The Indo-French Innovation Network was formally launched late evening on the 17th of February during the official inauguration of the India-France Year of Innovation 2026, held in Mumbai in the presence of Hon’ble Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi and H.E. Mr. Emmanuel Macron, President of the French Republic, as part of the President’s State Visit to India.

H.E. Mr. Emmanuel Macron, President of the French Republic and Hon’ble Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi officially inaugurate the Indo-French Year of Innovation 2026

The launch marks a significant milestone in advancing structured, innovation-led cooperation between India and France.

Conceived as a flagship initiative of the India-France Year of Innovation 2026, the Indo-French Innovation Network is a government-endorsed, industry-driven digital platform designed to connect innovators, enterprises, research institutions, startups and public agencies across both countries. The platform has been built by Capgemini and will be operated by the Indo-French Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IFCCI), with the support of the French Embassy in India and the Regional Economic Service (SER), under the oversight of a bilateral steering committee comprising key public and private stakeholders.

The Network serves as a single-entry digital interface to facilitate collaboration across priority sectors including artificial intelligence, clean technologies, aerospace, digital transformation, healthcare, advanced manufacturing and sustainability.

The platform integrates five core pillars:

• A bilateral innovation Marketplace for R&D calls and partnership opportunities

• Business Services and structured matchmaking support

• A Knowledge Hub featuring research, policy insights and market intelligence

• A consolidated News & Events interface

• A verified Directory of organisations across both ecosystems

Developed following extensive consultations with over 50 ecosystem stakeholders in 2025, the Network responds to the need for a unified, credible mechanism to reduce fragmentation and accelerate cross-border innovation outcomes.

H.E. Mr. Thierry Mathou, Ambassador of France to India, stated, “The launch of the Indo-French Innovation Network during the inauguration of the Year of Innovation 2026 reflects the shared commitment of India and France to place technological cooperation at the centre of our strategic partnership. This platform will strengthen collaboration between our innovation ecosystems in a structured and sustainable manner.”

Aiman Ezzat, CEO of Capgemini, said, “Capgemini is honoured to have developed the Indo-French Innovation Network as a future-ready digital infrastructure. By integrating advanced digital capabilities and user-centric design, the platform enables structured collaboration and scalable impact across sectors. It reflects Capgemini’s strong commitment to innovation and reinforces the Group’s position as one of the most innovative companies, empowering organizations to transform ideas into reality.”

Ms. Payal S. Kanwar, Director General, Indo-French Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IFCCI), added, “The Indo-French Innovation Network represents an important institutional step in strengthening bilateral innovation cooperation. As the operational anchor of the platform, IFCCI will work closely with stakeholders across both countries to ensure sustained engagement, governance, and measurable outcomes.”

Beyond its formal launch in 2026, the Indo-French Innovation Network is envisioned as a multi-year collaborative instrument aligned with national innovation priorities and industrial strategies in both countries. Operated by IFCCI, the platform integrates structured governance, verification processes, and secure access protocols to ensure credibility and continuity.

Stakeholders may explore and register via: www.indofrenchinnovation.org

About IFCCI

Established in 1977, the Indo-French Chamber of Commerce and Industry is one of the most active bilateral chambers in India. IFCCI represents a dynamic business platform of over 800+ company members and 17 Sector & Function led Committees offering an extensive range of business services and giving access to people and information. 

About Capgemini

Capgemini is an AI-powered global business and technology transformation partner, delivering tangible business value. We imagine the future of organizations and make it real with AI, technology and people. With our strong heritage of nearly 60 years, we are a responsible and diverse group of over 420,000 team members in more than 50 countries. We deliver end-to-end services and solutions with our deep industry expertise and strong partner ecosystem, leveraging our capabilities across strategy, technology, design, engineering and business operations. The Group reported 2025 global revenues of €22.5 billion.

In a recent development, WingMan X – an app-based platform for motorcycling enthusiasts emerged as the pioneers to host the first-of-its-kind WingManX Awards Inaugural Edition. Dedicated to honour individuals and communities from the Indian motorcycling culture, the awards night was hosted in Pune on 15th February 2026. With actor and emcee Aman Yatan Verma being the host, the awards witnessed esteemed presence of key dignitaries including Mr. Nilesh Sane, Founder and CEO of WingManX; Dr. Sahil Trimbake, Co-founder, WingManX, and Urvashi Patole, Partner at WingManX.

(4th to 6th from left) Urvashi Patole – Partner, WingManX; Krithika Sane Co-Founder WingManX; Nilesh Sane Founder and CEO, WingManX with jury members at WingManX Awards 2025-2026

The awards were presented in the presence of Mr. Anil Valiv, Regional Transport Officer, and Colonel Arun Dattaji Patole (Retd.), Indian Army Veteran, alongside an esteemed jury comprising respected contributors from the motorcycling, safety, and community ecosystem including Harjeet Singh Makkar, Lt. Col. Sohan Roy, Kalyanaraman Venkatesan, Akhtar Shaikh, Sonia Jain, Sachin Chavan, Atharva Mandke, among other prominent names.

An evening dedicated to recognising the individuals and communities shaping India’s motorcycling culture through responsibility, leadership, and consistent contribution, WingMan X Awards brought together riders, community leaders, industry partners, and distinguished guests from across the country. The invite-only awards night marked one of India’s first large-scale recognition platforms focused entirely on rider-led communities and grassroots contributors within the motorcycling ecosystem, honouring riders and official clubs whose impact often happens away from the spotlight but remains central to the strength of the riding community.

Nilesh Sane, Founder and CEO of WingManX, stated, “When I started riding, it wasn’t about finding the biggest group. It was about finding the right people to ride with, people you could trust on the road, especially with safety at the forefront. WingManX began with that simple intent. Today riders across India are connected on one platform where identity, trust, and reputation matter. Every kilometre becomes a credential, and every ride builds credibility.”

“These awards recognise the riders and communities who quietly set better standards for everyone. We are honoured to launch the first-of-its-kind awards that honour the motorcycling culture of India.”

Co-founder Dr. Sahil Trimbake highlighted the importance of community as the foundation of motorcycling culture stating, “Community is not about numbers, it is about behaviour. Strong communities help riders learn better habits, promote safety, and create accountability.”

“Through track days, meetups, ride academies, and collaborations across cities, we’ve seen riders come together not just to ride, but to grow together. These awards celebrate that collective effort and I congratulate every winner and participant.”

The awards followed a structured evaluation process designed to ensure credibility and fairness. Nominations were reviewed by a selection committee, followed by public voting and independent jury evaluation, with final results determined through a 50:50 combined scoring model.

Urvashi Patole, Partner at WingManX, explained the intent behind the awards and stated, “We wanted recognition to feel earned. Riders know when something is genuine and when it isn’t. These awards celebrate consistency, responsibility, and contribution, not just visibility. The goal was to acknowledge people who strengthen the ecosystem often without seeking attention.”

Jury member WingMan X Lt. Col. Sohan Roy, emphasised the significance of such recognition platforms, noting, “These kinds of community awards are important because they recognise individuals who often remain unspoken of, the pillars and backbones who quietly hold communities together and shape riding culture through responsibility and commitment.”

The Award Categories and Winners are as follows
Individual Categories:

• Shreyash Wagh – The Ultimate WingMan Award

• Hardeep Singh – Mentor of the Year Award

• Sami Sayyed – Nomadic Soul Award

• Baljeet Singh Kochhar – Long Haul Legends Award

• Sahan Singh Kochhar – Rising Star Award

• Banny Raiyani – Ride Architect Award

• Jyotiprakash Deka – Soul Rider Award

• Rajat Gawarle – Guardian Rider Award

• Dr. Mohanraj Shankar – Pillar of the Community Award

• Mohua Polley – She Rides Free Award

• Shatabdi Samanta – Track Titan Award

• Hrishikesh Shrikant Mandke – Stunt Ace Award

• Kapil Jain – Community Creator Award

• Priyanka Barua – Digital Pulse Award

Club Categories:

• RE650 Owners Group – Club of the Year Award

• Throttle Trekkers Biking Community – Soul Club Award

• Biker Babes – Women Power Collective Award

• Da Pune Vstrom Crew – Safety-First Club Award

• Mhow Riders Club – Most Active Riding Club Award

• Detour India – Best Club Event of the Year Award

Industry Support
The WingManX Awards were supported by ecosystem partners aligned with rider safety and community growth. DSG joined as Gear Partner, 100kmph as Apparel Partner, Vredestein Tyres as Grip Partner, BluArmor as Communication Systems Partner, and Ashok Travel World as Travel Partner, with additional support from UKIIYO, Diva Pageants, Wildfit Pune and partner brands.

Envisioned as an annual property, the WingManX Awards aim to continue recognising riders and communities shaping India’s evolving motorcycling culture. As the evening concluded with winners, jury members, and riders sharing the same stage, one idea stood clear, motorcycling in India is no longer just about machines or miles, but about people, trust, and the communities that bring riders together.

To download WingMan X app, please tap the below link
IOS – www.apps.apple.com/in/app/wingmanx/id6479581088
Android – www.play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.wingmanx.mobile

About WingManX
Launched in 2024, WingManX has grown rapidly, crossing 80,000 app downloads and bringing together over 600 riding communities nationwide. The platform enables riders to discover rides, build reputation, and engage with communities through shared experiences and structured interaction.

Over the past year, WingManX has supported rider meetups, moderator sessions, training programs, and community-led initiatives across India, reinforcing the idea that motorcycling culture grows strongest when riders invest in each other.

A long-term investment journey may typically involve two distinct phases: accumulation and distribution. During the accumulation stage, investors may contribute regularly to build a potential corpus. Later, that accumulated amount may serve as a potential source of periodic income. A Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) is commonly associated with the first phase, while a Systematic Withdrawal Plan calculator becomes relevant when evaluating the second.

An SIP facilitates regular investing, while an SWP enables regular withdrawals from your mutual fund scheme

Understanding how these two stages connect may help frame the broader lifecycle of mutual fund investing in India.

From accumulation to distribution
A Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) allows investors to invest fixed amounts at regular intervals into mutual fund schemes. Over time, these contributions and assumed potential returns interact under compounding principles, contributing to potential growth of the invested corpus.

Once a sufficient potential corpus is accumulated, investors may consider structured withdrawals instead of redeeming the entire investment at once. A Systematic Withdrawal Plan (SWP) permits periodic withdrawals of a fixed amount from a mutual fund scheme while the remaining balance continues to stay invested.

In this transition from potential growth to income, a Systematic Withdrawal Plan calculator serves as an estimation tool. It helps project how long a corpus might sustain periodic potential withdrawals under selected assumptions.

The calculator is an aid, not a prediction tool. It may provide only an indicative picture.

How a Systematic Withdrawal Plan calculator works
A Systematic Withdrawal Plan calculator typically requires the following inputs:

• Total investment amount or accumulated corpus.

• Withdrawal amount per interval.

• Assumed rate of return.

Based on these inputs, the calculator estimates how the corpus may decline or sustain itself over time after periodic withdrawals. In the Indian mutual fund framework, withdrawals under an SWP are treated as redemptions of units. Each withdrawal reduces the number of units held, while the remaining units continue to participate in market-linked movements.

The projection generated by a Systematic Withdrawal Plan calculator reflects potential outcomes derived from constant return assumptions. Since actual market performance may fluctuate, these projections remain illustrative rather than predictive.

Balancing withdrawal and potential growth
When linking an SIP with a withdrawal strategy, the relationship between contribution phase and income phase becomes central. The size of the potential corpus built during the accumulation stage can directly influence the sustainability of future withdrawals.

A Systematic Withdrawal Plan calculator allows investors to evaluate how different withdrawal amounts may affect the longevity of the potential corpus. Higher withdrawal levels may reduce the duration for which the corpus sustains income, while moderate withdrawals may allow the remaining balance to continue generating potential growth for a longer period.
Because potential returns in mutual funds are market-linked, the sustainability of withdrawals depends on the interplay between the potential withdrawal rate and assumed return rate. The calculator helps visualise this interaction within a structured model. Although, these calculations remain illustrative and not predictive. 

Understanding the role of assumed returns
The assumed annual return entered into a Systematic Withdrawal Plan calculator significantly influences the projections. If the assumed return rate exceeds the withdrawal rate over time, the potential corpus may sustain withdrawals over the long term. If potential withdrawals exceed assumed returns, the potential corpus may reduce relatively rapidly.

These projections are based on constant growth assumptions. For this reason, projections are typically interpreted as scenario illustrations rather than assurances.

Linking SIP accumulation with withdrawal planning
The transition from a Systematic Investment Plan to periodic withdrawals represents a shift in financial objectives. During the accumulation phase, the focus is on building potential growth. During the withdrawal phase, it shifts toward generating periodic income while ensuring relative stability of capital.

A Systematic Withdrawal Plan calculator helps bridge these stages by showing how the accumulated corpus from a Systematic Investment Plan might support regular withdrawals under selected assumptions. By adjusting withdrawal amounts or return expectations, investors may observe how projected sustainability changes across scenarios. This may help bring about awareness of trade-offs between income requirements and the potential longevity of the corpus.

Recognising structural limitations
While a Systematic Withdrawal Plan calculator offers a numerical projection, it operates on simplified assumptions. It typically assumes a fixed rate of return and consistent withdrawals. In reality, market movements influence unit values, and withdrawal timing may affect realised outcomes.

In India, mutual fund redemptions are also subject to applicable taxation and exit load structures, depending on scheme type and holding period. Such factors may not be reflected in basic calculator projections and may influence actual results.

Conclusion
A Systematic Investment Plan and a withdrawal strategy represent two interconnected stages of mutual fund investing. The accumulation phase focuses on building a potential corpus, while the distribution phase centres on generating potential periodic income.

A Systematic Withdrawal Plan calculator provides a structured way to examine how potentially accumulated investments may translate into potential income streams over time. Although projections remain dependent on selected assumptions, they may help illustrate how growth-oriented investing and income-oriented withdrawals may connect within the mutual fund framework without implying certainty about future performance.

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

Sustrack, an initiative by Koshish Sustainable Solutions Private Limited, successfully organised a national conference titled “Green Hydrogen and Industrial Decarbonization: Building India’s End-to-End Ecosystem for Energy Transition” on 10th February 2026 at the Auditorium, Research & Innovation Park, IIT Delhi, New Delhi, under the patronage of the Ministry of Power, Government of India.

Sustrack Successfully Organised the National Conference on Green Hydrogen and Industrial Decarbonization

The conference commenced with a Lamp Lighting Ceremony by the Hon’ble Padma Bhushan Dr. V. K. Saraswat (Guest of Honour), Member, NITI Aayog, followed by a welcome address by Dr. Ratnesh Tiwari, Founder & Director, Koshish Sustainable Solutions Private Limited.

This was followed by an opening address by Dr. Ranjith Krishna Pai, Scientist ‘F’ and Senior Director, Department of Science and Technology, Government of India. Padma Bhushan Dr. V. K. Saraswat, Member, NITI Aayog, delivered the keynote address, highlighting India’s strategic vision, technological preparedness, and policy roadmap for accelerating the green hydrogen economy.
 

During his address, Padma Bhushan Dr. V. K. Saraswat, Member, NITI Aayog, said, “India’s ambition to produce 5 million metric tonnes of green hydrogen by 2030 is not just an energy target but a national imperative aligned with Viksit Bharat by 2047.” He further highlighted that “The biggest challenge today is not intent but technology and cost and India currently relies on alkaline electrolyzers, while the future lies in PEM and solid oxide electrolyzers. He mentioned about the Green Hydrogen to Power India’s Industrial Decarbonization, Backed by Rs. 20,000 Crore CCUS Support and the Hydrogen Hubs Take Shape at Kandla, Tamil Nadu and Odisha as Reliance, L&T Lead the Way.”

As part of the event outcomes, Director & Founder of Sustrack, Dr Ratnesh Tiwari, said that “Sustrack would sign MoUs with multiple industries for pilot projects, strengthen capacity building, and ensure continuous monitoring and regular reporting for measurable and long-term impact.”

The experts who also shared their insights in the event included Mr. Sandeep Narang, Mr. Gaurav Verma, Mr. Anil Kumar Choudhary (Head – EESL), Dr. Sonal K. Thengane, Prof. V. K. Vijay, Prof. Vivek Kumar (IIT Delhi), Mr. Arun Kumar Choudhary, and Dr. P. Raman., along with 100+ other senior leaders & experts from the government, PSUs, industry, academia, finance, and international organisations had joined the event, highlighted the key challenges, shared practical deployment experiences, and presented actionable insights on hydrogen adoption, infrastructure development, carbon credit opportunities, investment strategies, and scalable implementation pathways, providing valuable outcomes and strategic direction for accelerating India’s green hydrogen and industrial decarbonization journey.

Dr. Amit Ranjan Verma (Head of ESG & Carbon Market) concluded the discussion by thanking the audience and the main guests for attending the conference and helping to build a sustainable future.

The 4-focused interactive session on the key themes of the National Conference on the “Green Hydrogen and Industrial Decarbonization”, covering policy and technology support, decarbonization strategies, ESG and carbon markets, financing models, and innovation through skills, research, and start-ups to support India’s Green Hydrogen Mission and clean energy transition. 

The event successfully created a strong platform for policy alignment, cross-sector collaboration, and strategic action, reinforcing India’s commitment toward Net Zero by 2070 and a sustainable energy future and Overall, the event highlighted key challenges such as Policy Support, availability of suitable technology, infrastructure development, financing gaps, and carbon market integration, while building strong collaboration, clear action plans, and industry partnerships to accelerate India’s green hydrogen and decarbonization journey.

The event was aimed at guiding India’s hydrogen transition, supporting applied research, industry projects, and strengthening collaboration with government bodies and was proudly supported by Silver Sponsors – SJVN, NTPC, Power Grid, and NHPC, with Power Finance Corporation (PFC) as the Co-Sponsor.

Celebrating three decades of transformation, HiLITE Group (www.hilitegroup.com) has marked its 30th-anniversary milestone with an extraordinary gesture of appreciation, gifting a fleet of 47 cars valued at Rs. 20 crore to its dedicated workforce. Alongside this celebration of its people, the Group announced a massive 50 million Sq. Ft. expansion across Kerala by 2030. This ambitious roadmap is projected to generate over two lakh jobs in the state, representing both a legacy achievement and a forward-looking strategy to position Kerala on the global investment and business map through IT parks, commercial hubs, and integrated urban ecosystems.

Cars gifted to employees as part of HiLITE Group’s 30th-anniversary celebrations

The fleet of cars gifted to the dedicated employees includes a range of premium and luxury models, featuring the Range Rovers, Audi Q8, and Land Rover Defender, alongside popular models such as the Tata Harrier, Kia Seltos, Hyundai Creta, Skoda Kylaq and many more. By prioritizing this significant investment in its workforce, the Group highlights a people-centric approach and dedication to its employees.

“For three decades, we have focused on building the finer sides of Kerala. Our vision is to create aspirational spaces that stand the test of time,” said P. Sulaiman, Chairman, HiLITE Group.

“The scale we are announcing today reflects our confidence in Kerala’s future,” said Ajil Muhammed, CEO, HiLITE Group. “Our projects are designed to elevate Kerala’s position in the global economy while strengthening local opportunities.” He added.

Founded in 1996, HiLITE (www.instagram.com/hilitegroup_?igsh=MXhweTJwcXowZDYydQ==) has pioneered landmark projects ranging from Focus Mall, Kerala’s first organized retail space, to the expansive HiLITE Malls in Calicut and Thrissur. Ten additional malls are currently in development across the State. This legacy continues at HiLITE City, where the Group having around 10,000 employees is developing what is set to become one of largest World Trade Center. Spanning 12.5 million Sq. Ft. with an estimated investment of $680 million, the project will significantly strengthen Kerala’s global trade footprint.

The event was hosted at HiLITE Olympus, Calicut, a residential development recognised as the ET Iconic Project of 2025.

After winning the top honours at MADDYS & PEPPER AWARDS last year, be positive 24 Innovation Design continues its winning streak at BIG BANG AWARDS 2025. The agency won the “Best Design Agency of the Year” and “Best Healthcare Agency of the Year” recognitions at a grand awards ceremony held in Bangalore on 7th February.

Chennai’s be positive 24 Crowned ‘Best Design Agency’ & ‘Best Healthcare Agency’ at BIG BANG AWARDS 2025
 

‘be positive 24’ bagged a whopping 6 Gold, 7 Silver and 3 Bronze awards for its work on brands like VBJ Jewellery, GRAVA Business Park, ASSANA Colorectal Clinic, TURAKHIA Opticians, THE WORLD RESIDENCES, NSL Luxe Developers and ARTEMIS Luxury Kitchens amongst others.

Organised by the Advertising Club Bangalore, this is the 41st edition of the BIG BANG AWARDS with over 650 entries from about 150 agencies and production houses.

Speaking on the win, Abhishek D Shah, founder and managing director, be positive 24 commented “This is our 20th year of operations and we have begun the year with a BIG BANG. We won 62 national and international awards in 2025, and 2026 has already delivered 16 metals in just 5 weeks. These consistent victories feel doubly good, because the juries have validated campaigns that have also performed extremely well in the real markets. This inspires us to further raise the bar of innovation and creative disruption within the team.”

About be positive 24 Innovation Design

The agency offers strategy and management consulting, branding and marketing services, and film and photography production. Its clientele includes Vummudi Bangaru Jewellery, Assana Colorectal Clinic, Taj Brand Residences, Siemens Gamesa, DRA Developers, My Home Group among other clients. With over 40 global clients, be positive 24 has so far won more than 175 national and international awards and is widely recognised for its cutting-edge strategy and creative excellence. Its recent campaign for Assana Colorectal & Gut Clinic earned international acclaim, hailed by marketing and healthcare experts as a master class in branding.

For more details, please visit: www.bepositive24.com.

All set with a stronger, broader and more market-relevant showcase for India’s fast evolving gifting, stationery, paper, art & industries, Gifts World Expo Mumbai and Paperworld Mumbai will return with a grand showcase featuring 400 companies. Schedule to held from 26-28 February 2026 at Hall No. 2 & 3, Bombay Exhibition Centre, Mumbai, Maharashtra, the platform will become a comprehensive business and networking hub engaging retailers, distributors, corporates, art and craft enthusiasts, institutional buyers, manufacturers as well as brand owners to explore the new offerings from the gifting, paper and stationery industries.
 

Gifts World Expo Mumbai & Paperworld Mumbai will be held from 26-28 February 2026, at Bombay Exhibition Center, Mumbai, Maharashtra
 

As consumer preferences shift towards customised, design-led, utility driven and occasion-specific products, both gifting & stationery categories are witnessing a steady transformation. Products that were once largely functional or seasonal segments are now becoming experience-led premium and innovation-driven, opening new opportunities across retail, corporate and institutional channels.
 

Gifts World Expo Mumbai will represent a diverse range of thoughtful as well as contemporary gifting solutions catering to corporate, institutional, festive, wedding and premium gifting needs. The showcase will span across categories like perfumes, electronics, lifestyle accessories, home and kitchen products, wellness kits, gourmet foods and beverages, handicrafts, decor, sustainable products, customised merchandise, bags and more. The growing emphasis on employee engagement, brand recall, personalization and sustainability has positioned gifting as a year-round business opportunity rather than a purely seasonal one. Gifts World Expo Mumbai will spotlight pioneers such as ​Arvind Mills, Flipkart, IGP, MaxFresh, Nasher Miles, Power Plus, Signoraware, Swiss Military, Unix and more.
 

Running in parallel, Paperworld Mumbai will spotlight innovations across paper, stationery, office and school supplies, writing instruments, arts and crafts hobby materials, educational toys and creative learning tools. With rising demand from students, parents, educators, working professionals and hobbyists, the category continues to move beyond basic consumption into design-led, experience-driven and value-added products, supported by trends such as sustainable materials, digital stationery, smart products and custom formats. Key exhibitors from Paperworld Mumbai include leading stationery innovators like Casio, Elkos Pens, Indeutsch Industries, KGOC Global (Kangaro), Kores India, Linc, Luxor Writing Instrument, Saino Pen, Submarine Pens and more.

Visitors will discover product innovations and trends such as eco-friendly stationery, personalised notebooks, planners, creative hobby kits, safe children’s products, premium writing instruments, innovative packaging and gift-wrapping solutions, along with private labelling and bulk customisation capabilities.

“Gifts World Expo stands at the forefront of India’s gifting industry, constantly adapting to meet the evolving needs of businesses. Our goal is to offer a comprehensive platform where industry leaders can drive innovation, foster strategic partnerships, find one-stop sourcing solutions and explore new business opportunities. With a robust lineup of exhibitors and high-level industry conferences, we are shaping the trajectory of the gifting sector in India,” said Ms Himani Gulati, Director, MEX Exhibitions Pvt. Ltd.

Mr Raj Manek, Executive Director & Board Member, Messe Frankfurt Asia Holdings Ltd., stated, “Paperworld Mumbai and Gifts World Expo Mumbai together reflect the changing dynamics of India’s stationery and gifting industries. Today’s buyers are looking at relevance, creative and meaningful concepts and differentiation, whether it is school and office supplies, creative products or gifting solutions. India has a strong base of homegrown brands responding to these shifts and these platforms together offer a vast product universe, business connections, while also driving industry trends that support long-term business growth.”

A key highlight of the 2026 editions of the shows will be the curated knowledge programmes designed to address the real-world business challenges and emerging opportunities across different business segments. The sessions and activities will be organised under two focused tracks: Gift Talks and Paper Talks. A session by Times NIE – Balancing Brains and Bots: A Wellbeing-First Approach to AI in Education engaging representatives Principals and Head Co-ordinators from several schools. The Grand Brush Off will see the artists turn blank canvas with their spontaneous creativity.

Apart from this, across three days, various panel discussions will shed light upon topics around wedding gifting, gifting from India to the world highlighting the diversity and richness of the country, employee gifting, university merchandise & souvenirs, importance of packaging in gifting, youth and hobby markets, stationery designing, why adults still love stationery and the psychology behind it, workshop on packaging and more. Besides, this show will also feature a start-up zone, innovation zone, sustainability will be a core background theme, live-demo of paper making by artisans, art and craft engagement activity, new product launches, products for Gen-Z and lots more.

India’s gifting and stationery markets continue to demonstrate strong long-term growth fundamentals. According to IMARC Group, the Indian school stationery supplies market, valued at USD 2,629.5 million in 2025, is projected to reach USD 4,001 million by 2034, growing at a CAGR of 4.77%. The gifting market, expected to reach USD 1.05 billion by 2033, is being driven by rising disposable incomes, corporate gifting demand, digital platforms and increasing preferences for personalised and sustainable products.

The events are jointly organised by MEX Exhibitions Pvt. Ltd. & Messe Frankfurt Trade Fairs India. Gifts World Expo Mumbai 2026 co-located with Paperworld Mumbai promises to be a definitive platform for India’s gifting, paper and stationery industries.

For information about the show and photographic material, please visit
giftsworldexpo.com/mum/

paperworldmumbai.in.messefrankfurt.com/mumbai/en.html
 

About Paperworld Mumbai 
Paperworld Mumbai is the ultimate hub for connecting with the global names and leading brands in top-quality stationery, office products, art and craft products, writing instruments, teaching and learning aids, paper & paper products, green stationery, back-to-school supplies and lots more. Entering the 6th edition the expo brings together leading Indian and international manufacturers, suppliers and brands showcasing the latest product range to drive business.
 

Gifts World Expo: India’s Largest Exhibition for Gifts Sourcing

Gifts World Expo, recognized as India’s largest exhibition for gifts sourcing, is an annual hallmark event that sets the stage for unparalleled business opportunities in the gifting industry. Organized by MEX Exhibitions Pvt. Ltd., the Expo has become a pivotal platform for industry professionals, fostering innovation, creativity, and strategic partnerships across diverse sectors.