Organised by SPR India, the Navaratri Utsavam featured a towering 53.8-foot-high and 42-foot-wide Golu, comprising 3,750+ traditional dolls arranged in an elaborate stepped structure. The installation celebrated Tamil Nadu's centuries-old Golu tradition, combining intricate craftsmanship, cultural storytelling and devotion on an unprecedented scale.
 

Chennai’s Tallest Golu Display Marks a Navaratri Milestone

The World Book of Records, United Kingdom, adjudicated SPR Constructions Pvt. Ltd. (SPR Group India) for the Tallest Golu Display, recognising the scale and significance of the installation.
 

What began as an initiative to celebrate and preserve a cherished cultural tradition soon became one of the city's major festive attractions. Throughout the ten-day celebration, SPR City witnessed a steady stream of visitors, with families gathering to view the installation and participate in the festivities.
 

The celebrations also featured traditional poojas, devotional music and cultural performances, offering visitors an opportunity to experience the spirit of Navaratri beyond the record-setting display.
 

The World Book of Records certificate is to be presented by Ms. Ankita Shah, Chartered Officer, World Book of Records, to Mr. Prakash Mohanasundaram, Vice President – Revenue, and Mr. Balakumar Chandrasekaran, Senior Vice President – Sales & Marketing, on behalf of SPR Constructions Pvt. Ltd.
 

The achievement highlights Chennai's enduring connection with its cultural traditions and demonstrates how community celebrations can engage people across generations. With more than one lakh visitors and international recognition, SPR City Navaratri Utsavam 2026 has emerged as a significant cultural event in the city.
 

The initiative also reflects SPR India's efforts to create community spaces and experiences that extend beyond residential development, bringing people together through cultural and social engagement.

About SPR City

SPR City is a 63-acre integrated township by SPR India in Perambur, Chennai, home to over 1,000 families. It features Chennai’s tallest residential tower at 47 floors. The project brings together residential, commercial and educational facilities, including Market of India, District 12 office spaces and The Shri Ram Universal School, alongside upcoming shopping, entertainment and healthcare infrastructure.
 

Strategically located, SPR City is approximately 500 metres from Perambur Bus Terminus, 1 km from Perambur Railway Station and 800 metres from the proposed Perambur Metro station. It also offers convenient access to Chennai Central Railway Station, the High Court and the Secretariat. Its integrated commercial spaces cater to businesses, traders and investors.
 

About Market of India

Market of India – Envisioning a New Era of Organized Trade and Commerce. Market of India (MOI), a flagship commercial development within SPR City, is envisioned as a landmark destination for organized retail trade, bringing together diverse business communities within a modern, integrated commercial ecosystem.
 

Conceptualized to redefine the traditional trading landscape, Market of India aims to provide a structured and professionally planned environment for traders, retailers, entrepreneurs and businesses, while strengthening commercial connectivity across Chennai, Tamil Nadu and beyond. As outlined in the project's published master plan, Market of India envisages over 5,000 shops, with approximately 54 lakh sq. ft. of planned built-up area. The development is designed to incorporate essential commercial infrastructure, including a central plaza over 1.5 Acre indoor air conditioned atmosphere brings strong experiences to the mall. With its emphasis on scale, accessibility, infrastructure and business integration, Market of India aspires to establish a new benchmark for organized trade infrastructure and position Chennai as a prominent hub for regional and national retailers.
 

About SPR India

Established in 1972, SPR India is one of Chennai’s established real estate developers, with a legacy spanning over five decades across residential, commercial and mixed-use developments. Its portfolio includes landmark projects such as SPR City, Osian Heights and Osian Chlorophyll.
 

The company’s flagship development, SPR City, is a 63-acre integrated township in Perambur, already home to over 1,000 families. Envisioned as a city within a city, the township brings together residential living, commercial spaces, education and upcoming lifestyle destinations, including Market of India and Chennai’s tallest residential tower.
 

With a focus on integrated urban living, SPR India continues to contribute to Chennai’s evolving real estate landscape.

57 Chitkara University researchers earn recognition among the world’s Top 2% Scientists in the prestigious Stanford University–Elsevier report

The Stanford–Elsevier report identifies influential researchers across disciplines based on standardised citation indicators and research impact. The inclusion of 57 Chitkara University researchers in this global recognition highlights the contributions of its academic and research community to the advancement of scholarship and innovation.

Commenting on the achievement, Dr. Madhu Chitkara, President and Co-Founder, Chitkara University, said, “Research is not simply about expanding the boundaries of knowledge; it is about using that knowledge to address meaningful questions, solve real-world challenges, and contribute to society. The recognition of 57 of our researchers among the world’s top 2% scientists is a proud moment for Chitkara University. It reflects the dedication of our faculty, the strength of our academic environment, and our belief that meaningful research must create an impact beyond the university. We remain committed to nurturing a culture where curiosity is encouraged, ideas are challenged, and discoveries translate into progress for communities and the world.”

At Chitkara University, research is viewed as an integral part of academic growth and institutional development. The University continues to encourage faculty members and researchers to pursue rigorous inquiry, collaborate across disciplines and engage with emerging challenges in science, technology, healthcare, business and other fields.

The recognition also celebrates the individual commitment, intellectual curiosity and sustained efforts of the researchers whose work contributes to the global body of knowledge. Their achievements strengthen the University's research ecosystem and inspire the next generation of scholars to pursue questions that can lead to meaningful discoveries and lasting change.

Congratulating all 57 researchers on this achievement, Chitkara University reaffirmed its commitment to advancing research excellence, supporting innovation and building an academic environment where knowledge creates value for 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

Tamil Nadu Governor Shri Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar presents the award as the company targets 10 million sq. ft. in land sales by 2029

The award was presented by the Honourable Governor of Tamil Nadu, Shri Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, recognising Propshell’s journey and growth in the plotted real estate segment.

Since its inception in 2007, Propshell has steadily expanded its project portfolio while building enduring relationships with customers, landowners and channel partners. Its journey reflects nearly two decades of entrepreneurship, driven by a focus on expanding land ownership opportunities and strengthening its presence in the real estate market.
 

Reflecting upon the milestone and Propshell’s growth ambitions, G. Jayaram, Founder of Propshell, said, “This recognition is a proud moment for me and the entire Propshell family. When we began our journey in 2007, our vision was to create meaningful opportunities for people to own land and participate in real estate growth. Having sold 12 million square feet over the years, we are now working towards achieving another 10 million square feet in sales by 2029. Our ambition goes beyond business growth. We want to enable more families to own land and move closer to building their dream homes. Through responsible plotted development, customer trust and long-term value creation, we aspire to contribute to the broader national vision of ‘Housing for All’.
 

“This achievement belongs to our team, channel partners, landowners and customers who have supported us throughout the years. The award inspires us to build on this foundation and pursue our next phase of growth with greater commitment and ambition," he added.
 

With its 2029 sales target, Propshell aims to build on its established presence across key markets while expanding its plotted development portfolio and creating further opportunities for prospective landowners.

About Propshell

Founded in 2007 by G. Jayaram, Propshell is a real estate company focused on plotted developments and land ownership opportunities. With more than 80 projects, over 10,000 customers and 12 million square feet of land sold, the company has a presence across Chennai, Trichy, Coimbatore and Kodaikanal, as well as in Dubai. Propshell continues to focus on expanding its portfolio, strengthening customer relationships and creating opportunities in the plotted real estate segment, with a target of selling an additional 10 million square feet of plotted land by 2029.

Sathiya Narayanan, Production Head, Nishanth, Research & Development Head, Arun Titan, Founder & CEO, Sowmya, Co-Founder & CFO, Ragul Kishan, Chief Production Officer, Midhun Mohan, Marketing Head

The recipients - Ragul Kishan - Chief Production Officer, Midhun Mohan - Marketing Head, Nishanth - Research & Development Head, and Sathiya Narayanan - Production Head - have consistently demonstrated commitment and gone beyond their responsibilities. In a special touch, each recipient’s family was invited to choose the car, making the occasion a milestone for the entire family.

A Thought That Became a Meaningful Gesture

The idea originated at a family function attended by SILAII CEO and Founder Arun Titan, where he noticed a long-serving team member arriving on a two-wheeler with his entire family after a long journey. The sight prompted him to reflect on how the people who helped build SILAII could share in the comfort and security he enjoyed in his own life.

The initiative was kept under wraps until the employees were invited to a dinner, where each received a personal letter revealing the surprise. Their families were subsequently invited to select their preferred cars, turning the announcement into a shared celebration.

Speaking on the occasion, Arun Titan, CEO and Founder, SILAII, said, “I go back home safely in my car every day, and I wanted the people who have built SILAII with me to enjoy the same comfort and safety with their families. This initiative is a way of expressing our gratitude to them and sharing the success we have built together.”

“At SILAII, we believe India has immense artistic talent, but what is needed is an ecosystem that enables artists and craftspeople to build sustainable livelihoods. Today, we have a team of over 250 people, with nearly 80% of our factory workforce comprising women, many from rural communities who have found their first formal employment and an opportunity to develop their artistic skills with us. Our vision is to make art accessible while creating meaningful careers for the people behind it. We hope to take this forward by establishing an arts college that will enable more young people to pursue art as a respected and viable profession. We want our people to grow alongside SILAII, creating opportunities that extend beyond the workplace and benefit their families as well,” he added.

About SILAII

Founded in 2019 by Arun Titan, SILAII is India’s first sculptural home decor brand and one of India’s finest sculpture brands, driven by the vision of making art accessible to everyone. Rooted in craftsmanship, culture and storytelling, the brand creates finely detailed, IP-certified handcrafted sculptures ranging from 5 inches to 50 feet — from devotional sculptures, levitating sculptures and car dashboard god idols to temple replica sculptures, leaders and icons bust sculptures, official movie merchandise, and customised sculptures for corporate gifting.

With more than 2,00,000 products sold and a presence in over 50 countries, SILAII’s portfolio spans home decor, bespoke creations, corporate gifting and large-scale public sculpture installation, including more than 50 government projects. Among its landmark creations is the 30-foot Nilgiri Tahr, Tamil Nadu’s state animal, installed in front of the Tamil Nadu Secretariat. Its latest endeavour, SILAII Artscape, extends the brand’s vision to designing landscapes through art.

SILAII operates its flagship sculpture store in Adyar, Chennai, along with a store in R.S. Puram, Coimbatore, and a massive sculpture store in Banjara Hills, Hyderabad.

For more information, visit www.silaii.com.

On stage Founders of Pour'd Cocktails (RTB Consumer Brands) accepting the honour

The recognition reflects a wider shift in India's alcobev industry. A growing number of homegrown startups are challenging a market long dominated by established brands and conventional formats. They are introducing new products built around how younger, urban consumers actually socialise. Ready-to-serve cocktails are one of the clearest examples. IWSR projects that India's ready-to-drink segment will grow at a compound annual rate of about 6% through 2034, ahead of several traditional beverage alcohol categories (Beverage Daily, September 2026).

Consumer tastes are also moving. Flavoured spirits, botanical gins and cocktail-led drinking have gained ground as Indian drinkers explore beyond straight pours and familiar mixers. Many are looking for variety, discovery and experiences they once found only at bars. Until recently, cocktails meant going out or mixing drinks at home. Ready-to-serve formats offer a third option: a pre-mixed, bottled cocktail, ready to pour over ice or top up with soda, cola or water. Several international and domestic brands have entered the space over the past year. Analysts, including Euromonitor, note that state-level taxation and regulation still limit how quickly the category can scale.

“Indian drinkers today are more curious and more experimental than ever. You can see it in the rise of flavoured spirits and in how quickly cocktail culture has grown beyond bars,” said Sahith Sethuraman, Co-founder, RTB Consumer Brands. “We build all our cocktails to taste the way they would at a good bar, every single time, and winning a blind tasting tells us that consistency comes through in the glass. It’s also encouraging to see Indian startups being recognised for bringing new formats to a category that hasn’t changed much in decades. There’s a lot of room to grow from here.”

Recently founded, Pour'd set out to make bar-style cocktails available beyond bars and restaurants. Its range removes the preparation involved in making cocktails at home while keeping the character of classic recipes.

About Pour'd

Pour'd is a ready-to-drink cocktail brand from RTB Consumer Brands Private Limited that brings bar-quality cocktails home. Three friends who share a love of great cocktails and good company founded it. The brand makes full-strength, balanced bottled cocktails with premium spirits, built on quality, consistency and convenience.

Tamchy SFIT Named Asia-Pacific's Top Rising Star in fDi's Global Free Zones of the Year Awards 2026 

The judging panel highly praised Tamchy SFIT’s long-term strategy for attracting residents across its priority sectors. The judges also highlighted the jurisdiction’s extensive package of business incentives, including a zero corporate income tax rate for 49 years and unrestricted profit repatriation.

fDi Intelligence is the Financial Times’ specialist division for foreign direct investment (FDI). Its annual Global Free Zones of the Year Awards benchmark free zones around the world across a number of key categories.

The Rising Star category, in particular, recognises the strongest newly established zones, judged on their potential, early evidence of investor interest and the strategic advantages they offer investors.

Ayaz Baetov, First Deputy Chairman of Tamchy SFIT’s Management Council, welcomed the recognition as a significant milestone for the project.

“Being ranked first in Asia-Pacific and second globally so early in Tamchy SFIT’s development is an important international endorsement of our vision. We are creating a next-generation financial jurisdiction that combines the certainty of established international legal practices with the speed, flexibility and digital infrastructure that global businesses increasingly expect,” Baetov said.

Established by law in July 2025, Tamchy SFIT was formally inaugurated by Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov on 3 July 2026, less than a year later. Built from the ground up, the jurisdiction operates on the principles of English common law, with its own financial regulator, an International Dispute Resolution Centre and a single-window digital registrar. A special tax regime guarantees a 0% rate on profits, dividends, capital gains and VAT for 49 years, and allows 100% foreign ownership. The model is designed to accommodate a wide range of businesses, from funds, family offices and holding companies to international trading firms, fintech businesses and other innovation-driven enterprises.

The 6,000-hectare territory on the shores of Lake Issyk-Kul is being developed as an integrated ecosystem that brings together business, living and wellness. A Grade A business centre is already operational, offering modern office spaces and meeting facilities. Issyk-Kul International Airport is within walking distance of the business district. Five more buildings, including a second business centre for residents and two office buildings, are expected to be completed by the end of 2026.

The first residents that registered at Tamchy SFIT at its launch included companies from Switzerland, South Korea, Hong Kong, Kazakhstan and the United Arab Emirates. More than 30 further companies are currently completing registration, fully benefitting from the digital one-stop-shop system.

About Tamchy SFIT

Tamchy Special Financial Investment Territory (SFIT) is a new international financial jurisdiction on the shores of Lake Issyk-Kul in the Kyrgyz Republic, inaugurated in July 2026. Built on the principles of English common law, with its own financial regulator, an independent court and a digital one-stop shop, it offers a special tax regime for 49 years and 100% foreign ownership. Positioned at the intersection of the five EAEU economies and the Eurasian corridor, Tamchy SFIT aims to host around 4,000 resident companies and create more than 10,000 jobs by 2035.

The International Safety Awards are a globally recognised accolade celebrating organisations that demonstrate a strong commitment to high standards of health, safety and wellbeing management. The 2027 awards mark the 69th year of the programme.

Launching the 2027 International Safety Awards, Mike Robinson, Chief Executive of British Safety Council, said, “British Safety Council’s International Safety Awards have long been recognised by leaders and practitioners as a pinnacle of achievement, celebrating outstanding commitment to protecting and improving the health, safety and wellbeing of workers."

“At British Safety Council, our vision is that no one should be injured or made ill through their work, anywhere in the world. I encourage organisations and leaders everywhere who are proud of their health, safety and wellbeing record to put themselves forward for an award.”

In 2026, a total of 885 applications were received for the International Safety Awards; with 95% of applicants successfully achieving a Distinction, Merit or Pass grade.

A full list of 2026 winners can be found here.

Organisations can also be recognised as ‘best in class’ across five award categories:

• Sector Awards recognise the highest-scoring ‘best in class’ submissions to the International Safety Awards by industry sector.

• Best in Country Awards recognise the highest-scoring and best overall applications from individual countries, where there are sufficient applications from that country.

• Best in Company Award recognises organisations with 50 or more participating sites, highlighting the site or sites with the most outstanding applications.

• Chief Adjudicator’s Award recognises the most outstanding applications from the year’s entrants, based on evidence submitted through their application responses.

• People Awards introduced last year, the People Awards are open to all Indian organisations that purchase an entry to the International Safety Awards. Applicants can enter across three categories.

• Site/Plant Head Award recognises efforts to improve the overall health, safety and wellbeing culture of an organisation or site.

• Emerging Female Star in Safety Award recognises women who are breaking through and shaping future leadership in health, safety, wellbeing or environmental management.

• Lifetime Achievement Award recognises an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to workplace health, safety and wellbeing throughout their career.

The following awards are free to enter, whether or not applicants have applied for an International Safety Award:

• Road Safety Initiative: recognises efforts by an organisation to improve road safety through the positive impact of new initiatives.

• India Managing Director Award: recognises efforts to improve overall health, safety and wellbeing culture, with an emphasis on demonstrated leadership across the organisation.

• Dave Parr Medal: recognises a public venue that developed a standout initiative in 2025 that made a significant impact on health, safety or wellbeing at the venue.

• Environmental Award: recognises an organisation that has used climate-change risk assessment and vulnerability modelling to identify and plan adaptation strategies for a changing climate.

• The Innovation in Health Award in collaboration with HSE: This new award recognises pioneering initiatives that have made a significant and measurable impact on preventing work-related health issues in the workplace or across an industry.

• Health, Safety and Wellbeing Ambassador of the Year Award: recognises an employee who has played a significant role in supporting the health, safety and wellbeing of colleagues and others.

• Lifetime Achievement Award: voted for by the Trustees of British Safety Council, this award recognises people who have made an outstanding contribution to workplace health, safety and wellbeing throughout their career.

• Rising Female Star Award in collaboration with SOWSHE-A: recognises women who are breaking through and shaping future leadership in health, safety, wellbeing or environmental management.

• Seize the Opportunity Award: recognises organisations that have gone the extra mile to identify and act on health, safety or wellbeing opportunities arising from a crisis.

• CEO Award: recognises the leadership and strategic vision of CEOs who have made a vital contribution to the health, safety and wellbeing of their business and wider society during 2025.

• The James Tye Award: recognises an organisation or team that developed and ran a campaign in 2025 which made a significant impact on health, safety or wellbeing in the workplace.

• Team of the Year Award: recognises outstanding achievements that have led to a significant improvement in health, safety or wellbeing through collaboration among stakeholders, which may include employees, suppliers, subcontractors or the wider community.

• Wellbeing Initiative Award: recognises organisations that demonstrate a proactive and effective approach to improving employee wellbeing.

The early-bird pricing deadline for applications is 02 November 2026, while the final deadline for entries is 01 February 2027. Results will be announced on 19 March 2027. 

To apply, visit: International Safety Awards | British Safety Council India

As an organization that helps businesses and professionals build skills in cloud, AI, and emerging technologies, CloudThat believes that its commitment to capability building must begin from within. The company has created a culture where continuous development, knowledge sharing, and career growth are embedded into everyday work.
 

CloudThat has been recognized again as a Great Place to Work®-Certified organization in India
 

CloudThat's culture of knowledge-sharing is reflected in the fact that nearly one in four employees is a certified technical trainer, enabling them to contribute expertise across teams while delivering greater value to customers. During FY 2025–26, 52 employees advanced through internal career opportunities, reflecting the company’s focus on enabling growth from within.
 

To support long-term career development, CloudThat has implemented a structured Career Architecture Framework that helps employees understand the skills, capabilities, and opportunities required to progress across roles and career levels. The company also maintains regular leadership engagement through town halls, open conversations, and feedback channels that encourage transparency and collaboration.

The company's people-first culture is reflected in its employees' strong sense of identity and belonging. Employees proudly identify themselves as "CTzens," a term that reflects ownership, collaboration, and community across the organisation.
 

“As a company that helps organizations build future-ready talent, we believe that commitment must begin with our own people,” said Bhavesh Goswami, Founder and CEO of CloudThat. “Earning Great Place To Work® Certification for the second consecutive year reflects the trust our employees place in us. We’ll continue investing in opportunities that empower every CTzen to expand their capabilities, take ownership of their growth, and build a meaningful long-term career.”
 

CloudThat also supports employee well-being and connection through flexible work arrangements, wellness initiatives, sports activities, cultural celebrations, recognition programs, and family-focused events. Over the past year, CloudThat presented 154 awards through company-wide appreciation and rewards initiatives, recognizing employees for their contributions, achievements, and commitment to excellence.

“A strong culture is shaped by employees’ everyday experiences and the support they can access,” said Narendra Babu, CHRO at CloudThat. “We use employee feedback to understand where we’re making progress and where we can do better. This recognition encourages us to keep listening and to strengthen a workplace built on growth, trust, and empathy.”
 

As CloudThat continues to expand its global training and consulting footprint, the company remains committed to fostering an environment where employees can continuously build skills, drive innovation, and shape the future of technology learning.

About CloudThat

CloudThat is a global technology training and consulting company founded in 2012 and headquartered in Bengaluru. The company helps organizations and professionals build capabilities across cloud, AI, data, DevOps, cybersecurity, and other emerging technologies. CloudThat works with leading technology providers, including AWS, Microsoft, and Google Cloud, and has trained more than 1.1 million professionals while delivering training and consulting engagements across 30+ countries.

Prof. Ch Satish Kumar, VC, SRM AP and University leadership felicitating SRM AP faculty recognised among World Top 2% Scientists

The World’s Top 2% Scientists list is a prestigious global database compiled by researchers at Stanford University in collaboration with Elsevier and based on Scopus citation metrics. This recognition reflects the scholarly contributions of researchers across engineering, environmental sciences, mathematics, physics, chemistry, energy engineering, and interdisciplinary research. Their inclusion highlights the University’s growing research footprint and its ambition to strengthen its position as a research-intensive institution with global relevance.

Drawing from his own experience as a researcher, Prof. Ch Satish Kumar, Vice-Chancellor, SRM University–AP, underscored the effort behind every scientific publication and the need to prioritise research quality and long-term impact over numerical metrics alone. He encouraged the awardees to build on their achievements, pursue focused research agendas and contribute to the University’s long-term ambition of significantly increasing the number of globally recognised scientists.

During the felicitation ceremony held on campus, Prof. Soumitra Datta, Advisor, SRM Group, highlighted the centrality of knowledge creation to a university’s identity. He said, “A university is about knowledge creation.” He noted that recognising researchers celebrates their dedication while inspiring colleagues to pursue higher levels of academic and research excellence. He added that a strong intellectual core is fundamental to building an excellent university.

Dr Karthik Rajendran, Associate Dean of Quality Assurance and Rankings (QAR), highlighted the significance of the achievement in strengthening the University’s global standing. He noted that research impact contributes to institutional rankings and stressed the importance of international collaborations, globally relevant research and translating academic work into meaningful outcomes while upholding academic integrity.

Prof. Ranjit Thapa, Dean-Research, representing the research leadership, highlighted the growth from seven recognised researchers last year to 20 this year. He acknowledged the University leadership’s support in strengthening research and attracting academic talent, and expressed confidence that recognition would continue to grow in the coming years.

The 20 recognised faculty members include Prof. Rangabhashiyam Selvasembian, Dr Akash Balakrishnan, Dr Deblina Dutta, and Prof. Meththika Suharshini Vithanage in the research domain of Earth & Environmental Sciences; Dr Aditya Kumar Sahu, Dr Randhir Kumar, Dr Kshira Sagar Sahoo, Dr Prabhujit Mohapatra, and Prof. Saraju Mohanty in Information & Communication Technologies; Prof. Karthik Rajendran, Dr Vinodkumar Etacheri, Gunda Mohanakrishna, Prof. Lakshminarayana Polavarapu, and Prof. Upadrasta Ramamurty in Enabling & Strategic Technologies; Dr Sumit Kumar Mehta, Dr Basabendu Barman, and Prof. Yoshiyuki Kawazoe in Physics & Astronomy; Prof. Corrado Di Natale and Dr Sudip Pan in Chemistry; and Dr Pintu Bhunia in Mathematics & Statistics.

Dr Vinayak Kalluri, Registrar, noted that the recognition spans diverse research areas and encouraged the academic community to appreciate the distinct contributions researchers make within their respective disciplines. Deans, Directors and University leadership congratulated the honourees and emphasised that institutional recognition can motivate researchers to keep contributing meaningfully to their fields.

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.

Sukanta Parida, Director, Admissions & Marketing at Centurion University of Technology and Management (CUTM)

The recognition highlights Parida’s contribution to admissions strategy, institutional outreach, industry-academia engagement and student-focused initiatives in the higher education sector.

Parida has been associated with Centurion University since 2019, when he joined as Head of Admissions. He currently leads initiatives covering admissions and student recruitment, marketing, institutional communication, physical and digital outreach, stakeholder engagement and industry academia partnerships.

During his tenure, the university’s student admissions increased from over 2,400 to more than 6,000. His work has included expanding student outreach through digital platforms, grassroots engagement and counselling, while strengthening interactions with schools, industry partners, government organisations and other stakeholders. Through the digital outreach and effective media planning the brand positioning from a regional brand to national brand happened in these years. The student recruitment from across country from all states. During this period, he has been able to initiate and effectively increase the international admissions from 10+ countries.

The recognition comes amid ongoing changes in India’s higher education sector, where institutions are increasingly focusing on employability, industry exposure, skill development, technology-enabled learning and student outcomes.

Speaking on the recognition, Sukanta Parida said, “I am deeply honoured to receive the Excellence in Higher Education Leadership 2026 recognition. I see this award as a reflection of the collective efforts of the institutions, colleagues, students, industry partners and stakeholders with whom I have had the opportunity to work throughout my professional journey. Higher education is undergoing a significant transformation, and I remain committed to contributing to an ecosystem that is more industry-connected, skill-oriented, inclusive and focused on meaningful student outcomes.”

Parida has more than 24 years of professional experience across education, technology, marketing, business development, skill development and entrepreneurship. Prior to his current leadership role at CUTM, he worked with organisations including ICFAI, HCL Learning, iNurture Education and ICA Edu Skills in areas including admission, branding, marketing, business development, leading profit centres, industry engagement and skill-based education.

His professional background also includes co-founding a software venture in 2002 that served more than 50 educational institutions across eastern India. 

The ‘Excellence in Higher Education Leadership 2026’ honour adds to his professional journey in the education sector, particularly in admissions, institutional outreach, industry engagement and student-centric higher education initiatives.

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.

Ajitesh’s approach to real estate starts much before a building is designed. His focus is on understanding the people who will eventually live in it. From deciding what a home should offer to planning the spaces around it, he believes every decision should answer a simple question: will this make everyday life better for the people who use it?
 

Ajitesh Korupolu, CEO, ASBL awarded with Growth Leader of the Year

While much of real estate has traditionally relied on experience, market intuition and gut feeling, Ajitesh chose to build the company around data and research. He understood that real estate was one of the most data-poor industries and that building a strong data foundation would take time. But he also believed that the effort would create a long-term advantage. Today, data and research are part of how ASBL approaches decisions across the life of a project.

He has built ASBL to work more like a technology company, using technology to understand customers, improve decision-making and make the home-buying and home-owning journey simpler. This approach extends from the early stages of research and design to construction and continues even after handover.
 

His view of a home has also evolved beyond four walls. Homes today need to support work, children, family time and everyday convenience. This means the product cannot stop at the apartment. It needs to consider the spaces people use, the way they interact with their surroundings and the community they become part of. That is why Ajitesh believes in building communities, not just buildings.
 

Ajitesh is working to digitise one of the oldest and most data-poor industries in the world. He does not see this simply as PropTech or Construction Tech, as he believes those terms are too narrow. His thinking goes beyond the building itself. Cities are systems where homes, roads, workplaces and people are connected. When these systems do not work well, people lose time in traffic, families feel the pressure and everyday life becomes harder. For Ajitesh, technology should help improve how this entire system is planned and built. He describes this larger idea as “Civilization Tech”.
 

The Growth Leader of the Year recognition reflects this larger approach to growth. For Ajitesh, growth is not only about selling more homes or building more projects. It is about building a company that understands its customers better, makes better decisions and uses technology and data to improve how homes and communities are created.
 

Under his leadership, ASBL continues to build with the belief that a home should be designed around the people who live in it. The focus is not simply on creating apartments, but on creating places where people can live, work, spend time with their families and build connections. The award is a recognition of that approach and of Ajitesh’s effort to bring a more data-driven, technology-led way of thinking to Indian real estate.

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.

Media OutReach Newswire Founder & CEO Jennifer Kok, Top Nominee for the EY Entrepreneur Of the Year 2026 Malaysia awards, in the Woman Entrepreneur category
 

Since its launch in 2002, EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Malaysia has recognised more than 350 entrepreneurs, as part of a global programme held in more than 60 countries and jurisdictions. An independent panel of judges assesses nominees against four pillars: entrepreneurial spirit, purpose, growth and impact. Winners will be announced at a gala dinner on 1 December 2026.

A 17-year entrepreneurial journey

Entrepreneurial spirit that built Asia's first global newswire
Jennifer founded Media OutReach Newswire in 2009 to build what the industry lacked – a global newswire born in Asia – becoming the first woman to found a global newswire, and has continued to redefine the PR industry through industry-first innovations, from the digital era to the age of AI.
 

Purpose that turns business success into shared opportunity
Her mission since day one has been to help Asian brands authentically build their reputation in global markets, leading with a social enterprise mindset that creates opportunity for clients, the PR community and her team. Giving back has always been close to her heart. She provides pro bono press release distribution to help NGOs and community initiatives amplify their impact, while supporting children, marginalised communities and animal welfare.

Growth that promotes Asian excellence worldwide
Today, Media OutReach Newswire connects brands with 200,000+ journalists and editors and 70,000+ media titles across 190+ countries and territories, with targeted distribution across 500+ trade categories, alongside 1,500+ media partnerships and offices in eight Asian markets, including Malaysia.

Impact is redefining PR for the AI era
Trusted by thousands of agencies, corporations, governments and SMEs, the company has repeatedly set industry standards – most recently becoming a fully AI-enabled newswire in 2026. Media OutReach Newswire connects clients' news with journalists and enables the news to be cited by AI, helping build brand trust, increase AI visibility, and maximise PR impact.

Media OutReach Newswire's next phase of growth is anchored in three pillars: AI innovation, people and social impact. The company uses AI to innovate its services and workflows for clients and staff, invests in its team, and funds community projects for children and animals.

"Seventeen years ago, I set out to build Asia Pacific's first global newswire so that Asian brands could tell their stories to the world," said Jennifer Kok, Founder and CEO of Media OutReach Newswire.

"To be named a Top Nominee in the award's 25th year in Malaysia is an honour I share with our team, media partners and clients. Entrepreneurship, to me, has never been just about business. It is about creating opportunities, empowering the PR industry, investing in people and using what you build to help others succeed. Our vision is to help Asian brands to achieve global communications success."
 

Minister of Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development Steven Sim Chee Keong (eighth from right) with Top Nominees for the EY Entrepreneur Of the Year 2026 Malaysia awards

About Media OutReach Newswire
Media OutReach Newswire is Asia Pacific's first global newswire, founded in 2009 by Jennifer Kok as a trusted partner to media, corporations, agencies and governments. As an AI-enabled global newswire, Media OutReach Newswire connects brands with 200,000+ journalists and editors and 70,000+ media titles across 190+ countries and territories. Through targeted press release distribution, direct journalist access and guaranteed posting on credible news sites with domain authority, it helps brands earn media coverage and build visibility and citations in AI search. Every distribution includes multi-format reports with data insights, and its PR Campaign Intelligence measures communications impact over time.

Headquartered in Hong Kong SAR, with offices in the Chinese Mainland, Singapore, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam and Taiwan, Media OutReach Newswire's distribution network spans Asia Pacific, North America, Latin America, the UK and Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

For more information, please visit www.media-outreach.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.

L-R: Kumarasamy Ramesh, S. Thirunavukkarasu, S. Maasnam, Vishnu Khemani, Appar Lakshmanan and R. Rangachari at I AM STRONGEST Awards

The 2026 edition, themed “CARVED IN STRENGTH: Honouring Generations of Craftsmanship & Innovation,” celebrated the people behind some of the country’s most intricate wooden creations. From temple chariots and sacred sculptures to monumental doors and architectural woodwork, the awardees represent generations of knowledge, skill and perseverance that continue to keep traditional craftsmanship alive.

The five awardees were Perunthachar Appar Lakshmanan, Dr. R. Rangachari Sthapathi, Thiru. S. Maasanam Achari, Thiru. S. Thirunavukkarasu Sthapathi, and Thiru. Kumarasamy Ramesh Sthapathi. Their work spans temple and heritage projects across India and overseas, while their contributions extend beyond craftsmanship to training, knowledge-sharing and supporting the wider artisan community.

Perunthachar Appar Lakshmanan was recognised for his innovative approach to traditional carpentry, including his distinctive wooden car, bike and household creations. A master carpenter from the Thiruvallur region, he has created temple chariots at several locations across Tamil Nadu, including the Tamil Ther at Chennai International Airport. A recipient of the Poompuhar State Award for 2011–2012, he has also authored ten books on carpentry and trained students in wood sculpture.

Dr. R. Rangachari Sthapathi was honoured for carrying forward a 13-generation legacy of temple chariot making and traditional wood sculpture. Through Rangachari Traditional Wood Sculptures, he creates hand-carved sculptures, decorative panels and architectural woodwork rooted in Tamil Nadu’s craft traditions. His work reflects both the intricate detailing of traditional sculpture and his commitment to passing this knowledge on to future generations.

Thiru. S. Maasanam Achari was recognised for his mastery of large-scale wood carving using traditional hand tools. Based in Madurai, he continues a family craft tradition spanning for about 55 years, working with his brothers to create deity figures, Chettinad-style doors and pooja mandapams. His family workshop has contributed wooden structural components to the Meenakshi Amman Temple’s Velli Ambalam silver mandapam and supplied carved pillars and deity sculptures to Malaysia.

Thiru. S. Thirunavukkarasu Sthapathi was honoured for his extensive contribution to crafting temple vahanams and preserving the intricate sculptural traditions associated with sacred processional works. A graduate of the Government College of Sculpture and Architecture, Mamallapuram, he carries forward his traditional practice through MARABU in Andipandal. His major works include a 62-foot chariot for the Sri Pandurangan–Rukmini Temple at Govindapuram and the 32-foot Athi Vinayagar sculpture, carved from athi wood, installed in Nagapattinam.

Thiru. Kumarasamy Ramesh Sthapathi was recognised for combining craftsmanship with a strong commitment to the welfare of fellow artisans. With more than two decades of experience, he leads Manasa Wood Creations, specialising in traditional woodcraft and large temple timber structures. Among his major projects are the 90 doors created for Ayodhya’s Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir, handed over in November 2025, along with temple projects undertaken in India and overseas.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Vishnu Khemani, Founder and Managing Director, SharonPly, said, “A finished creation reflects not just skill, but years of learning, discipline and experience. Through this year’s I AM STRONGEST Awards, we place the maker at the centre, celebrating artisans whose expertise preserves traditional knowledge while evolving with contemporary needs. CARVED IN STRENGTH reflects SharonPly’s long standing association with wood and our respect for the craftsmanship that transforms it into functional, architectural and cultural creations. By honouring these masters of woodcraft, we hope to inspire greater appreciation for skilled craftsmanship and encourage the transfer of knowledge across generations. I AM STRONGEST continues to spotlight individuals whose achievements and contributions inspire others.”

I AM STRONGEST: Celebrating Strength in Every Form

Launched in 2019, the SharonPly I AM STRONGEST Awards celebrates individuals whose actions demonstrate strength, resilience and service to society. Its first edition honoured wheelchair basketball player Malathi and social change maker Logammal. In 2020, the Awards paid tribute to frontline workers who lost their lives during the COVID-19 pandemic, while the 2021 edition recognised everyday heroes who supported communities during the pandemic’s second wave. Both editions were held online. In 2022, the platform turned its attention to animal welfare, celebrating individuals whose work extended to birds, elephants and other animals. The 2024 edition honoured Tamil Nadu’s Olympic hockey legends, while the 2025 edition recognised retired senior Army officers who continue to contribute to public understanding as defence analysts.

With each edition, I AM STRONGEST has sought to make a different form of strength visible. In 2026, the spotlight turned to artisans whose names may be less familiar than the remarkable works they have created—recognising the skill, experience and dedication behind generations of craftsmanship.

About SharonPly

Established in 1987, SharonPly offers plywood, decorative veneers, doors and related products. Its manufacturing facility is located in Gummidipoondi - India’s largest plywood manufacturing facility, near Chennai, and is among. The company’s connection with wood gives the 2026 edition of I AM STRONGEST Awards particular significance, as it recognises the human skill, knowledge and dedication that transform wood into products, structures and cultural creations.

Racold joins the Restore Awards as Earth Partners

The partnership comes at a time when sustainability is increasingly influencing how consumers, businesses and institutions think about the technologies they use every day. As Earth Partner, Racold will contribute to the larger conversation around how innovation can enable more responsible choices, particularly in areas where energy efficiency can have a direct and measurable impact. The partnership brings together Racold’s expertise in efficient heating technologies with a platform focused on positive impact for people and the planet.

Racold’s focus on “Sustainable Comfort For Everyone” is rooted in this intersection of comfort and efficiency. Its portfolio of advanced water heaters and heat pump solutions is designed to optimize energy usage, and reduce energy consumption by up to 70%*, depending on the application and operating conditions. By enabling more efficient heating, these solutions can help households and businesses reduce their energy footprint while continuing to meet their everyday hot water requirements efficiently.

The opportunity extends beyond individual products to the wider built environment. As businesses and institutions increasingly integrate energy efficiency into their infrastructure and operational priorities, technologies such as heat pumps can play a role in reducing energy demand and supporting the transition towards more sustainable systems.

Commenting on the association, Mohit Narula, Managing Director & Country Manager – Ariston Group India Pvt. Ltd, said, “Comfort and sustainability need not be competing priorities. The opportunity lies in using technology to deliver the comfort people need while consuming energy more responsibly. Our association with The Restore Awards reflects our belief that sustainability is also about making better choices in the technologies we use every day. Through our energy-efficient water heating and heat pump solutions, we are working towards making responsible comfort a more practical reality for consumers and businesses.”

As the conversation around sustainable living and infrastructure evolves, Racold remains focused on solutions that bring together performance, energy efficiency and environmental responsibility. Through its association with The Restore Awards®, the brand seeks to reinforce a simple proposition: the future of comfort is not just about how well we live, but how responsibly we use the resources that make that comfort possible.

About Racold

Racold is one of India's leading premium water heating solutions providers and a wholly owned subsidiary of Ariston Group, the Italian global leader in sustainable thermal comfort. With over six decades of expertise, Racold combines Italian design, global engineering and local manufacturing to deliver innovative, energy-efficient and durable water heating solutions for residential, commercial and institutional applications. Its comprehensive portfolio includes instant and storage water heaters, heat pumps and customized hot water systems equipped with advanced technologies. Backed by Ariston Group's presence across more than 40 countries and its expertise in water heating, space heating and renewable energy technologies, Racold brings global innovation tailored to the evolving needs of Indian consumers. Recognized as the only water heating brand in India to receive the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) Award ten times, Racold continues to redefine everyday comfort through innovation, performance, safety and sustainability, supported by a robust nationwide service network.* Up to 70% electricity savings compared to conventional electric water heating solutions.

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

Widely regarded as the global authority on workplace culture, Great Place To Work® has been setting the global benchmark for high-trust workplaces across more than 170 countries. Its rankings are built on confidential employee feedback through the Trust Index™ Survey, making this recognition even more meaningful because it reflects the lived experiences of women employees and provides an authentic measure of workplace culture. 
 

For Pramerica Life Insurance, this recognition builds on a culture journey that has strengthened steadily over the years. The company has now been Great Place To Work® Certified™ for four consecutive years, with its Trust Index™ score improving progressively throughout these years. During this period, Pramerica Life has also advanced from the being among the Top 50 to Top 25 in India’s Best Workplaces™ in BFSI 2026, secured the 72nd rank among India's Best Companies To Work For 2026, and been recognised among India's Best Workplaces™ in Life Insurance 2026.
 

The company's progress is also reflected in the growing representation of women across the organisation. Women's representation in the overall workforce has increased from 21% in 2022 to 30% in 2026, while women now represent 17% of leadership at the Vice President level and above, up from 12% in 2022. 
 

A dedicated initiative, SheShines, sits at the centre of this progress. It offers wellness support, expert-led sessions on personal and professional themes, and structured opportunities for dialogue and learning, alongside creative and therapeutic activities and programmes focused on women's health, mental well-being and personal growth. The initiative reflects Pramerica Life's broader culture philosophy, centred on listening, well-being, growth, safety and belonging, designed to give women employees the support and opportunities to thrive across different stages of their careers.
 

The company further strengthens its support for employees through 182 days of fully paid maternity leave, paid adoption leave and structured reintegration support, helping make the transition back to work more seamless. It also places strong emphasis on safety and dignity through its POSH policy, confidential grievance mechanisms and safe cab facilities for employees travelling late. Underpinned by a zero-tolerance approach to disrespect and misconduct, these measures help foster a workplace where every employee feels secure, respected and empowered to learn, grow and realise their full potential.
 

Broader people and culture initiatives support this direction too. Platforms such as Aap Ki Awaaz, CEO town halls and regular leadership communication promote openness and active listening, while engagement programmes like Swasthum and SPARKLE build connection and well-being. Career development, mentoring and recognition programmes give employees the room to build capabilities and pursue growth. 
 

Pankaj Gupta, Managing Director & CEO, Pramerica Life Insurance, said, "For an insurer, trust holds immense importance. It's the basis on which customers choose us to secure the future of the people they love. It's equally important to us that our employees place that same trust in us, in how we treat them, support them and help them grow. It's a matter of pride that our efforts on this front are being validated consistently, by our own employees, earning us recognition year after year from a platform as credible as Great Place To Work®. We will continue building a workplace our people can place their trust in, just as our customers place theirs in us."
 

Sharad K. Sharma, Chief Human Resources Officer, Pramerica Life Insurance, added, "We believe employees who feel supported, heard and valued bring their best to work every day, and are far more likely to grow with an organisation for the long term. That belief has shaped several of our decisions and initiatives, from health and well-being support to safety, flexibility and growth opportunities, all built around what our people genuinely need. This recognition is a welcome validation of that direction and we are proud of it. We remain committed to continuing this journey by creating opportunities that enable our people to thrive and contribute with confidence."
 

This recognition reinforces Pramerica Life Insurance's belief that an inclusive and high-trust workplace is fundamental to building a stronger organisation and delivering long-term value for customers and stakeholders. 

About Pramerica Life Insurance Limited

Pramerica Life Insurance Limited is a joint venture between DIL, a wholly owned subsidiary of Piramal Finance Limited (erstwhile Piramal Capital and Housing Finance Limited) and Prudential International Insurance Holdings, Ltd. (PIIH), a fully owned subsidiary of Prudential Financial, Inc. (PFI). It represents the coming together of two renowned financial services organizations with a legacy of business excellence spread over decades. Pramerica Life Insurance Limited, started operations in India on September 1, 2008 and has a pan India presence through multiple distribution channels which have been customized to address the specific insurance needs of diverse customer segments. The Company is committed to providing protection and quality financial advice to its customers. Pramerica is the brand name used in India and select countries by PFI.

For more details, please visit www.pramericalife.in.

About Piramal Finance Limited

Piramal Finance Limited is a retail-led upper-layer NBFC with a pan-India presence, having served over 5 million customers across 26 states. The company manages Assets under Management (AUM) of over ₹1,00,000 Cr and operates a distinctive phygital model - combining high-touch engagement across 13,000+ pin codes with high-tech capabilities including machine learning models, agentic AI tools and real-time dashboards. In retail lending, Piramal Finance offers home loans, loans against property, used car loans, personal loans, digital loans and small business loans, with a strong focus on metro-adjacent, semi-urban and rural markets. In wholesale lending, the company provides asset-backed, data-driven solutions across real estate and select non-real estate sectors, with a focus on mid-segment residential projects and capital solutions for mid-market corporates. With its digital-first approach and AI-enabled platforms, Piramal Finance is committed to expanding access to affordable credit and driving inclusive growth across India.

For more information visit piramalfinance.com.

About Prudential Financial

Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE: PRU), a global financial services leader and premier active global investment manager with approximately $1.6 trillion in assets under management as of June 30, 2026, has operations in the United States, Asia, Europe, and Latin America. Prudential’s diverse and talented employees help make lives better and create financial opportunity for more people by expanding access to investing, insurance, and retirement security. Prudential’s iconic Rock symbol has stood for strength, stability, expertise, and innovation for over 150 years.

For more information, please visit news.prudential.com.

Five years of LWL creating spaces for women to connect, lead, and make impact

Over the last five years, the organisation has evolved from a community for women into a curated ecosystem for women leaders, bringing together women across industries, cities and stages of leadership. Today, LWL comprises 1,500+ women across 80+ industries and 25+ cities, with a growing presence across India, Dubai and London, and has brought 200+ speakers into its ecosystem.

As LWL marks five years, the conversation around women in leadership is shifting from representation to meaningful influence, decision-making and access. LWL’s five-year journey reflects a shift in its own approach: from creating access and community to building pathways that can translate relationships, knowledge and visibility into tangible outcomes.

“When we started Ladies Who Lead, the need was clear: women needed access to the right rooms, the right people, and each other. Five years later, it has become equally clear that access alone is not enough. The real opportunity lies in what a woman is able to do once she enters that room, whether that is to build a business, raise funding, step into a board role, find a mentor, or create an opportunity for someone else. For me, the evolution of LWL has always been about staying close to the individual journeys within our community and building an ecosystem that responds to where women are in their careers and where they want to go next. LWL isn’t just about being in the room. It’s about what becomes possible because you were,” said Aabha Bakaya, Co-Founder, Ladies Who Lead.

Over the last five years, the network has seen conversations and connections translate into a range of career and business outcomes for its members. These include Rutvika Charegaonkar being inspired to build her curly hair-care brand, The Curl Co., through an LWL curation; Supriya Jain launching a Kosmoderma clinic franchise through her connection with Dr. Chytra Anand; and Rachna Nath and Atreyi Das connecting through LWL and subsequently launching BXV Global Consulting together. An LWL introduction also connected Suniti Gupta’s Meero Digital Labs with NITI Aayog’s Women Entrepreneurship Program, leading to the co-design of the Agri ATR programme.

The evolution of LWL’s offerings reflects how the needs of women professionals and entrepreneurs have changed, with greater emphasis on practical support alongside access to a network. The mentorship programme, for instance, enables women to seek guidance on specific career and business challenges, while its broader conversations and interactions with leaders offer exposure to diverse perspectives. Together, these initiatives reflect a growing need for women to have access to mentorship, knowledge and networks that can support them at different stages of their leadership journeys. 

“Having spent years building businesses and sitting on boards, I have seen first-hand that the lack of women around the table is not an anecdotal gap. It is a structural one. What stood out to me about LWL was its attempt to address that gap not simply through representation, but by building the infrastructure around leadership: the relationships, knowledge, mentorship, and opportunities that allow access to translate into meaningful participation. A strong leadership ecosystem should create value in both directions. It should help women access the rooms that matter, while also enabling them to contribute, create opportunities, and open doors for others. That is the opportunity LWL has been building towards over the last five years,” said Aditya Ghosh, Co-Founder, Ladies Who Lead.

As LWL enters its next chapter, the focus will be on deepening the value of its network, expanding its global footprint and creating stronger pathways across different stages of leadership. This includes enabling emerging leaders to find the right mentors, supporting founders as they scale, helping senior professionals access board opportunities, and creating greater access to capital, knowledge and global platforms.

The organisation also aims to create more measurable outcomes from its ecosystem, including more businesses scaled, leadership transitions enabled, board opportunities created and collaborations facilitated.

The next phase of LWL’s journey is therefore centred on building a more connected global leadership ecosystem where women can enter at any stage of their journey and find the people, perspectives, opportunities and support they need for what comes next.

About Ladies Who Lead

Ladies Who Lead (LWL) is a premium, members-only leadership and networking platform committed to empowering women professionals across India. Founded in 2021 by veteran business journalist Aabha Bakaya and business leader Aditya Ghosh, LWL brings together a diverse community of over 1,500 women leaders across 80+ industries. With curated events, high-intent networking, mentorship, and a robust digital platform, LWL enables women to connect, collaborate, and grow. The platform’s vision is to see more women in leadership roles and to create an ecosystem where women can lead boldly, drive impact, and inspire change.

For more information, please visit ladieswholead.in.

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

Raj Subramaniam, President & CEO FedEx Corporation with Karen Schneier Dresbach, Executive Vice President, & Rabbi Arthur Schneier, Founder & President, Appeal of Conscience Foundation

As president and CEO of FedEx Corporation, Subramaniam leads one of the world's largest transportation and logistics companies. A more than 35-year FedEx veteran, Subramaniam became the second CEO in the company's history in 2022 after serving in a series of leadership roles across the global enterprise, including as President and Chief Operating Officer. His international leadership experience and focus on globalization have contributed to the success and transformation of FedEx, while his work outside the company has focused on advancing economic growth and global trade. In 2023, Subramaniam received the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award, the highest civilian honor presented by the President of India to members of the Indian diaspora in recognition of outstanding achievements in India and abroad.

"I am honored to receive the Appeal of Conscience Award from Rabbi Schneier and the Appeal of Conscience Foundation," said Raj Subramaniam, president and CEO of FedEx. "At FedEx, we believe that connecting the world through trade and innovation does more than move goods – it builds bridges, fosters international cooperation, and brings communities closer together. We are committed to leveraging our global reach to build a more connected and unified world."

Through its global network, FedEx connects businesses and economies, enabling trade and creating pathways for businesses to reach markets around the world. In India, FedEx continues to strengthen its infrastructure and capabilities, supporting Indian businesses in accessing international markets and participating in global trade.

"Raj Subramaniam is being recognized for his international visionary leadership and steadfast commitment to connecting people worldwide through innovation and service," said Rabbi Arthur Schneier, founder and president of the Appeal of Conscience Foundation. "Under his stewardship, FedEx has advanced a culture of social and global responsibility and international cooperation that reflects ACF's mission."

Previous Honorees

The ACF has recognized prominent business leaders and public figures with the Appeal of Conscience Award including: Bernard Arnault, Mary Barra, Barbara Bush, Michael Bloomberg, Albert Bourla, Archbishop Elpidophoros, Robert Iger, Muhtar Kent, Coretta Scott King, Robert Kraft, Brian Moynihan, Virginia Rometty, Stephen A. Schwarzman, Masayoshi Son, Paul Volcker, Timotheus Höttges, Stephen M. Ross, Susan Wojcicki, Dr. Rong Yiren, Dr. Henry Kissinger, Cardinal Timothy Dolan and Tony Elumelu.

Bisleri Wins Mahatma Awards 2026 in CSR Excellence for its Greener Promise initiative

The award ceremony was graced by Dr Santrupt Mishra, Rajya Sabha MP, Dr Kiran Bedi, the first woman IPS Officer of the country, as the Chief Guest, along with Guests of Honour Ms Sukanya Bharat Ram, Mahatma Gandhi Ji’s Great-Granddaughter.

The Mahatma Award draws its inspiration from the life and principles of Mahatma Gandhi. Embodying the spirit of his enduring legacy, this prestigious award recognises and celebrates individuals and organisations that catalyse positive change, dedicate their efforts to making the world a better place, and exemplify Mahatma Gandhi's ideals through their transformative work. The award was instituted by Gandhian and lawyer Mr Amit Sachdeva, CSR Man of India and supported by Ms Rajashree Birla, Chairperson of the Aditya Birla Centre for Rural Development and Communication Initiatives.

Speaking on the achievement, Dr Angelo George, CEO, Bisleri International, said, “Receiving the Mahatma Award for the second time is especially meaningful, as it reflects the consistency and commitment of Bisleri’s sustainability efforts. Our Greener Promise is shaped by the choices our teams make, the partnerships we build, and the communities we work with. This recognition is a testament to the collective efforts of our employees, partners and people on the ground who continue to translate our sustainability ambitions into meaningful, measurable action. As we grow, our focus remains on building a responsible business that contributes meaningfully to India’s sustainable progress.”

As part of the event, Mr K Ganesh, Director – Sustainability and Corporate Affairs, Bisleri International, participated in a panel discussion on Corporate Environmental Responsibility: How businesses can adopt and champion eco-friendly practices, sharing insights on Bisleri's approach to embedding sustainability across its business operations.

The event also saw the launch of CSR Good Book, a compendium of Sustainable and Socially Responsible Brands, Corporations, Public Sector enterprises and foundations. The edition featured Bisleri’s sustainability journey, including the extensive work the company has done to advance circular economy models, water stewardship, and a water credits framework to encourage water conservation across industries and sectors.

For Bisleri, the consecutive Mahatma Awards reflect how the company has made Greener Promise integral to business growth, value chain, and stakeholder interactions.  By linking environmental responsibility to people’s participation, community livelihoods, and scalable systems, the company continues to foster positive, long-term change for individuals and communities to maintain greener planet.

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.

Graduating students with distinguished guests and Ms. Archana Surana, Director, ARCH College of Design & Business, during the 24th Convocation Ceremony in Jaipur

The ceremony was graced by distinguished guests, including Sh. Vijay Golecha, Co-Founder and Director, Golcha Jewels, who delivered the Convocation Keynote Address; Dr. Rahul Mishra, State Director, KVIC, MSME, Government of India; and Sh. Rajat Verma, Assistant Director, DCH, Jaipur. Also, present were Sh. Binoy Thoompunkal, Director – International, ARCH, and Sh. Siddharth Mohanty, Coordinator, ARCH, along with faculty members and staff. The ceremony was presided over by Ms. Archana Surana, Director, ARCH College of Design & Business.

A graduating student receives the degree from the dignitaries during ARCH College of Design & Business’s 24th Convocation Ceremony in Jaipur

Speakers Emphasise Purpose, Creativity, Entrepreneurship and Sustainability

Delivering the keynote address, Sh. Vijay Golecha emphasised the importance of understanding the ‘why’ behind every journey, noting that clarity of purpose is what ultimately makes a difference. He highlighted that the clearer individuals are about the reasons behind their journey, the more meaningful and successful that journey can become.

Speaking about his experience at ARCH, Sh. Golecha expressed how deeply he was moved by the work of the college's Jewellery Design students. He remarked that he would have considered himself fortunate to have studied at ARCH himself.

Drawing from his experience as an artist, he spoke of a strong creative kinship with the students and encouraged them to preserve their individuality and creative ethos at every stage of their journey towards becoming designers.

Sh. Rajat Verma congratulated the graduating students and encouraged them to explore entrepreneurship as a pathway to creative freedom. He also highlighted the various government schemes and support mechanisms available to young designers seeking to establish their own ventures, encouraging students to explore these opportunities as they enter their professional lives.

Addressing the graduating batch, Dr. Rahul Mishra reflected on the significance of the present era, where technology has made it remarkably seamless to accomplish tasks and pursue possibilities that were once difficult to access.

Using the metaphor of a river that originates at a glacier and spontaneously winds its way towards the sea, Dr. Mishra encouraged students to recognise the opportunities and possibilities available to them in the present era.

He urged students to use their education not only to seek employment but also to consider building enterprises of their own. He further emphasised the importance of sustainable living, responsible consumption and conserving resources for future generations.

Referring to the opening verse of the Isha Upanishad, Dr. Mishra highlighted the philosophy of respecting and responsibly using the world's resources. His message reinforced the need to take only what is required, conserve resources and work towards a sustainable future.

ARCH Graduates Recognised for Excellence

Addressing the graduating students, Ms. Archana Surana, Director, ARCH, reflected on the larger purpose of design education.

“Design is not merely a skill; it is a way of thinking, seeing and bringing about change in society. Our students are moving forward today not merely with a degree, but with a vision, a sense of responsibility and the ability to shape the future. The mission of ARCH has always been to prepare creative and confident professionals who can create meaningful impact in the world.”

The convocation recognised 75+ graduating students with certificates. Students and alumni were also honoured across several categories for their academic performance, innovation and contribution.

• Best Overall Performance: Shagun Gupta, B.Des. Interior Design

• Innovative Student: Sukanya Sen, B.Des. Fashion Design

• Academic Excellence Award: Sakshi Biyani, Rishi Mehta, Ishika Lohia, Devanshi Rander, Bhumika Srivastava and Pranjal Thadnani

• Alumni Excellence Award: Sukriti Banthia, Narendra Saini, Rohit Paliwal and Pooja Vijayvergiya

The ceremony concluded on a celebratory note, bringing together graduating students, parents, faculty members, guests and the ARCH community to commemorate the students' achievements and wish them success as they embark on their professional journeys.

For admission and programme-related information, prospective students can visit ARCH Admission Information.

Pranav Raaj Aggarwall receives the National Awards at the 15th National Education Excellence Conclave 2026

The event was attended by several distinguished dignitaries including Dr. Amit Dutta, Director, All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE); Dr. Alka Gurjar, Honourable Member of Parliament, BJP; Mr. Varun Tandan, CEO, Water Management and Plumbing Skill Council, and many other eminent personalities from the education and skilling sector. The prestigious awards were received by Mr. Pranav Raaj Aggarwall, Group CEO, International School of Design.

The “Best Design Institute in India 2026” award acknowledges INSD’s contribution to design education and its continued focus on developing skilled, industry-ready creative professionals. INSD has built its education model around skill-first learning, industry-driven curriculum, practical exposure, live projects, internships, portfolio development and career support. The institution offers programmes across disciplines including Fashion Design, Interior Design, Graphic Design, Jewellery Design, Animation & VFX, UI/UX, Textile Design, Photography, Beauty & Makeup and Luxury Education.

The second recognition, “India’s Most Promising Aviation Academy 2026”, was awarded to INSD Aviation, the latest initiative from International School of Design. The initiative marks INSD’s expansion of its skill-first education philosophy into air hostess training, cabin crew for business class training, hospitality, travel, retail and customer support, with a focus on creating professionally trained, industry-ready talent for these rapidly growing industries.

The institution today has a network of 75+ centres across 23 states and has trained more than 30,000 students. Its career ecosystem includes 500+ industry recruiters and placement partners, with INSD reporting a successful placement track record for thousands of students.

INSD students have gone on to work with leading organisations across design, fashion, interiors, jewellery, retail, technology and allied creative industries. Its industry and placement ecosystem includes names such as Lifestyle, Lenskart, Malabar Gold & Diamonds, Asian Paints, Lakmé, Gaurav Gupta, Jaipur Rugs and other leading brands. INSD provides students with career and placement support backed by practical training, live projects, internships, portfolio development and industry exposure. The highest salary package offered to INSD students has reached Rs. 18 lakhs per year (Rs 1 lac 50 thousand per month), reinforcing the growing career opportunities available to professionally trained creative talent.

Over its 15-year legacy, International School of Design has evolved from a design education institution into one of India’s largest networks for skill-based creative education, positioning itself as “India’s New Age Skill-School.” INSD has received multiple recognitions over the years for its contribution to design education and skill development, including recognition as the “Fastest Growing Design Institute in India” in 2023, presented by Shri Yogendra Upadhyay, Honourable Minister of Higher Education, Uttar Pradesh, and recognition for “Excellence in Design Education” in 2025by the Times of India Group. The two honours received at the 15th National Education Excellence Conclave 2026 — “Best Design Institute in India 2026” and “India’s Most Promising Aviation Academy 2026” — mark the next phase of INSD’s growth as it expands its skill-first education model beyond design into aviation, hospitality, travel, retail and other high-growth service sectors.

For more information, visit www.insd.edu.in.

AET Summit - India’s Most Iconic Workplaces 2026–27

At the heart of the property lies one clear conviction: iconic is never claimed — it is earned. Each honoured workplace emerges from independent market research carried out by one of India’s foremost research and insights agencies — a nationwide study that measures workplaces against ten published parameters, among them culture, wellbeing, retention, leadership, learning, inclusion and employee voice.

The felicitation takes place on Wednesday, 16 December 2026 at Taj Santacruz, Mumbai — a morning that gathers the CHROs, CEOs and founders behind the honoured workplaces. The programme features a data-led keynote on the anatomy of an iconic workplace, a leadership panel on culture as a driver of growth, a fireside dialogue on AI stepping into the modern org chart, and a walkthrough of the evaluation methodology — after which each honoured workplace is felicitated on stage.

Commenting on the launch, Snehas Ajgaonkar, Founder & CEO, Adentech, said, “Most organisations describe themselves as people-first; only a handful can demonstrate it — in who stays, who rises, and in how their employees speak about work when no one is watching. India’s Most Iconic Workplaces was created to identify such workplaces through research and celebrate them in the company of their peers. December in Mumbai will be their moment, and we are delighted to host it.”

Among the themes the 2026–27 edition will explore:

• Turning culture into growth — the measurable business impact of great people practices

• AI as a teammate — how work, skills and the HR function change when intelligent agents join the workforce

• The anatomy of an iconic workplace — insights from the 2026–27 nationwide evaluation

• Workplaces employees champion — the everyday credibility behind retention and employee voice

With India’s Most Iconic Workplaces, the portfolio of AET Summit by Adentech — already home to Brands that India Trusts — now stretches from brand recognition into the arena of workplace excellence.

The honoured cohort will be revealed at the ceremony on 16 December 2026. To explore the platform further, visit www.aetsummit.com.

About Adentech
Adentech is a marketing and creative powerhouse headquartered in Mumbai, working across outdoor media, digital and performance marketing, video production and brand building — work designed to turn heads and move metrics. Its events and recognition arm, AET Summit, curates research-led platforms for the leadership of Indian business. Visit adentech.in.

About AET Summit by Adentech
AET Summit by Adentech is the gathering platform for India’s senior business leadership, producing business conferences, felicitations, round tables, conclaves and leadership awards. Its portfolio features India’s Most Iconic Workplaces, celebrated each year in Mumbai, alongside Brands that India Trusts and Most Trusted Workplaces of India.

Signature images from The Postcard Hotel portfolio, including - Goa, Leh, Gir, Karnataka and beyond

Leading the evening’s recognition, The Postcard Hotel was once again named Asia’s Leading Boutique Hotel Brand 2026, reinforcing the brand’s growing presence in ultra-luxury hospitality across the region.

Among the individual hotel honours, The Postcard on the Arabian Sea was named Asia’s Leading Boutique Hotel 2026, while The Postcard Gir Wildlife Sanctuary received Asia’s Leading Wildlife Resort 2026. In a significant first for one of the brand’s newest properties, The Postcard on the Mandovi River was named India’s Leading New Hotel 2026, while The Postcard in the Himalayan Willows, Leh, which opened last year, was recognised as India’s Leading Mountain Resort 2026. With further recognition for properties across India, Bhutan and Sri Lanka, The Postcard Hotel closed the evening with a total of 12 awards.

For an independent luxury hotel company founded only in 2018, the breadth of the recognition is significant. The Postcard Hotel was created around a deliberately different idea of luxury: intimate hotels in remarkable destinations, generous space, thoughtful design and highly personalised service, with fewer rules and greater freedom for the guest.

That philosophy is reflected not only in industry recognition, but in the response of guests. The Postcard Hotel consistently records some of the highest guest ratings across leading global travel platforms, across a portfolio that ranges from beaches and wildlife reserves to tea estates, heritage homes and the Himalayas.

The recently opened The Postcard in the Himalayan Willows, Leh, for instance, sits at approximately 11,500 feet and combines expansive suites, highly personalised service and an extraordinary Himalayan setting. It is an example of the brand’s ability to create hotels of considerable comfort and sophistication in destinations that are both remote and deeply compelling — while commanding some of the country’s highest room rates and earning exceptional guest scores.

“We have always believed that the future of luxury hospitality is about giving guests more freedom, more space and more extraordinary experiences — not more rules. To receive twelve honours across such diverse categories, and more awards than any other hotel brand in Asia this year, is a very special recognition of that belief.

But awards are only one measure of what we do. The scores our hotels receive and, more importantly, the affection guests have for them matter enormously to us. When industry recognition and guest response come together in this way, it gives us the confidence to continue challenging conventions and pushing the boundaries of what an ultra-luxury hotel can be,” - Kapil Chopra, Founder and CEO, The Postcard Hotel.

Established in 1993, the World Travel Awards recognise excellence across the global travel and tourism industry. Winners are determined through votes from travel and tourism professionals and consumer travel buyers, with votes from verified industry professionals carrying additional weighting. The awards are presented at country, regional and global levels, with regional winners progressing to the World Awards.

Following the Asia, Oceania & Indian Ocean awards, several of The Postcard Hotel’s winning hotels and categories will now progress to the World Travel Awards Grand Final, scheduled to take place in Tanzania in December 2026.

The twelve awards come at an important moment for The Postcard Hotel as it enters its next phase of growth. With twelve operational hotels and nine more scheduled to open over the next twelve months, the brand is expanding into some of the region’s most distinctive destinations while remaining deliberately intimate in scale.

Rather than standardising luxury across its portfolio, The Postcard Hotel designs each hotel around the character of its destination. Its hotels are found along coastlines and rivers, within wildlife landscapes, among tea gardens and coffee estates, in the Himalayas and within restored historic assets. Each is individual, but united by the same principles: exceptional design, extraordinary space, highly personalised service and experiences rooted in the destination.

The next chapter will take The Postcard Hotel beyond the region, as the brand begins its global expansion into extraordinary destinations around the world. The focus will remain on places with a powerful landscape, culture and identity — places where the hotel does not simply occupy a destination, but becomes an integral part of experiencing it.

About The Postcard Hotel

Founded in December 2018 by Kapil Chopra, together with a team of seasoned luxury hoteliers including Akanksha Lamba, Anirudh Kandpal and Raman Bansal, The Postcard Hotel was created with a simple ambition: to reconsider many of the conventions of traditional luxury hospitality and bring greater freedom, discovery and joy back to travel.

Today, The Postcard Hotel operates twelve luxury hotels across India, Bhutan and Sri Lanka. In October 2026, the brand will enter Nepal with The Postcard on the Rapti River, Chitwan, extending its presence into another remarkable landscape and continuing its approach of choosing destinations where the experience of the place is as important as the hotel itself.

The brand has become known for generous space, highly personalised service, destination-led food and experiences, some of the highest room rates in the country and consistently high guest ratings across leading global travel platforms. Its growing portfolio spans remote Himalayan landscapes, wildlife reserves, beaches, rivers, tea estates and restored heritage buildings.

With nine new hotels scheduled to open over the next twelve months, The Postcard Hotel is building a new generation of intimate ultra-luxury hotels from Asia, combining a strong sense of place with an increasingly international outlook.

As it begins its next chapter of global expansion, its ambition remains unchanged: not simply to build more hotels, but to push the boundaries of what an ultra-luxury hotel can be.

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

VAHDAM India Ranks No. 38 Among Best Workplaces in Asia 2026

The recognition comes as VAHDAM India continues to grow its business globally while putting equal focus on building a workplace where employees can learn, take ownership and grow with the company.

This is a significant improvement from the company’s previous Asia ranking. Last year, VAHDAM India was ranked No. 97 among the Best Workplaces in Asia in the Mid-Sized Organisations category.

The company has also been recognised among the Top 5 Best Workplaces in India and the Top 10 Best Workplaces for Women, making this a strong year for VAHDAM India across workplace recognition programmes.

Bala Sarda, Founder & CEO, VAHDAM India, said, “We have always believed that the kind of company we want to build starts with the kind of workplace we create. As we have grown, we have tried to give our teams the freedom to take ownership, experiment, learn and make decisions. To see that reflected in these recognitions is very encouraging. The Asia ranking is particularly special because it shows how far the team has come in a relatively short time.”

For VAHDAM India, the focus on its people has grown alongside the business. With the company now established across international markets, it has continued to build teams across functions while encouraging a culture where employees are given responsibility early and are encouraged to think like owners.

The company’s recognition among the best workplaces for women is also an important part of this journey, reflecting its efforts to create a workplace where employees have opportunities to build long-term careers and grow with the organisation.

Kalpesh Tiwari, Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO), VAHDAM® India, said, “For us, building a good workplace is really about creating an environment where people feel trusted and have the space to do their best work. We want our teams to take ownership, learn from their experiences and grow along with the organisation. These recognitions are encouraging because they show that the culture we are building is being felt by our people, and that matters the most.”

The latest recognition adds to VAHDAM India’s growing list of workplace achievements and comes at an important stage in the company’s journey as it continues to build an Indian consumer brand with a global presence.

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.

Khatija Shabana, M.Pharm, Certified Cosmetic Scientist and Co-founder of Boldpurity
 

The recognition comes less than two years after the company set up its own research and manufacturing facility in Hyderabad, choosing to engineer its formulations from the molecular level rather than source ready-made bases from contract manufacturers.
 

“Most skincare brands buy a formula and build a story around it. We did the opposite. We built a laboratory, then spent 18 months solving delivery problems that the industry had accepted as unsolvable at cosmetic scale. Being judged against global technology leaders and placed in the top five tells us that work holds up anywhere in the world,” said Khatija Shabana, M.Pharm, Certified Cosmetic Scientist and Co-founder of Boldpurity.
 

The Science Behind the Recognition

Two proprietary delivery systems formed the basis of Boldpurity's submission. Both were conceived, developed, stability-tested and manufactured entirely in-house, and both are the subject of patent filings in India.
 

Nano-scale PDRN with dual-encapsulation — SkinReset™ PDRN Serum

Salmon-derived PDRN is conventionally used at kilodalton molecular scale, which limits how it can be formulated and delivered in a topical product. Boldpurity reduced PDRN to nanoparticle dimensions and built a two-layer encapsulation system around it: one layer designed for immediate release on application, the second engineered to release gradually over eight hours. The result is a single serum that delivers PDRN in two distinct phases, a capability standard single-release PDRN formulations do not offer. Developing the carrier chemistry and completing stability work took more than 12 months.
 

Precision micron spicules with bioactive coating — CellMorph™ 500 Spicule Serum

Spicule-based products typically rely on particles around 400 micrometres in size. Boldpurity engineered its spicules down to 0.9 microns, a roughly 444-fold reduction, while preserving structural integrity, and then applied a proprietary coating of apple stem cell bioactives to each particle. Pairing precision sizing with a bioactive surface creates a delivery mechanism that unites physical texture support with skin-conditioning actives. Bringing this level of micron-scale precision from pharmaceutical-style development into a cosmetic product required 18 months of process engineering.
 

Why It Matters for Indian Beauty

India is one of the fastest-growing skincare markets in the world, yet the formulation technology behind most domestic brands is still imported or licensed. Boldpurity's finalist placement is an early signal that original, patent-pending delivery science can be built in India and evaluated on equal terms with the global industry's most technically advanced brands.
 

“This is not a regional or emerging-market award. The category is judged on formulation innovation, delivery engineering and validation, with the same yardstick applied to every entrant. That is exactly the standard we wanted to be measured against,” added Syed Fouzan, Co-founder of Boldpurity.
 

About the BeautyMatter Awards

The BeautyMatter Awards recognise excellence across the global beauty industry, with finalists selected by an independent panel on merit. The Best Use of Technology (Brands) category honours brands whose proprietary formulation, delivery or manufacturing technology represents a genuine technical advance. The full list of 2026 finalists is available at awards.beautymatter.com/finalists-2026. Winners will be announced on December 7, 2026, in New York City.
 

About Boldpurity

Boldpurity® is a clinical skincare brand headquartered in Hyderabad, India. Co-founded by Khatija Shabana (M.Pharm, Certified Cosmetic Scientist) and Syed Fouzan, the company formulates, manufactures and clinically tests every product in its own facility rather than relying on third-party or white-label formulations. Its flagship technologies, SkinReset™ PDRN Serum and CellMorph™ 500 Spicule Serum, are both patent-pending.
 

Learn more at boldpurity.com.

Mr. Arun Mn, Founder and Managing Director of Casagrand receiving the Self-Made Real Estate Entrepreneur of the Year Award

The recognition celebrates Arun Mn’s journey of building a significant real estate enterprise from the ground up, and the vision and determination that have defined that journey. Starting with a 12-apartment residential project in Chennai in 2003, Arun Mn has built Casagrand into a multi-market real estate enterprise with 180+ projects spanning more than 88 million sq. ft, including a diverse range of formats, from apartments, villas, high-rise residencies and floor villas to expansive, large-format communities as the 41-acre Casagrand Highcity, 40-acre Casagrand Suncity etc. Over the past two decades, he has navigated changing market cycles, evolving consumer aspirations and an increasingly competitive real estate landscape to take Casagrand from its Chennai roots to key markets across Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Coimbatore, Pune and Dubai. 

The Self-Made Real Estate Entrepreneur of the Year recognition acknowledges not only the scale of what has been built, but also the entrepreneurial vision, perseverance, and ability to create enduring value that have driven Casagrand’s transformation. His vision has always been centred on building mid-segment homes with maximum offerings, keeping in mind the aspirations and affordability of a larger section of homebuyers. His passion lies in creating homes that enable people to upgrade their lifestyle, build a new address, and achieve their aspirations, while ensuring maximum value for every homebuyer. This commitment to delivering quality homes with exceptional value has made his entrepreneurial journey truly meaningful and impactful.

The recognition comes as Hurun India and GROHE mark a decade of recognising leadership and achievement in Indian real estate, with the 2026 edition also marking the return of the flagship pan-India conclave. Bringing together leading real estate entrepreneurs and industry stakeholders from across the country, the landmark 10th edition underscores the scale and stature of the platform. 

The conclave also featured an exclusive fireside chat of Arun Mn during which he shared insights into his entrepreneurial journey and various aspects of building Casagrand over the years, including business strategies, approaches, people, culture, values, and the journey behind the company’s growth and success.

For Arun Mn, the recognition comes at an important juncture as Casagrand builds on its strong South Indian foundation and pursues its ambition of creating a stronger national real estate presence.

About Casagrand
Casagrand is the largest developer in the residential sector in Chennai, with a market share of approximately 25% in terms of launches and approximately 18% in terms of demand during the period January 1, 2017 to June 30, 2025 (Source: CBRE Report). Headquartered in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, the company has delivered 103 Completed Projects encompassing 21.79 million square feet of Saleable Area, and currently has 57 Ongoing Projects spanning 44.10 million square feet of Saleable Area and 21 Forthcoming Projects with an Estimated Saleable Area of 23.81 million square feet across Chennai (Tamil Nadu), Bengaluru (Karnataka), Hyderabad (Telangana), Coimbatore (Tamil Nadu), Pune (Maharashtra) and Dubai as of June 30, 2025. The company offers apartments and independent villas under luxury, mid-end, and affordable categories, all under the Casagrand brand.

Shri Vallabhbhai Patel, Founder, KIRA, receives the Lifetime Achievement Award, Shanay Parekh & Ashish Lakhani, Directors at KIRA receive the Highest Employment Award

Shri Vallabhbhai Patel, Founder, KIRA, receives the Lifetime Achievement Award from Shri Amit Shah, Hon'ble Union Minister of Home Affairs and Minister of Cooperation, at the 52nd India Gem & Jewellery Awards. Shanay Parekh, Director, KIRA, receives the award for Highest Employment on Company Rolls at the same ceremony. Photo credit: GJEPC

Chief Guest at the ceremony Shri Amit Shah spoke at length about the Era of Labgrown Diamonds - "Ab lab-grown diamond ka zamana aane wala hai. The era of lab-grown diamonds is upon us, and I urge you not to focus merely on the price point. In terms of volume, the market for lab-grown diamonds is poised to expand to nearly 50 times the size of the current diamond market,"

"The time has come to change our scale. Speed alone will not do it. Change the scale and you will rise much higher," he told the industry, adding that India should emerge as a founder industry in lab-grown diamonds, setting the category's terms rather than following them, with Indian brands becoming global brands.

Lifetime Achievement Award: 55 years in diamonds - Founder of KIRA & Kiran Gems

Shri Vallabhbhai S. Patel has spent 55 years in diamonds. He was born into a cotton-farming family in a village of about five hundred people in Gujarat's Bhavnagar district and studied only to the fourth standard. In 1971 he took a job at a diamond-cutting workshop there. A venture of his own in 1978 failed and left him in debt; his father gave him the money to repay it, and in 1982 he moved his family to Bombay.

In 1985 he founded Kiran Gems with his brothers and built it into the world's largest manufacturer of natural polished diamonds, a company that has won IGJA honours edition after edition.

In 2022, at the age of 65 - when most people retire, he founded KIRA. Four years on it is the world's largest grower of lab-grown diamonds. He is the only person in the industry to have built the world's largest company in both. At KIRA's launch he set out its purpose in one line - "Har ghar Hira, har ghar KIRA." i.e. A diamond in every home. "I have worked all my life on a diamond very few people in my village could ever own. A labgrown diamond changes that," said Shri Vallabhbhai Patel, Founder, KIRA.

"In 2021 he said publicly that he would build a lab-grown diamond company and make it the largest in the world. Most of the trade was still deciding whether the category was real. He did it in four years. That is vision, and that is scale," said Ashish Lakhani, Director, KIRA.

Highest Employment on Company Rolls: a company of more than 10,500 people

The award is measured on one number: how many people a company carries on its own rolls. KIRA has gone from 2,000 to more than 10,500 in roughly four years, the largest direct workforce of any company in India's gem and jewellery industry. It is the measure on which GJEPC judged the award for 2025-26.

Planning, sawing, cutting, polishing, grading, certification, setting and despatch are all carried out in-house, each stage staffed by the company's own employees. Nine of every ten of the world's polished diamonds are cut in Surat, a figure the Minister cited in his address, and KIRA's artisans work in that tradition.

Alongside the payroll, KIRA and the founding family support community development, women's empowerment, hostel donations and the Kiran medical college and hospital.

"Our artisans and employees are the real gems behind KIRA. More than ten thousand of them built this company in four years, and everything we have achieved rests on their skill and their commitment. We are grateful to every one of them, and this award is theirs," said Shanay Parekh, Director, KIRA.

"One in every three lab-grown diamonds in the world is cut by our people. Machines can grow a diamond. Only a skilled hand can finish one," said Rajesh Lakhani, Founder, KIRA.

KIRA already runs the chain the Minister described

"I urge all of you to ensure that the entire ecosystem and manufacturing chain of lab-grown diamonds remains firmly in Indian hands: from making the machine to the moment the jewellery reaches a woman's hand, the whole system should be in India's control. You can do it. Surat and Mumbai have shown it," the Minister said, noting that the Government of India, with the governments of Maharashtra and Gujarat, is bringing policy support to the sector.

KIRA : Growing, cutting, polishing, grading, certification and jewellery manufacturing all happen under one roof at KIRA's one million sq ft facility in Surat, on the world's largest fleet of CVD machines. The company runs 5,000+ growing machines and produces over 400,000 polished carats a month. One in every three lab-grown diamonds in the world comes from KIRA.

Production runs on 100 MW of captive solar, rising to 200 MW over the next two years. KIRA exports to 75+ countries and supplies over 6,000 clients worldwide, with 400,000+ certified stones live on its inventory portal.

Demand is moving quickly in the largest markets. In the United States, over 61 per cent of engagement rings now carry a lab-grown centre stone. Younger buyers ask where a stone came from and how it was made, and a fully traceable diamond grown on renewable power answers both questions. Affordability widens the market further: more people can own a diamond, in more sizes and more designs, than at any point in the trade's history.

About KIRA

KIRA is the world's largest grower and manufacturer of CVD lab-grown diamonds. It grows, cuts, polishes, grades and sets lab-grown diamonds under one roof at its one million sq ft facility in Surat, India, running 5,000+ CVD growing machines and over 400,000 polished carats a month on 100 MW of captive solar. KIRA exports to 75+ countries and supplies over 6,000 clients worldwide, with 400,000+ certified stones live and more than 10,500 people on company rolls. Channel Offices: Mumbai, Surat, Hong Kong, New York.

www.kiradiam.com | www.instagram.com/kiradiam

Notes for Editors

The event: The 52nd India Gem & Jewellery Awards were held on 13 September 2026 at the Bharat Diamond Bourse, Mumbai. First held in 1975, the awards recognise export performance, value addition, employment generation and R&D investment. The sector accounts for 6.3 per cent of India's merchandise exports and supports around 75 lakh direct and indirect jobs. India processes over 90 per cent of the world's cut and polished diamonds.

Dignitaries present: Shri Amit Shah, Hon'ble Union Minister of Home Affairs and Minister of Cooperation (Chief Guest); Shri Devendra Fadnavis, Hon'ble Chief Minister of Maharashtra; Shri Eknath Shinde, Hon'ble Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra; Shri Harsh Sanghavi, Hon'ble Deputy Chief Minister of Gujarat; Adv. Ashish Shelar and Shri Mangal Prabhat Lodha, Ministers, Government of Maharashtra; Shri Govind Dholakia, MP, Rajya Sabha; Shri Kirit Bhansali, Chairman, GJEPC; Shri Anoop Mehta, President, Bharat Diamond Bourse; & others.

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.

The Pant Project, India's pioneering men’s bottom-wear brand, has been named the “D2C Brand of the Year 2026” by Myntra at its highly coveted brand conclave, Myntra Tech Threads 2026. The recognition celebrates the brand’s growth journey on Myntra, its differentiated approach to men’s bottom-wear and its focus on building stronger consumer connect through product innovation, assortment expansion and faster fulfilment.
 

The Pant Project has been named the “D2C Brand of the Year 2026” by Myntra at Myntra Tech Threads 2026
 

The Pant Project is part of Myntra’s growing ecosystem of 4,000+ homegrown D2C brands spanning overall Men's Wear, Women's Western Wear, Women's Ethnic Wear, Beauty and Personal Care, Footwear, Accessories, Kidswear Loungewear, Home & Lifestyle, Sports and Athleisure and more. The recognition is a testament to customers’ growing affinity towards innovation in pants which The Pant Project’s has been able to address.

Founded in 2020 by brothers Dhruv Toshniwal and Udit Toshniwal, The Pant Project was built to solve a simple yet massive problem in the Men’s Wear segment: The Indian menswear market, as per industry reports, valued at USD 23.50 billion in 2026, had seen virtually no meaningful innovation in bottom-wear for decades. Most apparel brands invested heavily in top wear while treating pants as an afterthought, leaving Indian men to choose either ill-fitting ready-made options designed as per the western sizing guides or the inconvenience of traditional tailoring. The Pant Project set out to solve this at scale, specialising in custom-made and ready-to-wear pants designed specifically for Indian body types. Their mission statement is to blend traditional tailoring knowledge with modern technology to deliver “made-for-me” comfort through a seamless experience.

Specialising in custom-made and ready-to-wear pants for Indian men, the brand has 300+ SKUs across formal trousers, chinos, jeans, cargos, shorts, power-stretch knit pants, linen trousers, casual wear and athleisure.

The brand's growth trajectory has been one of the most compelling in India's D2C ecosystem. From Rs. 1 crore in its first year of operations (FY2020-21) to Rs. 80 crore in FY2025-26, The Pant Project has scaled 80x so far. It is projecting a revenue of Rs. 160 crore in FY2026-27.

Dhruv Toshniwal, Founder & CEO, The Pant Project said, “Being recognised as the D2C Brand of the Year by Myntra, is a significant milestone for us. Our journey on Myntra has been built around a clear focus on reaching new-to-brand customers, ensuring strong availability across our core products, leveraging M-now for faster delivery, and using the platform to launch differentiated products that create new demand. We have grown over 10x on Myntra over the last two years, and the platform has played an important role in helping us scale our reach and build a strong consumer franchise.”

Sukita Tapadia, CMO and Head of E-commerce, The Pant Project said “Myntra has been an incredible partner in our journey of building The Pant Project into a leading bottom-wear brand. What makes the partnership particularly valuable is the ability to combine scale with innovation and speed. We have been able to use the platform to introduce differentiated products such as Malai Pants and Inklock No Fade Jeans. Jeans have emerged as a particularly exciting growth opportunity for us, and we are looking forward to investing further in the category through newness, innovation and a wider assortment. This recognition reinforces our belief in the opportunity ahead and our ambition to continue building the category with Myntra.”

About The Pant Project

The Pant Project is a D2C custom-made and ready-to-wear omnichannel brand, founded in 2020 by Dhruv and Udit Toshniwal. With over 50 years of family expertise in textiles, Dhruv, a Wharton finance graduate, manages business operations, while Udit, from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, drives the creative vision. Offering formal wear, denims, chinos, cargo pants, and more, the brand ensures every pair is expertly tailored from the finest materials to deliver intuitive fits, smart performance, and effortless confidence. With great consideration for details, The Pant Project appeals to discerning individuals who value quality, invest in themselves and live intentionally. The brand's commitment to quality and a seamless shopping experience across online and offline channels ensures every customer finds their perfect fit.

Visit www.thepantproject.com to know more about the brand.

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 Big F Awards 2026 Winners

At the heart of The Big F Awards is a jury-led approach designed to place merit ahead of visibility, reputation or commercial scale. The awards follow a structured and independent evaluation process, with entries assessed through successive rounds of screening and scoring against defined parameters including originality, execution, consistency, quality and sectoral relevance. The framework is designed to ensure that every participant is assessed on the strength of their work, rather than their profile, popularity or market presence.

The jury for the 13th edition comprised Chef Nita Mehta, Chef Manisha Bhasin, Chef Ashish Bhasin, Chef Sabyasachi Gorai, Pawan Soni, Diwan Gautam Anand, Siddharth Jalan, Zorawar Kalra, Sameer Bawa, Khurafati Nitin, Sourish Bhattacharya, Rocky Singh and Anirudh Singhal. Bringing together experience across cuisine, hospitality, media and business, the panel applied a common evaluation framework to assess the nominees and arrive at the final results.

Importantly, the process is built to create a level playing field. Commercial size, public visibility and geographical location do not determine recognition. The platform actively seeks to bring deserving work into consideration, including independent ventures, emerging professionals, newer businesses and establishments that may not always receive the same visibility as larger or more established names.

The awards also maintain a clear separation between participation and recognition. There are no nomination fees and no pay-to-participate mechanisms, reinforcing the principle that an award should be a result of merit rather than commercial participation. Winners are not disclosed in advance, with the final results remaining confidential until they are announced at the awards ceremony.

Speaking after the ceremony, Pawan Soni, Host, The Big F Awards, said, “Thirteen editions have reinforced our belief that credibility cannot be created through a trophy or an announcement; it comes from the process behind it. This year, in the 6-month long process the jury evaluated nominations with the same discipline across categories, looking closely at the work, its consistency, execution and relevance. What stood out was the diversity of talent—from established names to smaller ventures and professionals receiving national recognition for the first time. That is precisely what we want The Big F Awards to stand for: a platform where deserving work has an opportunity to be recognised on merit, irrespective of visibility or scale.”

The 13th edition saw participation from independent ventures, established organisations, chefs, restaurateurs and emerging businesses across multiple regions and formats. The broad participation model reflects the awards’ continued effort to identify and recognise excellence beyond conventional industry circles.

The recipients included Megu, who won League of Legends Awards, followed by Nisaba in the Noteworthy Newcomer category. Inja received the Restaurant of the Year distinction, while Best Cocktail Bar, Cocktail Menu of the year and Best Debut Bar were presented to AaBbCc.concept. Further honours went to Porus Arora for Restaurateur of the Year and Sahil Sambhi for Nightlife Entrepreneur of the Year.

Highlights from the evening included Chef Manish Mehrotra, Chef Harpal Singh Sokhi, Rocky Mohan, Chef Manisha Bhasin, Siddharth Jalan, and Zorawar Kalra, amongst other dignitaries attending the presentation ceremony.

As The Big F Awards closes its 13th edition, its focus remains unchanged: to build recognition around work that stands up to scrutiny. The platform will continue to expand its outreach for the next edition, bringing a wider pool of professionals, establishments and businesses into a process where credibility, consistency and merit remain at the centre of recognition.

About The Big F Awards

The Big F Awards is a Delhi NCR-based platform recognising excellence across the food and hospitality industry through a rigorous and independent evaluation process. Founded on the belief that credible recognition must be rooted in process rather than perception, the awards follow a structured jury-led evaluation framework, with entries assessed against defined parameters. The platform maintains a zero nomination fee and no pay-to-participate policy, ensuring that recognition remains independent of commercial participation. Over 13 editions, The Big F Awards has sought to create a credible platform that recognises established as well as emerging talent based on the merit of their work.

Given below is the complete list of winners:

The Big F Awards 2026 – Winners

• The League of Legend Award was presented to Megu at The Leela Palace Delhi.

• Habeeb ur Rehman Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Sourish Bhattacharya.

• The Arvind Saraswat Young Chef Award was presented to Chef Priyansh Sakariya.

Indian Cuisines

• In the Coastal category, the Jury Award went to sana-di-ge, while the Popular Award went to The Malabar Coast.

• In the North Indian category, the Jury Award went to Gulati Restaurant, while the Popular Award went to Karigari by Chef Harpal Singh Sokhi.

• In the Modern Indian category, the Jury Award went to Avartana (ITC Maurya), while the Popular Award went to Anardana.

• In the South Indian category, the Jury Award went to HOSA, while the Popular Award went to Dakshin (Sheraton Delhi).

• In the Other Indian Regional Cuisines category, the Jury Award went to Royal Afghan (ITC Grand Bharat), while the Popular Award went to Yeti – The Himalayan Kitchen.

World Cuisine

• The All-Day Dining in a 5-Star Hotel Jury Award went to Tamra (Shangri-La Eros New Delhi), while the Popular Award went to Seasonal Tastes (The Westin).

• The BBQ & Grills Jury Award went to The Pit Smoked & Grilled, while the Popular Award went to TGIFRIDAYS.

• The Café Jury Award went to OLLY – Olive's All Day Café & Bar, while the Popular Award went to Cafe Delhi Heights.

• The Café with soft beverages Jury Award went to Theos, while the Popular Award went to DIGGIN.

• The Chinese Jury Award went to Shang Palace (Shangri-La Eros New Delhi), while the Popular Award went to China Garden.

• The European Cuisine Jury Award went to Latango, while the Popular Award went to United Coffee House.

• The Japanese/Korean Jury Award went to Hahn's Kitchen, while the Popular Award went to Kofuku.

• The Pan Asian Jury Award went to Yum Yum Cha, while the Popular Award went to YouMee.

• The Thai/Vietnamese and Other World Cuisine Jury Award went to Soy Neung Roi (Radisson Delhi Airport), while the Popular Award went to Mamagoto.

The Big F Awards Special

• The Bakery/Patisserie Jury Award went to L'Opera, while the Popular Award went to The Big Chill Cakery.

• The Best Butter Chicken Jury Award went to Kalanji, while the Popular Award went to Havemore Restaurant.

• The Home Baker Jury Award went to Dessert Art (Deepali Mahajan), while the Popular Award went to Glaze N Gourmet (Deeksha Ahuja).

• The Home Chef Jury Award went to A Southside Story (Rekha Rigo) and Aman-E-Mithaas (Puplee Bedi), while the Popular Award went to Saffron by Archie (Archana Dhawan).

• The Delivery Only Outlets Jury Award went to Noshi – Yum Asian Delivery, while the Popular Award went to Louis Burger.

• The Pizzeria Jury Award went to Pizzeria Da Susy, while the Popular Award went to Tossin Pizza.

• The Terrace/Outdoor Dining Jury Award went to AARAMgarh, while the Popular Award went to Swan.

• The Best In-House PR/Agency Jury Award went to Pawan Hora (Wishbox Studio), while the Popular Award went to Vibhuti Sood.

• The Bar Team of the Year Jury Award went to Prateek Gusain (Kimikrai: Umami House), while the Popular Award went to Sandesh Tamang (Sidecar).

• The Noteworthy Newcomer of the Year Jury Award went to Nisaba, while the Popular Award went to Tan Yan.

• The Restaurant of the Year Jury Award went to INJA, while the Popular Award went to Japonico.

• The Restaurateur of the Year Jury Award went to Porus Arora, while the Popular Award went to Vikrant Batra.

• The Nightlife Entrepreneur of the Year Jury Award went to Sahil Sambhi, while the Popular Award went to Dinesh Arora.

Nightlife

• The Cocktail Bar Jury Award went to Aabbcc.concept, while the Popular Award went to Vietnam.

• The Cocktail Menu of the Year Jury Award went to Aabbcc.concept, while the Popular Award went to Farzi Café.

• The Debut Bar Jury Award went to Aabbcc.concept, while the Popular Award went to She's Here.

• The Micro Brewery Jury Award went to Fort City Brewing, while the Popular Award went to Beerlin.

• The Place for Gigs Jury Award went to Diablo, while the Popular Award went to Chica.

• The Pub/Bar Jury Award went to Rick's (Taj Mahal, New Delhi), while the Popular Award went to Japonico.

• The Rooftop Bar Jury Award went to HauzKhas Social, while the Popular Award went to Molecule.

• The Theme Restaurant/Bar/Pub Jury Award went to Nadoo, while the Popular Award went to Sly Granny.

• The Night Clubs Jury Award went to Thanks & Beyond, while the Popular Award went to Story Club & Lounge (The Westin)

Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham secured 2nd place nationally at ISRO Robotics Challenge 2026, winning a Rs 7 lakh cash prize

The award was presented on August 23 in Ahmedabad during the National Space Day celebrations. The team received the prize from Gujarat Cabinet Minister Arjunbhai Modhwadia and ISRO Chairman Dr. V. Narayanan, in the presence of Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat.

The 10-member student team includes Tanush J, Shakti Sree Kumaran, Sanjay Sree, Ram Sreekanth, Kevin Victor, Kavish V, N. Sunil Varma, Manoj Gangadharan, Rahothaman M, and Dharmadashan. They were guided by mentors Dr. Piyush Pratap Singh and Dr. Abhishek Jha.

Nearly 600 teams from across India participated in the competition, with only 20 making it to the final stage. The final field evaluation took place from July 21 to 23 at the UR Rao Satellite Centre in Bengaluru.

For the final challenge, the students had to design autonomous drones and base stations capable of surveying, navigating, landing, and transmitting data in areas without GPS access. Their technology was designed to help support future space and planetary exploration missions.

Launched in 2024 to honor the success of the Chandrayaan-3 mission, the annual IRoC-U competition aims to encourage scientific and technological talent among young innovators across the country.

About Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham

Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham is a multi-disciplinary, research-intensive private university with a student strength of over 31,000, supported by more than 2,150 faculty members. Accredited with the highest ‘A++’ grade by NAAC, Amrita offers more than 300 undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs spanning diverse fields, including Engineering, Management, Medical Sciences, Ayurveda, Life Sciences, Physical and Agricultural Sciences, Law, Arts & Humanities, and Social & Behavioral Sciences.

With a network of ten campuses located in Amaravati, Amritapuri, Bengaluru, Chennai, Coimbatore, Kochi, Mysuru, Nagercoil, NCR Delhi (Faridabad), and Haridwar, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham stands among India’s leading private universities. Spanning over 1,200 acres with more than 10 million square feet of built-up area, the university is distinguished for its commitment to academic excellence and consistently ranks among the top private institutions in the country, reinforcing its reputation as a premier center for quality education.

L to R: Mr. Salvis Jose Elanjikkal, Principal Architect Representative from the World Records Union Mr. Felix Silvester, Director, Madonna Electronics

The recognitions, confirmed on 29 May 2026, are for the Largest Multi-Panel Canvas Painting Installed on a Church Ceiling and the Largest Fully Playable Electromechanical 8-Bell Harmony System ranging from G5 to F#6.

The monumental ceiling artwork, created by artist Surendran, comprises ten large-format acrylic-painted canvas panels measuring 10 ft × 43 ft each, along with an additional panel measuring over 5 ft × 43 ft. Integrated into the church ceiling, the artwork depicts celestial and spiritual themes that form an integral part of the church’s architectural vision.

The second world record recognises the church’s fully playable electromechanical 8-bell harmony system, comprising eight precision-tuned bronze bells. Combining traditional bell craftsmanship with modern technology, the system allows the bells to be played live through a keyboard as well as through programmable automated harmony.

The two achievements have been recognised by World Records Union (WRU), an international record-registering organisation that recognises measurable achievements across diverse fields.

Inspired by the proportions of Solomon’s Temple, St. George’s Church blends traditional Kerala architecture with Baroque and Rococo influences. Envisioned as an “Open Bible,” its architecture and art visually narrate Biblical stories, with 13 symbolic entrances representing Christ the King and the Twelve Apostles, complemented by sacred paintings, murals and Biblical symbolism that together create an immersive spiritual and cultural experience for worshippers and visitors.

Located at TB Cross Road, Hesaraghatta, Bengaluru – 560088, behind Chaitanya Hospital, St. George’s Malabar Independent Syrian Church is emerging as a distinctive destination for worshippers, tourists, art lovers and architecture enthusiasts. The two world-record recognitions further place this Bengaluru church on the global map for its unique convergence of sacred art, architecture, craftsmanship and engineering innovation.

Speaking on the achievement H.G. Most Rev. Cyril Mar Basseliose Metropolitan Bishop - President & Supreme Head of MISC, said, “We are deeply honoured to receive these two world-record recognitions. These achievements represent the coming together of faith, artistic expression, craftsmanship and engineering. We hope they inspire people from across India and around the world to visit St. George’s Church and experience these unique creations firsthand.”

Beyond the two world records, St. George’s Church has been envisioned as an “open Bible”, with its architecture and sacred artwork designed to communicate Biblical stories and spiritual traditions. The church blends elements of Kerala’s traditional architecture with Baroque and Rococo influences, creating a distinctive place of worship and cultural interest in Bengaluru.

With these twin global recognitions, St. George’s Malabar Independent Syrian Church aims to establish itself as a must-visit landmark in Bengaluru, attracting tourists, art and architecture enthusiasts, engineers, heritage communities and visitors interested in experiencing a unique convergence of faith, art, architecture and technology.

About the Malabar Independent Syrian Church
The Malabar Independent Syrian Church, also known as the Thozhiyur Church, is part of India’s historic Saint Thomas Christian tradition. The Church became independent from the main body of the Malankara Church in 1772 and follows the Oriental Orthodox tradition and West Syriac Rite. Today, the Church has approximately 35,000 members and maintains longstanding relations with other Malankara churches.

Debaditya Chaudhury MD Chowman, Oudh 1590, Chapter 2 and Chaudhury & Company with Exemplary Leader Award

Under Debaditya’s leadership, the group of brands, including Chowman, Oudh 1590, Chapter 2 & Chaudhury & Co., have grown to 62+ outlets across India, with Chowman alone operating 41+ outlets across Kolkata, Bengaluru, Delhi, Hyderabad, Chennai & Mumbai. Chowman has emerged as one of India’s fastest-growing home-grown Chinese restaurant chains, expanding rapidly beyond its Kolkata roots and establishing a strong presence across multiple metropolitan markets.

Speaking on the recognition, Debaditya Chaudhury said, “I am deeply honoured to receive the Exemplary Leader Award. This recognition belongs as much to my entire team as it does to me. Crossing 62+ outlets as a group has been an exciting journey, but we see this as only the beginning. For Chowman, we have set our sights on 100 outlets by 2030. As we scale, our priority will remain the same - great food, consistent quality, memorable customer experiences and strong teams. Growth for us is not just about numbers; it is about building brands that stand the test of time.”

Looking ahead, Debaditya is focused on accelerating national expansion, with a clear ambition to take Chowman to 100 outlets by 2030, while continuing to expand Oudh 1590 and Chapter 2 into new markets.

Chowman’s expansion has been one of the defining milestones of this growth journey. From its beginnings in Kolkata, the home-grown Pan-Asian brand has steadily expanded across major metropolitan markets, establishing a presence in Bengaluru, Delhi-NCR, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Chennai. Chowman continues to strengthen its presence in existing markets while exploring newer cities, formats and opportunities. The brand’s rapid expansion has positioned it among the fastest-growing restaurant chains in India, taking its signature Pan-Asian cuisine and Kolkata-rooted food culture to an increasingly wider national audience.

The World’s Best Companies 2026 ranking is jointly conducted by TIME, a globally recognized magazine, and Statista, a leading global data and market research company.
 

Vingroup remains the only Vietnamese company to be named among TIME’s World’s Best Companies for two consecutive years
 

Companies are evaluated across three comprehensive dimensions: revenue growth, employee satisfaction, and sustainability transparency, supported by in-depth analysis of environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) factors.
 

As the first and only Vietnamese company to be included in the ranking for two consecutive years, Vingroup achieved positive results across all three dimensions, receiving an overall score of 81 and ranking 340th among the Top 1,000 companies worldwide, up 477 places from its 817th ranking last year.
 

In terms of Revenue Growth, Vingroup received an “Outstanding” rating. In the first half of 2026, the Group recorded consolidated net revenue of VND 222.9 trillion, up 72% year on year from the same period in 2025, driven by strong growth in industrial manufacturing and real estate businesses. Consolidated profit after tax reached VND 20.904 trillion, 4.6 times higher than the same period last year and equivalent to 60% of the full-year target.
 

In terms of Employee Satisfaction, Vingroup ranked 398th globally, up 496 places from 2025. The Group has developed a dynamic working environment that encourages dedication, innovation and employee engagement, while placing a strong focus on individual development.
 

Over more than three decades of development, Vingroup has continuously expanded into new areas, established new growth drivers and progressively expanded its ecosystem into international markets. Today, companies across the Vingroup ecosystem operate in 12 countries, creating employment for approximately 400,000 people worldwide.
 

In terms of Sustainability Transparency, Vingroup continues to make important contributions through green transition initiatives, infrastructure development and the development of sustainable urban and living ecosystems. Alongside economic growth, the Group focuses on creating long-term value for society.
 

VinFast, the all-electric vehicle brand within the Vingroup ecosystem, has become the leading automotive brand by sales volume in Vietnam, while setting a target of delivering 300,000 cars and 1 million electric motorcycles globally in 2026. Meanwhile, Vinhomes has pioneered the development of the ESG++ urban model, adding Regeneration and Resilience to the three core ESG pillars of E – Environment, S – Social and G – Governance, thereby raising the standard for sustainable development across large-scale urban developments spanning thousands of hectares.
 

In particular, in 2025, Vingroup officially expanded into two new strategic areas: Infrastructure and Green Energy. Through VinSpeed, with the Ben Thanh – Can Gio (Ho Chi Minh City) and Hanoi – Quang Ninh high-speed railway projects now under construction, as well as energy projects developed by VinEnergo across multiple localities, Vingroup is progressively contributing to stronger regional connectivity, the expansion of economic space and the acceleration of the green transition.
 

Previously, Vingroup became the first and only Vietnamese company to qualify for and be included in the World’s Best Companies 2025 ranking. Brands across the Vingroup ecosystem have also received recognition from numerous international organizations. VinFast was previously recognized by TIME in two prestigious rankings: the TIME100 Most Influential Companies 2024 and Asia-Pacific’s Best Companies of 2025. In the latter ranking, VinFast was recognized among the companies shaping the region’s position on the global economic map.
 

TIME is a leading global magazine headquartered in New York, the United States, with a history spanning 101 years. With a global presence and in-depth, independent analysis of political, economic, cultural and scientific developments, TIME has established a strong voice and influence capable of shaping public discourse. Its rankings are widely recognized for their value and credibility worldwide.

Wibmo, a PayU Company, Wins at the Global Fintech Awards 2026

Wibmo emerged as the winner following a rigorous evaluation process and strong competition. The recognition was presented for Wibmo Intelligent Authentication Suite with Risk-Based Authentication (RBA) Step-Up Authentication, acknowledging its contribution to advancing digital banking security and enabling trusted payment experiences.
 

Wibmo IAS is an integrated authentication suite that encompasses RBA. The capability enables banks to apply step-up authentication when risk indicators require stronger verification, while allowing trusted transactions to proceed with minimal friction.
 

As digital banking continues to evolve, financial institutions are navigating increasingly complex security requirements, changing customer expectations, and a growing need for real-time protection. Wibmo IAS with RBA-based Step-Up Authentication is designed to help institutions address these priorities through intelligent authentication and risk-aware decision-making across digital payment journeys.
 

The recognition highlights Wibmo’s continued focus on helping banks, fintechs and financial institutions strengthen security while maintaining convenience and ease of use for cardholders and end users. By combining authentication and real-time risk assessment within an integrated suite, Wibmo helps client partners build secure, seamless and adaptable digital payment experiences.
 

Commenting on the recognition, Shailesh Paul, Chief Executive Officer, Wibmo, said, “This recognition at the Global Fintech Awards 2026 underscores the immediate case for strong risk intelligence in authentication. Wibmo's RBA-based Step-Up Authentication helps banks strengthen digital payment security through risk-aware authentication by stepping up transaction authentication when needed and in real-time. Security is central to building trust in our evolving payments landscape, and this achievement reflects the dedication of our teams, the confidence of banks and our commitment to advancing innovation across digital payments.”
 

The recognition reinforces Wibmo’s position as a trusted technology partner for institutions seeking to strengthen payment security, improve customer experiences, and support the continued growth of digital banking.
 

About Wibmo

Wibmo, a PayU company, operates across entities in India, the US, and Indonesia. As a global full-stack PayTech company and an industry leader in payment security and digital payments in emerging markets, Wibmo stands out for its innovation and impact.
 

In addition to being India's largest authentication service provider in one of the leading digital payment markets globally, Wibmo offers comprehensive fraud and risk management solutions, digital financial services, prepaid solutions, and a broad range of merchant-acquiring services.
 

For more information, visit wibmo.com.

Red Hat Summit Connect

As organisations across Asia Pacific embrace AI, hybrid cloud, automation, and cloud-native technologies, managing complexity has become just as important as driving innovation. With AI strategies increasingly spanning different models, accelerators, and cloud environments, enterprises are looking to open source because openness brings choice, and choice brings greater flexibility. That flexibility enables them to adopt the technologies best suited to their business needs while building the agility needed to respond to change.

Reflecting this year’s theme, “Unlock what’s next,” the Red Hat APAC Innovation Awards 2026 celebrate organisations that are leading the way with open source. This year’s awards recognise 32 winners across the region whose innovative use of Red Hat solutions is helping solve complex business challenges and deliver meaningful outcomes for customers, employees, and communities.

The winners were recognised for demonstrating how open source can help organisations turn complexity into opportunity. By modernising technology foundations, streamlining operations, and accelerating innovation, each organisation has delivered measurable outcomes that strengthen business resilience and create lasting value. Their achievements reflect Red Hat's continued collaboration with enterprises across 13 APAC countries to solve real-world challenges through open source. 

The awards comprise six categories: Digital Transformation, Hybrid Cloud Infrastructure, Cloud-Native Development, Automation, Virtualisation, and AI.

Category: Cloud-Native Development
Winner: Department of Information Technology & Communication, Government of Rajasthan
The Department of Information Technology & Communication (DoIT&C), Government of Rajasthan, leads the use of technology across Rajasthan government departments and autonomous bodies to improve administration and public service delivery. Its responsibilities include IT consultancy, e-governance implementation, technical guidance, capacity building, and the delivery of IT infrastructure and software solutions across the Rajasthan government.

To modernise its digital governance ecosystem, DoIT&C needed to address legacy systems, siloed applications, manual provisioning, limited scalability and slow deployment cycles across platforms such as e-Mitra and Raj Kaaj. The organisation adopted Red Hat OpenShift Platform Plus, Red Hat Application Foundation, Red Hat Trusted Application Pipeline and Red Hat Enterprise Linux, supported by Red Hat Consulting and Red Hat Training and Certification, to move from virtualised environments to a standardised, container-based platform with greater automation and DevOps capabilities. The transformation reduced service rollout time by 30-40%, improved system availability and performance by 25-35%, automated 50-60% of infrastructure and operations, and accelerated application development and deployment cycles by around two times. This has helped DoIT&C shift from a reactive, maintenance-heavy IT model to a more agile, innovation-focused ecosystem, improving governance efficiency and delivering faster, more reliable services to citizens.

Category: Hybrid Cloud Infrastructure and Cloud-Native Development
Winner: Adani Airport Holdings Limited
Adani Airport Holdings Limited (AAHL), India’s largest airport infrastructure company, manages, operates and develops eight airports across the country. Its network accounts for 24 per cent of passenger footfalls and 33 per cent of air cargo traffic in India, serving passengers, airlines, logistics companies, retailers and other airport stakeholders. 

As Adani Airports expanded its digital capabilities, it needed a more scalable and flexible integration platform to connect more than 20 diverse airport systems, accelerate the onboarding of new applications and support operations across on-premise and cloud environments. Using Red Hat OpenShift, Red Hat Application Foundation and Red Hat Enterprise Linux, Adani Airports built a hybrid cloud integration platform to deliver real-time data across its airport ecosystem. The platform has improved system performance, reducing response times from a few seconds to microseconds, while providing travellers with more transparent and accurate information on wait times, baggage and flight status. Faster detection of bottlenecks and operational issues is helping airports improve efficiency, reduce congestion at checkpoints and enhance the passenger experience, while supporting faster turnaround times and on-time performance for airlines.

Category: Hybrid Cloud Infrastructure and Cloud-Native Development
Winner: Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), Ministry Of Railways
Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), a public sector enterprise under the Ministry of Railways, is the digital, catering, tourism and hospitality arm of Indian Railways. It operates India’s largest online railway ticketing platform, alongside catering, tourism, hospitality and premium train services, supporting millions of passengers across the country every day.

With nearly 89% of reserved railway tickets booked online, IRCTC’s next-generation e-ticketing platform (NGeT) had become business-critical but capacity-constrained, especially during Tatkal and peak booking periods. With Indian Railways serving approximately 2-2.5 crore passengers daily and more than 8 billion annually, scalability, uptime and transaction performance are critical to IRCTC’s digital services. To strengthen these capabilities, IRCTC adopted a containerised, microservices-based platform built on Red Hat OpenShift Platform Plus, supported by Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform for end-to-end orchestration. The modernisation enabled the platform to auto-scale during periods of intense demand, helping to address the system failures and booking disruptions during peak periods. It has also improved infrastructure efficiency and accelerated application boot times, enabling teams to release new versions faster and with less friction. By replacing manual, error-prone operational tasks with automated workflows, IRCTC is also strengthening its security posture, reducing operational effort and freeing developer resources for higher-value work.

Category: Virtualization
Winner: Bharti Airtel Ltd
Headquartered in India, Bharti Airtel is a global communications solutions provider with over 650 million customers in 15 countries across India and Africa. The company also has its presence in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka through its associate entities. The company is ranked second amongst mobile operators globally, and its networks cover over two billion people.

To deliver on its customer-first promise at massive scale, Airtel has been reengineering its infrastructure and moving from legacy, manual systems to open, flexible, cloud-native platforms. This future-ready foundation has helped Airtel innovate new technology solutions delivering enhanced customer experiences across its digital services, including recharge, billing and self-service applications. As part of this transformation, Airtel has been leveraging Red Hat OpenShift Platform Plus, Red Hat Advanced Cluster Management for Kubernetes, Red Hat Quay and Red Hat OpenShift Virtualization.

Supporting Quotes
Daniel Aw, Vice President & General Manager, APAC, Red Hat APAC, “Enterprise technology is becoming more complex than ever, but success is no longer about how many new technologies an organisation adopts. What matters more is how effectively these solutions work together to address real business challenges and deliver tangible value. This year’s winners demonstrate that the organisations best positioned for long-term success are those building open, flexible foundations that allow them to innovate on their own terms. Their achievements are a testament to what organisations can accomplish when technology decisions are guided by business needs rather than trends, and it is this approach that we are proud to celebrate through the Red Hat APAC Innovation Awards.”

Additional Resources

• Learn more about the Red Hat APAC Innovation Awards 2026

• Learn more about Red Hat Summit: Connect

About Red Hat
Red Hat is the open hybrid cloud technology leader, delivering a trusted, consistent and comprehensive foundation for transformative IT innovation and AI applications. Its portfolio of cloud, developer, AI, Linux, automation and application platform technologies enables any application, anywhere—from the datacenter to the edge. As the world's leading provider of enterprise open source software solutions, Red Hat invests in open ecosystems and communities to solve tomorrow's IT challenges. Collaborating with partners and customers, Red Hat helps them build, connect, automate, secure and manage their IT environments, supported by consulting services and award-winning training and certification offerings.

Forward-Looking Statements
Except for the historical information and discussions contained herein, statements contained in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are based on the company’s current assumptions regarding future business and financial performance.  These statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially. Any forward-looking statement in this press release speaks only as of the date on which it is made. Except as required by law, the company assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements.

Decentro Earns Three Industry Recognitions, reinforcing its Leadership in Fintech Infrastructure and Embedded Finance

Two different juries, evaluating three different things, landed on the same company and the same founder in the same season. Decentro was judged as a business, as a category innovator, and for the leadership behind it. Recognition that points to something more fundamental: an infrastructure stack that most players in the space simply don't have.

The "boring" part is the actual innovation
Decentro's approach combines product infrastructure with regulated operating capabilities. The company holds RBI Payment Aggregator (PA) authorisations for online and physical payments, an IFSCA Payment Service Provider licence through its GIFT City entity, and UIDAI Offline Verification Seeking Entity certification. This stack enables enterprises to access bank-grade payment acceptance, identity verification and related financial workflows through a unified integration layer.

The company serves more than 2,000 enterprises across banking, lending, marketplaces, fintech and consumer internet, including large platforms such as AU Small Finance Bank, BharatPe, CRED, Meesho, MakeMyTrip and Muthoot Finance. Decentro's Payment Aggregator platform supports online and offline payment acceptance, including UPI, bank transfers, recurring mandates and QR-based in-store payments. Public company materials also describe its PA-Physical (PA-P) authorisation as enabling offline payment acceptance alongside its online capabilities.

Decentro processes more than USD12 billion in annual payment volume and 120 million-plus identity verifications a year, with integration timelines cut from months to days and roughly 30% lower operational costs for enterprises building on the stack. The company has also expanded its collections capabilities through Neowise, its conversational AI platform for lending collections. Neowise supports multilingual borrower engagement and human-assisted resolution workflows for lenders, and now handles close to 3 million borrower conversations a month across 12-plus Indian languages, working with lenders including Tata Capital and L&T Finance. Three physical delivery centres and 400+ trained human debt callers support the cases that need a person rather than a bot.

The leadership behind the platform
Rohit Taneja is a two-time fintech founder. Before Decentro, he co-founded Mypoolin, an early social payments platform backed by Accel, which Wibmo later acquired; PayU subsequently acquired Wibmo. He then led product and engineering for Wibmo's payment gateway business, working with financial institutions across India, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Dubai.

Founded in 2020 by Rohit Taneja and Pratik Daudkhane, Decentro is backed by Y Combinator and offers more than 150 APIs across payments, identity verification, banking and AI-led collections. Under their leadership, the company has secured its PA licence, acquired Neowise, and expanded into cross-border payments infrastructure through its IFSCA licence and GIFT City presence. Decentro's continued focus is to make financial infrastructure simpler to adopt, so businesses can spend more time building differentiated customer products.

"Being recognised at the company, innovation and leadership levels in the same year is deeply meaningful for all of us at Decentro," said Rohit Taneja, Co-founder and CEO, Decentro. "We set out to build the infrastructure behind financial products, not another standalone financial product. For our customers, that means faster launches, fewer fragmented integrations, and regulated capabilities that can be embedded directly into their customer experience. These honours reinforce the value of building compliance and reliability into the platform from day one."

Decentro was named Fintech Company of the Year for its efforts across payments, identity and collections, achieved while staying profitable on a lean ~USD10 million raised to date. Separately, the Bharat NBFC & FinTech Summit recognised Rohit for building a mechanism that lets Decentro's infrastructure operate seamlessly behind complex banking and financial products.

About Decentro
Decentro is a full-stack banking and fintech infrastructure platform founded in 2020 and backed by notable funds including Y Combinator. It enables businesses to launch and scale financial products through a unified API layer spanning payments, identity verification, banking and AI-led collections. Decentro holds RBI Payment Aggregator authorisations for online and physical payments, an IFSCA Payment Service Provider licence through its GIFT City entity, and UIDAI Offline Verification Seeking Entity certification for offline Aadhaar verification. The platform serves more than 2,000 enterprises across banking, lending, marketplaces and consumer fintech.

Careernet recognized as a Leader in Everest Group’s Recruitment Process Outsourcing Services PEAK Matrix® Assessment 2026 – India

Everest Group's 2026 RPO assessment examines how recruitment providers are responding to changing hiring requirements through flexible, scalable delivery models — including modular and project-based services, recruiter-on-demand offerings, and expanded advisory capabilities. The assessment also evaluates the growing role of generative AI, agentic AI, automation, analytics, and talent intelligence across sourcing, screening, candidate engagement, workforce planning, and recruiter productivity, and covers 57 RPO providers globally.

Anshuman Das, Co-founder and CEO, Careernet Group, said, “The nature of hiring is changing rapidly, and organizations across industries and stages of growth are navigating increasingly diverse and complex talent needs. This requires recruitment partners who can understand the nuances of each business and curate solutions that bring together deep talent expertise, market intelligence, technology and talent evaluation. At Careernet, our RPO solutions are designed to help organizations address these distinct requirements with the right combination of human expertise, technology and scale. Being recognized as a Leader by Everest Group reinforces our commitment to delivering agile, outcome-focused talent solutions that create meaningful impact for our customers.”

Commenting on the recognition, Sailesh Hota, Vice President, Everest Group, said: "Careernet has established itself as a leading RPO provider in India through its strong expertise in white-collar hiring, deep relationships with GCCs and technology-led enterprises, and its ability to deliver both project-based and end-to-end engagements. Its investments in AI-enabled recruitment technology, the integrated HirePro assessment platform, outcome-based engagement models, and expanding delivery capabilities have helped position it as a Leader in Everest Group's Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO) Services PEAK Matrix® Assessment 2026 – India."

The recognition comes at a time when enterprises are reassessing their recruitment strategies amid stabilizing hiring demand, continued economic uncertainty, financial pressures, and persistent skills shortages. Everest Group notes that organizations are increasingly seeking recruitment models that can scale with changing business requirements while delivering measurable hiring outcomes, stronger stakeholder experiences, and greater workforce agility.

About Careernet

Careernet is a leading holistic talent solutions provider. Because the world needs great talent, we make it happen with the unified strength of Careernet, HirePro, Longhouse, and MyCareernet. Founded in 1999, the company’s mission is to shape exceptional teams with scalable, holistic talent solutions while helping candidates realize their dream careers.

We help companies acquire the best talent by making their recruitment experience seamless with technology innovations. We offer a comprehensive suite of talent solutions, some of the prominent ones being Advisory, Recruitment Process Outsourcing, Executive Search, Permanent Recruitment, Professional Staffing, Talent Branding, Research and Early Careers. Today, Careernet serves over 1,000 active top employers and has more than 2,000 employees with dedicated offices in multiple locations across the country, the Middle East, the US, and the Philippines.

For more details, visit: careernet.in.

Bhavesh Goswami, Founder & CEO, CloudThat | Stanford Seed Alumni

According to Gartner, by 2027, approximately 80% of the engineering workforce will need to upskill to keep pace with the rapid evolution of generative AI. At the same time, IBM research indicates that while access to AI tools is becoming widespread, employee capability and confidence in using these tools remain a significant challenge. Against this backdrop, enterprise AI adoption is increasingly dependent on the availability of trained and certified talent.

CloudThat wins the FY26 Microsoft Superstars Award - India

CloudThat’s FY26 performance reflects the growing demand for enterprise AI and cloud skills. As part of Microsoft’s FY26 campaign, CloudThat trained 3.8 lakh learners, including 2 lakh learners through M365 Copilot skilling programmes and another 85,000 learners across Azure Data & AI. The company also delivered sustained learner acquisition, strong AI skilling outcomes and consistent growth in Microsoft Certified Professionals during the year.

The recognition builds on CloudThat’s longstanding association with Microsoft. Since 2012, CloudThat has trained more than 11 lakh professionals globally, supporting over 2,000 certifications across 30+ countries. Its continued recognition by Microsoft over nine years reflects the scale and depth of its skilling and consulting capabilities.

CloudThat’s strength is also supported by its trainer ecosystem. Twenty of its in-house Microsoft Certified Trainers (MCTs) featured in Microsoft’s Top 100 Global MCT list for 2025, while 13 trainers were recognised under the MCT Quality Awards for 2026. This depth of certified training expertise enables the company to deliver skilling programmes at scale while maintaining a strong focus on certification and learning outcomes.

Beyond enterprise skilling, CloudThat has also expanded its work across government, public sector and higher education. Under AI Pragya, launched by the Centre for e-Governance, Government of Uttar Pradesh, in collaboration with Microsoft, CloudThat trained more than 1,560 government officials across Copilot, Azure, Responsible AI and cybersecurity. The company has also undertaken comparable programmes for the Government of the Maldives, where monthly active usage of Microsoft tools increased by 20% following the training programme.

In the higher education ecosystem, CloudThat works with institutions to integrate Microsoft technologies and certifications into academic curricula, moving beyond one-time workshops towards structured, industry-aligned learning pathways. Its curriculum partnerships include IIT (BHU) Varanasi, Shree Vaishnav Vidyapeeth University, Acharya, SKITM Indore and GD Goenka University. Through these programmes, students can progress through seven Microsoft certification pathways spanning Azure, AI, Data Science and Business Applications. CloudThat plans to expand this model to 50 institutions over the next twelve months.

Commenting on the recognition, Bhavesh Goswami, Founder and CEO, CloudThat, said, “Winning our fourth Superstars title, and our eighth Microsoft recognition overall, tells us something bigger than an award ever could: that Microsoft has trusted us with its skilling ecosystem for more than a decade, and that the trust has held even as the technology underneath it evolved over time. It gives us real confidence as we push into our next phase of growth, expanding our global footprint and building CloudThat into the kind of AI skilling institution the world will keep needing, year after year.”

With AI adoption moving rapidly from experimentation to enterprise-wide implementation, CloudThat continues to focus on building the skills required to translate technology investments into measurable outcomes. Its latest Microsoft recognition reinforces its role in enabling enterprises, governments and academic institutions to develop AI, cloud and digital capabilities at scale.

BPTP Skynest bags 'Premium Highrise Development of the Year' at Times Realty & Infrastructure Conclave 2026

Located in Sector 80, Greater Faridabad, BPTP Skynest is envisioned as a premium high-rise residential development that combines contemporary architecture, thoughtfully planned homes and a holistic lifestyle experience. The project comprises 504 residential units and brings biophilic design into the high-rise format through 20 dedicated Sky Nests, landscaped green pockets woven into the tower design alongside a curated mix of wellness, leisure and social spaces. Homes are planned as expansive, light-filled layouts with wraparound balconies, designed to support multi-generational living and give every family member room to belong. The development brings together the convenience of high-rise living with carefully curated recreational spaces, creating an environment built for both everyday life and leisure.  So far, BPTP has delivered 38.63 million sq. ft. (3.86 crore sq. ft.) of development in Faridabad, spanning high-rise apartments, plots, villas, commercial spaces and community sites.

Sector 80 sits within Greater Faridabad’s extremely well-connected belt and is connected to the rest of the city via the Bata Chowk and Escorts metro stations on the Delhi Metro’s Violet Line. It is also linked to Delhi and the wider NCR through NH-148NA, which provides onward connectivity to IGI Airport. The Delhi link of the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway further strengthens regional connectivity, improving access between Delhi and the wider expressway network and enabling smoother regional travel. This is particularly significant for Greater Faridabad, enhancing its strategic connectivity with key NCR and regional destinations.

The partially operational Faridabad-Noida-Ghaziabad (FNG) Expressway, passing through Greater Faridabad’s developing sectors, is further strengthening the corridor’s connectivity to Noida and Ghaziabad. Additionally, the NHAI-approved signal-free upgrade of the Kalindi Kunj corridor is expected to reduce travel time between Delhi, Noida and Faridabad. This improving infrastructure, combined with growing social infrastructure, schools, hospitals and retail, has positioned Sector 80 as one of Greater Faridabad’s emerging residential growth corridors, with Skynest occupying a prominent address within it.

Commenting on the recognition, Amaan Chawla, President, BPTP Limited, said, "We are delighted to see BPTP Skynest recognised as the 'Premium Highrise Development of the Year'. This award is a testament to our approach of creating developments that combine thoughtful planning, contemporary design and a strong understanding of the aspirations of today's homebuyers. Greater Faridabad is emerging as an important residential destination within the NCR, and with Skynest, we aim to contribute to this transformation by offering a premium living experience that is designed for the future."

The award further strengthens BPTP's growing portfolio of recognised residential developments across the NCR. The company has continued to expand its presence in Greater Faridabad with projects that seek to combine quality, scale and lifestyle-oriented development with the region's improving infrastructure and connectivity.

BPTP Skynest is part of BPTP's broader presence in Greater Faridabad, where it has established a significant residential footprint. The project reflects BPTP's continued focus on creating aspirational communities in locations with strong long-term development potential.

The Times Realty & Infrastructure Conclave 2026 brought together leading stakeholders from the real estate and infrastructure sectors to recognise excellence and innovation across the industry. The recognition of BPTP Skynest adds another accolade to BPTP's portfolio and reinforces its position among prominent developers shaping the NCR's evolving residential landscape.

About BPTP Limited

BPTP is one of NCR's leading real estate developers with over two decades of experience in creating landmark residential and commercial developments. With a portfolio of more than 50 projects and over 25,000 homes delivered, the company has consistently transformed the urban landscape through thoughtfully planned communities, premium design, sustainable development, and customer-centric innovation. Recognised among the Top 3 Developers in the ET Now Real Estate North Survey 2026, BPTP continues to redefine modern living by creating destinations that combine quality, innovation, trust, and long-term value.

Norton Motorcycles has won Bronze at the International Design Excellence Awards (IDEA) for the Norton Manx R, the flagship superbike leading the brand’s new Resurgence strategy.
 

Norton Manx R earns landmark International Design Excellence Award

The Manx R was recognised in the Automotive and Transportation category at the 2026 IDEA Awards, organised annually by the Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA). The award was collected by Darren McNeill, Head of Marketing at Norton US, at the IDEA Ceremony and Gala in Pasadena, California.
 

Simon Skinner, Head of Design at Norton Motorcycles, said, “The Manx R was created to challenge what a modern superbike can look and feel like. We wanted to move away from visual noise and create something more reductive, more crafted and more connected to the rider. Every surface, exposed component and detail had to earn its place. Winning an IDEA award is a proud moment for the whole Norton team because it recognises the depth of design thinking behind the bike, not just the finished object.”
 

The recognition underlines the originality of the Manx R within the superbike category. According to the IDEA archive, the Manx R is one of only a handful of motorcycles to receive an IDEA award in the programme’s 45-year history, the first combustion-engined motorcycle recognised since 2015, and the first production combustion-engined sports motorcycle to receive the accolade.
 

While recent motorcycle design recognition has largely centred on electric mobility and future concepts, the Manx R demonstrates that a production combustion-engined superbike can still move the category forward through design, material execution and a rider-centred focus. Rather than follow the increasingly complex visual language of many contemporary superbikes, the Manx R takes a reductive approach. It rejects the familiar language of aggressive winglets, excessive creases and racing graphics in favour of clean surfaces, disciplined proportions and exposed mechanical elements treated as crafted design details.

The result is a production motorcycle that breaks the mould of superbike design: dramatic and muscular, but not cluttered; technically advanced, but not defined by excess; engineered for real-world rider connection as much as outright performance.

Professor Gerry McGovern OBE, Chief Creative Advisor to Norton Motorcycles, said, “From the beginning, the ambition for Norton’s Resurgence was to create a design direction that was modern, emotionally engaging and worthy of the brand’s extraordinary heritage. The Manx R proves that motorcycles, like cars, can be objects of desire through proportion, stance, drama and detail. To see that recognised by an international jury of designers is a meaningful endorsement of the direction Norton has taken.”

Created as the flagship product of Norton’s Resurgence under TVS Motor Company ownership, the Manx R was developed for a modern, design-conscious generation of rider. Its design direction was shaped by Professor Gerry McGovern OBE, Chief Creative Advisor to Norton and one of the automotive industry’s most respected design leaders, with the Manx R created by Simon Skinner and Norton’s in-house design and engineering teams.
 

The Manx R is the first model in Norton’s new-generation product line-up and the clearest expression of the brand’s core design principles: modernity, integration, drama and connection. Its award-winning design is combined with an all-new V4 powertrain, semi-active suspension, Brembo braking system, advanced rider assistance technology and an 8-inch TFT touchscreen.
 

Designed, engineered and built at Norton’s global headquarters in Solihull, UK, the Manx R champions Norton’s position as a highly desirable and modern manufacturer with a design-led future. The Norton Manx R superbike and Atlas mid-size adventure bike will arrive on sale in the United States from October 2026 with pricing to be announced soon.

Notes to Editors
 

About Norton Motorcycles
Norton Motorcycles was founded in 1898 and is one of Britain’s most iconic motorcycle marques, with a heritage shaped by engineering innovation, racing success and distinctive design. Its name is closely associated with the Isle of Man TT and with celebrated models including the Manx, Commando, Dominator, Atlas, Navigator and 650SS.
 

Today, Norton is entering a new chapter under the ownership of TVS Motor Company, which acquired the brand in April 2020. Based at Norton’s modern manufacturing facility in Solihull, West Midlands, the company designs, engineers and builds British motorcycles, assembled using traditional hand-crafted techniques supported by modern engineering, advanced manufacturing processes and rigorous quality standards.
 

Norton’s new generation of motorcycles embodies contemporary technology, emotional performance, modern aesthetics and exclusivity. Guided by the principles of design, dynamics and detail, Norton is focused on creating motorcycles that honour its past while establishing a desirable, high-quality and distinctive future.

Madhusudhan P, Founder and CEO, Catalyst Training Services
 

The award was presented jointly to TVS Motor Company Limited and Catalyst Training Services. Importantly, the recognition sits in Brandon Hall Group’s Sales Performance program area, placing the programme in the distinctly business-facing territory of sales execution and measurable performance, rather than recognising learning activity alone.
 

A modern sales problem: Information overload on both sides of the counter

The recognition validates an idea at the heart of Catalyst’s work, said Madhusudhan P, Founder Catalyst Training Services Pvt Ltd “The modern sales problem is no longer an information deficit. It is an information-overload problem, on both sides of the counter.”
 

Today’s customer often arrives at a showroom having already consumed product information through social media, videos, reviews, comparison platforms, brand communication, influencers and personal research. The challenge is increasingly not access to information. It is cutting through the clutter and helping the customer see what really matters.
 

The salesperson faces the other side of the same problem. Modern organisations have sophisticated sales processes, SOPs, product training, competitive information, CRM practices, customer-experience standards and selling frameworks. A frontline salesperson can therefore have hundreds of things to know, remember and do during a customer interaction.
 

All of them may be important. But all of them cannot be equally important at the moment the customer is making a decision.
 

Catalyst’s work focuses on identifying the vital few among the important many, the small number of observable sales behaviours that can disproportionately influence the customer’s decision, and engineering them to become simple, coachable and repeatable at the frontline.
 

Catalyst wins 2026 Brandon Hall Group Silver with TVS Motor for Dealer Conversion Breakthrough, a dealer sales transformation programme
 

The Challenge: Product value customers could not always see

Dealer Conversion Breakthrough originated from a sales-performance challenge in the commuter-motorcycle segment across an extended dealer network.
 

Catalyst’s competitive research uncovered an important distinction: the products did not necessarily suffer from a product-value disadvantage. They suffered from a product-value visibility disadvantage.
 

Customer-relevant advantages already existed. But unless salespeople deliberately mentioned, demonstrated and compared those advantages, customers could easily fail to perceive meaningful differentiation.
 

The answer, therefore, was not another information-heavy product-training programme. It was to make the value already present in the product visible to the customer.
 

From product knowledge to persuasive, observable behaviour

Rather than attempting to teach every feature in a product brochure, Catalyst identified a limited number of customer-relevant competitive differentiators and translated them into a simple sales-execution methodology built around observable demonstration behaviours.
 

Participants learnt not merely to say what a product offered, but to physically demonstrate relevant advantages and make meaningful competitive differences visible to customers.
 

The programme was deliberately designed to reduce dependence on memory. Product differentiators were arranged around the physical geography of the motorcycle so that movement around the product itself helped cue what needed to be demonstrated.
 

Performance could then be observed and measured using simple behavioural criteria rather than relying solely on knowledge tests, participant reactions or subjective facilitator judgement. In other words, the behaviours were designed to be visible enough to learn, coach, measure and replicate.
 

From months to minutes: Below 25% to above 80% proficiency in 30–40 minutes

The programme reached approximately 650 participants through 45 workshops across Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Rajasthan.
 

In frontline sales, building demonstration proficiency is typically treated as a journey measured in weeks or months, involving product training, practice, role plays, field exposure, shadowing and repeated coaching.
 

Catalyst approached the problem differently. Instead of asking how much more the salesperson needed to learn, we asked how much less the salesperson needed to remember.
 

During workshops, a randomly selected participant would first conduct an unassisted product demonstration. Initial demonstration proficiency typically scored below 25%.
 

After observing the methodology, using the behavioural coaching tool and repeating the demonstration, the same participant typically progressed to above 80% proficiency within approximately 30-40 minutes.
 

Not months. Minutes.

Importantly, participants themselves used the same criteria to evaluate the demonstrations. The improvement therefore became visible not only to the facilitator, but to the entire room.
 

When learning travelled into the field

Evidence of field application began appearing soon after the intervention. Fifteen participating dealerships in Rajasthan subsequently reported sales improvements ranging from 5% to 300% over their respective previous monthly averages.
 

These figures were dealer-reported rather than independently audited and represented dealerships beginning from substantially different sales volumes. They are therefore not presented as an average or as a guaranteed programme outcome.
 

But another development became particularly significant: the methodology began travelling without Catalyst.
 

Field managers who had experienced the programme independently transferred the approach to dealership salespeople in other territories. Subsequent field reports documented improvements in sales, demonstration quality, market share and reduced dependence on discounting.
 

The programme was no longer simply demonstrating that people could learn differently. It was demonstrating that the behaviour could be transferred, observed, coached and replicated without continuous dependence on the original facilitator.
 

Commenting on the recognition, Madhusudhan P., Founder, Catalyst, said, “Today’s customer has often consumed enormous amounts of information before walking into a showroom. He doesn’t necessarily need another person giving him more information. He needs someone who can cut through the clutter and help him see what really matters.” He added, “The salesperson faces the other side of the same problem. Organisations have invested heavily in product knowledge, processes, SOPs and training, leaving the salesperson with hundreds of things to remember and do. They’re all important. The challenge is identifying the vital few among the important many — the behaviours that disproportionately influence the customer’s decision.”
 

From training people to engineering sales execution

The programme also demonstrated a principle about frontline capability: knowledge can be distributed, but consistent execution has to be engineered.
 

By reducing cognitive load and translating sales execution into observable behaviours, Catalyst’s approach is designed to reduce dependence on individual memory, exceptional salespeople or continuous facilitator intervention.
 

The objective is not to replace an organisation’s existing sales processes, SOPs or training infrastructure. It is to identify and engineer the vital few behaviours within that environment that disproportionately influence execution at the moment of sale. “Behaviours are upstream. Results are downstream.”
 

When organisations can identify, observe and engineer the behaviours that matter most, frontline performance becomes less dependent on individual brilliance — and more capable of being replicated at scale.
 

Why this recognition matters

Brandon Hall Group’s HCM Excellence Awards are evaluated by a panel of independent senior industry experts, practitioners, analysts and executive leadership. Entries are assessed against defined criteria that examine the design and use of the programme, innovation, functionality and measurable benefits and results. Award levels are determined by points earned—not by a ranking curve.
 

Catalyst’s Dealer Conversion Breakthrough received Silver in the Sales Performance program area, in the Best Sales Training Program for Extended Enterprise category.
 

The significance therefore goes beyond winning a training award. The recognition provides independent validation that a frontline sales intervention developed in India could demonstrate what matters most: a clearly defined business need, an engineered solution, scalable execution across a dealer network, and measurable business impact.
 

For Catalyst, this validates a larger proposition: sales transformation does not necessarily come from giving frontline salespeople more to learn. It can come from identifying the vital few behaviours that disproportionately influence the sale, making those behaviours observable, coachable and repeatable and engineering them to work at scale.
 

Catalyst’s broader philosophy

Sales Success, Engineered.™

Sales Systems That Deliver White-Collar Effectiveness at Blue-Collar Scale.
 

About Catalyst

Catalyst Training Services (Catalyst) is a Bengaluru-based sales-performance consultancy focused on making frontline selling visible, coachable and repeatable.
 

Founded in 2002, Catalyst has delivered sales-performance interventions in five countries to more than 37,000 sales professionals representing 14 countries, primarily across the automotive and technology sectors.
 

Catalyst works with organisations to identify the vital few among the important many observable sales behaviours that disproportionately influence customer decisions and engineer those behaviours for consistent frontline execution.
 

Its approach is built around a simple premise: the modern sales problem is no longer an information deficit. It is an information-overload problem on both sides of the counter.
 

For more information, please visit website catalystnow.in.