ICICI Pru iProtect Smart Plus: A Smart Way To Secure Short-Term Financial Obligations With A 10-Year Life Cover, At Lower Premium

ICICI Prudential iProtect Smart now comes with a 10-year life cover option. The plan is designed for customers with defined financial obligations such as home loan, children’s education goals and business loans. Thus, enabling customers to choose high life cover at low premiums during the phase of life when their financial responsibilities are highest. The plan also includes complimentary health and wellness services worth up to ₹67,100/-, instant claims payout of ₹3 lakh and 100% payout on diagnosis of terminal illness.

Mr. Manikandan Rajamani, Chief Of Distribution, ICICI Prudential Life Insurance said, “Customer expectations from financial protection continue to evolve alongside their life goals. At ICICI Prudential Life Insurance, our focus is to help customers protect what matters most at different life stages of their financial journey. ICICI Pru iProtect Smart Plus reflects this customer-first approach by expanding our protection portfolio with a 10-year policy term that combines affordability with features designed to deliver meaningful financial security.

With an industry leading claim settlement ratio of 99.3% and with an average claim settlement turnaround time of 1 day in Q1-FY2027, we are always there for customer and their family’s when they need us the most.

During Q1-FY2027, the Company settled ₹ 1,306 crore of death claims and paid ₹ 3,360 crore as maturity & survival benefits reflecting ICICI Prudential Life’s continued focus on delivering timely financial protection and peace of mind to their policyholders. Furthermore, in FY2026, the Company settled ₹ 5,149 crore of death claims and paid ₹ 15,363 crore as maturity and survival benefits.”  

Bhartiya Mall Of Bengaluru Unveils #We Are Bhartiya A Campaign Celebrating The Spirit Of India This Independence Day

Marking the Independence Day season, Bhartiya Mall of Bengaluru launched #WeAreBhartiya, a month-long cultural celebration from 25 July to 15 August 2026, inviting the city to experience the rich diversity of India's cultures, traditions and stories.

Conceived as a vibrant tribute to India's rich cultural legacy, We Are Bhartiya transforms the mall into an immersive destination where music, dance, storytelling and traditional art forms come together to celebrate the country's extraordinary diversity. Designed for families, culture enthusiasts and visitors of all ages, the campaign offers a unique opportunity to experience the traditions of multiple Indian states under one roof.

Spread across four weekends, the celebrations will feature an eclectic line-up of authentic folk and classical dance performances, regional music, cultural showcases and themed presentations representing the length and breadth of the country. From the regal elegance of Rajasthan's Ghoomar and Maharashtra's energetic Lavani to the rhythmic vibrancy of Punjab's Bhangra, Assam's Bihu, Karnataka's Dollu Kunitha, Tamil Nadu's Bharatanatyam, Kerala's Mohiniyattam and many more, each weekend promises a journey through India's remarkable cultural landscape.

The campaign culminates in a spectacular Independence Day celebration on 15 August, presenting an immersive theatrical showcase that traces India's remarkable journey through time. Through a compelling blend of dance, music, costume presentations and dramatic storytelling, audiences will witness the evolution of the nation, from ancient civilisations and great empires to the freedom movement, post-Independence progress, women's empowerment and India's continuing journey as a vibrant democracy. The grand finale will conclude with a stirring patriotic celebration featuring the iconic Bharath Mata entry and a musical tribute to the spirit of a united India.

More than a festive programme, We Are Bhartiya is an invitation to celebrate the traditions, artistry and shared heritage that continue to unite the country across languages, regions and generations. By bringing together diverse cultural expressions in a single destination, Bhartiya Mall of Bengaluru aims to create memorable experiences that inspire pride, belonging and a deeper appreciation of India's living heritage.

 

Events in the upcoming weekends	Time	Registration
1 August – Rhythms from East & North	6PM – 7PM onwards	There is no registration
9th August – A Celebration of Western & Southern India
15 August – The Grand Independence Day Celebration

Lighthouse Canton Launches Global Indian, Uniting the Fragmented Wealth of NRI Families

* Strengthens GIFT City Investment Capabilities

Lighthouse Canton, a global investment institution headquartered in Singapore, today announced the launch of Global Indian, a dedicated wealth management platform serving non-resident Indians (NRIs) and overseas investors whose financial affairs span multiple jurisdictions. The platform is the first expression of a broader ambition: to build the definitive cross-border wealth institution for globally mobile communities, wherever in the world they live.

The Indian diaspora, estimated at approximately 35 million individuals, is the largest in the world. According to Reserve Bank of India data, remittances to India reached a record USD 135 billion in FY2024-25, while NRI deposits exceeded USD 164 billion as of March 2025.

Despite the scale of this capital, the wealth of most NRI families remains structurally fragmented: banking relationships are maintained in the country of residence, custody arrangements span multiple geographies, and India-focused investments are frequently managed by a separate set of advisors. These arrangements seldom operate as a unified portfolio, and the burden of coordination falls on the family itself.

Global Indian has been established to address this fragmentation. The platform provides consolidated multi-jurisdictional reporting, cross-border wealth structuring, and a single advisory relationship encompassing both international and India-domiciled holdings, together with management of the attendant tax and regulatory requirements.

"NRI families frequently hold substantial wealth that is diminished in practice by fragmentation, as no single institution is accountable for the complete picture," said Sumegh Bhatia, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer – India and Global Indian, Lighthouse Canton, who leads the business. "Global Indian has been designed so that a family resident in Dubai or London, with assets in Mumbai and Singapore, engages with one team, one consolidated view of its wealth, and one coherent set of decisions."

The platform serves both directions of the India capital corridor. NRIs and international investors are provided access to Indian markets through the organisation's regulated entities in India and at GIFT City IFSC, operating under IFSCA regulation. Indian resident investors are offered global diversification through the Liberalised Remittance Scheme and GIFT City frameworks. In conjunction with the launch, Lighthouse Canton has introduced a Systematic Global Equities Fund domiciled in GIFT City, offering Indian investors a tax-efficient, regulated avenue to participate in global equity markets.

“We understood this problem early because we come from the community we serve," said Shilpi Chowdhary, Group CEO, Lighthouse Canton. "India's diaspora represents one of the most significant and consistently underserved wealth management opportunities in the world; a community whose financial lives span multiple geographies but has rarely been served as one integrated picture.

"Over the past decade, we have structurally built the infrastructure to change that, a regulated platform across five jurisdictions, a presence across India's key cities, and Keenai, our proprietary wealth technology platform purpose-built to consolidate and manage cross-border wealth.

"Global Indian is the first expression of that capability; and our ambition extends beyond it. We are building Lighthouse Canton to be the institution that globally mobile communities turn to first, wherever significant wealth meets significant complexity. Our commitment to the Global Indian community is to make their experience seamless, connected and frictionless, and to be the number one institution in this space."

Abhay Laijawala, Managing Director, Chief Investment Officer – India, Lighthouse Canton, added, “India’s transformation is unlocking powerful investment opportunities beyond the benchmark indices. Across defence, AI infrastructure, formalisation and financial inclusion, a new generation of mid-cap companies has the potential to outperform the larger market over the next three years. For globally mobile Indians who combine on-the-ground familiarity with India's evolving market and global thematic awareness, that combination is the alpha edge. Global Indian closes that gap, enabling this community to participate in India's structural growth while maintaining global diversification.”

Global Indian integrates Lighthouse Canton's regulated entities in India and GIFT City with its international platform across Singapore, Dubai and the United Kingdom. The offering is supported by Keenai, the institution's proprietary wealth technology platform, which provides portfolio analytics, lifecycle management, consolidated multi-market reporting, and access to a digital investment marketplace.

Alongside Sumegh, Global Indian is led by Sunil Garg and Abhay Laijawala (Global and India Chief Investment Officers), Sanket Sinha (MD and CEO, Global Asset Management), Prashant Tandon (MD and CEO-UAE), and Gurjeet Sohi (MD and Head Wealth Management, India). This leadership structure brings together investment expertise, regional operating capability, and wealth platform specialisation to deliver integrated advisory to the global Indian community.

About Lighthouse Canton

Lighthouse Canton is a global investment institution with wealth and asset management capabilities. The organisation employs experienced professionals across its offices in Singapore, Dubai, India, and London, and currently oversee over US$ 6 bn worth of assets under management (as of 31st March 2026). Lighthouse Canton creates value through innovative investment solutions for accredited private clients, institutional investors, and an ecosystem of founders and entrepreneurs globally.

Lighthouse Canton’s Asset Management business comprises strong internal product capabilities in hedge funds, private equity, traditional fundamental analysis, investing through multiple strategies in real estate private equity, private credit, venture capital, growth debt, public equities, and global macros.

Its Wealth Management business caters to accredited investors including corporates, ultra-high net worth individuals, families and family offices, founders, and entrepreneurs, to help with their personal and business investments, estates, and philanthropic needs, providing them with tailored investment advisory, portfolio management, treasury, business, and family office solutions.

Its advisory and capital solutions business serves families and family-owned enterprises and early to late-stage corporates with strategic and M&A advisory, restructuring and refinancing, and strategic capital solutions. The business provides tailored financing solutions across the capital structure with varying degrees of complexity along with bespoke lending solutions designed to address sophisticated capital needs.

Lighthouse Canton Pte Ltd is regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (“MAS”). Lighthouse Canton Capital (DIFC) Pte Ltd is regulated by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (“DFSA”). It is also registered in GIFT City IFSC, operating under IFSCA regulation. LC Capital India Pte Ltd is regulated by Securities and Exchange Board of India (“SEBI”). Lighthouse Canton UK Limited is regulated by Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”).

For more information visit www.lighthouse-canton.com

Global Indian - www.lighthouse-canton.com/global-indian

From Debt To Financial Stability: Mangaluru Based Delivery Partner Finds Hope On The Road

For some, delivering food is just a job. But for Melwyn D’Souza, becoming a delivery partner bailed him out of a financial crisis.

Melwyn once led a simple life and as the elder son, he proudly shouldered family responsibilities. Melwyn’s mother was recovering from a stroke and required constant medical care, and he was also financially supporting his younger brother’s education. While circumstances were difficult, Melwyn was living a content life, grateful that he could take care of his family and contribute financially. “I was a happy go lucky guy, braving every difficult situation. I never got bogged down.” he recalls.

However, everything changed when a close friend’s betrayal left him with a substantial debt. This was a huge financial setback for Melwyn and added to his already difficult circumstances. “I couldn't believe it. My friend ran away with the money and I was left stranded without financial support.” Melwyn said. “But, I couldn't run away. I knew my family still depended on me. I knew I had to work harder to manage it all.”

Over the next few years, Melwyn took on different jobs, working as a cashier at a college and even opening a fast-food restaurant. While these efforts kept him afloat, neither provided enough to cover the mounting expenses of medical care and education for his family, and the loan repayment, which had grown to almost Rs 20 lakh with interest.

Seeking a higher yet steady income, Melwyn joined Swiggy in 2018 and has been working with the platform ever since.“I went to a Swiggy hiring drive with very low expectations, as I never imagined delivery work could pay so well. Looking back, it’s hard to believe how far I have come. I have almost cleared my debt and also invested in two bikes.” he shared.

Apart from the financial independence, the biggest blessing for Melwyn has been the ability to take care of his mother. “Though she is recovering well, she has trouble walking and needs to take medicines twice a day. Working with Swiggy gives me the flexibility to go home and take care of her during the day.”

Feeling hopeful about the future, Melwyn shared that the past five years were spent repaying his loan, and he feels his life has just begun. He is excited about the future and looks forward to living a happy and peaceful life.

Tanishq’s Festival Of Diamonds Returns, Redefining Natural Diamond Sparkle Through Innovative Designs

* Led by Ananya Panday, the campaign showcases Tanishq's brand-new range of elevated everyday natural diamond jewellery, powered by pioneering techniques that amplify their sparkle and redefine modern diamond styling.

Tanishq, India's largest jewellery retail brand from the House of Tata, brings back its much-awaited Festival of Diamonds, the brand's biggest celebration of Tanishq natural diamond jewellery. Over the years, the Festival of Diamonds has become a key moment for customers to explore Tanishq's expansive diamond universe, spanning everyday essentials to statement creations. This year, the festival shines a spotlight on a new range of elevated everyday natural diamond jewellery that brings together breakthrough innovation and contemporary design. Inspired by the fascinating world of optical illusions, the range introduces distinctive design techniques that transform the way Tanishq natural diamonds interact with light, movement and perspective, creating jewellery that is visually striking, effortlessly versatile and designed to maximise the sparkle.

Crafted using four distinctive design innovations, the range showcases Tanishq's continued commitment to redefining natural diamond jewellery design. . India's first CNC Rainbow Plating Technique, pioneered by Tanishq, enhances the interaction between light and natural diamonds, amplifying their brilliance and creating captivating optical effects. The Floating Diamonds concept creates the illusion of diamonds suspended effortlessly over a bed of natural gemstones, placing the focus firmly on the sparkle of the diamonds. Reflection and Form Illusions reveal new dimensions and perspectives from every angle, enhancing the way natural diamonds interact with light to maximise their sparkle. Together, these innovations create jewellery that feels dynamic, expressive and unmistakably modern.

This new collection presents Tanishq natural diamond designs across earrings, rings, pendants , neckwear, bangles and bracelets. With prices starting from ₹40,000 onwards, the festival of diamonds offers something for first-time diamond buyers discovering the beauty of natural diamonds. to those looking to elevate their existing jewellery collection with contemporary designs. Beyond the latest collection, Tanishq offers over 10,000 natural diamond designs for consumers to pick from.

Fronted by Ananya Panday and inspired by the collection's distinctive design language, the film celebrates the playful interplay of light, movement and perspective, where every glance reveals a new dimension of sparkle. As Ananya discovers the collection, its extraordinary brilliance unfolds through the curious eyes of a little girl, who believes everyone around her needs sunglasses because "Light aa rahi hai." Blending innocence, humour and wonder, the film brings alive the dazzling sparkle of Tanishq's latest natural diamond collection, turning an everyday moment into a memorable celebration of brilliance.

Speaking at the launch, Ms. Pelki Tshering, Chief Marketing Officer, Tanishq, said, "With this year's Festival of Diamonds, we wanted to introduce a collection that pushes the boundaries of natural diamond jewellery through pioneering techniques and a distinctive new design language. Every piece has been thoughtfully created to maximise sparkle while offering contemporary designs that feel fresh, expressive and unlike anything we've offered before. The Festival of Diamonds is an invitation for consumers to discover these innovations, explore a collection that stands apart through design, and experience a new expression of natural diamonds that is both distinctive and effortlessly wearable."

On the association, Ananya Panday said, "Style is such a personal form of self-expression, and I love that this collection celebrates that in such an unexpected way. Every piece reveals something different through light, movement and perspective, making it feel fresh, versatile and effortlessly modern. What I find most special is that it allows every woman to express different facets of her personality, whether she's dressing for an everyday moment or a special occasion. That's what makes this collection feel so relevant and exciting."

This season, celebrate with Tanishq's Festival of Diamonds, offering a flat 20% off on exquisite natural diamond jewellery value, with the offer valid from 21st July 2026. Additionally, customers can also exchange their old jewellery for stunning new designs. Tanishq offers a 0% deduction on the exchange of old gold, as low as 9 karat, on the purchase of diamond jewellery.

Further enriching the customer experience, customers can experience the Diamond Expertise Centre (DXC) across select stores, where advanced evaluation tools and trained gemologists enable them to evaluate any natural diamond they own, including those purchased from other jewellers, free of cost. The DXC helps customers verify a diamond's origin, light performance, clarity, and authenticity, ensuring the quality matches with what is promised at purchase. Customers can experience the DXC across select stores and discover the latest Tanishq natural diamond designs at the nearest Tanishq store or online at www.tanishq.co.in.

IIHM Bangalore Celebrates Bastille Day 2026: Second-Year Students Showcase French Culinary Heritage And Fine Dining Culture

The International Institute of Hotel Management (IIHM), Bangalore, celebrated French National Day (Bastille Day 2026) with a vibrant event organized and executed entirely by its second-year students. The occasion highlighted French culinary traditions, hospitality, and hands-on learning in action.

The event offered students an opportunity to immerse themselves in French gastronomy and service standards. Guests were served classic French dishes prepared using traditional techniques, accompanied by structured fine-dining service managed by the student host team.

The event hosted distinguished guests from the Scientific and Academic Division of the Consulate General of France in Bangalore:

The guests of honor, along with IIHM faculty members and mentors, commended the students for their preparation, attention to detail, and execution.

Speaking on the significance of the celebration, Ms. Sanchari Chowdhury, Director of IIHM Bangalore and Head- South Operations at IIHM highlighted the importance of understanding global hospitality traditions in professional education:

"French gastronomy forms the bedrock of classical culinary arts and modern fine-dining culture worldwide. By celebrating Bastille Day, our students not only honour a rich national tradition but also engage directly with the foundational techniques, kitchen hierarchy, and refined service standards that French heritage has contributed to global hospitality. At IIHM, our objective is to provide experiential learning opportunities that bridge classroom instruction with international industry standards, preparing our students to lead in a globalized workforce."

French culinary traditions have historically influenced modern hospitality practices worldwide. Key elements of contemporary gastronomy—including structured multi-course meals, classical mother sauces, precise knife techniques, and the formal kitchen brigade system (brigade de cuisine)—originated in France. For hospitality students, mastering these fundamentals provides a solid foundation for careers across international markets.

To further support international career pathways, IIHM collaborates with global partners to offer students direct international exposure. Through targeted internship programs, academic exchanges, and placement opportunities in France, IIHM enables students to gain practical experience, adapt to global work environments, and align their skills with international standards.

The Bastille Day 2026 event reflected the institute’s focus on practical, project-based learning. Second-year students managed all aspects of the occasion, including menu planning, kitchen operations, table service, theme decoration, and guest relations. The successful completion of the event emphasized the dedication of the student team and the guidance of the faculty mentors involved.

Invesco Mutual Fund Unveils Invesco India BSE Sensex ETF And Invesco India Nifty Bank ETF

* NFO Opens: 28 July 2026; Closes: 11 August 2026

Invesco Mutual Fund today announced the launch of Invesco India BSE Sensex ETF (An open ended scheme replicating/tracking BSE Sensex Index) and Invesco India Nifty Bank ETF (An open ended scheme replicating/tracking Nifty Bank Index), designed to offer investors passive investment options across India’s core equity and banking sectors.

Invesco India BSE Sensex ETF will make passive investments in equity and equity related securities replicating the composition of the BSE Sensex Index, subject to tracking errors. The BSE Sensex, one of India’s most widely tracked equity benchmarks, represents 30 of the country’s largest, profitable, and industry-leading companies across key sectors of the economy. With a long track record, the index has remained closely aligned with India’s long-term economic growth, offering investors a simple, transparent, and cost-efficient route to equity market participation.

The scheme will invest in companies which are constituents of BSE Sensex Index in the same weights as in the Index with an endeavour to track the benchmark index with as low tracking error as possible.

Invesco India Nifty Bank ETF will make passive investments in equity and equity related securities replicating the composition of the Nifty Bank Index, subject to tracking errors. The Nifty Bank Index comprises India’s leading banking institutions across private and public sector banks, representing a segment that plays a central role in driving economic growth.

The scheme will adopt a passive investment strategy, investing in equity and equity related securities of companies that are constituents of the Nifty Bank Index in the same weights as the index, with a focus on maintaining low tracking error. This approach provides investors focused exposure to the banking sector while offering diversification across established banking franchises.

India’s favourable macroeconomic environment, supported by strong domestic consumption, demographic advantages, policy reforms, and deepening financial markets, continues to underpin long-term wealth creation. Together, the Invesco India BSE Sensex ETF and the Invesco India Nifty Bank ETF are designed to offer investors transparent, cost-efficient access to India’s long-term growth opportunities through passive investing. Both the funds will be managed by Abhisek Bahinipati.

The minimum lumpsum investment amount during the NFO for both schemes is ₹5,000/- and in multiples of ₹1/- thereafter.

About Invesco Asset Management (India) Private Limited

Invesco Asset Management (India) is one of the leading asset management companies in India. With over ₹1,57,943 crore of average assets under management for quarter ending June 2026 across Mutual funds, PMS and Offshore Advisory, we serve investment needs of individual investors, corporates and institutions through mutual funds and sub-advised portfolios. Our expertise extends across equity, fixed income and alternative asset classes where we offer the complete range of funds designed to suit investment needs. IAMI’s aim is to provide top-class financial care, impeccable service and best-in-class investment products.

For more information, visit: www.invescomutualfund.com

About Invesco Ltd.

Invesco is a global independent investment management firm dedicated to delivering an investment experience that helps people get more out of life. Our distinctive investment teams deliver a comprehensive range of active, passive and alternative investment capabilities. With offices in more than 20 countries, Invesco managed $2.2 trillion in assets on behalf of clients worldwide as of December 31, 2025

For more information, visit: https://www.invesco.com/corporate

About IndusInd International Holdings Limited

Originally versed in the banking sector, IndusInd has, over the years, invested in a wide range of financial services across several jurisdictions. With $2.65 billion net asset value, IIHL is dedicated to value creation for its global shareholders by maintaining this dynamic growth through ongoing investment and acquisition of high-value assets. IIHL’s vision is to be a Global Financial Services Institution with a commitment to excellence in international orientation, innovation, speed, and strict compliance with the principles of good corporate governance.

For more information, visit: www.indusindinternational.com