Samvaad Institute Organises Free Hearing Aid Distribution Camp In Bengaluru

* From July 11 to July 18, 2026, at its Hebbal centre in Bengaluru.

Marking its 21st anniversary, Samvaad Institute of Speech and Hearing is organizing a Free Hearing Aid Distribution Camp for eligible hearing-impaired individuals from July 11 to July 18, 2026, at its Hebbal centre in Bengaluru.

The camp will be held daily from 9.00 a.m. to 5.30 p.m., including Saturdays and Sundays, ensuring maximum accessibility for beneficiaries.

The initiative aims to improve the quality of life of individuals with hearing impairment by providing hearing aids FREE OF COST to eligible beneficiaries and promoting awareness about early diagnosis and intervention for hearing and speech disorders.

Eligible applicants are requested to bring the following documents for verification: Aadhaar Card, BPL Card, UDID (Unique Disability ID) Card, Income Certificate, Two Passport-size Photographs

The camp will be conducted at :

Samvaad Institute of Speech and Hearing

#18, 1st Cross, 5th Main, Anandgiri Extension,

Near Hebbal Police Station, Hebbal,

Bengaluru – 560024.

For registration and more information, please contact 96633 88623 or 94802 95004.

The organisers said the programme reflects Samvaad's continued commitment to empowering the hearing-impaired community through accessible hearing care services and raising awareness about hearing and speech health. The institute has been serving children and adults with communication disorders for over two decades through comprehensive assessment, therapy and rehabilitation services.     

Fuelling Ambition of India's Women Entrepreneurs: Kotak BizLabs And NSRCEL Announce Next Edition Of Women Startup Program

* Implemented by NSRCEL, the programme now folds into the Kotak BizLabs programme, providing long-cycle support to help women entrepreneurs build confidence, networks, and scalable businesses, with a focus on non-metros

Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd. (“KMBL” / “Kotak”) today announced the upcoming edition of the Women Startup Program (“WSP”) by NSRCEL, powered by Kotak BizLabs. The programme, a CSR initiative by Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd, provides critical, long-cycle support for women founders navigating the journey from ideation to scale-up, with a distinct focus on unlocking potential in Tier-II and Tier-III cities.

WSP has till now brought 600+ aspiring and established women entrepreneurs under the vital ecosystem access and mentorship. While India’s startup base has expanded rapidly to reach over 223,000 recognised ventures, women entrepreneurs continue to face entrenched barriers such as limited access to credit and fewer mentorship opportunities. These challenges are particularly acute in non-metros, where social expectations, including caregiving responsibilities, further constrain women in terms of the time they can invest or risks they can afford to take.

Recognising that a woman’s entrepreneurial journey is often non-linear, the Women Startup Program moves beyond generic incubation. The programme's architecture spans four critical phases: a Foundation phase for exploring entrepreneurship; Pre-incubation to stress-test ideas; Incubation for evolving and pivoting ventures; and a Scale-up hub for founders navigating growth, credibility, and market access.

Himanshu Nivsarkar, Head – CSR & ESG, Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd said, “Capital is only part of the problem, and often not the first. For many women, the bigger challenge often is lack of peer ecosystem that supports them in long term decision making. The Women Startup Program under Kotak BizLabs is committed to building that self-reinforcing network, providing women founders with the capability, confidence, and continuity they need to ensure they don't fall out of the entrepreneurial pipeline.”

Rasika Prashant, Chief Executive Officer, NSRCEL, said, “The next wave of entrepreneurship in India will emerge from diverse geographies, sectors, and founder backgrounds. Women entrepreneurs, particularly in Tier-II and Tier-III cities, are solving critical challenges in their communities, but often lack access to the networks and support systems needed to scale. Through the Women Startup Program, we aim to bridge these gaps by providing structured, long-term support that combines mentorship, market access, peer learning, and ecosystem connections. With our continued partnership with Kotak Mahindra Bank, we are building pathways that enable more women founders to transform ambition into sustainable and scalable ventures.”

To strengthen startup ecosystem beyond major urban centres, Women Startup Program is expanding outreach efforts across non-metro regions. Current cohorts include ventures working in regenerative agriculture, community-led education, waste upcycling, and applied technology. Building on the success of the 2025 cohort, which supported 30 startups with ₹3 crore in funding, the programme will continue to deepen partnerships with regional institutions and entrepreneurial ecosystems.

The integration of the Women Startup Program into Kotak BizLabs marks the evolution of the programme into Kotak’s flagship entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem, thus holistically catering to all types of entrepreneurs.

Pay10 Enabling Women Entrepreneurs To Overcome Cross-Border Trade Challenges

As women-led businesses emerge as one of the fastest-growing segments within India’s MSME ecosystem, Pay10 is strengthening its commitment towards enabling women entrepreneurs from Tier 2, 3, and 4 cities to participate more confidently in regional and global trade.

With increasing digital adoption across India, women entrepreneurs are building businesses across sectors, including textiles, handicrafts, beauty, food processing, lifestyle products, and digital services. However, access to seamless cross-border payment infrastructure, regulatory support, and faster settlements continues to remain a significant barrier to scaling internationally.

Women-led entities are also steadily increasing their contribution to India’s export ecosystem. Indian women entrepreneurs are progressively engaging in global trade and leveraging digital payment infrastructure, such as Pay10’s cross-border payment solutions, to expand their international footprint. Driven by the growth of digital commerce platforms and rising global demand for niche Indian products, women-led MSMEs are increasingly participating in international markets.

Recent export and logistics tracking data indicate that women-led businesses now contribute nearly 8% of India’s total export volume, with this share expected to grow further as more women entrepreneurs gain access to formal credit and digital business infrastructure. Export activity from women-led enterprises now spans over 40 countries globally. In specific categories such as apparel exports to the United States, Indian women-led businesses are estimated to hold nearly 33% market share in niche segments.

The leading destination markets where women entrepreneurs are actively collecting international payments include, United States of America with 33% share followed by UAE that is approximately 15% to 20% and Malaysia with just over 15% share.

Pay10 is addressing these challenges by simplifying cross-border payment processes for businesses through technology-driven financial infrastructure that enables faster, secure, and compliant transactions across regional markets.

According to a 2025 report by Aspire for Her, nearly 80% of women-led businesses in India face difficulties with international payments, while 60% struggle with export laws and compliance requirements. As more women entrepreneurs expand into global markets, fintech platforms such as Pay10 are helping address these challenges through streamlined cross-border payment infrastructure, improved transaction visibility, and integrated compliance capabilities. The report also highlighted that women-led enterprises account for only 15.4% of India’s 58.5 million businesses despite rising entrepreneurial ambition.

At the same time, digital entrepreneurship among women in Bharat is witnessing unprecedented growth. Data from Tide India revealed that 96% of women entrepreneurs adopting digital business tools are from Tier 2, 3, and 4 cities, with a 282% surge in women-led business adoption over the last year.

India’s broader MSME ecosystem is also seeing a sharp rise in women’s participation. Government data shared in Parliament in 2025 showed that women-led MSMEs in India crossed 2.86 crore registrations, underlining the rapid formalization of women-owned enterprises across the country.

Commenting on the evolving landscape, Dr. Atul Mehta, CEO of Pay10 India, said: “Women entrepreneurs from smaller cities are becoming key contributors to India’s digital commerce and export growth story. However, most of them still face friction in international transactions, delayed settlements, a lack of transparency, and operational complexity. At Pay10, we are focused on enabling seamless cross-border payment experiences that empower these businesses to scale beyond local markets with greater confidence.”

Enabling Regional Trade Participation

Pay10’s cross-border capabilities are aimed at helping women-led businesses participate more effectively in high-growth regional trade corridors, India-GCC markets, Southeast Asia, South Asian trade ecosystems and emerging digital commerce routes

By enabling simplified payment workflows, faster transaction visibility, and compliant digital infrastructure, Pay10 aims to support entrepreneurs navigating international business expansion from non-metro India.

Consider a woman textile exporter in Jaipur selling handcrafted products to customers in the UAE and Singapore. While demand for her products continued to grow internationally, managing cross-border payments remained a challenge. Payment delays, limited transaction visibility, and complex settlement processes often impacted cash flow and made it difficult to plan inventory and fulfil orders during peak seasons.

By leveraging Pay10’s digital payment infrastructure, the business gained faster payment visibility, more predictable settlements, and a streamlined cross-border payment experience. Instead of spending time tracking incoming payments across multiple channels, the business could focus on production, customer relationships, and international expansion.

For thousands of SMEs and women entrepreneurs across India, the challenge is no longer finding customers overseas, but accessing financial infrastructure that moves at the speed of global commerce. This is where interoperable payment platforms like Pay10 play a critical role, helping businesses participate in international trade with greater confidence, efficiency, and control.

Tata Motors Showcases Next-Generation Passenger Mobility Solutions At Prawaas 5.0, Launches New Ultra Prime And Starbus Prime Range

* Unveils the LPO 1620 CNG, Ultra Prime LPO 412 and Ultra Skool 9/9 EV for safe and sustainable passenger transportation

* Showcases the Magic EV, electrifying India's most preferred last-mile passenger mobility platform

* Presents a comprehensive portfolio of intercity, intracity and institutional mobility solutions

Tata Motors, India's largest commercial vehicle manufacturer, today showcased its most advanced portfolio of commercial passenger mobility solutions at Prawaas 5.0, headlined by the launch of the all-new Tata Ultra Prime and Tata Starbus Prime range of buses. Designed to deliver superior comfort, enhanced safety and higher operational efficiency, the new-generation buses underscore the company's commitment to shaping the future of passenger transportation across India.

The company also presented a comprehensive range of mobility solutions spanning multiple applications and powertrains, including the LPO 1620 CNG, Ultra Prime LPO 412, Ultra Skool 9/9 EV, Magic EV, Winger Plus and Ultra Prime RE Concept. Together, the portfolio reflects Tata Motors' focus on delivering safe, sustainable and customer-centric mobility solutions for urban, intercity and institutional transport.

Commenting at the event, Mr. Anand S, Vice President and Business Head – Commercial Passenger Vehicles, Tata Motors Ltd., said, "Prawaas has been an important platform for us to engage with fleet operators and industry stakeholders, and gain deeper insights into how passenger transportation needs are evolving across the country. The showcase this year reflects our deep understanding of customer needs across applications, be it employee transport, leisure travel, school transport or last-mile connectivity. With lower operating costs of the LPO 1620 CNG, enhanced safety and comfort of the new Ultra Prime range, and the expansion of electric mobility through the Ultra Skool 9/9 EV and Magic EV, each solution has been engineered to address a specific customer requirement. Backed by our extensive service network and support ecosystem, these offerings help customers maximise uptime, improve operating economics and deliver a superior travel experience, enabling them to grow their businesses profitably."

At Prawaas 5.0, Tata Motors presented one of the industry's most comprehensive passenger mobility portfolios, spanning conventional and electric powertrains across school, staff, tourism, intercity, intracity and last-mile transportation applications. Key highlights include:

Highlights from Tata Motors' Passenger Mobility Portfolio at Prawaas 5.0

Tata Ultra Prime & Tata Starbus Prime

New-generation bus ranges for school, staff and tourism applications with refreshed styling and enhanced interiors

Improved ride quality, superior passenger comfort and lower NVH levels for a smoother travel experience

Equipped with 29 advanced safety features, including Driver Monitoring System, 360-degree camera, ITS and RPAS

Tata LPO 1620 CNG

CNG-powered solution for efficient intercity and intracity passenger transportation

Combines high passenger carrying capacity with lower operating costs

Supports cleaner and more sustainable mass mobility

Tata Ultra Prime LPO 412

Premium platform for tourism and long-distance transportation

Designed to deliver superior ride comfort and enhanced passenger experience

Ideal for operators seeking high-performance intercity mobility solutions

Tata Ultra Skool 9/9 EV

Electric school bus designed for safe, sustainable and reliable student transportation

Equipped with advanced safety features, fast-charging capability and extended operating range

Optional paint scheme and graphics designed to make travel more comfortable for neurodivergent children

Tata Ultra Prime RE Concept

Purpose-built for urban and city bus operations, unveiled in India for the first time

Delivers enhanced passenger comfort and operational reliability

Designed to maximise fleet productivity and uptime

Tata Magic EV

Zero-emission passenger mobility solution for last-mile and feeder transport applications

Delivers a range of up to 120 km on a single charge

Offers dependable performance with low operating costs

Tata Winger Plus

Premium people-mover for staff, institutional and tourism applications

Spacious interiors and enhanced comfort for an elevated travel experience

Combines versatility with superior operating efficiency

Backed by a Robust Customer Support Ecosystem

Tata Motors' passenger mobility solutions are supported by an extensive nationwide network of over 4,600 sales and service touchpoints. Customers benefit from Sampoorna Seva 2.0, the company's integrated service ecosystem offering 24x7 assistance, annual maintenance solutions and assured parts availability. Complementing this is the Tata Motors Fleet Management Solution, enabling enhanced fleet visibility, higher uptime and improved operating efficiency. Together with the assured availability of Tata Genuine Parts, this ecosystem helps customers maximise vehicle performance, improve uptime and enhance lifecycle value.

About Tata Motors Ltd (Formerly TML Commercial Vehicles Ltd):
Part of the USD 180 billion Tata Group, Tata Motors Ltd., (BSE: Scrip code 544569; NSE: Scrip code TMCV) is India’s largest and a globally renowned manufacturer of utility vehicles, pick-ups, trucks, and buses. With over eight decades of leadership in commercial mobility, the company is known for its innovation, reliability, and performance. Its advanced powertrains, connected technologies, and intelligent fleet solutions support a wide range of applications—from last-mile delivery to public transport while seamlessly driving the wheels of the nation’s economy. Guided by its brand promise Better Always, Tata Motors delivers future-ready solutions that enhance customer experience and drive sustainable growth. The company operates in India and South Korea, with a global presence across Africa, the Middle East, Latin America, Southeast Asia, and SAARC countries.

As per the Composite Scheme of Arrangement sanctioned by the Hon’ble National Company Law Tribunal, Mumbai Bench—amongst Tata Motors Limited, TML Commercial Vehicles Limited (the Company) and Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Limited—the Company’s name was changed to Tata Motors Limited from TML Commercial Vehicles Limited (effective 29 October 2025), and its equity shares are listed on the BSE Ltd and the National Stock Exchange of India Limited.

Ageas Federal Life Insurance Launches IndiGenius Fund, A One-Of-Its-Kind Thematic Investment Solution

* A Unique 3-in-1 Thematic ULIP Equity Fund Built Around India’s Growth story, Indigenisation and Ingenuity

* Open-ended thematic equity fund with a diversified multi-cap investment approach, benchmarked to the BSE 500 Index

NFO opens on 10th July 2026, at a NAV of ₹10 per unit

Ageas Federal Life Insurance today announced the launch of the IndiGenius Fund, a one-of-its-kind thematic investment solution available through its Unit Linked Insurance Plans (ULIPs). The fund invests in businesses aligned with three long-term structural themes - India Growth story, Indigenisation, and Ingenuity - through a diversified investment portfolio. Benchmarked to the BSE 500 Index, one of India’s broadest market indices, the IndiGenius Fund follows a diversified multi-cap investment approach, providing exposure across largecap, midcap and smallcap companies. The BSE 500 Index has been chosen as the benchmark because it represents a broad cross-section of India’s listed companies across sectors and market capitalisations, making it well aligned with the fund’s investment strategy. This enables the fund to identify opportunities across businesses aligned with its investment themes while benefiting from the breadth and diversity of India’s evolving corporate landscape.

The IndiGenius Fund is an open-ended equity fund that follows a predominantly equity-oriented investment strategy. It will allocate 80%–100% of its portfolio to equity and equity-linked instruments while the balance will be invested in cash and money market instruments to ensure adequate liquidity. The portfolio will be actively managed in line with the fund’s investment objectives and applicable regulatory guidelines.

Commenting on the launch, Mr. Jude Gomes, Managing Director & CEO said, " India's next phase of growth will be shaped by businesses driving infrastructure development, manufacturing excellence, self-reliance and innovation. As these structural trends gather momentum, we believe customers should have access to investment solutions that enable them to participate in India's evolving growth story. The IndiGenius Fund brings together these themes within a single diversified ULIP fund, providing customers with a convenient way to invest in businesses aligned with these long-term structural trends. At Ageas Federal Life Insurance, we are committed to delivering on the promises we make to our customers by offering solutions that are relevant to their evolving financial needs. The IndiGenius fund reflects our commitment to delivering innovative solutions that help customers achieve their long-term financial aspirations with the assurance of life insurance protection.”

The New Fund Offer (NFO) opens on 10 July 2026 at a Net Asset Value (NAV) of ₹10 per unit. This thematic equity fund will be available through select Ageas Federal Life Insurance ULIP products, including AFLI Wealth Gain Insurance Plan, AFLI Platinum Wealth Builder Plan, AFLI ProGrow Plan and AFLI Smart Growth Plan, enabling customers to access a differentiated thematic investment strategy while benefiting from the life insurance protection offered by a ULIP.  

Legal Connect Conclave 2026 Showcases The Cpnvergence Of Research, Advisory And Legal Practice

The Directorial Advisors Consortium (DAC), through its Legal Research & Advisory Council (LRAC) successfully organised the Legal Connect Conclave 2026 at the NGO Hall, Cubbon Park, Bengaluru. Held under the theme "Bridging Research, Advisory and Practice," the conclave brought together an illustrious gathering of judges, senior advocates, corporate leaders, academicians, legal professionals, researchers, and law students to deliberate on the evolving role of the legal profession in an era of rapid technological and regulatory transformation.

The evening commenced with a welcome address by Adv. Anik M Iktear Uddin, Co-Chairman of the DAC Legal Advisory Council, who welcomed the distinguished gathering and outlined DAC's vision of fostering ethical leadership, legal scholarship, and institutional excellence. Emphasising the significance of the conclave's theme, he highlighted the need to bridge legal research, advisory, and professional practice to build a more responsive, innovative, and future-ready legal ecosystem.

Delivering the Special Keynote Address, Hon'ble Justice P. Krishna Bhat, former Judge of the High Court of Karnataka and Chairman of the Directorial Advisors Consortium, spoke on the indispensable role of ethical leadership, institutional integrity, and research-oriented legal practice in strengthening the administration of justice. He called upon legal professionals to continually adapt to changing times while remaining steadfast in their commitment to constitutional values and professional ethics.

The conclave was also graced by the presence of Shri Basavaraj S., Senior Advocate and Chairman of the DAC Legal Research & Advisory Council, who attended the event as the Guest of Honour. Under his guidance and supervision, the conclave was meticulously coordinated, reflecting DAC's commitment to excellence in organising platforms that foster legal scholarship, professional collaboration, and institutional development.

The programme also witnessed the formal launch of Justice Written in the Absence of Law, authored by Adv. Anik M Iktear Uddin. Unveiled in the presence of the distinguished dignitaries, the book explores the evolving dimensions of justice, legal reasoning, and the role of law in addressing contemporary societal and governance challenges, reflecting the growing importance of legal scholarship in shaping public discourse.

The common session featured the theme address by Hon'ble Justice Suraj Govindaraj, Judge of the High Court of Karnataka, on "The Integration of Artificial Intelligence in the Indian Judiciary: Navigating Efficiency, Ethics, and Equity." His Lordship examined the transformative potential of artificial intelligence in judicial administration while emphasising that technological advancement must always be balanced with fairness, accountability, transparency, and the principles of natural justice.

The conclave then proceeded to the presentation of the DAC Legal Luminaries Awards 2026, recognising distinguished members of the legal fraternity for their exemplary contributions to advocacy, legal research, corporate governance, public service, and the administration of justice. The awardees included Shri Suryanarayana Rao, Shri Ramaswamy Iyengar, Shri Kantharaj, Smt. Susheela, Smt. Anuradha, Shri Arvind Kamath, Shri Vivek Reddy, Smt. Prathima Honnapur, Shri Nandakumar, Shri Ameet Deshpande, Shri Anik M Iktear Uddin, Smt. Ayantika Mondal, and Shri Akshay Goel. The awards celebrated professional excellence, ethical leadership, and enduring service to the legal profession.

Throughout the conclave, participants engaged in meaningful discussions on contemporary legal developments, governance challenges, emerging technologies, and the increasing importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in shaping the future of law. The event also provided valuable opportunities for networking and the exchange of ideas among members of the Bench, the Bar, academia, corporate leaders, researchers, and aspiring legal professionals.

The programme concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Mr. Vaibhav Malimath, Advocate and Director of the DAC Legal Advisory Council, who expressed gratitude to the distinguished dignitaries, speakers, awardees, delegates, organisers, and participants for making the conclave a resounding success.

The Legal Connect Conclave 2026 concluded on a note of optimism and purpose, reaffirming the importance of strengthening the link between research, advisory, and legal practice. By bringing together some of the country's most respected legal minds, the conclave reinforced the Directorial Advisors Consortium's commitment to advancing legal scholarship, recognising professional excellence, and fostering a collaborative, ethical, and future-ready legal ecosystem.

Bhima Jewellers Announces "Bhima Brilliance Diamond Jewellery Festival" With Exciting Offers And Grand Rewards

A month-long diamond celebration from July 9 to August 9, 2026, featuring exceptional diamond jewellery designs, exclusive exchange benefits, cashback offers, free gold bars, and a chance to win a BMW X1.

Bhima Jewellers, one of India's most trusted jewellery brands, has announced the launch of the "Bhima Brilliance Diamond Jewellery Festival," a month-long retail campaign designed to celebrate the timeless allure of diamonds while offering customers unmatched value on every purchase. The festival will be held across all Bhima showrooms from July 9 to August 9, 2026.

As families reunite during the annual July–August holiday season, BHIMA JEWELLERS is celebrating the return of Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) with a campaign curated for this special time of the year. Recognising that many overseas Indians prefer to purchase fine jewellery during their visit to India—whether for family celebrations, gifting, upcoming weddings, or long-planned investments- the Bhima Brilliance Diamond Jewellery Festival presents an exclusive range of contemporary, solitaire and timeless diamond jewellery, complemented by exceptional purchase benefits that reflect the brand's enduring legacy of purity, trust and craftsmanship.

During this period, customers purchasing diamond jewellery can avail up to 100% off on making charges, making it one of Bhima's most rewarding diamond campaigns of the year. Customers will also receive a cashback of ₹5,000 per carat on all diamond purchases.

To further enhance customer value, Bhima is introducing a special diamond exchange programme, offering an additional ₹5,000 per carat on the exchange of old diamond jewellery. Customers will also receive a free 24-karat gold bar on eligible purchases, making every diamond investment even more rewarding.

Adding to the excitement, every eligible customer will stand a chance to win the Grand Bumper Prize – a BMW X1, making the offer a celebration that extends beyond jewellery.

The Bhima Brilliance Diamond Jewellery Festival will showcase an extensive portfolio of certified diamond jewellery, including bridal collections, solitaires, contemporary designs, lightweight everyday wear and occasion jewellery. Every diamond is backed by Bhima's commitment to transparency, certified quality, ethical sourcing and exceptional craftsmanship, offering customers complete confidence in every purchase.

Speaking about the campaign, Bhima said that the offer has been conceptualised to celebrate the growing affinity for diamond jewellery by combining exceptional value with an elevated shopping experience. The campaign reflects the brand's continued commitment to making premium diamond jewellery more accessible while rewarding customers with exclusive offers and memorable experiences.

This exclusive offer is available from July 9 to August 9, 2026, across all Bhima showrooms.Terms & Conditions apply.