Saturday, February 7, 2026

WEutsav: Festival Of Rural Women Entrepreneurs Comes To Bengaluru On 14 February 2026


• Exhibition to showcase rural women entrepreneurs from 15+ Indian states

• Focus on ‘Skill to Entrepreneurship: Building Sustainable Livelihoods.’

• Live craft demonstrations, experience zones, and direct market access

• Platform to promote women's empowerment, indigenous crafts, and rural enterprises

The Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII), Ahmedabad, supported initiative and organized by WeAct, today announced WEutsav, a one-day exhibition celebrating rural women entrepreneurship, to be held on 14 February 2026 at Koramangala Indoor Stadium, Bengaluru, from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm. Entry to the exhibition will be free and open to the public.

WEutsav aims to highlight the entrepreneurial journey from skill development to sustainable enterprise creation, with a special focus on rural women-led businesses. The exhibition will feature women entrepreneurs from 15+ Indian states, showcasing handcrafted, eco-friendly, and indigenous products across sectors such as textiles, handicrafts, home décor, food products, and sustainable lifestyle goods.

The event will include product exhibition and sales stalls, live craft demonstrations, and state-wise experience zones that present the heritage, culture, ethnicity, and iconic landmarks of participating states. These immersive zones are designed to offer visitors an engaging, first-hand experience of India’s diverse traditional crafts and rural enterprises.

WEutsav also serves as a platform for youth and students to engage with real-life entrepreneurial stories, encouraging innovation, enterprise thinking, and appreciation for grassroots businesses. Participating students and institutions will receive certificates of participation, reinforcing learning beyond classrooms.

Through WEutsav, EDII, and WeAct reaffirm their commitment to women empowerment, livelihood generation, and inclusive economic development by strengthening market access and visibility for rural entrepreneurs.

Event Details:

Venue: Koramangala Indoor Stadium, Bengaluru

Date: 14 February 2026

Time: 11:00 am – 6:00 pm

Entry: Open to the public

About WeAct

WeAct (Women Entrepreneurs Access Connect Transform) is a national-level initiative formed by the Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII), Ahmedabad, to empower rural women entrepreneurs. It provides hands-on support in business planning, marketing, market access, digital adoption, and financial literacy, helping women-led micro-businesses become sustainable and profitable. WeAct’s structure strengthens women’s participation in India’s rural enterprise ecosystem. For more information, visit: www.weact.in

About Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII)

The Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII), Ahmedabad, was set up in 1983 with the support of apex financial institutions - the IDBI Bank Ltd., IFCI Ltd., ICICI Bank Ltd., State Bank of India (SBI), and the Government of Gujarat. EDII has been recognized as the CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Government of India. The Institute is closely associated with premier corporates in implementing their CSR initiatives across the county leading to strengthening of MSMEs, promotion of women entrepreneurship, and creation of sustainable livelihoods. For more information, visit: www.ediindia.org

Ultraviolette Accelerates Network Expansion With Its 5th Experience Centre In Bangalore


· X-47 Crossover and F77s are now available for sale in Nagarbhavi, Domlur, Yelahanka, Hosur Road and Whitefield.

· The launch of the UV Space Station in Whitefield widens Ultraviolette’s national presence, further strengthening its foothold across thirty-five cities nationwide.

· Customer Access: Offers enthusiasts an immersive brand experience by catering to the end-to-end requirements of the customer lifecycle.

· Personalized Test Rides and Service: Experience centre features tailored test ride opportunities, dedicated service assistance, and access to genuine spares.

Ultraviolette Automotive today announced the launch of a new UV Space Station in Bangalore, marking its fifth experience centre in the city and a significant step in strengthening its nationwide retail and service network. The expansion follows a series of recent product and technology milestones, including the launch of the X-47 Crossover and the UV Crossfade carbon-fibre helmet, and reflects Ultraviolette’s continued focus on scaling a performance-driven electric mobility ecosystem. With this addition, the company further deepens customer access to its performance electric motorcycles and further reinforces Bangalore’s position as the epicentre of Ultraviolette’s engineering, innovation, and product development.

The newly established UV Space Station, in partnership with dealer M/s Lithium Wheels, will provide customers a comprehensive experience to explore Ultraviolette's performance motorcycles the X-47 Crossover and F77s. The UV Space Station is a 3S facility and is designed to offer an immersive experience, starting with test ride experience, sales, service, and a range of motorcycle accessories- all under one roof.

The Experience Centre will display the company’s performance motorcycles the X-47 and F77s. The products redefine electric performance with a powertrain boasting 40.2 hp and 100 Nm of torque, accelerating from 0 to 60 kph in just 2.8 seconds. Equipped with a 10.3 kWh battery, it boasts an IDC range of 323 kms on a single charge.

Commenting on the launch Narayan Subramaniam, Co-founder & CEO, Ultraviolette, said, “The launch of our fifth Ultraviolette Experience Center in Bangalore represents a key step in expanding our retail and service network in a city that has been central to our engineering, product development, and innovation journey. This new Space Station strengthens our ability to deliver a seamless, end-to-end ownership experience in one of our most important markets, while also supporting the scale required for our growing product portfolio. Looking ahead, our roadmap to 100 touchpoints across India in 2026 is gaining strong momentum, with additional outlets planned in the coming months. Each new location is designed to strengthen customer engagement, scale execution, and accelerate the adoption of electric mobility across the country.”

Built on Ultraviolette’s deep engineering and platform-led innovation, the X-47 Crossover is the world’s first radar-integrated electric motorcycle offered as standard, marking a decisive shift in how performance electric motorcycles are designed and experienced. The motorcycle features a rider-focused interface with a 5-inch TFT display, three distinct ride modes, long-travel suspension and industry-first radial all-terrain tyres, delivering confidence, stability and control across varied riding conditions.

Advanced safety and intelligence are delivered through Ultraviolette’s UV Radar Intelligence, powered by a 77 GHz rear radar and the UV HyperSense Advanced Rider Assistance System, enabling functions such as blind-spot monitoring, lane change assist, overtake alerts and rear collision warnings. The X-47 also incorporates the world’s most power-dense air-cooled onboard charger, engineered, developed and designed in-house by Ultraviolette, alongside parallel boost charging and an integrated dashcam system. This engineering-led approach has earned recognition across the automotive industry, including honours from leading automotive awards as EV Motorcycle of the Year, reinforcing Ultraviolette’s ambition to build globally competitive electric mobility solutions from India.

Address of the UV Space Station in Whitefield: No.931 B.Narayanapura Village K.R.Puram Hobli Bangalore East Thaluk Pin 560016.

About Ultraviolette Automotive:

Ultraviolette (UV) is an innovator in future-ready Electric Vehicle Platforms and Battery Technology. Infused with Aviation DNA, this enterprise was conceived in 2016 by the founders, Narayan Subramaniam and Niraj Rajmohan. Ultraviolette is backed by a spectrum of global investors, including Lingotto, TDK Ventures, Qualcomm Ventures, Zoho Corporation, TVS Motors, and Speciale Invest.

For more information, visit https://www.ultraviolette.com/

Photo Caption: (L to R) Ms. Smitha Srinivasa, Director, Ms. Lithium Wheels; Mr. Vinayak Bhat, Chief Product Officer, Ultraviolette; and Mr. Abin Varghese, Director, Ms. Lithium Wheels, during the inauguration of the UV Space Station, Whitefield, Bengaluru.

JSW Foundation In Partnership With Michelangelo Foundation To Take Indian Artisans To The Global Stage At Homo Faber 2026, Venice


In a significant step towards placing Indian craftsmanship within a global contemporary dialogue, JSW Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the diversified JSW Group has announced its collaboration with Homo Faber 2026, the internationally acclaimed cultural movement supporting creative artisans worldwide presented by the Michelangelo Foundation for Creativity and Craftsmanship.

Through this collaboration, JSW Foundation will support the participation of Indian artisans at the fourth edition of the Homo Faber Biennial, to be held from 1 to 30 September 2026 at the historic Fondazione Giorgio Cini on San Giorgio Maggiore Island in Venice. The biennial brings together exceptional artisans from across the world, spotlighting craftsmanship as a living, evolving creative practice.

Curated under the theme “Homo Faber 2026: An Island of Light,” the upcoming edition will feature works by hundreds of artisans whose practices span materials, techniques and cultural contexts. By becoming a Homo Faber Guardian of Creativity and Craftsmanship, JSW Foundation will enable Indian artisans to participate in this global platform, offering them international visibility and meaningful engagement beyond traditional narratives of craft.

The collaboration was announced at the India Art Fair on 5 February, in the presence of Tarini Jindal Handa and Sangita Jindal, reaffirming JSW Foundation’s commitment to championing craft traditions from India and South Asia on a global stage.

Speaking on the collaboration, Sangita Jindal, Chairperson, JSW Foundation, said, “We are proud that JSW Foundation will participate in Homo Faber in Venice in September 2026, creating an international stage where Indian master artisans engage with global audiences, not as representatives of folklore, but as peers in a shared creative language.”

Sangita Jindal has been instrumental in building capacity for artisans through her leadership at JSW Foundation, creating opportunities through skill development, design collaborations, market access and global platforms. Her efforts have focused on preserving traditional crafts while positioning artisans as contemporary creators, strengthening livelihoods and elevating Indian craftsmanship on the international platforms.

“Homo Faber 2026 will be dedicated to craft artists from all over the world, whose outstanding artworks will contribute to the narrative that Artistic Director Es Devlin is creating,” said Alberto Cavalli, Executive Director of the Michelangelo Foundation. “Our partnership with JSW Foundation is allowing us to give space, attention and relevance to a meaningful selection of gifted artisans from India whose work represents the authenticity, beauty and sophistication of contemporary Indian artisanship. Their participation will help these artisans gain reputation, visibility and hope – the same hope we share: that beauty, crafted by humans for humans, will always be the universal language that nourishes our community.”

With this collaboration, JSW Foundation reinforces its long-standing commitment to preserving and advancing India’s craft traditions, while repositioning Indian artisans within a global contemporary framework, one that recognises craftsmanship not as heritage alone, but as a vital and forward-looking creative force.

About JSW Foundation:

JSW Foundation has a long track record and comes from a rich legacy of empowering rural communities to enrich their lives since the last three decades. JSW Foundation’s focus areas are Health and Nutrition; Education; Water, Environment and Sanitation; Waste Management; Agriculture; Skills and Livelihoods; Sports Promotion; and Art, Culture and Heritage. Through a strong field presence, JSW Foundation operates across 39 districts in 18 states with priority on communities around JSW’s core areas of operations. JSW Foundation also reaches out to communities beyond these locations to contribute towards India’s social development in an impactful way.

About Michelangelo Foundation for Creativity and Craftsmanship:

Founded in 2016, the Geneva-based Michelangelo Foundation for Creativity and Craftsmanship champions contemporary craftspeople worldwide with the aim of promoting a more human, inclusive and sustainable future. Its signature projects comprise: Homo Faber NextGen, a suite of education programmes for the next generations of artisans; Homo Faber Guide, an online platform showcasing artisans around the world; Homo Faber Finds, which identifies craft excellence and proposes imaginative ideas to inspire collaborations, private commissions and acquisitions; and a yearly programme of events including flagship celebration Homo Faber Biennial and curated exhibition series Homo Faber Capsule. homofaber.com

Maharashtra Govt Orders Statewide Action Against Illegal Mosquito Agarbatti ‘Comfort’ And ‘Sleep Well’


Directs Retailers and Shopkeepers to Stop Stocking and Selling

In a strong move to protect public health, the Maharashtra Department of Agriculture has directed all Insecticide Inspectors across the state to take immediate enforcement action against the sale of illegal mosquito agarbatti sold under the brand names “Comfort” and “Sleep Well.” The government has ordered strict implementation under the Insecticides Act, 1968 and the Insecticides Rules, 1971, including raids, seizures, and prosecution of violators.

The Home Insect Control Association (HICA), a non-profit industry body promoting the safe and responsible use of household insecticides in India, has welcomed the government’s decisive step. Over the past several months, HICA has remained in close coordination with authorities and consistently flagged concerns around mosquito agarbattis containing unapproved chemicals.

Earlier investigations into Sleep Well in Andhra Pradesh and Comfort in Mumbai confirmed through laboratory testing the presence of illegal and unapproved insecticides, prompting regulatory scrutiny and enforcement action in multiple states. Within just 15 days of the Mumbai raid and ban on ‘Comfort’, Maharashtra has now escalated its response to a statewide level, issuing a fresh circular to curb the sale of both products across the state.

Following this, the Director of Agriculture, Maharashtra, has issued a fresh statewide circular to all Divisional Joint Directors of Agriculture and Insecticide Inspectors, mandating immediate enforcement action against retailers and distributors selling “Comfort” and “Sleep Well” mosquito agarbattis. The circular instructs field authorities to carry out raids, seize illegal stock, and report all actions to the Commissionerate of Agriculture.

The Maharashtra Government has also cautioned shopkeepers and distributors that the sale and distribution of unregistered insecticide products is illegal and punishable under law, and has directed all retailers to immediately stop stocking and selling these products.

Jayant Deshpande, Hon. Secretary, Home Insect Control Association (HICA), said, “We strongly appreciate the Maharashtra government for its decisive and timely action against illegal mosquito repellent agarbattis like Comfort and Sleep Well. The misuse of illegal and unapproved chemicals in incense repellent formats is extremely concerning and poses potential risks to public. Such products are deliberately sold without regulatory approvals and mislead consumers into believing they are safe. This enforcement is in the interest of people who unknowingly buy spurious mosquito agarbattis. The government action sends a clear message that illegal manufacturers and those enabling their distribution will not be tolerated. We urge sustained action across states and advise consumers to purchase only mosquito repellents that carry a valid CIBRC registration number.”

HICA has urged retailers and distributors to ensure full compliance with regulatory requirements and advised consumers to buy only mosquito repellents that carry a valid CIR (Central Insecticide Registration) number on the packaging.

About HOME INSECT CONTROL ASSOCIATION (HICA)

HOME INSECT CONTROL ASSOCIATION (HICA) is a premier organization established 1995 in Mumbai to give impetus to the domestic Home Insecticides sector, to facilitate the members of the association for the overall safety of the environment and to educate the public about the healthy and proper use of the home insecticides for a pest free life.

For more details, visit https://www.hica.co.in/

Marwadi University Concludes Emulate 2026, Packed With Culture, Creativity And Expression


Marwadi University echoed with creativity, culture, and celebration with its flagship fest “Emulate 2026”. Previously known as MU Fest, the event was scheduled from February 4 to 6, 2026. Recognised as one of the most anticipated inter-college youth festivals in the region, the three-day extravaganza witnessed participation from over 15,000 students featuring 70 diverse events.

The major attraction of was the musical nights which emerged as a showstopper, with chart-topping rapper Divine delivering a high-octane performance that had the crowd on its feet, followed by an emotionally resonant and melodious concert by celebrated playback singer Shaan, creating moments that students will cherish long after the fest.

Adding the flavour of humour, popular stand-up comedians Gurleen Pannu and Ravi Gupta had the crowd in splits with their witty one-liners marking the beginning of a hilarious celebration.

Adding depth and inspiration to the fest were engaging fireside chat sessions with Aparshakti Khurana, Shivankit Singh, and Anya Singh, where students gained insights into creativity, personal journeys, and the evolving entertainment landscape through candid conversations.

Dhruv Marwadi, Trustee, Marwadi University, shared, “Emulate 2026 brought together art, culture, dialogue, and entertainment on one platform. We aimed to empower young minds to express themselves, think creatively, and build confidence. The scale and diversity of this year’s fest underlined our commitment to creating enriching experiences that shape students into dynamic and socially aware individuals.”

A key highlight of the first evening was the student-led fashion show, where the students took centre stage, showcasing innovation, confidence, and contemporary design sensibilities, reinforcing the fest’s core spirit of student empowerment.

Manipal Institute of Technology (MIT), Manipal, To Host Manipal Entrepreneurship Summit 2026 From 12-14 February


The Manipal Entrepreneurship Summit 2026 (MES 2026), India’s leading student-led entrepreneurship and innovation platform organised by the Entrepreneurship Cell of the Manipal Institute of Technology (MIT), Manipal, a constituent unit of Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), an Institution of Eminence Deemed to be University, will be held from 12 to 14 February 2026. The three-day summit will convene students, startups, investors, industry leaders, creators, and policymakers from across India to promote innovation, collaboration, and entrepreneurial development.

Manipal Entrepreneurship Summit is recognised as one of India’s most energetic student-led startup platforms. It seeks to boost the national entrepreneurial ecosystem by integrating thought leadership, funding options, competitive events, and extensive industry engagement in a single event. The summit offers a distinctive space where young innovators can connect directly with seasoned entrepreneurs and industry specialists, facilitating the transformation of ideas into tangible, real-world ventures.

Lt. Gen. (Dr.) M. D. Venkatesh, VSM, (Retd.) Vice Chancellor, MAHE, stated, “The Manipal Entrepreneurship Summit 2026 underscores MAHE’s vision of promoting innovation-driven education and entrepreneurship as key enablers of national development.

By bringing together academia, industry, startups, and policymakers on a common platform, MES 2026 exemplifies our commitment as an Institution of Eminence to nurturing socially relevant, scalable, and sustainable ventures. Such initiatives empower students to become job creators and responsible leaders in a rapidly evolving global economy.”

Dr. (Cdr) Anil Rana, Director, Manipal Institute of Technology (MIT), Manipal, said, “The Manipal Entrepreneurship Summit 2026 reflects MIT's sustained commitment to nurturing innovation, entrepreneurship, and industry readiness among students. By providing a platform that connects young minds with industry leaders, investors, and policymakers, MES 2026 enables experiential learning beyond the classroom and encourages students to translate ideas into impactful ventures. Such initiatives play a critical role in strengthening India’s startup ecosystem and preparing future-ready entrepreneurs.”

The summit will commence with keynote and guest sessions by well-known entrepreneurs and creators, including Shantanu Deshpande, Ankur Warikoo, and Sahiba Bali. Their journeys across startups, content creation, and brand building are expected to inspire students and early-stage founders. A key highlight of MES 2026 is Pitch Tank, a pan-India startup pitching competition. Over 650 participants and 100+ teams will present their business ideas before venture capitalists and angel investors. The competition offers a prize pool of ₹1.5 lakh, along with mentorship and potential funding support.

MES 2026 will also feature the Innovation Mela, the summit’s flagship startup expo. The expo will showcase 150+ startups, MSMEs, research labs, and student innovators, and is expected to attract over 22,000 visitors, making it one of the largest innovation showcases in the region. The platform provides startups with valuable exposure, partnership opportunities, and direct access to investors and industry leaders.

Introducing a strong policy focus this year, MES 2026 will launch the Innovation Policy Consortium (IPC), a national inter-college initiative. Through this platform, student bodies will collaboratively develop research-based policy recommendations to address key challenges in India’s startup ecosystem. The final policy document will be presented to government representatives during the summit. The summit will conclude with an Influencers’ Conclave, featuring prominent entrepreneur-creators such as Parul Gulati and Gaurav Taneja (Flying Beast). The conclave will offer insights into digital-first businesses, personal branding, and community-driven growth.

With a legacy of over 25,000 attendees in previous editions, the Manipal Entrepreneurship Summit continues to serve as a national platform that supports emerging startups and local MSMEs, while providing students with meaningful industry exposure beyond the classroom. MES 2026 reinforces Manipal’s position as a leading hub for entrepreneurship and empowers the next generation of founders and changemakers.

About Manipal Academy of Higher Education:

Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) is an Institution of Eminence Deemed-to-be University, offering over 400 specialisations across Health Sciences, Management, Law, Humanities & Social Sciences, and Technology & Science. MAHE operates through its constituent institutions across campuses in Manipal, Mangalore, Bengaluru, Jamshedpur, and Dubai.

Renowned for its academic excellence, world-class infrastructure, and impactful research contributions, MAHE has earned strong national and international recognition. In October 2020, the Ministry of Education, Government of India, conferred MAHE with the prestigious Institution of Eminence status. Currently ranked 3rd in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF), MAHE continues to be a preferred destination for students seeking a transformative learning experience and vibrant campus life, as well as for national and multinational organisations seeking top talent.

Dyson Airwrap, Marshall Speakers, iPhone 17: Everything On Sale This Valentine's Day At Croma


* Offers include category-wide discounts, special prices, bundle packs and bank benefits for a limited period 

Croma, India’s leading omni‑channel electronics retailer from the Tata Group, presents the ultimate gifting guide this Valentine’s Day with a wide range of options starting from ₹699. From premium devices to everyday essentials, special prices, category discounts and curated bundle deals across smartphones, tablets, wearables, audio, personal care, and more, will make finding the perfect gift for your loved one easier across budgets.

The Valentine’s Day offers will be available from February 6 to 15 across all Croma stores. Customers can unlock a range of exciting benefits including cashback and easy EMI options, making this a value packed electronics sale. All prices and offers vary depending on brand, model, store, day, city and availability, and are subject to applicable bank or finance partner terms. Additionally, customers can avail a discount of up to 10% on select products using the HDFC TATA Neu credit card.

Among the key Valentine’s Day highlights are Croma’s Hero offers, bringing major savings on bestselling smartphones, audio products and more.

· The iPhone 17 is now available at an effective price of ₹47,742. How to get this offer:

o Exchange your old smartphone for up to ₹23,500 (depending on condition and model)

o Get an additional ₹8,000 exchange bonus

o Avail a flat ₹2,000 bank cashback

· Marshall Bluetooth speaker available at the market price of ₹19,999, can be bought at ₹12,999

· Sony headphones, at ₹14,990, can be availed at a 50% discount at ₹7,499

In the smartphone category, customers can enjoy attractive discounts, including 22% off on the Redmi Note 15G and 14% off on the OnePlus Nord CE5, while the Apple iPad 11th Gen is available at a 12% discount, bringing its price to ₹30,766.

In wearables, shoppers can avail up to 80% off on popular smartwatch brands such as the Boat Wave Astra Neo and Noise ColorFit Victor. The Apple Watch Series SE 3, starting at ₹25,900, can now be purchased on a nine‑month no‑cost EMI of just ₹2,791.

The personal care category also features compelling offers, with up to 30% off on Philips multi‑grooming kits and straightening brushes, and 10% off on the Dyson Airwrap. Croma is offering up to 65% discount on its range of grooming essentials, while the Havells hair straightener and curler comes at a significant 45% discount.

Additionally, customers can explore exciting combo deals and freebie offers available exclusively in stores.

“Valentine’s Day is a key gifting moment, to celebrate relationships with thoughtful and meaningful choices. At Croma, we have curated a wide range of attractive offers across smartphones, audio, wearables, personal care and more, making it easier for customers to find the perfect tech gift across budgets. With compelling prices, value-driven bundles and expert in-store assistance, we aim to help customers gift with confidence and make this Valentine’s Day truly special,” said a spokesperson from Infiniti Retail Ltd.

About Croma:

Infiniti Retail Ltd. is one of the first organised consumer durables and electronics retailers in India operating under the brand name Croma. With over 570 stores across 200+ cities, the company continues to aggressively open new stores to expand its presence especially in suburban region of metro cities along with tier-2 and tier-3 cities. Croma offers its customers a world-class ambience to shop both in-store and staged at www.croma.com and allows for a seamless omnichannel shopping experience that lets a customer enjoy the best of both worlds. Through its deep integration with the Tata Neu ecosystem, products from Croma are also available on the Tata Neu app. Croma has been featured among the 100 most valuable Indian brands by Brand Finance India 100 report for two years in a row.

PNB Introduces WhatsApp Channel For Easier And Secure Access To Demat Information


Punjab National Bank (PNB), one of India’s leading public sector banks, has introduced a Demat Viewing Facility through its WhatsApp Banking platform, further strengthening its digital investor services and enhancing customer convenience. Through this initiative, PNB customers can now access key Demat-related information directly via the Bank’s verified WhatsApp Banking channel.

The facility is available to customers holding Demat accounts with PNB, where the Bank acts as a Depository Participant with NSDL and CDSL. The WhatsApp-based service allows eligible customers to securely view their Demat statement of holdings, transaction statements, outstanding charges, billing details, and report lost Delivery Instruction Slips (DIS). In addition, customers are seamlessly guided to the Bank’s Mobile application, PNB One App, Internet Banking Platform for opening Demat accounts, accessing trading partner services, and exploring PNB’s depository offerings.

Commenting on the new initiative, Shri Sudhir Dalal, CGM-Business Acquisition & Relationship Management Division, PNB said, “By leveraging the widespread reach of WhatsApp, the Bank aims to simplify access to Demat services, reduce dependence on branch visits, and encourage greater participation particularly among first-time and long-term investors. This initiative reflects the PNB’s broader commitment to strengthening digital engagement, advancing financial inclusion, and delivering secure and customer-centric banking solutions.”

For more information call: 1800 1800/1800 2021

Friday, February 6, 2026

Berger Paints India Limited Q3 Reports Positive Results Q3 For The Quarter Ended 31st December, 2025


Highlighted of the Consolidated Results:

a. Revenue front Operations for the quarter ended 31st December, 2025 was Rs. 2,984.0 crores as against Rs. 2,975.1 crores in the corresponding quarter of the last year, representing an increase of 0.3% .

b. EBITDA (excluding Other Income) for the quarter ended 31" December, 2025 was Rs. 471.0 crores against Rs. 471.7 crores in the corresponding quarter of the last year,

representing a decline of 0.2%.

c. Net Profit for the quarter ended 31*t December, 2025 was Rs. 271.3 crores as against Rs. 296.0 crores in the corresponding quarter of the last year, representing a decline of 8.3%.

Highlights of the Standalone Results:

a. Revenue from Operations for the quarter ended 31" December, 2025 was Rs. 2,595.0 crores as against Rs. 2,584.8 crores in the corresponding quarter of the last year, representing an increase of 0.4%.

b. EBITDA (excluding Other Income) for the quarter ended 31" December, 2025 was Rs. 417.2 crores against Rs. 417.5 crores in the corresponding quarter of the last year, representing a decline of 0.1%.

c. Net Profit for the quarter ended 31"t December, 2025 was Rs. 298.4 crores as against Rs. 306.1 crores in the corresponding quarter of the last year, representing a decline of 2.5%.

Financial Results for the nine months ended 31" Decem ber, 2025

Highlights of the Consolidated Results:

a. Revenue from Operations for the nine months ended 31st December, 2025 was Rs. 9,012.2 crores as against Rs. 8,840.7 crores in the corresponding period of the last year, representing an increase of 1.9%.

b. EBITDA (excluding Other Income) for the nine months ended 31st December, 2025 was Rs. 1,351.6 crores as against Rs. 1,428.3 crores in the corresponding period of the last year, representing a decline of 5.4%.

Net Profit for the nine months ended 31" December, 2025 was Rs. 792.8 crores as against

Rs. 919.9 crores in the corresponding period of the last year, representing a decline of 13.8%.

Highlights of the Standalone Results:

a. Revenue from Operations for the nine months ended 31a' December, 2025 was Rs. 7,916.1 crores as against Rs. 7,821.8 crores in the corresponding period of the last year, representing an increase of 1.2%.

b. EBITDA (excluding Other Income) for the nine months ended 31•' December, 2025 was Rs.1,227.8 crores as against Rs. 1,284.6 crores in the corresponding period of the last year, representing a decline of 4.4%.

c. Net Profit for the nine months ended 31" December, 2025 was Rs. 768.4 crores as against Rs. 840.6 crores in the corresponding period of the last year, representing a decline of 8.6%.

“The extended monsoons into October and the shortened festive season led to a negative October, after which we saw progressive demand improvement over the rest of the quarter, enabling achievement of good volume growth of8.5% for the quarter.

We also saw our gross margins improving to reach the highest levels for the past 15 quarters, enabling delivery of EBIDTA within the guidance range. EBIDTA % remained impacted by negative scale effect and continued investments in brand building. We expect to see improvements coalesce over the coming months.

We continued to register healthy and robu3t growth f0 our key focus segments of waterproofing, construction chemicals and wood coatings. The efforts in network expansion and urban initiative are delivering positive upticks month on month making us hopeful of improved results going forward.

The automotive coatings performance continued to be good registering mid-single digit growth while protective coatings and general industrial coatings also registered positive growth.

BJN Nepal results, while positive, continue to be impacted by the disturbed political scenario. STP Limited was impacted by a temporary shutdown at Jamshedpur; operations have now normalized. SBL Specialty Coatings Private Limited's (SBL) revenue was impacted by slowdown in the fan industry and lower export demand. Profit at SBL was adversely impacted by a one-off expense due to the commissioning of its new factory near Chandigarh. Our JV's namely BNPA and Berger Becker recorded robust double-digit growth in both topline and bottom-line.

Forex volatility and geopolitical uncertainty continue to pose near-term margin risks.

The gradual improvement in domestic demand indicators across segments and sequential monthly uptick in demand are positive indicators going forward. Results in the months ahead are expected to reflect these improvements.

At Berger Paints our efforts will remain on network expansion, innovation and brand building to build increasing value for our investors and stakeholders. We are happy to report ESG excellence at Berger Paints where we were awarded a score of 64 across ESG parameters by NSE placing us ahead of our industry peers rejecting our people-first practices, disciplined governance and responsible operations.” said Abhitjit Roy, Managing Director & CEO of Berger Paints India Limited.

About Berger Paints India Limited :

Berger Paints is among India's leading paint, coatings and waterproofing companies and ranked among the top 15 coating companies globally and operates across India, Nepal & Europe either directly or through its subsidiary companies.

Berger Paints is well recognized in India for its innovations in products and services which has helped reshape the industry over the course of the past few decades. These include the popularization of the tinting systems which redefined the Indian Paint market, launch of products like Easy Clean and WeatherCoat Anti-Dustt, the introduction of the iTrain centres for training on paints, coatings, waterproofing and associated processes. Berger's innovations extends to being the first to introduce the concept of automated painting tools under “Express Painting” services as an enhanced customer painting service in India and we continue to lead the way in this segment in India.

Berger Paints also continues to maintain a leadership position in India in the protective coatings & general industries coatings segment. This is an area of sustained leadership over the past few decades.

Bolix, our subsidiary in Poland & step down subsidiary in the UK is a leading player in ETICS segment which contributes significantly to the energy savings initiatives in the EU.

Kotak Becomes India’s First Custodian To Enable FPI Registration And Account Opening Through Electronic Signatures


A Breakthrough in Market Digitisation

Kotak Mahindra Bank (“Kotak”) today announced a landmark industry-first achievement: becoming the first custodian in India to issue an FPI licence along with execution of all account‑opening documentation using Electronic Signatures. The bank has already issued the first two FPI licences based on digitally signed documents, and this advancement is fully aligned with SEBI’s digital‑transformation agenda under the FPI regime.

The launch strengthens Kotak’s commitment to simplifying and accelerating India market access through a digital‑first, future‑ready custody and onboarding ecosystem. Eliminating wet signatures reduces operational risk and delivers a seamless, modern client experience. The move enhances ease of doing business for global investors and supports India’s aspirations of becoming a digitised, investment‑friendly market.

Sachin Samant, President, Banking & Financial Institutions Group, Kotak Mahindra Bank said, “This milestone reflects our commitment to building a digital, frictionless experience for global investors. By becoming the first custodian to operationalise FPI registration and client onboarding through Digital Signatures, Kotak is accelerating India’s transition to a modern, paperless capital market ecosystem in line with SEBI’s progressive reforms.”

In January 2026, SEBI operationalised a unified workflow that allows Digital Signature Certificates and Electronic Signatures to be issued within the Common Application Form (CAF) portal for Foreign Portfolio Investors. SEBI’s press release (PR No. 03/2026) highlights that DSCs must be issued by Indian certifying authorities compliant with the Information Technology Act, 2000.

Alembic Pharmaceuticals Gets USFDA Nod For Generic Parkinson's Disease Treatment Tablets

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) Carbidopa, Levodopa and Entacapone Tablets, 12.5 mg/50 mg/200 mg, 18.75 mg/75 mg/200 mg, 25 mg/100 mg/200 mg, 31.25 mg/125 mg/200 mg, 37.5 mg/150 mg/200 mg, and 50 mg/200 mg/200 mg.

The approved ANDA is therapeutically equivalent to the reference listed drug product (RLD), Stalevo Tablets, 12.5 mg/50 mg/200 mg, 18.75 mg/75 mg/200 mg, 25 mg/100 mg/200 mg, 31.25 mg/125 mg/200 mg, 37.5 mg/150 mg/200 mg, and 50 mg/200 mg/200 mg, of Orion Corporation.

Carbidopa, levodopa and entacapone tablets are indicated for the treatment of Parkinson's disease. Refer label for a detailed indication.

Alembic has a cumulative total of 234 ANDA approvals (214 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).

Air India Unveils First Flagship Maharaja Lounge At Delhi International Airport


· Spread across 16000 sq. ft., the lounge is conveniently located at international pier of Terminal 3

· The elegantly designed lounge can accommodate around 300 guests in an expansive ‘Business’ section and an exclusive ‘First Class’ section

· Guests to revel in its sparkling Crystal Bar, a nostalgic Aviator’s Bar, a tranquil Globetrotter’s Study

Air India, India’s leading global airline, unveiled ‘The Maharaja Lounge’, its first flagship lounge, at Terminal 3 of Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi, creating a new benchmark in premium travel comfort and warm Indian hospitality.

Designed with subtle sophistication and thoughtful details, The Maharaja Lounge, made to the new branding and design philosophy of Air India, strikes a fine balance between heritage-inspired ambience and modern luxury. This lounge is the first among other such modern lounges that the airline plans to launch at airports around India and the world, as it elevates its customer experience. The lounge will be progressively opened to guests travelling in Business and First Class, Gold and Platinum Maharaja Club and eligible Star Alliance members starting 16 February 2026.

Conceptualised by global design studio Hirsch Bedner Associates (HBA), The Maharaja Lounge features premium interiors with refined furnishings, ambient lighting, and a design language aligned with Air India’s refreshed branding. The design also establishes a deep-rooted connection with India through art pieces in the lounge which tell a unique story celebrating India’s rich culture and heritage.

The Maharaja Lounge features distinct zones tailored to different needs, offering serene spaces for relaxation or work alongside more vibrant areas for social engagement. Guests can select an environment aligned with their preference and mood, so they can always find a corner that feels just right.

Key spaces in the lounge include:

· The Aviator’s Bar: The bar has a speakeasy vibe and a well-curated cellar of wines and whiskeys hand-picked for the discerning traveller. Its design draws inspiration from the historic 1932 flight from Karachi to Bombay by Mr. JRD Tata, with the ceiling replicated as the propeller of the first Puss Moth aircraft.

· The Globetrotter’s Study: A haven for avid readers and working professionals, the Globetrotter’s Study is Air India’s answer to a working space. A serene and cozy nook, it has a curated book collection across fiction and non-fiction titles. With ample power outlets and high-speed connectivity, it’s an ideal spot for reading in quiet comfort or working while in transit.

· Serenity Area: An enclosed area with a calming atmosphere, the Serenity Area is a space that accommodates individual recliners for guests to relax, rest, and rejuvenate.

· Crystal Bar: The contemporary-luxury styled bar with subtle hints of traditional Indian motifs is the pièce de résistance in the ‘First Class’ lounge. Serving champagnes along with classic and signature cocktails, its crystal enclosures create a shimmering effect making it a picture-perfect location to raise a toast to luxury.

· Tarmac view: The seating and dining sections of the ‘First Class’ lounge overlook the tarmac offering enchanting views of aircraft taking off and landing. The wholesome experience of ‘wine and dine with a view’ is perfect for plane-spotters and curious travellers alike.

· Sleep Suites: Guests travelling ‘First Class’ can indulge in pre-flight rest in our exclusive sleep suites crafted for restorative sleep. Imagine waking up relaxed to a fresh juice or a hot beverage before you take off.

Elevated dining

The Maharaja Lounge offers a curated and delightful dining experience for all guests, who can choose from a wide variety of Indian and international culinary delicacies including live cooking stations.

A unique ‘Beverage on Wheels’ service that takes inspiration from the traditional gueridon service allows guests to enjoy bespoke cocktail servings at their seats. Guests can also choose from a wide variety of cocktails curated by a special mixologist. Each cocktail has a unique story rooted in Indian culture, ingredients or Air India’s heritage seamlessly blending tradition and modern mixology.

Air India has also introduced an innovative ‘Tea Programme’ to pay homage to the most popular Indian beverage, where passengers can enjoy freshly brewed tea as per their preference along with assorted snacks and savouries on the side presented on an aesthetically pleasing tea trolley.

The Mail Service

In an attempt to create an immersive and thoughtful guest experience, exclusive Maharaja-designed postcards have been introduced which can be kept as souvenirs.

Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director, Air India, said: “The Maharaja Lounge at Delhi airport is a significant milestone in our transformation journey. It is a tangible and proud representation of the ‘New Air India Experience’. We endeavour to set a benchmark in aviation hospitality, and this is just the beginning. Our strategic expansion plans include substantial investments to build more such platforms across countries that we fly to that will redefine luxury and comfort for our guests.”

About Air India group

The Air India group – comprising of full-service global airline, Air India, and value carrier, Air India Express – is spearheading a new era of Indian aviation. The Air India story began in 1932 when JRD Tata piloted the airline’s inaugural flight and opened the skies for aviation in India. Today, Air India group employs more than 30,000 people, operates over 300 aircraft and carries customers to 57 domestic and 49 international destinations across five continents.

Returning to the Tata Sons in 2022 following 70 years under Government ownership, Air India group is in the midst of a five-year transformation program, Vihaan.AI. As part of the transformation, Air India has placed an order for 570 new aircraft. In 2024, sister airlines Air Asia India and Vistara were successfully merged into Air India Express and Air India, respectively, and the Airline opened South Asia’s largest aviation training academy. A new flying school is scheduled to open in 2026, and construction of a greenfield maintenance base, to be operational in 2026, is underway. In addition to receiving new aircraft, all existing aircraft are progressively undergoing a full interior refit.

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

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

SAP Pledges To Equip 12 Million People Worldwide With AI-Ready Skills By 2030


SAP announces major expansion of its learning ecosystem, transforming how professionals gain and validate SAP expertise in an AI-powered world.

Bengaluru, India, 05 February, 2026: SAP, a global leader in enterprise application software and Business AI, today announced a significant expansion of its worldwide learning ecosystem to empower millions of professionals for an AI-driven future. Reinforcing its pledge to equip 12 million people with AI-ready skills by 2030, SAP is extending access to high-quality, instructor-led training through new strategic partnerships and an expanded network of authorized training providers.

To accelerate this initiative, SAP is extending its partner-managed delivery approach for SAP Learning Class courses to ensure more flexibility, broader geographical coverage and languages. Beginning in 2026, this expanded network of authorized partners will provide organizations and individuals with broader access to premium SAP training, enabling them to build practical expertise and prepare talent for real-world implementation challenges.

India: A Strategic Impact Market

India is among the world’s fastest-growing talent hubs, driving global digital transformation with its expanding developer and consulting workforce. Representing 26% of SAP’s global learner base, the country is central to SAP’s long-term skilling vision.

With rapid AI adoption and modernization, India currently has over 25,000 open roles requiring SAP expertise across consulting, development, and technology functions. Leading employers like Deloitte, KPMG, Infosys, and Maruti Suzuki are actively hiring SAP professionals, including entry-level talent. This surge in demand underscores the importance of expanded access to high-quality, instructor-led training through SAP’s strengthened partner ecosystem—critical for shaping India’s future-ready workforce.

Over the years, SAP has expanded the breadth and depth of its learning portfolio. Since 2022, the company has reached 4 million learners globally, with SAP Learning site growing from just 7 learning journeys to more than 400. SAP recently introduced its reimagined SAP Certification approach with performance-based exams that enable candidates to complete hands-on assessments using AI tools such as SAP Joule for Consultants. Today, 65 exams—61% of all SAP certifications—have been transformed to this practical, performance-based format, with all remaining certifications moving to this new approach in the first half of 2026.

Vikram Karakoti, Global Head, Enterprise Solutions, TCS, noted: “Competency-based SAP skill validation aligns with TCS’s commitment to building expertise in SAP technologies, including SAP BTP and Gen AI. Our training approach, culminating in SAP Certifications, ensures real-world proficiency and maximizes client ROI.”

Key Highlights of the Skilling Ecosystem

Industry-ready, AI-enabled learning: Official SAP instructor-led training with hands-on exposure to AI tools like SAP Joule, mirroring real project environments.

Practical, job-focused skill building: Guided practice, real-world case studies, and collaborative workshops to build implementation-ready capabilities.

Standardised team upskilling at scale: Enterprise-grade training and performance-based certifications that assess real problem-solving, not just theory.

Flexible pathways for growing demand: Expanded learning journeys and certifications across AI, business analysis, system administration, and SAP Build roles.

“Preparing the global workforce for the AI era requires learning that is practical, scalable and connected to real business needs,” said [Andre Bechtold, President SAP Industries & Experiences. “By expanding access to high-quality AI-enabled

SAP training, we are helping professionals build the skills that power modern enterprises. This initiative reflects our commitment to ensuring that people everywhere are equipped to thrive in an AI-driven economy.”

By scaling access to high-quality, AI-ready learning worldwide, SAP is enabling talent markets like India to play a defining role in shaping the future of enterprise innovation.

About SAP

As a global leader in enterprise applications and business AI, SAP (NYSE: SAP) stands at the nexus of business and technology. For over 50 years, organisations have trusted SAP to bring out their best by uniting business-critical operations spanning finance, procurement, HR, supply chain, and customer experience. For more information, visit www.sap.com.

SonicWall Celebrates Its Best Partners Yet With The 2026 Partner Awards

SonicWall Proudly Honours 113 Global Partners Recognized for Driving Innovation, Fueling Growth and Delivering Cybersecurity Excellence, Including 34 in Asia-Pacific and Japan (APJ)

SonicWall today announced the recipients of its 2026 Partner Awards, recognizing top-performing SonicWall partners and distributors across Asia-Pacific and Japan (APJ), and around the world for their exceptional commitment to delivering innovative cybersecurity solutions. This year, SonicWall honored 113 partners globally, including 34 in APJ, for helping customers navigate an increasingly complex threat landscape.

The annual Partner Awards recognize partners who achieved standout performance and measurable impact in helping customers reduce risk and strengthen their security posture throughout the year. Partners were nominated across multiple categories in each region, showcasing outstanding performance, customer impact and technical expertise. SonicWall selected one partner per region in each category from a large pool of nominees. The winners were decided based on a comprehensive matrix of criteria, including, but not limited to, highest revenue performance, partner count, growth and overall contribution to the SonicWall ecosystem.

“These award winners represent the very best of our partner community,” said Patrick O’Donnell, Chief Revenue Officer at SonicWall. “Their continued commitment to innovation, customer success and cybersecurity excellence continues to fuel SonicWall’s growth and deliver meaningful protection for organizations of all sizes. We’re proud to recognize these partners for the impact they make every day.”

Debasish Mukherjee, Vice President of Sales, APJ at SonicWall said, “APJ is one of SonicWall’s most diverse and dynamic regions, and these partners exemplify what strong regional execution looks like in practice. Across APJ, we recognize our channel partners across multiple categories and sub-regions to reflect the scale, diversity, and varying levels of market maturity across the region. These award winners have demonstrated consistent growth, deep customer engagement, and a strong commitment to delivering real cybersecurity outcomes.”

2026 SonicWall Partner Awards — Asia-Pacific and Japan (APJ) Winners

· Distributor of the Year (ANZ) : Dicker Data (NZ)

· Partner of the Year (ANZ): Hitech Support

· Partner Sales Hero of the Year (ANZ): Glen Houlihan — TEAMnetwork

· Partner Technical Hero of the Year (ANZ): Focus Networks

· Newcomer of the Year (ANZ): myNet

· Distributor of the Year (ASEAN): Pacific Tech Pte Ltd

· Partner of the Year (ASEAN): Solutions Partner, Inc.

· Enterprise Partner of the Year (ASEAN): Future D Sdn Bhd

· Managed Security Partner of the Year (ASEAN): PT Salix Scura Sanctuary

· Newcomer of the Year (ASEAN): PT Teknologi Mandiri Integritas

· Partner Sales Hero of the Year (ASEAN): Nguyen Thanh Son — N-TEK Distribution Technology Co., Ltd

· Distributor of the Year (GCR): Data World Computer & Communications Ltd.

· Cloud Secure Edge Partner of the Year (GCR): Nexus Solutions Limited

· Partner Sales Hero of the Year (GCR): Cheng Bingsong — Nanjing Yinqiang

· Partner of the Year (GCR): Shenzhen Secuunion Info-Tech

· Newcomer of the Year (GCR): Shenzhen Cydefend Communication Information Technology

· Enterprise Partner of the Year (GCR): Shih Chiang Computer

· Distributor of the Year (India & SAARC): Inflow Technologies Pvt. Ltd

· Partner of the Year (India & SAARC): eCAPS Computers India Pvt Ltd

· Partner Sales Hero of the Year (India & SAARC): Ranajoy Roy — Softshield Technologies Pvt. Ltd

· Enterprise Partner of the Year (India & SAARC): DigitalTrack Solutions Private Limited

· Newcomer of the Year (India & SAARC): Solaris Consultancy Services Ltd

· Cloud Secure Edge Partner of the Year (India & SAARC): ITCG Solutions Private Limited

· Partner of the Year (India & SAARC): Star Tech and Engineering Ltd.

· Distributor of the Year (Japan): MARUBENI INFORMATION SYSTEMS CO., LTD.

· Partner of the Year (Japan): NIHON ICS CO., LTD.

· Newcomer of the Year (Japan): SECURE EDGE Inc.

· Partner Sales Hero of the Year (Japan): HIRONOBU ABUKAWA — DAIWABO INFORMATION SYSTEM CO., LTD.

· Partner Technical Hero of the Year (Japan): RYOYA SUGAMOTO — TAKARAJOHO INC.

· Cloud Secure Edge Partner of the Year (Japan): RUNSYSTEM CO., LTD.

· Distributor of the Year (Korea): SECUWIDE Corp.

· Partner of the Year (Korea): MAYMUST Co., Ltd.

· Newcomer of the Year (Korea): Bigsun Systems

· Partner Sales Hero of the Year (Korea): Heo Hoon — KT Engineering

2026 Partner of the Year

SonicWall extends a special congratulations to the following partners, named 2026 SonicWall Partner of the Year winners across Asia-Pacific and Japan (APJ), recognized across multiple sub-regions to reflect the scale and diversity of the region. These partners were recognized for their exceptional performance, sustained growth, and unwavering commitment to delivering cybersecurity outcomes and services to customers across their respective sub-regions throughout the year.

APJ Partner of the Year Winners by Sub-Region:

ANZ: Hitech Support

ASEAN: Solutions Partner, Inc.

GCR: Shenzhen Secuunion Info-Tech

India: eCAPS Computers India Pvt Ltd

Japan: NIHON ICS CO., LTD.

Korea: MAYMUST Co., Ltd.

SAARC: Star Tech and Engineering Ltd.

About SonicWall

SonicWall is a cybersecurity forerunner with more than 30 years of expertise and is recognised as a leading partner-first company. With the ability to build, scale and manage security across the cloud, hybrid and traditional environments in real-time, SonicWall provides seamless protection against the most evasive cyberattacks across endless exposure points for increasingly remote, mobile and cloud-enabled users. With its own threat research center, SonicWall can quickly and economically provide purpose-built security solutions to enable any organization—enterprise, government agencies and SMBs—around the world. For more information, visit www.sonicwall.com or follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram.

Jiostar Announces Biggest Ever Talent Line-Up For An ICC Event With The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 In India And Sri Lanka


~ Yuzvendra Chahal to Make His ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Comeback - This Time with JioStar’s Expert Panel ~

As Team India prepares to repeat and defeat history at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka, JioStar announced the biggest ever experts panel for an ICC event today, headlined by former ICC Men’s T20 World Cup winners, former India stars, and T20 champions. JioStar’s panel of over 100 top experts and renowned broadcasters will support the ICCTV world feed talent roster to bring all the action from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup India and Sri Lanka 2026 to viewers across nine languages - English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Marathi, Bangla, and for the first time in an ICC World Cup in Bhojpuri and Haryanvi too.

ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 Champion Yuzvendra Chahal makes his World Cup commentary debut with JioStar, alongside ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2007 Champions Irfan Pathan, Harbhajan Singh, Virender Sehwag, Dinesh Karthik, Robin Uthappa, and Piyush Chawla. India’s first centurion at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, Suresh Raina will join the panel along with former India Head Coach, Anil Kumble, former India Assistant Coach Abhishek Nayar, and former India Batting Coach Sanjay Bangar.

In addition, viewers will also be able to enjoy insights, dressing room stories, anecdotes, and live commentary from ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2014 Champions Kumar Sangakkara and Angelo Mathews, ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2016 Champions Carlos Brathwaite and Samuel Badree, current South Africa Test and ODI captain Temba Bavuma, and a host of former ICC World Cup champions such as Eoin Morgan, Matthew Hayden, Ravi Shastri, and Sunil Gavaskar. Fans can enjoy comprehensive coverage of the marquee biennial tournament as iconic names such as Harsha Bhogle, Nasser Hussain, Ian Bishop, Ian Smith, Michael Atherton, Shaun Pollock, Dale Steyn, and Simon Doull also join the ICCTV cast.

Besides incisive coverage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, fans will also be treated to several innovations throughout the tournament on JioHotstar, such as MaxView in English and Hindi on mobile, while Indian Sign Language will be available for all India games and the knockouts. Viewers will also have the option to watch the games through five Multi-cams on JioHotstar - Hero Cam, Stump Cam, Batter Cam, Field View, and Multi View that get them up close to the action.

“As Team India mounts its greatest effort to defeat history - the fact that no team has ever defended the T20 World Cup Title – our endeavour is to put together a spectacle that would match the occasion.” said Siddharth Sharma, Head – Sports Content, JioStar. “JioStar’s broadcast of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 is designed to captivate core fans as well as thrill casual viewers, with former ICC World Cup winners in commentary, along with a host of interactive features and bespoke camera angles on JioHotstar. As Team India attempts to become the first ever nation to lift the trophy thrice, JioStar will continue to give viewers the ultimate broadcast experience .”

India begin their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaign against USA in Mumbai on February 7, followed by matches against Namibia on February 12, Pakistan on February 15, and the Netherlands on February 18. The tournament runs from February 7 to March 8, with all matches live on JioHotstar and Star Sports Network.

Eveready Industries In Q3 FY 26 Reports Robust Growth In both Consolidated Revenue And EBITDA At 10.1% And 13.0% Respectively


– Planned Divestment Of Noida Land To Aid Debt Reduction

Eveready Industries India Limited (BSE: 531508 | NSE: EVEREADY) today announced its unaudited financial results for the quarter and nine months ended December 31 2025, reporting yet another quarter of revenue growth in Q3 FY26, marking the fifth consecutive quarter of growth.

Financial Highlights Q3 FY26

Consolidated revenue from operations stood at INR 367.2 crore (Q3 FY25: INR 333.5 crore), while EBITDA increased to INR 33.3 crore (Q3 FY25: INR 29.5 crore), driven by strong performance in the batteries business, which grew 11.1%, led by 72% growth in Alkaline batteries. The lighting business also witnessed a gradual recovery, registering 10.5% growth.

Profit after tax stood at INR 7.5 crore (Q3 FY25: INR 13.1 crore), after factoring in a one-time exceptional charge of INR 9.4 crore related to the implementation of the new labour code.

· Net debt at INR 317 crores including INR 167 crores Capex for Alkaline Battery facility at Jammu

“Q3 FY26 marked another quarter of steady progress for Eveready, with growth sustained despite a challenging operating environment. The batteries business continued to anchor performance, with alkaline market share reaching the 19% milestone. Calibrated pricing actions and effective hedging strategies helped mitigate the impact of elevated zinc prices and currency volatility. While certain categories experienced near-term softness, our continued focus on portfolio upgradation, cost discipline, and execution consistency positions the Company well to benefit from improved operating leverage as demand conditions normalize.” - Chief Executive Officer - Anirban Banerjee.

“During the quarter, we continued to make steady progress across our key operational and financial priorities. Construction of our new alkaline battery manufacturing facility in Jammu on track for completion by the end of the current fiscal year, reinforcing our long-term growth platform. We have also initiated the divestment of our Noida land parcel as part of our focused efforts to reduce debt and strengthen balance-sheet resilience. Additionally, the Board’s approval of the Company’s first-ever Employee Stock Options Plan reflects our commitment to attracting, retaining, and motivating talent aligned with Eveready’s long-term value creation”. – Executive Director & Chief Financial Officer - Bibek Agarwala.

Saatvik Green Energy Delivers Strong Q3 & 9M FY26 Performance; Driven By Higher Volumes, Cost Management And Operating Efficiency


Robust Order Book of 5.05 GW

Saatvik Green Energy Limited (“the Company”) (NSE: SAATVIKGL, BSE: 544526), one of India’s leading solar PV module manufacturers, today announced its unaudited financial results for the third quarter and nine months ended FY26.

Key Consolidated Financial Summary: -

· Revenue for 9M FY26 stood at ?29,407.8 million, registering a 137% growth over 9M FY25 driven by higher volumes and stable realizations.
· Q3 FY26 revenue was ?12,570.2 million, registering a 143% growth over Q3 FY25.

· EBITDA for 9M FY26 stood at ?4,693.4 million, up 135% YoY, translating into an EBITDA margin of 15.96% reflecting disciplined cost management and operating efficiency.

· Q3 FY26 EBITDA stood at ?1,647.6 million up 134% YoY, with an EBITDA margin of 13.11%.

· Profit After Tax (PAT) for 9M FY26 came in at ?3,007.9 million, reflecting a 145% YoY increase, with a PAT margin of 10.23%. Q3 FY26 PAT stood at ?987.2 million up 144% YoY.

Operational Highlights:

· Total production during Q3 FY26 stood at 759 MW.

· Capacity utilization during Q3 FY26 remained at approximately 81%, significantly above industry averages.

· Ambala manufacturing facility is operating at an annual capacity of 4.8 GW, supported by strong demand across utility-scale and C&I segments.

· Order book remains healthy at approximately 5.05 GW, providing clear visibility for the coming quarters.

Business & Strategic Updates:

· The Greenfield integrated manufacturing facility in Odisha is on track, comprising 4 GW of solar module capacity and 4.8 GW of solar cell capacity, which remains on schedule.

· The project represents a key milestone in Saatvik’s backward integration strategy, aimed at improving cost competitiveness and long-term margin sustainability.

· Successfully commissioned and operationalized a 2 GW in-house EPE (Protective Encapsulant) film manufacturing facility at its Ambala campus in Haryana

Management Commentary

Commenting on the performance, Mr. Prashant Mathur, CEO, Saatvik Green Energy Limited, said:

Q3 FY26

“Q3 FY26 was a strong quarter for Saatvik Green Energy, with revenues reaching ?12,570.2 million, driven by robust demand for solar modules, high-capacity utilization and continued traction from repeat customers. EBITDA stood at ?1,647.6 million, with margins at 13.11%, reflecting operating leverage and improved cost efficiencies.”

PAT

“Profit after tax increased to ?987.2 million, with PAT margins of 7.85%, underscoring the strength of our operating model. For the nine months ended FY26, we delivered healthy year-on-year growth across key financial metrics, supported by higher volumes, improved asset utilization and disciplined execution. Return ratios remained strong, with ROE at 23.10% and ROCE at 26.03%, reflecting efficient capital deployment and improving profitability.”

Operational performance

“Operational performance remained robust, with capacity utilization at 81.00% during the quarter. As of 31st December 2025, our order book stood at 5.05 GW, providing strong revenue visibility. During the period, we secured repeat domestic orders aggregating ?963 crore from leading IPPs and EPC players, reaffirming confidence in our product quality and execution capabilities.”

BALANCE SHEET

“Our balance sheet continued to strengthen, with the debt-equity ratio improving to 0.66, reflecting a meaningful reduction in leverage and enhanced financial flexibility. This supports our planned capacity expansion and backward integration initiatives in a disciplined manner.”

ODISHA MANUFACTURING EXPANSION
“The Greenfield integrated manufacturing facility in Odisha is on track, comprising 4 GW of solar module capacity and 4.8 GW of solar cell capacity. The project represents a key milestone in Saatvik’s backward integration strategy, aimed at improving cost competitiveness and long-term margin sustainability. With a focus on technology, quality, and execution, Saatvik aims to play a meaningful role in India’s renewable energy transition.”

EPE MANUFACTURING FACILITY

SGEL has successfully commissioned and operationalized a 2 GW in-house EPE (Protective Encapsulant) film manufacturing facility at its Ambala campus in Haryana. The facility, co-located within the company’s existing module manufacturing complex, represents a significant milestone in Saatvik’s journey toward deeper vertical integration and supply-chain self-reliance.

SGEL now joins a select group of Indian manufacturers with captive encapsulant production capability, a critical component in high-performance solar PV modules. The commissioning of the EPE film line strengthens the company’s control over product quality, operational efficiency, and long-term module reliability while supporting India’s Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat manufacturing ambitions.

UDAY SERIES OF INVERTERS

Saatvik has strengthened its integrated solutions portfolio with the UDAY Series of on-grid

solar inverters, expanding into the B2C and distributed solar ecosystem. The launch of our

UDAY Series of on-grid inverters advances our goal of offering integrated solar solutions,

positioning us for sustained growth in the renewable energy sector. The UDAY Series inverters, available in the 1.1 kW to 50 kW range, feature MPPT efficiency >99%, Wi-Fi/4G/Ethernet/BLE connectivity, and IP65-rated weather protection, making them ideal for both residential and commercial solar installations.

SOLAR PUMP BUSINESS

SGEL has received an order from Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Co. Ltd. MSEDCL) for the design, manufacture, supply, transportation, installation, testing, and commissioning of Off-Grid DC Solar Photovoltaic Water Pumping Systems (SPWPS) across identified farmer sites in Maharashtra. The order, awarded under the Magel Tyala Saur Krushi Pump Yojana / PM-KUSUM-B scheme, comprises the supply of 1,815 solar water pumps of 3 HP, 5 HP, and 7.5 HP capacity aggregating to an approximate order value of ?30.24 crore (exclusive of GST). Under the scope of the contract, Saatvik Green Energy Limited will also provide complete system warranty, repair and maintenance services, and a remote monitoring system for a period of five years, ensuring long-term performance reliability for farmers.

LOOKING AHEAD

Looking ahead, supported by favourable policy tailwinds and rising renewable energy adoption in India, we remain confident of sustaining growth momentum. Our priorities include timely execution of expansion plans, improving asset utilization, strengthening return metrics and delivering long-term profitable growth.”

About Saatvik Green Energy Limited:

Saatvik Green Energy Limited is one of India’s leading solar photovoltaic module manufacturers, with a strong presence across utility-scale, commercial & industrial, EPC, and distributed solar segments. The Company currently operates a 4.8 GW module manufacturing facility in Ambala, Haryana, and is developing a Greenfield integrated manufacturing facility in Odisha with 4 GW module and 4.8 GW solar cell capacity. With a focus on technology, quality, and execution, Saatvik aims to play a meaningful role in India’s renewable energy transition.

Valentine’s Day Gifting Edit: Thoughtful Picks From Organic India


This Valentine’s Day, move beyond predictable gifts and celebrate love with offerings that reflect care, intention and mindful indulgence. Organic India, from the house of Tata Consumer Products Limited, has thoughtfully curated gift boxes that bring together wellness, flavour and everyday rituals—making them ideal for couples who appreciate conscious living and meaningful moments. From nourishing pantry essentials to calming tea experiences, these hampers strike the perfect balance between indulgence and well-being.

1. Savoury Sweetheart Gift Box

Designed for couples who love bonding over food and wellness, the Savoury Sweetheart Gift Box is a wholesome expression of love. It features a carefully curated selection of certified organic staples including Himalayan multifloral honey, premium cow ghee, quinoa, brown rice, chia and flax seeds, jaggery powder, nuts and raisins, along with Organic India’s signature Tulsi detox kahwa. Ideal for creating nourishing meals or quiet tea rituals together, this box is a beautiful reminder that love thrives in everyday care.
Price:₹1,999
Link to Order: https://organicindia.com/products/savoury-sweetheart-gift-box

2. Wooden Gift Box – 100 Tea Bags

Housed in an elegant wooden case, this tea gift box is perfect for couples who cherish slow mornings and relaxed conversations. Featuring 100 organic Tulsi tea bags across comforting variants like Original, Ginger, Masala Chai and Green Tea Classic, it offers a soothing tea experience rooted in Ayurveda. A timeless gift that blends aesthetics with wellness, it’s ideal for building mindful daily rituals together.
Price:₹1,299
Link to Order: https://organicindia.com/products/wooden-gift-box-100-teabags-old-copy

3. Exotic Brew Gift Box

Crafted for tea connoisseurs, the Exotic Brew Gift Box brings together select Tulsi loose-leaf blends paired with a sleek stainless-steel infuser. Aromatic, calming and rich in flavour, this set is perfect for couples who enjoy unwinding over thoughtfully brewed cups of tea. Elegant yet purposeful, it’s a refined Valentine’s Day gift that celebrates warmth, connection and shared pauses.
Price: ₹1,079
Link to Order: https://organicindia.com/products/exotic-brew-new

Where Romance Meets Refinement: Valentine’s Day At Taj West End, Bengaluru


Celebrate love amidst the heritage gardens and timeless charm of Taj West End, Bengaluru, with curated Valentine’s Day experiences across its signature dining spaces. From refined global cuisine to intimate Vietnamese flavours and contemporary cocktails, the evening offers something for every kind of romantic celebration.

Machan presents a specially curated Valentine’s Day dinner featuring a welcome sparkle, refined starters, fresh salads, indulgent mains such as pan-seared sea bass and wild mushroom risotto, and decadent desserts including chocolate-dipped strawberries and fraisier.

Price: INR 7,000++ per couple | INR 4,000++ per person

Blue Ginger offers a chef-curated Vietnamese sharing menu with elegant courses ranging from five-spice figs and Cha Gio to Hanoi-style fish, red curry chicken, coconut-based preparations, and refined desserts, paired with sparkling and still wines.

Price: INR 14,000++ per couple (with wine pairing)

The Blue Bar sets the mood with Valentine’s-special cocktails inspired by love and emotion, paired with chef-crafted small plates—ideal for relaxed, intimate celebrations.

Price: INR 1,500++ per person

Date: 14 February

Time: 7:30 pm – 11:00 pm

Venue: Taj West End, Bengaluru

Reservations: 080-6660 5660

Reserve your table at Taj West End, Bengaluru, for an elegant Valentine’s Day of curated cuisine, gracious hospitality, and timeless romance.

ICANN85 In Mumbai: Strengthening The Single, Interoperable Internet For All


The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) will convene its 85th Public Meeting in Mumbai from 7–12 March 2026, hosted by the National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI) under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). With its more than one billion Internet users and a thriving digital economy, India is an ideal location for participants from around the world to gather at the ICANN85 Community Forum to advance the technical work that ensures the secure and stable operation of the Internet.

“Ten years after the ICANN Public Meeting in Hyderabad, the ICANN85 Community Forum in Mumbai offers the Indian Internet community an excellent opportunity to attend and participate in the global dialogue on important Internet governance issues,” said Samiran Gupta, ICANN Vice President for Stakeholder Engagement and Managing Director for the Asia Pacific region. “I want to thank our host NIXI for bringing ICANN85 to Mumbai and I look forward to a fruitful meeting.”

Shri S. Krishnan, IAS, Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and Chairman, NIXI said, “India’s digital transformation is anchored in an open, secure, inclusive and resilient Internet. Hosting ICANN85 reflects India’s commitment to the multistakeholder model of Internet governance and to advancing policy frameworks that support innovation, inclusion, and trust in the global Internet ecosystem.”

Key Topics at ICANN85: The New gTLD Program, ICANN Community’s Role in Advancing a Multilingual Internet, and the Multistakeholder Model

ICANN85 takes place at a pivotal moment – just before the launch of the next application round for the New gTLD Program in April. The program, the next expansion of the Domain Name System, provides businesses, communities, governments, and other organizations the rare opportunity to apply for new top-level domains tailored to fit their organization, community, culture, language, and customer interests. The meeting will include important updates about the next round and how to apply.

The New gTLD Program helps to advance ICANN’s 2030 vision as the trusted steward of the Internet's unique identifier systems to strengthen the single, globally interoperable Internet for all. This truly multilingual Internet enables people globally to use the Internet in their own languages and scripts, which matches the Indian government’s approach to expanding Internet usage.

ICANN85 is the first ICANN Public Meeting since the United Nations General Assembly adopted the WSIS+20 Outcomes Document on 17 December 2025. The World Summit on the Information Society: 20-year review (WSIS+20) reaffirmed that the Internet is a shared global resource whose stability, openness, and interoperability depend on the multistakeholder model approach, a position strongly supported by ICANN and the Government of India.

WSIS+20 marked a reaffirmation rather than an end point, demonstrating the need to continue the work of the multistakeholder model, bringing new voices and expertise into the Internet governance ecosystem, strengthening knowledge transfer and capacity building, and sustaining engagement through forums like ICANN Public Meetings.

ICANN Community Excellence Award

Continuing its tradition of recognizing outstanding community member contributions, the ICANN Community Excellence Award will be presented at the Welcome Ceremony (9 March 2026). This award recognizes ICANN community members who have deeply invested in consensus-based solutions and contributed substantively to the ICANN multistakeholder model.

Registration

In-person registration remains open until 6 March 2026. On-site registration is not available. Attendance is free and open to all. For more information, and to register, please visit the meeting website.

About ICANN

ICANN's mission is to help ensure a stable, secure, and unified global Internet. To reach another person on the Internet, you need to type an address – a name or a number – into your computer or other device. That address must be unique, so computers know where to find each other. ICANN helps coordinate and support these unique identifiers across the world. ICANN was formed in 1998 as a nonprofit public benefit corporation with a community of participants from all over the world.

About NIXI

The National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI) is a not-for-profit organization set up under the aegis of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India. NIXI plays a critical role in strengthening India’s Internet infrastructure by facilitating efficient exchange of domestic Internet traffic, managing the .IN and .भारत (.Bharat) country-code top-level domains, and promoting adoption of Internet services across the country. Through its initiatives, NIXI supports a secure, resilient, and inclusive Internet ecosystem aligned with India’s digital growth ambitions.

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