PayU, one of India’s leading digital payments and financial services providers, and GoKwik, the category leader in checkout optimization and conversion for direct-to-consumer (D2C) brands, today announced a strategic partnership to launch India’s first Integrated Conversion-to-Completion stack. The collaboration is designed to directly address the ‘silent revenue killer’ faced by D2C brands: the significant leakage caused by checkout drop-offs, payment failures, and conversion inefficiencies in the final moments of purchase.

PayU and GoKwik Strategic Partnership

As India’s D2C sector matures, merchants are demanding end-to-end reliability. This partnership introduces an integrated commerce layer that combines GoKwik’s conversion intelligence with PayU’s robust, scalable payments infrastructure, moving D2C brands beyond fragmented solutions to solve these challenges at scale.

“Across the D2C ecosystem, the demand from founders is clear: they need integrated solutions that solve for payment reliability and checkout conversion in one cohesive layer. This isn’t a hypothetical challenge; it’s a measurable drain on potential revenue”, Vineet Sethi, Chief Growth and Marketing officer, PayU. The coming together of PayU’s deep payments expertise and GoKwik’s category-leading conversion intelligence is a direct response to this merchant need. It’s about creating the kind of continuous, high-success experience that is non-negotiable for any brand aiming to move from early traction to major scale”.

“GoKwik has set the industry standard for D2C conversion and checkout optimization. Our partnership with PayU is a strategic and natural evolution of that commitment”, said Chirag Taneja, CEO – GoKwik. “By tightly integrating our intelligence with PayU’s robust payments infrastructure, we are extending the impact of our platform to ensure a seamless, high-success-rate payments experience. This is about delivering the final, critical piece of the puzzle, enabling our merchants to unlock the next level of growth with total confidence and zero friction.”

“I’m incredibly excited about this partnership in action. With GoKwik and PayU both now a seamless part of our commerce journey, the difference has been immediate and quantifiable,” says Ganesh Sonawane, Founder – Frido. “GoKwik’s conversion intelligence gets customers ready, and PayU’s reliability ensures they complete the transaction without friction. Since integrating this stack, we have seen an encouraging conversion lift and a massive boost in transaction success rates. This is the integrated solution the D2C market needed to move from great growth to sustainable scale”.

For D2C merchants, this collaboration signifies the shift away from fragmented point solutions. It delivers a truly cohesive commerce experience, drastically reducing checkout-to-payment drop-offs and improving success rates; allowing brands to shift their focus from operational complexity to pure growth. This integrated approach is key to simplifying the commerce stack and supporting the sustainable scaling of the next generation of digital-first Indian brands.

The partnership also reflects a shared commitment to India’s D2C ecosystem, which continues to drive innovation, employment, and digital adoption across the country. By building solutions designed specifically for the realities of D2C commerce, PayU and GoKwik aim to empower the next generation of digital-first Indian brands.

About PayU

PayU, India’s leading diversified fintech platform with Prosus as an investor, operates businesses that are regulated by the Reserve Bank of India and offers advanced solutions to meet the digital financial services needs of customers (merchants, banks, and consumers).

PayU provides payment gateway solutions to online businesses through its cutting-edge and award-winning technology and has empowered 4.5 lakhs+ businesses, including India’s leading enterprises, e-commerce giants and SMBs. It enables businesses to collect digital payments across 100+ online payment methods such as Credit Cards, Debit Cards, Net Banking, EMIs, pay-later, QR, UPI, Wallets, and more. It’s a preferred partner in the affordability ecosystem, offering the maximum coverage of issuers and easy-to-implement integrations across card-based EMIs, pay-later options and new-age cardless EMIs. PayU offers e-commerce brands best-in-industry success rates while ensuring a seamless checkout experience.

About GoKwik

GoKwik is an e-commerce enablement platform on a mission to democratize the shopping experience by helping 15000+ brands scale with higher conversion, lower RTO and higher conversations. With a network of over 200+ million shoppers, GoKwik offers full-stack solutions across the funnel, enabling brands to provide a seamless, lightning-fast shopping experience to their customers.

In a remarkable celebration of women’s empowerment and leadership, VELS Jollywood Studios & Adventures has successfully created history by registering a unique achievement in the Karnataka Book of Records on the occasion of International Women’s Day.

Vice-President, VELS Group of Companies & Director ,VELS Jollywood Studios & Adventures Ms. Kushmitha Ganesh, honored the women employees for their record-setting achievement in the Karnataka Book of Records

As part of the special celebration held on March 5, 2026, the entire park operations were managed exclusively by female staff members for a continuous duration of four hours, demonstrating exceptional leadership, teamwork, coordination, and operational excellence. From ride operations and guest services to technical support, administration, and safety management, every department of the park was efficiently handled by women employees.

This inspiring initiative highlights the organization’s strong commitment to women empowerment, gender equality, and leadership opportunities for women across all professional domains. The successful execution of the operations reflected the capability, confidence, and professionalism of the women workforce at the park.

Following the verification and assessment of the attempt, Mir Sameem Raza, President of the Karnataka Book of Records, officially announced that the achievement has been successfully registered as an official record. He congratulated the management and the dedicated women staff of VELS Jollywood Studios & Adventures for setting an inspiring example of empowerment and inclusivity.

Speaking on the occasion, he stated that this record attempt reflects the growing strength and leadership of women in professional spaces and serves as an inspiration for organizations across the state to promote equal opportunities and recognition for women.

The achievement marks a proud milestone not only for the amusement park but also for the broader movement toward recognizing women’s leadership and contribution in operational and management roles.

The event was graced by KPCC Spokesperson Mrs. Kusuma Hanumantharayappa, Bidadi Town Panchayat Chief Officer Mrs. Meenakshi M, and Kannada film actress Diya Palakkal as the chief guests.

The program was successfully organized under the leadership of Vice-President, VELS Group of Companies & Director ,VELS Jollywood Studios & Adventures Ms. Kushmitha Ganesh, honored the women employees for their record-setting achievement in the Karnataka Book of Records. Also the event witnessed enthusiastic participation from staff members, guests, and well-wishers who celebrated this historic moment and applauded the dedication and spirit of the women workforce.

This record now stands as a symbol of empowerment and progress, reinforcing the message that women can successfully lead and manage every aspect of organizational operations with excellence.

About Jollywood

Jollywood is a film studio and entertainment theme park located near Bengaluru, currently managed by Dr. Ishari K. Ganesh, the founder of the Vels Group of Institutions. Relaunched around 2023, Jollywood functions as a combined film production hub and tourist entertainment destination, offering film shooting floors, ready-made movie sets, and facilities for films, television shows, and advertisements. It also features theme park attractions such as adventure rides, water activities, and themed zones including a Titanic set, dinosaur park, haunted house, and event spaces for visitors. The project aims to support filmmakers from industries such as Sandalwood, Kollywood, and other Indian cinemas by providing cost-effective shooting infrastructure while simultaneously promoting tourism and entertainment near Bengaluru.

For more details please visit www.jollywood.co.in.

Marking International Women’s Day, Fortis Hospital Bannerghatta Road organised a special celebration centred on the theme “Give to Gain”, recognising the contributions of women who play a vital role in strengthening communities. The event brought together hospital staff, families and members of the community, highlighting inspiring stories of leadership, compassion and service while reinforcing the spirit of empowerment and collective responsibility.

Women Community Leaders along with Senior Clinicians and Leadership team at Fortis Hospital Bannerghatta Road, Bengaluru

As part of the celebration, a felicitation ceremony led by the senior management team at Fortis Hospital Bannerghatta Road honoured women Resident Welfare Association (RWA) secretaries for their grassroots efforts in strengthening community welfare, neighbourhood engagement and civic participation. Their dedication towards addressing local issues, coordinating community initiatives and supporting residents has made a meaningful difference in improving the quality of life within their neighbourhoods.

Each honouree was presented with a special gift hamper along with a complimentary women’s health check-up coupon, encouraging preventive healthcare among women. The honourees also shared brief insights into their journeys and experiences, making the occasion both personal and inspiring.

To mark the occasion, patient-facing staff wore pink and purple attire and distributed roses to women patients and attendants as a gesture of appreciation. The event also featured addresses by senior clinicians and hospital leadership highlighting the importance of recognising women’s contributions from nurturing families to strengthening communities while emphasising the need to prioritise preventive healthcare and create a more supportive and inclusive environment for women. The celebrations concluded with a cake-cutting ceremony and cultural performances by hospital staff, creating a vibrant and festive atmosphere.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Gautham CB, Facility Director, Fortis Hospital Bannerghatta Road, said, “Women play a vital role in holding together the fabric of our communities through their dedication, compassion and leadership. Through this celebration, we wanted to recognise women who are working tirelessly at the grassroots level to strengthen neighbourhoods and support community wellbeing.”

Dr Ananth Rao, VP and Business Head, Fortis Hospitals, Bengaluru, added, “International Women’s Day reminds us of the vital role women play in shaping healthier families and stronger communities. Celebrating such inspiring individuals encourages greater awareness around empowerment, wellbeing and the importance of supporting one another as a community.”

During summer, refrigerators work harder than usual. Rising temperatures and frequent door opening — whether to grab a cold drink or store leftovers — put extra pressure on the appliance. An eco-friendly refrigerator is designed to handle this better, consuming less energy and using eco-friendly refrigerants without compromising on cooling. Brands like Haier, LG, and Samsung offer a solid range of options for those looking to upgrade.

Upgrade to a new refrigerator this season with the Bajaj Finserv Easy EMI Loan

The good news is that upgrading doesn’t have to mean a large one-time expense. The Bajaj Finserv Summer Sale makes it more affordable, with Easy EMI Loan of up to Rs. 5 lakh, seasonal discounts, and zero down payment on select models. Shoppers can head to their nearest Bajaj Finserv partner store — including Vijay Sales and Croma — to avail the financing options and take their new refrigerator home the same day.

Why eco-friendly refrigerators are worth considering?
The BEE star rating is a reliable indicator of energy efficiency — the higher the rating, the lower the power consumption. Since a refrigerator runs 24/7 and is opened frequently, a higher-rated model can meaningfully reduce long-term electricity costs. Selecting the right capacity is equally important, as an oversized or undersized fridge consumes more energy than necessary.

Top eco-friendly refrigerators available in March 2026
Shoppers can compare features, capacity, and type on Bajaj Mall before visiting a nearby partner store to finalise the purchase.

• Whirlpool 205 WDE CLS Single Door Refrigerator (184L) 

  • Price: Rs. 12,990 | EMI from: Rs. 859/month

  • Why it works: A compact 3-star model for small apartments — energy-conscious cooling without occupying too much kitchen space.

• Samsung Camellia Blue Single Door Refrigerator (223L) 

  • Price: Rs. 19,990 | EMI from: Rs. 1,535/month

  • Why it works: Digital Inverter Technology adjusts compressor speed based on cooling demand, reducing energy consumption and noise.

• LG Smart Inverter Double Door Refrigerator (242L) 

  • Price: Rs. 25,990 | EMI from: Rs. 1,542/month

  • Why it works: DoorCooling+ circulates cold air evenly across all shelves, maintaining consistent temperatures and reducing the compressor’s workload.

• Samsung Convertible Double Door Refrigerator (322L) 

  • Price: Rs. 34,990 | EMI from: Rs. 2,433/month

  • Why it works: Five convertible modes allow adjustment of the fridge-to-freezer ratio, avoiding energy waste when full freezer capacity is not required.

• Haier Side-by-Side Refrigerator (596L) 

  • Price: Rs. 1,01,990 | EMI from: Rs. 5,200/month

  • Why it works: Twin cooling systems maintain independent temperatures across fresh and frozen sections, improving energy efficiency.

• LG InstaView Side-by-Side Refrigerator (635L) 

  • Price: Rs. 2,06,499 | EMI from: Rs. 11,400/month

  • Why it works: Knocking twice on the glass panel lets users see inside without opening the door, reducing cold air loss. UV Nano technology keeps the water dispenser hygienic without additional energy use.

*Disclaimer

The prices and EMIs mentioned may differ based on the variant, partner store, location, and promotional offer. Please visit your nearest partner store to find the latest offers and prices.

Limited-time offers on eco-friendly refrigerators

• Whirlpool — Up to 30% off on models priced Rs. 10,000 – Rs. 1,71,000, with EMIs starting from Rs. 859/month 

• LG — Up to 50% off on models priced Rs. 10,000 – Rs. 2,05,000, with EMIs starting from Rs. 875/month 

• Samsung — Up to 50% off on models priced Rs. 10,000 – Rs. 2,05,000, with EMIs starting from Rs. 1,290/month

Offers are limited-time and subject to change. Verify current availability at your nearest partner store.

How to buy a new refrigerator with Bajaj Finserv?
Splitting the cost of a new refrigerator into monthly instalments makes the upgrade far more manageable instead of making a large one-time payment. During the Summer Sale, shoppers can enjoy the following benefits:

• Browse on Bajaj Mall: Compare eco-friendly refrigerators by capacity, door type, star rating, and brand before visiting a store.

• Check pre-approved eligibility: The pre-approved loan limit can be verified on the Bajaj Finserv website using a registered mobile number and OTP verification.

• Find a partner store: Check shortlisted models at 1.5 lakh+ stores across 4,000+ cities.

• Check the model in person: In-store staff can assist with evaluating capacity, star rating, energy features, and build quality.

• Choose an EMI plan: Financing of up to Rs. 5 lakh is available through the Bajaj Finserv Insta EMI Card or Easy EMI Loan, with zero down payment on select models and tenures ranging from 1 to 60 months.

• Complete the purchase: Once approved, the transaction is processed instantly and the refrigerator can be taken home the same day.

With limited-time offers and exclusive deals during the Bajaj Finserv Summer Sale, March is a practical time to upgrade to an eco-friendly refrigerator.

About Bajaj Finance Limited
Bajaj Finance Ltd. (‘BFL’, ‘Bajaj Finance’, or ‘the Company’), a subsidiary of Bajaj Finserv Ltd., is a deposit taking Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC-D) registered with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and is classified as an NBFC-Investment and Credit Company (NBFC-ICC). BFL is engaged in the business of lending and acceptance of deposits. It has a diversified lending portfolio across retail, SMEs, and commercial customers with significant presence in both urban and rural India. It accepts public and corporate deposits and offers a variety of financial services products to its customers. BFL, a thirty-five-year-old enterprise, has now become a leading player in the NBFC sector in India and on a consolidated basis, it has a franchise of 69.14 million customers. BFL has the highest domestic credit rating of AAA/Stable for long-term borrowing, A1+ for short-term borrowing, and CRISIL AAA/Stable & [ICRA]AAA(Stable) for its FD program. It has a long-term issuer credit rating of BB+/Positive and a short-term rating of B by S&P Global ratings.

To know more, visit www.bajajfinserv.in.

Humans of Bombay‘s recent podcast episode features an intimate conversation with Seema Singh, philanthropist, entrepreneur, and cultural advocate, whose life is a masterclass in turning privilege into purpose.

Seema Singh spends time with children supported by MeghaShrey, the self-funded foundation through which she educates, mentors and empowers young lives across India

In a candid exchange with host Karishma Mehta, Seema opens up about her journey from a sheltered upbringing in Patna to building a life of extraordinary impact in Mumbai. What emerges is a portrait of a woman reshaping lives far from the spotlight.

Watch the full conversation here: youtu.be/9DuHfQiEO-I?si=f3_d0EXCbIcUH32W

At the heart of her work is MeghaShrey, an NGO she self-funds entirely, with no CSR grants and no corporate sponsorships.
 

Named after her children Meghna and Shrey, the organization has touched thousands of lives, from adopting a school of 1,000 girls in Bihar with scholarships and self-defense training, to vaccinating nearly 100,000 women against cervical cancer across rural Maharashtra, Bihar, Punjab, and Delhi.
 

She also supports 150 children in Mumbai with education and sports, and aids over 120 senior citizens at an old age home in Dahisar.

Her anti-dowry advocacy was sparked by something deeply personal, watching her household helper unable to marry off her daughter because the groom’s family demanded a scooter. That moment, she says, changed everything.

Beyond philanthropy, Seema champions India’s artisan economy through her fashion label SS by Seema Singh, created to support weavers and emerging designers hit hardest by the pandemic.

This is the kind of conversation you’ll want to sit with.

The 2026 ICC T20 World Cup is approaching the business end of the tournament, and we will soon be left with four teams and three matches that will decide the champions of the ongoing biennial tournament.

The tenth edition of the T20 World Cup has not disappointed the fans as several associate teams proved their worth in the group stages, and the Super Eight stage has also surprised at every juncture so far, with an unthinkable script in store for us for the semi-finals as well.

England became the first team to seal a semi-final spot, albeit the English team does need to fill a few holes if they want to lift the T20 World Cup for the third time. The likes of Jos Buttler and Tom Banton look short of runs, while Phil Salt and Jacob Bethell also need to improve their consistency with the bat in hand.

Apart from England, it’s a toss-up between New Zealand, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan, with the Kiwis seeming like the side which has the most potential to defeat opposition sides in their upcoming matches.

In the other group, South Africa and the West Indies are front-runners to make it to the semi-final, but one should never rule out a team like India, which can still work wonders and win both matches by a huge margin to reach the semi-final stage of the 2026 T20 World Cup.

Let’s have a look at the top five prominent names who could influence the semi-finals of the 2026 edition of the ICC T20 World Cup:

#5 Axar Patel (India)

Axar Patel will have to contribute as a genuine all-rounder in the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup

Axar Patel has emerged as one of the best all-rounders in T20 cricket over the last couple of years, and the fact that he was elevated to the vice-captain role in the Indian T20 team spoke loads about his pivotal contributions and current standing in the team.

In the 2024 T20 World Cup final, the Indian side was in a precarious position after three of their top four batters, Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant, and Suryakumar Yadav, had returned to the pavilion. At that moment, Patel stepped up and built a solid partnership with Virat Kohli, contributing 47 runs off 31 balls, which helped the Blues lift the trophy after 17 years.

India was in a similar position against South Africa in the Super Eight stage, but their vice-captain wasn’t able to bail them out as he was dropped by the team management on his home ground.

Axar’s return to the team in place of Rinku Singh or Washington Sundar could provide India a much-needed boost, which just might propel them into the semi-final if other results go their way.

#4 Lockie Ferguson (New Zealand)

Lockie Ferguson’s ability to strike crucial wickets in the powerplay overs has come to the fore, even on flat pitches of the M Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. The fast bowler dismissed both in-form opening batters, Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran, and also scalped the important wicket of the dangerous Quinton de Kock against South Africa.

Ferguson’s variations and the wily method of delivering both the new ball and the old ball would be crucial against Sri Lanka and England, as the pitches on offer in Colombo and Pallekele offer more assistance to fast bowlers compared to the pitches in Chennai and at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

The Kiwis’ first fixture in the Super Eight stage was abandoned due to rain, which would put more pressure on the side from down south to perform against hosts Sri Lanka and a formidable English side which has already sealed their berth in the semi-finals.

#3 Sherfane Rutherford (West Indies)

While skipper Shai Hope and Shimron Hetmyer have been in superb form at the top of the order, Sherfane Rutherford could be the X-factor for the Caribbean side when the big moment arrives for the West Indies.

Rutherford has hit 11 maximums in the ongoing T20 World Cup, the joint second-most as of statistics after the end of Zimbabwe vs West Indies where he hit 31 runs off 13 balls to help his side put up 254 runs on the board.

The southpaw has scored 157 runs at a strike rate of 189 and has been dismissed only once, in the first match against Scotland which even signifies that Rutherford could bat even higher but Darren Sammy might reserve him for death overs which has benefitted the team so far.

#2 Tristan Stubbs (South Africa)

Like Sherfane Rutherford, Tristan Stubbs has been the bonafide finisher for his side and has been dismissed only once in the tournament so far against Afghanistan. Even against the Afghans, Stubbs rose to the occassion in the Super Over battle smashing 10 runs when the Proteas needed 11 off 3 balls and then smashed a maximum in the second Super Over as well.

Tristan Stubbs has proven his mettle as a reliable finisher for South Africa alongside David Miller

The 2024 T20 World Cup runners-up would be hoping that the triumvirate of Dewlad Brevis, Stubbs, and Miller works wonder in the semi-final as well. Apart from his Super Over exploits, Stubbs also dominated against Canada with an unbeaten innings of 34 runs off 19 balls while his innings of 44 runs off 24 balls against India.

The Proteas would be relying on the brilliance of Stubbs and David Miller as the duo showcased in the Super Over against Afghanistan and also in the Super Eight stage fixture against India, where the likes of Varun Chakravarthy and Hardik Pandya had no answers to their destructive shot-hitting abilities.

#1 Sam Curran (England)

Sam Curran is the most proven all-round option and the third senior-most player of the team in terms of appearances for the national team amongst the current squad members. In the 2024 T20 World Cup, Curran failed to produce his best as he scalped only 3 wickets in 5 matches and bowled at an economy rate of almost 10, failing to complete his quota of overs in most fixtures.

While Curran has made some useful contributions with the bat in his hand in this edition, the left-arm seamer has proved to be indispensable due to his excellent death bowling skills and the ability to pick wickets with the new ball and in the middle overs as well.

When it seemed like Italy could run England close in the death overs, Curran produced his best with figures of 3/22 in three overs, scalping the crucial wicket of Grant Stewart, who was closing in on his half-century while playing at a strike rate of more than 200.

Similarly, when Nepal was cruising in the run-chase against the Englishmen, Curran dismissed the dangerous Dipendra Singh Airee and then defended 10 runs in the final over against a well-set Lokesh Bam as well to help his side make it to the Super Eight stage unscathed.

AUTHOR: Mohak Arora, Parimatch Sports analytics expert