Archives July 2025

Former President of India Ram Nath Kovind Visits Globally-acclaimed Sculptor Naresh Kumar Kumawat’s Studio in Manesar, Gurugram; Praises His Work

Gurugram, July 21, 2025: In a momentous visit that underscores the importance of art in India’s cultural and national identity, the Former President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, visited the studio of internationally renowned sculptor Naresh Kumar Kumawat in Manesar, Gurugram.

The visit served as a mark of deep appreciation for Kumawat’s contribution to Indian art and sculpture. Shri Kovind, known for his long-standing support of India’s rich heritage, spent considerable time viewing  Kumawat’s recent works and engaging in meaningful conversations about the role of sculpture in preserving and interpreting India’s historical legacy.

“I am deeply impressed by the artistic vision and technical brilliance of Naresh Kumar Kumawat. His sculptures do not just reflect mastery in form but also narrate India’s deep-rooted cultural values and history,” remarked Shri Kovind, the 14^th President of India, during his visit.

Naresh Kumar Kumawat, whose works have earned global recognition for their intricate detail and emotive power, expressed his gratitude for the visit. “It is an honor to welcome a leader of Shri Kovind ji’s stature. His presence in my studio is both humbling and inspiring. His words reinforce my commitment to continue contributing to the world of art and our country’s cultural identity,” said  Kumawat.

Kumawat’s sculptures span themes from Indian mythology and freedom fighters to modern social thought, and have been showcased in major galleries and institutions both in India and abroad.

The former President’s visit further highlights the need to promote and preserve India’s artistic legacy and offers encouragement to artists working to keep traditional forms alive while innovating for the future.

While tiramisu, cheesecakes, and brownies may grace the dessert counters at today’s lavish weddings, it’s the age-old jalebi, rabri, and kulfi that continue to steal the show. According to a new insight-driven report by Scandalous Foods, India’s fast-growing B2B innovator in preservative-free Indian sweets, a resounding 72% of wedding guests prefer traditional Indian desserts over international confections.

The report, which draws from internal catering observations and wedding service insights, highlights how the emotional connection with mithai—rooted in memory, culture, and celebration—still outweighs the allure of Western treats in high-stakes social gatherings.

Jalebi with Rabri emerged as the star dessert, with over 50% of guests going back for second servings, making it the most repeated indulgence on the buffet. Gulab jamun followed closely, while kulfi—a hit across all age groups—was noted for its “pre- and post-meal” appeal. These findings speak volumes about the enduring power of nostalgia on the Indian palate.

“Weddings in India are deeply emotional events, and dessert choices reflect that sentiment. People may admire a tiramisu, but they return—again and again—for jalebi with rabri or a kulfi that reminds them of childhood. At Scandalous Foods, we believe that tradition isn’t just surviving—it’s thriving, and we’re here to reimagine it for the modern palate without losing its soul.” said Sanket S., Co-Founder, Scandalous Foods.

The report also debunks the idea that weddings are becoming photo ops for food. When asked whether desserts are chosen more for Instagram than actual indulgence, the answer was clear: people eat what they crave, not what’s trending on social media. “In fact,” the spokesperson added, “since people are so well-dressed at weddings, it’s the clothes that dominate the photo ops—not the food.”

A trend to watch? Mithai sundaes and shots in dessert glasses, predicted by Scandalous Foods as the next big thing in wedding sweets. These compact, aesthetic servings may bridge the gap between tradition and modern plating, offering nostalgia in a contemporary avatar.

With wedding menus evolving faster than ever, Scandalous Foods’ latest data underscores a simple truth—emotional comfort, cultural memory, and repeat value matter more than novelty when it comes to dessert. For brands in the F&B industry, the message is loud and clear: the Indian sweet tooth still beats in traditional rhythms, especially when it comes to the biggest celebration of them all.

New Delhi, 21^st July 2025: Extramarks, one of India’s leading education technology companies, is set to host a major AI Showcase on July 28, 2025, unveiling its vision for the next generation of teaching and learning — a future where intelligence powers every classroom.

With the vision of integrating intelligence, inclusivity, and innovation into every learning environment, the event will mark the global unveiling of Extra Intelligence — a comprehensive suite of AI-first features designed to make classrooms more responsive, teaching more creative, and learning more personalized.

With years of experience working closely with top schools across India and around the world, Extramarks has developed a deep understanding of what teachers, students, and institutions truly need. Extra Intelligence is a direct outcome of this expertise — a robust suite of AI-powered tools designed to empower every stakeholder in the education ecosystem.

This launch represents a significant step toward blending cutting-edge artificial intelligence with human-centred education, redefining how learning is delivered in a rapidly evolving world. “This event marks a shift from what education has been, to what it truly can be,” said Ritvik Kulshrestha, CEO of Extramarks. “We’re excited to share a vision that’s not only ambitious, but deeply purposeful — to make education more intelligent, more equitable, and more empowering for everyone.”

The showcase is expected to draw school leaders, educators, EdTech stakeholders, technology enthusiasts, and policymakers from across the country. It will be streamed online, and registration is now open at:  https://www.extramarks.com/event/ai-in-education-2025

Chief Minister Shri N. Chandrababu Naidu Inaugurates Two Life Support Ambulances Provided by Paytm Foundation to Government Hospital in Kuppam, Andhra Pradesh

Paytm (One 97 Communications Limited), India’s leading payments and financial services distribution company and pioneer of mobile payments, QR codes, and Soundbox, announced that its CSR arm Paytm Foundation in collaboration with Kuppam Area Development Authority (KADA) has donated two fully equipped Life Support ambulances to the Government Hospital in Kuppam, Andhra Pradesh.

The ambulances are furnished with advanced life-saving medical equipment to support critical care during patient transport. These Ambulances with Life Support Equipment (ALS) will help improve emergency response times, facilitate timely treatment, and play a vital role in reducing fatalities in the region.

The inauguration ceremony took place in Kuppam District on 2nd July 2025, where the ambulances were formally flagged off by Shri N. Chandrababu Naidu, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh.

Paytm Foundation spokesperson said, “We believe that timely access to emergency care can save lives. By donating these Life Support ambulances, we aim to boost emergency healthcare in underserved regions like Kuppam. This initiative is a step towards building stronger, faster, and more accessible critical care services. We are grateful to the Government of Andhra Pradesh for their continued support and collaboration in making this possible.”

Mumbai, July 21, 2025: Amazon MX Player, Amazon’s free video streaming platform, continues to bring emotionally resonant stories to the forefront with Mitti, an inspirational drama that’s been garnering praise from critics and audiences alike, ever since its premiere. Boasting an outstanding IMDb rating of 8.5, the series follows Raghav, a high-flying advertising executive who returns to his ancestral village after his grandfather’s death, only to find himself confronting guilt, rediscovering identity, and planting the seeds of change in rural India.

At its heart, Mitti is about roots — the ones we run from, the ones we carry, and the ones we eventually return to. Starring Ishwak Singh, Shruti Sharma, Diksha Juneja, Yogendra Tiku, and Alka Amin, the series is brought to life with grounded performances and authentic storytelling.

Speaking about what made the role of Raghav deeply personal, Ishwak Singh shared, “There were multiple aspects to Raghav’s journey that hit close to home for me. But among the top few, I think the first is his connection to his rural roots and his family. Today, so many of us live away from our hometowns, whether for work, education, or chasing our dreams. But no matter where life takes you, your soul always carries the imprint of the place you belong to. I related to that the most. I’ve also moved cities, shifted homes, and now live away from my family, who is in Delhi. So that connection felt very real.”

Mitti is now streaming for free exclusively on the Amazon MX Player app on mobile and Connected TVs, on the Amazon shopping app, Prime Video, Fire TV, and Airtel Xstream.

Mumbai, 21^st July 2025: Ayushakti, one of the leading and well established ayurvedic health centres, has received NABH  – National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers Accreditation for Panchakarma and Kayachikitsa Treatments at Kandivali West clinic, in Mumbai.

National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers (NABH) is a constituent board of Quality Council of India, set up to establish and operate accreditation programme for healthcare organisations. The board is structured to cater to much desired needs of the consumers and to set benchmarks for progress of the health industry.

This certification comes as an outcome of Ayushakti’s ongoing efforts towards holistic treatments and solutions using the ancient Ayurveda practices. Only healthcare facilities that uphold the strictest safety regulations and patient care standards are eligible for the esteemed NABH accreditation.

Speaking on this, Vaidya Smita Naram, Co-Founder of Ayushakti, said, “We are truly honoured to receive this NABH accreditation and thank the committee towards acknowledging our practices. At Ayushakti, our vision has always been to bring time-tested, authentic Ayurvedic treatments to people in a way that is safe, structured, and effective. Panchakarma and Kayachikitsa are powerful healing systems, and aligning them with NABH standards reinforces the trust our patients place in us every day.”

Panchakarma treatment is Purification therapy to eliminate toxins and Kayachikitsa is Management of diseases through medicines, diet, and lifestyle.

Ayushakti was started in 1987 and today has a presence across the globe including Asia, the U.S.A., Australia, New Zealand, Europe, and the UK. They have more than 30+ highly trained expert Ayurvedic doctors (Vaidyas) for its services and a team of 500+ western medical doctors, naturopaths, and chiropractors practicing. The company is working towards its mission of creating long-lasting transformation in community health, over the last 37+ years.

L&T Finance Ltd. (LTF) records consolidated Profit After Tax (PAT) of Rs. 701 Crore for the first quarter ended June 30, 2025 (Q1FY26), up 10% Quarter-on-Quarter (QoQ) and 2% Year-on-Year (YoY), while also achieving its highest-ever consolidated book of Rs. 1,02,314 Crore, which includes a retail book of Rs. 99,816 Crore, up 15% and 18% YoY respectively

L&T Finance Ltd. (LTF), one of the leading Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) in India has recorded consolidated Profit After Tax (PAT) of Rs. 701 Crore, up 10% QoQ and 2% YoY for the first quarter ended June 30, 2025. During the quarter, LTF achieved a milestone of highest-ever consolidated book of Rs. 1,02,314 Crore, up 15% YoY. The retail book size during the quarter reached Rs. 99,816 Crore, up 18% YoY. The Company has recorded quarterly retail disbursement of Rs. 17,522 Crore for the first quarter ended June 30, 2025, up 18% YoY. Retailisation stood at 98% for the quarter ended June 30, 2025, exceeding Lakshya 2026 target.

Debut Investment Grade Credit Rating has been assigned to LTF by international rating agencies (S&P Global Ratings and Fitch Ratings). S&P Global Ratings has assigned LTF “BBB-” long-term and “A-3” short-term issuer credit rating. The outlook on the long-term rating is Positive. Fitch Ratings has assigned LTF long-term foreign and local currency Issuer Default Ratings (IDR) of “BBB-” with a Stable outlook. These long-term ratings are investment grade and are at par with India’s Sovereign Credit Rating. This will enable the Company to tap global capital markets and further diversify its liability franchise and deepen investor base.

‘Project Cyclops’, in-house developed proprietary credit underwriting engine by LTF, has been rolled-out for SME Finance and its advanced version is implemented in Two-wheeler Finance.

The Company’s customer-facing PLANET app, which has emerged as a powerful digital channel for customers, crossed more than 1.86 Crore downloads as on date, comprising more than 16.7 Lakh downloads on the rural side. As of date, this channel has done collections of over Rs. 4,800 Crore while servicing around 7.85 Crore requests and has sourced loans of over Rs. 15,500 Crore. The Company has launched a revamped customer-centric website and the next-generation PLANET 3.0.

Commenting on the financial results, Mr. Sudipta Roy, Managing Director & CEO, LTF said, “In a challenging quarter, our Company remained focused on outcomes and achieved a resilient performance while showcasing our ability to manage market headwinds. This performance is on the back of our commitment to sourcing creditworthy customers backed by technology and robust credit guardrails, while keeping a strong focus on collection efficiency across businesses. Our impetus remains on risk calibrated business growth with a sharp focus on a strong asset quality, laying the foundation for a sustainable and predictable growth going forward.

In the quarter, we achieved the highest-ever consolidated book of over Rs. 1 Lakh Crore milestone and added a secured high yield product to our loan portfolio i.e., Gold Loan. Our company has been assigned a debut investment grade credit rating of “BBB-/Positive” by S&P Global Ratings and “BBB-/Stable” by Fitch Ratings. This rating will serve as a foundation for further diversifying our liability franchise by accessing financing opportunities across the global capital markets. Our AI-driven next-gen digital credit engine, ‘Project Cyclops’ is starting to yield early dividends in our Two-wheeler finance business, and during the quarter, ‘Project Cyclops’ was scaled up in Farm business and launched in the SME finance business. We remain focused on continuously strengthening our risk and credit frameworks, which will serve us well in times to come.”

India Achieves 12 Guinness World Records in Yoga: Akshar Yoga Kendraa Marks Historic Milestone After 70 Years

Bangalore, July 21, 2025 – In a landmark achievement that has brought global recognition to India’s ancient wisdom, Akshar Yoga Kendraa, headquartered in Bangalore, has been officially awarded 12 Guinness World Records in Yogasana. This unprecedented accomplishment not only places India firmly on the global map of excellence in yoga but also marks history after 70 years in the Guinness World Records’ legacy—making it the first time such a vast number of global records have been awarded in a single day to a yoga institution.

The announcement was formally made at a grand event organized in Bangalore today, in the presence of spiritual leaders, yoga practitioners, athletes, and members of the press from around the world. This recognition follows the mega event held on 21st June 2025, International Yoga Day, where 2,500+ participants from different walks of life namely Indian Army, Air Force, CRPF, CISF, Karnataka State Police, KSRP, Specially abled and NCC came together under the guidance of Himalayan Siddhaa Akshar, Founder of Akshar Yoga Kendraa to create a legacy through unity, discipline, and devotion to the yogic path.

The records include:

New Guinness World Records – Official First Attempts:

• Bhadrasana (Gracious Pose) – 550 participants
• Adho Mukha Shvanasana (Downward Dog Pose) – 864 participants
• Salabhasana (Locust Pose) – 539 participants
• Garudasana (Eagle Pose) – 522 participants
• Ubhaya Padangusthasana (Double Toe Hold Pose) – 461 participants
• Eka Pada Padangusthasana (Pistol Squat Pose) – 514 participants

Broken World Records – Surpassing Previous Records:

• Setu Bandha Sarvangasana (Bridge Pose):

Previous Record – 1,682 (Puducherry, 2019)
→ Akshar Yoga Kendraa: 1,692 participants
• Sarvangasana (Shoulder Stand):
Previous Record – 1,134 (Chennai, 2017)
→ Akshar Yoga Kendraa: 1,633 participants
• Virabhadrasana II (Warrior II Pose):
Previous Record – 1,011 (Hong Kong, 2019)
→ Akshar Yoga Kendraa: 1,634 participants
• Utkatasana (Chair Pose):
Previous Record – 623 (Shanghai, China, 2019)
→ Akshar Yoga Kendraa: 1,695 participants
• Eka Pada Rajakapotasana (Mermaid Pose):
Previous Record – (Rishikesh, India, 2019)
→ Akshar Yoga Kendraa: 863 participants
• Virabhadrasana III (Warrior III Pose):
Previous Global Record – 387
→ Akshar Yoga Kendraa: 529 participants

Each of these records is not merely a statistical milestone but a celebration of India’s timeless yogic lineage—an offering from Bharat to the world.

This auspicious event witnessed the august presence of Param Pujya Atithi His Holiness Sri Sri Sri Vishwaprasanna Teertha Swamij – Pejavara Mutt, Param Pujya Atithi His Holiness Sri Sri Sri Shivarudra Swamiji – Beli Mutt, Sri Seemanth Kumar Singh – Police Commissioner, Bangalore, Dr. C N Ashwath Narayan – MLA, Malleshwaram and Former Deputy Chief Minister and Sri Jose Mohan – Inspector General, Central Industrial Security Force during the event.

Speaking on this historic occasion, Himalayan Siddhaa Akshar, founder of Akshar Yoga Kendraa, shared:
“Yoga is India’s gift to humanity— its power flows through postures and leads to transformation. These 12 Guinness World Records are a tribute to our sages, gurus and scriptures. This is a proud moment for every Indian. Through this achievement, we are taking our lineage to the world and reinforcing yoga as the foundation of global wellness.”

This grand success also signals a larger vision—to promote Yoga as a competitive sport and a part of the Olympic movement, aligning ancient Indian practices with contemporary global platforms. It showcases India’s leadership in building a global wellness ecosystem, and the potential of yoga as a unifying force for mental, physical, and spiritual wellbeing.

Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited (Tata Power-DDL), a leading power utility supplying electricity to populace of around 9 million in North Delhi, is working round-the-clock to ensure complete public safety along designated routes of ongoing Kanwar Yatra, in its area of operation.

Undertaken by lakhs of devotees, this annual pilgrimage witnesses heavy footfall, increasing the risk of accidental contact with electrical infrastructure—especially during the monsoon season.

With the goal of ensuring zero incidents during Kanwar Yatra 2025, zonal teams of the discom have been instructed to identify all Kanwar camps within their respective areas and implement strict safety measures which include – leakage testing of all electric poles, transformers, and substations along the yatra routes.

The teams have been asked to prioritize areas with high foot traffic or temporary camps, replace or repair all cable joints and/ or damaged jumpers etc., ensure that covers of all feeder and service pillars are properly closed and locked, repair any damaged earthing, ensure proper working of all streetlights, availability and fixing of Danger signboards, besides keeping sufficient stock of all PPEs and tools for field teams.

To ensure electrical safety in camps, Tata Power-DDL has undertaken critical safety measures:

• All Kanwar Camps are metered with proper rated MCB and ELCB installed.
• Good quality, insulated wires of proper rating (as per connected load) have been used ensuring no open joints.
• Any hazardous installation or open panels if covers are damaged or locking is not possible, have been barricaded or fenced.
• In view of monsoon season, special attention is being given to low lying waterlogged areas.

The discom has also urged cooperation of public and pilgrims for maintaining the highest standards of safety to ensure a safe environment for Kanwariyas.

Bengaluru, 21st July, 2025: Fastrack, India’s most loved youth fashion brand, dives into the age-old “mountains vs beaches” debate and unapologetically picks a side. Introducing Oceanyx, a new collection of ocean-inspired watches made for those who choose waves over summits, and flow over structure. Channeling the ocean’s refreshing unpredictability, Oceanyx is designed for those who drift, chill, and move like the ocean. That’s the spirit the collection captures – refreshing, unpredictable, and effortlessly cool.

The Oceanyx collection takes cues from the ocean, both in form and feeling. Think wave-textured dials, marine-hued ceramic straps, and subtle details like a whale fin second hand, echoing the depth and movement of life underwater. The campaign heroes this inspiration by building a world where ocean energy meets personal expression – inviting a tribe that moves fluidly, embraces their flow, and answers the call of the sea. Because honestly, the waves are always calling.

“At Fastrack, putting our own spin on things means making it feel bold, relevant, and never too predictable,” says Danny Jacob, Head of Marketing at Fastrack. “The mountains vs beaches debate has always been a fun one, but this time, the ocean has won hands down. Some days it’s wild, some days it’s calm, and most days it’s unpredictable. That’s exactly the energy Oceanyx brings. It’s made for people who move with the tide, go with the flow, and always bring their own vibe – whether it’s chill or full chaos.