Let’s be real, being a bridesmaid is basically a full-time job. They’re the hype woman, the crisis manager, the tissue holder, and somewhere between managing the bride’s meltdown over napkin colours and wrangling drunk uncles off the dance floor, they’re expected to look absolutely gorgeous.
 

Soch, showcasing some of its collections for this wedding season
 

The good news? This wedding season, there are brands that actually get it. Your bridesmaids can look coordinated, feel comfortable, and genuinely love what they’re wearing. Here are 7 brands making bridesmaid dressing easier (and way more fun).
 

1. Soch – The “Actually, I Can Wear This Again” Miracle

Here’s the thing about Soch: they’ve cracked the code on making your bridesmaids look coordinated without making them look like clones.
 

Imagine this: Your entire squad shows up in the same colour palette, but one friend is rocking a flowy anarkali, another’s serving looks in a sharara set, and your sister’s killing it in a saree. Different vibes, same aesthetic, total harmony. That’s the Soch magic.
 

Their collections are designed for the modern woman who wants to serve tradition but would also like to move her arms without the restraint of itchy fabric and tight stitches. Soch’s fits are comfortable and contemporary enough that your friends won’t banish these outfits to the back of their closets post-wedding.
 

Pro tip: Use Soch for your mehendi or sangeet functions where your squad needs to move, dance, and not worry about wardrobe malfunctions. Your photographer will thank you when everyone’s comfortable enough to nail those candid shots.
 

2. Suta – For the Bride Who Has a Pinterest Board Called “Sustainable Queens”

You care about the planet. You also care about your bridesmaids looking fire. Suta gets it. Their handloom sarees are so beautiful that your environmentally conscious heart and your aesthetically obsessed brain will both be delighted.
 

Plus, there’s something poetic about each bridesmaid wearing a unique handwoven piece. It’s like saying, “You’re all special to me, but also please coordinate for the photos.”
 

3. Koskii – When Subtle Isn’t in Your Vocabulary

If maximalism is your theme, and you want your bridesmaids to look like they stepped out of a royal durbar? Koskii is your brand.
 

Warning: These outfits are HEAVY. We’re talking serious embroidery, zari work that could double as a workout, and enough bling to be seen from space. But if you’re going for that full Bollywood wedding fantasy, this is it.
 

4. Kalki – The Fashion Risk-Takers’ Paradise

Got a squad that lives for making a statement? Kalki is where traditional ethnic wear meets “Is that even allowed?” energy, with cape blouses, asymmetrical hemlines, and drapes that bring the perfect synergy in Indo-Western.
 

This is the brand for bridesmaids who want to look like they could walk straight from your wedding into an afterparty.
 

5. Jaypore – Cottagecore Meets Indian Wedding

Planning a destination wedding in Jaipur? An intimate ceremony in Kerala? Jaypore brings that artsy, “we’re all about the vibes” aesthetic. Hand-block prints, natural fabrics, and that effortlessly cool look that says “I woke up like this”.
 

Perfect for bridesmaids who’d love to be comfortable and chic. Also ideal for outdoor functions where heavy lehengas would be a crime against humanity.
 

6. Neeru’s – When Your Mom Has Opinions

Let’s face it: sometimes you need to make the aunties happy. Neeru’s is that reliable, classic choice that nobody can criticise. Traditional without being boring, elegant without being stuffy.
 

Great for when your bridesmaids include people of different ages and style preferences. Your cool younger sister and your traditional aunt can both find something they’ll love.
 

7. W for Woman – Because Weddings Are Expensive Enough

Real talk: Being a bridesmaid is financially brutal. Between the bachelorette, the gifts, and the travel, your friends are basically funding your happily ever after. W for Woman lets you give them a break.
 

Trendy, affordable, and extensive enough that your entire squad can find coordinated pieces without taking out a loan. Your bridesmaids will love you for this. Their bank accounts will really love you for this.

The bottom line is: your bridesmaids are the ones who held your hand through heartbreaks, celebrated your wins, and are now helping you navigate the beautiful chaos of wedding planning. They deserve to look and feel amazing.

ParadigmIT and Pathsetter AI, pioneers in AI-driven digital transformation and sovereign AI infrastructure, announced the appointment of Som Prakash Satsangi as a Non-Executive Board Member and Strategic Advisor. This appointment marks a significant milestone in the company’s mission to build secure, scalable, high-impact, world-class AI platforms that transform industries, public sector institutions and capital projects to enable national-scale impact.

Som Prakash Satsangi  

A veteran of India’s technology ecosystem, Som brings over four decades of experience in Enterprise technology, Digital transformation, and Strategic leadership. Most recently, he served as Senior Vice President & Managing Director at Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) India, where he led one of India’s largest technology organizations – driving growth, scaling operations, forging high-impact strategic partnerships, and delivering award-winning performance.

An influential voice in shaping India’s technology landscape, Som Satsangi has served as the Chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM) India, and contributed actively to major industry and policy platforms including NASSCOM, CII, USISPF, and the World Economic Forum’s South Asia Working Group. He continues to champion India’s digital transformation agenda, advocating for innovation-led growth and global competitiveness.

In his role with ParadigmIT and Pathsetter AI, Som will provide strategic guidance across key areas including:

• Public sector and mission-critical market expansion

• AI enablement of national infrastructure and capital projects 

• Enterprise AI transformation and go-to-market strategy

• Organizational scaling, leadership development, and governance

• Long-term growth and value creation initiatives 

Speaking on the appointment, Sridhar Gadhi, Founder & Chairman, said, “Som’s deep understanding of enterprise transformation and national digital priorities will significantly accelerate our journey. His strategic insight will help us take our flagship AI platforms to the right users and deliver meaningful impact across industries. His belief in India as a global innovation powerhouse aligns with our mission, and his expertise will be pivotal as Pathsetter AI advances the Alfred platform to drive greater efficiency in capital projects.”

Commenting on his appointment, Som Satsangi said, “ParadigmIT and Pathsetter AI are redefining the frontiers of digital transformation combining deep technology, mission-critical use cases with national impact. I look forward to supporting their vision of building India-led innovations with global relevance and long-term value.”

This strategic appointment further strengthens ParadigmIT and Pathsetter AI’s mission to build secure, sovereign and globally competitive AI platforms that drive measurable outcomes, unlock new capabilities, and transform the future of enterprise and government operations.

Career decisions today feel heavier than ever — whether it’s choosing the right field after graduation, switching jobs post-burnout, or taking the leap into entrepreneurship. In a climate shaped by uncertainty, competition, and rapid economic shifts, a surprising number of Indians are turning to an ancient tool for clarity: astrology.

Unlock your potential with the stars,discover how astrology guides your career path and empowers your professional growth

Once considered old-school or purely spiritual, astrology has rapidly crossed into mainstream self-discovery and career guidance. From determining the ideal profession based on planetary alignments to selecting the right time for a career move, astrology is becoming a trusted compass for young professionals and entrepreneurs.

Why Millennials and Gen Z Are Turning to Astrology for Career Guidance

India’s new workforce values purpose, passion, and timing. As career paths grow more fluid — with gig work, start-ups, and remote jobs changing the traditional trajectory — astrology offers something data and degrees can’t always guarantee: personalised clarity.

Astrologers today believe that a birth chart (or ‘janam kundli’) can reveal strengths, challenges, and moments of ideal opportunity. Key components they look at include:

• Moon Sign: Reflects emotional compatibility with certain professions.

• 10th House (House of Career): Indicates one’s public image and professional direction.

• 2nd and 6th Houses: Influence income sources, skill development, and work environments.

• Planetary Transits and Dashas: Guide the timing of important career moves — such as switching jobs or starting a business.

For instance, a strong Mars might indicate leadership and entrepreneurial drive, whereas a well-placed Mercury could steer someone toward communication, strategy, or analytical fields. Combined with practical insight, these placements can become a tool for making informed, aligned choices.

The Rise of Astrology-Tech Platforms

As digital transformation reshapes every industry, astrology too is embracing technology. Apps and platforms now bring professional astrological guidance to the fingertips of millions, allowing users to access detailed charts, predictions, and consultation booking within seconds.

Neo Astro has emerged as a trusted name in this new wave. As a leading astrology app in the rapidly growing astrology market, Neo Astro blends advanced technology with authentic astrological expertise. It consistently delivers accurate, personalised insights, backed by a team of highly skilled astrologers.

What sets Neo Astro apart is its commitment to transparency and ease of use. Instead of complex charts and traditional jargon, it translates your cosmic blueprint into actionable advice helping users understand when to step into leadership roles, start a new business, or wait for more favourable planetary alignments. This data-driven approach has made astrology accessible and relevant for a younger generation seeking structure in an uncertain professional landscape.

Astrology as a Framework for Clarity

While astrology shouldn’t replace practical career planning, it can offer a complementary perspective. For many, it acts as a framework, one that combines emotional insight with cosmic astrology timing. By helping individuals recognise their natural inclinations and spot ideal moments for major decisions, it turns introspection into strategy.

And with digital tools like Neo Astro, astrology is no longer an abstract art but a practical, everyday guide. In a world defined by change, perhaps it’s no surprise that an ancient science, reborn through technology, is helping India’s next generation find their north star.

• Gen Zs and millennials make up over 85% of Tide’s MSME community — a powerful reminder that young India is steering the country’s entrepreneurial momentum

• Tier 2, 3, 4 and beyond cities driving growth with over 96% members (MSMEs) on the platform, from towns like Bareilly, Bhopal, Murshidabad, Lucknow and North 24 Parganas

Tide, the UK’s leading business management platform, today announced that it has surpassed 1 million members (MSMEs) in India. This rapid growth reflects the deep trust that Indian small businesses — from nano to micro and emerging SMEs — have placed in Tide to simplify how they register, run and grow their businesses. The platform has doubled adoption since its launch in December 2022. India has emerged as Tide’s largest and fastest-growing market globally in member acquisition, showcasing the success of its India-first strategy and strong product-market fit.

Gurjodhpal Singh, CEO, Tide in India, said, “This milestone is more than a number — it’s a story of trust. In just under three years, one million Indian entrepreneurs have chosen Tide to be their partner in growth. This reflects our commitment to helping small businesses – who have been gravely underserved – save time and money by giving them business critical tools across finance, admin and related commercial services that they need, to grow. India is where some of Tide’s most innovative products are being developed, creating strong use-cases to be implemented globally.”

A trusted business partner for India’s entrepreneurs

Tide’s success has always been rooted in scaling responsibly and delivering real-world impact. The company is doing so by building a unified, highly-connected digital platform that reduces the burden of business finance and admin. Over the past year, Tide has delivered product innovation at pace across India with products including:

Bill Payments: SMEs in India can pay their utility bills with no extra costs and earn rewards. The product is backed by enhanced security.

Udyam Registration: Enabling MSME registration and access to priority government benefits including low-interest loans, subsidies on electricity certifications, protection against delayed payments, etc.

GST Registration: help obtain a Goods & Services Tax Identification Number (GSTIN), enabling compliance, marketplace selling, input tax credit claims, and vendor trust.

Scheme Discovery: Smart matching of government benefits and subsidies to business eligibility.

Fixed Deposits Intermediation: Helping SMEs to earn competitive returns on their balances in a seamless and paperless experience.

NCMC Card Integration: A single smart Tide card that doubles up as a national mobility card, accepted across multiple transport modes.

Structured partners: Provides disbursement of funds to freelancers and vendors via a secure partner portal. Analytics on spending deliver real-time data so SMEs can make faster decisions about cashflow, a key pain point for SMEs.

Tide’s member make-up

Tide’s growth in India is being driven by a new generation of business owners, with over 85% (865,000) of its members under the age of 40, including 58% Gen Z and 42% millennials—reflecting the strong entrepreneurial momentum among India’s youth. And, with our oldest member at 95, simply proves that it’s never too late to do what you love.

The platform is scaling rapidly across emerging business hubs, with 63% of its members from states such as Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Maharashtra, and a majority comprising small and micro entrepreneurs like local retailers, freelancers and service-led solopreneurs. With strong adoption in Tier 2, 3, 4 and beyond towns namely Bareilly, Bhopal, Murshidabad, Lucknow, North 24 Paraganas, Jaipur, Firozabad, Ghaziabad, Shahjahanpur and Kota — with not a single Tier 1 city in the top 10 — Tide is playing a significant role in enabling the digital transformation of India’s most underserved business communities.

Championing entrepreneurs beyond business tools

Tide believes progress happens when entrepreneurs are supported not only with products — but with recognition, access and ecosystem change.

Women in Business mission: On track to bring 500,000 women entrepreneurs onto the platform by 2027. Tide’s Bharat Women Aspiration Index brings forth voices from beyond metros to shape better policies for women entrepreneurs across Tier 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 towns in India.

Udaan Chronicles: Tide’s flagship mentoring roadshow, created to help small business owners in semi-urban and rural India, brings expert-led mentoring directly to entrepreneurs who lack access to formal networks and financial resources.

UK-India collaboration: Enabling SME expansion across borders through industry delegation. Contributing to critical dialogue shaping future trade for small businesses under the provisions of the UK-India FTA.

Tide’s progress in India is rooted in accountability and global investor backing. The company recently secured a $120 million strategic investment, in a funding round led by TPG. Tide is also deepening its long-term commitment to India — with a £500 million investment over the next five years, starting 2026. This investment underscores India’s role as a cornerstone of Tide’s global growth strategy, which will be used to fuel product innovation tailored for Indian SMEs, technology and AI-led development and expansion of Tide’s financial ecosystem — including payments, credit, and investment solutions.

Tide’s strategy in India emphasises digital inclusion — to bring formal financial and business services to underserved entrepreneurs outside major metros, in smaller towns and rural clusters. This approach aligns with the Government of India’s efforts to formalise and digitise MSMEs and increase their access to credit, markets and exports.

Among some of the exciting new features to be launched next year, include investments, acquiring, insurance, easy access to formal credit, banking services and advanced payment acceptance solutions. Tide is here to make managing business smoother and more successful.

About Tide

Launched in 2017, Tide is the leading business management platform in the UK. Tide helps SMEs save time (and money) in the running of their businesses by not only offering business accounts and related admin services, but also a comprehensive set of highly usable and connected administrative solutions from invoicing to accounting.

Tide has nearly 800,000 SME members in the UK (14% market share) and 1,000,000 SMEs in India. Tide launched in Germany in May 2024 and in France in September 2025. Tide has also been recognised with the Great Place to Work certification three years in a row. Tide has been funded by Anthemis, Apax Digital Funds, Augmentum Fintech, Creandum, Salica Investments, Latitude, LocalGlobe, SBI Group, Speedinvest and TPG, amongst others. It employs more than 2,500 Tideans worldwide. Tide’s long-term ambition is to be the leading business management platform globally.

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/tide-banking

Twitter: twitter.com/TideBusinessIND

Instagram: www.instagram.com/tidebusinessindia/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/TideBusinessIndia

WebEngage, South Asia’s leading retention and customer engagement platform, concluded the final edition of EMCX 2025 in Gurugram, completing a high-impact three-city series that began in Mumbai and continued in Bengaluru. As a full-stack, data-driven marketing ecosystem, WebEngage enables brands to unify insights, engagement, personalization, and lifecycle automation on one platform.

WebEngage EMCX Edition 25′ set a new benchmark for customer engagement excellence – proud to bring industry leaders together under one roof

EMCX (EngageMint CX), the company’s flagship Martech showcase, brings together industry leaders, product builders, CRM specialists, and marketers to explore the future of retention-led growth. The 2025 editions introduced WebEngage’s next wave of innovation, featuring BLACK, CDPx, purpose-built AI Agents, and major enhancements across Analytics and Segmentation.

Across all three cities, EMCX saw strong participation from growth, marketing, product, and data teams, all experiencing how WebEngage is redefining customer engagement with real-time decisioning, composable data models, and autonomous lifecycle marketing. The final edition in Gurugram also featured leaders from diverse organisations who shared insights on building strong data foundations and CRM-led growth engines that drive measurable, business-first outcomes.

EMCX 2025: WHAT MADE IT A STANDOUT SERIES
Across three editions, EMCX showcased:

• BLACK, the industry’s first real-time, outcome-driven decisioning agent

• CDPx, the world’s first composable CDP inside a Martech platform

• Purpose-built AI Agents for segmentation, content, insights, and journey orchestration

• Analytics 2.0, featuring revamped Funnels, Events, Session Analytics, and more

• A strong hiring initiative that supported India’s growing pool of growth and retention talent 

The event series highlighted WebEngage’s commitment to building a future where lifecycle management, personalization, and customer success operate autonomously with full transparency.

“EMCX has been a celebration of what Martech can achieve when powerful technology meets deep customer understanding. BLACK is our biggest leap toward real-time, outcome-led engagement, and the industry’s excitement has been incredible. We also ran India’s biggest hiring drive for growth marketing professionals with MetaMorph, connecting 40+ leading brands with 500+ pre-screened candidates across 100+ growth roles,” said Avlesh Singh, Co-founder and CEO, WebEngage.

“CDPx is the world’s first composable CDP inside a retention platform. It gives brands the flexibility to build data models that mirror their business, moving beyond rigid user – event structures and enabling richer, more connected customer intelligence. This depth is what sets the foundation for autonomous lifecycle management,” added Ankit Utreja, Co-founder and CTO, WebEngage.

“Renewal predictability, CLM improvement, autonomous journeys, and integrated reminders are finally achievable with CDPx. This is a significant unlock for financial services brands,” said Nitin Khanna, VP Marketing, Acko.

“CDPx gives us the flexibility to mirror our product catalog and user lifecycle without workarounds. This clarity will change how we drive CRM at scale,” said Anil Gelra, Co-founder, Snapmint.

“At EMCX, our conversation reinforced a simple truth: sustainable, profitable growth comes from strong data foundations. The real unlock in martech is not the tools on the surface, but the technology, data architectures, intelligence layers and automation beneath it that quietly power smarter decisions at scale,” said Mikhil Raj, Chief Product Officer, BlueStone.

“At EMCX, what really stood out was how WebEngage makes customer data easier to use and brings different systems together seamlessly. The way WebEngage brings these layers together shows how Martech can do more than run campaigns, it can actually improve the entire customer journey and drive steady, measurable growth. WebEngage’s ability to connect data, simplify systems, and organise CRM processes shows how technology can make customer lifecycle management clearer, stronger, and easier to scale.” said Nakul Kumar, Co-Founder & CMO, Cashify.

“The response across all three editions has been exceptional. EMCX reflects how brands are shifting from channel-based engagement to lifecycle-led customer success and value creation. Over the last 3–4 months, our teams have worked closely with key accounts to deeply understand their evolving needs, and what you see here today is the outcome of that collaboration,” mentioned Keyur Dhami, SVP Customer Success, WebEngage.

“BLACK represents a new era for WebEngage. It brings intelligence, speed, and clarity to decisions that were previously rule-based and manual. With the world’s first outcome-driven agents built into the platform, BLACK has the potential to change how brands think about retention entirely,” said Abhijat Shukla, Vice President of Data Science at WebEngage.

“We built Analytics 2.0 to give teams visibility, speed, and accuracy. Funnels, Events, Session Analytics, and cohorts now work seamlessly with CDPx and BLACK, creating the most powerful analytics toolkit to move from insight to action with absolute clarity,” shared Amit Shinde, Director of Products, WebEngage.

BLACK and CDPx marked a breakthrough moment for WebEngage, reaffirming its leadership in customer engagement and retention innovation. EMCX 2025 has set the tone for how brands will leverage data, automation, and AI to build more profitable and sustainable growth engines.

About WebEngage
WebEngage is an advanced Customer Data and Engagement Platform that helps consumer brands engage and retain their customers to achieve higher lifetime value and marketing ROI. The product stack includes a robust customer data and analytics platform – unifying data across silos, the best-in-class engagement layer with a multi-channel journey builder, and a personalization engine that helps boost conversion for all channels, including the web and mobile apps.

Ranked #1 consistently across all review platforms on ease of use and comprehensiveness of the platform, WebEngage is used by 850+ consumer brands across India, the Middle East & Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asian markets. The roster across E-Commerce,  Online Travel,  Financial Services, Automobile, CPG and CPD verticals includes customers like Unilever, Airtel, Myntra, Sony, Groww, Acko, Spinny, Arabian Oud, Shoppers Stop, The Sultan Center, Reliance General Insurance, FlyNAS, Tata Motors, Eureka Forbes, CIPLA, Metro Brands, Yatra, PFI Mega Life etc.

For more information about WebEngage, visit www.webengage.com.

Nippon Paint India, one of the country’s fastest-growing paint and coatings companies, and part of the NIPSEA Group and a subsidiary of Nippon Paint Holdings, Japan, is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Mark Titus as President – Decorative Business, effective December 1, 2025. In this role, Mr. Mark will spearhead the growth, strategy, and execution of the decorative coatings business across India, reporting directly to Mr. Sharad Malhotra, Managing Director, Nippon Paint India Group.

Nippon Paint India announces Mr. Mark Titus as the President of its Indian Decorative Business Operations

Mr. Mark succeeds Mr. Mahesh S. Anand and takes the helm at a time when India is a key growth market for the company. With its youthful population and strong demand for home renovation and infrastructure development, the Indian decorative paints market presents significant opportunities for Nippon Paint India.

With over two decades of experience, Mark Titus is a seasoned marketing and business leader with a strong background across diverse industries including FMCG, beverages, and the paints and waterproofing sector. His exposure to fast-moving consumer categories has equipped him with deep expertise in brand strategy, consumer insights, and impactful market execution. At Nippon Paint India, he has been instrumental in shaping the brand’s decorative business by expanding market presence, driving category leadership through differentiated offerings, and enhancing digital engagement across channels. Known for his strategic acumen, collaborative leadership, and focus on talent development, Mark has fostered a culture of efficiency and empowerment that consistently delivers strong results in a highly competitive market. Widely recognized as a disruptive marketer and brand builder, he continues to apply cross-industry learnings to accelerate brand growth, strengthen market leadership, and drive innovative business outcomes.

Commenting on the appointment, Mr. Sharad Malhotra, Managing Director, Nippon Paint India Group, said, “We are delighted to appoint Mr. Mark Titus to this key leadership role. Mark has been pivotal in shaping the brand’s decorative business trajectory through his strong leadership and ability to translate market insights into impactful growth strategies. He will play a vital role in driving Nippon Paint’s journey of sustainable and profitable expansion, strengthening our brand presence, innovation, and market footprint in India.”

On assuming his new role, Mr. Mark Titus said, “I’m truly privileged to take on the responsibility of leading Nippon Paint India’s decorative division at this defining moment. With India emerging as a dynamic market for interiors, refurbishments, and new developments, my focus will be on working closely with our teams, channel partners, and consumers to enhance our portfolio, create meaningful brand experiences, and drive long-term value for all stakeholders.”

In his capacity as President – Decorative Business, Mark Titus will lead the decorative business strategy across product, channel, digital, and brand platforms in India. He will focus on driving innovation, strengthening partner networks, and enhancing the value chain through sustainable and efficient practices. By leveraging Nippon Paint’s global technologies and market expertise, Mark aims to deliver distinctive value and accelerate growth in the decorative segment.

With this leadership transition, Nippon Paint India reaffirms its commitment to being a growth leader in the domestic decorative paints industry continuously investing in innovation, consumer engagement, and market-relevant solutions, while fostering a sustainable and inclusive business ecosystem across India.

Today, BFA Global, Caribou, and MSC – organizations whose work spans more than 150 countries – announced the launch of the Alliance for Inclusive AI, an open coalition committed to ensuring that the next wave of artificial intelligence (AI) expands opportunity. By 2030, the Alliance aims to deliver responsible, practical AI solutions to 100 million people and mobilize US$100 million in blended finance.
 

Alliance for Inclusive AI
 

AI is set to reshape economies and public systems, yet new divisions are emerging: between countries that can afford the necessary technology and those that cannot; between enterprises able to adopt AI tools and those left out; and between people who can access these tools and those who cannot. Without leadership from emerging markets, AI will be built on assumptions that fail to reflect how most of the world lives and works.
 

Ajay Banga, World Bank Group President, cautioned that “Big AI will create a bigger disparity between the developed world and the developing world at the start. On the other hand, ‘small AI’ – local models delivered on local devices – is going to be amazingly productive.”
 

The Alliance is an open, collaborative, practitioner-led effort to bring inclusive AI into the workflows of financial inclusion, agriculture, climate resilience, and digital public services across the Global South.
 

Prateek Shrivastava, MD of BFA Global, said, “Only by joining forces to mobilize resources, we can bring meaningful AI infrastructure and solutions to hundreds of millions of people globally.”
 

Jessica Osborn, CEO of Caribou, said, “AI will reshape how people earn, learn, and access services. It will only deliver real impact when marginalized communities shape it. This Alliance ensures local actors build and use AI in ways that reflect their realities.”
 

Working at the intersection of global development and AI innovation, the Alliance’s work is organized around six pillars:

1. Create foundational AI infrastructure tailored to emerging markets.
2. Deliver practical, small-AI solutions that cater to the needs of the underserved.
3. Partner with universities to develop local talent for responsible AI.
4. Develop operational tools that work in low-resource, low-connectivity environments.
5. Support governments, DFIs, regulators, and regional bodies to design and implement inclusive AI strategies.
6. Create shared repositories of datasets, case studies, and toolkits.

Technology providers, DFIs, investors, governments, research institutions, and civil society organizations are invited to join.
 

Graham Wright, Co-Chair and GMD, MSC, warned, “Countries that lack digital infrastructure, skilled workforces, and supportive policy frameworks may find themselves further marginalized.”
 

BFA Global is a global impact innovation firm that combines research, advisory, venture building, and investment expertise to build a more inclusive, equitable, and resilient future for underserved people and the planet. We partner with leading public, private, and philanthropic organizations to catalyze innovation ecosystems for impact across emerging markets.
 

Caribou is a global digital development consultancy that helps foundations, companies, and governments design and deliver responsible, inclusive digital systems. With expertise in data governance, digital identity, youth employment, and responsible technology, Caribou strengthens the policies, programs, and ecosystems that shape equitable digital futures.
 

MSC is a global inclusion consulting firm that works with governments, providers, and innovators to enable social, financial, and economic inclusion for everyone in the digital age. Its local teams in 70+ countries bring practical expertise across finance, technology, agriculture, and social protection. We help clients seize the digital opportunity, address the mass market, and future-proof operations.

Cycle Pure Agarbathi, India’s leading agarbathi manufacturer, continues its commitment to inclusive sports by sponsoring the 2^nd edition of the Ability Sports League (ASL) T20. The tournament will be held from 9^th to 13^th December 2025 at KSCA’s Alur Cricket Ground, Bengaluru.

Mr. Arjun Ranga hands over the sponsorship cheque for ASL T20 2025, strengthening Cycle Pure Agarbathi’s support for inclusive sports

As a principal partner, Cycle Pure Agarbathi has extended sponsorship support for this edition of the league. Building on last year’s contribution where the brand provided professional-grade cricket kits and equipment, this year, Cycle Pure’s contribution focuses entirely on financial sponsorship to strengthen the league’s operations and ensure a seamless experience for participating athletes.

The Ability Sports League T20, organised by Kshamata Innovation Foundation and Divyaang Myithri Sports Academy, is India’s primer wheelchair cricket league. Since its inception in 2018, the league has empowered over 600 wheelchair athletes with a platform to showcase their talent, resilience, and sporting spirit.

Mr. Arjun Ranga, Managing Director, Cycle Pure Agarbathi, said, “We are proud to continue our association with the Ability Sports League. Our sponsorship this season reflects our commitment to building inclusive platforms that celebrate the determination and excellence of differently-abled athletes. Through ASL, we are not only promoting wheelchair cricket but also building a stronger, more inclusive sporting culture in India.”

Ms. Kshama Rangan, Director, Kshamata Innovation Foundation, organiser of Ability Sports League T20, said, “We are grateful for Cycle Pure Agarbathi’s continued support, which has been instrumental in sustaining and growing the Ability Sports League. This financial sponsorship ensures that our athletes can focus entirely on their game, while we provide them with a seamless and professional tournament experience. Together, we wish to establish a roadmap to create equal opportunities, recognition and career for wheelchair athletes in the Nation’s favourite game.”

This edition, Take Sports ASL T20 2025 will feature six-city based teams – Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Delhi and Lucknow – with athletes representing 16 States from across India. This pan-India participation underscores the league’s growing stature as a national platform for wheelchair cricket, bringing together talent, resilience, and sporting spirit from diverse corners of the country.

Macroman M Series & Macrowoman W Series from the house of Rupa and Company Limited, a name synonymous with quality, innovation, fashion and style, proudly announces the launch of its newest Socks Collection: Socks Sutra. 

SocksSutra

Wearing Socks Sutra, adds a extra spring to your step/stride, and confidence begins at your lively feet. Socks made by Socks Sutra are an epitome of comfort, sensuality, boldness, fashion & style, with cutting-edge craftsmanship.

Socks Sutra is a collection that redefines what socks can be. Socks Sutra with over 100 stunning ‘design’ styles, blends flair, function and irresistible appeal perfectly capturing the signature statement, “100 ways to sexy feet”. Socks Sutra is for Gen Z, millennials, and each of us who is young at heart, the collection, celebrates individuality and self-expression at every step. From work to workouts, parties to wellness, and everything in between, the range offers a curated selection for both men and women, making it one of the most inclusive socks collections in the market today.

More Than Just Socks ; A New Language of Style

In a market flooded with ‘deja vu’, Socks Sutra stands distinctly apart. Each pair is thoughtfully crafted using breathable fabrics, bold aesthetics and modern construction, ensuring all-day comfort while elevating the sensuality and boldness of each stride. The designs are intentionally youthful, energetic, and expressive—perfect for a generation that treats style as a daily language.

From classic everyday wear to specialized support socks featuring gentle compression, moisture-management technology, single-toe separation and eco-friendly bamboo fabrics, Socks Sutra by Macroman M Series & Macrowoman W Series brings together innovation, indulgence, and personality in equal measure.

Mr. Vikash Agarwal, Director at Rupa and Company Limited, says, “Socks Sutra is built on the belief that great socks are the foundation of feeling sexy and youthfulness. This collection is all about expressing personality, enhancing comfort, and transforming everyday footwear into a style statement.”

A Style for Every Mood, A Fit for Every Persona

Whether it’s the invisible pair that slips effortlessly under stilettos, the athletic sock engineered for performance, or the chic everyday option that makes routine feel luxurious, Socks Sutra offers a perfect match for every outfit, every mood, and every lifestyle.

With meticulous detailing and trend-forward designs, Socks Sutra promises to add that essential “sutra”- the formula for undeniable style and confidence to daily life.

The exclusive Socks sutra collection from Macroman M Series & Macrowoman W Series is now available online at www.macroworld.in and on Amazon, Flipkart.