As outdoor spaces increasingly become an extension of the home, lighting is playing an important role in defining their look and ambience. Recognising this evolving need, Crompton Greaves Consumer Electricals Limited, renowned for its dedication to quality and innovative lighting solutions, has introduced its latest WallSmile Outdoor Deco Wall Light Range. Designed to bring together contemporary aesthetics, durability and functionality, the collection offers a premium lighting experience for modern outdoor spaces.

Crompton launches Outdoor Deco Wall Light Range

Consumers today are looking for outdoor lighting solutions that complement their surroundings while delivering dependable performance. Addressing this need, Crompton’s WallSmile Outdoor Deco Wall Light Range combines modern design with features designed for outdoor use, helping enhance the ambience, appearance and functionality of a variety of spaces. The range is suitable for applications including balconies, porches, poolside areas, lobbies, parking spaces, as well as accent and display lighting.

Crompton’s WallSmile Outdoor Deco Wall Light Range includes a diverse range of products which elevate the overall experience of the consumer:

• WallSmile Linea: Featuring a sleek, cylindrical form, Linea brings a refined and contemporary aesthetic to outdoor walls. The 6W wall light is designed to complement modern exteriors while adding a subtle decorative element.

• WallSmile Nexo: Designed in both round and square forms, Nexo brings a contemporary aesthetic to modern outdoor spaces. The 5W wall light adds character to exterior spaces while maintaining a clean, sophisticated look.

• WallSmile Prism: Defined by its bold, elongated profile, Prism makes a contemporary statement on outdoor walls. The 4W wall light combines a distinctive form with a premium visual appeal, making it suited to spaces where lighting is also part of the décor.

• WallSmile Halo: Featuring an elegant oval form, Halo creates an interplay of light and shadow that adds visual interest to outdoor surroundings. The 5W wall light brings a contemporary decorative touch to modern exteriors.

Designed to enhance the overall outdoor lighting experience, the WallSmile Outdoor Deco Wall Light Range combines its contemporary designs with features that support reliable performance in outdoor environments. The range is water resistant with IP54 protection and offers surge protection of up to 3kV, along with an elegant build and easy installation. It also features No UV/IR, CRI >80, long-lasting durability and BIS registration, and comes with a one-year warranty. Together, these features bring a balance of aesthetics, durability and functionality to outdoor lighting.

Speaking about the launch, Mr. Shaleen Nayak, Business Unit Head – Lighting, Solar Rooftop & Wires, Crompton Greaves Consumer Electricals Ltd, said, “At Crompton, we believe lighting should do more than illuminate a space; it should enhance the way the space looks, feels and is experienced. As outdoor areas become an increasingly important part of modern homes, consumers are looking for solutions that bring together design, functionality and durability. With the WallSmile Outdoor Deco Wall Light Range, we have brought together contemporary aesthetics and dependable outdoor performance to create lighting that complements a wide range of outdoor settings. This launch is a reflection of our continued endeavour to develop thoughtful lighting solutions that respond to evolving consumer needs while adding greater value to everyday spaces.”

The WallSmile Outdoor Deco Wall Light Range will be available through Crompton-authorised retail outlets across India and leading e-commerce platforms.

The price range of the products is as follows:

With its combination of contemporary designs, outdoor-ready features and premium aesthetics, the WallSmile Outdoor Deco Wall Light Range offers consumers a stylish way to enhance the beauty, ambience and functionality of their outdoor spaces.

About Crompton

With a brand legacy of over 85 years, Crompton Greaves Consumer Electricals Ltd. is India’s market leader in the category of fans and residential pumps. Over the years, the organization has continuously strived to produce a range of innovative products that cater to the modern consumer including superior quality and high-performance fans, pumps, lighting solutions, and a range of other categories like water heaters; air coolers; small kitchen appliances like mixer grinders, air fryers, OTG, electric kettles etc; other home appliances like irons & built-in kitchen appliances. The company has further invested in brand and innovation to not only better understand and meet consumer needs but to also help drive energy efficiency. The consumer business also has a well-established and organized distribution network driven by a strong dealer base across the country offering a wide service network and robust after-sales service to its customers. Beyond its consumer portfolio, Crompton also has a robust B2B presence in the Lighting segment, delivering advanced and energy-efficient solutions for commercial and industrial applications. In 2025, Crompton became the first lighting company to receive the GreenPro certification for its B2B lighting solution, reaffirming its commitment to sustainability and innovation. Strengthening its foothold in the renewable energy space, the company has forayed into solar rooftops—representing a significant step forward in its contribution to India’s evolving clean energy landscape. With solar solutions spanning lighting, pumps, and rooftops, Crompton continues to lead as a responsible and future-ready brand in sustainable energy.

The company’s consistent dedication to developing energy-efficient products has led to significant recognition. It has been honored with three prestigious National Energy Consumer Awards (NECA) by BEE, Ministry of Power. The recent award was presented by the Hon’ble President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu for the company’s storage water heater in 2023. In 2019, the brand won in two categories: Ceiling Fans and LED Bulbs. Additionally, it was recognized as one of India’s Best Managed Companies 2022 by Deloitte Private and listed among ‘India’s Top 500 Companies 2022’ by Dun & Bradstreet India. The company has also been featured in Brand Top 75 most valuable Indian brands list for 2020 released by WPP and Kantar. Furthermore, Crompton was also recognized as the Brand of the Decade 2021 by Herald Global and BARC Asia in the Consumer Electrical category.

Piston, a cardless payments platform that connects commercial fleets and gas stations, today announced it has raised USD 15 million in Series A funding. FPV Ventures led the round, with participation from existing investors Spark Capital and Pear VC. The financing brings Piston’s total capital raised to USD 22.5 million.

Piston co-founders Vikram Sekhon and Shivam Shah raise USD 15M in Series A funding, led by FPV Ventures, to scale cardless payments and logistics infrastructure across the U.S.

The round follows a year of rapid growth for Piston. Payment volume increased 8x year over year, while its merchant network grew 40x and customer retention remained at 98%. Piston is now deployed at more than 2,000 stations across 48 states. Its point-of-sale integrations are also certified and live across systems covering more than 95% of U.S. merchant fuel sites.

“Commercial fuel still runs on payment technology built for another era,” said Vikram Sekhon, Co-founder and CEO of Piston. “Fleet fuel fraud is a physical card problem, disguised as a detection issue. We removed the card and built a network that authorizes every purchase for a specific driver and vehicle at the point of sale. This round lets us expand that infrastructure until no commercial driver has to ask whether a station accepts Piston.“

The more than USD 900 billion trucking industry still relies heavily on payment infrastructure built around physical cards. For fleets, that can mean persistent fraud, limited visibility into spending, and time-consuming reconciliation. Now, Piston offers fleet owners real-time visibility into fuel spending as it happens, without issuing or managing physical cards. And merchants gain direct access to commercial fuel demand, lower transaction costs, and the opportunity to capture the in-store purchases that come with repeat fleet traffic.

The two-sided network was built from firsthand experience. Vikram and co-founder Shivam Shah previously operated fleets and dealt directly with fuel-card fraud, hidden costs, and administrative burden. Sekhon’s fleet remains the first environment in which Piston validates and tests new features.

Piston’s India presence has also grown alongside the company’s expansion in the U.S. Its Kolkata office, which was launched in April 2023 with a team of five, has since grown into a 25+ member hub and is home to the company’s entire engineering team. The Kolkata team plays a central role in building and scaling the technology infrastructure that powers Piston’s payments network across the U.S.

“Fuel is one of the largest B2B spend categories in America, and every transaction still runs through decades-old card infrastructure,” said Nikunj Kothari, Partner at FPV Ventures. “Piston moves that money over its own rails, with no card networks or intermediaries in between. Vikram ran hundreds of trucks and felt this pain every day, and Shivam recruited thousands of drivers before they wrote a line of code. This is a new payment network in a massive market, built by the people who actually lived the problem.”

Piston is also extending its real-time controls with two AI products. Piston Guard evaluates each transaction for anomalies and can flag or block suspected fraudulent spending before it is completed. The Piston Analytics Agent allows fleet owners to better understand their spending data and uncover patterns without spending hours on manual analysis.

“Vikram and Shivam understood this market from the operator’s seat before they ever approached it as founders,” said Shravan Reddy, Partner at Pear VC. “Piston has translated that insight into exceptional growth, strong retention, and a network that creates value for both fleets and merchants. We are proud to continue backing the company in its next growth phase.”

Piston will use the new capital to accelerate the national build-out of its payments network, advance product development, and add senior leaders across key areas of the business. Over the next 18 months, the company aims to establish coverage across every U.S. region. The expansion will also lay the groundwork for Piston to move beyond fuel into broader logistics payments infrastructure.

The Series A also marks the next phase of Piston’s India story: a company serving a highly specialized U.S. logistics market while building its core technology from Kolkata. As Piston scales its payments network nationally, its Kolkata engineering team will continue to be central to the product and technology roadmap.

About Piston

Piston is a fully cardless payments network connecting commercial fleets with gas stations and convenience stores. Its secure mobile authorization technology is built directly into the point of sale, eliminating skimming fraud and lowering transaction costs on both sides of the pump. Merchants gain access to high-margin commercial fuel volume and increased in-store sales, while fleet owners receive real-time visibility into every gallon purchased, tied to a specific driver and vehicle. Piston is live at more than 2,000 stations across 48 states and is backed by FPV Ventures, Spark Capital, and Pear VC. The company is headquartered in Cupertino, California.

Learn more at www.piston.com.

• The customer-led initiative took the New Holland 3630 TX Super Plus+ closer to farming communities across Haryana and Punjab through customer interactions, field engagements, tractor rallies and product showcases. 

• Connected over 1,500 farmers across Haryana and Punjab while generating more than 35 lakh organic digital views through Rocky Shahpuria and regional influencer collaborations. 

• Brought alive the spirit of ‘Zindagi Super Plus’, the philosophy behind the New Holland 3630 TX Super Plus+.

New Holland, a brand of CNH, has successfully completed its unique farmer-to-farmer engagement initiative, ‘Super Safar’, a journey that celebrated the trust, experiences and aspirations of farmers across Haryana and Punjab. Led by New Holland customer and digital creator Rocky Shahpuria, the campaign took the New Holland 3630 TX Super Plus+ directly into farming communities, creating meaningful interactions with over 1,500 farmers through customer meets, field engagements, tractor rallies and dealership activations.
 

New Holland brings ‘Super Safar’ to Haryana and Punjab, celebrating a customer-led journey
 

Spanning over 500 km, the campaign covered more than 10 districts across key agricultural markets in Haryana and Punjab. The customized 3630 Super Plus+ caravan travelled through Gohana, Jind, Narwana, Patran/Moonak, Sangrur/Sunam, Barnala, Jagraon, Nakodar/Jalandhar and Amritsar. The campaign highlighted the 3630 TX Super Plus+ proposition across key pillars including Performance+, Power+, Savings+, Service+, Style+ and Safety+, while reinforcing the brand philosophy of ‘Zindagi Super Plus’, which reflects New Holland’s commitment to helping farmers achieve more in every aspect of their lives.

What made the initiative particularly unique was Rocky Shahpuria’s deep association with the New Holland 3630 TX Super Plus+. Known for his travel-focused content and long-distance journeys, Rocky transformed his own 3630 TX Super Plus+ into a customized caravan and undertook the journey across Haryana and Punjab aboard the tractor itself. His decision to use the tractor as a travel companion reflects the confidence, comfort and trust he has developed in the machine through real-world usage. The campaign therefore went beyond a conventional brand association, showcasing an authentic customer experience that resonated strongly with farming communities.

Commenting on the initiative, Tarun Khanna, Director – Marketing (AG) India, New Holland, said, “At New Holland, we believe the strongest endorsement of a tractor comes from the farmers who use it every day. Rocky’s decision to convert his own 3630 TX Super Plus+ into a travelling caravan and take it directly to farming communities made this initiative especially authentic, as it reflected genuine customer confidence in the product. Through Super Safar, the journey brought alive the spirit of ‘Zindagi Super Plus’ by showcasing how the 3630 Tx Super Plus+ contributes to farmers’ aspirations, livelihoods and everyday success.”

Rocky Shahpuria, New Holland Customer & Influencer, said, “The New Holland 3630 TX Super Plus has been a trusted companion in my journey. When I decided to convert my tractor into a customized caravan and travel with it, I wanted to demonstrate my confidence in the machine beyond the farm. Through Super Safar, I had the opportunity to meet fellow farmers, hear their stories and share my own experience with a tractor that has become an integral part of my life. The response from farmers across Haryana and Punjab has been truly overwhelming.”
 

Haryana and Punjab remain important markets for New Holland, with their strong agricultural base and high levels of farm mechanization making them strategically significant to the brand’s growth and customer engagement agenda. The region also represents a diverse set of farming requirements, from field preparation and sowing to haulage and other agricultural applications, creating a strong environment to demonstrate the versatility and performance of the 3630 TX Super Plus+

About New Holland
For over 125 years, New Holland has supported farmers with the technology, solutions and services they need for productive agriculture. It has a history of driving innovation, providing the answers to customer needs with a broad range of agricultural and light construction equipment. With proven production machines that utilize the latest alternative fuel technology to power the sustainable revolution in farming, we are the sector’s Clean Energy Leader. Our expertise and innovations are backed by precision connected services and supported by a dedicated and global dealer network with a strong territory presence.

With you, Season after Season.
  
New Holland is a brand of CNH Industrial N.V. (NYSE: CNH) a world-class equipment, technology and services company. More information about CNH can be found online at www.cnh.com 

Ai+ Smartphone today announced its association with Rajouri Garden Metro Station, bringing the brand into one of Delhi’s most prominent everyday commuter touchpoints. As part of the association, the station will take on the branded identity “Ai+ NOVA Smartphone Rajouri Garden Metro Station”.

Ai+ Smartphone Takes Over Rajouri Garden Metro Station in Landmark Delhi Metro Association

The integration puts Ai+ at the heart of one of Delhi NCR’s most familiar everyday environments, taking the brand beyond conventional advertising and into the daily journeys of consumers.

The association will extend beyond the station itself, with in-metro announcements across the Delhi Metro network introducing the station as “Ai+ NOVA SMARTPHONE Rajouri Garden Metro Station” in both English and Hindi, creating repeated audio recall for the brand as commuters travel across the city. Additionally, all entry gates at Rajouri Garden Metro Station will feature prominent Ai+ NOVA SMARTPHONE branding, welcoming commuters with the message, “Welcome to Ai+ NOVA Smartphone Rajouri Garden Metro Station.”

Archi Gogoi, Head of Brand, Marketing & Growth, Ai+ Smartphone, said “With Ai+ NOVA Smartphone Rajouri Garden Metro Station, we are taking Ai+ beyond the smartphone screen and making it part of how millions of people move through the city every day. For a young brand, putting our name on an iconic part of Delhi’s everyday infrastructure is a significant moment and reflects the scale of our ambition for Ai+ Smartphone.”

The association is part of Ai+ Smartphone’s broader approach to building the brand through high-impact consumer touchpoints that create visibility, familiarity and recall at scale. By embedding the Ai+ NOVA SMARTPHONE identity into a high-frequency commuter environment, the brand aims to create a connection that extends beyond traditional media and digital platforms.

The initiative also marks the latest step in Ai+ Smartphone’s growing consumer presence as the brand expands through new products, strategic partnerships and cultural integrations across India.

With Ai+ NOVA Smartphone Rajouri Garden Metro Station, Ai+ is turning an everyday commute into an everyday brand experience – one journey at a time.

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.

Chitkara Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CCIE), Chitkara University, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Chandigarh Angels Network (CAN) to strengthen the entrepreneurial journey of student and alumni founders and create structured pathways from startup creation to investment readiness.

Chitkara University and Chandigarh Angels Network ink MoU to empower student-led Deep-tech  & innovative Startups

The collaboration will provide aspiring and early-stage entrepreneurs with greater access to experienced mentors, investors and industry practitioners. As part of the partnership, quarterly pitching sessions will be organised for deep-tech and AI focused student startups, giving emerging founders a regular platform to present their ventures, demonstrate their solutions, receive investor feedback and explore potential funding opportunities.

Through these structured engagements, student founders will gain exposure to the expectations of the investment community while developing their ability to articulate their business models, market opportunities, technology propositions, scalability and growth potential.

With a network of more than 70 investors, a portfolio spanning 46 companies and over seven successful exits, Chandigarh Angels Network brings considerable investment and operating experience to the partnership. Its engagement with Chitkara University will add an important investor-facing dimension to the University’s entrepreneurship ecosystem.

Commenting on the collaboration, Dr Madhu Chitkara, President and Co-Founder, Chitkara University, said, “A strong entrepreneurial ecosystem is built by creating meaningful opportunities for young founders to learn, test, present and grow. Our collaboration with Chandigarh Angels Network will help our student and alumni entrepreneurs move beyond developing promising ideas towards building ventures that are capable of creating sustained value. The quarterly pitching sessions, particularly for our deep-tech and AI innovators, will give them an opportunity to engage directly with investors, understand what makes a venture investment-ready and learn from experienced professionals. We believe that access to the right ecosystem at the right stage can significantly shape the journey of a founder.”

The quarterly pitching sessions will serve as a recurring founder–investor interface, enabling promising deep-tech and AI ventures from Chitkara University to showcase their work to members of CAN’s investor network. The sessions will also create opportunities for constructive feedback, mentorship and potential investor engagement.

The partnership will further focus on structured mentorship, investor interactions, pitch opportunities and exposure to market-oriented perspectives. It will enable entrepreneurs to better understand the fundamentals of building scalable and sustainable ventures while giving investors greater visibility into emerging technologies and solutions being developed within the University ecosystem.

The collaboration reflects Chitkara University’s continued emphasis on entrepreneurship as an integral part of higher education, where students are encouraged not only to develop ideas but also to validate them, build viable ventures and engage with the larger innovation and investment ecosystem.

Through CCIE, the University has been building an ecosystem that brings together student innovators, founders, mentors, industry experts and investors. The association with Chandigarh Angels Network further strengthens this ecosystem by creating a direct interface between emerging founders and the investment community.

The partnership is expected to contribute to a more connected entrepreneurship ecosystem at Chitkara University, enabling student and alumni founders to move with greater clarity from idea to venture, venture to market, and market to investment.

About Chitkara University

Chitkara University is a UGC-recognised and NAAC-accredited private university in North India, with campuses in Punjab and Himachal Pradesh, offering career-oriented undergraduate and postgraduate programs in Engineering, Business, Healthcare, Pharmacy, Design, Architecture, Hospitality and emerging technology fields. For Class 11 and 12 students planning higher education, the University provides industry-aligned programs designed to combine academic excellence with practical exposure.

The curriculum emphasises experiential learning through internships, industry projects, research opportunities and global collaborations, supported by modern infrastructure, advanced laboratories, industry mentorship and skill-based training that strengthens student employability. Backed by 2,000+ campus recruiters and 300+ international academic and industry collaborations, students gain strong placement support, international exposure, academic exchange and collaborative research opportunities.

Consistently ranked among leading institutions by national and global frameworks such as NIRF, QS World University Rankings and Times Higher Education, the University maintains high academic rigour and industry relevance. With strong corporate partnerships and a focus on innovation, entrepreneurship and interdisciplinary learning, it prepares students for emerging career opportunities in India and abroad.

For more information, please visit: www.chitkara.edu.in

The British School New Delhi hosted a special evening celebrating the richness, diversity and cultural heritage of India, bringing together members of its international community to experience the many traditions of the country it calls home.

Held on 07 September 2026, the event sought to raise awareness of Unveiling India: An Incredible Journey, an existing school club that encourages students and members of the wider school community to explore and celebrate India’s diverse cultural heritage. The evening marked an opportunity to bring the initiative to a wider audience and build greater engagement around its vision.

Timothy Curtis, Director, UNESCO Representative, New Delhi Office (L); Vanita Uppal OBE, Director, The British School New Delhi

Timothy Curtis, Director and UNESCO Representative of the New Delhi Regional Office, and an esteemed TBS alum, attended the event as Chief Guest, joining students, families, staff and members of the school community for an evening of music, fashion and food.

A highlight of the evening was a special performance by renowned artist Sonam Kalra and The Sufi Gospel Project. Their distinctive musical repertoire, bringing together Indian folk and Sufi traditions with contemporary influences, offered a powerful celebration of India’s rich musical heritage.

The evening also featured a fashion showcase presented by members of The British School community, highlighting traditional and contemporary ensembles representing different states of India. Guests were also treated to a selection of Indian refreshments, celebrating the country’s diverse culinary traditions.

Vanita Uppal OBE, Director, The British School New Delhi said, “The curtain raiser for ‘Unveiling India: An Incredible Journey’ revealed the deep resonance of the values and ethos of The British School with the core of what defines India – Vasudeva Kutumbakam (The world is one family). Our deep appreciation and respect for diversity coupled with our belief in a shared humanity underpinned the spectacular showcase of India’s rich cultural heritage. The school community came together in a dazzling display of the exquisite fabrics, weaves and costumes from across the country, followed by a mesmerising and soulful concert by the ever-so-talented Sonam Kalra and the Sufi Gospel Project. The story of incredible India will continue to be unveiled in our classrooms and events.”

Sonam Kalra and The Sufi Gospel Project

As an international and multicultural school, The British School New Delhi recognises the importance of developing a meaningful connection with the country in which its students live and learn. Unveiling India: An Incredible Journey provides a platform for the community to discover the country’s history, traditions, arts and diverse cultural expressions, while fostering greater appreciation for the richness of India’s heritage.

About The British School New Delhi

The British School New Delhi is an inclusive, not-for-profit international school located in the heart of the diplomatic area of New Delhi. Founded in 1963 by the then British High Commissioner and his wife, the award-winning school offers high-quality education to British, expatriate and local families by drawing on the best facets of a rich and culturally diverse community. www.british-school.org 

M3M Foundation has come forward to support young open-water swimmer Kamya Bhardwaj in her quest to conquer the Oceans Seven, launching ‘Samudra Se Shikhar Tak’ under its Lakshya programme as a dedicated initiative for her historic journey.
 

M3M Foundation supports Kamya Bhardwaj through Samudra Se Shikhar Tak on the Oceans Seven

Beginning with the iconic English Channel, Kamya will take on seven of the world’s most challenging open-water crossings in her pursuit of becoming the first Indian woman to complete the Oceans Seven. M3M Foundation will support her throughout this journey and is also launching a donation and partnership campaign, inviting individuals, institutions and organisations to become part of this landmark endeavour.

The Oceans Seven is considered one of the ultimate challenges in open-water swimming, demanding exceptional physical endurance, mental resilience, technical preparation and the ability to navigate unpredictable currents, temperatures, tides and weather conditions. Kamya enters this challenge with a strong record of endurance, including her world record-setting double crossing of the Palk Strait, swimming from India to Sri Lanka and back non-stop in 18 hours and 15 minutes.

However, ‘Samudra Se Shikhar Tak’ is envisioned as a journey with a purpose far beyond a sporting achievement. Through Kamya’s endeavour, the initiative aims to encourage more girls and women to pursue sport and challenge conventional boundaries; inspire young people to embrace resilience, courage and perseverance; raise awareness about the importance of clean and healthy water bodies; and encourage the next generation of swimmers to dream bigger and pursue excellence.

The initiative is a reflection of M3M Foundation’s commitment to nurturing exceptional young talent through its Lakshya programme and creating the support systems needed to help ambitious individuals realise their potential. Through ‘Samudra Se Shikhar Tak’, the Foundation will provide comprehensive support for the requirements of Kamya’s campaign, including training, sports science, medical assessments, nutrition, recovery, technical preparation, safety, logistics and international travel.

Commenting on the initiative, Dr. Payal Kanodia, Chairperson & Trustee, M3M Foundation, said, “Having been a sportsperson myself, I understand the discipline, challenges and support required to pursue excellence in sport. Women, in particular, need stronger platforms and encouragement to pursue ambitious sporting dreams. Kamya’s Oceans Seven journey is a remarkable example of courage and perseverance, and through ‘Samudra Se Shikhar Tak’, under our Lakshya programme, we are proud to stand behind her and inspire many more young women to believe that no sporting dream is beyond their reach.”

As part of the initiative, M3M Foundation is opening ‘Samudra Se Shikhar Tak’ to public participation through a donation and partnership campaign. Supporters can join the journey as a Journey Partner, supporting the wider campaign; an Ocean Partner, supporting a specific crossing; or a Kilometre Partner, sponsoring one or more kilometres of the campaign. Reinforcing its own commitment to the mission, M3M Foundation will support every fifth kilometre Kamya swims, 

standing alongside her as she takes on each stage of this extraordinary challenge. Through this collective effort, the initiative seeks to bring people together behind a journey that embodies sporting excellence, women’s empowerment, environmental responsibility and the aspirations of India’s future swimmers.

With the English Channel marking the beginning of her Oceans Seven campaign, Kamya is preparing to take on a challenge that could create a defining moment for Indian open-water swimming.

‘Samudra Se Shikhar Tak’ is not just about reaching the other shore. It is about showing how far courage can take you, and how one extraordinary journey can inspire many more to begin their own.

One swimmer. Seven crossings. A journey to make history.
 

About M3M Foundation
M3M Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the M3M Group, working across education, health, livelihoods, sports, and environment. With a reach across 22 states and over 1,300 villages, the Foundation has positively impacted more than 5 million lives, driven by a vision of inclusive, sustainable, and transformative nation-building.

Rapyder Cloud Solutions (“Rapyder”), an AWS Premier Tier Services Partner and one of India’s leading AWS partners, has been onboarded by Innovation Hub UP as its Technical Partner to support startups and student innovators across Uttar Pradesh with cloud computing, Generative AI and Agentic AI enablement.

Rapyder representatives exchange the MoU with Innovation Hub UP officials at UP Startup Samvad 3.0, Lucknow, in the presence of the Hon’ble Governor of UP

The MoU was exchanged at UP Startup Samvad 3.0 in the presence of the Hon’ble Governor of Uttar Pradesh, Smt. Anandiben Patel, marking a significant step towards strengthening the state’s technology-led startup and innovation ecosystem.

As part of the collaboration, Rapyder will provide:

• Cloud enablement and access to AWS Programs — helping early-stage ventures access AWS cloud infrastructure and startup credits without significant upfront investment

• Technical support for Generative AI and Agentic AI proofs of concept — helping founders move from experimentation and prototypes towards production-ready AI applications

• Go-to-market assistance — helping early-stage ideas progress from prototypes to market-ready ventures

The partnership builds on Rapyder’s continued focus on enabling India’s startup ecosystem through cloud migration, managed cloud services and AI. By working with Innovation Hub UP, Rapyder will extend these capabilities to founders, student innovators and emerging ventures across Uttar Pradesh, helping them access the technology, expertise and resources needed to build and scale.

“Uttar Pradesh has no shortage of ambition — what founders need is the right technology to turn that ambition into scale,” said Vamsi Krishna Yevvari, Chief Marketing Officer, Rapyder Cloud Solutions. “As Technical Partner to Innovation Hub UP, we’re putting the same cloud and Generative AI capabilities that power some of India’s fastest-growing businesses directly into the hands of the state’s next generation of builders — supporting them from the first prototype to market-ready innovation.”

“Partnerships like this one are how we turn ambition into infrastructure for India’s founders,” said Gunjan Agrawal, Head – BDR, Rapyder Cloud Solutions. “Working with Innovation Hub UP gives us a direct line to the innovators and student entrepreneurs shaping Uttar Pradesh’s future. We’re committed to backing them with the AWS cloud architecture, Generative AI and Agentic AI capabilities they need to build, validate and scale.”

About Rapyder Cloud Solutions

Rapyder Cloud Solutions is a born-in-cloud technology company and an AWS Premier Tier Services Partner, headquartered in Bengaluru, India. Rapyder helps enterprises and startups accelerate cloud transformation through cloud migration and modernization, managed services, data and AI, DevOps and Generative AI solutions. Rapyder has delivered more than 500 cloud transformations and 132+ Generative AI proofs of concept, alongside production-ready GenAI solutions across industries.

About Innovation Hub UP

Innovation Hub UP is an initiative facilitated by Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Technical University (AKTU) and supported by the Government of Uttar Pradesh, focused on strengthening the state’s innovation and startup ecosystem. Operating through a Hub & Spoke model, Innovation Hub UP provides infrastructure, incubation support and ecosystem linkages for innovation centres, students, startups and incubatees across Uttar Pradesh. Its mandate includes supporting technology development, commercialization, entrepreneurship and the creation of sustainable innovation-led enterprises.

Debaditya Chaudhury, Director, Chowman, Oudh 1590, Chapter 2 & Chaudhury & Co., has been honoured with the prestigious “Exemplary Leader Award at the Asia Leadership Award 2026” held in Bengaluru, recognising his leadership and entrepreneurial vision in shaping one of India’s fastest-growing restaurant chains and contributing to the country’s evolving restaurant and hospitality industry.

Debaditya Chaudhury MD Chowman, Oudh 1590, Chapter 2 and Chaudhury & Company with Exemplary Leader Award

Under Debaditya’s leadership, the group of brands, including Chowman, Oudh 1590, Chapter 2 & Chaudhury & Co., have grown to 62+ outlets across India, with Chowman alone operating 41+ outlets across Kolkata, Bengaluru, Delhi, Hyderabad, Chennai & Mumbai. Chowman has emerged as one of India’s fastest-growing home-grown Chinese restaurant chains, expanding rapidly beyond its Kolkata roots and establishing a strong presence across multiple metropolitan markets.

Speaking on the recognition, Debaditya Chaudhury said, “I am deeply honoured to receive the Exemplary Leader Award. This recognition belongs as much to my entire team as it does to me. Crossing 62+ outlets as a group has been an exciting journey, but we see this as only the beginning. For Chowman, we have set our sights on 100 outlets by 2030. As we scale, our priority will remain the same – great food, consistent quality, memorable customer experiences and strong teams. Growth for us is not just about numbers; it is about building brands that stand the test of time.”

Looking ahead, Debaditya is focused on accelerating national expansion, with a clear ambition to take Chowman to 100 outlets by 2030, while continuing to expand Oudh 1590 and Chapter 2 into new markets.

Chowman’s expansion has been one of the defining milestones of this growth journey. From its beginnings in Kolkata, the home-grown Pan-Asian brand has steadily expanded across major metropolitan markets, establishing a presence in Bengaluru, Delhi-NCR, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Chennai. Chowman continues to strengthen its presence in existing markets while exploring newer cities, formats and opportunities. The brand’s rapid expansion has positioned it among the fastest-growing restaurant chains in India, taking its signature Pan-Asian cuisine and Kolkata-rooted food culture to an increasingly wider national audience.