UNFPA, FP2030 And Gates Foundation Convene Policy Dialogue To Reimagine Family Planning In India

A high-level policy dialogue brought together government leaders, development partners, and experts to shape evidence-based policies in India

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) India, in collaboration with the Family Planning 2030 (FP2030) Asia-Pacific Regional Hub and the Gates Foundation, hosted a roundtable today with senior officials from the Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council (EAC-PM) and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), alongside representatives from development partners, academia, and civil society. The discussion focused on India’s evolving demographic landscape, marked by declining fertility rates and a continued need to expand access to quality family planning services. The roundtable offered a forward-looking vision for strengthening family planning policies and programmes to align with the changing population profile.

The roundtable comes at a crucial time. While India's Total Fertility Rate (TFR) has fallen to 2.0, below the replacement level of 2.1, millions of women do not have access to the family planning services they seek. With unmet need standing at 9.4 percent, this gap affects an estimated 47 million women, underscoring the importance of strengthening access, choice, and quality in family planning.

Ms. Andrea M. Wojnar, UNFPA India Representative said, “India stands at a defining moment in its demographic journey. With current fertility trends, focus must champion reproductive rights, choice, and the full continuum of reproductive health for all. This roundtable marks an important step toward shaping a future-ready, evidence-driven family planning agenda, one that places people, especially young women and those with unmet needs, at the centre of national policy and socio-economic development.”

Dr. Shamika Ravi, Member of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM) commented “India is a diverse country, and this diversity demands precision policy making. Every block, every village, every region is different — each with its own social realities, needs, and challenges. There is no one-size-fits-all approach. To deliver real impact, we must localise our strategies and design interventions that respond to what is happening on the ground in each pocket of the country. Precision policy making is not just desirable; it is essential for ensuring that programmes reach the people who need them most, in the way they need them.”

Ms. Aradhana Patnaik, Additional Secretary and Mission Director, National Health Mission, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW) said “We must remember that family planning is not a women’s programme — it is a family programme. This is why, alongside saas-bahu sammelans, the Ministry also convenes saas-bahu-pati sammelans to reinforce that husbands and wives must make choices together. When couples share responsibility and decisions, we move closer to what truly matters: healthy mothers, healthy babies, and healthy families. Partnership is at the core of real reproductive choice.”

The discussions highlighted that while India has made significant progress, the family planning agenda remains unfinished. Sustaining investments and broadening the definition of reproductive health to include infertility care was pressed upon. Participants also called for policy developments to guide future family planning strategies and priorities, while strengthening alignment among stakeholders on choice-based principles, irrespective of fertility rates.

Panel discussions explored key themes such as expanding the contraceptive basket of choice, integrating infertility services, and addressing the reproductive health needs of adolescents and young people. The event concluded with a call to strengthen collaboration among government, development partners, and civil society to ensure that family planning in India remains people centered, inclusive, and responsive to changing fertility trends.

JR Compliance Releases First Industry Report On ‘Certification Delays In India’

Reveals 42% of Products Miss Market Launch Timelines Due to Regulatory Bottlenecks

JR Compliance, one of India’s leading compliance and product-certification consulting firms, has introduced an Integrated Regulatory Support Suite aimed at helping brands streamline mandatory certifications, eliminate documentation errors, and achieve faster market readiness across sectors such as electronics, D2C, appliances, and emerging tech.

As India’s regulatory frameworks expand across BIS, WPC, EPR, BEE, and international standards, businesses — especially MSMEs and D2C brands — often face delays due to incomplete documentation, repeated testing cycles, and complex submission requirements. JR Compliance’s new model offers single-window project handling, technical file preparation, testing lab coordination, and post-compliance advisory, ensuring smoother certification outcomes.

“Compliance shouldn’t slow a company down. Our aim is to make regulatory processes predictable and efficient for every brand we work with,” said Mr. Rishikesh Mishra, Founder and CEO, JR Compliance. “This new suite is built to eliminate the most common causes of certification delays, so companies can focus on product innovation and market growth.”

Key Features

Complete support for BIS (CRS & FMCS), EPR, WPC, TEC, ISO, BEE

Technical documentation & testing coordination

Dedicated compliance manager

Post-certification advisory for labels, renewals, and imports

Reduced turnaround time through structured compliance workflows

JR Compliance has supported 1,000+ brands and handled certifications for 5,000+ products across global and Indian markets over the last decade.

About JR Compliance

JR Compliance is a Delhi-based compliance consulting firm specializing in BIS certification, global market access, corporate compliance, testing support, and regulatory documentation. The company works with startups, D2C brands, MSMEs, and multinational manufacturers to enable seamless product launches and market expansion.

Barbeque Nation Opens New Outlet At Bridge Twins Tower, Yeshwanthpur, Bengaluru Expands Central Bengaluru Presence

India’s leading casual dining brand continues rapid expansion with a new location in one of the city’s busiest shopping destinations

Barbeque Nation, one of India’s most loved casual dining chains, has launched its 19th outlet in Bengaluru, this time at Bridge Twins Tower, Yeshwanthpur Bengaluru, a landmark retail and entertainment destination in the heart of the city.

With this launch, Barbeque Nation strengthens its presence in South India, bringing its signature “live-on-the-table grill” concept and buffet-style dining experience to more guests across the city. The outlet features a welcoming ambiance and vibrant seating, designed to create a casual, family-friendly dining experience.

On the occasion, Mr. Rahul Agarwal, CEO, Barbeque Nation Hospitality Ltd., said:
“We are delighted to launch our 19th outlet in Bengaluru, 1st Outlet in Yeshwanthpur, a city that continues to show immense love for the Barbeque Nation experience. Bridge Twins Tower is an ideal location for us to connect with a wider audience, and we look forward to offering our signature hospitality and flavours to guests here.”

The unlimited buffet at Barbeque Nation offers a wide selection of dishes across vegetarian and non-vegetarian options. Among the highlights are Cajun Spice Potato and Malai Broccoli for vegetarians, and Lebanese BBQ Grilled Fish and Coastal BBQ Prawns for non-vegetarians all prepared with the brand’s signature marinades and grilling techniques.

Barbeque Nation continues to be a pioneer in interactive dining, offering an experience that goes beyond the plate celebrating food, community, and togetherness with every new outlet.

About the Brand

Founded in India in 2006, Barbeque Nation revolutionized the casual dining landscape with its Live Grills on the Table concept, allowing diners to grill their own skewers of meats, seafood, and vegetables right at their table. Over the years, this unique dining experience has won millions of hearts across India, UAE, Malaysia, Oman and Bahrain with close to 200 restaurants worldwide.

GE Aerospace To Invest USD 14 Million To Expand Pune Manufacturing Capability

The announcement comes as GE Aerospace’s Pune facility celebrates its tenth year of operation.

GE Aerospace has announced a USD 14 million investment to expand capacity at the company’s Pune manufacturing facility as the site completes a decade of successful operations. This investment builds upon the USD 30 million announced last year. The new investment will strengthen the site’s capabilities through upgraded manufacturing processes and automation, including enhancements that support advanced engine components.

“Our team in Pune has built strong capabilities, and with the support of a country-wide network of suppliers, has delivered components for some of our most advanced commercial jet engines, with safety and quality at the forefront,” said Vishwajit Singh, Managing Director of the Pune facility, GE Aerospace. “This investment reflects our commitment to the Make in India initiative and to advancing India’s role in global aerospace manufacturing.”

The Pune facility, which began as a multi-business manufacturing site, has since evolved into a high-tech aerospace parts supplier for GE Aerospace’s global commercial engine factories. Today, the site is supported by a network of more than 300 suppliers serving the Pune facility, part of the over 2,200 suppliers GE Aerospace partners with across India. Over the past 10 years, the facility has trained more than 5,000 production associates in precision manufacturing processes, playing a vital role in developing local talent. The site is also ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 certified, reflecting GE Aerospace’s commitment to sustainability and operational excellence.

The facility’s success is driven by FLIGHT DECK, GE Aerospace’s proprietary lean operating model that emphasizes safety, quality, and efficiency. With FLIGHT DECK, the site has reduced waste, improved process efficiency, and increased output while enhancing shop-floor safety. On a new line for a critical component, it has also achieved shorter lead times, higher productivity, and reduced downtime.

About GE Aerospace in India

GE Aerospace has been a partner to India's aviation industry for over 40 years. 1,400 GE Aerospace and partner engines are in service, powering major Indian airlines. GE Aerospace’s defense engines and systems power the Indian Air Force’s Light Combat Aircraft Tejas Mk1 and helicopters, and the Indian Navy’s aircraft carrier battleships and frigates. Its Pune manufacturing facility and 13 local India partners are part of the company’s global supply chain. Researchers and engineers at the company’s 25-year-old India Technology Centre in Bengaluru are building the latest aviation technologies.

About GE Aerospace

GE Aerospace is a global aerospace propulsion, services, and systems leader with an installed base of approximately 49,000 commercial and 29,000 military aircraft engines. With a global team of approximately 53,000 employees building on more than a century of innovation and learning, GE Aerospace is committed to inventing the future of flight, lifting people up, and bringing them home safely. Learn more at www.geaerospace.com

AI-Powered Bunjy Emerges As A Next-Gen Marketing Partner For Scaling Enterprises

With every industry embracing AI, the pressure on marketing teams to deliver smarter, faster, and more measurable outcomes has never been greater. Bunjy, an integrated marketing services company, is redefining how enterprises approach digital growth with bold, AI-powered marketing solutions that prioritize speed, strategic alignment, and real business outcomes. In a highly competitive space, Bunjy clearly differentiates itself by leveraging appropriate tools and technologies to provide customers with measurable ROI and a faster turnaround time. Operating at the intersection of content, creativity, and technology, Bunjy offers a comprehensive suite of services spanning branding, digital campaigns, content production, and performance marketing.

Founded by techpreneurs and industry veterans Priya Goutham and Keerthana Chandrasekaran, Bunjy has proven expertise in servicing the Technology, Healthcare, Hospitality, and Real Estate verticals. By integrating speed, structure, and smart storytelling, the company delivers impactful marketing outcomes. By leveraging AI-driven marketing automation, Bunjy has been able to consistently deliver an ROI of over 50% for many of its clientele. This is particularly essential for enterprise marketing teams, technology-first companies, and premier educational institutions in their growth phase, where scalable go-to-market initiatives are business-critical.

"A strong brand strategy is the compass for any ambitious company, but the real magic lies in translating that direction into measurable business impact, and that’s where we come in," says Priya Goutham, Co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer, Bunjy. "We view marketing not just as an execution arm, but as a strategic growth partner that builds long-term value, education, and market relevance for our clients".

"Scaling sophisticated marketing execution requires more than just good ideas; it demands a robust, integrated foundation built on strong technology capabilities," says Keerthana Chandrasekaran, Co-founder and CEO, Bunjy. "Through Bunjy's Launchpad offering for startups and our proprietary processes, we ensure that every strategic move is powered by the right technology, driving efficiency and predictable, high-impact results".

Bunjy’s leadership team brings proven expertise in technology marketing, enterprise marketing, and scaling successful marketing execution agencies. This experience, combined with an energetic execution team and a senior advisory council at the helm, positions Bunjy as a reliable partner capable of delivering strong narratives, compelling content, and highly engaging and impactful digital storytelling.

About Bunjy

Bunjy is an integrated B2B focused marketing services agency with services spanning branding, content, website development, and performance marketing. Built for scale and agility, Bunjy delivers 360° marketing solutions for clients across India, the Middle East, the UK, Singapore, and North America.

For more information, contact: +91-9886256700 or email: info@bunjy.co

Bengaluru Innovation Report & ESDM Directory Unveiled At BTS 2025: Karnataka Charts India’s Most Ambitious Tech And Manufacturing Vision

Strengthening its position as India’s most advanced technology and innovation powerhouse, Karnataka today unveiled two cornerstone documents that capture the state’s expanding influence across global R&D, semiconductor design, deeptech, and electronics manufacturing. The Government of Karnataka, in collaboration with KDEM and 3One4 Capital, released the Bengaluru Innovation Report 2025 (2nd Edition) at the Bengaluru Tech Summit 2025.

Additionally, the Government of Karnataka and KDEM, working closely with leading domestic ecosystem partners, including IESA, ELCINA, ELCIA, SEMI, CLIK, BCIC, CII, and FKCCI launched the Karnataka ESDM Directory, the most detailed and validated mapping of the state’s electronics and semiconductor landscape to date.

1. KDEM’s Key Deliverables Announced at BTS 2025
A. Launch of the Bengaluru Innovation Report 2025 (2nd Edition)

The report was formally presented to Shri Priyank Kharge, Hon’ble Minister for IT/BT & RDPR, and Dr. N. Manjula, IAS, Secretary, Department of Electronics, IT, Bt and S&T, in the presence of industry leaders Sri. Sharath Kumar Bache Gowda, Chairman, Keonics ,Shri Prasanth Prakash, Partner, Accel, and Shri T.V. Mohandas Pai, Chairman, Aarin Capital, Siddharth Pai, Partner, CFO & ESG officer, 3one4 Capital, Shri B.V. Naidu, Chairman, Karnataka Digital Economy Mission (KDEM), Sanjeev Kumar Gupta, CEO, Karnataka Digital Economy Mission (KDEM) underscoring Karnataka’s continued commitment to shaping India’s most advanced innovation ecosystem.
What the report reveals:

Bengaluru is India’s most advanced innovation ecosystem, ranking #1 nationally.

Karnataka hosts 50% of India’s AI/ML talent and 16 Centres of Excellence.

The city houses 350+ chip design and embedded engineering firms—India’s largest design cluster.

Bengaluru leads India with ~3,500 funded startups and $79B in cumulative funding.

The city is home to 53 unicorns valued at $192B and 183 soonicorns.

Deeptech funding has crossed $2.8B, spanning AI, robotics, space, and frontier sciences.

This report provides a data-backed blueprint of how Bengaluru has transitioned from a services hub to a global innovation capital driving IP creation, research, and deep tech at scale.

B. Launch of the Karnataka ESDM Directory

The directory was formally presented to Shri Priyank Kharge, Hon’ble Minister for IT/BT & RDPR, and Dr. N. Manjula, IAS, Secretary, Department of Electronics, IT, Bt and S&T, in the presence of industry leaders Naveen bishnoi, Country Head (Marvell India) and AVP Data Center Engineering, Ashok Chandak, President , IESA & SEMI India and Shri B.V. Naidu, Chairman, Karnataka Digital Economy Mission (KDEM)

Their presence reinforced the alignment between government, industry, and ecosystem leaders. And most importantly. Karnataka is enabling a national transformation—shifting India from a services-driven IT economy to a globally competitive, innovation-led, engineering-led, and electronics-led powerhouse.
What the directory contains:

704 validated ESDM companies, including:

513 manufacturing firms

61 design houses

35 GCCs / R&D centres

Covers industrial, automotive, telecom, IT hardware, defence, aerospace & medical electronics.

Provides a design-to-manufacturing view of Karnataka’s ESDM capability.

This directory strengthens Karnataka’s role in India’s electronics revolution and supports the state's mission to contribute $300B to India’s future $1T digital economy.

“Don’t Chase What The World Expects, Chase What Lights You Up, And Success Will Follow”- Dr. B.K. Venkatesh Prasad

Jain (Deemed-to-be University), one of India’s leading private universities, proudly hosted its 15th Annual Convocation, conferring a Doctor Honoris Causa to Dr. B.K. Venkatesh Prasad, Former Indian Cricketer. The event was graced by the presence of distinguished dignitaries including, T.K. Seetharam, Executive Director of Kalyan Jewellers; Dr. Chenraj Roychand,Chancellor, JAIN (Deemed-to-be University);Dr. Jitendra Kumar Mishra, Vice Chancellor (I/c) & Registrar, JAIN (Deemed-to-be University), and Dr. Dinesh Nilkant, Pro Vice Chancellor, JAIN (Deemed-to-be University).

Dr. B.K. Venkatesh Prasad (Former Indian Cricketer),in his address to the gathering, emphasized the importance of purpose-driven growth, stating:“What truly matters is following your passion, because that inner drive, your sense of purposeis irreplaceable.”He further added, “whether it’s engineering, AI, or any other path, let your passion, not trends, guide your journey.”Hefurther encouraged the audience with a thoughtful reminder“don’t chase what the world expects,chase what lights you up, and success will follow.”

Highlighting the values that shape individuals T.K. Seetharam, Executive Director, Kalyan Jewellers, in his address stated,“There are certain virtues and characteristics that help each one of us become better human beings. Among them, the most important quality to cultivate is warmth. If you are able to bring happiness to others, it will always be the greatest thing you can offer.” He further applauded the students, “you are all extremely honoured, lucky and talented individuals, prepared for the competitive world outside.”

Dr. Chenraj Roychand,Chancellor, JAIN (Deemed-to-be University)in his address underscored the importance of failure in success stating,“What I understand is that failure often creates fear, but success and failure are both opportunities. I can assure you that failure is a part of the journey, it is a part of success itself. Failure will teach you many things that success cannot. So, embrace failures in life and embrace uncertainties.” He furthered his quote by emphasising “Stay strong, keep moving, and do not give up. With perseverance, consistency, hope, and intent, you will achieve the goals you aspire.”

Dr. Jitendra Kumar Mishra, Vice-chancellor (I/c) and Registrar, added, “The 15thAnnual Convocation marked the awarding of 30,439 degrees to graduates, including 127 gold medals and 360 rank holders across various disciplines. The PhD programme, introduced in 2010, had grown to 1,335 registered doctoral scholars, and 92 PhD degrees were conferred during the ceremony. Together, these accomplishments reflected the institution’s sustained progress and its strengthening position in the field of research.”

About JAIN (Deemed-to-be University)

JAIN (Deemed-to-be University) is ranked among the top universities in India and is considered a cerebral destination for students across the world, Bengaluru in particular, for its illustrious history of developing talent. JAIN (Deemed-to-be University) is accredited A++ with a CGPA of 3.71 by India's National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) leading to being graded autonomy Category-1 by the University Grants Commission (UGC), Government of India. Additionally, the university is ranked 62nd by the National Institute of Ranking Framework (NIRF), Ministry of HRD. It is a member of the Association of Universities of Asia and the Pacific. It has been awarded five stars in the Young University Category in Karnataka by KSURF ICARE Ratings. The University holds the 62nd position in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) by the Government of India as of 2025 and ranks 8th among India's leading private universities according to India Today’s July 2025 report. Jain University has achieved the No. 1 position among private universities for the highest number of patents published and filed over the past three years. With 2933 patents filed and 2335 published, this accomplishment highlights our unwavering dedication to innovation and research excellence. Jain University has been conferred the prestigious Rashtriya Khel ProtsahanPuraskar 2023 by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports in the category of “Identification and nurturing of Budding and Young talents for the year 2023. The university also proudly hosted and won the over championship Khelo India 2021. In Khelo India 2022, held in Uttar Pradesh, JAIN (Deemed-to-be University) secured the 2nd position. Additionally, the institution maintains ISO 21001:2018 certification for Quality Management from TUV Nord.