Karnataka Must Take Growth Beyond Bengaluru, Strengthen Industry-Academia Links: Dr. M. V. Rajeev Gowda

Karnataka’s next phase of growth must move beyond Bengaluru by strengthening industry-academia linkages and spreading the State capital’s research, innovation and technology capabilities across the State, former Rajya Sabha member Dr M. V. Rajeev Gowda said on Saturday.

Addressing the 4th Edition of the Leadership Summit 2026 organized by Bangalore Chamber of Industry & Commerce's (BCIC), Dr Gowda said “Beyond Bengaluru” should not be limited to attracting companies to other cities but must create stronger connections between industry, educational institutions and research centres.

He said Bengaluru had enormous research capabilities but inadequate industry-academia linkages were preventing the conversion of talent and research into patents, products and commercial innovation.

“Bengaluru is filled with research centres and especially multinational research centres. They are tapping our brains. We are letting our brains stay idle as far as this dimension is concerned,” he said.

Dr Gowda said he had launched the Bengaluru Research and Innovation Network to map research capabilities and connect industry with academia.

He also warned that artificial intelligence could disrupt entry-level employment and called for stronger internships, mentoring and industry-led preparation of young people for the AI and post-AI era.

As BCIC entered its Golden Jubilee year, President CA K Ravi said the Chamber would use the year-long celebrations to strengthen its global stature and engagement with Karnataka’s economic landscape.

He said BCIC would focus on sustainable industrial growth, ease of doing business and technological transformation while strengthening its role as a catalyst for trade and investment.

Meanwhile, former DRDO distinguished scientist, Padma Shri Dr Prahlada Ramarao said, India was poised to become one of the world’s most sought-after destinations for design, manufacturing and delivery, citing the transformation of Indian industry over the past four decades.

“Today, most of the industries, particularly medium and small-scale industries, can do engineering, design, analysis, manufacturing, assembly, testing and delivery,” he said.

Dr Ramarao said global companies from Europe, Israel and Southeast Asia were increasingly looking to India for designing, manufacturing and testing products because of the country’s cost, quality and delivery advantages.

“You tell me what you need, I will make it. This is the level to which Indian industry has matured,” he said.

He called for stronger testing infrastructure, strategic-material capabilities and new business models that would enable MSMEs to work together through product-oriented consortia.

The Golden Jubilee logo was unveiled by Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar, Custodian of the Royal House of Mysuru and Member of Parliament from Mysuru-Kodagu, marking the beginning of BCIC’s year-long celebrations.

The summit brought together business and industry leaders to deliberate on leadership, technology, sustainability, resilience and the changing global economic environment. Also the BCIC Leadership Forum Brochure for 2026-27 was released on the occasion.

The other eminent speakers who addressed the gathering were:
Dr. Tejaswini Ananth Kumar, Managing Trustee, Adamya Chetana,
Mr. F. R. Singhvi, Joint Managing Director, Sansera Engineering Limited, Mr. Parag Dani, CEO-GAP, Reliance Retail, Padma Shri Mr. Shekar Naik, Former Captain, Indian Blind Cricket Team and Mr. Abhinay Choudhari, Co-Founder, LaundryMate (Co-Founder, BigBasket). 

No Deadlock At The Board Meeting On September 17, 2026; A Casting Vote Cannot Revive A Stillborn Resolution

* A question was put to the Board, and the Articles of Association (AoA) answered it. Tata Sons cannot now disown the very rights they defended under their AoA before the Supreme Court.

The Articles of Association (AoA) of Tata Sons do not leave any decision of the Board to a mere head count of Directors. They provide that no decision can be taken unless it has the affirmative support of at least a majority of the Directors nominated by the Tata Trusts, who hold approximately 66% of the Company. This is a separate condition under the AoA.

There are two Tata Trusts nominees on the Board of Tata Sons. Majority amongst two is two and not one. On September 17, 2026, one such Director voted against the resolution. Thus, the affirmative support of Tata Trusts Nominee Directors as mandated by the AoA was not given. The condition failed, and so did the resolution. The Chairman’s casting vote is available only where there is equality of votes at the overall board level. It does not apply amongst Tata Trusts’ Nominee Directors. Whether the result of the vote was 4:1, or any other figure, is irrelevant. A condition is either met, or it is not. In this case the condition was not met.

It is now being suggested that a refusal of support amounts to a deadlock which would paralyse the Company and that the Chairman of the meeting was therefore entitled to resolve the position by a casting vote. There was no paralysis and there was no deadlock. The Board put a question, and the AoA answered it in the negative. The exercise of a protective right conferred by a company's own constitution is not a deadlock; it is that constitution working as it was written to work.

The resolution to reappoint Mr N. Chandrasekaran as the Chairman of Tata Sons, considered at the Board meeting on September 17, 2026, was not validly passed and has no legal effect. In the eyes of the law, it is void ab initio.

Articles of Association are not a convenience to be relied upon when they help and ignored when they don’t: Tata Sons is not at liberty to take this position, because it has already taken the opposite one and won in the Supreme Court. In the proceedings arising out of the removal of Mr Cyrus Mistry, the affirmative voting rights of the Trusts' Nominee Directors under Articles 104B and 121 were squarely in issue. The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal held them to be oppressive, and the complainants asked that they be deleted or confined. Tata Sons resisted that attempt. It defended these rights as a legitimate protection agreed between the shareholders, and it argued that far from being oppressive they were in.

IIHM Bangalore Honours Educators At 12th Teachers’ Day Awards, Spotlights AI-Enabled Future Of Education

International Institute of Hotel Management (IIHM) Bangalore celebrated the 12th edition of the IIHM Teachers’ Day Awards 2026, honouring distinguished principals, teachers, educators and academic leaders for their exemplary service and contribution to education. This year’s ceremony centred on the theme ‘Empowering Educators in the Age of AI-Education Sets You Free, Now AI Gives You Wings,’ reflecting on how technology can strengthen the role of educators while keeping human values at the heart of learning.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Suborno Bose, Chairman and Chief Mentor, IIHM, said, “Education has always had the power to set people free by opening their minds to knowledge, possibilities and new ways of thinking. Artificial Intelligence is now giving education new wings, enabling teachers and students to explore, create and learn in ways that were unimaginable earlier. But technology can never replace the inspiration, empathy and mentorship that a great teacher brings. Our educators must lead this transformation by combining the possibilities of AI with the values and wisdom that make education truly meaningful.”

The awards recognised excellence across three categories were Teacher Par Excellence, Principal Par Excellence and Special Awards, celebrating educators whose work has made a meaningful impact on students and the wider academic community. The categories formed an important part of IIHM’s continuing effort to recognise the people behind transformative learning experiences.

Ms. Sanchari Chowdhury, Director, IIHM Bangalore and Head-South Operations, said, “The role of a teacher is becoming even more significant in an AI-driven world. Information may now be available instantly, but students still need educators who can help them think critically, make the right choices and use technology responsibly. Today’s teacher is not merely a provider of knowledge but a mentor who encourages curiosity, creativity, confidence and compassion. Through these awards, we celebrate educators who continue to evolve while remaining deeply committed to their students.”

*Honouring Educators Who Inspire, Innovate and Lead*

The ceremony brought together senior representatives from education, academia, international institutions and the hospitality sector. Among the distinguished guests were D.L. Krishnamoorthy, District Skill Development Officer and Principal of Government ITI, Bengaluru and President of Lions Club of Vidyagaya, Thrinagara; Ms. Anupama Ramachandra, Founder Principal, Delhi Public School Electronic City; Mr. Vaibhav Sahu, Chargé de Mission Scientifique à Bangalore and Scientific Affairs Officer, Consulat Général de France à Bangalore; and Maxence Liniere, Chargé de mission de coopération universitaire and Academic Cooperation Officer.

The gathering also included Mr. Shanmugam, Regional Director, IGNOU Bangalore, Dr. Virupaxi V. Betagiri, Director, Principal Shushruti Institute of Management Studies; Ms. Roopa Hemanth, President and Centre Head, Rasa Aadharan and Shiv Bose, FIIM, General Manager, Holiday Inn, Race Course Road, Bengaluru.

The IIHM Teachers’ Day Awards, now in their 12th edition, have evolved into a platform for recognising educators who go beyond conventional teaching to mentor students, foster innovation and nurture responsible future citizens. The awards also acknowledge the leadership of principals and academic heads who create environments in which both teachers and students can grow.

With Artificial Intelligence increasingly becoming part of classrooms, workplaces and everyday life, the 2026 edition turned attention to the changing expectations from educational institutions. Rather than viewing AI merely as a technological tool, the event highlighted the importance of educators guiding students to use it thoughtfully, creatively and ethically.

For IIHM, the celebration also reaffirmed the institution’s belief that the future of education must bring together knowledge, innovation and human values. As learning methodologies continue to evolve, educators remain central to ensuring that technology expands opportunities without diminishing the human connection that shapes a student’s character, aspirations and outlook.

The ceremony concluded with congratulations to the award recipients for their sustained commitment to education and for continuing to inspire generations of learners through their leadership, dedication and pursuit of excellence. 

87% Policyholders Show Stable Or Improved Health Through Regular Monitoring, Reveals Aditya Birla Health Insurance Study

*Analysis of over 2.1 million insured lives tracks health trends over time
*Nearly 62% showed measurable improvement in key health indicators within 12 months
*Men above 45 years recorded the highest burden of uncontrolled hypertension

Aditya Birla Health Insurance Co. Limited (ABHICL), the health insurance arm of Aditya Birla Capital, today released its latest research paper, Unlocking Health Trajectories: Real-World Biometric Trends from Insured Indian Populations, revealing that 87% of policyholders either maintained or improved their health status through regular monitoring and preventive engagement. Based on internal study of anonymised data from 2.1 million adult ABHICL customers between December 2023 and December 2025, the study is among the largest analyses of longitudinal biometric trends conducted in the Indian health insurance sector.

Out of the 2.1 million adult customers analyzed, 5.2 lakh individuals had at least two biomarker datapoints enabling longitudinal health trend analysis. The study tracked changes in blood pressure, blood sugar (HbA1c), BMI and cholesterol levels. The findings show that nearly 62% recorded measurable improvement in key health indicators within 12 months, while 37% of individuals classified as high risk moved to medium or low-risk categories during the same period. This clearly highlights the potential of regular monitoring and sustained engagement in improving health outcomes.

The analysis also found meaningful improvements across major chronic health indicators. Blood pressure improved in 32% of cases, diabetes control improved in 33%, BMI and obesity indicators improved in 34%, and cholesterol levels improved in 17% of policyholders.

Commenting on the findings, Mayank Bathwal, CEO, Aditya Birla Health Insurance, said: “As healthcare needs become more complex, the focus must move toward improving outcomes across the care journey, not just at the point of hospitalisation. The insights from this research paper that consistent monitoring and preventive engagement can help manage chronic risks more effectively over time. At ABHI, we see this as an opportunity to support better health outcomes while also improving efficiency across the healthcare system.”

Powered by ABHICL's proprietary Wellbeing Score, which combines biometric, lifestyle, wearable and mental health data, the study examined how sustained health monitoring and engagement influence long-term outcomes. The findings point to the growing role of preventive health management in helping individuals better manage chronic health risks.

Our analysis also highlighted clear demographic trends. Women above 35 years showed stronger improvement in biometric control, while men above 45 years recorded the highest burden of uncontrolled hypertension. Compared with NFHS-5 benchmarks, the insured cohort demonstrated higher rates of hypertension control (32% vs 24%), obesity control (34% vs 24%) and Diabetes control (33% vs 15%), underscoring the value of regular monitoring and early intervention in improving health outcomes.

The variations observed across demographic cohorts reinforce the value of a hyper-personalised approach to health management. By combining continuous data signals with contextual, individualised engagement, insurers can play a more meaningful role in supporting better long-term health outcomes. Importantly, the analysis demonstrates how longitudinal health data can move beyond passive reporting to actively strengthen preventive health performance, offering early signals and behaviour-linked insights that complement broader public health efforts under Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission.

About Aditya Birla Health Insurance Company Limited

Aditya Birla Health Insurance Co. Limited (“ABHICL”), is a collaboration between Aditya Birla Capital Ltd. (ABCL), holding company for the financial services businesses of the Aditya Birla Group and Momentum Group Ltd of South Africa. ABCL holds a 45.89% stake while Momentum Group Ltd holds 44.08% in ABHICL.

ABHICL commenced its operations in October 2016 and is engaged in the business of health insurance. The company’s current product portfolio includes unique offerings including chronic care and incentivized wellness. Covering over 24 million lives, ABHICL has a nationwide distribution presence in over 5000 cities through branches and partner offices, 20 bancassurance partners and over 163,000 direct selling agents. ABHICL has scaled and diversified digitally enabled distribution, and bancassurance available through more than 224+ branches & over 60 digital partners, covering customers across the country through multiple contextual byte-sized and contextual products.

About Aditya Birla Capital Limited

Aditya Birla Capital Limited (‘ABCL’) is a listed systemically important, Upper Layer Non-Deposit taking Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC-ICC) and the holding company of the financial services businesses. ABCL and its subsidiaries/JVs provide a comprehensive suite of financial solutions across Loans, Investments, Insurance, and Payments to serve the diverse needs of customers across their lifecycles. Powered by over 66,500 employees, the businesses of ABCL have a nationwide reach with over 1,759 branches and more than 200,000 agents/channel partners along with several bank partners. ABCL and its subsidiaries/JVs manage aggregate assets under management of about Rs. 7.53 Lakh Crore, and the consolidated lending book crossed Rs. 2.19 Lakh Crore as of June 30, 2026.

Aditya Birla Capital Limited is a part of the US$ 67 billion global conglomerate Aditya Birla Group, which is in the league of Fortune 500 and has a consolidated market cap of over US$117 billion, as of Jan 1, 2026. Anchored by an extraordinary force of over 227,500 employees, the Group is built on a strong foundation of stakeholder value creation. With over seven decades of responsible business practices, the Group’s businesses have grown into global powerhouses in a wide range of sectors - from metals to cement, fashion to financial services and textiles to trading. Today, over 40% of the Group revenues flow from overseas operations that span 41 countries across six continents with over 340 state-of-the-art manufacturing units. For more information, visit www.adityabirlacapital.com  

Volkswagen Announces Exciting Track Day Experiences For Customers At CoASTT, Coimbatore

· Volkswagen India to host its first Performance car community weekend on October 10–11 at CoASTT racetrack in Coimbatore

· Bringing together driving enthusiasts from across the Volkswagen portfolio to celebrate a shared passion for performance, speed and adrenaline

· A two-day celebration of German engineering, performance and driving experiences on and off the track, sign-up now at link

Volkswagen India has announced the launch of VWe (Volkswagen Experiences) Track Day, a new experiential platform designed to bring customers and enthusiasts closer to the brand's performance DNA through immersive driving experiences, driver development activities and community engagement. The inaugural edition will take place on October 10-11, 2026 at CoASTT, Coimbatore, a leading motorsport and driver training facility in India.

Created to celebrate Volkswagen's legacy of engineering excellence and engaging driving dynamics, Volkswagen Experiences: Track Day offers participants the opportunity to experience their vehicles in a professionally managed environment while enhancing driving skills through expert-led sessions. The platform reflects Volkswagen India's commitment to creating meaningful customer experiences that extend beyond vehicle ownership and foster a deeper connection with the brand.

The inaugural edition will bring together owners of Volkswagen's performance-oriented models, including the Golf GTI, Tiguan R-Line, Tayron R-Line, Virtus GT and Taigun GT, alongside automotive enthusiasts, media representatives and Volkswagen leadership. Participants will engage in a range of on-track and off-track activities designed to showcase vehicle capabilities while emphasizing safe and responsible driving practices.

Over the two-day programme, participants will have access to curated driving experiences, including lead-and-follow sessions, autocross challenges, slalom exercises, off-road obstacle courses, go-karting, vehicle handling demonstrations and professional driving instruction. The activities have been designed to cater to varying skill levels, enabling participants to build confidence and better understand vehicle dynamics under expert guidance.

In addition to the track experiences, attendees will participate in technical masterclasses, owner networking sessions and lifestyle activities designed to create meaningful interactions among members of the Volkswagen community. The event will also feature dedicated hospitality areas, family-friendly experiences, interactive brand engagement opportunities and recognition programmes celebrating unique owner stories and achievements.

Volkswagen Experiences: Track Day marks the beginning of a broader experiential initiative aimed at bringing customers closer to the Volkswagen brand through curated driving programmes and exclusive ownership experiences. Through this platform, Volkswagen India seeks to create an ecosystem where customers can engage with the brand beyond traditional ownership touchpoints while celebrating the joy of driving that has long been synonymous with Volkswagen.

For more information and to sign-up follow the Link

About the Volkswagen brand

Volkswagen, a leading carmaker in Europe, sells its broad model range in more than 150 countries worldwide. Globally, the brand is consistently forging ahead with the further development of automobile production, with e-mobility, smart mobility and digital transformation as key strategic focus areas for the future. In India, Volkswagen has steadily strengthened its presence with a portfolio that includes the Virtus, Tiguan R-Line, the iconic Golf GTI, Tayron R-Line and the new Taigun.

OTPless Elevates Satyam Nathani As CEO, Tanmay Sagar As COO

Identity and access management startup OTPless has elevated co-founders Satyam Nathani and Tanmay Sagar as Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer, respectively, as the company enters its next phase of growth.

Nathani and Sagar co-founded OTPless in 2023 and have since scaled the platform to more than 300 million users and ₹36 crore in annualised revenue, representing 2.5x growth over the previous year. Bengaluru based, 12-member startup has been profitable for the past two quarters.

Before founding OTPless, Nathani and Sagar dropped out of IIT Delhi and joined BharatPe as founding members, where they played key roles during the fintech giant’s early years and its journey to becoming a unicorn.

“I am super excited to see Satyam and Tanmay lead OTPless from the front into its next phase of innovation and growth. Over the decade, I have seen what they can do, and I can’t wait to see them build a world-class authentication, identity and payments company from India,” said Bhavik Koladiya, current CEO of OTPless.

“What lies ahead of us is both an opportunity and a responsibility to reimagine how people identify, authenticate and transact on the internet. I couldn’t be more excited to build on the strong foundation we have laid and lead OTPless through its next phase of transformation,” said Satyam Nathani, CEO of OTPless.

“Over the past four years, OTPless has grown into a platform serving some of India’s largest and most trusted enterprises, reaching nearly a third of India’s internet population with a team of just 12 people. As COO, my focus will remain simple: stay disciplined, move fast and continue building the execution-first culture that got us here,” said Tanmay Sagar.

“We are grateful to our customers, team, investors and well-wishers for their continued trust and support. We see this new mandate as both an opportunity and a responsibility,” Nathani and Sagar added.

About OTPless

OTPless is a Bengaluru-based identity and access management company that helps large consumer enterprises provide secure, seamless and scalable authentication experiences to their customers. Its platform offers SDKs and APIs for Silent Network Authentication (SNA), WhatsApp Authentication, Device Intelligence and Passkeys, helping businesses improve user conversion while reducing fraud.

The company authenticates more than 300 million mobile users on its platform and serves leading consumer enterprises including Meesho, Navi, PhysicsWallah, ShareChat, Shiprocket, ixigo and Zepto.

OTPless has raised $6.5 million from Venture Highway, White Venture, FJ Labs, SIDBI and Piper Serica, and is backed by prominent angel investors like Samir Sood, Kunal Shah, Amrish Rau, Jiten Gupta, Utsav Somani and Amit Jain.

Recent developments in India’s authentication ecosystem, including RBI’s new authentication framework and the adoption of Silent Network Authentication within the UPI ecosystem, are creating an opportunity to move transactions beyond OTPs, PINs and passwords towards more secure and seamless forms of authentication and authorization.

Google Trends Reveal Trending Modak Recipes

As festive celebrations fill the air, kitchens across India are buzzing with preparation, and people are turning to Google Search for all kinds of modak recipes. While traditional favourites like Ukadiche Modak, Kozhukattai, and Kudumulu continue to lead as undisputed favourites, home cooks are also looking for a wide variety of different flavours, ingredients, and mindful options.

Beyond the classics, data from Google Search highlights the top 8 modak recipes that have been constantly trending as we looked back at the past 5 years, capturing people’s attention:

Chocolate Modak: A decadent, cocoa-infused treat that adds a popular twist to festive platters. Oreo Modak also emerged as a highly searched favorite under this category.

Rasmalai Modak: A rich combination crafted with chhena, paneer, and malai for a royal mithai flavor.

Paan Modak: An aromatic, refreshing option filled with betel leaf flavors and sweet gulkand.

Kesar / Malai Modak: A luxurious sweet deeply infused with the rich warmth of saffron and malai.

Sugar-Free Modak: A mindful, wholesome alternative naturally sweetened using dates and dry fruits.

Kaju Modak: A smooth, melt-in-the-mouth preparation inspired by the classic kaju katli texture.

Besan Modak: A comforting favorite made from the rich aroma of roasted gram flour.

Talniche or Fried Modak: A golden, crispy, and flaky outer shell encasing a sweet coconut-jaggery filling.

Festive spirit with Google’s AI tools

Home cooks can use AI Mode in Search to find specific recipes tailored to their needs. For example, if you don't have a modak mould at home, the AI tool can guide you with smart follow-up questions and step-by-step instructions to shape them perfectly by hand.

To further elevate the festive spirit, users can turn to Gemini, powered by Nano Banana, to create beautiful modak images, customize festive looks, and design personalized digital greetings to share with loved ones everywhere.