HDFC Life’s New Campaign Highlights Parental Values And Financial Planning With A Heartwarming Twist

HDFC Life, one of India’s leading life insurers, has launched a new campaign that underscores the timeless role of parental values in shaping families and securing their future. With a moving story, the campaign demonstrates how love, respect, perseverance, and independence transcend appearances to create enduring bonds.

HDFC Life has built a reputation for creating relatable and inspiring ad films, and this latest campaign takes a fresh approach. It emphasises how parental teachings serve as a guiding compass for children in an ever-changing world, helping them navigate uncertainties with confidence and integrity.

The heart of the campaign is a story of two brothers whose connection goes beyond appearances, rooted instead, in the shared values imparted by their parents. A simple moment of sibling camaraderie becomes an emotional reminder of the importance of instilling strong values and complementing them with financial planning for a secure future.

Commenting on the campaign, Vishal Subharwal, Group Head Strategy & Chief Marketing Officer, HDFC Life, said, "Parents play a pivotal role as their children’s first teachers and role models. The values they impart serve as a foundation that shapes children’s lives, guiding them with courage and integrity. This campaign highlights how these values, when paired with financial preparedness; create a strong and lasting foundation for families."

“Indian upbringing has always been rooted in family values and cohesion. This unique and heart-warming story of two brothers takes the audiences on an emotional journey showcasing how the values imparted within a family shape not only the present but also the future of the next generation; perfectly bringing to life the HDFC Life message – Sar Utha Ke Jiyo”. Vikram Pandey, Chief Creative Officer, Leo Burnett South Asia, added.

Notably, the campaign’s film has been directed by acclaimed filmmaker Shoojit Sircar, adding a unique touch to the storytelling.

The campaign will be featured across television, digital platforms, and outdoor media, reaching audiences nationwide.

About HDFC Life

Founded in 2000, HDFC Life Insurance Company Limited (‘HDFC Life’ or the ‘Company’) is a leading provider of long-term life insurance solutions in India. It offers a broad range of individual and group plans across the Protection, Pension, Savings, Investment, Annuity, and Health categories, with a portfolio of products and optional riders designed to meet the diverse needs of its customers.

HDFC Life is a subsidiary of HDFC Bank Limited, one of India’s leading private banks. The Company has a nationwide presence, operating through its own branches and a network of over 300 distribution partners, including banks, NBFCs, MFIs, SFBs, brokers, and emerging ecosystem partners. HDFC Life also maintains a strong base of financial consultants.

Recognised as a great place to work, HDFC Life is deeply committed to governance and sustainability, ensuring responsible business practices that align with its long-term objectives.

For more information, visit www.hdfclife.com or follow us on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), YouTube, and LinkedIn.

Happiest Health’s ‘Tech & Innovation In Healthcare Summit 2025’ Explores The Transformative Impact Of New-Age Technologies

 * The summit involved discussions around innovations improving patient care and healthcare delivery, offering delegates expert insights and networking opportunities

 Health and wellness enterprise Happiest Health unveiled the ‘Technology & Innovation in Healthcare Summit 2025’ in Bengaluru today. The high-profile event saw healthcare experts and industry come together and discuss the ever-growing potential of emerging technologies in healthcare practices, giving individuals practical insights into their implementation. The summit was inaugurated by Mr Ashok Soota, Executive Chairman of Happiest Minds, amidst over 400 participants.

The summit introduced delegates to panel discussions and talks on vital topics shaping the future of healthcare, including those on artificial intelligence, robotics, and telemedicine. The informative sessions provided deep insights into how the industry is evolving with these innovations and the opportunities to look forward to, besides giving individuals the chance to network with industry leaders and technology innovators. The summit generated plenty of important conversations in a collaborative environment, reflecting Happiest Health’s commitment to adding value to the healthcare space in India.

Mr. Ashok Soota, Executive Chairman, Happiest Minds in his keynote address on opportunities in healthcare through innovation and technology, spoke extensively on various healthcare modules, touching upon innovation, data in healthcare, industry disruptions, and more. On what’s driving innovation, he said, “Today, we are witnessing the convergence of three forces. These forces of convergence are spatial omics technologies becoming increasingly high throughput and high resolution, large-scale data sets generated by patient biopsies and such, and AI models becoming even more powerful and sophisticated. These three convergence forces will lead to more powerful interventions.”

The summit’s first panel discussion, titled ‘AI & Tech In Healthcare: Is Adoption Happening Fast?’, was moderated by Dr Sreenivasan Narayana, President and CEO of Healthcare Services, Happiest health, was led by Mr Kalyan Sivasailam, founder and CEO of 5C Network, Dr Manjiri Bakre, founder and CEO of OncoStem Diagnostics, and Mr Niranjan Subbarao, co-founder and CEO of Cyclops Medtech. The discussion covered how the rapid adoption of technology like machine learning and data analytics is leading to improved diagnostics, personalised treatment plans, and increased operational efficiency, transforming patient care and making it more precise.

Dr Harshavardhan Rao B, consultant – Department of Medical Gastroenterology, Ramaiah Memorial Hospital, held a session on ‘AI and its Applications in Healthcare & in Medical Gastroenterology in Your Practice’. Speaking on challenges from a physician’s perspective, he said: “One of the things that we consider when we talk about AI is whether it will affect our relationship with patients. Most patient-reported outcome measures are based on an excellent relationship with the patient. There is a placebo effect with most medications. And if the patient does not trust the doctor and the medicine, the clinical outcomes will be sub-optimal. That doesn’t diminish the fact that medications work. It’s just that we have to recognise the effect the placebo effect has – with AI and with reduced interaction, will that affect patient care?”

A panel discussion on the ‘Hospitals of Tomorrow’ involved Mr. Hanuman Jayaram, CTO, CTSI South Asia, an affiliate of Siemens Healthineers, Mr Kumar KV, group CIO of Narayana Health, and Mr Srinivas Iyengar, VP, IG head – Healthcare & Life Sciences, Happiest Minds. Mr Kumar KV shared his thoughts on the hurdles hospitals can expect in the future: “The key backbone, especially in the next five–10 years, is going to be from a technology standpoint. This basically necessitates that healthcare providers have all the tools required to provide efficient care, save lives, generate efficiency, and improve outcomes. Apart from having a suitable workforce and embracing digital transformation to transform the business model, the biggest challenge is to get the technology equation right.”

Mr. Sridhar Mantha, CEO of Generative AI Business, Happiest Minds, delivered the valedictory address on future developments in healthcare technology. He discussed the problem with healthcare data for training AI models: “Based on the AI models looking at the data right now, it’s quite easy for us to train the models. But it’s not that simple, as not all data is valuable. There’s enough garbage in the data. So, provided we have sufficient quality data to train the model on, we can reach at least 90% of the quality.”

Mr Ashish Pratap Singh, chief marketing officer of Happiest Health, said, “’The Technology & Innovation in Healthcare Summit’ is meant to catalyse dialogue between healthcare and technology experts, combining IT expertise with healthcare innovation. We intend to showcase the latest advancements and foster actionable insights and collaborations to revolutionise patient care and transform the healthcare landscape.”

About Happiest Health

Happiest Health is a global health & wellness knowledge enterprise promoted by Ashok Soota. Happiest Health provides credible and trustworthy health and wellness knowledge with views from globally renowned experts and doctors. The primary knowledge platforms are the daily newsletter, knowledge website, monthly print magazine, and knowledge app and summits. The wellness division of Happiest Health caters to corporates to achieve optimal employee well-being, fostering a happier, healthier, and more productive work environment. The newest addition to Happiest Health’s offering is its diagnostics services. Happiest Diagnostics is committed to a patient-centric approach and cutting-edge technology, with an aim to be the most trusted diagnostic partner in India.

Happiest Health embraces scientific knowledge with a keen focus on medical breakthroughs providing kinder, gentler therapies including cell-based treatments. It also has deep coverage of integrated medicine including ayurveda, homeopathy, and naturopathy. Happiest Health’s focus on wellness is holistic and energizing. Its Mission Statement is: “Better Knowledge. Better Health.” and convey its benefits to all.

Photo Caption: Happiest Health unveiled ‘Technology & Innovation in Healthcare Summit 2025’ Explores the Transformative Impact of next-gen technologies in the Industry.

Olio Pizza Expands Its Footprint With 6 New Outlets In Association With Reliance SMART

* The brand takes another step towards its ambitious 2026 growth targets

Olio Pizza, one of the fastest-growing brands under Curefoods, is set to launch seven new offline outlets in partnership with Reliance SMART. The new outlets will be located in Mumbai (Virar, Vasai, Boisar), Pune (Aundh and Pimple Gaurav), and Rajkot. This expansion strengthens the brand’s presence in key cities and aligns with its ambitious goal of becoming a ?500 crore brand by 2026.

Since its inception, Olio Pizza has demonstrated an impressive growth trajectory, achieving ?100 crore ARR within just 15 months. The brand continues to grow at an impressive rate of 25% quarter-on-quarter and is well on track to scale to ?200 crore ARR by the end of 2024.

Speaking on the expansion, Ankit Nagori, Founder of Curefoods, said, "At Curefoods, our vision is to create beloved food brands that resonate with our customers' tastes and lifestyles. Olio Pizza’s rapid growth is a testament to the quality and appeal of its offerings. The partnership with Reliance SMART enables us to bring the Olio experience closer to more communities across India. As we expand to 500 locations by 2026, we remain committed to delivering exceptional dining experiences while nurturing new brands and scaling our existing portfolio. With each milestone, we are moving closer to building a ?500 crore brand that redefines the pizza segment in India.”

Olio Pizza’s success reflects its strategic focus on aggressive expansion and customer satisfaction. The brand aims to establish a presence in 500 locations across 60-70 cities by 2026, further solidifying its position in the Indian food market. As one of Curefoods’ fastest-growing brands, Olio Pizza has carved out a niche with its consistently high-quality offerings and robust market strategy.

Curefoods continues to lead innovation in the food-tech and cloud kitchen space, with plans to incubate new brands annually while scaling existing ones like Olio Pizza and Sharief Bhai. By delivering exceptional dining experiences and continuously evolving with market trends, Curefoods is setting new benchmarks in the Indian food industry.

About Curefoods:

Olio Pizza believes in redefining the art of pizza-making, intertwining tradition with innovation, and savouring every moment shared around our delectable creations. Curefoods is a leading house of F&B brands in India. It was founded by Ankit Nagori in 2020. It houses brands like EatFit, Cakezone, Nomad Pizza, Sharief Bhai Biryani and Frozen Bottle, among others. It has over 500 cloud kitchens and offline stores that cater to over 10 cuisines, across 40 cities in India. Additional information on Curefoods is available at https://curefoods.in 

Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Launches New 2025 Activa “Scooter bole toh Activa”

Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI) today launched the new OBD2B-compliant version of the Activa, taking India’s most loved scooter to the next level of technology, convenience, and sustainability. The updated Activa now comes equipped with a host of advanced features, designed to cater to the evolving needs of customers. The prices of the new 2025 Honda Activa start at Rs. 80,950 (ex-showroom Delhi).

Introducing the New Activa, Mr. Tsutsumu Otani, Managing Director, President & CEO, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India, said, “The Activa has always been at the forefront of redefining mobility for Indian customers. With its latest 2025 iteration, it continues to embody the perfect blend of innovation, convenience, and reliability that has made it India’s most loved scooter. The addition of the TFT display with Bluetooth connectivity and the OBD2B-compliant engine demonstrates our commitment to staying ahead of the curve in terms of technology and sustainability. We are confident that the new Activa will not only elevate the riding experience for our customers but also reinforce Honda’s leadership in the Indian scooter market.”

Commenting on this announcement, Mr. Yogesh Mathur, Director, Sales and Marketing, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India, said, “The Activa is more than just a scooter, it is a trusted companion for crores of families across India and proudly stays true to its tagline ‘Scooter bole toh Activa’. The new 2025 Activa raises the bar with its smart features like a 4.2-inch TFT display with Bluetooth connectivity & navigation, idling stop system, and USB Type-C charging port, all tailored to meet the evolving needs of customers. As India’s favourite scooter, the Activa has always been synonymous with convenience and reliability. With the introduction of the OBD2B model, we are delighted to take a step further towards a cleaner future.”

New Activa: New Colours and Advanced Features

The updated Activa gets several mechanical updates, designed to meet the upcoming regulations, and elevate the riding experience of customers. At its heart is a 109.51cc, single-cylinder PGM-Fi engine that is now OBD2B compliant. It develops 5.88 kW of power at 8,000 RPM and 9.05 Nm of peak torque at 5,500 RPM. It is also equipped with Idling stop system to enhance fuel efficiency.

In terms of features, the Activa sports a new 4.2-inch TFT display with Bluetooth connectivity. It is compatible with Honda RoadSync app, enabling functions like navigation and call/message alerts, allowing riders to stay connected even while on the move. The Activa is now also equipped with a USB Type-C charging port, ensuring convenience for riders to charge their devices on the go.

The Activa retains its iconic silhouette and now gets alloy wheels even for the DLX variant apart from the top-spec H-Smart one, further enhancing its visual appeal. It will be offered in three variants, STD, DLX and H-Smart, with six colour options on sale. They are – Pearl Precious White, Decent Blue Metallic, Pearl Igneous Black, Mat Axis Gray Metallic, Rebel Red Metallic, and Pearl Siren Blue.

New Activa: Price and Availability

The prices of the new 2025 Honda Activa start at Rs. 80,950, ex-showroom Delhi. It is now available at HMSI dealerships across India.

Jacobi Group Unveils Carbonizer Technology, Setting New Standards In Sustainable Manufacturing

-       Reducing the impact of emissions and ensuring a cleaner environment

-       Generating power as a co-product while reducing emissions

The Jacobi Group of Companies, a globally recognized leader in the manufacturing and supply of activated carbon and related services, today unveiled its revolutionary Carbonization technology with a machine named Carbonizer. This state-of the-art equipment was inaugurated by Mr. Christian Kamill, Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of Sweden, India in the presence of Mr. Remko Goudappel CEO of Jacobi Groups who were Hosted by Mr. Antony Thomas, Managing Director of Jacobi Carbons India Operations. Marking this momentous occasion was also a notable CSR project flagged off by Mr. Remko and Mr. Christian Kamill wherein a government- collaborated ration shop was opened to provide essential goods to underserved communities further reinforcing Jacobi’s mission of working and growing with the community.

This innovation in carbonization significantly reduces environmental impact while boosting energy efficiency. By utilizing renewable coconut shells, the Carbonizer produces high-quality charcoal with a substantially reduced carbon footprint. The technology captures and repurposes volatile gases released during the carbonization process to generate clean energy, which powers Jacobi’s manufacturing facilities. This reduces reliance on external energy sources and reinforces the company’s commitment to sustainability and the promoting a circular economy. This technology would benefit the Indian charcoal suppliers to help produce charcoal in an environment friendly manner.

"Our Carbonizer technology represents a significant leap forward in sustainable manufacturing," said Remko Goudappel, Global CEO of the Jacobi Group of Companies. "It not only redefines how charcoal is produced but also demonstrates our unwavering commitment to innovation and environmental stewardship, in close cooperation with our partners. At Jacobi, we believe that creating a better world starts with rethinking our processes and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in the activated carbon industry."

Designed to process renewable 2700 MT of coconut shells as an input, the Carbonizer transforms it into 970 MT of Charcoal as an output with minimal emissions and maximum energy recovery. During the process of carbonization, the coconut shell will undergo into charring or pyrolysis process to convert as a charcoal. The coconut shells need to be subjected to very high temperatures for several hours to break down into charcoal. During this process biogas will be eliminated, and it is used as a fuel for carbonizer process (Cycle process). An excess heat energy from the incinerator helps to produce steam generation using boiler, which enabling the generation of 400KWH of clean electricity

using steam turbine to power Jacobi’s production facilities and reduce dependence on external energy sources. To understand the process better one may consider this as a scenario wherein processing 90000 kg of input material would result in 9600 units of electricity generated over a period of 24 hours, and coconut shell charcoal producers adopting this technology can achieve energy savings of 85-90% and operational cost reduction of 80% annually.

The Carbonizer technology which underscores Jacobi’s dedication to innovation and environmental sustainability. This technology not only minimizes greenhouse gas emissions but also transforms energy recovery into a key feature of the production process. The captured energy is converted into electricity, which powers not just the Carbonizer itself but also the entire activated carbon production facility. By pioneering this eco-conscious approach, Jacobi solidifies its leadership in sustainable practices within the activated carbon industry. The Carbonizer technology aligns perfectly with corporate Environmental and Social Responsibility (ESR) goals, offering benefits such as lower carbon emissions, use of renewable resources, and reduced energy costs. This transformative technology is ideal for industries such as energy, manufacturing, agriculture, ensuring versatile applications across diverse operational frameworks.

Photo Caption: From left to Right - Mr. Remko Goudappel, Global CEO of Jacabi Group and Mr. Christian Kamill, Deputy Head of Mission Embassy of Swedan, inaugurating the Government collaborated ration shop on the occasion of unveiling the Carbonizer Technology.

Healthtech Company SaveIN Launches welUp: A Comprehensive Wellness Platform

Gurugram-based healthtech startup SaveIN, renowned for operating India’s largest 0% EMI network for outpatient healthcare, has unveiled welUp, an innovative wellness platform designed to meet the evolving healthcare needs of modern consumers beyond traditional hospitalization insurance.

welUp provides a holistic, subscription-based solution offering:

- Free doctor consultations across Allopathy, Ayurveda, and Homeopathy

- Preventive blood tests and dental care

- Mental health support

- Personalized diet plans and more

The platform also provides up to ?5 lakh credit limit, at no-cost EMI, enabling users to afford treatments typically excluded from insurance, such as dermatology, cosmetic surgery, IVF, dental care, fitness memberships, and more—addressing high out-of-pocket expenses faced by millions annually.

"Healthcare is no longer limited to treating ailments; it’s about preventive care and empowering individuals to make informed wellness decisions," said Jitin Bhasin, Founder and CEO of SaveIN. "With welUp, we’re revolutionizing access to care through a seamless blend of digital-first and in-person services, backed by our extensive no-cost EMI offering."

Unlike traditional health insurance, welUp focuses on frequent healthcare and wellness needs, offering on-demand credit without cumbersome claims processes. Since its inception in 2022, SaveIN has rapidly grown, partnering with leading banks and financial institutions, including HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, and IDFC First Bank, to enable EMI-based healthcare payments.

Designed exclusively for employers, welUp arrives at a time when forward-thinking organizations in India are prioritizing employee wellness and productivity, offering a complete physical and mental health care solution for modern workplaces.

About Us:

SavelN is India's first marketplace and embedded healthcare commerce and fintech platform for healthcare procedures and services. We enable people to connect with quality healthcare facilities near them and provide them with an opportunity to split their entire medical and wellness expense into flexible, low- cost repayment plans. We aim to create India's largest integrated private healthcare ecosystem and build technology first solutions to facilitate timely and quality care through enhanced affordability for millions of Indians. We help companies promote their services as well as offer easy monthly payment options for all healthcare treatments.

Karnataka Microfinance Sector – Outreach, Pperations & Impact

Microfinance Industry Network (MFIN), a Self-Regulatory Organisation (SRO) recognised by RBI and the Association of Karnataka Microfinance Institutions (AKMI), jointly organised a press meet in Bengaluru to highlight the critical role of microfinance institutions in improving the lives of the underprivileged sections of the society in the state. Mr. Rama Kamaraju, Head – State Initiatives at MFIN along with Mr. Venkatesh N, Managing Director, IIFL Samasta and Mr. Anand Rao, JMD, Chaitanya India Fin Credit underlined the immense contribution of microcredit loans in fostering financial inclusivity and empowerment in both rural and urban Karnataka.

Microfinance has emerged as an impactful tool in ensuring that credit and essential financial services reach the remotest corners of India. In Karnataka, microfinance institutions have transformed the lives of more than 1 crore and currently serve over 63 lakh individuals (unique borrowers) through microcredit loans. The total gross loan portfolio of microfinance institutions in the state has surged from Rs 16,946 crore (Mar-2019) to an impressive Rs 42,265 crore in the last financial year (Mar-24), empowering, women, families, and communities to thrive.

Microfinance customers in Karnataka have shown an eagerness to explore interventions to ensure family well-being and start new businesses. They have shown similar alacrity in learning about good credit discipline, regular repayment of loans and respect for lending institutions' advice to borrow within their capacities.

Mr. Rama Kamaraju, Head, State Initiatives, MFIN stated that “Microfinance operations of RBI regulated entities in the state of Karnataka have traversed a smooth path all along even at the time of demonetisation and  Covid pandemic. Women borrowers from the state have exhibited extraordinary resilience and maintained excellent credit discipline over the years. He mentioned in unequivocal terms that the loans offered by the regulated MFIs have helped changed the narrative from “women development” to “women led development”. Microfinance has received extensive recognition as a strategy for socio-economic empowerment of women, earning them a well-deserved and rightful role in decision making in the family. He further added that Microfinance, dovetailed with the efficient Govt schemes on the ground, has managed to alleviate them out of the poverty trap setting them on an upwards trajectory of sustainable livelihood.

Mr. Kamaraju stated that on the other hand,  regulated MFIs (NBFC-MFIs, Banks, Small Finance Banks) operate under very stringent regulations & oversight both from RBI and MFIN SRO. All these Regulated Entities are governed by the RBI directions on microfinance and Fair Practices code of the RBI. In addition, MFIN has established robust infrastructure and mechanisms to ensure that member institutions operate responsibly, adhering to regulatory standards, and avoiding wrongful practices. To give an example, currently MFIN is undertaking 2,131 financial literacy workshops under the RBI’s Depositors Education and Awareness (DEA) project initiative across the country, over the next 2 years. MFIN also operates a toll free 24*7 Client grievance redressal system in Vernacular language.

He pointed out that the recent reports of protests against MFIs are from a small section of the ill-informed individuals with the aid of unauthorised entities, indulging in unscrupulous rumour-mongering. We wish to assure you all that we follow a very well calibrated advisory approach and have our eye on the ball at all times. He urged the media to carry out a thorough fact check of any issues being reported on the sector so that the MF ecosystem is shielded from any untoward rumours. Having said that, we are open to talk and engage on the right forum to address any genuine concerns with regard to the microfinance ecosystem and its operations.”

Mr Venkatesh N, MD IIFL Samasta Finance Ltd., said, "Microfinance Institutions have been instrumental in empowering women entrepreneurs and uplifting communities by providing crucial financial access to the unbanked.

Regulated Microfinance Institutions have played a pivotal role in driving women's entrepreneurship and empowerment, with far-reaching effects that uplift families and transform entire communities. With this access to the unbanked, we foster entrepreneurial growth and generate crucial local employment, fortifying grassroots economies.

In the past few months, there some stress has been noticed in collections from borrowers who have taken loans from multiple lenders. However, the field reports from December seem to show positive signals of a turnaround, and I feel confident in observing these positive trends over the next few quarters as things normalise. He added that microfinance institutions play a key role in giving Shishu loans under the MUDRA scheme”

Mr. Anand Rao, MD, Chaitanya India Fin Credit stated “Microfinance in Karnataka has a 20 plus years of history of being part of the rural development story of the state. RBI regulated entities are governed by a strong code of conduct. The challenge the sector faces is from unregulated entities.”

Microfinance is important for the socio-economic development of the nation as it provides resources and capital to marginalized groups and those in the informal economy. Microfinance institutions not only help in increasing the household income of the borrowers but also educate them about businesses and help them improve their financial conditions. 

78 MFIN Member Microfinance Institutions (Regulated Entities) work across 36 states & union territories, and 721 districts, including 112 Aspirational Districts ensuring that credit and other crucial financial services reach rural and urban India. Primary customers of Microfinance services are 7.94 crore (around 80 million) women from low-income households. 

Photo Caption:  L-R : Mr. Rama Kamaraju, Head - State Initiatives, MicroFinance Industry Network (MFIN), Mr. N Venkatesh, Managing Director, IIFL Samasta Finance and Mr. Anand Rao, Joint Managing Director, Chaitanya India Fin Credit.