• Established under a strategic collaboration between Starbucks Coffee Company & Tata Starbucks, the FSP aims to empower 10,000 Indian coffee farmers by 2030 

• Starbucks will open its 500th coffeehouse in India this week in Delhi NCR — a Starbucks Reserve® location offering a premium and immersive coffee experience 

Reaffirming its long-term commitment to India, and its plans to deepen its coffee leadership in the market, Starbucks Coffee Company today announced the establishment of a Farmer Support Partnership (FSP). In collaboration with Tata Starbucks Private Limited, the FSP will connect local agronomists and farmers to global farming best practices through open-source agronomy. 

Starbucks Coffee Company and Tata Starbucks re-affirm coffee leadership and announce a Farmer Support Partnership (FSP) to strengthen the coffee value chain from Bean to Cup

Strengthening India’s coffee value chain from bean to cup
Starbucks Coffee Trading Company, SARL (SCTC), Starbucks global procurement and trading subsidiary, will collaborate closely with Tata Starbucks to empower 10,000 farmers by 2030. The FSP based in Karnataka will combine Tata Starbucks deep local knowledge, India’s coffee-growing heritage, and decades of Starbucks global agronomy expertise. It will support farmers from India’s key coffee growing states including Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala to strengthen connections with Starbucks global network, drive innovation, and share best practices in farming and sustainability to ensure a sustainable future for India coffee.

The FSP will set up technical “model farms” in partnership with farmers in India, incorporating global learnings, to embed best practices in coffee agronomy and test sustainable solutions. The FSP in India will serve as a hub for testing new varietals, provide knowledge on innovative farming techniques aligned to Indian practices and conditions, and share insights about other agroforestry initiatives to improve coffee quality, productivity and climate resiliency.

The goal is to build upon traditional methods to help farmers improve both the quality of their crops and their profitability. The FSP will work closely with existing centers of excellence within the Starbucks global network. This includes partnering with Farmer Support Centers (FSC) in coffee-growing regions around the world, where agronomists collaborate directly with farmers on research, and learning from existing “model farms” within Starbucks supply chain. This network includes FSCs in the APAC region in North Sumatra, Indonesia and Yunnan, China and Hacienda Alsacia in Costa Rica, Starbucks first company-operated coffee farm and headquarters to the Starbucks Costa Rica Farmer Support Center and Starbucks Global Research and Development team.

Through the FSP, Indian farmers will also benefit from Starbucks 2026 global digital training tools, which will offer detailed online modules on agronomy, coffee quality, and C.A.F.E. (Coffee and Farmer Equity) practices to foster ethical sourcing and ultimately enhance productivity and sustainability. It will also educate farmers about Regen-Ag (regenerative agriculture) practices and methods to reduce carbon, water, and waste footprints, and contribute to agroforestry and social development initiatives.

The FSP will develop projects across the key Starbucks commitments of unlocking coffee productivity, increasing farm profitability and building climate resiliency over the next 5 years. To build capability and strengthen India’s entire coffee value chain, Tata Starbucks will also donate one million high-yield variety Arabica seedlings to farmers over the next five years.

During his visit to India this week, Brian Niccol, chairman and chief executive officer of Starbucks said, “India is one of our fastest-growing markets. We’re partnering with Tata to shape the future of coffee in India, including supporting farmers, empowering communities, and delivering the highest quality offerings to our customers. It’s a long-term commitment to build a stronger, more sustainable coffee ecosystem that benefits everyone, from bean to cup.”

Sunil D’Souza, Managing Director & CEO at Tata Consumer Products said, “Through the past decade, together, Tata Consumer Products and Starbucks, have helped shape India’s thriving coffee culture and industry. With this new initiative, we are pleased to pair Starbucks global agronomy expertise with Tata’s footprint in India to drive tangible impact and pave the way for the future of responsible coffee farming in India.”

Re-affirming Starbucks coffee leadership through differentiated and elevated experiences
Since its inception in 2012 as a joint venture between Starbucks Coffee Company and Tata Consumer Products, Tata Starbucks has been dedicated to delivering the unique Starbucks Experience to customers in India. This has set the stage for India’s ever evolving and dynamic coffee culture. This week, Tata Starbucks will celebrate the opening of its 500th coffeehouse in India, marking a significant milestone in its growth journey and reaffirming its long-term commitment to the market. As one of Starbucks fastest-growing international markets, India remains central to the company’s plans for strategic and sustainable expansion, with continued focus on job creation and meaningful development opportunities for its partners (employees). 

The 500th coffeehouse will be the second location to offer a Starbucks Reserve® coffee experience in Delhi NCR, engaging coffee enthusiasts with an immersive experience that showcases Starbucks coffee craft, heritage, and storytelling. The coffeehouse and its Starbucks Reserve® experience underscore Tata Starbucks commitment to elevating India’s coffee craftsmanship through elevated store design, handcrafted beverages, and locally inspired innovations.

As part of the global strategy to make Starbucks a welcoming coffeehouse where people gather to enjoy the finest coffee handcrafted by skilled baristas, Tata Starbucks will continue to focus on creating a differentiated and elevated coffee forward experience in India. It invites customers to experience the full flavor profile it offers – serving the world’s finest coffee and elevated offerings in a welcoming coffeehouse environment that has made it a beloved part of India’s coffee landscape.

Sushant Dash, chief executive officer of Tata Starbucks said, “As the largest specialty coffee player in India, we are proud to bring the Farmer Support Partnership in collaboration with SCTC, a meaningful step toward strengthening India’s coffee-growing community and securing the future of high-quality Arabica. Our commitment to India extends beyond growth, to investing in farmers, partners (employees) and customers to continue building a vibrant coffee culture. We will continue to serve the finest Arabica coffee from India and around the world, brought to life through the warm, welcoming third place experience that defines Starbucks.”

About Starbucks
Since 1971, Starbucks Coffee Company has been committed to ethically sourcing and roasting high-quality arabica coffee. Today, with more than 40,000 stores worldwide, the company is the premier roaster and retailer of specialty coffee in the world. Through our unwavering commitment to excellence and our guiding principles, we bring the unique Starbucks Experience to life for every customer through every cup. To share in the experience, please visit us in our stores or online at about.starbucks.com or starbucks.com.

About Tata Starbucks Private Limited
Starbucks entered the Indian market in October 2012 through a 50/50 Joint Venture with Tata Consumer Products Limited and currently operates more than 497 stores in India across 81 cities, Agra, Ahmedabad, Ajmer, Alibaug, Amritsar, Anand, Aurangabad, Bangalore, Bhatinda, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Calicut, Chandigarh, Chennai, Dehradun, Faridabad, Gandhinagar, Ghaziabad, Goa, Guntur, Gurgaon, Guwahati, Gwalior Haridwar, Hyderabad, Coimbatore, Indore, Jaipur, Jalandhar, Jodhpur, Kanpur, Kochi, Kolhapur, Kolkata, Lonavala, Lucknow, Ludhiana, Mangalore, Meerut, Mumbai, Mussoorie, Mysore, Nagpur, Nashik, New Delhi, Noida, Pathankot, Patiala, Pondicherry, Pune, Raipur, Siliguri, Sonipat, Surat, Thrissur, Trivandrum, Udaipur, Vadodara, Vapi, Varanasi, Vijayawada, Varanasi and Vizag are cities in India. through a network of over 4,437 passionate partners (employees). Starbucks stores are operated by the joint venture, Tata Starbucks Private Limited, and branded as Starbucks Coffee – A TATA Alliance.

The financial sector plays a crucial role in supporting India’s growth story. As the economy expands, financial institutions, from banks to insurers, are seeing structural shifts in how they operate and grow. The Bajaj Finserv Banking and Financial Services Fund aims to offer investors an opportunity to participate in this evolving sector through a diversified approach that looks beyond just banking. With valuations below long-term averages and improving fundamentals, this may be a suitable time to explore the fund.

Bajaj Finserv Banking and Financial Service Fund NFO: Closing soon

The Bajaj Finserv Banking and Financial Services Fund NFO opens on Monday, November 10, 2025, and closes on Monday, November 24, 2025. The scheme will reopen for subscription within five business days from the date of allotment.

A suitable entry point backed by fundamentals

Valuations in India’s banking and financial services sector are currently below their 14-year average, creating a potentially favourable entry point for investors looking at long-term participation. Lower valuations often indicate that market prices may not fully reflect the sector’s improving fundamentals.

At the same time, asset quality across banks and non-banking financial companies has been showing signs of improvement. With reduced non-performing assets and more disciplined lending practices, the overall health of balance sheets appears to be strengthening. This improving asset quality, coupled with stable earnings visibility, may provide a supportive environment for long-term investors.

Additionally, profitability within the sector has been healthy, aided by expanding credit demand, operational efficiency, and the growing contribution of fee-based income streams. Together, these trends point towards a sector that is steadily consolidating its financial strength.

Source: NSE Data as on Sep 30, 2025, ACE Equity PAT

Curated from structural sector trends

The Bajaj Finserv Banking and Financial Services Fund follows a curated approach, shortlisting 45–60 stocks from a universe* of around 180 – 200 companies. These companies are selected based on their alignment with long-term structural trends shaping the financial services industry.

Rather than focusing on short-term market movements, the fund’s strategy is designed to identify businesses positioned to benefit from India’s evolving financial ecosystem. This includes companies that demonstrate operational resilience, robust fundamentals, and the potential to adapt as the sector transforms through technology and innovation.

By diversifying across well-researched sectors, the fund aims to balance growth opportunities with prudent risk management, providing investors exposure to the broader financial landscape.

* The portfolio count is indicative, and actual number will depend on market conditions at the time of making investment.

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

Hey beauty fam, brace yourselves! The Nykaa Pink Friday Sale is back, bigger and bolder than ever. Mark your calendars because from 21st November 2025, starting at 4 PM, you can snag your fave skincare, haircare, and makeup goodies for up to 60% off. Yep, you read that right—up to 60% off. So, start filling that Pink Box now before it’s game over!

India’s biggest beauty sale is back – enjoy up to 60% OFF and incredible deals across 1800+ beauty brands

Hold up, don’t blink. This is India’s biggest beauty sale of the year, with over 1,800 brands dropping jaw-dropping deals across hair, skincare, and makeup. From cult classics to brand-new arrivals, Nykaa’s got all your beauty cravings covered. If scrolling through endless options stresses you out, chill. Nykaa beauty editors have done the heavy lifting and handpicked the top-selling products at mega-slash prices. Time’s ticking though, so grab these deals before they ghost you.

Cult Classics and offers you cant resist

When it comes to cult classic brands such as Lakmē, L’Oréal, and Maybelline, the Pink Friday Sale will not disappoint, as they are up to 50% off. You also stand to get free gifts with every purchase that exceeds Rs 599, Rs 899, and Rs 999, respectively. When it comes to skin, Cetaphil, Plum, and Foxtale are the brands to keep an eye out. Cetaphil has up to 30% on their entire inventory, Plum is giving away tickets to Disneyland, Cerave as it has first time offer – Min 20% Off with free gifts on all orders

Luxury Deals

Calling all luxury lovers! Pink Friday isn’t just about staples; it’s about treating yourself to the glam life. M.A.C is giving 30% off plus B2G1 flash deals, while Charlotte Tilbury serves 30% off luxe faves. NARS is slashing 15–30% off select products, and Estée Lauder hooks you up with up to 25% off plus a Buy-2-Get-1 bonus. Skincare divas can stock Clinique at 30% off and Eucerin at 25% off with free minis. Lancôme is gifting up to 20% off plus luxe extras, while Laneige offers 20% off plus a freebie on spends above Rs. 999. For makeup addicts, Bobbi Brown has up to 30% off plus B2G1, and Carolina Herrera adds up to 15% off plus an extra Privé bonus. Luxury just got a whole lot sweeter.

Free Gifts on Orders

Pink Friday is basically Christmas in November. Some of the biggest brands are stacking freebies on every qualifying order. Kay Beauty is giving a free gift on Rs. 1,199+, while Nykaa Cosmetics sneaks in a lipstick bonus. Lakmé, L’Oréal Paris, and Dot & Key are dropping full-size surprises and minis, while Plum, Cetaphil, and Minimalist are making your everyday essentials even better with high-value add-ons. Luxury lovers, Laneige, Lancôme, and Eucerin have premium minis and luxe gifting for select spends, while Bobbi Brown and Estée Lauder are throwing in B2G1 deals and travel-size favourites. Fragrance and body-care fans, you’re not left out either—expect limited-edition treats, deluxe minis, and seasonal goodies. Basically, your Pink Friday cart = major happiness.

Bumper Giveaways

Want more? Of course, you do. Follow @MyNykaa on Instagram to unlock insane giveaways by participating in exciting contests. Ten top shoppers will score 100 free lipsticks each, and lucky peeps could win a Dyson hamper or a trip to Disneyland. One superstar will get a Nykaa Luxe Golden Ticket for 50 free luxe fragrance minis, and another will snag a Golden Ticket for Charlotte Tilbury’s entire Pillow Talk range. Oh, and the first ten people who send a screenshot of a Pink Friday ad? A Nykaa voucher worth Rs. 5,000 is all yours.

Haircare Heaven

Nykaa Pink Friday is here to upgrade your hair game, too. Agaro is dropping a jaw-dropping 70% off. Alan Truman, Winston, and Ikonic Professional / Ikonic Me have 30–50% off their bestsellers, perfect for a styling upgrade. Salon legends like L’Oréal Professionnel, Wella Professionals, Matrix, Kérastase, Bare Anatomy, and Olaplex are giving 25–40% off pro-level tools plus free minis. Everyday staples like Dove, TRESemmé, and Wishcare are up to 60% off. First-time hair arsenal builders or premium upgraders, Nykaa’s Pink Friday has every tool you need to slay.

On Nykaa Play, enjoy live shopping, blockbuster giveaways, exclusive coupons, and more rewards. Nykaa Play is the interactive in-app channel where you can shop and learn in real-time with top industry experts, viral celebrities, and leading beauty creators. Shoppers stand a chance to win free gift cards, beauty hampers, and more.

We also have something for fashion lovers

Nykaa Fashion is serving the biggest style party of the season! From twirl-worthy western fits to swoon-worthy Indianwear, sharp menswear, trendy kids’ looks, and even chic home upgrades, everything is dropping up to 80% off (yes, really). Your fave brands like Cider, Twenty Dresses, H&M, Libas, Biba, Nykd, RSVP, Forever New, ONLY, and Autumnlane are basically throwing a price-drop fiesta. Sneakerheads, this is your moment, Puma, Adidas, Skechers, Crocs, Asics, Converse, and New Balance are offering steals so good you might need a second shoe rack.

Desi glam lovers, get ready to shine. Libas, Soch, Biba, Varanga, Janasya, Vaamsi and more are dropping festive fits with deals that hit harder than shaadi-season dhols. Accessory addicts, don’t panic, we didn’t forget you. Aldo, Miraggio, Guess, John Jacobs, Vincent Chase, Zaveri Pearls, Palmonas, and Accessorize London are serving up to 75% off, plus extra discounts to sweeten the sparkle.

Boys, your style glow-up is here. US Polo, Calvin Klein, Snitch, Jack & Jones, Rare Rabbit, and The Souled Store are all on sale, no more “I have nothing to wear.” And for your home, Wonderchef, Pure Home + Living, Mason Home, D’Decor and Obsessions are ready to turn your space from “okay-ish” to Pinterest-worthy in a single cart swipe.

Oh, and the kids? Hopscotch, PS Peaches, Mini Stitch, R&B and more are dropping adorable styles at “Is this even real?” prices. Basically, if you were waiting for a sign to shop, this is it, massive savings, endless styles, and all the fun. Dive in and shop the hottest deals only at Nykaa Fashion!

Ten days. Thousands of deals. One iconic sale. Nykaa Pink Friday is here, dive in. This is your all-in-one beauty and lifestyle playground, and missing it is not an option. The deals, the freebies, the luxury steals – they’re all waiting.

Download the Nykaa app and Nykaa Fashion app or head to www.nykaa.com and www.nykaafashion.com and start shopping now. Your Pink Friday haul is calling!

All offers and deals are subject to applicable terms and conditions.

CS Academy hosted its much-anticipated Entrepreneur Fete earlier this month across both its CBSE and International (Cambridge) streams at the Kovaipudur campus, transforming the school grounds into a vibrant marketplace brimming with creativity, energy, and enterprise.

A vibrant student-led fete with 56 stalls brought entrepreneurship to life at CS Academy, highlighting creativity, teamwork and practical business learning

The fete aimed to nurture budding entrepreneurs by providing students with a hands-on understanding of business planning, innovation, and financial literacy. Students from Grades 6 to A Levels (Cambridge) and Grades 7 to 12 (CBSE) showcased their entrepreneurial skills by conceptualizing and managing their own ventures.

A total of 56 student-run stalls were set up, featuring an impressive range of food, games, art, accessories, and crafts. Each stall reflected the creativity, teamwork, and initiative of its student team as they took charge of every aspect of their business, including planning, budgeting, marketing, and sales, under the guidance of their assigned mentors.

Parents played a special role as judges for the event, assessing the stalls based on rubrics shared in advance. The evaluation considered creativity, presentation, teamwork, and financial performance, giving students a realistic and rewarding experience of entrepreneurship.

The fete drew a tremendous turnout of parents and relatives, who came in large numbers to support the students and witness their innovative ideas in action. The festive atmosphere and the students’ enthusiasm made the day a memorable and inspiring experience for all.

“It was incredible to see children display such confidence, creativity, and responsibility,” shared a parent of a student participant. “This initiative not only taught them business skills but also instilled teamwork, financial awareness, and leadership, which are lessons far beyond the classroom.” Adding to the sentiment, the Head of the Commerce Department at CS Academy remarked, “Seeing our students turn ideas into real ventures was immensely fulfilling. Their energy and innovation truly brought the spirit of entrepreneurship alive on campus.”

To know more about CS Academy Coimbatore, visit csacademy.in/coimbatore.

• Strategic Focus on Innovation, AI, and Digital Trust

• GCC 2040 Roadmap and Talent Architecture for GCC 4.0

• Top level delegation and Launch of ‘India Rising’ Book

The Global GCC Summit 2025 organized by the Inductus group at The Hyatt Regency, New Delhi, bringing together a congregation of global leaders to highlight India’s emergence as an R&D-driven innovation, research, and global capability hub. Out of the huge delegate registrations received, the summit hosted around 250 delegates i.e. CEOs, CXOs, GCC Heads, technology and business leaders, central and state government officials, representatives from premier academic institutions like IITs, IIMs, and universities, as well as consulates, embassies, and global trade bodies were also there making it one of the most comprehensive GCC-focused platforms to date. Some of the prominent speakers were Dr. Kishore Jayaraman (UKIBC), Mr Pranav Mishra (AMCHAM), Sandeep Kulkarni (Worley), Mr Mayank Sharma (Google, USA), Mr Anjani Ladia (ICAI – Luxembourg). The event targeted the transformation of India from a cost-arbitrage destination toward being a strategic global innovation and R&D hub. During the day, the thought leaders deliberated through panel discussions and keynote addresses on a wide array of topics that shape the future of GCCs in India, including policy frameworks, governance, talent development, sustainability, technology adoption, and cross-border collaboration.

Alouk kumar (CEO-Inductus LTD ), Kishore Jayaraman, Pranav Mishra, Mahadeo Jaiswal, Sandeep Kulkarni, Geetha Ramamoorthi, Anjani Ladia, Daniel Goh, Dinesh Arora, Ashish Aggarwal

The comprehensive discussion at the Summit was structured around a few critical themes that define the future trajectory of GCCs in India. Thought leaders to explore the ambitious vision for Global Capability Centres towards 2040, outlining the vast opportunities and strategic road ahead for India to cement leadership, dedicated sessions. A core focus was on ensuring Digital Trust and Compliance in a Global Context, with particular consideration of how GCCs are adapting to the DPDP Act of India and emerging cybersecurity frameworks to maintain secure operations. Secondly, discussions covered the required transformation of the Talent Architecture for GCC 4.0, focusing on redefining skills, curriculum, and collaboration models between industry and academia in building the future workforce. These sessions also brought alive The Innovation Imperative, highlighting how to position India’s GCCs at the heart of global R&D and AI-driven transformation to ensure they drive high-value strategic functions for their parent organizations.

During the course of the summit The Inductus Group India also signed and executed an MOU with a Singapore based Asteria Visions Pte. Ltd., in the esteemed presence of Singapore High Commission’s First Secretary (Economic), Mr. Vivek Raguraman, as a symbolic gesture of friendship and cooperation between India and Singapore.

Mr. Alouk Kumar, CEO  & MD of the Inductus Group, said, “The Global GCC Summit 2025 has powerfully reaffirmed India’s evolution from an outsourcing destination to the world’s most critical Global R&D and Innovation Hub. The numbers say it all: According to the economic survey report tabled in the parliament, GCCs are already set to contribute 3% to India’s GDP by 2030. Moreover, Inductus’ industry research based projections indicate that by 2040, the sector’s total economic value could reach as high as $450 billion, contributing 7.10% to the GDP. Far more important, this growth is a powerful engine for national employment. From the current base of approximately 2 million resources, we project that the sector will deploy 3.5 million human resources by 2030 and an unprecedented 8 million by 2040. This is not just a growth story; it is a fundamental shift in India’s economic narrative, placing GCCs as the backbone of the nation’s future as a global technology superpower. The discussions here have laid the strategic groundwork to achieve this vision.“

The Summit also brought forth India’s preparedness to lead the next wave of global business and technological innovation through the GCC ecosystem by focusing on advanced research, digital transformation, and sustainable practices. Participants shared insights on leveraging India’s talent pool, adopting cutting-edge technologies, and fostering collaborations for driving long-term economic growth.

One of the flagship events was the launch & unveiling of the book titled ‘India Rising – Rise & Future of Services Sector Led by GCCs in INDIA’ (1985 – 2040). This book elaborates on a comprehensive analysis and strategic perspective regarding the evolution and estimated growth of the GCC ecosystem, highlighting India’s strategic position in the global business landscape.

The Global GCC Summit 2025 emerged to be a strong platform for knowledge exchange, strategic collaboration, and policy dialogue, reinforcing the position of India as a priority investment destination for GCCs, opined the CEO, Inductus, Mr Alouk Kumar. 

The event highlighted the achievements of existing GCCs, established the stage for future initiatives, partnerships, and innovations, and was a landmark in the development of India’s GCC landscape. It also highlighted India’s strong standing in the global market in terms of attracting investments from the large & mid-market global corporations.

HDFC Pension, recognised as India’s largest private sector Pension Fund under the National Pension System (NPS), has announced a significant achievement—crossing Rs. 1,50,000 cr. in Assets Under Management (AUM) as of November 17, 2025.

HDFC Pension’s trajectory of growth and leadership is reflected in several notable milestones. The Company’s AUM has surged from Rs. 6 cr. in FY 2013-14 to Rs. 1,50,000 cr. in FY 2025-26, supporting countless Indians in building meaningful retirement savings. Holding a market share of 43%** in terms of AUM, HDFC Pension demonstrates a strong commitment to performance and a customer-centric approach.

Presently, the Company serves over 27 lakh subscribers who have entrusted their retirement corpus to HDFC Pension as their Fund Manager. Through its Point of Presence (PoP) licence, HDFC Pension has actively promoted adoption, establishing itself as the largest Corporate NPS PoP and collaborating with more than 4,300 corporates to help employees enrol under Corporate NPS.

Sriram Iyer, Managing Director & CEO of HDFC Pension

Commenting on this achievement, Sriram Iyer, Managing Director & CEO of HDFC Pension, stated, “This is an important milestone for us at HDFC Pension. It is the outcome of subscribers’ trust in the product and in HDFC Pension. I would like to thank them for their continued confidence in entrusting us with the task of enabling them build a meaningful retirement corpus. This milestone is an outcome of the advocacy and support from our Corporate and Distribution Partners. Our Employees have played a pivotal role in driving adoption by passionately advocating it through thousands of awareness sessions across the length and breadth of the country.

NPS is a product that is designed for Indians keeping in mind their long-term needs. The recent changes have made the product even more customer-friendly. Our new schemes are designed to meet diverse needs and empower subscribers with more flexibility. For us at HDFC Pension, this is a continuous journey. We look forward to creating many more milestones in the future.”

Long-term financial planning is essential for every individual, to ensure financial security post-retirement. The NPS offers a low-cost, flexible, disciplined, and tax-efficient approach to building a robust retirement corpus. This product provides retirement planning support not only to salaried and self-employed individuals, but also to gig workers and minors (via their parents).

The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) has recently introduced key reforms that have made NPS more attractive to investors across different age and income groups. With the launch of the Multiple Scheme Framework, NPS has entered a new era of innovation and choice for subscribers.

*HDFC Pension’s AUM grew from Rs. 50,000 cr. in May 2023 to Rs.1,50,000 cr. as of November 17, 2025, reflecting a 200% increase over a 30-month period

**Market Share of Retail and Corporate as on October 31, 2025.

UnFix Your Feelings, founded by mental-health counsellor Aanandita Vaghani, has opened its first clinic in Delhi ; a quiet, home-like space in Defence Colony built for people looking for emotional support that feels grounded, personal, and genuinely helpful in everyday life.

Aanandita Vaghani- Founder UnFix

The clinic is intentionally designed to feel less like a medical facility and more like a lived-in space where people can exhale. Soft light, warm corners, textures that feel familiar – everything is created to help clients feel safe enough to be honest, and supported enough to rebuild.

Clinic 

“I didn’t want a clinic that felt clinical,” said Aanandita Vaghani, Founder of UnFix Your Feelings. “I wanted a room where your feelings have space. Where you can untangle what’s heavy, understand what’s confusing, and slowly learn how to be your own therapist. Confidential and professional, yes – but also warm, human, and welcoming.”

This launch comes at a crucial moment for India. One in seven Indians is estimated to live with some form of mental disorder, yet a majority never receive support -not only because of stigma, but also due to a severe shortage of trained professionals and accessible care spaces. Even in major metros, therapy can feel unreachable; outside them, the gaps widen even further.

UnFix Your Feelings hopes to address this by offering a holistic, multi-modal therapeutic practice that adapts to each person’s needs.

The work blends:

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for structure

• Attachment-based frameworks for relational clarity

• Psychodynamic approaches for deeper emotional themes

• Drama-therapy and movement work for expression

• Lifestyle-aligned healing, supported by Aanandita’s collaboration with Luke Coutinho

The practice supports individuals across anxiety, depression, trauma, identity work, eating concerns, emotional overwhelm, and long-standing patterns that shape day-to-day life.

The Delhi clinic is also envisioned as a creative and healing workshop space, where people can explore what helps them feel grounded.

The evolving calendar will include:

• sound-based healing sessions

• art-led emotional processing workshops

• puppy-assisted grounding circles

• movement and drama-therapy inspired gatherings

• and newer healing modalities that will be introduced throughout the year

The intention is clear: make mental health support approachable, stigma-free, and woven gently into everyday living – a conversation with tools, not a diagnosis with distance.

“When I moved from the US to India, I met so many people who wanted to seek help but didn’t know where to go,” Aanandita said. “The emotional load here is real, and it often goes unspoken. Opening this clinic felt like creating a space that people can walk into and immediately feel held.”

About UnFix Your Feelings
Founded in 2021, UnFix Your Feelings is a private therapy practice by counsellor Aanandita Vaghani, offering holistic mental-health support across CBT, attachment work, psychodynamic therapy, drama-therapy tools, and lifestyle-aligned approaches. The goal is simple: a safe, stigma-free space where people can understand themselves, build resilience, and leave with tools that stay with them long after each session.

For more information, visit: www.unfixyourfeelings.com

ConveGenius, a leading Indian AI and edtech company, unveiled Swiftee, its on-device multimodal AI companion, at SwiftEdge 2025 the company’s flagship partner summit held in New Delhi. The event brought together 40+ OEM leaders and education innovators, including representatives from HP, Lenovo, and Google Chromebook. 

Mr Jairaj Bhattacharya, CEO & MD, ConveGenius Group at the launch of Swiftee

Despite the rapid scale of device shipments, most classroom hardware still functions as passive screens, with limited ability to support how children actually learn. ConveGenius is addressing this gap by introducing a new category that shifts India’s devices from Hardware to Heartware. Heartware is the AI layer that makes hardware emotionally aware, contextually relevant, and purpose-driven for learning.

At the centre of this shift is Swiftee, an on-device multimodal AI companion that transforms any tablet, panel, or device into an active, guided learning tool. Positioned as a “heartware” layer, Swiftee sits atop existing hardware to make digital learning safer, more personal, and more meaningful for children aged 5 to 18. Built on ConveGenius’ decade-long research in AI-led learning, Swiftee offers capabilities such as homework support, safe search, creative exploration, emotional check-ins, and guided engagement. Live demos at the summit showcased Swiftee running seamlessly across diverse hardware ecosystems and operating systems, reinforcing how easily it integrates with both entry-level and premium devices.

Unlike generic cloud-AI tools, Swiftee works in low-connectivity settings, understands multilingual inputs, and responds safely around children. For OEMs, this means a device is no longer just a screen. It becomes an intelligent assistant built for real learning use cases, an evolution the education sector has long awaited.

On the vision behind Swiftee, Jairaj Bhattacharya, CEO, ConveGenius Group said: “Over the last ten years, we’ve learned that AI becomes meaningful only when it fits the lives of the people it is meant to support. We’ve seen this firsthand across 22 states and 170 million users. That is why we built Swiftee-to make AI relevant for students, helpful for teachers, and dependable for parents and schools. It is intelligence shaped by India and not imported for India. Swiftee has the potential to immensely contribute towards accomplishing India’s commitment for ensuring inclusive and quality education to all children by 2030.”

With Swiftee’s API framework, hardware companies can also build custom AI agents to shape solutions around the exact needs of their buyers. Wellbeing support for students, assistance for teachers, lesson planning automation, curriculum-aligned remediation, and much more. The possibilities are endless.

“Everyone is excited about AI, but operational challenges like cloud costs, unpredictable behaviour, and constant oversight often hold hardware players back,” said Viprav Chaudhary, Senior Vice President, ConveGenius. “Swiftee removes those constraints. It runs locally, operates on safe AI guardrails, and works with all types of hardware. There’s no need to rebuild systems, one can plug into our stack and start delivering value immediately.”

Industry partners echo this sentiment. Mrs. Kamini Talwar from Iris Global Services said, “Education has long needed a solution that goes beyond hardware upgrades and brings educational intelligence directly into the device. An AI layer like Swiftee makes hardware truly meaningful for classrooms, adapting to real use cases for students, supporting teachers in instruction, and helping schools deliver better learning outcomes. This is the kind of custom-built innovation the education sector has been waiting for.”

As India’s device market continues to grow, the next phase will not only be defined by bigger screens or faster processors, but also by the intelligence that lives inside them. Swiftee represents this new category of Heartware, where devices become intelligent companions that understand classroom realities and accordingly support learning.

About ConveGenius
ConveGenius is a leading AI and EdTech company delivering learning, assessment, and data-intelligence solutions for state governments and education partners. Its data and AI tools power decision-making at Vidya Samiksha Kendras (VSKs) and bring data-driven governance to public education across India.

World Animal Protection appreciates the announcement of National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance 2.0 by Union Health Minister, J P Nadda. Speaking on the occasion, Shri Nadda emphasized that antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major public health concern that can only be addressed through collective action. He noted that the journey began in 2010 with initial discussions, followed by the launch of the first National Action Plan – AMR in 2017. “While AMR is a multisectoral issue and requires a One Health Approach for its containment, only when each sector, i.e., human, animal, agriculture and environment sector are committed for action to contain AMR, can the One Health approach be successful,” the Press Information Bureau release reads. World Animal Protection has provided substantive input to the development of this plan and appreciates the linkage to animals in this document and hopes this will lead to better animal welfare as well as improved human health.

Poor conditions in a factory farm Credit: World Animal Protection

Antimicrobial Resistance is one of the biggest threats to global health, endangering both human and animal health, the environment, food security, economic development and equity. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), around 1.27 million deaths occurred from drug resistant infections in 2019. Today, antibiotics are globally used for therapeutic purposes, prophylactic measures, and as growth promoters in commercial animal production systems. The use of antibiotics in chickens is expected to triple in India by 2030 compared to 2015 as a consequence of the increasing consumer demands and intensive farming practices. 90% of the total antimicrobials used in farms are released to the environment through animal excreta like urine and faeces.

“The unregulated use of antibiotics in poultry may have serious implications for developing economies, especially for India, the biggest consumer of antimicrobials in the world. This includes a possible increase in export rejections and trade loss due to the stringent import policies in countries like the EU on the use of non-therapeutic antimicrobials for animal/animal-based products. There is ample literature linking the indiscriminate use of antibiotics with the rapid development of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) in various livestock sectors, including poultry and aquaculture in India,” says Gajender Kumar Sharma, Country Director, World Animal Protection in India.

The studies have found that about 90% of the total antimicrobials used in farms are released to the environment through animal excreta (urine and faeces). This release is a cause of concern as antimicrobials can persist for long periods, contributing to the development and selection of resistant bacteria, which are then open to infect both poultry and humans living nearby. There is an emerging concern globally on AMR, and India is working at various levels to minimise the risks associated with it. Toxics Link has developed a series of reports on antibiotic pollution and its impact on the overall environment. In this context, to understand the existing scenario of antibiotic pollution from poultry on the overall environment and a factor in the development of AMR, Toxics Link, in collaboration with World Animal Protection, conducted a study on the presence of Antimicrobial Resistance Genes (ARG) in the environmental matrices surrounding poultry farms in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. The lab-based study established that the environmental samples surrounding poultry factories contained facultative pathogens and opportunistic pathogens, along with ARGs against many of the antimicrobials classified under World Organisation of Animal Health(OIE) and WHO’s list of Critically Important Antimicrobials.

Link: bit.ly/WAP_Factory_Farming_Health_Impacts

Film accompanying report at this link: www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpV_aC_vkKg

These are classes of antimicrobials essential for the treatment of specific diseases, including those from non-human resources (e.g., Glycopeptides and Tetracycline). Furthermore, the study identifies gaps in the current regulatory framework for antimicrobial drugs and recommends amendments to the current system, highlighting the need for the adoption of newer policies and incentives against the indiscriminate use of antimicrobials in the poultry sector.

“In the wake of the COP 30 conference in Belém in Brazil and the announcement by the Union Health Minister, World Animal Protection takes these recent occasions to emphasise that the use of antibiotics in any kind of intensive animal farming and rearing is only done with due diligence. We further highlight that high animal welfare is a key solution to reducing the need for antibiotics, as healthier animals require fewer medical interventions. Improving welfare conditions in the animal farming sector must therefore be an integral part of India’s AMR (Antimicrobial Resistance) Action Plan,” says Gajender Kumar Sharma.

Zumba Fitness has announced that Beto Perez, the creator of Zumba, will bring his signature energy to Bengaluru for a high-intensity Zumba Master Class at Algorythm in Nexus Shantiniketan Mall. The event is expected to draw Zumba Instructor Network (ZIN) members and Zumba enthusiasts from across the country for a rare opportunity to dance with the visionary who transformed global fitness culture with the power of music and movement.

Beto Perez, Co-Founder and Creator, Zumba Fitness

Participants may begin gathering at the venue from 5 pm onwards. Beto will guide attendees through the session with the trademark energy and presence that has shaped the global Zumba experience for years.

The event will provide a platform for the Indian Zumba community to connect with the global movement it represents. Instructors, long-time practitioners, and first-time participants are invited to come together to celebrate fitness in a setting of positivity and shared enthusiasm.

The Bengaluru master class represents a special opportunity for Zumba fans across India to experience Beto’s expertise firsthand. The event will bring together movement, music, and community in a celebration of Zumba’s global impact, with 14 of Zumba’s Education Specialists from across India flying in to support Beto on stage.

Beto will be attending a training for new Zumba instructors on 23rd November at the Royal Dance Space Koramangala – a rare opportunity to take the Zumba training and become a licensed instructor with the creator of the programme.

Tickets for the masterclass on 22nd November are available at: www.townscript.com/e/zumba-master-class-with-beto-perez-424443.

Register for the Zumba Basic 1 instructor training on 23rd November here: www.zumba.com/en-US/training/2025-11-23_B1_Bengaluru_IN_Beto_Perez.

About Zumba Fitness, LLC
Founded in 2001, Zumba is the largest branded dance fitness company in the world – reporting more than 15 million weekly participants, in 200,000 locations, across 185 countries. Zumba® blends world rhythms with easy-to-follow choreography for an effective workout that empowers participants to become their best selves – mind, body and soul. In addition to its original Zumba program, the company offers 10 Zumba specialty classes – from aquatic-based to those specifically designed for active older adults and children. In 2016, Zumba launched its first non-dance, HIIT workout STRONG Nation®, where music acts as the main motivator. In 2023, Zumba launched CIRCL Mobility®, a revolutionary new program designed to unlock the body’s full potential through flexibility, breathwork, and mobility exercises. The Zumba® lifestyle is rounded out by the company’s many consumer product offerings, including video games, VR +MR experiences, original music, activewear and footwear, and interactive Fitness-Concert™ events. For more information about Zumba’s programs and products, or to find a live class, visit zumba.com. Follow us on TikTok, Instagram and Facebook.