• InFINity 3.0 brings enhanced four-week acceleration with 1:1 mentorship, access to the PayU ecosystem, fintech VCs, and much more

• Applications are open until 6^th March 2026 for fintech startups seeking seed to Series A funding

• Access to up to $10,000 AWS activate credits

PayU, India’s leading diversified fintech platform, today announced the launch of inFINity 3.0, the most ambitious and comprehensive edition of its fintech accelerator program to date. Designed for early-stage fintech startups, the latest edition of inFINity offers a high-octane opportunity for founders to validate product–market fit, sharpen Go-To-Market strategies, unlock distribution access, and build for institutional scale. As part of inFINity 3.0, PayU has partnered with Atrium Ventures, a micro venture capital firm, to provide select startups with direct exposure to early institutional capital. Atrium Ventures will mentor the cohort and actively participate in Demo Day, creating pathways for startups to pursue potential investment opportunities. Additionally, AWS continues as the Official Cloud Partner for inFINity 3.0, providing participating startups access to cloud infrastructure, technical enablement, and AWS Activate credits.
 

Applications for inFINity 3.0 are open until 6th March 2026 for early-stage fintech startups. Apply now

What does inFINity 3.0 offer:

• Fast-track to market through PayU’s ecosystem: Participants gain structured access to PayU’s bespoke payments solutions, merchant network, and banking partners. This enables faster pilots and real customer traction.

• Intensive four-week acceleration sprint: inFINity 3.0 runs a structured four-week sprint focused on Go-To-Market strategy, compliance navigation, scale, and making them investment ready—compressing months of learning into weeks

• 1:1 mentorship from fintech founders and ecosystem leaders: Founders receive direct guidance from PayU leaders, and domain experts who have built and scaled fintech businesses in India’s regulated markets.

• High-Impact Bootcamp and Demo Day hosted in India’s startup capital: The program culminates into an intensive 1.5-day Bootcamp and Demo Day in Bengaluru, featuring curated interactions with select fintech-founders, investors, and ecosystem partners.

As additional benefits, the selected cohort will also unlock up to $10,000 in AWS Cloud Credits per startup (subject to eligibility) *⁽¹⁾, alongside exclusive masterclasses from industry stalwarts such as Umang Kumar, Co-founder & CEO, Cardekho SEA, and Nitin Jain, Co-founder, Ofbusiness.

“India’s fintech ecosystem is at an inflection point, with budding founders solving real problems and driving economic impact at scale,” said Anirban Mukherjee, CEO, PayU. “Through inFINity, our endeavor is to mentor these innovators and connect them with the right investors and strategic ecosystem partners they need to scale. It isn’t a strategy; it’s our way of giving back to the ecosystem that’s reshaping India’s financial future. This is just a beginning, and we’ll continue building more ambitious initiatives to support our vision of nurturing the country’s fintech entrepreneurs.”

inFINity 3.0 builds on the extraordinary success of its first two editions that collectively received 1,000+ applications. Over the last two editions, the program has seen tangible outcomes such as distribution partnerships, commercial pilots, and increased investor readiness.

Program Timelines and Participation Criteria:

Applications for inFINity 3.0 are currently open and the last date to apply is 6^th March 2026. Upon application closure, a four-week acceleration program will run throughout March 2026, culminating in an intensive 1.5-day Bootcamp and Demo Day in Bangalore during the third week of April 2026.

The application is open for early-stage fintech startups that have raised less than $5 million and are seeking seed to Series A funding.

Beyond inFINity, PayU has built one of India’s most comprehensive startup ecosystems, supporting founders across stages through PayU for Startups — enabling seamless payments, credit access, and scalable financial infrastructure. PayU has also partnered with government ecosystem enablers such as Startup India, DPIIT, state startup bodies including Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh, along with banking institutions such as IDFC FIRST Bank, to deliver tailored financial and payment solutions for startups, particularly beyond metro cities.

For more details, visit: www.infinitynow.tech

About PayU

PayU, India’s leading diversified fintech platform with Prosus as an investor, operates businesses that are regulated by the Reserve Bank of India and offers advanced solutions to meet the digital financial services needs of customers (merchants, banks, and consumers).

PayU provides payment gateway solutions to online businesses through its cutting-edge and award-winning technology and has empowered 4.5 lakhs+ businesses, including India’s leading enterprises, e-commerce giants and SMBs. It enables businesses to collect digital payments across 100+ online payment methods such as Credit Cards, Debit Cards, Net Banking, EMIs, pay-later, QR, UPI, Wallets, and more. It’s a preferred partner in the affordability ecosystem, offering the maximum coverage of issuers and easy-to-implement integrations across card-based EMIs, pay-later options and new-age cardless EMIs. PayU offers e-commerce brands best-in-industry success rates while ensuring a seamless checkout experience.

Embassy Developments Limited (“EDL” or “The Company”) (NSE: EMBDL / BSE: 532832) today announced its results for the third quarter ended December 31, 2025 (Q3 FY26), demonstrating strong sales traction, healthy cash flows, and continued progress on regulatory milestones.

Embassy Developments Reports Nearly 240% QoQ Growth in Pre-sales in Q3 FY26; Key RERA Approvals Strengthen FY26 Outlook

The Company recorded pre-sales of ~INR 1,392 crore in Q3 FY26 compared to ~INR 409 crore in Q2 FY26, representing a ~240% Q-o-Q growth. New bookings during the quarter stood at ~1,192k sq. ft., up ~193% QoQ from ~407k sq. ft. in Q2. Cumulative pre-sales for 9M FY26 reached ~INR 1,999 crore, a ~46% growth over 9M FY25, with total area sold standing at ~1,805k sq. ft., up ~36% YoY.

Collections for the quarter stood at ~INR 414 crore, reflecting a ~15% QoQ growth over Q2 FY26. Cumulative collections for 9M FY26 stood at ~INR 1,096 crore. Construction spend during the quarter was ~INR 401 crore, translating to a ~97% spend-to-collections ratio, with total construction spend for 9M FY26 at ~INR 868 crore (~79% of collections), reflecting strong execution alignment.

During the quarter, Embassy Developments achieved important milestones. The Company launched 2 residential projects – Embassy Greenshore (North Bengaluru) and Embassy Eden (North Bengaluru) – as well as its 2.7 msf (leasable area) commercial project known as Embassy East Business Park Phase I (East Bengaluru). Together, these launches represent an estimated GDV of over INR 6,500 crore.

Embassy Greenshore, with a GDV of ~INR 1,600 crore, has already achieved pre-sales of ~INR 804 crore. Embassy Eden, launched in December with a GDV of ~INR 1,800 crore, has seen higher-than-anticipated pricing realisations. Slated for launch in Q4 FY26 are Embassy Citadel in Worli (~INR 8,800 crore GDV), Embassy Verde Phase 2 (~INR 700 crore GDV), Embassy Serenity in Alibaug (~INR 400 crore GDV), and the DM project Embassy Sky Terraces (~INR 2,600 crore GDV).

The Company also received the Occupancy Certificate for 239 apartments at Serene Amara, a senior living project being developed through a joint venture with Columbia Pacific Communities in Bengaluru.

As of December 31, 2025, Embassy Developments maintained a prudent balance sheet with gross institutional debt of ~INR 3,700 crore (0.36x D/E) and net institutional debt of ~INR 3,000 crore (0.29x Net D/E). Cash and cash equivalents stood at ~INR 670 crore. The Company’s portfolio reflects an estimated project surplus of ~INR 28,200 crore with a net operational cash margin of ~47.5% across ongoing, upcoming and planned developments.

Commenting on the performance, Aditya Virwani, Managing Director, Embassy Developments Ltd. said, “Q3 reflects the transition of Embassy Developments into a scaled, execution-led platform. Strong pre-sales momentum, key RERA approvals and healthy cash flows give us confidence in delivering our FY26 guidance while continuing to strengthen our presence across Mumbai and Bengaluru.”

About Embassy Developments Limited 

Embassy Developments Limited (formerly known as Equinox India Developments Limited and earlier as Indiabulls Real Estate Limited) (EDL) is one of India’s largest listed real estate developers, specialising in the development of residential and commercial projects across key urban markets. With a strategic focus on Bengaluru, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), and the National Capital Region (NCR), the Company also has a presence in Chennai and Indore. EDL has a diversified residential portfolio with a well-balanced mix of high-value and high-volume developments across mid-income, premium, and luxury segments. Its portfolio of ready, ongoing, and future residential projects includes branded residences, uber-luxury apartments and villas, exclusive town homes, condominiums, integrated townships, senior living communities, and contemporary homes. The Company is listed on BSE Limited (BSE) and the National Stock Exchange of India Limited (NSE) and holds a long-term debt rating of IVR A- (Stable) from Infomerics. Further information is available at embassyindia.com 

Disclaimer

This press release is for informational purpose only and does not constitute a prospectus, offering memorandum or an offer, or a solicitation of any offer, to purchase or sell any securities of Embassy Developments Limited (“Company”) or its existing or future subsidiaries (collectively, the “Group”) in any jurisdiction. ​Any offer or solicitation will be made only by means of definitive offering documents and in accordance with the terms of applicable securities and other laws. This press release should not be considered as a recommendation or advice to any person or investor to invest or subscribe for or purchase any securities of the Group or its existing or future subsidiaries (collectively, the “Group”) and should not be used as a basis for any investment decision. Recipients of this press release should conduct their own independent investigation and diligence, and/or consult their legal, tax, financial or other professional advisors as they deem fit. This press release contains certain forward‐looking statements based on current expectations, projections and assumptions and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performances or events to differ materially from the results contemplated by the relevant forward-looking statement. These risks and uncertainties include the effect of economic and political conditions in India and outside India, volatility in interest rates and in securities markets, new regulations and government policies, the general state of the Indian economy, any delay in merger and the management’s ability to implement the company’s strategy that might impact the Group ‘s general business plans, its future financial condition and growth prospects. ​The information contained in this press release is only current as on the date hereof and is not indicative of future results. The Group is under no obligation to update these forward‐looking statements or to inform the recipient of any changes or developments arising after the date of this press release. Moreover, both express or implied press release or warranty is made as to, and no reliance should be placed on, the accuracy, fairness or completeness of the information presented or contained in this press release. Neither the Group nor any of its directors, officer, employees, advisers or representatives accept any liability whatsoever for any loss howsoever arising from any information presented or contained in this press release. Furthermore, no person is authorized to give any information or make any press release which is not contained in, or is inconsistent with, this press release. Any such extraneous or inconsistent information or press release, if given or made, should not be relied upon as having been authorized by or on behalf of the Group.​

In Malaysia, football fans are experiencing matchday a little differently this Premier League season. With kick-offs often taking place after midnight – sometimes as late as 1am or 3am – following a match has become a late-night commitment rather than a quick night out.
 

Guinness Malaysia, the official beer of the Premier League, has opened its doors to Guinness Clubhouse, a first-of-its-kind football-themed stay in Kuala Lumpur
 

Introduced by Guinness, the official beer of the Premier League, Guinness Clubhouse is a football-themed experience created earlier this season to bring fans together around the rituals of matchday, not in a stadium or a pub, but in a shared, home-style setting designed for watching the game together when most places have closed.

Set to run through February 2026, Guinness Clubhouse reflects a broader shift in how football is experienced globally, particularly in countries where fans follow the game across time zones. Since its launch in November 2025, every weekend match night has been fully booked until February, highlighting strong demand for shared matchday experiences built around atmosphere, connection, and togetherness.

Inside Guinness Clubhouse

Set across three immersive storeys, Guinness Clubhouse brings together the worlds of football and Guinness under one roof. From hardcore fans and those cheering on their favourite teams, to friends simply looking for a good night in, every corner is designed to feel like a match night worth staying in for, with football-themed activities, bold Guinness touches, and plenty of moments built to be shared.
 

Guests who book a night at Guinness Clubhouse can look forward to:

• Catch LIVE Premier League matches on a giant projector with surround sound recreating the atmosphere of a football stadium right in the living room. Perfect for those who live for the game.

• Share a bite or two from the fully stocked kitchen and pantry, featuring Guinness-infused snacks and match-night essentials, made for the ones who come for the snacks.

• Settle old scores upstairs in the Play Zone with foosball, table football, and the pool table, ideal for the friendly rivals in every group.

• End the night in comfort in Guinness and football-branded bedrooms that can house up to 20 guests, complete with a starter pack featuring Guinness Draught in a Can for those who want to stay on after the final whistle.
   

Redefining Matchday Culture
“Match nights are more than just about the beautiful game, they’re about the people, the banter, and a pint of Guinness that bring every kind of fan together,” said Joyce Lim, Marketing Manager at Guinness Malaysia. “We created Guinness Clubhouse as a space for different kinds of fans to come together, whether they’re here for the football, the food, or just the company, all over a shared love for Guinness, making every match night a Lovely Day for a Guinness.”
 

More than a place to stay, Guinness Clubhouse reflects how matchday culture is evolving, particularly in football-fan cities where fans are finding new ways to come together around the game. Through immersive, communal spaces centred on live football, the experience demonstrates how shared rituals continue to shape the matchday experience.
 

For more information on Guinness Clubhouse, visit clubhouse.guinnessmsia.com.
 

*Items associated with Guinness Clubhouse are subject to availability; first come, first served basis, terms and conditions, and house rules as set by the organiser, sponsor, house manager, and property owner. Guinness and all related promotions and activities are strictly for non-Muslims aged 21 and above only. Guinness Malaysia advocates responsible consumption and urges consumers not to drink and drive.

About Heineken Malaysia Berhad

HEINEKEN Malaysia is one of the leading brewers in the country with its portfolio of iconic international brands.

The Company brews, markets and distributes:

• The World’s No. 1 international premium beer Heineken®

• The World-acclaimed iconic Asian beer Tiger Beer

• The World’s No. 1 stout Guinness

• The premium wheat beer born in the Alps Edelweiss

• And many more. Visit www.heinekenmalaysia.com for a full overview of our portfolio

HEINEKEN Malaysia advocates responsible consumption through its Enjoy Responsibly and When Your Drive, Never Drink campaigns. HEINEKEN Malaysia’s corporate responsibility initiatives are carried out by its corporate responsibility arm, SPARK Foundation, focusing on environment and community partnerships.

Listed on the Bursa Malaysia Main Market, the principal shareholder of HEINEKEN Malaysia is GAPL Pte Ltd headquartered in Singapore. GAPL Pte Ltd is 100% owned by Heineken N.V. For more information, please visit: www.heinekenmalaysia.com.

• The awardees were Sarhad (Maharashtra), CORD (Himachal Pradesh), Sri Shankara Cancer Foundation (Karnataka), Smt. Sangkhumi Bualchhuak (Mizoram), and NIRMAN (Odisha).

• Awardees selected from across India for excellence in Non-Violence & Vegetarianism, Education, Medicine, and Community & Social Service.

The Bhagwan Mahaveer Foundation announced the awardees for the 29th Mahaveer Awards, recognising outstanding individuals and institutions for their selfless service in the fields of Non-Violence & Vegetarianism, Education, Medicine, and Community & Social Service.

L-R: NIRMAN Odisha; Sangkhumi Bualchhuak Mizoram; Sri Shankara Cancer Foundation – Karnataka; CORD – Himachal Pradesh; Sarhad – Maharashtra

The awardees for the 29th Mahaveer Awards are: Sarhad, Maharashtra – Non-Violence & Vegetarianism; CORD, Himachal Pradesh – Education; Sri Shankara Cancer Foundation, Karnataka – Medicine; Smt. Sangkhumi Bualchhuak, Mizoram – Community & Social Service; and NIRMAN, Odisha – Community & Social Service.

Sarhad works to promote peace and non-violence in conflict-prone regions through cultural dialogue and youth engagement. CORD empowers marginalised communities, especially women and persons with disabilities, through education and rural development initiatives. Sri Shankara Cancer Foundation provides accessible cancer care through its hospitals and outreach programmes in Karnataka and Odisha. Smt. Sangkhumi Bualchhuak of Mizoram has dedicated decades to advancing women’s rights and community welfare. NIRMAN works with tribal communities in Odisha to strengthen livelihoods, women-led institutions, and food security.

Instituted to honour exemplary humanitarian efforts, the Mahaveer Awards are presented annually to individuals and organisations that have made sustained contributions towards the welfare of the underprivileged and the weaker sections of society. Each Mahaveer Award carries a cash prize of Rs. 10 lakh, along with a commendatory citation and a memento.

With the selection of the 2026 awardees, the total number of Mahaveer Award recipients has now reached 101, covering 26 States and 2 Union Territories. So far, 96 awardees have been honoured prior to this edition. Over the years, the Mahaveer Awards have been presented by eminent personalities including the President of India, Vice President of India, Governors, Chief Ministers, and Union Ministers at formal functions.

For the 29th Mahaveer Awards, 267 nominations received from across the country were carefully evaluated by an eminent Selection Jury, headed by Justice Shri M. N. Venkatachaliah, Former Chief Justice of India. The members of the Selection Jury include Acharya Shri Chandanaji Maharaj, Eminent Sanyasini; Dr. Justice Shri D. Y. Chandrachud, Former Chief Justice of India; Shri S.Gurumurthy-Part time Director RBI and Editor Thuglak, Prof B.M. Hegde Chairman Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan Mangalore Kendra,  Shri T. S. Krishnamurthy, Former Chief Election Commissioner of India; Shri D. R. Mehta, I.A.S. (Retd.), Former Chairman, SEBI; Shri Prabhat Kumar, I.A.S. (Retd.), Former Cabinet Secretary, Government of India; and Justice Shri G. S. Singhvi, Former Judge of the Supreme Court of India.

In his comments, Shri Sugalchand Jain, Founder, Bhagwan Mahaveer Foundation, said, “We believe that individuals and organisations dedicated to non-violence & vegetarianism, education, medicine, and community & social service play a vital role in the holistic development of our nation. For nearly three decades, through the Mahaveer Awards, we have been recognising the extraordinary contributions of such changemakers who work tirelessly for the welfare of society. We are honoured to recognise the awardees of the 29th edition whose inspiring efforts continue to uplift the underprivileged and promote compassion and social harmony. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to them and express our gratitude to the esteemed jury members for their thoughtful and meticulous selection process.”

The Foundation has also invited nominations for the 30th Mahaveer Awards from individuals and institutions engaged in selfless service in the four award categories. Nomination forms can be downloaded from the Foundation’s website: www.bmfawards.org. 

JBCN International Schools have once again reinforced their position among the top five schools in India, with eight learners receiving the prestigious Cambridge Outstanding Learner Awards. This includes five Top in the World and three Top in India recognitions, making JBCN the school with the highest number of Cambridge awards in Mumbai this year.

JBCN International Schools Rank Among Top Five in India at Cambridge Outstanding Learner Awards

A standout highlight of the 2024–25 results is Cambridge IGCSE Mathematics, where JBCN learners secured the highest number of Mathematics awards in Mumbai, across both International Mathematics and Mathematics (w/o Coursework)—reflecting strong conceptual depth and academic rigour across advanced levels of the Cambridge curriculum.

Learners also achieved top global scores in IGCSE Global Perspectives and AS Level Sociology, Digital Media and Design, underscoring JBCN’s commitment to holistic, future-ready education. The learners were supported by the deep expertise of our seasoned teachers, including trained Cambridge examiners and team leaders.

The Outstanding Cambridge Learner Awards programme celebrates the success of learners taking Cambridge examinations in over 40 countries around the world. The winning students excelled in Cambridge IGCSE and International AS & A Level examinations.

“These achievements reflect our learners’ discipline, subject expertise, and consistency, supported by strong academic mentoring,” said Mr. Kunal Dalal, Managing Director, JBCN International Schools. “At JBCN, we remain committed to nurturing confident learners who perform at global benchmarks with purpose and excellence.”

Mr Vinay Sharma, SVP and Regional Director, South Asia for International Education at Cambridge said, “Congratulations to Cambridge learners and teachers at JBCN International School who have worked so hard to achieve tremendous success in Cambridge exams. With these Cambridge qualifications, students are well prepared for their next steps and all the exciting opportunities that lie ahead. I wish you all the very best for the future.”

JBCN International Schools extend heartfelt congratulations to their learners, educators, and parents—partners in a shared journey of aiming high and achieving global excellence.

The fischer group of companies is opening a new chapter in its history. With the opening of a national subsidiary in Saudi Arabia, the fastening pioneer from the northern Black Forest is now positioned at the heart of one of the world’s most dynamic markets. It is the 51st operating company worldwide – and at the same time a signal: fischer is where the future is being built.

The structural fire protection at international airport, Riyadh (KKIA) is powered by fischer FireStop solutions

Saudi Arabia has long been a region of growing importance and is currently undergoing profound change. With its “Saudi Vision 2030”, the kingdom is reinventing itself – moving towards innovation, sustainability and gigantic construction projects. New cities, futuristic architecture, major international events: the country is building its future – and fischer is part of it. “Saudi Arabia is an important market for us, which is why we now have our own national subsidiary,” says Owner Prof. Klaus Fischer.

The new company is based in the capital, Riyadh. There are further locations in the cities of Jeddah, Dammam and Tabuk. Dammam is also home to a fischer production site. Alexander Bässler, CEO of the fischer Group, sees this as an important step, “The Middle East is of great importance to our company. Together with our locations in Dubai and Qatar, the new company strengthens our position in the region.”

Large-scale projects in the region are already common practice for fischer, as a glance at the country’s major construction sites shows:

• At Jeddah Tower, which will be the tallest building in the world, fischer products are ensuring that the structure can safely rise over a kilometre into the sky.

• In the gigantic Red Sea Project, fischer solutions are being used in the spectacular Shurayrah Island Bridge and in luxury resorts – built in the middle of the desert and in the mountains.

• The Solitaire Mall is a new architectural highlight in Riyadh, combining shopping, leisure, dining and business. The building envelope was securely and firmly anchored with fischer façade systems over an area of 16,000 m².

• And fischer fire protection solutions are being used at the new Riyadh International Airport, one of the most important air hubs in the region.

With over 32 million inhabitants, Saudi Arabia is the largest economy in the region – and with an area of 2.1 million square kilometres, it is almost six times the size of the United Kingdom. With many interesting projects in the pipeline, the country is on the verge of a historic construction boom. fischer is now well prepared for this – with global expertise, a local presence and now also its own location in Saudi Arabia.

Reaffirming its position as a hub for globally aligned design education, ARCH College of Design & Business successfully concluded the five-day International Co-LIFE Pilot 2 Workshop from January 27–31, 2026, at its Jaipur campus. Conducted under the Erasmus+ programme funded by the European Union, the workshop reflected Co-LIFE’s vision of Impact-Focused Entrepreneurship, embedding sustainability, social responsibility, and real-world relevance into contemporary design curricula.

The panel discussion at the ARCH campus with industry leaders, Co-LIFE international delegates, and school educators

Rooted in the belief that design education must move beyond aesthetics towards purpose-led, socially responsive, and globally adaptable solutions, the Co-LIFE initiative aligns academic learning with industry needs, entrepreneurship, and societal impact. ARCH’s participation reinforces its long-standing commitment to delivering an internationally benchmarked curriculum that integrates design thinking, sustainability, and innovation with real-world applications.

Industry leaders, Co-LIFE international delegates, and school educators came together for an insightful panel discussion at the ARCH campus

Bringing together over 50 students, faculty members, and mentors from India, Finland, Belgium, and Denmark, the workshop became a vibrant platform for cross-cultural exchange and collaborative learning. The Co-LIFE initiative focuses on preparing design education aspirants for international careers, exposing them to diverse pedagogies, interdisciplinary perspectives, and applied learning rooted in local and global contexts.

The workshop commenced with an inauguration by Archana Surana, Founder & Director of ARCH College, who welcomed delegates from partner institutions including LAB University of Applied Sciences and Laurea University (Finland), Aarhus University (Denmark), Thomas More University of Applied Sciences (Belgium), Goa Institute of Management, Indian School of Development Management, and École Intuit Lab. International delegates also participated in India’s Republic Day celebrations at the ARCH campus, marking a meaningful moment of cultural exchange alongside academic collaboration.

Participants engaged in immersive sessions led by international and Indian experts. Taina Vuorela from Laurea University introduced Design Thinking frameworks and creative problem-solving methodologies, while Archana Surana led a session on Creative Competencies of the Future, connecting global education trends with sustainability, social innovation, and Jaipur’s rich craft and industry ecosystem.

Learning extended beyond classrooms through curated industry visits to Jaipur Rugs, Neerja International, Kalpana Handmade Papers, and Jaipur Bloc, offering firsthand exposure to heritage-led enterprises, ethical production models, and sustainable entrepreneurship. Cultural immersion was further enriched through visits to the Gyan Museum and Jaipur’s historic sites, deepening international participants’ understanding of India’s artistic legacy.

The workshop concluded with student case presentations and a panel discussion on “Global Market Trends & Indian Heritage Crafts,” featuring voices from academia and industry including Taina Vuorela (Laurea University), Rutvi Chaudhary (Jaipur Rugs), Leela Bordia (Neerja International), Archana Surana (ARCH College), Anna Pajari (LAB University of Applied Sciences), Maitrayee Mukerji (Indian School of Development Management), and Stephen Rufus (Gangotri). The dialogue highlighted the growing global relevance of craft, sustainability, and culturally rooted design narratives.

On the fifth day, school teachers were specially invited to attend the panel discussion, extending the workshop’s impact beyond higher education. This engagement marked the beginning of a continued learning pathway, with ARCH planning to offer structured courses and workshops for school educators to strengthen their understanding of globally adaptable design education. Such initiatives reflect ARCH’s long-standing commitment to capacity building for educators, a practice the institution has actively pursued for several years.

The Co-LIFE Pilot 2 Workshop underscored ARCH College’s vision of integrating international collaborations, impact-focused entrepreneurship, and future-ready curricula, positioning Jaipur as a meaningful intersection of global design dialogue and local knowledge systems.

As ARCH College marks 25 years of shaping creative professionals, it continues to evolve as a space where global perspectives meet Indian craftsmanship—and education translates into impact-driven careers.

Admissions are now open for the 2026–2027 batch.

HDFC Life, one of India’s leading life insurance companies, announced a strategic partnership with Muthoot FinCorp Ltd., the flagship company of Muthoot Pappachan Group (Muthoot Blue), headquartered at Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.

The partnership will enable Muthoot FinCorp Ltd.’s customers access HDFC Life’s comprehensive suite of Group and Individual life insurance solutions including range of protection and long-term savings products to meet their long-term financial goals. These will be offered through Muthoot FinCorp Ltd.’s extensive network of 3750+ branches pan-India as well as through its digital platform.

Vibha Padalkar and Shaji Varghese

Speaking on this partnership, Vibha Padalkar – Managing Director & CEO, HDFC Life said, “Our partnership with Muthoot FinCorp Ltd. marks an important step towards achieving the industry’s goal of ‘Insurance for All by 2047’. We are committed to offering Muthoot FinCorp Ltd.’s valuable customers, both existing and new, effective life insurance solutions that will enable them to achieve their long-term financial goals. Furthermore, our seamless process integration will ensure teams across Muthoot FinCorp Ltd.’s touchpoints are digitally empowered to make the experience for themselves and their customers a delightful one. Through this partnership, we look forward to expanding the reach of life insurance and driving financial inclusion in the country.”

Mr Shaji Varghese, CEO, Muthoot FinCorp Ltd. said, “We are delighted to join hands with HDFC Life. Muthoot FinCorp Ltd. and HDFC Life are both built on deep customer trust. This partnership is about combining our reach of 3,750+ branches, digital platforms, our relationship depth with millions of customers, and HDFC Life’s product and risk expertise to create meaningful protection for Indian families.”

About Muthoot FinCorp Limited (MFL)

Muthoot FinCorp Limited, the flagship company of 138-year-old business conglomerate Muthoot Pappachan Group, is India’s leading Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) with an aim to transform the lives of common man by ensuring their financial wellbeing through an array of varied products and services. The Company today offers more than three dozen products and services through its 3750+ branches across India and aims to serve the underbanked, to be their most trusted financial partner, and ensure financial inclusion of every household in India. Muthoot FinCorp’s long-standing experience, expertise and stronghold in the semi urban and rural areas has enabled the company to provide quick & customized finance options to the masses.

About HDFC Life

Established in 2000, HDFC Life is a leading, listed, long-term life insurance solutions provider in India, offering a range of individual and group insurance solutions that meet various customer needs such as Protection, Pension, Savings, Investment, Annuity and Health. The Company has over 70 products (individual and group products), including optional riders in its portfolio, catering to a diverse range of customer needs. HDFC Life continues to benefit from its increased presence across the country, having a wide reach with branches and additional distribution touch-points through several new tie-ups and partnerships. The count of distribution partnerships is over 500, comprising banks, NBFCs, MFIs, SFBs, brokers, new ecosystem, partners amongst others. The Company has a strong base of financial consultants. For more information, please visit www.hdfclife.com. You may also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and LinkedIn.

Ecolab, the global leader in water, hygiene, and infection prevention solutions, has been certified as a 2026 Top Employer in India by the Top Employers Institute, marking the third consecutive year of this prestigious recognition since 2024. This certification reflects Ecolab’s continued focus on building a high-performance, people-centric workplace in India, anchored in strong leadership, inclusive culture, safety excellence, and meaningful career opportunities. It also affirms the company’s long-term commitment to India as a strategic growth and talent hub across operations and shared services.

The Top Employers Institute Certification is awarded following a rigorous assessment through its globally recognised HR Best Practices Survey, which evaluates organisations across six core domains and 20 people practice areas, including People Strategy, Work Environment, Talent Acquisition, Learning & Development, Well-being, and Diversity & Inclusion.

Over the last several years, Ecolab India has deliberately built a multi-layered capability ecosystem spanning its core business operations, GBS+ (Global Business Services) and the Ecolab Digital Center (EDC). Together, these platforms form a strategic growth engine for the company, combining deep domain expertise with digital, analytics, engineering, and global delivery capabilities. This integrated ecosystem enables Ecolab to innovate at scale, respond faster to customer needs across industries, and develop future-ready roles for India’s high-potential professional workforce, positioning the country as a critical hub in Ecolab’s global operating model.

“This recognition is a powerful validation of our journey in India and our unwavering belief that our people are at the centre of our success,” said Manish Khandelwal, Managing Director, Ecolab India. “As India continues to emerge as a global growth engine, Ecolab is proud to build a workplace that reflects the country’s talent, resilience, and ambition. Being recognised again as a Top Employer reinforces our commitment to invest in our associates, our culture, and the communities we serve. Our continued growth depends on fostering a workplace that is welcoming, equitable, and inclusive, where every associate has the opportunity to progress, and every voice is valued”, he added.

Ecolab’s people strategy in India is closely aligned to its global purpose of protecting what is vital. Our people remain at the core of all we do. Ecolab is committed to cultivating a workplace where every employee is valued, empowered, and motivated to excel.

“Being named a Top Employer for the third year in a row is a recognition of the strong culture our teams have built together,” said Sherry Mathew, Country HR Director, Ecolab India “It reflects our continued focus on employee wellbeing, learning, safety, diversity, and leadership capability. More importantly, it affirms our belief that when people thrive, organisations perform better and communities grow stronger.”

Globally, the Top Employers Institute is the authority on recognising excellence in people practices. With over 30 years of experience, the Institute has certified more than 2,300 organisations across 121 countries and regions, positively impacting the lives of over 12 million employees worldwide.

This milestone reinforces Ecolab’s position as an Employer of Choice in India and its role as a trusted partner to customers, communities, and employees as the country continues its growth journey.

About Ecolab
A trusted partner for millions of customers, Ecolab (NYSE:ECL) is a global sustainability leader offering water, hygiene and infection prevention solutions and services that protect people and the resources vital to life. Building on more than a century of innovation, Ecolab has annual sales of $16 billion, employs approximately 48,000 associates and operates in more than 170 countries around the world. The company delivers comprehensive science-based solutions, data-driven insights and world-class service to advance food safety, maintain clean and safe environments, and optimize water and energy use. Ecolab’s innovative solutions improve operational efficiencies and sustainability for customers in the food, healthcare, high tech, life sciences, hospitality and industrial markets.
 

For more information, please visit www.ecolab.com.
 

Follow us on LinkedIn @Ecolab, Instagram @Ecolab_Inc and Facebook @Ecolab.