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Ujaas and Central Railway Unite on World Menstrual Hygiene Day 2026, Advocating Menstrual Hygiene and Dignity as a Fundamental Right

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Ujaas and Central Railway Unite on World Menstrual Hygiene Day 2026, Advocating Menstrual Hygiene and Dignity as a Fundamental Right

Marking Menstrual Hygiene Day 2026 and this year’s global theme, “Together for a #PeriodFriendlyWorld,” Ujaas — an initiative of the Aditya Birla Education Trust founded by Advaitesha Birla — partnered with Central Railway Mumbai to drive a public awareness initiative at Mumbai’s iconic Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT). As part of the initiative, the CSMT heritage building was illuminated in red to reinforce the message that menstrual hygiene management is a right, not a privilege. The activation also featured a series of interactive public engagement activities designed to encourage open conversations around menstruation, challenge stigma and myths, and build greater awareness around menstrual hygiene management.

 

CSMT lights up red as Ujaas drives conversations on menstrual dignity, awareness and period equity on World Menstrual Hygiene day 2026

 

Through “Trash Out the Myths,” participants were encouraged to identify and challenge common misconceptions surrounding menstruation and menstrual hygiene. “Period Pulse” created an interactive platform for commuters and passersby to exchange perspectives and assess awareness around menstrual hygiene management, helping spark more informed and open conversations on the subject. Meanwhile, the “Period Rights Map” invited individuals to express support for dignity, awareness, accessibility and inclusivity in menstrual hygiene across schools, workplaces, public spaces and communities. By bringing these conversations into one of the country’s busiest public spaces, the initiative aimed to normalise discussions around menstruation and foster more informed, supportive and stigma-free attitudes towards menstrual hygiene in everyday life.

 

The initiative comes at a time when menstrual health and hygiene management is increasingly being recognised as an issue of dignity, equality, education, and public health. This momentum was further reinforced by the Supreme Court’s recognition of menstrual health and hygiene as intrinsically linked to the fundamental rights to dignity, equality, education, and health under Articles 14, 15, and 21 of the Constitution.

 

While India has made progress in menstrual hygiene awareness, significant gaps continue to persist. National data indicates that nearly one in four young women in India still does not have access to hygienic menstrual products and practices. Studies have also shown that many adolescent girls remain unaware of menstruation before experiencing their first period, while menstruation-related stigma, misinformation, and lack of supportive environments continue to impact confidence, mobility, and school attendance and participation in everyday life.

 

The disparities are often more visible within underserved communities and urban informal settlements, where girls continue to navigate challenges around privacy, access to menstrual hygiene products, awareness, and social stigma despite living within large metropolitan cities. Research across urban settlements has also highlighted that school absenteeism during menstruation can reach close to 38%, reinforcing the need for sustained awareness and community engagement around menstrual health and hygiene management

 

By bringing the conversation to one of India’s busiest public landmarks and transport hubs accessed by millions every day, Ujaas and Central Railway sought to encourage more visible, mainstream conversations around menstrual hygiene management and challenge the silence that continues to surround the subject.

 

Speaking on the occasion, Ms Advaitesha Birla, Founder, Ujaas an initiative of Aditya Birla Education Trust, said, “For many girls and women, menstruation still impacts confidence, mobility and everyday participation due to the silence and misinformation surrounding it. Real change requires more than awareness alone — it calls for supportive ecosystems and open conversations across schools, communities, families and public institutions. We thank Central Railway for partnering with us to amplify awareness around menstrual health. Through this initiative, we hope to bring the conversation into public spaces and encourage greater openness, dignity and normalisation around menstrual health.”

 

Adding further, Dr  Swapnil Nila, Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO), Central Railway said, “As one of the country’s largest public service networks, carrying millions of people every day, Indian Railways believes that public institutions and public spaces can play an important role in driving social awareness and inclusion. Through this collaboration with Ujaas, we hope to encourage more open conversations around menstrual health and hygiene, and contribute towards building a more informed and supportive environment for women and girls, for better realisation of their potential”.

 

To date, Ujaas has impacted over 1.2 million beneficiaries and distributed more than 4.8 million menstrual hygiene products across India. Programme assessments indicate measurable behavioural change, including a 48 percentage-point increase in rejection of menstrual myths among girls, a 38 percentage-point improvement in menstrual health awareness, and a 44 percentage-point increase in puberty awareness among boys — reinforcing the importance of inclusive, community-led menstrual health education that engages both girls and boys in building supportive attitudes around menstruation.

 

As conversations around menstrual equity continue to evolve nationally, the initiative highlights the importance of sustained awareness, education, and collaborative action in ensuring menstruation is addressed not through silence or stigma, but through dignity, confidence, and equal opportunity.

 

About Ujaas

Ujaas, a transformative initiative under the stewardship of the Aditya Birla Education Trust, is committed to fostering positive change and empowerment in the space of menstrual health and hygiene management. With an unwavering focus on driving awareness, breaking stereotypes and myths and contributing to social development in the space of menstrual health and hygiene, Ujaas epitomizes the Aditya Birla Education Trust ethos of contributing meaningfully to society.

 

Driven by a relentless pursuit of excellence, Ujaas leverages the values, resources, and expertise of the Aditya Birla Education Trust to create lasting impact. By implementing awareness workshops distribution of free pads, Ujaas serves as a beacon of progress and inclusivity.

 

Guided by the visionary principles of the Aditya Birla Education Trust, Ujaas embodies the belief that sustainable change begins at the grassroots level. Through collaborative efforts, strategic partnerships, and a deep-rooted commitment to uplift communities, Ujaas aspires to make a significant difference in the lives of underprivileged girls and society at large.

The Hindu Group and Galgotias University Bring Newsroom Learning to Greater Noida Campus through New Journalism Excellence Centre

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The Hindu Group and Galgotias University Bring Newsroom Learning to Greater Noida Campus through New Journalism Excellence Centre

Galgotias University has entered into a strategic collaboration with THG Publishing Pvt Ltd, publisher of The Hindu, to establish The Hindu Center for Excellence in Journalism at the University campus in Greater Noida. The initiative seeks to create stronger industry integration for journalism and visual communication students through newsroom exposure, editorial mentorship, field engagement, and practical learning opportunities.

 

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Galgotias University Brings One of India’s Leading Newsrooms Closer to Students Through New Partnership with The Hindu Group


The collaboration is designed to connect academic learning with the realities of contemporary journalism through direct engagement with one of India’s most respected media institutions. Under the partnership, students will gain access to internship opportunities with The Hindu’s editorial teams, collaborative publishing opportunities for visual communication projects, curated workshops, field visits, and structured interventions by media professionals. The programme will also provide students with access to The Hindu newspaper, digital platforms, archives, webinars, and special publications to deepen engagement with current affairs, public discourse, and journalistic practice.


The School of Media and Communication Studies at Galgotias University has built a strong focus on practical and industry-oriented media education and has been recognised among the leading private media institutions by India Today for promoting practical and field-based learning. The School combines classroom learning with studio exposure, production-based training, industrial visits, internships, newsroom interaction, masterclasses, and hands-on project work designed to strengthen storytelling, editorial thinking, production capability, and communication skills across evolving media formats.


Its programmes span journalism, digital media, strategic communication, advertising, corporate communication, television and fiction production, transmedia storytelling, communication research, anchoring, media graphics, and visual communication. Students are trained across multidimensional aspects of the media and entertainment industry while being exposed to both theoretical and practical learning environments from the early stages of the programme.


The School also collaborates with the India Today Media Institute (ITMI) for integrated undergraduate, postgraduate, and certification programmes that combine academic learning with professional industry exposure. These programmes include studio-led training, broadcast presentation, visual communication, digital storytelling, and interaction with working media professionals, allowing students to graduate with both academic qualifications and industry-oriented professional certifications.


Speaking on the collaboration, Dr Dhruv Galgotia, Chief Executive Officer, Galgotias University, said, “Journalism today demands credibility, editorial judgement, critical thinking, and the ability to engage responsibly with society across rapidly evolving information platforms. The School of Media and Communication Studies at Galgotias University has been making a concerted effort to build a practice-oriented learning ecosystem through studio exposure, industry interaction, field-based learning, and hands-on media training. This collaboration with The Hindu Group will further strengthen that ecosystem by giving students closer exposure to professional newsroom environments, editorial processes, and contemporary journalism practice.”


The initiative will also include quarterly physical and virtual interventions, a certified journalism signature course, and immersive field visits that will allow students to observe newsroom processes, editorial workflows, and media operations more closely. Selected student projects developed under the collaboration may also be showcased through The Hindu’s digital platforms, helping students build professional portfolios and real-world publishing experience.

Connectivity Push Fuels Rise of High-Potential Micro Markets Across NCR

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Connectivity Push Fuels Rise of High-Potential Micro Markets Across NCR

Across NCR, infrastructure corridors are becoming the foundation around which new residential ecosystems are taking shape. Expressways, metro expansions, new arterial roads, and large-scale infrastructure projects such as the Noida International Airport are steadily driving growth toward emerging micro-markets across Gurugram, Noida, and Greater Noida.

 

Connectivity-led growth across Dwarka Expressway, New Gurgaon, Yamuna Expressway, and Greater Noida is turning NCR micro markets into major realty hubs

 

Data from PropTiger underlines that over 60% of new residential supply in NCR is now concentrated in locations with strong or upcoming infrastructure linkages. Analysts point out that improved connectivity is not only unlocking land parcels but also boosting buyer confidence, particularly among end-users seeking shorter commutes and better urban amenities. The shift is bringing greater attention to infrastructure-led corridors supported by metro expansion, the operationalisation of the Dwarka Expressway, and the Noida International Airport.

 

Dr. Gautam Kanodia, Founder, KREEVA and Kanodia Group, said, “Gurugram’s growth story has become far more layered today than it was a few years ago. Earlier, most locations were viewed largely through the lens of pricing or proximity, but now every major micro market is creating its own character and buyer ecosystem. Dwarka Expressway, for instance, is attracting strong attention because people can clearly see the infrastructure taking shape around them. SPR and Golf Course Extension Road are drawing buyers who are looking for a more lifestyle-driven environment with better planning and mixed-use development. Even New Gurgaon is gradually maturing into a well-planned residential cluster.”

 

Shyamrup Roy Choudhury, Founder and Managing Director, Aura World, said, “Across Gurugram, connectivity is influencing residential choices in a much deeper way today, particularly across emerging corridors in South Gurugram. People are not only looking for better roads or shorter travel times; they are looking for a better everyday experience. As accessibility improves across key micro markets, buyers are placing greater importance on wellness-led living, open spaces, community experiences, and overall quality of life. This is also encouraging developers to think beyond conventional housing and create residential environments that support healthier and more balanced lifestyles in the long run.”

 

According to Cushman and Wakefield, Delhi NCR recorded 14,248 new residential unit launches in Q4 2025, marking a 39% rise over the previous quarter, and 2.5X higher on a y-o-y basis. Gurugram alone witnessed 50% of the quarterly launches. The majority of the launches in 2025 were seen in peripheral locations, such as 27% along the Dwarka Expressway and 11% in New Gurgaon. At the same time, SPR has positioned itself as the city’s next premium residential belt, benefiting from stronger road infrastructure, mixed-use developments, and its strategic linkage between Golf Course Extension Road and New Gurgaon.

 

Ashwani Kumar, Pyramid Infratech, said, “Dwarka Expressway has seen a very visible shift over the last few years. Earlier, a lot of interest in the corridor was largely investment-led, but today the market is being driven much more by genuine end-user demand. As infrastructure has progressed and connectivity with Delhi and other parts of Gurugram has improved, buyers have become more confident about living here long term.”

 

Rakesh Kapoor, Sales Head for BCRPL, added, “Over the years, we have seen how strong infrastructure can completely change the perception and growth trajectory of a location. Dwarka Expressway is a very good example of that transition. It is now one of Gurugram’s most important residential corridors because connectivity, road infrastructure, and urban development have all started coming together at scale. As infrastructure matures, buyers also gain greater confidence in the long-term potential of these locations.”

 

Meanwhile, across Noida and Greater Noida, infrastructure development is laying the foundation for the region’s next phase of real estate growth. The Yamuna Expressway, supported by the Noida International Airport, is witnessing rising residential and investor interest as industrial activity, logistics infrastructure, educational institutions, and commercial development gradually expand across the corridor

 

Sanjay Sharma, Director, SKA Group, said, “The Noida International Airport is becoming a major growth catalyst for the entire Noida-Greater Noida region. Locations like Yamuna Expressway and Greater Noida West are witnessing much stronger buyer confidence today because people can clearly see long-term infrastructure and urban development taking shape. Along with improved connectivity, there is a growing interest in organised residential communities that offer better planning and lifestyle amenities. What is also encouraging is that the demand is becoming increasingly end-user driven, which reflects the market’s gradual transition toward more stable and sustainable residential growth.”

 

At the same time, the Noida-Greater Noida Expressway continues to strengthen its position as an integrated corporate-residential belt driven by IT and office demand. Meanwhile, Greater Noida West sees larger housing formats and future metro connectivity, encouraging stronger end-user demand and more organised urban development.

 

Azad Ahmad Lone, President, Business Development and Operations, Biigtech, said, “As infrastructure improves across Noida-Greater Noida, commercial development is also expanding in a much more structured way. Corridors around Knowledge Park and the Noida-Greater Noida Expressway are witnessing growing office activity, educational ecosystems, and business-driven demand, which naturally supports residential growth in nearby locations. A strong office ecosystem creates long-term urban stability because people increasingly prefer to live closer to workplaces and social infrastructure. This residential-commercial synergy is important for creating more balanced and sustainable urban clusters rather than isolated real estate pockets.”

 

As NCR’s urban landscape continues to evolve, the strongest growth momentum is increasingly shifting toward micro markets that offer a balanced mix of mobility, social infrastructure, lifestyle amenities, and long-term urban planning.

SolarEdge Opens the India Development Center in Bangalore, Expanding its Global R&D Network

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SolarEdge Opens the India Development Center in Bangalore, Expanding its Global R&D Network

SolarEdge Technologies, Inc. (“SolarEdge”), a global leader in smart energy technology, today announced the opening of its new Research and Development (R&D) Campus, the India Development Center (IDC), in East Bangalore – one of the country’s leading hubs for high-tech and engineering activity.
 

SolarEdge launches its India Development Center in Bengaluru, strengthening global R&D and advancing smart energy innovation for a sustainable, efficient solar-powered future now
 

As part of this expansion, SolarEdge is scaling its engineering capabilities to further strengthen its global product development and innovation support functions. This growth reflects the company’s continued investment in expanding its global R&D capacity and enhancing cross-regional collaboration across its innovation network.
 

The new R&D center will contribute to the development of next-generation power electronics and smart energy technologies, while broadening SolarEdge’s access to world-class engineering talent and advanced technology expertise. The company plans to recruit engineers across a range of disciplines and experience levels, including embedded power electronics, embedded control systems, hardware design, mechanical engineering, and integration testing.
 

Mr. Liron Har Shai, Chief R&D Officer at SolarEdge, who led the inauguration ceremony along with other delegates from company headquarters, comments, “Expanding our Global R&D footprint in Bangalore strengthens our ability to innovate at scale, accelerate product development, and collaborate with world-class talent. This investment reflects our confidence in the region’s exceptional engineering capabilities and our commitment to building a strong, globally integrated R&D organization.”
 

Mr. Sanjay Puri, Country Manager of SolarEdge India, emphasized the strategic importance of this expansion, “India remains one of the most dynamic and promising solar markets worldwide, but it’s also become an attractive location for global engineering centers. With the inauguration of our new R&D and Technology Center, we are investing not only in infrastructure, but also in talent and innovation that will drive the next phase of solar growth in the region and globally.”
 

Mr. Sivamani Kukunur, Head of R&D, SolarEdge India, “We are grateful for the dedication and expertise of our R&D team in India, alongside our broader global R&D organization, whose commitment to innovation and excellence made this milestone possible. As part of SolarEdge’s global R&D network, the India Development Center will harbor world-class engineering talent and cutting-edge research capabilities, playing a key role in shaping the next generation of smart energy technologies for customers around the world.” SolarEdge is already active in the Indian photovoltaic (PV) market, providing residential and commercial solar and battery storage solutions. The company also operates customer support and service functions in Bangalore.
 

SolarEdge’s comprehensive solution portfolio—including inverters, power optimizers, storage systems, and a cloud-based monitoring platform—continues to support a wide range of solar applications, from residential to commercial and small utility-scale installations.

 

About SolarEdge

SolarEdge is a global smart energy technology company. SolarEdge develops, manufactures, and sells products that address a broad range of energy market segments through its diversified product offering, including residential, commercial and large scale photovoltaic or PV, energy storage and backup solutions, electric vehicle (“EV”) charging capabilities, home energy management, grid services and virtual power plants. By leveraging engineering capabilities and focusing on innovation, safety and reliability, SolarEdge creates smart energy solutions that power our lives and drive future progress.

SolarEdge is online at www.solaredge.com.

Uttarakhand Sports Leader Poonam Bhagat Advocates Youth Empowerment through Sports Initiatives

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Uttarakhand Sports Leader Poonam Bhagat Advocates Youth Empowerment through Sports Initiatives

With increasing focus on youth engagement through sports in Uttarakhand, Cestoball Association of Uttarakhand President Poonam Bhagat has intensified efforts to promote emerging sports and create international exposure opportunities for young athletes from the state. Recently, three players from Uttarakhand were selected to represent India at the upcoming International Cestoball Championship in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, highlighting the growing presence of the state in lesser-known competitive sports.

 

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Haridwar-based social leader and President of the Sistolball Association of Uttarakhand, Poonam Bhagat


The achievement is being seen as a significant moment for Uttarakhand’s sporting community, particularly for athletes participating in emerging sports disciplines that are gradually gaining recognition at national and international levels. Sports enthusiasts and local associations believe such selections can motivate more young players from smaller towns and districts to pursue professional sports opportunities.


Under the leadership of the Cestoball Association of Uttarakhand, several grassroots-level initiatives are being undertaken to identify and support promising talent across the state. The association has been organising training sessions, awareness drives, local competitions, and participation programmes aimed at encouraging youth involvement in sports activities.


Speaking on the development, Poonam Bhagat said, “The youth of Uttarakhand possess immense talent and potential. Providing them with the right exposure, training, and opportunities can help them compete confidently at national and international platforms. Sports also play an important role in building discipline, confidence, and a positive outlook among young people.”


She further stated that emerging sports require greater awareness and institutional support to ensure talented athletes from rural and semi-urban areas receive equal opportunities to grow and represent the country. According to her, sports can serve as an effective medium for youth engagement and social development.


According to association members, the ongoing initiatives led by the Cestoball Association are helping generate awareness about emerging sports among youth in Uttarakhand. Through training camps, participation drives, and grassroots-level outreach programmes, the association aims to encourage greater youth participation in sports and create structured opportunities for talented players from smaller towns and districts.


Local sports supporters and members of the association expressed confidence that more athletes from Uttarakhand would represent India in international championships in the coming years. They believe continued focus on grassroots sports development and athlete support can strengthen Uttarakhand’s presence in emerging sports categories.


The recent international selection of players is being viewed as a positive development for the state’s sports ecosystem and reflects the increasing participation of Uttarakhand youth in competitive sporting platforms beyond mainstream disciplines.

RISE Infraventures Closes FY26 with 4,840 Cr GTV, Expands National Presence with Bengaluru Office

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RISE Infraventures Closes FY26 with 4,840 Cr GTV, Expands National Presence with Bengaluru Office

Gurgaon-based leading real estate consultancy firm RISE Infraventures has successfully closed FY 2025-26 with an approximate Gross Transaction Value (GTV) of Rs. 4,840 crore, marking a significant milestone in the company’s growth journey. The company has also announced the launch of its Bengaluru office as part of its broader national expansion strategy.

 

Team RISE Infraventures marking a special moment of growth and new milestones together


The strong performance reflects rising demand across premium residential, luxury, and commercial real estate segments, backed by increasing investor confidence and sustained momentum in key markets, including NCR.


Speaking on the achievement, Sachin Gawri, Founder & CEO, RISE Infraventures, said, “Closing FY 2025-26 with an approximate GTV of Rs. 4,840 crore is a significant milestone for us and reflects the trust our clients and developer partners have placed in RISE Infraventures. Over the last few years, we have consistently strengthened our advisory capabilities, market understanding, and customer outreach. Our expansion into Bengaluru aligns with our long-term vision of building a strong national presence across India’s most promising real estate markets.”


Shantanu Gambhir, MD & Co-founder, RISE Infraventures, said, “Real estate today is no longer defined purely by transactions or scale; it is increasingly shaped by trust, strategic insight, and the ability to create long-term value. At RISE Infraventures, we have consciously built our journey around deep market understanding, meaningful client relationships, and a highly personalised advisory approach. Crossing an approximate GTV of Rs. 4,840 crore is not just a business milestone for us, but a reflection of the confidence the market has placed in our vision. Our expansion into Bengaluru represents the next chapter of growth as we continue strengthening our presence across India’s most aspirational and high-potential real estate markets.”


The Bengaluru office is expected to strengthen the company’s presence in South India while enhancing its developer network, institutional relationships, and advisory services across premium residential and Grade A commercial assets.


With multiple strategic collaborations and expansion plans underway, RISE Infraventures continues to strengthen its position as one of India’s emerging real estate advisory and consultancy firms.


About RISE Infraventures
Established in 2021, RISE Infraventures is a leading real estate consultancy and advisory firm specializing in premium residential, commercial, and investment-led real estate solutions. With a strong presence across NCR and expanding operations in key Indian markets, the company offers strategic advisory, sales, marketing, and investment consulting services to developers, investors, and homebuyers. The company is headquartered in Gurgaon, and has offices in Noida and Mumbai and is keen on expanding to more regions, including the UAE. Known for its market-driven approach, strong developer relationships, and customer-centric advisory capabilities, RISE Infraventures has emerged as a trusted name in India’s evolving real estate landscape.

 

Nicole Junkermann says Real Opportunity in Indian Sport Lies in Infrastructure not Headlines

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Nicole Junkermann says Real Opportunity in Indian Sport Lies in Infrastructure not Headlines

India’s sports economy generates a particular kind of coverage. Franchise valuations. Celebrity ownership. Media rights records. The numbers are genuinely extraordinary, and the stories they produce are compelling. But Nicole Junkermann, founder of NJF Holdings and Gameday by NJF Holdings, thinks the most important investment story in Indian sport right now isn’t any of those things.

 

Nicole Junkermann says the future of Indian sport will be built beyond the spotlight

 

“Everyone is looking at the asset. Not enough people are looking at what sits beneath it. The franchise is the headline. The infrastructure is the business.”

 

Nicole Junkermann has spent the past several years building an investment thesis at what she describes as the infrastructure layer: the technology and platforms that sit beneath consumer-facing industries and determine their long-term economics. Her venture portfolio at NJF Capital, which includes investments in SpaceX, Revolut, Rippling and Groq, reflects a consistent instinct that enabling platforms create more durable value than the companies operating within them. She applies the same logic to sport. And increasingly, she applies it to India.

 

The pick-and-shovel argument

The analogy she reaches for is the California Gold Rush. The merchants who sold picks and shovels to miners didn’t need any particular mine to succeed. They just needed mining to grow.

 

In sport, the equivalent is the infrastructure layer: broadcast technology, content distribution, fan data platforms, ticketing and payments infrastructure, athlete performance tools, sponsorship measurement systems. None of these require a particular team to win. They benefit when sport as a whole grows. And India’s sport is growing.

 

“The IPL is one of the most valuable sporting properties in the world. Football, kabaddi and volleyball leagues are professionalising. Women’s sport is attracting serious attention for the first time. The fan base is young, digitally connected and expanding fast. The infrastructure those leagues need to operate efficiently and grow commercially is being built now. That’s the investment moment.”

 

Five categories that matter

Junkermann is precise about where NJF Holdings believes the most durable value in Indian sport will accumulate.

 

  1. Broadcast and content technology: tools that automate highlight production, enable creator partnerships and distribute content efficiently across platforms. Leagues with modern content infrastructure reach more fans at lower cost and build year-round relevance rather than seasonal spikes.

  2. Fan data platforms: systems that help leagues understand their audiences directly rather than through intermediaries. The leagues that own fan relationships will have stronger commercial leverage with sponsors and broadcasters as the market matures.

  3. Ticketing and payments infrastructure: systems that reduce friction between sport and its audience. India’s mobile payments sophistication is a genuine structural advantage that the sports sector hasn’t yet fully exploited.

  4. Sports performance technology: tools that improve athlete development, reduce injury risk and extend careers. Leagues that invest seriously in athlete welfare produce better sporting products and reduce the roster volatility that undermines competitive consistency.

  5. Governance and scheduling systems: the operational infrastructure that allows leagues to run efficiently, maintain competitive integrity and present a consistent product to broadcasters and sponsors. Often invisible. Always foundational.

Why now

Nicole Junkermann identifies three reasons why the infrastructure investment window in Indian sport is open now in a way it won’t be indefinitely.

 

Scale is established but infrastructure isn’t. Unlike mature markets such as the Premier League or the NBA, where infrastructure investment requires displacing incumbent systems, India’s leagues are building commercial and technological infrastructure largely from scratch. The opportunity set is cleaner and the cost of entry is lower.

 

The proof of concept exists. Through Gameday’s work as the largest shareholder in Italy’s Lega Volley Femminile, the infrastructure-layer model has demonstrated what it produces: a league that exceeded 1.4 billion digital views in a single season, became the second most-followed sports league in Italy and surpassed its own audience targets months ahead of schedule. The model isn’t theoretical.

 

The window is time-limited. Markets move from infrastructure deficit to infrastructure saturation faster than most investors expect. The IPL’s commercial sophistication today looks nothing like where it started. Other Indian leagues are earlier on that curve.

 

“The teams that win championships change. The platforms that run the leagues don’t. India’s sports economy is at the stage where the foundational decisions are being made. That’s the moment we find interesting.”

 

Gameday is in active dialogue across India’s sports ecosystem and expects to share further details on its market engagement in due course.

 

About Gameday by NJF Holdings

Gameday by NJF Holdings is a sports investment and strategic platform founded by Nicole Junkermann. Focused on building long-term value across leagues, media and sports technology, its approach centres on structural growth, digital transformation and scalable fan ecosystems.

 

The platform is the largest shareholder in Italy’s professional women’s volleyball league, Lega Volley Femminile (LVF), where it is supporting league-level commercial and digital development. Gameday is also the creator of CayoTV, a next-generation sports media platform designed to expand access, engagement and modern distribution for live sport audiences.

 

For more information, visit gameday.team.

Meta Advises Eylsia Nicolas on India BookKards Budget as Her Biography Pre‑Release Highlights Surging Global Demand for Her Music

Ravindra Kirti Founder GGF
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Meta Advises Eylsia Nicolas on India BookKards Budget as Her Biography Pre‑Release Highlights Surging Global Demand for Her Music

Recording artist, inventor, and digital publishing innovator Eylsia Nicolas has pre‑released her biography Not Like Anyone Else as part of her BookKards pilot in India, with Meta India advising her on the budget structure for the test rollout. Early engagement with the interactive book format has been strong, but audience data shows an even more dramatic surge in demand for her music.

 

Eylsia Nicolas and BookKards


Over recent months, Eylsia’s content has generated more than 250 million views across India and the Philippines, including over 100 million views on a single post in India. At the same time, the country version of her song “Never Stop Loving You” – originally recorded in Hindi for India – has held the #1 global position on the Groover Singer‑Songwriter charts for consecutive weeks.

“I believe people are ready for a new kind of book – something adaptive, personal, and alive,” Eylsia said. “The early response to my biography means a lot to me, but the numbers also showed how deeply people connect with music. I’m grateful for that and inspired to create more.”

Eylsia, who suffered lung and vocal‑cord damage before developing patented technology that helped her regain her original voice, is now building books that adjust in real time to each reader’s level, language, and cognitive style.

“I believe the future of reading will be dynamic,” she said. “My hope is that this technology can help more people – especially children with special needs – rediscover a love for books.”

On the role of AI in creative work, she emphasized human direction and adaptation.

“I believe AI is simply another tool,” she said. “What matters is how people use it. I hope our schools and institutions evolve quickly so everyone can benefit from the opportunities ahead.”

Before her music career, Eylsia was the youngest winner of the Irish Open at age 14 and later competed at the US Open and Wimbledon before injury redirected her path.

“I’ve had to adapt many times,” she said. “I believe people deserve support and guidance so their fears can lead to growth and a brighter future.”
 

Follow Eylsia Nicolas:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/lisaeylsia

TikTok: tiktok.com/@lisaeylsia

Facebook: facebook.com/eylsianicolas

YouTube:www.youtube.com/@eylsia

www.youtube.com/watch?v=5DT8K5I2ucc

www.instagram.com/p/DVr5GxtDhB4/
 

About BookKards

BookKards is a patented digital publishing format that combines micro‑payments, short‑form storytelling, and future AI‑adaptive content. Designed for mobile‑first audiences, BookKards enables creators to publish emotional, shareable stories and earn revenue directly from fans.
 

About Eylsia
Eylsia (Lisa Pamintuan) is a Filipina-American singer-songwriter, inventor, entrepreneur, and former international tennis competitor known for innovations in music distribution technology, luxury fashion through Nicolas of Palm Beach, and emerging publishing technology through WorldIPI. Her music has generated more than 200 million global views in 2026, while her portfolio of intellectual property includes innovations spanning spatial audio technology, medical technology, textiles, telecommunications, and consumer product design.
 

About WORLDIPI.COM LLC

Intellectual Properties International Holdings, WORLDIPI.COM LLC, is a worldwide leader in intellectual property. It represents the intellectual properties and technologies of Donald Spector, who has been called one of the world’s most prolific inventors. The company has hundreds of US and foreign patents in medicine, entertainment, communications, technology and consumer products. Mr. Spector has opened up several billion-dollar industries.

 

The principals of World IPI created the first hydraulic exerciser; the first hyperbaric chamber for seeds and the first ball that lit up at night. Bristol-Myers Squibb set up a separate division for Spector’s patents including the first electronic air freshener, the Aroma Disc System.
 

Spector’s patents range from the first known app for location-based advertising; the first known patents for a cyber translation system; patents that predate the wearable biosensor market, as well as hundreds of other patents and technologies.

From Greater Noida to the Globe: Galgotias Students Crack World Innovation Platforms

Ravindra Kirti Founder GGF
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From Greater Noida to the Globe: Galgotias Students Crack World Innovation Platforms

An increasingly confident India First mindset is beginning to shape how students approach technology, startups, and global innovation platforms, and that shift is becoming increasingly visible at Galgotias University.

 

Students from the university are currently representing India at the Global EDVentures Startup Competition in Hong Kong, carrying ideas, products, and ventures that originated inside classrooms, labs, maker spaces, hostels, and collaborative student communities at Galgotias University. Their participation comes amid an incredible wave of student-led achievements emerging from the university ecosystem over the past year, including 18 winners at the global Apple Swift Student Challenge, the launch of 37 live applications on Apple’s iOS ecosystem, and growing engagement with international startup conversations connected to organisations such as Y Combinator.

 

India First Ambition and National Pride Drive Galgotias University Students onto Global Innovation Platforms

 

The university’s growing startup ecosystem has also begun translating into tangible market confidence. One of the student-led ventures emerging from the Galgotias ecosystem, Cybergenix, recently secured INR 3 crore in funding. A striking aspect of the story is that one of the co-founders of the startup is just 18 years old, reflecting how early exposure to innovation, mentorship, experimentation, and startup culture is beginning to shape a new generation of young Indian founders far earlier than traditionally expected.

 

Seen across a single year, these developments begin to reveal how quickly the innovation culture at Galgotias University is evolving, with students increasingly approaching university life as builders, founders, creators, and product thinkers operating with global ambition.

 

The scale and consistency of success at the Apple Swift Student Challenge offers one of the clearest indicators of the ecosystem now taking shape at Galgotias University. After producing 10 winners in 2025, the university saw that number rise to 18 winners in 2026, suggesting that mentorship, peer learning, experimentation, product thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and technical confidence are beginning to spread organically across the student community.

 

The momentum is also becoming increasingly visible across the wider campus ecosystem and is no longer confined to one department or one select batch, with students from engineering, artificial intelligence, design, management, and interdisciplinary programmes collaborating to build applications, AI-driven products, startup ventures, and technology solutions connected to healthcare, accessibility, productivity, education, immersive learning, and digital communities. Across Galgotias University, building products, experimenting with ideas, and attempting ambitious work is steadily becoming part of everyday student culture instead of being limited to a handful of prodigious individuals.

 

More than 135 startups have already emerged from the broader innovation ecosystem at Galgotias University, supported through incubation, mentorship, prototyping support, industry exposure, and the INR 10 crore Galgotias Innovation Fund. The university has simultaneously expanded its technology ecosystem through specialised labs and Centres of Excellence built with organisations including Apple, Intel, Cisco, NVIDIA, Salesforce, Tata Technologies, and Capgemini, alongside high performance computing infrastructure powered by NVIDIA DGX H200 systems.

 

Perhaps the most important transformation underway is psychological, with a visible shift beginning to emerge in the confidence, ambition, and self-belief with which students approach their university years. Increasingly, students at Galgotias University are treating the campus experience not simply as a pathway to a degree, but as an opportunity to build products, experiment with ideas, collaborate across disciplines, and attempt meaningful work much earlier in life while believing that globally relevant startups and technologies can emerge directly from Indian university campuses. Many now have role models within their own university ecosystem to look up to, including seniors who have built apps, secured international recognition, launched startups, raised funding, and represented India on global platforms, alongside mentors who continue to guide, challenge, support, and push them toward thinking beyond conventional academic pathways.

 

That confidence was visible during the recent visit of Ramana Ramanathan to Galgotias University, where he interacted with founders behind student-led ventures such as Project Tacto and Tekurious, both currently representing India at the Global EDVentures Startup Competition in Hong Kong. Mr. Ramanathan, widely regarded as one of the principal architects behind India’s modern innovation and entrepreneurship movement through the Atal Innovation Mission, appeared particularly struck by the seriousness, clarity, and execution-focused thinking demonstrated by the student teams. Discussions revolved around scalability, deployment challenges, user behaviour, product-market relevance, and real-world application instead of abstract ambition.

 

Speaking about the emerging ecosystem, Dr. Dhruv Galgotia, Chief Executive Officer of Galgotias University, said, “A new generation of young Indians is beginning to believe that they can build for the world directly from India. That confidence matters. At Galgotias University, we are witnessing students move beyond conventional academic boundaries and begin creating products, applications, startups, and technologies with global ambition while still inside the university ecosystem. What is encouraging is that these achievements are no longer isolated success stories. We are now seeing outcomes emerge repeatedly across domains and cohorts, which tells us that a larger culture of innovation, experimentation, ambition, and national confidence is steadily taking shape.”

 

At Galgotias University, momentum now appears to be compounding through visibility, peer influence, mentorship, experimentation, and repeated student success across platforms. One app launch encourages another student to experiment. One international competition changes how an entire cohort sees its own potential. One startup securing funding changes how young founders perceive risk and possibility.

 

That confidence is now becoming increasingly visible across the university ecosystem, where more students are beginning to believe that globally relevant products, companies, and technologies can emerge directly from Indian campuses.

Cosmo Foundation Supported Global Fair Play Movement in India to Promote Integrity, Respect and Inclusion in Sport

Ravindra Kirti Founder GGF
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Cosmo Foundation Supported Global Fair Play Movement in India to Promote Integrity, Respect and Inclusion in Sport

Cosmo Foundation, the community outreach arm of Cosmo First, supported the International Symposium on World Fair Play Day 2026 on May 19 at the ISIC Institute of Rehabilitation Sciences, New Delhi. The symposium, attended by over six million people across the globe through a hybrid format, marked the global observance recognised by the United Nations and brought together sports leaders, educators, students, policy advocates and international stakeholders to reinforce the importance of ethics, inclusion and integrity in sports and society.

 

Ms Yamini Kumar Jaipuria championing the values of integrity, respect and inclusion through the global Fair Play movement, reinforcing the spirit of ethical and value-driven sport

 

The initiative also sought to advance Fair Play education across schools and universities with recommendations for integrating Fair Play into the National Education Policy (NEP 2020). Experts also discussed fostering international cooperation and encourage the integration of values such as respect, solidarity and ethical conduct into youth development and community programmes. Further, establishment of a National Fair Play Committee of India to coordinate Fair Play programmes, research, education, and policy advocacy was a key discussion.

 

The initiative was conceptualised with the support of Ms Yamini Kumar Jaipuria, Managing Trustee, Cosmo Foundation, who has been actively associated with international Fair Play initiatives. This was then organised in collaboration with the Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Sports Foundation and endorsed by the International Fair Play Committee (CIFP). The symposium marked one of the first large-scale World Fair Play Day celebrations in India and aimed to deepen India’s engagement with the global Fair Play movement while encouraging stronger collaboration among educational, sporting and social institutions.

 

In her special address, Ms Yamini Kumar Jaipuria, Managing Trustee Cosmo Foundation and Whole-time Director (Corporate Strategy, ESG and CSR), Cosmo First said, “Fair play is a universal language. Fair play is more than a game; it is a way of life. It is not about how you win, but how you play. By promoting values such as dignity, justice, respect and togetherness, we can create a better world not only through sport, but also in everyday life.”

 

In his keynote speech, Mr Sunil Sabharwal, President of CIFP, acknowledged the contribution of Ms Yamini Kumar Jaipuria and the invaluable support by Cosmo Foundation towards advancing the Fair Play movement in India and globally. He further emphasised the global responsibility to uphold ethics, integrity and respect in sport, while highlighting the importance of international cooperation in strengthening values-driven sports ecosystems. 

 

The symposium featured panel discussions on ethics in sports governance, the role of education in fostering sportsmanship, and the cultural significance of Fair Play in building peaceful and inclusive societies. Discussions focused on ethical leadership, transparency and accountability in sport, anti-doping frameworks, value-based education for youth, and the role of traditional sports in promoting community bonding, cultural preservation and social harmony. The event also included a Fair Play Pledge Ceremony and participation from national and international institutions associated with sports, education and Olympic values.

 

As the community outreach initiative of Cosmo First, Cosmo Foundation works across education, environment and empowerment initiatives, with programmes spanning multiple states and communities across India. Through its support for World Fair Play Day, the Foundation helped strengthen India’s leadership in the global Fair Play movement and reinforced international cooperation for ethical and value-driven sport. The symposium also helped catalyse conversations around expanding Fair Play education and building stronger collaborations among Indian and global institutions working in sports, education and social development.

 

About Cosmo Foundation
Cosmo Foundation was established in 2008 as the community outreach initiative of the Cosmo First Ltd, the largest manufacturers of BOPP worldwide. The Foundation works closely with less developed communities around its manufacturing units at the Karjan in the Vadodara District and Gangapur in the Chatrapati Sambhajinagar District as well as in Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, and tribal district Chhindwara of Madhya Pradesh. The organization works on several development programs aimed at Computer operation and digital skill building, Foundational Literacy, Numeracy, Life skills and English Communication, health and hygiene, Environment and Empowerment of women.

 

About Cosmo First Limited
Established in 1981 by Mr Ashok Jaipuria, Cosmo First Limited is an over four-decade-old global conglomerate. Its consumer vertical comprises Cosmo Consumer, which is into Window Films, Paint Protection Films & Ceramic Coatings for automobiles, and Zigly Pet Care, which provides a digital-first omni channel pet care ecosystem. Its industrial vertical includes Cosmo Films for specialty films for packaging, labels, lamination, and industrial applications; Cosmo Speciality Chemicals for coatings, adhesives and masterbatches, and Cosmo Plastech for rigid packaging. With sustainable innovation, development, and research embedded in its core values, Cosmo First serves customers in 100+ countries.

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