Hospitality Students At IIHM Bangalore Get A Taste Of ‘Mastering The Art Of Chocolate’ On World Chocolate Day

Chocolate is more than a sweet indulgence-it is an emotion, a craft, a science and a language of creativity. Celebrating this spirit, hospitality students from the International Institute of Hotel Management (IIHM), Bangalore and its wing, the International Institute of Patisserie and Culinary (IIPC) got a taste of ‘Mastering the Art of Chocolate-From Bean to Bar’ on the occasion of World Chocolate Day.

Led by the Chef Gnanesh Kumar, Pastry Chef Lecturer of IIHM Bangalore, the event transformed the campus into a vibrant chocolate studio where students experienced the fascinating world of cocoa, chocolate processing and artisanal chocolate craftsmanship.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Suborno Bose, Chairman, IIHM, said, "World Chocolate Day is more than a celebration of a beloved ingredient; it is a celebration of craftsmanship, precision and imagination. Every chocolate creation tells a story of knowledge, patience and passion. At IIHM, we are committed to ensuring that our students appreciate both the science and the artistry behind every culinary masterpiece."

Ms. Sanchari Chowdhury, Director, IIHM Bangalore and Head-South Operations, IIHM, said, “At IIHM, World Chocolate Day is not merely about celebrating chocolate but it is about celebrating knowledge, craftsmanship and creativity. Every great chocolatier understands that behind every glossy chocolate bar, elegant dessert or handcrafted praline lies science, precision and passion. Through this experiential learning platform, we want our students to appreciate the remarkable journey of chocolate from bean to bar while mastering the techniques that define excellence in bakery and patisserie.”

Exploring the Science and Art of Chocolate

One of the key demonstrations focused on chocolate gateaux glazing, tempering and garnishing, where students learnt how a rich chocolate gateaux is finished with a smooth glaze or ganache, how chocolate is carefully tempered to achieve its glossy finish, crisp snap and stable texture and how artistic garnishes such as chocolate curls, shavings and decorative elements elevate the final presentation.

Mastering Tempering, Glazing and Moulding

The session also explored chocolate moulding, where perfectly tempered chocolate was poured into specialised moulds to create chocolate bars, pralines and decorative chocolate pieces. Students learnt why correct tempering is essential for shine, clean release from moulds and a professional finish.

Another major attraction was the chocolate fountain demonstration, where flowing melted chocolate illustrated the role of cocoa butter in achieving the perfect consistency. Students explored how fruits, sponge cubes and other accompaniments can be paired with cascading chocolate while understanding the science behind maintaining its smooth texture.

Sharing his insights, Chef Sanjay Kak - IIHM Culinary Director, said, “The beauty of chocolate lies in its precision. A difference of just a few degrees during tempering can change the texture, shine and quality of the final product. Today’s demonstrations helped students understand the importance of cocoa butter, temperature control and finishing techniques that give chocolates their signature gloss and crispness.”

Learning the Craft Behind Every Chocolate Creation

The celebration also encouraged students to appreciate chocolate beyond its sweetness. Discussions covered the nutritional aspects of high-cocoa dark chocolate, responsible cocoa sourcing, sustainable cocoa farming and the growing importance of ethical chocolate production.

By combining theory with practical demonstrations, IIHM Bangalore reinforced its commitment to experiential hospitality education, ensuring that future chefs develop not only technical competence but also a deeper appreciation of ingredients, craftsmanship and culinary innovation.

As students watched chocolate transform from liquid silk into beautifully tempered bars, elegantly glazed gateaux and artistic creations, the event captured the essence of ‘Mastering the Art of Chocolate-From Bean to Bar', that chocolate is not merely made, it is crafted with knowledge, precision, creativity and passion.

Lost In Translation? Not Anymore: How Netflix Is Carrying Indian Stories Across Borders

* 10 Years of Stories Beyond Borders: How Thoughtful localisation efforts are blurring the boundaries forIndian Stories on Netflix

As Netflix marks 10 years in India, one of the defining strengths of its storytelling journey has been its commitment to making Indian stories accessible to audiences across languages and borders without compromising on their authenticity. As more viewers discover films and series beyond their own language, localisation has become a defining part of how Netflix approaches storytelling. Today, dubbing is no longer just about making content accessible in another language. It's about preserving the emotion, cultural nuances and authenticity of the original performance so a story lands exactly as it was meant to, no matter what language audiences choose to watch it in.

When the acclaimed Tamil drama Made in Korea released on Netflix, it found audiences across India and among the global diaspora, including many who did not speak Tamil. At the film’s post-launch event, director RA Karthik reflected on how the language dubs and subtitles helped the film travel. He shared an anecdote about a friend in the US who watched the dubbed version and called him to ask if Tamil was actually the film’s original language — a testament to how seamlessly the story resonated across languages.

For a story so deeply rooted in Tamil culture, audiences felt so immersed in the performances that the language itself disappeared into the background. It reinforced an important idea: when localisation is approached as a creative craft rather than a technical process, stories can travel much further while retaining everything that makes them unique.

Thoughtful localisation also extends beyond language. It is equally about ensuring that the right voices help bring stories to life.

That philosophy came through in the Tamil dub of My Dearest Senorita, where queer actor and activist Malini Jeevarathnam voiced the lead character. Two other queer voice artists were cast for supporting roles, while quality control was overseen by queer politician and media personality Sasha Reddy. The project forms part of Voices of Tomorrow, Netflix's initiative to create more opportunities for underrepresented talent within the localisation ecosystem.

When stories are rooted in lived experiences, representation behind the microphone can be just as meaningful as representation on screen. By bringing together voices that reflect the communities being portrayed, localisation becomes another way of preserving authenticity while making stories more accessible to audiences everywhere.

That same commitment continues with Netflix India's first Telugu Original Series, Super Subbu. Localisation was approached as an extension of the creative process, with the original cast lending their own voices to multiple language versions of the series. Mithila Palkar dubbed her character in both Hindi and English, Murali Sharma recorded the Hindi version of his character, while Sundeep Kishan dubbed his own role in Tamil, helping preserve the authenticity of their performances across languages.

Released on 2 July 2026, Super Subbu, directed by Mallik Ram, follows the life of Subbu Sir, a young man who unexpectedly lands the role of a sex education officer in the fictional village of Maakipur. The series is available in its original Telugu, along with dubbed versions in Hindi, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, English (India), Spanish (Latin America), Brazilian Portuguese, Turkish and Polish, making it easier for audiences across India and around the world to experience the story in the language they are most comfortable with. Korean and Thai, as well as Subtitles for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (SDH) in English and Hindi.

Herbalife India Introduces Dates Caramel Variant In Its Formula 1 Nutritional Shake Range

Herbalife India, a premier health and wellness company, has introduced a new Dates Caramel variant to its Formula 1 Nutritional Shake Mix range. The caramel and dates flavours are brought together with the added texture of date crunches made from solidified date juice, offering a balance of indulgent taste and reliable daily nutrition.

This new addition comes as consumers continue to look for options that combine taste with convenience and consistency in their daily diets. With this, Herbalife builds on its existing Formula 1 flavour range, including Vanilla, Dutch Chocolate, Mango, Kulfi, and Rose Kheer, giving consumers more ways to choose flavours that suit their preferences while staying with products they already trust.

Links to the product and thematic film:

Thematic Film – Formula 1, Dates Caramel: https://youtu.be/zwBcXgT3Nj4?si=ApUAK2pJPKu-3GZ0

Product Film – Formula 1, Dates Caramel: https://youtu.be/X9txdkXZUSo?si=aFJ5ggWn0s8cVVy7

Commenting on the launch, Mr. Ajay Khanna, Managing Director, Herbalife India, said, “There is a noticeable shift today, with more people looking for nutrition that fits naturally into their daily routines without feeling like a compromise. The expectation is simple, something that is easy to use, enjoyable, and still supports overall well-being. With the Dates Caramel variant, the idea was to respond to evolving consumer preferences through our product innovation, offering greater choice while staying true to the balanced nutrition that the Formula 1 range is known for. It is about offering more choice in a way that helps individuals stay consistent with their routines. At Herbalife, the focus continues to be on delivering science-backed products that are relevant to Indian consumers and support them in leading healthier, more active lives.”

The Formula 1 Nutritional Shake Mix – Dates Caramel provides a balanced blend of essential nutrients, including proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals, supporting daily nutritional requirements.

Each serving delivers 9 g of high-quality protein, 3g of fiber and 19 vitamins and minerals serving as a meal replacement, when consumed as per recommended usage specified on product label. In addition, it is a low Glycemic Index food, designed to support sustained energy release as part of a balanced diet.

Designed for convenience, the shake is quick to prepare and easy to personalise, making it suitable for individuals with active and busy lifestyles. It can be consumed as a nutritious meal alternative by replacing one or two meals a day, particularly when used alongside a calorie-restricted diet and moderate physical activity.

With an expanding range of flavours, the Formula 1 Nutritional Shake Mix continues to offer consumers more choice while maintaining consistency in their daily nutrition routines.

About Herbalife International India Private Ltd.

Herbalife (NYSE: HLF) is a premier health and wellness company, community and platform that has been changing people's lives with great nutrition products and a business opportunity for its independent distributors since 1980. The Company offers science-backed food products to consumers in more than 90 markets through entrepreneurial distributors who provide one-on-one coaching and a supportive community that inspires their customers to embrace a healthier, more active lifestyle to live their best life. For more information, visit https://www.herbalife.com/en-in

Anishq And Rahul Mishra Partner To Unveil A Exclusive Couture Jewellery Collection At Paris Couture Week 2026

* Marking a landmark global launch, the collaboration brings together Tanishq's Natural Diamond craftsmanship and Rahul Mishra's globally celebrated couture artistry to present a new expression of contemporary Indian luxury on one of fashion's most prestigious stages

Tanishq Natural Diamonds and internationally acclaimed couturier Rahul Mishra unveiled a first of its kind exclusive couture jewellery collection at Paris Couture Week 2026, marking a landmark collaboration between India's leading jewellery house and one of its most celebrated fashion designers. The collection brought together the worlds of haute couture and high jewellery in a singular expression of contemporary Indian luxury, translating couture narratives into exceptional jewellery artistry.

This was the result of months of creative collaboration, translating Rahul Mishra's celebrated couture language into sculptural jewellery through the artistry and craftsmanship of Tanishq Natural Diamonds. Rather than creating jewellery to complement couture, the two creative houses conceived each piece as an extension of the garments themselves, where jewellery echoed the same architectural precision, movement and storytelling.

Drawing from the interplay between structure and nature, the collection transformed architectural forms into fluid florals through sculptural silhouettes, intricate detailing and exceptional gemstone artistry. Conceived as a series of one of a kind couture jewellery creations, the collection reimagines Tanishq's natural diamond craftsmanship along with Rahul Mishra's celebrated design language, where every piece is an extension of couture itself. At the heart of the collection are the Enchanted Canopy and the Imperial Cascade Neckwear, each embodying the collection's philosophy of translating nature, architecture and movement into sculptural jewellery. Natural white and black diamonds were paired with citrine, emerald, amethyst, pink tourmaline, rubellite and garnet, while intricate pavé, snow pavé, channel and prong settings brought light, depth and movement to every creation. Conceived as one-of-a-kind and limited-edition couture creations, each piece was crafted as a collectible work of art designed exclusively for the Paris Couture Week presentation and available thereafter only through curated showcases and private client experiences. The collection reflects the rarity, craftsmanship and bespoke character that define the highest expressions of luxury.

Debuting on one of fashion's most prestigious global stages, it brought Tanishq's decades-long expertise in natural diamond craftsmanship together with Rahul Mishra's philosophy of storytelling through couture, presenting a contemporary vision of Indian luxury that is deeply rooted in heritage while resonating with a global luxury audience.

Commenting on the collaboration and design, Ms. Revathi Kant, Chief Design Officer, Titan Company Limited, added, "Couture has always been about celebrating craftsmanship at its highest expression, and jewellery has the unique ability to carry stories, emotion, and extraordinary artistry. Presenting this collection at Paris Couture Week is a defining milestone, not just for this collaboration with Rahul Mishra, but for Indian design itself. It represents two Indian creative houses coming together to demonstrate that our craftsmanship, innovation, and design excellence can confidently shape the global couture jewellery conversation. More than a collection, it is a celebration of creativity, heritage, and contemporary luxury, reflecting an evolved design language that honours tradition while pushing the boundaries of what Indian jewellery can represent on the world stage."

Speaking about the collaboration, Rahul Mishra said, “As a couturier, my intent has always been to celebrate the extraordinary possibilities of Indian craftsmanship. This collaboration extends that philosophy into jewellery, allowing the inspirations I usually express through embroidery to find a new expression through natural diamonds and precious materials. Together with Tanishq Natural Diamonds, we sought to create pieces that speak the language of contemporary high jewellery while remaining deeply rooted in India’s artistic heritage. Their exceptional expertise in jewellery making made it possible to translate the movement, texture and emotion of couture into creations that are intricate in detail, fluid in expression and rich in narrative. The Metamorphosis Neckwear reflects the beauty of transformation and constant evolution, while the Floral Hexagon Neckwear explores the harmony between geometry and nature. More than individual creations, these pieces celebrate an idea that has always guided my work: that craft carries memory, and when reimagined with care, tradition continues to evolve in new and meaningful ways.”

The collection reflects a new dialogue between couture and jewellery, where design, material and artistry converge to create pieces that exist beyond a single moment in fashion. Each creation captures the spirit of the runway while becoming an enduring expression of creative vision and timeless design.

Checkmate Bengaluru: Bhartiya Mall Of Bengaluru Hosts Week-Long Chess Festival With Arena Grandmaster Praveen Sagar

Bhartiya Mall of Bengaluru will bring together players, learners and chess enthusiasts for Battle of the Boards, a week-long chess festival celebrating strategy, skill and sportsmanship from 13–19 July 2026.

The tournament will begin with a Chess Free Play Zone from 13–16 July, open to participants of all ages and skill levels. Visitors can register on BookMyShow or on the spot and play casual chess games in an interactive setting designed for learning, practice, and friendly competition.

A key highlight of Battle of the Boards is the participation of Arena Grandmaster (AGM) Praveen Sagar, who will lead a series of exclusive chess sessions. On 17 July, participants can attend the Masters Showcase & Workshop, an exclusive, interactive chess workshop led by Arena Grandmaster (AGM) Praveen Sagar. The AGM will conduct simultaneous walk-throughs across every board, interacting directly with young minds and providing live strategic guidance. The workshop will be conducted in two batches, from 5:00 PM–6:00 PM and 7:00 PM–8:00 PM.

On 18 July, chess enthusiasts will have the opportunity to challenge Arena Grandmaster (AGM) Praveen Sagar during the Challenge the Arena Grandmaster event. A thrilling public attraction, the event will give pre-registered players a rare opportunity to match wits with one of the game's accomplished players in a friendly yet competitive setting.

The programme will feature a simultaneous chess game from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM, where AGM Praveen Sagar will play multiple opponents at the same time. This will be followed by the Face the Master Challenge from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM, giving participants another chance to test their skills against the grandmaster in individual games.

The tournament will culminate on 19 July with the Grand Chess Tournament, for a day of competitive play, strategic thinking and sportsmanship open to all.

Open to children, students, families, chess clubs, academies and competitive players, Battle of the Boards aims to make chess more accessible while fostering a vibrant community of players and enthusiasts.

Through initiatives such as Battle of the Boards, Bhartiya Mall of Bengaluru continues to strengthen its position as a destination for experiences that bring communities and families together. By curating engaging events that combine learning, recreation and meaningful social interaction, the mall continues to create opportunities for people of all ages to connect, participate and make lasting memories.

Event Details

Battle of the Board - 13–19 July 2026
Free Play Zone	13–16 July	On-site registration. 4 PM Onwards	Complimentary chess games for all visitors.
Masters Showcase & Workshop	17 July	Registration Fee: ₹100 per participant. Batch 1: 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM Batch 2: 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM	Interactive workshop led by Arena Grandmaster (AGM) Praveen Sagar. Live demonstrations, strategic insights and practical chess guidance.
Challenge the Arena Grandmaster	18 July	Simultaneous Chess Exhibition: 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM Face the Master Challenge: 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM	Opportunity to compete against AGM Praveen Sagar. 10 selected participants will compete against the Grandmaster simultaneously.
Grand Chess Tournament	19 July	4 PM Onwards	Competitive tournament open for all.

SonicWall Brings Frontier AI To The Mid-Market And SMB, The Segment Enterprise-First Vendors Leave Behind

* As a founding Trusted Access for Cyber partner in OpenAI’s Daybreak Cyber Partner Program, SonicWall brings GPT-5.6 Sol-powered enterprise AI defense through the channel to the most needed businesses

For most of the industry's history, the most advanced cybersecurity technology reached the largest, best-funded security teams first. SonicWall is closing that gap. Today the company announced it is among the first to join the OpenAI Daybreak Cyber Partner Program as a founding Trusted Access for Cyber (TAC) partner, bringing GPT-5.6 Sol to the mid-market and SMB organizations that enterprise-first vendors structurally cannot reach.

Every other vendor in this program is built to serve the top of the market. SonicWall is built to serve the rest of it.

Frontier AI is not just another capability; it is a force multiplier, and in cybersecurity, who it amplifies matters enormously. Attackers already share tools, move fast, and operate at a scale most security teams struggle to match. A 200-person manufacturer faces the same AI-accelerated threats as a global bank, with a fraction of the budget and none of the headcount. The Daybreak Cyber Partner Program is built to close that gap by putting OpenAI's most capable models to work inside the products and services that defenders rely on every day. SonicWall is part of it to ensure that the advantage reaches the businesses an enterprise-focused market routinely overlooks.

“SonicWall has spent three decades on a single conviction: that mid-market and SMB organizations deserve the same quality of protection as the Fortune 500, without the complexity, the headcount, or the cost,” said Paul Ilse, CEO of SonicWall. “Joining OpenAI Daybreak as a founding TAC partner is a direct extension of that conviction. A 200-person company running SonicWall should have access to the same quality of AI-assisted defense that a large enterprise can build with a full security team and an unlimited budget. That is exactly what we are working toward.”

SonicWall is deploying GPT-5.6 Sol through OpenAI Daybreak as part of its defensive security workflows, pairing advanced AI reasoning with deep platform context across threat detection, policy management, and remediation. The near-term integration roadmap includes AI-assisted policy management, faster threat triage, and remediation guidance embedded in the workflows that MSPs and MSSPs already operate. The approach works within existing environments, so partners and customers benefit without ripping and replacing infrastructure or learning a new platform.

The reason SonicWall can reach this segment when others cannot comes down to delivery. The program reaches mid-market and SMB organizations through SonicWall's 100% channel model and its global community of over 17,000 partners, one of the largest networks of resellers, managed service providers, and distributors in the industry. Frontier AI only protects organizations at scale when someone has both the architecture to deploy it and the reach to deliver it broadly. Enterprise-first vendors have neither for this segment. SonicWall has both. For channel partners, that means the AI capabilities once reserved for large enterprise security teams are now embedded in the managed services and solutions they already deliver.

“The asymmetry in this industry has always run in the wrong direction, and not just between attackers and defenders,” said Chandro Prasad, Chief Product Officer at SonicWall. “The most advanced protection has consistently reached the largest enterprises first and the businesses that keep the economy running last. Daybreak through SonicWall flips that. This capability should not be reserved for the organizations that can already afford every advantage. We are putting it in reach of the mid-market and SMB, through the partners who already serve them.”

This is consistent with SonicWall's conviction that security should be judged by outcomes, not features. SonicWall Unified Management provides the platform context that turns frontier AI capability into measurable results for customers, including breach prevention, reduced risk, and operational continuity, across every market segment. The model is the input. The outcome is the product.

About SonicWall

For more than 30 years, SonicWall has championed a partner-first model that combines purpose-built technology, cloud-delivered security services and real-time threat intelligence to help businesses prevent breaches, reduce risk and stay operational in the face of evolving modern threats. We are committed to delivering the best security outcomes for our customers where others deliver features and functions. Through its unified cybersecurity portfolio and global community of over 17,000 partners, SonicWall enables managed service providers to actively manage, continuously optimize and measurably protect networks, cloud environments, endpoints and applications. The company is redefining cybersecurity around outcomes that matter to business leaders, including breach prevention, compliance achievement, cost efficiency and reduced human error, because protection is not about what a product can do but about what it actually delivers.  

Johnson Controls Launches Metasys 16.0 To Support High-Performance Environments Where Uptime And Resilience Are Critical

* Strengthens protection with built-in cybersecurity features that help safeguard operations while reducing IT complexity, as cyber risk continues to grow across critical infrastructure

* Cuts engineering and deployment time by 30%, accelerates upgrades by 40% and speeds integration by 80% to simplify operations and scale faster as operational demands intensify

* Reduces downtime risk with native system redundancy that keeps systems running without specialized hardware or third-party software

Johnson Controls (NYSE: JCI), a global leader in thermal management, mission-critical building systems, energy efficiency and decarbonization, today introduced Metasys 16.0, the latest version of its flagship building automation system with new capabilities designed to help customers reduce downtime risk, strengthen cybersecurity and bring systems online faster across complex environments at a time when building performance is becoming essential to business outcomes.

“The environments our customers operate in are more complex than ever, and expectations for performance continue to rise,” said M. Faisal Pandit, president, Building Management Systems, Johnson Controls. “Even brief disruptions can impact operations, productivity and outcomes. Customers need a building automation system that is secure, resilient, and simple to deploy and scale. With Metasys 16.0, Johnson Controls brings this together in a single platform, helping customers maintain continuous operations, reduce risk and adapt as their needs evolve.”

A wave of scientific advances—from artificial intelligence to biotechnology to advanced manufacturing—is now moving rapidly into large-scale deployment. These industries require precise, reliable operating environments, elevating building performance from a supporting role to essential for business success. Thermal management is now central to how systems perform and scale, and digitally enabled life cycle services are critical to maintaining uptime, protecting high-value assets and delivering consistent outcomes.

Metasys 16.0 responds to the performance needs of these high-growth industries, enabling faster deployment, more autonomous operations, and connected, resilient platforms built for environments where performance cannot fail.

New features include:

Stronger cybersecurity: Safeguards operations with protections aligned with IEC 62443-4-2 Security Level 2, reducing risk and supporting evolving requirements. “Fast Track” upgrades cut upgrade time by up to 40% through preemptive system checks and accelerates adoption of the latest cybersecurity and operational enhancements.

Faster integration and deployment: Connects systems more quickly across environments using an open, connected approach. Visual integration tools, including Node-RED, enable real-time data sharing and help deploy integrations up to 80% faster, reducing costs by 60% to 70% and bringing new capabilities online in days instead of months.

Built-in resilience for continuous uptime: Protects uptime with built-in resilience across multiple servers so operations continue seamlessly if one server goes offline, without the need for specialized hardware or third-party software.

Accelerated engineering and upgrades: Accelerates deployment and reduces disruption through standardized workflows that cut engineering and deployment time by up to 30%.

Integrated energy and performance visibility: Provides real-time visibility into peak load analytics, energy use, indoor air quality, emissions and system performance in a single system, reducing configuration time and limiting the need for third-party tools.

Scalability for growing environments: Scales from single buildings to campuses and portfolios, supporting up to 1,300 IP devices, 30% more than previous versions, without requiring system changes.

Optimized performance and efficiency: Improves efficiency with air and water sequences aligned to ASHRAE Guideline 36, delivering more consistent performance and up to 30% energy savings.

Regulatory readiness: Helps customers stay ahead of evolving requirements, including dashboards ready for Energy Performance of Buildings Directive dashboards and other emerging global standard reporting requirements with validated data and clear insights to support compliance and occupant well-being.

Enabled by Johnson Controls innovation, manufacturing scale and a global 50,000-person field workforce, Metasys 16.0 helps customers create and sustain precise, resilient environments, facilitating more efficient operations, lower risk and consistent performance over time. For more information, visit Metasys Building Automation System | Johnson Controls.