Vedica Himalayan Spring Water Partners with Nykaaland 2026 as Hydration Partner
 

Vedica has been associated with Nykaaland since its inception in 2023, continuing its engagement with the platform through this year’s Delhi edition. As Hydration Partner, Vedica will have a dedicated on-ground presence at the festival.

The partnership marks Vedica’s continued engagement with premium beauty, culture and lifestyle platforms, creating an opportunity for the brand to connect with audiences who increasingly see wellness and hydration as an integral part of their everyday lifestyle. Through Nykaaland, Vedica will bring its distinctive take on hydration to a vibrant space that celebrates beauty, self-expression and contemporary living.

Tushar Malhotra, Senior Director, Sales and Marketing, Bisleri International, said, “Our partnership with Nykaaland brings Vedica into a space where luxury, beauty and lifestyle come together, allowing us to connect with consumers who value premium experiences. The association is a natural fit for Vedica, as we continue to position the brand around purity, refinement and contemporary living. Through this collaboration, we look forward to making Vedica a part of the experiences that define today’s evolving luxury and lifestyle culture.”

About Bisleri International Pvt. Ltd.

With a legacy of over 50 years, Bisleri International Pvt. Ltd. has grown to become one of the largest premium beverage businesses in India. Being the makers of the country's largest-selling packaged drinking water, Bisleri follows a stringent process of 90 quality tests and a 10-stage purification. It remains true to its core value of providing consumers with pure, safe and healthy water.

Bisleri International has a strong presence with 130 operational plants and a robust distribution network of over 6,000 Distributors and 7,500 Distribution Trucks across India and UAE market. It offers a range of beverages that are produced for all occasions. Whether it is the promise of goodness, trust, and purity with Bisleri packaged drinking water, or a daily dose of health offered through Vedica Himalayan Spring Water. Besides, Bisleri International has ventured into fun-filled refreshments with a diverse range of carbonated drinks available in multiple flavours, such as Bisleri Limonata, Bisleri Pop and Bisleri Soda. These Bisleri products are also available on the e-commerce platform - Bisleri@Doorstep. This D2C platform reassures customers that they will receive a safe and uninterrupted supply of their most trusted brand at their doorstep.

The core values of Bisleri International lie in yielding growth and embedding sustainability by being responsible in all aspects of the business. The organization has unveiled Sustainability 2.0 with Bisleri Greener Promise that focuses on creating greener future for all through implementing initiatives under the program of recycling, water conservation, and sustainability.

For more information on Bisleri International, our people, brands, and OSR initiatives, visit www.bisleri.com.

The Foundery, founded by Kishore Biyani, Nikhil Kamath and Ronnie Screwvala, opens applications for Cohort 2

Founded by Kishore Biyani, Nikhil Kamath and Ronnie Screwvala, The Foundery is a venture builder that creates new companies alongside the entrepreneurs who will run them. Cohort 2 will begin on 15 January 2027 at The Foundery Sanctum in Alibaug, bringing a new group of co-founders into an intensive 90-day build environment.

The Foundery does not begin with a pitch competition or require founders to arrive with a fully formed business plan. Co-founders explore opportunities from The Foundery’s Idea Vault and are matched around experience, strengths, conviction and category fit. From there, they build moving from thesis to product, consumer validation and an operating business, with capital, practitioners, operators and shared infrastructure around them from the start.

The model reflects the way companies increasingly get built today. Product, consumer insight, brand, distribution, technology, culture and capital rarely move in a neat sequence; a decision in one area can quickly reshape another. The Foundery is designed to bring those disciplines together around the entrepreneur, rather than leaving founders to assemble them one piece at a time.

Ronnie Screwvala, Co-founder, The Foundery, said, “Capital alone has never built anything that lasts. Founders can lose their first year assembling all the pieces they need to get moving. At The Foundery, those pieces are around them from day one, a head start that helps them move faster, get to market sooner and keep pace with how quickly the world is changing.”

Cohort 1: From Thesis to 18 Companies in 90 Days

The first cohort put that model to work. Over 90 days in Alibaug, matched co-founders moved from early theses to 18 companies ready to face investors at The Foundery FWD in Mumbai in July 2026.

The residency brought founders into close proximity with entrepreneurs, investors, operators, creators and cultural voices including Santosh Desai, Rajan Anandan, Aakash Chaudhry, Prasoon Joshi, Garima D. Bahl, Aditya Sehgal, Harsh Mariwala, Diipa Khosla, Rana Daggubati, Jonty Rhodes, Ranveer Singh, Falguni Nayar and Anil Agarwal, among others — bringing perspectives across consumer behaviour, leadership, design, capital, culture, media and company-building into the room.

At The Foundery FWD, the 18 companies generated more than Rs. 550 crore in non-binding expressions of investment interest, with indicated valuations of over Rs. 1,400 crore. For businesses that had begun taking shape only months earlier, it was an early signal of investor conviction in both the companies and the model behind them.

The work has continued well beyond the residency. Cohort 1 companies are now moving full steam toward market, with launches planned through the remainder of 2026 as founders continue building products, teams, distribution and go-to-market plans.

Cohort 2 builds on that foundation, bringing the same concentration of people, capital, expertise and infrastructure around a new set of co-founders — while raising the bar on the kind of entrepreneurial experience and operating muscle entering the room.

Kishore Biyani, Co-founder, The Foundery, said, “India is changing fast, and so is its consumer. After three decades of building consumer businesses, one thing I have learnt is that understanding the Indian consumer cannot be inherited as instinct, it has to be relearned continuously. The next generation of entrepreneurs will need to build for where India is going, not where it has been.”

Nikhil Kamath, Co-founder, The Foundery, said, “Everyone in China says ‘ecosystem, ecosystem, ecosystem.’ Foundery is a small attempt at trying to build that for consumer brands in India. It’s not about how many of the 20 brands per batch succeed or what valuations they achieve, but about the fact that, in 10 years, we would have built the rails and the ‘ecosystem’ by attempting to create 200 Indian brands with the potential to sell globally.”

About The Foundery

A venture builder that forges entrepreneurs into co-founders and builds companies with them from the ground up. Every co-founder is matched with an idea from our Idea Vault, aligned with their strengths, experience, and conviction. Over a 90-day venture build at The Foundery Sanctum in Alibaug, they move from thesis to operating company, backed by capital, operators, mentors, and the execution infrastructure needed to build from day zero.

Prof. S Sreenivasa Murthy, Director, IPE (Centre), Prof. Rama Krishna Yelamanchiili (left) and Prof. M Meher Karuna (right) on the occasion of Poster and Information brochure launch

Prof. (Dr.) S Sreenivasa Murthy, Director, IPE, released the poster and brochure alongside Prof. (Dr.) Y Rama Krishna, Dean, Admissions and Branding, and Prof. (Dr.) M Meher Karuna, Dean, Academics. The Director also unveiled the revamped admissions webpage and released promotional reels made by PGDM students.

Six PGDM programmes, each with its own strength

Established in 1964 and working under the aegis of the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR), Ministry of Education, Government of India, IPE offers six different two-year full-time PGDM programmes. These are approved by AICTE, accredited by NBA and SAQS, and accorded MBA equivalence by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU). IPE is also a member of AACSB.

The PGDM (General) programme, offered since 1995, builds strong skills across all core areas of management in the first year and adds specialised skills through dual electives in the second year. PGDM (Marketing Management), offered since 2007, combines sales, digital marketing, brand management and consumer psychology with live projects that turn consumer insight into marketing strategy. PGDM (Banking and Financial Services), offered since 2008, gives students 50+ finance-related credits and hands-on work with financial databases such as Bloomberg and ProwessIQ. PGDM (International Business), offered since 2009, takes students on international study tours and port and industry visits to destinations such as Europe, Dubai and Malaysia for first-hand exposure to global markets. PGDM (Human Resource Management), offered since 2012, prepares students for people-management roles through mentoring, live HR projects and extended industry engagements. PGDM (Business Analytics), the institute’s newest programme, offered since 2024, trains students as business analysts by imparting hands-on training in SQL, Python, R, Power BI and Tableau, along with predictive analytics, machine learning and artificial intelligence.

IPE also offers the Fellow Programme in Management (FPM), a doctoral-level programme for first-class Master’s graduates. Selection is through qualification in NET / CAT, a research proposal and interview, and selected candidates receive an IPE fellowship.

Admission process and scholarships

Applicants need to possess a bachelor’s degree from a UGC recognised institution with at least 50 per cent marks (45 per cent for SC, ST and PC candidates). Valid scores in CAT, XAT, MAT, CMAT, ATMA, GMAT or TGICET are accepted. Shortlisted candidates go through a psychometric test, a short essay, a group discussion and a personal interview.

Students can register and appear for upcoming management entrance tests that dates include CAT on November 29, 2026; MAT on December 20 and 27, 2026; XAT on January 3, 2027; and CMAT on February 7, 2027. IPE offers merit scholarships of up to Rs. 6 lakhs and sports and arts scholarships of up to Rs. 4 Lakhs. A special scholarship is available for students from the Northeastern states, Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.

Management education builds careers and leaders

Prof. S Sreenivasa Murthy, Director, IPE, said, “Management education must combine academic rigour with professional relevance. In a fast-changing economy, a good programme gives young people the judgement, skills and confidence to lead organisations and build careers that keep growing. He suggested prospective students to look at the legacy of IPE, its commitment to quality education and infrastructure and then decide to join the IPE.”

Talent should not be turned away for lack of means

Prof. (Dr.) Y Rama Krishna, Dean, Admissions and Branding, said, “We want merit students to join IPE regardless of their financial background. Our program fee is Rs. 9 lakhs for two years and all eligible and merit students will get scholarship ranging from Rs. 60,000 to Rs. 2 Lakhs. Our merit scholarships of up to Rs. 2 Lakhs and sports and cultural scholarships of up to Rs. 4 Lakhs recognise achievement inside and outside the classroom, and our special scholarship supports students from the Northeast, Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh. In addition, for limited merit students IPE offers complete tuition fee waiver worth Rs. 6 lakhs.”

Placement preparation begins in the first year

Prof. (Dr.) M Meher Karuna, Dean, Academics, said: “Our placement results come from steady preparation over two years. Group discussions, interviews, resume building and communication training are part of the curriculum from the first year. Live projects, guest sessions and internships enable students meet industry well before they join it. More than 100 companies visit our campus every year, and recruiters tell us our graduates arrive ready to perform from day one on the job.”

Placements and campus

Each year more than 100 companies visit IPE for campus recruitment. IPE’s recent packages range from Rs. 5 lakh per annum at the lowest to a median of about Rs. 8 lakh and a highest of Rs. 23.5 lakh. Prominent Recruiters include Deloitte, PwC, TCS, Wipro, Oracle, Federal Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Wells Fargo, S&P Global, FactSet, DE Shaw, Colgate Palmolive, Heritage Foods, Amul, Dr. Reddy’s, Birla Opus, Tata Power, Naukri, Apple etc,

The 22-acre green campus at Shamirpet has digitally equipped classrooms with lecture-capture technology and a library of nearly one lakh books with access to premium research databases. Students can earn SAP and Bloomberg certifications at no additional cost. About 1,100 students study on campus, which has air-conditioned hostels, an indoor stadium, a FIFA-standard football ground and a yoga and wellness centre.

How to apply

Applications are open at admissions.ipeindia.org. Additional information is available at www.ipeindia.org. Call the toll-free number 1800-120-4473.

Distinguished experts at WECON 2026, hosted by Chitkara University, to advance conversations on engineering, artificial intelligence, and emerging technologies

Held on the theme “AI Technologies for Societal and Industrial Transformation,” the conference explored how emerging AI technologies can address real-world challenges and create meaningful impact across industry, society, research, education and emerging technology ecosystems.

WECON 2026 was supported by the DST-sponsored Technology Enabling Centre at Chitkara University (CU-TEC), reinforcing the conference's focus on translating emerging technologies and research into meaningful applications for industry and society.

The two-day conference featured around 15 expert talks by distinguished speakers from leading academic institutions, national research laboratories and industry. Experts and professors from institutions including IITs, NITs, CSIR-CSIO and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, along with professionals from leading technology companies, shared perspectives on the latest developments, opportunities and challenges in Artificial Intelligence. Discussions placed particular emphasis on real-world applications and the transformative potential of AI.

The conference witnessed participation from across India and abroad, bringing together academicians, researchers, industry professionals, technology experts and innovators. International participation from the United Kingdom, Australia and Germany added diverse global perspectives to the discussions. HTWG Konstanz – University of Applied Sciences, Germany, served as the international partner, strengthening opportunities for global academic collaboration, knowledge exchange and future joint engagement.

The discussions moved beyond technological advancement to examine the responsible, sustainable and human-centric adoption of AI. Participants explored emerging trends and opportunities across sectors, while identifying potential avenues for collaboration between industry and academia, researchers and technology leaders, and institutions in India and abroad.

Reflecting on the evolution of WECON, Dr. Madhu Chitkara, President and Co-Founder, Chitkara University, said, “For me, WECON’s evolution represents something very important — an institution must never stand still. It must continuously respond to new technologies, new opportunities and, most importantly, the changing needs of society and industry. The journey of WECON reflects that spirit.”

Over the years, WECON has evolved beyond the conventional academia-driven conference format into a curated platform for dialogue and collaboration among academia, industry, researchers, technology leaders and innovators. WECON 2026 further strengthened this approach by creating opportunities for participants to exchange knowledge, identify emerging trends and explore potential collaborations in AI and related technologies.

WECON 2026 reinforced Chitkara University’s commitment to strengthening industry–academia engagement, advancing research and innovation, and building global partnerships in emerging technologies. The conference also reflected the University's broader efforts to create internationally connected platforms that facilitate knowledge exchange and encourage technology-led transformation.

The two-day conference concluded with a renewed emphasis on collaboration, responsible innovation and translating AI research and expertise into meaningful solutions for industry and society.

About Chitkara University

Chitkara University is a UGC-recognised and NAAC-accredited private university in North India, with campuses in Punjab and Himachal Pradesh, offering career-oriented undergraduate and postgraduate programs in Engineering, Business, Healthcare, Pharmacy, Design, Architecture, Hospitality and emerging technology fields. For Class 11 and 12 students planning higher education, the University provides industry-aligned programs designed to combine academic excellence with practical exposure.

The curriculum emphasises experiential learning through internships, industry projects, research opportunities and global collaborations, supported by modern infrastructure, advanced laboratories, industry mentorship and skill-based training that strengthens student employability. Backed by 2,000+ campus recruiters and 300+ international academic and industry collaborations, students gain strong placement support, international exposure, academic exchange and collaborative research opportunities.

Consistently ranked among leading institutions by national and global frameworks such as NIRF, QS World University Rankings and Times Higher Education, the University maintains high academic rigour and industry relevance. With strong corporate partnerships and a focus on innovation, entrepreneurship and interdisciplinary learning, it prepares students for emerging career opportunities in India and abroad.

For more information, please visit: www.chitkara.edu.in.

Legasis compliance 10/10 event

This year’s symposium focused on bridging the gap between policies documented on paper and their implementation in practice. Discussions highlighted the importance of accountability, risk management, ethical decision-making and strong governance in building organisational trust and resilience.

The symposium, formally opened by Dr. Anita Shantharam, Founder Director, EthicsIndia – a Legasis Company, featured sessions on data privacy and cybersecurity in the age of AI, risk and resilience, compliance, and governance and ethics. The discussions examined emerging business and regulatory challenges and explored ways to strengthen compliance and promote the culture of ‘compliance by choices across organisations.

• Good governance is defined not by compliance on paper, but by the integrity, transparency and accountability reflected in everyday decisions.

• Effective board oversight depends on informed and constructive challenge, supported by timely, transparent and reliable information from management.

• Accountability should foster a culture of openness, constructive dissent and the courage to speak up, rather than one driven by fear, silence, or defensive decision-making.

• An organisation’s true culture is reflected not in its stated values, but in the behaviours it tolerates, the conduct it rewards and the actions it takes when those values are tested.

• The most fundamental gap to close is the gap between information and independent judgement.

• Timely information, independent thinking and the courage to act are essential to turning governance frameworks into real accountability.

The programme also featured the Compliance Quiz, “Who Got Compliance Right?” and Compliance Theatre, “Where Is the Deficit?” – a unique blend of learning and theatre. The Compliance 10/10 Awards recognised individuals, teams, and organisations for advancing compliance and promoting ethical business practices. The awards received over five hundred applications across various categories, which an independent jury headed by Hon’ble Justice Abhay Oka, former Judge of the Supreme Court of India, meticulously evaluated.

Mr Harsh Mariwala, Chairman - Marico Limited, received the prestigious ‘Compliance Crusader’ award, the highest honour of the evening, from Dr Anil Khandelwal, Former Chairman & Managing Director, Bank of Baroda. Maruti Suzuki India Pvt. Ltd. was conferred the ‘Compliance Ecosystem Impact’ award in recognition of its contribution to fostering and strengthening a culture of compliance across the organisation.

Commenting on the event, Suhas Tuljapurkar, Founder and Director, Legasis Pvt. Ltd., said, “Compliance fails when companies treat it as a tick-the-box exercise. Our message to companies is simple: choose to be compliant for the right reasons and at the right time. Focus on the spirit of the law, not just its letter. Compliance must go beyond policies, procedures and regulatory requirements. It must be reflected in the decisions organisations make every day. Choosing to comply, rather than complying only because the law requires it, builds trust. I see compliance as a mission. Through Compliance 10/10, we promote ‘Compliance by Choice’ and aim to encourage organisations to look beyond compliance scores and focus on practices that build trust, strengthen governance and support responsible, sustainable growth.”

Through Compliance 10/10, Legasis seeks to encourage organisations to view compliance as an integral part of business culture rather than a checklist of regulatory obligations. The platform provides an opportunity for industry professionals to exchange insights, address practical challenges and advance responsible business practices.

Lee Correa, Vice President – Business Development, emphasizes the critical role of culture creation in building sustainable organisations. In India, where adherence to established practices is deeply ingrained and the complex regulatory landscape presents significant compliance challenges, Legasis plays a vital role in helping organisations navigate these complexities through its comprehensive range of solutions. This is echoed during his conversations with CXOs across the spectrum of GRACE professionals.

About Legasis

Founded in 2006 and headquartered in Mumbai, Legasis is a compliance technology and advisory firm that helps organisations manage regulatory requirements, governance, risk and legal processes. Its solutions and services support businesses in managing compliance and related processes more effectively.

2026 WTCA Member Forum 

Centered on the theme “Connecting Ideas. Shaping What’s Next,” the annual Member Forum will draw on the collective expertise of WTCA members around the world, with programming focused on turning lessons from across the network into action in local markets. Sessions will explore how WTC businesses are responding to changing industries and investment patterns, strengthening local business communities, creating globally connected opportunities and positioning their organizations and places for the future.

The Forum will open with a briefing from WTCA Chair, Board of Directors John E. Drew and WTCA’s new Chief Executive Officer Annette Gregg, who will share perspectives on the Association’s direction, developments across the global network and priorities for the year ahead.

“This year’s Member Forum comes at a pivotal time for our Association as we recently moved our Headquarters office to One World Trade Center, and announced the appointment of the Association’s new CEO,” said John E. Drew, WTCA Chair, Board of Directors. “The Forum is designed to be an annual touchpoint to reconnect with our members from around the world and tap into one of the greatest strengths of WTCA — the knowledge, experiences and ideas that exist throughout our global membership. We also plan for this to be the Association’s last virtual Member Forum as we are aiming to get back to our in-person format at One World Trade Center starting next year.”

“The Forum marks an important first for me as I join WTCA, and I’m excited to meet our members from around the world and begin this next chapter together,” added Annette Gregg, WTCA Chief Executive Officer. “As I step into this role, I look forward to building on the Association’s strong foundation while exploring new ways to support our members and strengthen the impact of WTCA around the world.”

Throughout the two-day program, WTCA members and industry leaders will share practical approaches and ideas that can be applied across markets. Key sessions include “WTCA Member Power Pitches: Shaping What’s Next,” a fast-paced showcase of ideas and initiatives creating value at WTC locations around the world. The interactive “Introducing the WTC Business Club Playbook: Build Locally. Connect Globally” session will introduce a new framework for building local business communities and creating pathways to introductions, trade support and opportunities across the global WTCA network. The “Future-Ready WTC Businesses: Creating Places that Shape What’s Next” session will explore how evolving industries, investment patterns and ways of working are influencing real estate strategies, as well as how WTC businesses can create environments that attract investment and encourage business collaboration. The interactive “Global Cafe: Trade in Transition” session will bring members together to exchange perspectives on changing trade policies, tariffs and market conditions, and explore how WTC businesses can connect emerging opportunities across the global network. And the “Technology in Action” session will showcase unique ways WTCA members are putting technology into action — from improving business matchmaking and events to creating new experiences, strengthening services and solving everyday challenges.

"Virtual does not mean less connection," added Crystal Edn, WTCA Executive Director-Member Services. "Across two days of presentations and interactive workshops, members from every region will exchange ideas and meet peers they would not otherwise reach. We built the program for every level of a WTC team. Everyone will leave with new tools, new ideas and new partners for the year ahead."

The Forum will also kick off the official countdown to the highly anticipated 57th annual WTCA Global Business Forum, which will be hosted April 4-7, 2027, in Binh Duong Ward, North of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam by WTC Binh Duong New City. The session “Destination Vietnam: Bringing the 2027 WTCA GBF to Life” will highlight the market opportunities, business experiences and programming that will shape next year’s global gathering. 

For more information about the 2026 WTCA Member Forum and to view the full agenda, please click here. Also, follow along on social media via #WTCAEvents.
 

About World Trade Centers Association (WTCA)
World Trade Centers Association (WTCA) is a network of more than 300 highly connected, mutually supporting businesses and organizations in nearly 100 countries and territories. As the owner of the “World Trade Center” and “WTC” trademarks, WTCA licenses exclusive rights to these brands for members to use in conjunction with their independently owned, iconic properties, facilities and trade services offerings. Through a robust portfolio of events, programming and resources that it offers its members, the goal of WTCA is to help local economies thrive by encouraging and facilitating trade and investment across the globe, creating an ecosystem built around commerce, community and connection. To learn more, visit www.wtca.org.

SKDRDP, led by  Dharmadhikari Dr Veerendra Heggade and Mathrushri Hemavathi V. Heggade, wins the Elaben Memorial Award 2025–26 for its commitment to women’s empowerment

The award recognises SKDRDP’s commitment to women’s empowerment, gender equality, and the creation of a safe, supportive, and women-friendly working environment under the guidance of Poojya Dharmasthala D. Veerendra Heggade and Mathrushri Hemavathi V. Heggade.

SKDRDP employs approximately 41,000 people, including 29,000 women, and provides women employees with training, career advancement opportunities, healthcare facilities, and annual health insurance coverage of Rs. 5 lakh. The organisation also facilitates transfers based on family needs and provides specialised training to address workplace safety and the prevention of sexual harassment.

Beyond employment, SKDRDP has played a significant role in strengthening women’s financial independence through its extensive self-help group network. Approximately 3.29 lakh women SHG members have achieved all-round development through 6,547 Mahila Jnana Vikas Kendras, while around 42 lakh women have accessed bank loans facilitated by the Trust to build sustainable livelihoods.

This prestigious recognition reaffirms SKDRDP’s unwavering commitment to women’s empowerment, inclusive development, financial independence, and social transformation.

A proud achievement for SKDRDP and a testament to the vision of Dharmasthala in empowering women and building a stronger society.

The regional ‘Campus to Career’ Challenge brought together 133 students from Kerala, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune and Gujarat, who applied project leadership skills to real-world challenges, including waste segregation and sustainability awareness. Five top-performing students presented their solutions at the Project Management South Asia Conference (PMSAC26) in Bengaluru, presenting their work to project professionals and leaders from India and around the world. Additionally, four students gained global exposure at the PMI  Global Leadership Institute Meeting (LIM) in Seoul, taking their experiences beyond the classroom and into the global project management community.

Students at PMI, Leadership Institute Meeting 2026 in Seoul, South Korea

The initiative gave students a hands-on experience in solving problems rooted in their local communities. Students tackled sustainability and waste management challenges, identifying problems, mapping stakeholders, assessing risks and constraints, developing implementation plans and considering how outcomes could be measured. Students from Presidency University, Bengaluru, explored reducing groundwater dependency through integrated water resource management; L.D. College of Engineering, Ahmedabad, developed a structured waste segregation initiative; while SMEF’s Brick School of Architecture, Pune, focused on building sustainable habits among school children.

Amit Goyal, Managing Director, South Asia, PMI, said, “The transition from campus to the workplace requires students to move beyond theoretical knowledge and develop the confidence to navigate ambiguity, collaborate with stakeholders and deliver outcomes. Through the Campus-to-Career Challenge, we are creating opportunities for students to experience these realities early in their journey. By combining practical problem solving with mentoring, leadership development and exposure to the project management community, we aim to help young talent build capabilities that will remain relevant across industries and geographies. Our focus is to strengthen the connection between academia and the professional world while preparing the next generation of project leaders.”

Reflecting on the experience, Abhin. A, a student leader from the PMI-DUK Student Club at Kerala University of Digital Sciences, Innovation and Technology, said: “The Asia Pacific-South Asia Leadership Institute Meeting 2026 was a transformative experience that broadened my understanding of leadership, student engagement and community building. Representing PMI Kerala Chapter and PMI-DUK Student Club on an international platform gave me the opportunity to learn from diverse perspectives and connect with PMI leaders and student members across the region. The experience strengthened my confidence and inspired me to create more mentoring, leadership and collaboration opportunities within our student community.”

The challenge demonstrated how project leadership can help translate local needs into practical solutions, with students navigating collaboration, stakeholder expectations, changing assumptions and execution constraints. Participation from Kerala, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune and Gujarat also brought diverse regional perspectives to the programme. Through global professional platforms such as the PMI Leadership Institute Meeting in Seoul and PMSAC26, students can take their experiences addressing real-world challenges beyond the classroom, gaining exposure to diverse perspectives and a broader understanding of how project leadership can be applied across different contexts.

With over 25 student clubs and 1,800+ student members  across South Asia, PMI offers students an opportunity to learn, lead, and enhance project management skills for their careers. Students can join as PMI Student Members and become part of an existing Student Club, while universities interested in starting a new club can apply through the PMI Student Club program on projectmanagement.com.

PMI hosted the 18th annual PMSAC26 on 3 October in Bengaluru, bringing together more than 800 project leaders and representatives from over 180 organisations under the theme “MORE, Together: Future-Ready in the Age of AI.

About Project Management Institute (PMI)

PMI is the leading authority in project success. Since 1969, PMI has shone a light on the people and advanced practices behind successful projects. Supported by a global community of millions of project professionals and by thousands of corporations, government agencies and academic institutions, PMI provides the knowledge, resources and certifications to lead projects and transformations effectively and responsibly. Join PMI in elevating our world – one project at a time. Connect with us at www.pmi.org, linkedin.com/company/projectmanagementinstitute, on Instagram @pmi_org, and on TikTok @PMInstitute.

PMI Trademarks

Project Management Institute and PMI are trademarks and/or registered marks of Project Management Institute, Inc., in the U.S., in India, and/or in other countries.

Third Party Trademarks

All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

*PMI South Asia market includes India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives and Afghanistan primarily.

Policy as the blueprint for Viksit Tech

The report was released by Pankaj Mohindroo, Chairman, ICEA, alongside Sunil Raina, Managing Director, Lava International; Anku Jain, Managing Director, MediaTek India; Himanshu Tandon, CBO, Mivi; Nikhil Rajpal, CEO and Founder, Qubo; and other industry dignitaries.

The Report: 129 Brands, One Ambitious Destination

Prepared by Techarc as knowledge partner, the VT47 Report introduces a 129-brand Index of Indian-owned consumer technology companies across gadgets, devices, appliances and connected cars. Together these brands earn more than Rs. 60,000 crore a year, an average of just Rs. 465 crore per brand. Only 14 earn more than Rs. 500 crore; only two clearly cross Rs. 2,000 crore. The contrast with India’s total electronics production of Rs. 13.11 lakh crore in FY2025-26 shows how much value still sits with global brands and contract manufacturers.

At a projected growth rate of 13 per cent annually, Indian homegrown brands could collectively earn Rs. 1.11 lakh crore by FY2031 and Rs. 2.04 lakh crore by FY2036. If Indian brands gain share in smart and connected segments at 16 per cent a year, those figures could reach Rs. 1.26 lakh crore and Rs. 2.65 lakh crore respectively.

The report introduces Techarc’s TAME model, Trade, Assemble, Manufacture, Engineer, which describes how brands evolve through distinct stages with corresponding revenue ceilings of approximately Rs. 500 crore, Rs. 5,000 crore and Rs. 50,000 crore. Revenues in lakhs of crores, the report argues, come only at the Engineer stage, where a brand owns its design, software and intellectual property. The 2047 ambition: 50 Indian brands each crossing Rs. 1 lakh crore, roughly 83 times today’s base, requiring sustained growth of about 25 per cent a year over two decades.

“A nation that aspires to be Viksit by 2047 must do more than make products for others. It must create, own and scale its own brands, and see them succeed in India and around the world. The ambition this report sets, 50 Indian brands each earning more than Rs. 1 lakh crore by 2047, is bold. It is also the kind of ambition this moment calls for,” said Ramakrishna P., CEO, India Mobile Congress.

The Inaugural Award Winners

VT47 was conceived to correct a “software-first” perception of Indian technology by spotlighting the hardware, IoT and devices landscape underpinning India’s manufacturing ambitions. The inaugural winners are:

• Viksit Tech Leader of the Year: Sunil Raina, Managing Director, Lava International Limited

• Viksit Tech Next Generation Leader: Himanshu Tandon, Chief Business Officer, MIVI

• Viksit Tech Brand of the Year: Lava International Limited

• Viksit Tech Enabler of the Year: MediaTek India

• Dr. M J Zarabi Indigenisation Award (powered by Dixon Technologies): Entra Innovations LLP, Dharwad — recognised for VAAYU, India’s first indigenous automotive Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) SoC, developed out of IIT Dharwad

“VT47 is our attempt to give India’s hardware builders the spotlight software has long commanded. This year’s winners show that Indian brands can design, manufacture and export on their own terms,” said Faisal Kawoosa, Chief Analyst and Co-founder, Techarc.

The Dr. M J Zarabi Indigenisation Award carries a cash prize of Rs. 10 lakh and honours the legacy of Dr. M.J. Zarabi, former Chairman and Managing Director of Semiconductor Complex Limited (SCL), Mohali, and one of India’s most distinguished microelectronics pioneers. It recognises early-stage hardware startups whose innovation reduces India’s reliance on imported technology.

The Jury

The Viksit Tech Leader, Next Generation Leader, Brand and Enabler categories were judged by: Pankaj Mohindroo, Chairman, ICEA; Mohammad Asim Warsi, Former Corporate Vice President, Samsung India; Rajiv Makhni, TV and Radio Show Host, Author and Social Media Presenter; Ershad Kaleebullah, Business Head and Host, Trakin Tech English and Trakin Tech Tamil; and Nimish Dubey, Consulting Editor, TechPP.

The Dr. M J Zarabi Indigenisation Award was judged by: Atul B. Lall, Vice Chairman and Managing Director, Dixon Technologies; Jaswinder Ahuja, Member, Advisory Committee, India Semiconductor Mission; Randeep Raina, Vice President, Ericsson India; PVG Menon, Senior Advisor, Electronics and Semicon; and Tufeel Qurishi, Senior Director, Samsung Research India.

Chancellor felicitating the Chief Guest

The ceremony was presided over by Vice Admiral Atul Anand, PVSM, AVSM, VSM (Retd.), Former Additional Secretary, Department of Military Affairs, Ministry of Defence, Government of India, who served as the Chief Guest. Addressing the graduating class, he shared golden words of wisdom that the students would carry with them into the next chapter of their lives.

“Your compass is competence. Your anchor is character. Your sail is courage. And your course is guided by dharma. Somaiya Vidyavihar University has given you more than a professional education; it has given you the opportunity to encounter different disciplines. Carry that breadth with you. Do not become merely employable. Become useful. Do not become merely successful. Become significant. And do not ask only, ‘What can I get from India?’ Ask also, ‘What can I give to India?,” said Vice Admiral Atul Anand, PVSM, AVSM, VSM (Retd.).

Students at Somaiya Vidyavihar University have had opportunities to explore interests beyond their primary fields. Through initiatives like 120+ Basket Courses, more than 4,000 students have participated in credit-bearing courses spanning sports, literature, languages, nature, aesthetic arts, Indian knowledge systems and spiritual traditions. An engineering student can study Indian philosophy, while a commerce student can take swimming or yoga as part of the academic programme. Through the REACH Fellowship, students have also spent months in rural Maharashtra and Gujarat understanding local communities and developing community-led solutions around issues including water stewardship and sustainable development.

For others, learning has meant taking an idea from the classroom into the real world. Orion Racing India has developed more than 20 race cars and participated in over 30 national and international competitions, with successive student teams building on the work of those before them. The University’s 10+ research centres provide opportunities to work across areas including computational chemistry, biology, materials science, artificial intelligence and environmental research. Through riidl and BioRiidl, more than 380 entrepreneurs have been supported, with INR 198 crore in total investments facilitated. Beyond the classroom, students also pursue sports, with training across 22 sports. More than 10,000 students pursue sports, with over 3,500 representing the institution at district, state, national and international levels. This includes participation in events such as the FISU World University Squash Championship, where Somaiya students represented India at the international university level.

Together, these experiences reflect the University's guiding philosophy, ज्ञानादेव तु कैवल्यम् — Knowledge Alone Liberates, and its approach to education, one that encourages students to think, explore and apply knowledge beyond the classroom.

The question of what students carry with them beyond their degrees was also central to the address by Samir Somaiya, Chancellor, Somaiya Vidyavihar University. Speaking to the graduating class, he shared a traditional Sanskrit blessing that he felt captured some of the qualities he wished for them as they begin the next chapter of their lives.

“बुद्धिर्बलं यशोधैर्यं निर्भयत्वमरोगताम् । अजाड्यं वाक्पटुत्वं च हनुमत्स्मराणाद्भवेत् ॥ .” Explaining the blessing, he said, “May the Almighty give you wisdom; strength; patience; fearlessness; good health; alertness and clarity of thought; and eloquence in speech.”

He then spoke about the kind of education the University seeks to provide through three ideas: “We've always wanted to build what we call Pesha, Soch, aur Charitra, a fantastic skillset in your chosen field, a wide world of thinking, and strong character,” he said.

Prof. Ajay Kapoor, Vice-Chancellor, Somaiya Vidyavihar University, encouraged the graduating class to connect their abilities with a larger purpose. “Find something you are passionate about, something that is also your natural skill. Bring them together and solve society's problems. Do something that society, humanity, people need today and tomorrow. The fundamentals are very simple: if you do something that people want, people will hold you in high esteem. They will need you. They will pay for what you are providing. That gives you a living and a very, very fulfilling life,” he said.

The thought extends the idea of education beyond choosing a profession. The years at university can help students recognise what they are good at, what gives them energy and where those abilities can have practical value.

He also placed this advice in the context of a rapidly changing world, where technology is altering how knowledge is accessed and used. “Artificial intelligence will give you all the knowledge, much faster, much better organised, on anything you desire. But it is the wisdom, the Gyan, that you have to develop,” he added.

For the 3,279 graduates of the Class of 2026, the 5th Convocation marks the close of one chapter and the beginning of another. They leave with their degrees, but also with the experiences, relationships and perspectives gathered along the way. Through these experiences, they truly embrace the meaning of Somaiya Vidyavihar University's philosophy, ज्ञानादेव तु कैवल्यम् — Knowledge Alone Liberates. They now step into the world with the belief that what they have learned will shape their paths, help them become better individuals and contribute meaningfully to the world around them.

VinFast India was honored with the “Electric Vehicle Manufacturer of the Year” award at the HT Auto Leaderboard Awards 2026

Hosted by HT Auto, Hindustan Times’ dedicated automotive platform, the HT Auto Leaderboard Awards is a prominent industry initiative that brings together automotive leaders, brands and enthusiasts to recognise excellence and celebrate the achievements shaping India’s evolving mobility landscape.

Reflecting the broader evolution of India’s electric mobility landscape, the “EV Manufacturer of the Year” honour recognises companies that advance electrification not only through their products, but also through infrastructure, technology, service and long-term commitment. Against this benchmark, VinFast’s recognition reflects its sustained efforts to support the development of India’s electric mobility ecosystem and contribute to the country’s transition towards electrification.

Commenting on the recognition, Mr. Tapan Ghosh, CEO, VinFast Asia, said, “We are honoured to receive the ‘EV Manufacturer of the Year’ recognition at the HT Auto Leaderboard Awards. This is a meaningful acknowledgement of the work we are doing to build a strong and sustainable foundation for electric mobility in India. Our approach has always been to look beyond the vehicle and build an ecosystem that brings together locally manufactured products, a growing retail and service network, financing, charging and customer-focused ownership solutions. As we deepen our presence across India, we remain focused on raising the bar for electric mobility and creating an experience that delivers greater value and confidence to Indian customers.”

Mr. Prashant Singh, Editor, HT Auto, said, “In a relatively short span of time, VinFast has established itself as a significant player in India’s EV ecosystem. With a strategically positioned portfolio that caters to the needs of Indian EV buyers, a supporting charging ecosystem, and competitive pricing, VinFast Auto India is well-positioned to strengthen its presence in one of the world’s largest and most competitive automotive markets.”

The award builds on the recognition VinFast has received across leading automotive platforms in India, including “EV Manufacturer of the Year” at Times Drive Auto Summit and Awards, “EV Champion of the Year” at the Jagran Hi-Tech Awards 2026, and “Breakthrough Brand of the Year” at the Car&Bike Awards 2026, along with product honours such as “EV SUV of the Year – Editor’s Choice” for the VF 7 at the BBC TopGear India Awards 2026 and “Value for Money Car of the Year” for the VF 6 at the Autocar India Awards 2026, reflecting continued positive evaluation from industry experts toward the company’s product direction and long-term investment strategy.

Since entering the Indian market, VinFast has continued to expand its product portfolio and local presence. The company currently offers the VF 6, VF 7 and VF MPV 7 in India, with the vehicles locally assembled at its manufacturing facility in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu. The VF MPV 7, launched in April 2026, marked VinFast’s third product introduction in India within a year. The company has also accelerated the development of its retail and after-sales ecosystem. Having reached its 60th 3S dealership in August 2026, VinFast remains on track to establish 75 dealerships across India by the end of 2026, with its expansion extending beyond major metropolitan markets to emerging cities and towns.

With India emerging as an important market in the global transition towards electric mobility, VinFast is continuing to invest in its local presence while expanding access to premium electric mobility across the country. The company’s growing footprint in India reflects its long-term commitment to supporting the country’s transition towards a more sustainable and technology-led mobility ecosystem.

About VinFast

VinFast (NASDAQ: VFS), a subsidiary of Vingroup JSC, one of Vietnam’s largest conglomerates, is a pure-play electric vehicle manufacturer with the mission of making electric mobility more accessible to everyone. VinFast’s current product portfolio includes a wide range of electric SUVs, electric motorcycles, electric bicycles, and electric buses.

VinFast is entering its next phase of growth by rapidly expanding its global distribution and dealer network while strengthening manufacturing capabilities, with a focus on key markets in North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.

Learn more at: vinfastauto.in.

Radhika Bordia, Journalist; Ashwin Yardi, Non-Executive Chairman, Capgemini India; Chetna Sinha, Founder, Mann Deshi Foundation & Mann Deshi Mahila Bank; Ravi Sreedharan, Founder & President, ISDM

Among the voices contributing to the day's conversations were Ashwin Yardi, Non-Executive Chairman of Capgemini India; Chetna Sinha, Founder and Chairperson, Mann Deshi Bank and Mann Deshi Foundation; and Ravi Sreedharan, Founder and President, ISDM. Their perspectives reflected the breadth of the development ecosystem and the different institutional, community and leadership dimensions required to sustain social change.

DoDM 2026 explored a fundamental question facing the social sector: while many organisations create meaningful change, far fewer are able to sustain it. Programmes can lose momentum, reforms can unravel, and movements can struggle beyond funding cycles or changes in leadership. The fourth edition examined what enables change to endure across organisations, systems and communities.

The day's conversations spanned four interconnected tracks across governance, government systems, funding and impact: “Building Institutions, Not Just Organisations”, which examined the governance, leadership and resilience needed for institutions to endure beyond individuals and funding cycles; “From Schemes to Systems”, which explored how public systems can become more adaptive and capable of sustaining change at scale; “Funding the Future We Say We Want”, which examined the funding relationships and forms of capital needed to support long-term change; and “What is Impact Beyond the Numbers?”, which explored how the sector can move beyond outputs to understand whether change is truly taking root and enduring over time.

Chetna Sinha, Founder and Chairperson, Mann Deshi Bank and Mann Deshi Foundation, said, “For social change to last, communities must have the agency, institutions and resources to shape their own futures. Our experience with rural women has shown that financial inclusion, entrepreneurship and community institutions can root change in people's lives. Lasting change is about creating the conditions in which communities can continue to lead, adapt and expand their own progress.”

Ravi Sreedharan, Founder and President, ISDM, said, "Social change may happen because of good programmes or even good individuals. But for social change to last, it needs Social Purpose Organisations that are resilient and equipped to work over long periods in specific geographies or on specific issues. That is where Development Management comes in: strengthening the leadership, management and organisational capabilities that keep them effective as they grow and contexts change. DoDM 2026 is an effort to bring these questions to the centre of the sector's conversation."

Sharad Agarwal, Co-Founder, ISDM, added, “Sustaining social change requires a greater focus on the systems that development programmes operate within. Outcomes endure when those systems are accountable and responsive to the communities they serve, and when we invest in what carries progress forward, not just in what a programme delivers today."

Since its inaugural edition in 2023, DoDM has grown into a platform for conversations on Development Management, with 4,000+ participants, 400+ speakers and moderators, 270+ research papers presented and 50+ track partners across its editions. DoDM 2026 featured plenary conversations, Development Management Cases, masterclasses, research paper presentations, interactive discussions and Development Management Clinics, creating multiple formats for participants to engage with real questions of organisational and systemic change.

DoDM 2026 brought together diverse perspectives to deepen the conversation on what it takes to move from creating change to sustaining it. By examining the institutional, systemic, financial and impact dimensions of social change, the convening sought to advance a more enduring approach to development, one that enables organisations, systems and communities to build, adapt and carry progress forward over time.

About Indian School of Development Management (ISDM)

Since 2016, ISDM has prepared leaders with functional expertise, managerial judgment, and ethical responsibility to build strong, resilient social purpose organizations that create sustained impact at scale. Its work is anchored in three core efforts: leadership development through its flagship Post Graduate Program in Development Management, advancing Development Management as a distinct discipline integrating management, social science, public policy, and practice, and ecosystem capacity building across NGOs, foundations, social enterprises, and policy spaces.

SDM develops leaders who solve complex social challenges and strengthen institutions across India’s development ecosystem. As the institutional home of Development Management, ISDM integrates leadership, management and development practice to drive social transformation at scale.

PGP-DM

ISDM's Post Graduate Program in Development Management (PGP-DM) prepares leaders to take on India's most complex development challenges, and build the conviction and capability required to lead India’s social transformation. The 11-month program is spread over eight terms, and combines development perspectives with management rigor to equip you with the skills, knowledge and empathy required to lead work with real impact at scale.

Azeez Gupta, Rocket Learning; Dr. Shena Aggarwal, Govt. of Punjab; Radhika Jha, Govt. of India; Dr. Mrinalini Darswal, Govt. of Odisha; Rakhi, Parent from Sonipat
 

Amongst the esteemed speakers and guests were distinguished leaders including Dr. M. Srinivas, Member, NITI Aayog; Arti Ahuja, Former Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India; Amanda Devercelli, Former Global Early Childhood Development Head, World Bank Group; Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, Chairperson, M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation; Radhika Jha, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India; Dr. Dinesh Arora, Principal Specialist at the Asian Development Bank, and Dr. Abhijeet Singh, Professor at the Stockholm School of Economics and Board Member (Education), J-PAL. They were joined by Dr. Shena Aggarwal, Special Secretary-cum-Director, Dept. of Social Security, Women and Child Development, Govt. of Punjab; Dr. Mrinalini Darswal, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Dept. of Women and Child Development, Govt. of Odisha and senior officials of the Women and Child Development departments of Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, and Andhra Pradesh; leaders from OpenAI, TRYST at IIT Bombay, and SIRA; and Rocket Learning co-founders Azeez Gupta, Namya Mahajan, Siddhant Sachdeva, and Utsav Kheria.

Delivering the keynote discussion on reducing the administrative burden on Anganwadi workers in India, Dr. M. Srinivas, Member, NITI Aayog, said, "Frontline workers like Anganwadi staff should not be burdened solely with administrative tasks and manual record-keeping. Technology and policy changes must simplify their workload so they can focus on their primary mission: directly nurturing mothers and children."

Speaking on targeted AI interventions for vulnerable families, Arti Ahuja, Former Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Govt. of India, said, "The true power of AI lies in data-driven empathy. Down to the village and hamlet level, AI can help us identify red flags such as family migration or food scarcity, thus enabling targeted, local-level support for the most vulnerable children and families before they fall behind."

Speaking about the vision behind building Udaan as a cross-sector platform, Rocket Learning’s co-founders, Azeez Gupta, Namya Mahajan, Siddhant Sachdeva, and Utsav Kheria, in a joint statement said, “Every child deserves more than simply surviving the early years - they deserve the opportunity to thrive. We have witnessed the possibilities of Anganwadi educators, pre-school teachers and parents working together as one coherent unit to change children’s trajectories. Udaan 2026 was about moving from surviving to thriving, and the conversations on evidence, investment and technology reinforced that India has both - the ideas and the will - to make this possible at scale. Rocket Learning remains committed to supporting India’s early learning ecosystem, with Udaan 2026 marking an important milestone in this journey.”

Discussions throughout the day addressed how to best reform and enable Anganwadis, better invest in early childhood development, lessons from academia, and the role of technology in supporting the youngest children. The conference also saw the launch of results and lessons from the evaluation of a highly successful, technology-based homegrown early childhood development model, presented by Dr. Abhijeet Singh, and extended a platform to showcase stories of Anganwadi educators and parents.

Udaan 2026 reinforced that the case for ECCE is clearly established. The task now is to translate that understanding into action at scale - with rigour, compassion and a commitment to every child.

About Rocket Learning

Rocket Learning is one of India’s largest early learning non-profits focused on transforming early childhood and foundational learning outcomes at scale. Eighty-five percent of brain development happens before the age of six, making early learning extremely critical. By leveraging technology, behavioral insights, and strong government partnerships, Rocket Learning empowers parents, teachers, and frontline educators to drive measurable improvements in children’s learning. Working directly with government systems across 15 states and union territories and 200+ districts, since 2020 the organization has impacted 6 million children between birth and 6 years of age, across more than 500,000 classrooms, including 400,000 Anganwadi educators. Through responsible use of AI and digital innovation, Rocket Learning is striving to make quality early education accessible, inclusive, and effective for every child, with the aim to positively impact 50 million underserved children by 2030.

For more information, visit rocketlearning.org.

ORGATEC India 2026 to Spotlight India's Workplace Transformation with 'WorkNXT – Design × Technology × Experiences'

India recorded 45.5 million sq.ft. of office space absorption in H1 2026, the highest first-half figure on record, as demand from Global Capability Centers (GCCs), flexible workspace operators and large domestic occupiers continues to accelerate. According to the CBRE 2026 India Office Occupier Survey, 77% of occupiers expect their office portfolios to expand over the next two years, underlining that even as work patterns evolve, the physical workplace remains central to business strategy — provided it is designed to be more adaptable, intelligent and experience-led.

The Platform Driving the Shift

This transformation is precisely what ORGATEC India is built to serve. As the only dedicated trade platform for workplace design, furniture, infrastructure and technology in the country, it functions as a convening point where architects, designers, corporate real estate leaders, manufacturers, technology providers and facility managers can align on a shared vision for the Indian workplace, rather than working in isolation across fragmented parts of the same project.

By bringing global design and technology benchmarks onto an Indian stage, ORGATEC India supports the adoption of sustainable, intelligent and experience-led workplace practices across the country’s fast-growing office market. For an industry expanding at record pace, this kind of shared platform for knowledge exchange, sourcing and business development is increasingly central to how the market matures, helping India’s workplace ecosystem move faster from ambition to execution, and reinforcing the country’s growing position within the global workplace conversation.

A Connected Workplace Ecosystem

Creating a workplace today is a far more interconnected process than it once was. Furniture, lighting, acoustics, technology, facility management and employee experience can no longer be planned in isolation — architects, designers, corporate real estate and procurement teams, manufacturers, technology providers and facility managers are all now involved at different stages of the same project.

ORGATEC India’s 2026 theme, WorkNXT, is built around this shift and organises the workplace journey into six connected stages:

• DESIGN — How should spaces respond to changing workstyles, people and business requirements?

• SPECIFY — How can workplace ambitions be translated into the right furniture, materials, technology and performance standards?

• PROCURE — How can organisations balance quality, cost, availability, sustainability and long-term value?

• BUILD — How can workplace concepts become adaptable, technology-enabled and future-ready environments?

• OPERATE — How can facilities, technology, data and services work together to make workplaces more efficient, responsive and sustainable?

• EXPERIENCE — What does the workplace enable people to do, how does it make them feel, and why would they want to return?

Through the exhibition and knowledge programme, WorkNXT connects these stages through product discovery, knowledge exchange, expert discussions and business engagement — bringing together the people who design workplaces with those who specify, procure, build, operate and ultimately experience them.

Executive Comment

“When we set out to shape WorkNXT as this year’s theme, the idea was to move India’s workplace conversation beyond individual products and square footage, and look at the workplace as one connected journey where design, technology and experience are working together, end to end. India’s office market is entering a defining decade, and what the industry needs now isn’t just a platform to showcase what already exists, but one that helps shape what comes next. That’s the role ORGATEC India is built to play — bringing together the architects, designers, manufacturers and technology providers who will define how India works, tomorrow,” Manoj Nandiot, Portfolio Director, Koelnmesse Pvt. Ltd.

Experience as Part of Design, Not an Afterthought

One of the most significant shifts in workplace strategy is the growing weight given to workplace experience. Modern workplaces are increasingly evaluated not just on utilisation and efficiency, but on how effectively they support collaboration, focus, creativity, wellbeing and organizational culture — and experience is now shaping decisions much earlier in the design process, rather than being added on at the end.

Acoustics, ergonomics, lighting, office furniture, workplace technology, flexibility, sustainability and hospitality-inspired amenities are converging into a single, interconnected definition of workplace experience. For ORGATEC India, this marks a broader evolution for the Indian workplace ecosystem — moving the conversation from individual products to the performance of the complete environment.

Leading Brands on the Show Floor

The strength of ORGATEC India 2026 is reflected in the leading brands confirming their participation across office furniture, ergonomic seating, acoustics, lighting and workplace technology segments — including Haworth, Kokuyo, Univicoustic, Interio by Godrej, Featherlite, Nilkamal Edge, among other segment leaders. Their presence adds significant depth to the exhibition, giving visitors direct access to global and Indian products and solutions alongside the platform’s knowledge program.

What to Expect at ORGATEC India 2026

Across three days, ORGATEC India 2026 will bring together workplace design, office and ergonomic furniture, workplace infrastructure, lighting, acoustics, flooring and materials, smart workplace technology, automation and IoT, facility and workplace management solutions, collaboration tools and future workspace technologies — alongside a dedicated knowledge platform featuring keynotes and panel discussions with architects, designers and workplace strategists.

The exhibition will also provide professionals across architecture and interior design, corporate real estate, procurement, facility and workplace management, workplace technology, real estate, GCCs and flexible workspace with opportunities to discover solutions, connect with suppliers, explore new ideas and build business relationships across the workplace ecosystem.

Event Fact File

• Event: ORGATEC India 2026 — “WorkNXT: Design × Technology × Experiences”

• Dates: 19–21 November 2026

• Venue: Jio World Convention Centre (JWCC), BKC, Mumbai, India

• Organiser: Koelnmesse India Pvt. Ltd.

• Exhibition space: 10,000 sq. m.

• Edition: 2nd edition

About ORGATEC India

ORGATEC India is a dedicated trade platform for workplace design, office furniture, workplace infrastructure, smart workplace technology and future workspace solutions. Organised by Koelnmesse Pvt Ltd, it brings together the ecosystem shaping the future of work — from architects, interior designers and corporate real estate professionals to facility managers, technology providers, manufacturers and workplace strategists. The 2026 edition is the second edition of ORGATEC India, focusing on the evolving relationship between design, technology and workplace experience.

To know more and register to visit www.orgatec-india.com

The CoA National Awards for Excellence 2026 Jury Begins at Manipal University Jaipur

The inaugural ceremony was graced by Ar. Naveen Kanithi, Vice President, CoA; Shri Deepak Kumar, Registrar, CoA; Ar. Jayashree Deshpande, Director, CoA-TRC and Convenor; and Ar. Bhavna Vimawala, Member, CoA. Representing Manipal University Jaipur were Cdr. (Dr) Anil Rana, Pro President, MUJ; Dr. Amit Soni, Registrar, MUJ; Prof. (Dr) Kuldip Singh Sangwan, Dean, FoSTA; Prof. (Dr) Madhura Yadav, Dean, DSW ; and Dr. Pooja Lalit Kumar, Director, School of Architecture & Design, along with faculty members and 220 student participants from MUJ and architecture institutions across India.

Dr. Pooja Lalit Kumar, Director, School of Architecture & Design welcomed all dignitaries and said that students and faculty members of the school had put in their best efforts to make the national event a success. She noted that the world-class infrastructure and academic environment at Manipal University Jaipur provide an ideal setting for an event of national stature and offer participating students an opportunity to showcase and explore their creative and academic potential.

Cdr. (Dr.) Anil Rana, Pro-President, Manipal University Jaipur delivered the presidential address. He highlighted the achievements of Manipal University Jaipur in research, academic excellence and its global footprint in ranking and accreditations. He appreciated the efforts of School of Architecture and Design and thanks Council of Architecture for choosing Manipal University Jaipur for this national event. 

The exhibition presents a diverse spectrum of architectural ideas, highlighting innovative design thinking, contextual sensitivity, sustainability and contemporary approaches to the built environment. It provides a platform for young architects to showcase their academic explorations, exchange ideas and engage with distinguished professionals and academicians.

The event also highlights the evolving role of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies in architectural education, while emphasising the continued importance of critical thinking, creativity, contextual understanding and empathy in design.

Reaffirming the School of Architecture & Design’s vision of being “locally invested but globally relevant”, the event underscores the importance of preparing future architects who remain rooted in their cultural and environmental contexts while equipped to address emerging global challenges.

The School of Architecture & Design extends its heartfelt gratitude to Dr. N. N. Sharma, President, Manipal University Jaipur for his valuable support and encouragement in making the event possible.

A press conference of the event was presided by the Council of Architecture at The Lalit Jaipur in presence of the President CoA, Executive committee Council of Architecture, along with the convenors and coordinators of the event from CoA and Manipal University Jaipur. Prof (Ar) Kiran S Mahajani, addressed the press briefing on the process of the CoA awards, the selection and evaluation. He also emphasised on creating platforms to promote the efficiency of built environment to the grass root levels, emphasising not just urban but also at rural levels.

The jury proceedings and Award Ceremony will be held on 9 October 2026, marking the culmination of the two-day event and recognising outstanding student achievements in architectural education.

Shri Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu, Hon’ble Minister of Civil Aviation, Government of India with GC members of IFQM

The second day of the symposium focused on translating the quality and innovation agenda into action, with discussions around strengthening MSME capabilities, building industry–academia partnerships, developing talent and leveraging technology to improve productivity and competitiveness. As part of this effort, IFQM announced plans to roll out a leadership programme for MSMEs and subsequently extend a similar programme to large industries, with a focus on sharing best practices, reducing waste, improving quality and driving innovation through education and continuous learning.

Delivering the keynote address on “Wings of Viksit Bharat: Transforming India into a Global Aviation Hub,” Shri Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu, Hon’ble Minister of Civil Aviation, Government of India, emphasised the need to strengthen India's aviation manufacturing ecosystem and develop capabilities across the supply chain.

He said, “The ultimate goal is to make aircraft in India. The government is committed to providing policy support for the aviation sector, especially for MRO. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has set a target of 350 airports by 2047; we are working to achieve it. But we need to strengthen aviation manufacturing in India. The industry needs to understand the importance of material quality; we need more people and more clusters; we also need skilling, from design to the factory floor. It has to be reflected in the Indian aviation sector.”

The Minister also called upon global OEMs to bring together their supply-chain partners and MSMEs through collective industry forums. He urged companies such as Boeing and Airbus, etc to lead discussions with Indian MSMEs on the requirements of the aviation industry, noting that clarity on product and quality specifications would enable MSMEs to better plan, innovate, design and manufacture to global standards. He also highlighted the role that institutions such as IFQM can play in facilitating this collaboration.

IFQM, established by a consortium of India’s leading enterprises, is an industry-led movement committed to catalysing Indian organisations to become globally competitive and export-capable through Quality, Innovation and Excellence. The Foundation is focused on strengthening the capabilities of Indian industry, including MSMEs, through initiatives that promote quality, innovation and sustainable development in line with the nation-first objectives of Viksit Bharat.

From Quality Intent To Measurable Action

The two-day symposium brought together senior industry leaders, policymakers, global quality experts, CEOs, CXOs, academia and MSMEs to explore how India can leverage its scale, technology and human capital to build globally competitive enterprises.

In his concluding remarks, Mr. Venu Srinivasan, Chairman, IFQM, emphasised that quality must become a personal commitment across leadership and organisations. He said, “Our shared responsibility is to build India's reputation and make it synonymous with Quality. Quality must be a personal commitment from the leaders. Change begins at the top. To build a world-class company, innovation has to be continuous; follow the standards. Be willing to make mistakes and learn to correct them quickly. Daily discipline has to be part of the work.”

Highlighting the critical role of MSMEs in India's growth, he added, “MSMEs are the foundation of any country, and vibrant MSMEs are key to the country’s success. IFQM’s single-minded purpose is to make 5,000 MSMEs part of quality and innovation and to become part of a nationwide movement. Caring and sharing is a critical journey. Our commitment is to make quality a habit; it should start at home.”

Mr. Soumitra Bhattacharya, CEO and Director, IFQM, highlighted the organisation's ambition to scale its MSME engagement and turn collective industry participation into measurable action. He said, “We create USPs and turn plans into action. We had 200-plus MSMEs; we are looking at 500-plus, and the next target is 1,000-plus MSMEs. How can we use our members and non-members as force multipliers? We need to create a burning platform and work together, contribute, cooperate and participate.”

Mr. T.V. Narendran, CEO & Managing Director, Tata Steel, emphasised the need to build momentum and a critical mass around quality. He said, “We need to create momentum, create a critical mass, and the mindset. Industry-academia tango has to happen for real success and quality in the MSME ecosystem. To build a quality culture, we need to go beyond CEOs; there are many ways to influence it.”

Mr. K.N. Radhakrishnan, Director & CEO, TVS Motor Company, stressed the need to accelerate the transformation of MSMEs into process-driven organisations. He said, “I believe there is a lot to do. As an example, how to transform the 132 MSMEs that TVS Motors has released, in the next 90 days. Transforming Indian companies to be process-driven. Intensify the CEO connect sessions; the more we share, the more we achieve.”

Building Quality and Governance Across Sectors

Day 2 featured four keynote addresses that explored how organisations can strengthen their understanding of customers, challenge existing systems and processes, and use both successes and failures as opportunities to improve quality.

The discussions brought together industry leaders around themes including “Creating Force Multipliers for the Industry-led Movement,” “Quality to Credibility: Building Trust at Global Scale,” “Instilling a Culture of Quality Excellence: Boardroom to Shopfloor,” “From Incremental to Breakthrough: Reimagining Kaizen at Scale,” “Deploying AI for Manufacturing and Services,” and “Strengthening Partnerships Globally.”

Dr. Masahiko Mori, President & Group CEO, DMG MORI, highlighted the importance of understanding customer needs and using real-world data to improve products and solutions. He said, “Customers' culture is also important, and understanding it is key to acquiring and retaining customers. Gathering data from the customer site is very critical. Using the data, the company can customise the software for customers’ requirements.”

Speaking on the importance of leadership commitment to continuous improvement, Mr. Yugo Miyamoto, Managing Director, Kaizen Saudi Arabia, Abdul Latif Jameel, said, “Kaizen must become a necessity for the CEO. Not something the CEO supports, not something the CEO sponsors and leads with personal commitment and not something they occasionally visit. A necessity.”

Mr. Stefan Grosch, Member of the Board of Management and Director of Industrial Relations, Robert Bosch GmbH, highlighted the importance of quality governance and shared his perspective on the alignment between IFQM and global quality movements. He said, “My experience with EFQM (European Foundation for Quality Management) has helped me understand the IFQM vision. We understand the quality governance process to help customers achieve their set goals.”

AI: A Challenge And Opportunity For Msmes

The growing role of artificial intelligence in manufacturing and services was another key area of discussion, with the symposium examining how organisations can move from experimentation to meaningful adoption.

The panel, moderated by Mr. Girish Krishnamurthy, MD & CEO, Tata Technologies, and featuring Dr. Gopichand Katragadda, Founder & CEO, Myelin Foundry, and Dr. Lucas Bretz, General Manager, KIT/GAMI, explored whether industry’s understanding of AI is evolving from experimentation into a more mature discipline.

The discussion highlighted the distinction between Core AI—the intelligence layer—and Operational AI, where AI is embedded into workflows and decision-making. With Large Language Models increasingly changing how organisations learn, operate and use technology, the panel emphasised that AI adoption must be viewed as an operating-model opportunity rather than only a technology upgrade.

For MSMEs, however, barriers to adoption remain significant. The discussion highlighted the opportunity for an IFQM-led platform that can curate, validate and simplify AI solutions for MSMEs, enabling them to use AI as a practical force multiplier rather than viewing it as a distant or complex technology.

Strengthening Global Partnerships

The symposium also reinforced IFQM’s focus on building global partnerships to accelerate India's quality and innovation journey.

Delivering a special address on “Strengthening Partnerships Globally: IFQM and JUSE Collaboration,” Mr. Masato Onodera, Managing Director, JUSE, emphasised the importance of a two-way exchange of knowledge and experience between India and Japan. He said, “We want to keep this timeline going from Japan to India and from India to Japan. It will be a two-way relationship where we learn from each other and build value together.”

Building Momentum For India’s Quality Movement

Over two days, the IFQM Symposium 2026 brought together around 50 CEOs, 200 CXOs, and a total participation of more than 400 including academicians and students representatives from government, industry, academia, global quality institutions and MSMEs to advance a common agenda for India's competitiveness.

The discussions reinforced the need for India to move from scale to excellence, from intent to adoption, and from individual organisational initiatives to a broader industry-led movement for Quality and Innovation. With MSMEs at the heart of India's economic growth and global supply chains, the symposium highlighted the need to equip them with the right capabilities, partnerships, talent and technology to build quality into the way they design, manufacture and deliver.

The symposium also underscored that India's journey towards Viksit Bharat will require quality to become more than a process or metric—it must become a culture, a leadership commitment and a way of working across the country's enterprises and supply chains.

About IFQM

Instituted in the year 2023, IFQM is the Indian Foundation for Quality Management ( IFQM) that is committed to the promotion of transformative changes across Indian industries. It seeks to institutionalize a culture of quality that meets and exceeds global standards. It is about bringing in continuous improvements of both products and services, thereby elevating the perception about Brand India. Committed to the prosperity and quality of life of all, IFQM functions as a catalyst in making Indian businesses globally respected with cooperative trust, respect, empathy, and mutual sharing. Through its initiatives, IFQM supports India's journey towards becoming a developed nation by 2047, with an emphasis on innovation, excellence, and stakeholder engagement across sectors.

The IFQM Governing Council, Mr. N. Chandrasekaran, Chairman, Tata Sons, Mr. Dilip Sanghvi, MD, Sun Pharmaceuticals, Ms. Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, Executive Chairperson, Biocon Biologics, Mr. TV Narendran, CEO & MD, Tata Steel Limited, Mr. K.N. Radhakrishnan, Director & CEO, TVS Motor Co, Dr. Randhir Thakur, CEO & MD, Tata Electronics Pvt. Ltd., Mr. Salil Gupte, President, Boeing India & South Asia, Mr. SN Subrahmanyan, Chairman & MD, Larsen & Toubro, Mr. Venu Srinivasan, Chairman Emeritus, TVS Motor Co & Chairman, IFQM

IFQM on Web: ifqm.org.in
IFQM Events: events.ifqm.org.in
IFQM on social media: www.linkedin.com/company/ifqm

Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, Union Minister for Communications & Development of North-Eastern Region, Government of India with GC members of IFQM

Delivering the keynote address on “Powering Viksit Bharat – Scale without Boundaries to Advance Development through Technology, Digital Innovation and Inclusive Connectivity,” Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia – Union Minister for Communications and Development of North Eastern Region, Government of India said that the world will soon look to India to learn about quality, innovation and self-reliance. He highlighted the role of initiatives such as IFQM in taking India forward towards Viksit Bharat@2047 and strengthening the country's journey towards Atmanirbharta.

IFQM, established by a consortium of India’s leading enterprises, is an industry-led movement committed to catalysing Indian organisations to become globally competitive and export-capable through Quality, Innovation and Excellence. The Foundation is focused on strengthening the capabilities of Indian industry, including MSMEs, through initiatives that promote quality, innovation and sustainable development in line with the nation-first objectives of Viksit Bharat.

Speaking at the symposium, Mr. N. Chandrasekaran, Executive Chairman, Tata Sons, highlighted India's progress in building sustainable, world-class infrastructure and institutions. He said, “India has made tremendous progress in developing sustainable world-class infrastructure and institutions. Our economy is doing very well, and over the last few years it has exceeded expectations. Achieving this amid global economic uncertainty is no mean task. It was possible because of infrastructure growth, manufacturing, especially precision manufacturing and investment in human process (education and skill development).”

Delivering the inaugural address, Mr. S.N. Subrahmanyan, Chairman & Managing Director, Larsen & Toubro, focused on the importance of making quality a culture across organisations. He said, “In infrastructure, doing projects with quality is critical. We are still not there yet; there is a lot to learn from global practices. Hopefully, initiatives like IFQM will help us reach that level of excellence. Personally, I can share many examples, and each one contributes to the lessons we need to achieve quality. Every employee has to be involved. It's not just about quality; it's about innovation. Quality has to be a culture; I think that will make it happen.”

Recognising Excellence in Quality and Governance
A key highlight of Day 1 was the recognition of Mr. Venu Srinivasan, Chairman, IFQM, by the International Academy for Quality (IAQ) with the Marcos E. J. Bertin Quality in Governance Medal, recognising his contribution to advancing sound governance through quality principles and methods. The honour was presented by Mr. Sunil Sinha, Trustee, IAQ, and Mr. Raúl Molteni, President, IAQ.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Raul Molteni, President – International Academy for Quality highlighted IAQ’s vision of moving beyond traditional quality management towards “quality for humanity”, and underscored India's growing importance in advancing this agenda. He noted that Indian companies have demonstrated that Total Quality Management (TQM) can be implemented at scale and evolve into a broader movement. Mr. Sinha emphasised the importance of recognising leaders who have embedded quality into the way organisations are managed and governed.

Reflecting on TVS Motor Company’s quality journey, Mr. Venu Srinivasan recalled how Japanese quality experts helped strengthen the company’s focus on TQM more than three decades ago. He emphasised that the Deming Prize should not be viewed as the destination, but as the beginning of an organisation’s TQM journey. He noted that the journey extends beyond processes and practices to building trust with stakeholders, highlighting the responsibility that comes with good governance.

IFQM and karlsruhe institute of technology (kit) join hands to strengthen industry–academia collaboration
Further strengthening its focus on knowledge, research and capability building, IFQM and the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) formalised a new collaboration through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the symposium.

Mr. Soumitra Bhattacharya, CEO and Director, IFQM, exchanged the MoU with Prof. Dr.-Ing. Gisela Lanza, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, in the presence of Mr. Venu Srinivasan, Chairman Emeritus, TVS Motor Company.

The collaboration will strengthen cooperation in quality and innovation and reflects a shared ambition to embed these principles more deeply into the systems and processes that drive industry. The partnership will also advance IFQM’s focus on industry–academia collaboration, connecting academic research and expertise with the evolving needs of Indian industry.

Taking the quality conversation across sectors
Day 1 featured six panel discussions that brought together industry leaders and MSMEs to examine the challenges and opportunities across sectors and demonstrate how quality and innovation can create measurable impact.

The discussions included “Pharma & Life Sciences: Moving Beyond Generics – Pioneering Global Leadership in Innovative Medicine”; “From Scale to Excellence: Reimagining Infrastructure for India’s Global Leadership”; “IFQM as Force Multiplier – Measurable Impact Across Sectors”; “Humble Beginnings to Global Standards – The Force Multiplier Playbook”; and “Transforming India into a Trusted Global Electronics Hub.”

The sessions also highlighted the experiences of MSMEs that have benefited from the IFQM initiative, showcasing how focused interventions in quality, technology, capability building and innovation can help businesses strengthen their competitiveness and move towards global standards.

Day 1 also featured five keynote addresses exploring India's Viksit Bharat ambition, quality and innovation, technology-led transformation, artificial intelligence and global competitiveness, including perspectives on China's evolving role in the global economy.

An exclusive CEO session, “Creating Force Multipliers for the Industry-led Movement – Boardroom Vision to Shop Floor Excellence,” brought together senior business leaders to examine the practices and organisational interventions that can translate boardroom vision into excellence on the shop floor. The session focused on how leadership commitment, employee participation, quality culture and innovation can work together to create sustainable and measurable impact across organisations.

With its first day bringing together perspectives from government, industry, academia, global quality institutions and MSMEs, the IFQM Symposium 2026 reinforced the need for India to move from scale to excellence and from individual organisational initiatives to a broader, industry-led movement for quality and innovation.

About IFQM 
Instituted in the year 2023, IFQM is the Indian Foundation for Quality Management ( IFQM) that is committed to the promotion of transformative changes across Indian industries. It seeks to institutionalize a culture of quality that meets and exceeds global standards. It is about bringing in continuous improvements of both products and services, thereby elevating the perception about Brand India. Committed to the prosperity and quality of life of all, IFQM functions as a catalyst in making Indian businesses globally respected with cooperative trust, respect, empathy, and mutual sharing. Through its initiatives, IFQM supports India's journey towards becoming a developed nation by 2047, with an emphasis on innovation, excellence, and stakeholder engagement across sectors.

*The IFQM Governing Council: • Mr. N. Chandrasekaran, Chairman, Tata Sons • Mr. Dilip Sanghvi, MD, Sun Pharmaceuticals • Ms. Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, Executive Chairperson, Biocon Biologics • Mr. TV Narendran, CEO & MD, Tata Steel Limited • Mr. K.N. Radhakrishnan, Director & CEO, TVS Motor Co • Dr. Randhir Thakur, CEO & MD, Tata Electronics Pvt. Ltd. • Mr. Salil Gupte, President, Boeing India & South Asia • Mr. SN Subrahmanyan, Chairman & MD, Larsen & Toubro • Mr. Venu Srinivasan, Chairman Emeritus, TVS Motor Co & Chairman, IFQM • 
 

IFQM on Web: ifqm.org.in
IFQM Events: events.ifqm.org.in
IFQM on social media: www.linkedin.com/company/ifqm

Dignitaries present in the Inaugural session of the FDP at Manipal University Jaipur

The programme was formally inaugurated in the presence of Pro-President Cdr. (Dr.) Anil Rana; Director CDOE, Dr. Mallikarjun Gaddapa; Dean Faculty of Management, Commerce and Arts (FoMCA) Dr. Brijesh; and senior representatives and experts from IIMBx, including Shainesh G., Chairperson, IIMBx; Sitaraman Shankar; Dr. S. Naga Siddharth; and Vijaya Tripathi, along with the IIMBx and SWAYAM expert and technical teams. The programme is being supported by experts including Shweta Shree, Raksha B., Manikandan K., Erwin Fernandes, Diljith Kannan, Nidhi A.C., Vishal C. Reddy, Sushma Nayak, Varun P., Bhumika Arora, Kalaiarasan R., Megha Srinivasan, Rajamohamadu Jeeyavudeen, Aarya S. Kumar, Malhar Patel and Anjali Alex, who are contributing to various sessions related to course design, content development, technology, video production, instructional design and SWAYAM course development. 

The four-day programme is structured around three key stages Design, Develop and Deliver. On the first day, faculty members are being trained to understand the needs of online learners, develop learner profiles, and align learning outcomes, course content and assessment. Participants are also being provided with hands-on experience in developing a module outline for their respective subjects and creating video scripts based on their course design. The second day focuses on the Develop stage, with particular emphasis on Artificial Intelligence and digital content production. Participants are being introduced to the fundamentals of Generative AI, its applications, strengths, limitations and associated risks. The programme also includes training in active learning activities and studio-based educational video production. Faculty members are getting an opportunity to record their learning videos and receive immediate expert feedback on delivery, pacing and the effective use of teaching aids. The third day focuses on the Deliver stage and will address the changing landscape of online education, the use of AI as a teaching and course-design assistant, and assessment development. Participants will be trained in developing different forms of assessments and aligning them with learning outcomes, as well as using AI for developing question banks with appropriate faculty validation. The programme will also include a showcase and peer review of participant-developed educational videos, followed by an orientation on course development, approval and launch through the SWAYAM platform. On the final day, participants will present their course blueprints in groups before an expert panel comprising members from IIMBx and Manipal University Jaipur. Each group will present its learner profile, course or module outline, sample script or video, learning activity, assessment and course launch plan. The presentations will be followed by expert and peer feedback and interaction with the panel. The programme will conclude with closing remarks and certificate distribution by Sitaraman Shankar, CEO, IIMBX. 

Dr. Mallikarjun Gaddapa, Director, CDOE, said, "Higher education is rapidly becoming more digital and learner centric. In this environment, subject expertise alone is not sufficient for faculty members; they also need capabilities in online course design, digital learning content development, AI-enabled teaching and outcome-based assessment. The FDP being organised in collaboration with IIMBx is providing faculty members with comprehensive hands-on exposure, from developing the initial course outline to digital content production, studio recording, assessment and online delivery. Our objective is to develop high-quality courses that respond effectively to the needs of contemporary learners.”

Shainesh G., Chairperson, IIMBx said, the objective of this programme is not merely to train faculty members, but to provide them with practical experience of the complete online course development process. From identifying learners and developing the course framework to scriptwriting, AI-enabled content development, studio recording, learning activities, assessment and preparing the course for online delivery, participants are getting an opportunity to work through every stage of the process. The collaboration between IIMBx and Manipal University Jaipur provides a strong platform for faculty members to experiment, receive expert feedback and develop modern, technology-enabled, learner-centric and outcome-oriented courses. The programme is designed as a hands-on and outcome-oriented faculty development initiative, enabling participants to move beyond theoretical understanding and work on tangible course-development outputs. The initiative is aimed at further strengthening the quality of digital and online education at Manipal University Jaipur and equipping faculty members with the capabilities required for contemporary teaching and learning. The collaboration brings together the digital learning expertise of IIMBx and the academic ecosystem of Manipal University Jaipur, providing faculty members with an effective platform to develop innovative, technology-enabled, learner-centric and outcome-based courses.

Amit Goyal, Managing Director, Project Management Institute - South Asia, in conversation with Chetan Bhagat, Bestselling Author, Columnist and Motivational Speaker

Attendees engaged in high-value discussions around how AI is reshaping the way project success and projects are viewed, with conversations highlighting the growing importance of combining technology with strategic thinking, human judgment, adaptability, leadership and strong execution capabilities. Across keynote sessions, panel discussions and interactive conversations, speakers also explored the need for greater collaboration and for organisations to continuously reassess how projects are planned, executed and measured.

Amit Goyal, Managing Director, South Asia, Project Management Institute, said, “PMSAC26 comes at an important moment for South Asia. As AI reshapes jobs, business models and technology delivery, India’s strong technology ecosystem and ability to adopt and scale new technologies position it well for the next phase of growth. Yet, as McKinsey’s 2025 State of AI report highlights, only 39% of organisations report an enterprise-level EBIT impact from AI, underscoring the challenge of translating adoption into measurable business outcomes. Project success in the AI era will increasingly depend on how effectively organisations combine technology with human judgment, leadership and execution. PMSAC26 brought together industry experts and project leaders to explore these questions, share practical perspectives and examine what it will take to turn AI ambition into meaningful outcomes. I look forward to carrying forward the spirit of MORE, Together: Future-Ready in the Age of AI as we continue to learn, collaborate and shape the future of the project profession.”

The conference brought together senior leaders including Ajit Chauhan, Chairman, Amity University Online, Ravi Kumar Dikshit, Global Consult Delivery Lead, Kyndryl; Dr. Geetha Manjunath, Founder, CEO and CTO, NIRAMAI Health Analytix; John Dawber, Vice President & Managing Director, Global Business Services, Novo Nordisk; Usha Srikanth, Managing Partner – FutureNow Centre Leader (India), IBM Consulting; and Sumit Taneja, Senior Vice President & Global Head of AI Consulting & Implementation, EXL, among others. Discussions explored leading transformation at scale, organisational readiness for AI, technology’s role in creating human impact, leadership and the choices shaping the AI era. The conference also featured a keynote by Chetan Bhagat, Bestselling Author, Columnist and Motivational Speaker, who spoke on navigating change, leadership and the evolving demands of the professional world.

The conference also featured perspectives from leaders across Technology, Edtech, Consulting Enterprise Solutions and Thought Leadership, offering delegates practical insights into how organisations are responding to rapid technological change, increasing project complexity and evolving workforce expectations. PMSAC26, in its 18^th edition, brought together professionals across career stages to exchange experiences and learn from real-world project leadership. Discussions highlighted judgment, collaboration, adaptability and strategy-to-execution capabilities, reinforcing the commitment PMI has made to building future-ready professionals and advancing project management practice across South Asia.

About Project Management Institute (PMI)

PMI is the leading authority in project success. Since 1969, PMI has shone a light on the people and advanced practices behind successful projects. Supported by a global community of millions of project professionals and by thousands of corporations, government agencies and academic institutions, PMI provides the knowledge, resources and certifications to lead projects and transformations effectively and responsibly. Join PMI in elevating our world – one project at a time. Connect with us at www.pmi.org, linkedin.com/company/projectmanagementinstitute, on Instagram @pmi_org, and on TikTok @PMInstitute.

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Project Management Institute, PMI, and the PMI logo are trademarks and/or registered marks of Project Management Institute, Inc., in the U.S., in India and/or in other countries. 

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MBD Group celebrated 70th Establishment Day

For seven decades, this growth has been accompanied by a continued commitment to giving back to society. Through My Best Deeds, MBD Group’s umbrella for its CSR initiatives, and the Ashok Malhotra Charitable Trust, the Group has supported causes spanning girl-child education, access to learning through Love to Learn, empowerment of specially abled children through Ashok Karya, disaster relief, environmental conservation and support for underserved communities. 

Commenting on the occasion, Satish Bala Malhotra, Chairperson, MBD Group, said, “Seventy years is a landmark in the journey of MBD Group and a reflection of the strong foundation laid by our founder, Shri Ashok Kumar Malhotra. Our journey has always been about building institutions for the long term and growing without losing sight of the people and communities connected with us. The 70th Establishment Day is a moment to recognise that journey and the many people who have contributed to it over the years.”

Education has been central to MBD Group’s journey, and remains closely connected to its vision for the next generation. As the education landscape has evolved from publishing to technology-enabled and experiential learning, the Group has continued to expand access to new-age learning opportunities, particularly for students who may have fewer resources. Through initiatives such as Love to Learn and Robotics Lab on Wheels, students in budget schools are gaining hands-on exposure to robotics, coding, IoT, automation and emerging technologies, while the Group’s AI-STEAM initiatives are introducing students to the possibilities of artificial intelligence and future-ready learning.

In 2026, the Group launched the AASOKA Science Kit initiative, aimed at bringing practical science learning to 25,000 students across 400 schools. This focus on access and experiential learning also extends to Robotics Lab on Wheels, which takes technology-led learning directly to schools. The Group aims to reach 1,000 schools and one lakh students over the next five years, reflecting its larger objective of making future-ready learning more accessible. Together, these initiatives seek to equip young people with the skills, confidence and exposure to solve problems, innovate and contribute to a changing society.

The AI-STEAM Lab Championship, held on September 28 at MBD House, is a recent example of this approach. The Championship brought together four students each from 16 schools out of the many schools that participated to develop and present technology-led solutions to real-world challenges, with a prize pool of ₹3.25 lakh. More than a standalone event, the Championship gave students an opportunity to put sustained, hands-on learning into practice and demonstrate how access to emerging technologies can translate into confidence, creativity and problem-solving.

Monica Malhotra Kandhari, Managing Director, MBD Group, shared, “Education has been an integral part of MBD Group’s journey and continues to shape the way we think about the future of youth. From our early years in publishing and learning resources, the education landscape has evolved significantly with technology, and MBD has continued to evolve with it. Through Love to Learn and our other initiatives, we want to make emerging technologies and experiential learning more accessible to students across communities, particularly those who may have fewer opportunities to access them.”

Winner of the MBD AI-STEAM Championship, Lavi Public School, Ghevra, New Delhi, said, “Lab on Wheels gave us the opportunity to understand robotics by actually working with the kits, building things and testing our ideas. The MBD AI-STEAM Championship was a chance to take everything we had learnt and put it into practice. The biggest takeaway has been the confidence to build something ourselves and see that our ideas can become real solutions.” 

The well-being of people and communities is an important part of MBD Group’s broader social responsibility approach. Over the years, the Group’s focus has extended beyond education and business growth to initiatives that support mental well-being, physical fitness, community participation, environmental stewardship, animal welfare and outreach to underserved communities. Through the Ashok Karya framework and its wider CSR efforts, MBD continues to recognise that healthier, more resilient communities are an important part of building a better society.

This year’s association with Run Yodha 2026 is one recent expression of that larger focus. The marathon brought employees together on September 27 and encouraged healthier, more active lifestyles while supporting awareness around hunger. The initiative reflects the Group’s belief that well-being is not limited to a single event, but is part of creating a culture in which people are encouraged to look after their physical and mental health and participate in causes beyond the workplace.

Sonica Malhotra Kandhari, Joint Managing Director, MBD Group, said, “As MBD Group marks 70 years, our focus remains on building on the values that have guided us through our journey while responding to the needs of a changing India. The well-being of our people and communities is an important part of that responsibility. Whether through initiatives that encourage physical and mental well-being, create access to learning or give young people exposure to new technologies, we want our efforts to create meaningful and lasting opportunities. Run Yodha is one such example, but our larger commitment extends well beyond any single initiative.”

As MBD Group enters its eighth decade, it remains focused on building on its legacy while responding to the changing needs of people, businesses and communities. The journey ahead will continue to connect the Group’s roots in education and community development with new opportunities in technology, learning, well-being and innovation. For MBD, the 70th Establishment Day is not only a milestone to look back on, but a moment to reaffirm the responsibility of creating meaningful opportunities for the generations ahead.

07th HAI Hoteliers' Conclave 

In his message to the apex body, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has extended his congratulations to the Hotel Association of India (HAI) on the Hoteliers' Conclave 2026 and highlighted that HAI has an important role to play in India's journey towards Viksit Bharat 2047 in ensuring that the tourism potential of every region contributes to the prosperity of the people.

In addition, he expressed hope that the Conclave's deliberations would contribute meaningfully to the future of the industry and the nation.

The Conclave, themed 'Re-engineering Hospitality', brought together leaders from hospitality, tourism, business and policy. They discussed the sector's opportunities, its challenges, and its role in India's growth story.

Speaking on the same, KB Kachru, President, Hotel Association of India (HAI) and Chairman – South Asia, Radisson Hotel Group, said “We are deeply encouraged by the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s message and his recognition of the transformative role of hospitality in India’s tourism and economic journey. His emphasis on skills, technology, regional tourism potential and the enduring importance of human warmth closely reflects the priorities discussed at the meet. As an industry, we remain committed to working with all stakeholders to unlock the full potential of Indian hospitality.” 

The conclave reaffirmed HAI’s commitment to strengthening collaboration across the hospitality and tourism ecosystem and creating an enabling environment for the sector to contribute more significantly to employment, investment, regional development and India’s global tourism proposition.

L-R: Alba Smeriglio, British Deputy High Commissioner, Chandigarh; CII Chandigarh Education Summit Chairman Reekrit Serai; Haryana Education Minister Mahipal Dhandha; CII Chd Director Sumanpreet Singh

Calling for greater collaboration between schools, universities, industry and society, Dhanda said India’s youth must be equipped with the skills and capabilities required to contribute meaningfully to a Viksit Bharat. He invited education and industry leaders to share their ideas and work alongside the government in strengthening the education ecosystem and preparing young people for the opportunities of the future.

“The future is something we build together. The Greater Chandigarh region has all the ingredients to become a model for connecting education, skills and industry. By bringing government, academia and businesses together, we can equip young people with the skills, creativity and adaptability needed for tomorrow. The UK is proud to be a long-term partner in this journey,” said Alba Smeriglio, British Deputy High Commissioner, Chandigarh.

Emphasising the importance of decisions being taken today, Reekrit Serai, Chairman, CII Chandigarh Education Summit 2026 and Managing Director, Satluj Group of Schools, said, “The future is not something our children will one day enter. It is something we are building for them—in our classrooms, our institutions and in the decisions we make today.”

Highlighting the region’s potential, Serai added, “Greater Chandigarh has the ingredients to emerge as a major education and knowledge hub. Panchkula, in particular, has the potential to become a higher-education destination, attracting leading Indian and international universities, including British institutions. Education must ultimately prepare young people not simply for the jobs of today, but to think, adapt, create and lead in the world of tomorrow.”

Vivek Verma, Chairman, CII Chandigarh UT and Managing Director, Spray Engineering Devices Ltd, highlighted the growing impact of technology on education. “The education ecosystem is undergoing a significant transformation, driven by Artificial Intelligence, digital technologies and changing industry requirements. Technology can enable personalised learning, improve access and create new approaches to teaching and assessment, but it must remain an enabler and not a replacement for the human element of education,” he said.

The discussions at the Summit focused on strengthening the school-to-skills-to-industry connect, promoting experiential and vocational learning, enhancing teacher development, integrating emerging technologies and creating greater industry exposure for young learners.

The Summit also brought together perspectives from both the academic and institutional ecosystems, enabling stakeholders to examine how schools, higher-education institutions, policymakers and industry can collectively respond to rapidly changing workforce and societal requirements.

Stakeholders underlined the need for closer collaboration between government, academia and industry to ensure that education remains aligned with evolving workforce requirements while continuing to nurture the broader intellectual, social and human capabilities of young people.

The dialogue reaffirmed CII Chandigarh’s commitment to facilitating industry-led engagement on education and supporting the development of a future-ready, inclusive and skills-oriented education ecosystem.

Karnataka CM Shri D.K. Shivakumar with Eugenix Co-Founders Dr. Pradeep Sethi and Dr. Arika Bansal alongside Dr. Ajay Dharam Singh and Mohammed Azharuddin, at Eugenix Bengaluru

Located at Featherlite Vantage, 100 Feet Road, Indiranagar, the multi-floor centre spans close to 7,000 sq. ft. and is equipped with six operation theatres. The Bengaluru centre is Eugenix's fifth in the country, following its facilities in Gurugram, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Bhubaneswar, and brings its specialised services closer to patients across Bengaluru and the wider Karnataka region.

Speaking at the inauguration, Chief Minister Shri D.K. Shivakumar said, "Inspite of my demanding schedule, I wanted to be here today to personally congratulate Dr. Pradeep and Dr. Arika for bringing Eugenix to Bengaluru. Karnataka has always dreamed big starting from being the Silicon Valley of India, we led India in IT, aerospace and biotechnology, hospitality and also specialised healthcare as part of that legacy. I was happy to hear how Eugenix emphasises medical tourism, bringing world-class, doctor-led expertise to our city and giving patients from across India and beyond a reason to choose Bengaluru. I extend my warmest welcome to Eugenix, and wish Dr. Pradeep, Dr. Arika and their entire team the very best as they continue to grow this institution.”

The Bengaluru launch is a defining moment in Eugenix's journey, one that began over 15 years ago in a small basement clinic in Rishikesh and has since grown into an institution serving patients from across India and overseas. The new centre also responds to a long-standing need among the city's patients, many of whom previously had to travel to Eugenix's other locations for treatment.

Dr. Pradeep Sethi, Co-Founder of Eugenix Hair Sciences and an AIIMS New Delhi alumnus, said, "Having the Hon'ble Chief Minister inaugurate our Bengaluru centre makes this a deeply meaningful milestone for us. We started two decades ago in a small basement in Rishikesh, with a simple belief that hair restoration deserved the same seriousness, precision and individual attention as any other specialised medical field. Bengaluru is a city that represents ambition and innovation, and we are proud to bring our institution here. The infrastructure may be new, but our responsibility to every patient remains the same."

Dr. Arika Bansal, Co-Founder of Eugenix Hair Sciences and an AIIMS New Delhi alumna, added, "Expansion is meaningful only when it lets us serve people better. This expansion in Bengaluru brings our clinical expertise closer to patients who've long travelled to our other centres. We want every person who walks into Eugenix to feel heard and understood not just as a patient, but as an individual with their own story."

Adding a touch of artistry to the occasion, Padma Shri awardee and celebrated sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik created a specially curated sand-art installation to commemorate Eugenix's arrival in Bengaluru. The event also brought together a distinguished gathering of celebrities and prominent personalities, including Mohammed Azharuddin (Hon’ble Minister of Minorities Welfare & Public Enterprises - Telangana), Dr. Ajaydharam Singh ( Minister for Irrigation, Science & Technology-Karnataka) and more, further adding weight to the significance of the launch.

At the heart of Eugenix's practice is its doctor-led model, where surgeons personally oversee every critical stage of the process from diagnosis and treatment planning to hairline design, donor mapping, recipient-site creation and surgical supervision. This blend of surgical precision and individualised planning ensures that each patient's treatment is built around their unique needs, rather than a one-size-fits-all protocol.

With the opening of its Bengaluru centre, Eugenix brings over 15 years of clinical experience and specialised infrastructure to the city, extending its trusted, doctor-led approach to a new community of patients while staying rooted in the principles that have defined the institution since its earliest days.

About Eugenix Hair Sciences
Eugenix Hair Sciences is one of India’s leading hair transplant clinic chains, with centres in Gurugram, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Bhubaneswar, and Bengaluru. Founded by Dr. Pradeep Sethi and Dr. Arika Bansal, both alumni of AIIMS, New Delhi and Fellows of the ISHRS, Eugenix has performed more than 22,000 procedures over 15 years for patients from across the world. The clinic’s signature Direct Hair Transplantation (DHT) technique was introduced through peer-reviewed research published in the Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery in 2013, indexed on PubMed. The Eugenix Gurugram centre is accredited by the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers (NABH), Certificate No. DE-2026-0004.

Percept Live’s 'Aaj Ka Scene' Early Bird Tickets are Live
 

Designed as more than a music festival, Aaj Ka Scene is a bespoke cultural IP that brings together the many dimensions of hip-hop – from Rap, Beatboxing and Breaking to graffiti, streetwear and creator culture. Across two days, the property will bring established names and emerging talent together through live performances, competitions, workshops, creator interactions, games and immersive experiences.

Built as a dynamic platform for participation, discovery and expression, the festival gives artists an opportunity to showcase their craft while inviting audiences to experience, engage with and become part of the culture. From aspiring performers and young creators to Gen Z audiences who live and breathe hip-hop, Aaj Ka Scene is where talent meets opportunity, community meets culture, and the next wave gets its moment in the spotlight.

At the heart of Aaj Ka Scene is a powerful live line-up featuring two artists who represent the energy and evolution of contemporary Indian hip-hop. The festival kicks off on Saturday, 31 October with Sambata, bringing his distinctive rap style, lyrical energy and strong connection with Mumbai’s underground hip-hop movement to the Aaj Ka Scene stage. Known for his authentic street voice and raw, uncompromising energy, Sambata is set to ignite Day 1 and get the scene moving.

On Sunday, 1 November, Karma takes over the stage, bringing the sharp lyricism, storytelling and infectious energy that have made him one of the prominent voices of India’s new-age hip-hop movement. With a sound that resonates strongly with a generation that sees hip-hop as a powerful form of expression, Karma is set to close the Mumbai debut edition on a high.

Together, the two artists bring two distinct sounds, styles and perspectives to Aaj Ka Scene, reflecting the diversity and evolution of India’s hip-hop culture.

But Aaj Ka Scene is not just about who is on stage. It is about who gets discovered next. The festival will put some of India’s most exciting hip-hop disciplines under the spotlight through competitions and showcases spanning Rap, Dance, Beatboxing, Breaking and DJ Culture. For aspiring rappers, dancers, beatboxers, DJs, graffiti artists, creators and culture enthusiasts, Aaj Ka Scene is designed to be more than a weekend out. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to step forward, show up and get seen.

That journey begins even before the festival, with Aaj Ka Scene opening its doors to emerging talent through a digital talent hunt promoted across communities, social media and multiple digital platforms. Aspiring performers can submit a two-minute video across five competition categories -Dance, Rap, Beatboxing, DJing and B-Boying. Entry is Rs. 500 across categories, while Group Dance is Rs. 1,000 for teams of up to 10 members. Importantly, there is no fee to audition - only shortlisted participants pay the entry fee, which also serves as their day pass to the festival. From these entries, organisers and judges will select top performers to take the stage across the two-day festival, battling one-on-one in their respective disciplines, with the last one standing taking the title. The competition will be judged by established artists and credible professionals from each field, while the DJ category gets an added edge with Pioneer, the globally recognised professional DJ equipment brand, as its partner.

But the real prize extends far beyond the trophy. Aaj Ka Scene is designed to give emerging talent a stage today, and a pathway to more stages tomorrow. Winners will get the opportunity to collaborate with established artists and be considered for performance opportunities at future events in their respective disciplines, giving them the chance to turn a breakthrough moment at Aaj Ka Scene into a continuing journey. In that sense, the festival is not simply discovering talent …it is creating opportunities for the next wave of artists to be seen, heard and move forward.

The judging panel will bring together many respected names from multiple genres spanning Hip-Hop, Rap, DJing, Beatbox. Dance and B-Boying. With experienced voices from the culture evaluating emerging talent, Aaj Ka Scene creates a credible platform where skills can be tested, talent can be recognized and the next generation can make its mark.

Aaj Ka Scene will be transforming Phoenix Marketcity into an immersive celebration of hip-hop culture, with experience zones, games, on-ground activations, F&B experiences, creator interactions and community-led programming designed to keep audiences engaged beyond the main stage. From getting into the action to discovering new artists, meeting creators, participating in games and contests, or simply soaking up the atmosphere, every part of the festival is designed to feel participatory, unexpected and unmistakably street.

The festival will also take the experience beyond the venue through college outreach, pre-event contests, giveaways and youth-focused engagement, bringing Aaj Ka Scene directly to the audiences who are shaping the culture today. 

Nikhil Uniyal, Business Head, Percept Live, said “Aaj Ka Scene is our way of giving Mumbai’s hip-hop community a stage that matches the scale of its talent. This isn’t just a festival, it’s a platform where the next generation of artists, dancers and creators get to be seen, heard and celebrated on their own terms. As a new live IP from Percept Live, we wanted to create something bespoke to the culture - a platform that is immersive, participative and genuinely driven by talent. A key part of our vision is also to create a Regional Artist Platform. Our ambition is to build Aaj Ka Scene into a larger cultural movement, taking the IP to audiences and hip-hop communities across India in the coming editions.”

Sonal Shah, Head – Brand Partnership and Sponsorship Sales, Percept Live said, “Aaj Ka Scene is a fresh, culturally relevant IP with enormous potential to connect youth brands with the audiences they want to influence. Its biggest strength is that it brings together music, street culture, creativity and fresh talent in one immersive environment – creating genuine opportunities for brands to engage, not just advertise. With its scope for bespoke experiences, creator-led content and talent discovery, we see Aaj Ka Scene evolving into a strong youth platform that can scale across cities and categories. As the Co-Presenting Partner, Breezer Bold will be integrated into this cultural ecosystem through a combination of on-ground brand experiences, audience engagement and content opportunities, creating meaningful visibility and relevance around the moments that matter to the community. It is this ability to build the brand into the experience, rather than simply place it within the event, that makes Aaj Ka Scene a compelling platform for youth-focused brand partnerships.”

Aaj Ka Scene is presented in association with Breezer Bold as its Co-Presenting Partner, and No Nazar as the official Style Partner.

The debut edition of Aaj Ka Scene takes place on 31 October – 1 November 2026 at Phoenix Marketcity, Kurla, Mumbai, from 1:00 PM to 10:00 PM.

Tickets are priced between Rs. 799 and Rs. 2,499 and are available through Sort My Scene. And that’s not all …some of the earliest ticket buyers are already in for a surprise, with many more unexpected rewards and surprises waiting to unfold along the way.

From discovering new talent and experiencing live performances to competing, creating, connecting and simply soaking in the culture, Aaj Ka Scene is set to become Mumbai’s go-to destination for everything hip-hop. A place where the culture comes alive, the community comes together and there’s always something new to discover.

About Percept Live
Percept Live, established in the year 2012, is a leading Live Media company, and a wholly owned subsidiary of Percept Limited, that offers both live and online immersive, entertaining and experiential platforms to enable brands actively engage with millions of consumers and increase their overall brand experience and impact. Each Percept Live Intellectual Property has been  curated to cater to diverse consumer segments and offers brands a unique, immersive, experiential platform that are larger-than-life, multi-sensory and memorable experiences around the year, across geographies.

Intellectual Properties owned by Percept Live:

• Bollyboom – World’s first and biggest Bollywood Dance Music IP, presenting a scintillating blend of music, dance and lifestyle entertainment experiences encompassing multi-format Live Music Events, Clubs, Lounges, F&B and Merchandize

• Eat Play Love – India’s first bespoke multi-city, multi-cultural Food, Music & Art Festival for the entire family reflecting the amazing diversity and vibrant spirit of India

• Windsong – an exclusive Weekend Outdoor Adventure Music Festival featuring a wide genre of live unplugged music artists, camping, nature, travel, F&B and activities for the adventure enthusiast

• IMS (India Model Search) – India's first and only transparent model search platform offering an equal opportunity to all aspiring fashion models pan-India, inclusive of grooming, nurturing, representing & managing talent, and generation of domestic & global modeling opportunities

• XCC (Xtreme Combat Championship) – India’s first competitive Fight Night sports extravaganza featuring multi-genre Live Fights, Fashion & Entertainment with various lifestyle offerings spanning Gyms, Health Clubs, Health Foods & Beverages, and Action Wear

Percept Live is a Percept company. With a team of over 150 people and 20 offices pan India, Percept is at an enviable leadership position in the Entertainment, Media and Communications domain.

IFQM (Indian Foundation for Quality Management) 2026

Instituted in September 2023, IFQM is an industry-led movement committed to catalysing Indian organisations to become globally competitive and export-capable through Quality, Innovation, and Excellence. Over the years, the IFQM National Symposium has grown into India’s principal platform for the quality and innovation agenda. The inaugural edition of the IFQM National Symposium in 2024 opened with sector-specific discussions across Automotive, Engineering, Aerospace, Defence, Electronics and Digital Engineering R&D. The next edition in 2025 focused on how Quality & Innovation can make India globally competitive. It identified “Needle Movement,” anchored in a Nation First ethos, and brought together top industry leaders and national and international speakers.

The 2026 edition will debut the Pharma and Life Sciences track and, along with Infrastructure, feature an enhanced focus and a wider sectoral net. Pharma and Infrastructure sectors have long operated at scale, but neither has been part of a structured national quality conversation. In this edition, Pharma and Life Sciences will explore ways for India to move beyond generics toward innovative medicine. The panel will discuss and debate infrastructure issues to reimagine India’s infrastructure for global leadership.

The event will witness participation from industry leaders such as Venu Srinivasan (Chairman Emeritus, TVS Motor & Chairman, IFQM), N. Chandrasekaran (Chairman, Tata Sons), Dilip Shanghvi (MD, Sun Pharmaceuticals), Dr. Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw (Executive Chairperson, Biocon Group, (Virtual presence)), S.N. Subrahmanyan (Chairman & MD, L&T), TV Narendran (CEO & MD, Tata Steel), Dr. Randhir Thakur (CEO & MD, Tata Electronics), K.N. Radhakrishnan (Director & CEO, TVS Motor Company), Salil Gupte (President, Boeing India & South Asia), Dr. Randhir Thakur – Managing Director and CEO, Tata Electronics.

The symposium will feature keynote addresses and special sessions by a distinguished line-up of leaders, bringing perspectives from automotive, technology, manufacturing, infrastructure and quality management.

• Mr. Euisung (Ernie) Kim - Executive Vice President & Head of Quality Division, Hyundai Motor Group

• Mr. Akinori Onodera - President & CEO, EARTHBRAIN Ltd

• Mr. Frank Sieren – China Specialist and Bestselling Author

• Mr. Masahiko Mori - President & Group CEO, DMG MORI

• Mr. Stefan Grosch - Member of the Board of Management and Director of Industrial Relations, Robert Bosch GmbHr

• Mr. Yugo Miyamoto - Managing Director, Kaizen Saudi Arabia, Abdul Latif Jameel

• Special address by Mr. Masato Onodera - Managing Director, JUSE

Panel discussions are planned around:

• Pharma & Life Sciences: Moving Beyond Generics

• From Scale to Excellence: Reimagining Infrastructure

• IFQM as force multiplier

• Humble beginning to Global Standards

• Transforming India into a Trusted Global Electronics Hub

• Making Business Smart: Deploying AI for Manufacturing and Services

An exclusive session, “Creating Force Multipliers for the Industry-led Movement – Boardroom Vision to Shop Floor Excellence,” will bring together senior CEOs and CXOs to discuss how boardroom vision can translate into measurable improvements and excellence on the shop floor.

Sharing his thoughts about the Symposium, Mr. Soumitra Bhattacharya, CEO & Director, IFQM, said, “India’s aspiration of Viksit Bharat demands that quality and innovation become national force multipliers. The Symposium is a call to action for industry, government, and academia to embed excellence into every process, product, and partnership. Through insights from eminent speakers and collaborative dialogue among leaders, we aim to identify measurable milestones and practical pathways that help organizations achieve greater impact on this industry-led movement, with enhanced intent, speed, and effectiveness. By driving broader participation from Indian industry and academia, we can accelerate economic growth through the twin engines of Quality and Innovation, ensuring our enterprises lead with credibility, resilience, and impact.”

Major takeaways from last year’s symposium included the critical role of MSMEs in India’s growth and the need to strengthen their quality culture through better access to finance, technology, skilling, infrastructure and simplified compliance. Despite challenges such as low R&D and digitalization, MSMEs have strong potential across emerging sectors and global value chains. Strengthening their capabilities is key to improving India’s competitiveness, exports and sustainable growth.

The 2026 symposium agenda, building on last year's takeaways, will feature a broad spectrum of sessions exploring how India can accelerate its journey toward becoming a self-reliant, inclusive, and globally respected nation. Discussions will examine India’s current standing in global quality, productivity, and innovation; the pathways to achieve ambitious 2030 targets; the role of industry–academia partnerships in enabling growth; and how innovation can be deployed to address systemic barriers.

Over two days, the symposium will feature 25+ sessions, 50+ speakers covering national priorities, sectoral deep dives and cross-cutting enablers.

• Day 1 will feature key sessions on Pharma & Life Sciences, Infrastructure, IFQM’s cross-sector impact, and India’s ambition to become a trusted global electronics hub, preceded by a keynote on:

• “Enabling Viksit Bharat: Quality as National Force Multiplier” by Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, Hon’ble Union Minister, and Mr. N. Chandrasekaran, Executive Chairman, Tata Sons

• “Powering Viksit Bharat – ‘Scale without boundaries” by Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, Hon’ble Minister of Communications; and Minister of Development of North-Eastern Region, Government of India and Mr. Venu Srinivasan – Chairman, IFQM

• Day 2 will begin with a keynote on “Wings of Viksit Bharat: Transforming India into a Global Aviation Hub” by Shri Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu, Hon’ble Minister of Civil Aviation, and Mr. T. V. Narendran, CEO & MD, Tata Steel. Other highlights include AI for manufacturing and services and the IFQM–JUSE global partnership.

• The symposium will conclude with key takeaways from Mr. Soumitra Bhattacharya, CEO & Director, IFQM, and speakers from TVS Motor Company and Tata Steel.

About IFQM

Instituted in the year 2023, IFQM is the Indian Foundation for Quality Management (IFQM) that is committed to the promotion of transformative changes across Indian industries. It seeks to institutionalize a culture of quality that meets and exceeds global standards. It is about bringing in continuous improvements of both products and services, thereby elevating the perception about Brand India. Committed to the prosperity and quality of life of all, IFQM functions as a catalyst in making Indian businesses globally respected with cooperative trust, respect, empathy, and mutual sharing. Through its initiatives, IFQM supports India's journey towards becoming a developed nation by 2047, with an emphasis on innovation, excellence, and stakeholder engagement across sectors.

The IFQM Governing Council: Mr. N. Chandrasekaran, Chairman, Tata Sons | Mr. Dilip Sanghvi, MD, Sun Pharmaceuticals | Ms. Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, Executive Chairperson, Biocon Biologics | Mr. TV Narendran, CEO & MD, Tata Steel Limited | Mr. K.N. Radhakrishnan, Director & CEO, TVS Motor Co | Dr. Randhir Thakur, CEO & MD, Tata Electronics Pvt. Ltd. | Mr. Salil Gupte, President, Boeing India & South Asia | Mr. SN Subrahmanyan, Chairman & MD, Larsen & Toubro | Mr. Venu Srinivasan, Chairman Emeritus, TVS Motor Co & Chairman, IFQM |

IFQM on Web: ifqm.org.in

IFQM Events: events.ifqm.org.in

IFQM on social media: www.linkedin.com/company/ifqm

The interaction was arranged to introduce Port City Colombo to CREDAI Chennai members and provide them exposure to a world class development. The initiative was relevant to members as it enabled them to understand the project, its development framework and the opportunities that may be of interest to real estate developers and allied industry professionals.

Key Takeaways from Port City Colombo’s Presentation to CREDAI Chennai Members

Chennai’s strategic location in close proximity to Colombo, together with the longstanding commercial and cultural links between Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka, makes this interaction particularly relevant to CREDAI Chennai members. This geographical proximity provides Chennai-based developers and professionals with an opportunity to understand a nearby regional market and independently explore potential areas of engagement in real estate development, construction, design and allied services.

Members also had the opportunity to interact directly with the Port City Colombo representatives, seek relevant information and independently assess the opportunities based on their respective business interests and priorities.

Mr. Thiru A.R. Rahul Nadh, IAS, Member Secretary, Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA), attended the programme as the distinguished guest and delivered a special address. The programme was also attended by CREDAI Chennai office bearers, member developers, industry representatives and representatives of Port City Colombo.

Speaking on behalf of CREDAI Chennai, Mr. Mehul H. Doshi, President, CREDAI Chennai, said, “Our objective was to showcase Port City Colombo to our members and government officials. It has a great master plan and since the Tamil Nadu government is considering establishing an AI city, this can serve as a good model for the same. The interaction enabled members to obtain relevant information directly and independently assess whether any of the opportunities align with their respective business interests. Chennai and Colombo share longstanding geographical and commercial ties, and such interactions can contribute to greater professional engagement between the two cities.”

Speaking on the significance of the interaction, Mr. Thulci Aluwihare, Deputy Managing Director, CHEC Port City Colombo (Pvt) Ltd., said, “Chennai is a natural starting point for this conversation, given its proximity to Colombo and strong real estate ecosystem. India, and South India in particular, is an important market for Port City Colombo. This interaction with CREDAI Chennai provided an opportunity for the Indian real estate community to understand the Port City development and further strengthen cross border investment ties. We look forward to continuing this dialogue and exploring areas of mutual interest.”

About Port City Colombo

Port City Colombo is a modern, master-planned city development envisioned as a world-class international business and lifestyle hub in South Asia. Spanning 269 hectares along the main East–West maritime route, it is Sri Lanka’s first foreign currency-designated multi-services Special Economic Zone (SEZ) and the country’s largest public–private partnership development project. Governed by the Colombo Port City Economic Commission, the project operates under a dedicated regulatory framework that offers internationally benchmarked standards, strong investor protection, ease of doing business, and competitive fiscal and non-fiscal incentives.

Designed to attract high-value Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), Port City Colombo facilitates sectors including financial services, IT and digital services, global trading, maritime and logistics, professional services, and regional headquarters operations. Upon completion, the estimated US$15 billion development is expected to generate significant employment, knowledge transfer, and long-term economic growth for Sri Lanka.

For more information, visit www.portcitycolombo.lk

Highlights from the ARISE Learning Festival 2026—powerful conversations, distinguished voices, and the launch of AI Adoption for K-12: Moving Beyond Experimentation

Held around the theme ‘Connected Schools – Building Communities. Inspiring Futures,’ this year’s Festival was designed as an immersive, delegate-centred experience moving beyond a conventional conference format to combine school visits, keynotes and conversations with masterclasses, student voices, school showcases, partner and exhibitor engagements, peer learning and networking.
 

The Festival began with curated school tours across India on September 24 and across Delhi-NCR on September 25, offering delegates an opportunity to experience first-hand how schools are building collaborative cultures, strong communities and future-ready learning environments. The initiative brought together 6 host schools across India and 11 schools across Delhi-NCR*.
 

The learning continued at the Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi, through interactive masterclasses and breakout conversations spanning teacher development, school leadership, institutional culture, technology and AI, digital resilience, student wellbeing, curriculum leadership and future readiness.
 

A key knowledge outcome of the Festival was the launch of the FICCI–ARISE–EY-Parthenon Knowledge Report, AI Adoption Plan for K12: Moving beyond Experimentation, focused on enabling schools to move from experimentation with artificial intelligence towards more purposeful and responsible adoption.
 

Perspectives shaping the future of education

Deepak Bagla, Mission Director, Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog, shared perspectives on how schools can evolve from standalone innovation initiatives into connected ecosystems linking young people with creativity, entrepreneurship, problem-solving, partnerships and real-world opportunities. He highlighted the role of leadership and collaboration in embedding innovation more deeply within school culture.
 

Bringing a perspective from beyond education, Shikhar Dhawan, Chairman, Da One Group and former Indian international cricketer, drew upon his journey in high-performance sport, entrepreneurship and community initiatives to reflect on resilience, discipline, confidence and purpose. The conversation explored how schools and communities can create the conditions that help young people navigate challenges, build self-belief and translate their potential into meaningful achievement.
 

Patrick Derham OBE, former Head Master of Westminster School, Rugby School and Solihull School, drew on his extensive experience of school leadership to reflect on the fundamentals that continue to matter in education purpose, service, shared values, relationships and the strength of the school community. His reflections reinforced the importance of looking beyond academic outcomes to the broader role schools play in shaping young people.
 

Nikole Blanchard, Head of Educational Technology and Innovation, LSU Laboratory School, brought the conversation to the intersection of technology and humanity, highlighting the distinctly human capabilities young people will continue to need including curiosity, creativity, empathy, judgement, collaboration, courage and imagination as schools prepare students for an increasingly unpredictable future.
 

Students at the centre

Student voice formed an important part of the Festival. A main-stage student panel brought together students from government and private schools to share their perspectives on learning, wellbeing, belonging, creativity, purpose and what they would like the next generation of schooling to look like. The conversation placed students not simply as recipients of education, but as important participants in shaping its future.
 

Students were also visible across the Festival through presentations and showcases, bringing their ideas, creativity and work directly into the delegate experience.
 

From conference to experience

A defining feature of this year’s Learning Festival was its emphasis on participation and experience. The ARISE Experience Zone, school showcases, student presentations, partner and exhibitor engagements and interactive formats created opportunities for delegates to discover new practices and solutions, engage directly with innovators and connect with peers.
 

Across the programme, practitioners and experts also explored some of the most pressing questions facing schools today from the changing role of teachers and curriculum leadership to AI-enabled school management, career readiness, wellbeing, safeguarding and institutional culture.
 

Together, these formats sought to ensure that delegates did not simply listen to conversations about the future of education, but could experience ideas in practice, interact with those implementing them and build connections that could continue beyond the Festival.
 

Celebrating excellence in school education

The Festival culminated with the 4th Edition of the FICCI supported ARISE Excellence Awards, celebrating exemplary and innovative practices across school education.
 

The Awards drew participation from schools across the country, with an almost equal representation of government and private schools, reflecting the breadth and diversity of India’s school education ecosystem. Entries underwent a structured evaluation process involving an Interim Jury followed by a Grand Jury, with EY serving as the official tabulator.
 

The Awards ceremony also saw the release of the FICCI-supported ARISE Excellence Awards Compendium, showcasing exemplary practices and initiatives from participating schools and enabling their learnings to reach the wider education community.
 

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Arunabh Singh, President, ARISE; Co-founder & Director, Healthy Planet Schools & Nehru World School, said, “Connected schools are ultimately about people students, teachers, leaders and communities learning from and strengthening one another. Through the ARISE Learning Festival, we wanted to move beyond a conventional conference and create an experience where delegates could see, participate, exchange and connect. The diversity of voices represented this year from government and private schools to students, policymakers, experts and industry demonstrates the power of bringing the ecosystem together.”

The ARISE Learning Festival 2026 (in collaboration with FICCI) reinforced the need for schools to remain connected, adaptive and deeply human-centred as they prepare young people for a rapidly evolving world. By bringing together ideas, lived experiences and on-ground practices, the Festival sought to translate conversations about the future of education into opportunities for learning, collaboration and action.

*List of ARISE host schools:

For Delhi NCR, Host School are as follows:
1. Pathways World School, Gurugram, Haryana
2. Healthy Planet School, Noida, Uttar Pradesh
3. Khaitan World School, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh
4. Heritage International Xperiential School, Gurugram, Haryana
5. The Shri Ram School, Aravali, Gurugram, Haryana
6. The Ardee School, New delhi
7. Delhi Public School, Sector-45, Gurgaon, Haryana
8. Silverline Prestige School, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh
9. Vasant Valley, New Delhi
10. Nehru World School, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh
11. Shiv Nadar School, Noida, Uttar Pradesh

For PAN India, Host Schools are as follow:
1. The Ardee School, Sangolda, Goa
2. Valistus International School, Whitefield, Bangalore, Karnataka
3. Walnut School, Pune, Maharashtra
4. The Newtown School, Kolkata, West Bengal
5. Sagebrook International School, Hyderabad, Telangana
6. Grassroots Global Early Years, Patna, Bihar

Musclemind X RUNYODHA

Fitness icon and RUNYODHA ambassador Milind Soman was also present at the event. As part of its association with RUNYODHA 2026, Mr. Bharat Gupta, Founder & Chairman, Musclemind, presented trophies to winners across various race categories.

Speaking about the association, Mr. Bharat Gupta, said, “RUNYODHA brought together people from different age groups and backgrounds around fitness and a larger social purpose. For us at Musclemind, it was an opportunity to celebrate the determination of the participants and recognise their achievements. We are glad to have been part of an event that encourages people to make fitness a more consistent part of their everyday lives.”

Musclemind also engaged with participants through an on-ground product showcase and consumer engagement activities on 26th and 27th September, 2026.

Through its association with RUNYODHA 2026, Musclemind continues to engage with platforms that encourage active lifestyles, fitness and community participation.

About Musclemind

Musclemind is a premium Activeleisure apparel brand built around the philosophy of “Workout to Weekend.” Combining performance, style and comfort, the brand creates versatile clothing designed to move seamlessly between workouts, everyday activities and moments of relaxation. Its approach brings together innovative materials, functional design and quality craftsmanship to support active lifestyles without compromising on style. Beyond apparel, Musclemind aims to inspire movement, wellness and a community that embraces both physical activity and everyday balance. With its “Make Your Mark” philosophy, the brand encourages individuals to pursue their goals with confidence, on and off the training floor.

For more information, visit www.musclemind.com.

The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) launched its first-ever International Lantern Spectacular on the 17th of September and continues till the 4th of October at Victoria Park. Featuring more than 3,000 distinctive lanterns from 20 countries and regions, alongside a collection of National Intangible Cultural Heritage Nanjing Qinhuai lantern installations and traditional Hong Kong lanterns, the event has attracted large numbers of locals and visitors to enjoy the displays and capture memorable photos.

At the Water Fountain Plaza, Dragon Gate features a pair of leaping carp forming a circular motif, complemented by intricately hand-painted auspicious cloud and water patterns that take on a translucent, radiant glow after dark. At the Model Boat Pool, the seven-metre-tall Moonlit Lotus creates a captivating scene as its luminous full moon is reflected alongside illuminated lotus lanterns on the water, evoking the enchanting beauty of a moonlit lotus pond.

The distinctly local Hong Kong Lantern Galleria, located in Victoria Park’s Hill Knoll Pavilion, showcased more than 1,000 traditional handcrafted local lanterns in nearly 20 classic designs, such as goldfish, rabbit, star fruit, and lotus flower. Recreating lively scenes of traditional street-side lantern-viewing celebrations, the display highlights Hong Kong’s unique Mid-Autumn traditions and evokes the charm and nostalgia of the festive season.

HKTB has partnered with Po Leung Kuk to set up a specialty mooncake booth at the South Pavilion Plaza in Victoria Park from now until 20 September, selling a wide range of specialty mooncakes, including Suzhou-style mooncakes from Shanghai, Yunnan ham mooncakes, and Chiuchow-style mooncakes filled with taro paste, black bean paste, or mung bean paste. All proceeds will be donated to Po Leung Kuk for charitable purposes, adding a heartwarming touch and festive flavour to the lantern-viewing journey.

Citywide Festivities and Special Offers Encourage Visitors to Extend Their Stay and Discover Hong Kong

Alongside the International Lantern Spectacular, the city will host a range of major Mid-Autumn activities, including the Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance from 24 to 26 September. To help locals and visitors plan their festive itineraries, HKTB has curated a citywide roundup of Mid-Autumn highlights and offers presented by shopping malls and merchants across Hong Kong. These include lantern viewing and photo-taking hotspots, culinary experiences, special promotions on mooncakes and festive souvenirs, shopping rewards, and seasonal markets. By encouraging visitors to go beyond Victoria Park and explore various neighbourhoods, the initiative showcases Hong Kong’s festive charm, where Eastern and Western cultures converge, and tradition meets modernity, while stimulating visitor spending and benefiting the wider tourism economy.

About Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB)

The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) is a government-subvented body tasked to market and promote Hong Kong as a travel destination worldwide and enhance visitors' experience once they arrive. These include making recommendations to the Government and other relevant bodies on the range and quality of visitor facilities. The HKTB's missions are to maximise the social and economic contribution made by tourism to the community of Hong Kong and to consolidate Hong Kong's position as a unique, world-class, and most desired destination.

Prakhar Kapoor, Co-Founder & Head Marketing; Kapil Chopra Founder, EazyDiner & The Postcard Hotel; Sachin Pabreja, Co-Founder & CEO; Ahana P Clayton, Co-Founder & COO

The EazyDiner Foodie Awards are a people's choice honour. Over 850 restaurants were nominated across 102 categories, and the winners were decided by the votes of EazyDiner users. More than 3 lakh diners voted this year. Chefs, restaurateurs, hoteliers, F&B entrepreneurs and food lovers from across the region came together for the night.

Highlights from the EazyDiner Foodie Awards, Delhi NCR Edition, featuring Founder Kapil Chopra, industry leaders and cricketer Yuvraj Singh felicitating the winners

Often called the Oscars of Indian dining, the EazyDiner Foodie Awards recognise every part of eating out, from hotel restaurants, buffets and Sunday brunches to cafes, bakeries, microbreweries, and neighbourhood favourites.

Honouring the people behind Delhi's hospitality

The evening's leadership honours were presented by Kapil Chopra, Founder, EazyDiner; Gautam Aggarwal, Division President, South Asia and Country Corporate Officer, Mastercard; and Yuvraj Singh, Indian cricketer and World Champion. The honourees were:

• Deeksha Suri, Executive Director, The LaLiT Suri Hospitality Group, was named Hospitality Trailblazer of the Year. She took the group into cities such as Ayodhya and Vrindavan and built one of hospitality's most credible inclusion programmes, opening careers to the LGBTQIA+ community, acid attack survivors and neurodivergent talent.

• Kush Kapoor, CEO, Roseate Hotels & Resorts, received Hospitality Leader of the Year for growing a single Delhi property into a design-led luxury portfolio across India and the UK.

• Bibhor Srivastava, Managing Director, ITP Media India, the home of Hotelier India, was honoured as The Voice of Hospitality for giving Indian hospitality a platform to meet, share and grow.

• Natwar Nagar, Founder, The People Network and The Job Plus, received the award for Leadership in Hospitality Workforce Development, having trained and placed thousands of young people in hospitality careers.

• Abhimanyu Lodha, General Manager, The Lodhi, New Delhi, was named General Manager of the Year. He has steered The Lodhi to a Michelin Key and back-to-back FHRAI General Manager of the Year honours.

• Atul Tiwari, Director of Operations, The Leela Palace New Delhi, was named F&B Head of the Year. A former Indian Sommelier Champion, he joined the hotel's pre-opening team in 2010 and rose from restaurant manager at MEGU to lead F&B.

• Chef Manish Sharma, Executive Chef, The Oberoi, New Delhi, was named Chef of the Year. With close to two decades at Oberoi Hotels & Resorts, he pairs classical technique with a contemporary touch while mentoring the next generation of chefs.

• Shafquat Ali, Publisher of Hospitality Horizon and CEO, Trikaya Media Group, received Editorial Excellence in Hospitality Journalism for three decades of telling the stories of Indian hospitality across India and the Gulf.

The night's headline honours

ITC Maurya, New Delhi was named Food & Beverage Hotel of the Year. For over four decades it has been Delhi's address of choice for visiting heads of state, and it is home to Bukhara, Dum Pukht and Avartana.

Restaurant Opening of the Year went to Nisaba, Chef Manish Mehrotra's first independent restaurant, set within the Humayun's Tomb Museum Complex, and to Raga, a homecoming for chef Gaggan Anand, bringing his distinctive approach to Indian food to Delhi after years of international acclaim in Bangkok. The LaLiT was named Most Inclusive Hotel Chain in India.

Delhi's legacy names had their moment too. Haldiram's received The Legacy of Indian Dining, Bikanervala was named The Pride of Indian Dining, Punjab Grill took The Nation's Favourite Indian Dining Brand, and Connaught Place institutions Kwality and United Coffee House were named The Legacy Legend of the City.

Among the hotel dining winners, Kheer at Roseate House, New Delhi was named The Best Indian Restaurant in a Hotel, where regional Indian cooking is served with a lighter, contemporary hand in one of the capital's quietest luxury dining rooms.

Farmers Basket at Pullman New Delhi Aerocity took The Best Sunday Brunch, a long, unhurried afternoon of live counters and global spreads that has become a weekend fixture for Aerocity regulars.

And MEGU at The Leela Palace, New Delhi won The Best Japanese Restaurant in a Hotel, bringing precise sushi, robata and Japanese fine dining to a room built around its signature Buddha and bell.

A word from EazyDiner

Speaking at the awards, Kapil Chopra, Founder, EazyDiner, said, "The EazyDiner Foodie Awards belong to Delhi's diners. Every winner tonight was chosen by the people who book the tables, bring their families and keep coming back. This year's nominees show how much range the city has, from Kwality and United Coffee House to legendary chains like Haldiram’s and Punjab Grill that everyone is talking about. To every chef, restaurateur and hotelier here tonight, thank you for giving Delhi so many reasons to dine out."

Partners

The EazyDiner Foodie Awards 2026, Delhi edition, was made possible by Hospitality Partner The LaLiT, New Delhi; Associate Partners UNOX, BMW Bird Automotive and Byufuel; and Experience Partners Johnnie Walker, Grover Vineyards, Bad Monkey and Lion Brewery.

EazyDiner Foodie Awards 2026, Delhi NCR: the winners

Leadership and special honours

Hospitality Trailblazer of the Year: Deeksha Suri, Executive Director, The LaLiT Suri Hospitality Group

Hospitality Leader of the Year: Kush Kapoor, CEO, Roseate Hotels & Resorts

The Voice of Hospitality: Bibhor Srivastava, Managing Director, ITP Media India

Leadership in Hospitality Workforce Development: Natwar Nagar, Founder, The People Network & The Job Plus

General Manager of the Year: Abhimanyu Lodha, General Manager, The Lodhi, New Delhi

F&B Head of the Year: Atul Tiwari, Director of Operations, The Leela Palace New Delhi

Chef of the Year: Chef Manish Sharma, Executive Chef, The Oberoi, New Delhi

Editorial Excellence in Hospitality Journalism: Shafquat Ali, Publisher, Hospitality Horizon, and CEO, Trikaya Media Group

Food & Beverage Hotel of the Year: ITC Maurya, New Delhi

Restaurant Opening of the Year: Nisaba, Humayun's Tomb Museum Complex, New Delhi; Raga, Windsor Place, New Delhi

Most Inclusive Hotel Chain in India: The LaLiT, New Delhi

Ambassador of Taste: namasteyculture, New Delhi

The Authentic Indian Plate: Masaldani, Aditya Ancora, Noida

Best Hotel dining

The Best Indian Restaurant in a Hotel: The Great Kabab Factory, Radisson Blu Plaza, Delhi Airport; Kheer, Roseate House, New Delhi

The Best Sunday Brunch: Farmers Basket, Pullman New Delhi Aerocity

The Best European Cuisine in a Hotel: San Gimignano, The Imperial, New Delhi

The Best Cocktail Bar in a Hotel: The Brewhouse, Radisson Gurugram, Sohna Road City Center; Lyrah Alfresco Bar, Trident, Gurgaon

The Best Luxury Buffet in a Hotel: K3, JW Marriott Aerocity, New Delhi

The Best Vegetarian Buffet in a Hotel: 64/6, Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Ghaziabad

The Best Asian Cuisine in a Hotel: Erawaan, The Claridges, New Delhi; OKO, The LaLiT, New Delhi

The Best Chinese Restaurant in a Hotel: Shang Palace, Shangri-La Eros, New Delhi

The Best Japanese Restaurant in a Hotel: MEGU, The Leela Palace, New Delhi

The Best All-Day Dining Restaurant in a Hotel: Spectra, The Leela Ambience, Gurugram; The One, Le Meridien, New Delhi

The Best Italian Restaurant in a Hotel: Cena Pranzo- Italian Eatery, Grand Hyatt, Gurgaon; La Piazza, Hyatt Regency, New Delhi

The Best Cafe in a Hotel: Seasonal Tastes, The Westin, Gurgaon; Latest Recipe, Le Meridien, Gurgaon

The Best South Indian Restaurant in a Hotel: Dakshin, Sheraton, New Delhi

The Best Pan-Asian Restaurant in a Hotel: 32 East, The Leela Ambience Convention Hotel, New Delhi

The Best Debutant Restaurant in a Hotel: Tyde, The Park, New Delhi; Del One, WelcomHotel Dwarka, New Delhi

The Best Rooftop Bar Experience in a Hotel: The Flying Trunk, Novotel City Centre, Delhi NCR

The Family Favourite Buffet: SXVIII, Radisson Blu MBD Hotel, Noida; Level 2, Radisson Blu, Paschim Vihar

The Family Favourite Hotel Dining: Singh Sahib, Eros Hotel, Nehru Place

The Best Contemporary Buffet: Cafe NH8, Radisson Gurugram Udyog Vihar; DKK - Dilli Kanteen Kitchen, The Grand, New Delhi

The Best High-Energy Restobar: Romeo Lane, Grand Hyatt, Gurgaon

The Ultimate Corporate Table: Ssence, The Suryaa Hotel, New Delhi; Asia Alive, DoubleTree by Hilton, Gurugram

Restaurants, breweries and cafes

The Pride of Indian Dining: Bikanervala, Multiple outlets

The Legacy of Indian Dining: Haldiram's, Multiple outlets

The Nation's Favourite Indian Dining Brand: Punjab Grill, Multiple outlets

The Legacy Legend of the City: Kwality, Connaught Place; United Coffee House, Connaught Place

The Best Indian Restaurant: Karigari by Chef Harpal Singh Sokhi, Janpath, Connaught Place; SILQ, Chanakyapuri

The Best Modern Indian Restaurant: Anardana, Delhi NCR

The Best North Indian Restaurant: Daryaganj, Delhi NCR; Desi Vibes, Delhi NCR

The Best South Indian Restaurant: Dasaprakash, Delhi NCR

The Best Regional Cuisine Restaurant: At Majlis, Sector 104, Noida; Yeti - The Himalayan Kitchen, Cyber Hub, Gurugram

The Best Coastal Cuisine Restaurant: Sanadige at Malcha, Chanakyapuri

The Best Trendsetter Restaurant: Qavalli, Delhi NCR

Most Celebrated Culinary Restaurant: MKT, Chanakya Mall, New Delhi; Havemore, Delhi NCR

The Best Artistic Dining Experience: Arts Room, Malviya Nagar, New Delhi

The Best All-Day Dining: Under The Neem, Sector 80, Gurugram; On Kourse All Day Dining, Karma Lakelands, Manesar

The Best Multicuisine Restaurant: Gola Sizzler, Delhi NCR

The Best Asian Restaurant: Kylin Experience, DLF Mall of India, Sector 18, Noida

The Best Pan Asian Restaurant: Mamagoto, Delhi NCR; YouMee, Delhi NCR

The Best Chinese Restaurant: Nanking, Vasant Kunj; P.F. Chang's, Delhi NCR

Most Loved Chinese Restaurant Chain: Berco's, Multiple outlets

The Best Japanese Restaurant: EBISU Fine Japanese Cuisine, Delhi NCR; INJA, New Friends Colony, South Delhi

The Best Thai Restaurant: Nara Thai, Golf Course Road, Gurugram; Easy Tiger by Boraan Thai, The Kitchens, Gurugram

The Best Sushi in Town: Sticky Rice, Delhi NCR

The Best Ramen in Town: Kampai, Aerocity

The Best Italian Restaurant: Olive Bar & Kitchen, Mehrauli, South Delhi; Andrea's Eatery, Select Citywalk, Saket

The Best European Restaurant: Vicoli, Global Foyer Mall, Gurugram

The Best Mediterranean Restaurant: The Fio Table, The Kitchens, Gurugram

The Best Vegetarian Restaurant: Annyatra, RCube Monad, Rajouri Garden; Unico, Global Foyer Mall, Gurugram

The Best Vegetarian Family Chain: Indus Flavour (Proudly Vegetarian), Multiple outlets

The Best Vegan Restaurant: Greenr Cafe, Delhi NCR

The Best Buffet Restaurant: The Barbeque Times, Delhi NCR; Pirates of Grill Grande, Delhi NCR

The Best Barbeque Chain: Themis Barbecue House, Multiple outlets

Most Romantic Restaurant: QLA, Mehrauli, South Delhi; House of Migo, Sector 143, Noida

The Best Themed Restaurant: Matram, Reliance Mall, Dwarka; Ilios, Delhi NCR

The Best Social Dining Experience: Nukkad Cafe and Bar, Multiple outlets

The Best Debutant Restaurant: By The Bay, Pacific Mall, NSP

The Best Cafe: Laidback Cafe, Delhi NCR; Cafe Delhi Heights, Delhi NCR

Most Loved Coffee Spot: Barista Coffee, Multiple outlets

The Best Breakfast Spot in Town: Chaileela, Sector 104, Noida; Veedu Southern Kitchen, Galleria Market, Gurugram

The Best Desserts in Town: Paul, Delhi NCR

The Best Baker in Town: Harajuku Bakehouse, Multiple outlets

The Best Pizza in Town: PizzaExpress, Delhi NCR; Jamie's Pizzeria, Vegas Mall, Dwarka

The Best Gourmet Pizza: Tossin Pizza, Multiple outlets

The Best Pizzeria & BBQ: TBSP - Tablespoon, Multiple outlets

The Best Burger in Town: Chili's, Delhi NCR; Plats, Malviya Nagar, South Delhi

The Best Bar in Town: Clock Tower, Golf Course Road, Gurugram

The Best Cocktail Bar: Whisky Samba, Horizon Center, Gurugram

The Best Mixology Concept: Grammie, R.K. Puram, New Delhi

The Best Speakeasy Bar: Soda Shopp, Hauz Khas, South Delhi

The Best Experiential Bar: Japonico, Golf Course Road, Gurugram

The Best Innovative Bar: She's Here, Gurgaon

The Best Themed Bar: Tubata, Pitampura, North Delhi

The Best Lounge Bar: Mayfair, Sector 13, Dwarka; Naarma, Epicuria Mall, Nehru Place

The Best Rooftop Restobar: Potions, Mehrauli, South Delhi; Koca, Golf Avenue 42, Gurgaon

The Best in Nightlife: Lord of the Drinks, Connaught Place; Rubarru Gardens, Galleria Mall, Sector 38, Noida

The Best Casual Drink & Dine Restaurant: Social, Multiple outlets; TGI Friday's, Multiple outlets

Super Hangout Spot: One8 Commune, Delhi NCR

Gen Z's Hot Pick: Covah - The Cavern, Sector 43, Gurugram

The Best of Gigs & Events: The Piano Man, Delhi NCR; Ministry of Beer, Indirapuram, Ghaziabad

The Best Debutant Bar: The Drop - Coffee & Cocktails, Hauz Khas, South Delhi

The Best Microbrewery: Downtown, Delhi NCR

The Crowd's Favourite Microbrewery: Fort City Brewing, Hauz Khas; ASUR: Microbrewery & Kitchen, Moti Nagar, New Delhi

Emerging Brewery in Town: Brewtally Honest, Connaught Place; Zythos Loft Bar and Brew, Entertainland Mall, Gurugram

The Best Beer on Tap: The Beer Cafe, Multiple outlets; Open Tap, Sohna Road, Gurugram

About EazyDiner

EazyDiner is India's leading dining discovery, table booking and restaurant payments platform. Founded by a team of top chefs, hoteliers and food experts, it helps diners discover the right restaurant, book a table in seconds and save on the bill at 40,000+ restaurants across 150+ cities in India and the UAE. Diners can pay their bill in the app with PayEazy and use 425+ credit and debit card offers, while EazyDiner Prime members get guaranteed 25% off at 2,000+ premium restaurants and cafes.

Book a table at any of this year's winners on EazyDiner: www.eazydiner.com
Source: www.eazydiner.com/food-trends/eazydiner-foodie-awards-2026-delhi-full-winners-list

Unified Voice Earns Two Prestigious 2026 Awards for Enterprise Communication Excellence

Earlier this month, Unified Voice received the “Best Enterprise Voice & Connectivity Solutions Provider 2026” award at the 18th BPO Innovation Summit & Awards 2026, organised by UBS Forums in Bengaluru.

The recognition highlighted the company’s work in providing integrated voice and connectivity infrastructure for BPOs, contact centres and enterprises with business-critical communication requirements. Mr. Shivaji Rajan, Director – Sales, received the first award on behalf of Unified Voice Communication Pvt. Ltd.

Unified Voice subsequently received a Certificate of Excellence for “Innovation in Voice & Unified Communications” at the Times Business Awards Chennai 2026, held at Hilton Chennai on September 17, 2026.

Mrs. Gayathri Patel, Director of Unified Voice Communication Pvt. Ltd., accepted the recognition on behalf of the company. It was presented by Hon’ble Thiru B. Rajkumar, Minister for Housing and Urban Development, Government of Tamil Nadu, and actor Ms. Shriya Saran.

The two recognitions reflect Unified Voice’s continued focus on helping organisations establish reliable, scalable and secure communication environments.

Unified Voice’s enterprise portfolio includes SIP trunking, Cloud and IP PBX, contact-centre solutions, unified communications, AI-powered call intelligence, managed voice services and high-availability data connectivity.

The company supports these solutions with consultation, local implementation assistance, 24×7 network monitoring and managed technical support. Its teams assess each customer’s operational requirements, call volumes, usage patterns, business-continuity needs and infrastructure before recommending an appropriate solution.

Commenting on the recognitions, Mrs. Gayathri Patel, Director of Unified Voice Communication Pvt. Ltd., said, “These recognitions reflect the collective efforts of our staff, customers and partners. At Unified Voice, innovation means more than introducing new technology. It means understanding each customer’s operating environment and delivering voice, unified communications and connectivity solutions that remain reliable, scalable and commercially practical. We will continue investing in our customers and growing alongside them.”

Unified Voice serves more than 5,000 customers across BPO, healthcare, IT and IT-enabled services, contact-centre and enterprise sectors. Its solutions are designed to support organisations where communication quality, service availability, regulatory compliance and operational continuity are essential.

The company follows a consultative and customer-focused service model, supported by direct engagement, transparent commercial terms, local implementation and round-the-clock technical assistance.

The two recognitions represent important milestones in Unified Voice’s continuing journey of delivering dependable enterprise communications infrastructure.

Unified Voice thanked UBS Forums and the organisers of the Times Business Awards Chennai 2026 for creating platforms that recognise businesses and bring together entrepreneurs, industry leaders and technology professionals.

About Unified Voice Communication Pvt. Ltd.

Unified Voice Communication Pvt. Ltd. is an enterprise communication and connectivity solutions provider headquartered in Chennai, India.

The company offers enterprise SIP trunking, Cloud PBX, IP PBX, unified communications, contact-centre solutions, AI-powered call intelligence, managed communication services and mission-critical data connectivity.

Unified Voice supports BPOs, healthcare organisations, IT and IT-enabled services companies, contact centres and enterprises through scalable infrastructure, transparent commercial models, local implementation assistance and 24×7 technical support.

Industry leaders, policymakers and stakeholders at the 5th National Spice Conference 2026, held under the theme “Empowering Farmers, Protecting Consumers,” in Jaipur

The two-day conference focused on strengthening farmer incomes, food safety, responsible sourcing, sustainability, innovation and market access, with discussions addressing challenges across the spice value chain. The event also featured an exhibition showcasing technologies and indigenous agri-products and a dedicated Buyer–Seller Meet to facilitate market linkages.

Speaking at the conclusion of the conference, Mr. Ramkumar Menon, Chairman, World Spice Organisation, said, “NSC 2026 has brought the different stakeholders of the spice value chain together around two priorities that are closely connected: enabling farmers to create greater value from their produce and ensuring that consumers can place greater trust in the spices they use. The discussions over the two days have highlighted the importance of stronger farm-level practices, responsible sourcing, food safety, innovation and market linkages. The focus now is on carrying these conversations forward through meaningful collaboration and action across the value chain.”

The first session of Day 2 focused on Changing Regulations in Organic Farming & Certifications, examining the evolving certification landscape and its implications for farmers and other stakeholders in the spice value chain. This was followed by a session on the Role of FPOs in Consumer Protection and Food Safety, highlighting the role of farmer organisations in strengthening quality and compliance at the farm level.

Mr. Manoj Kumar Menon, CEO, ICCOA said, “India’s organic sector has come a long way from being a niche segment. With organic exports growing from INR 67 crore in 2005 to over INR 5,400 crore in 2025, the sector has significant potential for further growth. However, as global markets and regulations evolve, strengthening certification, maintaining credibility and ensuring compliance will be critical to sustaining this momentum.”

The conference then turned to Buyers’ Requirements, with Mr. Ganapathy K D, Business Committee Chairman, NSC 2026, outlining key considerations for producers and FPOs in meeting evolving market expectations. The programme concluded with a dedicated Buyer–Seller Meet, providing an interface between producers and buyers and creating opportunities for stronger market connections across the spice value chain.

Across the two days, the conference covered a broad range of issues including farmer empowerment and income growth, sustainability and responsible sourcing, food safety and consumer protection, innovation and future readiness, farmer challenges and crop outlook, organic farming and certifications, FPOs and market requirements. Discussions also highlighted emerging solutions in areas such as digital traceability, post-harvest infrastructure, farm-level technologies, testing and processing, warehousing and financing.

The conference provided a common platform for stakeholders to exchange knowledge and perspectives on strengthening India's spice value chain, with the 2026 edition placing particular emphasis on connecting farm-level practices with consumer safety, quality and evolving market requirements.

The National Spice Conference 2026 concluded with a renewed focus on strengthening collaboration across the spice ecosystem and creating stronger linkages between farmers, FPOs, industry, regulators and buyers. The discussions over the two days highlighted the need for continued engagement and practical solutions to support a safer, more sustainable and more rewarding spice value chain.

About World Spice Organisation
WSO (World Spice Organization) was established in 2011 with the objectives of achieving Food Safety and Sustainability in this sector. Over the course of the past few years, WSO has carried out many projects in the fields of Sustainability, Biodiversity and Food Safety in collaboration with prominent national and international organizations like Spices Board, Indian Institute of Spice Research (IISR), GIZ (Germany) and IDH - The Sustainable Trade Initiative (Netherlands).

For more information about NSC 2026: www.nationalspiceconference.in.

Background of National Spice Conference (NSC)
Launched in 2022, the National Spice Conference (NSC) has quickly become the premier event for the Indian spice industry. With delegate counts increasing year-on-year (293 in 2022, 345 in 2023, 370 in 2024 and 485 in 2025), NSC has become a key platform for fostering collaboration across the supply chain and promoting sustainable practices in spice production. More than 50% of participants in the previous editions were representatives of FPOs, underscoring NSC’s focus on improving market access and growth opportunities for farmers.

India’s semiconductor market is projected to grow more than threefold from nearly USD 64 billion in 2026 to USD 200 billion by 2035, creating a significant opportunity to convert domestic demand into manufacturing, innovation and supply-chain resilience, according to EY–IESA report, Semicon India 2.0: From capacity creation to ecosystem leadership. The report was formally unveiled during the SEMICON India 2026 hi-profile event of the industry.

The launch of  EY-IESA report at SEMICON India 2026

As per the EY–IESA report, consumer electronics accounts for 30% of India’s semiconductor market, followed by automotive at 16% and industrial applications at 15%, while AI, data centres, telecommunications, electric mobility and advanced manufacturing are creating new growth avenues. Semiconductor imports increased more than fivefold from USD 5.7 billion in FY17 to USD 30.3 billion in FY25, at a CAGR of 23%, highlighting the opportunity to translate expanding domestic demand into local manufacturing and innovation. India also accounts for nearly 20% of the world’s chip design engineers, providing a significant talent base to scale semiconductor manufacturing, indigenous design and commercialization.

Ashok Chandak, President, India Electronics and Semiconductor Association (IESA) said, “India now has a unique opportunity to combine its strengths in engineering talent, electronics demand, design capabilities and emerging manufacturing capacity with resilient global supply-chain partnerships. The next phase will be defined by execution, innovation, technology commercialisation, indigenous IP, specialised talent and ecosystem depth. India has moved beyond semiconductor ambition. The opportunity now is to build an ecosystem that the world trusts, India owns and the next generation can scale.”

Aisha Ali Hussaini, Partner and Semiconductor Tax Leader, EY India, said, “India has a powerful combination of market scale, engineering talent and policy momentum. Its rapidly expanding electronics ecosystem adds to this opportunity; electronics production increased sixfold from INR1.9 lakh crore in FY15 to INR11.3 lakh crore in FY25, while electronics manufacturing and exports grew sevenfold and elevenfold, respectively, over the same period. The priority now is to translate this scale into deeper semiconductor value addition by building a connected, innovation-led ecosystem that attracts sustained investment and creates more value domestically. Over the coming decade, a predictable fiscal and regulatory environment, stronger alignment between central and state policies, and focused support for emerging technologies can help improve project viability and accelerate commercialisation. If industry, government and academia work together with a long-term view, India can move beyond being a design powerhouse to play a much larger role across manufacturing, advanced packaging and the wider global semiconductor value chain.”

India has already made significant progress in building its semiconductor ecosystem and is well positioned to build on this momentum. As per the EY-IESA report, the next phase should focus on strengthening and aligning state semiconductor policies with the broader scope of Semicon 2.0, developing integrated semiconductor manufacturing clusters supported by shared, world-class infrastructure, and introducing dedicated talent-certification programmes across semiconductor design, fabrication and advanced packaging.

Looking ahead: opportunity areas and the execution imperative

As global semiconductor value chains are reshaped by diversification and technology transitions, the EY–IESA report identifies advanced packaging, compound semiconductors, photonics and chip-to-system integration as high-potential opportunity areas for India. These segments can build on the country’s design capabilities, growing electronics and AI demand, and emerging manufacturing base to expand its presence in technology-intensive parts of the value chain.

Capturing these opportunities will require coordinated action. Investors will assess policy certainty, cluster readiness and speed of implementation; industry will need deeper partnerships with suppliers, academic institutions and technology owners to localise capabilities; and policymakers must streamline approvals and sustain long-term support for research, talent and supplier development.

Notes to Editors

About EY

EY is building a better working world by creating new value for clients, people, society, and the planet while building trust in capital markets. Enabled by data, AI, and advanced technology, EY teams help clients shape the future with confidence and develop answers for the most pressing issues of today and tomorrow. EY teams work across a full spectrum of services in assurance, consulting, tax, strategy, and transactions. Fueled by sector insights, a globally connected, multidisciplinary network, and diverse ecosystem partners, EY teams can provide services in more than 150 countries and territories.

All in to shape the future with confidence.

EY refers to the global organization and may refer to one or more of the member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients. Information about how EY collects and uses personal data and a description of the rights individuals have under data protection legislation are available via ey.com/privacy. EY member firms do not practice law where prohibited by local laws. For more information about our organization, please visit ey.com.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated SEMICON India 2026 at New Delhi, underscoring the government's commitment to establishing India as a semiconductor powerhouse. Against the backdrop of Semicon 2.0 moving into its next phase through six strategic pillars - Design, Machines and Materials, Setting up more Fabs, Strengthening the ATMP/OSAT industry, Research & Development, and Talent Development with expanded budget of Rs 1,27,500 crore, the flagship event marks a watershed moment for the country’s chip manufacturing ambitions.

MoU announcements at SEMICON India 2026

Addressing the inauguration, PM Modi drew parallels between India's semiconductor trajectory and the semiconductor industry's concept of "tape-out"—not an endpoint, but the genesis of the next generation. "No nation builds a semiconductor ecosystem overnight; it takes decades of capability-building," PM Modi said. "Yet with the partnership of industry leaders, India has compressed that timeline into something remarkable."

Addressing the media during SEMICON India 2026, Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw said that investment commitments of around Rs 1 lakh crore (approximately USD 11–12 billion) have already been received under the Semicon 2.0 ecosystem. These commitments are expected to translate into significant economic activity and employment, with close to 1 lakh new employment opportunities expected to be created across the semiconductor ecosystem. The investments are expected to materialize over the next two to three years, with companies announcing their respective investments as and when they receive the required board and shareholder approvals.

Ajit Manocha, President and CEO, SEMI said, “The USD 1 trillion semiconductor target for 2030 is now tracking at more than USD 2 trillion. India's consumption is doubling annually while global markets grow at 60 percent—that pace is real. As domestic manufacturing scales under Semicon 2.0, India is poised to realize significant economic growth over time. And in the AI era, the global semiconductor value chain needs to extend its geographical footprint to enable new technology breakthroughs, strengthen its resilience, and develop a deeper talent pipeline. India's strategic focus to establish a recognized hub and critical ecosystem for the global semiconductor industry builds on its existing strengths while developing new ones for the benefit of India and the world. The word for 2026 is indispensability. That's India's path forward.”

Ashok Chandak, President, SEMI India and IESA said, “The successful two days of SEMICON India 2026 have demonstrated the growing confidence, commitment and momentum behind India’s semiconductor journey. The inauguration by Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji has given this journey an even stronger national and global dimension. With 50+ MoUs and major announcements, more than USD 7 billion in investment commitments, commercial launches, global CxO participation and strong industry engagement, SEMICON India 2026 has showcased the scale at which the ecosystem is now taking shape. And this is only the beginning—more investments, partnerships and opportunities are in the pipeline. India is moving from building credibility to building capability, and steadily positioning itself as a trusted and competitive player across the global semiconductor value chain.”

First two days of SEMICON India 2026 brought together a total of 28,000 on ground participants including policymakers, global semiconductor leaders, Indian industry, researchers, startups, academia and students for deliberations spanning manufacturing, supply chains, Research and Development (R&D), international partnerships, chip design, advanced packaging, materials and talent, reflecting India’s progress towards an integrated and globally competitive “Silicon to Systems” ecosystem.

Reinforcing the strong momentum that is reflected in the event over first two days Mr. Ashok Chandak, President, SEMI India and IESA said, "The energy at SEMICON India this year speaks for itself — from the exhibition floor to the hackathon, the startup pavilion to the country roundtables and a series of strategic collaborations across semiconductor materials, manufacturing, power electronics, advanced packaging, logistics, design and skilling involving Indian and global ecosystem partners ,it's clear — this is a movement, not a moment, and India's semiconductor journey is accelerating."

The MoU press briefing on day 1 and day 2 of SEMICON India 2026 witnessed a milestone moment with Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw witnessing several MOU’s and products marking a significant step forward for India's semiconductor ecosystem.

Major Investments and Commitments at SEMICON India 2026:

• Applied Materials: Announced a USD 5 billion investment over the next decade covering research, supply chain development, and workforce expansion.

• Lam Research: Committed approximately Rs 10,000 crore for its first silicon component manufacturing and vertical ingot processing facility in India.

• Micron stated the company will assemble and test tens of millions of chips at Sanand this year, scaling to hundreds of millions next year.

Focused Sessions

Over the two days the event featured focused sessions charting India’s transition from foundational policy planning to large-scale execution across the silicon value chain. These sessions covered AI-enabled chip design and manufacturing, advanced packaging, next-generation manufacturing, equipment R&D and workforce development, strengthening India’s design enablement and test ecosystem amongst others. The State Spotlight session highlighted initiatives of Assam, Odisha, Gujarat and Karnataka in incentives, infrastructure, ease of doing business and industry-linked skilling.

With a bold vision and theme “Transform Tomorrow: “Silicon to Systems: Building the Ecosystem,” SEMICON India 2026 has drawn senior representation from the semiconductor industry's critical players including - AMD, Applied Materials, BAIN & Company, Intel, KLA, Lam Research, McKinsey, Tokyo Electron, ASML, DISCO, FUJIFILM, KAS, Kaynes, L&T Semiconductor Technologies Ltd, Micron, PwC- SanDisk, SIEMENS, UST, AECOM, BCG, Ecolab, HCLTech, Infineon, Infosys, NXP Semiconductors, Synopsys, Tech Mahindra, Wipro- reinforcing the show's positioning as a forum for end-to-end value chain participation. The exhibition features six Country Pavilions representing Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Singapore and Sweden, along with 12 State booths, a Startup Pavilion, Innovation Showcase, Student Hackathon and Workforce Development Pavilion.

For more details, please visit www.semiconindia.org and connect with SEMI India on LinkedIn and X.

Ashutosh Singh, CFO & Head of Products, Novel Patterns, receives the ‘Best Agentic AI Application’ award at the ET Enterprise AI Awards 2026

The recognition acknowledges Novel Patterns’ application of agentic AI to complex lending decisions through DecisionOS, its decision intelligence Platform for financial institutions. DecisionOS connects financial evidence, policy, reasoning and workflow to help AI move beyond task automation and participate intelligently across the lending lifecycle. Novel Patterns’ solutions are currently live with 140+ financial institutions across India, Africa and Southeast Asia.

Ashwani Arora, CEO, Novel Patterns, said, “Banks and NBFCs don’t adopt AI simply because it is fast. They adopt it when it can improve decision capacity while remaining accurate, explainable and defensible in front of a regulator, an auditor and a credit committee. We built DecisionOS around a simple discipline: AI reasons on evidence, operates within policy, and every output carries a traceable record of how it got there.”

DecisionOS: Intelligence Across the Lending Lifecycle

• CRM Intelligence - every lead captured, qualified and intelligently routed.

• Journey Intelligence - onboarding journeys that dynamically adapt to customer context.

• Credit Intelligence - bank statements, financial statements, bureau, tax and salary data transformed into a decision-ready view, with reasoning attached.

• Document Intelligence - documents classified, extracted and checked for inconsistencies and potential tampering.

• Policy Intelligence - policy intent and circulars converted into executable, versioned and simulated rules.

• Post-Disbursal Intelligence - financial and behavioural signals monitored to identify emerging borrower stress before missed payments become the first signal.

• Incentive Intelligence - payouts and reconciliation orchestrated across channels.

• Collateral Management Intelligence - asset value, ownership and exposure monitored throughout the loan lifecycle.

• Partner Portal Intelligence - partner ecosystems onboarded, allocated and monitored through a common intelligence layer.

And many more intelligence capabilities across the financial lifecycle.

Together, these capabilities connect customer context, financial evidence, policy, reasoning and workflow into a common decision fabric.

Built for Financial Intelligence - Not Generic AI

The intelligence behind DecisionOS is purpose-built for financial decision-making. The platform is designed around a multi-layer trust architecture incorporating source-grounded processing, policy and rule validation, cross-document reconciliation, confidence scoring and human-in-the-loop review for exceptions.

 It analyses more than 400 financial and behavioural indicators and bring more than 1,000 behavioural risk signals into credit assessment. Proprietary financial ontologies provide the domain context required to interpret relationships across different sources of financial information.

DecisionOS combines this intelligence with policy and workflow, helping institutions understand what the evidence means, which policy applies, why a recommendation was generated and what needs to happen next.

From AI Automation to Decision Intelligence

For Novel Patterns, the award is a milestone in a larger ambition: to build a connected intelligence layer for financial decision-making.

The objective is not to replace human judgement, but to let AI handle more of the complexity while people retain authority where judgement matters - with consequential decisions remaining explainable and auditable.

Intelligence that reasons. Decisions that remain human. Outcomes that can be trusted.

About Novel Patterns

Novel Patterns is an AI-native financial intelligence company building intelligent decision infrastructure for financial institutions. Its platforms combine financial domain intelligence, AI reasoning, decision orchestration and governance across lending and investment management. Novel Patterns’ solutions are used by 140+ financial institutions across India, Africa and Southeast Asia.

Formerly known as World Hydrogen India, the flagship event reflects the expanding scope and interconnected nature of India’s energy transition. Its broader focus recognises growing links between hydrogen, renewable power, industrial decarbonisation, infrastructure, shipping, mobility, manufacturing, investment and international trade.
 

Over two days, representatives from government, industry, finance and technology will examine how India can translate its clean energy ambitions into commercially viable, scalable projects and strengthen its position in global clean energy trade. Key discussion areas include:
 

• Project bankability and demand creation

• Infrastructure and technology deployment

• Domestic manufacturing and supply chain resilience

• International market access
   

India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission has established a foundation for the domestic hydrogen economy, with incentives supporting 862,000 metric tonnes per year of green hydrogen production capacity and 3,000 MW per year of electrolyser manufacturing capacity. As of February 2026, approximately 8,000 metric tonnes per year of green hydrogen production capacity had been commissioned, against India’s target of 5 million metric tonnes per year by 2030.
 

As the market develops, focus is shifting from policy formation to execution. Scaling the sector will require competitive renewable power, dependable offtake markets, enabling infrastructure, greater access to capital, stronger domestic supply chains and closer links between Indian projects and international customers.
 

"India's clean energy transition is entering a decisive phase where execution, investment and international collaboration will determine success," said Matthew Hodgkinson, Senior Analyst, Hydrogen, S&P Global Energy. "Horizons Clean Energy Expansion India 2026 brings together policy, commercial and technological perspectives needed to move projects from development to operation and strengthen India's position in global clean energy trade."
 

Government perspectives will form part of the broader industry dialogue, with expected speakers including Pralhad Joshi, Minister of New and Renewable Energy; Sarbananda Sonowal, Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways; Vijay Kumar, Secretary, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways; and Rushikesh Ganeshbhai Patel, Gujarat’s Minister of Energy and Petrochemicals.

Shashi Dharan, Dr. Anju Rathi Rana, Law Commission of India, Amit Relan, mFilterIt, A Robert J Ravi, BSNL, Ravada A. Chandra Sekhar IPS, Kerala Police, Subhashish Gupta, HDFC Bank

Organized by Bharat Exhibitions, the summit served as a high-level platform for addressing the growing challenge of digital fraud and strengthening trust in India's digital ecosystem. The event aimed to foster collaboration between government, industry, financial services, telecom operators, cybersecurity agencies, and citizens to build a secure, resilient, and fraud-resistant Digital Bharat. 

Commenting on the significance of the initiative, Shri Shashi Dharan, Managing Director, Bharat Exhibitions, said: "A clean digital ecosystem is fundamental to India's digital future. This is a summit not for the Summit’s sake, we take it as a mission, and we have plans to reach out to all.” 
                                                                                                               

Industry leaders and policymakers at the Bharat Digital Fraud Prevention Summit 2026 called for stronger collaboration, innovation, legal safeguards, and customer-centric security measures to combat the growing threat of digital fraud. Speaking at the summit, Amit Relan, CEO & Co-Founder, mFilterIt, stressed that digital trust is the foundation of a thriving digital economy and highlighted the role of advanced technologies and collective action in countering emerging threats. He said, "digital trust is the foundation of a thriving digital economy. By leveraging advanced technology and collective action, we can stay ahead of evolving threats and create a safer digital ecosystem for all."
 

A. Robert J. Ravi, ITS, CMD, BSNL, noted that robust infrastructure and cross-sector collaboration are critical to strengthening digital trust and securing India's digital future. "A secure digital Bharat can only be built through collaboration, innovation, and unwavering commitment to digital trust”, he commented.  

Highlighting the policy perspective, Dr. Anju Rathi Rana, Member Secretary, Law Commission of India, emphasized that innovation must be supported by strong laws, effective enforcement, and informed citizens. She stressed, "Combating digital fraud demands a holistic approach that combines strong legal safeguards, technological innovation, and collective responsibility. Together, we can reinforce trust in India's rapidly evolving digital landscape."

Ravada A. Chandrasekhar, IPS, Director General of Police & State Police Chief, Kerala, called for vigilance, innovation, and collaboration to address digital fraud while stressing on the fight against digital fraud is strongest when technology, awareness, and law enforcement work together while Subhashish Gupta, Executive Vice President & National Head-Investigations, HDFC Bank, stressed the need for constant vigilance, seamless collaboration, and an unwavering focus on customer security. 

Collectively, the other distinguished speakers from other technical sessions throughout the day, underscored that securing Digital Bharat requires a whole-of-ecosystem approach, bringing together government, law enforcement, industry, telecommunications, financial institutions, and citizens to build a resilient and trusted digital future.

With digital transactions reaching unprecedented levels and cybercriminals adopting increasingly sophisticated tactics, the Bharat Digital Fraud Prevention Summit 2026 provided a timely forum for stakeholders to share insights, showcase innovative solutions, and develop strategies that strengthen Bharat's defenses against digital fraud. The Summit was partnered by CERT-In, mFilterIt , ANZEN Technologies, and Communications Today. 

Great Lakes Institute of Management, Gurgaon hosts the Data, Governance & the SDGs: A Sustainability Symposium in New Delhi

The symposium was inaugurated by Dr. Saurabh Garg, Secretary, Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, Government of India; Ms. Eunsong Kim, Programme Specialist and Chief of Sector for Social and Human Sciences, UNESCO; and Ms. Anna Roy, Senior Advisor & Head, Women Entrepreneurship Programme, NITI Aayog.

Opening the symposium, Dr. Saurabh Garg emphasised the importance of making data more timely, granular and interoperable for effective policymaking. “If data is too dated, no one wants to use it. It's fresh data that everyone wants to use,” he said, adding that better data systems would be critical to making development decisions more targeted and effective as India works towards Viksit Bharat 2047.

Ms. Eunsong Kim emphasised the need to ensure that technological progress contributes to inclusive and sustainable development. “The question before us is not simply how much AI we can develop, but whether and how AI can accelerate progress towards the SDGs without reproducing and deepening existing inequalities,” she said.

The symposium also marked the launch of Data Science for Sustainable Development Goals: Indian Case Studies, edited by Dr. Bappaditya Mukhopadhyay, Professor, Analytics, Great Lakes Gurgaon, and Dr. Avik Sarkar, Visiting Faculty & Senior Researcher, ISB. The book brings together Indian case studies demonstrating how data science can be applied to address development challenges and support evidence-based decision-making.

The event featured a session on data-driven governance, with experts from government, academia, philanthropy and civil society examining how data can improve public policy and service delivery. Ms. Anna Roy highlighted the need to make public data more accessible and usable, saying, “Data is a whole ecosystem. We get enamoured by the platforms and the nice tools, but we forget the tragedy of data collection and the drudgery of maintaining quality.”

The newly launched ESG whitepaper is based on a closed-door CXO roundtable held on May 22, 2026, on International Biodiversity Day, in collaboration with Development Alternatives and knowledge partner Pierag Consulting. The subsequent ESG fireside chat, moderated by Dr. Sanghamitra Bhattacharyya, Great Lakes Gurgaon, brought together Kunwar Himmat Singh, Director – Corporate Affairs, ESG & CSR, Nestle India, and E. Nagachandran, Deputy Director, Ministry of Corporate Affairs. The discussion examined the evolution of ESG beyond compliance and disclosure, with a focus on business resilience, responsible governance, sector-specific approaches and long-term value creation.

Kunwar Himmat Singh highlighted the growing business relevance of ESG, saying, “ESG is no longer a gesture of compliance. It is a business resilience agenda, it is about the very survival of an organization.” E. Nagachandran emphasised the need for a calibrated regulatory approach, noting, “You cannot have the same set of guidelines governing a company that manufactures plastic and one that mines coal.”

Dr. Sanghamitra Bhattacharyya, Great Lakes Gurgaon, said: “The discussion reinforces the need for multiple actors to work in partnership national and civil society organisations, ministries and corporates so that we can work together in synergy to achieve these outcomes.”

The Sustainability Index, developed by the Great Lakes Gurgaon Data Lab, uses satellite data to map three indicators – nightlight, GHG emissions and soil moisture - with economic activity and regional development across India. The underlying datasets and code have been made publicly available, enabling researchers and users to analyse other environmental indicators and contribute to the repository.

The symposium concluded with a panel on “Importance of Data in Driving Sustainability,” bringing together experts from academia, industry, government affairs and the energy and climate sector to discuss how reliable data can strengthen sustainability measurement and decision-making.

Through the symposium and its research initiatives, Great Lakes Gurgaon continues to build collaboration between academia, government and industry to apply data and technology to real-world sustainability and development challenges.

About Great Lakes Institute of Management, Gurgaon
Established in 2010, Great Lakes Institute of Management, Gurgaon is a premier business school dedicated to shaping business-ready leaders for the dynamic corporate landscape. In 2019, Great Lakes Gurgaon received the AMBA UK accreditation and in 2026 it received the AACSB US accreditation - making it the youngest B-school in India to receive this 'double crown' of global accreditations. The institute has swiftly risen to prominence by being the first in India to introduce full-time specializations in Analytics, AI, and Machine Learning, preparing professionals to lead effectively in today’s evolving global business environment.

Learn more at www.greatlakes.edu.in./gurgaon.

MUJ Excellence Awards 2026 - Dignitaries inaugurating the ceremony

A total of 376 awards were presented across nine categories, recognising individuals for their academic contributions, research achievements, professional excellence, long-standing service and exceptional commitment to the University. Of these, 123 employees were honoured with the prestigious Dr. Ramdas M. Pai Award for Professional Excellence (9 Box).

The other award categories included the Academic Excellence Award, Research Excellence Award, Young Researcher Award, Young Teacher Award, Standing Ovation Award for Longest Serving Employees, Key Enabler Award, Incredible Service Award, and Research Track Faculty Award.

The ceremony was graced by President, Manipal University Jaipur, Dr. N. N. Sharma; Pro-President Cdr. (Dr.) Anil Rana; Registrar Dr. Amit Soni; Provost Dr. Nitu Bhatnagar; Head HR Ms. Kananjeet Kaur, Ms. Manju Sharma and Ms. Sikha Rana along with the University’s Deans, Directors and Heads of Departments. Their presence reflected the University's collective appreciation of the people whose sustained efforts contribute to its academic, research, administrative and operational excellence.

The day marked another significant milestone for the University as Manipal University Jaipur received the prestigious QS 5-Star Rating, adding a global dimension to the celebrations. The University community welcomed the recognition with enthusiasm, spirit and jubilation. The achievement marked an important moment in MUJ’s continuing journey towards global academic excellence and institutional recognition.

This recognition reflects excellence across the breadth of the university experience, with every dimension measured against global benchmarks — from Teaching and Research to Online Learning, Employability, Facilities, Good Governance, Environment Impact, Innovation and Knowledge Transfer, Academic Development and Global Engagement.

Congratulating the University community on the occasion, Dr. N. N. Sharma, President, Manipal University Jaipur, appreciated the collective efforts of the faculty members, researchers, staff, students and University leadership. He congratulated the entire MUJ community for their tireless efforts and commitment that have contributed to the University’s continued growth and its global recognition.

The celebration also featured vibrant cultural performances by faculty members and students, adding colour and spirit to the occasion. The performances reflected the creative energy and strong sense of community that characterises campus life at MUJ.

The Excellence Award Ceremony thus became a celebration of both people and progress—honouring the individuals who drive the University's success while commemorating a major global achievement. The convergence of the Founder Chancellor’s 91st birthday, the recognition of 376 members of the MUJ family and the University’s QS 5-Star Rating made the occasion a memorable celebration of excellence, dedication and collective achievement.

To know more about Manipal University Jaipur please visit – jaipur.manipal.edu.

The hardware industry is getting ready to come together at International Hardware Fair India (IHF India) 2026, powered by EISENWARENMESSE. The fourth edition of the event will take place from 23–25 October 2026 at Bharat Mandapam (Pragati Maidan), New Delhi.
 

International Hardware Fair India 2026 to Bring the Tools and Hardware Industry Together from 23–25 October in New Delhi
 

Organised by Koelnmesse in association with the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO), IHF India 2026 is expected to bring together 170+ exhibitors and more than 10,000 trade visitors, with participation from 30+ countries. The event will bring manufacturers, brands, distributors, retailers, importers, exporters and buyers together under one roof, creating opportunities to discover new products, connect with business partners and explore new markets.

India's Tools and Hardware Market Offers Strong Growth Potential
India's hand and power tools industry has a growing opportunity in the global market. According to a 2025 report by NITI Aayog, the global trade market for hand and power tools is worth around US$100 billion and is expected to reach around US$190 billion by 2035.

The report also estimates that India currently exports around US$600 million worth of hand tools and US$425–470 million worth of power tools. It identifies a potential opportunity for India to generate more than US$25 billion in additional exports over the next 10 years by increasing its presence in the global market.

This growth opportunity makes platforms such as IHF India important for Indian manufacturers, international brands and buyers looking to explore new products, suppliers and markets.

A Wide Range of Hardware Solutions

IHF India 2026 will showcase products from across the tools and hardware industry, including hand tools, power tools, industrial hardware, safety equipment, fasteners, fittings and building materials.

Leading companies such as Best One Tools Pvt. Ltd., Birla Precision Technologies Limited, Dee Neers Tools Limited, DN Safety Products Pvt. Ltd., Gardex India Pvt Ltd, H.R. International, India International House Ltd, JK Maini Precision Technology Limited, Jhalani Forge Pvt. Ltd., Pilot Pneumatics Pvt. Ltd., Proxima Steel Forge Pvt. Ltd., Shiv Forgings (BAUM), Taparia Tools Ltd., Varindera Tools Pvt. Ltd., Victor Forgings, Vidhi Exports, Vishal Tools & Forgings Pvt. Ltd., Electrospark, Dayton Tools, Mech Choice Tools and RL Jain Power Tools LLP are set to participate in the 2026 edition.
 

Visitors will be able to discover products from different brands, meet manufacturers and suppliers, compare products and explore new sourcing opportunities.

Bringing Global Buyers and Suppliers Together

A key highlight of IHF India 2026 will be the Reverse Buyer-Seller Meet (RBSM), organised with the support of Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO), bringing 120 Hosted Buyers to the event.

The programme will facilitate direct meetings between international buyers and Indian manufacturers and suppliers, creating opportunities to showcase products, understand buyer requirements and explore new export markets.

A Key Meeting Point for the Hardware Industry

“With India's tools and hardware industry looking to expand both within the country and in international markets, IHF India 2026 will provide a place for the industry to meet, learn about new products and build global business connections. The event will also give Indian manufacturers an opportunity to showcase their products to buyers, while international companies can explore the most innovative solutions” - Mr. Milind Dixit, Managing Director, Koelnmesse India
 

With 170+ exhibitors, more than 10,000 expected trade visitors and participation from 30+ countries, International Hardware Fair India 2026 is set to bring together a wide cross-section of the tools and hardware industry.
 

The event will take place from 23-25 October 2026 at Bharat Mandapam (Pragati Maidan), New Delhi.
 

About the Organisers

Koelnmesse – industry trade fairs for the hardware sector: Koelnmesse is a leading international trade fair organiser with a strong global portfolio in the tools and hardware sector. Its flagship event, EISENWARENMESSE – International Hardware Fair in Cologne, Germany, is one of the world's leading trade fairs for the hardware industry.

Koelnmesse's international hardware portfolio also includes events in key markets such as Italy, China, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Colombia and Central Asia creating platforms that connect regional markets with the global hardware industry.
 

Note for Editorial Offices

International Hardware Fair India photos are available in our image database on the Internet at www.hardwarefair-india.com in the “Press” section in Media gallery.

hardwarefair-india.com/image-database.php

If you reprint this document, please send us a sample copy.

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Mr. Bency George & Chief Operating Officer, ITDFC and MRS. TALIYA MINULLINA,  Chief Executive of the Tatarstan Investment Development Agency, is seen in the picture

YouTube Link: www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1MXTU8l-cw
 

Mr. Bency George is a well-known trade diplomat in India, with extensive experience in organising international trade summits, business delegations and bilateral trade initiatives. He has played a key role in facilitating business and trade delegations from India to several countries, fostering international business partnerships and strengthening cross-border trade relations. Kazan, the capital of the Republic of Tatarstan in European Russia, lies approximately 720 kilometres east of Moscow and is situated at the confluence of the Volga and Kazanka rivers. The city is an important industrial, educational and cultural centre. For businesses exploring the Russian market, its relevance extends to Tatarstan’s wider industrial base and opportunities for cooperation in manufacturing, technology and services. 

Highlighting the scope for regional cooperation, MRS. TALIYA MINULLINA, Member of the Government of the Republic of Tatarstan, Chief Executive of the Tatarstan Investment Development Agency said, “Tatarstan is rich in oil and gas, with developed industries including machinery, helicopter and aircraft production, robotics, agriculture, IT and pharmaceuticals. We need to get acquainted with the different Indian states, just as Indian businesses need to know Russia’s regions. Without these exchanges, trade cannot grow.” 

The ITDFC delegation will seek to build on this need for closer business engagement by bringing together companies with clear sectoral interests and business objectives.

Mr. Bency George, Chief Operating Officer, ITDFC, said, “This is a very good opportunity for Indian companies, especially SMEs, MSMEs, startups and IT companies. New-generation businesspeople are looking for collaboration, investment and expansion opportunities. We will reach out to businesses and state governments across Southern India to bring together a delegation to Tatarstan.” 

Reflecting this scope, the programme covers oil and gas and petrochemicals; investment and innovation; logistics and transportation; healthcare and pharmaceuticals; labour market and human resources; education and science; IT and startups; agriculture and agri-business; textile production and manufacturing; creative industries; and film production and media. 

Plenary discussions, sector-focused business sessions, B2B meetings, exhibitions and industrial visits will provide different settings for delegates to engage with Russian companies and regional stakeholders. 

Southern India already has a connection with the forum, with Andhra Pradesh and Telangana represented at its 2025 edition. Tatarstan has also expressed interest in expanding cooperation with Indian businesses in electronics, pharmaceuticals, light industry, IT and high technology, providing a relevant backdrop for the proposed delegation’s discussions. 

The 2026 edition follows an inaugural forum that brought together 3,500 participants from Russia and India, featured 93 experts across 15 thematic sessions and saw 19 strategic cooperation agreements signed. ITDFC is inviting interested enterprises to share their sectoral priorities and business requirements as it coordinates participation in the forthcoming edition. 

National edition MATECIA Exhibition and THE WADE ASIA Architecture Event saw massive success, 350+ brands, 65,000+ visitors, 700+ towns & cities

MATECIA is the largest exhibition of India with a 3-in-1 ecosystem of dealers-distributors, OEMs, and architects-designers. THE WADE ASIA commands huge pull from designers and is a complete event in itself. India Furniture Conclave and India Interior Retailing dedicatedly deliver for the OEMs & Showrooms of India while MATECIA draws unparalleled visitors from the B2B dealers & wholesalers.

Beyond its national edition, MATECIA has two distinctive regional editions: the South India edition in Bengaluru, covering 7 states across South, and the East & Northeast edition in Kolkata, bringing 12 states of E&NE. This unique positioning strengthens MATECIA’s position as the largest and most comprehensive exhibition & ecosystem for interior and building products.

The event was inaugurated in the presence of Chief Guests Aman Gupta, Co-founder, boAt and Founder & CEO, OFF/BEAT; Mr. Rajesh Mittal, President, FIPPI and CMD, Greenply Industries Ltd.; and Mr. Surinder Arora, President, ILMA and Managing Director, Virgo Laminates Ltd., along with Guest of Honour, Mr. N.K. Agarwal, Patron, FIPPI. Rupal Dalal, Managing Director, JD Institute of Fashion Technology, and Nandita Das, Filmmaker, Actor and Producer, joined the event as Guests of Honour on Days 2 and 3, respectively, where they also presented awards to the winners. Dr. Ananta Raghuvanshi, Chairperson, NAREDCO MAHI, and Ms. Chitra Jain, President Elect, NAREDCO MAHI, were also among the distinguished guests associated with the THE WADE ASIA programme.

The exhibition featured 350+ exhibitors showcasing 1,000+ products across an expansive 5,00,000 sq. ft. exhibition area, and recorded 65,000+ visitors from 700+ towns and cities across India, along with participation from 15+ foreign countries. The showcase covered a diverse range of categories including interior and architecture products, furniture, wood panels, surfaces, flooring, laminates, plywood, doors and windows, kitchens, wardrobes, hardware, machinery and allied products.

Commenting on the conclusion of the event, Verticaa Dvivedi, Director of MATECIA Exhibition and Founder of THE WADE ASIA Architecture Event, said, “For our exhibitors and partners, MATECIA is the platform not only to showcase what they make, but to demonstrate what they believe in, what they are innovating and how they are contributing to the future of the built environment. I attribute the grand success of the national edition of MATECIA to our exhibitors & visitors. The team is already busy preparing for the East and Northeast edition happening from 12-14 Feb 2027 at BBMP Kolkata.”

A key highlight of the platform was the India Interior Retailing (IIR) Conference & Awards, which brought together dealers, distributors, retailers, manufacturers and industry leaders for conversations around the evolving interior retail and building materials ecosystem. The programme featured discussions on the way forward for the wood panel and decorative furniture industry, alongside conversations around demand, competition and prospects for the interior infrastructure trade amid global volatility. These discussions brought industry perspectives on changing market dynamics and opportunities across the value chain.

The one-and-a-half-day India Furniture Conclave brought together furniture manufacturers, designers, architects, retailers and industry experts for discussions on emerging trends and opportunities across the furniture ecosystem. Key sessions included “Luxury Furniture: Craftsmanship and Quality Making Indian Brands Global,” which explored the potential for Indian furniture brands to build global recognition through craftsmanship and quality, and “Turnkey Fit-Outs: Workspaces, Commercial, Hospitality,” which focused on the evolving requirements of commercial and hospitality spaces.

THE WADE ASIA is India’s leading architecture and design platform and one of the world’s largest business ecosystems dedicated to celebrating, recognising and connecting women across architecture, interior design, real estate, construction and the built environment.

Speaking on THE WADE ASIA’s growing influence and its role in the architecture and design ecosystem, Maddhu Chaudhury, Associate Director, THE WADE ASIA Architecture Event, said, “With 3000+ entries received annually from across India, 250 finalists and 50+ distinguished awardees across 28+ categories, THE WADE ASIA has established itself as one of the most coveted platforms for excellence, innovation and leadership in the design and built environment.”

THE WADE ASIA Designs India Conference featured the panel “The Business of Design Amidst Changing World and Disruptions”. The discussion examined the changing business realities of architecture and design and the distinction between being a great designer and building a great firm.

The programme also featured a keynote by Dr. Ning Huo, Executive Principal, AEDAS, Singapore, on “Designing Future Cities: From Infrastructure to Inspiring Urban Destinations.” The session explored lessons from Asia’s fastest-growing cities and how transit investment can contribute to more sustainable urban development and create long-term environmental, social and economic value.

Another key session, “The Gen Next Women in Real Estate,” presented by THE WADE ASIA + NAREDCO MAHI, brought together Dr. Priya Shah, Co-Founder & Joint Managing Director; Ms. Aashi Dua, Executive Director, Chintamanis Group; and Ms. Nidhi Aggarwal, Director, Signature Global, with Ms. Preeti Singh Mundra, Additional Director General, NAREDCO, as moderator. The session examined the changing role and opportunities for the next generation of women in the real estate sector.

Over the years, THE WADE ASIA has evolved far beyond an awards platform into a powerful, influential ecosystem that brings together the country’s leading architects, interior designers, developers, brands, manufacturers, business leaders and design professionals.

The WADE ASIA SheDesigns National Competition and Live Jury Presentations featured finalists across multiple categories, including SheDesigns, Healthcare Interiors, Landscape Public Spaces, Commercial Office Spaces, Best Use of Colour in Interiors, Most Sustainable Design, Fascinating Facade, Residential Architecture and Retail Interiors, among others.

Addressing the audience at the event, Nandita Das, Filmmaker, Actor and Producer, said, “Platforms like THE WADE ASIA are important because when women come together as leaders and professionals, they also bring other women with them. It creates a space to learn, grow and discover what is possible. I would encourage women, and everyone interested in architecture and design, to come to such platforms, engage with each other and continue learning.”

Beyond the exhibition and conference sessions, the event also provided opportunities for brands and professionals to connect through informal interactions, business meetings and collaborative engagements, helping extend conversations beyond the show floor.

Speaking on the overall response to the event, Pragat Dvivedi, Director, MATECIA Exhibition, said, “MATECIA 2026 has reinforced the scale of opportunity emerging across India’s building materials and interiors market. What stood out this year was the quality of business conversations and the strong interest in new products, materials and solutions across the industry. For us, the value of the platform lies in creating meaningful connections that can translate into long-term business relationships and market opportunities. The response to this edition gives us confidence in the continued growth of the sector and the need for platforms that can support that growth.”

MATECIA 2026 and THE WADE ASIA concluded following four days of strong participation, industry engagement and knowledge exchange, creating opportunities for business, collaboration and continued dialogue across the building materials, architecture, interiors and design ecosystem.

About MATECIA EXHIBITION
MATECIA is India’s premier building materials and interiors business platform, connecting manufacturers, brands and exhibitors with architects, interior designers, dealers, distributors, retailers, builders, developers, OEMs, consultants, procurement professionals and other stakeholders across the built environment.

A flagship initiative of Bigsea Marcom India Pvt. Ltd., MATECIA is backed by 25 years of industry experience and supported by knowledge platforms including SURFACES REPORTER, PLY REPORTER and Furniture Design & Technology. MATECIA brings together architecture and interior products, furniture, materials, surfaces, hardware and allied categories on a common business platform.

The MATECIA National Edition 2026 is being held from 20–23 August 2026 at Yashobhoomi (IICC), Dwarka, New Delhi.

For more information: www.matecia.com.

About THE WADE ASIA
THE WADE ASIA is one of India’s leading architecture and design platforms and the country’s largest platform dedicated to women in architecture and design. It brings together architects, interior designers, design professionals, brands and industry stakeholders to celebrate creativity, innovation and excellence while creating meaningful opportunities for business, knowledge exchange and collaboration.

More than an awards or recognition platform, THE WADE ASIA is an ecosystem that connects the design community with the businesses, materials and products shaping the built environment. Through its architecture events, competitions, networking platforms and knowledge initiatives, it works to bridge the gap between designers and the wider building, interiors and real estate industries, while promoting greater visibility and participation for women in design.

THE WADE ASIA is built around the convergence of creativity, commerce and change, creating platforms that support professional growth, industry dialogue, inclusion and excellence across the architecture and design ecosystem.

For more information: www.wadeasia.com.

'RUSAL’s exhibition stall at the inaugural edition of INNOPROM India 2026'

At its exhibition stall, RUSAL showcased its portfolio of low-carbon aluminium products, including its flagship ALLOW brand, which is produced using renewable hydropower.

The Company also highlighted its expanding engagement with India through strategic investments and workforce development initiatives that support closer industrial cooperation between India and Russia.

Mr. Roman Borisov, Regional Sales Director, RUSAL, said, "INNOPROM India brings together industry leaders, policymakers and businesses from both countries at a time of growing economic cooperation. Our participation reflects RUSAL's long-term commitment to India through sustainable materials, industrial partnerships and workforce development initiatives that create value for both countries."

RUSAL's participation in INNOPROM India 2026 reflected its long-term commitment to India's industrial development and its focus on strengthening resilient and sustainable aluminium supply chains.

The exhibition offered customers, partners, industry stakeholders and policymakers an opportunity to engage directly with RUSAL representatives, view product samples and discuss opportunities for collaboration across the aluminium value chain.

In addition to its exhibition presence, RUSAL executives participated in INNOPROM India's business programme, including discussions on critical minerals, industrial cooperation and the future of India-Russia trade and economic engagement.

INNOPROM India 2026 is jointly organised by the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry of India. The exhibition brought together companies from sectors including metallurgy, mining, engineering, chemicals and advanced manufacturing, providing a platform to explore new opportunities for industrial collaboration and bilateral trade.

About RUSAL

RUSAL is a leading company in the global aluminium industry and the world’s largest producer of low-carbon aluminium. In 2025, the Company accounted for 5.3% of global aluminium production and 4.7% of alumina. RUSAL has 45 factories across five continents. Ordinary shares of RUSAL are traded on the Hong Kong Exchange (stock code 486). Ordinary shares of RUSAL are traded on the Moscow Exchange (stock code RUAL).

For more information, please visit www.rusal.com

Jaya Choraria, Deputy Trade Commissioner, South Asia with Chef Dean Rodrigues, Head - Patisserie and R&D, Foodstories at the Great British Bite Masterclass in Delhi

Led by the UK Government's Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (BIST), the campaign will be activated at participating Food Square and Food Stories stores through dedicated displays, product sampling and in-store experiences. It will introduce consumers to the quality, provenance and breadth of British products, while offering practical inspiration for enjoying them across everyday meals and special occasions.

Throughout September, the campaign will feature live cooking demonstrations, workshops, product storytelling and tastings designed to bring food traditions and products from the UK to life. Shoppers will be encouraged to explore new products, pairings and serving ideas across occasions including breakfast and brunch, tea-time, gifting, entertaining, picnics and contemporary at-home dining.

Harjinder Kang, His Majesty's Trade Commissioner for South Asia and British Deputy High Commissioner for Western India, said, "British food and drink has a strong story to tell Indian consumers - from its quality and provenance to its diversity and versatility. ‘Great Food From Great Britain’ brings that story directly into Indian retail, giving shoppers from Mumbai, New Delhi, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad and Bengaluru the opportunity to discover and experience renowned products from across the UK. With the UK-India Free Trade Agreement now in effect, this campaign is an early testament to the breadth of new possibilities and commercial opportunities unlocked in the food and drink sector for our two countries.”

Ashni Biyani, Co-Founder, Foodstories, said, “Foodstories is a food platform built around the discovery of ingredients, bringing together flavours and food cultures from in and around the world. Storytelling is an important part of how we do this. We want people to come in, interact, explore and discover food through all their senses and understand the people, places and craft behind what they eat, rather than simply see products on a shelf.

Our customers in India are increasingly discerning and curious about quality and Britain has a long history of showing how good ingredients, craftsmanship and attention to detail can elevate everyday life through food. This campaign, in partnership with Great Britain, allows us to take that storytelling further, giving our customers a chance to experience the depth and diversity of British food culture, from its ingredients and traditions to the craft behind them.”
 

The campaign is designed for food-curious consumers and occasion-led shoppers seeking premium and international products, as well as fresh inspiration for entertaining and social occasions. By combining product discovery with sampling and culinary experiences, the initiative aims to make British food and drink engaging, relevant and accessible to Indian consumers. The UK-India trade deal which came into effect on 15 July this year has also made access to several food and drink products cheaper, quicker and easier, bringing sweeping benefits for consumers across both countries.

Great Food From Great Britain brings together British products like cheese, biscuits, cookies, jams, teas, coffees, chocolates and more in a coordinated multi-city retail platform. The campaign supports greater awareness and trial of food and drink from the UK while helping consumers discover new ways to enjoy British flavours at home and on special occasions.

BRICS + Dialogue 2026

Held under the theme “Building Inclusive, Innovative & Resilient Pathways for the Global South,” the Dialogue took place as India holds the BRICS Presidency and focused on strengthening practical cooperation among emerging economies through business partnerships, innovation, women’s economic participation and healthcare collaboration.

The Dialogue was organised by BRICS CCI and powered by GrowQR.

Mr. Sameep Shastri, Chairman, BRICS CCI & President, BRICS CCI Young Leaders, underlined the need to move beyond dialogue towards tangible outcomes. “BRICS+ must move from dialogue to delivery—creating real partnerships, investments, technology linkages and opportunities across the Global South.”

Opening the proceedings, Ms. Shabana Nasim, Vice Chairperson, BRICS CCI, highlighted the importance of technology-enabled and inclusive growth. “Technology, education and women’s empowerment must work together to build truly inclusive and future-ready economies across BRICS+.”

In his Special Address, Mr. Atul Banshal, Vice Chairman, BRICS CCI, emphasised stronger commercial linkages across BRICS+ markets, “The next phase of BRICS+ cooperation must deepen the movement of capital, technology, talent and enterprise across our markets.”

The first session, “From Margins to Mainstream — Institutionalising Women’s Leadership in BRICS Innovation Ecosystems,” examined the role of women in entrepreneurship, innovation, technology and decision-making.

Moderated by Ms. Ruby Sinha, President, BRICS CCI WE, the session brought together distinguished voices including Mr. Sanjay Bhattacharyya, former Indian Foreign Secretary and former BRICS Sherpa; HRH Ms. Lebogang Zulu, Executive Chairperson, BRICS Women’s Business Alliance South Africa; Ms. Monica Monteiro, Chairperson, BRICS WBA Brazilian Chapter; Ms. Shadi Sedghinejad; and Ms. Yana Oseyeva.

Ms. Sinha said, “Women’s leadership is an economic imperative. BRICS+ must expand women’s access to capital, markets, mentorship and decision-making.”

HRH Ms. Zulu highlighted the importance of connecting women entrepreneurs across markets, “Economic empowerment means connecting women to capital, markets and opportunities at scale.”

Mr. Bhattacharyya noted, “As BRICS+ expands, its strength will depend on the quality of cooperation it creates across societies, economies and knowledge networks.”

Ms. Monteiro added, “Stronger cross-border networks can help women entrepreneurs turn ideas into markets, partnerships and opportunities.”

A key outcome of the Dialogue was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Karnataka State Marketing Communications and Advertising Limited (KSMCA) and the BRICS Women’s Business Alliance South Africa under the “Screen to Market Pathway 2028” initiative. The MoU represents an effort to create practical cross-border pathways for creative talent, enterprises and market access, reinforcing the Dialogue’s focus on converting conversations into tangible collaboration.

The second session, “Building the BRICS+ Innovation and Startup Economy,” focused on entrepreneurship, investment, technology, digital transformation and the creation of a more connected startup ecosystem across BRICS+. Moderated by Mr. Bibin Babu, Executive Director, BRICS CCI and Founder & CEO, GrowQR, the session brought together Mr. Dmitry Khrichenko, Ms. Nokuthula Nokky Ndlovu, Mr. Mudit Kumar, Mr. Anudeep Muttavarapu, Dr. Nageswara Rao Atyam, Mr. P. Ramakrishna and Mr. Mahavir Pratap Sharma.

Mr. Babu said, “BRICS+ can connect founders, investors, technology ecosystems and markets, enabling innovation from the Global South to scale globally.”

The third session, “Health Beyond Borders — Advancing a Shared Vision for the Future,” addressed healthcare cooperation as a critical component of sustainable development. Moderated by Mr. Prann Sharma, Director General, BRICS CCI, the session brought together healthcare, policy and business leaders including Ms. Pauline Maksimovna Pavlova, Ms. Mbali Khumalo, Dr. Anoop Mirakhur, Dr. Shuchin Bajaj, Dr. Vaibhav Kapoor, Dr. Anupama Mutthige and Dr. Moumita Nandy.

Mr. Sharma said, “Healthcare offers BRICS+ an opportunity to combine technology, traditional knowledge and affordable delivery models to create solutions that cross borders.”

The Dialogue also featured a Keynote Address by Dr. Payal Bansal Kanodia, Promoter, M3M Group and Chairperson, Paralympic Committee of India. Dr. Kanodia quoted, “Inclusive growth means creating opportunities for every individual to participate, contribute and lead. Stronger partnerships across the Global South can help turn this vision into meaningful social and economic impact.”

The initiative was supported by GrowQR, BRICS Women Business Alliance (WBA), Dexter Energy, SABYA, SACCI, NIELIT, World People’s Assembly, ACCWs, Ideabaaz and Easy Knowledge Club.

The event reaffirmed BRICS CCI’s commitment to strengthening business and institutional linkages across the expanding BRICS+ community and creating platforms that move the conversation from dialogue to meaningful collaboration and action.

The BRICS+ Dialogue 2026 concluded with a renewed emphasis on building an ecosystem where cooperation among Global South economies translates into markets, investments, innovation, knowledge exchange and inclusive opportunities.

6th Convocation of Online Degree Programs at MUJ - President Dr N N Sharma felicitates Chief Guest Mr Ashish Kumar Srivastava in presence of dignitaries

The convocation also witnessed the participation of learners residing outside India, reflecting the expanding global reach of MUJ’s online degree programmes and the growing acceptance of flexible, digitally enabled models of higher education.

The ceremony was graced by Mr Ashish Kumar Srivastava, Managing Director, Haver & Boecker India, as the Chief Guest, and Mr Ambrish Sinha, CEO, UNext Learning, as the Guest of Honour. The academic procession was led by the Chief Guest and Guest of Honour along with Dr N. N. Sharma, President, Manipal University Jaipur; Commander (Dr.) Anil Rana, Pro-President; Dr. Amit Soni, Registrar; Dr. Nitu Bhatnagar, Provost; Dr. Mallikarjuna Gadapa, Director, Centre for Distance and Online Education; Mr Dasari Nagaraju, Controller of Examinations, and members of the Academic Council.

The ceremony commenced with the rendition of the University Kulgeet, followed by the ceremonial welcome of the Chief Guest and other distinguished guests. In his welcome address, Commander (Dr.) Anil Rana congratulated the graduating students and highlighted the perseverance, self-discipline and resilience demonstrated by online learners. He emphasised that the success of students pursuing education through digital platforms is supported by families, faculty members and technology-enabled learning, which together help overcome geographical and professional barriers.

Delivering his presidential address, Dr. N. N. Sharma highlighted the University's achievements in research, rankings, academics, SWAYAM MOOCs and sports. He underlined the importance of online degree programmes in enabling learners to gain specialised knowledge and enhance their professional competencies, thereby improving their suitability for careers across diverse sectors. He also noted that the graduating cohort represented the true spirit of lifelong learning, with students ranging in age from 19 to 78 years.

Addressing the graduating students, Chief Guest Mr Ashish Kumar Srivastava appreciated Manipal University Jaipur's emphasis on combining academic learning with practical and industry-oriented education. He encouraged the graduates to continuously upgrade their knowledge and skills to remain relevant in a rapidly changing professional environment. He observed that online degree programmes offer learners the opportunity to acquire specialised knowledge while strengthening competencies required for careers across a wide range of sectors.

Presenting the graduating students, Dr. Mallikarjuna Gadapa, Director, CDOE, said that online education is closely aligned with the demands of the digital age. He highlighted that technology-enabled education provides learners with greater flexibility and independence while helping them become familiar with emerging technologies and develop essential digital skills.

The Sixth Convocation reaffirmed MUJ's commitment to creating inclusive learning opportunities for students and working professionals seeking to pursue higher education without geographical or professional constraints. The diversity in the age and location of the graduating cohort further reflected the role of online education in supporting lifelong learning and continuous professional development.

Concluding the ceremony, Dr. Amit Soni, Registrar, Manipal University Jaipur, expressed gratitude to the Chief Guest, Guest of Honour, distinguished guests, parents, faculty members, University management and staff for their contribution to the successful conduct of the convocation. He extended his best wishes to all the graduating students for a successful and bright future.

The convocation was also live-streamed through the University's official channel, enabling students and parents who could not attend the ceremony in person to participate virtually and share in the milestone.

Held on 07 September 2026, the event sought to raise awareness of Unveiling India: An Incredible Journey, an existing school club that encourages students and members of the wider school community to explore and celebrate India's diverse cultural heritage. The evening marked an opportunity to bring the initiative to a wider audience and build greater engagement around its vision.

Timothy Curtis, Director, UNESCO Representative, New Delhi Office (L); Vanita Uppal OBE, Director, The British School New Delhi

Timothy Curtis, Director and UNESCO Representative of the New Delhi Regional Office, and an esteemed TBS alum, attended the event as Chief Guest, joining students, families, staff and members of the school community for an evening of music, fashion and food.

A highlight of the evening was a special performance by renowned artist Sonam Kalra and The Sufi Gospel Project. Their distinctive musical repertoire, bringing together Indian folk and Sufi traditions with contemporary influences, offered a powerful celebration of India's rich musical heritage.

The evening also featured a fashion showcase presented by members of The British School community, highlighting traditional and contemporary ensembles representing different states of India. Guests were also treated to a selection of Indian refreshments, celebrating the country's diverse culinary traditions.

Vanita Uppal OBE, Director, The British School New Delhi said, “The curtain raiser for ‘Unveiling India: An Incredible Journey’ revealed the deep resonance of the values and ethos of The British School with the core of what defines India - Vasudeva Kutumbakam (The world is one family). Our deep appreciation and respect for diversity coupled with our belief in a shared humanity underpinned the spectacular showcase of India’s rich cultural heritage. The school community came together in a dazzling display of the exquisite fabrics, weaves and costumes from across the country, followed by a mesmerising and soulful concert by the ever-so-talented Sonam Kalra and the Sufi Gospel Project. The story of incredible India will continue to be unveiled in our classrooms and events.”

Sonam Kalra and The Sufi Gospel Project

As an international and multicultural school, The British School New Delhi recognises the importance of developing a meaningful connection with the country in which its students live and learn. Unveiling India: An Incredible Journey provides a platform for the community to discover the country's history, traditions, arts and diverse cultural expressions, while fostering greater appreciation for the richness of India's heritage.

About The British School New Delhi

The British School New Delhi is an inclusive, not-for-profit international school located in the heart of the diplomatic area of New Delhi. Founded in 1963 by the then British High Commissioner and his wife, the award-winning school offers high-quality education to British, expatriate and local families by drawing on the best facets of a rich and culturally diverse community. www.british-school.org 

Prof. Arindam Ghosh is felicitated by M. R. Sampangi Ramaiah, Honorary Director, RIT, M. R. Kodandaram, Director, RIT, and others

The seminar brought together academicians, industry experts and students to discuss the growing convergence of technology and the importance of multidisciplinary learning in preparing engineering students for the future. The discussions focused on how circuits, control, communication and computing, while traditionally viewed as distinct areas of engineering, are increasingly interconnected and playing a significant role in shaping emerging technologies.

Addressing the students, Prof. Arindam Ghosh emphasized that engineers of the future need to look beyond their individual areas of specialization and develop an understanding of multiple disciplines. He said that the rapid pace of technological advancement has created a need for professionals who can understand the connections between different fields and apply their knowledge to solve real-world problems.

“It is extremely important for future engineers to possess interdisciplinary knowledge rather than specializing in just one field. Our students should not view technology merely as a means of securing employment, but should use it as a powerful tool to find solutions to the problems faced by society,” he said.

He pointed out that technology has the potential to address a wide range of challenges, including those related to rural development, healthcare, agriculture, environmental protection and transportation. He encouraged students to develop a problem-solving mindset and use their technical education to create solutions that can have a meaningful impact on society.

“Circuits, Control, Communication and Computing are not merely four separate technical fields. They are four important pillars that are interconnected and are shaping the technology of the future. Let us learn technology, foster research, promote innovation and use knowledge for the betterment of society,” Prof. Ghosh said.

Speaking on the occasion, Smt. Gnanapriya Chidambaranathan, Associate Vice-President, Infosys and Chair, IEEE Bangalore Section COM, highlighted the importance of multidisciplinary research and encouraged students to pursue research with a clear focus on addressing societal challenges.

“There is a need to encourage multidisciplinary research. Research should be conducted with the objective of finding solutions to the problems faced by society. On behalf of IEEE, we organize seminars, interviews and soft-skills training programmes for the benefit of students. These initiatives are highly beneficial to students,” she said.

The seminar also highlighted the changing nature of career opportunities for engineers. With developments in areas such as renewable energy, semiconductors and other emerging technologies, the demand for engineers with diverse technical capabilities and an understanding of sustainability is expected to grow.

M. R. Kodandaram, Director, Ramaiah Institute of Technology, said that the evolving technology landscape would create significant opportunities for engineering graduates, while also requiring them to continuously upgrade their knowledge and skills.

“There will be plenty of opportunities in the future. We expect significant changes in several sectors, including renewable energy and semiconductors. As a result, employment opportunities are also expected to increase. There will be a growing need for sustainable engineers in the future, and students need to prepare themselves accordingly,” he said.

The seminar provided students with an opportunity to interact with experts and gain insights into emerging technological trends, research opportunities and the skills required to remain relevant in a rapidly changing professional environment. The emphasis on interdisciplinary learning also reinforced the importance of combining technical expertise with research, innovation, communication and problem-solving capabilities.

The programme was attended by M. R. Kodandaram, Director, RIT; M. R. Sampangi Ramaiah, Honorary Director, RIT; Prof. Arindam Ghosh, Indian Institute of Science; Smt. Gnanapriya Chidambaranathan, Associate Vice-President, Infosys and Chair, IEEE Bangalore Section COM; Dr. Karisiddappa, Education Advisor; Dr. B. Satish Babu, Principal, RIT, along with faculty members, experts and students.

The seminar reaffirmed the importance of creating an engineering education ecosystem that encourages students to think across disciplines, pursue meaningful research and apply technology towards building sustainable and innovative solutions for society.

Dr. Madan S. Gaekwad, COO; Dr. M.R. Jayaram, Chairman, GEF(M); Shri U.T. Khader, Hon’ble Minister; and Dr. Nagendra Swamy S.C, CE, Ramaiah Memorial Hospital, with the donors

The event was graced by Shri U.T. Khader, Hon'ble Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Government of Karnataka, India.

The programme was organised in response to a widening gap between the need for organs and their availability in India. The country's deceased organ donation rate remains below 1 donor per million population, compared to over 48 per million in Spain. While India recorded a landmark 20,138 transplants in 2025, nearly 82% relied on living donors, and more than 89,000 patients remain on transplant waiting lists as of March 2026, a number that far outpaces the availability of organs.

Through this initiative, the hospital sought to encourage more individuals and families to come forward and pledge organ donation, in order to help bridge this critical gap and give patients on the waitlist a genuine chance at life. If we can increase organ donations through brain-dead patients, the situation will definitely improve.

Living organ transplantation continues to be a well-established and life-saving treatment option in India, particularly for kidney and liver failure, where a healthy individual, often a close family member, voluntarily donates an organ or part of an organ to a patient in need. Advances in surgical technique, immunosuppression, and post-transplant care have made living donor transplants highly safe and successful, with excellent outcomes. However, experts note that living donation alone cannot bridge India's growing organ shortage, underscoring the need for more citizens to pledge deceased organ donation, alongside greater awareness, timely identification of potential donors, and robust hospital-level coordination.

Shri U.T. Khader, Hon'ble Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Government of Karnataka, said, "Organ donation is a gift that transcends boundaries of relation and community. The Government of Karnataka remains committed to strengthening deceased donation infrastructure across the state, and initiatives like this by Ramaiah Memorial Hospital play a vital role in encouraging more citizens to come forward and pledge their organs.”

Dr. M. R. Jayaram, Chairman, Gokula Education Foundation (Medical) & Chancellor – Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences (RUAS), said, "Organ donation is among the most profound expressions of human compassion. Today's gathering reflects our collective responsibility to build public awareness and trust around deceased donation. Every family that comes forward brings us closer to closing India's organ gap and giving more patients a genuine chance at life."

Dr. Nagendra Swamy S. C., Chief Executive – Ramaiah Memorial Hospital & Healthcare Services, GEF (Medical), added, "Organ transplantation — whether through living or deceased donation — has evolved into one of the most reliable treatment options for end-stage organ failure. With over 89,000 patients awaiting transplants in India, the need far exceeds availability. Through today's drive, we hope to have inspired more citizens to come forward, pledge their organs, and help us close this critical gap."

The event reinforced the hospital's long-standing commitment to ethical transplant practices and donor awareness in Karnataka. Ramaiah Memorial Hospital's transplant programme spans multiple organ systems, supported by a multidisciplinary team of specialists dedicated to advancing safe, high-quality transplant care in the region.

About Ramaiah Memorial Hospital

Ramaiah Memorial Hospital (RMH), established in 2004, is a 500 bed, JCI-, NABH- and NABL-certified multi-disciplinary super specialty quaternary care hospital in Bengaluru, India. RMH received the Joint Commission International (JCI) Gold Seal of Approval in June 2025. The Gold Seal of Approval is a symbol of a healthcare organization's commitment to meeting international standards of patient care and safety, demonstrating excellence in clinical quality, patient safety, and outcomes. In June 2025, RMH was also certified by the American Heart Association (AHA) as a Comprehensive Chest Pain Center and by the American Stroke Association (ASA) as a Comprehensive Stroke Center. The recent FACT (Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy) accreditation of our Bone Marrow Unit and stem cell laboratory reflects our adherence to rigorous, peer-reviewed standards, ensuring the highest quality of patient care across the entire stem cell process—from collection and processing to administration and long-term follow-up.

With more than 22 years of service, the hospital has touched the lives of over 5 million patients and performed more than two lakh surgeries. Its transplant milestones are close to 600 renal transplants, over 50 heart transplants, more than 210 bone marrow transplants, and liver transplant services initiated in 2025.

Ramaiah Memorial Hospital is affiliated with Mount Sinai International, New York from June 2024, marking a transformative collaboration focused on elevating healthcare through excellence in clinical care, quality, research, innovation, and technology.

Our Centers of Excellence, such as the Ramaiah Institute of Cardiac Sciences, Ramaiah Institute of Oncosciences, Ramaiah Institute of Nephro-Uro Sciences, Ramaiah Institute of Neurosciences, and the Ramaiah Institute of Gastro-Enteric Sciences are delivering comprehensive healthcare services under respective specialties along with other super-specialties.

RMH has received recognition from Newsweek as one of the World's best hospitals in 2025. The ranking is based on hospital recommendations from peers, hospital quality metrics, patient experience, and PROMs implementation survey.

Beyond Hong Kong’s mega events and world-famous attractions, the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) invites Indian visitors to discover the city like a local through its diverse neighbourhoods. Old Town Central, one of HKTB’s signature neighbourhood experiences, brings Hong Kong’s identity to life through an eclectic mix of East and West, past and present, where historic temples and traditional local businesses sit alongside vibrant street art, contemporary cultural landmarks and award-winning restaurants.

From heritage and art to local flavours and exclusive drinks, explore the neighbourhood from day to night along the iconic Central-Mid-Levels Escalator

Anchored by the world’s longest outdoor covered escalator, the Central-Mid-Levels Escalator, Old Town Central invites visitors to experience the vibrant area from day to night. Four newly curated thematic experiences reveal its culture, heritage, art and food, while an interactive AR guide and authentic local voices offer deeper insight into the people and stories behind the neighbourhood. Limited-time keepsakes and themed drinks add even more ways to experience — and remember — Central like a local. 

Uncovering Central’s Heartbeat: Themed Experiences and Authentic Local Voices Along the Central-Mid-Levels Escalator

More than a way to move through Central, the iconic Central-Mid-Levels Escalator becomes the backbone for exploring the neighbourhood’s rich culture, history and community. Designed to bridge the distance between travellers and local residents, the experience encourages visitors to venture beyond the main thoroughfares and immerse themselves in the neighbourhood through four themed experiences highlighting handpicked community gems:

• Old Town Signatures encompasses some of the quintessential experiences that make Central unmistakably Hong Kong. Visitors can explore traditional wet markets and historic temples, stop by one of the city’s last artisanal soy sauce makers at Kowloon Soy Co. Ltd, experience the bustle of an authentic dai pai dong, or browse the open-air stalls of Upper Lascar Row. Together, these local institutions offer a snapshot of the traditions, flavours and everyday experiences that have shaped the neighbourhood.

• Old Town Legacy brings Central’s layered history to life, making it an ideal introduction for families and first-time visitors. From the distinctive granite steps of Pottinger Street and the revitalised former police station and prison complex at Tai Kwun, to the historic Dr Sun Yat-sen Museum and traditional tong lau architecture, this experience traces the people, places and East-meets-West influences that have shaped the district over generations.

• Neighbourhood Taste explores Central through one of the best ways to understand Hong Kong: its food. From breakfast through to nightcap, the experience brings Michelin-starred restaurants, acclaimed and beloved local institutions together side by side. Visitors can begin with traditional tea and dim sum, discover neighbourhood bakeries and herbal tea shops, and explore Central’s internationally celebrated restaurants after dark.  

• Art & Soul reveals the creative side of Central, where contemporary art and design exist alongside traditional craftsmanship and historic streetscapes. Visitors can discover world-class galleries and colourful murals around Hollywood Road, browse antiques along Upper Lascar Row, explore cutting-edge creativity and design at PMQ, and wander through character-filled streets including Wing Lee Street and Tai Ping Shan Street.   

To bring visitors even closer to the heartbeat of the community, a new interactive AR web app (accessed via DiscoverHongKong.com) triggers dynamic, motion-activated content at key locations along each themed experience. The local connection is further deepened through immersive audio experiences, where local business owners or staff at local institutions share personal stories about Central’s evolving character. Featured local voices include:

• Bonny Yuen (Founder of Yuen’s Tailor): a family-run tailoring shop boasting over 55 years of history and craftsmanship.

• Gavin Yeung (Co-founder of Kinsman): a Central place known for its innovative drinks inspired by Cantonese and Chinese flavours.

• Ben Tsui (Fourth-generation owner of Kung Lee Herbal Tea Shop): a time-honoured herbal tea shop famous for its fresh sugar cane juice and traditional herbal jelly.

• Cecilia Chan (Co-founder of Glocal Mahjong): one of the few places in Hong Kong where visitors can pick up a unique mahjong-themed souvenir.

Take Central Memories Home with Limited-Time Keepsakes and Drinks

To mark the launch of the campaign, Old Town Central is introducing a series of exclusive collaborations and special experiences available for a limited time, giving Indian visitors even more reasons to explore the neighbourhood.

Visitors can collect a complimentary Old Town Map to guide their journey through the neighbourhood’s hidden gems, while tourists who spend HKD200 or more in a single same-day transaction at participating merchants can redeem one of five limited-edition Street Sign Pins at Central Market, Tai Kwun, PMQ or other participating merchants.

The new Old Town Central experience is part of HKTB’s broader effort to encourage Indian visitors to explore Hong Kong’s diverse neighbourhoods and connect more deeply with the communities that define the city. By combining heritage, creativity, gastronomy and innovation, Old Town Central invites travellers to venture beyond the city’s more familiar landmarks and discover the authentic stories waiting around every corner.

About Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB)

The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) is a government-subvented body tasked with marketing and promoting Hong Kong as a travel destination worldwide and enhancing visitors' experience once they arrive. These include making recommendations to the Government and other relevant bodies on the range and quality of visitor facilities.

The HKTB’s missions are to maximise the social and economic contribution made by tourism to the community of Hong Kong and to consolidate Hong Kong’s position as a unique, world-class, and most desired destination.