ARCH College of Design & Business, Jaipur, one of India’s leading institutions for design education, innovation, and research, strengthened its national leadership as Ms. Archana Surana, Founder & Director, ARCH College of Design & Business, was invited to participate in the CII Global Summit on Technology, R&D & Intellectual Property 2025, held on 16–17 December 2025 at Hotel Le Meridien, New Delhi.

Archana Surana was invited to speak on ‘Reimagining Industry–Academia Collaboration for a Global R&D and IP Economy’

Organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), the summit was themed “From Dependence to Dominance: Research, Deep Tech, and IP for Atmanirbhar Bharat.” It brought together senior leaders from government, industry, academia, research institutions, and policy bodies to deliberate on India’s innovation-led growth, intellectual property development, and global competitiveness.

ARCH College of Design & Business celebrated its 23rd Convocation Ceremony

ARCH’s participation reaffirmed its role in contributing to national dialogues at the intersection of design education, research and development, intellectual property, innovation ecosystems, and industry–academia collaboration.

Ms. Surana spoke at the CII session titled “Reimagining Industry–Academia Collaboration for a Global R&D and IP Economy.” In her address, she highlighted the evolving role of design education in India’s innovation and research landscape, emphasising that design institutions must move beyond skill-based training towards inquiry-driven learning, interdisciplinary research, and co-creation with industry.

She underlined that design today plays a critical role in bridging creativity with technology, research, and entrepreneurship, and that innovation outcomes require sustained collaboration between academia and industry rather than isolated efforts. Her perspective reflected the growing relevance of design thinking, systems thinking, and research-led pedagogy in building future-ready R&D and intellectual property ecosystems.

Sharing the platform with leaders and representatives from ANRF, ProInn, Tata Motors, IIT Roorkee, and C&S Electric, Ms. Surana emphasised the need for closer alignment between education policy, industry requirements, applied research, and student entrepreneurship. 

Her views were closely aligned with the vision of National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which advocates interdisciplinary learning, innovation, and industry-linked education.

The session reinforced a key consensus among participants that innovation cannot thrive in silos and must be co-created through collaboration between classrooms, companies, research organisations, and communities. This approach, she noted, is integral to ARCH College of Design & Business’s academic and institutional philosophy.

Alongside its national engagement, ARCH College of Design & Business recently marked an academic milestone with its 23rd Convocation Ceremony, celebrating graduating students across Fashion Design, Jewellery Design, Interior Design, Product Design, Communication Design, and Digital Design. The ceremony was attended by eminent leaders from art, industry, and entrepreneurship, who addressed students on creativity, leadership, and the expanding role of design in society.

With over 25 years of excellence in design education and a strong alumni network of over 7,500 professionals, ARCH College of Design & Business offers industry-integrated undergraduate and postgraduate design programs that are globally informed and sustainability-driven. Based in Jaipur, Rajasthan, the institution continues to contribute to India’s growing creative, innovation-led, and knowledge economies.

Admissions for Undergraduate and Postgraduate Design Programs 2026 are currently open.

In a major push to future-proof Indiaʼs fastest-growing city against climate stress, UnboxingBLR – in partnership with Social Alpha and WTFund, and supported by the Government of Karnataka and the Greater Bengaluru Authority GBA – announced today, the five winning startups of Namma Bengaluru Challenge ʼ26 (NBC ʼ26) that will each receive Rs. 25 lakhs to deploy their innovations across Bengaluru.

UnboxingBLR – Namma Bengaluru Challenge ’26 winners with jury

NBC ’26 is turning Bengaluru into a sandbox for finding solutions to climate-triggered challenges that the city faces. The challenge aspires to test ideas that can be piloted on real streets, real buildings and real communities before scaling up across cities.

The five winners were selected from nearly 600 registrations from across India, making NBC ʼ26 one of the country’s most competitive and high-impact climate innovation challenges.

Over the next six months, the startups will pilot solutions that directly address Bengaluruʼs most urgent environmental challenges across construction, water and waste—a few critical pillars of the cityʼs Bengaluru Climate Action and Resilience Plan (BCAP).

“Bengaluru is running out of time on climate, but not out of ideas. What NBC ʼ26 proves is that when entrepreneurs, government and industry come together, we can move from pilots to real solutions that change how the city is built, powered and sustained,ˮ said Prashanth Prakash, Chairman and Co-founder, UnboxingBLR.

NBC ’26 is powered by a strong consortium of partners committed to systemic change.

Challenge Partners

• Bangalore International Airport Limited

• Brigade Group

Program Partners

• Bangalore Climate Action Cell (Climate Action Partner)

• WRI India (Knowledge Partner)

• Brigade REAP

• CoEvolve Estates (Pilot Partner)

• Biome Environmental Solutions (Pilot Partner)

• GoodEarth (Pilot Partner)

Why this matters now:

Bengaluru has lost 93% of its lakes and green cover to urban expansion, while construction has grown by over 1,000% in the last two decades. The result: worsening water shortages, rising heat, polluted air and fragile waste systems — all hitting the cityʼs most vulnerable
communities the hardest.

NBC ʼ26 bridges this gap by moving climate innovation out of labs and into neighbourhoods, backed by government, industry and investors working together.

“We are thrilled to see the exciting diversity of innovators selected in the Namma Bengaluru Challenge ʼ26, with solutions spanning sustainable construction materials, effluent treatment, and circular materials. This reflects a growing recognition that impactful climate-tech solutions must be as varied as the urban challenges we face. The pilots enabled through this challenge will help de-risk promising technologies, strengthen pathways to scale, and accelerate real-world impact in Bengaluru and beyond. We look forward to partnering with this cohort as they move from bold ideas to demonstrable outcomes that advance urban sustainability and resilience,ˮ said Manoj Kumar, Founder, Social Alpha.

The Five NBC ʼ26 Winners

1. Carbon Craft Design

Category: Sustainable Construction

Founder: Tejas Sidnal

Carbon Craft Design is reinventing building materials using low-carbon blocks and panels made from industrial waste and recovered carbon. Their products can replace conventional bricks, tiles and facades—cutting emissions where Bengaluru produces them the most: in construction.

2. SatiQ Concrete Manufacturer

Category: Low-Carbon Concrete

Founders: Shantanu Bhattacherjee, Smrati Jain

SatiQ Concrete Manufacturer develops next-generation cement binders that dramatically reduce the carbon footprint of concrete. By working directly with ready-mix plants, precast manufacturers and builders, Satiq is helping decarbonise the backbone of Indiaʼs urban growth.

3. Tellus Habitat

Category: Water & Sanitation

Founders: Dr. Seema Sukhani, Naveen Janardhana

Tellus Habitatʼs R3H2O system treats sewage locally using advanced bio-filters, making wastewater reusable for gardening, flushing and cleaning. This reduces dependence on freshwater while easing pressure on Bengaluruʼs overburdened sewage network.

4. Go Do Good

Category: Plastic-Free Packaging

Founders: Khushboo Gandhi, Chanakya Medh, Ronak Gandhi

Go Do Good has created 100% plant-based coatings and inks that replace plastic layers in food packaging. Their technology keeps food safe and fresh—without adding to the mountains

of plastic waste choking Bengaluruʼs landfills.

5. Sunbird Straws

Category: Circular Biomaterials

Founders: Chirag M G, Saji Varghese

Sunbird Straws makes fully compostable straws from fallen coconut leaves—strong enough for hours of use, yet completely biodegradable. The model also creates income for rural women, linking climate action with livelihoods.

A model for Indian cities

As Indian cities grapple with heat waves, floods, water shortages and waste crises, NBC ʼ26 offers a new blueprint—where government, corporates and climate entrepreneurs move in lockstep from pilot to policy to scale.

“Cities donʼt become climate-resilient through intent — they become resilient through evidence. The pilots under NBC ʼ26 will generate exactly the kind of data cities need to scale what works and move faster on climate action,ˮ said Pavitra Shankar, Managing Director, Brigade Group.

“The real challenge in climate innovation is not invention, itʼs adoption and scale-up. NBC ʼ26 creates that missing bridge — by backing bold solutions that can be piloted and scaled up at a city-level. The challenge brings capital, founders and the city together to solve problems in the startup capital Bengaluru,ˮ added Malini Goyal, Co-Founder & CEO, UnboxingBLR.

“Urban climate challenges demand solutions that are practical, scalable, and rooted in collaboration. Platforms like the Namma Bengaluru Challenge create the conditions for innovation to move from concept to real-world application. At BIAL, we are committed to supporting solutions that are evidence-led and capable of delivering lasting environmental impact for the city,ˮ said Hari Marar, Managing Director & CEO, Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL).

UnboxingBLR

UnboxingBLR (UBLR) is a Bengaluru-focused collaborative platform dedicated to celebrating and shaping the city’s culture and identity. Founded in 2023 by Prashanth Prakash and Malini Goyal, UBLR brings together people, communities, and institutions to co-create Bengaluru’s story, serving as a city champion, idea catalyst, and collaborative platform.

UBLR drives initiatives such as the Namma Bengaluru Challenge, an accelerator that supports startups and changemakers tackling urban challenges; BLR Hubba, a city-wide festival celebrating art and culture; the annual We Are City Data Report, a data-driven snapshot of how citizens experience and engage with Bengaluru; and Code to Culture, a podcast exploring the city and its people. Together, these initiatives highlight citizen-led innovation and showcase Bengaluru’s cultural vibrancy in action.

Not many may be aware that before Surat rose to prominence as a global diamond hub, Navsari held that prestigious position. For decades, Navsari was renowned for its skilled gem artists whose craftsmanship added brilliance and value to diamonds traded across international markets. However, as time progressed, Navsari gradually lost its dominance. Surat, benefiting from superior infrastructure, better connectivity, and a rapidly expanding industrial ecosystem, began attracting diamond businesses and skilled labour, slowly overtaking Navsari in the diamond trade.
 

From Diamond to Sun: How Goldi Solar Reignited Navsari’s Sparkle
 

The downturn became more pronounced following the global financial crisis of 2008. The recession, whose effects stretched well into the following decade, severely impacted the diamond industry worldwide. Geopolitical tensions, fluctuating international demand, and adverse tariff regimes further strained an already fragile ecosystem. As a result, diamond workshops in Navsari began shutting down, traders faced prolonged periods of inactivity, and thousands of gem artists lost their primary source of income. The once-thriving diamond city saw its identity shift decisively to Surat.
 

With limited employment opportunities remaining in Navsari, many gem artists were compelled to commute daily to Surat in search of work. These journeys often consumed more than three hours a day, draining both time and energy. Despite their specialized skills, these workers remained part of the unorganized sector, with little job security, irregular income, and minimal access to social benefits. Over time, this arrangement proved unsustainable, pushing many families into financial uncertainty.
 

The situation deteriorated further in 2020 when the Covid-19 pandemic brought economic activity to a grinding halt. The nationwide lockdown disrupted industries across the country, leaving traditional gem artists without work or income. With no safety net to fall back on, despair and uncertainty loomed large over the community. Many families struggled to meet basic expenses, and the future appeared increasingly bleak.
 

Amid this crisis, a transformative opportunity emerged. Surat-based industrialist Capt. Ishver Dholakiya, Founder and Managing Director of Goldi Solar initiated a solar panel manufacturing facility in Navsari at the long-defunct Mafatlal Mill compound, which had remained closed and unused for several years. This initiative not only revitalized idle industrial land but also aligned with India’s growing focus on renewable energy and sustainable development.
 

Recognizing the potential of the local workforce, over 1,000 former gem artists were enrolled in professional training programs for solar panel manufacturing at the Industrial Training Institute (ITI) in Kharel, free of cost. The ITI, operating under the Directorate General of Training of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Government of India, provides practical, industry-oriented training in both engineering and non-engineering trades. Upon completion of the program, these trained workers were absorbed by Goldi Solar at its Vejalpore plant in Navsari, earning a stable monthly income of Rs. 20,000.
 

This transition marked a significant shift in the lives of these workers. From being part of the unorganized sector, they moved into structured employment with benefits such as statutory leaves, compensation, safe working conditions, and access to nutritious meals at the factory canteen. Most importantly, they gained the dignity of stable employment close to home, eliminating the need for long and exhausting daily commutes.
 

Conversations with these workers reflect a powerful story of hope and renewal. They jubilantly talk about improved financial stability, the ability to support their families, and the relief of repaying long-standing debts. They can’t thank Capt. Ishver Dholakiya and the entire Goldi Solar Group enough for the metamorphosis that was actuated in their lives. Beyond direct employment, the establishment of the solar plant also generated indirect livelihood opportunities, including catering, logistics, and essential supplies, benefiting the broader local economy.
 

Today, the optimism visible on the faces of these workers underscores a larger transformation. The sun that now shines over Navsari symbolizes resilience, sustainability, and shared prosperity. By merging renewable energy with inclusive employment, Navsari has found a new path forward, one that brings both environmental responsibility and social upliftment. It would not be an exaggeration to say that Navsari hasn’t settled for less and that Goldi Solar under the aegis of Capt. Ishver Dholakiya facilitated the transition from Diamond to Sun with the Sparkle Brightened Manifold.

Pepe Jeans London elevates its denim portfolio with the launch of Shiruku, a premium denim line inspired by the refined touch of Japanese silk, celebrated for its exceptional softness and smoothness.
 

Shiruku Denim by Pepe Jeans London
 

Crafted for consumers who value comfort as much as style, Shiruku introduces the innovative features of fine textile engineering with sophisticated design to provide superior comfort, soft feel, and style.
 

Inspired by the sensorial elegance of Japanese silk, Shiruku Denim delivers an elevated wearing experience, light against the skin yet structured in silhouette, making it a versatile choice for all-day wear.
 

Prices starting from Rs. 4,999, Shiruku Denim is now available pan-India, across exclusive retail outlets, leading departmental stores, multi-brand outlets and leading e-commerce portals.
 

The launch of Shiruku further reinforces Pepe Jeans London’s position as a brand that continues to evolve with modern lifestyles while remaining rooted in its denim-first philosophy.

You can watch the campaign here www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8QI4tOuqCA

About Pepe Jeans London
Pepe Jeans London was born on London’s iconic Portobello Road in 1973. Today, over 50 years later, the brand remains devoted to its initial mantra and pledge to create the world’s most exciting denim-led fashion. The diversity and mix of cultures that define the city of London also define the Pepe Jeans personality, providing a constant source of inspiration for the women’s, men’s, and junior collections. Music, Culture, Fashion, London, and Denim, that’s what Pepe Jeans is all about.

VinFast received a double honor at the Auto9 Awards 2026, with the “New Entrant of the Year” award and the “Value for Money Car of the Year” award for the VF 6. The award, which honors the best automotive and motorcycle brands and products in the Indian market, recognizes VinFast’s strong progress since entering the market, its long-term direction in the electric vehicle (EV) sector, and its consumer-centric approach to building a product portfolio aligned with local preferences.

Mr. Arunodoy Das, Deputy CEO of VinFast India – Sales received the award from Mr. Nitin Gadkari, Hon. Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Govt. of India

The Auto9 Awards is an annual awards program organized by TV9 Network to honor outstanding achievements in the automotive and mobility industry in India, as well as vehicles launched in 2025. With an evaluation process based on real world testing, technical data, and insights from a multidisciplinary panel of experts, the awards provide a comprehensive perspective on product quality, usability, and market impact.

This year, the “New Entrant of the Year” award at the Auto9 Awards 2026 was presented to a brand that demonstrated a clear market presence and created a strong impression within a short period after entering the market, through its product strategy, execution capabilities, and alignment with local consumer needs. In addition, the “Value for Money Car of the Year” award recognized the outstanding value proposition of the all-electric B-SUV VF 6, highlighting its balance between price, features, and cost of ownership, and reflecting VinFast’s role and contribution at both brand and product levels in the overall development of India’s EV industry.

The recognition at the Auto9 Awards 2026 further adds to the list of accolades VinFast has received in the Indian market, reflecting the positive attention and evaluation from industry experts toward the company’s product development direction and long-term investment strategy.

Mr. Tapan Ghosh, Chief Executive Officer of VinFast India, stated, “The double honor at the Auto9 Awards 2026 is a meaningful recognition of our efforts in India. This award reflects VinFast’s long-term approach to the market, combined with a strong focus on real world consumer needs, while reinforcing our commitment to sustainable investment in India.”

Mr. Nand Kumar, Editor – Auto, TV9 Network, said, “VinFast’s product strategy reflects a clear intent to address different segments of the EV market. The VF 6 stood out for offering a well-balanced package strong on features, sensible on pricing, and practical for everyday use which made it a natural choice for our Value for Money Award. At the same time, VinFast’s entry as a new brand has been both credible and promising, earning it the New Entrant Award. These awards reflect the strength of VinFast’s early product lineup for the Indian market.”

After just one year of presence, VinFast has gradually established its footprint in India’s electric vehicle market through a long-term development strategy and a premium product portfolio. The company is building a comprehensive electric vehicle ecosystem that integrates manufacturing, retail, financial solutions, charging infrastructure, and after-sales services, ensuring a seamless customer experience through close collaboration with local partners.

With a consistent focus on innovation, sustainable development, and a user-centric approach, VinFast continues to advance its mission of accelerating the transition to green mobility while making a positive contribution to the long-term development of India’s automotive industry.

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.  

MATTER today unveiled India’s first AI-Defined vehicles (AIDV) platform at Technology Day 3.0, marking a tech forward defining milestone and a decisive inflection point in the evolution of electric two-wheelers. The unveiling establishes the company’s intent to lead the next phase of the two-wheeler industry, while signalling a structural shift in how vehicles are engineered, built, and experienced.

MATTER – TechUp3.0 – The New Continuum

With this announcement, MATTER positions intelligence not hardware alone as the defining layer of the next generation of two-wheelers. The AIDV platform establishes a scalable technology and product roadmap spanning multiple products over the next 36–48 months, while establishing MATTER as a proven long-term leader in performance, efficiency, safety, and lifecycle value, with alternate materials as a complementary key initiative in building sustainable, future-ready vehicles.

A Defining Moment for Indian Two-Wheelers

With Technology Day 3.0, MATTER positioned itself not merely as an EV manufacturer, but as a deep-technology company redefining how two-wheelers are conceived, engineered, and evolved ahead of time. The unveiling of the AIDV platform marks a decisive inflection point, signalling a structural shift in how electric two-wheelers are built, experienced, and taken into the future.

AIDV: Redefining the Architecture of Two-Wheelers

MATTER emphasised that AIDVs are not incremental upgrades over existing electric architectures. They represent a fundamental re-architecture ahead of field where intelligence actively governs how materials, energy, power, and control systems behave in real-world conditions.

Unlike mechanically defined vehicles (MDVs), where performance and behaviour are fixed at the time of production, or electronically defined vehicles (EDVs), where control improves through electronics, and software-defined vehicles (SDVs)—such as MATTER AERA, which represents an SDV architecture with vehicle functions and behaviours defined and upgraded through software—AIDVs continuously evolve across the entire vehicle lifecycle.

Intelligence sits at the core, enabling consistent real-world performance and energy efficiency, predictive reliability with lower lifetime ownership costs, continuous capability expansion through software, and deep personalisation with adaptive ride behaviour tech forward by design.

As vehicles transition from Mechanical → Electronic → Software → Intelligence-Driven, MATTER aims to set the benchmark for the next generation, ahead of time where materials, machines, and intelligence operate as a single, adaptive system.

This approach enables electric two-wheelers to move beyond traditional constraints of energy density, thermal management, and power delivery—positioning them not merely as alternatives to fossil-fuel vehicles, but as a new reference point for the category, ahead of field.

Innovation That Already Matters: AERA as SDV 1.0

MATTER highlighted that this transition did not begin today. With AERA, the company has already delivered multiple industry-first paradigm shifts:

• Hypershift™ gearbox, redefining rider control and engagement in EVs,

• Liquid-cooled motor and battery, breaking long-standing thermal ceilings in E2Ws

• Deeply embedded control systems, integrating FOC into CLA

• Cell and pack innovations, enabling improved repairability, laser-welded integrity, and higher power density

• MATTER reiterated that AERA is already an SDV 1.0 platform, proven, with every OTA release enhancing vehicle character and capability on unchanged hardware.

From Software-Defined to AI-Defined Vehicles

While Software-Defined Vehicles digitised vehicles through connectivity and updates, MATTER’s AIDV architecture introduces a deeper shift, tech forward intelligence embedded directly into control and decision layers.

Here, intelligence governs how motors adapt torque and efficiency in real time, how batteries age and protect themselves, how thermal systems manage stress rather than derate performance, and how vehicles predict faults, adapt behaviour, and improve over time.

This allows MATTER to manage rising system complexity without slowing development—turning engineering depth into a proven long-term competitive advantage.

Materials, Reimagined—and Governed by Intelligence

MATTER underscored that the next decade will be defined not only by AI, but equally by new materials—and by intelligence that understands and governs those materials, ahead of time.

Key breakthroughs include rare-earth-free motor architectures, adaptive variable flux drives, advanced semiconductor and sensor strategies, and cell-level intelligence unlocking industry-leading battery life and consistency.

By embedding intelligence into how materials behave—not just how they are selected—MATTER unlocks new benchmarks in efficiency, longevity, and customer experience, ahead of field.

Domain-Integrated Compute & Intelligence at Scale

MATTER detailed its domain and zonal integration strategy, optimising compute across the vehicle rather than distributing intelligence across isolated controllers—tech forward in execution. This balances edge and cloud intelligence, enabling higher performance, lower latency, and scalable complexity without hardware sprawl.

Speaking at the event, Mohal Lalbhai, Founder and Group CEO, MATTER, said: “Two-wheelers have been mechanically defined for decades. Intelligence-Driven Vehicles change that permanently. When intelligence governs materials, energy, and control—not just software—we unlock vehicles that continuously outperform their own starting point. This is not an EV transition. This is a category reset.”

Kumar Prasad Tellikepalli, Founder and Group CTO, MATTER, added, “Intelligence is the only way to scale complexity without slowing innovation. AIDVs allow us to compress development cycles, improve first-time-right outcomes, and build vehicles that learn from every kilometre ridden—while introducing a new approach to materials, where intelligence governs how materials behave, age, and perform in real-world conditions. This is how engineering depth becomes a proven compounding advantage.”

The future of two-wheelers is not electric alone.
It is intelligent.

Five-Segment Product Expansion Strategy (36–48 Months)

MATTER announced a five-segment expansion roadmap, all built on a common AI-defined hardware, software, compute, and data backbone:

• Naked Street Motorcycles

• Street Fighter Motorcycles

• Adventure (ADV) Motorcycles

• Youth-Focused Commuter Motorcycles

• Electric Scooters

This strategy enables MATTER to address the majority of India’s two-wheeler demand spectrum through a core, scalable technology platform.

Long-Term Technology Leadership

MATTER reported 400+ technology innovations supported by 97 granted patents, reinforcing the company’s proven long-term intellectual property defensibility and deep-technology foundation.

With the AIDV platform, MATTER has laid out a clear direction: to lead the transition from mechanically defined motorcycles to AI-defined electric motorcycles, ahead of time, setting new benchmarks for performance, reliability, and ownership experience.

For more information, please visit: www.matter.in.

Viceroy Properties has unveiled Versova, Once Upon A Shoreline, a thoughtfully curated coffee table book that documents the layered history, lived-in culture and creative spirit of Versova, one of Mumbai’s most evocative coastal neighbourhoods.

From L to R Mr. Noel D’souza, Mr. Rajhans Tapke, Mr. Samrat Mukherji, Mr Bhagwan Bhanji, Ms. Maria Goretti, Mr. Sunhil Sippy & Mr. Cyrus Mody

More than a geographical chronicle, the book captures Versova as a living cultural ecosystem shaped by its fishing communities, heritage homes, artists, filmmakers, cuisines and everyday rhythms that have defined the area for generations.

Conceptualised as an act of cultural documentation rather than a brand exercise, the book brings together photographers, filmmakers, writers and long-time residents to preserve stories that often remain undocumented, even as the city around them rapidly transforms.

Speaking about the intent behind the book, Cyrus Mody, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Viceroy Properties, said, “As a real estate developer, Viceroy’s role is not just that of building structures. Our ambition is to become a part of each neighbourhood we operate in and that means understanding and respecting what came before us.

Versova is more than a micro-market. It is a living, breathing cultural ecosystem shaped by generations of artists, filmmakers, fishing communities and families with stories that often go undocumented. Before adding a new silhouette to Versova’s skyline, we felt it was important to understand and honour these chapters. This book is dedicated to them.

For us, this is not about marketing a project. It is about being a responsible, respectful participant in the fabric of the city. By documenting Versova’s storytellers and spaces, we hope to contribute something meaningful to this unique community.”

The visual language of the book is anchored by renowned photographer Sunhil Sippy, whose images capture Versova beyond the postcard view. “Versova reveals itself in moments. The early mornings at the Koliwada, the quiet lanes behind the beach, the homes that carry decades of memories. This book allowed us to slow down and observe Versova as it truly exists, intimate, layered and deeply human.”

TV presenter, Chef and Author Maria Goretti, who has long shared a personal connection with Versova, reflected on the emotional resonance of the project. “Versova has always had a soul that quietly draws people in. Being part of this book felt like revisiting memories and sharing stories that deserve to be remembered. It is a love letter to a neighbourhood that has given so much to the city’s creative and cultural life.”

Filmmaker and owner of Filmalaya, Samrat Mukherji, added, “Versova has played a silent yet significant role in shaping Mumbai’s independent cinema and artistic communities. Collaborating with Viceroy Properties to document its stories is important because places like this influence creative thought in ways that are not always visible. This book captures that influence beautifully.”

Singer and member of India’s first boy band, Sherrin Varghese highlighted the importance of preserving lived narratives. “While I am a resident of Madh, few people realise the deep historical relationship it shares with Versova, from shared communities and coastal traditions to even the same pin code. The book brings this overlooked connection to the forefront, offering a fuller understanding of Versova beyond its familiar image. Documenting these layered relationships was important, and it is what made this initiative by Viceroy meaningful enough for me to be a part of.”

The book was unveiled at an intimate gathering at Kino’s Cottage, Versova, a space deeply embedded in the neighbourhood’s cultural and cinematic history. The event brought together contributors, members of the local community, artists and creative voices who have shaped Versova over the years. Set against the backdrop of Versova beach, the evening served as a meaningful culmination of the collaborative journey behind the book, celebrating shared memories, conversations and the spirit of the neighbourhood that inspired it.

The unveiling also marked one of the initiatives under The Good Neighbour, Viceroy Properties’ ongoing commitment to engaging thoughtfully with the communities and cultural ecosystems of the neighbourhoods it operates in, beyond the act of building alone.

Versova, Once Upon A Shoreline stands as a cultural archive and a tribute to a neighbourhood at the intersection of memory and modernity. Through stories and visuals, the book seeks to preserve Versova’s identity at a time when urban change often outpaces remembrance.

About Viceroy Properties

Viceroy Properties was founded in 2017 to redefine Luxury Real Estate Development in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. With a strong focus on Meticulous Planning, Aesthetic Design and Impeccable Craftsmanship, the firm’s first two projects have won 13 International Awards across Design, Construction and Sustainability. As of mid-2024, Viceroy Properties has delivered over 1.2 mm sq. ft. in Thakur Village, Kandivali (E) with another 3.3 mm sq. ft. under various stages of planning/development.

About ‘The Good Neighbour’ – An Initiative by Viceroy Properties

The Good Neighbour is a long-term initiative by Viceroy Properties that seeks to engage meaningfully with the neighbourhoods it operates in, beyond the act of development. Rooted in the belief that responsible building begins with understanding place, people and history, the initiative focuses on celebrating local culture, preserving lived narratives and fostering community participation. Its first initiative was a curated heritage walk through Versova, designed to highlight the area’s lesser-known histories, cultural intersections and everyday stories that have shaped the neighbourhood over generations. Through projects such as the heritage walk and the coffee table book Versova, Once Upon A Shoreline, The Good Neighbour reflects Viceroy’s commitment to being a thoughtful, respectful presence within the urban fabric of the city.

Kapiva, India’s first modern holistic Ayurvedic brand for millennials, today announced the launch of the Kapiva Innovation Fund (“KIF”), a commitment of up to Rs. 50 crore to support research and innovation in Ayurveda. KIF will back projects across academia, labs and startups that focus on R&D in Ayurvedic science and create clinically validated solutions for real-world health problems.

The Kapiva R&D Team

With this initiative, Kapiva aims to help build an Ayurveda research ecosystem that matches global pharmaceutical standards. KIF will support work in areas such as novel formulations, standardisation and phytochemistry, AI in Ayurveda, pre-clinical and clinical studies, new extraction technologies, bioactive enhancement, tech-enabled wellness models, etc.

Applications will be invited from research institutions, PhD scholars, clinicians, hospitals, early-stage startups and incubators working in or adjacent to Ayurveda, plant-based therapeutics and integrative health.

The fund is structured to nurture innovation throughout the entire development process. Whether a project is in the initial research phase or nearing commercialisation, KIF will offer the necessary capital, mentorship, and clinical resources. This support system ensures that high-potential scientific ideas are successfully translated into practical, real-world solutions.

Announcing the launch, Ameve Sharma, Founder, Kapiva, said, “For decades, Ayurveda has been seen as either faith-based or purely traditional wisdom. We believe its future lies in being outcome-led and evidence-backed. This fund is a long-term bet on that future. By investing up to Rs. 50 crore in research, collaborations and new technologies, Kapiva wants to help build an ecosystem where Ayurvedic products are developed and tested like modern medicine, yet remain rooted in India’s knowledge systems.”

Dr. R. Govindarajan, Chief Innovation Officer, Kapiva, said, “If Ayurveda has to sit at the same table as modern medicine, it must be tested with the same discipline. At Kapiva we already work with standardised extracts, human trials and AI-driven insights that guide our formulations. Through the Kapiva Innovation Fund we want to open that ecosystem to researchers, clinicians and entrepreneurs, share our infrastructure and mentor high-quality projects, so that robust Ayurvedic science can move from paper to products and reach millions of people.”

Kapiva already runs one of India’s most advanced Ayurveda R&D programmes, with clinical trials on flagship products and a dedicated in-house research team. The company collaborates with leading institutions like Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (Ministry of Science and Technology, GoI), Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences (MCOPS, MAHE), Manipal Hospitals among others on various research projects. As part of this focus on scientific rigour and transparency, Kapiva follows stringent testing protocols across raw materials, packaging and finished products, with several Shilajit-based offerings like the Shilajit Gold Resin, already carrying Certificates of Analysis, and the same standards being progressively extended across its portfolio.

The Kapiva Innovation Fund is now open for applications. Eligible researchers, institutions, clinicians and startups can apply via the dedicated portal. Shortlisted proposals will be evaluated by a panel of Kapiva’s R&D leadership and external domain experts on scientific rigour, novelty, feasibility, and potential to improve health outcomes at scale.

Applicants can learn more about the fund, submit their proposals, and track their application status through a dedicated portal on Kapiva’s website: innovation.kapiva.in.

About Kapiva

Kapiva is a modern, homegrown Ayurvedic D2C brand on a mission to make evidence-based Ayurveda simple, modern, and accessible for everyday wellness. Backed by a dedicated R&D vertical of scientists and researchers, Kapiva develops authentic formulations using science-backed Ayurveda, standardised herbs, and high-quality ingredients. Kapiva has been a disruptor in the Ayurvedic industry by introducing innovation in product formats that can be easily integrated into people’s daily routines. Kapiva has expanded globally with its wholly owned subsidiaries in the USA and Middle East, and has a strong offline presence across 50,000+ stores in India.

Website: www.kapiva.in.

Rangeela Bihar, a large-format cultural and musical IP celebrating the spirit, sound, and soul of Bihar, is set to make its debut in Delhi-NCR this February. Designed as a ticketed live experience, the event brings Bhojpuri music and cultural expression to the capital region on a scale rarely seen before.

Rangeela Bihar, a large-scale Bhojpuri music and cultural live-event, makes its debut in Delhi-NCR with Pawan Singh headlining the inaugural edition

Rangeela Bihar is a live-event concept under the Rangeela Events platform, focused on building large-scale, community-led cultural experiences rooted in regional music and shared identity.

The inaugural edition of Rangeela Bihar is positioned as the first-ever ticketed Bhojpuri live-event of this scale in Delhi-NCR, reflecting the growing national footprint of Bhojpuri music and the expanding audience base that engages with it across cities and regions. The IP is envisioned as a recurring cultural platform rather than a one-off performance.

Bhojpuri cinema’s Powerstar Pawan Singh will headline the first edition of Rangeela Bihar. Alongside him, the event will feature performances by Shweta Mahara, Vinay Tiwari, and Khushi Kakkar, bringing together diverse voices from the Bhojpuri music and performance landscape.

Speaking about the vision behind the IP, Pawan Singh said, “Rangeela Bihar is not just a concert, it’s a celebration of where we come from and how far our culture has travelled.”

At its core, Rangeela Bihar aims to go beyond a conventional concert format. It seeks to create a shared cultural space for audiences who have carried Bihar with them across geographies — particularly the large Bhojpuri-speaking diaspora in Delhi-NCR — while also introducing the richness of Bhojpuri music and performance to newer audiences.

The first edition of Rangeela Bihar will be held on 21st February 2026 in Delhi-NCR.
Tickets for Rangeela Bihar will be available exclusively on RangeelaEvents.com.

About Rangeela Bihar
Rangeela Bihar is a live-event IP celebrating Bihar’s music, culture, and community through large-scale performances and immersive cultural experiences. The platform is designed as a recurring property with a long-term vision to take Bhojpuri cultural expression to wider national stages.

Conceptualised and curated by Fourth Wall, a multidisciplinary collective working at the intersection of culture, media, and live experiences.