AU Small Finance Bank (AU SFB), India’s largest Small Finance Bank and the first in over a decade to receive in-principle approval to transition into a Universal Bank, has been certified as a Great Place to Work® for the sixth consecutive year. The achievement reinforces the Bank’s commitment to its core philosophy of Forever Banking, a long-term promise of trust, care, and continuity for all stakeholders.

Great Place to Work AU SFB Certification

The certification is based entirely on employee feedback. For FY26, AU SFB achieved a significant increase in the Trust Index Score, highlighting the strength of its culture and the deep sense of belonging, employees experience across the organisation. The Great Place to Work® Institute is a global authority on workplace culture, employee experience, and leadership behaviours. 

Speaking on the milestone, Sanjay Agarwal, Founder, MD & CEO, AU Small Finance Bank, said, “At AU SFB, our people have always been the heart of our journey, from a single-branch NBFC in Rajasthan to becoming India’s largest Small Finance Bank now poised to transition into a universal bank. This sixth Great Place to Work® certification is more than an award; it validates our ‘Forever Banking’ promise that celebrates aspiration, rewards integrity, and enables every AUite to grow with purpose. When trust meets opportunity, excellence becomes a collective habit. Our journey and growth is a reflection of AUites who embody trust, innovation, ownership, and compassion.”

Over the years, AU SFB has made long-term investments to strengthen employee experience. These include a culture of execution excellence, a values-driven leadership framework, robust learning and development programmes, and a work environment that encourages innovation, inclusion, and career mobility. The Bank has also expanded its technology and digital ecosystem, now supported by a 1,100-member IT team and 200+ in-house developers focused on Digital, Data, and AI – creating future-ready roles and opportunities for employees.

Earning this recognition for six straight years reflects AU SFB’s sustained focus on building a purpose-led organisation where every voice is valued and every individual is empowered to grow.

About AU Small Finance Bank 
AU Small Finance Bank Limited is a Scheduled Commercial Bank and India’s largest Small Finance Bank by scale. Since becoming a bank in 2017, AU SFB has built a diversified retail banking model, offering services across deposits, loans, credit cards, investments, and insurance, supported by digital innovations like 24×7 video banking, AU 0101 app, and WhatsApp Banking. AU’s wide network of over 2,726 banking touchpoints across 21 States and 4 Union Territories enables service to more than 1.25+ crore customers, powered by a workforce of 59,800+ employees. 

For more details, visit: www.aubank.in | LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Is bright light always the right light? In today’s homes, every space serves a different purpose — from relaxing and unwinding to cooking. Yet, lighting is often treated as a one-size-fits-all decision, leading to glare, uneven visibility, and spaces that don’t feel as comfortable as they should. Addressing this gap for consumers, Crompton has launched its new lighting campaign, ‘Every Space Bright & Right with Crompton Lights’, encouraging consumers to choose lighting solutions that match the needs of specific spaces in modern homes.

Crompton – ‘Every Space Bright & Right With Crompton Lights’ Campaign

The campaign is rooted in a simple but often overlooked consumer truth — every space needs different kinds of lighting solutions. While many consumers continue to equate good lighting with brightness alone, the right lighting is about choosing illumination that fits the purpose of the space. With this campaign, Crompton encourages consumers to move beyond a one-size-fits-all approach and choose lighting that is truly Bright & Right.

To take this message to consumers at scale, Crompton is rolling out a high-impact campaign amplification plan across key consumer touchpoints including Digital, OOH, Print, Cinema, and influencer partnerships. This campaign will also feature large-format branding across key airports in South India. The campaign spotlights Crompton’s comprehensive lighting portfolio — covering both indoor and outdoor solutions — designed to meet diverse spaces and evolving lifestyle needs.

Speaking about the campaign, Tanmay Prusty, Chief Marketing Officer – Crompton Greaves Consumer Electricals Ltd., said, “At Crompton, we start with a clear understanding of how consumers live today. Homes are no longer static spaces — they have become workplaces, entertainment hubs, and places to unwind. Yet, lighting is still often chosen only on the basis of brightness. Through this campaign, we are encouraging consumers to think beyond brightness and choose lighting that is aligned to the purpose of every space. Our lighting portfolio reflects this focus, bringing together thoughtful design, advanced features, and intuitive functionality to enhance everyday comfort and experiences in modern Indian homes.”

This campaign also premieres a striking short film created with generative AI to amplify the message and further push the boundaries of lighting storytelling.

Set in familiar home environments, the film opens with everyday household moments — from family dinners and kitchen routines to entertainment and relaxation — highlighting how lighting often fails to match the purpose of each space. It then shifts outdoors to a dimly lit home façade and entrance, where the welcome feels incomplete. The film prompts viewers to reflect on what every space truly needs from its lighting.

As the story unfolds, the same settings are revisited — now transformed with lighting that is better balanced and purpose-driven — from warm decorative lighting in the living room to focused architectural track lights and softer ambient lighting in the bedroom. The film closes with outdoor illumination and product end frames, reinforcing Crompton’s campaign thought, ‘Every Space Bright & Right with Crompton Lights.’

AI Film Link: www.youtube.com/watch?si=jgIt84VzcbPx5yid&v=A7T_2SAbZTc&feature=youtu.be

About Crompton

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

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

Marking a rare milestone in advancing bloodless cardiac surgery, Kauvery Hospital, Vadapalani, has successfully performed a combined valve replacement and bypass surgery on 69-year-old male with the extremely rare Bombay Blood Group, without the use of any blood transfusions. The patient is recovering well.
 

The patient had critical narrowing of the aortic valve due to heavy calcium deposition, leading to severe obstruction of blood flow from the heart. He also had significant blockages in the coronary arteries, leading to reduced blood flow to the heart muscle. This necessitated both aortic valve replacement and coronary artery bypass surgery.
 

Kauvery Hospital, Vadapalani
 

The challenge was further heightened by the patient’s blood group. The Bombay blood group is one of the rarest in the world, occurring in approximately one in 10,000 individuals. First identified in Mumbai (then Bombay) in 1952, its prevalence is around 0.01% in regions such as Mumbai, Odisha, and West Bengal. However, it is even rarer in South India, with an incidence of approximately 0.007%, making compatible blood availability extremely limited. In the event of excessive bleeding during surgery, the lack of compatible blood can be life-threatening. Consequently, performing complex cardiac surgeries in patients with the Bombay blood group poses a very narrow margin of safety.
 

However, with meticulous surgical planning and blood conservation strategies, the surgical team led by Dr. Anbarasu Mohanraj, Clinical Lead and Senior Consultant – Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, Kauvery Hospital, Vadapalani, successfully performed the high-risk combined valve replacement and bypass surgery without using any blood products.
 

In his comments, Dr. Anbarasu Mohanraj said, “This was an extremely challenging case due to the rarity of the Bombay Blood Group and the complexity of the surgery involved. We followed a strict, evidence-based blood conservation protocol which enabled us to perform the surgery without blood transfusions. It required meticulous surgical technique, precise anaesthetic management, and seamless coordination between the cardiac surgery, anaesthesia, perfusion, and nursing teams.”
 

Commending the team’s achievement, Dr. Aravindhan Selvaraj, Co-founder and Executive Director said, “This case is a testament to the exceptional expertise, advanced infrastructure, and teamwork at Kauvery Hospital, Vadapalani. Managing such a high-risk patient successfully reflects our hospital’s commitment to delivering world-class cardiac care and handling the most complex medical challenges with confidence.”

Tathastu ICS, under the leadership of Dr. Tanu Jain, proudly announces the launch of its pioneering BBA BankReg Programme on 23rd February 2026. This unique academic initiative is designed to prepare students for prestigious careers Managerial and Grade A/Grade B Government careers in Banking, Financial Institutions, Insurance, and Regulatory Services, while they pursue a BBA degree from a NAAC A+ accredited university.

Dr. Tanu Jain (Ex Civil Servant), Founder Tathastu ICS

The BBA BankReg Programme is conceptualized to bridge the widening gap between traditional professional education and competitive examination readiness. It integrates managerial education with specialized training for elite government examinations such as:

• Reserve Bank of India (RBI Grade B)

• National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD Grade A)

• Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India – Assistant Manager

• General Insurance Corporation of India – Assistant Manager

• Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO EO/AO)

• Public Sector Bank Probationary Officer (Bank PO) Examinations

• Other Banking & Regulatory Services Examinations

This programme is one of its kind in nature, aiming not only at private sector placements but also at securing Grade A and Grade B Government positions in India’s most prestigious financial and regulatory institutions.

Message from Dr. Tanu Jain

Founder, Tathastu ICS | Former Civil Servant | Motivational Speaker
“The BBA BankReg Programme is the need of the hour. For years, students have pursued professional degrees without a structured pathway to high-ranking government careers. At Tathastu ICS, we believe preparation must begin early and strategically.”

“Banking and Regulatory institutions such as the Reserve Bank of India, NABARD, IRDAI, GIC, EPFO and Public Sector Banks offer some of the most respected and stable career opportunities in the country. These roles provide not just financial security, but national-level impact, policy exposure, and professional prestige.”

“This programme empowers students to utilise their three undergraduate years effectively. Instead of facing uncertainty and competitive pressure after graduation, they prepare systematically from Day One. Our structured curriculum ensures mastery over quantitative aptitude, reasoning, English, finance, economics, current affairs, and interview personality development alongside their BBA subjects.”

“Having mentored aspirants for India’s most elite Civil Services Examination, we have built a strong faculty bench that understands the art and science of cracking both written examinations and personal interviews. The BBA BankReg Programme brings that same excellence and discipline to the Banking and Regulatory domain.”

Message from Rohit Jain

Chief Marketing Officer, Tathastu ICS
“There is a growing demand to make professional courses like BBA truly employable. Students today seek degrees that deliver outcomes – not just certificates. The BBA BankReg Programme has been designed to meet that demand.”

“This integrated model ensures that students gain managerial acumen through their BBA degree while simultaneously preparing for top-tier Banking and Regulatory examinations. They graduate not only with a NAAC A+ degree but also with a competitive edge in national-level government examinations.”

“The biggest advantage lies in time optimisation. These three undergraduate years are sufficient for comprehensive preparation, eliminating the need for gap years, additional coaching burdens, or post-graduation peer pressure. Students prepare in a focused academic ecosystem designed exclusively for their success.”

“We are confident that this programme will redefine how professional education is aligned with government career aspirations in India.”

Programme Highlights

• Integrated BBA + Banking & Regulatory Examination Preparation

• Focus on Grade A & Grade B Government Jobs

• Preparation for RBI, NABARD, IRDAI, GIC, EPFO, Bank PO & allied examinations

• Structured curriculum aligned with examination patterns

• Dedicated mentorship and interview guidance

• Strong faculty bench trained under the leadership of Dr. Tanu Jain

• Degree from NAAC A+ accredited University

• Holistic development: written exam + personality development

Career Opportunities After BBA BankReg

Graduates of this programme can appear for:

• RBI Grade B Officer

• NABARD Grade B Officer

• IRDAI Assistant Manager

• GIC Assistant Manager

• SBI PO / IBPS PO

• IBPS RRB Officer Scale I

• SBI CBO / PNB LBO

• ECGC PO

• EPFO APFC

• ESIC SSO

• FCI Manager

• IB ACIO

• Regulatory & Financial Sector Management Roles

• Private Banking & Corporate Financial Services Positions

The launch of the BBA BankReg Programme marks a significant step toward structured, early-stage preparation for India’s most prestigious financial and regulatory careers.

Admissions Open for Academic Session 2026–29

For admissions and further details:
Visit: www.tathastuics.com
Call: 9560300770

Morepen Laboratories Limited (NSE: MOREPENLAB; BSE: 500288) has secured a multi-year Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) mandate valued at approximately Rs. 825 crore (USD 91 million) from a leading global pharma major.

Morepen Bags Rs. 825 Crore Global Deal, Expands into High-Growth CDMO Segment

Supplies under the mandate are expected to commence within the next 4–5 months, with execution scheduled through Q1 of the following financial year, subject to customary operational and regulatory processes.

This engagement marks one of the most significant single CDMO mandates in the Company’s history, as it scales its global manufacturing footprint.

Scaling Long-Term Global Manufacturing Programs

Built on over four decades of API manufacturing expertise and regulatory credibility, Morepen’s CDMO platform enables deeper collaboration with global pharmaceutical innovators through structured, multi-year supply programs.

The mandate reflects the Company’s growing capabilities in regulated markets, supported by internationally accredited facilities including USFDA, WHO-GMP, and EU approvals. With integrated development-to-commercial manufacturing capabilities, Morepen is positioned to support complex scale-ups and long-duration supply frameworks.

The Company continues to evaluate capacity enhancement and technology investments aligned with its expanding CDMO opportunity pipeline.

Mr. Sushil Suri, Chairman & Managing Director, said, “This mandate represents an important milestone in the evolution of Morepen’s manufacturing platform. It reflects the confidence global customers place in our quality systems, regulatory track record, and execution capabilities. Over the years, we have steadily strengthened our infrastructure and compliance depth, enabling participation in larger, long-duration global programs.”

He added, “We view CDMO as a natural extension of our established API strengths, creating additional avenues of scale, stability, and long-term value creation while continuing to reinforce our core businesses.”

Mr. Kushal Suri, President – International Growth (API), added, “This level of customer confidence reflects company’s proven ability to qualify, execute, and deliver under regulated-market expectations. We drove the program end-to-end with technical, regulatory, and commercial scale-up, and delivered a solution built for quality, continuity, and scale. The outcome is clear: Morepen’s credibility is validated, and we are now set to convert this into larger, multi-year global opportunities”

Global pharmaceutical companies are increasingly consolidating supplier networks and partnering with compliant, scalable, and reliable manufacturing platforms capable of long-term supply continuity. Morepen’s vertically integrated API capabilities, regulatory track record, and operational scale position it well to serve this evolving demand

About Morepen

Morepen Laboratories Ltd. is a vertically integrated, innovation-led pharmaceutical and healthcare company delivering high-quality APIs, branded generics, medical devices, and consumer wellness products to over 90 countries worldwide. With ahigh installed API capacities, a 14 million-strong glucometer user base, and a rapidly expanding digital footprint, Morepen stands at the forefront of India’s health-tech evolution. Backed by decades of trust, regulatory approvals from USFDA, WHO, and EU bodies, and a passion for innovation, Morepen is committed to making quality healthcare accessible, affordable, and future-ready.

For more details, visit www.morepen.com.

Forward-Looking Statements:

This press release contains forward-looking statements based on current expectations and assumptions regarding anticipated developments and other factors affecting the company. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements.

The Indian Plumbing Association (IPA) proudly announces that Plumbex India 2026, the nation’s premier exhibition for water, sanitation, and plumbing products and technologies, will be held from 16^th to 18^th April 2026 at the Bangalore International Exhibition Centre (BIEC), Bengaluru.
 

Gurmit Singh Arora, National President, Indian Plumbing Association (IPA)
 

Plumbex India 2026 is supported by two key Ministries of the Government of India — the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) and the Ministry of Jal Shakti (MoJS) — reinforcing its alignment with national priorities on water security, sanitation, and sustainable urban development.
 

The Plumbex India continues its legacy as a leading industry platform that brings together manufacturers, developers, architects, consultants, policymakers, contractors, and innovators under one roof to shape the future of India’s building services ecosystem.
 

As the largest and most influential platform for the plumbing, water, sanitation and building industry, Plumbex India has spent decades catalysing sectoral growth, contributing to standardization, and introducing global technologies to the Indian market. Over the years, it has played a pivotal role in advancing the plumbing and sanitation sector by creating a unified platform for knowledge exchange, innovation showcases, and business collaboration. Previous editions have attracted thousands of visitors and hundreds of exhibitors, reinforcing its role in driving industry growth, innovation adoption, and sustainable practices across the construction and infrastructure value chain.
 

Why Bengaluru?

Plumbex India has evolved beyond an exhibition — it is a catalyst for industry transformation. By connecting manufacturers, start-ups, and solution providers with architects, real estate developers, and MEP consultants, the platform enables meaningful partnerships that translate into real-world projects and scalable impact.
 

With Bengaluru expanding rapidly and facing unique urban water management challenges, Plumbex India 2026 serves as a critical convergence point for brands to showcase solutions in a market actively seeking Net-Zero Water buildings, smart water systems, and advanced MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing) technologies.
 

Plumbex India 2026 will host over 15,000 visitors, representing a large and diverse pool of stakeholders, including architects, MEP consultants, real estate developers, contractors, channel partners, technical professionals, and representatives from government and urban development bodies.
 

Event Highlights – Plumbex India 2026

Plumbex India 2026, South India’s largest dedicated to water, sanitation and plumbing (spread across 1.4 lakh sq. ft.), will host high-quality stakeholders from across the building and infrastructure ecosystem.
 

Key highlights include:

• High-level Symposiums & Panel Discussions featuring industry leaders and policymakers

• The student-focused Architectural Design Competition – ‘Around the Drop’

• The live IPA Bathroom Challenge (with IAPMO & IWSH), aligned with NBC and UIPC-I standards

• The prestigious IPA Award of Excellence

• Focused networking with the industry stakeholders

• A powerful platform to launch and showcase new products and technologies directly to decision-makers
   

The exhibition aligns strongly with India’s growing push toward sustainable water management, green buildings, and resilient urban infrastructure.
 

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Gurmit Singh Arora, National President, Indian Plumbing Association (IPA), said, “Plumbex India is far more than an exhibition — it is a strategic platform driving water security, public health, and sustainable growth. Over the years, the industry has evolved from conventional installations to integrated, high-efficiency water management systems. By bringing Plumbex India 2026 to Bengaluru, we aim to connect global innovations with India’s most dynamic construction and infrastructure ecosystem, accelerating the adoption of future-ready plumbing and water management solutions.”
 

Mr. Balkrishna Mehta, Chairman – IPA Bengaluru Chapter, added, “Bengaluru is fully prepared to host the biggest names in the global plumbing, water, and sanitation industry. At BIEC, we are creating a focused business environment where brands can directly engage with the decision-makers shaping the city’s rapidly evolving skyline and urban water infrastructure. From smart water heating solutions to advanced sewage treatment and sanitation systems, Plumbex India 2026 will serve as a launchpad for innovations that will redefine water efficiency, sanitation standards, and sustainable living in Indian homes and commercial spaces over the next decade.”

About Plumbex India
Organised by the Indian Plumbing Association (IPA), Plumbex India, established in 2008, is India’s largest exhibition dedicated to water, sanitation, and plumbing products and technologies. It provides a comprehensive platform to showcase innovative plumbing solutions, efficient installation systems, and water-efficient technologies, with a strong focus on conservation and sustainable water management. Held on a rotational basis across Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru, the exhibition brings together manufacturers, buyers, policymakers, and industry professionals to drive innovation, collaboration, and responsible water use in the built environment, supporting India’s goals for sanitation and sustainable urban growth.

The Student Union of Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC), led by President Pratyush Taing under the guidance of the College Management headed by Principal Shrimati Simrit Kaur and Union Advisor Dr Shashank V P Singh & Co-Union Advisor Dr Anuj Jatav, successfully organised a three-day Business Conclave as part of the college’s Centenary Year celebrations from 17^th to 19^th Feb 2026. The event brought together distinguished leaders from governance, economics, corporate leadership, sports, defence, entertainment, finance, and entrepreneurship, offering students diverse insights across sectors.

SRCC’s Business Conclave 2026 showcased leadership, resilience, innovation, and national progress

The conclave was inaugurated by the Honourable Minister of Power and Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs, Manohar Lal Khattar, who addressed students on the importance of infrastructure-led development linked to employment generation. He highlighted India’s strong economic trajectory, sustainable growth, and inclusive development aligned with national priorities and global benchmarks.

Among the key speakers encouraging the new generation, Union Minister Chirag Paswan shared insights on resilience and leadership under pressure. Union Minister Anurag Thakur spoke on governance, national responsibility, and social welfare. Defence veteran Lt. Gen. G. D. Bakshi also motivated students not just for defence but varied domains while V. Anantha Nageswaran – Chief Economic Advisor, discussed India’s macroeconomic stability and long-term growth prospects, emphasizing structural reforms and policy discipline.

Rajit Punhani (CEO -FSSAI) addressed food safety regulations and public health safeguards while Global education entrepreneur Alessandro Giuliani encouraged students to pursue international opportunities with adaptability and lifelong learning. Richard Rekhy, Arati Porwal, senior administrator Rashmi Singh were among other key speakers. Industry leaders from Bain & Company and Grant Thornton provided insights into global careers, corporate leadership, AI integration, and evolving workplace dynamics.

The sports panel included Olympians Vijender Singh, Yogeshwar Dutt, and Deepak Niwas Hooda, who shared experiences on discipline, resilience, and excellence in competitive sports.

Adding vibrancy to the conclave were performances by digital creator Harsh Beniwal, comedian Ashish Solanki, beatboxer Kunal Bbx, and live musical performances by Benaam Band and Rahasya- The Musical Project, creating a dynamic blend of intellect and entertainment.

The Conclave was titled by Grant Thornton, Co-Titled by Dalmia Bharat Cement, Co-powered by Nivea, in association with CFA Institute, ABP News, RK Marble and Shree Cement, and many more whose partnership strengthens our ability.

Spanning three impactful days, the SRCC Business Conclave successfully fostered dialogue on economic growth, ethical leadership, innovation, governance, national service, and creative expression. The event reflected SRCC’s enduring legacy of academic excellence and its commitment to nurturing responsible, future-ready leaders as it celebrates 100 years of distinction.

• ‘Campus Tank’ Grand Finale Culminates with Announcement of Top 10 Startups Securing Access to $6 Million Funding Pool on Final Day of ‘AI Fest – 2026’ at Chandigarh University

• ‘Don’t Scale Up your Business Before Making a Winning Product’, says Nirmit Parikh, Group CEO – Apna: ‘AI Fest – 2026’ at Chandigarh University

Marking a defining milestone in the country’s entrepreneurial journey, the Grand Finale of ‘Campus Tank’ – India’s first university-led startup launchpad for young innovators was held at Chandigarh University on the third and concluding day of India’s first ‘AI Fest – 2026’ on the sidelines of the ‘AI Impact Summit’ where the announcement of top 10 startups was made who secured access to a $6 million funding pool. The Campus Tank is a first-of-its-kind initiative, led by Chandigarh University in collaboration with Apna – an Indian unicorn and leading professional job networking platform and Venture Catalysts, one of India’s leading startup incubators, culminated in a high-stakes Demo Day bringing together some of the country’s most promising young innovators on a single platform.

Ronnie Screwvala, Bollywood Producer & entrepreneur launching AI Ethics Program along with Chandigarh University Officials during AI Fest at Chandigarh University

Backed by expert mentorship and venture guidance, these startups will be empowered to transform breakthrough ideas into market-ready enterprises, contributing meaningfully to the Startup India mission and strengthening India’s entrepreneurial growth story. Apart from funding support, the high-impact startups will receive structured incubation, strategic handholding and access to strong ecosystem partnerships to help them refine their business models, accelerate product-market fit and scale sustainably.

Launched in August 2025, Campus Tank witnessed an overwhelming response with 21,789 registrations from 1,200 cities across India spanning seven key domains including AI & Deep Tech, Healthcare & Wellness, Climate & Sustainability, Business & Productivity, Education & Learning, D2C and allied sectors. Over 10,800 registrations came from universities and colleges, reflecting the scale of campus-driven innovation. While Punjab which is the host state recorded 359 startup registrations, Delhi contributed 1,256 startups with participation spread across multiple states nationwide. 

The six-month selection process followed a rigorous funnel structure with over 21,789 registrations, 1,000 startups were shortlisted in round 1, followed by 500 in round 2 and 300 in round 3. Among these 300 semi-finalists, 100 market-ready startups were invited to exhibit their products (for pitching), while the remaining 200 continued in the ideation stage, presenting PPT-based pitches.

The evaluation of the Campus Tank Grand Finale was conducted through exhibition jury visits and venture capitalist pitching sessions and scoring by following a rigorous and highly competitive assessment process, the top 10 startups were announced on Saturday who got access to an investment pool of $6 million.

In his address on the conclusion of Campus Tank finale, Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) and Chancellor of Chandigarh University, Satnam Singh Sandhu said, “Campus Tank initiative is aimed at empowering the next generation of entrepreneurs in line with Startup India Mission which has become a revolution since its launch by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2016. India has firmly established itself as the third-largest startup ecosystem in the world with over 2.16 lakh startups. Over 45% of recognized startups have at least one-woman director or partner. As compared to only four unicorns in 2014, the number has now risen to nearly 125 active unicorns. In 2025 alone, around 44,000 new startups were registered. Youth from Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities and even villages, are now launching startups to address grassroots challenges, reflecting a shift towards inclusive entrepreneurship. As instead of job seekers, India’s youth are now becoming job providers, over 21.9 lakh direct jobs have been created by start-ups in the last decade with smaller cities contributing over 51% of these startups.”

“Today, access to capital has been strengthened by the Union government through the Fund of Funds for Startups, which has supported investments worth over Rs 25,000 crore, along with schemes such as the Startup India Seed Fund and credit guarantee mechanisms to support entrepreneurs without collateral. Campus Tank is acting as a catalytic force for igniting the entrepreneurial spirit among young innovators in the country and help achieve the Union government’s ambitious target of transforming the nation into 2nd largest start-up ecosystem in the world by surpassing China and create 1,000 Unicorns by 2047,” Sandhu added.

Shlok Shrivastava, TechBurner Founder, Layers & Building Consumer Tech Brands said, “Whenever you come up with a new product, it’s natural for you face criticism. Anyone gets more criticism in the beginning stage because we are prone to more mistakes in our starting journey. It’s the same process for everyone. But we should not stop working if we receive criticism for our product. We should continue making and improving our products till the time criticism comes down. So it’s a process.  You are not successful of your product is working in the market, success is that you have built a product.  So we should just focus on making a product, its success or failure is not in our hand. You can’t build a brand in a day but your product creates your track record. If you deliver a good product to customers, your brand will get built over time.”

Nirmit Parikh, Founder & CEO, Bluemachines.ai and Group CEO – Apna, said, “Anyone building a new product or service needs to first get foothold in a particular area before going reaching out a bigger market and investors for the startup. First you need to find a customer who will use your product and then recommend it to someone else. This helps you get more customers and thus you can build good customer base in an area. Once you have captured the market in one area, then you can go with your customer network and business numbers to investors and pitch for funds to scale up the same model in other cities. This will help you get funding for your startup. But never scale up your business before making a winning product. And for testing your product, don’t go to your friends because they may not give you honest reviews, rather give your product to a person who is not biased to give review about your product. Be ready to face criticism but have trust in yourself that things will work out.”

Chandigarh University also launched India’s first AI Ethics Training Programme under its AI literacy initiative, reinforcing its commitment to responsible and inclusive AI adoption. Jai Inder Singh Sandhu, Managing Director, Chandigarh University said, “The launch of AI Ethics Training Program during the AI Fest at the Chandigarh University is a significant milestone for CU’s AI ecosystem. As artificial intelligence advances rapidly, ethics, governance and accountability must evolve alongside it, CU has taken this initiative as a step toward responsible Al leadership. As a part of the AI Fest, we today concluded InnovFest which proved a power-packed celebration of innovation, ideas and entrepreneurship. As Chandigarh University’s annual innovation and entrepreneurship festival, InnovFest not only showcased outstanding student talent, it also sparked creativity, promoted bold thinking and students have learned to turn their ideas of students into reality.”

Pulkit Mehrotra, Vice President, Unicorn India Ventures said, “AI adoption is no longer experimental — it is being actively deployed across enterprises. With that scale comes responsibility, and safety must be built in from day one. The biggest friction today lies in data privacy, compliance and legacy system integration. Startups must focus on solving one critical use case deeply rather than automating everything. Financial services and knowledge roles are already seeing strong penetration, and sovereign AI presents a real opportunity for India to build responsibly and lead globally.”

Neeraj Sharma, Senior Technology Manager of Nagarro Ltd said, “The only way to grow in technology is by building. Ideas matter only when they become working projects, tested prototypes and real solutions. Evaluators and investors look for execution and measurable impact, not just concepts. Platforms like the Smart India Hackathon and initiatives by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology offer strong support, but accountability is critical. In AI and data-driven products, rigorous validation on real data is essential before going live. Build responsibly and deliver real impact.”

Satyendra Kumar, Founder & CEO, ScoutEdge said, “The journey began by addressing gaps in traditional talent identification, where evaluation often lacked consistency and scientific benchmarks. Our vision is to make sports scouting transparent, data-driven and merit-based by integrating AI and advanced analytics. We aim to reduce bias, empower coaches with objective insights, and create equal opportunities for grassroots athletes by building technology that identifies and nurtures true sporting potential.”

Later, the names of the top 20 winners of the hackathon conducted under Chandigarh University’s Sandbox program were announced, with a total of Rs 6 lakh distributed as seed support, awarding Rs 50,000 to first-place winners, Rs 30,000 to second-place winners and Rs 10,000 to third-place winners to foster and accelerate deep-tech innovation.

In MedTech, Sambhav Kaushik Singh secured first place for Mediverse AI, Abhay Vishwakarma came second for Curalinks and Pawan Singh in third for Health-Tech. In Open Innovation, Sintu Kumar secured 1st place for Alpha, Kartik Guleria finished second for Relquik and Atishya Jain secured 3rd position. In Blockchain, Sandeep Yadav secured first place for AgriTrace, Sampooran Tripathi stood second for Civic Ledger and Akshat Kumar Tank finished third for Verifresh. In EdTech, Kali Rastogi secured first place for SkillSync, followed by Anish Gupta in second for DevHibs and Surya Pratap Singh in third for Assistive AI. In Robotics, Priyanshu Singh claimed first place for CropXprt, Shivam Upadhyay secured second for Security and Sachin Ruhela finished third for Edith. In the Agentic category, Abhijeet Maurya won first place for Axion, Anukalp Dwivedi secured second for FounderOS.ai and Raj Tiwari finished third for Taskpilot. In Smart City, Aakash Gaurav secured second place for City-Flex, while Shakti Sanjay MK finished third for Hydrax.

Meanwhile, Campus Tank Season 2 was also launched by Satnam Singh Sandhu, Chancellor of Chandigarh University and MP (Rajya Sabha), along with Nirmit Parikh, Group CEO of Apna and Shlok Shrivastava from TechBurner.

About Chandigarh University

Chandigarh University is a NAAC A+ Grade University and QS World Ranked University. This autonomous educational institution is approved by UGC and is located near Chandigarh in the state of Punjab. It is the youngest university in India and the only private university in Punjab to be honoured with A+ Grade by NAAC (National Assessment and Accreditation Council). CU offers more than 109 UG and PG programs in the field of engineering, management, pharmacy, law, architecture, journalism, animation, hotel management, commerce, and others. It has been awarded as The University with Best Placements by WCRC.

Website address: www.cuchd.in.

Insulinomas are rare and elusive pancreatic tumours that frequently evade routine diagnostic scans Measuring just 1.3 cm and situated at the neck of the pancreas, the tumour’s location added significant surgical complexity.

Kauvery Hospital, Vadapalani, successfully diagnosed a rare and elusive pancreatic tumour known as an insulinoma in a 60-year-old woman, causing persistently low blood sugar and frequent loss of consciousness.

Kauvery Hospital, Vadapalani

The hospital followed a stepwise diagnostic approach. Initial imaging studies, including a contrast CT scan and a specialised PET scan, did not clearly identify the cause. The breakthrough came with specialised blood tests measuring insulin and C-peptide levels, followed by a targeted endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), which ultimately helped locate the tumour.

The tumour’s small size and challenging location added a further layer of complexity. Measuring just 1.3 cm, it was located at the neck of the pancreas and surrounded by vital structures. The surgical team therefore opted for a robotic-assisted approach, using robotic intraoperative ultrasound (RIOUS) to accurately localise and safely remove the tumour.

The surgery was successful, with the patient’s blood sugar levels started normalising immediately after the procedure. She made a rapid recovery and was able to return to normal activity the very next day.

The diagnostic team was led by Dr. P. Basumani, Senior Consultant and Director, Kauvery Institute of Digestive Sciences, Kauvery Hospital, Vadapalani, while the robotic procedure was performed by Dr. Swaminathan Sambandam, Senior Consultant and Lead, Multi-Organ Transplant (Liver, Kidney, Pancreas and Small Intestine), Kauvery Hospital, Vadapalani.

In his comments Dr.  Basumani said, “Insulinomas are extremely difficult to locate, especially when they are very small. In this case, even advanced imaging did not give us clear answers. Specialised blood tests combined with focused Endoscopic Ultrasound Evaluation helped us precisely identify the tumour.”

Dr. Swaminathan Sambandam said, “This was a technically demanding surgery. Tumours of this size and location are extremely challenging to operate on through conventional methods. Robotic surgery, supported by intraoperative ultrasound, gave us unmatched precision and control. Very few hospitals in the country have access to this level of technology.”

In his comments, Dr Aravindan Selvaraj, Co-founder and Executive Director, Kauvery Group of Hospitals, said, “This case reflects the strength of clinical teamwork, perseverance in diagnosis, and the role of advanced technology in handling rare pancreatic and endocrine tumours. It reinforces Kauvery Hospital’s commitment to clinical excellence, advanced diagnostics and state-of-the-art robotic surgery.”

• TV Anime “Attack on Titan” × Nijigen no Mori Collaboration Event

• March 14, 2026 – December 13, 2026

• Ticket Reservations Open from February 16th
   

Nijigen no Mori Inc. (Head Office: Awaji City, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan; President and CEO: Hiroshige Sadamatsu) will hold a limited-time collaboration event where guests can experience the world of the TV anime “Attack on Titan” at the anime park “Nijigen no Mori,” in Hyogo Prefectural Awajishimaland Park, Japan from Saturday, March 14, 2026, to Sunday, December 13, 2026.
 

Starting from February 16th, tickets for this event can be reserved via the official Nijigen no Mori website (nijigennomori.com).
 

Attack on Titan THE NIGHT WALK – Beyond the Walls
 

In this event, guests can enjoy the world of the TV anime “Attack on Titan” through two separate immersive experiences held by day and at night: the nighttime event “Attack on Titan THE NIGHT WALK -Beyond the Walls-” and the daytime event Attack on Titan Stamp Rally in Nijigen no Mori”.

In the nighttime event, participants will walk approximately 1.2 km through the forest after dark in a “night walk,” where projection mapping and immersive sound effects bring the world of TV anime “Attack on Titan” to life. Guests join Eren Yeager and his comrades in a battle to reclaim freedom from the looming threat of the Titans. At the goal, participants will receive an exclusive original novelty item, available only at Nijigen no Mori, as a reward for their achievement.

During the daytime event, the first phase will feature “Attack on Titan Stamp Rally in Nijigen no Mori,” where participants collect stamps of original illustrated characters in a special dedicated booklet.
 

In addition, the second phase will introduce two mystery-solving events titled “Attack on Titan Mystery Quest,” which can be enjoyed both at Nijigen no Mori and at home.

Participants will take on the role of subordinates to Hange Zoë, who is deeply immersed in Titan research, and experience a story-driven mystery adventure as they unravel a series of puzzles.
 

The start date for the second phase will be announced at a later time.

The event will also offer exclusive original goods available only at Nijigen no Mori, along with new original food items themed around characters such as Eren Yeager and Levi.

About the TV Anime “Attack on Titan”

Attack on Titan is a Japanese manga series created by Hajime Isayama. It was serialized in Bessatsu Shōnen Magazine (Kodansha) from 2009 to 2021, and the 34 complied volumes have a total of over 140 million copies in print worldwide. The comics have been published in more than 18 languages and over 180 countries, and the anime series has won multiple awards overseas, earning devoted fans around the globe.

TV Anime “Attack on Titan”× Nijigen no Mori Collaboration Event Overview

Period: Saturday, March 14, 2026 – Sunday, December 13, 2026

Location: 2425-2 Kusumoto, Awaji City, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan
Inside Hyogo Prefectural Awajishima Park Anime Park “Nijigen no Mori”

Overview:

The world of the TV anime “Attack on Titan” recreated within the rich natural setting of Nijigen no Mori. Participants can immerse themselves in the world of the TV anime “Attack on Titan” through two events held by day and by night.
 

• [Nighttime Event] Attack on Titan THE NIGHT WALK -Beyond the Walls-

Walk approximately 1.2 km through the forest at night and experience the world of the TV anime “Attack on Titan” brought to life through powerful projection mapping and immersive sound effects. Participants become new recruits of the Survey Corps and join the battle to reclaim freedom from the Titans, aiming for “beyond the walls” together with Eren Yeager and Mikasa Ackerman. At the goal, participants will receive an original novelty item.②Daytime Events
 

Phase 1:
“Attack on Titan Stamp Rally in Nijigen no Mori”
Participants can collect stamps of four original illustrated characters located throughout Nijigen no Mori in a special dedicated booklet.
All participants will receive a novelty postcard as a gift.
Starts Saturday, March 14, 2026.
 

Phase 2:
“Attack on Titan Mystery Quest – in Nijigen no Mori / At Home”
Participants will step into the role of subordinates to Hange Zoë, who is deeply devoted to Titan research, and experience an immersive mystery-solving adventure as they uncover the truth behind a series of puzzles.
The start date will be announced at a later time.
 

Goods & Food:

Exclusive original goods and food items that can be only purchased at Nijigen no Mori will be available. Further details will be announced sequentially on the official website.

Ticket Prices (Tax Included)

• All prices above include tax.

• Admission ticket prices for Attack on Titan THE NIGHT WALK -Beyond the Walls- may vary by period. Please check the official Nijigen no Mori website for details.

• Children must be accompanied by at least one guardian (adult) for admission.

• Admission is free for children aged 4 and under for “Attack on Titan THE NIGHT WALK -Beyond the Walls.-”

• Admission tickets for “Attack on Titan THE NIGHT WALK -Beyond the Walls-”are time-designated.

Notes

The above information is current as of the time of publication and is subject to change.

Tickets:

［Daytime Events］“Attack on Titan Stamp Rally in Nijigen no Mori”
www.asoview.com/channel/ticket/oPx9Nwvecr/ticket0000048414/

［Nighttime Event］Attack on Titan THE NIGHT WALK -Beyond the Walls-
www.asoview.com/channel/ticket/oPx9Nwvecr/ticket0000046858/

Official Website:

nijigennomori.com/awaji_shingeki/

Inquiries:

Nijigen no Mori Operations Office

Nijigen no Mori Inc.

Tel: +81-799-64-7061

About Nijigen no Mori (Anime Park Awaji Island)
Nijigen no Mori is an anime-themed park located on Awaji Island in Hyogo Prefecture, Japan. The park spans approximately 28 times the size of Tokyo Dome and is set within a natural environment.

By utilizing digital and interactive technologies, the park offers immersive experiences for visitors of all ages and nationalities. It features attractions based on Japanese anime, manga, and game content, allowing visitors to engage with these works through multi-sensory activities.

The park includes areas themed around well-known titles such as Dragon Quest, Godzilla, NARUTO, and Crayon Shin-chan, recreating the worlds of these works in a natural setting and offering hands-on, experiential attractions.
 

©HK/AOTF