HiLITE Group, leading real estate and infrastructure developer, has officially launched ‘Mandara Women’s Wellness, (www.mandarawellness.in/) India’s first AI-integrated holistic wellness retreat created exclusively for women. Building on over three decades of innovative developments across commercial, retail, and residential sectors, including India’s largest World Trade Center development, WTC Kozhikode, HiLITE Group first expanded into healthcare with Elanine Women’s Hospital. Mandara represents the next evolutionary phase of this vision, establishing a dedicated nurturing destination designed to complement traditional clinical care with hyper-personalized wellness solutions tailored for optimal vitality.

Mandara Women’s Wellness by HiLITE Group

Speaking on the launch, P. Sulaiman, Chairman, HiLITE Group, said “Mandara represents a meaningful step for HiLITE Group as we extend our commitment into healthcare and wellness. This launch strengthens our long-term vision of scaling women-centric healthcare infrastructure in India, and Mandara is just the beginning of that journey.” 

“Mandara is a reflection of our belief that true progress must include the health and well-being of women at every stage of life. Mandara, more than an expansion of our portfolio, it is an extension of our purpose. We are taking a meaningful step into women’s health,” said Ajil Muhammed, CEO of HiLITE Group.

Situated near Calicut University, the property features 20 independent, IoT-enabled private cottages categorized into Signature Private, Executive, and Wellness options. These serene living spaces incorporate integrated environmental and health sensors designed to support focused, unhurried recovery in complete privacy and complete comfort. Under the leadership of Dr. Azhar Mubarak, CEO of the Healthcare Wing at HiLITE Group, Mandara is structured to transform postnatal recovery and long-term restorative health for women across every stage of life.

“The way a society cares for its women says everything about the future it is building,” said Dr. Azhar Mubarak, CEO of the Healthcare Wing at HiLITE Group. “Mandara Women’s Wellness became a reality when we asked why women in India shouldn’t have access to world-class, dedicated wellness experiences right here at home. Every detail the space, the therapies, the conversations are intentionally crafted around women so they can heal and rejuvenate,” he added.

Mandara structures its clinical and wellness programming around six primary life stages to provide complete continuity of care. The retreat offers foundational Women’s Wellness for everyday vitality, Prenatal Wellness for guided physiological support during pregnancy, and specialized Postnatal Wellness for mother and newborn recovery. Additionally, the retreat provides Menopausal Wellness to assist with hormonal transitions, Preventive Women’s Wellness focused on early intervention and health optimization, and dedicated Geriatric Care designed to support healthy aging and mobility.

Therapeutically, Mandara pairs advanced medical recovery technology with traditional healing modalities to ensure comprehensive healing. Its modern infrastructure features Hyperbaric Oxygen Chambers for cellular recovery, HiFEM Pelvic Strength Chairs for non-invasive core rehabilitation, Infrared Therapy Beds, and Terahertz Bioresonance Energy Therapy. These technologies operate alongside classical Ayurvedic treatments, all customized using personalized herbal formulations. The retreat integrates an AI-driven clinical spa, naturopathic detox pathways, postpartum-safe Pilates, aquatherapy, and dietitian-guided therapeutic culinary menus prepared specifically to boost immunity. 

Postnatal care forms the core operational priority at Mandara, offering a dedicated framework that serves mother and baby simultaneously in a safe environment. A 24/7 baby nursery and infant spa, fully staffed by qualified medical professionals, allows new mothers dedicated time for recovery, therapy, and restful sleep with full reassurance. Complementing this is a specialized Mother’s Lounge featuring zero-gravity recliners and a supportive community space, alongside daily educational workshops covering lactation guidance, infant CPR training, newborn care, and postpartum mental wellbeing to build lasting confidence.

For booking inquiries, clinical consultations, or further details regarding residential retreat programs, visit www.mandarawellness.in/contact or call +91 99612 00055.

Launched on August 12, 2012, World Elephant Day is an international annual event dedicated to the preservation and protection of the world’s elephants. The initiative brings together conservation organisations and citizens from all backgrounds to voice support for better protection measures and to combat illegal poaching, habitat loss, and the mistreatment of elephants in captivity. On the occasion of World Elephant Day, World Animal Protection has appealed to the Government of Rajasthan to end elephant rides in Amer Fort in Jaipur by writing to the Chief Minister Of Rajasthan. World Animal Protection seeks a phased out but permanent cessation of elephant rides at the historic Amer Fort in Jaipur. This campaign highlights the severe physical and psychological trauma inflicted on these endangered animals. It proposes a swift transition toward a sustainable, cruelty free model of Indian heritage tourism that highlights the historical and cultural artifacts of Rajasthan, excluding elephant rides in Jaipur that abuse people and endangers safety of humans. On this occasion, more than seventy five individuals expressed their opposition to elephant rides in Amer Fort and raised their voice for keeping elephants free in the wild.
 

Citizens raising awareness on wild elephants and captive Amer Fort elephants in Jaipur at Patrika Gate Photograph: Shubhobroto Ghosh
 

Amer Fort remains one of India’s most iconic tourist destinations. Yet, its global reputation faces significant risks due to the practice of using captive elephants for daily tourist entertainment. Decades of scientific research, veterinary assessments, and investigative wildlife reports reveal a grim reality. The elephants suffer from chronic foot infections, painful arthritis, and severe psychological distress. These conditions stem directly from walking on hard concrete surfaces under scorching heat while carrying heavy iron howdahs and multiple tourists.
 

The welfare issues inherent in the Amer Fort elephant rides are systemic and deep rooted. Captive elephants are wild animals by nature. They undergo a brutal training process known as ‘the crush’ to break their spirit and make them submissive to human commands. At Amer Fort, many elephants are forced to work despite advanced age and serious medical ailments. Investigative audits have consistently found that a vast majority of these elephants suffer from compromised vision, permanent limb deformities, and severe nutritional deficiencies from poor diets.
 

Furthermore, the public safety risks associated with this practice are escalating rapidly. Elephants are highly intelligent, social, and emotional animals. When subjected to prolonged stress, isolation, and physical abuse, they can experience sudden bouts of psychosis, that results them in running amok. Over the years, multiple incidents at Amer Fort have seen stressed elephants turn aggressive, endangering international tourists, handlers, and local people. In an era where global travellers actively seek responsible tourism experiences, the continuation of animal exploitation severely damages Jaipur’s tourism brand. An elephant named Chanchal was painted pink by the Russian artist Julia Buruleva for a photoshoot in 2025 and this elephant died earlier this year.
 

World Animal Protection is not merely demanding an end to the rides but presenting a viable solution. Under the phase out plan there lies a new framework whereby tourists can observe elephants in a natural sanctuary setting. This model promotes educational tourism, allowing visitors to watch elephants walk, bathe, forage, and socialise safely from a respectful distance.
 

Crucially, this proposed transition protects local livelihoods. The plan will propose that the current elephant handlers, known as mahouts, receive specialized training to transition into sanctuary guides, educational instructors, and caretakers. Financial models demonstrate that global tourists are willing to pay a premium for ethical wildlife encounters. This shift will secure stable, long term revenue for local communities while elevating Jaipur as a global pioneer in sustainable heritage tourism.
 

“As the international community celebrates World Elephant Day 2026, the eyes of the world are on Rajasthan. Progressive travel agencies worldwide are removing elephant rides from their itineraries. Global travel platforms are refusing to promote venues that exploit captive wildlife. Thirty companies have undertaken the wildlife friendly pledge of World Animal Protection in India to not offer elephant rides in their itineraries. World Animal Protection urges the Chief Minister of Rajasthan to act decisively and end elephant rides in Amer Fort and retire the elephants. Ending the Amer Fort elephant rides will honour India’s wildlife protection laws and secure a humane future for these gentle giants which are India’s National Heritage Animal,” says Gajender Kumar Sharma, Country Director, World Animal Protection in India.
 

For more information, please contact:
Gajender Kumar Sharma, Country Director, World Animal Protection in India
Email: gajenderksharma@worldanimalprotection.org.in
Phone Number : 9313333283

• India’s lithium-ion battery demand is expected to roughly quintuple to over 115 GWh by 2030, while the country remains heavily dependent on imported battery cells and critical materials.

• As India pushes toward 500 GW of non-fossil power capacity, batteries have become one of the country’s most important manufacturing and energy-security challenges.

Lithium batteries keep catching fire. Why do they keep failing – and is there a safer alternative already on the production line? Can a country build a battery industry without depending on China for rare earths? And what would it actually take to build a battery company in India today?

Henning Rath, CEO of EnerVenue and Kun Tang, Executive Chairman of HiNa Battery on WTF is, with Nikhil Kamath

In the latest episode of People by WTF, Nikhil Kamath, who has been investing in energy-transition companies through his private-equity fund, sits down with Henning Rath, CEO of EnerVenue, and Kun Tang, Executive Chairman of HiNa Battery, to understand what the next battery industry could look like and whether India should build it. The conversation moves from battery chemistry to industrial policy, manufacturing, AI infrastructure, and the economics of building a battery company from scratch in India.

One of the episode’s sharpest moments comes when Kamath presses on lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) batteries – the chemistry powering most electric vehicles globally, including many Teslas and BYDs. Rath explains “thermal runaway”: once a battery reaches a certain temperature, its internal reaction becomes self-accelerating and cannot be stopped. Tang then offers a number that visibly stops Kamath – the world recorded over 14,000 LFP battery fires in 2025 alone. “The higher the energy, the more safety issues,” Tang says. “The energy is like water in a pump, but the tube is thin. That’s easy to break.” Neither guest treats this as purely a chemistry problem: Tang notes that safety incidents cluster heavily among smaller, tier-two Chinese manufacturers. At the same time, leaders like CATL and BYD charge a premium precisely because of tighter production quality.

The conversation turns to what comes after lithium. Tang, whose company has already supplied what it describes as the world’s first 100-megawatt-hour sodium-ion storage project, argues sodium costs roughly a tenth of lithium, resists thermal runaway at current energy densities, and is built from materials – sodium, iron, phosphate – that almost any country can source domestically. Its trade-off is energy density, which for now limits it to grid storage and short-range vehicles like scooters and three-wheelers rather than long-range cars. Rath’s EnerVenue bets on a different route entirely: a nickel-based, water-electrolyte battery adapted from technology NASA once used, designed to sharply reduce fire risk by removing the higher-risk components that trigger thermal runaway, and rated for 30,000 charge cycles, though it currently works only for stationary storage, not vehicles. Both are skeptical that solid-state batteries, often billed as lithium’s true successor, are close to market, citing an industry readiness scale of one to nine, Tang places the technology at around level four, strong in research papers but far from commercial production.

Looking further out, Rath frames the next decade around three converging “super cycles” – electrification, manufacturing and AI – all running ahead of supply, and argues that any country serious about competing will need genuine energy independence rather than dependence on imported lithium and rare earths, a dependency he expects to grow more contested as globalisation gives way to regional blocs. He points to 2023 as the year renewable power paired with batteries quietly became cheaper than fossil fuels across much of the world, a shift he expects AI data centres to accelerate as they move away from diesel backup power toward safer battery storage.

The discussion turns directly to India, where Kamath is weighing an entry into the energy transition himself. “After my trip in China, I want to go back to India and start a business,” Kamath says, asking his guests point blank whether he should build an electric car company or a battery company. Rath’s answer is unambiguous: skip the car company. Build a battery company decoupled from lithium and rare earths altogether, pointing to India’s scooter and three-wheeler market as a natural first customer for sodium-ion technology. The two also unpack how BYD went from a phone-battery maker to a fully vertically integrated EV and battery giant within roughly a decade, backed by what Rath calls China’s “government venture capital” model: funding dozens of companies in a sector and expecting only a handful, BYD and CATL among them, to ultimately survive and dominate.

The episode closes on China’s relationship with AI, which both guests describe as defined more by curiosity than anxiety – spanning three generations in Tang’s own family, from his 90-year-old grandfather ordering drone food delivery to his six-year-old daughter. “The excitement is outpacing the anxiety,” Rath says, calling it a marked contrast to the mood he encounters in the United States.

“No single technology will solve our problem,” Tang offers as a closing thought. “We need more different chemistry to meet different demands.” It’s a fitting close to a conversation that treats the search for the next great battery less as a single breakthrough than an unglamorous, ongoing race, measured in charge cycles, safety margins and cost curves rather than headlines.

The episode is available now on YouTube.

About People by WTF

People by WTF is a global podcast platform hosted by Nikhil Kamath, featuring in-depth conversations with leaders across business, policy, technology, culture and academia. The show explores long-term institutional, technological and economic questions shaping global society through candid, high-signal dialogue. Past guests include Elon Musk, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Bill Gates, Rishi Sunak, Akshata Murty, Martin Escobari, Bryan Armstrong and Ranbir Kapoor.

Notes to the Editor

Guests

Henning Rath – CEO of EnerVenue, a California-based energy storage company commercializing nickel-hydrogen battery technology originally developed by NASA and refined at Stanford University. EnerVenue closed a USD 300 million Series B extension in 2026 and is scaling manufacturing in Changzhou, China. Rath previously served as Managing Director and Chief Supply Chain Officer at German renewable energy company Enpal.

Kun Tang – Executive Chairman of HiNa Battery, a Beijing-headquartered sodium-ion battery company spun out of the Chinese Academy of Sciences in 2017. HiNa has supplied what it describes as the world’s first 100MWh sodium-ion energy storage project and holds over 30 patents across sodium-ion cathode, anode and electrolyte technology.

Key Themes Discussed:

• Why LFP batteries dominate EVs and why they catch fire

• Sodium-ion and nickel-hydrogen batteries as alternatives to lithium

• China’s industrial-policy playbook for building battery and EV giants

• Energy independence amid deglobalisation

• Data centres, diesel backup power and the case for safer batteries

• Solid-state batteries: hype versus technological readiness

• Advice for building a battery company in India

• AI adoption in China across generations

Related Episode – WTF is Happening In EV?:

• Punit Goyal (Blusmart):

• Explores why electric mobility is fundamentally an energy and infrastructure business, arguing that charging networks, renewable power procurement and fleet financing must be built together for EVs to scale.

• Discusses the economics of battery ownership, including battery life cycles, second-life battery use and how battery costs shape the long-term economics of EV businesses.

• Explores how EVs become more environmentally and economically compelling as India’s renewable energy share rises, linking battery demand directly to the country’s evolving power mix and energy security.

• Chetan Maini (SUN Mobility): Examines battery swapping as an alternative to larger batteries, discussing how swapping can lower vehicle costs, reduce downtime and make electric mobility more viable for scooters, commercial vehicles and logistics fleets.

• Tarun Mehta (Ather Energy): Examines India’s battery and EV manufacturing opportunity, highlighting GST structures, PLI incentives and supply-chain challenges that could determine whether India builds a globally competitive battery and electric mobility ecosystem.

VinFast‘s new Total Cost of Ownership Calculator helps buyers compare the long-term costs of EVs and gasoline vehicles, turning one of electric mobility’s biggest promises into personalized figures that support smarter purchasing and financial decisions.

VF 6 Earth delivers significant potential savings in total ownership costs compared with a comparable gasoline vehicle in India

In this day and age, a car buyer comparing models can find horsepower, cargo space, and safety ratings in minutes. What is much harder to see is which vehicle will actually cost less to own after years of loan payments, fuel bills, and maintenance. Those factors make up a vehicle’s total cost of ownership (TCO), a metric that encompasses all expenses incurred throughout the ownership period.

That information gap has become increasingly important as electric vehicles move into the mainstream. While EVs are widely promoted for their lower operating costs, consumers can still struggle to translate those promises into their own finances. For example, how much can an EV really save after five years? The answer depends on how far people drive, how long they keep the vehicle, and even how they choose to finance it.

VinFast is betting that making those calculations easier and more transparent could help more buyers make the switch.

The Vietnamese EV maker has introduced a Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) Calculator, initially across its Asian markets, giving consumers a way to compare the long-term economics of electric vehicles with gasoline cars and even rival EVs based on their own driving habits. Rather than comparing sticker prices alone, consumers can see the cumulative financial impact of ownership, including financing and running costs, over several years.

On the web-based tool, users simply enter basic information such as the vehicle model, monthly mileage, battery ownership option, and expected ownership period to receive a personalized cost projection. Within seconds, the calculator estimates monthly payments, monthly energy costs, and total ownership costs before showing how much an owner could save over the chosen period compared with comparable internal combustion vehicles and even other EVs.

For example, a buyer in the India selecting a VF 6 Earth, driving 2,000 km per month over five years, would see an estimated total ownership cost of INR 1,782,655. Under the same assumptions, the calculator estimates a comparable gasoline vehicle would cost INR 2,464,371 over the same period, representing potential savings of INR 681,716, or about 28%.

Beyond product marketing, the TCO tool also functions as a financial planning tool, helping households, commuters, and commercial users forecast transportation expenses before making a purchase. That approach is particularly relevant in emerging EV markets, where energy-saving technologies often face adoption challenges because of higher upfront purchase prices despite offering long-term financial benefits. Consumers may not always realize that, over time, reduced energy consumption can offset much or even all of that initial price premium.

Research suggests that making those savings more transparent can influence purchasing decisions. One survey found that simply showing consumers five-year fuel savings had little effect on vehicle preferences, whereas providing total cost of ownership information increased the likelihood that buyers of small and mid-sized cars would choose hybrid and battery electric vehicles over gasoline models.

More recently, Deloitte’s 2026 Global Automotive Consumer Study found that 52% of U.S. consumers considering an EV cited lower fuel costs as their primary motivation, while 40% said overall vehicle cost remains one of their biggest concerns. The findings suggest buyers are increasingly evaluating vehicles based on lifetime ownership economics rather than purchase price alone.

For automakers, that means helping consumers understand lifetime ownership economics may become as important as communicating battery range or performance.

For VinFast, the calculator reflects that evolution. Instead of asking consumers to take its claims of lower ownership costs at face value, the company is giving them a tool to test different scenarios themselves, turning one of the industry’s most common selling points into something measurable, personalized, and easier to act on.

Every Raksha Bandhan celebrates a bond built on memories, traditions and shared moments. While families may now live across different cities and states, the festival continues to bring siblings together through Rakhis, gifts and heartfelt gestures.

Blue Dart celebrates Raksha Bandhan with #YaadonKaBandhan campaign

This festive season, Blue Dart Express Limited, South Asia’s premier express air and integrated transportation and distribution company, is celebrating these cherished connections through its #YaadonKaBandhan campaign. As part of the campaign, Blue Dart has introduced special Rakhi Express shipping offers to help customers send festive packages conveniently across India.

Valid from 27 July to 28 August 2026, the offer provides special flat rates on Domestic Priority shipments weighing up to 2.5 kg and discounts of up to 50% on eligible international shipments weighing between 0.5 kg and 3 kg. Customers can use the service to send Rakhis, personalised gifts and festive packages across Blue Dart’s extensive domestic network.

Through the campaign, Blue Dart aims to make festive shipping more accessible while ensuring that every package is handled with care and delivered with the speed, reliability and precision associated with its express network.

Offer Details*:

Period: 27th July to 23rd August

• 0.5 Kg → Rs. 200

• 1 Kg → Rs. 400

• 1.5 Kg → Rs. 600

• 2 Kg → Rs. 800

• 2.5 Kg → Rs. 1000

Period: 24th August to 28th August

• 0.5 Kg → Rs. 300

• 1 Kg → Rs. 500

• 1.5 Kg → Rs. 700

• 2 Kg → Rs. 900

• 2.5 Kg → Rs. 1100

*The offer is applicable only to Domestic Priority shipments. Taxes and other applicable charges, if any, will be additional. Terms and conditions apply.

International Shipments (27th July – 28th August)

• Campaign Discount → Up to 50%

• Weight Break → 0.5 Kg – 3 Kg

*Custom Duty, Taxes and other applicable charges, if any, will be additional. Terms and conditions apply.

As families increasingly celebrate festivals across distances, dependable logistics plays an important role in ensuring that traditions continue uninterrupted. Supported by its integrated air and ground network, Blue Dart continues to connect people, businesses and communities across the country through reliable and time-definite delivery solutions.

The limited-period offer is available across Blue Dart–DHL retail stores and Franchisee Collection Centres. Customers can also avail of free doorstep pickup by booking through Blue Dart’s website or Customer Care, subject to service availability.

For further details, customers may visit their nearest Blue Dart–DHL retail store, contact Blue Dart Customer Care at 022 4061 1234, or email customerservice@bluedart.com.

For more information or to book a shipment, visit www.bluedart.com.

When the skies turn grey and the rain begins to fall, cravings inevitably turn towards something warm, comforting and delicious. This monsoon, give those rainy-day favorites a wholesome twist with California walnuts. Their satisfying crunch, rich flavour and versatility make them an easy addition to everything from crispy snacks and hearty bites to comforting treats. So, put the kettle on, gather around the table, and make the most of the season with these delicious walnut-inspired recipes made for rainy-day indulgence.

Walnut-Crusted Mozzarella Bites with Sun-Dried Tomato and Walnut Aioli

Walnut-Crusted Mozzarella Bites with Sun-Dried Tomato and Walnut Aioli

Ingredients

California Walnut-Crusted Mozzarella Bites
2 cups California walnuts
14-15 mozzarella balls (bocconcini)
1 ½ cups panko breadcrumbs
1 ½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
2 teaspoons onion powder
2 teaspoons garlic powder
3 teaspoons Italian seasoning
4 eggs, beaten
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
Vegetable oil for frying, about 4 cups
Sun-Dried Tomato and California Walnut Aioli
½ cup finely ground California walnuts
½ cup water
1 cup mayonnaise
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
6 tablespoons sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained and chopped

Preparations

For the Ground California Walnuts
1. Place walnuts into a food processor and pulse until finely chopped and texture is similar to breadcrumbs.
2. Measure 1 cup of ground walnuts for use in mozzarella bites and reserve remaining ½ cup for use in aioli.
For the Mozzarella Bites
1. Preheat the oven to 180°C.
2. Dry mozzarella balls with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
3. In a medium bowl, combine 1 cup ground walnuts, panko breadcrumbs, salt, and spices.
4. In a shallow or medium-sized bowl, beat eggs together until combined. Add flour to a separate shallow or medium-sized bowl.
5. One at a time, dredge each mozzarella ball in the flour, followed by dipping in the egg, coating completely. Shake off excess egg, then roll in the walnut and panko mixture until fully coated.
6. Transfer the mozzarella bites onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze for about 30 minutes prior to frying.
7. Heat oil in a large, deep skillet to 180 – 190°C.
8. Remove mozzarella bites from the freezer. While still cold, fry bites in small batches until golden brown. Using a slotted spoon, remove fried mozzarella bites from the oil and place onto a paper towel-lined tray.
9. Serve immediately. Mozzarella bites can be kept warm in a 120°C oven until ready to serve.

California Walnut Loaded Roast Potatoes

California Walnut Loaded Roast Potatoes

Ingredients

1.2 kg potatoes, cut into chunks
8 tablespoons oil
100g California walnuts, chopped
3 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
3 sprigs rosemary, leaves chopped
50g Parmigiana Reggiano, finely grated
½ x 25g pack parsley, chopped

Preparations

1. Preheat the oven to 200°C.

2. Cook the potatoes in boiling salted water for 8-10 minutes until they begin to soften round the edges. Drain and return to the pan. Toss in 3 tablespoons oil.

3. Place half the walnuts in a food processor and blitz to give a fine crumb texture, mix in the garlic, rosemary, Parmesan and half the remaining walnuts, season well.

4. Toss into the potatoes and transfer to a large roasting tin, spreading them out evenly.

5. Drizzle over the remaining oil and roast for 30 minutes. Turn the potatoes and add the remaining walnuts and cook for a further 5-10 minutes until golden.

6. Sprinkle with parsley to serve.

Dahi Walnut Kebab

Dahi Walnut Kebab – Chef Abinas Nayak

Ingredients
1 cup hung curd
1 teaspoon of brown onion paste
1 teaspoon of roasted California walnut paste (Blend handful of roasted walnuts with little bit of water and a teaspoon of walnut)
3 teaspoons of grated paneer
2 teaspoons of grated cheese
1/2 teaspoon of chopped coriander,
1/2 teaspoon of mint leaves
1-2 chopped green chillies
1/2 teaspoon of roasted cumin and fennel
1/2 teaspoon of finely chopped ginger.
Salt as per taste

Preparations
1. Mix everything to make a thick paste. Keep it in fridge for half an hour.
2. To make walnut crust or crumb, roughly blend roasted walnuts and spread in a flat tray.
3. To finish take a dollop of Dahi Kebab mixture and coat it with prepared walnut crust. In hot seasoned tawa, shallow fry the Dahi Kebabs with ghee.

4. Enjoy hot with chutney of your choice.

HDFC Life has enabled an expedited claim settlement framework for families that have been impacted by the recent floods in Assam. A life insurance claim can be initiated by nominees or legal heirs of policyholders by simply providing proof of death issued by the Local Government, Police or Hospitals. 
 

Sameer Yogishwar, Chief Operating Officer, HDFC Life

For further support, claimants can connect with HDFC Life via the below touch points:
 

Dedicated claim helpline: 022-68446529
Call Centre Number: 022-68446530
WhatsApp: +91 8291890569
Email:service@hdfclife.com
Nodal Officer: Ruma Konwar | 8876517557
 

Claimants may also choose to visit any of HDFC Life’s branch offices. The branch addresses for affected areas are given below:
 

Jorhat: 2nd Floor, Sneha Heights, New Balibat, Jorhat, Assam 
Sivasagar: 2nd Floor, Jagannath Plaza, Transport Tiniali Sivasagar, Assam 
Golaghat: Ground Floor, Om Arav Building, Thana Road, Golaghat, Assam
 

Sameer Yogishwar, Chief Operating Officer, HDFC Life said, “We at HDFC Life are committed to stand by our policyholders’ families who are impacted by this calamity. We will ensure that each claim request, received from anyone impacted by the floods in Assam, is treated as priority to ensure a smooth and hassle-free payout.”

For more information, please visit www.hdfclife.com. You may also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and LinkedIn

Sohna Road has changed considerably over the past two decades. What was once seen as an emerging commercial corridor has gradually become one of Gurugram’s most established business addresses. Residential projects came up; offices followed; schools and hospitals added to the catchment; and, over the years, much of the available land was occupied. Today, sizeable land parcels for organised commercial developments are increasingly difficult to come by. In that sense, Aura Vantage arrives at a time when Sohna Road is offering one of its last opportunities to own organised commercial real estate.

Aura Vantage is redefining commercial investment potential on Sohna Road

Located in Sector 48, Aura Vantage is a two-acre luxury commercial development that combines organised retail and office spaces within a single address. Planned with retail across the ground floor to the fourth floor and office spaces from the fifth to the eleventh floor, the project has been designed around the way commercial developments are increasingly expected to function. The investment in the project’s construction stands at around Rs. 125 crores, while the estimated topline is pegged at Rs. 527 crores. Commercial units are priced from Rs. 50,00,000 onwards.

The timing is difficult to ignore. Commercial real estate in Gurugram has continued to remain resilient, supported by sustained office leasing, a growing presence of Global Capability Centres and a mature residential base that drives demand for organised retail. According to Colliers, India’s Grade A office leasing reached a record 71.5 million sq. ft. in 2025, with Delhi NCR remaining one of the country’s most active office markets. That demand has also changed the way commercial projects are planned. Location still matters, but it is no longer the only consideration.

Retailers today look beyond visibility alone. They evaluate the strength of the surrounding catchment, customer demographics and the ability of a project to sustain footfall throughout the day. They want to know what the surrounding catchment looks like, how people move through the building, whether offices are part of the development and if the project can remain active beyond shopping hours. Office occupiers ask similar questions. They look for workplaces that offer cafes, convenience retail, banking facilities and everyday services without employees having to step out every time they need something. Those conversations have become increasingly common over the past few years.

Aura Vantage appears to respond to those expectations through its planning. Rather than treating retail and offices as two independent products, the project attempts to let one support the other. Retail occupies the lower floors where visibility and customer movement matter the most. The office component rises above, creating a steady weekday population that can support businesses operating within the development. It is a straightforward planning approach, but one that helps create a more balanced commercial environment by bringing together steady office demand and organised retail.

Shyamrup Roy Choudhury, Founder & Managing Director, Aura World, said, “Sohna Road has evolved into one of Gurugram’s most established commercial corridors, and the availability of sizeable land parcels for organised developments is now extremely limited. With Aura Vantage, our focus is on creating a future-ready commercial address that integrates retail and office spaces within a strong residential and corporate catchment. We believe projects in mature, supply-constrained micro-markets are increasingly being evaluated for their long-term relevance, occupier demand and ability to remain active throughout the day, and Aura Vantage has been planned with exactly those priorities in mind.”

Its location strengthens that proposition further. Sector 48 enjoys seamless connectivity to Golf Course Extension Road, Southern Peripheral Road and NH-48, allowing businesses to draw customers, employees and visitors from multiple parts of Gurugram. As commercial activity continues to spread across the city, this accessibility has become an increasingly important competitive advantage.

Scarcity is now becoming part of the Sohna Road story as well. Unlike a decade ago, when new commercial projects were announced with regularity, opportunities to launch developments of meaningful scale have become increasingly limited because much of the corridor has already been developed. That changes the conversation for both occupiers and investors. The emphasis gradually shifts from simply acquiring commercial space to choosing locations that are likely to remain relevant over the long term. The existing retail developments along Sohna Road are relatively older and no longer fully align with the evolving expectations of today’s consumers. While the corridor continues to attract strong footfall, Aura Vantage introduces a contemporary retail destination that reflects changing consumer preferences and retail formats.

Sohna Road is no longer defining itself through new infrastructure or fresh land releases. It is beginning to be defined by the quality of developments that still find a place here. Aura Vantage enters the market at a point when that distinction is becoming increasingly important.

Culture is increasingly shaping how and where Indians choose to explore. As travellers move beyond traditional sightseeing, they are seeking deeper, more authentic experiences that connect them with the local heritage, traditions, cuisine, festivals and communities. Leading global travel app, Skyscanner has launched The India Culture Travel Index, a report that reveals that India’s appetite for culture-led travel continues to grow.

Navina Jafa, expert in heritage tourism and Neel Ghose, Travel Trends and Destinations Expert, Skyscanner India

Through The India Culture Travel Index, Skyscanner analysed the evolving behaviours driving culture-led travel in India. The findings uncover five defining trends that together form the R.O.O.T.S. of India’s growing culture-led travel movement:

R – Rediscovering heritage

Heritage continues to be the strongest driver of culture-led travel. It is the top motivator for Indian travellers, with 47% saying they would plan a trip around heritage and historical sites. Kerala, Rajasthan and Uttarakhand rank among the country’s leading cultural destinations, reflecting travellers’ growing interest in exploring India’s architectural landmarks, historic communities and living traditions.

O – Open discovery

As Indian travellers become more open to discovering destinations through culture, they are embracing more immersive experiences beyond traditional sightseeing. Social media and YouTube (42%), along with the growing popularity of food, craft and heritage trails (41%), are the biggest drivers behind growing interest in culture-led travel.

Beyond domestic travel, 46% of Indian travellers have already travelled internationally for a cultural event, festival or heritage trail, while a further 43% aspire to do so, highlighting a growing curiosity to explore culture both within India and around the world. This openness extends closer to home too, with one in four Indian travellers (25%) heading to Tier 2 and Tier 3 towns for cultural experiences, beyond the usual metro circuit.

O – Once-in-a-year experiences

Festival tourism is emerging as a powerful travel driver, with 72% of Indian travellers saying they would consider planning a trip specifically to attend a major cultural or religious festival. India’s iconic festivals are powerful travel motivators, with Durga Puja (58%) emerging as the top festival travellers would consider travelling to attend, followed by Ganesh Chaturthi (52%) and Navratri Garba (47%).

The findings suggest that travellers are increasingly treating major festivals as limited-time experiences worth planning an entire holiday around, rather than simply activities to enjoy after arriving at a destination.

T – Traditions & Taste

Food, crafts, and local traditions continue to play an increasingly important role in shaping culture-led travel. Regional food experiences rank among the top reasons for travel, with 43% of Indian travellers saying they would plan a trip around them. The growing popularity highlights an appetite for experiences that connect travellers with a destination’s local traditions, flavours and way of life.

S – Smarter planning

As cultural experiences become a bigger travel priority, travellers are becoming more intentional in how they plan their journeys. Most Indian travellers begin planning their culture-led trips well in advance, with 40% starting three to six months ahead and 36% beginning one to three months before departure.

Festival timing has become the biggest booking consideration, with 36% of travellers saying availability during key festival or event dates matters most, followed by affordable prices for transport and accommodation (32%).

With many cultural experiences taking place at specific times of the year, Skyscanner’s Price Alerts allow travellers to monitor fare changes without having to repeatedly search, while Whole Month search lets them compare prices across different travel dates to identify the best value around festivals, heritage trails and other cultural experiences.

Looking ahead, India’s appetite for culture-led travel shows no signs of slowing. With 41% Indian travellers planning to take two culture-focused trips within India over the next year, 32% expect to take three to four. While enthusiasm remains high, safety concerns (49%) and high travel costs (37%) continue to be the biggest barriers to taking more culture-led journeys.

Neel Ghose, Travel Trends and Destinations Expert, Skyscanner India, said, “For a long time, people chose a destination first and discovered its culture once they arrived. We’re increasingly seeing that journey now happens in reverse. Travellers are starting with the experience they want, whether that’s witnessing Durga Puja, exploring a heritage trail or discovering a region through its food, and then building the trip around it. That shift is changing not just where people travel, but how they plan.

When festival dates are fixed and demand is high, comparing different travel dates, airlines, airports and routes can help travellers find better value. For instance, try mixing and matching airlines or airports when you are searching for flights, and use helpful tools like Skyscanner’s Price Alerts, to find better value when planning travel. “

Dr Navina Jafa, an expert in heritage tourism, sustainability, cultural strategy, and Kathak dance, said, “India’s cultural heritage is not only about monuments, but also the ecosystems around heritage landscapes: creative skilled communities, cultural traditions, and living practices. Studies show a growing number of travellers seeking immersive heritage experiences, underlining India’s need to invest in its vast geographical diversity and multilayered cultural legacy. This fast-growing sector offers major opportunities for conservation, economic growth, and for strengthening heritage tourism nationally and globally.”

As India’s appetite for culture-led travel continues to grow, Skyscanner continues to help travellers uncover the R.O.O.T.S. of every journey, from rediscovering heritage and open discovery to once-in-a-year experiences, traditions, and taste, and smarter planning.

Top destinations to connect with your ROOTS**

Skyscanner has also curated a selection of cultural destinations across India, helping travellers turn inspiration into their next journey. Explore the guide here.

About Skyscanner 

Skyscanner is a global leader in travel that helps travellers plan and book their trips with ease and confidence. Every month, Skyscanner connects millions of travellers, in 180 countries and 37 languages, to more than 1200 trusted travel partners so they can find flight, hotel or car hire options. Founded in 2003, Skyscanner has offices worldwide, in Europe, Asia-Pacific and North America, where traveller-first innovations are developed and powered by data and insights. Making use of the latest technology, Skyscanner simplifies the complexity of travel and provides honest and transparent solutions, searching around 100 billion prices every day so travellers can be sure they’ve seen the best possible options, all in one place.

Note to Editors

*Skyscanner research conducted with OnePoll in July 2026 with 2,000 respondents in India.

**Live prices dated 27th July 2026, one-way trip from Delhi to destinations. Subject to change

(1) Almora does not have an airport – prices are for Dehradun (354 kms)

(2) Puri does not have an airport – prices are for Bhubaneswar (65 kms)

(3) Kohima does not have an airport – prices are for Imphal (120 kms)