Cancer treatment is becoming increasingly precise with doctors now able to understand not just where a tumour is located, but also how it is behaving inside the body. Taking a step in this direction, HCG Aastha Cancer Centre in Ahmedabad has announced the introduction of advanced nuclear medicine services, including Gamma Camera imaging, PET-CT scans and targeted radionuclide therapies.

Dr. Surya Teja Gavani, Consultant Nuclear Medicine Specialist, HCG Aastha Cancer Centre, highlights advanced Gamma Camera and PET-CT imaging for accurate diagnosis and cancer care

These new facilities are aimed at helping doctors detect cancer more accurately, understand the disease better and choose the most appropriate treatment for each patient.

The centre’s modern nuclear medicine department is among the few in the region to bring advanced imaging and targeted radiation-based treatments together under one roof.

Understanding the Gamma Camera 

A Gamma Camera is a specialised imaging machine used in nuclear medicine. Unlike a regular scan that mainly shows the structure of an organ, a Gamma Camera also helps doctors understand how an organ is functioning.

For the scan, a small and safe amount of a radioactive substance known as a tracer, is given to the patient. The camera detects the tracer as it moves through the body and creates images showing how different organs and tissues are working.

This can help doctors identify problems at an early stage and make better decisions about treatment. Gamma Camera imaging can be useful in examining several parts of the body, including the heart, thyroid and other endocrine organs, liver and gallbladder, kidneys and urinary system.

PET-CT: Seeing both the tumour and its activity

PET-CT is another important tool in modern cancer care. It combines two types of scans — PET and CT. 

A PET scan shows how active different cells are in the body. Cancer cells often behave differently from normal cells and may take up more of certain substances. A CT scan, meanwhile, provides detailed pictures of the body’s organs and structures.

By combining the two tests, doctors can get a clearer picture of where the cancer is, how far it has spread, and how active it is.

PET-CT can therefore help doctors confirm and stage the cancer, plan the best treatment, and check whether a treatment is working.

Dr Surya Teja Gavani, Consultant Nuclear Medicine Specialist at HCG Aastha Cancer Centre, said the centre uses different radioactive tracers depending on the type of cancer and the patient’s clinical condition. “We offer advanced, disease-specific tracers such as FDG, PSMA, DOTA and FAPI. The choice of tracer depends on the patient’s condition and helps us understand the tumour more completely and plan the next step in treatment,” he said.

What is targeted radionuclide therapy?

The centre has also introduced targeted radionuclide therapies, which use radioactive medicines to directly target cancer cells.

In simple terms, the medicine is designed to find specific cancer cells in the body and deliver radiation to them. The aim is to damage and destroy the cancer cells while reducing the radiation exposure to surrounding healthy tissues.

This type of treatment has been used successfully for several cancers. Radioiodine therapy, for example, is commonly used for certain thyroid cancers. PRRT is used for some neuroendocrine tumours, while PSMA therapy can be used for suitable patients with prostate cancer.

Dr Gavani explained that these treatments are an important part of precision medicine, where treatment is increasingly selected according to the specific characteristics of a patient’s disease.

Bringing diagnosis and treatment together

With the addition of these advanced services, HCG Aastha Cancer Centre aims to provide a more comprehensive approach to cancer care. The technology allows doctors to gather detailed information about a patient’s disease, while specialists from different fields can work together to decide the most suitable treatment.

The goal is simple — to detect cancer accurately, understand the disease better and provide the right treatment for the right patient at the right time. The centre said its advanced technology is supported by experienced specialists who work together to prepare personalised treatment plans for patients, covering diagnosis, treatment and follow-up care.

RANNR, the sports and athleisure footwear brand from the House of Lehar, Lehar Footwears Limited, has announced acclaimed actor Rajkummar Rao as its brand ambassador, as the brand looks to strengthen its presence in India’s evolving footwear market.

The emerging sports and athleisure brand from the House of Lehar partners with the acclaimed actor to strengthen its presence across India

Built on Lehar Footwears Limited’s decades of footwear manufacturing expertise, RANNR has been created for a new generation of consumers seeking a balance of style, comfort, performance and value. The brand’s portfolio spans sports, running, walking and lifestyle footwear, with its presence across direct-to-consumer, e-commerce and offline channels.

The association will see Rajkummar Rao feature across RANNR’s upcoming brand campaigns and consumer communication across digital, e-commerce, retail, print and outdoor. His versatility and unconventional choices across Indian cinema align with RANNR’s belief in individuality and finding one’s own path, reflected in the brand’s philosophy of “Power in Every Step.” 

Commenting on the association, Raj Kumar Agarwal, Chairman, Lehar Footwears Limited, said, “RANNR represents an important new chapter for us at Lehar Footwears. We wanted the face of the brand to be someone whose journey feels authentic, aspirational and deeply relatable to Indian consumers. Rajkummar has built his career through talent, perseverance and by creating his own path, and those qualities strongly connect with what we want RANNR to stand for. We are delighted to welcome him to the RANNR family.”

Rajkummar Rao, Brand Ambassador, RANNR, said, “For me, every journey starts with taking that first step and then continuing to move forward in your own way. That thought is something I connect with personally. RANNR is a young Indian brand with a fresh perspective on footwear, comfort and everyday movement, and I’m excited to be part of its journey.”

The partnership comes as RANNR expands its presence across India’s sports, athleisure and closed-footwear segments, leveraging Lehar Footwears Limited’s established manufacturing and distribution ecosystem

About RANNR
RANNR is a sports and athleisure footwear brand from the House of Lehar, Lehar Footwears Limited. Built on decades of footwear manufacturing expertise, RANNR offers contemporary footwear designed around comfort, performance, quality and everyday style.

The brand caters to the evolving needs of Indian consumers across sports, running, walking and lifestyle footwear.

Website: www.rannr.com.

About Lehar Footwears Limited
Lehar Footwears Limited is an established Indian footwear manufacturer with decades of experience in the footwear industry. The company operates across multiple footwear categories and has built a strong manufacturing and distribution ecosystem.

With RANNR, Lehar Footwears Limited is strengthening its presence in the sports, athleisure and closed-footwear categories.

On World Heart Day, Ramaiah Memorial Hospital (RMH) brought together more than 800 citizens at its Community Fitness Festival, themed “Don’t Miss A Beat,” blending physical activity, cardiac health awareness, and hands-on CPR training to inspire people to make heart health part of their everyday routine.
 

Film Actresses Kavya Shetty, Shanvi Srivastava & Dr. Madan S Gaekwad – COO, Ramaiah Memorial Hospital and others participated in the heart care awareness programme organised by RMH
 

The morning event at Dwaraka Hall, Ramaiah Campus, was flagged off by Dr. Madan S. Gaekwad, Chief Operating Officer (COO), Ramaiah Memorial Hospital. Participants took part in Aerobics, Zumba, and Tai Chi sessions, stressing on the role of regular exercise in maintaining cardiovascular health.
 

The event was also graced by Kannada and Telugu film actresses Shanvi Srivastava and Kavya Shetty, who joined the initiative and urged citizens to prioritise fitness and heart health in their daily lives.
 

Moving beyond awareness, RMH’s medical experts led focused health sessions on cardiovascular wellness and conducted hands-on CPR training, equipping participants with the skills to respond confidently during a cardiac emergency. The festival concluded with a specially curated healthy-heart breakfast, reinforcing how everyday choices support long-term heart health.
 

Through the initiative, RMH brought preventive cardiac care into a community setting — encouraging citizens to stay active, understand their heart health, and be prepared to act when it matters most.

About Ramaiah Memorial Hospital

Ramaiah Memorial Hospital (RMH), established in 2004, is a 500 bed, JCI-, NABH- and NABL-certified multi-disciplinary super specialty quaternary care hospital in Bengaluru, India. RMH received the Joint Commission International (JCI) Gold Seal of Approval in June 2025. The Gold Seal of Approval is a symbol of a healthcare organization’s commitment to meeting international standards of patient care and safety, demonstrating excellence in clinical quality, patient safety, and outcomes. In June 2025, RMH was also certified by the American Heart Association (AHA) as a Comprehensive Chest Pain Center and by the American Stroke Association (ASA) as a Comprehensive Stroke Center. The recent FACT (Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy) accreditation of our Bone Marrow Unit and stem cell laboratory reflects our adherence to rigorous, peer-reviewed standards, ensuring the highest quality of patient care across the entire stem cell process—from collection and processing to administration and long-term follow-up.

Over the years, the hospital has touched the lives of over 5 million patients and performed more than two lakh surgeries. Its transplant milestones are close to 600 renal transplants, over 50 heart transplants, more than 210 bone marrow transplants, and liver transplant services initiated in 2025.

Ramaiah Memorial Hospital is affiliated with Mount Sinai International, New York from June 2024, marking a transformative collaboration focused on elevating healthcare through excellence in clinical care, quality, research, innovation, and technology.

Our Centers of Excellence, such as the Ramaiah Institute of Cardiac Sciences, Ramaiah Institute of Oncosciences, Ramaiah Institute of Nephro-Uro Sciences, Ramaiah Institute of Neurosciences, and the Ramaiah Institute of Gastro-intestinal Sciences are delivering comprehensive healthcare services under respective specialties along with other super-specialties.

RMH has received recognition from Newsweek as one of the World’s best hospitals in 2025. The ranking is based on hospital recommendations from peers, hospital quality metrics, patient experience, and PROMs implementation survey.

The VinFast VF MPV 7 combines seven-seat practicality, family-friendly comfort, modern technology, and the lower running costs of an electric powertrain in one spacious package.
 

Seven-seat MPVs are popular for a reason. They give Indian families the flexibility to bring everyone along, whether it’s the daily school run, a weekend trip, or a longer journey out of town. But when all seven seats are occupied, comfort and practicality become just as important as having the extra seats in the first place.
 

The VinFast VF MPV 7 combines seven-seat practicality, family-friendly comfort, modern technology, and the lower running costs of an electric powertrain in one spacious package
 

If you’re looking for a family MPV that can handle all of that while giving you the benefits of an electric powertrain (less money spent on fuel, anyone?), the VinFast VF MPV 7 is worth a closer look. Here are five reasons why it deserves a spot on your family car shortlist.
 

Comfort for Everyone

Let’s start with the most important thing in a family MPV: making sure everyone has a comfortable place to sit.
 

The VF MPV 7 measures 4,740 mm long and has a 2,840 mm wheelbase, giving it plenty of room to accommodate seven occupants. The second row gets 60:40 split seats with sliding, reclining, and one-touch tumble functions. Even the third row gets reclining seats, adjustable headrests, and its own air-conditioning controls.
 

That is complemented by air vents serving all three rows and a PM2.5 filter. So while the driver and front passenger get to set their preferred temperature, passengers further back are not simply left to whatever air happens to reach them.
 

The result is a cabin that puts some thought into the people sitting in every row, which is exactly what you want when the whole family is coming along for the ride.
 

Space That Works for the Family

Of course, passengers are not the only things a family needs to carry. There are groceries, luggage, school bags, sports equipment, and all the other miscellaneous things that somehow find their way into the car but are surely very necessary.
 

The VF MPV 7 gives you 126 litres of boot space with all seven seats in use. Fold the third row and that expands to 606 litres, while folding both rear rows opens up as much as 1,240 litres.
 

The second row’s sliding and one-touch tumble functions also make getting into the back easier and give you more ways to configure the cabin. Whether you have seven people on board or need to make room for a larger load, the VF MPV 7 gives you the flexibility expected from a family MPV.
 

Smooth EV Performance

Having seven seats is great, but that comes with more weight, meaning the car has to work harder to transport all seven passengers plus luggage. So you want a car that can move all those people without making every overtaking manoeuvre feel like hard work.
 

The VF MPV 7 is powered by a 150 kW electric motor producing 280 Nm of torque, with the power sent to the front wheels. The instant torque of an electric motor makes pulling away from traffic and getting up to speed feel smooth and straightforward.
 

You can also choose between Eco, Normal, and Sport driving modes, while regenerative braking can be adjusted between Off, Low, Medium, and High.
 

Underneath, the VF MPV 7 uses MacPherson independent suspension at the front and a multi-link setup at the rear. Its 185 mm of unladen ground clearance also gives it some extra breathing room when dealing with speed breakers and uneven roads that seem so ubiquitous these days.
 

Contemporary Tech

The VF MPV 7’s modern cabin isn’t just for show either. There are plenty of features designed to make everyday driving a little easier.
 

The gear selector is integrated into the steering column, freeing up space around the centre console. The D-cut steering wheel is tilt- and telescopic-adjustable and comes with multifunction controls, including cruise control.
 

At the centre of the dashboard is a 10.1-inch infotainment screen with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The car also gets connected-car functions, smartphone controls, FOTA updates, and a virtual assistant to help with voice commands.
 

Safety was not overlooked either. The India-spec VF MPV 7 comes with four airbags, ABS, EBD, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control, hill-start assist, and rollover mitigation. Rear parking sensors and a rear camera are also there to make parking a seven-seater in tighter spaces a little less stressful.
 

A Formidable Family Package

All of this comes together with one of the biggest advantages of going electric: a different ownership equation.
 

The VF MPV 7 uses a 60.13 kWh usable battery and has a claimed 517 km range under the MIDC test cycle. When you do need to charge, DC fast charging at up to 80 kW can take the battery from 10% to 70% in 30 minutes.
 

VinFast also includes free scheduled maintenance for three years or 36,000 km, whichever comes first. Eligible V-Green charging stations provide free charging until March 31, 2029. The vehicle is covered for seven years or 160,000 km, while the battery gets 10 years or 200,000 km of coverage, whichever comes first. Free roadside assistance is also provided for the duration of the standard vehicle warranty.
 

More than anything, the VF MPV 7 has something for everyone in the family. The driver gets the smooth response of an electric motor and useful connected technology, passengers get space and dedicated climate control across all three rows, and the family gets a flexible cabin that can handle both people and cargo.
 

Add the long warranty, free maintenance, and complimentary charging at eligible V-Green stations, and the VF MPV 7 makes a compelling case for families looking to make the move to an electric seven-seater.

About VinFast

VinFast (NASDAQ: VFS), a subsidiary of Vingroup JSC, one of Vietnam’s largest conglomerates, is a pure-play electric vehicle (“EV”) manufacturer with the mission of making EVs accessible to everyone. VinFast’s product lineup today includes a wide range of electric SUVs, e-scooters, and e-buses.
 

VinFast is currently embarking on its next growth phase through rapid expansion of its distribution and dealership network globally and increasing its manufacturing capacities with a focus on key markets across North America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia.
 

Learn more at vinfastauto.in.

Hiranandani Hospital, Vashi — A Fortis Network Hospital  (a part of the IHH Healthcare multinational network) — took the ‘Har Ghar Hero’ initiative a step further, expanding the community CPR initiative to turn even more Navi Mumbaikars into first responders in their own homes & neighbourhoods. Moving beyond the hospital’s walls, the initiative reached residential societies, schools and colleges, corporate organizations, and Ganpati pandals across the city, empowering ordinary citizens to recognize a cardiac arrest, act in the critical first moments, and perform basic Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) that can mean the difference between life and death.

Team from Fortis Hiranandani Hospital, Vashi Navi Mumbai training members of Shivtej Ganpati Pandal, Sanpada in life-saving CPR skills under the ‘Har Ghar Hero’ initiative

Planned around the Ganpati festival, when lakhs of people came together across community spaces, the initiative leveraged these gatherings to build greater awareness around emergency preparedness and the importance of timely CPR intervention. Through its outreach across Navi Mumbai, the programme directly engaged approximately 25,000 people, extending CPR awareness and basic life-saving knowledge to residents, students, employees and community members.

With a population of over 15 lakh residents, Navi Mumbai is among the fastest-growing urban centres in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, underscoring the need for stronger community-level emergency preparedness. Most cardiac arrests occur outside hospital settings, often at home, where the first few minutes can significantly influence outcomes before professional medical assistance arrives. Against this backdrop, and with bystander CPR rates in India remaining low at approximately 1.3–9.8 per cent, ‘Har Ghar Hero’ initiative helped take practical CPR awareness directly into spaces where Navi Mumbaikars live, study and work. By improving familiarity with basic emergency response and encouraging timely action, the program strengthened confidence and preparedness among community members to respond during critical medical emergencies.

The sessions conducted across Navi Mumbai focused on helping participants recognise the signs of a cardiac emergency, understand the importance of seeking medical assistance immediately, and learn the basic steps involved in CPR. As part of the Ganpati outreach, the hospital covered prominent community locations including Vashi Cha Ganjraj (and Navi Mumbai Cha Raja (Vashi, Sec 17), Juinagar Cha Raja, Friends Group Seva Sanstha and nearby pandals, Shri Ganesh Mitra Mandal – Koparkhairane (Sec 10), Sarvajanik Utkarsh Mitra Mandal – Koparkhairane (Sec 9), Ichapurti Ganesh Mandal – Sanpada, and Sonar Cha Raja, among others. Through practical demonstrations and community interactions, the programme equipped participants with basic life-saving knowledge to help them respond appropriately during the critical first few minutes of a cardiac emergency until professional medical assistance arrived.

The residential outreach programme covered Moraj Residency – Palm Beach Road, Sanpada; FAM CHS, Kalash Udyan CHS and Balaji Garden CHS – Koparkhairane; and Himachal CHS – Vashi. Educational institutions also formed an important part of the initiative, with CPR awareness sessions conducted for students and staff at Navi Mumbai Vidyalaya (English Medium), SIES College, Tilak College and Anjuman-I-Islam College, extending emergency preparedness and basic life-saving knowledge to younger members of the community.

Speaking about the initiative, Dr. Ashutosh Pandey, Facility Director, Fortis Hiranandani Hospital, Vashi, Navi Mumbai, said, “A cardiac emergency can occur anywhere. Studies show that immediate CPR can improve a person’s chances of survival two to three times. Through ‘Har Ghar Hero’, we were able to take CPR awareness directly into communities and help address the hesitation and uncertainty that often accompany a medical emergency. Ganpati celebrations gave us an effective platform to engage with people where they naturally came together and reinforce the importance of timely action. The response to the initiative has strengthened our larger objective of building a community where more citizens have the knowledge and confidence to take the right first steps when every minute matters.”

To ensure that the programme continues beyond the 10-day Ganpati festival, Fortis Hiranandani Hospital, Vashi will conduct focused CPR training sessions at the hospital every Sunday from 4 pm to 5 pm throughout October 2026. Participants who complete the training will receive CPR certification. To register, contact +91 86579 58482

Through ‘Har Ghar CPR Hero’, Fortis Hiranandani Hospital, Vashi aims to progressively expand the number of CPR-aware citizens in Navi Mumbai and encourage emergency preparedness as a community responsibility, not just that of healthcare providers.

About Fortis Healthcare Limited  

Fortis Healthcare Limited is a leading integrated healthcare delivery service provider in India. The healthcare verticals of the company primarily comprise hospitals, diagnostics, and day care specialty facilities. Currently, the company operates 36 healthcare facilities (including JVs and O&M facilities) across 12 states and union territories. The Company’s network comprises over 6,150 operational beds (including O&M beds) and 400 diagnostics labs.

For more information, please visit www.fortishealthcare.com

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.

The interesting thing about India’s real estate market in 2026 is not simply that demand remains strong. It is where that demand is coming from, and what buyers and occupiers are willing to pay for.

India’s real estate sector enters a new growth phase, driven by premium housing demand, expanding office markets and evolving buyer preferences

Residential sales across the top seven cities rose 8% year-on-year to 70,631 units in Q1 2026, while homes priced at Rs 1 crore and above accounted for 71% of sales, compared with 59% a year earlier, according to JLL.

Arjun Gehlot, Director, Ambience Group, said, “Homebuyers are looking at the residence as a long-term lifestyle decision. Space, planning, location and the quality of the surrounding environment are becoming more important in the purchase conversation. The willingness to allocate a higher budget is also visible in the continued demand for luxury housing, particularly in established urban markets where buyers already understand the value of the location.”

Commercial real estate is seeing its own expansion. CBRE recorded 45.5 million sq ft of office absorption in H1 2026, the highest half-year figure recorded, with GCCs accounting for about 43% of leasing.

Sandeep Chhillar, Founder and Chairman, Landmark Group, said, “India’s commercial and residential sectors are no longer moving in parallel, they are reinforcing each other. On the commercial side, GCCs alone are projected to grow by 41% by 2030, driving demand for Grade-A offices that go well beyond location, occupiers today are evaluating connectivity, floor plate flexibility, sustainability credentials and the broader business ecosystem around a building. Gurugram exemplifies this convergence, where a maturing corporate infrastructure has simultaneously strengthened residential absorption in premium micro-markets. The current growth phase is therefore not a cyclical uptick – it is a structural reset, and the developers who build for that reality rather than the last cycle will define what Indian real estate looks like a decade from now.”

Developers are also responding to a clear shift in the composition of demand. JLL recorded a 45% year-on-year rise in launches priced above Rs 1 crore in Q1 2026, with the Rs 1.5-3 crore segment registering a 134% increase in launches.

B.K. Malagi, Vice Chairman, Experion Developers, said, “India’s residential market today is firmly driven by end-users, but buyers are equally conscious of the long-term value of their investment. Location, rental potential, quality of construction and the future growth of the micro-market are increasingly shaping purchase decisions. As ticket sizes rise, buyers are also placing far greater emphasis on execution, delivery and the credibility of the developer. This is ultimately creating a more discerning market where quality and trust will differentiate the strongest developments.”

Prateek Tiwari, Managing Director, Prateek Group, said, “There is greater clarity among buyers about what constitutes value in a home. It is not only the apartment itself, but also the neighbourhood, access, open spaces and everyday convenience. This is supporting demand for strategically located residential projects in established markets, where buyers are thinking about both present use and the longer-term potential of the location.”

Dr. Gautam Kanodia, Founder, KREEVA and Kanodia Group, said, “Luxury housing has become more closely linked to the overall experience of living. Buyers are looking for privacy, design, wellness and better common spaces, but also for a location that holds its relevance over time. This is creating a different conversation around luxury, where the home is increasingly viewed as part of a larger lifestyle and not simply as a physical asset.”

Ashwinder R. Singh, Vice Chairman, BCD Group and Chairman, CII Committee on Real Estate (NR), said, “India’s real estate story is no longer being driven by housing or offices in isolation. Jobs create offices, offices create economic clusters, and economic clusters create housing demand. Infrastructure then expands the geography of that growth. What we are seeing today is this entire cycle beginning to reinforce itself, with end users, businesses and institutional capital participating at the same time. That is what makes the current phase structurally different from earlier real estate cycles.”

Karan Khanna, Founder, Apex Acreages, says “One of the notable shifts in the market is the increasing traction for luxury and premium residential projects, alongside continued activity across the expanding housing segment. Notably, CBRE recorded over 61,000 residential sales in Q2 2026, along with a rising share of high-end apartment sales. From what we see on the ground, factors such as location, product quality, amenities and long-term value are increasingly influencing decisions. This is also shaping how developers position projects and how investors assess opportunities across markets.“

The common thread across both markets is a more deliberate buyer and occupier, with real estate increasingly being chosen around how a location will work over the next decade, not merely how it looks today.

• Bottles for Change showcases responsible plastic waste management and the transformation of used plastic into valuable resources

• Over 3,600 participants from 62 countries came together at the 10th edition of WCEF, hosted in India for the first time

Bisleri International, through its flagship ‘Bottles for Change’ CSR initiative, showcased its approach to responsible plastic waste management and resource recovery at the World Circular Economy Forum (WCEF) 2026 held on September 15^th to 18^th. The 10th edition of the global forum was inaugurated by Shri Bhupender Yadav, Hon’ble Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India, and Shri Bhupendrabhai Patel, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Gujarat, in the presence of government officials, policymakers, industry leaders, researchers, innovators and sustainability practitioners from 62 countries.

Bisleri Showcases Plastic Circularity Through Its Bottles for Change CSR Initiative at World Circular Economy Forum 2026

The Bottles for Change stall was visited by Shri Arjunbhai Modhwadia, Hon’ble Minister for Forest, Environment and Climate Change, Government of Gujarat; Shri Pravinbhai Mali, Hon’ble Minister of State for Forests and Environment, Climate Change, Government of Gujarat, International Delegates; representatives from the Ministry of Environment Forest & Climate Change, Central Pollution Control Board and Gujarat Pollution Control Board; and senior officials from State Pollution Control Boards across Maharashtra, Odisha, Kerala, J&K and Chhattisgarh. During their visit, Bisleri showcased its sustainability and responsible waste management initiatives. The discussions focused on improving plastic waste collection, promoting recycling, and reusing resources efficiently to create a cleaner, more sustainable environment. It highlighted the importance of source segregation and collective participation in strengthening a circular economy for plastics.

Government officials and delegates visit the Bisleri Bottles for Change stall at the World Circular Economy Forum 2026

Speaking about the participation, Mr. K. Ganesh, Director – Sustainability & Corporate Affairs, Bisleri International, said, “Advancing a circular economy requires collaboration across governments, businesses, institutions and citizens. Platforms such as the World Circular Economy Forum create opportunities for meaningful dialogue and knowledge exchange around scalable solutions for resource efficiency and waste management. Through Bottles for Change, we continue to promote awareness and action around responsible plastic waste management and recycling, while helping create pathways to strengthen the circular economy for plastics.”

About Bisleri International Pvt. Ltd.

With a legacy of over 50 years, Bisleri International Pvt. Ltd has grown to become one of the largest premium beverage businesses in India. Being the makers of the country’s largest-selling packaged drinking water, Bisleri follows a stringent process of 90 quality tests and a 10-stage purification. It remains true to its core value of providing consumers with pure, safe and healthy water.

Bisleri International has a strong presence with 130 operational plants and a robust distribution network of over 6,000 Distributors and 7,500 Distribution Trucks across India and UAE market. It offers a range of beverages that are produced for all occasions. Whether it is the promise of goodness, trust, and purity with Bisleri packaged drinking water, or a daily dose of health offered through Vedica Himalayan Spring Water. Besides, Bisleri International has ventured into fun-filled refreshments with a diverse range of carbonated drinks available in multiple flavours, such as Bisleri Limonata, Bisleri Pop and Bisleri Soda. These Bisleri products are also available on the e-commerce platform – Bisleri@Doorstep. This D2C platform reassures customers that they will receive a safe and uninterrupted supply of their most trusted brand at their doorstep.

The core values of Bisleri International lie in yielding growth and embedding sustainability by being responsible in all aspects of the business. The organization has unveiled Sustainability 2.0 with Bisleri Greener Promise that focuses on creating greener future for all through implementing initiatives under the program of recycling, water conservation, and sustainability.

For more information on Bisleri International, our people, brands, and OSR initiatives, visit www.bisleri.com.

The Association for Reinventing School Education (ARISE), in collaboration with FICCI, concluded the ARISE Learning Festival 2026, bringing together school leaders, educators, policymakers, students, global experts and industry partners to exchange ideas, experiences and practices shaping the future of school education.
 

Highlights from the ARISE Learning Festival 2026—powerful conversations, distinguished voices, and the launch of AI Adoption for K-12: Moving Beyond Experimentation

Held around the theme ‘Connected Schools – Building Communities. Inspiring Futures,’ this year’s Festival was designed as an immersive, delegate-centred experience moving beyond a conventional conference format to combine school visits, keynotes and conversations with masterclasses, student voices, school showcases, partner and exhibitor engagements, peer learning and networking.
 

The Festival began with curated school tours across India on September 24 and across Delhi-NCR on September 25, offering delegates an opportunity to experience first-hand how schools are building collaborative cultures, strong communities and future-ready learning environments. The initiative brought together 6 host schools across India and 11 schools across Delhi-NCR*.
 

The learning continued at the Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi, through interactive masterclasses and breakout conversations spanning teacher development, school leadership, institutional culture, technology and AI, digital resilience, student wellbeing, curriculum leadership and future readiness.
 

A key knowledge outcome of the Festival was the launch of the FICCI–ARISE–EY-Parthenon Knowledge Report, AI Adoption Plan for K12: Moving beyond Experimentation, focused on enabling schools to move from experimentation with artificial intelligence towards more purposeful and responsible adoption.
 

Perspectives shaping the future of education

Deepak Bagla, Mission Director, Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog, shared perspectives on how schools can evolve from standalone innovation initiatives into connected ecosystems linking young people with creativity, entrepreneurship, problem-solving, partnerships and real-world opportunities. He highlighted the role of leadership and collaboration in embedding innovation more deeply within school culture.
 

Bringing a perspective from beyond education, Shikhar Dhawan, Chairman, Da One Group and former Indian international cricketer, drew upon his journey in high-performance sport, entrepreneurship and community initiatives to reflect on resilience, discipline, confidence and purpose. The conversation explored how schools and communities can create the conditions that help young people navigate challenges, build self-belief and translate their potential into meaningful achievement.
 

Patrick Derham OBE, former Head Master of Westminster School, Rugby School and Solihull School, drew on his extensive experience of school leadership to reflect on the fundamentals that continue to matter in education purpose, service, shared values, relationships and the strength of the school community. His reflections reinforced the importance of looking beyond academic outcomes to the broader role schools play in shaping young people.
 

Nikole Blanchard, Head of Educational Technology and Innovation, LSU Laboratory School, brought the conversation to the intersection of technology and humanity, highlighting the distinctly human capabilities young people will continue to need including curiosity, creativity, empathy, judgement, collaboration, courage and imagination as schools prepare students for an increasingly unpredictable future.
 

Students at the centre

Student voice formed an important part of the Festival. A main-stage student panel brought together students from government and private schools to share their perspectives on learning, wellbeing, belonging, creativity, purpose and what they would like the next generation of schooling to look like. The conversation placed students not simply as recipients of education, but as important participants in shaping its future.
 

Students were also visible across the Festival through presentations and showcases, bringing their ideas, creativity and work directly into the delegate experience.
 

From conference to experience

A defining feature of this year’s Learning Festival was its emphasis on participation and experience. The ARISE Experience Zone, school showcases, student presentations, partner and exhibitor engagements and interactive formats created opportunities for delegates to discover new practices and solutions, engage directly with innovators and connect with peers.
 

Across the programme, practitioners and experts also explored some of the most pressing questions facing schools today from the changing role of teachers and curriculum leadership to AI-enabled school management, career readiness, wellbeing, safeguarding and institutional culture.
 

Together, these formats sought to ensure that delegates did not simply listen to conversations about the future of education, but could experience ideas in practice, interact with those implementing them and build connections that could continue beyond the Festival.
 

Celebrating excellence in school education

The Festival culminated with the 4th Edition of the FICCI supported ARISE Excellence Awards, celebrating exemplary and innovative practices across school education.
 

The Awards drew participation from schools across the country, with an almost equal representation of government and private schools, reflecting the breadth and diversity of India’s school education ecosystem. Entries underwent a structured evaluation process involving an Interim Jury followed by a Grand Jury, with EY serving as the official tabulator.
 

The Awards ceremony also saw the release of the FICCI-supported ARISE Excellence Awards Compendium, showcasing exemplary practices and initiatives from participating schools and enabling their learnings to reach the wider education community.
 

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Arunabh Singh, President, ARISE; Co-founder & Director, Healthy Planet Schools & Nehru World School, said, “Connected schools are ultimately about people students, teachers, leaders and communities learning from and strengthening one another. Through the ARISE Learning Festival, we wanted to move beyond a conventional conference and create an experience where delegates could see, participate, exchange and connect. The diversity of voices represented this year from government and private schools to students, policymakers, experts and industry demonstrates the power of bringing the ecosystem together.”

The ARISE Learning Festival 2026 (in collaboration with FICCI) reinforced the need for schools to remain connected, adaptive and deeply human-centred as they prepare young people for a rapidly evolving world. By bringing together ideas, lived experiences and on-ground practices, the Festival sought to translate conversations about the future of education into opportunities for learning, collaboration and action.

*List of ARISE host schools:

For Delhi NCR, Host School are as follows:
1. Pathways World School, Gurugram, Haryana
2. Healthy Planet School, Noida, Uttar Pradesh
3. Khaitan World School, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh
4. Heritage International Xperiential School, Gurugram, Haryana
5. The Shri Ram School, Aravali, Gurugram, Haryana
6. The Ardee School, New delhi
7. Delhi Public School, Sector-45, Gurgaon, Haryana
8. Silverline Prestige School, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh
9. Vasant Valley, New Delhi
10. Nehru World School, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh
11. Shiv Nadar School, Noida, Uttar Pradesh

For PAN India, Host Schools are as follow:
1. The Ardee School, Sangolda, Goa
2. Valistus International School, Whitefield, Bangalore, Karnataka
3. Walnut School, Pune, Maharashtra
4. The Newtown School, Kolkata, West Bengal
5. Sagebrook International School, Hyderabad, Telangana
6. Grassroots Global Early Years, Patna, Bihar