Samsung Sets The Stage For India’s Young Innovators At Samsung Solve For Tomorrow 2026

· Top 20 teams set to showcase technology-driven solutions across AI, health and education, environmental sustainability and sport

· Four winning teams to receive INR 2 crore in cumulative incubation grants to take their solutions forward

· The Top 20 teams also received INR 20 lakh in collective grants for prototype development and the latest Samsung Galaxy smartphones

After months of ideation, mentorship, prototyping and pitching, India’s young innovators are ready to take center stage as Samsung Solve for Tomorrow 2026 heads into its Grand Finale on October 14 and 15, in New Delhi. The Top 20 teams will showcase technology-driven solutions to real-world challenges and compete for INR 2 crore in cumulative incubation grants designed to help the winning ideas move closer to real-world impact.

The finalists will present their solutions across four thematic tracks — AI Living for India, Health and Education, Environmental Sustainability, and Sport & Tech — before a jury comprising Samsung leadership and experts from academia, government, and industry.

In its fifth edition, Samsung Solve for Tomorrow 2026 is bringing together young innovators from across India who are turning problems they see around them into technology-led solutions. More than half of the participants in the Top 20 come from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, with the finalists representing 18 cities across 12 states, underscoring how youth-led innovation is emerging from communities well beyond India’s traditional technology hubs.

A global problem-solving platform, Samsung Solve for Tomorrow helps youth around the world use STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) to build a better future. Participants identify problems in their communities and develop creative solutions with the help of technology.

The Grand Finale marks the culmination of a journey that has taken participants from identifying problems and applying design thinking to building prototypes, receiving expert mentorship and pitching their ideas at the national level. Four winning teams will receive INR 2 crore in cumulative incubation grants from Samsung to continue developing their solutions, with direct mentorship from IIT Delhi’s FITT.

Creating Pathways for Young Innovators

This year’s Samsung Solve for Tomorrow 2026 brought together young innovators developing solutions using technologies including AI, wearable IoT, and sustainable design. The finalists represent the breadth of ideas emerging from across India as young people explore technology-led approaches to challenges in health, education, sport, sustainability, and everyday life.

Samsung continues to strengthen the innovation ecosystem around young people through multi-year partnerships with Startup India (DPIIT), MeitY Startup Hub, Atal Innovation Mission (NITI Aayog) and Manthan (Office of Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India). These partnerships complement the program’s focus on providing young innovators with access to mentorship, technology, and support as they develop their ideas.

Guided by its global CSR vision, “Together for Tomorrow! Enabling People,” Samsung is committed to empowering young people with the knowledge, skills and opportunities they need to become the problem-solvers and innovators of tomorrow.

The Grand Finale will bring the 2026 innovation journey to its next stage, as the Top 20 teams present their solutions and compete for incubation support to develop their ideas further. 

9 In 10 Shoppers Research Extensively, Yet 70% Buy On Impulse: Google Unpacks India’s ‘Two-Speed’ Festive Consumer

● To power extensive research, over half of festive shoppers credit AI with aiding their choices, leaning on conversational tools an average of 7.5 times during their decision journey.

● 94% of chatbot users also used Google Search in their shopper journey, with their usage rate 1.3x higher than that of non-chatbot users

● 7 in 10 festive shoppers went to Google Search to research further after seeing a brand or product on social platforms

● While research runs deep, 54% of unplanned purchases are influenced by Google and YouTube

Indian festive shoppers are operating at two very different speeds. According to a Google-commissioned Ipsos consumer study, 9 in 10 consumers conduct extensive online research before buying—discovering new brands, comparing prices, and checking reviews—yet 70% of shoppers made spontaneous festive purchases, sparked by visual discovery and festive urgency.

Commenting on this two-speed shopping behavior, Roma Datta Chobey, Managing Director, Connected Consumer Commerce, Google India, said, “What stands out across India’s festive season is how deliberate research and spontaneous impulse coexist. Shoppers are taking richer, AI-guided journeys to evaluate trade-offs, yet they are equally ready to check out in hours when sparked by video and rapid delivery. With choices remaining fluid right up to the final mile, Google and YouTube sit at the heart of this behavior. Winning this season means meeting consumers at both speeds: building deep relevance during deliberation and moving fast to capture immediate demand—an agility unlocked by our Gemini-powered solutions.”

Deeper shopper curiosity powers extensive research

● Shoppers embark on richer, multi-touchpoint journeys: Thorough research stems from a curiosity to know more before buying—with festive journeys averaging over eight online searches and nearly eight videos. AI is becoming an essential festive shopping companion, with consumers consulting chatbots an average of 7.5 times, especially when evaluating categories like electronics, appliances, home decor, and personal care. This creates a more curious consumer for whom conversations act as a springboard: across shopping journeys more broadly, AI users explore 2.8x more touchpoints online as they seek deeper context.

● Festive shoppers gain purchase-ready expertise with AI: 51% of festive shoppers credit AI with helping them make choices. This expertise flexes across different needs: shoppers lean on

AI for highly specific, tailored answers in personal care and beauty, while using it to demystify complex specs, refine criteria, and evaluate trade-offs in categories like home appliances and consumer electronics. Aided with knowledge they never previously considered, buyers navigate choices with authority—a shift echoed beyond festive season, where 87% of users report making decisions with higher confidence using AI Overviews and AI Mode in Search.

Festive shopping leaves room for impulse buys

● Urgency and attractive promotions trigger spontaneity: Alongside planned research, festive shopping carries a high-momentum spontaneous track where immediate appeal drives the cart.

Google and YouTube directly influence 54% of these unplanned purchases, driven primarily by festive urgency, compelling offers, and the instant pull of discovering an appealing product in the moment.

● Visual inspiration and creators turn ideas into instant buys: Visual cues are the primary catalyst for quick action. As celebrations approach, styling searches surge and shoppers act directly on what catches their eye: 53% use visual tools like Google Lens to discover or compare products, while creators and short-form video close the decision loop. 73% of festive buyers turn to creators for inspiration, and 61% of those who made purchases within a couple of days or less without prior research used YouTube Shorts in their shopping journeys.

● Fulfillment speed becomes a crucial decision filter: Delivery timing has become critical, with 90% of shoppers viewing sub-two-day delivery as non-negotiable and 81% choosing retailers based on speed. This demand for immediacy is already visible around key festivals this season:

Google Trends recorded a sharp surge in searches for “same day delivery rakhi” a day before Rakshabandhan this year.

Across both ends of the festive spectrum—from calculated research to spontaneous impulse buys—Google and YouTube connect every step of the journey for Indian shoppers, driving both initial discovery and final validation. Across every entry point, shoppers naturally integrate the platforms into their journey: among consumers using AI chatbots, 94% concurrently turn to Google Search and 87% to YouTube, while 7 in 10 shoppers who spot products on social media turn to Google Search to evaluate them further.

Because consumers continuously explore and cross-check across channels, festive choices remain fluid right up to checkout. 8 in 10 shoppers report being open to trying new retailers — an intent that actively plays out on Google, where 51% of shoppers using Google Search and/or YouTube discover new products along their journey.

To know more, click on the Google -YouTube Festive Playbook

About Google: Google's mission is to organize the world's information and make it universally accessible and useful. Through products and platforms like Search, Maps, Gmail, Android, Google Play, Chrome and YouTube, Google plays a meaningful role in the daily lives of billions of people and has become one of the most widely-known companies in the world. Google is a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc.

Understanding India's Mental Health Mindset: Insights From अ-Nishchit Index 2.0 By Aditya Birla Sun Life Insurance

* 81% of Indians believe mental health issues are rising across society, while nearly 80% hesitate to seek therapy or counselling

* Survey of 3583 respondents across 20 cities show attitudes to mental health vary sharply by region and gender

* ABSLI and Mpower offer grief counselling to families of deceased policyholders

Aditya Birla Sun Life Insurance Company Limited (“ABSLI”), the life insurance subsidiary of Aditya Birla Capital, India’s leading diversified financial services company, today released findings from its अ-Nishchit Index 2.0 ahead of World Mental Health Day on October 10.

The findings point to growing awareness of mental health concerns in India, alongside persistent hesitation around seeking professional support. They also show that there is no single mental health story in the country, with attitudes towards therapy and the concerns people face varying significantly across regions and genders.

Key Findings:

81% of Indians believe mental health issues are rising across society, while nearly 80% hesitate to seek therapy or counselling

East India is the most hesitant. 25% of respondents in the East said they would hesitate to see a therapist, compared with 22% in the North, 21% in the West and 14% in the South

Men are more hesitant than women in East. In the East, 27% of men were hesitant compared with 24% of women

The East is most worried about rising mental-health problems. 26% of respondents in the East expressed this concern

In the North and West, women worry more than men. 25% of women and 22% of men are concerned about the growing prevalence of mental-health problems

Parents in the east worry most about their children. 25% of parents in the East are concerned about their children's ability to cope with setbacks, against a national average of 21%

Mpower’s analysis of the findings underscores the need to move beyond recognising mental health concerns towards making early help seeking more normal and accessible. With barriers to seeking support varying across regions and genders, the findings highlight the importance of creating support pathways that are accessible, relevant and easier to navigate. For ABSLI, this insight also reinforces the importance of extending support beyond financial protection to the emotional needs of families during difficult life experiences.

In line with this approach, ABSLI, in partnership with Mpower, provides grief counselling to the families and loved ones of deceased policyholders. The service connects them with trained counsellors who provide professional guidance and emotional support through bereavement. Each nominee is eligible for two complimentary grief counselling sessions, helping families access professional support during a difficult period.

Mr. Kamlesh Rao, MD & CEO, Aditya Birla Sun Life Insurance, said, "The Index shows that attitudes to mental health in India are shaped by region, gender and family circumstances, so our response has to account for those differences. At ABSLI, we see protection as more than financial cover. Our grief counselling service, run with Mpower, supports families after the loss of a loved one, when they need emotional support as much as financial support. We want asking for help to become an ordinary thing to do."

Adding further, Mr. Amit Gupta, CFO - Aditya Birla Education Trust, Head – Operations, Mpower, “The findings point to an important gap, people may recognise that mental-health concerns are rising, yet recognising distress in oneself or a loved one and knowing when to seek professional help remain very different things. Grief is a powerful example of it, as it is often deeply buried, with its impact surfacing in professional productivity, family relationships and physical health, while the need for support goes unrecognised. This reinforces the need to build mental-health literacy early and embed it in school curricula, so that recognising distress and seeking help become part of everyday life.”

About the अ-Nishchit Index 2.0:

The survey was conducted by Drshti Strategic Research Services Pvt. Ltd among 3583 respondents aged 22-60, across 20 cities in July - Oct 2025.The study maps 49 statements across 11 parameters, covering economic and financial instability, environmental and climate concerns, health and medical risks, digital and cybersecurity threats, government policies, career and employment, family and social responsibilities, retirement and ageing, and children's education and growth, alongside income, debt and financial planning. Mental health was examined as an integral part of this broader uncertainty landscape, exploring concerns around the rising prevalence of mental health issues, the ability to cope with stress, and social and personal barriers to seeking therapy. To read the complete अ-Nishchit Index 2.0 report, click here.

Disclaimer:

This information is based on findings from a research study commissioned by Aditya Birla Sun Life Insurance Company Limited and data-validated by Drshti Strategic Research Services Pvt. Ltd. The findings are based on perception-based responses collected from the stated sample, locations and survey period and should not be treated as representative of every individual or region. The information contained herein is provided solely for general informational and research purposes and is based on perception-based responses at a specific point in time. Nothing herein constitutes investment, financial, insurance, tax, or legal advice, nor an offer or solicitation of any product. Readers are advised to seek independent professional advice before making any financial or insurance decisions. Aditya Birla Sun Life Insurance Company Limited and Drshti Strategic Research Services Pvt. Ltd. disclaim any liability arising from reliance on this information.

Sony India Unveils The New ULT POWER SOUND Party Speakers Lineup — Redefined Sound & Design

Sony India today announced the expansion of its ULT POWER portfolio with the launch of 2nd Generation of ULT models ULT TOWER 5, ULT TOWER 7 and ULT TOWER MAX. Designed to deliver powerful, deep bass and an immersive party experience, the new ULT POWER lineup combines Sony’s signature sound technology with a bold, all-new tower design. The lineup features the ULT TOWER 5, ULT TOWER 7 and ULT TOWER MAX, offering powerful sound across different spaces and party environments.

With built-in batteries (except Tower Max), easy portability and DJ-focused features including XLR/RCA connectivity, the new speakers are designed to bring the ultimate party experience anywhere from intimate gatherings to large outdoor venues.

ULT TOWER 5

Sony’s new ULT TOWER 5 is designed to delivers powerful 300W sound output in a compact, portable design, making it perfect for party-ready entertainment. The speaker features a newly developed 230mm woofer with ULT DUCT technology, two tweeters and ULT POWER SOUND Mode for deep bass and high sound pressure, delivering an immersive audio experience indoors or outdoors.

With up to 20 hours of battery life under specified conditions, IPX4 water resistance, four handles and support for both vertical and horizontal placement, the ULT TOWER 5 is designed to go wherever the party does. With an iconic silhouette featuring the signature ULT button and volume knob, complemented by enhanced lighting modes—Beat, Wave, and Mellow and a striking new lighting system with 56 LEDs seven times more than its predecessor, Its evolved Sound Field Optimization technology automatically adjusts output based on the surrounding environment, whether indoors or against a wall.

Its versatile connectivity includes Bluetooth 5.3, USB-C, USB-A, RCA, XLR In/Out and microphone input, while a dedicated DJ input, karaoke features, Party Chain by Aura Cast and Stereo Pair capabilities make it easy to create a customized party setup. New low-latency DSP technology further enhances wireless connections, while lighting and sound synchronization add to the atmosphere. Measuring 358 × 534 × 280mm and weighing 12.7kg, the ULT TOWER 5 combines portability, versatility and powerful bass in a bold new party speaker.

ULT TOWER 7

The ULT TOWER 7, the newest flagship addition to its ULT series of party speakers, designed to fill any space with deep bass and 420W powerful sound. Built around a large-diameter 280mm New Circular Unit woofer paired with a rear tweeter, ULT DUCT technology, and a 2 midrange/4 tweeter front-and-rear array, the ULT TOWER 7 delivers 360-degree party sound that carries the energy of the stage to every corner of the room with new LIVE Sound and 10-band EQ working alongside ULT1/ULT2/LIVE FLAT modes for overwhelming bass and sound pressure.

Its evolved Sound Field Optimization technology automatically adjusts output based on the surrounding environment, whether indoors or against a wall. The tower's robust, portable design features a durable IPX4-rated (vertical) build, four handles, upgraded rear wheels for easy transport, and a striking new lighting system with 72 LEDs nine times more than its predecessor, unified silhouette with a signature front ULT button. Built for DJs and party hosts alike, the speaker supports XLR/RCA DJ input, USB-C connectivity for PCs and smartphones, wired multi-speaker chaining, a new low-latency DSP, karaoke functionality with mic volume and echo controls, and up to 30 hours of battery life. With the ULT TOWER 7, Sony brings genuine party sound anywhere at home, outdoors, or on the go.

ULT TOWER MAX

The ULT TOWER MAX, the new flagship of its ULT series, is engineered to deliver 2150W Power Output with soul-shaking bass and overwhelming sound pressure that brings the arena vibe home in a single speaker. At its core sit three large-diameter 280mm New Circular Unit woofers two front, one rear working alongside ULT DUCT technology, 2 midrange and 4 tweeters (front and rear), and a 10-band EQ to produce true 360-degree party sound. With ULT1/ULT2/LIVE FLAT modes and an evolved Sound Field Optimization system that adapts to noise conditions and nearby walls, the TOWER MAX ensures every guest feels the bass, no matter where they're standing in the room.

Designed for DJs and hosts of large-scale gatherings, it offers XLR/RCA DJ input, USB-C connectivity for PCs and smartphones, wired multi-speaker and stereo pairing, a new low-latency DSP, and full karaoke functionality with mic volume and echo control from the back panel or app. The speaker's robust, versatile design includes a splash-resistant top panel, four handles, side wheels, and support for both vertical and horizontal placement all wrapped in a bold new lighting design featuring 100 LEDs, a dramatic leap from the 34 LEDs (24 top, 10 bottom) on its predecessor, the TOWER 10. With the ULT TOWER MAX, Sony redefines what a single speaker can bring to the ultimate party.

Launch Offer

Get a Dual Wireless MIC worth Rs.19,990 with the ULT TOWER MAX, along with cashback of up to Rs.15,000. Enjoy Rs.4,999 cashback on the ULT TOWER 7 and Rs.3,000 cashback on the ULT TOWER 5.

Pricing and Availability:

The ULT TOWER 5 and ULT TOWER 7 will be available from 8th October, while the ULT TOWER MAX will be available from 15th November onwards across Sony retail stores, including Sony Centre and Sony Exclusive stores, as well as on Amazon.

About Sony India Pvt. Ltd.

Sony India Private Limited (Sony India), a private limited company with its ultimate holding company as Sony Group Corporation, Japan, has established itself as a premium brand in various product categories including television, digital imaging, personal audio, home entertainment, gaming, car audio, and professional solutions. The company places a strong emphasis on customer satisfaction and maintains high standards in sales and services. Sony also prioritizes environmental sustainability, aiming to achieve a zero environmental footprint throughout the lifecycle of its products and business activities to contribute to a healthier and enriched life for all of humanity and future generations.

Ageas Federal Life Insurance Launches GIFT City’s First Multi-Currency Life Insurance Plan - Aurum Advantage

* Offers investment options in USD, EUR and GBP, with exposure to global equities, fixed income and gold

* Marks Ageas Federal Life Insurance’s entry into GIFT City

* Provides exposure to international equities, fixed income and gold, along with life insurance protection

Ageas Federal Life Insurance (AFLI), one of India’s leading private life insurers, today announced the launch of Aurum Advantage Plan, the first multi-currency life insurance plan offered by a life insurer in GIFT City. Customers can invest in US Dollars, Euros or Pounds while receiving life insurance protection.

The launch marks AFLI’s commencement of operations at Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City), India’s first International Financial Services Centre (IFSC), and expands the company’s offerings for internationally mobile customers.

Aurum Advantage Plan is a Unit Linked Insurance Plan (ULIP) that offers access to multiple asset classes, including international equities, fixed income and gold, enabling diversification across geographies and investment categories.

The plan offers multiple premium payment options and fund strategies. It also provides a partial withdrawal facility with no lock-in period, along with maturity benefits, loyalty additions and death benefits, subject to applicable terms and conditions.

Aurum Advantage Plan is available to customers of any nationality, irrespective of residential status, including NRIs, OCIs and PIOs, subject to applicable terms and conditions. The minimum ticket size is USD 3,000, EUR 3,000 or GBP 3,000, depending on the currency selected.

Commenting on the launch, Mr. Jude Gomes, Managing Director & CEO, Ageas Federal Life Insurance, said, “Customers with international financial interests are increasingly seeking solutions that allow them to invest across currencies and markets. Aurum Advantage Plan addresses this need by combining multi-currency investment options with life insurance protection. Our entry into GIFT City gives us a strong platform to serve customers across international markets with solutions designed for their evolving financial needs.”

Through its GIFT City operations, Ageas Federal Life Insurance will cater to customers across key international markets, including the Middle East, North America, Europe, the UK, Singapore and Australia.

The company also plans to add term insurance and pension products to its GIFT City portfolio in the near future. To know more about Aurum Advantage, please visit (Aurum Website Link). 

Brigade Group Completes 40 Years, Unveils Ambitious Growth Roadmap For The Next Three Years

Photo Caption: L-R: Pradyumna Krishnakumar, Executive Director, Brigade Group. Nirupa Shankar, Jt. Managing Director, Brigade Group. M R Jaishankar, Executive Chairman, Brigade Group. Pavitra Shankar, Managing Director, Brigade Group. Amar Mysore, Executive Director, Brigade Group. Yogesh Patel, Chief Financial Officer, Brigade Group.

* With Investment Outlay Of Around ₹ 40K Crores

Leading real estate developer, Brigade Group, today marked the completion of 40 years in business. Outlining its growth plans for the next three years, the company said that it will invest approximately ₹ 40K crores over the next three years for a development pipeline of 40 million sq. ft. across its markets. Over the past four decades, Brigade has developed more than 110 million sq. ft. across 300+ projects and established its presence across 10 cities. The Group has built a diversified portfolio that includes residential communities, office developments, retail destinations, hotels. Brigade’s operating leasing portfolio has scaled to approximately 10 million sq. ft. and is growing with additional launches and development underway.

Commenting on four decades of operations, M R Jaishankar, Executive Chairman, Brigade Group, said, “Brigade was built on the belief that real estate is ultimately about creating places that have enduring value for people, businesses and communities. Over four decades, we have grown with the cities and markets in which we operate, adapting to changing aspirations and economic realities. Our next phase will be about taking that experience into new markets and new opportunities while remaining grounded in the values that have shaped Brigade.”

Over the next three years, Brigade plans to invest across residential, commercial, retail, hospitality and its emerging businesses including warehousing. The investments will be funded through a combination of internal accruals, project-level financing, strategic partnerships and other appropriate funding avenues, while maintaining a disciplined approach to capital allocation.

The World Trade Centre (WTC) platform will remain a key pillar of Brigade’s commercial growth strategy. Building on its successful portfolio of WTC developments, the Group has secured licences for three new World Trade Centres in Devanahalli and Whitefield, Bengaluru, and Coimbatore. At the same time, Brigade is extending the footprint of its flagship Orion brand beyond Bengaluru, with upcoming developments in Chennai and Hyderabad, marking a significant expansion into two of South India’s most dynamic commercial and consumption markets.

Brigade is also fostering innovation with Brigade REAP, India’s pioneering real estate accelerator that has supported 100+ startups, and Earth Fund, a first-of-its-kind venture and growth fund in the country, focused on investing in sustainable innovation within the built environment. The Group is deploying artificial intelligence, Building Information Modelling, IoT-enabled systems, data analytics, automation, construction technology and smart-building platforms across different stages of the development lifecycle.

Brigade is also expected to have a significant employment impact across its operating markets. Over the next three years, Brigade estimates that its planned developments and new businesses will generate approximately 23,000 direct and indirect gross employment opportunities across construction, engineering, hospitality, retail, facility management, technology.

The Group has set a target of achieving Net Zero emissions by 2045 and is working towards this through a combination of energy-efficient design, renewable energy, water conservation, responsible waste management and sustainable construction practices across its developments.

Brigade Foundation, the Group's CSR and social impact arm is set to take up one of its most significant civic infrastructure initiatives yet, the comprehensive development of Pipeline Road in Yeshwanthpur, under the Government of Karnataka's “Namma Bengaluru, Namma Koduge” scheme, implemented in association with the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP). Brigade Foundation remains central to the Group’s vision of creating enduring value beyond business. Through focused interventions in education, healthcare, community development and environmental sustainability, the Foundation works to strengthen communities and foster inclusive growth across its areas of operation.

As Brigade enters its fifth decade, the Group’s focus will be on combining the strength of its established businesses with new growth opportunities emerging from India’s changing economic and urban landscape. With a growing development pipeline, investments across multiple asset classes, expansion into new markets and the creation of new business verticals, Brigade is positioning itself for the next phase of its journey while continuing to build on the platform created over the past 40 years.

BCIC And CSGAK Sign MoU To Launch Quad-Series Golf Tournaments

* Golden Jubilee initiative to bring together corporate leaders, civil servants and international trade representatives through sport and networking

The Bangalore Chamber of Industry and Commerce (BCIC) and the Civil Services Golf Association, Karnataka (CSGAK) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Bengaluru on Wednesday to jointly conceptualise, organise and conduct the Quad-Series Golf Tournaments, aimed at strengthening engagement between industry, government and the international business community.

The partnership assumes special significance as BCIC celebrates its Golden Jubilee this year. The tournament series will bring together industry captains, corporate leaders, senior State and Central Government officials, serving and retired civil servants, including IAS, IPS, IFS and IRS officers and international trade representatives on a common platform for networking, camaraderie and sporting engagement.

CA K. Ravi, President, Bangalore Chamber of Industry and Commerce (BCIC), said, “Industry and administration are the two wheels of development-one drives enterprise, investment and innovation, while the other provides governance, policy and stability. The Quad is more than a sporting initiative; it is a bridge for dialogue, better understanding and stronger collaboration between industry leaders and civil servants. We believe this partnership will help deepen Industry-Government engagement and contribute to a smoother Ease of Doing Business environment in Karnataka.”

Shri Umesh Kumar, President, Civil Services Golf Association, Karnataka (CSGAK), said, “This partnership with BCIC brings together two important communities that contribute and significantly to Karnataka’s growth and development. Golf provides a natural setting for interaction, mutual understanding and fellowship. Through this series, we look forward to building stronger connections between civil servants, industry leaders and other stakeholders while promoting sportsmanship and camaraderie.”

*Golf to Create New Avenues for Industry-Government Engagement*

The Quad-Series has been conceived as more than a sporting initiative. It will create opportunities for participants from the corporate, administrative and international communities to engage outside formal institutional settings, while promoting wellness, sportsmanship and long-term relationship-building.

The tournament series is scheduled to begin on October 10, 2026 at Bangalore Golf Club, followed by the second event on December 12, 2026 at Karnataka Golf Association (KGA). The next leg will be held on January 23 and 24, 2027 at JWGC, while the concluding tournament is planned for

February 2027 at Pilikula.

The MoU establishes a collaborative framework under which BCIC and CSGAK will work together to plan and execute the tournament series and build sustained engagement among participating stakeholders.

BCIC, a premier apex Chamber of Commerce representing large and medium-scale industries in Karnataka, has played an active role in promoting trade, investment, policy dialogue and corporate networking. Its Golden Jubilee celebrations mark five decades of engagement with industry, government and the wider business ecosystem.

CSGAK comprises senior bureaucrats and serving and retired civil servants and promotes wellness, fellowship and sportsmanship through golf.

The partnership is expected to add a new dimension to public-private engagement by using sport as a platform for dialogue, networking and relationship-building among leaders from industry, administration and the international business community.

Air India Elevates International Travel Experience With Tata Communications-Powered EasyRoam Travel Sim

* Easy and affordable international roaming access in 30 countries

Air India, India’s leading global airline and Tata Communications, a leading global communications technology player, today announced the launch of EasyRoam – an Air India-branded travel SIM, offering international roaming service, developed in partnership with Tata Communications.

EasyRoam is an ancillary product available for purchase as a physical SIM as well as eSIM on a dedicated Air India-branded webpage. It allows Air India guests access to voice and data services on roaming while travelling internationally.

Inaugural offer and geographical coverage

In its inaugural phase of the rollout, the EasyRoam SIM is available free of cost, but roaming pack charges will apply. The roaming packs – available for 30 countries across North America, Europe (including the UK), Australia, Asia Pacific and the Middle East - start from INR 241 (excluding taxes), with prices varying by destination and plan selected.

Customers purchasing a data plan can also avail up to 1GB of additional complimentary data, applicable in all countries except Maldives and Mauritius.

The EasyRoam SIM’s geographical coverage will progressively expand to up to 190 countries in total. Air India guests can choose from destination-specific or worldwide travel plans, with options for data-only or voice + data connectivity, based on their travel needs.

“Today’s travellers expect travel experience to be seamless, instant and secure,” said Vivek Manglik, Executive Vice President – Interaction Fabric, Tata Communications. “Through our collaboration with Air India, we’re bringing travel connectivity into the booking journey itself, enabling customers to choose and activate their mobile plan before departure and go online the moment they arrive. Together, we’re making international connectivity simpler, more secure and more transparent, giving travellers greater control, visibility and peace of mind wherever they travel.”

Nipun Aggarwal, Chief Commercial Officer, Air India, said: “The way people travel has evolved over the years. Today’s travellers increasingly live, work and socialise across borders, and they expect uninterrupted access to the digital services that power their daily lives. EasyRoam addresses this need by enabling our customers to stay connected effortlessly while travelling internationally, without the hassle of arranging for connectivity after arrival. It is another step in our effort to create a more seamless, digitally enabled travel experience in partnership with Tata Communications.”

Simple purchase and activation process

Designed as a digital-first travel connectivity service, EasyRoam offers customers a simple activation process, along with greater transparency and control over their mobile usage. Travellers will receive timely notifications and alerts to help them monitor consumption and manage costs while travelling abroad. Air India customers opting for the SIM can retain their number for up to one year at a nominal cost.

Tata Communications’ extensive global footprint and partnership with 600+ mobile network operators enables travellers to access high-quality connectivity and choose mobile plans best suited to their destination and travel needs.

Easy Roam is currently available for purchase through the Air India website and will subsequently be available through the Air India mobile app, offering customers a convenient way to stay connected while travelling internationally.

The EcoGram Project Marks A Decade Of Impact, Saves 19,623 Cubic Metres Of Landfill Space

* The programme has recycled 1,524 MT of dry waste and reduced 5,583 MT of CO₂ equivalent emissions since 2016

The EcoGram Project, an initiative of The Anonymous Indian Charitable Trust (TAICT), has completed a decade of work with the Bettahalasuru Gram Panchayat in North Bengaluru to build a replicable model for sustainable waste, water and soil management. What began as a pilot in Tarahunise village in 2016 now spans 10 villages and 4,802 households. Over the past decade, EcoGram has saved 19,623 cubic metres of landfill space, equivalent to approximately 16 acre-feet, while recycling 1,524 MT of dry waste. Its interventions have also saved 8,647 trees through paper recycling, conserved 3,343 MWh of energy, saved 1,505 KL of fuel and reduced 5,583 MT of CO₂ equivalent emissions through FY26.

Myriam Shankar, Managing Trustee, TAICT, said, “Introducing source segregation in a locality where the practice had never existed was an uphill task. It required sustained engagement with local government representatives, villagers and commercial establishments, alongside the infrastructure, people and operations needed to make the system work. Over the past decade, we have built an end-to-end model spanning collection, transportation, secondary segregation and processing, with the active involvement of the local community.”

Mr. Jitendra Virwani, Chairman, Embassy Group, who has supported the project since its inception, said, “The most important lesson from EcoGram is that lasting environmental change begins with local ownership. Over the last decade, the people of Bettahalasuru, the Panchayat and project partners have shown that when communities are equipped with the right systems, solutions can become part of everyday life. What has taken shape here is a practical model that other communities can learn from and adapt to their own needs.”

The decade milestone was commemorated at the EcoHub in Bettahalasuru, the Panchayat’s Integrated Solid Waste Management Centre, bringing together community members, waste workers, Panchayat representatives and project partners. Smt. Meena Sheshadri, wife of Shri Krishna Byre Gowda, Hon’ble Minister for Greater Bengaluru Development, Government of Karnataka, attended as Chief Guest, with Mr. Virwani as Guest of Honour. Frontline workers were felicitated, while 30 Gram Panchayat members were recognised for their contribution to local environmental initiatives.

A key pillar of EcoGram is its integrated waste management system, built around the 2Bin1Bag model and the EcoHub. The system covers source segregation, collection, sorting and processing, with primary segregation crossing 96% in recent years. Wet waste is processed through biomethanisation and composting, while dry waste is sorted for recycling.

The initiative has also supported with the upkeep and beautification of Tarahunise and Thimmasandra Lakes, through measures including bund strengthening, vetiver planting and floating treatment wetlands. Biodiversity assessments at Tarahunise Lake have documented 469 species. In addition, agroforestry interventions have converted 11 acres of eucalyptus plantations into Malabar Neem and Silver Oak.

EcoGram has combined environmental action with opportunities for local livelihoods. Threads of Life, launched in 2022 with the Yuvalok Foundation, has enabled 169 local women to graduate from tailoring and skill-building programmes. Through its ReThread initiative, trainees have since upcycled more than 1,280 products from post-consumer textile waste.

The Bettahalasur Gram Panchayat, through EcoGram, has received several national accolades over the years, including the Gandhi Grama Puraskar Award for Sanitation, recognising its work in improving sanitation and environmental practices. 

Sprite Turns Up The Heat With ‘Sprite Truth & Spice’, Bringing Celebrity, Food And Challenges Together

* Marking Sprite’s first foray into the game-show format, the series extends Sprite’s association with spice into a new world of celebrity entertainment and pop culture.

Link to the trailer: https://youtu.be/VtkdgQIMTDs?si=Ej_gBxd4fkrWd5t0

Sprite, Coca-Cola’s billion-dollar lemon-lime flavoured beverage brand, today announced the launch of Sprite Truth & Spice - an eight-episode digital entertainment series inspired by India's shared love for spicy food and authentic conversations. Designed for today's digital-first audiences, the series brings together celebrity pairings as they take on iconic spicy dishes through playful challenges, candid conversations and unscripted moments, turning everyday spice into a fresh pop-culture experience.

The series features an eclectic mix of personalities, including comedian Aaditya Kulshreshth, popularly known as Kullu, and travel creator Larissa D’sa; digital creator Shreya Kalra (winner of Lock Upp Season 2) with Rishabh Jaiswal; Indian cricketer Arshdeep Singh with Samreen Kaur; music producer and singer-songwriter Garv Taneja with Nandini Nayal (Gini); actors and dancers Shantanu Maheshwari and Shruti Sinha; Varun Sood and Vihaan Samat; stand-up comedians Swati Sachdeva and Gurleen Pannu; and Nayani Pavani with Mehaboob Dil Se.

Two episodes of Sprite Truth & Spice will be presented in association with Tinder, bringing together two brands that celebrate connection, conversation and shared experiences. The partnership adds a fresh cultural layer to the series, creating relatable moments that resonate with young audiences.

Sumeli Chatterjee, Category Head - Sparkling Flavours, Coca-Cola India and Southwest Asia, said, “Sprite’s crisp lemon-lime taste has always been a natural match for spicy food. Today, spicy is more than just a flavour; it’s a social experience, a challenge to take on, and a reason to come together. That’s 'Sprite Truth & Spice', a format built on truth-or-dare, our own love for card-games and a serious amount of spicy food. Viewers can expect unfiltered truths, confessions nobody saw coming, chaotic chemistry, and it all starts with a can of Sprite or Sprite Zero, bringing a refreshing twist to every spicy moment. It’s a fun, spontaneous hangout ritual that lets friends, families and even strangers to play along.”

The season trailer has premiered, with weekly episodes rolling out from 17 September to 5 November 2026. Sprite Truth & Spice will be available on Sprite’s YouTube channel, supported by creator collaborations, social-first content and amplification across Sprite and partner digital channels.

About Coca Cola:

Coca-Cola in India is one of the country’s leading beverage companies, offering a range of high-quality and refreshing beverage options to consumers. The company, in line with its vision of ‘Beverages For Life’ offers a wide portfolio of products which includes hydration, sports, sparkling, coffee, tea, nutrition, juice and dairy based products. In India its beverage range includes Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, Diet Coke, Thums Up, Thums Up XForce, Charged, Fanta, Limca, Sprite, Sprite Zero, Kinley Soda, Rimzim, Maaza, Minute Maid range of juices and Honest Tea. The Company also offers hydration beverages including Limca GlucoCharge, Smartwater, Kinley, Kinley Copper, Dasani and Bonaqua packaged drinking water. Premium products constitute Schweppes’ range and Smartwater. In addition, it offers a Costa Coffee range of tea and coffee. The Company is constantly transforming its portfolio, from reducing sugar in its drinks to bringing innovative new products to market.

The Company along with its owned bottling operations and franchise bottling partners has a strong network of over six million retail outlets through which it refreshes millions of consumers across the country. It seeks to positively impact people’s lives, communities, and the planet through water and packaging initiatives, sustainable agriculture and emission reductions across its value chain.

Globally together with its bottling partners, The Coca-Cola Company employs more than 700,000 people, helping to bring economic opportunity to local communities worldwide. Learn more at www.cocacolacompany.com and follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn. 

Samsung Announces ‘Samsung Week’ 2026: The Ultimate AI-Powered Shopping Extravaganza

Samsung India today announced the launch of ‘Samsung Week’ 2026, a festival bringing together its connected AI ecosystem across Galaxy AI, Bespoke AI and Vision AI through SmartThings, with exclusive offers and benefits across its portfolio. Going live today on Samsung.com, the Samsung Shop App and at Samsung Exclusive Stores, Samsung Week offers discounts ranging from 31% to 60%, along with cashback of up to INR 25,000, across smartphones, tablets, laptops, wearables, accessories, TVs, monitors and digital appliances.

As part of ‘Samsung Week’ 2026, consumers can also access enhanced warranty benefits, including a one-year extended warranty with an additional two years at no additional cost on eligible products.

Built around the theme of ‘Your Companion to AI Living’, ‘Samsung Week’ 2026 brings together Samsung’s AI experiences across the devices and products that are part of consumers’ everyday lives. Galaxy AI supports more intuitive ways to communicate, create, and stay productive, while Vision AI enhances the viewing experience, and Bespoke AI brings greater intelligence and convenience to everyday home routines. Connected through SmartThings, these experiences come to life across Samsung’s AI-powered ecosystem, helping consumers experience a more connected approach to AI in their daily lives. The latest Galaxy devices bring Galaxy AI experiences across communication, productivity, creativity, and everyday tasks.

During ‘Samsung Week’ 2026, eligible consumers can benefit from the highest online exchange value* and any-condition exchange when upgrading to select Galaxy devices. Galaxy Forever also offers eligible consumers long-term EMI options, while multi-bank cashback, first-purchase rewards, and loyalty benefits provide additional value across Samsung’s direct channels.

Consumers can avail up to 34% off on select Galaxy smartphones, including flagship Galaxy S series devices, Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, Galaxy Z Fold8, and a wide range of Galaxy A series and Galaxy M series smartphones. Customers can also avail instant bank discounts of up to INR 10,000^, along with multi-buy benefits of up to INR 9,500, Galaxy Forever benefits including up to 55% assured buyback and free Samsung Care+.

Consumers looking to expand their connected Galaxy experience can avail up to 60% off on select Galaxy tablets, wearables and accessories, along with instant bank discounts of up to INR 6,500^. Select first-time purchases on Samsung.com and the Samsung Shop App can also receive benefits of up to INR 2,000*, while eligible customers under the Student & Corporate Program can receive up to 5% off.

The latest Galaxy Book series laptops are available at up to 31% off, with instant bank discounts of up to INR 5,000^. First-time purchases on Samsung.com and the Samsung Shop App can receive additional benefits of up to INR 2,000*, while eligible customers under the Student & Corporate Program can receive up to 10% off.

In the visual display segment, select Micro RGB, OLED, Neo QLED, Mini LED, QLED and Crystal UHD TVs are available at up to 51% off. Additional benefits include free* TVs or soundbars on select models, free* bezels with select Frame TVs, exchange bonuses of up to INR 5,000+, zero-down-payment options and up to 12-month No Cost EMI options. Select TVs also come with a free 3-year comprehensive warranty (1 Year Standard + 2 Year Extended) during the limited-period offer. Samsung’s Vision AI experiences bring intelligent features to the viewing experience, with select TVs designed to optimize picture and sound based on content and the viewing environment.

Select audio products are also available with additional promotional benefits, including a 5% Add To Cart benefit up to INR 5,400* on eligible products.

Samsung’s digital appliances portfolio is available with offers across categories. Refrigerators are available at up to 48% off, along with Samsung Care+ benefits, instant cart discounts of up to INR 3,000*, Buy More, Save More benefits, up to 12-month No Cost EMI and a 10-year compressor warranty. Select products also come with long-term EMI options of up to 30 months, with the lowest EMI starting at INR 990. Bespoke Package benefits include 7.5% off on the purchase of two eligible products and 10% off on the purchase of three or more.

Washing machines are available at up to 49% off, supported by Samsung Care+ benefits, instant cart discounts of up to INR 2,000*, ‘Buy More, Save More’ benefits and Bespoke Package offers. Select products include a 10-year motor warranty, long-term EMI options of up to 30 months and lowest EMI starting at INR 890.

Select microwaves also come with no-cost EMI options, zero-down-payment offers, and a 5-year warranty on the enamel cavity.

Select air conditioners are available at up to 58% off, with a 5-year comprehensive warranty comprising one year of standard warranty and four years of extended warranty. Additional benefits include 5% off on the purchase of two eligible WindFree models, a fixed EMI of INR 1,990 and long-term EMI options of up to 30 months.

Customers can also access up to 60% off on select monitors, including Odyssey OLED gaming monitors, with instant cart discounts of up to INR 5,000. Select monitors also feature Smart TV experiences with AI. Consumers can also benefit from Samsung Care+, which offers extended protection across select appliances.

Across categories, customers can access bank cashback and discounts of up to 22.5%##, with maximum benefits varying by category. These include cashback of up to INR 25,000 on select panels, up to INR 20,000 on select video display products, up to INR 21,000 on digital appliances, up to INR 21,500 on refrigerators, up to INR 9,000 on washing machines, up to INR 6,000 on microwaves and up to INR 14,000 on air conditioners.

Customers can also access loyalty points of up to 2%, alongside exchange options, first-purchase benefits, Student & Corporate Program benefits and EMI options across eligible products and channels.

Consumers can visit Samsung.com, the Samsung Shop App, or their nearest Samsung Exclusive Store to explore the latest AI-powered devices and offers available during ‘Samsung Week’ 2026.

TP Solar, Manufacturing Arm Of Tata Power Renewables, Records 1 GW Module And 0.9 GW Cell Production In Q2 FY27

Photo Caption: TP Solar Records Strong Manufacturing Momentum with 1 GW Module and 0.9 GW Cell Production in Q2 FY27

The modules are Domestic Content Requirement (DCR) - compliant and listed under the Government of India’s Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM)

TP Solar Limited (TP Solar), the solar manufacturing arm of The Tata Power Company Limited (Tata Power) and a wholly owned subsidiary of Tata Power Renewable Energy Limited (TPREL), achieved a strong manufacturing performance in Q2 FY27 (July - September 2026), producing 1 GW of solar modules and 0.9 GW of solar cells.

In H1FY26, i.e. from April to September 2026, TP Solar manufactured 2 GW of Modules and 1.8 GW of Cells. This production performance underscores TP Solar’s consistent capacity ramp-up and improving operational efficiency. The modules are compliant with Domestic Content Requirement (DCR) norms and approved under the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM).

TP Solar operates one of India’s largest single-location state of the art, 4.3 GW Solar Cell and Module manufacturing facility in Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu.

The facility is also distinguished by a workforce comprising nearly 80% women, reflecting the Company’s strong commitment to inclusive workforce. Tata Power, through its subsidiary, TPREL, has invested nearly ₹ 4,300 crore in establishing this facility. The investment represents a significant milestone in advancing indigenization across the solar value chain and reinforces the Tata Power’s strategic focus on achieving self-sufficiency in solar cell and module manufacturing.

Equipped with advanced TOPCon and Mono PERC technologies, the plant produces ALMM - certified modules as also DCR modules using Made in India Cells in this plant. The plant also features cutting-edge AI/ML-driven systems and Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs), and exemplifies next-generation manufacturing through intelligent automation and superior operational efficiency.

The facility aligns with Tata Power’s commitment to supporting India’s vision for a Net-Zero carbon future with local manufacturing capabilities.

About Tata Power:

The Tata Power Company Limited, a vertically integrated power company and part of the Tata Group, India’s largest multinational business conglomerate, has built a diversified portfolio across the entire power value chain, with its total operational and under-construction capacity surpassing 26 GW. This includes approximately 17.7 GW of clean and green energy capacity (including projects under construction) and around 8.8 GW of thermal generation capacity, ensuring a balanced and resilient energy mix. The Company also has a strong transmission and distribution footprint, with over 7,800 circuit kilometres of transmission lines, including pipeline projects, and serves over 13 million customers across its distribution businesses, making it one of India’s largest private power distribution companies. Further strengthening its leadership in future-ready energy solutions, Tata Power has established 4.9 GW of integrated solar cell and module manufacturing capacity, signed 2.8 GW of pumped hydro storage projects, and expanded its EV charging network to over 7,000 public charging points across 717 cities and towns in India. As a pioneer in India’s clean energy transition, Tata Power remains committed to achieving Net Zero by 2045 and continues to partner with public and private stakeholders to deliver reliable, sustainable, and technology-led energy solutions across the country.   

New To Edits: An Editor Or Your Carousels

Starting today, you can make carousels in Edits. Mix your photos and videos on a canvas and access the creative tools from Edits you already know, plus a few new ones built specifically for carousels.

I'm Dan Moreno, Design Engineer on the Edits team, helping build an editor that supports your entire creative journey. When we asked creators what they hoped Edits could do next, carousels came up again and again. Carousels are a powerful way to tell your stories, letting you string together photos and videos into something bigger. Creators are constantly finding new ways to push the carousel format, from seamless layouts to creative cutout effects and much more. We set out to build a canvas that could keep up with this creativity.

A new canvas for your ideas

Carousels have evolved beyond a linear sequence of photos and videos. Our editor lets you add photos, videos and text to your projects. Use a layout, create stickers with the cutout tool, and use filters or adjustments. A photo can bleed from one slide into the next, and a headline can carry across them, turning the swipe itself into part of the storytelling.

Creating the exact carousel you have in mind requires precision. The tools you already use in Edits, including color grading, scale and rotation make it easy to line up every element exactly as you intended.
Your brand carries over

We want Edits to feel like your own creative studio, where the fonts, styles and colors you’ve saved exist across projects and formats.

The carousel editor is a natural extension of Edits. You'll recognize a familiar interface, and your presets are already saved: adjustments, colors, audio, text styles. Your visual identity is how people know a post is yours, and now it extends to the carousels you make in Edits.

Get inspired: Raven from @Beautymavenraven used the new carousel feature to showcase the makeup staples she’s been hyperfixated on lately, from foundation to primer. She uses stickers, her signature yellow font, a mix of video and images, and cutouts to showcase each product clearly.
Post directly to Instagram

When you’re done editing, share your carousel straight from Edits to Instagram or download your carousel to post anywhere. No need to export, reupload or worry about quality loss along the way.

Getting Started and Tips

How to get started on iOS (Android coming soon):

Open Edits and go to the Projects tab

Press (+) and click Carousel

Choose one or more photos and videos you want to include

Lay out your media on our canvas

Edit your media with our suite of tools like audio, text, filters, adjustments and cutouts

Share your carousels directly from Edits to Instagram

Here’s a few tips as you start creating:

Add a new slide: Tap the “+” button in the editor to insert a blank slide, or pull from the right edge of the carousel for a shortcut

Reorder your slides: Tap on “...” on any slide to duplicate a slide, insert a new slide on the left and right of the current slide or reorder your slides

Pick a layout: Use the layout tool to quickly add multiple photos in preset layouts. You can change the padding and spacing for the items in the layout as well as edit adjustments and filters individually inside a layout

We’ll keep building this editor with you. As carousels evolve, your creativity will shape what we build next. Try Edits if you haven’t already and tag @creators to share what you’ve made. Keep the feedback coming on Instagram and Threads.

ICICI Bank Brings Back ‘Festive Bonanza’ With Exciting Deals Across Shopping, Travel, And Lifestyle Brands

* 10% discount on Flipkart’s Big Billion Days sale

* Up to ₹7,000 instant cashback on the new iPhone Duo^, iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max

* Up to ₹30,000 discount on electronics from LG, Samsung and Haier

* Up to ₹35,000 discount on MakeMyTrip holiday packages

ICICI Bank's annual 'Festive Bonanza' returns with attractive offers across leading brands in online shopping, mobile phones, electronics, travel, furniture and home decor, fashion, quick commerce, and more. Customers can enjoy exclusive deals, discounts and cashbacks, using ICICI Bank credit/debit cards, internet banking, cardless EMI, and no-cost EMI options.

The Bank has partnered with Flipkart on its Big Billion Days sale, slated to begin from October 8, 2026, wherein customers can avail 10% discount across a range of products.

The Bank offers instant cashback up to ₹7,000 on the new iPhone Duo^, iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, and up to ₹15,000 on some Apple products. ICICI Bank credit card holders can also exclusively opt for Apple's 'iPhone for Life' programme. It allows them to pay for select iPhone models in 24-month interest free installments starting at ₹2,497 and offers a guaranteed buyback option for the existing iPhone when they upgrade to their next iPhone.

The Bank has also partnered with other leading brands such as Google Pixel, LG, Sony, Samsung, Haier, HP, Dell, Croma, Reliance Digital, Vijay Sales, Air India, MakeMyTrip, Goibibo, Yatra, Ajio, Tata Cliq, Blinkit, Urban ladder, and Pepperfry, among others.

Speaking on the offerings, an ICICI Bank Spokesperson said, "Festive celebrations are about joy and togetherness, and we want to make them even more special. With this year's 'Festive Bonanza', we have partnered with leading brands to bring exciting offers that make our customers' shopping experience more rewarding, convenient and memorable. Our customers can avail these offers by using ICICI Bank's credit and debit cards, credit card EMIs and internet banking."

Other key offers* include:

Mobile phones: Up to ₹10,000 discount on Google Pixel 11 and Xiaomi smartphones, and up to ₹5,000 discount on Oppo and OnePlus phones.

Fashion: Up to 12% discount on shopping at Tata Cliq and Ajio.

Electronics: Up to ₹30,000 discount across LG, Samsung, Haier, Sony, HP, Microsoft Surface, and JBL, among others. Customers can also avail attractive discounts on a range of products at Croma, Reliance Digital, and Vijay Sales.

Travel: Up to ₹35,000 discount on flights, hotels and holiday packages across travel platforms like MakeMyTrip, Goibibo, Yatra, Easemytrip, Ixigo, Paytm flights, among others, and 10% discount on Air India flight bookings through their website.

Furniture and home decor: Up to 30% discount on Pepperfry, Urban Ladder, The Sleep Company, Sleepyhead, Duroflex, Bonito Designs, Interior Company, and Furniselan.

Quick commerce: Discounts on grocery and other purchases through Flipkart Minutes, Blinkit and Zepto.

Special offers: Up to 35% discount on brands like Avis, Cordelia Cruises, Pickyourtrail, Nasher Miles, Ferns N Petals, IGP, Elivaas, among others.

Other all-time benefits on ICICI Bank Credit Cards:

Customers can get reward points upto 5% on Amazon purchases* using the Amazon Pay ICICI Bank Credit Card

They can get reward points upto 7% on Adani One Ecosystem* using the Adani One ICICI Bank Credit Card

*Terms & conditions apply on the offers

^Offer applicable post launch

To know more and avail the ‘Festive Bonanza’ offers, visit https://www.icici.bank.in/campaigns/bonanza/index

For news and updates, visit www.icici.bank.in and follow us on X at www.x.com/ICICIBank.

For media queries, write to: corporate.communications@icici.bank.in

About ICICI Bank: ICICI Bank Ltd (BSE: ICICIBANK, NSE: ICICIBANK and NYSE:IBN) is a leading private sector bank in India. The Bank’s total assets stood at ₹ 24,32,426 crore at June 30, 2026.

Certain statements in this release relating to a future period of time (including inter alia concerning our future business plans or growth prospects) are forward-looking statements intended to qualify for the 'safe harbor' under applicable securities laws including the US Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to statutory and regulatory changes, international economic and business conditions; political or economic instability in the jurisdictions where we have operations, increase in non - performing loans, unanticipated changes in interest rates, foreign exchange rates, equity prices or other rates or prices, our growth and expansion in business, the adequacy of our allowance for credit losses, the actual growth in demand for banking products and services, investment income, cash flow projections, our exposure to market risks, changes in India’s sovereign rating, as well as other risks detailed in the reports filed by us with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. Any forward-looking statements contained herein are based on assumptions that we believe to be reasonable as of the date of this release. ICICI Bank undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date thereof. Additional risks that could affect our future operating results are more fully described in our filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. These filings are available at www.sec.gov   

Tata AIA Expands Advisor Outreach Through Community-Led Engagements Across India

* Career Carnival, Masik Bima Diwas and occasion-led activations bring financial protection and advisory careers into everyday community conversations

From celebrating teachers and national occasions to engaging communities across India, Tata AIA Life Insurance is creating meaningful conversations around financial protection and career opportunities through its community-led initiatives. By taking insurance awareness closer to people's everyday lives, the company aims to help more individuals understand the importance of securing their family's future while enabling aspiring professionals to explore a rewarding career as Life Insurance Advisors.

Through initiatives such as Career Carnival, Masik Bima Diwas and Career Opportunity Workshops, supported by outreach programmes around culturally relevant occasions including Independence Day and Teachers' Day, Tata AIA is connecting with diverse communities through branch-led activities, local events and digital engagement.

Why the Last Mile Needs Advisors

According to IRDAI's Annual Report 2024-25, the country's insurance penetration stood at 3.7% of GDP, roughly half the global average of 7.3%, while life insurance penetration slipped to 2.7%. A large share of households, particularly in semi-urban and rural markets, continue to be under-protected. Closing this gap depends on trusted, face-to-face conversations, and this is where the agency channel plays a pivotal role. Life Insurance Advisors live and work within the communities they serve; they understand local needs, speak the local language and build relationships that last well beyond the first policy. A strong and growing advisor network is therefore central to taking insurance to the last mile and to the industry's shared vision of 'Insurance for All by 2047'.

Source: ar-2024-25.pdf

From Classrooms to Neighbourhoods: Outreach That Starts Conversations

Tata AIA's strategy brings career awareness and insurance awareness into the same conversation. Every month, Masik Bima Diwas gives this approach a regular rhythm, with branches and advisors dedicating the day to insurance awareness and outreach activities in their local communities.

On Teachers' Day, the Tata AIA Agency team ran its Guru Samman Divas initiative, felicitating 22,517 teachers across 857 schools nationwide. At every school, the felicitation doubled as a conversation on financial wellness and protection. On Independence Day, teams across markets took the conversation to local communities, linking the idea of freedom to financial independence.

Through a mix of English and vernacular communication, the company is taking these community stories and financial protection conversations to a larger audience.

Rakesh Sharma, Chief Distribution Officer – Proprietary Business, Tata AIA Life Insurance, said, “India’s protection gap will not be closed from a desk. It will be closed in classrooms, neighbourhoods and local markets, by advisors people already know and trust. Our objective is to take the life insurance advisor opportunity closer to people and communities across India. When we engage through occasions that people naturally connect with, conversations become more relevant and meaningful. These interactions help us create greater awareness about financial protection while enabling individuals to understand how life insurance advisory can become a rewarding, flexible and purpose-led career.”

A Scalable Model for Advisor Recruitment

Career Carnival is a structured, year-long platform that raises awareness of and participation in life insurance advisory careers, having onboarded over 325 advisors since April 2026. Each engagement targets a different audience: young graduates, homemakers, women returning to the workforce, working professionals, and those seeking independent or additional income. Prospective advisors are introduced to the career through local events, webinars, digital engagement and branch interactions, and those who take it forward move into structured learning, mentoring and digital support, anchored by Tata AIA AURA, the company's advisor development platform.

Next Up: Navratri, Durga Puja and the Festive Calendar

Tata AIA Agency is preparing its next phase of outreach around Navratri and Durga Puja. Diwali, Christmas, Makar Sankranti and Vasant Panchami will follow, keeping Career Carnival present across markets through the year.

Regional and vernacular communication, hyperlocal outreach, digital campaigns and branch-level activity will carry the programme into newer communities, advancing a larger goal: wider life insurance awareness and participation across India.

Disclaimers:

Individual Death Claim Settlement Ratio is 99.45% for FY 2025- 26 as per the latest annual audited figures
98,01,699 families protected till 31st May 2026.

500+ Branches - Presence across major cities in India

As on 31st March 2026, the company has a total Assets Under Management (AUM) of ₹145,589 Crore

BEWARE OF SPURIOUS PHONE CALLS AND FICTITIOUS/FRAUDULENT OFFERS IRDAI or its officials do not involve in activities like selling insurance policies, announcing bonus or investment of premiums. Public receiving such phone calls are requested to lodge a police complaint. 

Tata AIA Life Insurance Company Limited (IRDAI Regn. No.110) CIN: U66010MH2000PLC128403. Registered & Corporate Office: 14th Floor, Tower A, Peninsula Business Park, Senapati Bapat Marg, Lower Parel, Mumbai - 400013. Trade logo displayed above belongs to Tata Sons Ltd. and AIA Group Ltd. and is used by Tata AIA Life Insurance Company Ltd. under a license. For any information including cancellation, claims and complaints, please contact our Insurance Advisor / Intermediary or visit Tata AIA Life’s nearest branch office or call 1-860-266-9966 (local charges apply) or write to us at customercare@tataaia.com. Visit us at: www.tataaia.com.

Phoenix Festival Weekend Dhamaka: Vipul Goyal And Rajesh Krishnan To Perform Live At At Phoenix Mall Of Asia, Bengaluru

* Experience an unforgettable evening of laughter, music and nostalgia with two much-loved performers

Phoenix Mall of Asia, Bengaluru is all set to host an evening of laughter and music featuring stand-up comedian Vipul Goyal and celebrated Kannada playback singer Rajesh Krishnan on Saturday, 10th October 2026. From sharp observations on everyday life to timeless Kannada melodies, the evening brings together two distinct forms of entertainment for audiences in the city.

Known for his clean and relatable humour, Vipul Goyal has won audiences with his sharp take on everyday situations, Indian families, social media, and daily life quirks. An IIT Bombay graduate and the star of Humorously Yours, Vipul has built a strong following with his observational comedy, turning familiar experiences into stories and punchlines that audiences can easily relate to.

Rajesh Krishnan is one of the most admired voices in Kannada playback music, known for his soulful voice and memorable melodies. With a repertoire spanning romantic songs, evergreen classics, soulful tracks, and energetic numbers, he continues to resonate with audiences across generations. His live performance will feature his much-loved songs with a full live orchestra, bringing the magic of Kannada music to life.

Don’t miss an evening of laughter, music, and nostalgia as Vipul Goyal and Rajesh Krishnan take the stage at Phoenix Mall of Asia, Bengaluru. Grab your tickets now on BookMyShow for an evening you would not want to miss. 

California Pistachios Invites India To Make Chai Time Better

* With Pistachios Through “The Better Snack” Marketing Campaign

The latest campaign moves pistachios beyond festive consumption, bringing their crunch and taste to everyday snacking occasions.

Wonderful® Pistachios, the world’s largest grower and processor of pistachios and distributor of California Pistachios, has launched the latest edition of “The Better Snack” marketing campaign in India, building on the success of its earlier campaigns. The Better Snack aims to expand pistachios beyond festive and seasonal occasions, bringing them into everyday snacking, with chai time taking centre stage as a key moment to enjoy the crunch and taste of pistachios.

The campaign features high-impact out-of-home (OOH) and print across Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai and Kolkata, with prominent outdoor sites including the Bandra cluster in Mumbai and Golf Course Road of Gurgaon. Digital creators will bring The Better Snack to life through relatable, everyday snacking moments, highlighting pistachios as a fun, tasty and high protein option across a variety of snacking occasions. Through a collaboration with Blinkit, the brand will also make it convenient for consumers to discover and purchase California Pistachios.

Shail Pancholi, Spokesperson for California Pistachios in India, said, “Snacking is an integral part of everyday life in India, with people reaching for something to eat across a variety of moments throughout the day. With 'The Better Snack’ we want to make pistachios a more natural part of these everyday occasions- from chai breaks to work desks to unwinding with a screen, while offering the great taste, satisfying crunch and goodness of a nutrient-rich snack. We hope to encourage consumers to see pistachios as an easy, everyday choice.”

The campaign comes as Indian consumers become increasingly intentional about their snacking choices. According to the Farmley Healthy Snacking Report 2026, 86% of Indian snackers say protein is important when choosing snacks, while evening tea-time emerges as India’s top snacking occasion across age groups, city-tiers and lifestyles. With six grams of protein per 28 gram serving, California Pistachios are an ideal food for India’s consumers based on these market consumption trends. The report also uncovers a generational shift in snacking motivations: consumers aged 16-35 are more likely to snack to satisfy cravings, while those above 35 increasingly snack for an energy boost.

California Pistachios remains committed to supporting these evolving snacking habits by making wholesome snacking more accessible and encouraging healthier eating choices across the country.

About California Pistachios

California Pistachios are grown and distributed by The Wonderful Company, the world's largest vertically integrated pistachio processor and marketer located in California's Central Valley.

California Pistachios are Non-GMO, providing a smart, healthy choice for consumers around the world. Sun-ripened in the moderate Mediterranean climate of California, these distinctively green nuts pack taste and contain antioxidants and over 30 different nutrients. California Pistachios in India are available under leading brands and private labels at retail outlets, grocery stores, and online platforms.

For more information about California Pistachios, visit www.californiapistachios.com.

From Smartphones To Beauty: How Gen Z’s Inner Circle Is Shaping Different Diwali Shopping Journeys

* New Snapchat and GWI research reveals that there is no one Gen Z Diwali shopper, with planning, sharing, advice-seeking, and spontaneity varying significantly by category.

A smartphone, a beauty product, a festive outfit, and last-minute Diwali essentials may all be part of the same festive shopping basket, but Gen Z isn't buying them in the same way.

New research from Snapchat and GWI reveals that there is no single Gen Z Diwali purchase journey. Consumer technology emerges as a highly planned and advice-led category, beauty is shaped by research and social sharing, fashion combines advance planning with spontaneity, while quick commerce is closely tied to immediate household and festive needs.

One behaviour, however, appears across these different journeys: shopping is rarely happening in isolation. Gen Z is researching, sharing and seeking opinions as they navigate purchases, and the role of trusted friends and family isn't confined to categories traditionally considered social, such as fashion and beauty.

This is particularly evident in consumer technology. Despite being one of the most considered categories studied, 55% of Gen Z plan most of their consumer technology purchases in advance, while 52% seek advice from friends or family before buying.

For marketers, the findings point to a more nuanced Diwali shopper: different categories require different ways of showing up across the purchase journey, rather than one festive playbook applied to every consumer and category.

Technology: The considered, advice-led purchase

Consumer technology stands out as one of the most planned categories studied, with 55% of Gen Z saying they plan most of their purchases in advance.

But considered doesn't mean solitary. 52% seek advice from friends or family before purchasing consumer technology, demonstrating that trusted opinions matter even in a category typically associated with specifications, research, and comparison.

The journey also begins before Diwali. 50% research products, 46% ask others for opinions or advice, and 45% compare products or brands. During Diwali, behaviour shifts closer to transaction, with 47% making purchases and 44% looking for discounts, while 36% share products with others.

Smartphones are a major part of the technology shopping basket, with 71% of Gen Z buying or expecting to buy one for Diwali.

Beauty: The social, shareable purchase

Beauty and personal care follows a different path. While 53% of Gen Z plan most of their beauty purchases in advance, the journey continues through inspiration, research, conversations, and sharing.

Nearly half (49%) research ideas or inspiration before Diwali, while 45% seek opinions or advice.

Sharing is particularly prominent: 3 in 10 Gen Z consumers share beauty and personal care products with others before buying, while nearly 3 in 10 (29%) have sent photos or videos from a store to others.

Here, shopping becomes more collaborative, with other people becoming part of evaluating and validating what to buy.

Quick commerce: The need-state purchase

Quick commerce reveals another distinct Diwali shopping behaviour, driven more heavily by immediate festive and household needs.

61% of Gen Z primarily purchase festive essentials through quick commerce for their family or household.

Snacks and sweets lead the category at 74%, followed by puja essentials (65%), flowers and decorations (64%), diyas and candles (61%), and household essentials (59%).

Unlike the longer consideration journey associated with technology or the sharing-led behaviour seen in beauty, quick commerce is closely connected to what is needed for the home, and the people Gen Z is celebrating with.

Fashion: Planned, but open to spontaneity

Fashion and apparel remain the largest festive shopping category studied, with 68% of Gen Z buying or expecting to buy in the category.

But the journey sits somewhere between intention and impulse. While 46% plan most of their fashion purchases in advance, 49% say they combine planning with spontaneous purchases.

And planning begins early: 43% start planning their fashion purchases at least a month before Diwali, giving brands an opportunity to influence consideration well before the festival itself.

One Diwali, different journeys

Taken together, the findings show why there is no single Gen Z festive shopper and no single path to purchase.

Yagnesh Ravi, Ad Solutions Lead India, Snapchat, said, “The festive shopping funnel has changed. Discovery is still important, but for Gen Z, the journey increasingly continues through conversations with their Inner Circle, the friends and family they trust to share opinions, validate choices, and build confidence before they buy. Snapchat has always been built around real relationships, the friends and family people talk to every day, share moments with, and turn to for opinions. That is what makes the Inner Circle such a natural behaviour on Snapchat. During Diwali, for brands, the opportunity is not simply to appear alongside content, but to become part of the moments where people are discovering, discussing, and deciding what matters to them.”

Jason Mander, Chief Insight Officer, GWI, adds, “What this Diwali research shows is that there isn’t one way through that funnel. A smartphone, a beauty product, an outfit, and a last-minute festive essential are all approached differently. For brands, the opportunity is to understand the behaviours shaping their specific category and show up across the moments that matter, from discovery and research to conversations and decision-making. Understanding what Gen Z buys is only part of the picture, how they arrive at that decision matters just as much.”

The research was conducted by GWI in partnership with Snapchat, examining Gen Z festive shopping behaviours across fashion and apparel, beauty and personal care, quick commerce and festive essentials, and consumer technology and smartphones.