NCW and EDII Unite to Champion Women’s Entrepreneurship and Empowerment

In a step towards fostering inclusive growth and economic self-reliance, the Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII), Ahmedabad, in collaboration with the National Commission for Women (NCW), conducted an interactive session of Smt. Vijaya K. Rahatkar, Chairperson, NCW with women entrepreneurs.

This event which was held at EDII’s campus also had the presence of Mrs. Shivani Dey, Deputy Secretary, NCW; Mr. Ramawatar Singh, Head – Training, NCW and Dr. Sunil Shukla, Director General, EDII.

One of the highlights of the event was a workshop on ‘YASHODA AI’, a digital literacy programme specially designed to teach women the basics of Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity.

Smt. Vijaya K. Rahatkar spoke about the need to give women more opportunities to lead, build businesses, and keep up with the fast-changing digital world.

Addressing the women entrepreneurs, Smt. Rahatkar said, “Empowering women isn’t just about giving them skills — it’s about building confidence and shifting mindsets. Women should feel safe, capable and ready to lead, whether it’s in business, technology or everyday life. With novel initiatives and with meaningful partnerships, NCW is helping women step into the world of technology and innovations. AI is a new and rapidly growing field, offering immense opportunities and possibilities for women. NCW’s effort is to ensure that our daughters and sisters understand, learn and move forward in this emerging technology. We are committed to empowering every woman in the field of AI, so that they can also play a significant role in developing the future of our nation.”

In the year 2023-24, EDII in collaboration with NCW conducted 100 Entrepreneurship Awareness Programmes (EAPs) across 35 states and Union Territories, reaching out to 5,976 aspiring women entrepreneurs. In addition to these capacity-building initiatives, the Institute has also partnered with NCW to undertake research studies in Varanasi and Indore, conducting Women’s Safety Audit to assess the safety levels experienced by women in public and workplace settings.

Dr. Sunil Shukla, Director General, EDII, said, “NCW’s novel efforts, as well as and progressive national and state schemes and policies for promoting women entrepreneurship envision an inventive new generation of entrepreneurs who will build startups on the premise of knowledge, innovations and technology. NCW and EDII’s joint effort has also been rewarding in the way it has built capacities and generated knowledge among aspiring women entrepreneurs.”

The interactive session was attended by around 250 participants who discussed the challenges they faced, the lessons they learned, and how capacity building programmes could help them evolve as visionary entrepreneurs.

Smt. Vijaya K. Rahatkar, Chairperson, NCW also inaugurated exhibition which was put up by EDII trained artisans.

About Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII)

The Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII), Ahmedabad, was set up in 1983 as an autonomous and not-for-profit Institute with the support of apex financial institutions - the IDBI Bank Ltd., IFCI Ltd., ICICI Bank Ltd., and State Bank of India (SBI). The Government of Gujarat pledged twenty-three acres of land on which stands the majestic and sprawling EDII Campus.  EDII has been recognised as the CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Government of India. For more information, visit: www.ediindia.org

Toyota Kirloskar Motor Announces, “Awesome Toyota Service Campaign” across all its Dealerships in South India

Get Monsoon-Ready with Exciting Offers on Service, Tyres, Accessories & More! Toyota is bringing a splash of care and value this season with the launch of its ‘Awesome Toyota Service Campaign’ — an initiative across all authorized Toyota dealerships in Southern Part of India. Whether it’s preparing your vehicle for the rains, refreshing interiors with monsoon care, or ensuring a smooth ride with tyre and battery checks, this campaign is all about keeping you safe, comfortable, and road-ready this monsoon!

Key Highlights of “Awesome Toyota Service Campaign” include:

• 20-Point Free Vehicle Check-up with Tyre and Battery Testing

• Up to 10% Discount on Labour Charges

• T Gloss – 10% discount Monsoon Care Package: Includes interior cleaning, windshield polish, headlamp restoration, and odor neutralization—ensuring optimal visibility, hygiene, and comfort during the rainy season

• Attractive Offers on Tyres and Batteries

Toyota invites customers to gear up for the rains with expert care—because a well-prepared car means a worry-free journey.

The campaign will be conducted across South India and will run through July 2025.

Speaking on the campaign, Mr. Wiseline Sigamani, Vice President, Chief Representative – South Region, Sales- Service-Used Car - Toyota Kirloskar Motor, said, “At Toyota Kirloskar Motor, our commitment to a seamless ownership experience is guided by ‘Customer First’ approach. We are excited to roll-out the exclusive ‘Awesome Toyota Service Campaign’ across South India, designed to support our customers through the season with proactive vehicle care and timely preventive maintenance. From complimentary check-ups to special offers on service, tires, and accessories, this campaign is all about ensuring safe, smooth, and worry-free journeys. As always, we remain dedicated to ensuring our customers’ drive stays comfortable, reliable and secure at all times.”

In addition to these services, TKM encourages customers to adopt simple precautions for monsoon driving such as maintaining optimal tyre pressure, ensuring wipers and headlights are functioning properly, avoiding water-logged roads, and keeping essential items like torches, towels, and rainwear in the vehicle.

TKM wishes all its customers “Safe & Comfortable Drives this Monsoon” and welcomes them to experience Toyota’s signature care and service at their nearest dealership.

Curefoods’ Olio Pizza Launches 200th Outlet with New Kiosk in Calangute, Goa

 Olio Pizza, a brand which is a part of Curefoods portfolio, has hit a milestone with the launch of its 200th store—a kiosk format outlet located in Calangute, Goa, one of India’s most popular tourist destinations. This marks a momentous chapter in the brand’s growth journey and reaffirms Olio's belief that it can bring quality and innovation to pizza lovers across the country.              

With a presence in over 40 cities as of 31st March, 2025, Olio continues to redefine how India consumes pizza—making gourmet flavours and delivery accessible for all.

 

Ankit Nagori, Chief Executive Officer, Curefoods, said, "Crossing the 200-store mark is more than a number—it’s a reflection of the love and trust customers have placed in Olio. Launching this landmark outlet in Calangute, Goa, is symbolic of our intent to be where our customers are.”

 

Olio’s menu balances familiarity with creativity—classics like the Margherita continue to lead orders, while food items like Garlic Knots and their new regional variants (Peri Peri and Royal Garlic Knots) are becoming bestsellers.

 

The kiosk launch in Goa reflects Olio’s focus on reaching customer bases in high-footfall areas. Olio continues to deliver pizza experience tailored to local preferences.

 

About Curefoods
Curefoods is a Bangalore-based house of food and beverage brands, founded by Ankit Nagori in 2020. It houses brands such as Kitchens of EatFit, CakeZone, Nomad Pizza, Sharief Bhai, Olio Pizza, Frozen Bottle, Krispy Kreme, Arambam, and more. For additional information, visit https://curefoods.in.

Toyota Innova HyCross Secures 5-Star Safety Rating Under Bharat NCAP

 * Receives a prestigious 5-star safety rating for adult and child occupant protection.

* Built on Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform and featuring the Toyota Safety Sense (TSS), offering advanced safety features designed to help protect drivers, passengers, and pedestrians on the road.

In a significant testament to Toyota Kirloskar Motor’s (TKM) uncompromised commitment to safety, the much-appreciated Innova HyCross has been awarded a 5-star safety rating under the Bharat New Car Assessment Programme (Bharat NCAP) — India’s most comprehensive vehicle safety evaluation framework. This milestone marks the company’s unwavering and inherent focus on delivering ever-safer mobility solutions to its valued customers.

5-star safety ratings were received for both Adult and Child Occupant protection.

Earlier today in New Delhi, Hon’ble Union Minister of Road Transport & Highways, Shri Nitin Gadkari handed over the certificate to Mr. Vikram Gulati, Country Head & EVP, Corporate Affairs & Governance and Mr. Sudeep Dalvi, CCO, SVP & Head State Affairs.

Engineered for Safety, Designed with Purpose

Built on the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform, the Innova HyCross is designed to ensure crash safety and structural rigidity. In addition to its solid architecture, the HyCross is equipped with an array of active and passive safety features that make it one of the safest vehicles in the industry. These include:

• Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) – driver assistance suite featuring Pre-Collision System, Lane Trace Assist, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Blind Spot Monitor and Automatic High Beam

• Six airbags across all grades offering all-around occupant protection

• Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) and Traction Control (TRC)

• Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD)

• Hill-Start Assist Control, Rear Parking Camera, Front & Rear Parking Sensors, and All-Wheel Disc Brakes

• Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)

• ISOFIX child seat mounts for enhanced child safety

Speaking on the milestone, Varinder Wadhwa, Vice President, Sales-Service-Used Car Business, said, “At Toyota Kirloskar Motor, safety is the fundamental pillar of our product development, manufacturing process, and also our customer-first approach. The Innova HyCross embodies this commitment, delivering a mobility experience where ownership experience is just as important as performance and comfort. The 5-star Bharat NCAP rating for the Innova HyCross is a recognition of this philosophy as it assures our customers that they are not only investing in advanced and sustainable mobility but also one of the safest vehicles.

With a safety mindset, we will continue to raise the bar in making advanced safety accessible, thus strengthening trust in the Toyota brand as a pioneer in safe and reliable mobility.”

The most loved family car now Sets Safety Benchmarks

Launched in November 2022, the Innova HyCross has swiftly emerged as a benchmark in the segment, earning the trust of Indian families nationwide. With its bold SUV-inspired design, powerful self-charging hybrid electric technology, and spacious, premium interiors, the HyCross has redefined expectations in its segment. Testament to its growing popularity, the model recently surpassed the remarkable milestone of 1,35,000 units sold in India—a reflection of its strong market acceptance and customer confidence. Seamlessly blending Toyota’s globally celebrated Quality, Durability, and Reliability (QDR) with advanced features and innovation, the HyCross stands as a flagship expression of Toyota’s multi-pathway approach to sustainable mobility in India.

As India moves toward a future defined by safety, sustainability, and self-reliance, Toyota Kirloskar Motor remains deeply aligned with this national vision. The recognition under Bharat NCAP serves as both a proud milestone and a motivating force as TKM continues to develop vehicles that deliver real value—on the road and beyond.

RENDEZVOUS WITH RUJUTA DIWEKAR CELEBRATING THE LAUNCH OF HER LATEST BOOK AT TAJ WEST END, BENGALURU

 * Conversations and More, curated by The Chambers

The Chambers, India's premier exclusive business club, recently hosted an exclusive edition of its acclaimed Rendezvous series with celebrity nutritionist Rujuta Diwekar, in association with Axis Bank’s Burgundy Private, at Taj West End, Bengaluru.

This latest edition in the Rendezvous series celebrated the launch and unveiling of celebrity nutritionist Rujuta Diwekar's latest book -The Commonsense Diet. The evening featured a thought-provoking conversation led by Chiki Sarkar- Founder of Juggernaut Books with Rujuta Diwekar delving into the inspiration behind the book and the journey to mindful, sustainable eating.

Speaking on the launch of her book Rujuta says, “The Commonsense Diet is my tenth book, nearly fifteen years since I wrote my first book. In that time, diet confusion has only grown, and post-Covid, with the growth of social media- it's got even worse. I wanted to use this book to break through all the myths floating about around food and bring us back to the basics.” Her new book encourages readers to reject restrictive diets and embrace home-cooked, traditional Indian meals—reinstating the joy of balanced eating in a world flooded with food fads.

Mr. Satyajeet Krishnan, Senior Vice President – Operations, South, Indian Hotels Company (IHCL), added, “Taj West End Bengaluru is proud to host iconic voices and thought leaders through The Chambers’ Rendezvous series. Rujuta’s insights into health and mindful living resonate deeply with our ethos of celebrating heritage and holistic well-being. It was a privilege to bring this conversation to our members & patrons in Bengaluru.”

Commenting on the collaboration, Arnika Dixit, President & Head – Wealth Management, Cards & Payments, Axis Bank, said, “At Burgundy Private, we believe in the power of insightful dialogue and engagement to bring about meaningful impact. Rendezvous with Rujuta Diwekar is a great expression of that belief – facilitating conversations that promote holistic well-being and lasting positive change, rooted in tradition yet deeply relevant to modern life. We are delighted to support this thoughtfully curated initiative that not only inspires reflection and balanced living but also resonates deeply with the evolving aspirations of our clients.” 

Rujuta Diwekar's latest book advocates for a balanced approach to eating, emphasizing a clear simple message to eat local, seasonal, and traditional foods, and rejecting the idea of restrictive diets. Fifteen years ago, Rujuta Diwekar hit the headlines for her best-selling diet book Don’t Lose Your Mind, Lose Your Weight, now she is back with a new Diet manual to embrace the joy of on home-cooked meals.

The Rendezvous with Rujuta Diwekar is a part of a multi-city series, with prior editions held at Taj Lands End, Mumbai and Taj Mahal, New Delhi.

For more information about The Chambers, visit www.tajhotels.com.

Photo caption: L - R: (Mr. Satyajeet Krishnan, Senior Vice President – Operations, IHCL | Ms. Sonali Dahiya, Head - Burgundy Private | Ms. Rujuta Diwekar | Mr. Chiki Sarkar- Founder of Juggernaut Books | Mr. Munish Sharda, Executive Director - Axis Bank).

PNB Now Offers Easy Digital Opening of “Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana Accounts” through PNB ONE App

 

* A step towards financial inclusion and women empowerment -eliminates branch visits for account opening ~

Punjab National Bank (PNB), India's leading public sector bank, has announced the launch of online Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY) account opening facility through its digital platform PNB ONE app. This initiative marks a significant milestone in the Bank's digital transformation journey. 

The new facility enables existing PNB customers to open SSY accounts for their girl children anytime, anywhere, without the need to visit bank branches. This digital initiative represents PNB's commitment towards leveraging technology for social good and making government-backed savings schemes more accessible to families across the country.

Steps to open SSY account through PNB ONE App:

• Open the PNB ONE App on your mobile device.

• Tap on the ‘Services’ option from the main menu.

• Select ‘Govt. Initiative’ from the list.

• Choose ‘Sukanya Samriddhi Account Opening’.

• Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the account opening process. 

While account opening has been digitised, other operations including partial withdrawal, account closure, and premature closure will continue to be processed at the base branch level following existing process for accounts opened through offline mode. 

For more details, customers can visit their nearest PNB branch, or contact the bank's toll free number 1800 1800/1800 2021.

Happiest Health Successfully Concluded “Gut Microbiome 101” Wellness Event Focusing on Gut-Health Wellness

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  The event featured an expert-led session and panel discussion on integrating gut health into holistic wellness routines ahead of World Microbiome Day

• There were 150+ participants attending the event

 

Health and wellness knowledge platform Happiest Health hosted the Gut Microbiome 101 event at Koramangala Club, today to create awareness around the importance of gut health and the science behind gut microbiome. This informative event witnessed a panel discussion with gut-health experts deliberating on various issues related to gut health and how it can impact immunity and overall health of people.  The event focused on the vital role of gut health in overall wellbeing, with expert speakers sharing insights on the gut-brain connection that can impact various health conditions.

The event was inaugurated by Mr. Raghu Krishnan, Co-CEO, Happiest Health – Knowledge along with Dr. Yogesh Shouche, Director, SKAN-RT - Pioneering microbiome researcher, Dr. Shivaram H V, Senior Consultant Surgeon, Aster R V Hospital, Tina Mitra, Chief Revenue Officer, Happiest Health, and Mr. Ravi Joshi, Co-CEO, Happiest Health – Knowledge, amidst over 150+ participants.

With gut health becoming a key focus in conversations around holistic wellbeing, the session aimed to provide clear, science-backed insights while dispelling common myths. The sessions helped attendees gain valuable insights into how diet, stress, sleep, and lifestyle directly shape the gut microbiome, while shedding light on the functionality of microbiomes in a human body. The evening was informative and empowering, offering participants actionable tools to support their digestive and mental health.

A panel discussion between Dr. Yogesh Shouche, Director, SKAN-RT - Pioneering microbiome researcher, and Dr. Shivaram H V, Senior Consultant Surgeon, Aster R V Hospital, explored these themes in depth, offering clarity and practical guidance. Together, they highlighted the latest research on the usefulness of such bacteria in the body, the relevance of microbial diversity, and the importance of preventive care through better gut maintenance.

Dr. Shivaram H V, Senior Consultant Surgeon, Aster R V Hospital, shared insights on the vast and often-overlooked world of gut microbes and their influence on human health, and said, “I am honored to be part of this initiative on World Microbiome Day. The gut microbiome is home to trillions of microorganisms that live within us and influence everything from digestion to immunity. Despite their vital role, these organisms are often overlooked, even within the medical field. Events like this are essential in raising awareness and encouraging a deeper understanding of gut health. I appreciate Happiest Health for creating this platform to explore the impact of these invisible yet powerful microbes and to initiate conversations that are long overdue.”

Dr. Yogesh Shouche, Director, SKAN-RT - Pioneering microbiome researcher, highlighted how technological progress has deepened our knowledge of gut microbes and stated, “We celebrate World Microbiome Day to recognize the immense, unseen microbial world that resides within us. Advances in DNA sequencing technologies have only recently allowed us to understand the vital roles these microorganisms play. While once associated only with disease, we now know that most microbes are beneficial. They aid digestion, strengthen immunity, and even influence mood through the gut-brain axis. This science is still emerging, but what we’ve uncovered is already reshaping how we view health. Platforms like this help bridge that gap between research and awareness, and I’m glad to be part of that effort today.”

The panel discussion was followed by an engaging session by Simrun Chopra, Celebrity Nutritionist, Health Coach, and Founder of Nourish with SIM. She provided evidence-based insights into the role of nutrition in supporting gut health and offered practical, sustainable strategies for incorporating gut-friendly habits into daily routines to help individuals make mindful food choices that benefit their gut health long-term.

Simrun Chopra elaborated on the ways of incorporating fiber into Indian diets and importance of microbiome and highlighted "I have noticed that while Indian diet is so diverse and it is so rich in everything that we need, most people aren't consuming the fruits that they need to eat. Fiber is one of the easiest when it comes to Indian cuisine. And the easiest, most practical way if you're eating at home is to just add vegetables. It's actually very simple to do in our diet and with what's available to us, whether you're eating at a cafeteria, whether you're eating in a hostel, or whether you're eating at home. There are multiple simple fruits that we can also carry with us. That works very well too."

The Gut Microbiome 101 event is part of Happiest Health’s larger mission to drive meaningful conversations around wellness and empower individuals with reliable, expert-led knowledge. Through such initiatives, the platform aims to make complex health topics more accessible and relevant to everyday life. By bringing together scientific research, clinical perspectives, and practical lifestyle strategies, the summit created a space for learning, reflection, and to help individuals make conscious choices that support long-term physical and emotional well-being.

 

About Happiest Health

Happiest Health is an integrated wellness enterprise promoted by Ashok Soota. The business divisions of Happiest Health comprise Knowledge, Diagnostics, Healthcare Services and Wellness. We are committed to improving health through better knowledge, state-of-the-art diagnostics, wellness centres and clinics in a unique away-from-the-hospital model.

The Knowledge division is already a global leader by virtue of its much-acclaimed Happiest Health magazine, the free daily HealthZine, podcasts, videos and impactful health summits.

Diagnostics provides routine blood tests and specialized tests in Bangalore. In addition, the Diagnostics division also offers a gut microbiome test which is accessible throughout the country. We analyze the gut microbiome with a high-quality data and analysis is based on indigenously generated data from Indian population. This makes it far superior to what is offered by competition.

The Healthcare services (HCS) business division brings forth unique away-from-hospital clinics specializing in multiple disciplines. We will soon be offering cardiology, dental, ENT, ophthalmology, orthopedic services and more.