Indriya, Aditya Birla Jewellery, Showcases Its Exquisite Designs At Paris Couture Week With Renowned Designer Gaurav Gupta

With this collaboration, Indriya marks a significant international milestone

Indriya, Aditya Birla Jewellery showcases its collection for the first time-ever at Paris Couture Week in collaboration with renowned designer Gaurav Gupta as the official jewellery partner. Known for its focus on fine craftsmanship and design superiority, Indriya takes the artistry of Indian jewellery to one of the world’s most prestigious fashion platforms with this partnership.

This season, Gaurav Gupta’s couture draws inspiration from the concept of dualities, elements that coexist and complete one another, rooted in Ardhanarishvara, the divine union of the masculine and feminine. The collection explores contrasts that shape creation itself, such as structure and fluidity, form and formlessness, strength and grace.

Anchored in India’s rich aesthetics and cultural heritage, Indriya’s designs continue Gaurav Gupta’s sculptural couture vocabulary, precise, luminous and sculptural. The jewellery pieces enhance the fluid and structured architecture of the garments. Jewels become points of light that move with the wearer, connecting body, craft and couture.

Couturier Gaurav Gupta said, “Jewellery, for me, is not an embellishment of the body, but an extension of its inner geometry. In The Divine Androgyne, each form becomes a vessel of energy, memory, and quiet power. Working with Indriya felt instinctive, their language of heritage and ornament offered the perfect balance of tradition and restraint, complementing the collection without ever overpowering it.”

Shantiswarup Panda, Head of Marketing and Visual Merchandising at Indriya, Aditya Birla Jewellery, said, “Indriya takes pride in bringing the finest nuances of Indian art, craft, architecture and culture into its design vocabulary and its nuanced story telling. Our collaboration with Gaurav Gupta is an endeavour to present to the world, the beautiful Indian concept of duality in a unique manner though the Paris Couture Week.”

Abhishek Rastogi, Head of Design at Indriya, added, “Immersed in the Gaurav Gupta’s Universe, our fine jewellery, led by diamonds and gemstones, and complemented by sculptural gold, has been carefully curated to work in harmony with the collection’s bold silhouettes and flowing forms. Each piece enhances the couture, bringing together precision, craftsmanship and artistic expression.”

About Indriya:

Indriya, a jewellery brand from Aditya Birla Group, was launched in July 2024. Derived from the Sanskrit word for 'five senses,' Indriya embodies timeless elegance, unmatched craftsmanship, and a captivating sensorial experience. With an exquisite range of diamonds, precious gemstones, and artisanal gold, the brand offers jewellery that transcends traditional artistry and modern aesthetics.

For brides-to-be, Indriya is a treasure trove of meticulously designed wedding jewellery, where each piece is a timeless heirloom, seamlessly blending tradition with modernity, ensuring every bridal dream is actualized on her special day. Beyond weddings, Indriya redefines jewellery as an expression of personal identity and artistry, cementing its position as the go-to destination for all occasions. With 45 stores across India, Indriya continues to expand its footprint across the country.

Chinese Wok Launches ‘Wok FM’, India’s First QSR-Owned Music Universe

Chinese Wok amps up its youth push with India’s first QSR-owned music universe, launching two original albums across 250+ outlets and digital platforms.

Chinese Wok, India’s largest home-grown Desi Chinese QSR chain, has unveiled Wok FM, a first-of-its-kind, brand-owned music universe that marks a bold new chapter in how QSR brands engage with youth culture. The launch kicks off with two original albums – Get Wok’D Tonight, a high-energy playlist designed to crank up cravings and match the Chinese Wok mood, and Cricket & Cravings, celebrating the joy of India’s favourite sport best enjoyed with Desi Chinese bowls.

Spanning multiple genres, moods, and regional languages, Wok FM transforms the in-store experience into an immersive, culturally resonant space. With Wok FM now playing across 250+ high-street stores nationwide, Chinese Wok is building one of the largest youth-facing in-store soundscapes in the Indian QSR sector. From cricket anthems and festive tracks to quirky brand-led numbers and regional songs in Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, Gujarati, Bengali, Punjabi, and Marathi, the music reflects Chinese Wok’s youthful, playful personality while creating a distinctive and recognizable sonic identity, shaped by the brand’s deep cultural insights and creative curation.

Conceived as a long-term brand platform and scalable owned media asset, all Wok FM tracks are fully original in melody and lyrics. With this, Wok FM becomes a brand-owned media channel that is independent of campaigns or platform, giving Chinese Wok a direct, always-on cultural voice with young consumers, while placing the brand among a small set of QSR and retail players globally to build a proprietary, multi-language music ecosystem at scale.

Taking the experience beyond physical stores, Chinese Wok has officially launched Wok FM playlists on Spotify, YouTube Music, Amazon Music and more, allowing fans to tune in anytime, anywhere. This opens a new digital engagement channel, deepening brand recall by integrating music into consumers’ everyday lives and evolving with fan input and live collaborations. Going forward, new music will drop every season, campaign and festival, making sound as integral to the brand as menu innovation.

Speaking on the launch, Aayush Madhusudan Agrawal, Founder & Director, Lenexis Foodworks, said, “As a brand built for young India, we believe food today is as much about experience as it is about taste. Wok FM allows us to own a cultural space that goes beyond the plate, creating a strong emotional connection with our audience. This is not a one-time idea, but a long-term platform that will evolve with our brand, our campaigns, and our consumers.”

Sharing the marketing vision behind the initiative, Vikas Iyer, Marketing Head, Lenexis Foodworks, added, “Music is the language of Gen Z, and Wok FM is our way of speaking it authentically. By creating original, brand-owned music across genres and languages—powered by human insight and AI efficiency, we are building a powerful sonic identity that lives in our stores and travels into the digital world. It’s a new form of brand storytelling, where Chinese Wok isn’t just seen or tasted, but heard and remembered.”

Future phases of Wok FM will invite fans, creators and communities to co-create and collaborate, turning it into a living cultural platform rather than a static playlist.

Link to Playlist –

Youtube:

· Get Wok’D Tonight – https://bit.ly/4pDAxeo

· Cricket & Cravings – https://bit.ly/3Zdzmrn

Spotify:

· Cricket & Cravings - https://open.spotify.com/album/40vIiRPxO00p3gm3IkOjKO?si=6pSLdj_OQrO4PZMrZqrG4A

· Get Wok’D Tonight - https://open.spotify.com/album/5gCKqGQppkXPACL7vl0e6b?si=25iXK2_aToyzvW-7KotS5A%0A

About Lenexis Foodworks

Lenexis Foodworks is a leading quick service food company in India, dedicated to crafting exceptional culinary experiences through its restaurants across high streets and malls. It operates a portfolio of distinct brands - Chinese Wok, The Momo Co., and Big Bowl that cater to a wide range of tastes and preferences, making it a trusted name in the food and beverage industry.

Founded in 2015, Chinese Wok is the flagship brand under Lenexis Foodworks and stands as India’s largest Chinese QSR brand. It is transforming the way Chinese cuisine is enjoyed by staying true to its founding principles of offering high-quality, hygienic Desi-Chinese dishes at affordable prices. It has a footprint of 260+ outlets in 45+ cities including Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Vadodara, Pune, Chennai, Coimbatore, Bengaluru, Kolkata and Hyderabad. With a decade of leadership and innovation behind it, Chinese Wok has played a defining role in shaping the Desi Chinese category for modern India. As Lenexis Foodworks looks ahead, it is set to expand into new concepts and culinary formats—bringing fresh, flavour-forward experiences to consumers across the country.

S&P Global Upgrades Biocon Biologics Credit Rating To ‘BB+’ Revises Outlook To “Stable”

Biocon Biologics Limited, a fully integrated, global biosimilars company and subsidiary of Biocon Ltd. (BSE: 532523, NSE: BIOCON), today announced that S&P Global Ratings has upgraded the Company’s long‑term issuer credit rating to ‘BB+’ from ‘BB’, and revised the outlook to “Stable”. The rating on the senior secured notes issued by Biocon Biologics Global PLC has also been upgraded to ‘BB+’.

This positive development follows Biocon’s recent equity issuance to settle compulsorily convertible preference shares (CCPS) issued to Viatris Inc.

S&P Global provided the following Rating Action Rationale:

· Biocon has simplified its capital structure. The company reduced its outstanding structured debt liabilities, and a US$1 billion CCPS issued to Viatris has now been removed through a mix of equity share swaps and cash consideration. Biocon funded the cash payout through fresh equity of about US$460 million that it raised earlier this month.

· New product launches and favorable industry trends will support Biocon's earnings. Pharmaceutical sector will continue to register healthy growth through 2027, especially for GLP-1s and treatment for oncology and rare diseases.

· Biocon's financial policy underpins its credit strength. Biocon's management remains committed to reverting its balance sheet position to levels before its acquisition of Viatris' biosimilars portfolio. In November 2022, Biocon acquired Viatris' biosimilar business for US$3.3 billion. The transaction pushed up the group's debt-to-EBITDA ratio to about 7x in fiscal 2024 from about 2x in fiscal 2022.

S&P said that the stable outlook reflects its view that Biocon's earnings will grow steadily over the next 12-24 months on the back of growing demand for generics and biosimilars in key international markets and new product launches, which will help the Company to maintain its improved financial position.

About Biocon Biologics Limited

Biocon Biologics Limited, a subsidiary of Biocon Limited, is a unique, fully integrated, global biosimilars company committed to transforming healthcare and transforming lives. It is capitalizing on its ‘lab to market’ capabilities to serve over 6.3 million patients across 120+ countries by enabling affordable access to high quality biosimilars. The Company is leveraging cutting-edge science, innovative tech platforms, global scale manufacturing capabilities and world-class quality systems to lower costs of biological therapeutics while improving healthcare outcomes.

Biocon Biologics has commercialized 10 biosimilars from its portfolio which are addressing the patients’ needs in key emerging markets and advanced markets like U.S., Europe, Australia, Canada, and Japan. It has a pipeline of 20+ biosimilar assets across diabetology, oncology, immunology, ophthalmology, bone health and other non-communicable diseases. The Company has many ‘firsts’ to its credit in the biosimilars industry. As part of its environmental, social and governance (ESG) commitment, it is advancing the health of patients, people, and the planet to achieve key UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Website: www.bioconbiologics.com; Follow us on X (formerly Twitter): @BioconBiologics and LinkedIn: Biocon Biologics for company updates.

Biocon Limited, publicly listed in 2004, (BSE code: 532523, NSE Id: BIOCON, ISIN Id: INE376G01013) is an innovation-led global biopharmaceutical company committed to enhance affordable access to complex therapies for chronic conditions like diabetes, cancer and autoimmune. It has developed and commercialized novel biologics, biosimilars, and complex small molecule APIs in India and several key global markets as well as Generic Formulations in the U.S., Europe & key emerging markets. It also has a pipeline of promising novel assets in immunotherapy under development. Website: www.biocon.com Follow-us on X (formerly Twitter) @bioconlimited and LinkedIn: @BioconLimited for company updates.

Coming Soon: A New Layer Of Privacy Five Years In The Making

A new front line for privacy to keep your moments truly yours

Our phones are our most personal space, but we use them in the least private places. On the bus, in the elevator, and wherever we’re waiting in line, our digital laundry gets aired in plain view. And as phones become more tailored to our routines and preferences, concerns about privacy are only growing.

That’s why Samsung will soon unveil a new layer of privacy to shield your phone from shoulder surfing wherever you go. You’ll have the space to check your messages or enter a password on a packed commute without thinking twice about who might be watching.

Flexible Protection Built Over Years

Not everyone needs the same level of privacy. This new layer gives you the choice to decide what works best for you. You can customize it to raise your guard with specific apps, or when entering access details for more private areas of your phone. With multiple settings for adjusting visibility, you can limit what others can see based on the level of privacy protection you need.

You can also choose to protect specific parts of your experience, such as notification pop-ups. It’s a tailored approach that you can fine-tune or switch off entirely, rather than a blanket one.

It took over five years of engineering, testing and refining to get here. We studied how people use their phones, what they consider private, and how security should feel in everyday life. The result is a fusion of hardware and software expertly calibrated to protect you without getting in your way.

A New Standard for Mobile Privacy

This is the latest in a series of Galaxy innovations designed to keep you safe. There is no privacy without strong security. For more than a decade, Samsung Knox has established layers of protection for Galaxy devices, from dedicated security hardware like Knox Vault to ecosystem defenses such as Knox Matrix. This latest safeguard builds on that commitment to security, introducing privacy at a pixel level.

This is privacy you can see and security you can feel – and it’s coming to Galaxy very soon.

CEEW And Artists Thukral & Tagra Unveil The Third Edition Of Sustaina India

This edition of Sustaina India will run from 1 to 15 February 2026 at Bikaner House, New Delhi.
Preview: 31 January, 5 PM onwards

Featuring projects by Sustaina Fellows Vedant Patil, Anuja Dasgupta, and Mrugen Rathod

The exhibition will also feature artworks and installations by invited artists, including Abhinand Kishore, Lakshita Munjal, Sidhant Kumar, Smita Minda, Harmeet Singh Rattan, Pooja Kalai and Ankur Yadav.

Following the success of its first two editions, Sustaina India—an exhibition where science meets art to inspire collective climate action—returns with its third edition, from 1 to 15 February 2026 at Bikaner House, New Delhi. A collaborative initiative by think tank Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) and acclaimed artist duo Thukral & Tagra, Sustaina India III, titled “Bitter Nectar,” examines climate change through the lens of fruiting cycles, food systems, and abundance.

This year, “Bitter Nectar” takes centre stage as a thematic anchor, reshaping how we perceive everyday elements such as food, taste, labour, and seasonal abundance. The core section of the third edition will feature three Sustaina India Fellows, whose practices are rooted in distinct geographies and materials:

Vedant Patil, a filmmaker and PhD candidate based in western Uttar Pradesh, traces the fragile journeys of milk across rural and urban landscapes, revealing the invisible labour, infrastructure, and ecological pressures that sustain everyday consumption.

Anuja Dasgupta, an artist and agripreneur based in Ladakh, uses the apricot—a keystone of the region’s ecology—to explore interdependence, seasonal knowledge, and climate vulnerability in high-altitude communities.

Mrugen Rathod, a visual artist and educator from Gujarat, reflects on mango monocultures, forest ecologies, and human and animal displacement through a sculptural installation rooted in the Gir landscape

Across India, rising temperatures and erratic rainfall due to climate change are already reshaping food systems in quiet but consequential ways. Recent CEEW research shows that tehsils experiencing declining southwest monsoon rainfall over the last decade are concentrated in agriculturally critical regions such as the Indo-Gangetic Plain, Northeast India, and the fragile upper Himalayan belt. Heat stress is also diminishing labour productivity, particularly for outdoor and informal workers, weakening household incomes and economic resilience. With global temperatures temporarily surpassing the 1.5°C threshold in 2025, what was once considered a distant tipping point is now shaping everyday choices and trade-offs.

Against this backdrop, Sustaina India III reflects on a seemingly simple impulse—the pursuit of ripeness, nourishment, and sweetness—and reveals the complex socio-ecological and political conditions that now shape it. Heat and harvest no longer arrive in agreement; erratic rains interrupt ripening, winters soften or arrive out of turn, and long-held agricultural knowledge is unsettled. Through these temporal mismatches, the exhibition traces how fractures in climate systems travel outward, affecting labour, ecology, consumption, and community life.

Thukral & Tagra, curators of Sustaina India, said, “In its third year, Sustaina peels through urgent questions of climate change, tracing the shifting knowledge of fruiting cycles strained by extreme heat, erratic rainfall, and uncertainty by the means of the artistic practice. Bringing together works from across India, from Ladakh to Kerala and Assam to Gujarat, the exhibition maps a shared ecology of climate action and inquiry into our desire for sweetness, into the nuances of nectar collection.”

The third edition will also feature an expansive line-up of conversations, workshops, performances, closed-door sessions, and interactive engagements. A lively programme of talks, workshops, theatre, and learning experiences unfolds over the weekends with over 15 partners, featuring speakers such as Shrayana Bhattacharya (Author & Economist), Anirudh Kanisetti (Author & Historian), Pragya Kapoor (Actor & Film Producer), Thomas Zacharias (Chef), Shubhra Chatterji (Writer & Director), Anupama Mandloi (Impact Producer), and Kevin Kenneth Lee (Media Leader). Hands-on experiences include zine-making, upcycling, material literacy, data storytelling, and content creation with a climate hook.

Mihir Shah, Director of Strategic Communications at CEEW, added, “Amidst the turbulence of geopolitics and a reordering of the world order, climate change continues to remain a critical risk. 2025 was the third hottest year on record. Climate impacts are already reshaping what India grows, consumes, and relies on. Sustaina India 3 grounds climate conversations in lived experience, showing how disruptions to food systems and seasonal rhythms directly affect communities and livelihoods. Effective climate action must engage with these realities and the knowledge embedded within them as we look for more solutions.”

Alongside the Fellows’ projects, Sustaina India also invites an extended selection of artists whose works engage with climate change through diverse lenses:

Abhinand Kishore examines urbanisation and climate stress in Kochi through layered visual archives that trace water, land, labour, and infrastructure across the city’s fragile edges.

Lakshita Munjal explores material memory and heat adaptation through sculptural seating objects rooted in everyday practices of cooling and care.

Sidhant Kumar addresses labour, pollution, and visibility in the city through a performative film that reflects on construction bans, air quality, and precarity.

Smita Minda brings a deeply personal perspective through animation, tracing the emotional weight of climate anxiety as it permeates intimate, everyday moments.

Harmeet Singh Rattan collaborates with his father, a sign painter, to explore memory, taste, and preservation through a material dialogue with the desi keekar tree.

Pooja Kalai engages with textile waste and indigenous weaving practices, reworking discarded yarns to foreground care, continuity, and ecological possibility within systems of material excess.

Ankur Yadav responds to extractive landscapes in Rajasthan through eco-poetry created at abandoned mining sites, allowing time and erosion to reveal environmental loss as an ongoing process.

Sustaina India will also continue to explore partnerships to reach wider and younger audiences, including dedicated engagements for students and early-career practitioners.

Exhibition Details: Sustaina India will be on view from 1–15 February 2026 at Bikaner House, New Delhi, with a preview on 31 January from 5 PM onwards. The exhibition will be open to visitors daily from 11 AM to 7 PM during the exhibition period.

About Sustaina India

As scientific evidence about the alarming impacts of climate change keeps emerging, we face the need to reimagine habitable futures. Sustaina India stems from this urgency to catalyse pollinations across art, science, and policy-making through annual fellowships, exhibitions, and public programs. A first-of-its-kind initiative of Thukral and Tagra and the Council on Energy, Environment and Water, Sustaina India mobilises creators to integrate decentralised climate awareness and sustainability conversations into the cultural fabric of India and beyond.

About CEEW
The Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) — a homegrown institution with headquarters in New Delhi — is among the world’s leading climate think tanks. The Council is also often ranked among the world’s best-managed and independent think tanks. It uses data, integrated analysis, and strategic outreach to explain — and change — the use, reuse, and misuse of resources. It prides itself on the independence of its high-quality research and strives to impact sustainable development at scale in India and the Global South. In over 14 years of operation, CEEW has impacted over 400 million lives and engaged with over 20 state governments. Follow us on X (formerly Twitter) @CEEWIndia or on LinkedIn for the latest updates.

About Thukral and Tagra

Thukral and Tagra are a Delhi-based artist duo comprising Jiten Thukral (b. 1976, Jalandhar, Punjab) and Sumir Tagra (b. 1979, New Delhi). Driven by the artistic methodologies of painting, gaming, archiving, and publishing, their multifaceted studio practice reflects the scope of engagement in the cultural and political landscape of India and the world. While their early career work dealt with the intricacies of consumer culture globally, their recent interest in ecology and climate change is a revisiting of their family histories of migration and farming in the Indian state of Punjab. Through and beyond their studio practice, Thukral and Tagra create new formats of public engagement and attempt to expand the threshold of what art can do.

How Surgical Oncology Improves Survival And Quality Of Life

Dr. Santosh Basavantappa Chikaraddi, Consultant Surgical Oncologist, HCG NMR Cancer Centre, Hubli

Surgery has been a major part of cancer treatment, and its role has become more prominent with the continuous advancements, offering patients a chance at improved survival and a better quality of life by removing tumors and affected tissue, surgeons can significantly impact the disease’s progression. It is considered as the most powerful approach when tumors are found at an early stage.

What is Surgical Oncology

Surgical‍‌‍‍‌ oncology focuses on the surgical treatment of tumors that are cancerous or even precancerous. It includes the operations aimed at ridding the body of the abnormal growth, assessing the spread of the disease, and determining treatment plans by working closely with medical and radiation oncologists.

Why Surgery Plays a Central Role in Cancer Treatment

The‍‌‍‍‌ cancer treatment constitutes a network of different treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, and targeted treatments. Despite the power of these treatments, surgery is still a fundamental element for various reasons, such as:

It is the direct method to get rid of the tumor.

It offers useful information for correct diagnosis.

It aids in determining the accurate stage of the disease.

When combined with other treatments, it enhances their efficiency.

Core Functions of Surgical Oncology

Diagnosis and Staging

Surgery provides means to find out and to understand the type of cancer

Biopsy Methods

A biopsy is done by taking few tissues from a part or the total tissue of a suspicious lump. The subsequently result clarify whether the growth is benign, malignant or pre-cancerous.

Accurate Staging

Surgeons evaluate tumor size, infiltration, and metastatic spread during an operation. The precise staging is the basis of most effective treatment plans, the effect of which on patients’ recovery is very ‍‌‍‍‌significant.

Tumor Removal (Curative Surgery)

In many cases of cancer, removing the tumor is the main way to achieve a cure. Surgical oncologists aim to cut out not only the whole tumor but also a small part of the healthy tissue to lessen the risk of cancer coming back. If cancers are caught at an early stage and have not spread, surgery alone might be enough to get rid of the disease.

Debulking Surgery

In situations where tumors are so large or located in such a place that they cannot be removed completely, the debulking method is used. The reduction of the cancerous tissue volume causes:

the cancer drugs to be more effective; radiation treatment can be more accurately directed; the symptoms resulting from the tumor pressing on organs may be alleviated.

Debulking becomes quite effective, for example, in ovarian cancer, where the reduction of tumor mass makes the cancer cells much more sensitive to the systemic ‍‌‍‍‌treatments.

Palliative Surgery

Palliative procedures are used to enhance a patient’s quality of life in advanced stages, where a cure may not be possible. These operations aim to:

Ease pain

Control bleeding

Decrease blockage (e.g., bowel or airway blockage)

Raise day-to-day comfort

While these measures are not curative, they play a crucial role in the overall well-being of the patient.

Reconstructive Surgery

Once the large tumors or cancer-affected parts of the body have been removed, reconstructive surgery is used to regain the lost function and beauty. Some of the examples are:

The reconstruction of the breast after mastectomy

The restructuring of the facial bones

The restoration of the movement after the removal of a bone ‍‌‍‍‌tumor

Modern Advancements Transforming Surgical Oncology

The surgery methods that came as a result of innovation in the recent years made the procedures safer, more precise, and less invasive.

Minimally Invasive Surgery

Operations can now be performed in the affected area through a robotic-assisted surgery or laparoscopy tool without the need for a large incision. The effects are:

Pain is reduced

Recovery is quicker

Bleeding is less

The time spent in hospital is reduced

Image-Guided Surgery

Precise and safe operation is always the goal of any surgeon, and advanced imaging tools like CT, MRI, and ultrasound help them by showing the exact locations throughout the procedure.

Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy

By using this method, the first lymph node (“sentinel node”) that the cancer will spread to, is located. That single node is removed and tested; thus, fewer lymph nodes removal is done and less cases of complications occur.

Why Early Surgical Intervention Matters

In general, time is very important in the fight against cancer. As a result of surgery performed at an early stage, it is usually:

Possible to remove the tumor in total treatment

Chance of cancer spreading is very low

Less aggressive therapy may be enough after the surgery

Long-term prognosis is very good.

Cancer treatment would not be complete without surgical oncology which is crucial for treatment of most patients. It is the core of many treatment regimens that involve surgery to diagnose and stage the disease, remove the tumors, and improve the patient’s quality of life. 

HDB Financial Services Partners With Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India As Preferred Financier

HDB Financial Services, a leading Non-Banking Financial Company that caters to the growing needs of an Aspirational India announced a partnership with Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI), under which HDB Financial Services will serve as a preferred financing partner across HMSI’s dealer network in India.

The partnership is designed to enhance customer convenience by offering flexible, affordable and quick financing solutions for the complete range of Honda’s two-wheelers, addressing the needs of both mass and premium customer segments.

As part of this collaboration, customers can benefit from a simplified financing experience with customized loan-to-value (LTV) offerings for individual customer profiles, minimal documentation based largely on basic KYC, and fast turnaround times.

Firstlevel credit approvals are completed within 5–7 minutes, and the full financing process typically concludes within 20 minutes. A paperless customer journey is currently a work in progress.

Commenting on the partnership, Mr. Karthik Srinivasan, Chief Business Officer, HDB Financial Services, said, “This collaboration with Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India allows us to deepen our presence in India’s rapidly growing two-wheeler segment. By combining our financing expertise with Honda’s strong market reach, we aim to deliver speed, simplicity and value to customers at the point of purchase.”

Mr. Yogesh Mathur, Director – Sales and Marketing, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India, added, “This association with HDB Financial Services marks a significant milestone in Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India’s journey toward building a robust and futureready financing ecosystem. By combining HMSI’s deep understanding of customer needs with the strong financial expertise of HDB Financial Services, this partnership will help create seamless and accessible financing solutions for a diverse customer base across India. It further strengthens our commitment to delivering superior value, greater convenience, and enhanced trust, ensuring that more customers can experience Honda’s mobility with ease and confidence.”

Together, HDB Financial Services and HMSI aim to drive greater financial ease for customers, support business growth and reinforce their shared focus on trust, innovation and customer-centric solutions.

About HDB Financial Services Limited:

Incorporated in 2007, HDB Financial Services (HDBFS) is a retail-focused Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC). As a financial services provider, HDBFS offers products and service offerings to suit its customers’ requirements, across Consumer Finance, Asset Finance, and Enterprise Finance. The Company is accredited with CARE AAA and CRISIL AAA ratings for its term loans from banks and financial institutions, and a CARE A1+ rating for its commercial paper. HDBFS has a wide omni-channel distribution network comprising 1,771 branches in over 1,170 cities as of March 31, 2025.

To know more about HDB Financial Services, please visit: https://www.hdbfs.com

NBA And Department Of Culture & Tourism – Abu Dhabi Announce Long-Term Renewal To Bring More NBA Games And Activities To UAE

Extension Will Feature Preseason NBA Global Games, Launch of NBA Global Academy, Additional Youth Development and Fan Programming, and

Expanded Experience Abu Dhabi Sponsorship

The National Basketball Association (NBA) and the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) today announced an extension of their existing collaboration that will feature preseason NBA Global Games, expanded marketing activities, and the launch of an NBA Global Academy in the UAE capital. The long-term extension will also bring additional youth development and fan programming to Abu Dhabi and surrounding communities for years to come.

NBA Global Academy, which will be based in Abu Dhabi and serve as the global hub for the league’s NBA Academy program, will be a year-round elite basketball development and academic program for top high-school-age student-athletes from the UAE, the Middle East and around the world. The academy will include elite development programming for up to 20 local boys, basketball development activities for local girls and residential programming for up to 24 male prospects from the rest of the world.

“Extending our partnership with the NBA further strengthens Abu Dhabi’s position as the new home of basketball in the Middle East and reinforces our commitment to our youth, inspiring our community, diversifying the economy, and elevating the emirate’s standing as a global destination,” said HE Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi. “The establishment of the NBA Global Academy in Abu Dhabi will open pathways for Emirati and UAE-based athletes, coaches and sports professionals to learn from the world’s best, while our long-term hosting of the NBA Global Games will inspire the next generation. Beyond bringing world-class sporting events to our capital, the NBA’s youth programs and grassroots initiatives encourage healthy, active lifestyles and connect our residents to the universal values of sport. This multiyear commitment reflects Abu Dhabi’s ambition to be a hub for culture, entertainment and excellence, for both our residents and visitors alike.”

“Our collaboration with DCT Abu Dhabi has been instrumental in growing basketball participation and fandom in the UAE and across the Middle East,” said NBA Deputy Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer Mark Tatum. “We look forward to building on those efforts in the years to come, including through the launch of an NBA Global Academy that will help develop elite-level players from the region and around the world.”

Additional details about future NBA preseason games in Abu Dhabi, including the schedule and participating teams, will be announced at a later date.

The collaboration will see DCT Abu Dhabi, through its destination brand Experience Abu Dhabi, once again serve as the Official Tourism Destination Partner of the NBA in the Middle East, China and Europe while expanding the territories in the destination partnership to also include Africa, Asia Canada and Latin America.

The extended collaboration between DCT Abu Dhabi and the NBA will also feature the expansion of youth development programming that has reached more than 20,000 boys and girls since 2022, including plans to expand from the four existing Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA leagues in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain Region to six leagues this fall and 12 leagues by 2028.

Abu Dhabi will also host two annual basketball tournaments featuring top youth and elite players from around the world, starting with the 2025 NBA Academy Showcase in Abu Dhabi, which was held at the NYU Abu Dhabi campus from Sept. 25-27 and featured top high-school-age players from four elite basketball programs: NBA Academy Africa (Senegal), IMG Academy (U.S.), INSEP (France) and the Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence.

The NBA Academy program provides a holistic approach to player development and a predictable pathway to maximize their potential. The program emphasizes health and wellness, character development, and life skills and gives athletes the opportunity to learn the game from coaches with professional, collegiate and international experience. More than 150 NBA Academy student-athletes have represented their national teams at various levels, more than 100 have committed to or gone on to attend NCAA Division I schools in the U.S., and more than 40 have played, are playing, or have signed to play professionally, including 15 who have advanced to the NBA.

The NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2025 presented by ADQ featured two sold-out preseason games between the New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers on Oct. 2 and Oct. 4 at Etihad Arena on Yas Island. The games were part of a multiyear collaboration between the NBA and DCT Abu Dhabi that features preseason NBA Global Games, the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Abu Dhabi League, a variety of interactive fan events featuring appearances by current and former NBA players, an NBA 2K League exhibition event and a series of Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA and NBA Cares clinics promoting health and wellness while teaching the fundamentals of the sport and instilling core values including teamwork, respect and sportsmanship.

NBA games have aired in the UAE since the 1987-88 season. Eight NBA teams have played preseason games in Abu Dhabi since 2022. Since the inaugural NBA Abu Dhabi Games, basketball participation has increased by 60% in the UAE and basketball’s fanbase in the country has grown by more than 25%, according to YouGov research.

Fans can follow the NBA on Instagram and X (@NBAArabic) for the latest updates, news and content in Arabic. NBA fans in the UAE and across the Middle East can shop online at NBAStoreME.com and at the NBA Store at Yas Mall in Abu Dhabi for the widest selection of official NBA merchandise in the region.

About the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi 

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) drives the sustainable growth of Abu Dhabi’s culture and tourism sectors, fuels economic progress and helps achieve Abu Dhabi’s wider global ambitions. By working in partnership with the organisations that define the emirate’s position as a leading international destination, DCT Abu Dhabi strives to unite the ecosystem around a shared vision of the emirate’s potential, coordinate effort and investment, deliver innovative solutions, and use the best tools, policies and systems to support the culture and tourism industries.

DCT Abu Dhabi’s vision is defined by the emirate’s people, heritage and landscape. We work to enhance Abu Dhabi’s status as a place of authenticity, innovation, and unparalleled experiences, represented by its living traditions of hospitality, pioneering initiatives and creative thought.

For more information about DCT Abu Dhabi and the destination, please visit dct.gov.ae and visitabudhabi.ae. For Abu Dhabi Calendar, please visit inabudhabi.ae.

About the NBA

The National Basketball Association (NBA) is a global sports and media organization with the mission to inspire and connect people everywhere through the power of basketball.  Built around five professional sports leagues:  the NBA, WNBA, NBA G League, NBA 2K League and Basketball Africa League, the NBA has established a major international presence with games and programming available in 214 countries and territories in more than 50 languages, and merchandise for sale in more than 200 countries and territories on all seven continents.  NBA rosters at the start of the 2025-26 season featured a record 135 international players from a record-tying 43 countries.  The NBA’s digital assets include NBA TV, NBA.com, the NBA App and NBA League Pass.  The NBA has created one of the largest social media communities in the world, with more than 2.5 billion likes and followers globally across all leagues, team and player platforms.  NBA Cares, the NBA’s global social impact platform celebrating its 20th year, drives change on issues facing fans and communities in the areas of health and wellness, civic engagement, social justice and inclusion, and sustainability.

An Evening Of Elegance – The Swirl Soiree At Taj West End, Bengaluru

Step into a refined celebration of wine and gastronomy at Taj West End, Bengaluru, with The Swirl Soirée — an exclusive evening curated by Sonal C Holland, India’s first and only Master of Wine.

This bespoke experience brings together thoughtfully crafted cuisine, international wines, and Taj’s signature hospitality.

The evening presents a bespoke five‑course menu, artfully paired with an eclectic selection of fine wines, beginning with a delicate amuse-bouche of whipped chèvre with beetroot gel and walnut crumble, followed by refined starters like indulgent lobster or vegetarian pasta, a refreshing granita intermezzo and main course selections including classic grilled chicken breast or black truffle mushroom risotto. The experience concludes with The Mandarin, a composed dessert of mandarin and ivory mousse with single-origin dark chocolate soil.

Join us for an evening of elegance, indulgence, and inspiration — where every course tells a story and every sip celebrates the art of fine living.

Date: 30 January 2026 Time: 7:00 PM onwards

Venue: Taj West End, Bengaluru

Price: INR 7,999 + taxes per person

For Reservations, please call: Pradip Chaudhary: +91 74838 58902 | Shruti Venkat: +91 72047 84127

EKA Mobility And Chartered Speed Limited Aims To Deploy 1,750 Electric Buses In Bengaluru Under PM E-Drive

EKA Mobility, an automotive and technology company creating a new global CV electric mobility ecosystem, and Chartered Speed Limited, a leading player in passenger bus mobility services, have secured the Letter of Confirmation of Quantity (LOCQ) for the deployment for 1,750 electric buses under the Government of India’s PM E-Drive Scheme in Bengaluru. This development marks a milestone in strengthening sustainable public e-transport infrastructure in one of India’s major metropolitan regions.

The allocation represents nearly 39% of Bengaluru’s total planned electric bus induction of 4,500 buses under PM E-Drive, underscoring the scale of Chartered Speed Limited’s role in supporting the city’s public transport electrification efforts. Bengaluru has emerged as one of India’s leading cities in electric public transport adoption, with Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation progressively expanding its electric bus network in line with Karnataka’s clean mobility vision and the Government of India’s de-carbonization roadmap.

Safety is a core pillar of Chartered Speed Limited’s EV operations. The company follows structured safety protocols, including preventive maintenance, battery health monitoring and specialized driver training, to ensure dependable and commuter-focused services. Bringing together Chartered Speed’s operational knowledge and EKA Mobility’s electric vehicle manufacturing and technology capabilities, the partnership aims to deliver accessible and reliable urban transport solutions for Bengaluru’s commuter base

Mr. Rohit Srivastava, Business Head & Chief Growth Officer, EKA Mobility, said “The PM E-Drive initiative is a powerful enabler of India’s electric mobility vision, and Bengaluru’s large-scale adoption of electric buses sets a strong benchmark for urban transport transformation. At EKA Mobility, we are proud to partner with Chartered Speed and contribute to Bengaluru’s journey towards a more sustainable urban future. It is not just about scale, but about creating cleaner mobility solutions, quieter streets, and a better daily commute for millions.”

Mr. Sanyam Gandhi, Whole-Time Director, Chartered Speed Limited, added, “Bengaluru is a key mobility hub in India, and electric buses are part of the efforts to build a cleaner and more efficient public transport system. The PM E-Drive allocation strengthens Chartered Speed Limited’s long-term commitment to sustainable mass mobility. As one of the early adopters of e-mobility, we aim to convert around 25% of our fleet to electric by Fiscal 2027, supported by strong infrastructure investments to deliver commuter-centric services aimed at lasting socio-economic impact.”

Earlier in 2025, Chartered Speed was awarded the deployment of over 1,000 electric buses under the Government of India’s Pradhan Mantri e-Bus Sewa Scheme, further reinforcing the company’s growing role in India’s public transport electrification journey.

About Chartered Speed Limited:

Chartered Speed Limited, established in 2010, with over 15 years of experience, is a leading passenger mobility companies in India. Over the years, we have attempted to consistently integrate technologies into our buses providing inter-city and intra-city operations including GPS tracking systems, CCTV cameras and Wi-Fi. We serve over 3.5 lakh passengers daily. With a fleet of more than 2,000 buses and commitment to safety and technology, the company operates an established fleet to provide sustainable, affordable, and efficient inter-city and intra-city transportation solutions across six states.

About EKA (Pinnacle Mobility Solutions Pvt. Ltd.):

EKA (Pinnacle Mobility Solutions Pvt. Ltd.), with Pinnacle Industries Limited, Mitsui Co., Ltd. (Japan) & VDL Groep (Netherlands) as equity partners, is an automotive & technology company creating a new global CV electric mobility paradigm. EKA’s vision is to lead the world to a sustainable future by creating an ecosystem for Environment-Conscious Mobility. With an industry-leading team, cutting-edge technology, modular designs, and lean manufacturing processes, EKA’s mission is to bring reliable and efficient mobility solutions to the masses. EKA’s sharable technologies and low-investment production processes enable the lowest TCO and democratize electric vehicles for mass adaptation.

Tanishq Strengthens Global Luxury Presence With Fourth Showcase Unveiling Desert Diamonds At Paris Couture Week, With Rahul Mishra

Desert diamonds by Tanishq, celebrates the diverse beauty of natural diamonds and couture artistry

Tanishq, India’s largest jewellery brand from the House of Tata, cemented its global presence with its fourth showcase at Paris Couture Week 2026, marking a defining milestone in its global luxury journey and reinforcing its position as a design-led, globally aspirational jewellery maison. Continuing its celebrated collaboration with internationally acclaimed couturier Rahul Mishra, Tanishq returned to the world’s most prestigious fashion platform, unveiling an exceptional high-jewellery presentation centred exclusively on its evocative Desert diamonds collection. Choosing a diamond born of the desert, is choosing something truly unique - a fragment of the earth’s history that captures the hues of the land where they are found.

Building on its continued presence at Paris Couture Week since 2023, Tanishq’s exclusive collection of Desert diamonds, placed the spotlight firmly on the origin of natural diamonds. Formed in the depths of the earth over millennia, Desert diamonds carry the spirit of the land - connecting each stone back to wild desert landscapes. A spectrum of natural colours, with diamonds ranging from warm whites and honey tones through to whiskey and sunset browns form a palette that’s both rare and unmistakable. Prized for their individuality, subtle tonal variations, and depth of character, these stones are considered connoisseur diamonds—markers of rarity, quiet power, and refined self-expression.

Rahul Mishra’s Spring 2026 collection, Alchemy, showcased at Paris Couture Week, draws inspiration from the cosmic and elemental origins of life, interpreting the continuity of matter and the transience of existence. It begins at the ether (akasha), the cosmic vastness, the eternal silence; which is not nothingness, but intelligible potential. The impression of air (vayu), its lightness, movement and enormous strength, traced into fabric through instinct and memory. Fire (agni) is the transformational force, like a contemplation. Shapeless by nature, but gives form to anything it touches. Water, (apas) obedient to gravity yet constantly in motion, a mirror to the moon and the world around it, yet humbly adapting to each vessel it inhabits. And Earth, the eternity’s ledger of memories. Shaped from the interactions between the other forms, it is a vessel retaining their traces and textures, the force of resilience and tenderness. Rooted in the interplay of air, fire, water, earth, and space, the collection reflects how these classical elements interact and transform—mirroring the patient formation of diamonds over billions of years. Through texture, scale, and movement, Mishra’s couture translates these unseen forces into a poetic narrative, where design echoes nature’s rhythms, elemental harmony, and timeless cycles of transformation. This philosophy celebrates creation as a process shaped by time, balance, and quiet resilience—values intrinsic to both couture and natural diamonds.

The jewellery showcased in Paris highlighted how Tanishq’s Desert diamonds bring these natural elements to life, perfectly mirroring the vision of Rahul Mishra. Each rare, naturally coloured diamond was crafted into bold, sculptural silhouettes that celebrate both strength and subtlety, reflecting the desert’s timeless landscapes and the slow, meticulous artistry of its formation. Following their successful launch in the USA, Tanishq now introduces these exceptionally rare diamonds to India, offering connoisseurs and jewellery enthusiasts an opportunity to experience natural diamonds of extraordinary provenance, individuality, and elegance. With scale, form, and thoughtful settings designed to let each stone’s brilliance shine, these creations are conceived as wearable art, elevating high jewellery on one of the world’s most prestigious fashion platforms.

Every creation showcased in Paris was the result of extensive design ideation, hundreds of artisanal man-hours, intricate settings, and uncompromising attention to detail—a testament to Indian artistry that stands confidently among the world’s finest. With its fourth appearance at Paris Couture Week, Tanishq continues to strengthen its position as a globally aspirational luxury jewellery brand, engaging with the world’s leading maisons on an international stage. The Desert diamonds collection provides a new perspective - a sense of freshness and innovation in natural diamonds and was crafted in collaboration with De Beers Group, the world’s leading diamond company.

Speaking on Tanishq’s continued presence at Paris Couture Week, Pelki Tshering, Chief Marketing Officer, Tanishq, said: “Paris Couture Week is where design speaks without borders. For Tanishq, returning for the fourth time reflects our belief that Indian jewellery can engage the world through a shared language of design, rarity, and expression. With Desert diamonds, created in partnership with De Beers, we are presenting a story shaped by nature and refined through design—one that feels both deeply rooted and globally relevant. Our collaboration with Rahul Mishra allows us to translate this vision onto one of fashion’s most influential stages, reinforcing our commitment to creating distinctive natural diamond jewellery that resonates with a new generation of global connoisseurs.”

Speaking on the collaboration and the association with Paris Couture Week, Garima Maheshwari, Head of Design, Tanishq, said: “Paris Couture Week represents the pinnacle of global luxury and creative expression. Our third presentation with Rahul Mishra marks a deeper creative dialogue between couture and high jewellery, where fashion and craftsmanship move together seamlessly. With Desert Diamonds, we showcased rare natural diamonds shaped by ancient desert landscapes, interpreted through bold, sculptural forms that echoed Rahul Mishra’s nature-inspired silhouettes. The collection’s natural hues—ranging from luminous whites to warm champagnes and deep ochres—were highlighted through intricate settings and meticulous detailing. Each creation was conceived as wearable art, reinforcing our shared commitment to authenticity, rarity, and presenting Indian high jewellery with confidence on a global couture stage.”

Speaking on the launch of Dessert Diamonds in India, Shweta Harit, Global Senior Vice President, De Beers, said: “De Beers has now been a long-standing partner of Tanishq, and together we share a vision of bringing the world’s finest natural diamonds to discerning audiences in India. Desert diamonds exemplify this collaboration, each stone is part of a unique origin concept, showcasing the rarity, individuality, and natural beauty that only nature can create. With Desert diamonds, the ancient sands of time meet today’s desire for authentic beauty. Having already launched these exceptional diamonds in the USA, Tanishq is now bringing Desert diamonds to India, unveiling them on the global stage at Paris Couture Week and reinforcing our shared commitment to authenticity and craftsmanship.”

Rahul Mishra, Founder and Creative Director, said: “This collaboration with Tanishq is a meeting of philosophies shaped by time, nature, and human hands, and I am honoured to join hands with the legacy and trust created by them. Desert diamonds, formed over billions of years, resonate deeply with my couture collection Alchemy, which explores the elemental forces that bind creation and transformation. Presenting this dialogue at Paris Haute Couture Week allows us to honour rarity, not just in materials, but in thought, process, and craftsmanship. Together, we are telling a story where Indian artistry evolves naturally onto a global stage, rooted in heritage yet expressed through contemporary design.”

Bridgestone India Collaborates With Punjabi Star Parmish Verma For Music-Led Consumer Outreach

Bridgestone India has announced a dynamic new collaboration with celebrated Punjabi singer, actor, and youth icon Parmish Verma, as part of its focused strategy to deepen consumer engagement in key regional markets.

A powerful cultural voice in North India, Parmish Verma brings not only mass appeal and authenticity but also a genuine passion for automobiles. A well‑known car enthusiast, his personal interest in safe mobility and responsible driving makes this association a seamless fit with Bridgestone’s core values of performance, reliability, and safety.

North India continues to be a critical growth region for Bridgestone India, driven by rising vehicle ownership and a young, aspirational consumer base. With music and popular culture significantly shaping brand affinity in the region, Parmish Verma emerges as a natural and influential choice for this partnership.

As part of the association, Parmish Verma will collaborate with Bridgestone India as an artist, co‑creating music‑led storytelling, engaging narratives, and social‑media‑driven content for its campaigns.

Commenting on the partnership, Mr. Rajiv Sharma, Executive Director, Sales & Marketing, Bridgestone India, said: “North India is a strategically important market for us. Parmish Verma’s credibility and deep connection with audiences make him an ideal partner to represent Bridgestone. This collaboration enables us to engage meaningfully with young consumers who seek fresh, inspiring, and relatable brand experiences.”

Expressing his excitement, Parmish Verma said: “Bridgestone is a brand people trust for safety and performance. I’m proud to be associated with an organisation that values quality and puts customers first. I look forward to connecting with audiences in a new and meaningful way through this partnership.”

With this association, Bridgestone India furthers its regional engagement strategy while strengthening its position as a trusted mobility solutions provider for consumers across the country. This partnership embodies the ‘Emotion’ value of the Bridgestone E8 Commitment, which reflects the company’s promise to inspire excitement and bring joy through the world of mobility.

About Bridgestone India:

Bridgestone India Pvt. Ltd, a group company of Bridgestone Corporation, started its operations in 1996. In March 1998 with the setup of its manufacturing facility in Kheda, Madhya Pradesh, Bridgestone achieved its objective of running Indian manufactured Bridgestone tyres on Indian Roads. It expanded its facilities by setting up one more facility in Chakan, Pune in 2013. The Indore plant rolled out its 100 million tyre in 2023. In a short stint of more than 25 years, Bridgestone India Pvt. Ltd has become one of the leading tyre companies in both the OEM & Replacement market.

About Bridgestone Corporation:

Bridgestone is a global leader in tires and rubber building on its expertise to provide solutions for safe and sustainable mobility. Headquartered in Tokyo, the company employs approximately 130,000 people globally and conducts business in more than 150 countries and territories worldwide. Bridgestone offers a diverse product portfolio of premium tires and advanced solutions backed by innovative technologies, improving the way people around the world move, live, work and play.

*The Bridgestone Group established its corporate commitment, the "Bridgestone E8 Commitment," to help it realize its vision: "Toward 2050, Bridgestone continues to provide social value and customer value as a sustainable solutions company." This commitment will serve as the Group's axis to drive management while earning the trust of future generations. The "Bridgestone E8 Commitment" consists of eight unique Bridgestone values starting with the letter "E" (Energy, Ecology, Efficiency, Extension, Economy, Emotion, Ease, and Empowerment) that the Group will commit to creating through distinctly Bridgestone purposes and processes, together with employees, society, partners, and customers to help realize a sustainable society.

Alembic Pharmaceuticals Limited Announces USFDA Final Approval For Difluprednate Ophthalmic Emulsion

Alembic Pharmaceuticals Limited (Alembic) today announced that it has received final approval from the US Food & Drug Administration (USFDA) for its Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) Difluprednate Ophthalmic Emulsion, 0.05%.

The approved ANDA is therapeutically equivalent to the reference listed drug product (RLD), Durezol Ophthalmic Emulsion, 0.05%, of Sandoz Inc. (Sandoz).

Difluprednate ophthalmic emulsion is indicated for the treatment of inflammation and pain associated with ocular surgery and also indicated for the treatment of endogenous anterior uveitis. Refer label for a detailed indication.

Alembic has a cumulative total of 233 ANDA approvals (213 final approvals and 20 tentative approvals) from USFDA.

About Alembic Pharmaceuticals Limited

Alembic Pharmaceuticals Limited, a vertically integrated research and development pharmaceutical company, has been at the forefront of healthcare since 1907. Headquartered in India, Alembic is a publicly listed company that manufactures and markets generic pharmaceutical products all over the world. Alembic's state of the art research and manufacturing facilities are approved by regulatory authorities of many developed countries including the USFDA. Alembic is one of the leaders in branded generics in India. Alembic's brands, marketed through a field force of over 5500 are well recognized by doctors and patients.

Information about the Company can be found at www.alembicpharmaceuticals.com; (Reuters:ALEM.NS) (Bloomberg:ALPM) (NSE:APLLTD) (BSE:533573)

GJEPC Unveils ‘Quantum Couture’ As The Theme For The Artisan Awards 2026: A Visionary Leap Into Future of Jewellery Design

The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) has officially announced the theme for the prestigious Artisan Jewellery Design Awards 2026, “Quantum Couture – Re-Engineering Beauty and Cultural Codes.” Launched as a call to push boundaries, the 2026 edition invites designers to move beyond convention and create wearable art for a radically evolving world—where jewellery design, legacy and technology coexist as parallel realities.

The 2026 edition impels participants to push boundaries, move beyond boxed thinking and convention, and create wearable art for an evolving world—where jewellery design, heritage and technology coexist in a meaningful manner. “Quantum Couture” shifts the focus from simply preserving form to translating meaning through a lens of “augmented imagination.”

Speaking on this year’s theme, Mr. Kirit Bhansali, Chairman, GJEPC, said, “India’s artisanal legacy is not a static memory; it is a living force that is actively shaping the global future of design. With ‘Quantum Couture,’ we are challenging designers to treat jewellery legacy as an evolving system. This is not just a trend, it is a new operating system for jewellery. We are inviting the world to see India not just as a manufacturing hub, but as a global muse that blends Indian craft with modern techniques.”

Mr. Ashish Borda, Convener, Promotions & Marketing, GJEPC, added, “Marketing in the modern era requires a narrative that resonates across generations. ‘Quantum Couture’ is our answer to a shifting consumer landscape where Gen Z and Boomers alike seek jewelry that is fluid, inclusive, and innovative. By pushing our designers to explore ‘augmented imagination,’ we are ensuring that the Indian jewelry industry remains at the forefront of the global cultural conversation, making traditional craft irresistible to the digital-native consumer.”

The 2026 theme is explored through three distinct sub-themes, each acting as a lens to define a new couture vocabulary:

1. Quantum Couture – Embroidery: Heritage Rewired Through Structure and Light
This theme reinterprets traditional embroidery—lace, brocade, filigree and beadwork—into sculptural jewellery forms. Here’s a chance to unleash your creativity and convert couture textiles into jewellery structures that feel woven, layered and suspended. The textile-inspired elements can include brocade, crochet and lace cut-outs, reimagined in precious materials. Moreover, micro-pearl weaving, bejewelled nets, fluid tassels and fringes lend movement and lightness, while yellow gold and white metals form the structural base.

2. Quantum Couture – Micro-Painting: The Intimacy of Detail in the Age of Acceleration
In this direction, jewellery becomes a micro-canvas of storytelling, rich with symbolism, where technology enhances artisanal expression rather than replacing it.

This design direction draws from time-honoured techniques such as the jadau, meenakari kundan enamelling, micro-mosaics and miniature paintings, where every surface becomes a canvas of detail. Engravings, carvings and openwork designs add depth and dimension, while rarified traditions like Thewa art bring luminous narrative to the fore.

3. Quantum Couture – Poetic Layers: Nature, Memory and Form in Dimensional Dialogue
This design direction draws from nature’s poetry, expressed through bejewelled fauna and flora rendered in layered, sculptural forms. Designs play with depth, relief and contrast to create expressive, gender-fluid pieces that merge poetic craft with contemporary construction. Techniques such as marquetry, engraving and carving, and fine filigree create depth and texture, while contrasting effects and coloured metals introduce visual drama and a contemporary sensibility.

Now in its 9th edition, the Artisan Awards 2026 is an invitation to design jewellery that resonates across generations, proving that the future of jewellery is not waiting to be preserved—it is already in the making.

Since its inception, The Artisan Awards have consistently challenged designers with disruptive themes that break stereotypes and elevate jewellery to the realm of wearable art—transcending mere intrinsic value. Each edition reinforces the belief that fine jewellery can serve as a powerful canvas for avant-garde creativity and contemporary expression. Entries undergo a rigorous, multi-stage jury evaluation process, beginning with a technical assessment and progressing through multiple rounds of expert judging. Beyond cash prizes, winners also receive internships with leading industry brands, while the winning and finalist pieces are showcased at prominent international trade shows under the India Design Gallery, curated and organised by GJEPC—offering designers unparalleled global visibility and recognition.

Jewellery manufacturers, retail brands, design labels, and design students are invited to submit their interpretations of “Quantum Couture,” joining a movement that redefines Brand India as a leader in innovation-led, sustainable, and visionary jewellery design. Sketches, along with the participation forms, must be submitted by 10th February 2026.

Paola De Luca, futurist and curator of the Quantum Couture theme, will hold an online ARTISAN AWARDS 2026- MASTER CLASS on 23 January at 2.30 pm India time, offering interested participants a deep dive into the three distinct categories.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://gjepc.zoom.us/j/89545181610?pwd=or2ovbOFsbpNo1z6yI5hfHBdtWznk0.1

ARTISAN AWARDS (www.theartisanawards.com)

The Artisan Jewellery Design Awards, an initiative of the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC), is a prestigious design platform that celebrates innovation, originality and forward-thinking creativity in fine jewellery. Conceived to position India as a global design powerhouse, the awards encourage designers to push boundaries and reimagine jewellery as wearable art that goes beyond intrinsic value.

Over the years, The Artisan Awards have evolved into a globally recognised showcase of never-seen-before jewellery concepts, judged by an eminent international jury comprising leaders from luxury, fashion, art and design. Winners and finalists gain significant global exposure through showcases at leading international trade fairs and platforms curated by GJEPC, along with opportunities for industry internships and recognition across global media.

The Artisan Awards continue to reinforce Brand India as a source of visionary, design-led jewellery that seamlessly blends craftsmanship, contemporary thinking and cultural relevance.

About The Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC)

The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC), set up by the Ministry of Commerce, Government of India (GoI) in 1966, is one of several Export Promotion Councils (EPCs) launched by the Indian Government, to boost the country’s export thrust, when India’s post-Independence economy began making forays in the international markets. Since 1998, the GJEPC has been granted autonomous status. The GJEPC is the apex body of the gems & jewellery industry and today represents 9000 members in the sector. With headquarters in Mumbai, GJEPC has Regional Offices in New Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Surat and Jaipur, all of which are major centres for the industry. It thus has a wide reach and is able to have a closer interaction with members to serve them in a direct and more meaningful manner. Over the past decades, GJEPC has emerged as one of the most active EPCs and has continuously strived to both expand its reach and depth in its promotional activities as well as widen and increase services to its members.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/GJEPC
Instagram: www.instagram.com/gjepcindia
Youtube: www.youtube.com/gjepcindia
Twitter: www.twitter.com/GJEPCIndia

PAN India To Hosts Landmark 50th Signature CME In Bengaluru, Advancing Evidence-Based Nutrition In Clinical Practice

In a significant step toward placing nutrition at the core of modern healthcare, Physicians Association for Nutrition (PAN) India will hosts its 50th Annual Signature Continuing Medical Education (CME) on 25 January 2026 at Taj Yeshwantpur, Bengaluru, in collaboration with IMA Bangalore and Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute (BMCRI).

The full-day, accredited CME brings together 600+ physicians, specialists, public health experts, and researchers from across the country to address one of India’s most pressing health challenges the rapidly rising burden of obesity, pre-diabetes, and metabolic disease. Participants will earn 2 KMC credit points while engaging in in-depth scientific discussions, interactive sessions, and practical learning experiences.

The programme features an eminent panel of national and international experts and will focus on:

● Evidence-based dietary interventions in obesity and metabolic disorders

● Understanding insulin resistance and cardiometabolic risk

● Re-evaluating macronutrient quality and dietary patterns

● Nutrition, healthspan, and longevity

● Translating research evidence into everyday clinical practice

A defining theme of the CME is clinical applicability. Beyond keynote lectures and panel discussions, the programme includes interactive quizzes, movement and fitness sessions, and a culinary medicine demonstration illustrating how to design calorie-appropriate, nutrient-dense dietary patterns suited to Indian contexts. A curated whole-food, plant-based lunch will offer participants a tangible experience of the dietary approaches discussed on stage.

Marking an important milestone, PAN India will also formally launch a new physician reference book on Healthy & Sustainable Diets during the CME. The book represents the first volume in a planned series of evidence-based, clinically practical nutrition resources tailored for Indian healthcare professionals.

“Nutrition is not an adjunct to treatment; it is foundational to prevention and recovery. When clinicians are equipped with evidence-based nutrition knowledge, we move from disease management to true health restoration. Embedding this evidence into healthcare systems and medical education is essential for sustained population-level impact.”

— Dr Rajeena Shahin, Medical Director, PAN India

The CME also underscores the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, bringing together perspectives from clinical medicine, nutrition science, public health, and policy to explore sustainable, patient-centred healthcare models.

“We are seeing a clear shift among clinicians who want to meaningfully integrate nutrition into their practice, not as an add-on, but as a core part of patient care,” said Dr Prathima Kini, Chair, PAN India Bengaluru City Chapter.

“What is particularly encouraging is the growing interest from medical colleges and professional organisations to integrate evidence-based nutrition into curricula and training programmes,” added Dr Mahesh, City Chapter Director.

As PAN India marks its 50th CME, the Annual Signature CME 2026 reaffirms the organisation’s long-standing mission to integrate evidence-based nutrition into medical education and routine clinical care. With growing engagement from the medical fraternity nationwide, PAN India continues to lead the conversation on food as medicine, shaping a future where nutrition is central to healthcare delivery.

About Physicians Association for Nutrition (PAN) India

PAN India is a non-profit professional organisation committed to advancing evidence-based nutrition in medical education, clinical practice, and public health. Through education, research, and policy engagement, PAN India works to integrate nutrition as a core component of disease prevention and treatment in India.

TVS Credit Registers Growth Of 21% In Disbursement And 22% In PAT; Reports PAT Of Rs 658 Crore For Nine Months Ended Dec 2025

TVS Credit Services Limited, one of India’s leading NBFCs, today, published its unaudited financial results for the quarter and nine months ended December 31, 2025. The Company registered a 21% growth in disbursements in 9M FY26 compared to 9M FY25. TVS Credit reported a Total Income of Rs. 5,351 Crore for 9M FY26, a growth of 8% from 9M FY25 and Net Profit After Tax of Rs. 658 Crore for 9M FY26, a growth of 22% from 9M FY25.

Q3 FY26 Highlights:

· AUM stood at Rs. 29,678 Crore as of Dec ’25, a 9% growth compared to Dec ’24.

· Total Income for Q3 FY26 was Rs. 1,870 Crore, a 9% growth compared to Q3 FY25.

· Profit before Tax for Q3 FY26 stood at Rs. 370 Crore, a 15% growth compared to Q3 FY25.

· Net Profit after Tax was Rs. 272 Crore for Q3 FY26, a 13% growth compared to Q3 FY25.

9M FY26 Highlights:

· AUM stood at Rs. 29,678 Crore as of Dec ’25, a 9% growth compared to Dec ’24.

· Total Income for 9M FY26 was Rs. 5,351 Crore, a 8% growth compared to 9M FY25.

· Profit before Tax for 9M FY26 stood at Rs. 890 Crore, a 23% growth compared to 9M FY25.

· Net Profit after Tax was Rs. 658 Crore for 9M FY26, a 22% growth compared to 9M FY25.

In Q3 FY26, TVS Credit continued to witness growth in disbursements. Positive customer sentiment post GST 2.0 implementation and low inflation drove demand across product categories leading to increased sales, deeper market penetration, and enhanced market share. TVS Credit also saw a successful festive season with robust demand. During the period, the Company maintained its focus on risk calibrated growth across product categories, building a diversified book. TVS Credit continued to drive penetration of existing products, expand product offerings, scale up distribution while enhancing customer experience and operational efficiency.

During 9M FY26, TVS Credit disbursed loans to over 41 lakh new customers, bringing its total customer base to nearly 2.3 crore.

TVS Credit will continue to focus on leveraging technology and innovation to drive digital transformation and deepen customer relationships while maintaining strong risk management practices.

About TVS Credit Services Limited:

TVS Credit Services Limited is one of India’s leading and diversified Non-Banking Financial Company registered with the RBI. With over 60,700 touchpoints across India, the Company aims to empower Indians to dream bigger and fulfil their aspirations. Being the number one financier for TVS Motor Company Limited and one of the leading Two-Wheeler, Consumer Durable and Mobile Phone financiers, TVS Credit has a fast-growing footprint in Used Car Loans, Tractor Loans, Used Commercial Vehicle Loans, and Unsecured Loans. Powered by robust new-age technologies and data analytics, the Company has served nearly 2.3 crore happy customers till date.

Franklin Templeton India’s “Change The Soch – Kanyakumari To Kashmir

* Drive” A Nationwide Campaign Reaches Bengaluru To Spread Investor Awareness About Mutual Fund Investing

Avinash Satwalekar, President – Franklin Templeton India, embarks on over 4000+ km drive from Kanyakumari to Kashmir, meeting people from diverse backgrounds to champion financial literacy and inclusion

The investor education campaign will focus on the importance of financial literacy especially among women in India to progress from savings to investments

Franklin Templeton India’s ‘Change the Soch – Kanyakumari to Kashmir Drive’ – a first of its kind nationwide campaign reaches the city of Bengaluru aimed at promoting financial empowerment, especially among women. Commemorating Franklin Templeton’s 30 years in India, this 30-day journey kicked off in the southern tip of the country in Kanyakumari covering 21 cities, and conclude in Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir. Through interactive financial education sessions, expert insights, and community engagement, the drive aims to demystify mutual fund investing and inspire confidence among thousands of Indians to take charge of their financial future.

Avinash Satwalekar, President – Franklin Templeton India, will lead the drive, championing financial inclusion through this journey across the country. He will stop every other day in a new town or village to host investor education workshops for diverse groups of women, emphasising the importance of saving, investing, and building long-term wealth to achieve life goals. The initiative will engage a wide spectrum of participants, majority being women including farmers (from fishing communities to those involved in varied crop cultivation), academia (students, parents, school and university teachers), self-help groups (women engaged in the food and handloom sectors), entrepreneurs, private and government sector employees, and army, navy and police personnel.

Speaking on the launch initiative, Avinash Satwalekar, President, Franklin Templeton–India, said, “Financial literacy among women is fundamental to India’s long-term socio-economic progress. While urban centres have made meaningful advances, lakhs of women across Bharat, especially in Tier 2 and Tier 3 regions remain underserved in terms of access to financial knowledge and tools. Through this initiative, we will engage with women from diverse walks of life and empower them with the knowledge and confidence to save, invest and adopt digital finance.”

He added, “When women make informed financial decisions, households could become resilient, communities could thrive and the country moves closer to inclusive growth. Bridging this gap is more than education – it is a vital step towards India’s ambition of Viksit Bharat (developed nation status) by 2047 and building a more inclusive and sustainable financial ecosystem.”

Mutual funds are some of the most efficient methods to achieve a variety of investment objectives such as building long-term wealth and beating inflation. In addition, mutual funds help investors diversify their investments, benefit from professional investment expertise, economies of scale, liquidity, tax efficiencies and lower ticket sizes. Franklin Templeton brings its unique initiative to the city of Bengaluru, Karnataka, which is among the top 50 markets in terms of industry assets under management to spread awareness about mutual funds.

Franklin Templeton sees strong growth potential for mutual funds in Karnataka as new investors look to participate in the India growth story. The fund house is committed to expanding its distribution network in the state and aims to reach out to more investors, to educate them about the advantages of mutual fund investing. Currently, the AAUM of the mutual fund industry in Karnataka stands at over Rs.564,488 growing over 17% in the previous year distributed across key cities like Bengaluru, Mangaluru, Hubli, Raichur and Mysuru signaling a promising growth trajectory in the medium to long term1. The Indian mutual fund industry's assets under management (AUM) have grown by over six times in a decade, from Rs. 12.75 trillion as on December 31, 2015 to Rs. 80.23 trillion as on December 31, 2025, reflecting an annualized growth rate of 20%2. With 77 years of expertise in global investing, Franklin Templeton boasts an extensive international presence and a wide array of products supported by a dedicated team of over 1600 investment professionals. The company manages assets worth US$ 1.68 trillion (~Rs. 150 lakh crores) world wide, as on December 31, 2025. Franklin Templeton has a 30-year legacy in India with average assets under management of over Rs. 1.27 lakh crores across 37 mutual fund schemes. Three of its flagship funds – Franklin India Large Cap Fund (erstwhile Franklin India Bluechip Fund), Franklin India Mid Cap Fund (erstwhile Franklin India Prima Fund) and Franklin India Flexi Cap Fund have a track record of over 30 years, while 18 Franklin Templeton funds have completed more than 20 years since their inception.

About Franklin Templeton

Franklin Templeton (India) is one of the largest foreign fund houses** in the country. It manages one of the most comprehensive ranges of mutual funds catering to varied investor requirements and offering different investment styles to choose from. It has offices in 39 cities and Collection Centers in over 100 locations across the country.

Franklin Resources, Inc. [NYSE:BEN] is a global investment management organization with subsidiaries operating as Franklin Templeton and serving clients in over 150 countries. Franklin Templeton’s mission is to help clients achieve better outcomes through investment management expertise, wealth management and technology solutions. Through its specialist investment managers, the company offers boutique specialization on a global scale, bringing extensive capabilities in equity, fixed income, multi-asset solutions and alternatives. With offices in more than 25 countries and approximately 1,600 investment professionals, the California-based company has 77 years of investment experience and $1.66 trillion in assets under management as of December 31, 2025.

** Source: AMFI Website (based on AAUM as on December 31, 2025)

*Visit our website http://www.franklintempletonindia.com for further details including details of AUM by geography.

Tariff And Shortened Implementation Runway For DPDP Act Can Hurt Foreign Investment

* 24 Months runway for DPDP is critical for Indian startup community

The government's intention to reduce the timeline for implementing the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023, poses a significant threat to startups that have meticulously built their business models in accordance with the original timeline. A last-minute change in the implementation schedule can cause severe disruptions and financial losses, particularly for startups that have invested heavily in compliance measures. This development comes at a critical time when micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are already requesting compliance relief ahead of Budget 2026-27. The sudden shift in the DPDP Act timeline exacerbates the challenges faced by the startup community, potentially undermining their resilience and competitiveness in an already volatile economic landscape. Moreover, startups have secured substantial investments over the next 12 months, predicated on the assumption of a stable regulatory environment. Any abrupt changes could jeopardize these investments, leading to a cascade of negative impacts on innovation, job creation, and economic growth.

“As of the latest available data, Indian startups have secured significant investments over the next 12 months. According to industry reports and market analyses, the startup ecosystem in India is poised to attract over $20 billion in funding. This influx of capital is driven by both domestic and international investors who are increasingly recognizing the potential of Indian startups across various sectors, including technology, fintech, e-commerce, and healthcare. The funding is expected to support growth, innovation, and the scaling of business models, provided that a stable and predictable regulatory environment is maintained. Any sudden changes in critical regulations, such as the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023, could disrupt these investment plans and hinder the progress of the startup community” said K Giri, Director General, Empower India.

“However, when implementation timelines are compressed, the cascading impact on small businesses must be acknowledged. These enterprises require adequate time to adapt systems, align processes, and understand how changes affect their visibility, reach, and operations.” He added that a phased and consultative approach, with structured feedback mechanisms, can help ensure smoother transitions and more effective compliance without disrupting smaller players in the ecosystem.”

During rapid implementation phases, larger firms understandably prioritise stabilising core compliance systems. While necessary, this operational focus can temporarily affect support timelines, onboarding processes, and feature rollouts that smaller dependent businesses rely on, creating unintended disruptions in business continuity. When timelines are accelerated, opportunities for iterative engagement, testing, feedback and co-development between firms and their smaller partners are also reduced, limiting collaborative solutions that would benefit the broader ecosystem.

The immediate implementation of Rule 23 and Rule 16 under the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act could wreak havoc on innovation and scaling for Indian startups. Rule 23 allows the Central Government to demand information from Data Fiduciaries, potentially disrupting operations and causing compliance challenges. Rule 16's exemption for research and statistical purposes, while beneficial, adds complexity. These abrupt changes create uncertainty, hindering startups' ability to plan, invest, and scale effectively in a rapidly evolving market.

About Empower India

Empower India, a new age think tank group, focuses on governance and regulatory issues and how these impact the ease of doing business and investment opportunities in the country.