• Bajaj Finance among the first businesses to go live with the new AI-powered experience

• The smallest of Indian businesses can now ask about payments, settlements, and support issues, and get them acted on through a simple WhatsApp message

Razorpay, India’s Omnichannel Payments Platform for Businesses, today launched RAY, an AI Account Manager on WhatsApp, in partnership with IndusInd Bank, with Bajaj Finance among the first businesses live on the platform. Built for businesses of every size, RAY gives founders an always-on, intelligent way to manage their payments and get support whenever they need it, day or night. Businesses have already had 20,000+ conversations with RAY, an early signal of how readily they are shifting to conversational, AI-led resolutions over dashboard-based ones for faster, more accessible support.

Razorpay Launches AI Account Manager on WhatsApp, with Induslnd Bank

Starting today, businesses can send RAY, Razorpay’s AI Assistant, a simple message or voice note saying, “Show me a summary of my payments from yesterday” or go deeper with a request like, “Analyse my payments from the last two months and project my sales for the next two months.” RAY responds in natural language, without founders having to navigate dashboards or multiple screens to find the information they need. For India’s small businesses, getting help from their payments provider has just become as simple as texting a friend.

But the bigger shift is what happens next. For years, the largest businesses have had someone they could call to help them manage their payments and business needs. Most small and growing businesses haven’t. Whether it’s checking the status of a settlement ahead of an urgent payout, sending a payment link to a customer, or issuing a refund while on the go, Razorpay is now putting that experience inside WhatsApp, the app most MSME’s already use for their business.

RAY is designed to do more than answer questions. It proactively tracks a business’s payment health and shares useful insights and actions before a business owner has to ask. From recommendations such as “Here’s how you can improve your payment success rate,” to flagging an upcoming settlement with a message such as, “Your Rs 94,600 settles Wednesday. Tuesday is a bank holiday. Would you like to get it settled today?”, RAY helps businesses stay ahead of issues and make faster decisions.

The launch marks the next evolution of RAY, Razorpay’s AI-powered merchant assistance technology. While RAY was originally built to help businesses access information and support by leveraging AI, it no longer just answers questions when businesses reach out – it independently triggers actions across Razorpay’s systems. Where businesses once had to log into a dashboard to issue a refund or generate a payment link, they can now simply ask RAY to do it – on WhatsApp, in the middle of a conversation. 

The idea behind RAY started with a simple insight. Razorpay’s systems can already detect the early signs of a merchant needing support – from improving payment success to staying ahead of settlements. The opportunity was in how to act on those signals at scale. Manual outreach, however well-intentioned, depends on someone picking up the phone, one merchant at a time – a model built for hundreds of businesses, not millions. RAY was built to close that gap: turning real-time signals into real-time action, reaching every business on time, automatically.

Khilan Haria, Chief Product Officer, Razorpay said, “We’ve been thinking about how AI can fundamentally change the way businesses interact with their payments infrastructure. Millions of businesses across India are building and growing every day, and we wanted to make it easier for them to access the information, intelligent insights, and support they need along the way. With RAY, an AI Account Manager on WhatsApp, a business owner can simply ask for what they need in the most natural way possible and have it acted upon.”

He added, “More importantly, we are moving towards a world where they may not even need to ask us first. If we see an opportunity to help, whether it’s improving payment success, staying ahead of a settlement, or taking an action at the right moment, RAY will proactively reach out and help. Every founder, regardless of the size of their business, should feel like they have someone looking out for them.”

Amitabh Saraff, Head – Institutional and Government Coverage, IndusInd Bank said, “At IndusInd Bank, we are committed to making banking simpler, faster, and more accessible for businesses. Our partnership with Razorpay reflects this focus by bringing account management capabilities to a familiar platform like WhatsApp, helping make business support more immediate, intuitive, and convenient.”

Bajaj – Tanaji Khot – Senior Head Banking, Bajaj Finance said, “When you’re running a business, you don’t always have the time to open another dashboard or follow up on multiple support channels. You just want to know what’s happening and get an issue resolved quickly. Being able to simply send a message on WhatsApp makes the experience much more natural. It feels less like using another business tool and more like having someone available when you need help.”

Razorpay’s AI Agent Platform is built around a single intelligent agent that can handle a wide range of business needs end-to-end. Instead of building separate AI agents for payments, settlements, refunds, and other functions, the platform allows a single agent to draw on different capabilities, tools, knowledge, and memory depending on what a business needs in the moment. It holds full 360-degree context for each merchant, and an extensive evaluation system validates every response in real time, keeping hallucinations in check without compromising latency. The result: RAY moves seamlessly within a single conversation – from understanding what a business needs, to finding the right information, to recommending the next step, to taking the action itself.

With this launch, Razorpay is taking another step towards a future where AI doesn’t just help businesses understand what is happening, but helps them act on it. Built on Razorpay’s growing intelligence layer across payments, risk, and business operations, RAY is part of the ecosystem the company is building to make running a business simpler, more proactive, and increasingly intelligent.

About Razorpay

Razorpay, an omnichannel payments platform for businesses, strives to help Indian businesses with innovative solutions built with technology to address the payment and banking journey for businesses. Established in 2014 by alumni of IIT Roorkee, Shashank Kumar and Harshil Mathur, the company strives to provide technology payment solutions to many businesses. A few angel investors have also invested in Razorpay’s mission to simplify payments and business banking.

Ai+ Smartphone today announced its partnership with Bigg Boss Season 20 across five editions – Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Bengali marking a significant step as the brand continues to strengthen its presence across India.
 

Ai+ Smartphone Enters the Bigg Boss House Across Five Language Editions
 

Bigg Boss has grown beyond being a television show to become a cultural phenomenon, driving conversations across television, digital and social platforms. Its ability to connect with audiences across languages and regions makes the property a powerful platform for Ai+ Smartphone to build familiarity, trust and aspiration among consumers across the country.
 

The association spans the Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Bengali editions of Bigg Boss, with Salman Khan, Vijay Sethupathi, Nagarjuna Akkineni, Kiccha Sudeep and Sourav Ganguly hosting the Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Bengali editions respectively. Together, the association gives Ai+ Smartphone a powerful multilingual platform to build familiarity and relevance while speaking to consumers in the languages, cultural contexts and entertainment formats they connect with most.
 

Speaking on the collaboration, Archi Gogoi, Head of Brand, Marketing & Growth, Ai+ Smartphone, said, “In a market as diverse as India, meaningful consumer connections come from understanding the distinct cultures, conversations and contexts that shape audiences across regions. Bigg Boss is one of the few platforms that combines massive national relevance with incredibly strong regional appeals. For Ai+ Smartphone, this association is about going beyond visibility and becoming part of the conversations and cultural moments, our consumers already care about. Across Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Bengali, we have an opportunity to connect with audiences in a way that feels more local, relevant and authentic.”
 

As part of the association, Ai+ Smartphone will engage audiences through product integrations, branded moments, contextual content and digital amplification across the Bigg Boss ecosystem. The approach is designed to take the brand beyond conventional advertising and integrate Ai+ Smartphone naturally into moments and conversations audiences engage with throughout the season.
 

For Ai+ Smartphone, the Bigg Boss 20 partnership represents another step in building a technology brand that combines Indian roots with global ambition while staying close to the culture, conversations and consumers shaping modern India.
 

About Ai+ Smartphone

Ai+ Smartphone is a next-generation brand built in India, delivering reliable and high-performance mobile experiences. Powered by NxtQuantum OS, India’s first sovereign mobile operating system. The brand focuses on delivering a clean design, ensuring long battery life, and maintaining trusted software performance, all while keeping prices accessible without compromising the user experience.

From redefining smartphones to pioneering AIoT products as part of the company’s Connected Ecosystem, Ai+ Smartphone is creating a new standard for trust, immersive experience, and accessibility. Rooted in a privacy-first architecture and a commitment to equitable access, Ai+ Smartphone stands for more than specs — it stands for India’s next era of user-owned, future-ready technology.

About Ai+ and NxtQuantum Shift Technologies

NxtQuantum Shift Technologies is a deep-tech Indian company building secure, sovereign digital platforms for a digital-first world. Founded by Madhav Sheth, the company develops NxtQuantum OS, India’s first sovereign operating system, and is committed to building technology that is designed, engineered and developed in India while remaining globally competitive.

Prateek Group has announced plans to develop a 2-lakh sq. ft. high street mall worth approximately INR 500 crore in Siddharth Vihar, Ghaziabad, marking a significant expansion of the Group’s commercial real estate portfolio. The development will follow a 100% lease-based model, with Prateek Group retaining ownership of the asset and generating long-term recurring rental revenues.

Prashant Tiwari, Chairman, Prateek Group, announces the Group’s plans to develop a INR 500 crore high street mall in Siddharth Vihar, Ghaziabad

Envisioned as a new-age retail, dining and entertainment destination, the project will cater to the rapidly growing residential population of Siddharth Vihar and surrounding markets across NCR.

The project forms part of Prateek Group’s long-term strategy to build a portfolio of annuity-generating commercial assets, complementing its residential development business. By retaining ownership and operating the mall entirely through a leasing model, the Group aims to create a sustainable recurring revenue stream while building long-term value from its commercial portfolio.

The fully lease-based format will also enable Prateek Group to exercise greater control over tenant curation, brand positioning, asset management and the overall consumer experience.

Designed as a comprehensive family and lifestyle destination, the mall will feature a curated mix of national and international brands across fashion, consumer electronics, athleisure, ethnic wear, formal and casual fashion, jewellery, footwear, beauty, accessories and other lifestyle categories.

Entertainment will be a key component of the development, with plans for a state-of-the-art multiplex, dedicated kids’ entertainment and family recreation zones, positioning the project as an experience-led destination extending beyond conventional retail.

The food and beverage portfolio will include quick-service restaurants, cafés, speciality food concepts, premium casual dining, fine-dining restaurants and banquet facilities, creating a strong culinary and social ecosystem within the development.

Strategically located in Siddharth Vihar, the project is expected to benefit from a large and expanding residential catchment across Indirapuram, Crossings Republik, Raj Nagar Extension, Noida, Greater Noida and the NH-24 corridor. Continued residential development and improving connectivity across the region have created growing demand for organised retail, dining and entertainment infrastructure.

Speaking on the announcement, Prashant Tiwari, Chairman, Prateek Group, said, “The INR 500 crore high street mall in Siddharth Vihar is an important part of our strategy to build a strong portfolio of income-generating commercial assets. Our vision is to create a destination that brings together shopping, dining, entertainment and community experiences under one ecosystem. By retaining the asset and following a completely lease-based model, we will be able to curate the right brand mix, maintain high operational standards and create a consistently strong consumer experience while generating sustainable long-term rental revenues.”

The development is also expected to generate economic activity across retail, hospitality and entertainment, create employment opportunities and further strengthen Siddharth Vihar’s emergence as a major residential and commercial destination within NCR.

With a project worth approximately INR 500 crore, a development footprint of around 2 lakh sq. ft. and a 100% lease-based model, Prateek Group aims to establish the project as a landmark organised retail and entertainment destination in Ghaziabad while significantly expanding its portfolio of annuity-generating commercial assets.

Karnataka Health Minister Sri U.T. Khader has unveiled an ambitious vision to position Karnataka as a global destination for health, immunity and holistic wellbeing, at the Global Wellbeing Confluence (GWC) – 2026 Leaders Talk, conducted in association with AYUSH TV, India’s dedicated health channel.

Health Minister U.T. Khader, A. Jayasimha, Ayush TV MD Hari Krishna and GWC VP Harish inaugurated GWC 2026, promoting holistic health and wellbeing

In a powerful interaction with Harish R., Chairman, GWC – 2026, the Minister highlighted the importance of creating greater public awareness about what people eat, where they eat and how food and lifestyle influence long-term health. His recent enforcement initiatives covering five-star hotels, leading clubs, hospitals, bakeries, sweet outlets and pharmaceutical establishments have reinforced the need for stronger public vigilance and responsible health practices.

A major highlight of the event was the announcement of a Women as Wellbeing Ambassadors initiative under GWC – 2026, aimed at empowering women to become champions of healthy families, communities and lifestyles.

The Minister also inaugurated “AYUSH Life Immunity Prasadam – One Meal a Day,” promoting the use of seasonal vegetables, fruits and natural foods as part of an immunity-focused lifestyle. He further released 10 powerful principles for an immunity-enriched lifestyle, providing a simple roadmap for healthier living.

GWC – 2026: A Global Platform for Integrated Wellbeing

The previous edition of the Global Wellbeing Confluence, held in April 2025, created significant momentum, bringing together nearly 5,000 AYUSH doctors and around 45,000 visitors.

The 2026 edition is scheduled for October 23–26, 2026, at Palace Grounds, Bengaluru, with expectations of participation from more than 15,000 AYUSH and modern medicine doctors, along with healthcare professionals, wellness experts, institutions and the public.

The AYUSH Federation of India is the official partner, with associate partnerships from organisations including the Akhila Karnataka Rajya Sarkari Mahila Noukarara Sangha, Karnataka Drugs and Pharmaceuticals Manufacturers Association, and Indian Naturopathy & Yoga Graduates Medical Association, among others.

The GWC – 2026 launch event was attended by Mr. Hari Krishna M., Managing Director, AYUSH TV; Sri A. Jayasimha, Chairman, Karnataka State Brahmin Development Board; and Mr. Pavan Ramesh of AYUSH TV, along with distinguished representatives from the healthcare and wellbeing sectors.

Global Wellbeing Confluence – 2026 aims to bring AYUSH, modern medicine, nutrition, naturopathy, yoga and preventive healthcare onto one powerful platform creating a movement that can make Karnataka a model for healthy and sustainable living for India and the world.

Casio Computer Co. Ltd., headquartered in Japan and the parent company of Casio India, brought together 145+ G-SHOCK fans, including collectors, enthusiasts, horologists, media and creators, at the G-SHOCK Fan Meet – Collector’s Edition in Mumbai. The gathering celebrated the brand’s legacy while providing a platform for the community to connect over its shared appreciation for G-SHOCK’s design, innovation and spirit of individuality.
 

G-SHOCK Fan Meet
 

Held at the G-SHOCK Exclusive Store, Linking Road, Santacruz West, the event brought the G-SHOCK community together through conversations, collection showcases and interactions centred around the brand’s heritage and timepieces. Among the highlights of the evening was a special showcase by four G-SHOCK collectors, who presented selections from their personal collections and shared the stories and significance behind their timepieces. The showcase offered attendees a closer look at the personal connections and stories behind some of the collections that have grown alongside the brand.
 

A key highlight of the evening was the presence of Junichi Izumi, creator of the GA-2100 series, who engaged with members of the G-SHOCK community and shared insights into the design journey behind the GA-2100, one of G-SHOCK’s most recognisable series. His participation offered collectors and enthusiasts an opportunity to hear directly from the creative mind behind the GA-2100 and gain a deeper understanding of the design thinking and philosophy that shaped the series.
 

Commenting on the occasion, Takuto Kimura, Managing Director, Casio India, said, “G-SHOCK has grown into a global community united by a shared appreciation for individuality, creativity and innovation. India has been an important part of that journey, with collectors and enthusiasts embracing the brand and making it their own. The Fan Meet is an opportunity for us to bring this community together, celebrate their passion for G-SHOCK and create meaningful interactions around the brand.”
 

Sharing his thoughts on the occasion, Junichi Izumi, Creator of the GA-2100 Series, said, “The GA-2100 was developed as a new expression of the G-SHOCK identity while staying true to the strength and character of the brand. It has been very rewarding to see how collectors and enthusiasts around the world have connected with the series and made it their own. Meeting the G-SHOCK community in India and hearing their stories and perspectives has been a very special experience, and I am happy to be part of this gathering.”
 

The evening featured interactions between Junichi Izumi and attendees, with conversations spanning collections, design and the evolution of the GA-2100 series. Horologists, media and creators also engaged with the brand and each other on G-SHOCK’s continued relevance across generations. The evening continued with an after-party at Gigi Bombay, Bandra West, where guests came together for music and informal conversations, extending the gathering into a more relaxed setting.
 

With the G-SHOCK Fan Meet – Collector’s Edition, Casio India continues to celebrate the collectors, enthusiasts and creators who have made G-SHOCK part of their own stories. By creating spaces for the community to come together, share their collections and connect with the people behind the brand, G-SHOCK continues to build on the culture and connections that have shaped its presence in India.
 

About Casio India Co. Pvt. Ltd.

Casio India Co. Pvt. Ltd. (CIC) is the Indian subsidiary of Casio Computer Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of consumer electronics and business equipment solutions. Casio India has established a dynamic presence in the Indian market since 1996, emerging as a leading and cherished consumer goods manufacturer. Casio India’s range of products include sales and marketing of Timepieces, Electronic Musical Instruments, Desktop Calculators and Scientific Calculators.
 

Setting the benchmark for excellence, Casio India is dedicated to embodying the spirit of innovation and quality that defines the Casio legacy. With a strong commitment to its corporate creed of “creativity and contribution,” Casio has consistently translated this ethos into the creation of innovative products making a positive impact on society.
 

For more information, visit www.casio.com/in.

Ralith Realty has launched Ralith Retreat, a 53.36-acre integrated luxury township in Sector 19A, Panipat, as the developer looks to tap into rising demand for premium plotted developments across the region. The township comprises a limited inventory of 352 premium plots, with Phase 1 already sold out and nearly 60% of the overall township inventory sold.

Ralith Realty Launches Ralith Retreat in Panipat; 60% Township Inventory Sold

Plot sizes at Ralith Retreat range from approximately 183 sq. yds. to 800 sq. yds., with around 70% of the residential plots comprising larger-sized plots. The development is also planned to include villas, independent floors and commercial spaces, offering a mix of residential and lifestyle options within an integrated community.

According to Vikas Goel, Founding Director, Ralith Realty, the company is releasing inventory in a calibrated manner as development progresses, with the developer expecting the project’s value proposition to strengthen further as infrastructure and fast-track development works advance.

“We have deliberately maintained a limited inventory at Ralith Retreat to preserve the low-density character of the development while creating a differentiated offering in the Panipat market. With Phase 1 sold out and the overall township nearing 60% sales, we are seeing encouraging demand from both end-users and investors. As construction and infrastructure works progress rapidly, we believe the development will become increasingly attractive to buyers looking for quality plotted communities with long-term value potential,” he said.

The project is targeted at both end-users and investors, with investor demand constituting a significant component of the Panipat residential market. Ralith Realty attributes the initial sales traction to a combination of factors including construction quality, design, workmanship, delivery focus and the experience of its leadership team.

Rakesh Kaul, CEO & Managing Director, Ralith Realty, said, “Ralith Retreat has been conceived around the changing aspirations of buyers seeking larger private spaces within professionally planned communities. We have focused on creating a low-density township with extensive greens, quality infrastructure and amenities designed for different age groups. The response to the project, with Phase 1 sold out and the overall township nearing 60% sales, reinforces our confidence in the demand for well-planned plotted developments in Panipat. We also intend to introduce built-up villas across various plot sizes to facilitate faster habitation and create a more active residential community.”

Located approximately 1.5 km from GT Road, Ralith Retreat offers connectivity to key regional destinations, with Delhi around 60 minutes away, Karnal approximately 20 minutes away and Chandigarh around 2.5 hours away. Panipat ISBT is approximately 12 minutes from the township, while Panipat Junction Railway Station is around 15 minutes away. The upcoming Panipat station of the proposed Delhi-Karnal RRTS Corridor is approximately three minutes from the development. The township is also located in proximity to educational institutions, healthcare facilities, shopping and entertainment destinations.

The master plan of Ralith Retreat follows a Roman-style linear grid structure, incorporating linear central greens and radial roads at 90-degree intersections to facilitate smoother and less congested internal movement. The development features landscaped pedestrian walkways, wide RCC internal roads, a grand artistic entrance gate and a Grand Central Avenue finished with granite cobblestone and complemented by artwork and sculptures.

The developer plans to plant more than 2 lakh plants and shrubs across the township, creating an extensive green landscape. The development has been planned around large private plots, open spaces and recreational areas, with the objective of creating a quieter, low-density residential environment.

The amenity offering spans multiple age groups and includes children’s play areas, a toddlers’ cycling track, skating rink, sports arenas, jogging and walking tracks, an outdoor gym, barbecue pit, bonfire area and dedicated senior citizens’ spaces. The township also includes a pet park and open-air theatre.

A range of landscaped recreational spaces further includes multipurpose lawns, a maze garden, palm court, herb garden, sensory garden, aroma garden and labyrinth. The development is planned as a gated community with round-the-clock CCTV surveillance and security personnel.

Construction is progressing in phases. The first phase, spread across approximately 30 acres, is targeted for completion within the next six to eight months. Development of the remaining 23.36 acres has also commenced and is expected to be completed in approximately one year. The entire township is targeted for completion by December 2027. The project is being completely self-funded by the developer.

Ralith Realty views Panipat as an emerging market within the broader NCR growth corridor, supported by its connectivity with Delhi, Karnal and Chandigarh and ongoing infrastructure development in the region. The developer expects the combination of improved connectivity, expanding urban infrastructure and demand for larger-format residential spaces to support the growth of premium plotted developments in the market.

About Ralith Realty

Ralith Realty is focused on developing integrated communities that offer diverse options across lifestyles and budgets, with an emphasis on comfort, functionality, sustainability and modern living. The company’s founding patrons, led by Rakesh Kaul, bring complementary expertise across project acquisition, planning, approvals, design, execution, sales and marketing, and successful handover.

With more than 100 years of combined experience in real estate development, the leadership team brings extensive experience across the development lifecycle. Ralith Realty is guided by its core values of excellence, collaboration, sustainability and integrity, with a focus on building lasting relationships and creating communities that people are proud to call their address.

A girl stains her clothes during her period. In that moment, a joke can deepen her embarrassment, while a simple, empathetic response can make her feel supported. How people around her respond can shape whether menstruation becomes a source of shame or something she can navigate with dignity.

Let’s Talk RED – Youth in Action

For years, menstrual health efforts have focused largely on helping girls access menstrual products, information and hygiene. But creating a stigma-free experience requires changing the environment around them too — including the attitudes and behaviours of the boys growing up alongside them as classmates, friends, brothers and, eventually, partners and colleagues.

Ujaas, an initiative of the Aditya Birla Education Trust founded by Advaitesha Birla, has been working to bring boys into this conversation. Its impact assessment of 2,402 boys in Maharashtra points to measurable shifts in how they understand and engage with menstruation. Following the intervention, understanding of puberty increased by 83.6%, comfort discussing menstruation rose by 59.8%, and confidence to support female peers increased by 51.7%. The proportion of boys who believed they should understand menstruation rose from 50% to 72%, signalling a growing recognition that menstrual health is not only a girls’ issue, but a shared responsibility.

At the same time, the findings reveal an important gap between changing attitudes and everyday behaviour. While confidence in supporting female classmates increased from 54% to 82%, the proportion of boys demonstrating an appropriate response when a classmate had stained her clothes moved from 43% to 40%.

For Ujaas, this gap is significant. It shows that changing what boys know and believe is only the first step; the real test is how that understanding translates into behaviour when a girl is in a moment of vulnerability. The next step is therefore to move from awareness and intention towards empathy, sensitivity and the confidence to respond appropriately.

Speaking on the insights, Ms Advaitesha Birla, Founder Ujaas an initiative of Aditya Birla Education Trust said, “Menstrual health is not exclusively a women’s issue. It is a shared social responsibility. Involving boys in this movement transforms period awareness from a passive topic into active, everyday allyship. At Ujaas, our mission goes beyond imparting knowledge; it’s about inspiring empathetic behavior so that dignity, safety, and respect become the default culture across our institutions and communities.”

It is this understanding that Ujaas launched Let’s Talk RED – Youth in Action, its youth-led menstrual health platform, which brought together students from four Mumbai colleges on 24 August. The initiative moved the conversation beyond the biology of menstruation to explore how stigma, myths, language and everyday responses can affect girls, and what young men can do differently as friends, classmates and family members. Students reflected on the Menstrual Rights Charter and examined how changes in language, behaviour and institutional culture can contribute to more respectful and menstrual-friendly campuses.

The initiative builds on the first edition of Let’s Talk RED, which provided girls with a platform to share the challenges they face around menstruation. Their experiences and perspectives culminated in a Charter of Demands for creating menstrual-health-friendly schools, colleges and enabling environments. This year, Ujaas is taking that conversation forward from sharing challenges to driving action, and from identifying what needs to change to enabling young people to become part of that change.

The discussion also brought forward a strong view among students that creating menstrual health friendly environments must begin with changing attitudes at an early age. The Period Ally Stats Board, which captured responses from 56 female and 31 male participants across 10 statements, highlighted an opportunity to move from awareness towards active allyship. Among male respondents, 50% said they already speak up when they hear jokes, teasing or comments that reinforce period stigma, while 38.9% said they would like to start doing so. Similarly, 44.4% said they already advocate for better menstrual facilities or support in their college or community, while another 44.4% said they would like to start. The findings reinforced the students’ view that while systemic improvements such as better facilities and access to menstrual products remain important, sustainable change also requires addressing stigma, misinformation and social attitudes. The participating colleges will take these conversations forward through student-led awareness and peer engagement during the academic year.

A student panellist representing the participating colleges across Mumbai and Kalyan – Bhavan’s College (Andheri), Thakur College (Kandivali), KJ Somaiya College and BK Birla College (Kalyan) – said, “Once you understand what girls experience, you realise that menstruation is not something boys can simply stay out of. Being an ally can be as simple as knowing how to respond when someone needs help, not making a joke out of something that can already feel uncomfortable, and being able to talk about periods without making them a taboo. Even small changes in how we respond can make someone feel more comfortable, respected and supported.”

Ujaas will continue to work with the participating colleges through the academic year to support and follow up on these action plans, with the aim of extending menstrual friendly practices beyond the campus and into the wider environments in which young people live including their peer groups, families and communities.

The larger lesson from the Ujaas findings is that ending menstrual stigma cannot be the responsibility of girls alone. If girls are to grow up without feeling ashamed of a normal biological process, the attitudes of the people around them must change too.

For Ujaas, menstrual health progress is therefore not only about whether girls have access to products or understand how to manage their periods. It is also about whether the people and institutions around them know how to respond with empathy, respect and dignity — so that a period stain becomes a moment of support, not a moment of shame.

About Ujaas

Ujaas is an initiative of the Aditya Birla Education Trust, founded by Advaitesha Birla, working to normalise menstrual health across schools, communities and homes. With programmes across Maharashtra and Delhi, Ujaas combines structured menstrual-health education, community engagement, access to sustainable menstrual products and women-led livelihood models.

In 2025–26, the initiative reached 4,35,842 people through 13,194 menstrual-health education sessions across 1,704 educational institutions, including 63,841 boys and men, while engaging 62,794 community stakeholders. Its SHG-led Ujaas Green Sanitary Pad Manufacturing Units and Period Sakhi model also create livelihood opportunities for women while expanding access to sustainable menstrual products.

SOLIZE PARTNERS India inaugurates its AI Innovation Lab in Bengaluru, marking a significant step in the company’s engineering and technology journey. The inauguration was held in the presence of Mr. Hiroshi Nawata, Consul-General of Japan in Bengaluru, senior leaders from SOLIZE PARTNERS’ global offices and the India leadership team, highlighting the strength of SOLIZE’s India – Japan relationship and global engineering network.
 

Japan’s Consul-General Mr. Hiroshi Nawata inaugurates SOLIZE PARTNERS India’s AI Innovation Lab in Bengaluru, alongside SOLIZE PARTNERS global leadership
 

The AI Innovation Lab will focus on applying AI to real engineering and manufacturing challenges. The current focus areas include Generative Design Engineering, Smart Quality Monitoring, Phygital AI through collaborative robots and Digital Agents. The Lab is also working across applications including natural-language 3D CAD generation, mechanical-part lifespan prediction, image-based fault detection, AI and IoT applications in 3D-printer factories and autonomous robotics.
 

“The SOLIZE Group’s focus with AI is not simply to introduce a new technology, but to build on the engineering expertise we have developed over 35 years. Our strength comes from our people, our understanding of manufacturing and our experience of solving complex engineering challenges. By combining this foundation with AI and leveraging the synergies of our teams in India and Japan, we will achieve enhanced productivity, take on more complex challenges and create scalable solutions that deliver real value to the industry,” shared Mahadevan V. S., CEO & Director, SOLIZE PARTNERS India.
 

The global leaders explained the unique capabilities of SOLIZE PARTNERS’ additive manufacturing expertise, highlighting how the group’s journey began with industrial 3D printing and expanded through 3D data creation, engineering support, training and manufacturing-related services. Over the years, these capabilities have grown to include product development, the R&D value chain and across multiple industry segments.
 

The event also showcased the complementary strengths of Japan and India – Japan’s precision, engineering and process expertise alongside India’s software capabilities and engineering talent. The SOLIZE Group connects these strengths with the expertise of its global teams to develop transformative solutions for evolving engineering and manufacturing needs.
 

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Hiroshi Nawata, Consul-General of Japan in Bengaluru, said, “Japan and India bring complementary strengths to their partnership. Japan has built deep capabilities in precision, quality, engineering and manufacturing, while India has developed strong engineering and technology talent and the ability to scale these capabilities. When these strengths come together, they create opportunities not only for business, but also for developing new capabilities and contributing to growth. SOLIZE PARTNERS India’s 35-year presence in India is a meaningful example of this long-term relationship, built on trust, technology and a shared commitment to quality. Initiatives such as the AI Innovation Lab demonstrate how the partnership between our two countries can continue to evolve and create new possibilities for the future.”
 

The inauguration comes in a landmark year for SOLIZE PARTNERS India, which is celebrating its 35th anniversary. The milestone was also marked through the company’s Annual Townhall 2026, bringing together team members and leadership to reflect on the organization’s journey, its people and its future direction.
 

Together, the events marked an important point in SOLIZE PARTNERS India’s story—bringing its AI capabilities, additive manufacturing expertise, India–Japan relationship and 35 years of engineering legacy together as it looks towards the next phase of growth.

CloudThat, a Bengaluru-headquartered training and consulting company, has been named the India Winner of Microsoft’s FY26 Superstars Award Campaign, marking its eighth recognition from Microsoft since 2017 and fourth Superstars title. The recognition comes at a time when enterprises are accelerating the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI), creating an urgent need for skilled professionals who can effectively deploy and use emerging technologies.

Bhavesh Goswami, Founder & CEO, CloudThat | Stanford Seed Alumni

According to Gartner, by 2027, approximately 80% of the engineering workforce will need to upskill to keep pace with the rapid evolution of generative AI. At the same time, IBM research indicates that while access to AI tools is becoming widespread, employee capability and confidence in using these tools remain a significant challenge. Against this backdrop, enterprise AI adoption is increasingly dependent on the availability of trained and certified talent.

CloudThat wins the FY26 Microsoft Superstars Award – India

CloudThat’s FY26 performance reflects the growing demand for enterprise AI and cloud skills. As part of Microsoft’s FY26 campaign, CloudThat trained 3.8 lakh learners, including 2 lakh learners through M365 Copilot skilling programmes and another 85,000 learners across Azure Data & AI. The company also delivered sustained learner acquisition, strong AI skilling outcomes and consistent growth in Microsoft Certified Professionals during the year.

The recognition builds on CloudThat’s longstanding association with Microsoft. Since 2012, CloudThat has trained more than 11 lakh professionals globally, supporting over 2,000 certifications across 30+ countries. Its continued recognition by Microsoft over nine years reflects the scale and depth of its skilling and consulting capabilities.

CloudThat’s strength is also supported by its trainer ecosystem. Twenty of its in-house Microsoft Certified Trainers (MCTs) featured in Microsoft’s Top 100 Global MCT list for 2025, while 13 trainers were recognised under the MCT Quality Awards for 2026. This depth of certified training expertise enables the company to deliver skilling programmes at scale while maintaining a strong focus on certification and learning outcomes.

Beyond enterprise skilling, CloudThat has also expanded its work across government, public sector and higher education. Under AI Pragya, launched by the Centre for e-Governance, Government of Uttar Pradesh, in collaboration with Microsoft, CloudThat trained more than 1,560 government officials across Copilot, Azure, Responsible AI and cybersecurity. The company has also undertaken comparable programmes for the Government of the Maldives, where monthly active usage of Microsoft tools increased by 20% following the training programme.

In the higher education ecosystem, CloudThat works with institutions to integrate Microsoft technologies and certifications into academic curricula, moving beyond one-time workshops towards structured, industry-aligned learning pathways. Its curriculum partnerships include IIT (BHU) Varanasi, Shree Vaishnav Vidyapeeth University, Acharya, SKITM Indore and GD Goenka University. Through these programmes, students can progress through seven Microsoft certification pathways spanning Azure, AI, Data Science and Business Applications. CloudThat plans to expand this model to 50 institutions over the next twelve months.

Commenting on the recognition, Bhavesh Goswami, Founder and CEO, CloudThat, said, “Winning our fourth Superstars title, and our eighth Microsoft recognition overall, tells us something bigger than an award ever could: that Microsoft has trusted us with its skilling ecosystem for more than a decade, and that the trust has held even as the technology underneath it evolved over time. It gives us real confidence as we push into our next phase of growth, expanding our global footprint and building CloudThat into the kind of AI skilling institution the world will keep needing, year after year.”

With AI adoption moving rapidly from experimentation to enterprise-wide implementation, CloudThat continues to focus on building the skills required to translate technology investments into measurable outcomes. Its latest Microsoft recognition reinforces its role in enabling enterprises, governments and academic institutions to develop AI, cloud and digital capabilities at scale.