Fortis Shalimar Bagh Lights Up Delhi’s Tallest Tower in Purple for Cancer Awareness

New Delhi, Feb 04: In a powerful message to amplify cancer awareness and highlight the critical importance of early detection, timely treatment and united community action, Fortis Shalimar Bagh in partnership with Prasar Bharti organised a symbolic illumination ceremony of Delhi’s Tallest Tower – The iconic TV Tower in Pitampura (approximately 235 metres tall).  The landmark was illuminated in purple, the global colour symbolising cancer awareness.

Image 1

The event was inaugurated by Mr. Mahipal Singh Bhanot, Business Head & Operations Lead – NCR Projects, Fortis Healthcare Ltd., Mr. Naveen SharmaFacility Director, Fortis Hospital Shalimar Bagh, senior dignitaries of Delhi Doordarshan and Fortis Shalimar Bagh Oncologists, reaffirming hope, resilience, and collective commitment in the fight against cancer.

Held under the theme #RoshniUmeedKi, the initiative transformed a prominent city landmark into a beacon of awareness and solidarity with cancer patients and survivors, bringing together healthcare leaders and public institutions in a unified stand against cancer. The purple illumination symbolised courage, hope, and survival, serving as a powerful reminder that cancer can be fought through awareness, early diagnosis, and collective support.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Mahipal Singh Bhanot, Business Head & Operations Lead – NCR Projects, Fortis Healthcare Ltd. said,

Cancer awareness goes beyond medical treatment -it is about empowering people with the right information at the right time. Through initiatives like these, we are taking the message of early detection and preventive care beyond hospital walls and into the heart of the community. Illuminating an iconic public landmark is a symbolic yet powerful way to remind citizens that cancer can be fought with awareness, timely screenings, and collective support.”

Mr. Naveen Sharma, Facility Director, Fortis Hospital Shalimar Bagh said,

The illumination ceremony highlighted Fortis Healthcare’s ongoing commitment to community health, preventive care, and public education, while reinforcing the role of collaborative efforts between healthcare providers and national broadcasters in amplifying vital public health messages. With the message “One Tower. One Light. One

Flying Smart:4Travel Platforms Helping You Save on Airfare

Travel in India often coincides with family visits, planned holidays, and spontaneous getaways. However, periods of high demand can lead to a sharp rise in airfares, making flight bookings a challenging decision for many travellers. To ease this, several travel platforms are currently offering attractive discounts, cashback deals, and limited-period offers to help flyers save on ticket costs.

Whether you’re travelling home, planning a short break, or exploring a new destination, choosing the right booking platform can make a noticeable difference to your overall travel spend.

Here’s a look at the top five travel websites offering some of the best flight ticket deals right now combining smart technology, user-friendly features, and value-driven offers to make your travel planning smoother and more affordable.

1. Wego 

Wego stands out as one of the most user-friendly and data-rich platforms for finding real-time flight comparisons across airlines and travel agencies. This festive season, it’s rolling out exclusive app-only deals and fare alerts that help you book smarter and cheaper. Whether you’re planning a domestic getaway or an international escape, Wego ensures you never miss a low fare.

2. MakeMyTrip

MakeMyTrip’s festive campaigns are a traveler’s delight, offering cashback on select credit cards, wallet discounts, and coupon codes on flight bookings. Their “Festive Sale” often includes limited-time flash deals and discounts for round-trip bookings.

3. Cleartrip 

Cleartrip’s festive flight offers are powered by exclusive partnerships with banks like HDFC, ICICI, and Axis, offering additional discounts when you pay via select cards. Plus, their Cleartrip Rewards program lets you earn points for every booking that can be redeemed for future travel.

4. Ixigo 

Ixigo has quickly become a traveler’s favorite for its AI-powered fare alerts and Ixigo Money cashback offers. This festive season, the platform is running limited-time deals on domestic routes and bonus rewards for app bookings.

World of Palates Sweetens the ‘Week of Love’ – Valentine’s Day with a Strawberry-Led Dessert Menu

This Valentine’s Day, World of Palates at CR2 Mall, Nariman Point is turning up the romance with a special dessert-forward celebration, inviting couples and dessert lovers alike to indulge in flavours that are playful, comforting and irresistibly indulgent. Known for its globally inspired vegetarian offerings, the restaurant is marking the season of love with a limited-edition Valentine’s dessert menu that puts strawberries centre stage.

Nutella Maltida Cake_WOP_Valentines Day3

Designed to be shared, savoured and swooned over, the menu highlights three delightful creations that perfectly capture the spirit of Valentine’s Day. The Strawberry Matilda Cake is a showstopper—rich, moist and layered with luscious strawberry goodness, making it a must-order for anyone celebrating love over dessert. Equally indulgent is the Strawberry Milkshake, a classic favourite elevated with creamy textures and fresh berry notes, ideal for couples looking to sip on something sweet together.

Adding a lighter yet equally exciting option to the lineup is the Strawberry & Cream Cheese Smoothie Bowl. Fresh, vibrant and beautifully balanced, this bowl blends fruity freshness with creamy richness, offering a refreshing twist for those who prefer their Valentine’s treats on the wholesome side without compromising on indulgence.

Whether it’s a casual date, a post-dinner dessert stop or a sweet surprise for someone special, World of Palates’ Valentine’s offerings are crafted to make moments feel memorable. The warm, welcoming ambience of the restaurant further sets the mood, making it an inviting spot to celebrate love in all its forms.

With its playful strawberry creations and signature approach to flavour, World of Palates invites guests to end their Valentine’s Day on a sweet note where every bite feels like a little celebration of love.

Dr. Chiranjeevi Advocates Early Detection and Awareness on International Cancer Day at KIMS Hospitals

Hyderabad, Feb 4: Megastar and Padma Vibhushan awardee Dr. Chiranjeevi emphasized that cancer should not be viewed as a death sentence, highlighting the critical role of early detection in enabling patients to overcome the disease and lead normal lives.

Speaking at the International Cancer Day programme organized by KIMS Hospitals, Secunderabad, Dr. Chiranjeevi stated that cancer is largely linked to lifestyle choices rather than being a curse. Lighting the ceremonial lamp as the chief guest, he urged the public to change the perception that a cancer diagnosis equates to the end of life.

“When we see so many cancer survivors here today, it becomes clear how much effort doctors are putting in to save lives. If cancer is detected early, it can be treated successfully, and patients can return to normal life,” he said. He also expressed concern over the rising incidence of cancer in children, urging people to consult doctors promptly if symptoms appear.

Dr. B. Bhaskar Rao, CMD of KIMS Group of Hospitals, stressed the need to overcome fear and stigma associated with cancer, noting that advanced medical care, including robotic surgeries, is now available in India. “Earlier, patients had to travel abroad for cancer treatment. Today, patients from other countries are coming to India for advanced care,” he said, emphasizing that early diagnosis remains key to successful treatment.

Dr. Madhu Devarasetty, Senior Consultant Surgical Oncologist and Robotic Surgeon, highlighted that cancer is now being diagnosed in younger age groups, including children aged five and ten, due to factors such as genetics, radiation exposure, chemicals, lifestyle habits, and chronic conditions like diabetes. She added that public awareness is crucial, as many patients approach doctors only in advanced stages.

KIMS Hospitals has established a Cancer Fight Support Group to guide patients and families. During the event, cancer survivors shared their experiences, demonstrating that with timely treatment, patients can lead healthy lives and inspire others facing similar challenges.

The programme was attended by Medical Director Dr. Sambit Sahu, Medical Oncologist Dr. Narender Kumar Thota, cancer survivors, patients undergoing treatment, and healthcare professionals.

Industry Leaders Welcome Union Budget 2026 Boost to India’s Biopharma and Healthcare Ecosystem

Mr. Sheetal Arora, Promoter & CEO, Mankind Pharma

The Union Budget makes a clear and timely choice by placing biopharma at the centre of India’s next manufacturing wave, alongside other frontier sectors. As India’s disease burden shifts towards diabetes, cancer, and autoimmune disorders, and advanced NCD therapies gain wider adoption globally, the focus on biologics and biosimilars is both relevant and necessary. The Bio Pharma Shakti initiative recognises that longevity, quality of life, and affordability will define healthcare outcomes going forward.

The Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, has reinforced the Viksit Bharat vision through a ₹10,000 crore commitment to build a strong domestic biopharma ecosystem, strengthen institutions, upgrade the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization to global standards, and enable faster, predictable approvals. The full BCD exemption on 17 cancer drugs and targeted relief for rare diseases will further improve patient access while supporting innovation in high-need areas.

Over the coming years, the alignment of these reforms with the evolving **European Union–India trade framework will help Indian pharma move from scale to leadership, attract global investment, and strengthen India’s position as a trusted manufacturing and innovation partner in advanced therapies.”

Mr. Sanjiv Navangul, CEO, BSV ( A Mankind Group Company)

“The Union Budget 2026 provides much-deserved momentum for India’s biopharma journey. We welcome the government’s intent to strengthen the biopharma ecosystem, and the Biopharma Shakti initiative is an encouraging step in this direction. The focus on building scale across strategic and frontier sectors creates the right environment for long-term improvements in health outcomes. The initiative recognises the need for innovation and research while creating a conducive ecosystem for good health through knowledge sharing and technology.

Alongside this, the emphasis on driving research by setting up new National Institutes of Pharmaceutical Education and Research will not only build talent but also augment the research capabilities of the country.

Strengthening the regulatory landscape through a robust biopharma-focused network, including enhanced capacity and faster approval timelines, will further support innovation and improve patient access.

Further, the proposed investment of Rs 10,000 crore over five years, along with the emphasis on domestic production, will go a long way in strengthening supply security and reducing dependence on imports. This aligns with the vision of BSV, as we remain committed to making in India for India and the world.

Additionally, the Budget’s proposal to promote India as a global hub for sports goods is also encouraging. Improved access to quality sports equipment can help drive wider participation of women in sports while supporting healthier lifestyles.”

Dr. Ankit Gupta, Managing Director, Park Medi World Limited

The Union Budget 2026 presents a comprehensive roadmap for strengthening India’s healthcare ecosystem at a time when the country’s disease burden is shifting towards non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, cancer, and autoimmune disorders, alongside a rapidly ageing population. The proposed addition of one lakh allied health professionals will help bridge workforce gaps across hospitals, rehabilitation centres, and community-based care settings. This is complemented by plans to train 1.5 lakh caregivers through NSQF-aligned, multi-skilled programmes, strengthening long-term, elderly, and post-acute care services.

The establishment of five regional medical tourism hubs in partnership with the private sector reinforces India’s ambition to emerge as a preferred global healthcare destination. For hospital networks such as Park Hospitals, these initiatives create meaningful opportunities to scale specialised allied services, strengthen geriatric and rehabilitation care, and contribute to medical value tourism aligned with national healthcare priorities.

VietJet Delivers Strong Q4 and Full-Year 2025 Performance, Accelerates Global Expansion

VietJet Aviation Joint Stock Company (HOSE: VJC) has reported a strong financial performance for the fourth quarter and full year 2025, reflecting the airline’s operational efficiency and resilient business model. As part of its international expansion strategy, VietJet launched two new international routes from India in 2025, strengthening direct connectivity between India and Vietnam and supporting the growing demand for tourism and business travel. These results provide a solid foundation for VietJet’s global expansion plans in 2026.

Sustained Profitability Driven by Operational Efficiency

According to its financial statements, VietJet recorded standalone revenue of VND 29,035 billion (approximately USD 1.11 billion) in Q4 2025, marking a 47 percent increase compared to the same period last year. For the full year 2025, standalone revenue reached VND 81,426 billion (approximately USD 3.13 billion), reflecting a year-on-year growth of 14 percent.

The airline’s consolidated revenue for the year stood at VND 82,093 billion (approximately USD 3.16 billion). Pre-tax profit reached VND 2,630 billion, while post-tax profit amounted to VND 2,123 billion, representing growth of 44.3 percent and 51.2 percent respectively. This performance exceeded the company’s annual target by more than 120 percent.

During the year, VietJet also issued 50 million new shares, increasing equity by VND 5,000 billion (approximately USD 192.6 million). This capital infusion will support the airline’s long-term growth and expansion plans.

Network Expansion Strengthens Market Presence

In the fourth quarter of 2025, VietJet operated 36,100 flights, serving over 6.7 million passengers. For the full year, the airline operated 153,000 flights and carried 28.2 million passengers, representing year-on-year growth of 9 percent in flights and 11.2 percent in passenger numbers. Total cargo transported during the year reached 113,923 tonnes.

In 2025, VietJet operated a total of 254 routes, including 52 domestic and 202 international routes. The airline launched 22 new routes, notably introducing direct services from Hyderabad and Bengaluru to Ho Chi Minh City, further enhancing connectivity between India and Vietnam.

Strengthening International Partnerships and Long-Term Investments

The fourth quarter of 2025 marked a significant milestone in VietJet’s long-term investment strategy, with the delivery of 22 new aircraft—the largest fleet expansion since the airline’s inception.

Additionally, VietJet signed an agreement with Airbus for the purchase of 100 A321neo aircraft. The airline also entered into a separate agreement with Rolls-Royce for 92 Trent 7000 engines along with comprehensive maintenance services, with a total estimated value of USD 3.8 billion.

Innovation, Technology and Global Recognition

Throughout 2025, VietJet continued to enhance its customer offerings, introducing services such as Business Class tickets, the SkyJoy loyalty program, in-flight retail, multi-channel booking and payment platforms, and the AI-powered virtual assistant “Amy.”

The airline received several international accolades in 2025, including recognition as one of the world’s safest airlines, “Best Ultra Low-Cost Airline,” and the AirlineRatings Sustainability Award. VietJet was also honoured as Asia’s Leading Airline for Customer Experience, ranked among ASEAN’s most valuable airline brands by Brand Finance, listed in Forbes Vietnam’s Top 50 Companies, certified as a Best Place to Work in Asia, and awarded the Gold ESG Transport Award in Taiwan.

Entering 2026 from a position of strength, VietJet is well poised to advance its strategy of sustainable growth and continued global expansion.

A Valentine’s Day Crafted with Love: Celebrate Romance with Choko La’s Artisanal Chocolates, Cakes & Gifting

Feb 04: This Valentine’s Day, Choko La invites couples, friends, and families to celebrate love in its most indulgent form with a thoughtfully curated collection of artisanal chocolates, celebratory cakes, and bespoke gifting experiences. Designed to complement every kind of love story, the Valentine’s collection blends craftsmanship, emotion, and premium presentation—making every gift feel truly special.

At the heart of the collection are Choko La’s signature chocolate assortments, including Sweet Love, Berry Love, assorted truffles, and milk chocolate hearts. Crafted using authentic couverture chocolate, these creations deliver exceptional depth, smoothness, and flavour clarity. The range is further elevated with seasonal Valentine’s cakes and greeting cakes, designed to mark moments of celebration with decadence and heartfelt emotion.

Adding an experiential dimension to gifting, Choko La introduces interactive creations such as Chocolate Roses and the Hot Chocolate Kit – Valentine’s Edition, encouraging couples to share moments of joy and ritual. Romantic keepsake hampers pair handcrafted chocolates with rose bunches, designer cookies, and heart-shaped lollipops—creating gifts that linger long after they are unwrapped.

Each Valentine’s hamper is curated as a complete experience, ranging from compact chocolate boxes for intimate gestures to layered premium hampers for grand expressions of love. For customers seeking effortless gifting, Choko La stores will feature a limited selection of ready-to-pick Valentine’s hampers, including heart-themed chocolate boxes and pre-packed assortments designed for walk-in shoppers.

Personalisation remains central to the Choko La experience. Customers can customise hampers by mixing and matching chocolates, cookies, cakes, and kits; replacing products within standard hampers; or opting for chocolate-forward or bakery-led assortments. Greeting cakes, roses, and personalised message cards can also be added, making each gift a meaningful keepsake. The customisation option extends to bulk and corporate gifting, ensuring thoughtful solutions for every requirement.

All Valentine’s gifts are presented in exclusive seasonal packaging featuring heart-inspired designs, romantic colour palettes, and meticulously hand-arranged layouts. The luxurious, gift-ready presentation reflects Choko La’s premium ethos and commitment to detail.

To ensure availability, Choko La recommends placing custom hamper and cake orders 5–7 days in advance, while bulk and corporate orders should be placed 7–10 days prior. Home delivery is available across select cities, with multi-location delivery support enabling seamless long-distance gifting.

Valentine’s Day hampers start from ₹200 onwards and include Chocolate Indulgence Hampers, Chocolate & Bakery Hampers, Cake & Celebration Hampers, Premium Custom Hampers, and Interactive Gifting Kits. Highlights this season include Sweet Love, Berry Love, assorted truffles, milk chocolate hearts, seasonal Valentine’s cakes, designer cookies, heart lollipops, chocolate roses, and the Valentine’s Edition Hot Chocolate Kit.

This Valentine’s Day, Choko La transforms gifting into an expression of love—crafted with care, indulgence, and artistry.

India–US Trade Deal Signals Transformational Shift in Strategic Economic Partnership

By:- Dinesh Kanabar, CEO and Chairman, Dhruva Advisors, on the India- US Trade Deal

The India–US FTA is far more than a trade arrangement—it signals a strategic reset in the economic partnership between the world’s oldest and largest democracies. Coming close on the heels of the India–UAE agreement, India has now effectively stitched market access with the most dynamic consumption and investment hubs. For Indian business, this is not incremental—it is transformational. It opens predictable entry into high-value supply chains, technology collaboration and services mobility that were earlier constrained by tariff and regulatory frictions.

Sectors with deep Indian capability stand to gain immediately. Textiles and apparel can re-emerge as global champions with duty rationalisation and rules-of-origin clarity. Pharmaceuticals and life sciences will benefit from faster approvals and trusted-partner frameworks. Fisheries, agri-processing and speciality chemicals gain scale through assured demand and standards alignment. Equally important is the signal to investors: India is now part of a coherent trade architecture spanning the Gulf and the US, offering a reliable alternative to concentrated sourcing elsewhere.

If executed with speed, this pact can redefine India from being a market to being a production base for the world—exactly the pivot our growth story needs.

Audi India introduces ‘My Auras’: Revolutionising personalised drives with a multi-sensory experience

Mumbai, Feb 04: Audi India today unveiled My Auras, a first-of-its-kind in-vehicle experience designed to redefine luxury vehicle ownership through a deeply personalised, multi-sensory driving journey. The innovative feature blends intuitive technology with emotional well-being, creating an atmosphere of tranquillity, comfort, and connection between the driver and the vehicle.

A testament to Audi’s philosophy of Vorsprung durch Technik, My Auras transforms every drive into a curated experience by seamlessly integrating technology, mood, and lifestyle. Available through myAudi Connect and integrated directly into compatible Audi vehicles, the feature elevates ownership beyond mobility into a hyper-personalised lifestyle experience.

The My Auras interface offers one-touch access to a range of in-car functions, including ambient lighting, climate control, aromatisation, massage and ventilation settings, along with integrated Apple Music—allowing drivers to create the perfect atmosphere effortlessly.

Commenting on the launch, Balbir Singh Dhillon, Brand Director, Audi India, said,

“At Audi India, Vorsprung durch Technik is about creating experiences that adapt to our customers’ lives. In line with our customer-centric approach, My Auras represents our vision of hyper-personalised luxury. Today’s users expect technology that understands their moods and moments, and My Auras delivers that—ensuring every drive feels intentional, whether calming, energising, festive or celebratory.”

Key Highlights of My Auras

One-click multi-sensory control:
Drivers can activate a complete in-car atmosphere with a single touch, simultaneously adjusting lighting, music, temperature, seat comfort, massage functions and ventilation—eliminating the need to manage multiple settings individually.

Redefining stress-free driving:
Designed to promote relaxation and mental well-being, My Auras helps users unwind during daily commutes and long journeys. Integrated access to roadside assistance and vehicle service features further enhances peace of mind.

Celebrating life’s moments:
Recognising that driving is an extension of everyday life, My Auras offers customisable festive themes aligned with cultural and seasonal celebrations. A special birthday mode can also be activated automatically, creating a memorable and personalised in-car experience.

The My Auras feature scales intelligently across Audi India’s portfolio, including the Audi A4, Q3, Q3 Sportback, Q5, A6, Q7, Q8, RS Q8 and Q8 e-tron models. Customers can access the experience via the myAudi Connect app on their iPhones or directly through the vehicle’s infotainment system.

My Auras is designed exclusively for iOS users and is supported on select iPhone models and iOS versions. Feature availability applies to Audi vehicles from Model Year 2024 onwards.

Axis Bank Reports Q3 FY26 Net Profit of 6,490 Crore; Asset Quality and Deposits Strengthen

Chennai, Feb 04: Axis Bank, one of India’s largest private sector banks, today announced its financial results for the third quarter of FY26, reporting a net profit of 6,490 crore.

The Bank’s Net Interest Income (NII) rose 5 percent year-on-year and 4 percent quarter-on-quarter to 14,287 crore during Q3 FY26, supported by steady balance sheet growth. Net Interest Margin (NIM) for the quarter stood at 3.64 percent.

On a quarterly average balance basis, total deposits grew 5 percent quarter-on-quarter and 12 percent year-on-year. The MEB CASA ratio remained strong at 39 percent, continuing to be among the best across large peer banks.

Asset quality showed further improvement, with Gross NPA and Net NPA ratios declining to 1.40 percent and 0.42 percent respectively as of 31 December 2025, compared to 1.46 percent and 0.44 percent as of 30 September 2025.

Fee income for the quarter grew 12 percent year-on-year to 6,100 crore. Retail fees increased 12 percent year-on-year and contributed 71 percent of the Bank’s total fee income, reflecting the strength of its retail franchise.

The overall Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) stood at 16.55 percent, while the CET-1 ratio improved by 7 basis points quarter-on-quarter to 14.50 percent, underscoring a robust capital position.

Axis Bank’s wealth management business continued to scale, with Assets Under Management reaching 6,87,738 crore as of 31 December 2025, registering growth of 7 percent quarter-on-quarter and 8 percent year-on-year.

The Bank’s domestic subsidiaries delivered steady performance, reporting a combined profit after tax of 1,490 crore for the nine months ended FY26, up 6 percent year-on-year.

As of 31 December 2025, Axis Bank’s distribution network comprised 6,110 domestic branches and extension counters, along with 281 Business Correspondent Banking Outlets across 3,315 centres, compared to 5,706 branches and 202 BCBOs across 3,122 centres a year earlier.

Commenting on the performance, Amitabh Chaudhry, Managing Director and CEO, Axis Bank, said,

“Our progress this quarter reflects our focus on creating solutions that matter—simplifying access to credit, reimagining digital banking, and investing in talent and ideas that will shape the future. We will continue strengthening our competitive edge by modernising platforms, empowering our teams, and staying ahead of evolving customer behaviour through smart and innovative solutions.”