ICICI Prudential Life Insurance Launches ‘ICICI Pru SmartKid 360’ To Aid Customers Secure Their Child’s Future

· Offers guaranteed moneybacks in the policy to support child’s milestones in life

· Inbuilt waiver of premium and benefits continuity in the event of the life assured’s unfortunate demise

· Provides a lump sum maturity benefit at the end of the policy term

ICICI Prudential Life Insurance has launched ICICI Pru SmartKid 360, a long-term saving product designed to aid customers plan, with certainty, for their child’s future milestones in life.

ICICI Pru SmartKid 360, allows customers to systematically build a savings pool and receive predefined payouts or MoneyBack to coincide with the child’s future milestones such as school education, higher studies or early adulthood goals. The product has been designed to ensure customer can be financially ready to meet such obligations. Effectively enabling them to align availability of funds to meet the child’s evolving needs.

Customers can opt for level payouts, where the same proportion is paid at each selected milestone, or increasing payouts, where a higher proportion is received at later milestones to meet the rising financial needs. For instance, a parent may choose to receive equal payouts across three or four milestones, or lower payouts during early schooling years followed by higher payouts for college and higher education.

Commenting on the launch, Vikas Gupta, Chief Product Officer, ICICI Prudential Life Insurance, said, “ICICI Pru SmartKid 360 has been designed to cater to the parents need to financially secure their child’s future. A key feature of the product is the inbuilt waiver of premium and benefits continuity, which safeguards the child’s future in the event of the life assured’s unfortunate demise. Under this feature, the nominee receives the life cover amount, all future premiums are waived, and the policy benefits continue as opted for, ensuring that the child’s goals remain protected and uninterrupted.

At the end of the policy tenure, the product provides a guaranteed maturity benefit in the form of a lump-sum payout, which can support the child’s transition into adulthood. Thus, by combining disciplined savings with guaranteed maturity benefits and protection the product can help customers to confidently plan a bright future for their child.

In addition to the core benefits, ICICI Pru SmartKid 360 offers optional features such as Family Income Benefit, which provides regular income, supporting the family in case of the life assured’s untimely demise. The Company is committed to developing products which enable customers to achieve their long-term financial goals.

Our customer centricity is evidenced by our industry-leading claims settlement ratio of 99.3% in H1-FY2026, with an average claim settlement turnaround time of 1.1 days for non-investigative claims. Besides, the Company issued approx. 50% of its savings policies on the same day.”

The launch of ICICI Pru SmartKid 360, a non-participating, long-term savings plan is supported by the Company’s digital capabilities, which enable a hassle-free buying process, convenient self-service options and the Company’s quick claims settlement process, reflecting its ability to provide timely and reliable support to customers and their families.

About ICICI Prudential Life Insurance (www.iciciprulife.com)

ICICI Prudential Life Insurance Company Limited is promoted by ICICI Bank Limited and Prudential Corporation Holdings Limited. The Company began its operations in fiscal year 2001 and has consistently been amongst the top private sector life insurance companies in India on Retail Weighted Received Premium (RWRP) basis. The Company offers an array of products in the Protection and Savings category which match the different life stage requirements of customers, enabling them to provide a financial safety net to their families as well as achieve their long-term financial goals. The digital platform of the Company provides a paperless buying experience to customers, empowers them to conduct an assortment of self-service transactions, provides a convenient route to make digital payments and facilitates a hassle-free claims settlement process.

The Company has introduced ICICI Pru Stack, a first-of-its kind suite of platform capabilities that combines digital tools and analytics. This innovative suite aims to enhance the understanding of customers' requirements and enable distributors to offer suitable insurance products, deliver seamless experiences, and provide exceptional pre- and post-sale services. By deploying this comprehensive solution, the Company aspires to transform into the most customer-friendly and partnerable insurance provider in the country.

At September 30, 2025, the Company had an AUM of Rs. 3.21 lakh crore and a total in-force sum assured of Rs. 42.16 lakh crore. ICICI Prudential Life is also the first insurance company in India to be listed on both the National Stock Exchange (NSE) Limited and Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) Limited.

Bringing Home, The Taste Of Festivities With Easy Winter Classics

Makar Sankranti, Lodhi and Pongal marks the arrival of longer, brighter days and is celebrated across different regions in India with harvest foods, warmth, and family togetherness. From comforting festive bites to seasonal specials, the festivals are all about sharing and gratitude. This festive season, bring families into the kitchen to prepare easy classics that celebrate seasonal produce and regional flavours making festive cooking simple and enjoyable.

1. Golden Sesame Chikki Bites

Quick homemade chikki squares made with toasted sesame seeds and warm jaggery, delivering the perfect crunch and sweetness of Sankranti.

Ingredients:

1 cup white sesame seeds

¾ cup grated jaggery

1 tbsp ghee

A pinch of cardamom powder

Instructions:

Dry roast the sesame seeds until aromatic. You can also lightly toast them evenly using the Voltas Beko Microwave on low power for quick and fuss-free roasting.

Heat jaggery with ghee until melted and slightly thick, then add cardamom powder.

Mix in the sesame seeds and stir well.

Spread the mixture onto a greased plate, flatten, and cut into small squares while warm.

Allow to cool and set before serving.

2. Curd Rice Poppers

A refreshing, festive twist on curd rice, mini chilled poppers tossed in aromatic tempering for a balanced Pongal spread.

Ingredients:

½ cup raw rice

¼ cup moong dal

¾ cup grated jaggery

2 cups milk

1 tbsp ghee

Cashews and raisins for garnish

½ tsp cardamom powder

Instructions:

Cook rice and moong dal together until soft.

Add milk and jaggery, stirring gently until the mixture turns creamy.

Mix in cardamom powder and finish with roasted cashews and raisins.

Keep the pongal warm and fresh until serving using the Voltas Beko Microwave reheat mode, making it ideal for family gatherings where food is served in batches.

3. Harvest Veggie Skewers

Grilled winter vegetables brushed with a light honey-spice glaze, celebrating harvest produce and festive warmth.

Ingredients:

Sweet potato cubes

Carrot slices

Baby corn

1 tbsp honey

½ tsp chilli powder

Salt to taste

1 tbsp oil

Instructions:

Store and prep fresh winter vegetables easily using the spacious compartments of the Voltas Beko Refrigerator.

Parboil vegetables until just tender.

Mix honey, chilli powder, salt, and oil to make a glaze.

Thread vegetables onto skewers and grill using the Voltas Beko Microwave Grill Mode until lightly charred and golden.

Serve hot as a festive snack or starter.

These easy recipes blend tradition with modern convenience. With Voltas Beko microwaves and refrigerators supporting every step from preparation to serving festive cooking becomes smoother, more enjoyable, and truly centred on togetherness.

Woods At Sasan, A Luxury Biophilic Retreat Located On The Edge Of Gir National Park, Has An Initiative Called Pustak Ghar

Celebrating the spirit of Swami Vivekananda Jayanti, Pustak Ghar at Woods at Sasan nurtures young minds by fostering a love for reading, knowledge, and conscious living amid nature.

Launched Pustak Ghar, a community-driven reading and literacy initiative across villages in the Sasan Gir–Somnath region of Gujarat.

Pustak Ghar is a mini-library initiative inspired by the founder’s love for books, aimed at making reading accessible within rural communities. Donated books are placed in shared book spaces across villages where livelihoods are primarily rooted in agriculture and animal husbandry. With the establishment of shared book houses within village clusters, the initiative creates easy access to reading material for families, children, and young adults in rural communities.

Open once a week at community-decided timings, villagers can borrow and return books with ease. Managed by a community head, the books are catalogued and rotated every three months to keep the collection dynamic. To date, Woods at Sasan has established 27 Pustak Ghars across 13 villages.

Rooted in the belief that access to knowledge can quietly transform lives, Pustak Ghar operates through a simple and sustainable model where books donated by guests and well-wishers are housed in community-managed reading spaces that open weekly at mutually agreed times. Currently active across 13 villages, the initiative has benefited over 206 community members, with more than 2,543 books donated to date. Supported by guest contributions amounting to ₹1.32 lakh, Pustak Ghar has emerged as a meaningful initiative that fosters learning, shared dialogue, and long-term community empowerment.

“We strongly believe that true hospitality extends beyond the boundaries of our property,” said Maulik Bhagat, Founder of Woods at Sasan. “Pustak Ghar was born from a personal love for books and a deep belief that access to knowledge can quietly yet powerfully transform lives. Witnessing people—especially women and children—come together to read, exchange ideas, and grow as a community has been one of the most fulfilling outcomes of this journey. By the end of 2026, we aim to significantly expand the initiative by increasing the number of books in circulation and establishing more Pustak Ghars across neighbouring villages in the Sasan Gir bioregion that has placed its trust in us, further strengthening access to learning at the fundamental level.’’

Led by our Islander, Community Head, Mr. Vijay Shukla ji, who catalogues, rotates, and maintains the book collections every three months, the model ensures equitable access and long-term impact. In a landscape shaped by farming cycles and pastoral traditions, Pustak Ghar stands as a thoughtful example of how regenerative hospitality can nurture not just the environment, but minds, communities, and futures.

Building on this foundation, we plan to inaugurate 100 Pustak Ghars over the coming year across nearby villages around Sasan, expanding access to books, learning, and shared knowledge—further strengthening the social fabric of the region.

The biophilic retreat, Woods at Sasan, continues to support the growth of the Pustak Ghar initiative through guest contributions and donations. The brand also plans to host special gatherings in Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru to further build momentum for the initiative and encourage greater participation, although timelines for these events are yet to be finalized.

Bhartiya Mall Of Bengaluru Kicks Off January With A Month-Long Creative Workshop Series

Hands-on art and craft experiences every Friday until 30th January 2026

Bhartiya Mall of Bengaluru welcomes the new year with a thoughtfully curated series of creative workshops this January, offering families and visitors a refreshing way to spend their Fridays together. Designed to inspire artistry, foster meaningful connections, and encourage hands-on engagement, these immersive sessions allow participants to unwind while creating handcrafted mementoes to take home.

The month-long programme begins on 16th January, where the focus shifts to the senses with a DIY Aromatic Wax Sachet Workshop, where participants craft beautifully scented keepsakes that are both calming and personal.

A burst of colour and playfulness follows on 23rd January with a lively Sand Art Workshop, encouraging free-flowing creativity through vibrant hues and textures. The series concludes on 30th January with a Soap Making Workshop, blending inventive expression with everyday essentials to create thoughtfully crafted, functional takeaways.

Through this engaging lineup of hands-on experiences, Bhartiya Mall of Bengaluru reimagines January as a month of creativity and connection—inviting visitors to explore enriching experiences that go well beyond shopping.  

Event	Date	Time	Venue	MRP
DIY Aromatic Wax Sachet Workshop	16th January 2026	5:30 PM	Upper Ground Floor	Rs. 99
Sand Art Workshop	23rd January 2026	5:30 PM	Upper Ground Floor	Rs. 99
Soap – Making Workshop	30th January 2026	5:30 PM	Upper Ground Floor	Rs. 99

 

Celebrate The Spirit Of Pongal With Harvest Brunches And Garden Lunches At Taj Bangalore And Taj West End

This Pongal, celebrate the harvest season with thoughtfully curated festive dining experiences at Taj Bangalore and Taj West End each reflecting the warmth, simplicity, and cultural richness of South Indian traditions. From immersive brunch celebrations to serene garden lunches, the festivities promise soulful flavours and moments of togetherness.

At Café 77 East, Taj Bangalore, the Pongal Special Brunch offers a vibrant afternoon rooted in tradition. Set against warm festive décor and accompanied by a soothing live flute performance, the experience features interactive live stations and a generous spread of South Indian harvest favourites. Guests can savour Ven Pongal and Sakkarai Pongal, festive snacks like Murukku, Sundal, and Medu Vada, regional specialties including Kuzhi Paniyaram and Idiyappam with Kuruma, and a comforting dessert selection featuring Kozhukattai and Payasam, creating a well-rounded celebration of flavour and culture.

Café 77 East, Taj Bangalore | 14th January 2026
Brunch: 12:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Price: ₹2,750 + taxes
Reservations: +91 95133 96502

Meanwhile, Machan at Taj West End, Bengaluru, presents a serene Pongal lunch set amidst lush gardens and heritage charm. The soulful feast highlights traditional Pongal preparations, Paal Pongal, Ven Pongal, and Rawa Pongal complemented by festive Til Ladoos, offering a graceful, comforting celebration of harvest and heritage in a tranquil setting.

Machan, Taj West End, Bengaluru | 14th January 2026
Lunch Service
Price: ₹2,200 + taxes per person ((Children’s pricing as per restaurant policy.)
Reservations: 080 6660 5660

Celebrate Pongal with authentic flavours, festive warmth, and the timeless hospitality, where every table honours tradition and every dish tells a story of the harvest.

Kotak Mahindra Bank Strengthens Leadership Team With Appointment Of Anup Kumar Saha As Whole-Time Director

Kotak Mahindra Bank (“Kotak”) announced the appointment of Anup Kumar Saha as Whole-time Director, subject to regulatory approvals. Till such time, Anup will act as Whole-time Director (Designate) and will be a part of Senior Management from January 12, 2026.

Anup most recently served as Managing Director at Bajaj Finance, where over eight years he played a pivotal role in transforming the company into one of India’s leading and most profitable NBFCs in consumer finance. He led business transformation, digital innovation and customer-focused strategies, expanding the customer base to 100 million and diversifying the product portfolio.

Anup previously spent 14 years at ICICI Bank in senior leadership roles, building deep expertise in consumer and retail banking, data analytics and digital transformation.

At Kotak, Anup will oversee Consumer Banking, Marketing and Data Analytics functions, reinforcing Kotak’s leadership depth and driving customer-centric transformation, digital innovation and data-led strategies.

Welcoming him, CS Rajan, Chairman of the Board, Kotak Mahindra Bank said, “We are delighted to welcome Anup to Kotak’s Board. His leadership in scaling businesses, driving digital transformation and building customer-centric organizations will be invaluable as we continue to strengthen our position in the financial sector.”

Ashok Vaswani, MD & CEO, Kotak Mahindra Bank added, “Anup’s appointment underscores Kotak’s commitment to building a market-leading financial services business and a strong bench of experienced leaders. His extensive understanding of retail finance, data-driven growth and innovation will help us accelerate our strategy and deliver even greater value to our customers.”

“I am excited and honored to join Kotak, one of India’s most trusted financial services conglomerate. I look forward to working with the leadership team to build on this strong foundation, drive innovation, deepen customer relationships and create value for all stakeholders,” said Anup Kumar Saha.

About Kotak

Established in 1985, Kotak Mahindra Group is one of India's leading diversified and integrated financial services conglomerates, providing a wide range of financial solutions across customer and geographic segments. The Group strives to deliver value for its key stakeholders – customers, company, colleagues, and the larger community – through an overarching focus on “Doing it Right by the Customer”. The Group offers products across banking and lending, capital markets, asset management, and protection, enabling it to serve its customers across every spectrum of their financial needs. As on 30th September 2025, the Group has a national footprint of 5,511 branches and reported a consolidated balance sheet size of ₹ 9.1 trillion.

Five Eminent Personalities Felicitated At Manipal Groups’ New Year Awards 2026

Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), an Institution of Eminence Deemed to be University, in collaboration with Academy of General Education (AGE), Manipal Education and Medical Group (MEMG), Bengaluru, Manipal Media Network Ltd and Dr. TMA Pai Foundation successfully organized the “New Year Awards 2026” to honor the five eminent personalities for their outstanding contributions to society, art and culture.

The event was graced by Dr H S Ballal, President-AGE and Pro Chancellor MAHE, Mrs Vasanti R Pai, Trustee, MAHE Trust, Dr Ranjan R Pai, Chairman, MEMG, Bengaluru, President, MAHE Trust, and Registrar, AGE; Shri T Satish U Pai, Executive Chairman, Manipal Media Network Ltd and Vice President, AGE; and Shri T Sachin Pai, Trustee, Dr. TMA Pai Foundation, Manipal. Their presence underscored the continued commitment of the Manipal institutions to recognizing excellence and societal impact.

The eminent personalities for New Year awards 2026 were: Shri K Jayaprakash Hegde, Former Minister Ports and Fisheries, Government of Karnataka, Shri K Lakshminarayanan, Former Executive Director, Canara Bank, Dr Thumbay Moideen, Founder President, Thumbay Group, UAE, Mrs Vinaya Prasad, Indian Cine Artist, and Lt Gen (Dr) M D Venkatesh, VSM, (Retd), Vice Chancellor, MAHE.

Addressing the occasion, Dr H S Ballal, President-AGE and Pro Chancellor MAHE, said, “It is with immense pride that we gather once again to celebrate excellence and recognise individuals whose contributions have enriched our society in meaningful ways. At MAHE, we believe that recognizing such excellence goes beyond mere acknowledgment as it strengthens the cultural and intellectual fabric of our society. Their journeys inspire us to continue fostering an environment where creativity, scholarship, and social responsibility thrive together. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all the recipients and thank them for being the torchbearers of positive change."

Expressing his gratitude on receiving the award, Lt Gen (Dr) M D Venkatesh, VSM, (Retd.), Vice Chancellor, MAHE, said, “As I reflect on this honour, I am reminded that education is, at its core, a collective endeavour. No achievement in this field belongs to one person alone. It is the result of the shared commitment of countless individuals, faculty members whose teaching inspires, researchers who push the boundaries of knowledge, staff who ensure the seamless functioning of our campuses, students whose curiosity fuels innovation, and partners who believe deeply in our mission. I accept this award on behalf of the entire MAHE community, whose tireless efforts make recognitions such as this possible.”

Shri K Jayaprakash Hegde, Former Minister Ports and Fisheries, Government of Karnataka, said he was extremely humbled on receiving the award and emphasized “Appointed by the Government of Karnataka, I was entrusted with the responsibility to oversee social inclusion initiatives and classification reforms. In this role, I sought to modernize representation frameworks and address long-standing social inequities within our state. One moment that stands out is submitting Karnataka’s first report advocating the inclusion of orphans for reservation- ensuring that children without families or communities would not be left behind and could compete on a fair footing with their peers.”

Shri K Lakshminarayanan, Former Executive Director, Canara Bank, went down the memory lane and shared “I had the opportunity to meet Shri T A Pai when he was the head of the Canara Industrial and Banking Syndicate, with Dr TMA Pai as the chairman of the Board of Bank. As my boss was on a tour, I took care of Sri Pai’s requirement. After which, I received an offer letter, and I joined Shri Pai in his bank. Initially, I was not familiar with local languages and conversed in English, which later got down to broken Kannada, and local people were kind enough to accept me as such. During the time, the bank expanded its services to overseas and I got the opportunity to learn banking practices from Germany, and in subsequent years when the bank opted to operate from London, I was managing the branch for some time. After satisfying years, the Government of the day chose to appoint me as the Executive Director of the Syndicate Bank and subsequently the Executive Director of the Canara Bank”.

Conveying her happiness after accepting the award, Mrs Vinaya Prasad, Indian Cine Artist, said, “My artistic journey has taken me across many film industries—Kannada, Malayalam, Tamil, and Telugu—and each phase has taught me invaluable lessons in sincerity, discipline, and dedication. Cinema has a way of shaping one’s understanding of people, emotions, and society. Udupi has always been a place where learning and art walk hand in hand, and MAHE has amplified that tradition on a global scale. I express my heartfelt appreciation and admiration for this special recognition.”

Honored by the recognition Dr Thumbay Moideen, Founder & President, Thumbay Group, UAE expressed his gratitude “This recognition of bestowing me the New Year Award for 2026 is not only a personal honor but also a testament to the collective vision, relentless dedication, and unwavering commitment of the entire Thumbay Group team—especially our healthcare, education, and research professionals—who work tirelessly every day to advance human well-being and knowledge across the UAE and beyond. My journey in building institutions that bridge healthcare, education, and community service has always been inspired by the same values that define MAHE: excellence, innovation, compassion, and a deep-rooted belief in the transformative power of education and healing.”

The event was concluded with a sincere vote of thanks by Dr. (Cdr) Anil Rana, Director, Manipal Institute of Technology (MIT), Manipal, acknowledging the overwhelming participation and support for the entire community.