Apollo Hospitals Strengthens Its Oncology Leadership With The Appointment Of Dr. Harit Kumar Chaturvedi, Along With 25 Experts

Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Limited (AHEL) has appointed Dr. Harit Kumar Chaturvedi as the Chief Executive Officer and Clinical Head of the Apollo Oncology Network.

With close to four decades of experience in surgical oncology, Dr. Chaturvedi comes back to Apollo, bringing with him unparalleled clinical expertise and deep institutional leadership shaped over years of advancing cancer care in India. His return marks a significant step in Apollo's long-term commitment to building a cancer care system that is not only expansive in reach but consistent in quality, ensuring that patients across India have access to the subspecialised, organ-specific, and technology-driven treatment they deserve.

Dr. Chaturvedi holds an M.B.B.S., M.S. in General Surgery, and M.Ch. in Surgical Oncology. Over 38 years, he has managed complex cases across head and neck, breast, thoracic, gastrointestinal, gynaecologic, and other malignancies, with specialised expertise in robotic and minimally invasive procedures and radiofrequency ablation. He established one of North India's leading cancer ecosystems, implementing organ-specific units, multidisciplinary tumour boards, and national research collaborations. As organising secretary of the first Indian Cancer Congress in 2013, he co-created and executed a landmark oncology event that set a benchmark for future platforms. He has also served as the president of leading professional bodies, including the Indian Society of Oncology, the Indian Association of Surgical Oncology, and the Oncology Forum, further strengthening his leadership in the field.

Ms. Preetha Reddy, Executive Vice Chairperson, Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Ltd, said: “At Apollo Hospitals, we firmly believe that health is a national priority and a shared responsibility. Further, cancer care in India demands availability, precision, consistency, and institutions that are built to deliver outcomes at scale. Dr. Chaturvedi is one of the finest surgical oncologists, renowned worldwide. An institution builder, his acumen to assemble the right teams, introduce contemporary processes, and create a culture of clinical excellence is exactly what the Apollo Oncology Network needs at this stage of its growth. His return to Apollo is a homecoming, and we are confident that under his leadership, we will reach significantly more patients with the quality of care they deserve, and take us closer to our mission."

A longstanding advocate for cancer prevention and tobacco control, Dr. Chaturvedi has played an influential role in shaping the policy of oncology and awareness at a national level.

Further, it is a homecoming for Dr Chaturvedi, who previously served as Senior Consultant, Surgical Oncology at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals between 2000 and 2004.

Dr. Harit Kumar Chaturvedi, CEO and Clinical Head, Apollo Oncology Network, Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Limited, said: "I am deeply honoured to return to an institution that has consistently set the benchmark for cancer care in India. Apollo has built something truly remarkable, a network with the scale, the technology, and the clinical intent to make a meaningful difference in patients' lives. My goal is to build on this strong foundation by deepening subspecialisation, expanding robotic and minimally invasive surgical capabilities, and strengthening multidisciplinary care protocols across every facility. I look forward to contributing to Apollo's vision of making world-class oncology accessible to every Indian who needs it, regardless of where they live."

He is joined by a team of over 25 highly specialised oncologists, further strengthening Apollo’s capability to deliver comprehensive, multidisciplinary, and efficient cancer care across diverse treatment pathways. Apollo Hospitals remains steadfast in its commitment to transforming cancer care in India through subspecialisation, early detection, and equitable access to treatment. Dr. Chaturvedi will lead the Apollo Oncology Network, which has been breathing hope into lives for over 30 years. With over 400 oncologists to oversee the delivery of high-end precision Oncology Therapy, the Network is spread across India to help people win over cancer.

Today, people from 147 countries come to India for cancer treatment at Apollo Hospitals. With the first Pencil Beam Proton Therapy Centre in South Asia & the Middle East, Apollo Hospitals has all that is needed to strengthen the fight against cancer.

ABOUT APOLLO HOSPITALS

Apollo revolutionised healthcare when Dr Prathap Reddy opened the first hospital in Chennai in 1983. Today, Apollo is the world’s largest integrated healthcare platform with over 10,400 beds across 76 hospitals, 7,113+ pharmacies, 308 clinics, 2,457 diagnostic centres, and 800+ telemedicine centres. It is one of the world’s leading cardiac centres, having performed over 3,00,000 angioplasties and 2,00,000 surgeries. Apollo continues to invest in research and innovation to bring the most cutting-edge technologies, equipment, and treatment protocols to ensure patients have access to the best care in the world. Apollo’s 1,20,000 family members are dedicated to delivering exceptional care and leaving the world better than we found it.

Samsung India’s Legacy Goes Beyond Products, Touches 1.5 million Lives

As Samsung celebrates 30 years of its journey in India, its long journey shouldn’t be judged just on what a company sold, but on what it built.

There is a version of the Samsung India story that most people know, the one measured in market share, smartphone launches, and the sprawling Noida factory that has become one of the world's largest mobile phone manufacturing facilities. It is an impressive story, but an incomplete one.

The full story, going beyond the product launch headlines, may ultimately prove far more consequential for India's human capital. This story is being written in the classrooms of Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, coding labs in Maharashtra and incubation centres at IIT Delhi. It is happening because Samsung has decided that its most important investment is not in the next device but creating an innovation ecosystem where Digital India thrives. As of April 2026, Samsung has already trained and certified 5,000 youth in Tamil Nadu under its flagship Samsung Innovation Campus (SIC) programme.

"As we complete three decades in India, we see innovation and education as both an enabler of progress and a catalyst for inclusion. The focus going forward is on how this potential is translated into meaningful impact at scale. At Samsung, we are committed to nurturing a generation of young innovators with the skills, creativity, and collaborative mindset which enables them to grow and address complex societal challenges and contribute to a more inclusive future." says Mr. SP Chun, Corporate Vice President, Samsung Southwest Asia

Samsung India's citizenship programmes have benefited 1.5 million people. Samsung's CSR commitment in India reached Rs144.48 crore in FY2024-25, (increased to Rs 193.89 crore for 2025-26) one of the largest such commitments by any consumer electronics company in India. But the number, however significant, understates what has already been achieved. Over three years, Samsung has assembled one of the most substantive private-sector youth-skilling ecosystems in India, a portfolio of interconnected programmes that collectively target the full journey from classroom to career.

At the core of the ecosystem stands the Samsung Innovation Campus, or SIC with a budget of Rs 77.25 crore for 2025-26 — a flagship programme that trains young people in artificial intelligence (AI), internet of things (IoT), Big Data, and coding and programming. Since its 2022 launch, the programme has trained 6,500 students, with 3,500 certified in 2024 alone across Uttar Pradesh, Delhi NCR, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka, a 17% increase over the previous year. In 2025, Samsung scaled the programme six-fold: to 20,000 students across ten states, with a commitment to gender inclusion in the syllabus— 48% women participation pan-India going up to even over 70% in Tamil Nadu.

The Maharashtra experiment is a milestone with the first large-scale SIC certification in the state with 1,000 students. Simultaneously, Samsung expanded its reach by enrolling 7,000 students in coding and programming across ten states, with the programme certifying 5,000 students In Uttar Pradesh. This initiative signals a shift from standalone corporate programs to strong government partnerships, transforming well-meaning initiatives into scalable solutions.

The programme's credibility and usefulness have been externally validated. SIC won the CSR Initiative of the Year at the ESSCI National Skills Awards 2024 at Bharat Mandapam — recognition from the Electronics Sector Skills Council of India underscoring the fact that the programme's design and outcomes meet the standards India's skills development programme demands.

If the SIC is about building foundational technology competence, the “Solve for Tomorrow” is about the next chapter, using the competencies to solve national problems, with a Budget of Rs 29.88 crore for the current fiscal.

In its fifth year, this national competition has brought The Foundation for Innovation and Technology Transfer (FITT) at IIT Delhi, the  Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)  and the United Nations in India, to empower young changemakers, With more than Rs 90 lakh in funding for projects for environmental, social, and health challenges, the 2024 edition has introduced a School Track (14-17) and a Youth Track (18-22), fostering an innovation culture among young students.

The results speak for themselves. The 2025 AI Summit saw Paraspeak, a Gurugram-based team whose solution addresses communication accessibility, win the top honour. The four winning teams from the 2024 programme received Rs1 crore in incubation grants and continued development support at IIT Delhi's FITT Labs. Past winners got an opportunity to be present at the Olympics and the Winter Olympics.

Not every young Indian is headed for a startup or a technology career. In the past, many headed to the retail floor, service centres and Samsung's Digital & Offline Skills Training (DOST) Sales Programme was precisely for them. DOST Sales 4.0 in partnership with the Electronics Sector Skills Council of India and the Telecom Sector Skill Council, trained thousands of young people from underserved communities for frontline retail roles.

Add it together and the picture that emerges is striking. Samsung Innovation Campus, Samsung Solve for Tomorrow, DOST, and the Nanum employee volunteering platform that institutionalizes corporate citizenship, ensures company-wide value rather than just a compliance exercise.

What is most important is the ambition of the company is structural. It reflects the conviction of a company that has been in India long enough to understand one crucial point. That its most durable contribution to the country in which it operates will not be measured in devices sold, but in capabilities built for a country standing at a demographic tipping point.

Air India Welcomes Its First Retrofitted B787 Featuring New Cabin Interiors And Livery

Air India has unveiled its first retrofitted, twin-aisle B787-8 (registered VT-ANT), marking the successful completion of a nose-to-tail cabin refresh of the first of 26 B787 aircraft.

The aircraft, which received comprehensive interior upgrades at Boeing’s Modification Center in Victorville, California, was subsequently painted in Air India’s striking new livery at AeroPro, an FAA Part-145 certified aircraft paint facility in San Bernardino, California.
Refreshed cabins, upgraded experience

As part of the retrofit, the aircraft interiors were completely reconfigured, transforming it from a two- class layout previously to a modern three-class configuration now with the installation of brand-new seats and inflight entertainment (IFE) system, and bringing the aircraft in line with Air India’s latest widebody product standards, as seen on its new bespoke Boeing 787-9 inducted in January 2026.

The first B787 took close to 12,825 manhours over 45 days for the retrofit, as teams progressed through a tightly choreographed workflow - from stripping out the legacy interiors to reconfiguring the cabins, installing new seats, carpets, wall laminates, overhauling galleys, lavatories, and rigorously testing the new seating and cabin components.

Refurbishing the first aircraft required a total of:

· 475 metres of fabric for new seats across cabins

· 167 metres of synthetic leather

· 169 metres of carpet

· 646 litres of paint

The aircraft exterior received a complete makeover as well, with a 20-member specialist team dedicating over 5,700 hours over 18 days to strip the old livery and meticulously apply the new Air India colours.

These custom-styled cabins now feature:

· 20 luxurious private suites in Business Class in a 1-2-1 layout, each offering privacy sliding doors, direct aisle access, 42-inch of pitch, fully flat 79-inch bed, 17-inch 4K QLED HDR touchscreen, multiple charging options, a softly lit cubby, vanity mirror, headphone hook, and a jaali-inspired feature lamp.

· 25 Premium Economy seats in a 2-3-2 layout, each offering enhanced privacy, 38-inch pitch, 7-inch recline, 6-way headrest, calf and leg rest, 13.3-inch 4K QLED HDR screens, Type A and C fast charging ports, and a bottle holder for added convenience.

· 205 Economy Class seats in a 3-3-3 layout, each ergonomically optimised, offering 31/32-inch pitch, 5-inch recline, 11.6-inch 4K QLED HDR touchscreen, and Type A and C charging ports.

Additional enhancements across cabins encompass new carpets and curtains, new wall laminates, galley overhauls, refresh of all lavatories, replacement or refurbishment of overhead bin panels, installation of a new Cabin Service System, and an updated Crew Application Panel interface.

The cabins feature customised versions of the Elevate Ascent seat in Business Class and RECARO PL3530 and CL3710 seats in Premium Economy and Economy Class, respectively. All seats are equipped with Thales’ state-of-the-art AVANT Up inflight entertainment (IFE) system.

Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director, Air India, said: “This is a yet another proud milestone in our transformation journey as we welcome this transformed legacy B787 aircraft as a shining beacon of the new Air India. The retrofit of our first widebody aircraft is a visible symbol of the momentum behind Air India’s transformation. With 25 other 787s undergoing this comprehensive refresh, we are rapidly modernising the backbone of our long-haul fleet and raising the bar for customers flying between India and the world.

Progress of retrofit programme

Air India will be retrofitting 25 additional B787 aircraft over the next year, two of which are already undergoing the process, as part of a US$400 million investment to modernise the airline’s legacy fleet. The B787 retrofit programme has been jointly conceptualised and executed with Boeing, ensuring the highest standards of quality and safety in the aircraft and throughout the process.

Upon full completion of the B787 retrofit program by 2027, Air India aims to significantly upgrade the onboard product and passenger experience on over 300 flights per week to destinations across the United Kingdom, Europe, and Australia. Air India will subsequently retrofit 13 of its legacy B777-300ER aircraft.

This initiative forms a key part of Air India’s broader fleet modernisation efforts, delivering elevated comfort, privacy, and entertainment options while reinforcing the airline’s position as a premium global carrier.

About Air India group

The Air India group – comprising of 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 customers to 59 domestic and 51 international destinations across five continents.

Returning to the Tata Sons in 2022 following 70 years under Government ownership, Air India group is in the midst of a five-year transformation program, Vihaan.AI. As part of the transformation, Air India has placed an order for 600 new aircraft. In 2024, sister airlines Air Asia India and Vistara were successfully merged into Air India Express and Air India, respectively, and the Airline opened South Asia’s largest aviation training academy. A new flying school is scheduled to open in 2026, and construction of a greenfield maintenance base, to be operational in 2026, is underway. In addition to receiving new aircraft, all existing aircraft are progressively undergoing a full interior refit.

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 stories on Air India, visit http://www.airindia.com/newsroom

Yes Bank Delivers Robust Q4 & FY26 Performance With Consistent Rise In Profitability, Growth, Improved Margins & Better Asset Quality

Key Highlights:

· The Bank earned a net profit of INR 1,068 crore in Q4 FY26, marking a 44.7% increase from the same period last year. For the full year FY26, profit stood at INR 3,476 crore, up 44.5%

· Deposits exceed critical milestone of INR 3 lakh crore at INR 3,18,969 crore up 12.1% Y-o-Y & 9.0% Q-o-Q

· CASA Ratio at 35.1% v/s 34.3% in Q4FY25 and 34.0% in Q3FY26

· Total advances stood at INR 2,73,445 crore, growing 11.1% Y-o-Y

· GNPA ratio at 1.3% down 20 bps Q-o-Q and NNPA ratio at 0.2%, down 10 bps both Y-o-Y and Q-o-Q

· The Bank's operating profit grew to INR 1,618 crore in Q4 FY26, up 23.1% Y-o-Y

YES Bank announced strong financial results for Q4 and full year FY26, showing continued growth in profitability, improved asset quality, and accelerated growth.

The Bank's quarterly profit stood at INR 1,068 crore, a 44.7% jump from last year, while the full year profit was INR 3,476 crore, up 44.5%. The Bank's Net Interest Income stood at INR 2,638 crore for Q4 FY26, growing 15.9% Y-o-Y. The Net Interest Margins for Q4 FY26 improved by 20 bps Y-o-Y to 2.7%. Non-Interest Income grew 15.4% Y-o-Y to INR 6,759 crore for the full year.

YES BANK's operating profit for Q4 FY26 rose 23.1% Y-o-Y to INR 1,618 crore. The Bank's cost-to-income ratio improved to 63%, down from 67.3% in Q4 FY25. The Return on Assets (RoA) was at 1.0% in Q4 FY26, versus 0.7% in Q4FY25. Total deposits grew 12.1% year-on-year to cross INR 3 lakh crore, reaching INR 3,18,969 crore. CASA deposits grew 14.9% Y-o-Y to INR 111,959 crore. The CASA ratio stood at 35.1% versus 34.3% in Q4FY25.

Total advances stood at INR 2,73,445 crore, up 11.1% from last year. Growth was seen across all customer segments:

· Retail banking advances: Up 4.7% Y-o-Y

· Commercial banking advances: Up 14.5% Y-o-Y

· Corporate & Institutional Banking advances: Up 19.7% Y-o-Y

· Retail Assets Disbursements surged ~41% Y-o-Y

YES BANK continues to expand its reach across the country. During FY26, the Bank opened 82 new branches, taking its total branch network to 1,334 branches across India. In addition to branches, the Bank operates through 249 Business Correspondent (BC) banking outlets. The Bank also has 1,364 ATMs, Cash Recycling Machines (CRMs), and Bunch Note Acceptors (BNAs) for 24x7 customer convenience.

YES BANK's asset quality improved significantly, with Gross NPA ratio declining by 30 bps Y-o-Y to 1.3%. NNPA ratio stood at just 0.2% in Q4FY26 down 10 bps both Y-o-Y and Q-o-Q. The Bank maintained a strong provision coverage ratio of 81.9% in Q4FY26 in comparison to 79.7% in Q4FY25.

Commenting on the results and financial performance, Mr. Vinay M Tonse, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, YES BANK said, “YES BANK concluded FY26 on a strong footing, delivering a Q4 RoA of 1.0% in line with our guidance, supported by a 20 bps improvement in NIMs, improvement in Cost to Income ratio and the lowest GNPA and NNPA levels since FY20. Business momentum continued to strengthen, with broad based growth across advances and deposits, underpinned by a robust CASA led deposit engine that contributed to lower Cost of Deposits. FY26 also marked an important strategic milestone with SMBC becoming our largest shareholder, reaffirming global institutional confidence in the Bank’s long term potential. As we move into FY27, our priorities remain firmly anchored in strengthening the franchise, accelerating high quality growth, and advancing our journey toward building a resilient YES BANK that consistently creates sustainable value for all stakeholders.”

During the quarter, YES BANK was included in the S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook 2026—the only Indian Bank to receive this honor, and continued its presence in the FTSE4Good Index Series for the third consecutive year. The Bank was also recognized as a Great Place to Work® for the fourth consecutive year. Additionally, YES BANK launched new offerings including YES Grandeur Business for premium business clients and introduced the ACIC Launchpad initiative to support early-stage startups in technology and innovation.

About YES BANK

YES BANK is one of the leading new generation private sector banks in India, headquartered in Mumbai. The Bank offers a wide range of banking services such as Corporate & Institutional Banking, Retail Banking, MSME, Transaction Banking and Treasury. The Bank has over 1300 branches, 200+ Business Correspondent Banking Outlets (BCBOs) and more than 1350 ATMs (including CRMs and BNAs) spanning across 300 districts of India. YES BANK operates an International Banking Unit (IBU) at GIFT City and also has a Representative Office in Abu Dhabi, strengthening its cross-border capabilities.

YES Securities, a subsidiary of the Bank provides a wide range of broking and investment products to Retail, HNI, and Institutional clients. YES Foundation, the CSR arm of YES BANK drives social impact agenda across areas such as livelihoods, education, skilling, sustainability and community development, reinforcing its commitment to responsible and inclusive banking.

For more information, visit the Bank's website at https://www.yes.bank.in/

Yamaha Thrills Bengaluru With ‘The Call Of The Blue’ Weekend Event

The Yamaha Motor India Group, under its ongoing exhilarating brand campaign ‘The Call of the Blue’ hosted The Call of the Blue Weekend in the vibrant city of Bangalore, setting the stage for an electrifying showcase at the Manpho Convention Centre. The venue came alive with energy and excitement as over 1,200 passionate riders, enthusiasts and fans gathered to immerse themselves in the adrenaline-fuelled world of Yamaha’s premium two-wheelers. Designed as a celebration of performance, innovation and riding culture, the event offered a dynamic platform for attendees to experience Yamaha’s racing DNA up close, while engaging with like-minded individuals who share a deep-rooted passion for the brand and the thrill of motorcycling.

The event delivered an engaging and high-energy experience, featuring a diverse mix of activities such as the Gymkhana ride, slow balancing challenges, a dedicated gaming arena and safety riding classes. Open to both Yamaha and non-Yamaha users, the platform encouraged wider participation while promoting responsible riding practices. These thoughtfully curated experiences created an action-packed evening, bringing together riding enthusiasts from across communities.

Further elevating the atmosphere, the event showcased immersive gaming zones alongside an electrifying live music performance by Raag The Band. With a seamless blend of riding, gaming and live entertainment, the event fostered a strong sense of camaraderie uniting riders, creators and fans through their shared passion for Yamaha and the thrill of the ride.

Through ‘The Call of the Blue’ Weekend activity, Yamaha aims to strengthen its commitment to the riding culture while engaging with a broader community across India. The initiative also provides an exciting platform to showcase its dynamic and high-performance product lineup. Presently, its product portfolio includes XSR155 (155cc), YZF-R15 V4 (155cc), YZF-R15S V3 (155cc), MT-15 V2 (155cc); FZS-Fi Hybrid (149cc), FZS-Fi (149cc), FZ Rave (149cc), FZ-X Hybrid (149cc), FZ-X (149cc), AEROX Version S (155cc) and AEROX (155cc); Hybrid Scooters like Fascino 125 FI Hybrid (125cc), Ray ZR 125 FI Hybrid (125cc), Ray ZR Street Rally 125 FI Hybrid (125cc) and EV Model, EC-06. 

Yamaha Fascino Turns Up The Style With A New Design Refresh

* The latest upgrade brings a refreshed rear design, making the scooter more compact and trendier

* Fascino crosses 1.5 million production milestone since its launch, a testament to its growing popularity and the trust it has earned among customers across markets

India Yamaha Motor Pvt. Ltd. today announced a significant design upgrade to the stylish Fascino 125 Fi Hybrid, reinforcing Yamaha’s commitment to meeting the evolving preferences of today’s young and style‑conscious customers. Designed to reflect modern lifestyles and fashion choices, the new Fascino features a compact and more contemporary silhouette that resonates strongly with the younger generation. The latest scooter is now trendier than ever, and with its trimmed rear length, it appears more agile, enabling effortless manoeuvrability in urban environments.

The key highlight of the updated Fascino lies in its rear design, which has been thoughtfully reimagined to appeal to modern aesthetic sensibilities. The newly sculpted tail section, along with redesigned taillights, flashers, and the distinctive V‑iconic taillight design, gives the style‑first scooter a sophisticated, premium, and visually balanced rear profile. While retaining Fascino’s DNA in terms of performance and efficiency, the design has been further enhanced to express a more refined and contemporary styling, ensuring it stands out both in motion and at rest. These enhancements, including the new decals, have been conceptualized and designed in India by Yamaha’s R&D team. They are a direct outcome of customer feedback, reaffirming Yamaha’s strong commitment to a customer‑centric and design‑driven approach.

Commenting on the upgrade, Mr. Hajime Aota, Chairman, Yamaha Motor India Group, said, “The journey of Yamaha’s Fascino reflects our unwavering dedication to evolving with our customers. While our 1.5 million production milestone stands as a powerful testament to the trust placed in our products, we remain committed to pushing boundaries. As the preferences of today’s youth shift toward more diverse and sophisticated expressions of style, the new Fascino has been thoughtfully transformed into a trendsetting, unisex mobility solution. This evolution, led by our India-based R&D team, ensures that the refined design and trusted hybrid performance resonate with every rider seeking a perfect blend of innovation and practicality. We believe this new chapter for the Fascino will redefine the standard for urban commuting in India.”

Over the years, the Fascino has continuously evolved in line with changing customer needs. Launched in 2015 as a stylish 110cc unisex scooter with strong fashion appeal for urban commuters, it transitioned in 2019 to a BS6‑compliant 125cc model with Fuel Injection technology, offering improved performance and efficiency. In 2021, the Fascino underwent a major technology upgrade and became Yamaha’s first hybrid scooter, introducing Smart Motor Generator (SMG) technology with Power Assist. The evolution continued in 2025 with the introduction of Enhanced Power Assist, advanced Colour TFT instrument cluster, and the Answer Back feature, elevating both performance and connectivity.

The success of the Fascino is reflected in the 1.5 million production milestone, which the company is celebrating this month. This achievement is a testament to the strong customer acceptance of the model and the timely, trend‑aligned upgrades introduced over the years.

The Fascino 125 Fi Hybrid is powered by Yamaha’s Blue Core Hybrid 125cc air‑cooled and fuel injected 4 stroke SOHC 2-valve engine, featuring refined performance and improved fuel efficiency. The scooter is equipped with telescopic suspension, side stand engine cut‑off, 21‑litre under‑seat storage, E20 fuel compatibility, and several class‑leading convenience features. With a trimmed overall length of 1780 mm, the hybrid system – enhanced by Smart Motor Generator (SMG), Silent Start, Stop & Start System (SSS), and Enhanced Power Assist – delivers stronger acceleration during initial movement, load carrying, and incline climbing while maintaining superior fuel efficiency. Additionally, the premium Fascino S variant is equipped with a Colour TFT Instrument Cluster that enables seamless connectivity features including Turn‑by‑Turn navigation and the Answer Back function.

The stylish scooter comes with unisex appeal comes in several trendy colour choices and will be sold through all Yamaha showrooms include the premium Blue Square Outlets, with prices starting at INR 76,500 (ex‑showroom, Delhi).

 

Variant	Colours	Starting Price
Fascino S	Matte Grey, Matte Black	95,200
Fascino Disc	Cool Blue Metallic, Metallic Light Green, & Dark Matte Blue	88,000
Fascino Drum	Vivid Red, Metallic Black, Metallic White	76,500

 

About Yamaha Motor India Group of Companies

Yamaha Motor made its initial foray into India in 1985 as a joint venture. In August 2001, it became a 100% subsidiary of Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd, Japan (YMC). In 2008, Mitsui & Co., Ltd. entered into an agreement with YMC to become a joint investor in India Yamaha Motor Private Limited (IYM). In 2013, YMC established Yamaha Motor Research & Development India Pvt. Ltd. (YMRI) to provide R&D and Product development services to IYM for its domestic as well as export markets. IYM's manufacturing facilities comprise State-of-the-art plants at Surajpur (Uttar Pradesh) and Kanchipuram (Tamil Nadu). The infrastructure at these plants supports the production of motorcycles and parts for domestic as well as overseas markets. Presently, its India product portfolio includes XSR155 (155cc), YZF-R15 V4 (155cc), YZF-R15S V3 (155cc), MT-15 V2 (155cc); FZS-Fi Hybrid (149cc), FZS-Fi (149cc), FZ Rave (149cc), FZ-X Hybrid (149cc), FZ-X (149cc), AEROX Version S (155cc) and AEROX (155cc); Hybrid Scooters like Fascino 125 FI Hybrid (125cc), Ray ZR 125 FI Hybrid (125cc), Ray ZR Street Rally 125 FI Hybrid (125cc) and EV Model, EC-06.

Water Management Takes Centre Stage At PlumbexIndia 2026 In Bengaluru

PlumbexIndia 2026, India’s leading platform for water, sanitation and plumbing, concluded with strong industry and government participation, reinforcing its role in advancing the country’s water security and sustainable infrastructure agenda.

The three-day event, organised by the Indian Plumbing Association (IPA), brought together over 15000 visitors, 180 exhibitors, and representatives from countries, such as USA, Germany, Italy, Spain, Denmark, France, Isreal Japan, Tiwan and China.

The event was supported by two key ministries of government of India, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), Ministry of Jal Shakti (MoJS) and The Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT Mission), underscoring growing alignment between policy and industry.

Gurmit Singh Arora, National President, Indian Plumbing Association said “Plumbex India 2026 has once again demonstrated the power of collaboration in addressing India’s most pressing water challenges. The conversations, innovations, and partnerships forged here reflect a shared commitment across government, industry, and academia to build resilient, efficient, and sustainable water systems. As India continues to urbanise rapidly, platforms like PlumbexIndia are essential in translating ideas into actionable solutions on the ground,”

Chandra Shekhar Gupta, National Vice President, IPA, added: “This year’s PlumbexIndia has reinforced the importance of integrating engineering excellence with policy direction and on-ground implementation. The strong participation and the MoU signing with CaHO are significant steps towards improving water and sanitation standards, particularly in critical sectors like healthcare.”

A key outcome of the event was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between IPA and the Consortium of Accredited Healthcare Organizations, aimed at strengthening water, sanitation, and plumbing standards in healthcare infrastructure.

The event featured high-level discussions on urban water management, groundwater sustainability, engineering-led infrastructure solutions, and design-driven innovation, with participation from leading experts across sectors.

Key initiatives included the IPA Bathroom Challenge, a live technical competition supported by IAPMO and IWSH, and “Around the Drop”, a student-focused design platform in partnership with Ethos Empowers.

The event also recognised 21 industry leaders through the IPA Awards of Excellence and honoured winners of the “My Water My Story” an initiative by IPA Vanita (women’s wing of Indian Plumbing Association), celebrating grassroots contributions to water conservation, Among the participants, Anvitha A, emerged as the National Winner, standing out for her exceptional contribution to the “My Water My Story” initiative.

Building on the outcomes of 2026, the next edition of PlumbexIndia is expected to further strengthen its role as a national platform for collaboration, innovation, and actionable solutions in water and sanitation.

About PlumbexIndia:

Since its inception in 2008, PlumbexIndia is India’s largest exhibition and knowledge platform focused on plumbing, water and sanitation technologies. The event is organised by the Indian Plumbing Association, the apex body working to advance professional standards, education and sustainable water practices in the built environment.Website: indianplumbing.org