Sony Creator Essentials Worth Considering This Summer

Summer often brings with it the opportunity to slow down, explore new ideas, and spend more time pursuing creative passions. Whether it's documenting memorable moments during a weekend getaway, experimenting with photography, recording or mixing music, starting a vlog, or simply refining your content creation skills, the season offers the perfect opportunity to bring creative ideas to life. As content creation continues to evolve, the tools we use play an equally important role in shaping the final output, combining powerful imaging, professional-grade audio, and intuitive features that help creators express themselves with confidence.

If you're looking to upgrade your creative setup this summer, Sony offers a range of products designed to support every stage of the content creation journey. From compact full-frame cameras and creator-focused vlog cameras to precision microphones and professional monitoring headphones, these creator essentials bring together innovation, performance, and versatility to help turn every idea into compelling content.

Sony Alpha 7CII: Whether you're travelling to a new destination, capturing everyday moments, or working on your next creative project, having a camera that combines professional performance with everyday portability can make all the difference. The Sony Alpha 7C II delivers full-frame imaging capabilities in a lightweight and compact body, making it an ideal companion for creators who want to shoot wherever inspiration strikes.

Featuring a 33MP full-frame Exmor R™ CMOS sensor, the latest BIONZ XR™ image processing engine, and a dedicated AI Processing Unit, the Alpha 7C II delivers exceptional image quality with intelligent Real-time Recognition autofocus across both stills and video. With 4K video recording at up to 60p, advanced in-body image stabilisation, and interchangeable lens compatibility, it offers the flexibility to create everything from cinematic travel films to professional-quality portraits with ease.

Price: INR 1,95,990

Sony ZV-E10 II: Summer often inspires creators to capture more of life's everyday moments, from café visits and staycations to behind the scenes snippets and social media content. Designed specifically with modern creators in mind, the Sony ZV-E10 II combines portability with powerful imaging features, making it easy to produce polished content without carrying bulky equipment.

Powered by a 26MP APS-C Exmor R™ CMOS sensor and Sony's BIONZ XR™ processor, the camera records detailed 4K video with impressive colour reproduction and fast autofocus performance. Creator-friendly features such as Cinematic Vlog, Creative Looks, and an upgraded battery make it easy to shoot engaging content straight out of the camera, whether you're filming indoors, outdoors, or on the move.

Price: INR 87,990

Sony ECM-G1 Shotgun Microphone: Great visuals deserve equally impressive audio, and clear sound often makes the biggest difference to the overall viewing experience. Whether you're recording interviews, filming travel diaries, live streaming, or creating tutorials from home, the Sony ECM-G1 helps ensure your voice remains the focus.

Designed with a large 14.6 mm microphone capsule and a super-cardioid pickup pattern, the ECM-G1 captures voices clearly while helping suppress unwanted ambient noise. Compatible with Sony's Multi Interface Shoe, it supports cable-free operation on compatible cameras while its compact and lightweight design makes it an easy addition to any creator's setup, whether you're filming handheld or on a tripod.

Price: INR 11,990

Sony MDR-M1: Creating great music often begins with hearing every note, instrument, and vocal exactly as it was recorded. Developed using Sony's professional audio expertise, the MDR-M1 is designed for creators who value precision during recording, monitoring, and mixing, while also offering an exceptional listening experience for music enthusiasts who appreciate faithful sound reproduction.

Featuring a specially developed driver unit capable of reproducing audio across an ultra-wide 5 Hz to 80 kHz frequency range, the MDR-M1 delivers accurate and balanced sound with remarkable clarity. Its closed acoustic structure helps minimise external noise and reduce sound leakage, making it equally suited for focused studio work, critical listening sessions, or rediscovering favourite albums with greater detail and depth.

Price: INR 17,990

Sony MDR-MV1: Whether you're producing immersive audio, mixing tracks, or simply enjoying high-resolution music, accurate monitoring plays a vital role in bringing every recording to life. The Sony MDR-MV1 is designed to deliver an open and natural listening experience, making it a valuable companion for creators working with spatial audio while offering music lovers a remarkably detailed soundstage.

Its open-back acoustic design and specially developed driver unit deliver an expansive sound field with accurate sound localisation, making it ideal for 360 Reality Audio production and critical music monitoring. The lightweight construction and comfortable earpads also make it well suited for extended creative sessions, allowing creators to focus on every layer of a recording without compromising on comfort.

Price: INR 24,990

Whether you're picking up a camera for the first time, refining your creative workflow, or producing music with greater precision, having the right tools can make every project more enjoyable and rewarding. From capturing stunning visuals and crystal-clear audio to monitoring every detail with professional accuracy, these Sony creator essentials are designed to support creativity at every stage. This summer, make the most of every idea, every moment, and every story with technology built to help you create with confidence.  

Air India Rolls Out Significant Enhancements To Its Mobile App To Elevate Customer Experience

* New capabilities to boost utility and useability of Air India’s mobile app

* In-house booking engine, payment platform enhances booking experience

Air India, India’s leading global airline, has completed the rollout of a significant set of new capabilities on its globally acclaimed mobile app, further strengthening its commitment to delivering a seamless, customer-centric travel experience. Designed and developed by Air India’s in-house digital teams, the reimagined app is built around the evolving needs of travellers, helping them navigate every stage of their journey with greater convenience and control.

By bringing together booking, payments, airport services, disruption support, baggage tracking, loyalty management and AI-powered assistance in a single digital platform, Air India’s mobile app is now a one-stop travel companion designed to make journeys more convenient, predictable and enjoyable. Some of the significant capabilities rolled out in the revamped Air India mobile app include:

An in-house booking engine that enriches the booking journey with an intuitive, fast and responsive user interface to search flights, make bookings and add ancillaries from the same platform.

An in-house payment orchestration platform that eases the payment experience and allows Air India to provide innovative offers to guests ensuring a smoother checkout process.

Disruption assistance by providing passengers support with hotel accommodation and transportation assistance contextually from the Home screen.

Dr. Satya Ramaswamy, Chief Digital and Technology Officer, Air India, said: "Our mobile app is our flagship channel for engaging with guests and one of the 140-plus world-class digital systems deployed as part of Air India's transformation journey. Every capability we build starts with understanding our guests’ needs with empathy and reducing the stress often associated with travel. The latest enhancements further simplify the travel experience—from booking and payments to airport processes and disruption support—while giving guests more transparency, convenience and control. The strong appreciation we have received from our customers inspires us to continue innovating and making the app even more valuable in the years ahead."

These new capabilities join a rich set of existing popular features, which have been significantly enhanced now for a better guest experience from the App itself. Some of the key enhanced features include:

A personalised, context-aware home screen presenting upcoming trip details, boarding passes, travel offers and destination inspiration in a simple and visually engaging format.

Customers can stay informed through the highly popular Flight Status feature, used more than 1.4 million times each month, which provides real-time flight updates, including information about the incoming aircraft operating the flight. The app’s integration with DigiYatra continues to simplify airport journeys, with over 220,000 customers using the feature every month to enjoy a more seamless airport experience.

The enhanced My Trips section serves as a convenient self-service hub where travellers can manage seats, modify bookings and access meal options with ease, reducing the need for customer support intervention.

Air India’s pioneering AI.g virtual assistant, the first generative AI-powered assistant in the global airline industry, continues to help customers with a wide range of travel queries, with 26 million customer queries answered so far. Complementing it is the EZ Booking capability, which can generate an entire travel itinerary from a few words entered by the customer.

Another customer favourite is the app’s baggage tracking feature, used more than 200,000 times every month. The feature allows travellers to monitor their checked baggage across multiple milestones, including on codeshare and interline journeys, and even supports locating delayed baggage through devices such as Apple AirTag and Google-compatible trackers.

Additional innovations include AEye Vision™, which leverages computer vision technology to retrieve travel information without manual data entry, a comprehensive notification system featuring the exclusive and widely appreciated “Boarding Will Begin Shortly” alert, and a dedicated Maharaja Club section that makes managing loyalty programme benefits simple and convenient.

Some features like My Trips, Flight Status, Baggage Tracking, Food & Beverage menu etc. are available even without connectivity with a unique off-line capability.

Today, the app enjoys a 4.8-star rating on both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store in India, has been downloaded nearly 17 million times globally, serves over 100,000 users every day, and has achieved a Net Promoter Score (NPS) of +61 - making it one of the highest-rated airline apps globally. The app has also received multiple prestigious international awards.

Air India encourages all guests to download the app and experience a more connected, informed and stress-free way to travel.

Apple App Store: https://r.airindia.com/h9aIP2

Google Play Store: https://r.airindia.com/h9aIo1

About Air India Group:

The Air India Group – comprising full-service global airline, Air India, and value carrier, Air India Express – is spearheading a new era of Indian aviation. The Air India story began in 1932 when JRD Tata piloted the airline’s inaugural flight and opened the skies for aviation in India. Today, Air India Group employs more than 30,000 people, operates over 300 aircraft and carries travellers to 60 domestic and 51 international destinations. across five continents.

Returning to Tata Sons in 2022 following 70 years under Government ownership, Air India Group is in the midst of a five-year transformation programme, Vihaan.AI. As part of the transformation, Air India has placed orders for 600 new aircraft. In addition to taking new aircraft deliveries, Air India is progressively retrofitting all its legacy aircraft. The Air India Group operates South Asia’s largest aviation training academy in Gurugram, India. The construction of a new flying school and a greenfield maintenance base is in progress.

With transformation underway across all facets of the business and India’s rich legacy of hospitality, Air India is committed to being a world class global airline with an Indian heart.

For more news on Air India, visit http://www.airindia.com/newsroom    

Medtronic And Apollo Hospitals Announce Strategic Partnership To Establish State-Of-The-Art Advanced ICU In Hyderabad

* New 11-bed facility at Apollo Jubilee Hills to feature integrated Acute Care & Monitoring technologies and serve as a real-world clinical innovation hub for Medtronic R&D.

Medtronic, a global leader in healthcare technology, and Apollo Hospitals today announced the inauguration of “ICU of the Future” an 11-bed, state-of-the-art Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Apollo Hospitals, Jubilee Hills. The new facility will be fully integrated with Medtronic’s advanced Acute Care & Monitoring (ACM) technologies and solutions, marking a significant milestone in collaborative healthcare innovation.

The MOU was officially signed by Dr. Sangita Reddy, Joint Managing Director, Apollo Hospitals Group, Manpreet Singh, Chief Executive Officer, Apollo HealthAxis and Mandeep Singh Kumar, Managing Director & Vice President – India Subcontinent Countries, Medtronic during a formal inauguration ceremony held at the Jubilee Hills campus.

Developed in collaboration with Medtronic’s ACM team, the initiative represents a step forward in strengthening critical care infrastructure and advancing collaborative healthcare innovation. The integrated ICU is designed to support evolving clinical needs while fostering closer collaboration between clinicians and technology leaders. By bringing together clinical expertise and advanced technologies, the collaboration aims to help enable more informed care delivery and contribute to improved patient outcomes.

“At Medtronic, we believe that meaningful healthcare innovation is grounded in strong clinical collaboration and a deep understanding of care delivery,” said Mandeep Singh Kumar, Vice President – India Subcontinent Countries, Medtronic. “This advanced ICU at Apollo Hospitals reflects a shared commitment to patient care and clinical excellence. Through this collaboration, we aim to gain valuable insights from real-world clinical environment that can help inform the development of technologies designed to support clinicians and improve patient care in India and around the world.”

Dr. Sangita Reddy, Joint Managing Director, Apollo Hospitals Group said, “Critical care is where every decision, every minute and every intervention can make the difference between life and loss. As medicine becomes increasingly data-driven, our responsibility is not only to bring the best technologies to India but to ensure they meaningfully improve clinical decisions and patient outcomes. Our partnership with Medtronic reflects a shared commitment to reimagining the future of critical care by combining advanced monitoring technologies with the expertise of our clinicians and the power of digital innovation. Together, we are building ICUs that are more connected, more intelligent and better equipped to anticipate deterioration, enable timely interventions and deliver truly personalised care. This is another step in Apollo's journey towards creating a healthcare ecosystem where technology augments human expertise, helping clinicians save more lives while giving patients and families greater confidence during their most critical moments.”

Jason Case, VP, R&D, Acute Care Monitoring, Medtronic said, "Innovation is strongest when developed with clinicians, not for them. The digitally enabled ICU at Apollo Hospitals serves as a real-world innovation hub where technology developers and healthcare professionals can collaborate to better understand critical care challenges and opportunities. Together we hope to deliver smarter, more connected solutions that will enable clinicians to personalize patient care.”

The inauguration event brought together key global and regional leaders from both organizations to celebrate the partnership. In addition to the signing dignitaries, the event was attended by Medtronic’s global leadership, including Kate Benedict, SVP and President, Acute Care Monitoring; Jason Case, VP, R&D, Acute Care Monitoring; Dev Joshua, Sr. Director, Digital Health; and Gauri Joglekar, Sr. Director, Portfolio R&D and PMO – Innovation Delivery and Divya Prakash Joshi, VP, Engineering and Board Member, Medtronic Engineering and Innovation Center (MEIC). Key leaders from Apollo Hospitals, including Manpreet Singh, CEO, Apollo HealthAxis, Mr. Tejesvi Rao, CEO - Apollo Hospitals AP&TG, Dr. Sai Praveen Haranath, Chief Physician and Innovation Officer, and Dr. Rahul Khandelwal, VP, Partnerships and Client Solutioning, were also present to mark the occasion.

All information contained herein is for general awareness purposes only, and nothing contained herein should be construed as medical advice or recommendation. Patients should consult their physician to discuss their conditions and seek relevant medical advice. Outcomes may vary depending on clinical conditions.

About Medtronic

Bold thinking. Bolder actions. We are Medtronic. Medtronic plc, headquartered in Galway, Ireland, is the leading global healthcare technology company that boldly attacks the most challenging health problems facing humanity by searching out and finding solutions. Our Mission — to alleviate pain, restore health, and extend life — unites a global team of 95,000+ passionate people across more than 150 countries. Our technologies and therapies treat 70 health conditions and include cardiac devices, surgical robotics, insulin pumps, surgical tools, patient monitoring systems, and more. Powered by our diverse knowledge, insatiable curiosity, and desire to help all those who need it, we deliver innovative technologies that transform the lives of two people every second, every hour, every day. Expect more from us as we empower insight-driven care, experiences that put people first, and better outcomes for our world. In everything we do, we are engineering the extraordinary. For more information on Medtronic, visit www.Medtronic.com and follow Medtronic on LinkedIn.

About Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Ltd.

Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Ltd (AHEL) revolutionised healthcare when Dr Prathap Reddy started the first hospital in Chennai in 1983. Today, AHEL is the world's largest integrated healthcare platform with over 10,400 beds across 76 hospitals, 6,600+ pharmacies, 264 clinics, 2,182 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.

For further details, log onto: www.apollohospitals.com

About Apollo HealthAxis

Apollo HealthAxis is the healthcare technology and services subsidiary of Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Limited, focused on enabling connected, technology-led care for hospitals and health systems. Drawing on Apollo’s deep clinical expertise and operating ecosystem, Apollo HealthAxis brings together remote patient monitoring, digital health platforms, clinical technology integration, AI-led insights, healthcare IT services and clinical support capabilities to help improve care delivery, workforce capacity and patient outcomes across India and international markets.  

India's First Private Orbital Rocket, Skyroot's Vikram-1, Eyes Historic Lift Off Of Its First Test Flight On 18 July

Skyroot Aerospace's maiden test flight of Vikram-1 will attempt to launch from the first launch pad at SDSC-SHAR on 18 July at 11:30 AM. This will be the first time an orbital-class rocket, fully designed and developed by a private player, will attempt to fly from Indian soil. Concerned authorities have issued the necessary airspace and maritime notices, formally designating the restricted zones along Vikram-1's ascent and impact corridor for launch day.

This mission is called Mission Aagaman, marking the arrival of India's private sector in the global launch business.

“We have done everything that could be done to test Vikram-1 on ground. On 18 July, we are eager to see how Vikram-1 performs in real flight environment for the first time. This is our first test flight, and we will be getting valuable data from it. This will be foundational to Skyroot's aspirations of establishing launch cadence. We are excited to see this through.”

— Pawan Kumar Chandana, Co-founder & CEO, Skyroot Aerospace.

Vikram-1, will carry technology demonstration payloads from Grahaa Space, Cosmoserve, DCubed and Skyroot's own SCOPE, along with Cosmos Diamonds' artwork "Cosmic Bloom" and a micro-art piece.

"The small satellite launch market is deeply constrained on the supply side. At the same time, the demand for services enabled by satellites in space will only continue to grow, and that is where Skyroot's opportunity lies. The clearance of Vikram-1 for flight following rigorous testing is a defining milestone in India's space journey. This first test flight marks the beginning of Skyroot's aspiration to open space for all,” added Pawan.

Mission Aagaman, meaning “the arrival”, marks Skyroot’s second mission following the successful suborbital flight of Vikram-S, the first private rocket to reach space from Indian soil, on 18 November 2022.

"What we are aiming to do on 18 July is bigger than a single launch. It represents the hopes and hard work of around 1,000 people, the contributions of over 400 suppliers, and nearly 3,000 days of resolve to build a global offering from India. This test flight will show us how every technology we have developed over the years performs in real-world conditions. With the in-flight data gathered from this mission, we will return to the shop floor to learn, improve, and build further. This test flight is the first step towards creating a reliable, on-demand launch company for the world from India."

— Naga Bharath Daka, Co-founder & COO, Skyroot Aerospace

All stages of Skyroot's Vikram-1 have been successfully integrated and stacked on the launch pad. Following which, the final integrated checks of the vehicle on the launch pad from Skyroot’s launch control centre have been completed along with the interface checks with all the telemetry ground stations and tracking radars.

Vikram-1 is a seven-storey-tall, multi-stage orbital launch vehicle built with an all-carbon composite structure and powered by in-house developed propulsion systems, including 3D-printed engines and high-thrust solid-fuel rocket boosters. Designed to carry small satellites weighing up to 350 kg to Low Earth Orbit (LEO), its first test flight is targeting a 450 km orbit at 60° inclination.

About Skyroot Aerospace

Skyroot Aerospace is a private space launch company, building the Vikram-series of launch vehicles to provide on-demand and dedicated access to space for small satellite operators worldwide.

Founded by Pawan Kumar Chandana and Naga Bharath Daka, the company aims to democratize space access by designing, developing and launching a family of launch vehicles.

Skyroot made history in 2022 with the launch of Vikram-S, India's first privately built rocket to reach space. The company is now preparing for the maiden flight of Vikram-1, its orbital launch vehicle, which will mark India's first private attempt at an orbital mission.

Vikram-1 is designed to deploy small satellites of up to 350 kg to Low Earth orbit. Built with an all-carbon composite structure and powered by in-house developed solid and liquid propulsion systems — including 3D-printed engines — the rocket is engineered for rapid manufacturing and high launch cadence. Skyroot's technology stack spans carbon composite rocket structure, and solid (Kalam series), liquid (Raman series), and cryogenic (Dhawan series) propulsion systems, all developed in-house at its 250,000 sq. ft. Max-Q and Infinity campuses in Hyderabad, Telangana.

Valued at over USD 1.1 billion, Skyroot is backed by marquee global investors including GIC, Temasek, Sherpalo Ventures, and funds managed by Blackrock. Its mission: to make spaceflight as regular, reliable, and affordable as air travel — Opening Space for All.

Sanjay Ghodawat Group And Nordstar Estates Join Forces To Power India’s High-Growth Real Estate Markets

· Strategic partnership launches Ghodawat Nordstar Pvt. Ltd. to deliver institutional-grade, ultra-HNI customer-focused projects in Bengaluru and Mumbai.

· The JV targets GDV of over INR 5000 cr through developments in well-established premium locations and key micro-markets.

· Introduces “NEVORA”, the consumer-facing brand for the JV’s residential and commercial developments.

Sanjay Ghodawat Group (SGG), a diversified conglomerate, has partnered with Nordstar Estates (Nordstar) to launch “NEVORA”, a next-generation institutional real estate development platform, marking its strategic expansion into India's real estate sector. The joint venture will focus on developing residential and commercial projects across Bengaluru and Mumbai and their respective micro-markets and plans to achieve a GDV of over INR 5,000 crores in the next few years.

NEVORA brings together SGG’s diverse operational capabilities and strong financial expertise spanning Aviation, FMCG, Education, Energy, Retail and Real Estate, with Nordstar’s proven track record in institutional capital management and large-scale real estate development across India and the United States.

The JV has been established to tap into India’s evolving real estate market, where institutional capital, technology adoption, and higher governance standards are redefining the sector. The move comes as the country's real estate market is projected to expand nearly nine-fold from USD 650 billion in 2025 to USD 5.8 trillion by 2047, according to a FICCI-KPMG report. The partners will focus on delivering developments that emphasize quality, transparency, and sustainability. The JV will market its projects under NEVORA, a dedicated consumer-facing brand identity to be unveiled in the coming months.

Shrenik Ghodawat, Managing Director, Sanjay Ghodawat Group, said, "India’s real estate sector is at an inflection point. Buyers today demand more than just location; they expect quality, transparency, and a seamless experience from enquiry to handover. Through this partnership, we are committed to delivering assets that are not just built to last but crafted to elevate urban living. Our focus on responsible development, energy efficiency, and technology-driven solutions reflects our vision for the future of Indian real estate."

Dhruv Dua, Co-Founder, Nordstar Estates, said, “This platform is built on the principles of strong financial discipline, development excellence, and a customer-centric approach. By bringing together proven expertise in land acquisition and society redevelopment, institutional capital deployment, and large-scale development management, we are uniquely equipped to address the needs of India’s evolving urban landscape.”

Sharab Reddy, Co-Founder, Nordstar Estates, said, "Our approach starts with disciplined land acquisition and rigorous underwriting – the foundation for every project we take on. Partnering with SGG gives us the scale and local depth to bring that discipline to two of India's most dynamic markets, Mumbai and Bengaluru. Our goal is to create communities with identity and assets that endure well beyond possession."

Ghodawat Nordstar Pvt. Ltd. is targeting premium apartments and commercial assets across Mumbai's key micro-markets, from established addresses in South and Central Mumbai to high-demand corridors in the Western and Central Suburbs, as well as emerging lifestyle destinations including Alibaug, Karjat, and Vasai. In Bengaluru, the JV will target the city's established and emerging tech-corridor addresses, building on Nordstar's existing execution footprint in the market. These regions are witnessing strong absorption rates and surging demand for quality residential and commercial spaces. The JV draws on SGG's and Nordstar's combined track record of institutional-grade developments across Mumbai, Pune, Bengaluru, and Kolhapur.

About Sanjay Ghodawat Group (SGG):

Founded in 1993, the Sanjay Ghodawat Group (SGG) is a diversified conglomerate with interests spanning Aviation, Consumer Products, Education, Energy, Real Estate and Retail. Under the visionary leadership of its Founder and Chairman, Mr. Sanjay Ghodawat, the Group has achieved remarkable growth, serving millions of customers worldwide. SGG employs over 11,000 people and educates more than 21,000 students across its institutions. The Group continues to drive meaningful change through its commitment to quality, innovation, and social progress. SGG has established itself as a trusted name in the Indian real estate industry, having delivered more than 12 million square feet of residential and commercial projects, with another 5 million square feet currently under development.

Website: https://www.ghodawat.com/

About Nordstar Estates Pvt. Ltd.

Nordstar Estates is an institutional real estate development platform founded by professionals with deep experience in institutional investing, land aggregation, and marquee development management across India and the United States. With over $400 million in institutional capital managed, 700+ acres transacted, and 20+ million sq. ft. of development experience, Nordstar specialises in direct land acquisition, disciplined development management, and strategic value creation. Co-founded by industry veterans Dhruv Dua and Sharab Reddy, Nordstar partners with Grade A+ developers and operates across key markets including Mumbai and Bengaluru, bringing best-in-class governance, execution, and stakeholder outcomes to every project.

Website: http://nordstar.in/   

Godrej Agrovet Appoints Gaurav Pande As CEO Of Creamline Dairy To Accelerate Next Phase Of Growth’

* To further elevate Creamline Dairy's presence across South India through innovation and consumer-centric excellence

Godrej Agrovet Limited (Godrej Agrovet), one of India's leading diversified agri-business companies, today announced the appointment of Gaurav Pande as Chief Executive Officer of Creamline Dairy Products Limited. He will lead the company's next phase of growth with a focus on strengthening market leadership, accelerating business transformation, driving innovation, and expanding the brand's presence across key markets.

Speaking on his appointment, Gaurav Pande, Chief Executive Officer, Creamline Dairy Products Limited, said "I am honoured to join Creamline Dairy Products Limited at a time when India's dairy sector is witnessing significant transformation, driven by evolving consumer preferences, increasing demand for value-added products, and greater emphasis on quality and nutrition. Creamline has built a strong foundation of trust through the Godrej Jersey brand and an integrated dairy ecosystem that positively impacts consumers and farming communities alike. Together with a well-equipped team, I look forward to shaping the next phase of growth by accelerating innovation, enhancing consumer experiences, expanding our footprint, and building a future-ready dairy business that creates enduring value for all stakeholders."

Creamline Dairy Products Limited, the company behind the Godrej Jersey brand, is one of South India's leading private dairy companies with a strong presence across Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka. Through its integrated dairy value chain and diverse portfolio of dairy products, the company continues to deliver high-quality nutrition while creating value for both dairy farmers and consumers.

With over 22 years of experience across Foods, QSR, and Consumer Durables, Gaurav brings a strong track record of building, scaling and transforming consumer businesses. Most recently, he led the launch and rapid expansion of a major international QSR brand in India, building the business from the ground up while establishing strong foundations for operational excellence and unit-level profitability. Earlier in his career, he held leadership roles across multiple consumer categories, where he drove market share expansion and profitability improvement by driving portfolio premiumisation, innovation, and go-to-market transformation. His extensive experience in leading large consumer businesses and building high-performance organisations positions him strongly to steer Creamline Dairy Products Limited through its next phase of growth.

About Godrej Jersey

Godrej Jersey, a leading private dairy player in Southern India, has been a trusted name in the dairy industry since 1986. With a strong presence across Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Maharashtra, the brand has built its reputation on delivering high-quality dairy products to millions of households.

Backed by 8 composite dairy plants and a state-of-the-art milk powder facility in Ongole, Godrej Jersey has evolved from a traditional milk business into a diversified dairy brand with a growing portfolio spanning milk, curd, paneer, buttermilk, flavoured milk, ghee, and other value-added dairy products.

Following its association with the Godrej brand, Jersey has embarked on a transformation journey that combines its longstanding dairy expertise with Godrej's legacy of trust and innovation. While retaining the iconic cow-pattern identity that consumers have recognised for decades, the brand has adopted a modern visual language that reflects contemporary consumer preferences while preserving its heritage.

Today, Godrej Jersey is focused on driving growth through premiumisation, innovation, and nutrition-led dairy solutions, with a strong emphasis on making quality dairy products more relevant to evolving consumer lifestyles.

Star Health Strengthens Virtual Doctor Consultations And Home Health Care In Karnataka

* Policyholders can call ‘Talk to Star’ at 7200 222 333 for Home Health Care and planned hospitalisation support.

* Non-policyholders can access free 24/7 Virtual Doctor Consultations through the Star Health Customer app.

Quick media bites for Karnataka

In Karnataka, Star Health recorded a 3X increase in Home Health Care utilisation for fever and infectious diseases in FY26 compared with the previous year.

Telemedicine and Virtual Doctor Consultations are seeing strong adoption, with more customers choosing them as their first point of medical consultation.

Policyholders can ‘Talk to Star’ at 7200 222 333; press 1 for Home Health Care and 2 for planned hospitalisation.

Non-policyholders can access free 24/7 Virtual Doctor Consultations through the Star Health Customer app.

As Karnataka gears up for the monsoon season, when dengue, malaria, fever and other infectious diseases typically rise, Star Health and Allied Insurance Company Limited (NSE: STARHEALTH; BSE: 543412), one of India’s leading standalone health insurance companies, is stepping up its monsoon healthcare outreach in the state. Star Health’s FY26 Karnataka data shows a 3X increase in Home Health Care utilisation for fever and infectious diseases. Alongside this growth, the company has seen strong demand for its Virtual Doctor Consultation service across the state, with a growing number of customers choosing it as their first point of medical consultation.

Karnataka recorded a 3X increase in Home Health Care utilisation in FY26 compared with FY25. The state saw the highest number of Home Health Care cases for dengue, viral fever and lower respiratory tract infection.

The outreach focuses on early investigation and timely medical advice by connecting policyholders to ‘Talk to Star’ and Home Health Care support, while enabling the general public to access free 24/7 Virtual Doctor Consultations through the Star Health Customer app.

Commenting on the initiative, Mr. Aditya Omprakash Biyani, Business Head, Karnataka, Star Health Insurance, said:

“Behind every monsoon infection is a family managing uncertainty, disrupted routines and concern for a loved one. The threefold rise in Home Health Care utilisation in Karnataka during FY26 shows the growing need for timely support that is easier to access, particularly for children, senior citizens and patients who may find hospital visits difficult. Our responsibility goes beyond arranging treatment. We want patients and caregivers to feel informed, supported and confident about the next step in their care. Through ‘Talk to Star’, policyholders can receive guidance on Home Health Care or planned hospitalisation, while the public can access free 24/7 Virtual Doctor Consultations through the Star Health Customer app. Our focus this monsoon is to help people seek advice early, receive appropriate care and recover with less stress and disruption.”

Lower costs and rain-ready care: The case for Home Health Care

Data from the National Statistical Office’s 80th round survey on household health expenditure, released in 2026, highlights the financial burden of illness and hospitalisation on households. Private hospitalisation costs an average of ₹50,573 in rural Karnataka and ₹56,930 in urban Karnataka. Healthcare expenses remain high across the board, leaving many individuals and families to cover these costs out of pocket.

The initiative brings together three timely service interventions for the monsoon season:

Unlimited teleconsultations for policyholders: Policyholders can access unlimited teleconsultations during the policy period, encouraging timely medical advice at the first sign of fever or infection.

‘Talk to Star’ for policyholders: Policyholders can call 7200 222 333 for guided support. Press 1 for Home Health Care and 2 for planned hospitalisation. The service helps customers understand care pathways, cashless processes, network hospital options and documents to keep ready.

Cashless Home Health Care: For eligible policyholders whose conditions can be managed at home under medical supervision, Star Health covers doctor-prescribed home treatment. This may include professional nursing care, routine blood tests and monitoring, IV fluids and injections delivered at the patient’s home.

Free Virtual Doctor Consultation for the general public:

For non-policyholders and members of the general public, access is available through the Star Health Customer app, where users can book a free 24/7 Virtual Doctor Consultation for common monsoon symptoms.

To access the service, users can:

Download the Star Health Customer app on a smartphone.

Sign up with basic details, including name, email ID and date of birth, to access available health benefits.

Open the menu and select ‘Telemedicine’ within the app.

Book a free online consultation with experienced doctors across relevant specialties.

As part of the outreach, Star Health is encouraging households across the region, especially those with school-going children and senior citizens, to follow a monsoon-first health protocol: do not ignore persistent fever, seek early medical advice and choose the right access route.

About Star Health and Allied Insurance: Star Health and Allied Insurance Company Limited (NSE: STARHEALTH; BSE: 543412), one of India’s leading standalone health insurance companies, commenced operations in 2006 as India’s first standalone health insurance company. Star Health provides Health, Personal Accident and Travel Insurance to its customers. The Company has grown to emerge as one of the preferred health insurance companies in India with several pioneering products and services to its credit. With customer-centricity at its core, the Company has developed superior and innovative product offerings, service capabilities and a seamless claims management process. Star Health offers tailor-made products to cater to needs such as cancer, diabetes and cardiac illnesses, as well as specific segments such as senior citizens, women and children. Star Health is India’s first health insurance company to settle over 1 crore claims.

Star Health and Allied Insurance Co. Ltd. has a strong multi-channel distribution network of 900+ offices, over 8 lakh agents and robust bancassurance and financial institution partners. The Company has 15,000+ network hospitals and 18,500+ employees.

Talk to Star: Helping policyholders plan care with confidence: Star Health offers guided support through 7200 222 333 for eligible policyholders seeking Home Health Care or planned hospitalisation assistance. Customers can call the number and press 1 for Home Health Care or press 2 for planned hospitalisation. The service helps customers understand coverage, network hospital options, the cashless process, required documents and care pathways before admission or home-based treatment. Non-policyholders can access free 24/7 Virtual Doctor Consultations through the Star Health Customer app.   

Why No Ayurveda Drugs Are Sold In The Overseas Markets?

* At the Karnataka Tourism Forum (KTF) - Wellness Summit 2026, July 12 at the Soul Nest Retreat, Pyramid Valley International, Bengaluru, experts from the Ayush services, the traditional and alternative medicine systems alternative discussed the growth, challenges and the road ahead.

Ayurveda is a traditional system of medicine with historical roots in the Indian subcontinent and it focuses on balancing the mind, body, and spirit through herbal medicines, dietary changes, yoga, and purification therapies but still unable to penetrate the overseas market, says Dr Narendra Shetty, Chief Wellness Officer At kshemavana.

Addressing a large gathering at the Karnataka Tourism Forum (KTF) - Wellness Summit 2026 on July 12 at the Kabir Bhavan, Soul Nest Retreat, Pyramid Valley International, Bengaluru, Dr Shetty highlights that while India remains the undisputed hub for authentic practice and exports, the system is deeply ingrained in the culture and traditional medicine of several other South Asian nations like Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

“In respect to the credibility gap for ayurveda drugs, it's true that ayurveda faces difficulty abroad because no Ayurveda drug has received foreign approval, while China has positioned its traditional medicines more effectively. The proposed response was evidence-based treatment protocols that make the research behind traditional systems visible to customers, especially international visitors concerned about whether a treatment is scientifically supported,” remarks Dr Shetty.

USFDA Views On Ayurveda Drugs

Ayurvedic medicines often contain heavy metals like lead, mercury, and arsenic. They are either added intentionally for supposed healing benefits or enter as contaminants from the soil. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns that these metals can cause severe poisoning, kidney injury, and high blood pressure.

Dr Shetty recalls that early wellness facilities struggled with hygiene, accreditation, and unclear standards; the proposed answer was stronger protocols and clearer evidence. There have been cases of radical remission and its account of cancer remission cases to argue that health and well-being involve more than medical treatment.

Wellness Centres In India

Primary wellness travelers come to India specifically for healing and were described as about 20% of the segment. Secondary wellness travelers visit for family or business reasons and add wellness to the trip; they were described as the larger 80% segment. The opportunity proposed was to serve both, while building stronger capability for primary travelers seeking treatment.

Karnataka The Preferred State

Why Karnataka should be preferred over others. Karnataka’s climate was presented as a practical advantage over regions with more extreme summers and winters. Wellness centers were described as reaching 80% to 90% occupancy during six to seven months of season, while off-season occupancy was described as 30% to 40%.

Institutions With Integrated Medicine Departments

The institutional opportunity. Johns Hopkins, MD Anderson, Mayo Clinic, and Harvard Medical School were cited as examples of institutions with integrated medicine departments, including spiritual medicine. The talk contrasted this with the absence of a spiritual medicine department at an All India Institute of Medical Science and proposed more collaboration between public and private organizations. A global capability center for health and well-being, stronger yoga and naturopathy development, and a library for yoga research were also proposed for Karnataka.

Research On Yoga

The speaker described work by a team of 10 doctors over 10 two years collecting research on yoga and naturopathy, with the claim that 92% of the research had been conducted by allopathy doctors rather than yoga therapists. The resulting aim was to reduce the confusion created by 40 to 50 treatment modalities and offer a more intelligible protocol instead of asking customers to choose from an overwhelming menu.

The Five Pillars Of Human Body

The five pillars proposed framework centers on mind-body medicine, sleep as medicine, energy medicine, nutrition as medicine, and gut health. Its underlying explanation was that stress can switch off the body’s ability to heal itself, so the program aims to shift people from a stress response to a relaxation response.

Sleep & Stress Management

In respect to stress and sleep, stress was a major contributor to lifestyle-related disease, with protocols matched to different stress levels: breathing exercises and relaxation at one level, meditation at another, and clinical psychologist or psychiatric intervention at higher levels. Sleep was linked to exposure to blue light from televisions, phones, laptops, and LED lighting. The practical emphasis was on going to bed early, getting up early, reducing late-night screen exposure, and using a gratitude journal before sleep and again the next morning.

Nutrition And Diet

Nutrition was linked to an anti-inflammatory diet, and gut health was presented as another important part of the model. The final invitation was for wellness providers in Karnataka to work together, add spiritual and evidence-based dimensions to existing offerings, and develop the state as a destination for yoga, research, and broader health and well-being.

Now Ayurveda Medicine Is Covered By Insurance In India

Dr Shetty highlights that ayurveda is now covered under health insurance in India. Insurance companies bundle this as AYUSH benefits ( Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy). The General Insurance Council even created a cashless network. It links top centers like the All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) to 32 major insurers.

About Trippy.in

Trippy.in is a travel-tech startup that uses AI to find you the cheapest and most luxurious travel combinations. It acts like a super-smart travel assistant. It scans hundreds of sites and uses travel hacks to lower costs. Think of it like a smart calculator for flight and hotel math. A trip has thousands of possible combinations. If you check these by hand, you will miss out on cheap deals.

About Kshemavana

Kshemavana is a 20-acre forest wellness and naturopathy retreat located in Nelamangala on the outskirts of Bengaluru, Karnataka. It offers holistic, drugless healing therapies including Ayurveda, mud therapy, hydrotherapy, and Panchakarma.

Kshemavana is owned and managed by the SDME Trust (Shri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara Educational Trust) under the vision of philanthropist and hereditary administrator Dr. D. Veerendra Heggade. It operates as part of the SDM group of naturopathy and yogic sciences institutions.

Soul Nest Resort At Pyramid Valley International

Soul Nest is a luxury holistic wellness retreat located within Pyramid Valley International on Kanakapura Road in Bengaluru. Surrounded by wilderness, it features air-conditioned rooms, a large auditorium, outdoor swimming pool, on-site vegetarian restaurant, and a spa. Proceeds fund the center's charitable activities.

Others who spoke at the summit included Mr Patrik, President of Karnataka Tourism Forum (KTF) and Mr Nishant of Soul Nest Resort, Bengaluru, the host of the day long event and the event was moderated by Meenakshi Gupta, Editor-in-chief @Corporate Outbound.

Air India’s WiFi On Board Enables Over 1 Million Passengers To Power Up Their Inflight Digital Experience

Wi-Fi connectivity at 35,000 feet has now become a staple of the modern flying experience. Marking a milestone in enhanced passenger experience and digital engagement, more than 1 million users aboard Air India flights connected to the inflight WiFi service, according to the latest usage tracking from June 2025 through June 2026.

Operating across a schedule of over 55 daily flights, Air India travellers enjoy seamless internet access during their flight enabling them to catch up on emails or browse social media. Usage has grown steadily over the year with onboard Wi-Fi consumption surging from 30% in June 2025 to 55% in June 2026. This clear upward trajectory underscores an increasing demand for inflight internet connectivity.

Connectivity at 35,000 feet

Nearly 89% of connected passengers choose to stream content on social media while in transit. The remaining 11% opted for web browsing, emails and messaging apps. The consistent demand for the service resulted in nearly 500 TB worth of data consumption over the year. By category, streaming services accounted for 86% of total usage while web browsing comprised the remaining 14%.

These numbers represent the beginning of the transforming on board experience for Air India’s passengers. These numbers are currently driven by an initial fleet of 28 Wi-Fi enabled aircraft that operate flights across the globe to cities including London, New York, Newark, Frankfurt, Melbourne, Hong Kong, Singapore, Bali, Manila and Mauritius, with more aircraft and cities to be added progressively. As the connected fleet grows, so will the opportunities for passengers to carry their digital lives with them, wherever they fly.

About Air India Group:

The Air India Group – comprising full-service global airline, Air India, and value carrier, Air India Express – is spearheading a new era of Indian aviation. The Air India story began in 1932 when JRD Tata piloted the airline’s inaugural flight and opened the skies for aviation in India. Today, Air India Group employs more than 30,000 people, operates over 300 aircraft and carries travellers to 60 domestic and 51 international destinations across five continents.

Returning to Tata Sons in 2022 following 70 years under Government ownership, Air India Group is in the midst of a five-year transformation programme, Vihaan.AI. As part of the transformation, Air India has placed orders for 600 new aircraft. In addition to taking new aircraft deliveries, Air India is progressively retrofitting all its legacy aircraft. The Air India Group operates South Asia’s largest aviation training academy in Gurugram, India. The construction of a new flying school and a greenfield maintenance base is in progress.

With transformation underway across all facets of the business and India’s rich legacy of hospitality, Air India is committed to being a world class global airline with an Indian heart.

For more news on Air India, visit http://www.airindia.com/newsroom   

World Of Hyatt Expands HYROX Collaboration To India

* As the Official Regional Hotel Partner, World of Hyatt invites racers and spectators to extend race day into a race-cation with exclusive rates, in-hotel benefits, and recovery experiences

World of Hyatt, Hyatt’s award-winning loyalty program, today announces the expansion of its regional collaboration with HYROX Asia Pacific to include race cities in India. Building on its role as Official Regional Hotel Partner across Asia Pacific, the Hyatt race-cation experience will now be offered alongside HYROX events in key cities in India. As part of the India collaboration, Hyatt has also partnered with actor and fitness enthusiast Milind Soman, bringing together a shared passion for fitness, travel and active living as HYROX continues to grow its community in the country.

HYROX, one of the world’s fastest-growing fitness racing series, combines running with functional workout stations in a standardized global format. Each race challenges participants to push their limits and compete alongside athletes from around the world. With its rapid expansion globally and in the region, the inclusion of India races marks a significant milestone in the partnership.

Participating Hyatt hotels in race cities across India and Asia Pacific will offer prime proximity to race venues, exclusive room rates, athlete-focused amenities, recovery-driven facilities and services to support guests before, during, and after race day. With a full calendar of races across India in the 2025/2026 season, including in Delhi and Mumbai, racers and spectators may extend their race into a race-cation at distinctive stay options suited to their travel preferences.

"HYROX racers train hard and play hard. They're athletes who turn races into global adventures," said Tammy Ng, Vice President of Brand & Marketing, Asia Pacific, Hyatt. "Our race-cations make it easy for racers and spectators to build the journey around the race, recover well, and turn every race into a getaway.”

"India has quickly become one of HYROX's most energetic race communities, and our collaboration with World of Hyatt reflects the growing appetite for travel-connected fitness experiences," said Deepak Raj, Country Head, HYROX India. "The race-cation experience gives our athletes and spectators every reason to extend their stay, recover well and explore each host city beyond race day."

“Fitness has always been about more than a single race or finish line for me. It is about the entire journey - how you prepare, challenge yourself, recover and keep exploring,” said Milind Soman, actor and fitness enthusiast. “Partnering with World of Hyatt means racers across India can build their entire race weekend around performance and recovery, not just the finish line.”

The HYROX race-cation will offer:

Exclusive HYROX room rates: Extra 10% off Hyatt’s Member Rate for selected room types at participating Hyatt hotels

In-hotel benefits: 15% off on select F&B & spa treatments at participating outlets during stay, 1 complimentary bag of laundry (wash and fold)

In-room amenities: In-room HyEnergy Welcome, Sleep and HyRecovery post-race amenities, plus in-room ice bucket available upon request

Destination guide: Curated local insights to help guests explore race cities

Terms and conditions apply. The minimum length of stay is 1 night. Rate is only valid at participating hotels at race destination from 7 days before the race date, to 7 days after the race date. 1-night deposit is required at time of booking. Booking to be made directly on Hyatt.com and cancellation must be made at least 7 days prior to check‑in to avoid a 1‑night penalty. See Hyatt.com/hyroxoffer for details.

World of Hyatt Members can earn points and elite status qualification on qualifying stays and dining worldwide. Points can be used for free nights, suite upgrades, dining and experiences. Visit World.Hyatt.com for more on the World of Hyatt loyalty program.

Upcoming HYROX races in India:

New Delhi – July 24-26, 2026

Mumbai – September 17-20 2026

Full list of participating hotels:

Andaz Delhi, by Hyatt

Hyatt Centri Juhu Mumbai

Hyatt Centric Janakpuri

Grand Hyatt Mumbai

Hyatt Regency Delhi

Hyatt Centric Hebbal Bengaluru

Hyatt Centric MG Road Bangalore

Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad

Grand Hyatt Gurgaon

Hyatt Place Gurgaon

Learn more and see full terms and conditions at Hyatt.com/hyroxoffer

The term “Hyatt” is used in this release for convenience to refer to Hyatt Hotels Corporation and/or one or more of its affiliates.

About Hyatt Hotels Corporation

Hyatt Hotels Corporation, headquartered in Chicago, is a leading global hospitality company guided by its purpose – to care for people so they can be their best. As of March 31, 2026, the Company's portfolio included more than 1,500 hotels and all-inclusive properties in 83 countries across six continents. The Company's offering includes brands in the Luxury Portfolio, including Park Hyatt®, Alila®, Miraval®, Impression by Secrets, and The Unbound Collection by Hyatt®; the Lifestyle Portfolio, including Andaz®, Thompson Hotels®, The Standard®, Dream® Hotels, The StandardX®, Breathless Resorts & Spas®, JdV by Hyatt®, Bunkhouse® Hotels, and Me and All Hotels; the Inclusive Collection, including Zoëtry® Wellness & Spa Resorts, Hyatt Ziva®, Hyatt Zilara®, Secrets® Resorts & Spas, Dreams® Resorts & Spas, Hyatt Vivid® Hotels & Resorts, Bahia Principe Hotels & Resorts, Alua Hotels & Resorts®, and Sunscape® Resorts & Spas; the Classics Portfolio, including Grand Hyatt®, Hyatt Regency®, Destination by Hyatt®, Hyatt Centric®, Hyatt Vacation Club®, and Hyatt®; and the Essentials Portfolio, including Caption by Hyatt®, Unscripted by Hyatt, Hyatt Place®, Hyatt House®, Hyatt Studios®, Hyatt Select, and UrCove. Subsidiaries of the Company operate the World of Hyatt® loyalty program, ALG Vacations®, Mr & Mrs Smith, Unlimited Vacation Club®, Amstar® DMC destination management services, and Trisept Solutions® technology services. For more information, please visit www.hyatt.com.

About World of Hyatt

World of Hyatt is Hyatt’s award-winning guest loyalty program uniting participating locations in Hyatt’s Luxury Portfolio, including Park Hyatt®, Alila®, Miraval®, Impression by Secrets, and The Unbound Collection by Hyatt®; the Lifestyle Portfolio, including Andaz®, Thompson Hotels®, The Standard®, Dream® Hotels, The StandardX®, Breathless Resorts & Spas®, JdV by Hyatt®, Bunkhouse® Hotels, and Me and All Hotels; the Inclusive Collection, including Zoëtry® Wellness & Spa Resorts, Hyatt Ziva®, Hyatt Zilara®, Secrets® Resorts & Spas, Dreams® Resorts & Spas, Hyatt Vivid® Hotels & Resorts, Bahia Principle Hotels & Resorts, Alua Hotels & Resorts®, and Sunscape® Resorts & Spas; the Classics Portfolio, including Grand Hyatt®, Hyatt Regency®, Destination by Hyatt®, Hyatt Centric®, Hyatt Vacation Club®, and Hyatt®; and the Essentials Portfolio, including Caption by Hyatt®, Unscripted by Hyatt, Hyatt Place®, Hyatt House®, Hyatt Studios®, Hyatt Select, and UrCove. Members who book directly through Hyatt channels can enjoy personalized care and access to distinct benefits including Guest of Honor, confirmed suite upgrades at time of booking, diverse wellbeing offerings, digital key, and exclusive member rates. With 66 million members and counting, World of Hyatt offers a variety of ways to earn and redeem points for hotel stays, dining and spa services, wellbeing focused experiences through the World of Hyatt FIND experiences platform; as well as the benefits of Hyatt’s strategic loyalty collaboration with American Airlines AAdvantage®. Travelers can enroll for free at hyatt.com, download the World of Hyatt app for android and IOS devices and connect with World of Hyatt on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and X.

About HYROX

HYROX is a global ecosystem of events, training, and coaching designed to inspire and impact 100 million lives. Built around a unique race format of 8 x 1 km runs and 8 workout stations, HYROX has established the gold standard in fitness competition and is driving toward Olympic recognition. By connecting the world’s gym communities through the transformative power of training and competition, HYROX is the cultural heartbeat of fitness.

Is Pyramid Meditation The Quickest Route In Achieving Nirvana?

* Pyramid meditation involves meditating under a pyramid-shaped structure, which practitioners believe focuses and amplifies cosmic energy. The purported health benefits include reducing stress and insomnia, and alleviating chronic pain like arthritis among others...

By Manu Sharma

Nirvana is a place of perfect peace and happiness, like - ‘Heaven’. In Buddhism, nirvana is the highest state that someone can attain:, a state of enlightenment. Pyramid Valley is an international meditation center near Bengaluru. It’s famous for housing the Maitreya Buddha Pyramid and it stands as one of the world's largest pyramid structures built solely for meditation. It is designed to concentrate cosmic energy for deeper spiritual practices. In a discussion with Manu Sharma, Karan Kumbare, Pyramid Master and Practitioner associated with the Pyramid Valley, talks about the popularity of the meditation today as more people discover its many hidden health benefits.

Deeply rooted in ancient Indian philosophy, the word Nirvana comes from the Sanskrit meaning "extinction, disappearance" of the individual to the universal. Achieving nirvana is to make earthly feelings like suffering and desire disappear.

Origin Of Buddhism And Its Significance In India

Buddhism originated in ancient India and Nepal as a reform movement out of Hinduism. Both traditions share core concepts like karma, reincarnation, and meditation, but they sharply differ on the existence of a soul and a creator god. Buddhism has deeply shaped modern Indian ethics, with core teachings of non-violence (Ahimsa), compassion, and social equality. It is woven into the national cultural fabric of India. Across the subcontinent, millions of Indians embrace Buddhist values alongside other indigenous traditions, emphasizing individual responsibility, Karma, and peaceful coexistence.


“The philosophy underneath is that no-thought or no-mind state was presented as a way to experience one's true nature. Meditational energy should be the main source of vitality for the physical body and it is the only process of silencing the mind.”

“This connected the idea with emptiness in Buddhism, the Nataraja Temple at Chidambaram in Tamil Nadu, and the “secret of Chidambaram” as nothingness.”

Who Is Karan Kumbare And His Role As A Pyramid Master?

Karan Kumbare is a B.Tech (Bachelor of Technology) in Chemical Engineering from IIT Bombay. He has been recognized as a Pyramid Master and practitioner associated with the Pyramid Spiritual Societies Movement (PSSM), founded by Brahmarshi Pitamaha Patriji. While he is not tied to one specific physical building, he travels, speaks, and conducts meditation sessions across various pyramid meditation centers in Bengaluru.

What You Can Experience At Bengaluru's Pyramids?

Pyramid Valley is an international meditation center near Bengaluru, famous for housing the Maitreya Buddha Pyramid. It stands as one of the world's largest pyramid structures built solely for meditation, towering 102 feet high and designed to concentrate cosmic energy for deeper spiritual practices.

Because Karan's teachings focus on Anapanasati (breath-based meditation) and pyramid energy, you can attend one of the city's pyramid-shaped facilities to participate in the practices he preaches. The Key locations where these masters and teachings are available include the Pyramid Valley International:. It is located on Kanakapura Main Road, Harohalli, it features the world's largest meditational pyramid. It acts as an international retreat for self-realization and spiritual wisdom.

Difference Between Moksha And Nirvana

Both Moksha and Nirvana describe the ultimate spiritual liberation from the endless cycle of rebirth (samsara) and human suffering. While they share this fundamental goal, they originate from different philosophical traditions—Moksha is primarily rooted in Hinduism (and Jainism), whereas Nirvana belongs to Buddhism.

Difference Between Meditation And Pyramid Meditation

While meditation is well known as a technique to reduce stress & anxiety and other health related diseases, it may also help to know that pyramid meditation is believed to aid in achieving higher states of consciousness and spiritual awakening.

Pyramid meditation is believed to aid in achieving higher states of consciousness and spiritual awakening. While the ultimate state of Nirvana requires deep inner work and mental purification, many practitioners find that the geometric structure of a pyramid accelerates focus, deepens relaxation, and enhances spiritual connection.

In Buddhism, meditation serves as a powerful tool to understand the nature of reality, overcome suffering, and ultimately achieve nirvana. Pyramid meditation is believed to aid in achieving higher states of consciousness and spiritual awakening.

The concept and pursuit of nirvana are deeply rooted in the historical geography of India as well.

“Pyramid meditation is believed by proponents to aid in achieving nirvana by creating a focused, high-energy environment that calms the body, reduces external distractions, and deepens inner awareness.”

“When you meditate inside or under a pyramid, the geometry does what no app or teacher can: It magnifies your stillness. It sharpens your focus. It also deepens your silence.”

Who Is The Founder Of Pyramid Meditation?

Pyramid meditation was founded by Brahmarshi Patriji (born Subhash Patri 1947–2022). He pioneered the practice in 1991 when he established the first meditation pyramid in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, India, and founded the Pyramid Spiritual Societies Movement (PSSM) to teach the practice globally. He revolutionized spiritual practices by promoting a simple, mantra-free breath meditation technique called Anapanasati, alongside vegetarianism and the use of pyramid energy to enhance meditation.

“The movement around the Pyramid Valley is connected with Brahma Rishi Pitamaha Subhash Patrij and with the chairman Shreyansh Daga, who manages the PSSM Trust. It collaborates with the wider pyramid society movement. Other pyramids are located in Pondicherry, Pune, Hyderabad, Rajamundri. There are plans for a pyramid in Texas and the construction is under way.”

Is Pyramid An Ancient Egyptian Theory?

The pyramids are deeply tied to ancient Egypt. Between 2700 BCE and the close of the Ptolemaic period, Egyptians built at least 138 identified pyramids. These were grand funerary monuments and tombs designed for pharaohs and their consorts to help their souls ascend to heaven. While the concept of the "stepped" or smooth-sided pyramid is most famously tied to the banks of the Nile, civilizations worldwide independently developed similar architectural shapes (such as the Mesoamerican pyramids in Mexico and Central America).

What Is The Concept Of Pyramid Meditation And The King’s Chamber?

The pyramid's design - The account placed the pyramid tradition in Egypt and described 51 degrees 50 minutes as the angle that makes the structure a “Golden Angle” and sacred geometry. The explanation linked this shape to telluric and cosmic energy, group meditation, visualization, concentration, and manifestation.

Pyramid Valley's scale - The main pyramid is 102 feet high and can hold around 5,000 people for group meditation. “The annual Buddha Purnima festival generally takes place in the first or second week of May and runs for three days. During this time is when we see the largest gatherings at the centre.”

The King's Chamber - Located at one-third of the pyramid's height, the chamber is described as the point where energy is most concentrated. Around 20 to 25 people can sit there, and the visit is intended to last 40 to 45 minutes so others can have a turn.

Benefits of meditating under the pyramid includes: Faster entry into meditation: The pyramid's energy field is thought to help you quiet the mind quickly, shutting out external stimuli and irrelevant thoughts so you reach altered states of consciousness. Physical healing: Users claim that meditating under a pyramid or using pyramid-charged water can aid in healing broken bones, alleviating arthritis pain, and treating insomnia. Cognitive focus: Many report that sessions improve concentration, memory, and overall mental clarity.

“Meditation done under a pyramid is three times more powerful than other types. It provides the most effective high energy environment and harnessing cosmic energy through practices like meditation and yoga helps reduce stress, accelerates physical healing, and deepens spiritual awareness,” remarks Karan.

“The journey to Nirvana is a gradual, often lifelong process,” concludes Karan.

Bhartiya Mall Of Bengaluru Presents Science Fest 2026: Enter The Roboverse

* Featuring Robotics Workshops, AI Experiences, Build-Your-Own Car Challenges and Bengaluru's First Inter-School Science & Technology Fest

Bhartiya Mall of Bengaluru is set to transform into a hub of innovation, creativity and future-ready learning with Science Fest 2026: Enter The Roboverse, a nine-day celebration of science, technology and innovation designed for students, families and aspiring young innovators.

Scheduled from 25th July to 2nd August 2026, the festival will offer an immersive experience that brings together robotics, artificial intelligence, electronics and hands-on STEM learning through a series of interactive workshops, competitions and live demonstrations. The festival aims to inspire curiosity and innovation by providing visitors with opportunities to learn, experiment and engage with emerging technologies through experiential activities designed for all age groups.

A key highlight of the festival will be a series of interactive workshops, where participants can gain practical exposure to science and engineering concepts. Activities include Block Electronics, Build Your Own Car, Let's Talk AI & Robotics, Bread Board Circuit Making, and an exciting Obstacle Car Race, encouraging participants to explore technology through hands-on learning and problem-solving.

Adding to the excitement, Bhartiya Mall of Bengaluru will host Bengaluru's first Inter-School Science & Technology Fest, bringing together young innovators from across the city to showcase breakthrough ideas and technology-driven solutions.

A key highlight of the festival is the Robo Arena Challenge, where school teams will showcase robots and AI-powered models designed to solve real-world problems. Hosted at the dedicated Robo Arena on the UG Floor, the competition will feature live demonstrations and interactive sessions, giving visitors and judges an opportunity to experience student innovations firsthand while celebrating creativity, problem-solving and technological excellence.

The competition will culminate in an awards ceremony recognising the most innovative and impactful projects. The Top Three Schools will receive trophies, medals, certificates, special recognition awards and exciting prizes, while all participating students and schools will be awarded participation certificates.

As part of the broader vision of encouraging scientific thinking among young minds, the festival is also exploring additional engagement formats, including a Science Quiz Championship and an Innovation Pitch Challenge, where students can test their knowledge, present entrepreneurial ideas and showcase technology-led solutions before an expert panel.

By bringing together education, innovation and community participation, Science Fest 2026: Enter The Roboverse aims to create an inspiring platform that encourages the next generation of scientists, engineers, innovators and problem-solvers while making science accessible, engaging and interactive for everyone.

Where: Bhartiya Mall of Bengaluru

When: 25th July – 2nd August 2026

Entry: Free | Register on BookMyShow

CA K. Ravi Assumes Office As President Of Bangalore Chamber Of Industry And Commerce For 2026-27

The Bangalore Chamber of Industry and Commerce (BCIC), Karnataka's premier industry body representing over 850 member companies across manufacturing, technology, biotechnology, engineering, healthcare, food processing and services, has announced the appointment of CA K. Ravi as its President for the year 2026-27. He assumes office at a defining moment in BCIC's journey as the Chamber celebrates its Golden Jubilee, commemorating fifty years of industry leadership, policy advocacy and economic development since its inception in 1976.

CA K. Ravi to Lead BCIC into its Next Era of Growth

CA K. Ravi is a Fellow Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI), a law graduate and Senior Partner of K.R. Kumar & Co. and K. Ravi & Associates. He is also the Director of VR e-Biz Solutions Pvt. Ltd., which provides specialised India Entry Consulting and Virtual CFO services. He brings more than three decades of professional excellence in taxation, corporate advisory, governance and international business.

Recognised as one of Karnataka's most respected industry leaders, he created history as the first practising Chartered Accountant to become President of the Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI) in its 104-year history. His distinguished leadership journey also includes serving as President of the Karnataka State Chartered Accountants Association (KSCAA), Past President of Rotary Bangalore Orchards and Past Governor of the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA), Florida, USA-Bangalore Chapter.

A long-standing member of BCIC, CA K. Ravi has previously served as Chairman of the International Business Committee, Co-Chairman of the Start-up Committee and Member of the Managing Committee. He has also led several international business delegations across Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Israel, Oman, Malaysia and Canada, strengthening Karnataka's global trade and investment relationships.

Speaking on assuming office as President of BCIC, CA K. Ravi said, “It is a privilege to lead BCIC at such a historic milestone as we celebrate fifty years of serving Karnataka's industry. The Chamber has always played a pivotal role in bringing together industry, government and academia and our Golden Jubilee provides an opportunity to build institutions that will create lasting value for the next fifty years. Our focus will be on strengthening policy advocacy, supporting MSMEs and start-ups, accelerating global business engagement, promoting sustainability and creating a future-ready ecosystem that enhances Karnataka's competitiveness on the global stage.”

Under CA K. Ravi's leadership, BCIC will continue to strengthen industry-government collaboration, promote innovation, encourage manufacturing excellence and create enduring institutions that support Karnataka's growth and global competitiveness.

Dr. Prashanth Reddy Takes Over as Senior Vice President of BCIC

BCIC has also announced the appointment of Dr. Prashanth Reddy as its Senior Vice President for the year 2026-27. He joins the Chamber's leadership team during its Golden Jubilee year, bringing nearly three decades of experience in engineering, manufacturing, marketing and business leadership.

Manufacturing Leader to Strengthen BCIC's Growth Agenda

A Mechanical Engineer with an MBA in Marketing and a PhD, Dr. Prashanth Reddy has spent the past thirteen years driving growth and innovation in the building materials and real estate sector.

Under his leadership, Fundermax India has completed over 15,000 projects across the country, partnering with leading architects, developers, hospitality companies, corporates and retail organisations. The company today operates through a strong network of more than 40 business partners across India and the SAARC region and has earned several national and international recognitions for quality systems and its commitment to sustainable green building practices. Known for his strategic outlook and customer-centric leadership, Dr. Prashanth believes organisations must continually refine their strategies and remain agile to succeed in an ever-evolving business environment.

As Senior Vice President, Dr. Prashanth Reddy will work closely with President CA K. Ravi and the BCIC Managing Committee to support the Chamber's Golden Jubilee initiatives, including international business expansion, manufacturing excellence, research, skilling, innovation and global partnerships.

Speaking on taking over as Senior Vice President, Dr. Prashanth Reddy said, “I am honoured to take on this responsibility during BCIC's Golden Jubilee year. This is an exciting time for the Chamber as it embarks on several transformative initiatives that will strengthen manufacturing, innovation, research, skilling and international partnerships. I look forward to working closely with President CA K. Ravi, the Managing Committee and our members to ensure these initiatives create meaningful opportunities for industry while reinforcing Karnataka's position as one of India's leading economic engines.”

With Dr. Prashanth Reddy joining its leadership team, BCIC further strengthens its vision of encouraging innovation, manufacturing excellence, global partnerships and sustainable economic growth as it builds on five decades of service to Karnataka's industry.

UST Wins Seven Awards At The ETHRWorld Future Skills Awards 2026

* Recognized across organizational and individual categories reflecting the depth of leadership, innovation, and learning excellence at UST

UST, a leading AI and technology transformation solutions company, has been conferred with seven awards at the ETHRWorld Future Skills Awards 2026 across organizational and individual categories. The recognition across different leadership categories underscores UST’s commitment to building future-ready talent and continuously strengthening capabilities that drive client value.

The ET Future Skills Awards (ETFSA) honour organizations driving impactful learning and talent development initiatives that empower people, build future-ready capabilities, and shape the workplaces of tomorrow. UST has been honoured with four awards in the Organizational category - India’s Future Skills Impact Award, ‘Gold’ in Best Innovative Leadership Development Program, ‘Silver’ in Best Generative AI Learning Solution, and Excellence in AI-Driven Learning & Analytics. In the Individual category, UST received ‘Gold’ in Visionary Women L&D Leader - Mary Mathew and ‘Silver’ in Visionary Women L&D Leader - Krishna Ahir, and NextGen Learning Leader - Under 40 - Rajit Rangan.

“These awards are not just a celebration of learning programs; they are a recognition of the capability movement we are building at UST. The future belongs to organizations that can learn faster than change, build strategic skills ahead of demand, and translate learning into measurable business impact. At G.A. Menon Academy, our aspiration is to make continuous learning a cultural advantage and capability-building a strategic engine for UST’s future growth,” said Krishnan Nilakantan, Chief Learning Officer, UST.

The industry validation through the ET HRWorld Awards matters more at a time when skills are becoming a key source of competitive advantage. It recognizes UST's programs that are designed to contribute to the internal growth as well as setting a benchmark in developing the larger talent and learning ecosystem. The achievements reflect the depth of leadership, innovation, and learning excellence at UST.

UST’s learning ecosystem is driven through the G.A. Menon Academy (GAMA), which shapes enterprise capability. The Learning and Development initiatives at UST have been steadily evolving from a traditional learning delivery model to a more strategic capability-building engine focusing on building future skills, enabling leadership effectiveness, accelerating AI adoption and readiness, and driving measurable organizational impact, closely aligned with business priorities.

About UST

Since 1999, UST has worked side by side with the world's best companies to make a powerful impact through transformation. Powered by technology, driven by AI, inspired by people, and led by our purpose, we partner with our clients from design to operation. Our AI-driven digital solutions, proprietary platforms, engineering, R&D, products, and innovation ecosystem turn core challenges into impactful, disruptive business outcomes. With deep industry knowledge and a future-ready mindset, we infuse expertise, innovation, and agility into our clients' organizations—delivering measurable value and positive lasting change for them, their customers, and communities around the world. Together, with 30,000+ employees in 30+ countries, we build for boundless impact—touching billions of lives in the process.

Visit us at www.UST.com.

World Youth Skills Day: VISL Highlights Impact Of Skilling Initiatives Across States

On the occasion of World Youth Skills Day, Vedanta Iron And Steel Limited (VISL), a leading ferrous resources company with operations across India & Africa, reaffirmed its commitment to building a future-ready workforce through a diverse portfolio of skilling, education, IT skilling, entrepreneurship and sports development initiatives that continue to create sustainable livelihood opportunities across its operating regions. Aligned with the year’s WYSD theme – Skills for a Shared Future – the company’s initiatives have helped transform over 1 lac+ lives across states.

As India advances towards becoming a global manufacturing and industrial powerhouse, a skilled and employable workforce will be central to achieving the nation's aspirations. Recognising this, VISL has consistently invested in empowering the youth with technical, vocational, digital and entrepreneurial capabilities, enabling them to become active contributors to economic and social progress.

In Goa, the Sesa Technical School (STS) has been nurturing technical talent for over three decades and has trained more than 2,100+ youth with a near 100% placement record, creating an industry-ready workforce across multiple trades. The STS provides quality technical skilling to the youth of Goa, with special emphasis on encouraging participation of girl students. In Bokaro, the Vedanta ESL Skill School is equipping youth with industry-relevant skills through residential, placement-linked training programmes in trades such as Solar PV Installation and Home Appliance Repair. Since inception in 2022, the Vedanta ESL Skill School has trained over 700 youth, with more than 400 successfully placed in organised sector employment.

Complementing this effort, a total of 25 Vedanta Computer Centres and Vedanta Computer Labs across states such as Goa, Maharashtra & Karnataka, and the learning ‘cafes’ set up as part Project AAS Vidyalaya have benefited students in rural and remote areas of Jharkhand by improving digital literacy and academic outcomes. Overall 80000+ students and youth have benefitted from these digital focused initiatives.

Commenting on the occasion, Mr. Pankaj Kumar Sharma, CEO, VISL, said, "The youth of our Nation are the driving force behind India's growth story, and investing in their skills is an investment in the nation's future. At VISL, our approach to skilling goes beyond employment by enabling aspiration, nurturing potential and creating pathways to long-term socio-economic progress. Across our operating regions, we are empowering youth through technical education, digital learning, entrepreneurship and sports, helping them build meaningful careers while contributing to the vision of a Viksit Bharat."

Empowerment through sports is a key focus area for VISL. The Sesa Football Academy, in Goa, has also emerged as a platform for sporting excellence, producing over 230 graduates as part of its unique residential training program, including 14 international players, while enabling the aspirations of 8000+ young footballers, boys and girls alike, through grassroots development programmes. SFA men’s and women’s teams have also made a mark at top National level leagues such as I-League3 and Indian Women’s League (IWL) – 2 and IWL. Meanwhile, the Vedanta ESL Archery Academy in Bokaro has also been making confident strides & has nurtured the careers of over 50 young archers, many of whom have cumulatively

won over 200 medals at the district, state and national competitions, while rural sports initiatives have reached more than 400 youth across surrounding villages.

Women's economic empowerment through vocational training is being advanced through Project JIVIKA across states in Goa, Maharashtra, Odisha, Karnataka and Jharkhand, which has strengthened 280+ self-help groups and benefited over ~4000 women by supporting sustainable micro-enterprises across diverse livelihood activities such as skilling through the Vedanta Tailoring Training Centres, workshops on saree tassels and jute bag making, promoting livelihood through mushroom farming and footwear manufacturing etc.

Together, these initiatives reflect VISL's holistic approach to youth development, creating opportunities through education, employability, entrepreneurship and sports, while building resilient communities and enabling inclusive growth across the regions where it operates.