portfolio in association with Fashion TV crosses 750 units sold 

• Premium and lifestyle-led residences to be a major growth focus going forward 

A key catalyst in this transformation has been Aishwaryam’s entry into premium branded residences in association with Fashion TV, making it a pioneer in bringing the concept for the first time to PCMC. Its F portfolio has already crossed 750 units sold, demonstrating growing acceptance of the brand among a more aspirational homebuyer segment.

Satish Agarwal, Managing Director, Aishwaryam Group, said, “Our scale has been built over the years on customer trust, a deep understanding of PCMC and the ability to consistently deliver homes that respond to changing aspirations. Selling more than 1,800 homes annually gives us a strong foundation for our next phase of growth. We now see a significant opportunity to take Aishwaryam into a more premium space, with greater emphasis on design, lifestyle, branded residences and differentiated experiences. Our ambition is to build on our position as one of PCMC’s largest developers while creating a stronger premium residential portfolio across Pune and PCMC.”

From scale to premiumisation

Aishwaryam’s residential footprint is spread across North PCMC and West Pune, giving the Group access to some of the region’s most active and evolving residential corridors. Its portfolio spans Moshi, Chikhali, Tathawade, Wakad, Nigdi and other established and emerging Pune-PCMC markets.

PCMC itself is witnessing a transition from predominantly value-led housing towards a more diversified residential market. Improving connectivity, employment hubs, social infrastructure and rising consumer aspirations are creating demand for larger homes, superior amenities and more lifestyle-oriented residential products. Aishwaryam intends to leverage its established presence, development experience and understanding of the PCMC consumer to capture this shift.

Narendra Agarwal, Director, Aishwaryam Group, said, “PCMC is entering a new phase where homebuyers are increasingly willing to move beyond functionality and value towards better design, amenities, experiences and overall quality of life. This creates a significant opportunity for developers with local market understanding and execution capability. Having built scale across the region, our strategy now is to move decisively up the value chain. Premium residences will be an important growth engine for Aishwaryam as we create products for the next generation of aspirational homebuyers.”

Building a diversified real estate platform

Over the years, Aishwaryam Group has expanded beyond residential housing into commercial development, plotted development, infrastructure and education. This evolution reflects its broader strategy of serving consumers across different stages of their homeownership journey—from a family’s first home to larger, premium and lifestyle-led residences.

The Group’s current residential portfolio includes Aishwaryam Anand, F Premium, F Signature and 57 Elevate, spanning value-driven, mid-segment and premium housing. Its commercial portfolio includes Aishwaryam One developments across Chikhali, Moshi and Akurdi, alongside premium office and retail developments. Its education footprint includes Delhi Public School in Hinjawadi and Pune East.

About Aishwaryam Group

Established in 2008, Aishwaryam Group is an established Pune and PCMC focused real estate developer with over 17 years of experience, 50-plus projects, more than 6 million sq. ft. of development and over 7,500 families served. The Group has also sold more than 300 commercial units, reflecting its growing presence beyond residential development. From its roots in value-driven housing, Aishwaryam has evolved into a diversified development platform spanning premium residential housing, commercial developments, plotted developments, infrastructure and education. Its residential portfolio ranges from 1 BHK homes for first-time buyers to premium 2, 3 and 4 BHK residences across Pune and PCMC.

Its current residential portfolio includes Aishwaryam Anand, F Premium, F Signature and 57 Elevate. F Premium, premium and branded residences developed in association with Fashion TV is located at Tathawade, a 10-acre development comprising seven towers with 2, 3 and 4 BHK residences, signalling the developer’s expansion beyond its traditional value-driven and mid-income base into aspirational premium housing.

At the same time, the Group is expanding its commercial presence through projects such as Aishwaryam One Chikhali, Aishwaryam One Moshi and Aishwaryam One Akurdi, alongside premium office and retail developments. Its broader portfolio also encompasses infrastructure and education. The Group’s education footprint includes Delhi Public School in Hinjawadi and Pune East.

The Group has built a growing footprint across Moshi, Chikhali, Wakad, Tathawade, Nigdi and other key Pune–PCMC micro-markets, with future expansion planned across Punawale, Pradhikaran, Akurdi, Hinjawadi, Kasarwadi, Ravet, Moshi, Chikhali, Balewadi, Kharadi, Parandwadi and Gahunje. The company remains focused on quality construction, practical design and long-term value across established and emerging locations.

Aishwaryam’s development philosophy is anchored in trust, innovation, customer satisfaction, high value, pride and stakeholder delight to create spaces in which people, businesses and communities can thrive.

For further information: www.aishwaryam.com

MUMBAI, September 11, 2026 : Kumar Gera, Chairman of Gera Developments, was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award (Builder) at the CBIS Summit & Awards 2026, recognising his distinguished contribution to India’s real estate sector and his role in shaping the growth of residential real estate in Pune and beyond.

The award recognised Gera’s long-standing journey in the real estate industry and his contribution to building Gera Developments into an established real estate company, while championing innovation, quality and a customer-first approach to residential development. Under his guidance, Gera Developments has evolved into a prominent real estate brand with a strong presence in Pune, Bengaluru, Goa and California, USA.

The CBIS Summit & Awards brought together leading architects, developers, industry professionals and next-generation leaders to recognise significant contributions across the construction and building industry. The awards programme featured categories including Next-Gen Builders, Masters of Build, Masters of Design, Sustainable Initiatives Anchored by Women Realty Leaders and Lifetime Achievement recognitions.

Speaking on the occasion, Kumar Gera, Chairman, Gera Developments, said, “I received this award on behalf of all those who work in and have been a part of Gera over the years, whose commitment and contribution have been integral to this journey. For me, the journey of building has always been about much more than creating physical spaces. It is about creating lasting value for customers, communities and the city. Over the years, the industry has evolved significantly, and so have customer expectations. I believe the future of real estate will belong to organisations that continue to innovate, remain deeply customer-centric and build with a long-term sense of responsibility.”

With over 50 years of experience in real estate development, Kumar Gera is a visionary leader who has built Gera Developments on the enduring values of Trust & Integrity, Customer First, Innovation, Compassion and Ownership. He has also played a significant role in the development of the organised real estate sector in India, serving as the Founder and First President of CREDAI.

He was the First Indian President of Junior Chamber International (JCI), an organisation representing approximately half a million young people across 82 countries.

Gera’s recognition comes as the Indian real estate sector continues to undergo significant transformation, with changing homebuyer expectations, greater emphasis on quality and amenities, and increasing focus on creating integrated and future-ready communities.

In a Power Talk session at the CBIS Summit & Awards 2026, Kumar Gera reflected on the principles that have shaped his leadership journey and the evolution of his approach to real estate. Speaking about what remains constant amid changing times and technologies, he emphasised that putting the customer first, building trust and maintaining integrity are values that cannot be replaced. He also highlighted the importance of people and respect for people as a key lesson for the next generation of developers and designers.

For Gera, the Lifetime Achievement Award marks another milestone in a career spanning decades, reflecting his contribution to the growth of organised real estate and his continued engagement with the evolution of India’s residential sector.

About Gera Developments Private Limited:

Gera Developments Private Limited, a reputed brand for over 50 years, is one of the pioneers of the Real Estate business in Pune. Recognised as the creators of premium residential and commercial projects in Pune, Goa and Bengaluru, the brand has established a global presence through developments in California, USA. Gera prides itself on providing long-term enjoyment to customers, by having a distinct customer-first approach. The philosophy at Gera of “Let's Outdo” rests on the trinity of Innovation, Transparency, and Enhanced Customer Experience. It is at the heart of Gera's effort to infuse innovation and transparency in Real Estate and home building, with an unwavering focus on meeting the shifting lifestyle dynamics of their customers, while upholding the premium living experience. Accordingly, there are many 'firsts' that stand to Gera's credit.

The company introduced a 5-Year Warranty on Real Estate, consisting of Preventive Maintenance & Repairs and provision of insurance on buildings way back in 2004 for the first time in India. RERA mandated the same only in 2017. Gera also introduced India's first and only 7-year warranty in Real Estate. They have designed and launched a pathbreaking concept, the award-winning ChildCentric®️ Homes, and  WellnessCentric Homes™️ which revolutionised the Real Estate sector for both, the developer and the home buyer. The company has also launched Gera's Home Equity Power — a first-of-its-kind industry initiative providing financial flexibility to customers to withdraw funds from their prior payments to meet financial emergencies.

These products are matched by the services of the GeraWorld®️ Mobile App, which brings speed, convenience, and transparency to the buyer, enhancing customer experience. Gera Developments has also launched the Club Outdo initiative, a tech-driven loyalty and referral program that provides multiple benefits, offers, and community engagement opportunities to existing and new customers.

The company emphasises delivering value-added experiences to customers, with projects designed around the evolving needs of their customers. Driven by trust, quality, a customer-first mindset, and innovation, the brand has won several national and international awards on both the product and service fronts. Gera continues to be recognised by the Great Place to Work®️ (GPTW) Institute among India's Best Workplaces.

Gera envisions raising the standards of Real Estate in India. As they redefine new standards of service orientation, product innovation, real estate marketing, and brand building, they are consistently generating fresh value for its stakeholders, while setting new benchmarks for the industry.

Please visit www.gera.in for more information

The people most closely associated with it were penetration testers, network security engineers, incident responders, researchers and security operations teams. Their work focused on vulnerabilities, malware, infrastructure and the technologies used to protect organizations.

That picture has changed.

Cybersecurity now sits at the intersection of technology, business, regulation, risk and increasingly artificial intelligence. A security incident can affect not only an organization's IT infrastructure but also its customers, operations, reputation and regulatory responsibilities.

Artificial intelligence is accelerating that change.

AI is being used to analyse security events, automate investigations and assist defenders, while attackers are experimenting with the same technology to scale reconnaissance, social engineering and other offensive activities.

The result is an environment where the traditional distinction between attacker, defender and technology is becoming increasingly blurred.

It is also changing the nature of cybersecurity events in India.

From a technical community to a broader security ecosystem

The evolution can be seen in the people now participating in cybersecurity discussions.

A modern cybersecurity conference in Delhi is no longer necessarily a room filled only with security engineers and ethical hackers. Discussions increasingly involve CISOs, enterprise architects, risk professionals, technology leaders, researchers, legal experts and people working on AI governance.

The upcoming CIA Conference (CIACON 2026) reflects this wider ecosystem.

Its speaker lineup includes professionals working across offensive security, enterprise security, cloud architecture, risk, compliance, AI governance, malware research, cyber law and CISO leadership.

Among them are Rakshit Tandon, a national cybersecurity expert; Nipun Jaswal, Senior Director and Global Capability Leader – Offensive Security at NTT DATA; and Sushil Dash, Enterprise Architect and Red Teaming Expert.

The enterprise security perspective includes Swati Anuj Arya, Vice President & Global BISO at S&P Global, Adish Jain, AVP & CISO at Pe, and Harish Goel, Senior Director – IT Security & Compliance at Publicis Groupe.

The lineup also includes architecture and infrastructure professionals such as Gaurav Wadhwa, Director – Enterprise Security Architecture at Tata Digital, Gunjan Chhillar, Cloud Solutions Architect – India & SAARC, and Anuj Sharma, Solution Architecture at AVM Consulting Inc.

The range is revealing.

Cybersecurity is no longer being discussed from a single point of view.

Why Delhi-NCR matters

Delhi, Gurugram and Noida form a closely connected business and technology ecosystem, bringing together IT companies, multinational organizations, technology services and enterprise operations.

That makes the region a natural setting for cybersecurity discussions. Organizations across NCR are dealing with cloud infrastructure, digital platforms, connected systems and increasingly AI-enabled technologies—creating security challenges that span technical, business and governance functions.

For a cybersecurity conference in Delhi, this diversity is particularly relevant. CISOs, security architects, offensive-security professionals, risk leaders and AI governance specialists often approach the same problem from very different perspectives.

The CISO's role has changed

The growing presence of CISOs and senior security professionals reflects a larger change inside organizations.

A CISO today may be involved in questions extending well beyond security operations.

Should an organization adopt a particular AI technology?

How should access to sensitive systems be controlled?

What is the business impact of a vulnerability?

How should an organization respond to a major cyber incident?

How should security and compliance requirements be balanced with business objectives?

The speaker lineup reflects these overlapping responsibilities.

Dr. Sushil Meher, Health IT & CISO at AIIMS, Prakash Kumar Ranjan, CISO & DPO at Sarman Capital Limited, and Ummed Meel, Director – Cyber and IT Risk at Grant Thornton Bharat, represent different perspectives on enterprise security, risk and governance.

Cybersecurity decisions are increasingly business decisions.

AI is creating another security layer

Artificial intelligence is changing cybersecurity from both sides. Organizations are using AI across applications, analytics and business processes, while attackers are exploring techniques such as prompt injection and autonomous attacks.

This creates new security questions around AI permissions, monitoring, manipulation and accountability—particularly as AI systems begin interacting with enterprise data and infrastructure.

The “AI vs AI” theme at CIACON 2026 reflects this shift, bringing AI security, agentic AI and governance into the wider cybersecurity conversation. Aman Bandvi, Founder Director – Policy, Governance, Trust at the Bharat Responsible AI Forum, adds a governance perspective to these discussions.

Technical research remains at the centre

The growing executive role in cybersecurity does not make technical research less important.

Enterprise security decisions ultimately depend on understanding how systems can be attacked.

The CIA Conference lineup includes Debjeet Banerjee, a malware developer and researcher associated with Black Hills Information Security, alongside offensive-security professionals such as Nipun Jaswal and Sushil Dash.

There is also a legal perspective through Pavan Duggal, Advocate, Supreme Court of India, bringing questions around digital evidence, privacy, liability and accountability into the wider cybersecurity conversation.

Together, these perspectives demonstrate why modern cybersecurity requires more than one professional discipline.

A conference that has evolved with cybersecurity

The CIA Conference itself predates today's AI security conversation.

Its first edition was held in 2018 at Manav Rachna in Faridabad.

In 2020, the conference moved to a virtual format during the pandemic and brought international perspectives into its discussions, including speakers associated with PCI DSS and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

The industry has changed considerably since then.

Cloud has become fundamental to enterprise infrastructure. Connected devices have multiplied. Security operations have become increasingly automated. Generative AI has entered mainstream business.

The people involved in the cybersecurity conversation have changed as well.

The current conference brings together security practitioners, researchers, enterprise leaders, CXOs, architects, risk professionals, AI governance specialists and legal experts.

That evolution mirrors the broader development of cybersecurity itself.

What to expect at CIACON 2026

The upcoming CIA Conference 2026 will take place on 23–24 September 2026 at PHD House, New Delhi.

The programme brings together discussions around AI security, autonomous attacks, threat intelligence, enterprise security and emerging technology, alongside practical activities including the Hardware Hacking Village.

More importantly, the event brings together different parts of the cybersecurity community at a time when the boundaries between those disciplines are becoming less distinct.

For a security researcher, the important question may be how an emerging technology can be broken.

For a CISO, it may be how that vulnerability translates into organizational risk.

For an architect, it may be how the system should be designed differently.

For a governance professional, it may be who is accountable.

These are different questions, but they are increasingly part of the same cybersecurity conversation.

The battlefield is changing

The phrase “AI vs AI” captures one part of this transition.

The larger change is that organizations are beginning to operate in environments where humans and automated systems work together — while attackers may be doing the same.

That raises a difficult question for security teams: not simply how much technology to deploy, but where automation creates value, where it introduces new risk and where human judgement remains essential.

The changing cybersecurity conference landscape in Delhi-NCR reflects this broader transition.

The conversation increasingly involves the people who build systems, attack them, defend them, govern them and make business decisions around them.

From its beginning in 2018 to its virtual edition in 2020 and its current 2026 edition, the CIA Conference has evolved alongside that changing environment.

The next chapter takes place in New Delhi this September.

And perhaps the most interesting question is no longer whether AI will change cybersecurity.

It already has.

CIACON 2026 is scheduled for 24 September 2026 at PHD House, New Delhi.

For readers looking for the event information, the registration page is available here:

CIACON 2026 registration

In an unprecedented initiative bringing together top medical leadership to address the pre-symptomatic windows of chronic illness, ODDS Longevity today announced ‘The Silent Decade: Quantifying Health, Performance & Longevity.’ This closed-door, invite-only gathering will take place on Sunday, September 13, 2026, from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM in New Delhi.

Long before a diagnosis arrives, the body is already telling a measurable story. The 30s and 40s often mark a critical decade when underlying shifts in metabolic and mechanical health begin to take shape, quietly, without visible symptoms. This is the ‘Silent Decade’, and it is here that early insight into your body's trajectory can make the difference between managing disease later and rewriting its course now.

That premise will anchor the afternoon: clinical science, data-driven insights and everyday lifestyle solutions brought into a single conversation about what actually builds a longer, healthier life. The symposium will feature leading cardiologists, endocrinologists and orthopaedists alongside specialists in nutrition, sports science, movement, Pilates, performance and emerging biohacking practices. A deliberately wide lens addressing the foundation of longevity. If you’re interested in longevity and preventive health, Inquire more at bit.ly/46bY7YJ

The afternoon is built around two key longevity discussions:

●      The first, ODDS MAQ™: The Mechanical Health Conversation, will be led by Padma Shri awardee Dr Ashok Rajgopal, Chairman of Orthopaedics at Medanta, alongside Clinical Exercise Physiologist and Sports Scientist Asad Hussain. The discussion will explore how mechanical ageing can be quantified and identify subtle losses in strength, movement and functional capacity long before they progress toward disability.

●      The second, ODDS AXION™: The Cardiometabolic Conversation will turn to the gap between being clinically ‘within range’ and being individually optimal. The panel will bring together Padma Shri Dr Praveen Chandra, Chairman of Cardiology at Medanta; Dr Dheeraj Kapoor, Director of Endocrinology at Artemis Hospitals; Dr Arjun Dang, CEO of Dr Dang's Lab; and Founder of Odds Longevity, Asad Hussain.

●      The third, Wellness Panel: Lifestyle Solutions and the evolving role of holistic wellbeing and longevity in enabling people to live better and healthier lives. The panel will bring together Biohacker Tanya Malik Chawla. Wellness Expert Mini Shastri and Founder of ODDS Longevity, Asad Hussain.

Where the first conversation asks how well the body still moves, the second asks how well it still runs. Together making the case that longevity isn't defined by any single metric, but by the interplay of medical health, nutrition, movement, recovery and daily lifestyle choices.

A central highlight of the symposium will be ‘From Data to Outcomes,’ a clinical case study showcasing how early physiological changes can be measured through ODDS’s proprietary QHP™ and translated into measurable, real-world outcomes.

Asad Hussain notes, “The foundation of modern longevity medicine rests on identifying physiological shifts long before they express as disease. ‘The Silent Decade’ represents that crucial timeframe where proactive measurement can fundamentally alter health trajectories.”

Through these conversations and clinical insights, the symposium aims to move the dialogue from reactive treatment toward a more precise, outcome-driven approach to longevity science. One where prevention is grounded in data rather than guesswork.

The symposium will conclude with high tea, networking and live longevity assessments, offering attendees an opportunity to engage with the ideas discussed and experience measurable approaches to longevity firsthand.

ABOUT ODDS

instagram.com/oddslongevity

ODDS is an AI-driven longevity and performance ecosystem that integrates movement, metabolism, recovery, and lifestyle into a unified system. Odds track 60+ biomarkers per to design personalised protocols as per individual’s health goals around their lifestyle. At the helm of Odds lies a team of medical-certified experts, doctors, pathologists, clinical exercise physiologists, sports scientists, recovery specialists, and human performance coaches led by founder, Asad Hussain a Clinical Exercise Physiologist and Sports Scientist from Manchester, a Lifestyle and Wellness Coach, and Harvard Medical School-certified professional, with two decades of experience working with high-performance individuals. By aligning behaviour with biology in the Indian context, Odds delivers personalised protocols focused on sustained health, performance, and longevity. It is now trusted by young founders, seasoned entrepreneurs, C-suite executives and even Padma Shri awardee doctors.

Bengaluru Friday 11 September 2026 : The Honourable Minister for Sugar and Textile, Government of Karnataka, Sri. Rudrappa Manappa Lamani, today inaugurated “Threads of India,” a campaign initiative by LuLu Mall Rajajinagar, Bengaluru, dedicated to India’s handloom weaving heritage. The Minister was hosted by Mr. Noman Aziz Khan, Director, LuLu Group Karnataka, collaboration with Government Sri Krishnarajendra Silver Jubilee Technological Institute, Happy Hearts & Co., JD Institute of Fashion Technology, JD School of Design, and Avantra, each contributing curation, design, and craft expertise to the exhibition. This exhibition is happening at LuLu Mall Rajajinagar, Bengaluru, from 3rd to 13th September,

“It is heartening to see an event like this being hosted at LuLu Mall Rajajinagar, Bengaluru a space that brings everyone together, from families and young shoppers to our artisans and weavers, Initiatives like Threads of India give our weaving communities the visibility and recognition they deserve, right in the heart of the city.” said Mr. Rudrappa Lamani, Honourable Minister for Sugar and Textiles, Government of Karnataka.

For most shoppers and particularly for a generation that has grown up with fast fashion and ready made garments, the sheer labour behind a handwoven saree is invisible, the throw of the shuttle, the hours of warping and dressing the loom, the calculations behind a single motif repeated a thousand times across a six yard length. By giving working looms and artisans space at one of Bengaluru’s busiest retail destinations, LuLu Mall Rajajinagar has made that process visible to thousands of visitors who would otherwise never encounter it turning a walk through the mall into an unplanned lesson in craft history.

“Threads of India is LuLu Mall Rajajinagar’s own campaign initiative, and the idea was simple to give this traditional craft a stage it doesn’t normally get. A lot of young shoppers have never seen a handloom in motion. At its heart, this is about empowering culture, craft and community  giving our weavers a platform to be seen and heard, not just their products. Over the course of the exhibition, we’ve seen wonderful interaction and engagement between visitors and the weavers themselves, with people stopping to ask questions, watch the process, and understand the story behind every thread. That exchange is what has made this campaign truly successful, and it’s something we hope to keep building on.”.” Said Mr Noman Aziz Khan, Director of LuLu Group Karnataka

In a gesture that captured the spirit of the campaign, the weavers presented LuLu Mall Rajajinagar, with a token of love woven entirely by hand on the loom, with “Threads of India” and the exhibition dates inscribed into the silk itself. The piece was handwoven by the artisans in a single night, worked on the same traditional handlooms on display at the exhibition a small but telling reminder of the skill and dedication behind every handwoven textile on show.

The exhibition walks visitors through the full arc of the handloom story, pit looms, frame looms and charkhas set up exactly as they would be in a weaver’s home; skeins of dyed yarn and the tools used for warping, sizing and shuttle winding and a curated line up of finished pieces of sarees styled on mannequins alongside the machines that made them.

About Lulu Mall Bengaluru

Lulu Mall Bengaluru, a premier shopping destination with 5 floors housing over 150+ international and national brands. Spanning 7 lakh square feet, our mall offers an unparalleled retail experience, complemented by 11 screens consisting of 3 VIP dedicated Audis for your entertainment. Enjoy a diverse culinary journey at our 5+ restaurants, 1 pub and 30 food court outlets, all within a 1300+-seater food court. With parking space for 1700+ vehicles, Lulu Mall Bengaluru ensures a convenient and delightful visit for all.

For more enquiries:

Vishal S S

Head – Media, PR and Communications

Email – vishalss@luluinida.com

Contact – +91-9606451845, Bengaluru, Karnataka

National, India, September 10, 2026: Blue Machines AI, an advanced agentic CX operating system for enterprises, has partnered with Muthoot Finance, one of India’s leading financial services companies, to deploy enterprise Conversational AI for gold-loan lead engagement and qualification.

The platform has engaged 1.39 million gold-loan leads, achieved 63.1% customer connectivity and increased branch-visit conversion by 150%. The deployment has reduced the average journey completion time by more than 70% – from over seven minutes to approximately two minutes.

As digital campaigns generate a growing volume of gold-loan inquiries, lenders need the ability to consistently engage, qualify, and follow up with every prospective customer.

Blue Machines AI’s Conversational AI Agents engage Muthoot Finance’s digital leads and capture key information, including the customer’s loan requirement, the gold available as collateral for the loan, and their residential PIN code.

Based on these inputs, the platform identifies qualified prospects and guides them towards the nearest Muthoot Finance branch, helping customers progress from an initial digital inquiry to an offline lending interaction.

The partnership has expanded the program’s geographic coverage from approximately 5,000 PIN codes to more than 19,000 PIN codes across India, enabling Muthoot Finance to serve digital demand across a significantly wider portion of its branch network.

Based on current operating trends, branch visits generated through the initiative are on track to scale approximately 36x from earlier levels.

These integrations allow the AI agent to go beyond conducting a conversation. It can validate customer inputs, identify the relevant branch, assist customers with gold-value information and initiate the appropriate next step within the gold-loan journey.

The platform also includes journey-continuity capabilities that allow returning customers to resume an interaction from where an earlier conversation ended. This preserves context across follow-ups, reduces repetition and makes it easier for customers to complete interrupted journeys.

The solution progressed from proof of concept to production within three weeks, demonstrating how enterprise Conversational AI can be deployed rapidly while remaining closely integrated with business workflows.

The Blue Machines’ platform combines speech-to-text, text-to-speech and large language models to enable natural customer conversations at scale. Its orchestration layer connects these conversations with enterprise tools, operational systems and downstream teams, allowing each interaction to progress towards a defined business outcome.

Sarath Joseph, General Manager, Muthoot Finance, said:

“Our partnership with Blue Machines AI has helped us build an AI-powered engagement layer that interacts with customers through natural conversations, captures key information and identifies those most likely to progress towards a branch visit. The deployment has enabled us to improve operational efficiency while creating a more seamless experience for customers across geographies. By connecting digital inquiries more effectively with our branch network, we can help interested customers take the next step in their gold-loan journey more quickly.”

Nirmit Parikh, Founder and CEO, Blue Machines AI, said:

“Muthoot Finance has built one of India’s most extensive and trusted financial-services networks. Our partnership brings together the reach and trust of that physical network with the intelligence and scale of enterprise AI. Together, we are building a model where every expression of digital intent can be understood, qualified and seamlessly connected to the right branch. The 150% uplift in lead-to-branch conversion demonstrates the transformative potential of conversational AI when it is embedded into the heart of an enterprise’s customer journey. We believe this partnership can set a new benchmark for how AI connects digital discovery with financial access across India.”

Blue Machines AI and Muthoot Finance are exploring opportunities to expand the partnership to optimize additional business processes and accelerate AI transformation across new use cases. As the partnership evolves, the platform is expected to support a wider range of customer engagement, qualification and servicing workflows across the customer lifecycle.

About Blue Machines AI

Blue Machines AI, part of the Apna Group, is the agentic CX operating system for enterprises. It brings together customer intelligence, dynamic personas, simulation and autonomous agents to continuously decide and execute the next best customer action across voice, chat, WhatsApp, web and email. Unlike traditional engagement platforms that automate predefined journeys, Blue Machines AI can reason over customer context, simulate possible outcomes, adapt journeys in real time and learn from every interaction. Sovereign by design, it can run on managed cloud, within an enterprise VPC or on-premises, giving enterprises control over their data, models, workflows and guardrails. With production-ready infrastructure and Forward-Deployed Engineering, enterprises can deploy multilingual AI journeys in under a week.

About Muthoot Finance

Muthoot Finance Limited is India’s largest gold-loan NBFC and the flagship company of The Muthoot Group. With a legacy spanning more than 138 years, the company provides gold loans and a broad range of financial services to millions of customers through its extensive branch network and digital channels. Headquartered in Kochi, Muthoot Finance is committed to advancing financial inclusion by delivering accessible, trusted and customer-centric financial solutions across India.

India's T20 captain takes a strategic stake in the AI-native group that guides half a million students a year turn talent into opportunity across 150 countries.

SINGAPORE and MUMBAI, 10 September 2026: Manifest Global, a Singapore headquartered AI-native Talent Mobility  company, on Wednesday announced that India’s T20 captain Shreyas Iyer has made a strategic investment in the company. The investment by Shreyas Iyer represents a significant step forward for Manifest Global in its goal to provide innovative solutions to students in India.

Manifest Global is an AI-native group that helps close to half a million students a year discover, fund and reach education and career opportunities across more than 150 countries.

The partnership began with Mahesh Toshniwal, spiritual and life coach and founder of Just Imagine, who became the bridge between Rohan Pasari and Shreyas Iyer — bringing together two very different worlds, sport and entrepreneurship, united by a shared belief in human potential.

“India has the world’s largest youth population and no shortage of ambition and talent. What’s missing is the timely guidance, and the right direction at the right moment, in a world where opportunities don’t come easily and competition keeps rising,” Shreyas Iyer said, adding, “This is where I believe Manifest Global with its AI-native approach closes the gap and has the potential to positively impact the generation.”

“Every student carries ambition. Every country needs talent to grow. Manifest exists to connect the two,” said Rohan Pasari, Founder and CEO of Manifest Global. “Shreyas did not lend us his name. He took a position, and that is the only kind of endorsement that interested us.”

Iyer's own path runs through the gap Manifest is built to close. He was picked out as a schoolboy in Mumbai by a coach who saw something in him before he had achieved anything, and he is direct about what that meant.

“Someone believed I was worth backing before I had done anything at all,” he said. “Every child needs one person like that. Most of them never get one. That is the problem worth solving.”

India produces more ambition than almost any country on earth and offers less guidance per student than almost any. A school counsellor in India can be responsible for thousands of students at once. Most students never speak to one, and end up making the largest decisions of their lives on hearsay.

The demand on the other side of that gap is now structural. Developed economies face a projected shortfall of more than 85 million workers by 2030. Their working-age populations are shrinking at the same time as AI reorganises what those workers need to know. Attracting international talent has moved from a policy preference to an economic requirement, and universities remain the most reliable route through which it happens.

Manifest's response is deliberately structural too. International education is one of the most fragmented industries of its size: thousands of regional operators, each strong in one corridor, none able to fund a serious technology build. Manifest acquires the operators who own a route and runs a single AI layer underneath all of them.

The group now operates across the arc of the talent journey. Cialfo and BridgeU serve schools, counsellors and students navigating education and career pathways. Comet gives families a direct route to study-abroad products and services. Explore connects universities to the students they are looking for. Flow AI is the group's AI-native platform for education businesses, built to make their counsellors better advisers rather than faster processors. Kaaiser and EduGo place students into institutions in Australia and across 18 European countries.

“The next generation of talent infrastructure has to do more than connect people to jobs and institutions,” Pasari said. “It has to help a sixteen-year-old work out what she is capable of, understand what her options actually are, build the skills those options require, and then cross a border to take one. We are building every layer of that.”

Iyer will front Manifest's work with students and families across India, starting with a campaign launching later this year.

About Manifest Global

Manifest Global is a Singapore-headquartered, AI-native group building the infrastructure that moves global talent. It serves close to half a million students a year across more than 150 countries, works with over 1,750 school partners, and operates through Cialfo, BridgeU, Comet, Explore, Kaaiser, EduGo Abroad and Flow AI. The group is backed by Tiger Global, Square Peg, SIG, January Capital, SEEK, Analog Partners, Cercano and more.

Media contact

Rohith M, Manifest Global

rohith.m@manifest.inc

Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala : Genetidoc Genetic Clinic and DNA Testing Lab has announced a second expansion of its specialist panel, welcoming seven more qualified Clinical Geneticists across six states. This follows the platform's earlier announcement of ten specialist additions and reinforces its position as India's largest network of online genetics specialists.

The seven joining doctors bring expertise from Delhi, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Karnataka, Punjab, and Gujarat — and, in a first for the platform, from an active National Health Service genetics department in the United Kingdom.

The Seven Specialists Joining Genetidoc

Dr. Bhawana Aggarwal (DM Medical Genetics, AIIMS New Delhi · MD Pediatrics · MBBS Gold Medallist) consults at Yashoda Hospitals, Medicity and Kaushambi, Delhi. A former Assistant Professor in Medical Genetics at AIIMS, trained under Professor Madhulika Kabra, she has authored over 12 peer-reviewed publications including the first Indian case report of Penttinen syndrome, and has presented research internationally at Turin and Manila.

Dr. Kshitija Patil (DM Medical Genetics, AIIMS New Delhi · MD Pediatrics · MRCPCH · Harvard Cancer Genomics · Tata Memorial Molecular Genetics) independently consults at Apollo Hospitals, Navi Mumbai. With over 12 years of clinical experience, she was part of the team that managed India's first child to receive gene therapy for Spinal Muscular Atrophy, and is a frequent speaker for the Organisation for Rare Diseases India (ORDI).

Dr. Lekshmi S. Nair (DrNB Medical Genetics · DNB Pediatrics · ECMGG · MRCPCH) practises at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Scotland, and independently consults at NIMS Medicity, Trivandrum. She is the first Genetidoc specialist with active clinical experience within a UK National Health Service genetics department, bringing NHS-standard protocols to patients across India via online consultation.

Dr. Priyanka Patra (DM Medical Genetics · MD Medical Biochemistry · Certificate in Clinical Genetics, Osmania University) is one of West Bengal's pioneering Clinical Geneticists, consulting across IPGMER and SSKM Hospital, the Institute of Fetal Medicine, and Apollo Clinic, Kolkata. Her foundational MD in Medical Biochemistry gives her a distinctive depth in the evaluation and management of metabolic disorders.

Dr. Varun Venkat Raghavan (DM Medical Genetics · MD Internal Medicine) is a Clinical Geneticist at JSS Hospital, Mysuru. One of the few genetics specialists in India trained in Internal Medicine rather than Paediatrics, he fills a critical gap for adult patients navigating late-onset neurological conditions, hereditary cancers, and disorders that India's largely paediatric-oriented genetics services do not adequately address.

Dr. Ravneet Kaur (DM Medical Genetics · MD Pediatrics) is a Clinical Geneticist at Fortis Hospital, Mohali — one of the few qualified genetics specialists serving the Tricity region — with a focused clinical practice in precision oncology and inborn errors of metabolism.

Dr. Tanuja Rajial (DM Medical Genetics, AIIMS Jodhpur · MD Pediatrics, UCMS Delhi · HMX Cancer Genetics, Harvard Medical School) is a Clinical Geneticist at Genexplore Diagnostics and Research Centre, Ahmedabad — Genetidoc's first Gujarat-based specialist, bringing expert genetics access to a state of over 60 million people.

A Platform Built for Every Part of India

Genetidoc now brings together a panel of qualified genetics specialists with combined clinical experience spanning over 1,00,000 families and 65,000 genetic tests — covering prenatal diagnosis, rare childhood syndromes, hereditary cancer, metabolic disorders, and adult neurogenetic conditions.

All consultations take place online — by video or WhatsApp — with DNA sample collection arranged from the patient's home or nearest clinic, anywhere in India. Samples are processed at NABL and CAP accredited partner laboratories, with clinical reporting by Genetidoc's own specialists. The panel collectively consults in English, Hindi, Malayalam, Tamil, Kannada, Telugu, Bengali, Marathi, Punjabi, and Rajasthani.

Founder's Statement

Dr. Roshan Daniel, Clinical Geneticist, Founder of Genetidoc, and Head of the Medical Genetics Department at KIMSHealth, Trivandrum, said:

"Each addition to this panel fills a real gap — a state without a genetics specialist, a patient group being underserved, a clinical area that needed more depth. That is how we are building this network — not by adding names, but by adding access."

About Genetidoc Genetic Clinic and DNA Testing Lab

Genetidoc is India's largest network of online genetics specialists, founded by Dr. Roshan Daniel. The platform offers online consultations, genetic counselling, and DNA testing across all areas of clinical genetics — with pan-India sample collection and reporting by qualified genetics specialists. Testing is processed through NABL and CAP accredited partner laboratories.

For consultations: WhatsApp or visit genetidoc.com

Stockify intends to invest the ₹50 crore in building an enlarged pool of excellent professionals, improving technology, acquiring customers, and developing new platforms. One of the crucial components of the expansion plan will be the opening of a new office in the GIFT City of Ahmedabad while ramping up the presence in Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru and Dubai. The new funds will help Stockify expand its team across important functions and invest in technology that can enhance customer acquisition. The development of new platforms and improving wealth-management services will be put into practice by the company while scaling its business at the same time. Due to this fundraising, Stockify will be able to build a solid physical base for further expansion while focusing its attention on profitability.

During his thoughts on the upcoming fundraising, Stockify’s founder and CEO, Piyush Jhunjhunwala, explained that at Stockify they have only followed the “earn and burn” approach, not “burn and earn.” According to Jhunjhunwala, "We have always been profitable since we started operations, and this will always remain the foundation of our philosophy. With the funds raised, we would be strengthening our manpower, putting in different systems, creating new platforms, and ensuring that we continue to remain profitable." With the new funds, Stockify wants to expand its operations and grow three times its profits, reaching about ₹30 crore ($3 million) in a couple of years. The company expects the expenses incurred on talent, technology, and acquisitions to help achieve the goal of increasing profits while keeping the profitable business model intact.

The firm's objective is to continue enhancing its wealth-management platform and developing its operational capabilities throughout growth. Overall, it is working to become a bigger and more sustainable wealth-tech firm while balancing growth plans across the various areas with being financially responsible and making sure the company stays profitable.

Mumbai, India : The All India Liquid Bulk Importers & Exporters Association (AILBIEA), the apex national body for India's liquid bulk trade, will host its Silver Jubilee Knowledge Conference on Friday, 11 September 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., at The Regal Ballroom, Hotel Trident, Nariman Point, Mumbai – 21. Themed “India in Full Flow — The Decade of Demand”, the conference precedes the Silver Jubilee Evening, which commences at the muhurat of 6:21 p.m. in the same venue.

A working agenda, not a ceremonial one

The conference opens at 10:00 a.m. with the inauguration and the welcome address by Shri Jayyannt Lapsiaa, President, AILBIEA, followed by three masterclasses, each on a pressure point the trade is living with today:

●      Geopolitics, Maritime Risk & the Liquid Bulk Supply Chain — Capt. Pankaj Kapoor, Quadraant Legal, on chokepoints, war-risk and sanctions exposure, and what the shifting map means for Indian cargo owners chartering tonnage.

●      Dispute Preparedness in the GSTAT Era — Shri S. K. Rahman, IRS, Technical Member, GST Appellate Tribunal, on how importers and exporters should build and defend a matter in the new appellate architecture.

●      Free Trade Agreements in Services — Dr. Joshua Ebenezer, Principal Consultant, NuCov Facili-Trade, opening the services chapters of India's FTAs: logistics, storage, testing and certification, surveying and chartering.

EMI – AEO – The Way Forward

The centrepiece of the morning has no speaker list and no prepared presentations. From 12:15 p.m. the floor opens to importers, exporters, terminal operators, customs brokers and surveyors to state plainly what is working in the Authorised Economic Operator framework, what is not, and what must change. Interventions will be captured live and consolidated into a formal Outcome Document for submission to the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs, as India moves towards its AEO coverage targets for 2028. Themes include the trust-based framework, faceless examination, National E-Bond and Transfer of Ownership, Participating Government Agencies routing under SWIFT 2.0, and Customs Integrated Systems 2.0.

The afternoon: global suppliers, reform from the Department, and the flagship address

At 2:00 p.m., the Global Suppliers Panel, moderated by Shri Avinash Maheshwari of Geo-Chem Laboratories (Cotecna Group), brings the world's suppliers into candid conversation with India's buyers. It features Mr. Reece H. Cannady of the U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council, U.S.A.; Shri Vikash Sharma, Director, Godrej International Trading & Investment, Singapore; Mr. Indrajit Vishwanath of Abacus Chemie, U.A.E.; and Shri Ajay Aloni of Cellmark Asia. Across edible oils, grains, petrochemicals and solvents, they will address where demand is heading and how India is judged as a counterparty.

At 2:50 p.m., Shri Anupam Prakash, IRS, Joint Secretary (Customs), CBIC, will address Path Breaking Customs Reforms — the Department's own account of what has been delivered, what is under implementation, and the direction of travel for trade.

The conference culminates at 3:15 p.m. with the flagship address, “Leadership at 26,000 Feet”, by Capt. Raghu Raman, Founding Chief Executive Officer of NATGRID — on decision-making under pressure and leading when the margin for error is gone. The vote of thanks follows at 4:30 p.m.

Partners

Event Partners for the Silver Jubilee celebrations are Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA), Mumbai Port Authority, Deendayal Port Authority (Kandla) and Adani Ports & SEZ. The celebrations are supported by Godrej Industries Group, Aegis Vopak, Supreme Petrochem Ltd., VVF Limited, AWL Agri Business and Hindustan Unilever Limited. AGS 360, from Atlantic Global Shipping (AGS), is the Digital Partner for the Silver Jubilee celebrations, which will also mark its India launch — an integrated digital maritime information and intelligence application bringing port information, vessel tracking and port call estimates onto a single platform. Media Partners are Daily Shipping Times, EXIM and friends from the Logistics Media Ecosystem.

Shri Jayyannt Lapsiaa, President, AILBIEA, said: “We did not want a Silver Jubilee conference of speeches. We wanted a room where the trade says plainly what it needs, the Government hears it directly, and something leaves the room in writing. Twenty-five years have taught us that when industry and Government speak with trust, trade moves faster and the nation gains.”

The Silver Jubilee Evening follows, commencing at the muhurat of 6:21 p.m., with a special tribute to Mr. Nadir B. Godrej, Chairman Emeritus, Godrej Industries Ltd., and Mr. M. P. Taparia, Managing Director, Supreme Petrochem Ltd., and the presentation of the Silver Jubilee Commemorative Citations. The evening is strictly by invitation.

Register for the Knowledge Conference: https://forms.gle/u6vB6JTbCVE5VcJc9

Registration & Enquiries on WhatsApp: +91 98190 30311

RSVP & Media Contact — AILBIEA Secretariat  |  ailbiea@gmail.com  |  +91 22-6155 9910 / 6155 9999  |  www.ailbiea.com

One Industry. One Voice. Twenty-Five Years of Excellence.

BENGALURU, INDIA (10^th September 2026): SharkNinja APAC today announced the India launch of the Ninja CRISPi™ Portable Glass Cooking System, bringing one of Ninja’s most talked-about global innovation sensations to Indian homes & kitchens.

CRISPi has built a cult following in international markets by rethinking the familiar air fryer format, clocking thousands of 5-star reviews across countries. Instead of an opaque drawer, the PowerPod sits directly on a non-toxic glass cooking container, allowing users to watch food crisp and brown as it cooks, while also making it super-easy to serve and store in the same container. The India campaign captures that proposition simply: Looks Good. Cooks Better.

Built for India’s evolving kitchen routines, CRISPi is designed for consumers who want the speed and convenience of air frying without losing sight of what is cooking. From everyday snacks to family portions, its glass cooking system brings visibility, versatility and confidence to the countertop.

The launch follows an encouraging pre-order response in India, where the first limited batch sold out within days.

CRISPi is designed for more evenly distributed cooking, with 360-degree air circulation that helps food brown and crisp consistently. The transparent, non-toxic and shock-resistant CleanCrisp™ glass keeps moisture and flavour locked in while keeping the cooking process in view, so users can watch food transform without repeatedly opening the container.

CRISPi comes with two borosilicate glass containers, 1.4L and 3.8L, giving users flexibility across different portions and occasions – whether it is a personal meal for one, or a full family meal. Of its multiple functions, in particular, ReCrisp is designed to bring texture back to food that has already been cooked, making it useful for everything from samosas and pakoras to pizza and leftovers.

Both CleanCrisp™ glass containers are PFAS-free and can be used to cook, serve and store food in the same dish.

“CRISPi is a great example of the kind of innovation Ninja stands for. It takes a familiar category and rethinks it in a way that is genuinely useful, from how it cooks to how consumers can see and interact with their food. We are very excited to bring a product that has already created so much buzz globally now to India, and we believe consumers here will quickly see what makes CRISPi so special” said Mrunmay Mehta, MD & Country Head - India, SharkNinja APAC.

“At Vijay Sales, we always aim to bring innovative technology to Indian homes, and the Ninja CRISPi is a great fit for modern kitchens. we look forward to working together to serve our customers" said Nilesh Gupta, Director-Vijay Sales

About SharkNinja APAC:

SharkNinja APAC refers to the licensed APAC operations for the Shark and Ninja brands. Focused on bringing globally recognised, problem-solving products to local consumers, SharkNinja APAC supports the growth of these brands across the region and is committed to delivering innovation that positively impacts everyday life.

Shark and Ninja products are available across leading online and offline retailers in India.

A recent edition of SIDBI MSME Samvaad explored both opportunities, highlighting what MSMEs need before taking the next step; From stronger processes and compliance to financial discipline and reliable execution.

Going Global: Building Export Readiness

Exporting is about more than finding an overseas buyer. Quality, consistency, documentation, compliance, and timely delivery are critical to building trust in international markets.

With export processes becoming increasingly digital, registrations such as IEC and GST, along with platforms such as ICEGATE and DGFT systems, play an important role in enabling smoother trade. Free Trade Agreements can also provide access to select markets at reduced or zero customs duties, subject to applicable rules.

The journey of Faridabad-based Alpine Group, which grew from domestic manufacturing into international markets in leather accessories, offered a practical perspective. Its experience underlined a key lesson: a competitive product may open the door, but dependable systems and consistent execution help keep it open.

GeM: An Opportunity Beyond the Private Market

For MSMEs, another significant avenue lies closer to home. GeM provides access to government procurement and institutional demand through a digital marketplace.

More than 12 lakh micro and small enterprises were highlighted as registered on GeM, with public procurement exceeding ₹5 lakh crore in FY 2025-26. Micro and small enterprises accounted for 68% of orders, while around 45% of procurement value went to MSMEs.

But registration is only the starting point. Success on GeM requires businesses to identify the right categories, understand buyer requirements, maintain necessary documentation, and assess their eligibility before bidding.

Compete Smart, Not Just on Price

One of the important takeaways from the discussion was the need for financial discipline. While bidding on GeM, MSMEs must account for production, overhead, logistics and delivery costs before deciding their lowest sustainable price.

Competing purely on price can come at the cost of profitability. Sustainable growth comes from knowing your numbers, and knowing the value you bring.

The Bigger Opportunity

Whether it is global demand through exports or institutional demand through GeM, the growth opportunity for MSMEs is expanding. But tapping into it requires more than a good product.

Strong systems, compliance, technology, financial planning, and reliable execution can help turn opportunities into sustainable growth.

Watch the full conversations on SIDBI MSME Samvaad to explore these opportunities in greater detail.

Watch Episode 11 here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DyQYGXU6zko&list=PLUiMfS6qzIMw-FgBzeVXjTpPMarJlTc7W&index=2

Watch Episode 12 here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzotbUD49tE&list=PLUiMfS6qzIMw-FgBzeVXjTpPMarJlTc7W&index=2

In India, silver holds a special place in cultural and religious traditions. It is traditionally regarded as an auspicious metal and is widely used for jewellery, religious ornaments and idols, utensils, coins, puja articles and festive decor. During Ganesh Chaturthi, silver articles and ornaments are often used to adorn Lord Ganesha, adding an element of elegance and grandeur to the festive celebrations.

At Chandukaka Saraf Jewels, the focus extends beyond aesthetics to quality, purity and customer well-being. The brand offers a curated range of silver products for festive worship, gifting and everyday use, with an emphasis on purity and responsible craftsmanship.

USP's of Silver

1) Silver Rate Based on Purity

2) 97% Pure Silver Utensils

3) Hallmark Certified – Silver Articles and Utensils

4) Special Karatmeter for Testing the Purity of Silver

As part of its commitment to customer well-being, Chandukaka Saraf Jewels  states that it does not use cadmium in any quantity in its silver utensils products, particularly in utensils intended for food use, such as dinner plates, bowls, glasses, cups, spoons and other serving articles. The brand also offers its silver products after the hallmarking process.

Silver Articles for Ganesh Chaturthi

The festive season brings with it a beautiful opportunity to combine devotion, craftsmanship and tradition. Silver Ganpati articles can be used to decorate the idol, enhance the puja setup, or be presented as meaningful festive gifts.

Significance of Silver Ganpati Articles

Silver Durva: Durva is among the most important offerings made to Lord Ganesha. Traditionally offered in bundles of eleven or twenty-one blades, it is associated with devotion, auspiciousness and the worship of Ganesha.

Jawand and Kamal Haar:  These decorative garlands feature motifs inspired by hibiscus (Jaswand) and lotus (Kamal). Available in finishes such as silver polish, gold polish and stone embellishments, they add a regal touch to the idol.

Silver Modak Set:  Modaks are traditionally associated with Lord Ganesha and are among the most popular offerings during Ganesh Chaturthi. A set of five, seven, or twenty-one silver modaks represents devotion, sweetness and celebration.

Jaswand Phool: The red hibiscus is traditionally associated with Ganesha worship. Silver floral replicas offer a lasting decorative alternative while retaining the visual symbolism of the flower.

Kevda Paan: A silver representation of the fragrant Kevda leaf, traditionally included among the leaves offered during Patra Puja.

Paan Supari: Traditionally used for auspicious rituals, silver Paan and Supari articles can be part of the ceremonial puja arrangement.

Silver Fruits: Replicas of auspicious fruits such as kaju, badam, pista, coconuts, bananas and other traditional offerings symbolise abundance, gratitude and prosperity.

Kamal Phool: The lotus is widely associated with purity, spiritual awakening and auspiciousness. A silver lotus can be used as an offering or decorative element in the puja arrangement.

Silver Ladu: Symbolising sweetness and celebration, silver laddus are decorative representations of one of the traditional sweets associated with Ganesha.

Parijatak Phool: Inspired by the delicate Parijatak or Night-flowering Jasmine, these silver flowers bring an elegant floral element to the festive décor.

Shami Paan Tas: Shami leaves have an important place in Hindu traditions and are associated with auspiciousness and the removal of obstacles. Silver Shami leaf accessories can be incorporated into the festive puja décor.

Gulab Phool: A silver rose represents beauty, devotion and affection, making it an elegant addition to the decoration of the Ganpati idol.

Niranjan: A traditional oil lamp used during puja and aarti, symbolising the presence of divine light.

Udbatti Ghar: A decorative incense-stick holder designed to complement the puja setup while safely collecting incense ash.

Puja Kalash: The Kalash is an important ritual vessel in Hindu worship and is traditionally associated with auspiciousness, abundance and the presence of divine energy.

Karanda: A small decorative container traditionally used to keep items such as kumkum or haldi during religious ceremonies.

Kapoor Aarti: A specialised holder used for performing camphor aarti as part of the worship ritual.

Panchaarati: A five-wick lamp used during aarti, traditionally representing the five elements and adding a sacred glow to the worship ceremony.

Silver Janve: A representation of the sacred thread, or Yajnopavita, used as a ceremonial accessory for the deity.

Ghanti: A ritual bell traditionally rung during puja and aarti, marking the beginning of worship and creating an auspicious atmosphere.

Ganpati Mukut: A silver crown placed on the head of Lord Ganesha, symbolising grandeur, dignity and divine royalty.

Ganpati Bajuband: Traditional arm ornaments that enhance the royal appearance of the Ganpati idol.

Ganpati Kaan: Decorative silver ear ornaments designed to complement Lord Ganesha's distinctive ears and enhance the overall ornamentation of the idol.

Parashu and Trishul: Traditional symbolic weapons associated with divine power. The Parashu (axe) and Trishul (trident) represent strength and the power to overcome obstacles and negative forces.

Sond Bhushan: An intricately crafted ornament designed to adorn Lord Ganesha's trunk and enhance the detailing of the idol.

Silver Undir: The mouse, or Mushak, is traditionally regarded as Lord Ganesha's vehicle (Vahana). A silver representation of the Mushak completes the traditional Ganpati ensemble.

Silver Paat / Chaurang: A raised platform used to place and display the Ganpati idol during worship. A silver-clad Paat or Chaurang adds grandeur to the festive altar while creating a traditional setting for the idol.

Silver Tamhan / Tabak: Tamhan/Tabak is a broad, shallow, circular metal plate traditionally used for pooja and ceremonial use.

Silver Kelipan: Kelipan is the silver article shaped like a banana leaf (केळीचे पान), it is essentially a decorative/ceremonial silver representation of the traditional banana leaf used in Indian cultural practices to offer prasad to Lord Ganesh.

Silver Dul/Bhikbali: Silver Dul of Lord Ganesha is a beautifully crafted devotional article that brings together the timeless appeal of silver craftsmanship and the spiritual significance of Shri Ganesha. Revered as the remover of obstacles and the symbol of auspicious beginnings, Lord Ganesha holds a special place in Indian homes and religious traditions.

Silver Ganpati Tode: Silver Ganpati Tode refers to a traditional silver ornament or decorative piece featuring Lord Ganesha. Traditional Tode are described as thick, finely crafted bangles, making the name strongly associated with substantial traditional ornamentation in Maharashtra.

Bringing Tradition Home with Silver from delicate floral motifs and traditional offerings to elaborate crowns and ceremonial accessories, silver Ganpati ornaments bring together India's rich artistic heritage and festive traditions. Their enduring shine, intricate craftsmanship and auspicious associations make them meaningful additions to the Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations. Whether chosen to adorn the family Ganpati, enhance the puja space, or presented as a festive gift, silver articles can become treasured pieces that are cherished and passed down through generations.

At CS Jewels, the collection reflects this blend of tradition, craftsmanship, purity and contemporary elegance, offering devotees and families an opportunity to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi with silver creations designed to complement one of India's most beloved festivals since 1827.

Pune, Maharashtra | September 09^th, 2026: Jhamtani, one of Pune's most trusted real estate brands, has built its legacy on a simple belief: a promise means little unless it is delivered. With a reputation built on timely delivery, quality, reliability and consumer commitment, the brand is marking a significant milestone in the company’s journey as it enters its next phase of growth with Ranveer Singh, the ultimate Indian showman, as its brand ambassador. Jhamtani has spent over 16 years creating thoughtfully designed residential and commercial developments while earning the trust of thousands of homeowners through a steadfast commitment to quality, transparency and timely delivery.

The association is rooted in a shared belief in ambition, continuous evolution and challenging convention. Known as a generational performer, Ranveer Singh's achievements, self-made journey and aspirational appeal complement Jhamtani's vision, making him the ideal face for the brand's next chapter.

The announcement was made at a grand press event in Pune, where the company celebrated its journey and philosophy of ‘The Name is a Promise’, culminating in the reveal of Ranveer Singh as the face of Jhamtani.

Commenting on the association, Ranveer Singh said, “I've always believed that the strongest associations are built on shared values and a common vision for the future. That's what makes this association with Jhamtani so meaningful. The brand has built a remarkable legacy through quality and trust, and I'm proud to be part of its next chapter.”

Anup Jhamtani, Managing Director, Jhamtani, said, “The decision to bring Ranveer Singh on board comes from a strong belief in what this association represents for Jhamtani. Ranveer’s energy, ambition, individuality and pursuit of growth resonate strongly with the spirit we want to bring into our next phase. This is a proud moment for the entire Jhamtani family, and we are excited about the possibilities that lie ahead.”

Meenakshi Jhamtani, Executive Director, Jhamtani, said, “For us, ‘The Name is a Promise’ is a philosophy that has to be lived, not just communicated. Over the years, we have worked to build stronger systems, deeper customer relationships and a culture that puts people and their experience at the centre. Ranveer brings an energy and personality that complements this evolution beautifully, allowing us to take our promise to a wider audience while staying true to who we are.”

Building Beyond Real Estate

Jhamtani’s commitment extends beyond delivering homes through initiatives such as Hamesha Aapke Saath, which strengthens customer relationships beyond possession, and J-Tribe, which fosters community living through celebrations, sporting events and social gatherings.

Initiatives including Rising Stars, Shakti Edge, CSR and sustainability programmes further reflect the brand’s commitment to nurturing talent and creating meaningful impact.
 

Jhamtani’s portfolio spans mid-premium, premium and ultra-luxury residential communities, along with commercial developments. Its XO Signature Series represents its ultra-luxury, design-led offering.

Current developments span across key growth corridors of Pune, including Baner, Balewadi, Wakad, Ravet,Tathawade, Mundhwa, Koregaon Park NX, Kharadi and Charholi, with projects including Ace Abundance, Ace Ayodhya, Ace Villas and SpaceBiz.

Beyond real estate, the group operates through Jhamtani Cera-Kraft, Jhamtani Agencies and Jhamtani Prosumers Solar Pvt. Ltd., strengthening its presence across the built environment and renewable energy.

About Jhamtani

Jhamtani brings a business legacy of more than 4 decades and over 16 years of real estate experience. The company has delivered over 3 million sq. ft. and is currently developing 4 million sq. ft. across 32+ residential, commercial, and mixed-use developments, with another 4 million sq. ft. in the immediate pipeline for launch this financial year. With over 13,000 happy faces across Pune, Jhamtani continues to expand across key growth corridors in East and West Pune.

With Ranveer Singh as its brand ambassador, Jhamtani moves into its next phase with renewed energy while remaining rooted in its core philosophy.

The legacy remains strong. The promise remains unchanged. The journey moves forward.

 Company targets ₹550 crore AUM this fiscal year, backed by a ₹300 crore debt fundraising plan and transition to secured retail finance

Chennai, India (9^th September): Orange Retail Finance India Private Limited (“Orange” or “the Company”), an RBI-registered Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) rated ICRA BBB− (Stable), has successfully completed its first listed Non-Convertible Debenture (NCD) issuance of ₹50 crore, marking its entry into the listed debt market. The issuance represents the first tranche under the Company’s ₹200 crore listed NCD programme for FY27, supported by UMI Capital, and forms part of Orange’s broader ₹300 crore debt fundraising plan for the financial year.

The fundraise marks an important step in Orange’s strategy to diversify its funding base and build a more scalable, institutional capital-raising platform as it targets ₹550 crore in AUM during FY27. The capital-raising programme comes alongside the Company’s strategic transition from its legacy Two-Wheeler lending portfolio towards a predominantly secured retail finance model led by Gold Loans and MSME Loan Against Property (LAP), with a focus on expanding its presence across semi-urban and rural South India.

Saravanan Kandan, Chief Financial Officer, Orange Retail Finance India Private Limited, said: “This is the first of several steps to widen our funding base and lower our long-term cost of capital. The ₹200 crore funding programme, provides us with a structured pathway to access institutional debt capital as we scale, while keeping us disciplined on asset-liability management as we work towards our ₹550 crore AUM target.”

The strategic transition has been accompanied by a sustained improvement in portfolio quality, with the Company’s gross NPA declining from 9.3% as of March 2024 to approximately 2.1–2.8% currently, while its capital adequacy ratio (CRAR) stands at 34%. Orange’s disbursements are concentrated in rural and Tier-2 markets across Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Telangana, where a significant proportion of its customers are first-time users of formal credit.

Gold Loans are expected to account for a substantial share of incremental AUM, alongside MSME LAP. The Company’s focus on underserved markets also has a strong financial inclusion dimension, with women currently accounting for 35% of its borrower base. Orange intends to double its women borrower base as it scales.

The Company has strengthened its senior management team with the appointment of a Chief Financial Officer, Chief Business & Operations Officer and Chief Risk Officer, bringing over 75 years of combined experience across banking, NBFCs and development finance institutions. The leadership team will support the Company’s transition towards a diversified, secured retail finance model, while strengthening risk, financial and operational capabilities. 

As part of its five-year roadmap, Orange aims to scale AUM from ₹410 crore to ₹3,000 crore by FY2031, supported by secured lending, technology and stronger financial controls.

Ebenezer Daniel G, Founder, Managing Director & CEO, Orange Retail Finance India Private Limited, said: “Completing our first listed NCD is an important milestone in Orange’s transition to a more diversified, capital markets-linked funding base. The transaction reflects the confidence debt investors place in the leadership team we have built for scale and in a growth plan anchored in secured, financially inclusive lending.”

The successful completion of the first listed NCD issuance represents an early milestone in Orange’s broader transformation from a legacy Two-Wheeler lender towards a secured, financially inclusive retail finance franchise, while building the diversified funding architecture required to support its long-term growth. 

About Orange Retail Finance India Private Limited

Orange Retail Finance India Private Limited (ORFIL) is an RBI-registered Non-Banking Financial Company (Middle Layer) headquartered in Chennai, serving semi-urban and rural customers across Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Telangana and Kerala through 58 branches. ORFIL's core products are MSME Loan Against Property, Gold Loans and Affordable Housing Loans, supported by its proprietary technology platforms, ORFLend (loan origination and servicing) and FinMobi (customer application). The Company is rated ICRA BBB− (Stable) and reported a capital adequacy ratio of 41% as of its latest rating review.

Media Contact

Saravanan K | Chief Financial Officer 

Orange Retail Finance India Private Limited

saravanan.k@orangeretailfinance.com

Pramod Kamble | Assistant Account Manager

Adfactors PR

pramod.kamble@adfactorspr.com | 8888360559 

Anushka Mehta | Senior Account Executive

Adfactors PR 

anushka.mehta@adfactorspr.com | 9167944956

Greater Noida, September 9th, 2026: Birla Institute of Management Technology (BIMTECH), a leading AACSB-accredited business school in India, has proudly signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Institute of Actuaries of India (IAI) to strengthen professional learning and build capabilities in emerging and relevant areas of professional development.

The MoU was signed by Dr. Pankaj Priya, Dean & Deputy Director, BIMTECH, and Dr. Ruchita Verma, Executive Director, IAI.

Under the collaboration, BIMTECH and IAI will jointly develop and deliver 2–3 certification programmes over the next year, leveraging their complementary expertise in management education and actuarial science. The first initiative under the partnership, the Certification Training Programme on Carbon Credits & Carbon Markets, is designed to equip working professionals, corporate executives and sustainability practitioners with practical knowledge of the evolving carbon economy.

The programme has been conceptualised and designed under the leadership of Dr. Prabina Rajib, Director, BIMTECH, who is also leading key sessions on global carbon markets, including the EU Emissions Trading System (EU-ETS), carbon market mechanisms such as Perform, Achieve & Trade (PAT), Energy Saving Certificates (ESCerts), CORSIA and Carbon Futures.

Underscoring the significance of the initiative, Dr. Prabina Rajib, Director, BIMTECH said, “The transition towards a low-carbon economy is not only an environmental imperative but is increasingly shaping business, finance and risk decisions. As carbon markets evolve, there is a growing need for professionals who understand how these markets function and the opportunities and risks they create. Our Certification Programme on Carbon Credits & Carbon Markets, developed as the first initiative under our partnership with the Institute of Actuaries of India, seeks to address this need by bringing together perspectives on carbon markets, finance, regulation and risk. Through this collaboration, we aim to build relevant, future-ready capabilities in areas that will increasingly influence businesses and professionals.”

Additionally, Dr. Ruchita Verma, Executive Director, IAI, said, “The evolving climate and sustainability landscape presents new opportunities for professionals with strong analytical and risk-management capabilities. Our collaboration with BIMTECH will enable us to jointly create learning programmes that respond to these emerging professional requirements and build awareness in areas of growing relevance.”

The Online Certification Programme on Carbon Credits & Carbon Markets is scheduled from September 19 to October 10, 2026. The programme is designed for a diverse professional audience, including actuaries and actuarial students, finance and investment professionals, risk managers, ESG and sustainability professionals, policy specialists, consultants, corporate professionals and students interested in climate finance and sustainability.

Furthermore, this collaboration brings together key concepts across global climate frameworks, carbon market mechanisms, net-zero calculations, climate and sustainability risks, voluntary carbon markets and compliance frameworks. Delivered through an interactive online format, the programme is designed to bridge conceptual knowledge with practical applications and help professionals understand the growing relevance of carbon markets to business and financial decision-making.

Through this collaboration, BIMTECH and IAI seek to contribute to the development of a future-ready professional ecosystem equipped to understand the opportunities and challenges presented by the global transition towards a low-carbon economy.

The seller base is expanding fast

• Meesho’s transacting seller base stood at 1.04 million, up 81% year-on-year, with Tier 2-and-smaller towns making up 45% of it

• Flipkart says AI tools integration helped drive 80-85% growth in new seller onboarding from Tier 3, 4 towns this year compared to last

• Meesho’s content-commerce push saw a three-fold increase in order volumes during 2024 testing and reached 14.5 million users in a year — enough traction for the company to launch Creator Club this week, a dedicated platform pairing creators directly with sellers

StudioBackdrops has done this before

The company’s own sales mix has swung with the broader D2C wave, by its founder’s account:

• Pandemic era: the business was 90% online, 10% offline, and saw 600-800% revenue growth as creators built home studios

• Post-2023: as revenge-buying faded and e-commerce traction slowed, the company shifted to a B2B model

• Today: 70% B2B and 30% online, running through more than 200 dealers across Tier I, II and III cities, including remote cities.

Founded with a bootstrapped ₹1.5 crore by Archisman Misra, StudioBackdrops now stocks over 6,500 SKUs, including its in-house brands Indus — which has captured 70-75% of the Indian seamless backdrop market — and AriesX, its lighting and studio solutions line that is competing with international giants. The company has reported 40% year-on-year growth.

On why the company is now investing in mentorship rather than just equipment, Archisman Misra said, “India’s creator economy is moving beyond the pursuit of better gear. The real gap today is know-how, understanding the right setups, making smarter equipment investments, avoiding common mistakes and learning the workflows that often take years to develop. That thinking is behind SBD Creators, the company’s new nationwide mentorship program, which aims to onboard at least 100 creators by the end of 2026 across all 28 states, with content in regional languages including Assamese, Bengali, Marathi, Gujarati and more.

The company says it can already reach 20,000+ PIN codes nationwide, including a custom shipping route it built to get equipment to a photographer in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, logistics that lines up with where Meesho and Flipkart say their own new sellers are increasingly coming from. 

For more information, please visit: https://studiobackdrops.com/

Mumbai : For investors, the real test of any equity fund isn't its strategy on paper — it's what it has actually done for their money over time. On that measure, the Tata AIA Top 200 Fund has a track record worth noting: as of 31 July 2026, it has consistently outperformed its benchmark, not in a single good year, but across every major time horizon  three years, five years, seven years, and since its inception in January 2009.

These numbers reflect a broader story: the Tata AIA Top 200 Fund, an actively managed equity fund available under Tata AIA Life Insurance's Unit Linked Insurance Plans (ULIPs), has outperformed its benchmark, the S&P BSE 200, consistently not just in one good year, but across multiple time horizons. Recognising this consistent performance, global rating agency Morningstar has awarded the fund a 5-star rating.

This is not an isolated result — it reflects Tata AIA's consistent outperformance across its broader portfolio. As of June 2026, Top Funds of Tata AIA's rated assets under management hold a 4- or 5-star Morningstar rating, placing the overwhelming majority of its funds among the highest-rated in their category.

Performance Highlights (as of 31 July 2026)

• 5-Year CAGR: 16.47%, compared to the benchmark's 10.67%

• Since Inception (12 January 2009) CAGR: 18.27%, compared to the benchmark's 14.31%

• Morningstar Rating: 5-Star, - as of July 2026, Category- Equity

• Consistency, not a One-Off: Rolling Returns

A single good year can happen by chance. Consistency across market cycles is harder to achieve — and it's where the fund's rolling returns make the stronger case:

Tata AIA Top 200 Fund delivered stronger performance than the S&P BSE 200 benchmark across all rolling periods, with returns of 23.8% vs 15.2% over 3 and 5 years, and 21.8% vs 13.2% over 7 years, demonstrating consistent long-term outperformance.

Because rolling returns measure performance from many different starting points rather than a single fixed date, they show whether outperformance is a genuine pattern or a one-off. Here, the fund has stayed ahead of its benchmark across every window measured.

(*Average monthly rolling rate of return over last 10 year period)

What This Has Meant for Investors

Here's what that outperformance has looked like in rupee terms: a hypothetical investment of ₹1,00,000 made in the fund five years ago would be worth approximately ₹2,14,300 today, based on the fund's 5-year CAGR of 16.47%. The same ₹1,00,000 invested at the fund's inception in January 2009 would have grown to approximately ₹17.3 lakh over the fund's ~17-year history, based on its since-inception CAGR of 18.27%.

An investment in the Tata AIA Top 200 Fund has delivered strong long-term growth, with an approximate value of ₹17.3 lakh for an investment made at inception in January 2009, generating a CAGR of 18.27% vs 14.31% for the benchmark. Similarly, an investment made 5 years ago would be worth approximately ₹2.14 lakh, with the fund delivering a 16.47% CAGR vs 10.67% for the benchmark, highlighting consistent outperformance.

SFIN: Top 200 Fund ULIF 027 12/01/09 ITT 110

Performance Data: As of 31 July 2026. Returns above one year are calculated as CAGR.

Benchmark: S&P BSE 200. 

Past performance is not indicative of future performance.

Note: Market-linked investments are subject to market risks. The investment risk in the portfolio is borne by the policyholder.

How the Fund Does It

Rather than simply tracking the BSE 200 index, the Top 200 Fund is actively managed — its team selects fundamentally strong businesses within that universe, with an eye on sustainable growth rather than short-term momentum. With roughly 94.94% of the portfolio invested in equities across large-cap, mid-cap, and emerging companies, and diversified exposure including Financials (12.95%) and Services (12.43%), the fund is built to participate in India's growth story while managing concentration risk.

“The Top 200 Fund's performance over the years reflects the strength of a disciplined, research-led investment process. What it has meant in practice is that a long-term investor who stayed the course — through multiple market cycles — has seen their money meaningfully outpace the benchmark. That's the outcome we want every investor in this fund to experience,” said Harshad Patil, Chief Investment Officer, Tata AIA Life Insurance.

As financial markets navigate shifting interest rate expectations and changing investor sentiment, Tata AIA reiterated its commitment to helping customers build long-term wealth through professionally managed, research-backed investment solutions within its ULIP offerings.

Morningstar Disclaimer

© 2025 Morningstar. All rights reserved. The Morningstar name is a registered trademark of Morningstar, Inc. in India, and other jurisdictions. The information contained here: (1) includes the proprietary information of Morningstar, Inc. and its affiliates, including, without limitation, Morningstar India Private Limited (“Morningstar”); (2) may not be copied, redistributed or used, by any means, in whole or in part, without the prior, written consent of Morningstar; (3) is not warranted to be complete, accurate or timely; (4) may be drawn from data published on various dates and procured from various sources; and (5) shall not be construed as an offer to buy or sell any security or other investment vehicle. Neither Morningstar, Inc. nor any of their affiliates (including, without limitation, Morningstar) nor any of their officers, directors, employees, associates, or agents shall be responsible or liable for any trading decisions, damages or other losses resulting directly or indirectly from the information.

Disclaimers

• The linked insurance product do not offer any liquidity during the first five years of the contract. The policy holder will not be able to surrender/withdraw the monies invested in linked insurance products completely or partially till the end of the fifth year.

• Premium paid in Unit Linked Life Insurance policies are subject to investment risks associated with capital markets and the NAVs of the units may go up or down based on the performance of fund and factors influencing the capital market and the insured is responsible for his/her decisions. On survival to the end of the policy term, the Total Fund Value including Top-Up Premium Fund Value valued at applicable NAV on the date of Maturity will be paid.

• Market-linked returns are subject to market risks and terms & conditions of the product. The assumed rate of returns or illustrated amount may not be guaranteed and depends on market fluctuations.

• The performance of the managed portfolios and funds is not guaranteed, and the value may increase or decrease in accordance with the future experience of the managed portfolios and funds.

• The Company does not guarantee any assured returns. ~Market-linked returns are subject to market risks and terms & conditions of the product.

• Investments are subject to market risks. The Company does not guarantee any assured returns. The investment income and price may go down as well as up depending on several factors influencing the market.

• The investment income and price may go down as well as up depending on several factors influencing the market. Please know the associated risks and the applicable charges, from your Insurance Agent or the Intermediary or Policy Document issued by the Insurance Company. Please make your own independent decision after consulting your financial or other professional advisor. Returns are calculated on an absolute basis for a period of less than (or equal to) a year, with reinvestment of dividends (if any). All investments Company are subject to market risks. The Company does not guarantee any assured returns.

• Buying a Life Insurance Policy is a long-term commitment. An early termination of the policy usually involves high costs, and the surrender value payable may be less than all the premiums paid. Unit Linked Life Insurance products are different from traditional insurance products and are subject to risk factors.

• All funds open for new business which have completed 5 years since inception are rated 4 star or 5 star by Morningstar as of August 2025.

About Tata AIA Life

Tata AIA Life Insurance Company Limited (Tata AIA) is a joint venture Company formed by Tata Sons Pvt. Ltd. and AIA Group Ltd. (AIA). Tata AIA Life `combines Tata’s pre-eminent leadership position in India and AIA’s presence as the largest, independent listed pan-Asian life insurance group in the world, spanning 18 markets in the Asia Pacific region.

Tata AIA reported a total Premium Income of INR 38,164 crore for FY26, up 21% from FY25. The Company continues to rank among the Top 3 Private Insurers in Individual Weighted New Business Premium (IWNBP) with an IWNBP income of INR 10,018 crore. The Company also achieved industry-leading Persistency performance (based on both premiums and number of policies), ranking #1 in four out of five cohorts. For more information on Tata AIA Life’s product portfolio and retirement solutions, please visit www.tataaia.com.

About the Tata Group  

Founded by Jamsetji Tata in 1868, the Tata group is a global enterprise, headquartered in India, comprising 30 companies across ten verticals.

The group operates in more than 100 countries across six continents, with a mission 'To improve the quality of life of the communities we serve globally, through long-term stakeholder value creation based on Leadership with Trust’.

In 2024-25, the revenue of Tata companies, taken together, was more than $180 billion. These companies collectively employ over 1 million people.

Each Tata company or enterprise operates independently under the guidance and supervision of its own board of directors. There are 26 publicly listed Tata enterprises with a combined market capitalisation of more than $328 billion as on March 31, 2025.

About AIA

AIA Group Limited and its subsidiaries (collectively “AIA” or the “Group”) comprise the largest independent publicly listed pan-Asian life insurance group. It has a presence in 18 markets – wholly-owned branches and subsidiaries in Mainland China, Hong Kong SAR(1), Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, Cambodia, Indonesia, Myanmar, New Zealand, the Philippines, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan (China), Vietnam, Brunei and Macau SAR(2), and a 49 per cent joint venture in India. In addition, AIA has a 24.99 per cent shareholding in China Post Life Insurance Co., Ltd.

The business that is now AIA was first established in Shanghai more than a century ago in 1919. It is a market leader in Asia (ex-Japan) based on life insurance premiums and holds leading positions across the majority of its markets. It had total assets of US$345 billion as of 31 December 2025. 

AIA meets the long-term savings and protection needs of individuals by offering a range of products and services including life insurance, accident and health insurance and savings plans. The Group also provides employee benefits, credit life and pension services to corporate clients. Through an extensive network of agents, partners and employees across Asia, AIA serves the holders of more than 44 million individual policies and over 16 million participating members of group insurance schemes.

AIA Group Limited is listed on the Main Board of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited under the stock codes “1299” for HKD counter and “81299” for RMB counter with American Depositary Receipts (Level 1) traded on the over-the-counter market under the ticker symbol “AAGIY”.

Notes:

(1) Hong Kong SAR refers to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

(2) Macau SAR refers to the Macau Special Administrative Region.

For more information, please contact: 

• Niladri Bhattacharya - Vice President, Head - Corporate Communications and social media (Niladri.Bhattacharya@tataaia.com) +91 9830230283

• Sailee Nayak – Senior Account Director
  (Sailee.nayak@adfactorspr.com) +91 9930167115

Mumbai - September 8, 2026 : The Akhil Bharatiya Adhyatmik Samiti Trust was formally launched with a vision to inspire a more united, harmonious and peaceful Bharat by bringing together individuals, communities, institutions and India’s diverse spiritual leadership around shared human values.

Inspired by the vision of Maitreya Dadashreeji, the Trust is founded on a simple belief: The transformation of a nation begins with the transformation of the individual. Peace begins with how we think, speak and act, in our homes, our relationships, our communities and our society. When individuals choose peace, families become more harmonious; harmonious families strengthen communities; and harmonious communities contribute to a stronger and more united Bharat.

At the launch, Maitreya Dadashreeji emphasised:

“Our first agenda must be Vishwa Shanti. When the spiritual strength of Bharat comes together with one purpose, it can become a powerful force for peace - within every individual, within society, within Bharat and ultimately across the world.”

- Maitreya Dadashreeji

A CULTURE OF PEACE THAT BEGINS WITH US

The Trust believes that peace is not only an aspiration for institutions or leaders. The Trust therefore seeks to encourage a culture where peace moves from being an idea we admire - to a value we practice, through initiatives engaging individuals, families, youth and communities in friendship, compassion, respect, service and harmony.

India’s extraordinary diversity of traditions, cultures, philosophies and ways of life is one of its greatest strengths. The Trust seeks to nurture this diversity through friendship, mutual respect and a shared commitment to the wellbeing of all. Envisioned as a non-political, non-partisan and inclusive platform, it will provide a space for spiritual organisations, institutions and communities to meet, listen, learn and work together wherever there is a shared purpose.

BHARAT’S SPIRITUAL HERITAGE - A LIVING FORCE FOR PEACE

For millennia, Bharat has nurtured values that affirm the interconnectedness of human life Ahimsa (non-violence), Karuna (compassion), Seva (selfless service), Satya (truth), Maitri (friendship), Kshama (forgiveness) and Samatva (equality and harmony). At the heart of this civilisational vision is: Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam - The World is One Family.

India’s spiritual heritage is not simply a legacy to preserve. It is a living inheritance that can help shape a more harmonious future. The opportunity is to bring these values into our everyday lives so that spirituality is expressed through how we live, how we relate and how we serve.

FROM A UNITED BHARAT TO A PEACEFUL WORLD

The Trust’s vision for national unity is inseparable from its larger commitment to Vishwa Shanti - World Peace. A peaceful world cannot be built by nations alone. It must also be built by people. When individuals cultivate peace within themselves, they create greater harmony around them. When this spirit expands through families and communities, it strengthens the fabric of the nation.

Peace within the individual. Peace within society. Peace within Bharat. Peace in the world. The Trust therefore envisions Vishwa Shanti as a shared human journey, bringing together spiritual leadership and wider society around the common aspiration of peace and human upliftment.

A CALL TO EVERY CITIZEN

The vision of the Akhil Bharatiya Adhyatmik Samiti Trust extends beyond institutions. It is an invitation to every individual to become a participant in the journey of peace. A united Bharat can become a powerful voice for a peaceful world.

The Akhil Bharatiya Adhyatmik Samiti Trust therefore begins its journey with a simple invitation: Come Together. Choose Peace. Build Maitri. Serve Humanity.

EK BHARAT HUM BHARAT. ONE WORLD ONE FAMILY.

www.abastrust.org

The commitments represent more than 90% of the fund’s targeted USD 55 million investor corpus and follow its first close announced earlier in July. Areion Group has committed USD 5 million alongside external investors, bringing the fund’s targeted corpus to USD 60 million and aligning sponsor capital with that of the investor base.

Neev Jogani, Vice President - Areion Assets Management, who led the entire fund raising initiative and played a central role in shaping the fund's strategic direction, remains exuberant about stressed assets as a compelling investment opportunity for HNIs and institutions. 

Early deployments by the Fund span retail stressed-asset portfolios, telecom and cable manufacturing, and education-sector opportunities, primarily through security receipts and secured structures supported by tangible collateral.

With a five-year tenure initially, Areion Growth Fund – GIFT City will pursue opportunities across India’s stressed and non-performing credit market. The fund will invest principally in security receipts issued by asset reconstruction companies (ARCs), together with selectively structured, secured high-yield non-convertible debentures (NCDs). Its investment approach will focus on collateral coverage, seniority and enforceability of security, underlying asset quality, cash-flow visibility and identifiable resolution or monetisation pathways, targeting lucrative USD-denominated risk-adjusted returns.

Commenting on the development, Mr. Suresh Khatanhar, Group CEO, Areion Group, said:

“The response to Areion Growth Fund – GIFT City has been overwhelming. The commitments received shortly after launch reflect investor confidence in Areion’s investment capabilities, our experience in stressed assets and special situations, and the depth of the opportunity set in India’s evolving credit and turnaround market. We shall continue to apply a selective, asset-led investment discipline, with particular emphasis on capital protection, alignment of interests and repeatable value realisation.”

Areion entered the AIF space in 2019 and has since developed a multi-fund alternatives platform across Category I and Category II funds. Since inception, Areion has deployed about INR 30 billion in special-situation assets.

About Areion Group

Areion Group is an Indian financial-services and investment institution focused on distressed asset solutions, special situations and corporate debt restructuring. The Group combines investment, asset-management and restructuring capabilities to support complex-credit resolution and value creation across stakeholder groups. Areion’s platform is supported by experience in stressed-asset investing, restructuring, recovery and special-situations execution across sectors.

MUMBAI, INDIA, SEPTEMBER 8, 2026 : Independent storytelling platform STRT91 has released UNRELEASED - Inki Kaun Sunega?, a 30-minute documentary that goes inside the Vile Parle Cypher, one of the city's most active, most unbothered-by-fame rap communities. Directed by Imran Shamsi and produced by What Works, the film follows rappers who spend their weekdays delivering milk, cooking, guarding gates and running deliveries, and their weekends doing something the industry never gave them permission to do: standing in a circle, in public, and saying exactly what's on their mind.

The film premiered on August 15 on the STRT91 YouTube channel and is available to watch for free worldwide.

Watch UNRELEASED: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJjVGN1HpJg

THE FILM THAT WASN'T SUPPOSED TO EXIST

Imran and his team went to Vile Parle to shoot a reel. They left with a documentary.

At the centre of it is Kuldeep, 20, the reason the cypher exists at all, he started gathering rappers with nothing but word of mouth, and admits on camera that for a long time, he didn't tell his mother it was happening. Not because it was wrong. Because he didn't want to hand her one more thing to worry about.

That's the whole film in one confession: young people finding somewhere to put what they're carrying, quietly, before anyone tells them they're allowed to.

What began with a handful of strangers standing in a circle is now a Saturday ritual, a rotating stage for young artists across the city, each one showing up for themselves in front of people who might, by the end of the night, become friends. The only rule: show up, bring your words, keep rapping.

The Camera Points Where Hip-Hop Documentaries Usually Don't

Most hip-hop films chase the stars, the labels, the arenas. UNRELEASED goes the other way,  into gullies, onto pavements, into cramped homes, and lets rappers talk about identity, family, hunger and ambition not as a filmmaker's theme, but as the life they're already in. No studio lighting. No stylised edits. No industry standing between the artist and the mic.

"These young artists don't need sympathy. They need an audience. I hope this film gives them one." - Imran Shamsi, Director

Director's Note - Imran Shamsi

"I've spent most of my career directing campaigns and branded films for some of the biggest names in entertainment. But this film reminded me why I fell in love with storytelling in the first place. We went there just to shoot a 90 second reel. Then we met Kuldeep. Then Ayan. Then Pannu. Then dozens of kids standing in a circle, waiting patiently for their turn. Nobody had asked them to come. Nobody was paying them. Nobody was promising fame. Yet every Saturday, they showed up. That's when I realised the story was never about rap,  it was about people finding dignity through expression."

Imran Shamsi is the founder of What Works, a Mumbai-based production house whose work spans documentaries, branded films and advertising for Aamir Khan Productions, Red Chillies Entertainment, Yash Raj Films and Sony Pictures. He also directed Spotify's short documentary on Emiway Bantai, and Behind The Beats: 25 years of Lagaan.

Editor's Note - Ninoshka Andrade

"Usually you're chasing the cleanest frame, the smoothest transition. Here, the imperfections became the language of the film, a shaky phone recording, someone forgetting their lyrics, a crowd shouting over each other, silence after a hard line. We wanted the audience to feel like they weren't watching performers, but standing inside the circle. We didn’t try to make them look cool, we just found what’s cool within them. Hopefully, by the end, it feels less like you discovered rappers, and more like you met people."

Ninoshka Andrade is Creative Director at STRT91 and edited UNRELEASED, weaving documentary footage, street recordings and interviews into a single narrative.

Why STRT91 Made This

STRT91 exists on one belief: the streets of India already hold extraordinary stories, someone just has to stop and listen. UNRELEASED is the platform's first major independent documentary, and its clearest proof of that belief yet. The team didn't have to travel across the country to find their subjects. They found them a few kilometres from home, in a public ground in Vile Parle, where every weekend, a circle of unknown rappers passes around a mic and nobody's checking who's famous.

From Private Screening Rooms To A Free Public Release

Before its public launch, UNRELEASED was previewed at intimate industry screenings hosted at Aamir Khan Productions and Excel Entertainment’s Lightbox Preview Theatre, bringing together filmmakers, musicians, writers, journalists and members of Mumbai's creative community. It premiered publicly on 15 August 2026 on the STRT91 YouTube channel, released free, worldwide.

Hrishi K- Radio & Podcast Host

This is the kind of thing that is so needed. Something from the streets. Something straight from the heart. It's counter-cultural. It's the absolute best. And I love the fact that all these rappers are known by their pen names and how they go out there and express themselves. It's such a wonderful way of expressing your frustration. And, I think Kuldeep, who was one of the main characters, was right. He says words are free. Use them.

Kautuk Srivastava- Comedian

It was one of the most inspiring and moving things I’ve watched in a very long time. There’s so much talent around, it needs to be given that one push. I hope we get to see more of these kind of films.

ABOUT STRT91

STRT91 is a storytelling platform documenting India's street culture through original films, documentaries, photography and short-form storytelling — the people, places, art, music, food and communities that make India's streets extraordinary. YouTube: youtube.com/@STRT91 | Instagram: instagram.com/strt.91

ABOUT WHAT WORKS

What Works is a Mumbai-based production house creating advertisements, documentaries, branded films, music videos and digital campaigns. Founded by Imran Shamsi, the studio has worked across entertainment, film and brand storytelling with leading Indian studios and global brands.

thisiswhatworks.in

MEDIA CONTACT

Shivangi Chaturvedi - PR & Promotions, STRT91 / What Works

Email: shivangi@thisiswhatworks.in 

Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India] : AlgoShack Technologies, Bengaluru-based AI product company and creator of algoQA, its AI-augmented autonomous quality engineering platform, ranked 3rd globally among 742+ test automation companies by Tracxn, participated as Startup Partner in the Women Entrepreneurship Bootcamp held in August 2026, at SSM Cultural Hall, BIET, Namma Davanagere.

The district-level initiative brought together 120 selected girl students from five institutions across Davanagere, organized into 10 teams, for a day of intensive hands-on training in entrepreneurship spanning customer discovery, business model design, and pitch development. The program was convened under the Karnataka Digital Economy Mission (KDEM) and the IT, BT and S&T Department, Government of Karnataka, as part of the state’s broader push to expand entrepreneurial opportunity beyond metro hubs and into district-level talent pools.

AlgoShack’s involvement reflects the company’s growing focus on grassroots technology engagement, extending its presence beyond enterprise software quality into skill-building and innovation access for emerging talent in Karnataka’s smaller cities. As a bootstrapped company that has scaled to a 300-person team, AlgoShack has consistently positioned itself as an advocate for founders and builders who create value through discipline, innovation, and execution, a philosophy the company sees reflected in Davanagere’s next generation of women entrepreneurs.

“Entrepreneurship shouldn’t be limited by geography or access to networks,” said Ananya, Women Leader at AlgoShack. “These 120 students are proof that ambition and problem-solving ability exist everywhere. Our role is simply to show up, share what we’ve learned building a company from scratch, and back that talent with real exposure. Programs like this are exactly where India’s next wave of founders will come from, and we wanted AlgoShack to be part of that starting point.”

The bootcamp featured sessions on the entrepreneurial mindset and Karnataka’s opportunity landscape for women. It is followed by structured workshops on problem validation and business model development, closing with a peer-pitch challenge and a 60-day action plan for participating teams.

AlgoShack’s participation in the Davanagere bootcamp adds to its ongoing engagement with India’s innovation ecosystem, aligning with the company’s broader narrative of building global-standard technology from India, a message it has carried through its enterprise work in autonomous testing.

About AlgoShack Technologies

AlgoShack is a Bengaluru-based AI-native autonomous testing platform company, ranked 3rd globally among 742+ test automation companies by Tracxn. Its flagship product, algoQA, is an AI-augmented autonomous testing platform serving enterprises across MedTech, banking and fintech, digital commerce, and global capability centers. Bootstrapped and built on 35 years of engineering heritage, AlgoShack holds ISO 9001:2015 certification and MedTech compliance attestations under IEC 62304 and ISO 14971. The company recently expanded to Newark, Delaware, marking its entry into the US market.

Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], September 8: Arrowhead, a Bengaluru-based enterprise voice AI company, has announced results from its deployment with digital lending platform Kissht. Within two months of launch, Arrowhead’s AI voice agents began handling 40% of all inbound customer support calls received through Kissht’s Ring app.

The deployment currently covers loan application rejection queries and requests related to mandate or No Objection Certificate cancellations. Approximately 88% of these calls are resolved without human intervention.

“Within the first two months, the bot was handling 40% of our entire inbound volume,” said Suraj Shetty, Head of Customer Experience, Learning and Development at Kissht (Ring). “Of those calls, around 88% are getting handled without needing a human at all.”

Unlike many voice AI deployments that begin with outbound sales or engagement use cases, Arrowhead and Kissht introduced the technology directly into inbound customer support. The initial deployment focused on queries that can involve customer frustration, sensitive financial information and regulatory considerations.

A Focused Deployment With Defined Guardrails

The AI agents were initially trained to handle two specific categories of calls: queries concerning rejected loan applications and requests involving mandate or NOC cancellations.

The scope of the deployment was kept deliberately focused. The AI agent operates only within these predefined call categories. If a customer refers to the Reserve Bank of India during a conversation, the call is immediately transferred to a human specialist without the AI attempting to respond further.

Arrowhead’s technology has also been integrated with Kissht’s dialler and customer relationship management system. This allows relevant customer information and application status to be retrieved before the call is connected. As a result, customers are not required to repeatedly verify basic information or explain the same issue after a transfer.

One of the principal technical challenges during development was reducing the delay between conversational turns.

“When we started, latency was around one second. We built our own small language model and brought that down to around 500 milliseconds, which is among the lowest in the industry,” said Devyani Gupta, Founder of Arrowhead.

Reducing this delay was particularly important for creating a more natural interaction during sensitive customer conversations. Faster response times help reduce interruptions, awkward pauses and the impression that the customer is interacting with a conventional automated system.

Approximately 30% Lower Average Handle Time

According to operational data from Kissht, the AI voice agents are completing calls approximately 30% faster than human specialists handling comparable queries.

“The bot’s average handle time is running about 30% lower than our human agents,” said Shadab, Product and Build Owner at Kissht.

“If the same cost per minute is assumed, that translates into an approximately 30% saving on every call resolved entirely by the AI agent,” Gupta added.

The reduction in average handle time is in addition to the operational benefits created by resolving approximately 88% of calls within the selected categories without human involvement.

Kissht has stated that the efficiency improvement has not resulted in a decline in the customer experience measured during the deployment.

“That is what I would want another CX head to understand,” Shetty said. “We reduced handle time, but the customer experience held steady.”

Extending Support Beyond Regular Working Hours

The deployment has also allowed Kissht to address customer calls received outside the working hours of its support specialists.

Approximately 20% of the company’s inbound support volume is received between 8 PM and 8 AM. Before the introduction of the AI voice agents, many of these calls remained in the queue until the following working day.

“Around 20% of our inbound volume comes between 8 PM and 8 AM. Earlier, that became a queue waiting for the next day,” Shetty said.

Arrowhead’s AI agents now provide round-the-clock coverage for the supported query categories. The same operational policies, escalation rules and guardrails apply to calls received during and outside regular support hours.

A Collaborative Implementation Approach

Arrowhead and Kissht attributed the speed of the rollout to close collaboration between their respective product, customer experience, and engineering teams.

The implementation process included daily stand-up meetings from the beginning of the engagement. Arrowhead’s team also reviewed live customer conversations to understand how callers described their concerns, where conversations became difficult, and when human intervention was necessary.

Kissht’s implementation team worked directly with Arrowhead’s founders and engineers throughout the deployment. This allowed feedback from customer calls to be incorporated into the system without relying solely on periodic reviews or conventional support-ticket processes.

The two companies used this feedback to refine conversational flows, improve response speed, and strengthen the rules governing transfers to human specialists.

EMI and Repayment Support Agent Under Development

Following the initial deployment, Arrowhead and Kissht are developing an AI agent for EMI and repayment-related queries.

The next phase is expected to cover payment confirmations, auto-debit outcomes, duplicate deductions, late-fee status, foreclosure requests, NOC timelines, and CIBIL-related timelines.

Because these conversations involve transaction-specific information, the new agent is being developed with stricter controls. One of its core instructions is described as “money facts, absolute,” meaning the system must not independently calculate, estimate or round financial information.

The expansion represents a significant progression from handling defined service queries to managing conversations in which an inaccurate response could directly affect a customer’s understanding of a payment or financial obligation.

Kissht said the decision to proceed with the repayment use case followed the operational performance of the first deployment and the ability of the system to maintain customer experience while reducing handling time.

Deployment Highlights

About Kissht

Kissht is an Indian digital lending platform that provides consumer credit through its Ring app. Its offerings include personal loans, business loans and loans against property, with a focus on serving India’s underserved and emerging middle-class consumers.

About Arrowhead

Arrowhead develops enterprise-grade conversational AI voice agents for organisations managing customer interactions at scale. Headquartered in Bengaluru and backed by Stellaris Venture Partners, the company primarily works with banking, financial services and insurance organisations across inbound customer support and outbound engagement. Arrowhead develops its own low-latency speech and language technology for multilingual conversations in India.

Media Contact

Garv Jain
Founder’s Office, Arrowhead
Email: garv@arrowhead.team
Phone: +91 96095 21113
Website: arrowhead.ai

The stage is set for the next chapter of Yamaha Music India’s Teens Rock – The Battle of Bands 2026, as five promising bands have secured their place at the Grand Finale following the zonal rounds of the nationwide music competition. Joining them will be one band selected through public voting, bringing together six young bands ready to take the stage and make their mark at the Grand Finale in Bengaluru.

Launched in May 2026, Teens Rock – The Battle of Bands was created to give young musicians a platform to showcase their talent, express themselves through music and gain valuable experience performing on a live stage. The competition received an encouraging response from across India, with young bands from different parts of the country coming forward to share their music, connect with fellow musicians and take their passion for music to the next level.

Following the zonal rounds, five bands emerged as winners and earned their spot in the finale. The five finalist bands are:

1. North Zone: Ground 1, St. Xavier's School, Haryana

2. East Zone: The Apricity, Shri, Hanuman Mandir Dharamshala School, West Bengal

3. South Zone: CS Academy, Tamil Nadu

4. West Zone: M6, St. Stephen’s School of Music, Maharashtra

5. Northeast Zone: Neuhof School Band, Neuhof English Medium School, Mizoram

Joining them will be Odd Mates, Sai International School, Odisha, which was selected through public voting. The public vote gave music fans an opportunity to support their favourite band and be a part of their journey.

Mr. Kennei Sakai, Managing Director, Yamaha Music India, said, “Teens Rock is about much more than a competition. It is about giving young musicians the confidence to step onto a stage, express themselves and discover what they can achieve together. It has been inspiring to see these bands grow through every stage of the competition and bring their unique energy and passion to the stage. We are excited to see what the finalist bands bring to the Grand Finale and to celebrate this journey with them.”

The Grand Finale will take place on 4^th October 2026 at Prestige Centre for Performing Arts, Bengaluru, where the six bands will showcase their talent, filling the evening with live music, energy and exciting performances. The event will bring together some of the brightest musical talent with celebrated names from the Indian music industry, including Mr. A.R. Rahman, Brand Ambassador for Yamaha Music India, and Yamaha Artists Mr. Ranjit Barot, Mr. Gulraj Singh and Mr. Rhythm Shaw.

With the Grand Finale just around the corner, Teens Rock continues its journey of encouraging young musicians to pursue their passion, build confidence and find their voice through music. 

ROORKEE, India — September 8, 2026 : Avathon, a leader in Autonomy for Operations, and the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IIT Roorkee), one of India's premier institutions of national importance, today announced the launch of the Avathon Physical AI Lab (Avathon PAL), a research initiative dedicated to advancing the science of Physical AI for the industrial economy. The proposed laboratory will be established in the Department of Computer Science & Engineering at IIT Roorkee. The laboratory is envisaged to serve as a centre for collaborative research in Physical AI and to deepen collaboration with leading academic institutions across India and around the world.

The partnership pairs Avathon's leadership in bringing autonomy to industrial operations with IIT Roorkee's deep bench of research talent in optimization, machine learning, knowledge representation, and multi-agent systems. Together, the parties intend to build a durable foundation for cutting-edge Physical AI research focused on the most difficult problems in the industrial economy, from supply planning and logistics at scale to knowledge-driven, continuously learning autonomous systems.

"IIT Roorkee shaped how I think about the world and what’s possible within it. Returning to build something lasting here is deeply personal," said Pervinder Johar, Chief Executive Officer of Avathon and an alumnus of IIT Roorkee. "The talent and rigor at this institution are extraordinary, and the challenges facing the industrial world today are exactly the problems this partnership is built to solve. Physical AI is how we bring autonomy to the industrial economy, and there is no better place to advance that science than where my own journey began."

Prof. K.K. Pant, Director, IIT Roorkee highlighted that “The proposed Avathon Physical AI Lab marks an important step in strengthening the bridge between cutting-edge research and real-world industrial challenges. Physical AI is emerging as a transformative frontier, bringing together artificial intelligence, autonomous systems and physical operations. At IIT Roorkee, we are committed to fostering such interdisciplinary and industry-driven research that not only advances scientific knowledge but also contributes to India’s technological self-reliance and the vision of a Viksit Bharat 2047. This collaboration with Avathon will provide our researchers and students an opportunity to work on complex, high-impact problems and translate innovation into meaningful industrial applications.”

The Avathon PAL will work in close concert with Avathon's newly formed AI Center of Excellence (COE) in Bangalore. Together, the lab and the COE are designed to form a bridge between frontier research and real-world deployment, with science emerging from IIT Roorkee feeding directly into solutions that put autonomy into production across mining, energy, manufacturing, logistics, aerospace, and other industrial sectors. The Bangalore COE will anchor Avathon's growing research and engineering presence in India and serve as the primary industrial counterpart to the lab's academic work.

"This partnership brings a rare combination of academic freedom and real-world industrial relevance to our research community," said Prof. Sugata Gangopadhyay, Principal Investigator of the Avathon PAL, Department of Computer Science & Engineering, IIT Roorkee. "Working alongside Avathon, a company at the forefront of bringing Physical AI to industrial operations, gives our researchers both the problems and the ambition worthy of them."

The Avathon PAL intends to support a range of activities, including sponsored doctoral fellowships, collaborative research across multiple problem areas, student internships and industry exposure at Avathon, and workshops and technical events that connect the initiative to the broader research community. The lab reflects a shared conviction that the next frontier of artificial intelligence lies not in enterprise IT but on the factory floor, in the supply chain, and across critical infrastructure – the physical operations that move and sustain the global economy.

About Avathon

Avathon is a leading AI provider of Autonomy for Operations, bringing Industrial AI into the physical world. The Avathon Autonomy Platform enables organizations to intelligently plan, orchestrate, and execute complex manufacturing, supply chain, and asset management operations by transforming data into knowledge. Designed to scale securely across industrial environments, Avathon improves asset performance and strengthens operational resilience. Learn more at www.avathon.com

About IIT Roorkee

Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IIT Roorkee), established in 1847 as the Thomason College of Civil Engineering, is one of the oldest technical institutions in Asia. It was declared an IIT in 2001 and is recognised as an Institution of National Importance. IIT Roorkee offers undergraduate, postgraduate, doctoral, and postdoctoral programmes across engineering, architecture, sciences, management, humanities, and social sciences. The Institute is committed to excellence in education, research, innovation, entrepreneurship, and technology development, addressing national and global challenges through interdisciplinary collaboration.

Join IIT Roorkee on Twitter: www.twitter.com/iitroorkee

Join IIT Roorkee on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IITRoorkee.ICC/

Join IIT Roorkee on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/school/157269/admin/

IIT Roorkee Website: https://www.iitr.ac.in/

Built as an all-in-one digital workspace, MazdaDev aims to eliminate the need for users to install multiple software applications or rely on separate online services for routine productivity tasks.

One Platform. 130+ Digital Tools.

At the heart of MazdaDev is its collection of free online PDF tools, enabling users to edit, merge, split, compress, rotate, sign and convert PDF files into formats such as Word and JPG.

Beyond PDF processing, the platform brings together tools for image compression and conversion, AI-powered content generation, SEO utilities, CAD conversion, text processing and file management, giving users a broader set of utilities from a single browser-based platform.

The tools are designed to work across modern web browsers, making them accessible from desktops, laptops, tablets and other supported devices additional installation.

Privacy-First by Design

Privacy is a core part of MazdaDev’s platform architecture.

Several of its PDF, image and utility tools are designed to process files directly within the user’s browser, using technologies such as JavaScript and WebAssembly. This allows supported operations to be performed locally without uploading files to a remote server.

For tools that require server-side processing, MazdaDev states that files are transmitted using 256-bit TLS encryption and automatically removed from server storage within one hour after processing.

The company also states that submitted user content is not used to train AI models, sold, rented or shared with advertisers.

Built for Different Digital Workflows

MazdaDev is designed to serve a wide range of users and everyday workflows.

Freelancers can use its PDF and document utilities for contracts, proposals and business documents. Creators can access tools for content creation, YouTube titles, tags and thumbnails. Marketing professionals can use SEO and website analysis utilities, while students and small businesses can take advantage of document conversion, file-processing and productivity tools.

The platform also supports workflow integrations, allowing users to save or share outputs through services including Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, Notion and Slack, along with email-based workflows.

According to MazdaDev, the platform is currently used by 50,000+ creators across 140+ countries, reflecting growing demand for accessible browser-based productivity and file-management solutions.

Developed in India

MazdaDev is operated from India and was founded by Shubham Shobhit. The platform is also identified on its website as a member of the NVIDIA Inception program.

The company’s approach combines PDF utilities, document and file converters, image-processing tools, AI-powered generators, SEO utilities, CAD conversion and other browser-based applications into a single digital ecosystem.

By bringing these tools together, MazdaDev aims to provide users with a simpler alternative to maintaining multiple standalone applications and services.

More Than Just a PDF Toolkit

While PDF processing remains one of MazdaDev’s core offerings, the platform is expanding beyond traditional document utilities to create a broader browser-based digital productivity ecosystem.

From preparing documents and converting files to improving digital content, processing images, working with CAD files and using AI-powered utilities, the platform is designed around the idea of having commonly needed tools available in one place.

Many of the tools are available free of charge and without requiring an account or software installation, lowering the barrier for users who simply need to complete a specific digital task quickly.

About MazdaDev

MazdaDev is an India-operated online productivity and file-processing platform offering 130+ browser-based tools across PDF editing, document conversion, image processing, AI generation, SEO, CAD conversion, text processing and other digital utilities.

The platform focuses on making everyday digital workflows more accessible through browser-based tools, with privacy-conscious processing and a growing collection of free online utilities.

More information: mazdadev.in

PeopleWorks continues to invest heavily in the areas today's HR buyers care about most: intuitive design, mobile-first self-service, and cloud-native infrastructure. What sets the platform apart as a leading provider of HRMS software in Bangalore, the company says, is that this experience layer sits on top of functional depth built to absorb the operational complexity that real Indian organizations carry: multi-state compliance, industry-specific pay structures, legacy processes inherited through decades of business change, and the unpredictability of scaling from a founder-led team to a multi-site enterprise.

Four Decades of Domain Depth, Built Vertical by Vertical

PeopleWorks has been shaped by deep exposure to a wide spread of industry verticals: manufacturing, IT and ITES, retail, healthcare, BFSI, logistics, and more. Each vertical has arrived with its own operational quirks: shift-based wage calculations, multi-location statutory compliance, seasonal workforce surges, or union-linked settlements. Over the years, PeopleWorks has met these requirements not with generic settings but with purpose-built enhancements and, where needed, fully custom-engineered solutions.

That accumulated body of work is what the company points to as its real differentiator. Every enhancement built for one client's edge case has, over time, become a configurable capability available to the next. The result is a platform whose functional depth has compounded across decades of live enterprise deployments, giving PeopleWorks the ability to model policies and processes that newer, template-driven platforms are often unable to accommodate without lengthy workarounds.

Proven Scale: From Emerging Businesses to 20,000-Employee Enterprises

A recurring question for any growing organization is whether its HR platform can scale with it. PeopleWorks answers this with its existing client base, which spans organizations with fewer than fifty employees to large enterprises managing workforces of 20,000 and beyond. Rather than positioning itself for a single company-size bracket, PeopleWorks has engineered its architecture and implementation approach to flex across this entire range, supporting a lean HR team running core payroll and attendance at one end, and a distributed, multi-entity enterprise running complex approval hierarchies and analytics at the other.

"Scale isn't just about how many employee records a system can hold," said a senior spokesperson at PeopleWorks. "It's about whether the platform can hold the complexity that comes with that scale, different reporting structures, different compliance obligations, different ways of working without breaking down or forcing the client to change how their business actually runs. That's the test we've been meeting for decades, and it's the same test we're built to keep meeting as our clients grow."

A Genuine Hire-to-Retire Platform, Not a Bundle of Modules

PeopleWorks offers a comprehensive Hire-to-Retire suite spanning more than 25 modules and sub-modules covering recruitment and onboarding, core HR, attendance and leave, payroll and statutory compliance, performance management, learning, self-service, and exit management, among others. Recognized by industry leaders as the best payroll software in Bangalore, the company positions this as meaningfully different from platforms that offer a curated set of modules built to look complete: because each PeopleWorks module has been developed and refined against real, demanding enterprise use cases over decades, the depth within each module, not just the breadth across them, is what the company says sets it apart.

This distinction matters increasingly as HR buyers, having lived through the limitations of newer platforms, look past interface polish to ask harder questions about configurability, compliance accuracy, and long-term adaptability. PeopleWorks maintains that the honest answer to "how deep does this actually go" is best demonstrated by a client roster that includes some of the most operationally complex organizations in the country, not by a features list.

Depth as a Deliberate Choice, Not a Legacy Constraint

PeopleWorks is careful to frame its longevity as an active advantage rather than a legacy label. The company continues to invest in modern experience layers, mobile-first self-service, cloud infrastructure, and data-driven dashboards while keeping its underlying functional depth intact. The intent, PeopleWorks says, is to give organizations a platform that looks and feels current without asking them to compromise on the configurability that complex Indian businesses actually require.

Recognized as one of India's leading HRMS providers, PeopleWorks continues to position its four-decade domain expertise, proven scalability, and comprehensive Hire-to-Retire architecture as the foundation of its value to enterprises navigating an increasingly crowded HR technology market.

About PeopleWorks

PeopleWorks is a prominent cloud-based HRMS software provider that simplifies, automates, and transforms workforce operations for modern enterprises. Headquartered in Bangalore and led by Varghese Vincent D, CEO & Managing Director, the company brings four decades of domain expertise across diverse industry verticals, serving organizations from under 50 to over 20,000 employees.

With a comprehensive Hire-to-Retire suite of 25+ modules and sub-modules covering talent acquisition, core HR management, continuous performance tracking, employee self-service, and payroll, PeopleWorks enables organizations to upgrade traditional HR workflows into strategic growth engines.

Media Contact Information

Media Relations Department
PeopleWorks Solutions
Website: peopleworks.in
Contact Us: https://peopleworks.in/contact-us/
Sales enquiry: Mail: info@peopleworks.in

THE SPARK OF AN IDEA

What if the most meaningful gift could not be found, but had to be created from the heart? In its newest brand video, The Search, Rado invites the audience on a deeply personal and cinematic journey alongside global brand ambassador Hrithik Roshan. The campaign explores a universal desire: to capture a feeling and transform it into something that lasts forever.

More than a story about a watch, The Search is a tale of inspiration, affection and imagination. Wearing the Captain Cook High-Tech Ceramic Chronograph, a timepiece that reflects his spirit of adventure and his constant pursuit of new possibilities, Hrithik Roshan embarks on a journey shaped by memories of his loved one. Those memories spark a desire to create something truly special. Not simply a gift, but an object capable of preserving a cherished sentiment. Little by little, a concept emerges, driven by the belief that some people deserve something made uniquely for them.

FROM EMOTION TO CREATION

With this thought in mind, Hrithik starts sketching a framework, searching for a form capable of expressing what words cannot convey. What begins as a fleeting feeling evolves into a clear vision, leading him to the heart of Rado's world. There, surrounded by designers and engineers, imagination begins its transformation into reality.

The scene beautifully captures the creative process, revealing the artistry and innovation that have defined Rado throughout its history. As he explores shapes, materials and finishes, Hrithik is naturally drawn to plasma high-tech ceramic, which he wears himself and admires for its comfort, distinctive metallic appearance and innovative character. Captivated by its exceptional qualities, he knows it is the perfect choice for the piece he imagines.

A STORY WRITTEN BY TIME

Throughout the journey, fragments of the past continue to surface. A smile. A glance. A shared moment suspended in time. As the idea gradually comes to life, it becomes far more than an object. It becomes the embodiment of an intimate intention, shaped by memories and brought to life through creativity and expertise.

In its latest brand campaign, Rado illustrates that the most significant creations begin with emotion. The journey culminates in the Centrix Open Heart Diamonds in plasma high-tech ceramic, a watch conceived by Hrithik as a tribute to timeless grace. Its sophisticated light silver mother-of-pearl dial and open-heart design reveal the beating movement within, creating an intimate connection between the wearer and the watch while reflecting the sentiment behind its conception. Crafted in Rado's signature material, the watch embodies refinement, elegance and enduring beauty, reflecting a distinctive aesthetic that transcends trends.

In the video’s closing moments, Hrithik unveils the Centrix Open Heart Diamonds, transforming a heartfelt vision into a thoughtful present. Beneath the night sky, the Rado anchor appears among the stars, bringing together inspiration, passion and destiny in a powerful visual metaphor.

With The Search, Rado reaffirms that the time is now to celebrate the moments that matter most and the people behind them. True luxury is not about keeping time. It's about giving it meaning and how you Feel It.
 

Mumbai, September 7, 2026: Vector Consulting Group has concluded the 2026 edition of reTHINK, its national case competition designed to help management students approach complex business problems in a different way. The Grand Finale, held in Mumbai, brought together nine campus-winning teams from leading B-schools across India, with a total prize pool of ₹8 lakh.

At the heart of reTHINK is a simple premise: before solving a problem, understand what the real problem is.

The competition began with a four-hour workshop conducted by Vector Consulting Group subject matter experts, followed by a campus-level case competition. The workshop introduced students to first-principles problem-solving, encouraging them to question assumptions and identify the underlying problem before developing solutions.

The winning teams from each campus then progressed to the national round, where they were presented with a new case to solve. The competition culminated in the Grand Finale in Mumbai, where the teams presented their solutions before a national jury.

The 2026 edition brought together 1,554 participants across nine campuses - IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, IIM Calcutta, IIM Indore, IIM Lucknow, ISB Hyderabad, ISB Mohali, XLRI Jamshedpur and XLRI Delhi - reflecting strong interest among students at India’s leading B-schools in developing a more rigorous and practical approach to problem-solving.

The team from IIM Bangalore emerged as the winner, taking home ₹5 lakh. The team from IIM Ahmedabad was named first runner-up and received ₹2 lakh, while the team from XLRI Jamshedpur secured the second runner-up position and received ₹1 lakh.

Every campus-winning team also received a Pre-Placement Interview (PPI) opportunity with Vector Consulting Group, giving students who demonstrated strong problem-solving capabilities an opportunity to explore consulting as a career.

“In a world of frameworks and templatised thinking, the objective of reTHINK is to encourage curiosity about discovering real problems by breaking down complex problems using causal connections. We want students to realise that consulting can go beyond glitzy PPTs and solve real-world problems.

As one of the fastest-growing homegrown management consulting firms, we are always on the lookout for sharp problem solvers to join our team. Through the PPIs, we are also hoping to identify future team members among the campus winners of reTHINK,” said Sayan Chakrabarty, Chief Human Resources Officer, Vector Consulting Group.

Through reTHINK, Vector Consulting Group aims to reach more students and encourage a fundamentally different approach to problem-solving. The objective goes beyond the competition, with the principles of questioning assumptions and getting to the root of a problem serving students well in their careers and wherever their professional journeys take them.

About Vector Consulting Group

With a team of 200+ consultants, Vector Consulting Group is India's largest homegrown management consulting firm. Since 2006, Vector has leveraged the principles of Scientific and Systems Thinking to develop innovative solutions for clients across various domains and sectors. This, combined with its unique 'Skin-In-The-Game' approach to management consulting, has helped its 400+ clients achieve operational excellence and set new benchmarks in their industry segments.

Vector assists organisations across operations, supply chain & distribution, retail & B2B sales, New Product Development, and project management in industries such as pharmaceuticals, automotive, retail, textiles, FMCG, equipment manufacturing and EPC.

Vector has partnered with organisations such as Ashok Leyland, Royal Enfield, Tata Motors, JK Tyre, JK Fenner, International Tractors (Sonalika), Fleetguard Filters, Lupin, Glenmark, Arvind Fashions, Pidilite, Polycab, Kellogg's, Godrej & Boyce, L&T Heavy Engineering and several other leading companies.

For more details, visit https://www.vectorconsulting.in/ 

Pune, 7 September 2026 : Pune is set to host the National Concrete Day & Engineers’ Day Celebration 2026, a prestigious two-day event bringing together engineering students, academicians, practising engineers, consultants, government departments, infrastructure agencies and the construction industry on a common platform to celebrate engineering excellence, innovation and sustainable infrastructure development.

The celebration will be held on 10th and 11th September 2026 at Anantrao Pawar College of Engineering & Research (APCOER), S. No. 103, Shahu College Campus, Parvati, Pune – 411009.

The event is jointly organized by the Pune RMC Association, Maharashtra State Board of Technical Education (MSBTE), and Anantrao Pawar College of Engineering & Research (APCOER), Pune.

The initiative aims to bring together academia, government, infrastructure agencies, consultants, professional institutions and the construction industry on one common platform to promote innovation, sustainability and technical excellence in concrete and construction engineering.

More than 3,000 participants expected

More than 3,000 engineering students, faculty members, practising engineers, consultants and industry professionals from across Maharashtra are expected to participate in this prestigious celebration.

The programme has been designed to encourage young engineering talent through a wide range of technical, research and innovation-oriented activities, including:

* State & National Level Technical Competitions

* Project & Start-up Competition

* Research Paper Presentation

* Poster Presentation

* Concrete Cube Competition

* Green Concrete Mix Design Competition

* CAD Drawing Competition

* Ice-Stick Bridge Competition

* Technical Quiz

* Innovative Ideas Competition

The event will also feature technical seminars, a Construction Technology Exhibition, live product demonstrations and industry networking sessions.

Leading Industry Exhibitors to Participate

A major attraction of the celebration will be the Construction Technology Exhibition, providing an important platform for leading companies from the construction, concrete, infrastructure and engineering sectors to showcase their latest technologies, products, equipment and solutions.

XCMG, THERMAX, JSW, Ammann, Putzmeister, REPOS, Sprint and many other leading industry organizations are participating as exhibitors.

Their participation will provide engineering students, young professionals, practising engineers, consultants and industry representatives an opportunity to interact with leading companies and gain exposure to the latest construction equipment, concrete technologies, products, solutions and innovative practices.

The exhibition will further strengthen interaction between industry and academia, giving young engineers valuable exposure to technologies and practices shaping the future of India’s construction and infrastructure sector.

Focus on Technical Knowledge and Sustainable Construction

The technical programme will address important and contemporary areas including Modern Construction Practices, Sustainable Infrastructure, Metro Rail Engineering, Highway Engineering, Structural Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering, Quality Control, Non-Destructive Testing, Structural Health Monitoring, Construction Safety, Digital Construction Technologies and Future Infrastructure Development.

The event will provide students and professionals with opportunities to exchange knowledge, understand emerging technologies and explore innovative approaches to construction and infrastructure development.

Connecting Academia, Industry and Young Engineers

The celebration seeks to strengthen the bridge between industry, government and academia, while providing young engineers with opportunities to learn from experienced professionals, participate in technical competitions and interact with leading industry organizations.

The organizers believe that the event will encourage innovation, technical excellence, knowledge sharing and industry-academia collaboration, while inspiring the next generation of engineers to contribute towards a stronger, smarter and more sustainable India.

The organizers have invited engineering institutions, government departments, infrastructure agencies, professional bodies, consultants, contractors, builders, developers and technology organizations to actively participate in the celebration.

EVENT DETAILS

National Concrete Day & Engineers’ Day Celebration 2026

Event Dates:

10–11 September 2026

Inaugural Ceremony:

10 September 2026 | 10:00 AM

Venue:

Anantrao Pawar College of Engineering & Research (APCOER)

S. No. 103, Shahu College Campus, Parvati, Pune – 411009

Jointly Organized by:

Pune RMC Association

Maharashtra State Board of Technical Education (MSBTE)

Anantrao Pawar College of Engineering & Research (APCOER), Pune

Prominent Exhibitors:

XCMG | THERMAX | JSW | Ammann | Putzmeister | REPOS | Sprint | and many more

~First sportsperson to be the face of Anchor Oral Care in India, building deeper engagement and consideration among new generation of consumers and families~

India, September 7 : Anchor Oral Care, a reputable oral care brand from Anchor Consumer Products, has appointed England cricketer, a world cup winning captain, highest run-scorer in T20, Jos Buttler as its brand ambassador in India. This announcement comes at a pivotal moment in Anchor’s journey in India – one of the strongest markets for the brand - as it focuses on increased awareness, deeper consumer engagement, and expanding its presence across markets and channels in its country of origin. With focus on oral care category, this association reflects Anchor Oral Care's ambition to strengthen its connection with consumers by bringing together Buttler's global sporting stature, leadership, and winning mindset with Anchor's legacy of quality and trust.

Appointment of Jos Buttler marks Anchor Oral Care’s first collaboration with an international sportsperson, bringing a globally recognised personality who has built a strong connection with Indian audiences through his performances in the IPL over the years. The partnership will help strengthen Anchor’s connection with consumers and families across India, while reinforcing its position as a trusted family oral-care brand.

Commenting on the announcement, Karan Shah, Director, Anchor Consumer Products, said, “With a presence spanning over 30 countries, Anchor Oral Care continues to accelerate its reach. India is our home market, and it’s always been an important market for Anchor, and as we continue to strengthen our presence here, we wanted to partner with a personality who represents excellence, leadership, and  strong values. Jos Buttler's remarkable journey and global stature make him an exceptional fit for Anchor Oral Care, and we are delighted to welcome him to the Anchor family. This partnership marks an exciting new chapter for us as we look to build stronger connections with consumers across India.”

Kunal Shah, Creative Director, Anchor Consumer Products, said, “Jos Buttler represents a rare combination of performance, confidence, composure, and character — qualities that make him more than just a sporting icon. From a creative perspective, his personality gives us an exciting opportunity to bring a fresh and contemporary dimension to Anchor Oral Care, while staying rooted in the values and trust that the brand has built over the years. We are excited about what this partnership can create for Anchor and our consumers.”

Asit Roy, Senior Vice President – Sales, Anchor Consumer Products, said, “India is a key market for Anchor Oral Care, and Jos Buttler's strong connection with Indian cricket audiences through the IPL makes this association especially exciting. His stature will help us strengthen our consumer connect and further build Anchor's presence across the country.”

Sandeep Abbhi, Marketing Head of Anchor Consumer Products, added, “Anchor has been trusted by Indian families for nearly three decades, and our ambition is to take that trust forward as we build the next phase of our journey. Jos Buttler brings an incredible combination of performance, confidence, consistency, and values, which makes this association particularly meaningful for us. We believe his stature will help us connect with a wider and younger audience while continuing to strengthen Anchor Oral Care's position in India”

Speaking about the association, Jos Buttler said, “I am delighted to partner with Anchor Oral Care, a brand that stands for trust, quality, and everyday confidence, values that strongly resonate with me. Oral care is an important part of personal well-being, and I am excited to support Anchor’s mission of encouraging healthy oral hygiene habits among consumers, across India.”

Anchor has signed Jos Buttler for a multi-year partnership across geographies including UK, India, Nepal, and the Middle East.

About Anchor Oral Care in India:

Anchor Oral Care, part of Anchor Consumer Products, has been serving Indian consumers since 1997, offering quality oral-care solutions that are 100% Vegetarian. Over the years, the brand has built a strong legacy of trust and quality, with a diverse toothpaste portfolio spanning White Toothpaste, Gel, Herbal, Sensitive and Kids variants, along with a range of toothbrushes designed to meet the evolving oral-care needs of Indian families.

Today, Anchor Oral Care has a pan-India presence, with its products available across all states through traditional trade, modern trade, and leading online platforms. The brand continues to strengthen its presence in India through its expanding portfolio and deeper consumer engagement.

With a presence across 30+ countries internationally and continuing to expand, Anchor is building its global footprint while staying committed to delivering quality oral-care products that consumers can trust.

"We are proud to share that we have outperformed the GPTW industry benchmarks set for 2026! This is not just another certification — it is a powerful reaffirmation of who we are and what we stand for as one Teachmint team. It reflects the trust and voice of our people and reinforces the values we live by every day. This recognition belongs to every Teachmate who contributes to making Teachmint a workplace we can all be proud of. As we continue building solutions that empower educators and institutions, we remain equally committed to building a workplace where our team can thrive," said Preeta Saxena, Associate Vice President, Human Resources, at Teachmint.

The Certification adds to Teachmint's continued focus on employee experience as it scales its operations, expands its global footprint, and drives innovation with its AI-Powered Smart Boards. Teachmint has also emerged as the #1 Interactive Flat Panel brand in India by market share for H1 FY26, as per DISCIEN's global market research report.

About Teachmint

Teachmint is a pioneer in AI-powered educational technology, built on the belief that education moves the world forward and deserves the best technology available. The company delivers a unified ecosystem that brings together AI, a connected classroom app, and smart hardware in one place, ensuring teachers spend less time managing tools and more time teaching. Teachmint's mission is to transform learning one classroom at a time, giving every educator the tools to teach at their best. Today, Teachmint's app is available in more than 90 languages, powering educational infrastructure across 10-plus countries, with offices in Bengaluru, Singapore, Dubai, and Manila.

Careers at Teachmint
Teachmint continues to expand its team across its global offices. Interested candidates can explore and apply for open roles on the Teachmint careers page.

About Great Place To Work®

Great Place To Work® is the global authority on workplace culture, backed by 30 years of data. Its proprietary For All™ Model and Trust Index™ Survey help organizations build a consistently positive employee experience. Through Great Place To Work Certification™ and Best Workplaces™ Lists, the company helps employers attract talent, benchmark culture, and drive growth — powered by data from over 100 million employees in 150 countries.

Pune (Maharashtra) [India], September 5 : DigiBirds360, the Faridabad-headquartered full-suite digital marketing agency known for its ROI-driven approach to SEO, performance marketing, social media, and brand storytelling, is extending its reach with a new base in Pune, backed by the appointment of Tejaswini Phadke as Brand Manager. 

The move reflects the agency’s growing proficiency and ambition, as it looks to scale its presence beyond Faridabad, build out its creative and social media capabilities, and meet rising demand from clients across sectors including healthcare, e-commerce, robotics, and BFSI.

DigiBirds360 Extends Its Reach with a New Pune Base

Since its founding in 2020, DigiBirds360 has grown into an award-winning, data-driven agency serving more than 100 clients, with a portfolio spanning SEO, PPC, web development, app store optimisation, and brand identity work. The agency’s move into Pune marks a deliberate step beyond its Faridabad roots, and it is actively working to bring on more collaborators and clients in the city as it builds out a local presence. With this expansion, DigiBirds360 is also establishing itself as a Digital Marketing Company in Pune, offering businesses in the region access to its wider range of digital, creative, and performance-focused capabilities.

As DigiBirds360 deepens its focus on brand storytelling and social-media-led campaigns alongside its performance marketing core, the appointment of a senior brand leader to spearhead this expansion marks a clear signal of intent.

Tejaswini Phadke’s Career Journey in Brand and Content Leadership

Phadke joins DigiBirds360 with close to a decade of experience across content, branding, and communications, built across newsrooms, radio, fintech, and cultural-event platforms. Her career spans hands-on creative leadership as much as strategic brand-building, a combination the agency says was central to the hire.

Most recently, Phadke worked as a Brand & Communications Specialist with SwaraZankar on a project basis, where she led branding and communications for more than 28 corporate partners across large-scale cultural events, combining social media strategy with on-ground activations and vendor management. Prior to that, she spent three years as Brand & Communications Manager at Bajaj Finserv Direct Limited, where she led brand and communication strategy across digital and internal platforms and scaled the company’s LinkedIn presence from 17,000 to 54,000 followers, a growth of roughly 218%, while also building internal communication frameworks that strengthened the organisation’s employee value proposition.

Earlier in her career, as Brand & Content Head at Sakal Media, Phadke led brand communication and content strategy for the 3KM app and the broader Sakal Media portfolio, driving Instagram growth from 300 to 13,000 followers, an increase of nearly 4,200%, through strategic, campaign-led content. In that role, she also closed three brand deals by pitching and executing content-led brand films and managed a 15-member creative team responsible for delivering campaigns, video content, and scriptwriting, giving her direct experience leading creative output at scale.

Her career began in radio, where she worked as a Radio Jockey with Radio Mirchi (Times of India) and later Radio City (Dainik Jagran), roles that combined on-air hosting with social media management, data and music reporting, and coordination with influencers and celebrities across markets including Pune, Kolhapur, and Goa.

Educational Background and Professional Certifications

Phadke holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Management with a specialisation in Journalism & Mass Communication from Symbiosis, completed through distance learning, and a Bachelor’s degree in Performing Arts from Savitribai Phule Pune University.

She has also completed certifications in Google-certified digital marketing and AI-driven marketing practices, reflecting a continued focus on staying current with evolving tools in the content and creative space. She is fluent in English, Marathi, and Hindi, with working knowledge of Japanese.

DigiBirds360 Leadership on the Expansion

Commenting on the appointment and the agency’s expansion, CEO of DigiBirds360, Mohit Singh, said the move reflects how far the agency has come and where it intends to go next. “As DigiBirds360 scales, brand storytelling and social media have become as central to our client conversations as SEO or paid media. We were looking for someone who has actually built brand narratives from the ground up, managed teams, and shown measurable results doing it. Tejaswini’s track record, from scaling a fintech brand’s digital presence to growing a media brand’s social following nearly 42-fold, speaks for itself.

We are hiring Tejaswini to lead our scale-up in Pune and Mumbai. She will head a team of ten there, and we are actively acquiring more brands and clients from that region. We are also looking to build our own proper corporate office in the Pune location. This appointment, and this expansion, reflect where we see the agency heading next,” said Mohit Singh, CEO, DigiBirds360.

Tejaswini Phadke on Joining DigiBirds360 as Brand Manager

Speaking on her new role, Phadke said she was drawn to DigiBirds360’s data-driven approach to brand and creative work. “What stood out to me about DigiBirds360 is that brand building, social media, and performance aren’t treated as separate conversations here. Having spent my career building brand narratives across media, fintech, and cultural platforms, I’m looking forward to bringing that experience into an agency that backs every creative decision with data.

There’s a real opportunity to help clients tell sharper stories while staying accountable to the numbers that matter to their business, and I’m excited to be leading that charge as we build out DigiBirds360’s presence in Pune and Mumbai,” she said.

New Role and Responsibilities as Brand Manager

In her new role, Phadke will be responsible for shaping the brand and social media direction of client campaigns across DigiBirds360’s service lines, working closely with the agency’s SEO, social media, and paid media teams to ensure brand output is aligned with performance goals.

She has been brought on specifically to lead DigiBirds360’s scale-up in Pune and Mumbai. DigiBirds360 has hired 10 digital marketing professionals for the Pune location, and Phadke will head this team of ten as she builds out the agency’s presence there.

Alongside this, she will play a central role in strengthening the agency’s brand storytelling, social media, and content marketing offerings, and in acquiring more brands and clients from the Pune and Mumbai region, an area DigiBirds360 has identified as a growth priority alongside its established strengths in SEO and performance marketing.

About DigiBirds360’s Growth and Client Portfolio

The expansion follows a period of steady growth for DigiBirds360, which has built a client roster spanning healthcare, robotics and automation, e-commerce, and consumer brands, with reported outcomes including significant gains in organic traffic, lead generation, and return on ad spend for clients. With its move into Pune, the agency is now working to bring on board more collaborators and clients from the city and the wider Maharashtra region.

The agency has positioned itself as a full-suite partner capable of handling everything from technical SEO to brand identity and PR, and its expansion into Pune, backed by a dedicated Brand Manager, is expected to reinforce that positioning as competition among digital marketing agencies in India intensifies.

DigiBirds360’s Next Phase of Growth

With this expansion, DigiBirds360 signals its intent to compete not only on performance metrics but also on the strength and consistency of the brand and creative work it delivers for clients. As the digital marketing agency expands its operations across Pune and Mumbai, backed by a growing local team and plans for a dedicated corporate office in Pune, it is positioning itself to work more closely with businesses across Maharashtra. This combination of performance expertise, creative capabilities, and a stronger regional presence is expected to define its next phase of growth.

Pune (Maharashtra) [India] : Aaji Care, an elder-care organisation working across Mumbai, Pune and Goa, inaugurated its sixth Assisted Living Centre and second centre in Pune at Kalyani Nagar on Sunday, 30 August. The new centre marks another milestone in Aaji Care’s journey towards creating compassionate, comprehensive and dignified care environments for India’s growing elderly population.

Spread across a purpose-built seven-storey building with a capacity of 49 beds, the new facility is Aaji Care’s largest centre to date. Designed specifically around the evolving physical, medical, cognitive, emotional and social needs of older adults, the centre brings together different levels of care under one roof, creating a continuum of support as the needs of elders evolve.

The centre was inaugurated by Padma Shri Dr. Prakash Amte and Dr. Mandakini Amte, in the presence of renowned hotelier Dr. Vitthal Kamat and author and social thinker Mr. Achyut Godbole. More than 175 guests, including doctors, senior citizens, business leaders, social-sector representatives and members of the media, attended the inauguration.

A centre designed around the changing needs of ageing

Recognising that every elder does not require the same kind or level of support, the seven-storey centre has been thoughtfully designed around different stages and care requirements.

Four floors are dedicated to elders living with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, with environments designed to support safety, familiarity, routine, comfort and emotional wellbeing. A separate floor is dedicated to high-dependency care, supporting elders who require greater levels of medical and personal assistance.

Two additional floors cater to elders requiring rehabilitation and assisted living, as well as those who remain relatively active and independent but prefer the security, companionship and support of a professionally managed senior living environment.

The facility also includes an exclusive physiotherapy unit and dedicated activity spaces designed to support mobility, rehabilitation, cognitive stimulation, socialisation, recreation and meaningful engagement.

The centre has been designed with ageing-in-place architect Rama Sane, with inputs from doctors, geriatric psychologists, physiotherapists and elder-care professionals. The objective has been to bring together professional care and safety with a warm, comfortable and home-like environment.

A multidisciplinary team of trained caregivers, nurses, doctors, psychologists and physiotherapists will support elders living with dementia, mobility limitations, chronic medical conditions, post-hospitalisation rehabilitation needs and higher levels of dependency.

“We don't want to simply add beds; we want to add better days to the lives of our elders”

Speaking about the vision behind the new centre, Prasad Bhide, Founder of Aaji Care, said that the organisation’s purpose goes beyond simply increasing the number of beds available for senior care.

“We don't want to simply add beds; we want to add better days to the lives of our elders and help them age gracefully.”

Elaborating on Aaji Care’s philosophy of ‘Ageing Gracefully’, Bhide said that meaningful elder care cannot be defined only by medical support or infrastructure.

“Ageing gracefully is not just about providing good medical care and good infrastructure. It is equally about helping elders maintain their independence and dignity, giving them companionship, keeping them meaningfully engaged and, most importantly, surrounding them with a lot of love. An elder may need assistance, but that should never take away their individuality or their right to make choices about their own life.”

According to Bhide, an assisted living centre should therefore be much more than a place to live or receive medical care. It should create an environment where professional care and safety coexist with independence, dignity, companionship, engagement and emotional wellbeing.

A message of active and independent ageing

The inauguration brought together perspectives on ageing, healthcare, compassion and the need to create a society that respects and supports its elders.

Speaking at the occasion, Achyut Godbole highlighted the growing need for professionally managed and sensitive assisted living facilities as family structures, lifestyles and social relationships continue to evolve. He noted that an increasingly individualistic society has created a greater need for spaces where senior citizens can receive care and support while continuing to live with companionship, security and dignity.

He also appreciated the thought and planning that had gone into the design of Aaji Care’s new Kalyani Nagar facility and its focus on addressing the diverse needs of older adults.

Dr. Prakash Amte and Dr. Mandakini Amte spoke about the importance of action over words and reflected on the legacy of Baba Amte and the work that continues at Hemalkasa through the next generation.

They emphasised the importance of remaining physically active, exercising regularly and continuing to do as much of one’s own work as possible even after retirement. They also shared an important message for senior citizens and their families — that younger generations should be given the freedom to make their own decisions, with advice offered when it is sought.

Dr. Prakash Amte also recalled the support extended by Aaji Care to their colleague and social worker Nirmala Sathe during the final phase of her life, when she was cared for at Aaji Care’s existing Pune centre. He appreciated the care and support provided to her during that period.

Brain Gym, Neurobics and the celebration of ‘Ageing Gracefully’

The inauguration programme itself reflected Aaji Care’s broader belief that healthy ageing goes well beyond medical care.

Naina Oke, Head of Mental Health at Aaji Care, conducted an interactive session on Brain Gym and Neurobics for the guests. Through simple exercises and activities, the session demonstrated ways to stimulate the brain and highlighted the importance of keeping the mind active as we age.

The programme also featured specially presented Kathak performances based on the theme of ‘Ageing Gracefully’. Through classical dance, movement and expression, the performances celebrated ageing not simply as a stage of increasing dependency, but as a meaningful phase of life that can continue to be filled with dignity, expression, joy and engagement.

Together, these elements reinforced Aaji Care’s central philosophy — that elder care must address not only medical and physical needs, but also cognitive health, emotional wellbeing, social connection, independence and meaningful participation.

Responding to the changing landscape of elder care

Founded in August 2012, Aaji Care works with senior citizens and their families across Mumbai, Pune and Goa, particularly where medical conditions, dementia, mental-health concerns or mobility limitations make independent living or care at home increasingly difficult.

Its services include assisted living, dementia and memory care, post-hospitalisation and rehabilitation care, palliative and high-dependency care, home-based elder care and geriatric mental-health support.

The Kalyani Nagar facility is Aaji Care’s sixth Assisted Living Centre and second centre in Pune. With its combination of specialised care, assisted living, rehabilitation and active senior living, the centre has been envisioned as a continuum of care that can respond to changing needs while helping elders retain as much independence and choice as possible.

Following the inauguration ceremony, the chief guests and members of the audience toured the facility and appreciated its thoughtfully designed infrastructure and comprehensive approach to senior care.

The new centre will open for admissions from 10 September 2026

About Aaji Care

Founded in August 2012, Aaji Care is an elder-care organisation providing assisted living, dementia and memory care, home-based elder care, rehabilitation, palliative and high-dependency care, and geriatric mental-health support across Mumbai, Pune and Goa.

At the heart of Aaji Care’s approach is the belief that ageing should not merely be viewed as a stage of life requiring care, but as a meaningful chapter that deserves independence, dignity, companionship, comfort, engagement and joy.

Through professional and compassionate care, Aaji Care aims to help elders live their better days with greater confidence, purpose and happiness, while giving their families the reassurance and peace of mind that their loved ones are cared for with warmth, respect and dignity.

Mumbai, September 2026 : Rustomjee Group, one of Mumbai’s leading real estate developers has begun this year's Go Green Kasara initiative with CREDAI under its long-term afforestation initiative, Mission 50,000. As part of the 2026 campaign, the Group will plant 10,000 native trees this monsoon, taking the initiative closer to its goal of nurturing 50,000 trees in the Kasara region.

Over the past two years, the initiative has brought together customers, employees, local communities, NGOs, environmental partners and volunteers to plant more than 30,000 native trees. This monsoon, the Group will plant another 10,000 native saplings, taking the initiative closer to its goal of creating 50,000 thriving trees in the Kasara region.

The Plantation Month Campaign commenced on 9 August 2026, with plantation drives scheduled every weekend till 30^th August 2026. The campaign invites customers, families, corporate partners, local residents and environmental enthusiasts to participate and contribute to improving the region's green cover.

The plantations are expected to support biodiversity, improve soil quality, strengthen groundwater recharge and create healthier natural habitats over time. This year's campaign also introduces the Miyawaki plantation method at select locations. By planting a diverse mix of native species in high density, the method helps forests grow faster and develop into self-sustaining ecosystems.

The initiative reflects Rustomjee Group's continued focus on creating long-term environmental impact through community participation and ecological restoration.

Commenting on the initiative, Ms. Namrata Nulwalla, Chief Sustainability Officer, Rustomjee Group, said:

"Environmental restoration is most effective when communities participate in it together. Go Green Kasara has grown through the involvement of customers, employees, local communities and partners who share a common goal of improving the natural environment. Every native tree planted today contributes to stronger biodiversity, healthier ecosystems and greater climate resilience over time. The introduction of the Miyawaki method this year is another step towards creating dense, self-sustaining green spaces that can deliver long-term ecological benefits. As we progress towards Mission 50,000, our focus remains on creating measurable environmental outcomes while encouraging more people to become part of this journey."

Mission 50,000 continues to encourage collective action towards increasing green cover in Kasara. Beyond planting trees, the initiative aims to create healthier ecosystems and promote greater awareness of the role native plantations can play in restoring the local environment.

About Rustomjee Group:

Incorporated in 1995, Keystone Realtors Limited is one of the prominent MMR based real estate developers and a leader in the redevelopment space. The company has a substantial portfolio of projects spanning the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), with 41 Completed Projects, 17 Ongoing Projects and 21 Forthcoming Projects that cover all price points from Mass Market to Luxury. So far, the company has delivered over 29+ million square feet of construction area, with a pipeline of over 46 million square feet of construction area in the works. A strategic asset-light approach, an integrated real estate development model, and a strong eye for quality and detail gives the Company's management team an edge over its peers. By successfully housing 19000+ families including re-housing 1900+ existing families through several redevelopment projects, the company has detailed understanding of (re)development process and is committed to generating value for all its stakeholders.

Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India] : LuLu Group India today marked a defining moment in its retail journey with the launch of LFS, Style up with LFS at LuLu Mall, Rajajinagar, Bengaluru. The store introduces a flagship fashion retail concept designed to redefine the shopping experience for style conscious customers in the city.

Spread across dedicated zones for Men's, Women's, Kids', Ladies bags, accessories and Footwear categories, along with a BLSH (Fragrance, cosmetics and skincare) and Eye Express. LFS reflects our commitment to bringing the latest, most relevant and on-trend fashion experiences closer to home for the people of Bengaluru. With 100+ international brands across fashion, beauty, lifestyle and everyday essentials, we have created a destination where Gen Z, Millennials and fashion-forward shoppers can discover the latest styles, trends and global brands all under one roof.

Designed around a world class retail experience, LFS features immersive store design and customer first service, offering shoppers in Bengaluru access to an international fashion landscape within a single, thoughtfully curated space. As part of the launch celebrations, shoppers gets exclusive offers on all new arrivals at LFS.

“At LuLu Group India, we understand that today’s consumers are looking for more than just products. They want great fashion, quality, variety, value and a seamless shopping experience. LFS is designed to meet these evolving demands by bringing together the best of international fashion and lifestyle at prices that offer great value, backed by the service and experience our customers expect. For Bengaluru’s young and style conscious shoppers, LFS is more than a store it is a destination to discover what’s new, stay ahead of the trends and find your next favourite look. This launch marks another significant step in our vision to redefine modern retail and bring world-class shopping experiences closer to the people of Karnataka,” said Mr. Noman Aziz Khan, Director – Karnataka, LuLu Group India

With the opening of LFS Bengaluru, LuLu Group reinforces its commitment to redefining the shopping experience for style conscious customers across India.

About LuLu Group India

LuLu Group India is part of the globally renowned LuLu Group International, founded by Chairman Yusuff Ali M.A. With a presence spanning hypermarkets, shopping malls, and retail destinations across India and the world, LuLu Group is synonymous with quality, value, and community commitment. In Karnataka, the Group operates LuLu Mall Rajajinagar one of Bengaluru's largest and most visited retail destinations and a growing network of LuLu Hypermarket outlets across the city.

For more enquiries:

Vishal S S

Regional Head – Media, PR and Communications

Email – vishalss@luluinida.com

Contact – +91-7358680951, +91-9606451845, Bengaluru, Karnataka

Mumbai, 05^th September, 2026 : Kayhan Entertainment, an integrated IP-led ecosystem focused on original IP ownership and creative exports, has secured two prestigious wins across six total nominations at the ANN Awards 2026. Spanning creative and technical categories across its original IP slate, the recognition marks a major milestone for the studio’s rapid emergence in India’s animation landscape.

Kayhan converted two of its six nominations into category wins: Winner for DIGITAL/OTT (National): Best Animated Digital Series (2D) for Chote Tara Ka Bada Gadar; Winner – TECHNICAL (National): Best Director of a Digital Series awarded to Arushi Govil & Dalbir Singh for Shivlok Ke Kundakka Mandakka. The studio’s broader creative slate also earned national competitive nominations for Best Animated Digital Series (3D): Shivlok Ke Kundakka Mandakka and Best Director of a Digital Series (Technical): Arushi Govil & Dalbir Singh for Chote Tara Ka Bada Gadar (Season 1 & 2), Fab 5, and Smart KidZ.The recognition also extends to the music created for its IPs, with the title track of Shivlok Ke Kundakka Mandakka, composed and produced by Kayhan Entertainment, receiving recognition through KidZee/ZEE5. This further reflects the breadth of creative disciplines that Kayhan is bringing together under its original IP portfolio

Founded by Dalbir Singh and Arushi Govil, an IP-creator duo, Kayhan Entertainment is being built around a distinctive creative partnership that brings together storytelling vision, worldbuilding expertise and production discipline. The duo's complementary strengths are central to Kayhan's ambition of creating, owning and scaling original Indian IP for audiences across platforms and markets. Their approach reflects a broader vision of building an integrated creative ecosystem where original stories can evolve into long-term intellectual properties.

Arushi Govil, Co-Founder, Kayhan Entertainment, said, “For us, storytelling has always started with understanding what makes people feel, connect and remember a story. These  wins are especially meaningful because they reflect the emotional depth, teamwork and creative effort that goes into bringing every world and character to life. We want to keep creating stories that entertain first, while leaving audiences with something that stays with them. There is so much more we want to build, and this recognition gives us even more excitement for the journey ahead.”

Dalbir Singh, Co-Founder, Kayhan Entertainment, said, “These recognitions are an important validation of the business we are building around original IP. Our focus is not just on creating successful individual shows, but on building properties that can scale across platforms, formats and markets and create long-term value. Alongside IP development, we are also investing in the talent ecosystem through Macra, because building a strong creative business requires a strong pipeline of skilled creators. Our goal is to build Kayhan into an Indian IP company with the capability to create, own, scale and export original content globally.”

The wins come at a significant time for both Kayhan Entertainment and the wider Indian animation ecosystem. Dalbir Singh also participated in an Animation Express panel on “Creating Content for Broadcast & Digital” at the Animation & More Summit 2026, sharing perspectives on the evolving opportunities for Indian creators and studios to develop original content that can resonate across platforms and markets.

For Kayhan, ANN Awards wins represent an early milestone in its journey as an IP-focused creative company. The recognition comes as Indian animation studios increasingly look beyond execution-led work towards creating and owning original intellectual property with the potential to travel across formats, platforms and international markets. With IP ownership at the core of its strategy, Kayhan Entertainment continues to focus on creating culturally rooted stories with long-term creative and commercial potential, while contributing to India's growing animation and digital entertainment ecosystem.

About Kayhan Entertainment

Kayhan Entertainment is a next-generation storytelling studio focused on building original IP rooted in Indian culture and designed for global audiences. Operating across animation, VFX, gaming, and digital storytelling, the studio combines creative vision with world-class production expertise to create culturally resonant stories with transmedia potential.

With IP ownership at the core of its strategy, Kayhan is committed to building long-term creative value through original storytelling while contributing to India's growing Orange Economy. The company is also building a talent ecosystem through Macra, its training initiative focused on nurturing the next generation of creators in animation, VFX, gaming, and digital storytelling. Students will be trained on cutting-edge tools and next-generation production technologies, ensuring they are equipped to create, collaborate, and compete in a rapidly evolving global content landscape.

With a 200 years legacy, Chandukaka Saraf Jewels has established itself as one of the most trusted jewellery brands, known for its craftsmanship, design innovation, and customer-centric approach. The launch of the Palus showroom is expected to enhance access to a wide range of gold, diamond, and silver jewellery collections for customers in and around the Palus area.

Located at Mahalakshmi Tower, near Dhondiraj Maharaj Temple, Tasgaon–Karad Road, Palus, the new Prime Store has been designed to offer a modern jewellery shopping experience, combining contemporary retail infrastructure with personalised customer service. The showroom will showcase an extensive portfolio of traditional and contemporary jewellery designs, catering to diverse consumer preferences, occasions, and styles.

To celebrate the inauguration, the company has announced special launch offers to enhance customer engagement during the opening. Customers purchasing gold jewellery can avail themselves of a flat 30% discount on making charges, while diamond jewellery buyers can receive up to 100% off on making charges. Additionally, customers can avail themselves of a flat 30% discount on making charges for silver utensils and jewellery.

“The new showroom reflects our commitment to strengthening our customer reach while delivering a jewellery-buying experience built on trust, transparency, quality, and innovation. We remain focused on offering our customers a wide selection of jewellery, backed by superior craftsmanship and service excellence.”

— Director Siddharth Shah

The launch comes at a time when organised jewellery retail continues to expand across Tier-II and Tier-III markets, with consumers increasingly seeking branded jewellery backed by quality assurance and transparent pricing. For established jewellery brands, expanding retail networks and strengthening local customer engagement are becoming important elements of their growth strategies.

At Chandukaka Saraf Jewels, we are committed to providing exceptional quality, trust, and value with every purchase. Our jewellery is 100% HUID hallmarked, ensuring authenticity and purity, while our 100% value exchange policy on gold and diamond jewellery offers customers complete peace of mind. We offer certified diamonds and gemstones, along with silver priced strictly according to its purity. With exclusive designs across Gold, Diamond, Silver, and Gemstones, we bring together timeless craftsmanship and contemporary elegance. We are the heritage jeweller since 1827, our legacy is built on trust and excellence. We also provide free gold purity checks, jewellery polishing and repairing services, backed by unparalleled customer service to ensure a seamless and satisfying jewellery experience.

With the inauguration of its Palus Prime Store, Chandukaka Saraf Jewels aims to further deepen its connection with customers in western Maharashtra while strengthening its presence in the region's evolving jewellery retail landscape. Explore the full collection at CS Jewels.

CHENNAI, INDIA | SEPTEMBER 2026 : A salon that takes bookings over WhatsApp, copies them into a diary, bills on a separate machine, tracks stock in a notebook and keeps membership balances in someone's memory is running five systems that never speak to each other. On a busy day, that is exactly where revenue leaks out: the no-show nobody followed up on, the prepaid package that quietly expired, the product that ran out midway through a service.

Cleomitra, an AI-powered business platform from Yakria Tech, addresses this with Service OS, the operations edition of its omni-channel business operating system. Service OS brings appointments, billing, inventory, memberships and reporting into one connected system, and keeps each of them linked to the customer record and the conversation the booking came from.

One Front Desk, From Booking to Bill

Service OS is built around the counter where a service business actually runs. Booking, service delivery and payment stay on a single record instead of being re-entered three times:

·      Appointments and online booking. Staff schedule from a shared calendar, and customers book themselves through a public booking page without waiting for someone to pick up the phone.

·      Reminders that go out on their own. Confirmations and reminders reach customers on WhatsApp automatically, so the team is not chasing no-shows by hand.

·      GST-ready billing and point of sale. The bill closes against the same appointment it came from, with tax handled at the point of sale.

·      One catalogue for services and products. Prices are set once and used everywhere, from the booking page to the final invoice.

Stock, Payments and the Books

Behind the counter, Service OS tracks inventory alongside the services that consume it, so a business sees what is running low before a customer is already in the chair. Payments and ledger management sit in the same place, giving owners a single view of what has been billed, what has been collected and what is still outstanding, without exporting anything into a separate accounting sheet.

Memberships and Packages That Bring Customers Back

For service-led businesses, repeat visits are the business. Service OS supports memberships and prepaid packages that secure revenue upfront and give customers a reason to return, with balances and expiry tracked automatically rather than being reconstructed from old bills. Offers and coupons run on the same customer records, so a campaign can be aimed at the people who have not visited in months instead of everyone at once.

Built for Teams and Multiple Branches

Cleomitra charges nothing per user, so every receptionist, stylist and therapist can have an account without raising the bill. Roles and permissions decide who sees revenue reports and who only sees the day's schedule, and multi-branch support lets an owner compare locations on the same reports and analytics. Dedicated mobile apps serve business owners and staff separately, matching what each actually needs on the floor.

Working Alongside Cleomitra's AI Agents

Service OS runs on the same platform as Cleomitra's two AI agents, Mitra for customer engagement and Cleo for back-office work, so operational records stay in step with the conversations happening around them. The agents are covered in a separate announcement.

"A service business does not experience appointments, billing and stock as three separate problems. It experiences one busy counter," said Ram Balagurunathan, Founder & President, Yakria Tech. "Service OS is built for that counter. Once the booking, the bill and the customer's history live in one system, the team stops re-entering the same information and starts noticing the customers who have not come back."

The company's aim with Service OS is to let owners run their operations error-free and see the whole business, from the day's schedule to the month's revenue, without stitching the picture together from separate tools.

Cleomitra is developed by Yakria Tech, founded by Ram Balagurunathan, whose background includes more than 18 years at Amazon leading engineering organisations across voice technology, AI solutions and large-scale cloud systems.

Service OS is available today through Cleomitra's web and mobile applications, with dedicated apps for both business owners and staff.

About Cleomitra

Cleomitra is an AI-powered omni-channel business platform developed by Yakria Tech that unifies point of sale, CRM, marketing and operations across WhatsApp, Instagram, calls and email. Service OS is its operations edition for service-led businesses, covering appointments and online booking, GST-ready billing and point of sale, catalogue, inventory, payments and ledger, memberships and prepaid packages, offers and coupons, reports and analytics, and multi-branch management with roles and permissions. Learn more at www.cleomitra.com.

About Yakria Tech

Yakria Tech is a technology company focused on software development, AI solutions, cloud architecture and digital products.

Media Contact

Phone: 8925992527
www.cleomitra.com

Address: The House of Rare, 2010, 100 Feet Road, HAL 2nd Stage, Indiranagar, Bengaluru

Bengaluru, September 2026: The House of Rare, the multi-brand fashion house comprising Rare Rabbit, Rareism, Rare Ones and Rare’Z, has unveiled its new flagship in Indiranagar, Bengaluru. Spanning across 6,000 sq. ft. across two floors, the store is the largest The House of Rare store in Bengaluru and the second-largest in the country, following its Kolkata flagship.

The Indiranagar store brings the House of Rare portfolio together across menswear, womenswear, kidswear and footwear, creating a single retail address through which customers can experience the breadth of the fashion house while each brand retains its own distinct identity. 

The flagship launches with Rare Rabbit Guild across menswear, Rareism’s Autumn/Winter offering spanning everyday, occasion and festive dressing, and Rare Ones’ kidswear assortment. Rare’Z brings its key footwear stories including Sugoi, Dust, Montare and Abbruzzo, with the complete Sugoi series making its Bengaluru debut, alongside an expanded selection of women’s and open footwear.

 A SPACE WITH A POINT OF VIEW

The store's physical environment is central to the experience. An abstract, modern and minimal design language runs through the space, while the façade draws from Mediterranean architectural references to create a distinctive presence on Indiranagar's 100 Feet Road.

Two dedicated entrances lead into Rareism and Rare’Z, with an internal connection between the two spaces. Rare’Z has been given an independent and highly visible presence within the format, while Rareism occupies a dedicated glass-fronted space. The first floor houses the Rare Rabbit Guild experience, with Rare Ones completing the portfolio.

Inside, rich veneer finishes, extensive glass glazing, bespoke fixtures, focused lighting and acoustic panel detailing create a contemporary environment where materiality, light and proportion are integral to the experience.

Manish Poddar, Founder, The House of Rare, said, “For me, the interesting part of a store is what happens between the products. The light, the materials, the way you enter a space, what you see from the street, what reveals itself as you move through it, all of those things change how you experience a brand. Indiranagar gave us the opportunity to work at a scale where those details could really matter. We wanted the architecture to have its own character, but never compete with the brands inside it. It had to feel distinctly House of Rare.”

A DEEPER FOOTPRINT IN A KEY MARKET

The Indiranagar flagship comes at a significant point in The House of Rare's retail expansion. With the opening, the group will have approximately 25 stores in Bengaluru and approximately 42 stores across India.

Bengaluru has consistently been one of The House of Rare’s strongest markets, making it an important part of the group’s next phase of growth. Indiranagar’s established premium high-street and lifestyle ecosystem, coupled with its diverse and discerning consumer base, made it a natural location for a flagship of this scale.

Akshika Poddar, Co-Founder, The House of Rare, said, “There is something very powerful about seeing a brand in its full dimension. Bengaluru has always given us a consumer who is curious and willing to explore, and this store is built for exactly that. It is less about putting more products into a bigger space, and more about giving the House of Rare the room to become an experience.”

The opportunity extends beyond Bengaluru, with South India continuing to be a key growth market for the group and significant headroom across both established and emerging cities. The House of Rare is also exploring opportunities across Tier 2 and Tier 3 locations, as it looks to take its portfolio closer to a new generation of premium consumers.

About The House of Rare

Established in 2015 under the Radhamani Textiles umbrella, led by Mr. Manish Poddar – Founder, The House of Rare; and Mrs. Akshika Poddar – Co-Founder, The House of Rare, has bloomed into a multifaceted fashion powerhouse. Housing both Rareism, a womenswear line that embraces contemporary design for the modern woman, and Rare Rabbit, a menswear brand celebrated for defying traditional masculinity through its clothing. Both brands have a thriving E-Commerce presence, establishing themselves as leading forces in the representation of Western fashion within the Indian market. Boasting over ​1100+ retail touchpoints across Exclusive Brand Stores, Large Format Retail, and Multi-Brand outlet, The House of Rare remains firmly committed to its core principles, driving its continued growth and success. In 2024, the House of Rare launched Rare Ones, a kidswear line catering to boys aged ​04-14, and Rare’Z by Rare Rabbit - a footwear line that carries forward the brand’s contemporary aesthetic into footwear, combining sleek design, refined craftsmanship, and everyday versatility.

In 2025, the House of Rare launched a cultural platform called RareFore. It celebrates India’s creative spirit through culture, music, food, art, and storytelling - spotlighting those who stay true to their craft. Rooted in detail and emotion, RareFore offers layered experiences that honour the depth of Indian heritage as it travels across the country.

New Delhi/Bengaluru, September 3, 2026 : Brands today are competing harder than ever for a few seconds of attention. Yellow Fox takes a quieter starting point: before asking what a brand should say, it asks what people should feel.

Founded by journalist-turned-advertising professional Mehak Sachdeva, Yellow Fox is a creative strategy and brand filmmaking studio working out of Delhi and Bengaluru. The studio brings cinematographers, directors, producers and photographers together under one roof, so strategic thinking and visual storytelling grow out of the same conversation from the very start of a brief.

For Sachdeva, this comes from a simple belief: feeling isn’t an afterthought to messaging. It is the strategy.

“In a grey world, I think in yellow,” is the line that sums up the spirit of the studio: distinctive, curious, and happy to look at familiar brand challenges from an angle no one else tried first.

That instinct goes back to Sachdeva’s early years as a journalist, where she learned to look past the obvious version of a story and ask the question others hadn’t thought to. She carried that same instinct with her into advertising and brand communication, and it still shapes how she works today.

In 2018, she co-founded Quick Brown Fox, where she and her team worked with more than 500 brands over the years. She retained every client she personally worked with during that time, an experience that taught her a lot about what it actually takes to build a brand relationship that lasts.

She founded Yellow Fox in 2024, carrying that same philosophy forward with a sharper focus: creative strategy, brand films, campaign thinking, and content IPs.

One project close to the studio’s heart is “Imprint on Time,” a documentary series made for Stonex and broadcast on Architectural Digest India. Rather than training the camera on buildings alone, the series went looking for the people and ideas behind them, the individuals who imagined those spaces before anyone else could see them.

It’s a good example of how Yellow Fox tends to approach a brief: find the human story inside the subject, and let that story do the talking.

The studio’s work also includes “Made to Play,” a line Sachdeva wrote for NU Republic. Years after the campaign it was created for ended, the tagline is still anchoring the brand, a reminder of what the studio values most: ideas sturdy enough to take on a life of their own.

Over the years, Sachdeva's client work has spanned brands including Sony, Motorola, Ford, NU Republic, Stonex, Novotel, ITC and DLF Malls.

Its campaigns have also delivered strong numbers along the way, over 109.2 million impressions, over 82.3 million in reach, and results 163.5% above target, proof that an approach built on feeling can hold its own on performance too.

Still, for Yellow Fox, the numbers were never the starting point. The story was.

At its core, the studio believes that when strategy, storytelling and execution move together, a brand does more than deliver a message. It gives people something to recognise, remember, and feel.

As Yellow Fox continues its work across brand films, campaigns and content IPs, its approach stays simple: start with the feeling, find the story, and let the idea lead the way.

Yellow Fox is a creative strategy and brand filmmaking studio working out of Delhi and Bengaluru. Founded by Mehak Sachdeva in 2024, the studio brings together creative strategy, filmmaking and production under one roof, across brand films, campaign strategy and content IPs.

 From a neighbourhood hardware store to a fast-growing PVA adhesive manufacturer, Founder & CEO Deepender Singh Mewada builds a dealer-first brand under Shusheela Plywood Industries.

KoffClub, an adhesive brand manufactured by Shusheela Plywood Industries in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, continues to expand its footprint in India's plywood, furniture, carpentry, and woodworking industries. Since its founding on November 11, 2022, the brand has built its identity around product performance, competitive pricing, and a dealer-friendly business model, offering a portfolio that spans PVA-based adhesives, instant adhesives, contact adhesives, and sealants.

KoffClub has emerged as one of India's fastest-growing companies in the PVA-based adhesive segment, a milestone the company attributes to consistent quality, reliable bonding performance, and strengthening relationships with dealers and professional users across the country.

A Founder's Journey from Hardware Store to Adhesive Manufacturing

KoffClub's origins are closely tied to the entrepreneurial path of its Founder and CEO, Deepender Singh Mewada. He began his business career running a hardware store, Mini Hardware, which gave him firsthand insight into the needs of carpenters, contractors, and woodworking professionals.

He went on to build a plywood wholesale business, PlyVilla, and while working closely with the plywood trade, gradually moved into adhesive trading as well. That exposure surfaced a clear gap in the market: many adhesive dealers felt under-incentivized to actively push adhesive brands because of thin margins, even as they searched for a supplier offering premium quality at competitive prices and better returns for their business.

That insight became the founding premise of KoffClub. On November 11, 2022, Mewada established Shusheela Plywood Industries in Bhopal and launched KoffClub with a dual mandate: deliver dependable, high-performance adhesives to end users while giving dealers stronger commercial incentives to grow the brand alongside the company.

Mission and Vision

KoffClub's mission is to supply high-quality, reliable adhesive solutions engineered for the everyday demands of carpenters, furniture makers, and plywood businesses — combining strong bonding, faster setting, and water resistance with pricing that keeps dealers competitive.

Its long-term vision is more ambitious still: to become the first-choice adhesive brand for carpenters across India, and ultimately to establish KoffClub as the country's No. 1 adhesive company, backed by a nationwide dealer and distribution network.

What Sets KoffClub Apart

●       Premium quality at competitive prices — positioned to stay accessible without compromising on performance.

●       Strong bonding performance across a range of substrates and applications.

●       Faster-setting formulations built for the practical pace of carpentry and furniture work.

●       Water resistance engineered into the product line for durability in demanding conditions.

●       Better dealer margins than many competing brands, giving channel partners a stronger reason to promote KoffClub.

●       A carpenter-first product philosophy shaped around real on-site requirements.

●       A broad portfolio — PVA-based adhesives, instant adhesives, contact adhesives, and sealants — covering plywood, furniture, carpentry, and woodworking applications.

Quality, Technology, and Manufacturing

KoffClub's manufacturing operations are based in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, where the company pairs modern production technology with structured quality control. Raw materials are inspected before entering production to help ensure consistency across finished batches.

The brand also maintains a dedicated Research & Development team focused on continuous improvement of bonding strength, setting speed, water resistance, and overall product consistency — the combination the company credits for its rapid growth in the PVA-based adhesive segment since 2022.

Looking Ahead

KoffClub's growth strategy centres on nationwide expansion: widening its dealer and distribution network, deepening market reach, and continuing to develop adhesive solutions tailored to professional users. The company's stated objective is straightforward — to become the first choice of carpenters across India and to be recognised as a trusted Indian adhesive brand built on quality, performance, value, and reliability.

About Deepender Singh Mewada, Founder & CEO

Deepender Singh Mewada is the Founder and CEO of KoffClub and Shusheela Plywood Industries. His path — from Mini Hardware, to plywood wholesaling through PlyVilla, and into adhesive trading and manufacturing — continues to shape KoffClub's approach to product quality, pricing, dealer relationships, and customer needs.

About KoffClub

KoffClub is an adhesive brand manufactured by Shusheela Plywood Industries, Bhopal, established on November 11, 2022. The brand offers PVA-based adhesives, instant adhesives, contact adhesives, and sealants for applications across plywood, furniture, carpentry, and woodworking. With a focus on quality, performance, competitive pricing, and dealer value, KoffClub aims to become the first-choice adhesive brand for carpenters and, ultimately, India's No. 1 adhesive company.

Media Contact

Shusheela Plywood Industries — Manufacturer & Marketer of KoffClub

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Toll Free: 1800-309-7765

Email: info@koffclubindia.com

Mumbai, September 2026: As Indian enterprises increasingly manage large volumes of sensitive business, customer and operational data, cloud storage is evolving from a basic infrastructure requirement into a strategic consideration involving security, availability, cost and data residency.

Stornox is emerging in this space with a sovereign, S3-compatible and geo-distributed cloud object storage platform designed for enterprises seeking India-hosted storage infrastructure.

The company's architecture distributes encrypted data shards across geo-fenced Indian nodes. Stornox says individual nodes do not contain complete files, while its architecture is designed to provide resilience and automatic recovery in the event of infrastructure failures.

One of the platform's key propositions is compatibility with the widely adopted S3 ecosystem. Stornox says its storage platform supports the S3 API and integrates with enterprise tools such as Veeam, Nakivo, Synology, QNAP, Rclone, AWS CLI, Rubrik and Commvault. This allows organisations to explore cloud object storage without necessarily making major changes to existing backup and data-management workflows.

Security is another major component of the offering. According to Stornox, customer data is encrypted using AES-256-GCM on the client side before leaving the customer's environment. The company describes this as a zero-knowledge architecture, with customers retaining control of encryption keys. S3 Object Lock and versioning are also supported for use cases involving immutable backups and ransomware protection.

For Indian organisations, the location of data has also become an important consideration. Stornox says its platform uses India-only geo-fenced infrastructure, allowing customers to choose Indian data-centre locations for their workloads. The company positions this model as supporting organisations seeking to prepare their infrastructure for India's data protection requirements, including the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023.

Stornox also promotes a flat INR-based pricing model and claims potential savings of up to 40% compared with hyperscale cloud storage. Actual savings, however, would depend on an enterprise's storage volume, workload, transfer requirements and overall cloud configuration.

The platform is aimed at several enterprise segments, including healthcare, manufacturing, AI and SaaS businesses, managed service providers, system integrators and media and entertainment companies.

With cloud adoption continuing to expand in India, platforms combining S3 interoperability with India-focused data residency and geo-distributed architecture could become increasingly relevant for enterprises looking to balance flexibility, security and infrastructure control.

Disclaimer: This article is based on information and claims provided by Stornox and publicly available information on its website. Statements relating to compliance, security, cost savings, performance, certifications and data protection represent the company's stated positioning and should be independently evaluated by enterprises according to their specific regulatory, technical and contractual requirements.

For more information, visit Stornox.