Payten Launches In Bahrain,, Advancing The Kingdom's Digital Payments Ecosystem

* A business centric platform that supports all major currencies, INR settlements, and built-in compliance

Payten B.S.C. (c), one of the region's leading alternative payment providers, today formally announced the expansion of its operations in the Kingdom of Bahrain, building on the successful launch of the Pay10 Bahrain App for consumers and the Pay10 Biz Bahrain App for merchants in April this year.

Since entering the market, Pay10 has been focused on scaling its consumer and merchant ecosystem, driving adoption of secure, interoperable, and customer-centric payment solutions that simplify everyday transactions. As the company continues to expand its footprint, it remains committed to delivering innovative, cost-effective financial technology solutions that support Bahrain's rapidly evolving digital economy.

Licensed by the Central Bank of Bahrain as an Ancillary Service Provider, Pay10 enters the Bahraini market with a strong foundation of regulatory compliance, security, and trust. Backed by a robust payment’s infrastructure, the company is committed to delivering secure, reliable, and seamless digital payment experiences that meet the evolving needs of consumers and businesses while supporting the Kingdom's vision for a digitally enabled economy.

The Pay10 Biz Bahrain App is a merchant-first solution designed for SMEs and businesses looking for a cost-effective and more efficient alternative to traditional payment systems. Available on both the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store, this enables merchants to accept digital payments securely, monitor transactions in real time, access funds seamlessly, and benefit from faster settlement cycles, all within a more competitive and transparent pricing model.

By addressing longstanding industry challenges such as high transaction costs and delayed settlements, Pay10 empowers businesses to improve cash flow, reduce operating costs, and accelerate growth through a modern digital payments platform.

Pay10 has also launched the Pay10 Bahrain App, its consumer-facing digital payments application, which is available on both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Designed for citizens, residents, and digitally connected consumers across the Kingdom, the app delivers a secure, seamless, and intuitive payment experience that simplifies everyday financial transactions.

Through the Pay10 Bahrain App, users can instantly send and receive money, make local bank transfers, pay merchants by scanning QR codes, and manage their daily payments through a single, secure digital platform. By combining convenience, speed, and security, the app is designed to support the growing adoption of cashless payments and deliver a modern financial experience aligned with Bahrain's digital economy.

A key differentiator of Pay10's offering is its interoperability with BenefitPay, enabling merchants and consumers to continue using familiar local payment experiences without disruption. Consumers can simply scan dynamic QR codes using either the BenefitPay App or Pay10 App to make instant payments, while merchants can accept payments from a growing base of digital users without changing their existing processes or infrastructure. This seamless compatibility eliminates switching barriers, simplifies adoption, and strengthens Bahrain's evolving digital payments ecosystem.

“The launch of Pay10 in Bahrain represents another important milestone in our vision of building a truly interconnected payments ecosystem across the region,” said Mr. Harry Gill, Founder & Chairman of Pay10. “Bahrain has built a dynamic fintech ecosystem, underpinned by a robust regulatory framework and a commitment to digital innovation. We are proud to support this vision by delivering secure, interoperable, and customer- and merchant-centric payment solutions that simplify everyday commerce, empower businesses, and enhance the digital payment experience for consumers across the Kingdom.”

Mr Gill added, “Our ambition extends beyond enabling payments. We are building a trusted financial infrastructure that powers digital commerce, accelerates financial inclusion, and helps businesses thrive in an increasingly connected economy. By combining regulatory excellence, cutting-edge technology, and deep local market integration, Pay10 is well-positioned to support Bahrain's vision of a cashless, innovation-led future while creating lasting value for merchants, consumers, and the broader financial ecosystem.”

Pay10 Consumer App and Pay10 Biz Bahrain App are now available for download on App Store and Play Store. For more information, visit https://pay10.bh/

BitDelta India Launches CrypTution, India's First Structured Crypto Assets (VDA) Learning & Certification Ecosystem

* The first-of-its-kind initiative combines structured learning, simulation and certification to support more informed participation in India’s VDA ecosystem~

* CrypTution's foundational Padho curriculum is developed in partnership with the American Academy of Financial Management (AAFM®️ India)~

BitDelta India, an FIU-IND-registered Virtual Digital Asset trading platform, today announced the launch of CrypTution, India’s first institution grade crypto assets (VDA) learning and certification ecosystem.

CrypTution has been developed with an aim to support the growth of India’s VDA ecosystem through informed and prepared participation. While access to crypto assets and related information has expanded, formal education has not kept pace, leaving many participants to navigate a complex and evolving market through fragmented sources.

The initiative aims to bridge this gap by combining guided learning, simulated market exposure and competency-led certification before participants transition to live-market environments. With Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities already accounting for nearly 40% of India's crypto user base, the initiative is designed to make structured VDA education more accessible across geographies, languages and participant profiles.

Commenting on the launch, Vikaas M Sachdeva, Chief Executive Officer, BitDelta India, said, “Major financial asset classes in India have followed a similar path - from early access and fragmented understanding to broader participation supported by stronger investor education. Mutual funds and direct equities matured as awareness improved, and crypto is now approaching the same inflection point. Awareness of Virtual Digital Assets remains below 30%, while nearly one in five active participants acknowledge that they are still learning and exploring the market. CrypTution has been developed to provide structured learning, practical exposure and certification needed to support the category’s next phase of responsible growth.”

Built around the pillars of Padho. Seekho. Badho. CrypTution follows a progressive learning journey.

· Padho (Study) provides the academic foundation through a comprehensive curriculum covering blockchain, Virtual Digital Assets, market fundamentals, security and risk awareness.

· Seekho (Learn) enables learners to apply this knowledge through simulated market environments without deploying actual capital

· Badho (Grow) supports participants who demonstrate readiness to progress towards live-market participation on the BitDelta India platform.

The academic learning component is delivered in partnership with the American Academy of Financial Management India (AAFM®️ India), the Knowledge and Education Provider for the Padho pathway. With 30+ years in BFSI education and over 100,000 finance professionals trained, AAFM India brings globally benchmarked education standards to its collaboration with BitDelta India. Learners gain access to a comprehensive curriculum, competency-led assessments and specialised certification pathways.

Romit Barat, Executive Director, American Academy of Financial Management India, said, "Credible financial education must be structured, measurable and anchored in recognised standards. Through our collaboration with BitDelta India, CrypTution brings the rigour behind AAFM India's globally benchmarked education a defined curriculum, transparent assessments and specialised certification pathways helping learners build demonstrable competency and participate responsibly in the evolving VDA ecosystem."

Recognising different learner needs, CrypTution offers three specialised pathways: Certified Virtual Asset Investor for foundational investing knowledge; Certified Virtual Asset Practitioner for enabling advisors with the holistic approach and insight on this asset class,; and Certified Virtual Asset Trader for advanced trading, market analysis and risk management.

Beyond certification, CrypTution brings together guided learning, practical simulations, market intelligence, assessments, webinars, mentorship and community engagement within a single ecosystem. Through this integrated approach, BitDelta India aims to foster a more informed, capable and responsible VDA ecosystem in India.

72% In South India Prioritise Balanced Diet, Bengaluru, Hyderabad Touch 75%, Finds ManipalCigna India Health Quotient* 2026

ManipalCigna Health Insurance, one of India's leading health insurers, has released insights specific to South India from India Health Quotient (IHQ) 2026. The IHQ is a proprietary multi-dimensional index measuring self-assessed health across five dimensions: Physical, Mental, Financial, Occupational, and Social. The study covered urban Indians across 16 cities, including Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kochi and Coimbatore from the southern region.

India's overall health score stands at 65 out of 100, while South India recorded an overall score of 63 out of 100. Across urban Indians, physical health is leading at 68, while financial health trails at 62, the lowest score across all dimensions and a critical aspect requiring greater attention.

Interestingly, 72% of respondents from South India prioritize eating a healthy, balanced diet in their top 5 aspects of physical health vs 65% in rest of India. This is most notable in the new age tech metros of Bengaluru, Hyderabad (75%). It reflects a larger shift across urban India, where people are consciously moving towards healthier lifestyles and making food choices a part of how they manage their overall wellbeing. On the other hand, the findings also highlight opportunities to strengthen mental well-being, with only 49% reporting strong focus and clarity of mind and 47% feeling confident in their ability to adapt to sudden change.

The study also reveals that health insurance ownership is one of the most promising predictors of overall wellbeing in India. Indians with health insurance score 68/100 on the India Health Quotient, compared to 62/100 for uninsured urban Indians, a 6-point gap that remains consistent across every cohort, region, age group, gender, and stress level. Across the cohorts and stress level tested in the study, insured Indians reported higher wellbeing scores than their uninsured counterparts on physical, mental and financial dimensions alike.

This "Wellbeing Premium" is notably larger than the gender gap (men and women both score 65/100) and exceeds regional differences between major metros like Mumbai (62/100) and Bengaluru (63/100) and surpasses the gap between India's youngest and oldest age groups (63/100 vs 65/100). The gap does not diminish even when controlling for stress levels, suggesting that health insurance ownership is associated with meaningfully better wellbeing outcomes across all population segments.

Sapna Desai, Chief Marketing Officer, ManipalCigna Health Insurance, said, “The India Health Quotient asks a simple question: how does India actually feel? It shows that health is multi-dimensional, with people balancing physical, mental, financial, and work and social wellbeing, and gaps in one area often affecting the others. South India stands out for its focus on healthy eating, with 72% prioritizing a balanced diet, rising to 75% in Bengaluru and Hyderabad. However, this physical discipline does not fully offset everyday pressures. Across regions, we also see that health insurance ownership helps narrow wellbeing gaps, reinforcing that protection is an important part of overall wellbeing.”

As Karnataka continues its growth journey, the need for greater awareness around healthcare financing and financial protection remains important. With changing healthcare needs and rising medical costs, health insurance can play a critical role in helping individuals and families manage healthcare expenses while ensuring access to quality care when needed.

The ManipalCigna India Health Quotient 2026 underscores the company's commitment to going beyond traditional health insurance by developing a deeper, evidence-based understanding of how Indians experience wellbeing. With this, the company reaffirms its focus on building more responsive, holistic health solutions for a rapidly evolving India

For the complete report and insights, visit India Health Quotient 2026.

About India Health Quotient

The India Health Quotient (IHQ) is ManipalCigna Health Insurance’s proprietary research initiative that tracks the evolving health perceptions and behaviours of India. Designed as a multi-dimensional index, it evaluates self-perceived well-being across five key dimensions, physical, mental, financial, occupational, and social health, by combining the importance individuals assign to each dimension with their self-assessed performance. This approach offers a more holistic and real-world understanding of health, going beyond clinical measures to capture how people experience well-being in their daily lives, while also highlighting emerging trends, gaps, and opportunities for more informed and preventive health choices.

Disclaimer

*The India Health Quotient (IHQ) 2026 was conducted by YouGov India on behalf of ManipalCigna Health Insurance. The online survey was administered using YouGov’s proprietary research panel. Fieldwork was conducted between December 2025 and January 2026. The survey included robust 2,600 respondents drawn from 16 cities across India, with equal representation (25% each) from four geographic zones: North (Delhi NCR, Lucknow, Chandigarh, Jaipur), East (Kolkata, Guwahati, Patna, Bhubaneshwar), West (Mumbai, Pune, Ahmedabad, Surat/Vadodara), and South (Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Kochi/Coimbatore). The Health Quotient score (0–100) is a composite measure combining self-assessed performance across five health dimensions (physical, mental, financial, occupational/educational, and social/relational health) with each respondent’s personal weighting of dimension and aspect importance. The Quotient is a measure of self-perceived and self-reported wellbeing; it is not a clinical assessment. All percentages are based on total respondent base (n=2,600) unless otherwise specified. No representation is made as to the completeness or accuracy of the findings. The results are indicative in nature and should not be construed as medical or professional advice. The Company disclaims any liability for reliance placed on this report.

About ManipalCigna Health Insurance Company Limited

ManipalCigna Health Insurance Company Limited is a joint venture between Manipal Group, an eminent player in healthcare delivery and higher education in India, and Cigna Healthcare, a global health services company with over 230 years of experience. ManipalCigna is headquartered out of Mumbai and has over 120 branch offices covering significant metros and towns. The company has built a strong multi-distribution network of over 1 lakh agents and 500+ distribution partners across the country. ManipalCigna also has presence in 500+ cities in India through its distribution network and has a network of over 16,000 hospitals across cities including tier I, tier II, and tier III towns in India. To learn more, visit
www.manipalcigna.com

About YouGov:

YouGov is a global research data and analytics group. Our mission is to offer unparalleled insight into what the world really thinks and does. With operations in the Americas, Mainland Europe, UK and Asia Pacific, we have one of the world's largest research networks. Above all, YouGov is powered by reality. That stems from a unique panel of millions of registered members across 64 markets, encapsulating some 18 million shopping trips and millions of interconnected data points. Our unique approach to recruiting and engaging with our panel, combined with our state-of-the-art technology platforms, enables us to deliver real-world, real-time insights that lead to better decision-making and a competitive advantage for our clients. As innovators and pioneers of online market research, we have a strong reputation as a trusted source of accurate data and insights. Testament to this, YouGov data is regularly referenced by the global press, and we are consistently one of the most quoted market research sources in the world.

For further information, visit yougov.com.

Felix Plaza Reinvents The Modern Mall Experience With Immersive Lifestyle And Entertainment Experiences

Felix Plaza, Gurugram's newest lifestyle destination, is redefining the way people experience malls by bringing together shopping, dining, entertainment and leisure under one roof. Designed as an experience-first destination, Felix Plaza offers visitors a vibrant space where every outing transforms into a memorable day of discovery, recreation and connection.

Spread across approximately 8 lakh sq. ft., the destination houses 150+ Indian and international brands across fashion, beauty, lifestyle and electronics. Shoppers can explore leading names including H&M, Marks & Spencer, Lifestyle, Westside, Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, Guess, Birkenstock, Aldo, R&B Fashion, Skin Bae and Style Union, offering an extensive selection for every style, age group and occasion.

Beyond retail, Felix Plaza delivers an engaging entertainment ecosystem designed for families, friends and young professionals alike. Visitors can catch the latest blockbusters at the four-screen Cinepolis multiplex, enjoy interactive gaming experiences at Fun City, Fun Block and GameX, browse everyday essentials at Mr. DIY, or simply spend quality time exploring the destination's thoughtfully curated spaces.

The culinary experience is equally diverse, with a vibrant mix of cafés, quick-service outlets, restaurants and a bustling food court serving a wide variety of cuisines. Whether it's a casual coffee catch-up, a family lunch, an indulgent dinner or a quick bite between shopping, Felix Plaza offers dining experiences to suit every mood and occasion.

Reflecting the growing preference for destinations that seamlessly blend retail with leisure, Felix Plaza has been envisioned as more than a shopping centre. From discovering the latest fashion trends and enjoying immersive entertainment to exploring new cuisines and spending quality time with loved ones, the destination offers everything needed for a complete day out, making it one of Gurugram's newest lifestyle and experience hubs.

About Felix Plaza

Felix Plaza is Gurugram’s go-to destination for shopping, dining and entertainment. Drop by for a casual hangout, meet friends or simply enjoy a moment to yourself in a vibrant and stylish set-up. More than a mall, it’s a place to celebrate everyday joys and special occasions. With a curated mix of brands, experiences and social spaces, Felix Plaza makes every visit feel effortless, memorable and truly yours.  

BUSINESSNEXT Raises USD 40 Million From ServiceNow To Accelerate Autonomous Banking

* The collaboration with ServiceNow further boosts India’s role in global AI technology for financial services

ServiceNow (NYSE: NOW), the AI control tower for business reinvention, today announced an investment of USD 40 million in BUSINESSNEXT, an autonomous operating platform for banking and financial services.

The series C round, valuing BUSINESSNEXT at USD 700 million, will strengthen the company's efforts to drive autonomous operations and private AI solutions across banking and financial services.

BUSINESSNEXT’s customer relationship management (CRM) verticalized AI capabilities and digital lending platform for financial services combined with ServiceNow's commitment to delivering industry-specific AI solutions underscores the significant growth potential in working together to accelerate the autonomous banking across the Asia Pacific region.

“Autonomous banking is not a vision we are chasing — it is a category we have been building for years. Today, as AI has matured, this investment will further accelerate our efforts to deliver Private AI solutions, meeting the unique needs of banking and financial services, helping ensure the highest level of security while meeting all regulatory governance frameworks and sovereignty aspects” said, Nishant Singh, CEO, BUSINESSNEXT.

“India's financial services sector is at an inflection point — institutions are moving from digital experimentation to full-scale AI-led operations. ServiceNow's investment in BUSINESSNEXT is a direct bet on that transformation, bringing together deep banking intelligence and enterprise-grade AI orchestration to help Indian banks and insurers move faster, serve customers better, and operate with far greater efficiency." – Kulmeet Bawa - GVP & Managing Director, India & SAARC, ServiceNow

Front-to-Back Orchestration: BUSINESSNEXT and ServiceNow together will create a unified autonomous operating fabric for financial services enterprises., tapping into a market that is expected to grow to USD 3.59 Billion by 2035 with a CAGR of 20.28% according to the Market Research Future report.

BUSINESSNEXT manages customer-facing acquisition, engagement, and real-time customer signals, while ServiceNow's Financial Services Operations (FSO) platform orchestrates middle and back-office operations—including case management, complaints handling, and agentic AI workflows.

This combination along with ServiceNow’s AI Control Tower helps eliminate fragmentation and enables financial services organisations to deliver a seamless system of execution for creating future ready autonomous operations with regulatory sector guard rails at scale.

Commenting further on the announcement, Nishant added, “the collaboration with ServiceNow marks a turning point for the global banking industry — one that finally connects customer intelligence with enterprise execution in real time. Additionally, with deep banking intelligence and AI-led customer engagement capabilities, financial institutions can now operate with greater speed, intelligence, and coordination across all customer and operational touchpoints”.

Already powering 1 million+ users, 75,000+ branches, and over 1 billion end customers globally, BUSINESSNEXT brings over 15 years of deep banking intelligence — combining AI-led decisioning, customer context, and agent-driven execution — built specifically for financial institution

Notably, BUSINESSNEXT was positioned as a Leader in the Forrester Wave™: Customer Relationship Management Software for Financial Services, Q1 2025, achieving the top ranking globally for its platform offerings ahead of leading global vendors. Forrester highlighted BUSINESSNEXT's out-of-the-box BFSI workflows, ease of customization, and AI capabilities—including predictive, generative, and agentic AI—as standout differentiators.

About BUSINESSNEXT

BUSINESSNEXT is an autonomous operating platform powering the next generation of financial services operations. Deployed across 75,000+ branches, contact centres and digital customer touchpoints, serving more than one billion end customers globally, the platform delivers native agentic AI orchestration, customer experience management and lending automation.

Visit-www.businessnext.com

About ServiceNow

ServiceNow (NYSE: NOW) is the AI control tower for business reinvention. The ServiceNow AI Platform integrates with any cloud, any model, and any data source to orchestrate how work flows across the enterprise. With more than 100 billion workflows running on the platform each year, ServiceNow helps organizations turn fragmented operations into coordinated, autonomous workflows that deliver measurable results. Learn how ServiceNow puts AI to work for people at- www.servicenow.com.

Uber Intercity Travel Index: Bengaluru To Mysuru Among India’s Most Popular Intercity Routes

* Mysuru becomes one of the leading Popular Heritage & Pilgrimage Destinations

Uber Intercity Travel Index points to the role of India’s growing highway network in a new travel story. As improved road infrastructure makes driving between cities faster and more convenient, Indians are increasingly choosing the open road for everything from weekend escapes to longer leisure vacations. The data reveals while some of India's busiest Intercity corridors continue to connect major metros, the fastest growth is now coming from regional routes linking Tier-2 cities and popular leisure destinations.

Based on aggregated Intercity trip data on Uber from the April-June 2026 period, the Index found that Mumbai-Pune, Delhi-Agra, Bengaluru-Mysuru, Lucknow-Kanpur and Ahmedabad-Vadodara remained among India's most popular Intercity routes. At the same time, routes such as Ahmedabad-Vadodara, Delhi-Dehradun, Bengaluru-Mysuru, Delhi-Chandigarh and Chennai-Puducherry emerged among the fastest-growing corridors, signalling rising demand for regional road travel.

Weekend getaways to destinations such as Dehradun, Puducherry, Nashik and Aurangabad, alongside journeys to heritage and pilgrimage centres including Agra, Mysuru, Prayagraj, Ajmer and Udaipur, also saw strong demand over the summer travel season.

Shiva Shailendran, Director – Revenue & Category Management, Uber India & South Asia, said: "A combination of safer intercity travel options like Uber Intercity along with an expanding and improved road infrastructure is driving road trips across India - not just between major cities, but increasingly across regional corridors and to destinations that offer unique cultural, spiritual and leisure experiences. This edition of the Uber Intercity Travel Index reflects how travel behaviour is evolving, with increased volume of road trips, new emerging intercity routes, and continued demand."

Travellers cashing in on long weekends

The Index also points to a growing preference for experience-led travel and planned leisure leaves around long weekends. Uber Intercity demand spiked around May Day (May 1) and Bakrid (May 28) long weekends. Road travel aficionados let loose with some riders completing close to 30 Intercity trips while others travelling nearly 1500 kilometers in intercity trips over a three-month period.

Convenience and safety focused features driving preference

As India continues to invest in road connectivity, Uber Intercity remains focused on making city-to-city travel more convenient, reliable and comfortable, helping riders discover more destinations while providing drivers with more earning opportunities. New features such as Call2Ride (C2R) that enable riders to book an Uber Intercity trip by simply calling a phone number (05227122822) - without needing to logging into the app, has made it easier for riders across smaller towns with lower app penetration to get access to Uber. Similarly, the flexibility to book round trips has appealed to many riders who can experience hassle-free travel to their desired location without the tension of needing to find a return ride.

In addition, the growing number of Intercity routes and tech-driven safety features including a 24X7 Safety Line, Share Your Trip, RideCheck, and Audio Recording, among others has made Uber Intercity a preferred choice among travellers.

Inside the Uber Intercity Travel Index: The Great Indian Road Trip (April-June 2026)

India's Most Popular Intercity Routes (by trip volume)

Mumbai ↔ Pune

Delhi ↔ Agra

Bengaluru ↔ Mysuru

Lucknow ↔ Kanpur

Ahmedabad ↔ Vadodara

Fastest-Growing Intercity Corridors (YoY)

Ahmedabad ↔ Vadodara

Bengaluru ↔ Mysuru

Delhi ↔ Dehradun

Delhi ↔ Chandigarh

Chennai ↔ Puducherry

Summer Travel Highlights

Popular Heritage & Pilgrimage Destinations

Agra

Mysuru

Prayagraj

Ajmer

Udaipur

Popular Beach & Hill Destinations

Puducherry

Dehradun

Kochi

Most Popular Weekend Getaway Routes

Mumbai ↔ Nashik

Mumbai ↔ Aurangabad

Delhi ↔ Dehradun

Delhi ↔ Agra

Chennai ↔ Puducherry

Emerging Travel Trends

Tier-2 Corridors Driving Growth

Ahmedabad ↔ Vadodara

Thrissur ↔ Kochi

Indore ↔ Ujjain

Kanpur ↔ Lucknow

Ranchi ↔ Jamshedpur

Most Booked Round Trips

Hyderabad

Hyderabad ↔ Yadagirigutta

Hyderabad ↔ Kurnool

Delhi

Delhi ↔ Agra

Delhi ↔ Sikar

Bengaluru

Bengaluru ↔ Nandi Hills

Bengaluru ↔ Magadi

Bengaluru ↔ Dharmapuri

Bengaluru ↔ Mandya

Pune

Pune ↔ Ahmednagar

Pune ↔ Satara  

Union Minister Chirag Paswan Celebrates India's Mango Farmers With Anandana – The Coca-Cola India Foundation

India’s homegrown billion-dollar fruit-based drink, Maaza® celebrates 50 years of its journey in country. Anandana – The Coca-Cola India Foundation, honoured the mango farmers behind the brand's legacy through its flagship agriculture initiative, Project Unnati which supports mango farmers with modern cultivation practices to improve productivity, fruit quality and efficient water use. Marking National Mango Day, the event included the release of a ‘Special Cover’ in collaboration with Department of Posts. Shri Chirag Paswan, Hon'ble Union Minister of Food Processing Industries along with Col. Akhilesh Kumar Pandey, Chief Postmaster General, Delhi Circle, Department of Posts, Ministry of Communications released the Special Cover.

Farmers from various parts of country were felicitated in the presence of Coca-Cola India leadership, bottling partners, implementation partner CENDECT and mango supplier Foods & Inns Ltd.

Addressing the gathering, Shri Chirag Paswan, Hon’ble Union Minister of Food Processing Industries, Government of India, said, "India has achieved self-reliance in food production, and our next priority is to create greater value through food processing by strengthening infrastructure and expanding market opportunities for our farmers. Our farmers are our ‘annadatas’, and every effort to strengthen the agricultural value chain is an investment in their future. It is encouraging to see homegrown beverage brands like Maaza celebrate this legacy of India’s beloved mangoes ‘aam’ by bringing its authentic taste to millions of households while supporting farmers and contributing to local economies. The release of the Special Cover by the Department of Posts is a tribute to India's mango heritage and the farmers who sustain it."

Devyani Rana, Vice President – Public Affairs, Communications & Sustainability, Coca-Cola India & South West Asia, said “Behind every bottle of Maaza - one of India’s most loved fruit-based drinks is the dedication and expertise of India’s mango farming communities. Through Anandana’s Project Unnati, we have been working alongside farmers and our implementation partners to strengthen productivity, improve fruit quality, and promote more resilient farming practices. As Maaza celebrates 50 years, it is equally a celebration of the farmers whose commitment has helped shape India’s mango heritage. We remain committed to supporting their journey through sustainable agriculture and long-term partnerships.”

According to P. Patchaimal, Founder and Chairman, Centre for Development and Communication Trust (CENDECT), "Celebrating Maaza's 50-year journey is a celebration of the farmers behind it. Project Unnati has demonstrated the value of combining scientific knowledge with sustained on-ground support. We look forward to continuing this work to enable more farmers to strengthen their orchards and build resilient livelihoods.”

The beneficiary farmers associated with Project Unnati shared how scientific cultivation practices have transformed their orchard management ability and productivity. R. Rajendran, a mango farmer from Theni, Tamil Nadu and Project Unnati beneficiary, said, “Project Unnati has given us the knowledge and confidence to adopt better farming practices. Today, we are seeing improved productivity and better-quality mangoes, helping us build a brighter future for our families.”

According to Milan Dalal, MD, Foods & Inns Ltd., “Building a resilient mango value chain begins with strong partnerships at the farm level. Initiatives like Project Unnati are helping farmers adopt scientific cultivation practices that improve fruit quality, productivity and consistency creating long-term value for farming communities while strengthening India’s fruit processing ecosystem. As a long-standing sourcing partner, we believe such collaborative efforts are essential to supporting sustainable growth across the value chain.”

Project Unnati is Anandana's flagship agriculture initiative that works with the fruit-growing communities to improve agricultural productivity and farmer livelihoods. The programme supports fruit-growing communities by helping farmers grow more and better-quality mangoes through modern cultivation practices including Ultra High-Density Plantation (UHDP), Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs), drip irrigation and scientific orchard management. These modern mango farming practices help improve orchard management, increase productivity and strengthen India's fruit processing value chain. The program's mango initiative has helped farmers nearly double per-acre yields while significantly reducing the time between planting and commercial production, strengthening India's mango value chain and supporting the country's food processing ecosystem.

The felicitation of mango farmers paid tribute not only to Maaza's 50-year legacy, but also to the farming communities whose dedication continues to strengthen India's mango farming sector, food processing ecosystem and India's position as the world's largest producer of mangoes.