Nurturing India’s Next-Gen Space Innovators: La Fondation Dassault Systèmes, India Concludes New Aerospace School Program

* “My First Aerospace Program,” a multi-city STEM initiative, inspires 150 school children across Bengaluru, Chennai, Gurugram, and Pune by enabling them to design, test, build and launch their DIY rockets, CubeSats, and rovers.

La Fondation Dassault Systèmes, India today announced the final stage of its new landmark STEM initiative, “My First Aerospace Program,” concluding in Pune. Designed to nurture young minds and ignite their curiosity about the growing space sector and associated education pathways, the multi-city program has successfully inspired 150 school children aged 13–16 across four key technology hubs: Bengaluru, Chennai, Gurugram, and Pune.

La Fondation Dassault Systèmes, India is conducting “My First Aerospace Program” in collaboration with SSERD (Society for Space Education Research and Development), a not-for-profit body working in the space sector.

The program establishes an experiential learning corridor across India, guiding students through a structured path. Supported by skill volunteers from Dassault Systèmes, participants progress from understanding basic STEM concepts to using 3D technology to nurture their ideas and bring them to life.

By combining hands-on learning with virtual validation, students develop crucial problem-solving, creativity, and collaborative engineering skills through end-to-end rocketry, satellite, and rover activities. The initiative forms the foundational layer of La Fondation Dassault Systèmes, India’s comprehensive educational ecosystem designed to bridge early school education with higher-level industry readiness programs across India’s evolving space ecosystem.

"Nurturing early curiosity in science and engineering is essential to sustaining India's progress in the space sector. By connecting early school learning with university initiatives like ConnectNext-Industry Readiness for Space and CubeSat Design & Development, we are empowering students and educators across disciplines to actively contribute to the nation's space ambitions,” said Sudarshan Mogasale, Chairman of Board of Directors, La Fondation Dassault Systèmes, India.

“At SSERD, we believe India’s future in space will be built in classrooms today. ‘My First Aerospace Program’ proves that when we give a 13-year-old the tools to build a rocket or a CubeSat, we are not just teaching STEM, we are igniting a career and giving them a powerful motive to excel in academics, while building skills and creating talent pipeline for NewSpace India,” said Nikhita Chadde, Co-founder and Trustee, Society for Space Education, Research and Development (SSERD).

Beyond school education, La Fondation Dassault Systèmes, continues to strengthen higher education engagement in the space domain. As part of its ConnectNext-Industry Readiness for Space program, it enables undergraduate students and educators to participate in national CanSat and model rocketry competitions through technical coaching and mentoring. It also empowers undergraduate students with future-ready skills to engineer space missions and design CubeSats using virtual twin technology.

ABOUT LA FONDATION DASSAULT SYSTÈMES

La Fondation Dassault Systèmes supports transformative, public-interest projects in education, research and heritage that leverage virtual worlds. Its mission is to spark young people’s interest in science and technology, inspire them to pursue careers in these fields and help students build the skills they’ll need for tomorrow. It also supports innovative scientific research and heritage projects to push the boundaries of knowledge. Beyond funding, La Fondation Dassault Systèmes engages a network of employee volunteers to share their expertise, helping partners bring their projects to life and explore new possibilities. It operates through three foundations in Europe, India and the United States.

In India, it is incorporated as a company with non-profit objectives dedicated to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities under the name “Dassault Systèmes Foundation.”

www.lafondation3ds.org 

Bengaluru NGO “Hand in Hand India” Is Runner Up at Bridgestone India’s Mobility Social Impact Awards 2026

* Through the Hygiene on Go (HOG) initiative the NGO has provided mobile sanitation facilities at Bengaluru Traffic Police duty locations

Bengaluru NGO “Hand in Hand India” was declared runner up at the 6th Edition of Bridgestone India’s Mobility Social Impact Awards 2026. The NGOs Hygiene On Go (HOG) is the first such initiative for Traffic Police Personnel in our country, supported by the CSR of Renault Nissan Technology and Business Centre India Pvt. Ltd. (RNTBCI), and implemented by Hand in Hand India. This project has significantly improved the health, dignity, safety, and operational efficiency of Bengaluru Traffic Police personnel by bringing sanitation facilities directly to their duty locations. Since its inception in December 2025, three GPS-enabled mobile sanitation vehicles have covered 103 traffic junction halts, recorded 20,466 service usages, and supported 2,012 personnel during special bandobust duties. The initiative has particularly strengthened inclusive access through separate facilities for men and women, benefiting women personnel with safe and gender-sensitive sanitation. By reducing the need for officers to leave their posts in search of sanitation facilities, HOG minimizes duty interruptions and enables uninterrupted traffic regulation and emergency response. GPS tracking, QR-based feedback, and optimized routes further enhance service efficiency. The model demonstrates strong potential for replication across cities, supporting healthier personnel and safer, more efficient urban mobility.

“Serving Society with Superior Quality is at the heart of Bridgestone’s purpose, and the Mobility Social Impact Awards are dedicated towards honouring those who are using mobility to foster meaningful and lasting social impact. We are proud to recognize them and their endeavours towards making roads safer, empower communities and drive positive social change across India.” Said Mr. Rajarshi Moitra, Managing Director, Bridgestone India.

“The 3 Hygiene On Go (HOG) Mobile Sanitation Units are the first-of-its-kind initiative for Traffic Police Personnel in our country, supported by the CSR of Renault Nissan Technology and Business Centre India (RNTBCI), and implemented by Hand in Hand India. This project has significantly improved the health, dignity, safety, and operational efficiency of Bengaluru Traffic Police personnel by bringing sanitation facilities directly to their duty locations. Since its inception in December 2025, GPS-enabled vehicles have covered 103 traffic junctions, recorded 20,466 service usages, and supported 2,012 personnel during special bandobust duties. The initiative has particularly strengthened inclusive access through separate facilities for men and women, benefiting women personnel with safe and gender-sensitive sanitation. HOG vehicles minimise duty interruptions and enable uninterrupted traffic regulation and emergency response. GPS tracking, QR-based feedback, and optimised routes further enhance service efficiency. We thank Bengaluru City Traffic Police Dept. and traffic personnels for their unwavering support for this initiative.” Said Mr. Krishnan, Managing Trustee, Hand In Hand India.

Instituted by Bridgestone India in 2021, the Mobility Social Impact Awards aim to identify, recognize, and promote innovative solutions in sustainable mobility that address social challenges and advance inclusive development through the efforts of not-for-profit organizations. The initiative reflects Bridgestone’s mission of driving social progress through safe and sustainable mobility for all.

The Mobility Social Impact Awards reflect the “Empowerment”, “Ease”, “Emotion” and “ Efficiency” values of the Bridgestone E8 Commitment,* which outline Bridgestone’s corporate commitment to contributing to a society that ensures accessibility and dignity for all (Empowerment), to bringing comfort and peace of mind to mobility life (Ease), inspiring excitement and spreading joy to the world of mobility (Emotion) and maximizing productivity through the advancement of mobility (Efficiency). Through initiatives like MSIA, Bridgestone continues to advance its mission of “Serving Society with Superior Quality” by driving positive change and building safer, more inclusive communities across India.

About Bridgestone India

Bridgestone India Private Limited is a group company of Bridgestone Corporation, a global leader in tyres and rubber building on its expertise to provide solutions for safe and sustainable mobility. Headquartered in Pune, Maharashtra, the company employs 3000+ people and offers a diverse product portfolio of premium tyres and advanced solutions backed by innovative technologies, improving the way people around the world move, live, work and play.

About Bridgestone Corporation:

Bridgestone is a global leader in tires and rubber building on its expertise to provide solutions for safe and sustainable mobility. Headquartered in Tokyo, the company employs approximately 130,000 people globally and conducts business in more than 150 countries and territories worldwide. Bridgestone offers a diverse product portfolio of premium tires and advanced solutions backed by innovative technologies, improving the way people around the world move, live, work and play.

The Bridgestone Group established its corporate commitment, the "Bridgestone E8 Commitment," to help it realize its vision: "Toward 2050, Bridgestone continues to provide social value and customer value as a sustainable solutions company." This commitment will serve as the Group's axis to drive management while earning the trust of future generations. The "Bridgestone E8 Commitment" consists of eight unique Bridgestone values starting with the letter "E" (Energy, Ecology, Efficiency, Extension, Economy, Emotion, Ease, and Empowerment) that the Group will commit to creating through distinctly Bridgestone purposes and processes, together with employees, society, partners, and customers to help realize a sustainable society.

Highlights AMFI Mutual Fund Industry Monthly Data August 2026

Mutual Fund Industry’s Net AUM stands at 87,07,887.74 crores for the month of August 2026. Net AUM for the month of July 2026 was ₹ 85,75,656.52

The AAUM for the month of Aug 2026 is ₹ 88,30,776.45 crores

Mutual Fund Folios are at 28,35,19,085 crores as of Aug 2026 with 26.54 lakh net folios being added during the month, up 0.9% from 28.09 crore in July.

Retail MF AUM (Equity + Hybrid + Solution Oriented Schemes) stood at ₹ 51,72,576 crores for the month of Aug 2026 as against ₹ 50,68,667 in July 2026

Retail Folios (Equity + Hybrid + Solution Oriented Schemes) are at 21,62,19,837 for Aug 2026 and 21,39,96,603 for July 2026

66th month of positive equity Inflows, starting from March 2021, amounting to Rs 29,329 crore

SIP assets stood at ₹ 18,61,652.14 crores in Aug 2026, rose by 2.8% constituting ~21.4% of the industry's AUM

SIP contribution for Aug 2026 stood at ₹ 32,297 crore

The number of Contributing SIP accounts stood at in 10,01,78,903 in Aug 2026

A total of 26 schemes were launched in the month of Aug 2026, raising a total of ₹ 7110 crores

SIF data

SIF assets stood at Rs 31,175 crore in Aug 2026, marking a 34.5% on-month rise

The category recorded positive inflows of Rs 7,699 crores during the month driven by hybrid investment strategy and equity-oriented investment strategy.

Three new investment strategies under equity-oriented were launched which collectively mobilised Rs 1,420 crore.

Commenting on Monthly data for August 2026, Mr. Venkat Chalasani, Chief Executive, AMFI said:

The Indian MF industry's AUM grew 1.5% on-month to Rs 87.08 lakh crore in August, driven by a combination of sustained investor inflows and market appreciation.

Notably, equity MFs saw inflows of Rs 29,329 crore, marking a 66th consecutive month of inflows. The growth momentum was further reinforced by robust SIP contributions of ₹32,297 crore during the month.

Investor confidence in mutual funds as a disciplined and long-term wealth creation vehicle continues to strengthen, as reflected in the crossing of a significant milestone of 10.02 crore SIP accounts.

As an industry, our unwavering focus remains on deepening investor awareness, enhancing financial literacy, and empowering savers to achieve their financial goals. We remain committed to encouraging disciplined investing and helping investors participate in India’s long-term growth story, supported by the country’s strong economic fundamentals and resilient growth outlook. 

Pearl Academy And British Council Bring Indian And UK Higher Education Together To Bridge Creative Futures

* A year-long academic partnership brought Indian and British design students into the same studio, without either side ever crossing borders

Pearl Academy, in partnership with the British Council, is bringing Indian and UK higher education together through design education, creating a platform for cross-border collaboration, cultural exchange and knowledge sharing. Over the past year, students from Pearl Academy, four UK higher education institutions and an independent British contemporary artist have worked together across time zones, developing design projects without ever sharing a physical space.

The collaboration now comes together publicly through Design Without Borders: Creative Futures Collective at the British Council in New Delhi, showcasing the outcomes of this year-long academic exchange. The opening reception was attended by distinguished guests including Ben Mellor, British Deputy High Commissioner, alongside leading voices from academia, design and sustainability. The programme featured a panel discussion, “Creativity is the New Currency of the 21st Century,” with Rachelle V. Knowles, Head of International at Manchester School of Art, Manchester Metropolitan University, UK; Sunita Kohli, President and Co-founder, K2 India; Payal Jain, Indian couturier and sustainability advocate; Shannon West, Deputy Director India and Director North India, British Council; and Aditi Srivastava, President, Pearl Academy.

The partnership brought Pearl Academy together with Manchester Metropolitan University, Nottingham Trent University, London College of Contemporary Arts, and Birmingham City University. The collaboration used Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL), an approach that enables students in different countries to work together on academic projects through digital platforms. The exhibition also features a parallel collaboration between fashion design students of Pearl Academy and contemporary British artist Alexander Gorlizki, who worked directly with students to reinterpret traditional Indian block and screen printing techniques.

Across the projects, Indian craft traditions met contemporary design and technology, as students from India and the UK reimagined materials, techniques and ideas across cultures. With the London College of Contemporary Arts, students collaborated on a khadi collection inspired by the idea of Satyagraha. With Birmingham City University, discarded cricket material (including gloves, pads, uniforms, etc.) was transformed into two garments finished with Kantha embroidery, exploring women’s place in the sport. With Nottingham Trent University, students turned a broken clamp into a functional lamp and reclaimed mesh into a necklace, both finished with 3D printing, as well as exploring textiles under the coveted Rebel Tartan Project. With Manchester Metropolitan University, students worked on AI-assisted fashion, a satirical take on greenwashing, and a garment built around public transport safety. Pearl Academy’s Interior Design students designed the exhibition space, centered around a textile installation in the British Council’s foyer.

The collaboration reflects a shift in design education towards more international and interdisciplinary models of learning, allowing students to work continuously with peers in other countries while bringing different cultural and academic perspectives into the creative process. Rather than relying solely on physical mobility or study abroad programmes, the model enables students to experience international collaboration as part of their everyday academic learning.

The British Council is a key collaborator in bringing the outcomes of this year-long India–UK academic exchange to a wider audience, providing a platform for the outcomes of the India–UK academic exchange to be presented to a wider audience and creating opportunities for dialogue around international education, culture and creative practice. The exhibition, Design Without Borders: Creative Futures Collective, is on display at the British Council’s premises on 17, KG Marg, New Delhi. Running until 31st October, the exhibition will be accompanied by panel discussions, masterclasses and workshops for school and college students, bringing together industry professionals, educators, government representatives, diplomats and other members of the creative community.

Commenting on the partnership, Aditi Srivastava, President, Pearl Academy, said: “Centuries of shared history between India and the UK have shaped the creative landscapes of both nations. This collaboration gives our students the opportunity to contribute to that evolving story, working across cultures and time zones to co-create in a truly global classroom. It demonstrates how international collaboration can become an integral part of design education, opening new ways for students to learn, create and see the world through different perspectives”

Alison Barrett MBE, Country Director India, British Council added, “Creative partnerships like this one between the British Council and Pearl Academy demonstrate the depth and impact of India-UK international collaborations in design education. Connecting students across borders through innovative models can enable creative exchange and intercultural learning as well as be the catalyst for future engagements. We are pleased to showcase the creative outputs of these collaborations at the British Council and hope it will inspire more institutional creative partnerships between our countries.”

The collaboration reflects a shared commitment to creative education that enables students to learn, create and collaborate across cultures, disciplines and geographies.

About Pearl Academy:

Established in 1993 under the aegis of the Creative Arts Education Society (CAES), Pearl Academy is India’s AI-first design institution with campuses in Delhi-South, Delhi-West, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Jaipur. The institution offers undergraduate (B.Des/ BBA) and postgraduate programmes (M.Des/MBA) across Fashion, Styling, Product, Communication, Textile, Business, Gaming and XR, etc. in affiliation with Rajiv Gandhi National Institute of Youth Development (RGNIYD), with a strong focus on industry integration, global exposure, and future-ready learning.

With over 33 years of legacy, 15,000+ alumni, and a consistent 99% placement record, Pearl Academy collaborates closely with leading industry bodies and global partners to nurture the next generation of complete professionals.

For more information, please visit: www.pearlacademy.com.

NikeLab Running Brings Together Performance, Craft And Style For Every Run

What is NikeLab Running?

NikeLab Running is a running apparel collection built from athlete insights. It brings together performance innovation, refined materials and modern style in a wardrobe designed to support runners before, during and after the run.

Who is NikeLab Running designed for?

NikeLab Running is a collection for runners who care about how their apparel performs just as much as how it feels. The collection is for athletes who want running apparel that keeps up with the demands of training while fitting seamlessly into the rest of their lives.

How is NikeLab Running different from other Nike Running apparel collections?

Most running apparel is made for the run and nothing else. NikeLab Running was built around everything the run touches. Every piece works together as part of a head-to-toe system that supports athletes through training, recovery, changing conditions and the moments that surround the run.

When is the NikeLab Running collection available?

The collection will launch globally October 1 at nike.com and select retail partners.

Runners have always had to choose: gear built for the run or clothes built for the rest of the day.

NikeLab Running refuses the choice.

It starts with the athlete and studies everything around the run: the commute, the cold, the recovery and the rest of life. Then it builds one intentional system that moves through it all.

Featuring tops, bottoms and outerwear in women’s and men’s styles, the debut seasonal collection channels the look of speed into designs that move with the runner. Every piece is intentionally considered, from material mixing and lightweight finishes to distraction-free layering, weather-ready outerwear and thoughtful storage.

At the center of the first collection, the women’s offering includes wool-blend tops that balance breathability, insulation and versatility, alongside shorts, leggings, vests and outerwear. For men, lightweight woven jackets and pants combine stretch, comfort and refined tailoring across changing conditions.

Nike Sport Research Lab data mapping helps inform where materials are placed across each garment, including ventilation where runners run hottest and heat retention where they need it most. Those placements are considered across layers so breathable zones align and the full system works together. Targeted stretch, reflective details, secure storage and minimal-seam construction stay out of the runner’s way.

“The most interesting challenge wasn’t designing for a single run, it was designing for everything that surrounds it,” says Sarah Gardner, Director, Global Women’s Running Apparel. “The commute to your favorite running path, the weather that changes halfway through a workout, the extra layer you may or may not need. We wanted every piece to feel considered, purposeful and ready for whatever the day brings.”

This new era arrives as Nike deepens its focus on sport and the ideas that will shape the future of running. NikeLab Running isn’t a nostalgic return. It’s an opportunity to explore what comes next — a platform to test, learn and advance ideas that can influence how Nike serves runners more broadly over time.

Every piece is brought to life through Nike’s Swoosh TC athletes, a collective of elite distance runners whose training and personal style show how the collection moves from hard efforts to the rest of the day. Their experience, alongside insights from runners of all abilities and intensities, will continue to inform what NikeLab Running becomes.

The debut NikeLab Running collection launches globally October 1 at nike.com and select retail partners.

View and download additional assets here.

UTI Mutual Fund And Multipl Launch ‘Investment UPI’, Creating New Category Of Investment-Led Spending

* New category enables spending balances to remain invested in a liquid mutual fund while being accessible for UPI payments, bill payments and brand gift cards

UTI Mutual Fund, one of India’s leading fund houses, in collaboration with Multipl launches ‘Investment UPI’, at the Global Fintech Fest 2026. This offering enables users to keep their spending money invested in liquid mutual funds while accessing it instantly for everyday UPI payments.

The proposition addresses a familiar consumer behaviour – money set aside for everyday or near-term expenses is typically spent within weeks yet sits in a deposit account for the entire period in between. Investment UPI seeks to bridge the traditional separation between investing and spending. Unlike a wallet, which holds prepaid money, or conventional UPI, which draws from a bank deposit, Investment UPI changes what the spending balance is actually invested in.

In essence, when a user adds money to their Multipl’s Spending Account, the money is invested in the underlying UTI liquid fund. When the user chooses to make a payment through UPI, the required amount is redeemed from the investment to facilitate the transaction, subject to applicable mutual fund terms, conditions and processes. Users can also use the Spending Account for services such as bill payments and brand gift cards. Any unspent money continues to remain invested in the liquid fund until the user chooses to spend or redeem it. This has been piloted with approximately 20,000 users, with an AUM of approximately INR 20 crores.

The partners expect the proposition to scale close to 10 times over the next 6 to 12 months. The offering operates within the UPI framework governed by NPCI, with Multipl participating as a licensed Third-Party Application Provider (TPAP).

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Vetri Subramaniam, MD & CEO, UTI AMC, said, “For decades, investing and spending have existed as two separate financial behaviours. Investment UPI represents an opportunity to bring these two experiences closer. The launch is aligned with UTI Mutual Fund’s broader objective of making mutual funds more accessible, and relevant to the changing ways consumers manage their finances digitally. Through our collaboration with Multipl, we are exploring how a liquid mutual fund can become part of a digital financial experience. The objective is not simply to add another feature to UPI, but to demonstrate a fundamentally different way of thinking about the money consumers keep aside for their everyday needs.”

Mr. Paddy Raghavan, Co-founder & CEO, Multipl, said, “With this launch, UTI Mutual Fund marks a step towards reimagining how mutual funds can participate in consumers’ day-to-day money management. UPI has transformed the way Indians make payments, making digital transactions an integral part of everyday life. Investment UPI explores the next layer of this evolution—bringing an investment product into the payments journey rather than treating investing and payments as separate activities. As the category develops, similar models could potentially emerge across the financial ecosystem, subject to applicable regulatory, mutual fund and payments frameworks.”

Mutual Fund investments are subject to market risks, read all scheme related documents carefully.

Bengaluru's H1N1 Surge Raises Need For Timely Diagnosis And Vigilance

* Greater Bengaluru records 2,070 laboratory-confirmed influenza cases till August 22; experts urge residents not to ignore persistent flu-like symptoms

With Bengaluru witnessing a seasonal rise in H1N1 and influenza infections, healthcare experts are urging residents to pay closer attention to persistent fever and respiratory symptoms and seek timely medical evaluation rather than relying on self-diagnosis or medication.

According to the latest surveillance data reported through the Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP), Greater Bengaluru recorded 2,070 laboratory-confirmed influenza cases till August 22, 2026, compared with 2,587 cases during the whole of 2025. Bengaluru Urban reported another 1,011 cases, taking the combined number across the two Bengaluru areas to 3,081 cases. Across Karnataka, 4,212 laboratory-confirmed influenza cases have been reported this year.

Dr. Divya C , Microbiologist,Neuberg Anand Reference Laboratory , said, “The rise in H1N1 and influenza activity in Bengaluru is a reminder that persistent fever and respiratory symptoms should not simply be dismissed as a routine seasonal infection. H1N1 can present with symptoms that overlap with other respiratory illnesses, making clinical evaluation important. Where indicated, appropriate diagnostic testing can help identify the infection and support timely medical management.”

H1N1 symptoms can look like other respiratory infections

H1N1 is a strain of influenza A and commonly presents with fever, cough, sore throat, body ache, headache and fatigue. However, several respiratory infections can produce similar symptoms, making it difficult to identify the cause based on symptoms alone.

Experts therefore advise individuals against assuming that every fever or cough is H1N1. Medical evaluation becomes particularly important when symptoms are persistent, severe or worsening, or when the individual belongs to a higher-risk group.

Who should be more cautious?

While influenza infections may be mild in many individuals, certain groups can be more vulnerable to complications. These include:

Older adults and young children

Pregnant women

Individuals with chronic respiratory conditions

People with underlying heart, kidney or metabolic conditions

Individuals with weakened immunity

Patients experiencing persistent or worsening fever, difficulty breathing, chest discomfort, severe weakness or deterioration after an initial improvement should seek medical attention promptly.

Don't self-medicate based on symptoms

The current rise has also highlighted the importance of avoiding unnecessary self-medication. Antibiotics do not treat viral infections such as influenza and should not be taken without medical advice.

Dr. Divya added, “Testing should be guided by the clinical picture and the treating physician's assessment rather than undertaken out of panic. The objective is to identify patients who may benefit from early intervention, particularly those at higher risk of complications. At the same time, people with mild symptoms should follow medical advice, rest adequately and take precautions to avoid spreading the infection.”

Bengaluru's monsoon season calls for greater respiratory hygiene

The Karnataka Health Department has noted that influenza typically shows seasonal peaks between July and September, placing the current increase within the state's usual seasonal pattern. The department has also strengthened surveillance for influenza-like illness (ILI) and severe acute respiratory infections (SARI).

With Bengaluru's high population density, extensive commuting and crowded workplaces and public spaces, maintaining basic respiratory hygiene remains important. Residents are advised to cover their nose and mouth while coughing or sneezing, wash their hands regularly, avoid close contact when symptomatic and stay away from crowded places when unwell.

The Karnataka Health Department has also advised residents to avoid self-medication and seek medical care when symptoms require attention.

As Bengaluru moves through the ongoing seasonal influenza period, experts emphasise that awareness, timely medical consultation and appropriate diagnosis , influenza vaccine when recommended are key to managing the H1N1 surge effectively.