• Titled “Chhota Bheem & Vidya – Big Green Mission”, the comic book inspires children to be environmentally responsible

• 20,000 English and Urdu copies of the comic book were distributed across Jammu & Kashmir
   

Bisleri International, in collaboration with the National Book Trust (NBT), Ministry of Education, Government of India officially launched the comic book “Chhota Bheem & Vidya – Big Green Mission“ at the Chinar Book Festival 2026 held at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC) in Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir. The launch is part of Bottles for Change, Bisleri International’s flagship initiative for plastic-waste recycling and responsible waste management. Available in 48 languages, including all 22 scheduled Indian languages, the comic book aims to inspire environmental responsibility among children. As part of the launch, 20,000 English and Urdu copies of the book were distributed in schools across the state.
 

Bisleri and NBT Launch Multilingual Children’s Comic Book on Plastic Waste Management at the Chinar Book Festival in Srinagar
 

The event was graced by Dr. Amit Wanchoo, Chief Convenor, Chinar Book Festival 2026; Shri Waseem Raja, JKAS, Joint Director, Tourism Department, J&K; Shri Pirzada Farooq Ahmed Shah, MLA – Gulmarg, J&K; Shri Mr. Anshul Garg, IAS, Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir; Smt. Shobha Kapoor, Senior Lead – Partnerships & Communications along with Mr. K. Ganesh, Director – Sustainability & Corporate Affairs, Bisleri International.
 

On the occasion, Dr. Angelo George, CEO, Bisleri International Pvt. Ltd. said, “At Bisleri, we believe that creating a more sustainable future begins with inspiring the next generation. Through our collaboration with the National Book Trust under our ‘Bisleri Greener Promise’ initiative, we are using the power of storytelling to make environmental responsibility engaging, relatable, and accessible for children across India. We hope ‘Chhota Bheem & Vidya – Big Green Mission’ inspires young readers to embrace simple, everyday actions that can make a meaningful difference for the planet.”
 

Mr. Yuvraj Malik, Director, National Book Trust, India, said, “Comic books are a powerful tool to engage young readers. Chhota Bheem & Vidya – Big Green Mission uses popular, relatable characters to encourage children to adopt simple, sustainable habits and understand how everyday actions make a difference. Our continued association with Bisleri International educates and inspires young minds with an aim to nurture a generation of informed and responsible citizens.”
 

Dr. Angelo George, CEO, Bisleri with Dr. Amit Wanchoo, Chief Convener, Chinar Book Festival 2026
 

To encourage children to embrace reading, physical activity and environmental responsibility, a 5K Reading Marathon, “Together We Read, Together We Lead” was held on 25 July 2026 along Dal Lake. The Honorable Lieutenant Governor of Jammu & Kashmir, Shri Manoj Sinha flagged off the marathon. Organized as part of the week-long Chinar Book Festival, the marathon brought together thousands of school children from across Jammu & Kashmir. The event attempted to set a record in the India Book of Records (IBR) and Asia Book of Records (ABR) in the category “Maximum Children Participating in a Marathon to Promote Reading and Environment.”
 

The festival also featured a Bottles for Change sustainability stall showcasing products made from recycled plastic. Through interactive exhibits, visitors, including young students learnt how used plastic is collected, recycled and transformed into useful everyday products contributing to a circular economy.
 

Together, the comic book launch, Reading Marathon and the stall combined active participation and practical learning to encourage children and communities to adopt more environmentally responsible habits. The event marked a significant step for Bisleri’s Bottles for Change initiative as it continues to drive awareness around responsible plastic waste management and sustainable living.
 

In partnership with the National Book Trust, the initiative demonstrated how storytelling and education can inspire positive action and empower children to become changemakers for a greener future.

About Bisleri International Pvt. Ltd.

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

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

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

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

HDFC Life, one of India’s leading life insurance companies, announced that its Assets Under Management (AUM) recently crossed the Rs. Four Lakh Crore milestone. The milestone is a strong reflection of the Company’s focus on enabling policyholders meet their financial goals, by strictly adhering to a prudent and disciplined approach to fund management.

Over the last 25 years, HDFC Life has systematically built trust amongst its customers by offering them innovative and simple products designed to fulfill their long-term financial goals. The Company continues to enhance its customers’ experience by offering several tech-enabled services, relevant and specific touch points, and consistent delivery on several key business metrics – all enabling the Company build and sustain trust amongst its policyholders.

Prasun Gajri, Chief Investment Officer & Chief Strategy Officer, HDFC Life

Commenting on the key milestone of the Company, Prasun Gajri, Chief Investment Officer & Chief Strategy Officer, HDFC Life, said, “At HDFC Life, our philosophy of protecting India with pride guides every aspect of our business. It’s at the core of our product design, our service architecture, and, most importantly, the way we manage our policyholders’ investments. Crossing Rs. Four Lakh Crore in AUM and being able to double the AUM within four years is a reflection of this philosophy. Our focus remains on disciplined investment practices and strategic asset allocation, which has enabled us to deliver sustainable, risk-adjusted returns while safeguarding policyholder interests.”

AUM is an important indicator of an insurer’s scale, financial strength and investment management capabilities and customer loyalty over the long-term. HDFC Life’s steady AUM growth has been underpinned by its diversified portfolio of products covering a wide range of life insurance solutions that focus on protection, savings and investment, designed to address the evolving financial needs of individuals across every stage of life.

The Company’s current debt-equity ratio is 72:28. A high proportion of its debt investments are in Government bonds and AAA-rated securities, underscoring its focus on capital preservation and risk-adjusted returns.

Alongside the AUM growth, HDFC Life has maintained a high claim-settlement ratio (99.7% in FY’26*), which reflects the Company’s continued focus on customer centricity and sustained excellence. 

*Claim Settlement Ratio for individual death claims in FY’26.

IBM and Galgotias University have entered into a strategic collaboration to strengthen industry integrated learning, technology training, and future focused academic programmes across cutting-edge technology domains including Artificial Intelligence, Quantum Computing, Business Analytics and other Emerging Technologies.

A strategic IBM – Galgotias University collaboration brings industry expertise, advanced technologies and experiential learning directly to students

The collaboration is designed to bridge academic learning with fast evolving industry requirements through specialised programmes, curriculum support, access to IBM technologies, faculty development initiatives, certification opportunities, and experiential learning infrastructure.

Under the collaboration, students at Galgotias University will gain access to industry aligned programmes supported by IBM’s technology ecosystem and learning platforms. The engagement will also support the development of joint and co branded technology labs, workshops, seminars, industry led sessions, and specialised learning pathways designed around contemporary technology domains.

As part of the initiative, the University will offer programmes including B.Tech with Specialization in Quantum Computing, BCA in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, BBA in Business Analytics, and MBA in Business Analytics in association with IBM.

The collaboration will also provide students and faculty members opportunities to engage with IBM Developer Skills Network, industry oriented courseware, certification pathways, and guided learning modules supported by subject matter experts and industry practitioners.

The proposed engagement further aims to strengthen practical and applied learning through curriculum innovation, faculty orientation programmes, lab based learning environments, and exposure to enterprise grade technologies and software platforms.

Dr. Dhruv Galgotia, CEO, Galgotias University, said, “This collaboration with IBM adds to the growing ecosystem of industry centric Centres of Excellence, technology partnerships, and innovation platforms being built at Galgotias University. Very recently, we inaugurated India’s first Advanced Electric Vehicle Centre of Excellence by L&T EduTech, announced our venture ecosystem partnership with 247VC, and now this strategic collaboration with IBM. Together, these initiatives reflect the direction in which higher education is evolving, where universities are becoming active innovation ecosystems closely integrated with industry, entrepreneurship, and emerging technologies.”

He added, “Our objective is to ensure that students are industry ready, innovation oriented, and globally exposed from the very beginning of their academic journey. Collaborations like these create stronger pathways between classrooms, research, startups, technology platforms, and real world problem solving.”

The collaboration further strengthens Galgotias University’s larger ecosystem of advanced technology infrastructure, industry partnerships, startup incubation, and multidisciplinary innovation. The University continues to expand its Centres of Excellence and experiential learning ecosystem through collaborations with leading organizations like Apple, Infosys, Intel, Cisco, Tata Technologies, L&T EduTech, Capgemini, and Salesforce, while continuing to strengthen its global academic engagement and startup ecosystem.

About Galgotias University
Galgotias University is one of India’s leading multidisciplinary universities recognised for academic excellence, research, innovation, global collaborations, and industry aligned education. With a vibrant student community of over 50,000 learners and a global alumni network of more than 100,000 graduates, the University has built a rapidly growing ecosystem focused on technology, entrepreneurship, interdisciplinary learning, and real-world impact.

In the QS World University Rankings 2027 by Quacquarelli Symonds, Galgotias University was placed in the 1201-1400 global band and ranked 16th among private universities and 46th among all universities in India. In the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026, the University was placed in the 1201-1500 global band and ranked 27th among private universities and 65th among all universities in India. The University is also accredited with NAAC A+, one of India’s highest institutional quality ratings.

Galgotias University offers programmes across engineering, artificial intelligence, computer science, semiconductors, business, law, media, design, health sciences, hospitality, liberal education, and emerging interdisciplinary domains. In 2026, students secured more than 5,500 job offers from over 1,250 recruiters. The University has built strong industry and innovation partnerships with organisations including Apple, Infosys, IBM, Intel, Cisco, Tata Technologies, L&T EduTech, Capgemini, and Salesforce, while continuing to strengthen its global academic engagement and startup ecosystem.

Roca, the global leader in bathroom solutions, announces the Indian launch of an expanded Ohtake Collection, now enriched with new basin designs by architect and designer Rodrigo Ohtake. Building on the original collection conceived by the late, legendary Brazilian architect Ruy Ohtake, the expanded range brings a renewed vision of organic form, artistic sensibility, and material excellence to the contemporary bathroom.

Ohtake Collection Roca

A Legacy Rooted in Nature

The Ohtake Collection was born from the organic shapes that define the Brazilian landscape. For Ruy Ohtake, nature was not merely a reference — it was a vocabulary. Curving surfaces, round shapes, and undulating edges became the defining language of a designer whose ambition was always to awaken the senses and create a connection that transcended utilitarian function.

In developing the original collection, Ruy found an unexpected source of inspiration in the egg – admiring its exceptional structural rigidity achieved through the most delicate of forms. Drawing a parallel between the lightness of an eggshell and Roca’s proprietary Fineceramic® material, he harnessed cutting-edge technology to achieve the ultra-thin borders that give the collection its sculptural character.

The resulting pieces — with their sensual, undulating edges and outlines — evoke a walk along the shoreline rather than a conventional basin. As Ruy himself said: “A good piece of Architecture, of design, must have an element of unpredictability, of emotion.”

That first collection went on to receive the prestigious Red Dot Design Award 2019, recognised for the way it fuses technology, functionality, and aesthetics in a symbiotic way.

Rodrigo Ohtake: Continuing the Family Dialogue

Since the passing of Ruy Ohtake in November 2021, his son Rodrigo Ohtake has led the OHTAKE office, a multidisciplinary studio spanning architecture, design, urbanism, and material innovation. For Rodrigo, the Brazilian landscape — its colours, forms, and atmosphere — remains a constant presence in his creative process. “Living with Art and Nature makes life gentler, softer,” he observes.

Growing up amid his father’s prolific architectural practice and the celebrated abstract works of his grandmother, pioneering Asian-Brazilian artist Tomie Ohtake, art and design are second nature for Rodrigo. His contribution to the Ohtake Collection for Roca reflects this layered inheritance — contemporary in sensibility, yet deeply rooted in a family tradition of transformative design.

New Basins: The Calla Lily and the Art of the Hand

For his debut contribution to the Ohtake Collection, Rodrigo sought to create designs that invite engagement. Taking Ruy’s celebrated curves as a starting point, he opened and softened the forms, extending the basin’s silhouette as if a cupped hand reaching to collect water.

The poetic inspiration for the two new over-countertop basins is the calla lily flower — its delicate, unfurling form translated into refined ceramic geometry. Rodrigo developed the designs through a hands-on process, sculpting miniature dough maquettes to find the ideal proportions, a creative method not unlike the artistic practice of his grandmother Tomie.

The new basins are available in three finishes: White, Matt Black, and a new Terracotta — an earthy, warm tone that evokes the ochre soils and sun-baked clay of the Brazilian interior. Rodrigo’s new designs were recognised for their originality with the “Best in Show” award at the 2023 Expo Revestir, the annual design event in São Paulo.

Fineceramic®: The Material of Sculptural Possibility

All Ohtake basins are crafted from Roca’s proprietary Fineceramic® — an advanced ceramic material that enables the ultra-thin walls and precisely tapered edges central to the collection’s sculptural identity. Fineceramic® delivers exceptional durability, scratch resistance, and a refined surface quality that ensures each piece retains its elegance through years of daily use.

Product Overview

The expanded Ohtake Collection is available in India and includes:

Over-countertop Fineceramic® Basin, 625 × 385 mm (RS327A1P..0) – Available in White, Stone, Matt Black, and Terracotta.

Over-countertop Fineceramic® Basin, 550 × 385 mm (RS327A13..0) – A refined mid-size option. Available in White, Beige, and Matt Black.

Over-countertop Fineceramic® Basin, Ø380 mm (RS327A15..0) – Available in White, beige, and Matt Black.

All basins are available in the following finishes: 00 White | 07 Stone | 65 Beige | 08 Matt Black | TC Terracotta (selected models).

About Roca

Founded in Barcelona in 1917, Roca is a family-owned company dedicated to the design, manufacturing, and distribution of complete bathroom solutions for architecture, construction, and interior design. Combining over a century of tradition and craftsmanship with a passion for innovation, Roca is today present in 170 countries, operating 79 factories across five continents with more than 20,000 employees worldwide.

Sustainability sits at the core of every Roca decision. The company has achieved a 54% decrease in water consumption, a 53% reduction in Scope 1+2 CO₂ emissions, and 78% of waste valorised — all between 2018 and 2024 — in pursuit of its net-zero ambition by 2045. Roca’s commitment extends beyond product performance to ensuring access to water and sanitation for communities that need it most.

In India, Roca continues to set the standard for premium bathroom experiences, bringing world-class design and engineering to homes, hotels, and commercial spaces across the country.

For more information, visit www.roca.in.

Laundry needs change with family size, the number of weekly loads, and the types of clothes that need regular care. Panasonic washing machines address these different requirements with fully automatic top-load and front-load options designed for convenient everyday washing. The 2026 range spans 6.5 kg to 10 kg capacities and includes features such as MirAIe connectivity, built-in heaters, StainMaster+, Gentle Kizukai Wash, and dedicated wash programmes. With prices from Rs. 23,500 to Rs. 50,500, households can choose a model that fits their laundry routine, preferred wash type, and budget.

Panasonic Washing Machines in 2026: Five Models with AI Connectivity, Built-In Heaters, and Smart Fabric Care

After narrowing down the right capacity and features, Panasonic washing machines can be compared on Bajaj Mall before purchase at a nearby Bajaj Finance partner store. The Easy EMI Loan offers financing of up to Rs. 5 lakh with repayment tenures from 3 to 60 months, while the Insta EMI Card provides a credit limit of up to Rs. 3 lakh. Select models may also be available with zero down payment offers. Both financing options require the buyer to be physically present at a partner store to apply.

Top 5 Panasonic washing machines with latest features in 2026

From AI-powered connectivity to built-in heaters and gentle fabric care, these five Panasonic washing machines cover a range of household sizes and laundry needs.

Panasonic NA-F65LF3CRB

Price: Rs. 23,500 | Capacity: 6.5 kg | Type: Fully Automatic Top Load
Why it works: A practical entry into Panasonic’s fully automatic range, this model suits couples and small households. Its 5 Star rating supports lower electricity consumption, while Active Foam Wash improves detergent penetration for effective stain removal. Drynamic Spin removes more water after washing to reduce drying time, and 12 wash programmes cover everyday fabrics and delicates.

Panasonic NA-F70CH4CRB

Price: Rs. 24,500 | Capacity: 7 kg | Type: Fully Automatic Top Load
Why it works: This model adds a built-in heater for hot water washing, StainMaster+ for stain treatment, and MirAIe connectivity for smartphone control. Fifteen wash programmes provide flexibility across fabrics, while the 5 Star rating and 7 kg capacity make it suitable for small families.

Pro tip: MirAIe allows users to schedule washes remotely and receive maintenance alerts, making it worth setting up from the start.

Panasonic NA-F80CH4CRB

Price: Rs. 27,400 | Capacity: 8 kg | Type: Fully Automatic Top Load
Why it works: This 8 kg model combines a built-in heater, StainMaster+, MirAIe, and Drynamic Spin. The larger drum accommodates towels, bedsheets, and regular family loads, while the 5 Star rating supports efficient daily use. It is a practical choice for families of three to four seeking smart connectivity and hot water washing.

Panasonic NA-F100VF1CB

Price: Rs. 41,400 | Capacity: 10 kg | Type: Fully Automatic Top Load
Why it works: Designed for larger households, this model combines a 10 kg drum with Gentle Kizukai Wash for fabric care. Drynamic Spin reduces residual water to shorten drying time, while 15 wash programmes handle varied laundry requirements. A 5 Star rating adds energy efficiency for households running frequent, heavy loads.

Panasonic NA-149MR2L01

Price: Rs. 50,500 | Capacity: 9 kg | Type: Fully Automatic Front Load
Why it works: This front loader combines efficient washing with Panasonic’s Gentle Kizukai Wash Lite for fabric care. Quick 15 handles lightly soiled clothes in 15 minutes, while Baby Care provides a dedicated programme for infant clothing. MirAIe enables remote monitoring and scheduling, and the 5 Star rating supports efficient regular use.

How to buy a Panasonic washing machine from a Bajaj Finance partner store?

Splitting the cost of a new washing machine into monthly instalments makes the upgrade significantly more manageable. Shoppers can follow these steps to complete the purchase:

1. Browse on Bajaj Mall: Compare Panasonic washing machine models by capacity, type, key features, and price before visiting a store

2. Check pre-approved eligibility: Verify the pre-approved loan limit on the Bajaj Finance website using a registered mobile number and OTP verification

3. Find a partner store: Shortlisted models can be evaluated at 1.5 lakh+ Bajaj Finance partner stores across 4,000+ cities, including Reliance Digital, Croma, and Vijay Sales

4. Check the model in person: In-store staff can assist with comparing wash programmes, drum capacity, and smart features across models

5. Choose an EMI plan: Financing of up to Rs. 5 lakh is available through the Bajaj Finance Easy EMI Loan or Insta EMI Card, with zero down payment on select models and tenures from 3 to 60 months

6. Complete the purchase: Once approved, the transaction is processed immediately and the washing machine can be taken home the same day

Bajaj Finance Limited

Bajaj Finance Ltd. (‘BFL’, ‘Bajaj Finance’, or ‘the Company’), a subsidiary of Bajaj Finserv Ltd., is a deposit taking Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC-D) registered with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and is classified as an NBFC-Investment and Credit Company (NBFC-ICC). BFL is engaged in the business of lending and acceptance of deposits. It has a diversified lending portfolio across retail, SMEs, and commercial customers with significant presence in both urban and rural India. It accepts public and corporate deposits and offers a variety of financial services products to its customers. BFL, a thirty-five-year-old enterprise, has now become a leading player in the NBFC sector in India and on a consolidated basis, it has a franchise of 69.14 million customers. BFL has the highest domestic credit rating of AAA/Stable for long-term borrowing, A1+ for short-term borrowing, and CRISIL AAA/Stable & [ICRA]AAA(Stable) for its FD program. It has a long-term issuer credit rating of BB+/Positive and a short-term rating of B by S&P Global ratings.

To know more, visit www.bajajfinserv.in.

Signify (Euronext: LIGHT), the world leader in lighting, announced the successful completion of its latest project under Signify Jagmag Pathshala CSR initiative, transforming learning environments by upgrading lighting and essential electrical infrastructure across 56 Government Residential Tribal Welfare Schools in Andhra Pradesh’s Parvathipuram Manyam district, benefiting over 18,200 tribal children. The initiative was implemented in partnership with Jana Kalyana Samakhya (JKS) and in close coordination with the Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA).

Signify’s Jagmag Pathshala benefits over 18,200 tribal children across Andhra Pradesh

The project enhanced learning environments across the district’s tribal welfare schools through the installation of energy-efficient ceiling fans, tube lights, and outdoor lighting systems. These upgrades have created brighter, more comfortable, and safer spaces for learning, improving classroom visibility, student well-being, and overall school functionality.

Better-lit, well-ventilated classrooms have contributed to improved attendance, higher student engagement, and greater participation in both academic and sports activities. Enhanced outdoor lighting has further strengthened campus safety, ensuring students and staff benefit from a more secure, inclusive, and enabling environment throughout the day.

Speaking on the initiative, Nikhil Gupta, Head of Strategy & Marketing, Signify, Greater India said, “Every child deserves a classroom that is safe, comfortable, and conducive to learning. Through this CSR initiative, we have been able to address an essential but critical need in tribal welfare schools across Parvathipuram Manyam. Bringing reliable lighting and ventilation to these schools reflects our continued commitment to using innovation for brighter lives and a better world, especially for communities that need it the most.“

The initiative reinforces Signify’s commitment to harnessing the power of light to create brighter, safer, and more inclusive communities. As part of the company’s growing portfolio of CSR initiatives across India, it reflects Signify’s continued focus on advancing education, enhancing community well-being, and enabling meaningful social impact through innovative and sustainable lighting solutions.
 

About Signify  
Signify (Euronext: LIGHT) is the world leader in lighting for professionals and consumers. We proudly bring to market the world’s best lighting brands, from Signify, Philips, Philips Hue, Signify Interact, Philips Dynalite, Color Kinetics and many more. Our advanced products, connected systems and services unlock the extraordinary potential of light for brighter lives and a better world. In 2025, we had sales of EUR 5.8 billion, approximately 27,000 employees, and a presence in over 70 markets. We are in the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index and hold the EcoVadis Platinum rating.  News and updates from Signify can be found in the Newsroom, on LinkedIn and Instagram. Information for investors is located on the Investor Relations page.

EPIC Foundation, the non-profit organization co-founded by HCL co-founders and industry think tanks Mr. Arjun Malhotra and Dr. Ajai Chowdhry with a mission to establish India as a global leader in electronics hardware product design and manufacturing, today announced a leadership transition within its top ranks. Mr. Arjun Malhotra has taken on the role of Chairperson of the Foundation, succeeding Dr. Ajai Chowdhry, who will now serve as Founder of the organization.

Arjun Malhotra, Co- Founder, HCL | Chairperson, EPIC Foundation

The transition marks a new chapter in the Foundation’s leadership structure where both visionaries will remain closely engaged in advancing their shared vision: Building a sustainable, self-reliant and complete ecosystem for semiconductors and electronics as a key driver of national transformation. Their continued collaboration will centre on supporting indigenous innovation, domestic manufacturing and IP creation, building technology sovereignty, enabling Indian Startups, improving market access, and fostering collaboration between industry, government, academia for a well-connected ecosystem.

Ajai Chowdhry, Founder, EPIC Foundation, said, “Arjun’s life’s work in itself is a testimony to what EPIC Foundation stands for – the conviction that engineers, entrepreneurs, and institutions of India origin can build for the world. This transition decision does not stem from correcting course but rather is a natural progression at a time when India has both the talent and the opportunity to lead in indigenous innovation backed by strong policy support. Arjun’s decades of experience building enterprises from the ground up, scaling Indian technology globally, and mentoring founders across generations are vital in further shaping Foundation’s voice in creating an environment conducive to innovation.”

Mr Malhotra stands among the visionaries who anchored and shaped India’s technological destiny. As co-founder of HCL in 1975, he was at the helm of building indigenous confidence in Indian engineering proving Indian talent could build, design and compete at a global level. Beyond building India’s technological foundations, he played a true catalyst in laying the groundwork for the digital economy that today drives India’s global standing, employment generation, exports, and innovation capacity. Under his leadership, EPIC Foundation will look to further deepen its impact on accelerating globally competitive indigenous technology and products and build stronger capabilities across electronics, deep-tech, innovation and emerging technologies.

Arjun Malhotra, Chairperson, EPIC Foundation, said, “Nearly 50 years ago few of us dared to change direction of the country where we believed that India could build for the world and HCL happened. The conviction stayed with me ever since. Having seen India’s technology journey evolve over the past five decades, I believe that the next big opportunity for the country is to move beyond adopting technology to creating products and solutions that address our own needs and can compete globally. We are charting a clear output driven vision for the Foundation where we create an ecosystem that encourages entrepreneurs to take risks, supports indigenous product development, and helps promising innovations move from the laboratory and drawing board to the market. In the new role, my focus will intensify on helping build the kind of institutions, products, and policy environment that let Indian engineers and entrepreneurs solve problems on their own terms – for India, and for the world.”

Mr. Malhotra’s contributions to technology, entrepreneurship, and institution building have earned him wide recognition, including the Albert Einstein Technology Medal and the Dataquest Lifetime Achievement Award – the latter honoring his role in fostering entrepreneurship and shaping India’s technology landscape. The Institution of Engineers (India) has also recognized him as an Eminent Engineering Personality, and he has received honorary doctorates from both IIT Kharagpur and Punjab Technical University. In recognition of his sustained commitment to his alma mater, IIT Kharagpur named him a Life Fellow and inducted him as one of the founding members of its Hall of Fame. Most recently, he was presented with the One World One Family Global Leadership Award, celebrating his work in advancing business practices rooted in purpose and social impact.

EPIC Foundation remains committed in its efforts to enhance India’s capabilities as a Product Nation.

Popees Baby Care, one of India’s leading baby care brands, has accelerated its North India expansion with the inauguration of its 112th retail store globally at Zirakpur, Punjab. The new outlet represents the company’s second store in North India, following its successful Chandigarh launch, and signals its commitment to building a stronger retail presence across the region.
 

Strategically located at Pooja Plazzio on the Ambala-Chandigarh Expressway, the store was inaugurated by Mr. Bhuvnesh Haritash of Trinetra International.
 

Popees Baby Care marks its entry into Punjab with the grand launch of its first-ever store in Zirakpur, expanding its global footprint
 

The new outlet offers Popees’ complete portfolio of premium baby care solutions, including infant apparel, newborn essentials, diapers, wipes, skincare and bath products, organic baby care items and sustainable bamboo-based clothing, catering to children from birth to four years of age.
 

Commenting on the expansion, Shaju Thomas, Founder & CMD, Popees Baby Care, said, “North India represents one of our key growth markets. The encouraging customer response to our Chandigarh store has strengthened our confidence in the region. The launch of our Zirakpur outlet is another important step in making Popees more accessible to families while expanding our retail footprint in high-potential markets.”
 

Founded in 2003, Popees has evolved into one of India’s most trusted baby care brands through its unwavering commitment to quality, safety and innovation. Every product undergoes 28 rigorous quality checks, ensuring the highest standards for infants and toddlers.
 

With 112 stores across India and the Middle East, Popees continues to pursue an ambitious retail expansion strategy backed by product innovation and customer-centric growth. The company has already identified Karnal and Yamuna Nagar as its next destinations in North India, further strengthening its vision of making safe, premium and affordable baby care products easily accessible to families across the country.

About Popees Baby Care

Founded in 2003, Popees Baby Care is one of India’s leading baby care brands, offering a comprehensive range of products designed for infants and toddlers. The company manufactures and retails baby apparel, newborn essentials, diapers, wipes, bath and skincare products, organic baby care solutions, and eco-friendly bamboo-based products. Renowned for its commitment to quality, safety and comfort, every Popees product undergoes 28 stringent quality checks before reaching consumers.
 

Headquartered in Kerala, Popees has grown into a trusted brand with a strong retail presence across India and the Middle East. With 109 stores globally and a rapidly expanding footprint, the company continues to make safe, affordable and high-quality baby care products accessible to families through its extensive retail network and digital platforms.
 

For more details about Popees Baby Care, please visit www.popees.com.