MnM Talkies, one of India’s leading podcast studios, has officially revived its award-winning audio detective series Bhaskar Bose, marking the return of one of the country’s most beloved fictional investigators. After a three-year hiatus, the new season titled ‘Bhaskar Bose: He’s Here – Part 1’ premiered on Spotify recently, ushering in a new chapter for the iconic show and introducing a first-of-its-kind innovation in Indian audio entertainment.

Bhaskar Bose by MnM Talkies

For the first time, select episodes of the series will feature AI-generated visuals, created using OpenArt AI technology, transforming the listening experience into an immersive graphic-novel-style journey. The format allows audiences to experience the story in two ways — by closing their eyes and imagining the world through sound, or by watching it unfold through cinematic visuals designed to complement the audio storytelling.

MnM Talkies launches new season of Bhaskar Bose

The creative force behind Bhaskar Bose is Mantra Mugdh who serves as the co-writer, director, producer and the voice of the titular detective. Mantra’s vision has helped establish the series as a benchmark in India’s evolving audio storytelling landscape.

Founder of MnM Talkies, Mantra Mugdh says, “With the new season of Bhaskar Bose, we are not replacing the theatre of the mind—we’re giving it a visual companion. This is about seeing the sound.” Reflecting on the journey of the show, Mantra added that Bhaskar Bose has been one of his most successful collaborations with Spotify, describing the series as an ongoing exploration of what audio storytelling can achieve when approached with the same scale, ambition, and cinematic vision as film.”

The show follows Bhaskar Bose, a brilliant detective known for his sharp intellect and instinctive problem-solving, played by Mantra. He is joined by his loyal friend and investigative partner ACP Bikesh Das, portrayed by actor Shadaab Hashmi. Together, the duo solves complex cases in a world inspired by classic detective comics, blending suspense, wit, and richly layered characters.

Since its debut in 2019, Bhaskar Bose has evolved into one of India’s longest-running and most celebrated audio fiction series. The show was among the first three podcasts—and notably the only fiction series—launched during the entry of Spotify into India’s podcast ecosystem. Over the years, the series has grown into a cultural phenomenon, amassing more than 250+ episodes, featuring over 100 investigative cases, and delivering 5000+ minutes of immersive storytelling. With millions of listens worldwide, Bhaskar Bose has established a powerful presence in the podcast landscape and continues to attract a loyal global audience.

Bhaskar Bose has received widespread industry recognition and several prestigious accolades over the years. The series won Gold at the New York Festivals Radio Awards and has also been honored at the Exchange4Media Golden Mikes for two consecutive years (2022 and 2023). In addition, the show has been recognized at the E4M Play Streaming Media Awards and received the Impact Digital Influencer Award. Together, these accolades highlight the show’s significant impact on the audio entertainment industry and its pioneering role in popularizing audio fiction in India.

Over time, the show has cultivated a vibrant global fan community, complete with dedicated fan clubs, online discussion groups, and pages analyzing conspiracy theories and hidden clues from the series’ most memorable episodes. Its return has already generated a powerful response from audiences. Within hours of the new season’s release, the show began trending on Spotify India, with longtime fans flooding social media with reactions, theories, and nostalgic tributes to the detective they had missed for three years.

The new season of Bhaskar Bose is streaming now on Spotify and new episodes will be released every 15 days. Watch the trailer – www.instagram.com/p/DVdHnbGjrNS.

About MnM Talkies
MnM Talkies is a story-first audio-visual content studio that builds multi-format storytelling platforms across fiction, documentary, and branded content. From podcasts and cinematic web series to documentary narratives, MnM creates stories that connect audiences with real people, real journeys, and the cultural pulse of modern India. Besides Bhaskar Bose, MnM Talkies has produced several chart-topping and award-winning shows, including Batman Ek Chakravyuh, Marvels Wastelanders, Kaali Awaazein, Commander Karan Saxena, Aakhri Sawaal, Virus 2062, I Hear You, Shanaya Ek Teenage Dayan Ki Kahani and many more.

For more information about MnM Talkies, please visit – www.mnmtalkies.com.

MnM Talkies, one of India’s leading podcast studios, has officially revived its award-winning audio detective series Bhaskar Bose, marking the return of one of the country’s most beloved fictional investigators. After a three-year hiatus, the new season titled ‘Bhaskar Bose: He’s Here – Part 1’ premiered on Spotify recently, ushering in a new chapter for the iconic show and introducing a first-of-its-kind innovation in Indian audio entertainment.

Bhaskar Bose by MnM Talkies

For the first time, select episodes of the series will feature AI-generated visuals, created using OpenArt AI technology, transforming the listening experience into an immersive graphic-novel-style journey. The format allows audiences to experience the story in two ways — by closing their eyes and imagining the world through sound, or by watching it unfold through cinematic visuals designed to complement the audio storytelling.

MnM Talkies launches new season of Bhaskar Bose

The creative force behind Bhaskar Bose is Mantra Mugdh who serves as the co-writer, director, producer and the voice of the titular detective. Mantra’s vision has helped establish the series as a benchmark in India’s evolving audio storytelling landscape.

Founder of MnM Talkies, Mantra Mugdh says, “With the new season of Bhaskar Bose, we are not replacing the theatre of the mind—we’re giving it a visual companion. This is about seeing the sound.” Reflecting on the journey of the show, Mantra added that Bhaskar Bose has been one of his most successful collaborations with Spotify, describing the series as an ongoing exploration of what audio storytelling can achieve when approached with the same scale, ambition, and cinematic vision as film.”

The show follows Bhaskar Bose, a brilliant detective known for his sharp intellect and instinctive problem-solving, played by Mantra. He is joined by his loyal friend and investigative partner ACP Bikesh Das, portrayed by actor Shadaab Hashmi. Together, the duo solves complex cases in a world inspired by classic detective comics, blending suspense, wit, and richly layered characters.

Since its debut in 2019, Bhaskar Bose has evolved into one of India’s longest-running and most celebrated audio fiction series. The show was among the first three podcasts—and notably the only fiction series—launched during the entry of Spotify into India’s podcast ecosystem. Over the years, the series has grown into a cultural phenomenon, amassing more than 250+ episodes, featuring over 100 investigative cases, and delivering 5000+ minutes of immersive storytelling. With millions of listens worldwide, Bhaskar Bose has established a powerful presence in the podcast landscape and continues to attract a loyal global audience.

Bhaskar Bose has received widespread industry recognition and several prestigious accolades over the years. The series won Gold at the New York Festivals Radio Awards and has also been honored at the Exchange4Media Golden Mikes for two consecutive years (2022 and 2023). In addition, the show has been recognized at the E4M Play Streaming Media Awards and received the Impact Digital Influencer Award. Together, these accolades highlight the show’s significant impact on the audio entertainment industry and its pioneering role in popularizing audio fiction in India.

Over time, the show has cultivated a vibrant global fan community, complete with dedicated fan clubs, online discussion groups, and pages analyzing conspiracy theories and hidden clues from the series’ most memorable episodes. Its return has already generated a powerful response from audiences. Within hours of the new season’s release, the show began trending on Spotify India, with longtime fans flooding social media with reactions, theories, and nostalgic tributes to the detective they had missed for three years.

The new season of Bhaskar Bose is streaming now on Spotify and new episodes will be released every 15 days. Watch the trailer – www.instagram.com/p/DVdHnbGjrNS.

About MnM Talkies
MnM Talkies is a story-first audio-visual content studio that builds multi-format storytelling platforms across fiction, documentary, and branded content. From podcasts and cinematic web series to documentary narratives, MnM creates stories that connect audiences with real people, real journeys, and the cultural pulse of modern India. Besides Bhaskar Bose, MnM Talkies has produced several chart-topping and award-winning shows, including Batman Ek Chakravyuh, Marvels Wastelanders, Kaali Awaazein, Commander Karan Saxena, Aakhri Sawaal, Virus 2062, I Hear You, Shanaya Ek Teenage Dayan Ki Kahani and many more.

For more information about MnM Talkies, please visit – www.mnmtalkies.com.

Baker Tilly ASA India today marked 35 years of operations in India with the launch of its flagship publication, Doing Business in India – A Comprehensive Guide for Foreign Investors 2026. The 2026 edition comes at a pivotal moment as India consolidates its position as one of the world’s most dynamic long-term capital destinations.
 

(L-R): Ajay Sethi, MP, Baker Tilly ASA India, Francesca Lagerberg, CEO, Baker Tilly International & Andrew Heng, Group MP, Baker Tilly Malaysia & Chair of Baker Tilly APAC
 

Backed by sustained economic expansion, demographic strength and steady policy reform, India continues to reinforce its position as one of the world’s most compelling long-term capital destinations. Economic indicators have shown steady growth with cumulative foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows from April 2000 crossing USD 1 trillion. Real GDP growth is expected to be 7.6% for FY26 with manufacturing and services expected to be a key driver of growth. With a large young aspirational population and a multitude of trade Agreements, India offers a unique opportunity as both a growing market and manufacturing and export base for multinational companies.
 

It is against this backdrop that Doing Business in India 2026 has been developed. With an aim to convert MoUs signed into results on the ground, this guide is designed as a practical, strategic guide for foreign corporations, private equity investors and multinational enterprises assessing India entry, expansion, joint ventures, acquisitions or long-term operational structuring. It brings clarity to India’s regulatory architecture, tax environment, corporate governance requirements and compliance frameworks — areas where early planning and structural discipline often determine long-term success.
 

The event convened Baker Tilly’s global and APAC leadership under the theme Building Bridges: Baker Tilly’s Vision for Asia-Pacific Growth and Global Collaboration. Also spotlighted Baker Tilly ASA’s journey in advising multinational investors on India entry and expansion, its strong positioning in the mid-market segment, and its alignment with Baker Tilly International as well as the Asia-Pacific growth strategy.
 

Speaking on the milestone, Francesca Lagerberg, CEO, Baker Tilly International, said, “India represents one of the most significant long-term growth markets for global investors, and our network is uniquely positioned to support that ambition. As we mark 35 years of Baker Tilly ASA in India, we see this milestone not only as a celebration of legacy, but as a platform for deeper global integration, stronger APAC collaboration and a sharper focus on high-growth mid-market enterprises seeking cross-border clarity and confidence. The advisory profession is evolving rapidly driven by regulation, technology and rising investor expectations. Our approach globally is to combine local expertise with seamless international coordination. India is central to that strategy, both as an investment destination and as a talent and capability hub for the network.”
 

During the briefing, the leadership outlined the Baker Tilly ASA India’s 35-year journey and role in advising multinational corporations across Japan, the US, UK, Europe, Australia and other markets on India market entry, joint ventures, M&A, factory set-ups, tax structuring, regulatory compliance and risk advisory. Over the years, Baker Tilly ASA has built a strong presence in the mid-market segment, delivering partner-led, integrated advisory services across complex cross-border transactions and India entry strategies.
 

Ajay Sethi, Managing Partner, Baker Tilly ASA India said, “Thirty-five years in India has taught us that opportunity here rewards preparation and perspective. The market offers scale and momentum, but it also demands structural clarity, tax discipline and regulatory foresight from day one. Our experience across cycles has reinforced a simple belief that sustainable growth in India is built on sound governance and informed decision-making. As global capital deepens its engagement with India, our commitment remains to provide steady, strategic counsel that converts ambition into durable outcomes.”
 

The event highlighted Baker Tilly’s continued global expansion and growing focus on the Asia-Pacific region, in step with increasing cross-border investment into India. As India advances its manufacturing ambitions, strengthens its foreign investment regime and expands its role in global supply chains, the differentiator for investors will be clarity of structure and quality of execution. With the launch of its Doing Business in India Guide, Baker Tilly ASA India reinforces its commitment to supporting investors across every stage of their India journey, backed by 35 years of practical, on-ground experience.

Baker Tilly ASA India today marked 35 years of operations in India with the launch of its flagship publication, Doing Business in India – A Comprehensive Guide for Foreign Investors 2026. The 2026 edition comes at a pivotal moment as India consolidates its position as one of the world’s most dynamic long-term capital destinations.
 

(L-R): Ajay Sethi, MP, Baker Tilly ASA India, Francesca Lagerberg, CEO, Baker Tilly International & Andrew Heng, Group MP, Baker Tilly Malaysia & Chair of Baker Tilly APAC
 

Backed by sustained economic expansion, demographic strength and steady policy reform, India continues to reinforce its position as one of the world’s most compelling long-term capital destinations. Economic indicators have shown steady growth with cumulative foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows from April 2000 crossing USD 1 trillion. Real GDP growth is expected to be 7.6% for FY26 with manufacturing and services expected to be a key driver of growth. With a large young aspirational population and a multitude of trade Agreements, India offers a unique opportunity as both a growing market and manufacturing and export base for multinational companies.
 

It is against this backdrop that Doing Business in India 2026 has been developed. With an aim to convert MoUs signed into results on the ground, this guide is designed as a practical, strategic guide for foreign corporations, private equity investors and multinational enterprises assessing India entry, expansion, joint ventures, acquisitions or long-term operational structuring. It brings clarity to India’s regulatory architecture, tax environment, corporate governance requirements and compliance frameworks — areas where early planning and structural discipline often determine long-term success.
 

The event convened Baker Tilly’s global and APAC leadership under the theme Building Bridges: Baker Tilly’s Vision for Asia-Pacific Growth and Global Collaboration. Also spotlighted Baker Tilly ASA’s journey in advising multinational investors on India entry and expansion, its strong positioning in the mid-market segment, and its alignment with Baker Tilly International as well as the Asia-Pacific growth strategy.
 

Speaking on the milestone, Francesca Lagerberg, CEO, Baker Tilly International, said, “India represents one of the most significant long-term growth markets for global investors, and our network is uniquely positioned to support that ambition. As we mark 35 years of Baker Tilly ASA in India, we see this milestone not only as a celebration of legacy, but as a platform for deeper global integration, stronger APAC collaboration and a sharper focus on high-growth mid-market enterprises seeking cross-border clarity and confidence. The advisory profession is evolving rapidly driven by regulation, technology and rising investor expectations. Our approach globally is to combine local expertise with seamless international coordination. India is central to that strategy, both as an investment destination and as a talent and capability hub for the network.”
 

During the briefing, the leadership outlined the Baker Tilly ASA India’s 35-year journey and role in advising multinational corporations across Japan, the US, UK, Europe, Australia and other markets on India market entry, joint ventures, M&A, factory set-ups, tax structuring, regulatory compliance and risk advisory. Over the years, Baker Tilly ASA has built a strong presence in the mid-market segment, delivering partner-led, integrated advisory services across complex cross-border transactions and India entry strategies.
 

Ajay Sethi, Managing Partner, Baker Tilly ASA India said, “Thirty-five years in India has taught us that opportunity here rewards preparation and perspective. The market offers scale and momentum, but it also demands structural clarity, tax discipline and regulatory foresight from day one. Our experience across cycles has reinforced a simple belief that sustainable growth in India is built on sound governance and informed decision-making. As global capital deepens its engagement with India, our commitment remains to provide steady, strategic counsel that converts ambition into durable outcomes.”
 

The event highlighted Baker Tilly’s continued global expansion and growing focus on the Asia-Pacific region, in step with increasing cross-border investment into India. As India advances its manufacturing ambitions, strengthens its foreign investment regime and expands its role in global supply chains, the differentiator for investors will be clarity of structure and quality of execution. With the launch of its Doing Business in India Guide, Baker Tilly ASA India reinforces its commitment to supporting investors across every stage of their India journey, backed by 35 years of practical, on-ground experience.

Sammy’s Entertainment has unveiled the motion poster of its much anticipated patriotic travel love story, “JAI HIND JAI SINDH: A Love Story,” directed by acclaimed filmmaker Indrajit Lankesh who introduced Deepika Padukone through his Kannada movie Aishwarya to the Film industry. The film promises an emotional and stirring saga rooted in history, identity, and enduring love.

Sammy’s Entertainment has Unveiled the Motion Poster – ‘JAI HIND JAI SINDH: A Love Story’

Headlined by powerhouse performers Mahesh Manjrekar, Jaya Prada, and Zarina Wahab, the ensemble cast also features Vikram Kochhar, Upasna Singh, Amit Behl and others in pivotal roles.

Watch the motion poster here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=XdS4XKJvOMc

Born from the emotional aftermath of Partition, the story weaves romance with patriotism, set against the rich cultural tapestry of the Sindhi community—a people whose resilience and enterprise have significantly shaped modern India. While love forms the heart of the narrative, the film stands as a cinematic tribute to India’s extraordinary diversity.

Producer Sammy Nanwani shares a deeply personal connection to the project, drawing inspiration from real-life experiences and memories from his own journey. He describes the film as a “love letter” to 1.4 billion Indians who may speak different languages, follow different traditions, who look different and savour different cuisines, yet coexist in remarkable harmony.

“In a world fractured by conflict, where even smaller nations struggle to coexist, unity through diversity is the miracle of Indian heart,” says Nanwani. “If two individuals can find harmony despite their differences, so can a nation of 1.4 billion. That is the essence of Jai Hind, Jai Sindh: A Love Story.”

About the producer – Sammy Nanwani promoter of Sammy’s Dreamland Pvt Ltd.: www.sammysdreamland.com.

Designed for the modern man, Mercaze brings together thoughtful design, precision fit, and elevated materials to transform an often-overlooked everyday essential. The brand focuses on clean aesthetics, breathable fabrics, and seamless construction, creating innerwear that moves effortlessly with the body and feels natural from morning to night.

Mercaze introduces a refined approach to men’s innerwear, blending elevated comfort, modern design and breathable fabrics for effortless everyday confidence

“At Mercaze, we believe comfort should never be complicated,” said Pankaj Jain from Mercaze. “Every detail from fabric selection to fit has been considered to create innerwear that feels effortless, looks refined, and supports everyday life without demanding attention.”
 

Positioned in the mid-premium segment, Mercaze is built for men who value quality, subtle sophistication, and functionality over loud branding. Their range reflects a modern, urban sensibility—minimal, versatile, and designed to integrate seamlessly into daily routines. Moving beyond traditional cotton innerwear, Mercaze introduces advanced stitchless bonded technology for enhanced comfort, flexibility, and durability. Developed to meet international standards, the brand focuses on innovation, breathable performance fabrics, and future-ready design.
 

Mercaze is supported by a strong operational and strategic foundation, allowing the brand to scale while staying true to its design-led vision. This enables a continued focus on product innovation, quality, and a refined everyday experience. With its launch, Mercaze aims to shift the conversation around men’s innerwear—from necessity to experience—where comfort, confidence, and design coexist naturally.

Mercaze products are now available online at www.mercaze.com, with plans to expand availability across select platforms and retail touchpoints in the coming months.

About Mercaze
Mercaze is a premium men’s innerwear brand focused on modern design, superior comfort, and everyday wearability. Rooted in the belief that the best essentials are the ones you don’t have to think about, Mercaze creates innerwear that fits right, feels good, and complements a contemporary lifestyle.

For more details, visit: www.mercaze.com.

Marking Women’s Day with intent rather than symbolism, Zivame, the leading lingerie brand backed by the Reliance Group, as part of its Women’s Day campaign hosted a curated women leadership panel titled Not Just Another Women’s Day to examine the gap between messaging and meaningful change. The initiative aimed to challenge performative narratives and emphasise the need for structural change and everyday action.

Aditi Pany, Founder & CEO, Qalara; Sara Fanning, Creative Head, Azorte; Renuka Shastry, Head of Legal, Reliance Retail Group; Zoe Matthews, SVP, Yousta; Aarti Sharma, SVP, Avantra; Kiruba Devi, COO & Head, Zivame

Through the campaign, Zivame convened senior women leaders from across the Reliance ecosystem for a closed-door roundtable on decision-making, risk ownership, consumer evolution, and the future of work. The conversation moved beyond token gestures, focusing instead on real leadership journeys, lived experiences, and the role institutions must play in driving meaningful change.

Hosted by Kiruba Devi, COO & Head, Zivame, the panel featured Aditi Pany, Founder and CEO of Qalara; Sara Fanning, Creative Head at Azorte; Renuka Shastry, Head of Legal at Reliance Retail Group; Zoe Matthews, Senior Vice President at Yousta; and Aarti Sharma, Senior Vice President at Avantra.

The discussion deliberately moved beyond familiar themes of balance and advice, focusing instead on moments defined by risk, responsibility, and the shift from being “a woman in the room” to becoming “the decision maker in the room.” Spanning retail, technology, legal, and entrepreneurship, the leaders reflected on the high-stakes decisions that shaped their journeys, from backing aggressive expansion and navigating legal complexity to steering businesses through uncertainty and change.

The panel also reflected on how consumer behaviour, particularly in categories such as lingerie, has undergone a visible shift. Leaders noted that improved size availability, wider product choices and more open conversations have enabled women to shop with greater confidence and comfort. What was once considered a sensitive purchase is increasingly becoming a matter of personal choice and self-expression, signalling a broader cultural transition.

The discussion reinforced that leadership was defined by outcomes, not optics. The panel spoke about the importance of being trusted with business responsibility, including revenue ownership, succession readiness, and growth mandates, highlighting that real progress lies in enabling women to lead businesses, not just be seen leading them.

Commenting on the initiative, Kiruba Devi, COO & Head, Zivame, said, “Women do not need a day of symbolic celebration. They need brands and institutions that back them consistently. With Not Just Another Women’s Day Campaign, we wanted to acknowledge the fatigue around performative messaging and instead create a space where real conversations about leadership, risk and responsibility could take place.”

The session concluded with a call to action centred on trust, flexibility and accountability as non-negotiables for the future of work, reinforcing Zivame’s message that Women’s Day must translate into sustained structural change.

About Zivame

Founded in 2011, Zivame has built a category-first model that seamlessly blends deep consumer insights with innovation, technology, and trend-driven design—all while keeping women’s comfort at its core. Come 2026, with a portfolio of over 30,000 styles across lingerie, sleepwear, shapewear, and activewear and more—in 100+ sizes—and a strong retail footprint of 170+ exclusive brand outlets across India, the brand is not just a retailer, but a trusted destination for women across age groups and geographies.

Since its inception, Zivame has consistently been at the forefront of innovation—from launching India’s first online FitCode to running breakthrough campaigns like Museum of Boobs. By combining tech-enabled solutions with deep consumer insight, Zivame has redefined intimatewear retail in India and built one of the most influential fashion-retail ecosystems in the country.

India’s quest for becoming a developed technology-driven economy depends on unlocking the untapped potential of its Tier II and Tier III cities and broad-basing the development model beyond the current spectrum of cities.

G.I.T.A. Tier II cities report

The major metros have reached saturation on infrastructure, talent cost, and expansion capacity, and therefore, the focus must now shift to emerging “urban centres” that offer demographic advantage, regional talent pools, and sector-specific strengths.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in her Budget Speech for 2026-27 announced the government’s focus on developing India’s Tier-II and Tier-III cities as City Economic Regions (CERs). The Economic Survey also stressed on the significance of Cities as engines of growth.

Growth Interface for Tech Advocacy (G.I.T.A.) aims to catalyse this transition by identifying high-potential cities and mapping technology-led development opportunities suited to each region’s inherent and unique capabilities.

This report highlights eight such cities across India and outlines sector-focused roadmaps that can accelerate their transformation into Regional Economic Centres (RECs).

Each selected city demonstrates unique strengths (Anchors):

• Jaipur — Well placed to become a regional economic hub for Biotech, Biopharma and Pharmatech

• Lucknow — Can use enhanced value of tech quotient in growing quality of human life through health-tech. Besides engineering products from new frontiers of Space and Defence.

• Gwalior — Telecom and Electronic Manufacturing and Research Hub

• Bhubaneswar — Sports and Skilling Regional Hub

• Indore — Food Processing and Agritech Research Regional Hub

• Guwahati — High Aqua Tech and Water Management Research Hub

• Varanasi — Tech Led Spiritual Regional Hub

• Surat — Global sustainability-tech hub

By infusing technology into region-specific sectors such as water systems, Biotech and Healthcare, Data Centres, Food Processing, Sports, Electronics Manufacturing, and Spiritual Tourism, India can create distributed economic hubs that reduce pressure on Tier I cities and support balanced national growth.

“These cities with rightful infusion of policies can enhance overall tech coefficient of their respective States. Through the guiding principle of this macro report, G.I.T.A wishes to trigger an intense Dialogue among the stakeholders to unleash overarching Tech led progression for these states that missed the earlier IT-led growth. Services in Tech-led domains such as Healthcare, Biotech, Agriculture etc will have much bigger economic pie benefitting domain specific GCCs (Global Capability Centers) to gain from these setups,” said Puneet Kumar, Chairman, G.I.T.A.

Chairman of the Advisory Council of G.I.T.A, Santosh Tiwari said, “This report identifies economic potential of these cities based on their inherent strengths and demography. Infusion of technology through short-, medium- and long-term milestones, prescribed here for these 8 cities, can develop the much-desired runway. We will keep including more cities and updating our recommendations for the cities already covered, in subsequent reports.”

Access full report here:

www.linkedin.com/feed/update

About G.I.T.A

Growth Interface for Tech Advocacy (G.I.T.A.) is striving to serve as a national-level catalyst enabling the technological transformation of emerging cities. The interface is a platform to define and help create the technology landscape of developed India by bringing together all the stakeholders — central government, state governments, academia/think tanks and industry — in a collaborative manner.

Visit – gita.net.in.

Pramerica Life Insurance today announced the launch of Pramerica Rising Bharat Fund, an equity-oriented ULIP fund designed to enable retail policyholders to participate in India’s rapidly growing midcap segment. The fund is benchmarked to the Nifty Midcap 150 Index, which comprises 150 companies ranked immediately after the top 100 companies by market capitalisation, representing businesses with strong growth potential and the capacity to emerge as future market leaders. The New Fund Offer (NFO) was launched on March 5, 2026, and remains available for subscription until March 20, 2026. It will be offered through the company’s ULIP products that provide policyholders with equity fund options.

Pramerica Life Insurance Launches ‘Rising Bharat Fund’

The Pramerica Rising Bharat Fund seeks to achieve long-term capital appreciation by investing in a diversified portfolio of midcap companies selected from a universe of top 150 midcap stocks. The strategy follows a structured investment framework that combines Quality and Momentum factors to identify financially strong businesses and companies demonstrating sustained earnings growth and positive price trends.

Midcap companies represent a dynamic segment of India’s listed equity universe and often evolve into the large-cap leaders of the future as they scale operations and expand market share. They also play a pivotal role in driving economic activity, employment generation, and industrial growth across India’s Tier II and Tier III cities. While the segment offers strong growth potential, it can also experience higher volatility compared to large-cap stocks. The Pramerica Rising Bharat Fund incorporates a disciplined investment framework aimed at capturing long-term opportunities while maintaining a balanced risk-return approach aligned with the investment horizon of ULIP policyholders.

Speaking on the launch, Pankaj Gupta, Managing Director & CEO, Pramerica Life Insurance, said, “India’s growth story is increasingly being written by high-quality mid-sized enterprises that are scaling rapidly as the economy formalises. Through the Pramerica Rising Bharat Fund, we aim to provide policyholders a disciplined way to participate in this next wave of growth, supported by a structured Quality and Momentum investment framework. This launch reflects our commitment to combining the wealth-creation potential of India’s evolving economy with the long-term protection our customers trust us to provide.”

Adding further, Abhishek Das, Chief Investment Officer, Pramerica Life Insurance, said, “Midcaps have always been powerful long-term wealth creators, but they can also experience higher volatility and drawdown risks in the short term. The Pramerica Rising Bharat Fund combines Quality and Momentum factors within a disciplined investment framework to build a resilient portfolio aligned with long-term ULIP investors. By blending financially stable businesses with companies benefiting from emerging trends and positive performance momentum, the fund seeks to deliver a balanced investment experience across market cycles.”

The Fund offers policyholders exposure to some of the fastest growing companies in one of the world’s fastest growing major economies, while being managed in accordance with regulatory and Pramerica Life’s internal investment governance standards applicable to ULIP funds.

About Pramerica Life Insurance Limited
Pramerica Life Insurance Limited is a joint venture between DIL, a wholly owned subsidiary of Piramal Finance Limited (erstwhile Piramal Capital and Housing Finance Limited) and Prudential International Insurance Holdings, Ltd. (PIIH), a fully owned subsidiary of Prudential Financial, Inc. (PFI). It represents the coming together of two renowned financial services organizations with a legacy of business excellence spread over decades. Pramerica Life Insurance Limited, started operations in India on September 1, 2008 and has a pan India presence through multiple distribution channels which have been customized to address the specific insurance needs of diverse customer segments. The Company is committed to providing protection and quality financial advice to its customers. Pramerica is the brand name used in India and select countries by PFI.

For more details, please visit www.pramericalife.in

About Piramal Capital & Housing Finance Limited
Piramal Capital & Housing Finance Limited (referred as Piramal Finance), a wholly owned subsidiary of Piramal Enterprises Limited (flagship company of the Piramal Group), is a housing finance company engaged in retail and wholesale lending. In retail lending, Piramal Finance is one of the leading players that addresses the diverse financing needs of the under-served and unserved people of ‘Bharat’ market. It has over 1 million customers and a network of branches across 318 cities/towns in 27 states. It offers multiple products, including home loans, loan against property, used car loans, small business loans to Indian budget conscious customers at the periphery of metros and in Tier I, II and III cities. In wholesale lending, it caters to both real estate as well as non-real estate sector and offers multiple products including construction finance, structured debt and senior secured debt.

For more information visit: piramalfinance.com

About Prudential Financial, Inc.
Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE: PRU), a global financial services leader and premier active global investment manager with approximately $1.4 trillion in assets under management as of December 31, 2022, has operations in the United States, Asia, Europe, and Latin America. Prudential’s diverse and talented employees help make lives better by creating financial opportunities for more people by expanding access to investing, insurance, and retirement security. Prudential’s iconic Rock symbol has stood for strength, stability, expertise, and innovation for nearly 150 years.

For more information, please visit news.prudential.com