Hiranandani Hospital, Vashi — A Fortis Network Hospital  (a part of the IHH Healthcare multinational network) — took the ‘Har Ghar Hero’ initiative a step further, expanding the community CPR initiative to turn even more Navi Mumbaikars into first responders in their own homes & neighbourhoods. Moving beyond the hospital’s walls, the initiative reached residential societies, schools and colleges, corporate organizations, and Ganpati pandals across the city, empowering ordinary citizens to recognize a cardiac arrest, act in the critical first moments, and perform basic Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) that can mean the difference between life and death.

Team from Fortis Hiranandani Hospital, Vashi Navi Mumbai training members of Shivtej Ganpati Pandal, Sanpada in life-saving CPR skills under the ‘Har Ghar Hero’ initiative

Planned around the Ganpati festival, when lakhs of people came together across community spaces, the initiative leveraged these gatherings to build greater awareness around emergency preparedness and the importance of timely CPR intervention. Through its outreach across Navi Mumbai, the programme directly engaged approximately 25,000 people, extending CPR awareness and basic life-saving knowledge to residents, students, employees and community members.

With a population of over 15 lakh residents, Navi Mumbai is among the fastest-growing urban centres in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, underscoring the need for stronger community-level emergency preparedness. Most cardiac arrests occur outside hospital settings, often at home, where the first few minutes can significantly influence outcomes before professional medical assistance arrives. Against this backdrop, and with bystander CPR rates in India remaining low at approximately 1.3–9.8 per cent, ‘Har Ghar Hero’ initiative helped take practical CPR awareness directly into spaces where Navi Mumbaikars live, study and work. By improving familiarity with basic emergency response and encouraging timely action, the program strengthened confidence and preparedness among community members to respond during critical medical emergencies.

The sessions conducted across Navi Mumbai focused on helping participants recognise the signs of a cardiac emergency, understand the importance of seeking medical assistance immediately, and learn the basic steps involved in CPR. As part of the Ganpati outreach, the hospital covered prominent community locations including Vashi Cha Ganjraj (and Navi Mumbai Cha Raja (Vashi, Sec 17), Juinagar Cha Raja, Friends Group Seva Sanstha and nearby pandals, Shri Ganesh Mitra Mandal – Koparkhairane (Sec 10), Sarvajanik Utkarsh Mitra Mandal – Koparkhairane (Sec 9), Ichapurti Ganesh Mandal – Sanpada, and Sonar Cha Raja, among others. Through practical demonstrations and community interactions, the programme equipped participants with basic life-saving knowledge to help them respond appropriately during the critical first few minutes of a cardiac emergency until professional medical assistance arrived.

The residential outreach programme covered Moraj Residency – Palm Beach Road, Sanpada; FAM CHS, Kalash Udyan CHS and Balaji Garden CHS – Koparkhairane; and Himachal CHS – Vashi. Educational institutions also formed an important part of the initiative, with CPR awareness sessions conducted for students and staff at Navi Mumbai Vidyalaya (English Medium), SIES College, Tilak College and Anjuman-I-Islam College, extending emergency preparedness and basic life-saving knowledge to younger members of the community.

Speaking about the initiative, Dr. Ashutosh Pandey, Facility Director, Fortis Hiranandani Hospital, Vashi, Navi Mumbai, said, “A cardiac emergency can occur anywhere. Studies show that immediate CPR can improve a person’s chances of survival two to three times. Through ‘Har Ghar Hero’, we were able to take CPR awareness directly into communities and help address the hesitation and uncertainty that often accompany a medical emergency. Ganpati celebrations gave us an effective platform to engage with people where they naturally came together and reinforce the importance of timely action. The response to the initiative has strengthened our larger objective of building a community where more citizens have the knowledge and confidence to take the right first steps when every minute matters.”

To ensure that the programme continues beyond the 10-day Ganpati festival, Fortis Hiranandani Hospital, Vashi will conduct focused CPR training sessions at the hospital every Sunday from 4 pm to 5 pm throughout October 2026. Participants who complete the training will receive CPR certification. To register, contact +91 86579 58482

Through ‘Har Ghar CPR Hero’, Fortis Hiranandani Hospital, Vashi aims to progressively expand the number of CPR-aware citizens in Navi Mumbai and encourage emergency preparedness as a community responsibility, not just that of healthcare providers.

About Fortis Healthcare Limited  

Fortis Healthcare Limited is a leading integrated healthcare delivery service provider in India. The healthcare verticals of the company primarily comprise hospitals, diagnostics, and day care specialty facilities. Currently, the company operates 36 healthcare facilities (including JVs and O&M facilities) across 12 states and union territories. The Company’s network comprises over 6,150 operational beds (including O&M beds) and 400 diagnostics labs.

For more information, please visit www.fortishealthcare.com

About IHH Healthcare (“IHH”)

IHH is a leading multinational healthcare provider shaping the future of care. Driven by our aspiration to Care. For Good., we unite medical excellence and innovation, pushing boundaries through our trusted brands such as Acibadem, Gleneagles, Fortis, Island, Mount Elizabeth, Pantai, Parkway and Prince Court. Across 10 countries, including Malaysia, Singapore, Türkiye, India and Greater China, our 70,000-strong team delivers world-class excellence every day, within and beyond our 140 healthcare facilities, including more than 80 hospitals. Our comprehensive services span the full healthcare continuum, from primary and ambulatory to quaternary care, complemented by diagnostics, imaging, rehabilitation, telehealth and home care. In partnership with our stakeholders, IHH is advancing value-based care, building a sustainable healthcare ecosystem and creating meaningful impact, as we work towards our vision to become the world’s most trusted healthcare services network.

For more information, please visit www.ihhhealthcare.com.

The interesting thing about India’s real estate market in 2026 is not simply that demand remains strong. It is where that demand is coming from, and what buyers and occupiers are willing to pay for.

India’s real estate sector enters a new growth phase, driven by premium housing demand, expanding office markets and evolving buyer preferences

Residential sales across the top seven cities rose 8% year-on-year to 70,631 units in Q1 2026, while homes priced at Rs 1 crore and above accounted for 71% of sales, compared with 59% a year earlier, according to JLL.

Arjun Gehlot, Director, Ambience Group, said, “Homebuyers are looking at the residence as a long-term lifestyle decision. Space, planning, location and the quality of the surrounding environment are becoming more important in the purchase conversation. The willingness to allocate a higher budget is also visible in the continued demand for luxury housing, particularly in established urban markets where buyers already understand the value of the location.”

Commercial real estate is seeing its own expansion. CBRE recorded 45.5 million sq ft of office absorption in H1 2026, the highest half-year figure recorded, with GCCs accounting for about 43% of leasing.

Sandeep Chhillar, Founder and Chairman, Landmark Group, said, “India’s commercial and residential sectors are no longer moving in parallel, they are reinforcing each other. On the commercial side, GCCs alone are projected to grow by 41% by 2030, driving demand for Grade-A offices that go well beyond location, occupiers today are evaluating connectivity, floor plate flexibility, sustainability credentials and the broader business ecosystem around a building. Gurugram exemplifies this convergence, where a maturing corporate infrastructure has simultaneously strengthened residential absorption in premium micro-markets. The current growth phase is therefore not a cyclical uptick – it is a structural reset, and the developers who build for that reality rather than the last cycle will define what Indian real estate looks like a decade from now.”

Developers are also responding to a clear shift in the composition of demand. JLL recorded a 45% year-on-year rise in launches priced above Rs 1 crore in Q1 2026, with the Rs 1.5-3 crore segment registering a 134% increase in launches.

B.K. Malagi, Vice Chairman, Experion Developers, said, “India’s residential market today is firmly driven by end-users, but buyers are equally conscious of the long-term value of their investment. Location, rental potential, quality of construction and the future growth of the micro-market are increasingly shaping purchase decisions. As ticket sizes rise, buyers are also placing far greater emphasis on execution, delivery and the credibility of the developer. This is ultimately creating a more discerning market where quality and trust will differentiate the strongest developments.”

Prateek Tiwari, Managing Director, Prateek Group, said, “There is greater clarity among buyers about what constitutes value in a home. It is not only the apartment itself, but also the neighbourhood, access, open spaces and everyday convenience. This is supporting demand for strategically located residential projects in established markets, where buyers are thinking about both present use and the longer-term potential of the location.”

Dr. Gautam Kanodia, Founder, KREEVA and Kanodia Group, said, “Luxury housing has become more closely linked to the overall experience of living. Buyers are looking for privacy, design, wellness and better common spaces, but also for a location that holds its relevance over time. This is creating a different conversation around luxury, where the home is increasingly viewed as part of a larger lifestyle and not simply as a physical asset.”

Ashwinder R. Singh, Vice Chairman, BCD Group and Chairman, CII Committee on Real Estate (NR), said, “India’s real estate story is no longer being driven by housing or offices in isolation. Jobs create offices, offices create economic clusters, and economic clusters create housing demand. Infrastructure then expands the geography of that growth. What we are seeing today is this entire cycle beginning to reinforce itself, with end users, businesses and institutional capital participating at the same time. That is what makes the current phase structurally different from earlier real estate cycles.”

Karan Khanna, Founder, Apex Acreages, says “One of the notable shifts in the market is the increasing traction for luxury and premium residential projects, alongside continued activity across the expanding housing segment. Notably, CBRE recorded over 61,000 residential sales in Q2 2026, along with a rising share of high-end apartment sales. From what we see on the ground, factors such as location, product quality, amenities and long-term value are increasingly influencing decisions. This is also shaping how developers position projects and how investors assess opportunities across markets.“

The common thread across both markets is a more deliberate buyer and occupier, with real estate increasingly being chosen around how a location will work over the next decade, not merely how it looks today.

• Bottles for Change showcases responsible plastic waste management and the transformation of used plastic into valuable resources

• Over 3,600 participants from 62 countries came together at the 10th edition of WCEF, hosted in India for the first time

Bisleri International, through its flagship ‘Bottles for Change’ CSR initiative, showcased its approach to responsible plastic waste management and resource recovery at the World Circular Economy Forum (WCEF) 2026 held on September 15^th to 18^th. The 10th edition of the global forum was inaugurated by Shri Bhupender Yadav, Hon’ble Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India, and Shri Bhupendrabhai Patel, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Gujarat, in the presence of government officials, policymakers, industry leaders, researchers, innovators and sustainability practitioners from 62 countries.

Bisleri Showcases Plastic Circularity Through Its Bottles for Change CSR Initiative at World Circular Economy Forum 2026

The Bottles for Change stall was visited by Shri Arjunbhai Modhwadia, Hon’ble Minister for Forest, Environment and Climate Change, Government of Gujarat; Shri Pravinbhai Mali, Hon’ble Minister of State for Forests and Environment, Climate Change, Government of Gujarat, International Delegates; representatives from the Ministry of Environment Forest & Climate Change, Central Pollution Control Board and Gujarat Pollution Control Board; and senior officials from State Pollution Control Boards across Maharashtra, Odisha, Kerala, J&K and Chhattisgarh. During their visit, Bisleri showcased its sustainability and responsible waste management initiatives. The discussions focused on improving plastic waste collection, promoting recycling, and reusing resources efficiently to create a cleaner, more sustainable environment. It highlighted the importance of source segregation and collective participation in strengthening a circular economy for plastics.

Government officials and delegates visit the Bisleri Bottles for Change stall at the World Circular Economy Forum 2026

Speaking about the participation, Mr. K. Ganesh, Director – Sustainability & Corporate Affairs, Bisleri International, said, “Advancing a circular economy requires collaboration across governments, businesses, institutions and citizens. Platforms such as the World Circular Economy Forum create opportunities for meaningful dialogue and knowledge exchange around scalable solutions for resource efficiency and waste management. Through Bottles for Change, we continue to promote awareness and action around responsible plastic waste management and recycling, while helping create pathways to strengthen the circular economy for plastics.”

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 90 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 130 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 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.

The Association for Reinventing School Education (ARISE), in collaboration with FICCI, concluded the ARISE Learning Festival 2026, bringing together school leaders, educators, policymakers, students, global experts and industry partners to exchange ideas, experiences and practices shaping the future of school education.
 

Highlights from the ARISE Learning Festival 2026—powerful conversations, distinguished voices, and the launch of AI Adoption for K-12: Moving Beyond Experimentation

Held around the theme ‘Connected Schools – Building Communities. Inspiring Futures,’ this year’s Festival was designed as an immersive, delegate-centred experience moving beyond a conventional conference format to combine school visits, keynotes and conversations with masterclasses, student voices, school showcases, partner and exhibitor engagements, peer learning and networking.
 

The Festival began with curated school tours across India on September 24 and across Delhi-NCR on September 25, offering delegates an opportunity to experience first-hand how schools are building collaborative cultures, strong communities and future-ready learning environments. The initiative brought together 6 host schools across India and 11 schools across Delhi-NCR*.
 

The learning continued at the Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi, through interactive masterclasses and breakout conversations spanning teacher development, school leadership, institutional culture, technology and AI, digital resilience, student wellbeing, curriculum leadership and future readiness.
 

A key knowledge outcome of the Festival was the launch of the FICCI–ARISE–EY-Parthenon Knowledge Report, AI Adoption Plan for K12: Moving beyond Experimentation, focused on enabling schools to move from experimentation with artificial intelligence towards more purposeful and responsible adoption.
 

Perspectives shaping the future of education

Deepak Bagla, Mission Director, Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog, shared perspectives on how schools can evolve from standalone innovation initiatives into connected ecosystems linking young people with creativity, entrepreneurship, problem-solving, partnerships and real-world opportunities. He highlighted the role of leadership and collaboration in embedding innovation more deeply within school culture.
 

Bringing a perspective from beyond education, Shikhar Dhawan, Chairman, Da One Group and former Indian international cricketer, drew upon his journey in high-performance sport, entrepreneurship and community initiatives to reflect on resilience, discipline, confidence and purpose. The conversation explored how schools and communities can create the conditions that help young people navigate challenges, build self-belief and translate their potential into meaningful achievement.
 

Patrick Derham OBE, former Head Master of Westminster School, Rugby School and Solihull School, drew on his extensive experience of school leadership to reflect on the fundamentals that continue to matter in education purpose, service, shared values, relationships and the strength of the school community. His reflections reinforced the importance of looking beyond academic outcomes to the broader role schools play in shaping young people.
 

Nikole Blanchard, Head of Educational Technology and Innovation, LSU Laboratory School, brought the conversation to the intersection of technology and humanity, highlighting the distinctly human capabilities young people will continue to need including curiosity, creativity, empathy, judgement, collaboration, courage and imagination as schools prepare students for an increasingly unpredictable future.
 

Students at the centre

Student voice formed an important part of the Festival. A main-stage student panel brought together students from government and private schools to share their perspectives on learning, wellbeing, belonging, creativity, purpose and what they would like the next generation of schooling to look like. The conversation placed students not simply as recipients of education, but as important participants in shaping its future.
 

Students were also visible across the Festival through presentations and showcases, bringing their ideas, creativity and work directly into the delegate experience.
 

From conference to experience

A defining feature of this year’s Learning Festival was its emphasis on participation and experience. The ARISE Experience Zone, school showcases, student presentations, partner and exhibitor engagements and interactive formats created opportunities for delegates to discover new practices and solutions, engage directly with innovators and connect with peers.
 

Across the programme, practitioners and experts also explored some of the most pressing questions facing schools today from the changing role of teachers and curriculum leadership to AI-enabled school management, career readiness, wellbeing, safeguarding and institutional culture.
 

Together, these formats sought to ensure that delegates did not simply listen to conversations about the future of education, but could experience ideas in practice, interact with those implementing them and build connections that could continue beyond the Festival.
 

Celebrating excellence in school education

The Festival culminated with the 4th Edition of the FICCI supported ARISE Excellence Awards, celebrating exemplary and innovative practices across school education.
 

The Awards drew participation from schools across the country, with an almost equal representation of government and private schools, reflecting the breadth and diversity of India’s school education ecosystem. Entries underwent a structured evaluation process involving an Interim Jury followed by a Grand Jury, with EY serving as the official tabulator.
 

The Awards ceremony also saw the release of the FICCI-supported ARISE Excellence Awards Compendium, showcasing exemplary practices and initiatives from participating schools and enabling their learnings to reach the wider education community.
 

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Arunabh Singh, President, ARISE; Co-founder & Director, Healthy Planet Schools & Nehru World School, said, “Connected schools are ultimately about people students, teachers, leaders and communities learning from and strengthening one another. Through the ARISE Learning Festival, we wanted to move beyond a conventional conference and create an experience where delegates could see, participate, exchange and connect. The diversity of voices represented this year from government and private schools to students, policymakers, experts and industry demonstrates the power of bringing the ecosystem together.”

The ARISE Learning Festival 2026 (in collaboration with FICCI) reinforced the need for schools to remain connected, adaptive and deeply human-centred as they prepare young people for a rapidly evolving world. By bringing together ideas, lived experiences and on-ground practices, the Festival sought to translate conversations about the future of education into opportunities for learning, collaboration and action.

*List of ARISE host schools:

For Delhi NCR, Host School are as follows:
1. Pathways World School, Gurugram, Haryana
2. Healthy Planet School, Noida, Uttar Pradesh
3. Khaitan World School, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh
4. Heritage International Xperiential School, Gurugram, Haryana
5. The Shri Ram School, Aravali, Gurugram, Haryana
6. The Ardee School, New delhi
7. Delhi Public School, Sector-45, Gurgaon, Haryana
8. Silverline Prestige School, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh
9. Vasant Valley, New Delhi
10. Nehru World School, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh
11. Shiv Nadar School, Noida, Uttar Pradesh

For PAN India, Host Schools are as follow:
1. The Ardee School, Sangolda, Goa
2. Valistus International School, Whitefield, Bangalore, Karnataka
3. Walnut School, Pune, Maharashtra
4. The Newtown School, Kolkata, West Bengal
5. Sagebrook International School, Hyderabad, Telangana
6. Grassroots Global Early Years, Patna, Bihar

Bisleri International Pvt. Ltd., India’s leading packaged drinking water company, has announced a partnership with Racing Promotion Private Limited (RPPL), becoming the Official Hydration Partner of F4 and the Indian Racing League (IRL). Covering six rounds of F4 and four rounds of IRL, the association marks Bisleri’s entry into India’s growing motorsport ecosystem, connecting the brand with high-performance racing, speed, endurance and precision.

Bisleri International becomes Official Hydration Partner of F4 and the Indian Racing League

As part of the partnership, Bisleri will bring its hydration proposition to the race-day experience through on-ground hydration support, product integration, brand activations and dedicated hydration zones across race and festival environments. Bisleri logo will feature on both sides of the race car sidepods, on the sleeves of driver racing suits and Festival kits, along with on-ground brand visibility. The partnership will also bring Bisleri closer to professional drivers, racing personalities and a young, aspirational audience.

The partnership will extend into digital and content integration across the racing calendar, including driver-led social media content, short-form videos, race-day and behind-the-scenes content, along with digital amplification around F4 and IRL race rounds.

Commenting on the association, Tushar Malhotra, Senior Director of Sales and Marketing at Bisleri International, said, “We’re thrilled to partner with Racing Promotion Private Limited as the Official Hydration Partner of F4 and the Indian Racing League. This association strengthens Bisleri’s presence across India’s evolving motorsport landscape and adds to our broader sports marketing programme, as we continue to champion hydration globally and create exciting engagement opportunities for our consumers.”

Mr. Akhilesh Reddy, Chairman & Managing Director, Racing Promotions Pvt. Ltd. (RPPL), commented, “We are delighted to renew our partnership with Bisleri as the Official Hydration Partner of the Indian Racing Festival for the 2026 season. The success of our association last year demonstrated the strong synergy between two brands that are committed to performance, innovation and engaging with a young, dynamic audience. As we enter an exciting new season, we look forward to building on this partnership through innovative fan experiences and meaningful initiatives that take the IRF experience beyond the racetrack. Bisleri’s continued support is an important part of our journey as we look to make motorsport more accessible, engaging and relevant to audiences across India.”

The partnership further strengthens Bisleri’s growing footprint across Indian sport, reaffirming the brand’s commitment to hydration, performance and India’s evolving motorsport landscape.

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 90 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 130 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 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.

The Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) has completed the election process for the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) Governing Council, with Mr. S. Dinesh Kumar and Mr. V. V. Sankapani elected unopposed to the two positions. Mr. Dinesh Kumar has been appointed Chairman of the TNPL Governing Council following the TNCA Annual General Meeting held on September 27, 2026.
 

S Dinesh Kumar, Chairman, TNPL
 

The TNCA’s General Elections for the 2025–2028 term were held in November 2025, with the association’s key office-bearer positions decided through that process. At the time, the TNPL Governing Council continued to be constituted through nomination, with Mr. S. Balakrishna and Mr. Yusuf Y. Laila serving on the Council for the 2025–26 season. The current election represents a change in this process, with the two positions now being filled through an electoral process.
 

Mr. Dinesh Kumar brings extensive experience in cricket and cricket administration in Tamil Nadu. He has previously served as a member of the TNPL Governing Council, a Tamil Nadu age-group selector for the Under-19, Under-14 and Under-12 teams, and on the TNCA League Sub-Committee for approximately five years. His experience across these roles has given him exposure to various facets of Tamil Nadu’s cricketing ecosystem, including player development, selection and league administration.
 

As Chairman, Mr. Dinesh Kumar will lead the Governing Council as the TNPL continues to strengthen its sporting structure, player development and administration, while expanding its commercial potential and position within Indian domestic cricket.
 

With the completion of the election process, Mr. S. Dinesh Kumar and Mr. V. V. Sankapani will serve as members of the TNPL Governing Council, with Mr. Dinesh Kumar taking on the role of Chairman.

Pepe Jeans London, the global denim and lifestyle brand, marked a significant milestone in its India retail expansion with the opening of Three Upgraded New Experience stores across Bengaluru on September 25. The stores, located at Phoenix Marketcity White Field, Indiranagar 100 feet road and HSR Layout, opened simultaneously, bringing the brand’s latest collections and denim proposition to consumers across three key neighbourhoods in the city.

Pepe Jeans London Marks Bengaluru Expansion with Three Upgraded, New Look Stores in One Day 

Speaking about the Bengaluru expansion, Rakesh Jallipally, CEO – Pepe Jeans London (India), said, “Bengaluru has always been an important market for us, and opening three stores in the city on the same day allowed us to create something much bigger than individual store launches. We wanted consumers to experience the Pepe Jeans spirit across the city, and the new upgraded look marks an important phase in improving customer experience while they shop for fashion. These stores strengthen our retail presence and give our consumers greater access to our denim, casualwear and everyday styles. As we continue to expand our retail network across India, Bengaluru is an important part of that journey.”

The three-store opening comes as Pepe Jeans London continues to accelerate its retail expansion across India. The brand now has 200+ stores across the country and plans to add another 100 stores in the next 18 months, strengthening its presence across established as well as emerging markets.

With its Bengaluru expansion, Pepe Jeans London continues to focus on creating high-visibility, experiential retail moments alongside a growing physical footprint, bringing its global denim heritage and contemporary fashion offering closer to Indian consumers.

About Pepe Jeans London
Pepe Jeans London was born on London’s iconic Portobello Road in 1973. Today, over 50 years later, the brand remains devoted to its initial mantra and pledge to create the world’s most exciting denim-led fashion. The diversity and mix of cultures that define the city of London also define the Pepe Jeans personality, providing a constant source of inspiration for the women’s, men’s, and junior collections. Music, Culture, Fashion, London, and Denim, that’s what Pepe Jeans is all about.

Oriflame, the Swedish holistic beauty and wellbeing brand, is targeting India to become its largest market globally by 2030, with the country expected to contribute one in every four euros of the company’s global revenue, up from around one in every ten euros today. As part of this ambition, the company plans to add 10 lakh new Beauty Entrepreneurs by 2030, further expanding its direct-selling network across the country.

Left Kenneth Benaim Campbell, Right Orkun Gul

The ambition marks a significant expansion in the role India is expected to play in Oriflame’s global business. The company plans to build on its current presence of Oriflame Leaders across 517 towns and cities, with the next 500 towns and cities, particularly across Tier 2 and Tier 3 locations, forming an important part of its expansion strategy. Oriflame also aims to add 10 lakh new Beauty Entrepreneurs by 2030, significantly expanding its direct-selling network and taking its products and entrepreneurship opportunity to more consumers and communities across the country.

India’s next phase of growth builds on more than 30 years of Oriflame’s presence in the country. With rising consumer demand beyond major metros, increasing participation of women in the workforce and growing adoption of digital tools, the company sees significant headroom to expand its beauty and wellbeing proposition and its community of Beauty Entrepreneurs.

At the heart of Oriflame’s model is its Beauty Entrepreneur community, with more than 80% of Brand Partners in India being women. The company aims to create opportunities for Brand Partners to build an additional source of income through Beauty Entrepreneurship, supported by flexibility, training and digital tools. This model will remain central to Oriflame’s expansion as it reaches new markets across India.

Kenneth Benaim Campbell, CEO and President, Oriflame, said, “India represents much more than a growth opportunity for Oriflame; it is becoming increasingly important to our global ambition. What makes the market particularly distinctive is the combination of a large and evolving consumer base, entrepreneurial energy and a strong appetite for beauty and wellbeing. Our role now is to build on the foundation we have created over three decades and unlock the full potential of the market, while ensuring that India becomes an increasingly important contributor to Oriflame’s global future.”

India’s growing strategic importance could extend beyond the domestic market. Oriflame is strengthening its manufacturing capabilities in India through recent partnerships such as Akums, while exploring opportunities to further scale local production and potentially serve select international markets from the country.

Oriflame will continue to strengthen its beauty and wellbeing portfolio while investing in the tools, training and technology that enable Beauty Entrepreneurs to build their businesses. The company will use digital capabilities to strengthen discovery, engagement and business development, while retaining trust, personal recommendation and community at the heart of its direct-selling model.

Orkun Gul, Chief Commercial Officer, Oriflame, said, “India is a market where beauty is deeply personal, and where trust and recommendation continue to play an important role in how consumers discover and choose products. This creates a strong foundation for Oriflame’s model, but the opportunity also requires us to keep evolving with the consumer. Our focus will be on combining the strength of personal relationships with better digital experiences, relevant products and stronger commercial capabilities, so that our Beauty Entrepreneurs can serve consumers in ways that are increasingly seamless, local and relevant.”

As Oriflame looks towards 2030, India is expected to play a substantially larger role in its global business. The company will build on its 30-year foundation in the country to expand its consumer and Beauty Entrepreneur communities, deepen its geographic reach and explore opportunities for India to contribute to Oriflame’s global growth.

About Oriflame  
As a globally renowned beauty and wellbeing company, Oriflame has empowered individuals since 1967 through its diverse portfolio of high-quality, innovative, and sustainable beauty and wellbeing products. It operates in over 60 markets.

Oriflame operates through a modern social selling model, enabling over 3 million Beauty Entrepreneurs and members worldwide to become beauty industry insiders through a ‘Plug and Play’ micro-entrepreneurship model. Oriflame’s product range spans skincare, cosmetics, fragrances, personal care, and nutritional supplements, all crafted with care to promote holistic wellbeing. Oriflame continues to make a positive impact on communities worldwide and has been named a European Climate Leader by the Financial Times and Statista for the past five years.

In India, Oriflame continues to build opportunities for women to achieve financial independence while promoting holistic wellbeing.

For more information, visit in.oriflame.com.

Heart disease remains the leading cause of death worldwide,¹ But healthy dietary practices are known to help prevent and treat heart disease. The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends including four and a half or more cups of fruits and vegetables daily, two or more servings of fish per week, fiber-rich whole grains, and four or more servings a week of nuts, legumes and seeds to help lower one’s risk of heart disease.² Adding walnuts is an easy and delicious way to make meals more heart healthy.³ In fact, AHA has even certified walnuts as a heart-healthy food through its “Heart-Check mark” program.
 

Walnuts for heart health
 

Here are a few reasons why including walnuts in your diet is a smart choice for you and your heart.

• For over two decades, walnuts have been shown to improve cardiovascular risk factors by lowering LDL (bad) cholesterol by 9-16%, and diastolic blood pressure by 2-3 mmHg.⁴ These two risk factors are major contributors to heart disease risk.

• They are the only nuts that are a rich source of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), a plant-based essential omega-3 fatty acid that has positive anti-inflammatory effects.⁵ Research has found that omega-3 fatty acids may decrease the inflammatory marker C-reactive protein (CRP) in those with high cholesterol.⁵ Walnuts contain 2.5 grams of ALA per ounce.

• When walnuts are part of an overall eating pattern such as the Mediterranean diet (a diet rich in fish, vegetables, fruits, olive oil and nuts), your risk of heart disease and stroke may be significantly reduced. A recent study shows that, among persons at high cardiovascular risk, a Mediterranean diet supplemented with extra-virgin olive oil or nuts, including walnuts, reduced the incidence of major cardiovascular events.⁶
   

So how do you include walnuts in a healthy diet to help lower your risk of heart disease?

• Include walnuts in meals and snacks, along with a diet low in saturated fats and cholesterol.

• Choose walnuts to snack on four to five times per week. Just a handful of nuts (1 ounce) will make you feel satisfied.

• Sprinkle chopped walnuts on salads, vegetables, in dips, or as part of mixed dishes.

• Try new recipes using walnuts by going to the California walnuts recipe page to see how great chefs have used walnuts in heart-healthy recipes.
   

Always store your walnuts in the refrigerator or freezer so they stay fresh. And start to think of walnuts as part of a heart-healthy eating plan – not just for special occasions. Remember that when you include walnuts as part of a healthy eating plan, you are lowering your risk of heart disease.³
 

Sources:

1. Roger VL, Go AS, Lloyd-Jones DM, et al. Heart disease and stroke statistics 2012 update: a report from the American Heart Association. Circulation 2012; 125: e2-220.

2. Lloyd-Jones DM, Hong Y, Labarthe D, et al. Defining and setting national goals for cardiovascular health promotion and disease reduction. Circulation. 2010; 121: 586-613.

3. FDA approved claim: Supportive but not conclusive research shows that eating 1.5 ounces of walnuts per day, as part of a low saturated fat and low cholesterol diet, and not resulting in increased caloric intake may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease; One ounce of walnuts provides 18g of total fat, 2.5g of monounsaturated fat, 13g of polyunsaturated fat, including 2.5g of alpha-linolenic acid, the plant-based omega-3.

4. Kris-Etherton P. Walnuts decrease risk of cardiovascular disease: a summary of efficacy and biologic mechanisms. J Nutr. 2014; 10.39:2S-8S.

5. Zhao G, Etherton TD, Martin KR, et al. Dietary alpha-linolenic acid reduces inflammatory and lipid cardiovascular risk factors in hypercholesterolemic men and women. J Nutr 2004; 134: 2991-2997.

6. Estruch R, Ros E, Salas-Salvado J, et al. Primary prevention of cardiovascular disease with a Mediterranean diet. N Engl J. Med. 2013; 368: 1279-90.