On Earth Day 2026, Bisleri International Pvt. Ltd., in collaboration with the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), Government of India, mobilized thousands of citizens across 10 States and 3 Union Territories in a powerful demonstration of collective environmental action. Under the theme “Our Power, Our Planet,” the initiative brought together students, communities, and institutions to pledge their commitment to a cleaner, greener India.

Bisleri International and Ministry of Earth Sciences Mark Earth Day 2026 with a Pan-India Pledge Drive

The campaign resonated deeply at the grassroots level, with multiple pledge-taking events held across 130 institutes. An overwhelming 54,860 participants from schools, colleges, and public institutions took an oath to act sustainably in their daily lives. The pledge called upon citizens to use energy responsibly, conserve water and natural resources, and adopt sustainable practices, recognizing that environmental protection is essential for the benefit of Mother Earth and future generations.

Over 54,000 students, one pledge: Bisleri’s nationwide youth movement with the MoES

Aligning with this year’s theme, ‘Our Power, Our Planet,’ the campaign successfully placed citizens at the heart of climate action. To mark the occasion, Bisleri representatives were invited to the MoES headquarters. The event was graced by Chief Guest Padma Shri Dr. Shailesh Nayak, alongside Dr. M. Ravichandran (Secretary, MoES), Dr. Mrutyunjay Mohapatra (Director General), and Dr. Jagvir Singh (Senior Scientist).

Mr. K Ganesh, Director – Sustainability & Corporate Affairs, Bisleri International, said, “Our collaboration with the Ministry of Earth Sciences, GoI, reflects the scale of collective responsibility we all share towards our planet. With over 54,860 individuals, citizens, and institutional partners coming together to commit to energy conservation and sustainable living, this campaign is a testament to the power of community-led action. At Bisleri, we believe that meaningful environmental change is driven not just by policy, but by people, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to empowering every Indian to be a catalyst for a cleaner, greener future.”

The Earth Day campaign reinforces Bisleri’s Bottles for Change initiative, a movement that has long championed the responsible use and recycling of plastic, transforming post-consumer waste into opportunity. By fostering citizen-led action and building lasting partnerships with government bodies and communities alike, Bottles for Change continues to drive India towards a more circular, sustainable future.

About Bisleri International Pvt. Ltd
With a legacy of over 50 years, Bisleri International Pvt. Ltd has grown to become one of the largest premium beverage businesses in India. Being the makers of the country’s largest-selling packaged drinking water, Bisleri follows a stringent process of 114 quality tests and a 10-stage purification. It remains true to its core value of providing consumers with pure, safe, and healthy water.

 Bisleri International has a strong presence with 128 operational plants and a robust distribution network of over 6,000 Distributors and 7,500 Distribution Trucks across India and UAE market. It offers a range of beverages that are produced for all occasions. Whether it is the promise of goodness, trust, and purity with Bisleri packaged drinking water, or a daily dose of health offered through Vedica Himalayan Spring Water. Besides, Bisleri International has ventured into fun-filled refreshments with a diverse range of carbonated drinks available in multiple flavours, such as Bisleri Limonata, Bisleri Rev, Bisleri Spyci Jeera, Bisleri Pop and Bisleri Soda. These Bisleri products are also available on the e-commerce platform – Bisleri@Doorstep. This D2C platform reassures customers that they will receive a safe and uninterrupted supply of their most trusted brand at their doorstep.

 The core values of Bisleri International lie in yielding growth and embedding sustainability by being responsible in all aspects of the business. The organization has unveiled Sustainability 2.0 with Bisleri Greener Promise that focuses on creating a greener future for all through implementing initiatives under the program of recycling, water conservation, and sustainability.

 For more information on Bisleri International, our people, brands, and OSR initiatives, visit www.bisleri.com

The three‑day South India’s leading renewable energy sourcing expo, RenewX 2026, organised by Informa Markets in India, concluded today on a high note at the Chennai Trade Centre. The milestone 10th edition of the expo, themed “A Decade of Impact – A Future of Abundance,” successfully brought together India’s clean energy ecosystem at a critical moment in the nation’s energy transition.

Dignitaries at the grand opening of the 10th anniversary edition of RenewX, South India’s leading renewable energy sourcing expo, at Chennai Trade Centre, Chennai

Held from April 27–29, 2026, RenewX 2026 featured 200+ leading brands, 50 distinguished speakers, and welcomed over 8,000 industry professionals from across the renewable energy value chain. The exhibition and conference programme showcased diverse investment opportunities in India’s renewable energy sector, along with insightful technical and business discussions led by industry experts. The event served as an interactive forum for decision‑makers, developers, manufacturers, financiers and policymakers to exchange ideas and explore collaboration opportunities.

Marking a landmark 10th edition, RenewX 2026 concluded as its largest and most impactful show to date, underscoring South India’s growing leadership in renewable energy. Compared to the 2025 edition, the expo recorded 45% revenue growth, a 42% rise in exhibitor participation, and a 43% increase in net exhibition space sold, reflecting strong industry momentum. Visitor engagement also surged, with 14% growth in unique visitors on Day 1 and 23% growth on Day 2, year‑on‑year.

Bioenergy Takes Centre Stage on Day Three

The third and final day of RenewX 2026 was dedicated to the bioenergy sector, with focused Technology and Policy & Finance sessions.

During the Technology Session on “Bioenergy and Bio‑Hydrogen Revolution,” experts discussed advancements in biogas purification, biomethane production, decentralised and small‑scale biogas systems, and the emerging role of bio‑hydrogen in decarbonising industrial processes. These discussions highlighted how innovation is positioning bioenergy as a critical pillar of India’s clean energy mix.

The Policy & Finance Session, moderated by Mr. Gaurav Kumar Kedia, Chairman, Indian Biogas Association, underscored the importance of enabling policies, viable financing mechanisms and regulatory reforms to accelerate bioenergy project implementation. Panelists noted that India generates over 62 million tonnes of municipal solid waste and more than 500 million tonnes of agricultural residue annually, representing substantial untapped feedstock potential.

With the Government of India’s SATAT initiative targeting 5,000 Compressed Biogas (CBG) plants, speakers emphasised that bioenergy can play a pivotal role in reducing fossil fuel imports, lowering emissions, strengthening energy security and creating thousands of green jobs across rural and urban India. The panel also highlighted the need for a SATAT 2.0 framework to bridge existing gaps and fast‑track sectoral growth.

Industry Perspective

Commenting on the event, Mr. Yogesh Mudras, Managing Director, Informa Markets in India, said, “India’s abundant agricultural residues and organic waste provide a strong resource base for modern bioenergy production. This can significantly strengthen energy security, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and generate economic development and green jobs, particularly in rural areas. As RenewX marks its 10th edition, the platform has evolved beyond a sourcing fair into a strategic enabler—connecting policy, technology, investment and global partnerships across the renewable energy value chain.”

He added, “Southern states are not only aligned with the national renewable energy vision but are also charting their own leadership paths—Tamil Nadu through its strong wind ecosystem and progressive open‑access framework, Karnataka through solar, and other states through hybrid and distributed energy models. Tamil Nadu, in particular, is emerging as a renewables‑plus‑storage hub, offering immense opportunities for domestic and global stakeholders.”

With India targeting 500 GW of non‑fossil fuel capacity by 2030, RenewX 2026 aligns closely with national priorities around energy security, domestic manufacturing and grid modernisation. India currently ranks 3rd globally in solar power capacity, 4th in wind power, and 3rd overall in total renewable energy installed capacity, with renewables accounting for nearly 40% of the country’s total installed power capacity.

Strong Industry Support and Innovation Showcase

RenewX 2026 received strong backing from leading industry bodies, including the Tamil Nadu Solar Energy Developers Association (TNSEDA), Kerala Renewable Energy Entrepreneurs and Promoters Association (KREEPA), Karnataka Renewable Energy System Manufacturer Association (KRESMA), Telangana Solar Energy Association (T‑SEA), and the Indo‑American Chamber of Commerce.

The exhibition floor showcased cutting‑edge innovations from companies such as Waaree Energies, Vikram Solar, Emmvee, Swelect Energy, Gautam Solar, Goldi Solar, Grew Solar, Wattpower, Deye, Feston, Roofsol, Sigenergy and Evolve Green, among others. The solutions on display reflected the industry’s shift toward integrated renewable energy systems combining generation, storage and grid resilience.

For more information on RenewX 2026, please visit www.renewx.in.

About Informa Markets

Informa Markets creates platforms for industries and specialist markets to trade, innovate and grow. Our portfolio is comprised of more than 550 international B2B events and brands in markets including Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals, Infrastructure, Construction & Real Estate, Fashion & Apparel, Hospitality, Food & Beverage, and Health & Nutrition, among others. We provide customers and partners around the globe with opportunities to engage, experience and do business through face-to-face exhibitions, specialist digital content and actionable data solutions. As the world’s leading exhibitions organiser, we bring a diverse range of specialist markets to life, unlocking opportunities and helping them to thrive 365 days of the year.

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

For patients living with severe aortic stenosis, everyday life can become an exhausting battle. Climbing stairs, walking short distances, even getting dressed can leave a person breathless and drained. Left untreated, the condition, caused by a progressive narrowing of the heart’s main outlet valve, can be life-threatening. Today, a procedure called Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) is changing that reality.

Dr Vivek Bose C is a highly experienced Interventional Cardiologist based in Madurai, with 25 years of clinical experience in the field of cardiology

TAVI delivers a replacement valve directly into the heart through a thin, flexible catheter, typically inserted through the groin, with no large incisions, no stopping of the heart, and no open-chest surgery. The diseased valve is gently pushed aside and the new valve begins working immediately, restoring normal blood flow and relieving the strain aortic stenosis places on the heart and body. Hospital stays are short, recovery is gentle, and patients return to daily life far sooner.

Dr Vivek Bose C, Senior Interventional Cardiologist at Apollo Speciality Hospitals, Madurai affirms, “TAVI represents a major advancement in our ability to treat high-risk cardiac patients safely and effectively.”

A 73-year-old patient who underwent the procedure shared, “For months, I could not walk across the room without stopping to catch my breath. Within days of the procedure, I was walking to the garden, helping in the kitchen. I feel like myself again — like I have come back to life.”

Specialists emphasise that timely evaluation is critical. Anyone experiencing persistent breathlessness, fatigue, or chest discomfort should seek cardiac assessment promptly, because with TAVI, a better quality of life is within reach.

JBCN International School, Oshiwara, is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr Gregor Norman Alexander Polson as its new Head of School, as the school enters its next phase of growth and innovation.

JBCN International School, Oshiwara, Welcomes Gregor Norman Alexander Polson as The New Head Of School

With over 25 years of experience in education, Mr Polson brings with him extensive global exposure and a strong track record across leading IB and British curriculum schools in Asia, Africa, South America, and the Middle East. Most recently, he served as the Director of Schools at Riyadh Schools Group/Misk Foundation, Saudi Arabia, where he successfully led strategic planning initiatives, accreditation processes, and community engagement efforts.

Mr Polson began his educational journey at The Regent’s International School, Thailand, and has since held a wide range of leadership positions across the world, from Chemistry Teacher to Director of Pastoral Care, Secondary Coordinator to Head of School. Over the years, he has been associated with reputed institutions such as Changzhou Trina International School, China; One World International School; The Mackay School, Chile; and Lagos Preparatory & Secondary School, Nigeria.

Across these roles, he has led strategic planning, budgeting, recruitment, curriculum development, campus redevelopment, and institutional marketing. He has also built a strong reputation for founding schools, securing accreditations, driving growth, and creating inclusive, high-performing school cultures. A strong advocate for learner well-being and all-round development, Mr Polson is known for creating learning environments where curiosity is encouraged, independent thinking is valued, and every learner is supported to reach their full potential.

He holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Educational Studies from University of Bath, a BSc (Hons) in Applied Chemistry from Robert Gordon University, and a Diploma in Education (International Schools) from Oxford Brookes University.

“We are delighted to welcome Mr. Gregor Polson to lead JBCN International School, Oshiwara. His rich global experience, deep understanding of international curricula, and commitment to building inclusive, high-performing school communities make him an exceptional fit for our ethos. At JBCN, we have always believed in nurturing curious, confident changemakers, and with Mr. Polson’s visionary leadership, we are confident that we will remain committed to strengthening our culture of excellence, innovation, and holistic development. We look forward to this exciting new chapter under his guidance,” said Mr Kunal Dalal, Managing Director, JBCN Education.

“I am delighted to join JBCN International School, Oshiwara, a community that is deeply committed to nurturing curiosity, character, and a lifelong love for learning. What resonated with me most is JBCN’s commitment to nurturing well-rounded, future-ready learners through a balance of academic rigour and holistic development. I look forward to working closely with our learners educators, and parents to build on this strong foundation and foster an environment where every learner feels supported, challenged, and inspired to achieve their full potential,” said Mr Gregor Norman Alexander Polson, Head of School, JBCN International School, Oshiwara.

With his rich international experience, strategic vision, and unwavering commitment to holistic education, Mr Polson is well positioned to lead JBCN Oshiwara into its next chapter. Under his leadership, the school will continue to strengthen its focus on academic excellence, learner well-being, and nurturing future-ready changemakers.

The idea of the perfect matte has always lived somewhere between aspiration and reality  weightless, refined, and finally, one that delivers. Kiro’s Velvet Soufflé Soft Matte Lipstick brings that vision into focus with clinically proven 59% hydration improvement, 23% barrier support, and 8-hour wear. Now expanding with four new shades, Rich Mocha, Carnival Red, Pumpkin Spice, and Primrose Pink, the range evolves to 16, extending a colour story thoughtfully calibrated for Indian skin tones, built on a formula that doesn’t just feel exceptional, but is measured to perform.

Kiro Velvet Soufflé Matte Lipstick: soft matte, 59% hydration, 8-hour wear

In beauty, standards have rarely been equal. Skincare is expected to prove itself, hydration is measured, barrier function is validated, and claims are backed by clinical instrumentation. Lip colour, however, has largely operated on perception.

16 hydrating, 8-hour matte shades clinically perfected for every Indian skin tone and type

Kiro changes that. Velvet Soufflé is clinically tested to skincare standards, using a Corneometer to measure hydration and a Tewameter to assess transepidermal water loss and barrier function. The methodology is unchanged. The category is.

“From the beginning, we believed that performance in makeup should be as measurable as it is in skincare,” says Vasundhara Patni, Founder, Kiro. “Lips are more vulnerable, they lack sebaceous glands and are prone to dehydration. Testing a lipstick like skincare wasn’t a marketing decision; it was a logical one. We wanted to create a matte that not only feels comfortable but is clinically proven to support the lips through wear. With these new shades, we’re extending that experience across a more complete colour wardrobe for Indian skin tones.”

Lip skin, by design, cannot self-moisturise. It is thinner, more delicate, and more susceptible to barrier disruption, yet lip products have rarely been evaluated through this lens. Kiro’s approach reframes that expectation.

Clinical testing of Velvet Soufflé on a 36-woman Indian panel delivered measurable results:

• 59% improvement in lip hydration after one use 

• 23% improvement in skin barrier function 

• 8-hour wear, dermatologist-graded using a validated scale 

At eight hours, hydration remains 22% above baseline directly challenging the long-standing assumption that matte formulations compromise comfort over time.

The results extend across the entire panel:

• 100% showed improved hydration after one application 

• 100% showed improved barrier function 

• 0% reported irritation at any measured interval 

In clinical terms, that level of consistency is definitive.

Beyond performance, Velvet Soufflé retains its sensorial edge. It delivers a soufflé finish, soft, blurred, and light-diffusing, avoiding the flat, chalky effect often associated with matte lipsticks. 92% of testers said it feels lighter than whipped cream, reinforcing a texture designed to feel imperceptible on the lips while maintaining colour integrity through the day. 67% of users achieved full colour payoff in a single swipe, aligning experience with performance.

The four new shades sharpen the offering:

• Rich Mocha – a deep brown with true depth and payoff

• Carnival Red – a saturated red engineered for single-swipe impact

• Pumpkin Spice – a warm orange-brown that adds richness and dimension

• Primrose Pink – a flushed, vivid nude pink created to enliven Indian skin tones rather than disappear into them

At the heart of the range is a consistent shade philosophy, one built on how colour behaves on Indian skin tones, ensuring depth, saturation, and payoff translate with clarity and intent, with shades calibrated to complement Indian skin tones rather than wash them out. The expansion to 16 shades carries that philosophy forward, creating a more complete, versatile matte wardrobe.

In a category long defined by visual payoff alone, Kiro introduces a different metric: measurable performance. Velvet Soufflé positions lip colour not as an exception to clinical standards but as the next category to meet them.

To explore the full range, visit www.kirobeauty.com

Sprect (Super Connect) has raised INR 2 crore from Subhkam Ventures (I) Private Limited, a registered NBFC with over two decades of investing across public markets and private equity. The capital will accelerate product development, grow Sprect’s network of verified professionals (PROs), and expand seeker demand on the platform.

Vishal Rupani, Rishabh Kathotia, and Mohit Khadaria

Sprect enables anyone to book a focused 1:1 video call with professionals who are otherwise hard to reach. Thousands of verified professionals across finance, careers, business strategy, and technology have made their time available on Sprect, spanning alumni of IIMs, IITs, ISB, and UCLA; professionals from Airtel, Google, Times Internet, and WarnerBros. Discovery; Formula car drivers; and senior government officials.

Rishabh Kathotia, Director at Subhkam Ventures

“Expert access has historically been a privilege of the few,” said Rishabh Kathotia, Director at Subhkam Ventures. “Sprect is building the infrastructure to change that, with a credible PRO network, a clear institutional use case, and founders with the depth to execute on both sides of the platform. We are backing Vishal and Mohit for the long run.”

The professionals people most need to speak with are rarely the easiest to reach. A first-generation founder has no straightforward path to a candid conversation with a CFO who has navigated multiple funding cycles. A mid-career professional cannot easily connect with a senior leader at a company they aspire to join. Sprect removes that barrier, connecting anyone who needs expert guidance with the right professional, on demand. Institutions like SP Jain Institute of Management and Research (SPJIMR) have partnered with Sprect to keep their alumni connected across batches and years.

Mohit Khadaria, Co-founder of Sprect

“This funding round validates what we have always believed, that structured expert access is a real and growing need,” said Mohit Khadaria, Co-founder of Sprect. “Colleges want their alumni engaged and contributing. Organisations want curated knowledge flowing through their teams. We are already seeing this with multiple institutions, and this round lets us deepen that work significantly.”

Professionals on Sprect set their own availability, choose whether to offer paid, free, or charity calls, and define the topics they want to be approached for, with Sprect handling scheduling, payments, and video infrastructure end to end. Professionals looking to make their expertise accessible can apply for a free profile at sprect.com/pros

“The right 10 minutes with the right person can change the trajectory of a career or a business,” said Vishal Rupani, Co-founder of Sprect. “India has millions of professionals who have spent decades building exactly that kind of expertise, yet there has never been a dignified, structured way for them to offer it. Sprect changes that, giving every professional a platform to make their knowledge accessible on their own terms. This raise is about getting that opportunity in front of many more professionals.”

About Sprect

Sprect (short for Super Connect) is a platform that makes hard-to-reach professionals accessible to anyone who needs their expertise. Through focused 1:1 video calls, Sprect connects individuals with verified professionals spanning finance, careers, business strategy, technology, and more, including alumni of IIMs, IITs, ISB, and UCLA; professionals from leading global organisations; and senior domain experts across industries. Institutions including SPJIMR use Sprect to keep their alumni connected across batches and years. Visit sprect.com
 

About Subhkam Ventures

Subhkam Ventures (I) Private Limited is a registered NBFC incorporated in 1995, operating from Mumbai. Subhkam invests across public markets and private equity, partnering with high-potential businesses through capital and strategic advisory. Visit subhkam.com

Today, Mirinda has unveiled a powerful new global platform ‘Smile Please’ alongside a fresh brand visual identity. The fun and impactful movement is designed to brighten everyday life, spark joy and create smiles from the first glance.  
 

Life today feels busy and stressful, and people often forget to enjoy the small, happy moments around them. But a smile is a superpower — it can instantly lift the mood and inspire others to smile too. That’s where Mirinda comes in. With its tangy, refreshing flavour, Mirinda invites you to see the brighter side of life and smile.
 

Mirinda unveils its bold new look and global ‘Smile Please’ platform, featuring vibrant, smile-inspired visuals designed to spark joy and everyday moments of happiness
 

Bursting with retro-modern energy and designed with Gen Z in mind, the refreshed look – developed in-house by PepsiCo Design and Innovation team – reflects an expressive, contemporary, and emotionally driven way for consumers to connect with the brand. It embraces bold typography and the iconic Mirinda colour palette, while vibrant, larger-than-life fruit forms crown each can and label. Built from semi-circles, the shapes echo the uplift of a smile and establish an unmistakable visual language across variants.
 

Drawing from the brand’s heritage, the logo has been reimagined with fresh, youthful energy. Saturated tones and high-contrast compositions highlight each flavour while staying true to Mirinda’s bold personality and optimistic spirit.
 

Eugene Willemsen, Chief Executive Officer, International Beverages at PepsiCo, commented, “Mirinda has always stood for original self-expression, and we are now bringing that spirit to life through a global movement that feels fresh, playful and relevant. In a world of busy days and constant noise, sometimes a simple reason to smile can go a long way. Through our new visual identity and Smile Please platform, we are inviting you to pause, refresh and choose a moment of joy.”
 

Nitin Bhandari, VP & General Manager – Beverages, PepsiCo India & South Asia, said, “Mirinda’s refreshed identity and the launch of ‘Smile Please’ reflect how we continue to evolve our brands to stay culturally relevant while deepening consumer connection. At PepsiCo, our focus is on building beverage brands that resonate with changing consumer mindsets, occasions and expectations. Mirinda has always stood for bold flavour and optimism, and this new global platform reinforces its role as a vibrant, contemporary brand that brings joy to consumers across markets.”
 

 As part of the ‘Smile Please’ platform, Mirinda is launching ‘Smile Chain’, an influencer-led digital activity designed to spark a chain reaction of positivity. Watch for it and join the ‘Smile Chain’ as the campaign unfolds.
 

The ‘Smile Please’ platform will begin rolling out across Mirinda’s international markets from today.
 

About PepsiCo

PepsiCo products are enjoyed by consumers more than one billion times a day in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. PepsiCo generated nearly $94 billion in net revenue in 2025, driven by a complementary beverage and convenient foods portfolio that includes Lay’s, Doritos, Cheetos, Gatorade, Pepsi-Cola, Mountain Dew, Quaker, and SodaStream. PepsiCo’s product portfolio includes a wide range of enjoyable foods and drinks, including many iconic brands that generate more than $1 billion each in estimated annual retail sales.

Guiding PepsiCo is our vision to Be the Global Leader in Beverages and Convenient Foods by Winning with pep+ (PepsiCo Positive). pep+ is our strategic end-to-end transformation that places sustainability at the center of our business strategy, seeking to drive growth and build a stronger, more resilient future for PepsiCo and the communities where we operate.

For more information, visit www.pepsico.com, and follow on X (Twitter), Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn @PepsiCo.