• A first-of-its-kind initiative to accelerate AI adoption across India’s infrastructure and strategic sectors. 

• Four challenge themes to tackle critical opportunities in energy, transport, climate resilience and public service delivery. 

• Startup India to support national outreach, with winning innovators progressing towards pilot deployments and long-term collaboration opportunities.

Rodic Consultants, one of India’s leading infrastructure and engineering consultancies, has partnered with Nasscom to launch the Rodic InfraAI Innovation Challenge, a first-of-its-kind initiative aimed at accelerating the adoption of artificial intelligence across India’s infrastructure and strategic sectors. Supported by Startup India through outreach to DPIIT-recognised startups, the initiative seeks to bring together the country’s rapidly expanding AI and deep-tech ecosystem to develop scalable, deployment-ready solutions for some of India’s most pressing infrastructure challenges.

The Innovation Challenge marks the first milestone in a broader strategic partnership between Rodic Consultants and Nasscom to discover, nurture and deploy frontier AI technologies across live infrastructure projects in India. By combining Rodic’s extensive domain expertise, real-world project environments and infrastructure problem statements with Nasscom’s innovation ecosystem, while leveraging Startup India’s outreach to DPIIT-recognised startups, the partnership aims to bridge the gap between technological innovation and on-ground implementation and create pathways for promising AI solutions to be tested, validated and scaled across real-world infrastructure applications.

Unlike conventional innovation programs built around hypothetical use cases, the National AI Innovation Challenge is anchored in real-world infrastructure challenges drawn from Rodic’s live projects. Participating startups will gain access to actual project contexts, enabling them to develop practical solutions with a clear pathway from concept validation to pilot implementation and eventual commercial deployment.

The inaugural edition of the Challenge will focus on four priority themes aligned with India’s infrastructure needs. AI on India Energy Stack invites innovators to build solutions leveraging the Ministry of Power’s emerging digital public infrastructure for the energy sector. AI for Roads, Bridges and Tunnels focuses on applications such as asset monitoring, defect detection, predictive maintenance and construction intelligence. Climate-Resilient Infrastructure seeks AI-driven solutions to strengthen roads, railways and transmission networks against floods, landslides and extreme heat. The fourth theme, GenAI for Public Works and Citizen Benefit Delivery, aims to improve access to public services and government health entitlements through multilingual AI-powered platforms.

Speaking on the partnership, Raj Kumar, CMD Rodic Consultants and CEO Rodic digital Advisory said, “India is at an inflection point where artificial intelligence can fundamentally transform how infrastructure is planned, built and managed. At Rodic, we have spent a considerable time working inside the country’s most complex highways, bridges, tunnels and urban infrastructure programmes, and we know exactly where technology can make the biggest difference on the ground. Through our partnership with Nasscom, we are creating a platform that connects India’s brightest AI innovators with real infrastructure challenges, not hypothetical ones. Our objective is to identify technologies that can be tested, deployed and scaled across live projects, accelerating India’s digital transformation while building infrastructure that is smarter, safer and more resilient for the decades ahead.”

Sharing his thoughts, Ankit Bose, Head of AI, Nasscom, said, “Infrastructure is the backbone of India’s growth story, and AI has the power to reshape how it is built and maintained. The InfraAI Innovation Challenge gives tech startups access to real industry problem statements, expert mentorship and a genuine pathway to deployment. By combining Nasscom’s innovation ecosystem with Rodic’s deep infrastructure expertise, we hope to accelerate practical AI adoption that delivers measurable impact across India’s infrastructure landscape, while giving the country’s deep-tech founders a stage where their work can truly move the needle.”

The Challenge has been conceived as more than a startup competition. It is a long-term innovation platform connecting emerging AI companies with industry, enabling promising technologies to be tested, refined and deployed within live infrastructure environments. 

High-potential startups emerging from the Challenge will have the opportunity to advance into Rodic’s Pilot Partnership Program, where selected solutions are validated on live projects before progressing towards commercial deployment. The partnership also envisages strategic investment in select startups as part of Rodic’s long-term innovation roadmap.

Rodic Consultants has played a significant role in shaping the country’s development across highways, bridges, tunnels, urban infrastructure, water, hydropower, energy, railways, metros and smart technologies. Through this collaboration, the company aims to systematically identify, validate and scale artificial intelligence, Generative AI, hardware and software innovations capable of addressing complex infrastructure challenges, creating growth opportunities for India’s startup ecosystem and strengthening the country’s position in AI-led infrastructure development.

About Nasscom
Nasscom represents the voice of over USD 300bn technology industry in India with the vision to establish the nation as the world’s leading technology ecosystem. Boasting a diverse and influential community of over 3500 member companies, our network spans the entire spectrum of the industry from DeepTech and AI startups to multinationals and from products to services, Global Capability Centres to Engineering firms. Guided by our vision, our strategic imperatives are to accelerate skilling at scale for future-ready talent, strengthen the innovation quotient across industry verticals, create new market opportunities – both international and domestic, drive policy advocacy to advance innovation and ease of doing business, and build the industry narrative with a focus on Trust, and innovation. And, in everything we do, we will continue to champion the need for diversity and equal opportunity.

For more details visit our website nasscom.in or write to us at: comms@nasscom.in 

Urja Senior Living, an initiative by CHL Living, marked the launch of Madhya Pradesh’s first senior living project with a two-day Grand Preview held in Indore on August 8–9, 2026. The event drew close to 400 guests, including seniors and families from diverse geographies, backgrounds and professional walks of life, and concluded with nearly 20 confirmed bookings over the weekend, signalling strong early confidence in the project.
 

Introducing a new vision for purposeful senior living in India
 

The Grand Preview marked the official introduction of Urja Senior Living to prospective residents, families and senior living seekers, offering visitors an opportunity to experience the project beyond a conventional property walkthrough. From exploring fully furnished sample residences to understanding the community-led approach being planned, guests got a closer look at what is envisioned for the next chapter of senior living.

Spread across 15 acres, the project will comprise 250 apartments and villas. The development is currently progressing towards its full launch, which is planned in approximately six months. The project will continue to engage with prospective residents and families during this period, allowing them to experience the development and understand the lifestyle and services being planned.

A defining moment of the Grand Preview was an interactive session with Dr C.P. Muralidhara, who brings over 23 years of experience across Ayurveda, Therapeutic Yoga, Senior Living, Assisted Living and Dementia Care, and is regarded as one of India’s most experienced professionals in senior living. His interaction added an expert perspective to discussions around senior wellbeing and the considerations that families may have while evaluating senior living communities.

For CHL Living, the project represents an extension of its longstanding association with healthcare into a residential environment designed specifically around the needs and aspirations of seniors.

​​Commenting on the response to the Grand Preview, Rajesh Bhargava, Founder, Urja Senior Living, said, “The soft launch of Urja Senior Living has given us tremendous confidence in the vision we have set out to create. What we witnessed over these two days was not just interest, but trust: families are evaluating us with the same rigour they would apply to a healthcare decision, and choosing to move forward. That trust is what we take most seriously. Our healthcare heritage gives us a deeper understanding of care, and we are channelling that into a community where seniors can live independently, comfortably and with genuine belonging, not merely be housed.”

The strong response at the Grand Preview also sets the stage for the project’s next phase. With the full launch planned in the coming months, Urja Senior Living will continue to engage with prospective residents and families and provide them with opportunities to experience the development firsthand. Looking ahead, CHL Living plans to evaluate expansion beyond Indore and Madhya Pradesh following the successful execution of this first phase.

About Urja Senior Living

Urja Senior Living is a senior living initiative by CHL Living, developed with the vision of creating thoughtfully planned communities that support comfortable, independent and engaging lifestyles for seniors. Spread across 15 acres in Indore, the project comprises 250 apartments and villas and brings together well-designed homes, community experiences, wellbeing and a supportive environment. Built on the foundation of CHL Group’s healthcare legacy, Urja Senior Living aims to redefine senior living through care, connection and thoughtful design.

Some meaningful investment opportunities begin with changes whose impact extends across sectors and company sizes. These long-duration structural shifts, called megatrends, can reshape how India consumes, saves, builds and does business, creating possibilities across established leaders, emerging challengers and specialised companies.

Since inception, the fund has outperformed its benchmark, BSE 500 TRI, by 3.85 percentage points under the Regular Plan and 5.47 percentage points under the Direct Plan

Bajaj Finserv Flexi Cap Fund follows a megatrend investing strategy, pairing this long-term lens with the freedom to invest across large cap, mid cap and small cap companies subject to minimum 65% investment in equity and equity-related instruments. The flagship fund of Bajaj Asset Management Limited (formerly known as Bajaj Finserv Asset Management Limited) completed three years since inception on 14 August 2026.

In its journey, the fund has regularly outperformed the benchmark. Since inception, the Regular Growth plan delivered 16.59% annualised returns and the Direct Growth plan delivered 18.21%, compared with 12.74% for its benchmark, BSE 500 TRI. Over the last year, the respective returns were 9.85% and 11.26%, against the benchmark’s 4.93%*.

The milestone marks three years of following structural change across sectors and company sizes.

*Source: Internal Analysis, MFI360 and Bloomberg. Data as of August 13, 2026. Past performance may or may not be sustained in future.

What is a megatrend?

A megatrend is a deep and lasting change in how an economy or society works. It usually unfolds over many years, cuts across industries and can alter how businesses compete and how people live, work and consume. A trend may dominate headlines for a few quarters; a megatrend can reshape an economy for years.

For instance, digitisation has changed banking, shopping, entertainment, logistics and healthcare. Rising incomes and urbanisation can influence financial services, housing, travel and discretionary consumption. Manufacturing policies, cleaner energy and infrastructure development can open opportunities across industrial businesses and their supply chains.

These forces often reinforce one another. Electric mobility, for example, sits at the meeting point of technology, regulation, environmental priorities and consumer behaviour. Its effects can extend from vehicle makers to component suppliers and charging networks. Digital payments offer another example: smartphone adoption, affordable data, payment infrastructure and changing consumer habits have together altered how transactions are made.

Megatrend investing is therefore not one narrow sector call. It can cut across industries, markets and even geographies.

Six lenses for a changing economy

Bajaj Finserv Flexi Cap Fund studies megatrends through its T.R.E.N.D.S. framework: Technological, Regulatory, Economic, Nature, Demographic and Social.

Each lens captures a different source of long-term change:

• Technological: Advances such as digitisation, automation and artificial intelligence can change how industries operate and deliver products or services.

• Regulatory: Policy and regulatory shifts, including manufacturing and infrastructure initiatives, can reshape industries or create new markets.

• Economic: Structural changes such as financialisation, rising consumption and infrastructure expansion can influence long-term business growth.

• Nature: Environmental priorities such as sustainability, clean energy and cleaner mobility are gaining momentum, and businesses responding to them may be aligned for future growth.

• Demographic: A large working-age population, rising incomes and urbanisation are supporting consumption and economic growth.

• Social: Evolving lifestyles and consumer behaviour, including urbanisation and the growing focus on health and wellness, are creating new patterns of demand across industries.

The portfolio process

Identifying a megatrend is the starting point. The next step is to determine whether that long-term change can translate into a viable opportunity at the company level. For fund managers, a company needs to meet the following parameters to be considered for the portfolio:

• It should be a beneficiary of the trend

• It should offer a monetizable opportunity

• It should have strong fundamentals

• It should be trading at favourable valuations

The investment process begins with a universe of roughly 1,100 stocks. Applying the megatrends lens narrows this to around 340 to 380 companies whose businesses may be positioned to participate in one or more of the structural shifts identified through the T.R.E.N.D.S. framework.

Top-down research examines how these shifts may affect economies, industries and value chains. Bottom-up analysis then assesses individual companies. The process also incorporates the AMC’s INQUBE philosophy, combining informational, quantitative and behavioural insights in investment decisions. From the screened universe, a portfolio of approximately 40 to 60* holdings may be constructed.

*The number of stocks mentioned is tentative and for understanding purposes only; the final portfolio may hold more or fewer names depending on prevailing market conditions. Source: Internal Analysis. The data provided in the communication is based on latest available information and is subject to change in future. The AMC is not responsible for any decision taken based on the data disclosed in the communication. 

Flexible approach

A megatrend does not arrive labelled large cap, mid cap or small cap. A large company may have the resources to scale a new market. A mid-sized business may gain share as an industry expands. A smaller company may own a specialised capability within a developing value chain.

A flexi cap mandate lets the fund manager follow opportunities without maintaining a fixed allocation across market-cap segments subject to minimum 65% investment in equity and equity related instruments. As of July 31, 2026, Bajaj Finserv Flexi Cap Fund held 44.17% in large cap companies, 23.02% in mid cap companies and 29.33% in small cap companies. The allocation reflects the opportunities identified through the investment process rather than a pre-set balance among the three market-cap segments.

The portfolio’s strategic choices extend beyond market cap allocation. Its active share against the BSE 500 TRI stood at 70% as of July 31, 2026. Active share measures how far a portfolio’s holdings and weights differ from its benchmark, offering an indication of how distinctly it is positioned.

Source: Internal Analysis | Active share is calculated vis-a-vis scheme benchmark i.e. BSE 500 TRI | Data as on July 31, 2026.

Conclusion

At three, Bajaj Finserv Flexi Cap Fund has established a distinct investment identity: megatrends provide the direction, while flexi cap investing provides the freedom to pursue their beneficiaries across company sizes and sectors.

For investors with a long horizon and the ability to accept equity market fluctuations, the fund brings several engines of structural change into one portfolio. Structural changes can advance unevenly, and the companies positioned to benefit from them can change over time. The fund’s flexi cap mandate allows the portfolio to adjust as those opportunity sets evolve.

Investors can invest in Bajaj Finserv Flexi Cap Fund through a lump-sum investment or a Systematic Investment Plan (SIP). After completing the applicable KYC requirements and carefully reviewing the scheme-related documents, investors may invest through the official website of Bajaj Asset Management Limited, an authorised mutual fund distributor or an eligible third-party investment platform or app. Investors should consider their investment objectives, time horizon and risk appetite before investing.

Past performance may or may not be sustained in future.

Mutual Fund investments are subject to market risks, read all scheme related documents carefully.

Bajaj Finserv Flexi Cap Fund

For the performance of other schemes managed by the Fund Managers which have completed 1 year or more than 1 year since inception, please visit https://www.bajajamc.com/downloads?factsheet and download the latest Factsheet or click here.

India’s overall score in the latest 2026 Chandler Good Government Index (CGGI) rose for a second consecutive year, following three straight years of decline between 2021 and 2024. India remains South Asia’s top performer overall, ranking 76th globally. The findings were released as part of CGGI’s Asia Pacific regional engagement.

Chandler Good Government Index 2026 Asia Pacific Rankings

Now in its sixth year, the CGGI measures the capabilities and effectiveness of 133 governments worldwide, across seven pillars: Leadership & Foresight, Robust Laws & Policies, Strong Institutions, Financial Stewardship, Attractive Marketplace, Global Influence & Reputation, and Helping People Rise.

“India’s data shows three years of decline followed by two years of modest improvement. That pattern is more informative than either year on its own, signalling a change in trajectory rather than a single-year movement. India’s overall score remains below its 2021 level, so there is still meaningful ground to be covered,” said Dinesh Naidu, Director (Knowledge) at the Chandler Governance Group (CGG).

Leading a challenging region

India ranks first in South Asia across five of the seven pillars: Leadership & Foresight, Robust Laws & Policies, Strong Institutions, Attractive Marketplace, and Global Influence & Reputation. Its scores in these pillars remain well above every other South Asian country, despite all five declining since 2021. Bangladesh leads the region in Financial Stewardship, and Sri Lanka in Helping People Rise.

South Asia as a whole had a difficult five years. Only Nepal improved its overall score in the region since 2021. India’s own overall score also declined over the same period, with the steepest fall in Leadership & Foresight, though its lead over regional peers held throughout.

Helping People Rise, which measures outcomes for citizens such as education, health and economic opportunity, was the only pillar in which India’s score improved since 2021. India recorded South Asia’s largest score gain in that pillar, and its score continued to improve between 2025 and 2026.

Financial Stewardship followed a different pattern. India’s score in this pillar declined every year since 2021, before rising for the first time between 2025 and 2026. It was India’s largest pillar-level gain in that period, the main driver of its overall recovery. Despite that score gain, India’s global rank in the pillar fell further, from 93rd in 2025 to 104th in 2026, a reminder that rank is shaped by other countries’ movements as well.

India’s turnaround came amidst a strong year for the wider region. Since 2021, Asia Pacific recorded the world’s sharpest regional governance improvement, though South Asia lagged behind that broader trend. More recently in 2026, 79% of the region’s governments, including four of five South Asian countries, posted higher scores year-on-year.

A practical tool for governments

Designed by practitioners for practitioners, the CGGI offers governments a diagnostic tool to benchmark performance and identify areas for capability development, drawing on evidence from peers across the region and around the world.

“India’s data this year points to slight recovery, but also to where that recovery is uneven. The CGGI’s value lies in making that distinction visible, showing governments not just how they compare to others, but where their own progress is concentrated and where it still needs to be built,” said Naidu.

The full 2026 Index, including country profiles, pillar scores, and historical comparisons, is available at chandlergovernmentindex.com.

Danone India has announced the launch of two new flavour sachets Vanilla and Chocolate, to its toddler nutrition drink, Dexogrow, designed to make the brand even more appealing to young children. To help parents deal better with the changing food preferences of young children, the company has created a unique method of preparation that combines essential nutrition with flexible flavor options.
 

Dexogrow introduces new Vanilla and Chocolate flavour sachets, giving kids more ways to enjoy their daily dose of nutrition while helping parents navigate changing food preferences
 

Dexogrow has built its reputation on tackling one of India’s most pressing childhood nutrition gaps: Iron deficiency Anemia, which affects a significant proportion of toddlers and can impact cognitive development and learning. With this introduction of flavour sachets, the brand aims to combine the same science-backed nutrition with flavours that kids actively look forward to.

Priyanka Verma, Marketing Director Danone India said, “Getting toddlers to enjoy something that’s genuinely good for them can be a big battle for parents. With Vanilla and Chocolate flavours now part of the Dexogrow range, we want nutrition moments to feel less like a negotiation and more like something kids ask for themselves, without compromising on the nutrition parents count on.”

Dexogrow is a brand for India made in India and it has Iron Biotics engine that contains nutrients that support 3X iron absorption which in turn plays a crucial role in cognitive development in young kids. Dexogrow is making an effort to underline the importance of early childhood development and to help shape India’s next generation’s progress. Now the same trusted Dexogrow, with a nutritional base which consists of DHA, ARA, and a blend of 36 essential nutrients includes Iron Biotics with nutrients that support 3X iron absorption, while letting their child pick a flavour that they would enjoy.

The Vanilla and Chocolate flavour sachets will be available inside the existing Dexogrow packs across retail stores and online platforms nationwide. Aligned with the broader Danone mission; to provide health through food to as many people as possible, the company aspires to make this improved product accessible to every child across the country.
 

Customers can buy the new flavors from: amzn.in/d/0iCed3P9

For more information, please visit www.danone.in.

• Appointment reinforces SNP’s commitment to one of the world’s fastest-growing enterprise software and AI transformation markets

• Supports SNP’s growth ambitions in Asia Pacific through its partner-first, software-led strategy

• Enables organizations to accelerate SAP transformation and build AI-ready data foundations to reduce downtime and deliver faster, more secure modernization

SNP SE, a leading provider of software for AI-enabled digital transformation, automated data migration and data management in the SAP environment, announced the appointment of Neeraj Athalye as Managing Director, India. Based in Mumbai, Athalye will be responsible for leading SNP’s expansion helping customers build the data foundations for business AI using SNP’s Kyano® platform and Bluefield® approach.

SNP Appoints Neeraj Athalye as Managing Director for India Strengthening its Partner First and Best-Data-for Business-AI Strategy

Athalye brings with him more than 30 years of experience across enterprise software, SAP, cloud technologies and business leadership, having held senior positions at SAP, MatrixOne (Dassault Systèmes), Honda, John Deere, SUSE and, most recently, Icertis. His track record in building partner ecosystems, scaling high‑growth businesses, and driving customer‑centric innovation positions him perfectly to lead SNP’s next phase of expansion in India.

The appointment comes as SNP expands its presence in Asia Pacific and continues to invest in AI-enabled capabilities for SAP transformations. At its annual flagship event “Transformation World” in Heidelberg, Germany, in July, SNP introduced new capabilities for its Kyano platform to customers, partners and experts from across the global SAP ecosystem. Kyano brings together software for data management, migration and continuous assessment of SAP landscapes, supporting organizations throughout their SAP transformation journey. The platform also supports migrations from different ERP source systems and integrates partner capabilities through its ecosystem and Marketplace.

Among the new capabilities is Kyano Lorna, an Agentic AI Layer that draws on more than 30 years of SNP’s data transformation expertise to provide real-time insights and project-specific recommendations. Embedded directly into transformation projects it helps customers execute transformations faster while maintaining the highest levels of accuracy, reliability and compliance. Kyano Oros extends the platform to unstructured data which accounts for approximately 80% of enterprise data volumes and has largely remained inaccessible to traditional transformation tools. This provides a critical foundation for preparing enterprise data landscapes for modern AI applications. Together, these capabilities help India’s organizations accelerate and simplify SAP transformations while preparing their data for business AI.

India continues to see growing demand for SAP transformation projects, driven by cloud adoption, digital transformation initiatives and increasing investment in AI. This makes the country an important market within SNP’s Asia Pacific strategy. Following its partner-first approach, SNP plans to further expand its ecosystem of consulting, hyperscaler and technology partners, combining Kyano with local delivery and industry expertise to support customers throughout their transformation projects and accelerate time-to-value.

Phillip Miltiades, President & Managing Director, Asia Pacific & Japan, SNP Group: “We see significant growth potential in India and across the Asia Pacific region. India represents one of the most exciting opportunities for SNP, with growing demand for solutions that simplify complex SAP transformation programs while minimizing business disruption. Neeraj’s experience will help us further expand our market presence and strengthen our partner-first strategy to deliver scalable, software-led transformation outcomes.”

About SNP

SNP (ticker: SHF.DE) is the global technology platform leader and trusted partner for companies seeking unparalleled data-enabled transformation capabilities and business agility. SNP’s Kyano^® platform integrates all necessary capabilities and partner offerings to provide comprehensive software-based experience in data migration and management. Combined with the Bluefield^® approach, Kyano sets a comprehensive industry standard for restructuring and modernizing enterprise data faster and more securely while harnessing AI-driven innovations based on over 30 years of experience.

The company works with more than 3,000 customers of all sizes and in all industries in over 80 countries, including numerous DAX 40 and Fortune 500 companies. The SNP Group has more than 1,700 employees worldwide at over 34 locations in 22 countries. The company is headquartered in Heidelberg, Germany, and generated revenues of around EUR 297 million in the 2025 fiscal year.

More information is available at www.snpgroup.com

Bata India, India’s most trusted footwear brand, today outlined the next phase of its growth journey at its 93rd Annual General Meeting, reaffirming its commitment to building a stronger, more agile and consumer-centric business. Anchored in product innovation, operational excellence, digital acceleration and portfolio transformation, the strategy is focused on strengthening Bata India’s foundations for sustainable, profitable growth while reinforcing its leadership in India’s evolving footwear market.

Bata India’s next growth phase focuses on product innovation, retail excellence and a stronger consumer focus

For close to a century, Bata has been part of India’s everyday life, earning consumer trust across generations. The Company’s current transformation is aimed at taking that trust into a more contemporary context, where consumers expect footwear to deliver comfort, style, value and convenience together. This sharper consumer focus is guiding how Bata is reimagining its product portfolio, retail experience, digital touchpoints and operating model.

Retail continues to remain central to this journey. Bata India today serves millions of consumers through the country’s largest footwear retail network of more than 2,000 brand outlets, supported by 775+ franchise stores, multi-brand distribution, D2C platforms, marketplaces and omnichannel fulfilment. With 1,000+ omnichannel-enabled stores and 70% of stores enabled for hyperlocal delivery, the focus is not only on expanding reach, but on making every consumer touchpoint more relevant, seamless and easier to shop.

Zero Base Merchandising has emerged as an important pillar of Bata India’s retail transformation. The initiative is now operational across 800+ stores and is targeting 900+ stores by end-2026, helping the company build assortments around local demand signals, reduce clutter, improve availability, enhance store navigation and present fresher, more relevant choices to consumers. ZBM reflects Bata’s larger shift from a uniform store approach to a more consumer-led model that responds to catchments, occasions and evolving shopping behaviour.

Operational excellence remained a key focus during the year, with the Company simplifying processes, improving planning capabilities and strengthening execution across manufacturing, sourcing and supply chain. Bata India has improved in-store availability by 8% in India, while inventory freshness has moved from the mid-70% range to around 90%, supported by season-to-season new-to-store product resets.  

Bata India also continued to modernise its portfolio with a stronger focus on contemporary styling, enhanced comfort and superior value. Across categories such as Hush Puppies, Power, Floatz, Comfit and core Bata offerings, the Company is working to serve a consumer who is increasingly style-aware, comfort-conscious and digitally influenced. Focused marketing initiatives and stronger storytelling are helping translate this product evolution into greater brand desirability, especially among younger consumers.

Speaking at the AGM, Mr. Ashwani Windlass, Chairman, Bata India Limited, opined, “FY 2025-26 was a year of purposeful transformation for Bata India. We are strengthening competitiveness, improving agility and preparing the business for sustainable growth. At the heart of this transformation lies our renewed commitment to product excellence, contemporary styling, enhanced comfort and superior value. These efforts will lend new vigour to the generational trust in the Bata brand and its value proposition.“

Adding to this, he said, “The external environment has remained complex, requiring continuous planning and rapid operational responses. Our teams have demonstrated resilience through diversified sourcing, disciplined inventory management and agile execution. As we look ahead, we do so with cautious optimism. While there is still work ahead, the direction is clear and execution is gathering momentum.”

Reflecting confidence in the Company’s long-term fundamentals and healthy financial position, the Company has approved a final dividend of 180%, in line with Bata India’s Dividend Distribution Policy. Beyond business performance, Bata India continued to deepen its commitment to responsible growth. During the year, the Company’s CSR initiatives positively impacted more than 9,200 students, supported by over 7,000 hours of employee volunteering, reinforcing its belief that sustainable business success must be accompanied by meaningful social impact.

As Bata India enters the next phase of its transformation, the Company remains focused on accelerating growth through a balanced strategy of higher volumes, premiumisation, stronger consumer engagement, operational excellence and disciplined capital allocation. 

About Bata India 
For close to a century, Bata India has been a symbol of trust and quality for Indian consumers, serving over 250,000 customers every day. Throughout this journey, Bata has continuously evolved to cater to the diverse needs and preferences of its customers to become the largest footwear retailer and manufacturer in the country. Its expansive retail network consists of 2,000+ stores, supported by thousands of Multi Brand Outlets and a robust omni-channel presence across D2C and marketplaces.

Bata India sells close to 50 million pairs annually. Bata India is on a mission to make global trends and premium fashion accessible to all consumers through its extensive retail network. It is redefining the intersection of fashion and comfort through brands including Bata Red Label, Bata Comfit, Power, NorthStar, Floatz, Bubblegummers and Hush Puppies among others.

To explore the world of Bata, please visit www.bata.com/in

Minda Instruments Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Minda Corporation and part of the Spark Minda Group, has received government approval to manufacture Display Module Sub-Assemblies, a component the country has largely imported until now. The clearance came under the Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS), part of a batch of 31 new proposals the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology approved on August 17, taking the scheme’s total to 106 projects. TXB Optics received the same approval in the same round, for the same component.

Aakash Minda, Executive Director of Spark Minda receives the Government of India’s ECMS approval from Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw for Minda Instruments’ Display Module manufacturing initiative

The company will set up a greenfield facility for TFT display module assembly as part of its backward integration strategy. Minda Instruments currently supplies instrument clusters and automotive electronics to major original equipment manufacturers (OEMs); the new facility will allow it to manufacture the display component in-house rather than import it.

“This approval reflects the confidence the Government of India has placed in our engineering capabilities,” said Aakash Minda, Executive Director, Minda Corporation Ltd. “A display is the point where a driver meets the vehicle. Bringing its manufacture to India is a natural continuation of the work we have built over the past decade. Import substitution is one part of this story, but the larger purpose is building the depth and precision India needs to design and manufacture the electronics that will define mobility going forward. We see this as an early step in that direction, and one we are committed to leading.”

India has bought its dashboard displays from abroad for years. Minda is putting an end to that. A domestic plant means shorter supply lines, and less exposure the next time a chip shortage or a shipping crisis rattles the industry, as both have in recent years.

The facility will also cater to external customers, giving the company access to supply contracts across the broader automotive electronics market. The August 17 tranche of approvals carries a projected investment of Rs 7,877 crore and is expected to generate 9,588 direct jobs. Cumulative investment approved under ECMS since its launch stands at Rs 69,548 crore across 15 states.

For Minda Corporation, this builds on years of work inside India’s automotive electronics ecosystem, and it puts the company among the country’s leading players in the space.

About Minda Corporation (BSE: 538962; NSE: MINDACORP)

Founded in 1958 by the late Shri Shadi Lal Minda, Spark Minda is one of India’s leading automotive component manufacturers, serving major OEMs and Tier-1 suppliers across passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles, two-wheelers, off-road vehicles and the aftermarket. With over six decades of engineering excellence, the Group has evolved into a global mobility technology company focused on delivering intelligent, connected and sustainable automotive solutions.

Spark Minda operates across 42 manufacturing plants and offices in six countries, including India, Indonesia, Vietnam, Japan, Uzbekistan and Poland, and has a workforce of over 23,000 professionals. The Group has a strong R&D ecosystem comprising 1,000+ engineers, two Advanced Spark Minda Technical Centres in Pune and Bengaluru, nine engineering centres across India, and 11 global technology partnerships.

Its comprehensive portfolio includes vehicle access systems, smart electronics, advanced automotive sensors, instrument clusters, telematics, wiring harnesses, die-casting solutions, interior plastics, electric vehicle mobility solutions, starter motors and alternators, among others. Spark Minda continues to invest in advanced engineering, digital technologies and strategic collaborations, with a focus on electronics, mechatronics, software-defined vehicles, connected mobility, EV technologies and intelligent safety systems. The Group is also committed to ESG and community development through the Spark Minda Foundation.

Ambience Malls across Gurgaon and Vasant Kunj marked Independence Day with thoughtfully curated celebrations bringing together military heritage, Indian craftsmanship, art, music and the creative energy of young India. Through installations, performances and cultural showcases, the celebrations offered visitors contemporary expressions of patriotism while reflecting on India’s journey, heritage and future.

Ambience Malls Celebrate India’s Heroes, Heritage and Young Voices

Ambience Mall Gurgaon: A Tribute to India’s Heroes, Heritage and Young Voices

At Ambience Mall Gurgaon, the Independence Day celebrations opened with a flag-hoisting ceremony, setting the tone for a day centred on pride, togetherness and national spirit.

A key highlight was the two-day AWWA (Army Wives Welfare Association) exhibition, which showcased Indian handicrafts and homegrown craftsmanship. The exhibition gave visitors an opportunity to discover traditional skills while appreciating the stories, artistry and cultural heritage behind Indian crafts.

Adding a powerful musical dimension to the celebrations, the Indian Air Force Band performed at the mall, drawing crowds and creating an atmosphere of pride and celebration.

Young talent was also at the heart of the festivities, with students from Miranda House and Gargi College presenting energetic performances. Their music and movement brought a contemporary and youthful expression to patriotism, reflecting how the spirit of freedom continues to resonate with a new generation.

A visual highlight of the celebrations was Eternal Flame of Valour, an installation paying tribute to the courage and sacrifice of India’s armed forces. The installation also emerged as one of the celebration’s popular photo moments, bringing together remembrance and contemporary experiential culture.

Ambience Mall Vasant Kunj: Where Art, Music and a New Generation Came Together

At Ambience Mall Vasant Kunj, Independence Day was marked through an artistic interpretation of India’s journey from the struggle for freedom to the progressive nation it is today.

At the heart of the mall was a specially designed installation built around the symbolism of the Indian Tricolour. A circular centrepiece represented unity, while saffron, white and green reflected struggle, sacrifice, freedom and progress. An Ashoka Chakra-inspired blue element represented movement and continuity, complemented by greenery symbolising growth, hope and a flourishing India.

The celebration extended to the mall’s facade, which was illuminated in the colours of the Tricolour, transforming the landmark into a striking visual expression of national pride.

Music added another layer to the experience, with a grand piano performance creating an elegant and emotive moment for visitors. The celebrations also featured specially curated dance performances by students from Lady Shri Ram College and Hindu College, offering a distinctly Gen Z interpretation of freedom, from the freedom to express and create to the freedom to dream about the future.

Through these celebrations, Ambience Malls brought together different generations and expressions of India, creating spaces where heritage, national pride, creativity and contemporary culture came together as part of the Independence Day experience.

Intex Technologies, one of India’s leading consumer electronics brands, has announced its association as the National Team Sponsor of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) for the upcoming India Tour of Sri Lanka 2026, marking a significant step in the brand’s growing engagement with international cricket.
 

Intex Technologies Director Mr. Keshav Bansal unveils the Jersey with Sri Lanka Captain Mr. Dhananjaya de Silva

As part of the partnership, the Intex brand will feature prominently on the front of the Sri Lanka Cricket team jersey, alongside high-impact visibility across LED perimeter boards during the two-match Test series. The 1st Test is being played from August 15–19 in Galle, followed by the 2nd Test from August 23–27, 2026. This association places Intex at the centre of one of the region’s most anticipated cricketing contests.
 

Commenting on the association, Keshav Bansal, Director, Intex Technologies, said, “Our association with Sri Lanka Cricket marks an exciting new chapter in Intex’s journey with international cricket. The India–Sri Lanka series offers us a great platform to engage with India’s passionate cricket audience, strengthen our connection with consumers, and build greater visibility and relevance of the Intex brand. As we continue to expand our presence across consumer electronics and durables, we see meaningful sporting associations such as this as an important part of building a stronger and more contemporary consumer brand.”
 

Upul Navaratne Bandara, Head of Marketing of Sri Lanka Cricket, said, “We are delighted to welcome Intex Technologies as the National Team Sponsor of Sri Lanka Cricket for this highly anticipated Test series. Intex is a prominent Indian consumer technology brand with a strong connect with consumers across India. We are pleased to have them partner with Sri Lanka Cricket for this series. The association reflects the strong commercial appeal of India–Sri Lanka cricket, and we look forward to a mutually successful partnership and an exciting series of Test cricket.”
 

The partnership builds on Intex’s recent association with international cricket, following its partnerships around the India–Afghanistan, India–Ireland and India–England series earlier this year. These associations reflect the brand’s broader approach to building a consistent presence across high-impact sporting platforms and strengthening its connection with consumers through the sport.
 

The India–Sri Lanka Test series is expected to draw strong interest among cricket audiences in India and provide Intex with a prominent platform to enhance brand visibility and deepen consumer engagement.