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Galgotias University Hosts 'Galgotias Investo Pitch 2026', Awards Grants to 12 Promising Startups

Galgotias University successfully organized its two-day event “Galgotias Investo Pitch 2026” on March 17-18, 2026, furthering its commitment to supporting innovation and entrepreneurship among young people. The program was designed to provide a strong platform for aspiring entrepreneurs to pitch their ideas while also connecting them with investors and industry leaders.

 

Smartfeed+ earns Rs. 2,00,000 grant for its impactful and innovative solution

 

The event also provided a forum for key ecosystem stakeholders such as Amit Singal, Partner at Indicorn Angels; Tushar Vadera, Founder of SetMyCart; and Ravindra Yadav, CEO of the ACIC GIET University Foundation, to interact with startups and guide them on scaling their businesses, obtaining venture capital, and preparing for entry into the marketplace.

 

The speakers highlighted the growing significance of start-ups in future economic development and job creation, and stressed the important role of academic institutions in supporting entrepreneurship. They also underlined the value of business incubation, mentorship, and access to capital in building sustainable ventures.

 

On the second day of the event, Dr. R.K. Bharti, IEDS, Director, MSME-DFO Okhla, New Delhi, attended as the Chief Guest, while Mr. Sunil Kumar, IEDS, Deputy Director, MSME-DFO Okhla, New Delhi, was the Guest of Honour. They shared insights on government-backed funding schemes and policy support available for new ventures. Another session was led by Madhu Vadlamani, AI Practice Leader at Enterprise Minds Inc, who spoke about the role of Artificial Intelligence in helping businesses become more scalable and cost-effective.

 

Galgotias University announced an endowment grant of Rs 18.5 lakh to support twelve early-stage startups as part of its continued commitment to strengthening the startup ecosystem. With this latest round, the University reaffirmed that it will continue to invest in other high-potential ventures as they grow.

 

The startups awarded the grant were SMARTFEED+ (Rs 2 lakhs), URVAH Dynamics Pvt. Ltd. (Rs 1.5 lakhs), Gas O Detech (Rs 2 lakhs), Amigos Renewable Energy LLP (Rs 2.5 lakhs), ECO-SIP (Rs 1.25 lakhs), Load Cell Based Smart IV Fluid Monitoring System (Rs 1.25 lakhs), Wilexir Techno LLP (Rs 1.5 lakhs), Electric VE (Rs 1.5 lakhs), Desk N Wood Techno Solutions (Rs 1.5 lakhs), Mumma.AI (Rs 1 lakh), Novatrail LLP (Rs 1.5 lakhs), and AgriRover (Rs 1 lakh).

 

The successful completion of Galgotias Investo Pitch 2026 reflects Galgotias University’s strong commitment to fostering innovation-led growth and nurturing future entrepreneurs. The initiative stands aligned with the vision of Hon’ble Dr. Dhruv Galgotia, CEO, Galgotias University, to empower young innovators and build enterprises capable of addressing global challenges.

 

About Galgotias University

Galgotias University is among the worlds leading universities in Quacquarelli Symonds (QS Rankings) and Times Higher Education (THE) Rankings.

 

Galgotias University proudly ascends in the QS World University Rankings 2026 by Quacquarelli Symonds, securing a coveted position in the 1201–1400 global band. Ranked 15th among top private universities and 43rd among all Indian universities, this achievement marks a powerful endorsement of Galgotiasunwavering commitment to academic excellence, global relevance, and innovation in higher education. Galgotias has also been accredited with NAAC A+ grade in its very first cycle, achieving these milestones in a record time of just 14 years.

 

In the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2025, Galgotias University has been ranked 45th among Indian universities (including both government and private institutions) and placed in the globally prestigious 1001–1200 band. This recognition reinforces the universitys growing stature in the international academic landscape and reflects its consistent progress across global higher education benchmarks.

 

These recognitions highlight Galgotias Universitys strong focus on teaching excellence, research impact, internationalization, industry integration, and innovation driven learning, shaping globally competent graduates ready for the challenges of the future.

 

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

Holiday Inn Mumbai International Airport Unveils 'Carnival of Love' – A Wedding Fair Celebrating Inspired Celebrations

Holiday Inn Mumbai International Airport recently hosted ‘Carnival of Love’, an immersive wedding fair that brought together décor concepts, curated culinary experiences, prospective clientele and leading wedding specialists under one roof, offering families and couples a glimpse into the possibilities of their dream celebrations.

 

Holiday Inn Mumbai International Airport Unveils ‘Carnival of Love’ – A Wedding Fair Celebrating Inspired Celebrations

 

The hotel had transformed all its event spaces into a vibrant showcase of wedding inspirations. The Grand Ballroom featured elegant décor themes ranging from a classic Rococo-inspired setting to a contemporary Eco-Elegance concept, allowing guests to visualise different wedding styles and aesthetics.

 

Meanwhile, our Meeting Rooms 1, 2, and 3 were styled as a vintage Catholic-inspired wedding setup, complete with aisle-style seating and refined décor elements that recreated the charm of a traditional ceremony. Each venue layout highlighted the versatility of the hotel’s event spaces for different wedding functions.

 

The fair also featured a curated selection of wedding vendors and experiential pop-ups across the hotel’s pre-function areas, lobby entrance and terrace. Guests had the opportunity to interact with the hotel’s wedding specialist team, planners, designers, and our F&B and culinary experts while exploring décor inspiration and planning ideas for their upcoming celebrations.

 

Adding to the experience was a specially curated wedding brunch by our culinary experts, who planned the menu based on the themes displayed across the venues, where guests enjoyed a selection of multi-cuisine delicacies in an elegant setting inspired by grand wedding festivities.

 

Commenting on the initiative, Subhrajit Bardhan, General Manager of Holiday Inn Mumbai International Airport, said, “Carnival of Love was designed to offer prospective families an immersive preview of how their dream weddings can come to life. It was wonderful to see guests engage with our spaces, explore décor themes, and interact with wedding experts and the team to design their special day. At Holiday Inn Mumbai International Airport, we take pride in curating memorable celebrations through versatile venues, personalised services, and exceptional culinary experiences.”

 

With its versatile venues, bespoke services, and curated experiences, Holiday Inn Mumbai International Airport continues to position itself as a preferred destination for weddings and social celebrations in the city.

CRC Engages CBRE for Facility Management at Office Led Commercial Development in Noida

CRC Group has engaged with global renowned CBRE to manage integrated facility operations at CRC The Flagship, its large, office led mixed use development located in Sector 140A along the Noida Expressway, as the project moves closer to completion.

 

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 CRC Engages CBRE for Facility Management at Office‑Led Commercial Development in Noida


Spanning approximately 2.4 million sq. ft., CRC The Flagship has been conceived as a campus style, next generation IT/ITES project, where Grade A+ office spaces anchor the development and are supported by curated retail, food and beverage offerings, and hospitality infrastructure. The project is currently in its final stages of construction and is expected to be delivered in the 3rd quarter of this year, positioning it to address near term enterprise demand along the Noida Expressway corridor.


The development has been master planned by Benoy, UK, with architectural inputs from RSP and Vastunidhi Architects, and supported by specialist consultants across structure, MEP services, façade and lighting, traffic and parking, green building compliance, and security and risk management. The planning framework emphasises efficient office layouts, clear circulation, walkability, and long term operational resilience.


Under its mandate, CBRE will supervise end to end facility management services, covering operations and maintenance, sustainability management, technology enabled building systems, and predictive maintenance frameworks. The scope spans office towers, shared amenities, retail areas, hospitality components, and public spaces, with a focus on ensuring consistent service delivery, asset performance, and occupier experience across the campus.


Office infrastructure at CRC The Flagship has been designed to support high intensity corporate use. Each office tower features 10 high speed elevators, supported by destination controlled vertical transportation systems to manage peak hour movement efficiently. The campus also incorporates dedicated special driveways, segregated vehicular circulation for offices, retail, and services, and premium multi height lobbies, reinforcing an institutional arrival experience.


The project is IGBC Platinum pre certified and integrates climate responsive architecture, high performance façade glazing, centralised air conditioning with air quality monitoring, EV ready parking infrastructure, and a Building Management System (BMS) to optimise energy efficiency and indoor environmental quality. In addition, CRC has undertaken developer led enhancement of the adjoining green belt, contributing to improved micro climate and environmental quality.


Commenting on the engagement, Salil Kumar, Director-Marketing & Business Management -CRC Group, said, “The company was pleased to bring CBRE on board as the project nears completion.”


We welcome CBRE into the CRC Group ecosystem and place strong trust in their proven commitments and service delivery capabilities. As CRC The Flagship moves into its operational phase, we look forward to delivering a best in class workplace experience with CBRE, aligned with the expectations of global IT/ITES and enterprise occupiers,” he said.


With its scale, infrastructure depth, and location along the Noida Expressway, CRC The Flagship is being positioned as a future ready office destination aligned with enterprise occupier expectations in the NCR market.

L&T Finance Ltd. (LTF) Becomes Signatory to United Nations Global Compact

  • Signatory status reinforces LTF’s commitment to globally recognised principles

  • Positions LTF as a responsible financial institution driving sustainable and inclusive growth

 

L&T Finance Ltd. (LTF), formerly known as L&T Finance Holdings Ltd., one of the leading Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) in the country, has become a signatory to the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative. This milestone marks a significant step in the Company’s journey to advance its sustainability agenda by integrating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles into its core business strategy and operations. 

 

This milestone advances LTF’s sustainability agenda by integrating ESG principles into its core strategy and operations

 

By joining the UNGC, LTF aligned itself with a global network of thousands of companies committed to taking responsible business action to pave the way for a sustainable world. This announcement serves to publicly reaffirm LTF’s existing ethical practices and align its long-term strategy with the UNGC’s Principles on human rights, labour, environment, and anti-corruption while reinforcing commitment to ethical and responsible business practices, sustainable development goals, and long-term value creation.

  

Ms. Apurva Rathod, Company Secretary and Chief Sustainability Officer at LTF, said, “Becoming a signatory to the UNGC is a significant milestone in our sustainability journey. It reinforces our commitment to embedding globally recognised principles into our business strategy, strengthening our responsible financing practices and creating value for our stakeholders. This alignment strengthens LTF’s progress toward its Lakshya goals, embedding sustainability and responsible business practices at the core of its strategy.

 

As part of its participation in the UNGC, LTF will report annually on its progress in implementing the ‘Ten Principles of the Global Compact.’ These disclosures will be made through the Company’s annual reporting, ensuring transparency and accountability in its sustainability journey.

 

LTF has been at the forefront of advancing sustainable practices in the NBFC sector, being among the first to undertake voluntary assurance for ESG disclosures, conducting a comprehensive Business Impact study based on True Value methodology, and adopting a Double Materiality approach aligned with evolving global expectations. LTF is also a signatory to the Partnership for Carbon Accounting Financials (PCAF), reinforcing its commitment to measuring and managing financed emissions. These initiatives reflect LTF’s proactive approach to embedding ESG considerations into its strategy, management, and decision-making processes.


About L&T Finance Ltd. (LTF)
L&T Finance Ltd. (LTF) (www.LTFINANCE.com), formerly known as L&T Finance Holdings Ltd. (LTFH), is a leading Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC), offering a range of financial products and services. Headquartered in Mumbai, the Company has been rated ‘AAA’—the highest credit rating—by four leading domestic rating agencies.  In August 2025, S&P Global Ratings upgraded LTF’s long-term Issuer Credit Rating to “BBB/Stable” from “BBB-/Positive” and short-term issuer credit rating to “A-2” from “A-3.” Fitch Ratings has assigned LTF Long-Term Foreign and Local-Currency Issuer Default Ratings of “BBB-” with a Stable outlook.  It has also received leadership scores and ratings by global and national Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) rating providers for its sustainability performance. The Company has been certified as a Great Place To Work® and has also won many prestigious awards for its flagship CSR project—Digital Sakhi—which focuses on women’s empowerment and digital and financial inclusion. Under Right to Win, being in the ‘right businesses’ has helped the Company become one of the leading financiers in key Retail products. The Company is focused on creating a top-class, digitally enabled, Retail finance company as part of the Lakshya 2026 plan. The goal is to move the emphasis from product focus to customer focus and establish a robust Retail portfolio with quality assets, thus creating a Fintech@Scale while keeping ESG at the core. Fintech@Scale is one of the pillars of the Company’s strategic roadmap—Lakshya 2026. The Company has over a 2.8 Crore customer database, which is being leveraged to cross-sell, up-sell, and identify new customers.

 

About the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC)
The United Nations Global Compact is the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative, with over 20,000 participants across more than 160 countries. It calls on companies to align their strategies and operations with Ten Principles in the areas of human rights, labour, environment, and anti-corruption, and to take actions that advance broader societal goals, including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

 

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National School Leaders Convene in Varanasi at ARISE Members' Meeting to Shape Future of K-12 Education

The Association for Reinventing School Education (ARISE) convened its Members’ Meeting at Varanasi, bringing together founders and leaders of progressive schools from across India for two days of strategic dialogue, sectoral deliberations, and institutional transition. The meeting marked two years of ARISE as an independent institution and nearly a decade of its collective journey since inception within FICCI, reflecting the organization’s growing credibility as a unified national platform for school leaders.
 

ARISE members from across India at the ARISE Members’ Meeting, representing a unified community of progressive school leaders
 

Day One commenced with a Special Address by Dr. Joseph Emmanuel, Chief Executive and Secretary, CISCE, who highlighted the transformative potential of collective leadership in education. ‘’When progressive schools come together with shared purpose and collective strength, they can transform the school education landscape in phenomenal ways. Platforms like ARISE enable collaboration and systemic progress that individual institutions cannot achieve in isolation,” said Dr. Emmanuel.
 

The engagement was also graced by Dr. Praggya M Singh, Professor & Director (Academics), CBSE. “Strengthening school education requires a sustained focus on academic quality, capacity building, and effective implementation at the institutional level. Interactions with school leaders provide valuable ground-level insights into classroom realities and emerging needs, which are essential for shaping responsive academic initiatives,” said Ms. Singh.
 

There was also representation from international boards including Mr. Mahesh Balakrishnan, Manager, South Asia, International Baccalaureate (IB) and Mr. Vinay Sharma, Senior Vice President and Regional Director, South Asia, Cambridge International Education reflecting the broad spectrum of institutional engagement across national and global school education frameworks.
 

The meeting featured expert inputs and structured discussions on leadership effectiveness, institutional governance, and emerging priorities for the sector.
 

Day Two focused on ARISE’s forward roadmap, including key initiatives to strengthen member engagement and knowledge exchange. Members participated in focused deliberations on Learning & Development and Liberalising the K-12 sector, addressing leadership capacity building, professional development, regulatory challenges, and policy priorities to identify actionable advocacy areas for 2026–27. An expert session on the Decoding of New Labour Codes provided practical guidance on interpretation, compliance requirements, and operational implications for educational institutions.
 

A key highlight of the meeting was the Presidential Baton Passing Ceremony, during which the new Company Board, Governing Body and State Councils for FY 2026–27 were announced. The newly constituted State Councils for the year FY 2026-27 are as follows:

  • Andhra Pradesh: Chair — M. Padma Subrahmanyam; Co-Chair — Mahadev Vasireddy

  • Assam: Chair — Nellie Ahmed

  • Bihar: Chair — Mrigya Singh

  • Gujarat: Chair — Kavish Gadia; Co-Chair — Kush Dinesh Sakaria

  • Haryana: Chair — Aditi Misra; Co-Chair — Yash Prakash

  • Jammu & Kashmir: Chair — Nandan Kuthiala

  • Karnataka: Chair — Srinivas Kumar Chalasani

  • Madhya Pradesh: Chair — Siddharth Singh Girnar

  • Maharashtra: Chair — Irshad Patel; Co-Chair — Shailesh Dalmia

  • New Delhi: Chair — Rahul Aggarwal; Co-Chair — Jyoti Arora

  • Odisha: Chair — Dr. Silpi Sahoo

  • Punjab: Chair — Manjot Dhillon; Co-Chair — Robin Aggarwal

  • Chandigarh: Chair — Gurpreet Bakshi

  • Rajasthan: Chair — Ragini Kachhwaha; Co-Chair — Deepak Sharma

  • Uttar Pradesh: Chair — Shalini Singh; Co-Chair — Khwaja Saifi Yunus

  • Uttarakhand: Chair — Bharat Goyal; Co-Chair — Manoj Kumar Khera

  • Telangana: Chair — Meghana Jupally; Co-Chair — Satya Datla

  • Tamil Nadu: Chair — Vikram Ramakrishnan; Co-Chair — R. J. Thayumanaswamy

  • West Bengal: Chair — Pradip Kumar Agarwal

  • Kerala: Chair — Rajesh George Kulangara
     

These councils will play a critical role in strengthening ARISE’s state-level engagement, regional initiatives, and policy dialogue across the country. 
 

Outgoing President Mr. Praveen Raju, Founder, Suchitra Academy and Sagebrook International School, Hyderabad, reflected on ARISE’s institutional growth. “Over the past two years as an independent institution, ARISE has grown significantly — institutionally, structurally, and in membership — emerging as a credible and unified national platform for progressive school leaders. The trust and spirit of collaboration among members remain the foundation of this journey,” he said.
 

President-Elect Dr. Arunabh Singh, Director, Nehru World School & Co-founder, Heathy Planet TGA emphasized continuity and forward momentum. ‘’ARISE represents the collective voice of progressive schools across the country. Going forward, our focus will be on strengthening collaboration, advancing policy engagement, and building future-ready institutions that place students at the centre,” he stated.
 

The ceremony also recognized members for their contributions to ARISE initiatives, underscoring the organization’s participatory ethos.
 

The Members’ Meeting concluded with a shared commitment to strengthening collaboration, advancing reform-oriented dialogue, and shaping the future of school education in India.
 

About ARISE
ARISE (The Association for Reinventing School Education)
 is an autonomous body that brings together some of the country’s most progressive and intellectual minds including School Promoters, Edupreneurs & Leaders who remain committed and focused on serving as a beacon for change within the diverse and dynamic landscape of India’s school education system. Living up to the motto ‘Student First’, ARISE recognises the complexity and the unique challenges faced by both independent private schools and public / government schools and will continue to play an important role to be a collaborative platform to bring together forward-thinking school founders, educators, policy makers, think tanks, educationists, civil society experts and technical experts. As a collegium, ARISE represents over 1800+ Schools, 95,000 Teachers, and 1.5 Million Students.

Fortis Institute of Minimally Invasive Brain & Spine Surgery Inaugurated at The First Annual Neurosciences Conclave in Mumbai

The Fortis Institute of Minimally Invasive Brain & Spine Surgery was inaugurated at the first annual neurosciences conclave hosted by Fortis Institute of Neurosciences, Mumbai, on March 21st & 22nd 2026. The state-of-the-art institute, designed to cater to patients across the spectrum of neurological and spine disorders, marks a significant step in advancing specialized neuro care for the city of Mumbai. The institute will be helmed by Dr. Jayesh Sardhara, Director – Dept. of Minimally Invasive Brain & Spine Surgery, Fortis Hospitals Mumbai. The inauguration ceremony was graced by Dr. Bishnu Panighari, Group Head – MSOG, Fortis Healthcare; Dr. S. Narayani, Business Head, Fortis Hospitals Maharashtra; and Dr. Vishal Beri, Facility Director, Fortis Hospital Mulund, along with other clinicians and administrative leaders.

 

(C) Dr Vishal Beri, Dr Jayesh Sardhara, Dr Bishnu Panigrahi & Dr S. Narayani with clinicians at the launch of Fortis Institute of Minimally Invasive Brain & Spine Surgery, Mumbai

 

The two-day conclave, titled ‘Current Update on Advanced Neurosciences’, brought together leading clinicians, surgeons, academicians, and healthcare professionals across the country to deliberate on the latest advancements and evolving practices across neurology, neurosurgery, and minimally invasive spine care. At the conclave, Fortis Hospitals Mumbai aim to provide a comprehensive platform for knowledge exchange, focusing on real-world clinical challenges and practical solutions across neurology, neurosurgery, neuro-intervention, neuro-oncology, spine surgery, and neuro-critical care.

 

The field of neurosciences continues to witness rapid evolution driven by technological advancements, minimally invasive approaches, multidisciplinary collaboration, and evidence-based care. The two-day conclave aims to provide a comprehensive platform for knowledge exchange, focusing on real-world clinical challenges and practical solutions in neurology, neurosurgery, neuro-intervention, neuro-oncology, spine surgery, and neuro-critical care.

 

The scientific program features expert-led sessions including keynote lectures, surgical video demonstrations, panel discussions, consensus statements, and interactive Q&A forums. Key highlights include discussions on

  • Advanced Stroke & Neurocritical care

  • Emerging Technologies & advances in Neurology

  • Neuro-Oncology & Brain Tumor Surgery

  • Advances in Spine Surgery

  • Interactive Stroke & Hemorrhage

  • Future Directions of Neurosciences

  • Perioperative Neurosciences & Spine Interface

  • Clinical Decision-making in Neurosurgery

 

Dr. Jayesh Sardhara, Director – Dept. of Minimally Invasive Brain & Spine Surgery, Fortis Hospitals Mumbai, and Organizing President & CME Convener, said, “The field of neurosciences is advancing rapidly, and it’s important for clinicians to keep pace with the latest innovations and evidence-based practices. Through this conference, we aim to create a platform that brings experts together, encourages the exchange of ideas, and helps improve patient outcomes. Minimally invasive neurosurgery represents the future of our specialty, where precision, technology, and innovation allow us to treat complex neurological conditions with smaller incisions, less tissue disruption, and faster recovery for patients.”

 

Dr. Vishal Beri, Facility Director, Fortis Hospital, Mulund, added, “This conference reflects our commitment to advancing clinical excellence and building strong academic ecosystems. By bringing together experts from diverse neuro focus areas, we are enabling meaningful discussions that translate into better, more integrated care for patients with simple to complex neurological conditions.”

 

Dr. S. Narayani, Business Head – Fortis Hospitals Maharashtra, said, “At Fortis Mumbai, we continuously strive to strengthen platforms that drive knowledge-sharing and innovation in healthcare. This conference is a significant step in reinforcing our focus on advanced neurosciences and supporting the medical community with insights that enhance both clinical practice and patient care delivery.”

 

The conference saw participation from a wide range of healthcare professionals across neuro-focused and neuro-allied specialties, encouraging interdisciplinary dialogue and collaboration. With a strong focus on practical insights and consensus-building, the initiative underscores Fortis Healthcare’s commitment to advancing neuroscience care in India.

 

About IHH Healthcare (“IHH”)

IHH is a leading multinational healthcare provider shaping the future of care. Driven by our aspiration to Care. For Good., we unite medical excellence and innovation, pushing boundaries through our trusted brands such as Acibadem, Gleneagles, Fortis, Island, Mount Elizabeth, Pantai, Parkway and Prince Court. Across 10 countries, including Malaysia, Singapore, Türkiye, India and Greater China, our 70,000-strong team delivers world-class excellence every day, within and beyond our 140 healthcare facilities, including more than 80 hospitals. Our comprehensive services span the full healthcare continuum, from primary and ambulatory to quaternary care, complemented by diagnostics, imaging, rehabilitation, telehealth and home care. In partnership with our stakeholders, IHH is advancing value-based care, building a sustainable healthcare ecosystem and creating meaningful impact, as we work towards our vision to become the world’s most trusted healthcare services network.

 

For more information, please visit www.ihhhealthcare.com.

Allergan Aesthetics Helps Empower Consumers through Education as Medical Aesthetic Treatment Demand Grows

Allergan Aesthetics, an AbbVie company, has announced the launch of A–Z of Medical Aesthetics, a consumer education initiative to improve understanding of aesthetics and help empower consumers in making informed choices throughout their aesthetic treatment journey.

 

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#A2ZOfMedicalAesthetics is a consumer education initiative by Allergan Aesthetics, an AbbVie company to empower them make informed choices in their aesthetic treatment journey


With growing interest in medical aesthetic treatments across India, many consumers actively seek information online. While a lot of information available can be complex and difficult to navigate, Allergan Aesthetics has proactively addressed this by introducing the A–Z of Medical Aesthetics, providing consumers with a reliable and easily understood source of guidance.


The initiative addresses common consumer concerns and treatment options within medical aesthetics, presenting information in an accessible and straightforward way. By enhancing consumer understanding, the program seeks to foster more meaningful and productive discussions between consumers and aesthetic healthcare professionals.


As medical aesthetics becomes an integral part of many consumers self-care and confidence journeys, being well-informed is more important than ever. Empowered consumers who understand their options can approach treatments with confidence and clarity, enabling aesthetic physicians to focus on delivering personalized care and meaningful guidance.


Commenting on the initiative, Kalyan Sattaru, Country Manager Allergan Aesthetics India, said, “As medical aesthetics continues to evolve in India, access to credible, science-backed information becomes critical. With A–Z of Medical Aesthetics, we are setting a benchmark for responsible consumer education by helping address misinformation and improve awareness. Our intent is to empower consumers to make informed choices and enable more meaningful, transparent consultations between patients and aesthetic physicians—ultimately elevating the standard of aesthetic care in the country.” 


Siddharth Hundoo, Head – Marketing, Allergan Aesthetics India, said, “There is a growing need for genuine, easy-to-understand information in medical aesthetics. A–Z of Medical Aesthetics is our effort to support consumers with reliable knowledge so they can have more informed and confident discussions with their doctors. When patients come prepared and aware, it helps doctors too, making consultations more effective and transparent.”


With the launch of A–Z of Medical Aesthetics, Allergan Aesthetics, an AbbVie company continues its commitment to responsible education and consumer empowerment, ensuring that consumers have access to authentic information especially when misinformation is significant.


Consumers can access and download A–Z of Medical Aesthetics to begin their learning journey and take a more informed approach to aesthetic consultations by visiting this link here: allerganaesthetics.co.in/az.


About Allergan Aesthetics*
At Allergan Aesthetics, an AbbVie company, we develop, manufacture, and market a portfolio of leading aesthetics brands and products. Our aesthetics portfolio includes facial injectables, body contouring, plastics, skin care, and more. Our goal is to consistently provide our customers with innovation, education, exceptional service, and a commitment to excellence, all with a personal touch.

 

For more information, visit allerganaesthetics.co.in.


About AbbVie*
AbbVie’s mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow. We strive to have a remarkable impact on people’s lives across several key therapeutic areas: immunology, oncology, neuroscience, eye care, virology, women’s health and gastroenterology, in addition to products and services across its Allergan Aesthetics* portfolio. 

National School Leaders Convene in Varanasi at ARISE Members' Meeting to Shape Future of K-12 Education

The Association for Reinventing School Education (ARISE) convened its Members’ Meeting at Varanasi, bringing together founders and leaders of progressive schools from across India for two days of strategic dialogue, sectoral deliberations, and institutional transition. The meeting marked two years of ARISE as an independent institution and nearly a decade of its collective journey since inception within FICCI, reflecting the organization’s growing credibility as a unified national platform for school leaders.
 

ARISE members from across India at the ARISE Members’ Meeting, representing a unified community of progressive school leaders
 

Day One commenced with a Special Address by Dr. Joseph Emmanuel, Chief Executive and Secretary, CISCE, who highlighted the transformative potential of collective leadership in education. ‘’When progressive schools come together with shared purpose and collective strength, they can transform the school education landscape in phenomenal ways. Platforms like ARISE enable collaboration and systemic progress that individual institutions cannot achieve in isolation,” said Dr. Emmanuel.
 

The engagement was also graced by Dr. Praggya M Singh, Professor & Director (Academics), CBSE. “Strengthening school education requires a sustained focus on academic quality, capacity building, and effective implementation at the institutional level. Interactions with school leaders provide valuable ground-level insights into classroom realities and emerging needs, which are essential for shaping responsive academic initiatives,” said Ms. Singh.
 

There was also representation from international boards including Mr. Mahesh Balakrishnan, Manager, South Asia, International Baccalaureate (IB) and Mr. Vinay Sharma, Senior Vice President and Regional Director, South Asia, Cambridge International Education reflecting the broad spectrum of institutional engagement across national and global school education frameworks.
 

The meeting featured expert inputs and structured discussions on leadership effectiveness, institutional governance, and emerging priorities for the sector.
 

Day Two focused on ARISE’s forward roadmap, including key initiatives to strengthen member engagement and knowledge exchange. Members participated in focused deliberations on Learning & Development and Liberalising the K-12 sector, addressing leadership capacity building, professional development, regulatory challenges, and policy priorities to identify actionable advocacy areas for 2026–27. An expert session on the Decoding of New Labour Codes provided practical guidance on interpretation, compliance requirements, and operational implications for educational institutions.
 

A key highlight of the meeting was the Presidential Baton Passing Ceremony, during which the new Company Board, Governing Body and State Councils for FY 2026–27 were announced. The newly constituted State Councils for the year FY 2026-27 are as follows:

  • Andhra Pradesh: Chair — M. Padma Subrahmanyam; Co-Chair — Mahadev Vasireddy

  • Assam: Chair — Nellie Ahmed

  • Bihar: Chair — Mrigya Singh

  • Gujarat: Chair — Kavish Gadia; Co-Chair — Kush Dinesh Sakaria

  • Haryana: Chair — Aditi Misra; Co-Chair — Yash Prakash

  • Jammu & Kashmir: Chair — Nandan Kuthiala

  • Karnataka: Chair — Srinivas Kumar Chalasani

  • Madhya Pradesh: Chair — Siddharth Singh Girnar

  • Maharashtra: Chair — Irshad Patel; Co-Chair — Shailesh Dalmia

  • New Delhi: Chair — Rahul Aggarwal; Co-Chair — Jyoti Arora

  • Odisha: Chair — Dr. Silpi Sahoo

  • Punjab: Chair — Manjot Dhillon; Co-Chair — Robin Aggarwal

  • Chandigarh: Chair — Gurpreet Bakshi

  • Rajasthan: Chair — Ragini Kachhwaha; Co-Chair — Deepak Sharma

  • Uttar Pradesh: Chair — Shalini Singh; Co-Chair — Khwaja Saifi Yunus

  • Uttarakhand: Chair — Bharat Goyal; Co-Chair — Manoj Kumar Khera

  • Telangana: Chair — Meghana Jupally; Co-Chair — Satya Datla

  • Tamil Nadu: Chair — Vikram Ramakrishnan; Co-Chair — R. J. Thayumanaswamy

  • West Bengal: Chair — Pradip Kumar Agarwal

  • Kerala: Chair — Rajesh George Kulangara
     

These councils will play a critical role in strengthening ARISE’s state-level engagement, regional initiatives, and policy dialogue across the country. 
 

Outgoing President Mr. Praveen Raju, Founder, Suchitra Academy and Sagebrook International School, Hyderabad, reflected on ARISE’s institutional growth. “Over the past two years as an independent institution, ARISE has grown significantly — institutionally, structurally, and in membership — emerging as a credible and unified national platform for progressive school leaders. The trust and spirit of collaboration among members remain the foundation of this journey,” he said.
 

President-Elect Dr. Arunabh Singh, Director, Nehru World School & Co-founder, Heathy Planet TGA emphasized continuity and forward momentum. ‘’ARISE represents the collective voice of progressive schools across the country. Going forward, our focus will be on strengthening collaboration, advancing policy engagement, and building future-ready institutions that place students at the centre,” he stated.
 

The ceremony also recognized members for their contributions to ARISE initiatives, underscoring the organization’s participatory ethos.
 

The Members’ Meeting concluded with a shared commitment to strengthening collaboration, advancing reform-oriented dialogue, and shaping the future of school education in India.
 

About ARISE
ARISE (The Association for Reinventing School Education)
 is an autonomous body that brings together some of the country’s most progressive and intellectual minds including School Promoters, Edupreneurs & Leaders who remain committed and focused on serving as a beacon for change within the diverse and dynamic landscape of India’s school education system. Living up to the motto ‘Student First’, ARISE recognises the complexity and the unique challenges faced by both independent private schools and public / government schools and will continue to play an important role to be a collaborative platform to bring together forward-thinking school founders, educators, policy makers, think tanks, educationists, civil society experts and technical experts. As a collegium, ARISE represents over 1800+ Schools, 95,000 Teachers, and 1.5 Million Students.

EcoLink Unveils Exclusive Rajasthan Royals Limited Edition Fans, Bringing Cricket Fever Home for T20 Season 2026

As cricket fever grips the nation ahead of T20 Season 2026, Signify (Euronext: LIGHT), the world leader in lighting, today announced the launch of its exciting new range of EcoLink Exclusive Rajasthan Royals Limited Edition Fans, a first-of-its-kind collection designed to help fans stay cool while owning their loyalty loud and proud.

 

EcoLink X Rajasthan Royals

 

Blending smart cooling, energy efficiency and cricket passion, this collection strategically reinforces EcoLink’s commitment to delivering reliable and efficient solutions for Indian consumers. The range reflects the same spirit the brand and Rajasthan Royals are known for, high performance, bold energy and a relentless drive to win. With advanced BLDC fan technology at its core, the range delivers powerful cooling, dependable performance and energy efficiency, making it as practical as it is exciting.


Commenting on the launch, Sumit Joshi, CEO and MD, Signify, Greater India, said, “At Signify, we are constantly looking for ways to bring innovation closer to consumers in ways that feel meaningful and relevant. The Exclusive Rajasthan Royals Limited Edition Fans exemplifies this commitment. It combines EcoLink’s focus on energy efficiency and reliability with the passion of cricket fans, offering a tangible way to engage. We anticipate this range will contribute to a more comfortable and spirited experience for fans across the country.


Nikhil Gupta, Head of Strategy and Marketing for Greater India, Signify, commented, “Cricket in India is not just a sport, it’s a cultural phenomenon & passion. With this launch, EcoLink is turning that passion into a tangible everyday experience. Our BLDC fan technology, central to these co-branded products, ensures energy efficiency and consistent performance. This collection, from portable neck fans to home-based solutions, is a strategic effort to strengthen consumer engagement and reinforce EcoLink as an accessible and trusted brand.”


This launch further reinforces EcoLink’s strategy to broaden its market presence and strengthen its appeal by aligning with major cultural phenomena that resonate with Indian consumers. The EcoLink Exclusive Rajasthan Royals Limited Edition Fans is set to make this T20 season cooler, louder and more memorable for fans everywhere.


About Signify
Signify (Euronext: LIGHT) is the world leader in lighting for professionals and consumers. We proudly bring to market the world’s best lighting brands, from Signify, Philips, Philips Hue, Signify Interact, Philips Dynalite, Color Kinetics and many more. Our advanced products connected systems and services unlock the extraordinary potential of light for brighter lives and a better world. In 2025, we had sales of EUR 5.8 billion, approximately 27,000 employees, and a presence in over 70 markets. We are in the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index and hold the EcoVadis Platinum rating. News and updates from Signify can be found in the Newsroom, on LinkedIn and Instagram. Information for investors is located on the Investor Relations page.

On World Water Day, Bhumi Pednekar Visits Community Pure Water Centre in Rural Telangana, Highlighting India's Urgent Water Challenge

On World Water Day (22 March), actor and social advocate Bhumi Pednekar visited a Community Pure Water (CPW) purification centre in Kolkulapalli Village, Madgul Mandal, Mahbubnagar District, Telangana, highlighting the urgent need for safe and sustainable drinking water solutions across rural India.

 

Bhumi Pednekar with school children at a government school in rural Telangana being supported by Community Pure Water


As India faces increasing water stress driven by climate change, groundwater depletion, and rising demand, the scale of the crisis remains stark- nearly 70% of the country’s freshwater is estimated to be polluted, and over 800 children die every day from water-related diarrheal diseases alone. The visit underscores the critical importance of clean drinking water as a foundation for public health, dignity, and long-term development.

 

Bhumi Pednekar on a visit to a water purification centre of Community Pure Water seen with the community members


During the visit, Bhumi Pednekar engaged directly with community members, particularly women and schoolchildren, gaining first-hand insight into how access to safe water has transformed daily life. Conversations with beneficiaries highlighted reduced time spent collecting water, improved health outcomes, and greater access to education and livelihood opportunities.


She was accompanied by Mr. Ravi Reddy, Founder of Community Pure Water; Ms. Pratiksha Prashant, Board Member and Chairperson of the Fundraising Committee; Ms. Sumeet Rawla, Chief Philanthropy Officer; and Ms. Lakshmi Konamamneni, Chief Executive Officer, along with the Community Pure Water leadership and operations team.


A walkthrough of the purification centre showcased Community Pure Water’s five-step purification process, including filtration, reverse osmosis, mineral balancing, and safe distribution, demonstrating how technology-driven systems, combined with strong community participation, deliver reliable, affordable, and high-quality drinking water at scale.


Speaking during the visit, Bhumi Pednekar said, “Access to safe drinking water is one of the most fundamental rights, yet for millions it remains a daily struggle. What Community Pure Water is doing here is not just providing water, it is restoring health, dignity, and opportunity. On World Water Day, it is a powerful reminder that solving India’s water crisis requires collective, sustained action.”

 

Mr. Ravi Reddy, Founder, Community Pure Water, added, “Safe drinking water must be seen as essential public health infrastructure, not a charity or a privilege. At Community Pure Water, we have focused on building systems that are reliable, scalable, and operated by the communities they serve. Today, with over 600 Water Purification Centres, we provide safe drinking water to 1.5 million rural residents every day, 24/7, through our Any Time Water (ATW) system. Visits like this help bring visibility to the lived realities of rural India and reinforce the urgency of investing in long-term, sustainable solutions.


The visit also included an interaction at a nearby government school, where Bhumi observed how access to safe drinking water is improving student health and learning environments, reinforcing the strong link between water security and education.


Community Pure Water, a flagship initiative of the Community Development Foundation founded by Mr. Ravi Reddy, has built one of India’s most effective community-managed safe water delivery models. With over 600 purification centres across the country, the organisation provides safe and affordable drinking water to more than 1.5 million people every day.


Each centre operates as a 24/7, ISO-certified micro-utility with high operational uptime, ensuring consistent water quality and long-term impact. By reducing water-borne diseases and improving overall health outcomes, these centres contribute directly to stronger communities, better nutrition, and increased economic productivity.


As the world marks World Water Day, the visit underscores a simple but urgent reality: access to safe drinking water cannot remain uncertain for millions. Community Pure Water’s work demonstrates that scalable, community-operated solutions can deliver reliable, long-term impact, when backed by sustained investment and collective action.


Bhumi Pednekar’s visit brings national attention to a crisis often faced quietly in rural India, reinforcing the need to place safe drinking water at the centre of the country’s public health and development agenda.
 

About CPW

The greatest barrier to a better quality of life in rural India is poor health. Chronic illness driven by hazardous, polluted water keeps families sick, drains incomes, limits education, and holds back women and entire communities.


Community Pure Water (CPW) exists to remove this root cause. CPW is a community-powered preventive health organization driving systemic change by operating long-term water purification micro-utilities as public health infrastructure. By preventing disease before it begins, CPW enables healthier families, improved school attendance, stronger livelihoods, and more resilient communities.


Its model integrates preventive maintenance, remote monitoring, and AnyTimeWater (ATW) dispensing systems with deep community participation to ensure reliability, affordability, and durability over decades, moving beyond short-term project cycles. By building local capacity and ensuring systems are operated by communities, CPW delivers sustained impact, not temporary access.


Today, CPW operates over 600 systems across multiple states, providing safe, BIS-standard drinking water to 1.5 million people every day with over G7% uptime. By eliminating the root cause of water-borne illness, CPW is enabling healthier populations, stronger workforces, better educational outcomes, and long-term, generational progress across rural India.


CPW website: www.communitypurewater.org