A decarbonisation initiative led by the Foundation for MSME Clusters (FMC), supported by HSBC and implemented in collaboration with the Centre for Responsible Business (CRB), has concluded with a strong, measurable impact in the Panipat textile cluster, demonstrating that sustainability can be both practical and profitable for MSMEs.

Business Development Service Provider Interactive session on ERP software for efficient planning and resource management leading to decarbonization

The project, “Demonstrating Decarbonisation Pathways through Pilots in Textile SMEs,” set out to enable MSMEs to transition towards low-carbon operations and in doing so, with the recommendations, has projected reduction in annual emissions up to 5655.60 tonnes of CO2, developed bankable proposals of INR 39.94 crore for green financing for MSMEs and unlocked annual cost savings of 6.47 crore across participating enterprises.

Conceived at a time when textile MSMEs face increasing pressure from global sustainability standards but limited access to finance, technology and technical know-how, the initiative aimed to bridge this gap by demonstrating scalable, business-friendly decarbonisation pathways.

 Anchored in Panipat, India’s leading recycled textile hub, the project focused on strengthening both environmental performance and global competitiveness of MSMEs, proving that climate action need not come at the cost of growth.

What distinguishes the initiative is FMC’s ecosystem-driven, implementation-first approach. Moving beyond awareness, the project engaged 40 MSMEs, including 16 pioneering enterprises that received intensive support through diagnostic assessments, customised decarbonisation plans, technology linkages, and facilitation of green finance.

A series of targeted BDSP promotion events further strengthened the ecosystem by bringing together MSMEs, financial institutions, and technical experts, resulting in 215 enterprises being sensitised and creating strong linkages with service providers. These interventions translated into real interest and action around energy audits, solar adoption, digitalisation, and cleaner production processes, areas critical for both cost efficiency and compliance with global standards.

For MSMEs on the ground, the shift has been both perceptual and practical. “Earlier, sustainability felt like an added burden. Through this project, we realised it actually improves efficiency and reduces costs. We are already seeing savings and feel more confident in meeting international buyer expectations,” said Mr Ankur, an entrepreneur from Panipat.

Reflecting on the broader significance, Mr Manoj Bhatt, FMC representative, noted, “This initiative shows that decarbonisation for MSMEs is not just about compliance—it is about competitiveness. By combining technical support, financial access, and ecosystem partnerships, we have created a model that can be scaled across India’s industrial clusters.”

As the project concludes, it leaves behind more than just numbers; it offers a clear roadmap for scaling sustainable transformation across MSMEs.

The key learnings are unequivocal: awareness must be backed by continuous handholding, adoption accelerates when the business case is clear, local service providers play a critical bridging role, and ecosystem collaboration is essential for long-term impact. In a global market increasingly defined by sustainability, the Panipat experience stands as a compelling blueprint for how India’s MSMEs can transition towards a low-carbon future while strengthening their economic resilience.

About FMC
Foundation for MSME Clusters (FMC) is a leading non-governmental, not-for-profit public charitable trust, established in India in 2005. FMC has made remarkable strides in fostering sustainable livelihoods and environmental progress through our innovative cluster development approach. Our work spans more than 300 MSME clusters, supporting over 100,000 artisanal and industrial units, ranging from household operations to medium-sized production entities. As an empanelled Nodal Agency with the Ministries of MSME and Rural Development, FMC extends support to prominent schemes like SFURTI, and is also providing technical, research and evaluation support to various organisations, including SIDBI & KVIC. FMC has implemented multiple projects on environment and livelihoods with support of agencies like NABARD, UNIDO, UNDP, EU, ADB, and major corporates such as CISCO, Mahindra Finance, HCL, Yes Bank and Hindalco. Since its inception, FMC has enhanced more than 275,000 livelihoods, impacted more than 100,000 women by generating income of more than 75 Crore INR and facilitated the reduction of 60,000 tons of carbon.

For more details,
Please Contact: Mr Manoj Bhatt
Mobile no: +91 7742907423
Email: manoj@msmefoundation.org
Website: www.fmc.org.in

Mahindra University welcomed the celebrated author, essayist, and travel writer Pico Iyer for an inspiring talk and interactive session on, “Moving Without Leaving – Lessons from a Lifetime of Journeys.” The evening drew the audience into a thoughtful exploration of travel, resilience, and the art of cultivating inner stillness.

Pico Iyer’s visit to Mahindra University

Renowned for his insights on global culture and contemplative life, Pico Iyer has penned fifteen books that have reached readers in twenty-three languages, among them The Art of Stillness, The Global Soul, and Video Nights in Kathmandu. His forthcoming work, Aflame: Learning from Silence (2025), deepens his quest to understand solitude, meaning, and the threads of human connection in a rapidly evolving world.

Vice Chancellor of Mahindra University Yajulu Medury greeted Pico Iyer, calling his visit a rare honor and celebrating his thought-provoking explorations of travel, belonging, and the inner journey. Dr Medury reminded the audience of the value of pausing for reflection amid the rush of academic life and affirmed that true education weaves together both knowledge and wisdom.

Pico Iyer revealed that this was his first opportunity to speak before and address an Indian university audience, and he reflected on the pivotal moments that shaped his understanding of silence and personal renewal.

“In all my years, I have never had the chance to visit an Indian university before, so this is a great joy and a very special privilege for me. I am thrilled to be here, and engaging in conversations with students feels like an exciting new adventure. I feel truly blessed to be on this remarkably beautiful, cool, and cutting-edge campus, and deeply grateful to everyone for making me feel so welcome. This is something I will never forget,” he said.

The evening culminated in a lively exchange, with students engaging Mr Iyer on themes of creativity, displacement, focused attention, and nurturing inner clarity in a world that rarely stands still.

OWND!, the Gen-Z focused fashion brand from Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Limited, has reached a significant milestone with 75 stores across India. The brand has entered Mumbai with the launch of two new stores, marking an important step in its growth journey as it continues to build a strong presence in key fashion-forward markets.
 

Sangeeta Tanwani, Chief Executive Officer of Pantaloons & OWND!, with Acclaimed Actor Adarsh Gourav at OWND!’s 75th Flagship Store Launch
 

To mark its entry into Mumbai, OWND! hosted a high-impact launch event that brought the brand’s energy and identity to life. The evening featured a dynamic fashion showcase, with Adarsh Gourav, one of the lead actors from Kho Gaye Hum Kahan, as the showstopper. The event saw strong participation from the city’s fashion and youth community, creating a vibrant celebration of style, self-expression, and culture.
 

Located at Infiniti Mall in Malad and R-Mall in Thane, the two new stores span over 5,900 sq. ft. and 7,600 sq. ft., respectively. Designed as immersive and high-energy retail spaces, the stores bring OWND!’s bold and expressive identity to life, offering trend-first collections, intuitive layouts, and a seamless blend of physical and digital experiences. The spaces are built to encourage discovery, individuality, and self-expression.
 

Commenting on the milestone, Sangeeta Tanwani, Chief Executive Officer, Pantaloons and OWND! said, “We are incredibly proud to reach the 75-store milestone for OWND!, which reflects the strong connection the brand has built with young India. Our entry into Mumbai is an important milestone for us, given the city’s influence on youth culture and fashion. As we continue to grow, our focus remains on staying close to our consumers and building a brand that evolves with them.”
 

OWND! offers a wide range of fashion-forward collections for a generation that thrives on visibility and validation. From everyday essentials to trend-driven statement pieces, the brand blends comfort, versatility, and individuality with great accessibility across menswear, womenswear, and kidswear. With frequent drops and an agile design approach, OWND! stays closely aligned with global trends while remaining rooted in local sensibilities.
 

Reaching 75 stores underscores OWND!’s rapid scale-up and its strong cultural resonance with Gen-Z consumers. The brand continues to shape a retail experience that goes beyond fashion, creating environments that feel relevant, inclusive, and rooted in youth culture.
 

With a continued focus on agility, trend responsiveness, and consumer-first thinking, OWND! is poised to further strengthen its footprint across the country.

Alkami Technology, Inc. (Nasdaq: ALKT) (“Alkami”), a digital sales and service platform provider for financial institutions in the U.S., announced today the expansion of its Global Capability Center (GCC) in India, reinforcing the company’s investment in engineering and data talent as banks and credit unions accelerate their transition to modern digital banking platforms.

Alkami Technology marked a key milestone in its global expansion with the launch of its India GCC, in partnership with Summit (an ANSR company)

“Alkami was very intentional in selecting the National Capital Region for our technology hub in India,” said Alex Shootman, Chief Executive officer at Alkami. “Its location offers a remarkable concentration of bank and fintech engineering skill, technical depth, and operational talent befitting to accelerate innovation and development across the Alkami Digital Sales & Service Platform. By investing in this region, we are strengthening our ability to move faster, scale thoughtfully, and deliver the technology that financial institutions need to compete and grow.”

The India hub will support platform engineering, data intelligence and cloud architecture with security at every layer for Alkami’s Digital Sales & Service Platform (DSSP), which powers digital banking experiences for more than 300 financial institutions and 22 million users across its ecosystem. Alkami is one of the fastest growing financial technology partners in the United States as the DSSP becomes the first to market in this category.

“I’ve seen firsthand the impact a global technology organization can have on accelerating growth and executing on the product roadmap,” said Deep Varma, Chief Technology Officer at Alkami. “The depth of engineering talent and the strength of the technical ecosystem in this region of India will help us scale our platform, advance our AI-driven capabilities, and deliver secure, reliable banking experiences for our customers.”

Consumer expectations continue to rise. Research shows that 46% of digital banking users wish their primary financial provider anticipated their financial needs more effectively, while half say they would switch providers for a significantly better digital experience. Alkami’s Platform is designed to help financial institutions move toward Anticipatory Banking — a forward-thinking vision that uses behavioral data, artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure to anticipate account holders’ needs before they are communicated to deliver proactive, supercharged personalized financial experiences.

“The work of skilled engineers will seal the connection between product strategy and technical execution,” said Manoj Kumar, Vice President of data engineering and country lead, India at Alkami. “By growing our engineering footprint in a market with deep expertise, we are better positioned to accelerate development across the Alkami Digital Sales & Service Platform and deliver capabilities that are performant, scalable, and aligned to the needs of financial institutions.”

To scale its India operations, Alkami leveraged the capabilities of Summit Consulting, an ANSR partner company, to design, build, and operationalize its Global Capability Center.

About Alkami 

Alkami provides a digital sales and service platform for U.S. banks and credit unions. Our unified Platform integrates onboarding, digital banking, and data and marketing—each solution can stand alone, but together they deliver more—to help institutions onboard, engage, and grow relationships. As the future shifts toward Anticipatory Banking, we help data-informed bankers meet the moment with technology that drives action.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

About Galgotias University

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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