SILICON VILLAGE
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Wednesday, June 17, 2026
A Question And Answers Session With Actor Sreeleela On Birla Opus Paints
1. What does your perfect day off look like from start to finish?
Ideally, just slowing down. A slow start, no alarms, just natural light and quiet. I love my coffee, and since I’m usually always rushing, I really enjoy taking the time to savour every sip. I think the perfect day is one that flows naturally without a plan, spending some time outdoors, enjoying good food, appreciating small moments and ending the day feeling calm instead of rushed.
2. What’s one space where you feel most like yourself? And why?
Apart from being on shoots, I’d say my own room. It’s the one space where everything reflects me, and I don’t have to adjust to anything else. It feels personal, familiar and completely my own.
3. What kind of spaces inspire you the most?
Minimal — clean, open, with soft lighting. I also love collecting little things while travelling, so I always try to bring back something meaningful from every place I visit. Those small details make a space feel comforting and personal to me.
4. What kind of spaces do you naturally connect with, and what makes them feel personal to you?
I’m drawn to spaces that feel calm, balanced, and soothing. For me, the way a space looks naturally affects how it feels, which is why I love pastels, lighter tones, creams, and little touches of green through plants. I don’t like spaces that are too cluttered or too empty, I enjoy simple details like scented candles and cute lamps that add warmth and personality in a subtle way.
5. What’s one belief you connect with that makes you say ‘Main Bhi’?
I really believe that small changes can impact everything. Even the smallest shift in a space can impact your mindset and mood in such a big way. I enjoy making little changes to my surroundings from time to time because it helps things feel fresh and new again.
6. Do you have a memory that connects you to your favourite colour?
I think it’s more connected to a feeling than a specific memory. Certain colours remind me of calmness, warmth, and spaces where I feel completely at ease. That emotional connection is what draws me to them.
7. What’s a space you feel most creative in?
A space filled with natural light, minimal distractions, and a sense of openness. I think environments like that allow ideas to flow more freely, and that’s something I really enjoy.
IDBI Bank Introduces FCNR(B) Special Opportunity Deposit In USD With Attractive Returns For NRIs On Foreign Currency Deposits
IDBI Bank has introduced FCNR(B) Special Opportunity Deposit in USD, offering enhanced returns to Non-Resident Indian (NRI) customers seeking secure and attractive foreign currency investment opportunities.
The Special Rates will be for limited period effective June 11, 2026 till September 30, 2026.
| For Deposit amount in USD | ||
Maturity Slab | Upto USD 1 Million | More than USD 1 Million and upto USD 5 Million | Above USD 5 Million |
3 years to less than 4 years | 6.00% | 6.05% | 6.10% |
4 years to less than 5 years | 6.05% | 6.10% | 6.15% |
5 years | 6.10% | 6.15% | 6.20% |
Key Features
· Principal and interest are fully repatriable.
· Protection against exchange rate fluctuations, as deposits are maintained in USD only.
· Interest earned is exempt from income tax in India, subject to prevailing regulations.
· Minimum lock-in period of 1 year.
o9 Releases Annual ESG Report 2026: The Company’s Environmental, Social And Governance Activities And Results During 2025
o9, a leading software company that is powering enterprise planning and decisioning models across 30-plus industry verticals with its groundbreaking, AI-powered Digital Brain platform, today announced the release of its ESG Report 2026, detailing the company’s environmental, social, and governance activities and results during the 2025 calendar year. The report outlines progress across emissions reduction, supplier engagement, cybersecurity, governance, and responsible AI, while highlighting how o9 continues to integrate sustainability considerations into operational planning and decision-making across the business.
Some of the highlights from the ESG Report 2026 include:
EcoVadis Platinum recognition: In 2025, o9 earned the EcoVadis Platinum Medal, improving its EcoVadis score from 80 to 89 and placing the company among the top 1% of organizations assessed globally for sustainability performance.
Emissions reduction and renewable electricity transition: o9 increased renewable electricity coverage from 96% in 2024 to nearly 100% in 2025. The company also reduced total market-based emissions by 14.3% year over year, including its first reduction in Scope 3 emissions since establishing its 2022 baseline.
Supplier engagement expansion: During 2025, o9 expanded its Supplier Engagement Plan from pilot phase to active implementation, engaging suppliers representing 54% of emissions tied to purchased goods and services as part of its target to reach 90% supplier science-based target alignment by 2028.
Cybersecurity and governance oversight: o9 achieved a CyberVadis Platinum rating in 2025 and maintained 100% ISO 27001-certified operational coverage globally.
Responsible AI governance: In 2025, o9 identified Responsible AI as a material ESG topic and initiated development of a cross-functional governance framework focused on transparency, accountability, security, and regulatory readiness.
Community and employee initiatives: During 2025, o9 contributed more than $249,000 in total donations, recorded 3,248 volunteer hours across global community programs, and expanded the o9 Forest initiative to more than 55,000 cumulative trees planted since 2021.
The report also outlines how o9 uses its own platform internally to support ESG reporting, emissions tracking, and operational planning. In addition, the company continues to help organizations incorporate sustainability considerations into planning processes to improve resource efficiency, reduce waste, strengthen supplier collaboration, and evaluate sustainability trade-offs within day-to-day operations.
“At o9, we believe the next era of supply chain performance will be defined by the ability to make better, faster, and more responsible decisions at scale,” said Chakri Gottemukkala, Co-founder and CEO of o9. “Sustainability is closely tied to resilience, operational efficiency, and long-term value creation. We remain focused on helping organizations integrate sustainability considerations more directly into planning and execution across their operations and supply chains.”
The ESG Report 2026 was prepared using globally recognized sustainability frameworks, including GRI, SASB, ESRS, UNGC, CDP, and the GHG Protocol. For the fourth consecutive year, o9 also obtained third-party limited assurance on selected ESG indicators from SGS United Kingdom Ltd.
To read the full report, visit o9solutions.com.
‘Coca-Cola Matchday Hangout’ – Turning Football Nights Into The Ultimate Creator-Led Watch Along
Coca-Cola today announced the launch of Matchday Hangout, a creator-led live football watch-along experience built for India's growing generation of football fans.
Timed around the FIFA World Cup season, Coca-Cola Matchday Hangout transforms late-night football viewing into a shared live experience, bringing fans together virtually to react in real time, debate every big moment, and celebrate match nights alongside creators, across 12 national streams that reflect how India actually watches football today in a social-led environment.
Coca-Cola's long-standing association with FIFA has always been rooted in celebrating the passion and togetherness that football inspires. With Coca-Cola Matchday Hangout, that spirit comes alive in a new-age creator-led digital format. The experience is produced and hosted by RevSportz, one of India’s leading independent editorial sports platforms, that will seamlessly power the show's live broadcast and storytelling. This Sportainment show will be led by creators Rohan Joshi, Sakshi Shivdasani, and Kaashvi Hiranandani, with select matchdays also featuring Zervaan Bunshah, Varun Thakur, and footballer Dalima Chhibber.
Speaking about the launch, Karthik Subramanian, Senior Director, Marketing, Coca-Cola TM India & Southwest Asia said, “Through our longstanding association with FIFA, Coca-Cola has been an integral part of football fandom for decades. A match night is all about rituals, reactions, and shared emotions. Coca-Cola Matchday Hangout is our way of fostering that connection through social-led experiences. By taking a community-first approach, we’ve curated a live, creator-led experience, and partnering with RevSportz helps us seamlessly bring this interactive format directly to audiences."
Boria Majumdar, Founder and CEO RevSportz said, “Football has always been about emotion, conversation and community. With Coca-Cola Matchday Hangout, we are taking those match-night conversations and turning them into a shared live experience for fans across the country. At RevSportz, we have consistently believed in creating innovative ways for fans to engage with sport, and this partnership with Coca-Cola allows us to bring together sport, entertainment and digital culture in a social format that feels authentic to how today’s audiences consume live events. We are excited to build a destination where fans can watch, react, debate and celebrate the biggest moments of the FIFA World Cup together.”
Fans can unlock access to the interactive watch-along streams by ordering a Coca-Cola via Zepto and Blinkit during match hours. Each purchase unlocks a chance for an entry into a live space featuring pre-match predictions, gameplay reactions, halftime conversations, post-match debates, trivia, giveaways, and creator-led challenges.
Access to every Coca-Cola Matchday Hangout stream will be limited, turning each match night into a must-not-miss moment. Participants also stand a chance to win exclusive Coca-Cola merchandise including mini fridges, caps, tees, and sippers.
With Coca-Cola Matchday Hangout, Coca-Cola continues to create social and creator-led experiences that are rooted in passion, culture, and connection, bringing fans closer to the moments they never want to miss.
About The Coca‑Cola Company
The Coca‑Cola Company (NYSE: KO) is a total beverage company with products sold in more than 200 countries and territories. Our company’s purpose is to refresh the world and make a difference. We sell multiple billion-dollar brands across several beverage categories worldwide. Our portfolio of sparkling soft drink brands includes Coca‑Cola, Sprite and Fanta. Our water, sports, coffee and tea brands include Dasani, smartwater, vitaminwater, Topo Chico, BODYARMOR, Powerade, Costa, Georgia, Fuze Tea, Gold Peak and Ayataka. Our juice, value-added dairy and plant-based beverage brands include Minute Maid, Simply, innocent, Del Valle, fairlife and AdeS. We’re constantly transforming our portfolio, from reducing sugar in our drinks to bringing innovative new products to market. We seek to positively impact people’s lives, communities and the planet through water replenishment, packaging recycling, sustainable sourcing practices and carbon emissions reductions across our value chain. Together with our bottling partners, we employ more than 700,000 people, helping bring economic opportunity to local communities worldwide. Learn more at www.coca-colacompany.com and follow us on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.
Axis Bank Partners With BITS Pilani To Establish A ₹100 Crore Industry Research, Technology & Innovation Park In Hyderabad
Axis Bank, one of the largest private sector banks in India, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) Pilani, an Institution of Eminence, to establish the Axis Bank–BITS Industry Research, Technology & Innovation Park at the BITS Pilani Hyderabad Campus. This collaboration, with a ₹100 crore CSR grant, marks a significant step towards strengthening India’s deep-tech and translational research ecosystem by creating an integrated launchpad for facilitating deeper industry-academia collaboration, driving innovation and entrepreneurship.
With a focus on Life Sciences, Biopharma, healthcare and medical devices, the proposed Axis Bank–BITS Industry Research, Technology & Innovation Park at the Hyderabad campus is being developed as a dedicated platform to strengthen India’s innovation ecosystem, with a focus on enabling cost-effective healthcare solutions that benefit the public at large. The Park's location in Hyderabad places it at the heart of Telangana's thriving life sciences corridor, anchored by Genome Valley. By embedding academia-led biopharma and deep-tech capabilities within this ecosystem, the partnership supports national priorities for affordable healthcare, translational research, and self-reliance in critical technologies under the Government of India’s ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ and ‘Make in India’ initiatives.
Under the partnership, BITS Pilani shall guide the Research Park’s governance and research agenda, while Axis Bank shall support its infrastructure development.
Spread across approximately 120,000 sq. ft., the Axis Bank–BITS Industry Research, Technology & Innovation Park shall house laboratories, incubation spaces, and diverse shared facilities under one roof, especially supporting innovators from academia, startups and MSME domains through structured partnerships, co-design and co-creation of projects. This will support technology transfer and IP management, and provide ready access to BITS Pilani’s academic expertise and talent.
Mr. Kumar Mangalam Birla, Chancellor, BITS Pilani, said, “The partnership between BITS Pilani and Axis Bank is exactly the kind of forward-looking collaboration India needs to build stronger innovation systems. The Research Park will help BITS Pilani deepen its work in cutting-edge research and entrepreneurship, while also contributing to solutions that can make a meaningful difference to society. It is encouraging to see academic and industry leaders come together with a shared commitment to research, talent development and lasting national impact.”
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Amitabh Chaudhry, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, Axis Bank, said, “At Axis Bank, we believe that the future of inclusive and sustainable progress lies at the intersection of knowledge, innovation, and purpose. Our collaboration with BITS Pilani resonates strongly with our organizational ethos and our commitment to nurturing ecosystems that can solve real-world challenges. As institutions, we share a collective vision of building conscientious leaders equipped with knowledge and the unwavering resolve to make a difference.”
Prof. V. Ramgopal Rao, Vice-Chancellor, BITS Pilani, said, “This MoU represents a powerful alignment of vision between academia and industry. At BITS Pilani, we have always believed that the future of higher education lies in creating ecosystems that are interdisciplinary, research-intensive, and deeply connected to society and industry. The Axis Bank–BITS Research Park will help us build precisely such an ecosystem, one that supports faculty-led innovation, nurtures doctoral research, accelerates translation, and prepares our students to solve complex problems at scale.”
The MoU signing ceremony held in Mumbai brought together leaders from both the organisations around a shared goal of turning ideas into impact and strengthening the bridge between research and industry.
About BITS Pilani:
Established in 1964, the Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani (BITS Pilani) is an Institution of Eminence, globally recognised for excellence in higher education, research, and innovation. Over the decades, BITS Pilani has evolved into a multi-campus university, known for its academic rigour, cutting-edge research, and strong industry and international collaborations. BITS Pilani continues to strengthen its academic standing across national and global benchmarks. In the NIRF Rankings 2025, the Institute secured Rank 2 in Pharmacy, Rank 7 in the University category, Rank 11 in Engineering, and Rank 16 Overall, underscoring its leadership across key disciplines. Globally, BITS Pilani is featured in the QS World University Rankings 2026 and the QS Asia Rankings 2026 , reflecting its growing international footprint. Accredited with an A++ grade by NAAC and supported by 100+ international collaborations, BITS Pilani continues to drive innovation-led education and impactful research. For more information, visit: https://www.bits-pilani.ac.in/
About Axis Bank:
Axis Bank is one of the largest private sector banks in India. Axis Bank offers the entire spectrum of services to customer segments covering Large and Mid-Corporates, SME, Agriculture, and Retail Businesses. It has 6,275 domestic branches (including extension counters) and 12,796 ATMs and cash recyclers spread across the country as on 31st March 2026. Axis Virtual Centres are present across eight locations with 1,591 Virtual Relationship Managers as on 31st March 2026. The Axis Group includes Axis Mutual Fund, Axis Securities Ltd., Axis Finance, Axis Trustee, Axis Capital, A.TReDS Ltd., Freecharge, Axis Pension Fund and Axis Bank Foundation.
For further information on Axis Bank, refer to the website: https://www.axis.bank.in/
This Father’s Day, Step Into An Afternoon Of Nostalgia, Laughter And Indulgence At Machan
The experience unfolds with signature culinary showcases including The Father’s Grill & Carve, a chef-led counter presenting robust meats, charred vegetables and classic accompaniments, alongside The Gentleman’s Egg Atelier serving made-to-order omelettes, classic Eggs Benedict, masala bhurji and breakfast grill favourites. Guests can further savour Garden Greens & Global Mezze featuring Mediterranean-inspired selections, roasted vegetables, artisanal flatbreads and aged parmesan Caesar salads.
Adding to the indulgence is an elegant spread from the Artisan Bakery & Morning Indulgence, where stone-baked sourdoughs, rye loaves and butter-rich viennoiserie are paired with handcrafted preserves and cultured butter. Live culinary experiences continue with World Kitchen Signatures, offering herb-roasted chicken, pan-seared fish with lemon butter, bold sauces and seasonal accompaniments.
To conclude on a decadent note, The Sweet Finish presents an exquisite selection of dark chocolate patisseries, baked cheesecakes and refined Indian mithai, complemented by Brunch Libations & Brews including artisanal teas, specialty coffees, infused waters and refreshing mocktails.
Details:
Venue: Machan, Taj West End, Bengaluru
Date: 21st June 2026
Time: 12:30 PM to 3:00 PM
Pricing:
Non-Alcoholic Brunch – INR 3,300++
Alcoholic Brunch – INR 5,300++
For reservations, call: 080 6660 5660 | +91 78240 43499
Set against the tranquil greenery of Taj West End, Bengaluru, the celebration promises cherished memories, meaningful moments and a feast truly worthy of the head of the table.
Air India Introduces ‘Basic’ Fare Option, Expanding Customer Choice In Economy Class On Domestic Travel
· Includes 15 kg checked baggage and 7 kg cabin allowance; excludes complimentary meals
Air India announced the introduction of its new ‘Basic’ fare family, further strengthening its commitment to empowering customers with greater choice and control over how they travel and what they pay for.
The introduction of Basic fare builds on Air India’s branded fare families - Value, Classic, and Flex - introduced in 2024 as part of the airline’s effort to simplify and enhance its customer offering.
A new option for value-conscious travellers
Being trialled on select domestic routes, the Basic fare is available for travel in Economy Class and is designed for travellers who prioritise value. It includes a 15 kg checked baggage allowance, 7 kg cabin baggage allowance, complimentary beverage service (tea/coffee), while complimentary meals are not included.
The Basic fare is entirely optional, and travellers continue to have the choice of booking across Air India’s existing fare families - Value, Classic, and Flex - each of which includes complimentary meals and a range of bundled benefits at progressively higher price points. The introduction of Basic fare simply adds another layer of choice, particularly for price-conscious travellers who prefer a more unbundled offering.
A pro-consumer approach to choice and transparency
The introduction of the Basic fare reflects Air India’s pro-consumer approach, recognising that different travellers have different preferences. By unbundling certain services, Air India is enabling price-conscious travellers to pay only for what they need, while preserving full-service offerings for those who value an all-inclusive experience.
With clearly differentiated bundles of products and services, Air India’s fare families are designed to align with evolving traveller preferences and enable guests to select the option that best meets their individual requirements.
Travellers booked on Basic fares will have the flexibility to pre-purchase meals up to 24 hours before departure, with options including Vegetarian, Non-Vegetarian, Jain, and Diabetic meals. In the event of a schedule change or reaccommodation, pre-purchased meals will be automatically transferred to the new flight, or fully refunded if unavailable for any reason.
Pilot rollout
The Basic fare is currently available on select domestic routes. Air India will assess customer response and feedback during the pilot phase to guide decisions on the future of the offering.
Currently, the Basic fare can be booked exclusively through the airline’s direct channels, including its website, mobile app, contact centre, and airport ticketing offices.
With the addition of the Basic fare, Air India continues to evolve its offering to deliver a more intuitive, fair, and customer-centric travel experience.
As the airline advances through its ongoing transformation journey, it remains focused on delivering greater value, choice, and relevance to its guests, ensuring that every traveller can personalise their journey in line with their preferences.
About Air India Group
The Air India Group – comprising full-service global airline, Air India, and value carrier, Air India Express – is spearheading a new era of Indian aviation. The Air India story began in 1932 when JRD Tata piloted the airline’s inaugural flight and opened the skies for aviation in India. Today, Air India Group employs more than 30,000 people, operates over 300 aircraft and carries travellers to 60 domestic and 51 international destinations across five continents.
Returning to Tata Sons in 2022 following 70 years under Government ownership, Air India Group is in the midst of a five-year transformation programme, Vihaan.AI. As part of the transformation, Air India has placed orders for 600 new aircraft. In addition to taking new aircraft deliveries, Air India is progressively retrofitting all its legacy aircraft.
The Air India Group operates South Asia’s largest aviation training academy in Gurugram, India. The construction of a new flying school and a greenfield maintenance base is in progress.
With transformation underway across all facets of the business and India’s rich legacy of hospitality, Air India is committed to being a world class global airline with an Indian heart.
For more news on Air India, visit http://www.airindia.com/newsroom
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