Bisleri International Pvt. Ltd., through its flagship sustainability initiative Bottles for Change (BFC), has signed a Letter of Association (LoA) with the Indian Coast Guard (Kerala & Mahe) to advance plastic waste management and promote environmental sustainability across coastal regions. This is also in line with ICG mission of Plastic Free Oceans.

Bisleri International Signs Letter of Association with Indian Coast Guard (Mahe & Kochi) for plastic waste collection and awareness

The agreement was formally signed by Dr. Angelo George, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Bisleri International, and Deputy Inspector General Ashish Mehrotra of the Indian Coast Guard, in the presence of senior representatives from both organisations, including Mr. K. Ganesh, Director – Sustainability & Corporate Affairs, Bisleri International; Mr. Dhinakaran, South Region Manager – CSR, Bisleri International; Mr. Jofin, CSR Executive (Kerala), Bisleri International; and Mr. Jabir, Chief Executive Officer, Green Worms.

Deputy Inspector General Ashish Mehrotra, Indian Coast Guard (L) with Dr. Angelo George, CEO, Bisleri International (R)

Through this collaboration, Bottles for Change will work closely with the Indian Coast Guard to strengthen plastic waste management systems by promoting responsible collection, segregation, and recycling of post-consumer plastic. The partnership also aims to drive awareness, encourage behavioural change, and foster sustainable practices to prevent plastic waste from entering coastal and marine ecosystems.

Commenting on the association, Dr. Angelo George, CEO, Bisleri International, said, “It is an honour for Bisleri to collaborate with the Indian Coast Guard in advancing environmental sustainability. Through the Bottles for Change initiative, we are committed to supporting efforts to protect our coastlines and marine ecosystems. This partnership reflects our shared vision of responsible waste management and a cleaner, greener future for the nation.”

Deputy Inspector General Ashish Mehrotra of the Indian Coast Guard also appreciated the initiative which will promote greater awareness, strengthen waste management practices, and ensure the preservation of our coastal ecosystems for future generations.

The Indian Coast Guard, entrusted with safeguarding India’s vast coastline, plays a crucial role in protecting marine environments. This collaboration will further enhance efforts to address the growing challenge of plastic pollution in coastal areas and oceans while promoting efficient waste management practices.

As part of Bisleri’s Greener Promise, the Bottles for Change program continues to expand its impact by building strong partnerships with government institutions and community stakeholders. The association with the Indian Coast Guard marks a significant step in extending the program’s reach to coastal and marine ecosystems, reinforcing Bisleri’s commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable development.

About Bisleri International Pvt. Ltd.

With a legacy of over 54 years, Bisleri International Pvt. Ltd. has grown to become one of the largest premium beverage businesses in India. Being the makers of the country’s largest-selling packaged drinking water, Bisleri follows a stringent process of 114 quality tests and a 10-stage purification. It remains true to its core value of providing consumers with pure, safe and healthy water.

Bisleri International has a strong presence with 128 operational plants and a robust distribution network of over 6,000 Distributors and 7,500 Distribution Trucks across India and neighboring countries. It offers a range of beverages that are produced for all occasions. Whether it is the promise of goodness, trust, and purity with Bisleri Mineral 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 flavors, such as Pop, Rev, Limonata and Spyci Jeera. 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.

Bhagyashree, the popular Bollywood actor known for her role as Suman in the film, ‘Maine Pyar Kiya’ in 1989, philanthropist and wellness advocate, has extended support to the campaign of World Animal Protection to end cruel elephant rides in Jaipur. As a child, Bhagyashree was introduced to the concept of compassion for animals and as she grew up, she realized that millions of animals across the world were needlessly suffering cruelty at the hands of humans. As an avid traveler, she has observed wild animals like elephants and lions in the wild in Maasai Mara in Kenya and leopards in Jawai in Rajasthan. In these situations, she has been able to observe the regal splendor of wild animals living where they belong, in the wild. Sadly, this freedom is denied to millions of wild animals that are held in captivity worldwide, many of them in entertainment, such as elephants for riding in Amer Fort in Jaipur in Rajasthan.

Bhagyashree playing with a horse Photo credit: Bhagyashree

 Jaipur is called the pride of Rajasthan. Every day, thousands of tourists visit beautiful palaces, colourful markets and the historic Amer Fort, admiring the rich culture and royal heritage of the Pink City that is also a UNESCO World Heritage site.

“I learned about the lives of the elephants behind these rides. Hidden behind the bright decorations and tourist photographs are nearly eighty elephants living a life of pain and captivity. These gentle animals are taken away from the forests where they truly belong and are forced to spend their days carrying tourists under the hot sun. Many remain chained for long hours, deprived of proper food, medical care, rest and the freedom to move naturally. When they are not giving rides at Amer Fort, they are often made to continue working in Haathi Gaon, where their suffering silently continues.

Elephants are not meant for entertainment. They are highly intelligent and emotional wild animals. Just like humans, they form deep family bonds,care for their young ones and feel joy, fear, grief and loneliness. In the wild, elephants walk long distances every day, swim across rivers and live in close social groups. Seeing them reduced to a life of chains and commands for human amusement is heartbreaking,” Bhagyashree says.

 “What disturbed me even more was learning how many elephants are trained. Baby calves are often separated from their mothers and forced to undergo a cruel process called “the crush” to break their spirit and make them obedient enough for rides and performances. It is difficult to imagine the fear and trauma these young animals go through simply to entertain people for a few minutes,” Bhagyashree adds.

 Bhagyashree feels most tourists, whether from India or abroad, are unaware of this suffering. They only see a decorated elephant and a memorable ride, without realising the pain hidden behind it.

“India has recognised elephants as our National Heritage Animal, yet these magnificent beings continue to suffer in captivity for tourism. I believe we can celebrate Rajasthan’s culture and history without causing cruelty to animals. True heritage should reflect compassion, dignity and respect for life. I have seen elephants in the wild and can state that these majestic animals belong in the wild, and not in captivity. I stand with World Animal Protection in calling for an end to elephant rides in Jaipur and for the rehabilitation of these elephants into proper sanctuaries where they can finally live with care, peace and some freedom for the rest of their lives. Wildlife belongs in the wild, not in chains for entertainment,” emphasises Bhagyashree.

World Animal Protection would like to thank Bhagyashree wholeheartedly for the compassion she has shown for the captive elephants in Jaipur. The timing is especially appropriate given that World Animal Protection, as part of a coalition of two hundred and forty one organisations comprising the Asia For Animals coalition, has written to the Chief Wildlife Warden of Rajasthan requesting him to end elephant rides in the wake of the unfortunate death of an elephant named Chanchal, who was painted for a photoshoot of an artist named Julia Buruleva from Russia. Also, World Animal Protection welcomes the announcement of animal welfare standards by the Ministry of Tourism in places that are frequented by tourists and it is hoped that stringent animal welfare standards will lead to the cessation of elephant rides in places like Amer Fort in Jaipur.

“We are very pleased to have a compassionate and conscientious celebrity like Bhagyashree join our ranks to end elephant rides and combat animal cruelty,” says Gajender Kumar Sharma, Country Director, World Animal Protection in India. “We hope her plea to end elephant rides will encourage more people to stop riding elephants and ultimately bring this spectacle to an end with the help of the government of Rajasthan.”

For more information and video statement of Bhagyashree, please contact World Animal Protection at : shubhobrotoghosh@worldanimalprotection.org.in.

Every major sporting event brings millions of fans together to celebrate competition, debate strategies, and predict outcomes. Traditionally, these conversations have revolved around team form, player statistics, historical records, and expert opinions. Today, another dimension is quietly becoming part of the fan experience – astrology.

Astrology, Your Game Plan Beyond the Score

As digital platforms continue to shape consumer behaviour, many sports enthusiasts are exploring astrology predictions as an additional layer of entertainment during global tournaments. Whether checking planetary influences before a high-profile match, reading zodiac-based forecasts, or comparing astrological insights with conventional sports analysis, fans are increasingly blending tradition with technology to engage more deeply with sporting events.

Sports Fandom Is Becoming More Interactive

The way audiences experience sports has changed significantly over the past decade. Fans no longer wait for match day to engage with their favourite teams. Social media discussions, fantasy sports, live commentary, podcasts, prediction polls, and online communities have transformed tournaments into continuous digital experiences.

This growing appetite for participation has also encouraged people to explore alternative perspectives on sporting events. Alongside performance analytics and expert opinions, astrology has emerged as an area of curiosity for audiences seeking a different way to engage with the competition.

Rather than replacing statistical analysis, astrology has become part of the broader conversation that surrounds major sporting events.

The Growing Popularity of Astrology in the Digital Era

The increasing interest in astrology extends well beyond sports. Over the past few years, online astrology platforms have experienced significant growth as more users seek personalised insights into shaadi, relationships, careers, finances, health, and everyday decision-making.

According to market research by Grand View Research, the global astrology market is projected to grow steadily throughout the decade, driven by rising smartphone adoption, digital consultations, and increasing demand for personalised spiritual and wellness services.

Mobile applications have made astrological guidance more accessible than ever before. Daily horoscopes, birth chart analysis, numerology, tarot readings, and live consultations with astrologers are now available within seconds, allowing users to integrate astrology into their daily routines.

Why Sports Fans Are Turning to Astrology Predictions

Global tournaments often create uncertainty and excitement, making predictions an essential part of the overall fan experience. While data-driven forecasts remain popular, many fans also enjoy exploring symbolic interpretations through astrology predictions.

For some, astrology offers an additional source of entertainment before a match. Others use zodiac forecasts to understand player personalities, team dynamics, or broader cosmic influences surrounding important sporting events. The appeal lies less in certainty and more in adding another dimension to the conversation.

This behavioural trend reflects a wider shift in digital consumption, where users increasingly combine factual information with personalised content to create richer and more engaging experiences.

Technology Is Making Astrology More Accessible

Advances in technology have transformed how people access astrological services. Artificial intelligence, mobile applications, and real-time digital consultations have made personalised guidance available to users regardless of their location.

Modern astrology platforms offer detailed birth chart analysis, daily and weekly forecasts, compatibility reports, and live consultations with experienced astrologers. These digital experiences have significantly expanded the reach of astrology, particularly among younger users who prefer mobile-first services.

The convenience of instant access has also contributed to astrology’s growing role during culturally significant moments, including festivals, elections, financial planning, and major sporting events.

Digital Platforms Are Responding to Evolving Consumer Interests

As consumer interest in personalised experiences continues to grow, astrology platforms are expanding the ways users interact with astrological insights.

Neo Astro is among the digital platforms observing this trend through increasing interest in personalised consultations, kundali, horoscope updates, and astrology predictions during major global events. By combining traditional Vedic astrology with modern digital accessibility, the platform illustrates how centuries-old practices continue to evolve for today’s connected audiences.

The Future of Astrology in the Digital Age

The convergence of sports, technology, and personalised digital experiences reflects broader changes in consumer behaviour. As audiences continue to seek interactive ways to participate in global events, astrology is likely to remain an important part of that evolving landscape.

Whether through daily horoscopes, birth chart analysis, or astrology predictions, digital platforms like Neo Astro are making traditional practices more accessible to the modern world. While sports will always be decided on the field, the conversations surrounding them continue to evolve, and astrology is increasingly becoming one of the many ways fans choose to engage with the excitement beyond the final score.

There is immense pride and celebration at Knowledgeum Academy, an IB World School, as it announces outstanding results in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) examinations for the Class of 2024–2026. Backed by the prestigious JAIN Group, the academy celebrates its exceptional performance with a 100% pass rate, reaffirming its commitment to academic excellence and holistic education.

Knowledgeum Academy’s Outgoing Class of 2024 – 2026

The graduating cohort achieved an average score of 32 points, with the highest individual score of 41. 

Leading the class are Jahnavi C T (41/45), who will be pursuing higher education at Krea University, India; Moksh Venkata Sai Yellapu (40/45) and Murali Madhava P (40/45), both heading to the University of Warwick, UK; and Ojaswin Tharan (40/45), who has secured admission to King’s College London, UK. 

For the Knowledgeum Academy community, these results represent far more than academic statistics. They reflect the determination of learners who embraced challenges with confidence, as well as the unwavering support of a dedicated team of IB-trained educators, university counsellors, mentors, staff and parents who guided them throughout their two-year journey.

Dr. Chenraj Roychand, Founder Chairman of JAIN Group and Founder of Knowledgeum Academy, shared his congratulations:
“This class has shown what can be accomplished when education moves beyond the classroom and learners step beyond their comfort zones. Seeing our learners surpass global averages and achieve the prestigious 40+ milestone is truly inspiring.”

Reflecting on the learners’ transformational journey, Ms. Aparna Prasad, Founder of Knowledgeum Academy, added, “Watching these young individuals walk into the academy in 2024 and seeing who they have become today is truly heartening. These results are a testament to the quiet hours of hard work, the courage to embrace challenging opportunities, and the unwavering support of parents and educators. They have transformed rigorous academic experiences into a future filled with limitless possibilities.”

The achievements of the Class of 2024–2026 extend well beyond examination results. As a UCAS-registered centre, Knowledgeum Academy’s personalised university guidance and mentorship have empowered learners to realise their global aspirations. Members of the graduating cohort have already secured offers from leading universities in India and internationally, including the University of California, the University of Melbourne, Singapore Management University, Krea University, Ashoka University, the University of Warwick, and King’s College London, among others. Learners will be pursuing diverse disciplines spanning liberal arts, business, engineering, design, technology, and the sciences. Several have also been awarded attractive merit-based scholarships in recognition of their academic excellence and holistic achievements.

As Knowledgeum Academy celebrates another milestone, the success of the Class of 2024–2026 reinforces the institution’s reputation as one of Bengaluru’s leading IB World Schools. More importantly, it reflects the academy’s enduring commitment to nurturing intellectually curious, compassionate, and future-ready global citizens who are prepared to make meaningful contributions to Bharat and the world.

To learn more about Knowledgeum Academy and its IBDP offerings, visit www.knowledgeumacademy.in.  
 

About Knowledgeum Academy
Knowledgeum Academy, an IB World School in Bengaluru and part of the well-known JAIN Group, offers the globally recognised International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme (IBDP) for Grades 11 and 12. 

Recognised as India’s Top Emerging International School by Education Today in 2023, Knowledgeum Academy combines rigorous academics with personalised mentorship, university guidance, and experiential learning to prepare learners for success at leading universities in India and around the world. 

For media inquiries, please contact media@jgi.ac.in

Assetz, one of Bengaluru’s leading real estate developers, and Rohan Bopanna Tennis Academy (“RBTA”), India’s leading tennis development, academy, has announced a five-year partnership to support the growth of tennis culture and high-performance training ecosystems through the Academy. As an Associate Partner of RBTA, Assetz will support the Academy’s larger ecosystem, spanning its infrastructure and talent development programs. The partnership supports a champion-building approach to tennis, creating a long-term platform that goes beyond visibility to strengthen the systems behind athlete development. Assetz and RBTA are also in ongoing discussions to introduce focused initiatives that can help widen access to structured tennis training and contribute to placing Indian tennis more prominently on the global map.
 

Assetz announces its partnership with Rohat Boppana Tennis Academy (RBTA)
 

Positioned as a performance pathway for India’s tennis talent, RBTA, represents the kind of structured, high-performance ecosystem that can help shape the future of the sport in the country. Founded by Rohan Bopanna, one of India’s most respected international tennis icons, a two-time Grand Slam champion and former World No. 1, the Academy brings together national and international experts under one roof to create a complete champion-building ecosystem. With over 10 years of tennis development, 10+ structured programs and 700+ trained players, RBTA supports players across grassroots, intermediate, junior pro and high-performance levels through a disciplined, globally informed training framework. RBTA follows a holistic model integrating coaching, sports science, physiotherapy, nutrition, mental conditioning and competition planning under one roof.

For Assetz, the partnership is a natural extension of its belief that thoughtfully designed communities must enable healthier and more active ways of living. Across its developments, Assetz has consistently integrated sports districts and fitness infrastructure as part of everyday life. This partnership with RBTA allows Assetz to support a larger sporting ambition that begins in Bengaluru and contributes to India’s tennis future.

Commenting on the partnership, Sunil Pareek, Executive Director, Assetz, said, “RBTA has already been doing meaningful work in identifying and supporting talented young players who may not otherwise have access to this level of training and mentorship. Assetz association is intended to strengthen that journey and give the Academy greater support as it continues to build a high-performance pathway for Indian tennis talent. At Assetz, we have always believed that sport has the power to shape discipline, confidence and character, especially among young people.”

Speaking on the announcement, Rohan Bopanna, Founder, RBTA, said, “We are delighted to welcome Assetz as an Associate Partner of the Rohan Bopanna Tennis Academy. Building world-class players requires more than talent it requires a long-term ecosystem of coaching, sports science, competition and committed partners who believe in the journey. We’re excited to work with Assetz to strengthen that ecosystem, expand opportunities for young athletes and help create a sustainable pathway for Indian tennis to compete consistently on the world stage.”

About Assetz

Assetz is one of Bengaluru’s leading real estate developers known for its design-led approach, governance and sustainability. The developer focuses on Quite Luxury, delivering homes that seamlessly integrate nature, fitness, efficiency and aesthetics, alongside design, technology and sustainability.

Assetz has built a portfolio spanning 50+ projects and 50+ million sq. ft. across delivered, ongoing and planned developments.

DUSQ, an India-founded sleeptech company, has become the fastest Indian startup to cross USD 1 million in revenue on Kickstarter, achieving the milestone within the opening days of its US campaign launch on June 9, 2026. While the broader conversation about Indian consumer hardware is still taking shape, DUSQ has already garnered both credibility and excitement at a global scale. It stands as one of the most significant demonstrations to date that world-class hardware can be conceived, engineered, and clinically validated entirely within India and still command first-mover demand in the world’s most competitive consumer market.

DUSQ Founders – From L-R Top row Hrithik Jaiswal, Animesh Kumar, Gursakhi Lugani, Front Row Shalmali Kadu, Dr. Siddhant Bhargava, Mitansh Khurana

The company did not attempt to fit into the well-established category of trackers that others like Oura, Whoop and Garmin gained their footing in. Instead, they developed the world’s first closed-loop sleep regulation system that takes care of every moment integral to a good night’s sleep. The company’s behind-the-ear sleep regulation device was built, tested, and clinically trialled entirely out of an in-house sleep lab. Now, it is being shipped to American backers ahead of a broader US rollout planned for September 2026.

The milestone places DUSQ among a small number of Indian consumer hardware companies to win meaningful early traction in the US market, and comes less than two years after the company secured a three-Shark deal on Shark Tank India. On Kickstarter specifically, DUSQ has surpassed every previous Indian health tech company on the platform, including Ultrahuman, whose original Ring campaign raised approximately USD 500,000 in total. As DUSQ scales toward its US retail launch, the company is simultaneously expanding its India-based team, with more than 60 open roles across engineering, design, biotech, and growth functions.

A hard problem, solved out of India

At just 12 grams and 7.2 millimetres, DUSQ’s closed-loop sleep regulation system works from wind-down to wake-up. It sits behind the ear, reads the autonomic nervous system in real time, and responds the moment sleep is disrupted, delivering adaptive vagus and vestibular nerve stimulation to guide the body back into deeper sleep before the sleeper ever knows something went wrong. Every other sleep device on the market tells you what happened the night before. DUSQ changes what happens during it.

The science behind that claim was built entirely in-house. DUSQ’s proprietary sleep lab has collected more than 50 million physiological data points. The company has completed one clinical trial with a second currently underway, holds CDSCO certification in India, and deploys an FDA-cleared stimulation modality for insomnia. The results from its double-blind, controlled trials are the kind that make the category sit up: 31 per cent more deep sleep. 38 percent improvement in heart rate variability. 22 per cent fewer night awakenings.

Central to DUSQ’s approach is SQ, or Sleep Quotient, their proprietary metric measuring the body’s capacity to produce sleep, in contrast to traditional sleep scores that only describe what has already occurred. Building SQ required the kind of full-stack work — sensor hardware, signal processing, biostatistics, and real-time intervention algorithms – that is rare to assemble inside a single Indian startup.

From Shark Tank to a US Kickstarter record

DUSQ’s US debut followed more than 2,000 first-generation commercial users in India and a Kickstarter waitlist exceeding 10,000 people. The company’s USD 1 million-plus opening places it among the fastest Indian-founded hardware companies to hit that mark on the platform, and signals that a science-first, India-built medtech product can compete directly in one of the world’s most saturated consumer health markets.

“We did not enter a category. We built one. From India. That is what these million dollars represent, not a product win, a category win,” said Dr. Siddhant Bhargava, Co-founder and CEO of DUSQ,  who is also a physician.

“Sleep is too personal to be sold through hype. Most brands borrow desire from culture; we had to build our own. A million-dollar opening tells us people were willing to believe in a future of sleep they hadn’t experienced yet,” said Gursakhi Lugani, Chief Taste Officer at DUSQ.

The company’s seed round of approximately USD 3 million was led by Fireside Ventures, one of India’s largest consumer venture capital firms, with participation from Antler India and Climber Capital.

Now hiring and building the next phase from India

With its US retail launch a month away, DUSQ is expanding its India-based team across more than 50 open roles spanning hardware engineering, embedded systems, signal processing, biotech, product design, content, growth, customer success, sleep coaching, and operations.

DUSQ is looking for people who want to work on problems that lack existing playbooks, whether that means building closed-loop biological systems from scratch, creating content for a category that has never been explained before, or supporting a community of users experiencing something genuinely new.

“The problems we are solving here do not exist as job descriptions anywhere else. We are building the sensing, stimulation, and intelligence layers simultaneously on real human physiology in real time. If that sounds hard, it is. That is exactly the point,” said Mitansh Khurana, who leads technology at DUSQ.

“Some of the most important problems cannot be solved by engineering alone or science alone. They require curiosity, empathy, and the willingness to work across disciplines. That intersection is where we choose to build every day,” said Shalmali Kadu, who leads product at DUSQ.

“I have helped scale consumer brands to nine figures in revenue, and I have never seen a product where the technology this early actually matches the ambition of the pitch,” said Ronak Shah, Growth Advisor at DUSQ. “If you want to build something that has to work, not just look good in a deck, this is the place to do it.“

DUSQ’s open roles are listed on the company’s careers page, with a focus on candidates based in India who want to work on a product now live and selling in the US market.

About DUSQ

Founded in 2023 by Dr. Siddhant Bhargava, Shalmali Kadu, and Mitansh Khurana, DUSQ is a sleep science and recovery company. Grounded in a regulation-first hypothesis and backed by over 50 million physiological data points, the company combines neuroscience and hardware design to define a new category in sleep technology. DUSQ is headquartered in India and is preparing for its global launch, starting with the United States.

KRBL Limited, a global leader in the food industry and the parent company of the World’s No.1 basmati rice brand, proudly announces that it has been conferred with two prestigious honours at the Global Brand & Leadership Conclave 2026, held on 5 June 2026 at the iconic House of Lords, British Parliament, London.

A proud moment for KRBL Ltd for winning two prestigious awards at the Global Brand & Leadership Conclave 2026

Representing KRBL Ltd at this landmark event was Mr Akshay Gupta, Head – Bulk Exports, who received the awards on behalf of the company. KRBL Ltd was recognised with the Global Leading Brand Award, honouring its outstanding market presence and leadership, as well as the Global Iconic Brand Award, conferred upon its flagship brand, India Gate.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Akshay Gupta, Head – Bulk Exports said, “We are truly honoured to receive the awards for India Gate here at the House of Lords in London. These awards represent much more than business success. They reflect the trust of millions of consumers, the dedication of our employees, and the hard work of thousands of farmers who form the foundation of our business. For more than 135 years, KRBL has remained committed to quality, authenticity, and innovation. Today, as we continue expanding our presence across global markets, our focus remains on building stronger brands, creating value-added food products, and taking India’s rich food heritage to consumers around the world. We see this recognition as both a milestone and a responsibility to continue setting new benchmarks for global brand excellence.”

The double recognition underscores KRBL’s remarkable journey from a heritage-led Indian family business to a globally respected food enterprise, with a presence spanning over 90 countries. The awards stand as a testament to the company’s long-standing commitment to quality, authenticity, innovation, and operational excellence-  values that have guided KRBL since its inception.

The Global Iconic Brand Award conferred upon India Gate is a particular point of pride, reflecting the strength of the brand’s emotional connect with consumers across generations and geographies. From households across India to kitchens around the world, India Gate has come to symbolise trust, purity, and the authentic taste of Basmati rice.

KRBL Ltd. is a public listed global leader in premium Basmati rice and other consumer food products. KRBL’s products are enjoyed daily by consumers across 90+ countries and six continents. With 135 years of legacy rooted in quality and a commitment to innovation, the company is fully integrated from farm to plate—from seed development and contact farming to processing, aging, packaging and retail distribution—ensuring top-tier standards at each step.

Operation Toofan Strikes at the Perumbavoor, Kerala:  In one of the most closely watched ground actions of Operation Toofan — India’s largest anti-narcotics mission — Kerala’s Home & Vigilance Minister Ramesh Chennithala led a sweeping crackdown in Perumbavoor, Asia’s plywood capital, a town whose industrial reputation had been quietly hijacked by a narcotics network operating in the shadows of its migrant labour economy.

Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennnithala holding up the hand of a migrant labourer at Kandanthara Bhai Colony at Perumbavoor. Benny Behanan MP, Manoj Moothedan MLA also seen.

The Minister announced the formation of a dedicated Special Task Force in his recent visit to Perumbavoor on Friday, 03 July, 2026. The force is to be led directly by the State Police Chief, to coordinate anti-narcotics operations across the state and to dismantle drug networks that operate across state lines. Additional police personnel will be deployed in Perumbavoor to reinforce the crackdown.

The efforts of ACP Hardik Meena, a young IPS Cadre Officer, who had been handpicked by the Minister to lead the enforcement efforts on the ground in Perumbavoor, earned the praise of all present.

What sets this ground action apart is its explicit refusal to let migrant workers bear the stigma of a trade they had no part in. The Minister was unambiguous: the narcotics network had exploited migrant labourers as cover, and it is this web — not the workers themselves — that Operation Toofan targets.

In a gesture that resonated widely, the Home Minister addressed migrant workers directly in Hindi, administered an anti-narcotics pledge to them personally, and awarded “Toofan Warrior” badges to migrant worker representatives at Kandanthara Bhai Colony. The entire population of Perumbavoor — residents and migrant workers alike — was declared “Toofan Warriors” by the Minister, a symbolic move signalling that the fight against narcotics is a shared civic identity, not a dividing line between local and outsider.

The response from the migrant worker community has been notably warm. Long conversations between the Minister and workers at the colony, the Hindi-language pledge, and the direct engagement by senior police officers and elected representatives together signalled an approach workers welcomed — one that treats them as partners in reclaiming the town’s name, not suspects in its problem.

State Police Chief Rawada Asad Chandrasekhar said no narcotics network can survive when an entire community mobilises against it. Thirty-five hospitals have expressed willingness to join the “Toofan Care” initiative, following Angamaly Little Flower Hospital’s lead as the first to partner.

Thousands — including elected representatives, police officers, community organisation leaders, students, and business figures — took part in the “Toofan Jagaran” rally, which culminated in a mass anti-narcotics pledge and march through the municipal stadium.

GECO, the nature-inspired construction solutions brand from the VNC Group, today unveiled its first-ever brand film, ‘The Geco Tales: The Castaway’. The film marks a milestone for the young brand, translating its founding metaphor — the gecko’s extraordinary natural ability to hold — into a cinematic fable.

GECO introduces its first brand film, “The Geco Tales: The Castaway

‘The Geco Tales: The Castaway’ follows a lone castaway stranded on a deserted island after a storm wrecks his boat. With no help in sight, he is found by a gecko that delivers GECO Tile Adhesive and GECO Epoxy Tile Grout to the shore. Guided by the creature, the castaway rebuilds his wrecked vessel piece by piece — fixing tiles, sealing leaks, and finally sailing home. The story dramatizes the brand’s core belief that the right hold can change everything, and carries its signature positioning: Inspired by nature. Engineered to hold.

The Geco Tales: The Castaway | Tamil

YouTube Link: Watch The Geco Tales: The Castaway | Tamil

The film puts GECO’s tile and stone fixing solutions at the heart of the story — the tile adhesives and grouting solutions that anchor the brand’s range. Under the GECO name, the VNC Group brings together its tile fixing, adhesives and sealants, and tapes categories into a single, unified brand, with the tile and stone fixing line leading the way.

GECO was founded in 2021 under the VNC Group, which has operated across categories since 1983. In a short span, GECO has built a distribution network of more than 1,000 retail outlets across Tamil Nadu and Kerala, and was recognised by Industry Outlook as a Top 10 Adhesives & Sealants manufacturer in 2024.

“With GECO, the VNC Group is expanding into an entirely new category — tile and stone fixing solutions — and The Castaway is where that journey begins,” said Gokul Basker, Brand Founder, GECO & Partner, VNC Group. “For over four decades, VNC has built its name across welding consumables, steel and fencing solutions. GECO extends that legacy into the world of tile fixing solutions, sealants and tapes, giving builders and applicators a brand of their own. This film is our first step, and there’s much more to come.”

Commenting on the film, Director Yokesh R (Yoki) of The Paper Plane, Chennai said, “A fable lives or dies on whether you believe in its world. We wanted the island, the storm and the little gecko to feel real enough that a simple truth about holding on could land emotionally. For a brand built on nature’s own engineering, telling the story as a fable felt exactly right.”

‘The Geco Tales: The Castaway’ premieres in July 2026, across GECO’s YouTube channel, television, OTT and social media platforms. The film is positioned as the first episode in an ongoing brand story-world, The Geco Tales.

About GECO 
GECO is the VNC Group’s dedicated brand for construction solutions, spanning tile & stone fixing solutions, adhesives and sealants, and tapes. Inspired by the gecko’s natural adhesion mechanism and engineered for dependable performance, GECO’s tile and stone fixing solutions lead a growing range built for professional contractors, civil engineers, architects and applicators. GECO is distributed across Tamil Nadu and Kerala through a network of 1,000+ retail outlets.

About VNC Group
Headquartered in Karur, Tamil Nadu, VNC Group is a diversified enterprise with strong market leadership across welding consumables, steel wires, and fencing solutions. With over 40 years of commitment to creating lasting value, VNC’s BEST range of brands serves more than 8,000 retailers across South India. VNC launched GECO and Indicus Paints in 2021 and has been rapidly expanding product offerings across both categories. VNC is also a leading distributor for Tata Steel, managing a wide portfolio of their retail products across Tamil Nadu.

For more information about GECO, visit www.thegeco.in.

• 76 percent consumers prefer business calls, yet 79 percent avoid answering unknown numbers

• Voice remains India’s most trusted channel; spam, poor identity, and lack of clarity and customer control erode confidence

Truecaller, the leading global communications platform, has released ‘The State of Business Calling 2026‘ report, a comprehensive study on the role of voice calls as a customer engagement channel in India. Commissioned in partnership with Tata Tele Business Services (TTBS), with Kantar as the research partner, the insights of the report highlight that voice calls remain the most trusted and widely used channel for business communication in India.

Truecaller and Tata Tele Business Services Report, in partnership with Kantar

The report presents a striking paradox: 76 percent of consumers prefer calls over digital alternatives, yet 79 percent of businesses say customers actively avoid answering calls from unrecognized numbers.

As digital touchpoints multiply, customers are becoming more selective about what they engage with. Voice is no longer being ignored – it is now being filtered. The study, conducted by Kantar, surveyed over 500 B2B businesses and 1,000 consumers across 17 cities in India, highlighting a defining shift in India’s communication landscape. While digital channels are favored for speed, voice continues to dominate moments that require clarity (56 percent), reassurance, urgency, or high-stakes interactions.

The study reveals that despite emerging as the most trusted channel for business communication, ahead of email, SMS, and chat combined, voice is witnessing a quiet erosion in trust. Spam, lack of context, inconsistent caller identity, and poorly timed outreach have created a default reluctance among consumers that affects even legitimate, compliant businesses.

Priyam Bose, Global Head, Truecaller for Business GTM (Go To Market), said, “India does not have a calling problem. It has a trust and attention problem. Consumers today expect to know who is calling, why they are calling, and whether it is worth their time. At Truecaller, we are focused on enabling verified identity and contextual communication to help businesses rebuild trust and improve engagement. Our report clearly reveals the opportunities for businesses to invest in the right customer experience.”

Nearly 49 percent of consumers said the ability to schedule callbacks at a convenient time would significantly increase their willingness to engage with business calls, followed by clearer visibility into caller identity and purpose. Businesses, meanwhile, are prioritizing caller identity (64 percent), verification symbols, and call-purpose previews.

The findings also reveal a critical misalignment between how businesses use voice and how they measure its effectiveness. While 41 percent businesses say trust and brand perception drive their decision to use it, the metrics they actually track tell a different story: Response Rate (72 percent), Time to Resolution (57 percent), and Cost per Interaction (53 percent) dominate scorecards. None of these capture what voice is delivering – higher CSAT (42 percent), stronger customer retention (36 percent), and emotional reassurance no automated channel can replicate.

Voice is still being managed as a transactional channel and measured as a cost center, even though it functions as a relationship driver.

While regulatory frameworks such as DLT and the use of 140 and 1600 number series aim to classify promotional and service calls, consumers may still receive essential service calls despite DND preferences, making recognisable identity and clear context critical to driving engagement.

Vishal Rally, Chief Revenue Officer, Tata Teleservices, says, “Voice remains an important channel for enterprise communication, particularly when immediacy and human connection matter most. As customer expectations evolve, businesses need secure, intelligent, and context-aware communication experiences. At TTBS, we are enabling enterprises with integrated voice and digital communication solutions that strengthen customer trust and engagement.”

Voice continues to play a critical role across sectors where urgency, trust, or high-value decision-making are involved. BFSI and IT services rely heavily on voice for verification and compliance workflows, while e-commerce and logistics increasingly use voice alongside digital channels to manage transactional and support communication.

The full report also introduces three proprietary benchmarks: Voice Adoption Index, Feature Engagement Index, and Feature Interest Index, to help businesses assess where they stand and where to invest next. To access the report, click here.

About Truecaller
Truecaller is an essential part of everyday communication for 500 million active users worldwide, with more than one billion downloads since launch and 68 billion spam and fraud calls identified in 2025 alone. The company is headquartered in Stockholm and has been publicly listed on Nasdaq Stockholm since October 2021. For more information, visit www.truecaller.com.

About Tata Teleservices
Tata Teleservices Limited along with its subsidiary Tata Teleservices (Maharashtra) Limited (NSE: TTML, BSE: 532371) (Tata Teleservices) is a growing market leader in the Enterprise space. It offers a comprehensive portfolio of Connectivity, Collaboration, Cloud & SaaS, Security, and Marketing solutions for businesses in the country under the brand name Tata Tele Business Services (TTBS). Tata Teleservices has an extensive, high quality and robust wireline network and offers its products and services in more than 60 cities across India. Tata Teleservices has one of the largest enterprise-focused teams in the industry with deep customer engagement and technology orientation offering focused sales and service experience to customers. Tata Teleservices (Maharashtra) Limited is listed on BSE and NSE in India.

For more information, please visit: www.tatatelebusiness.com.