Archives September 2025

New Delhi, 23 september 2025: Pulse, the iconic cultural festival of AIIMS, celebrated its 50th edition this year with unmatched grandeur, cementing its reputation as South Asia’s largest medical college festival. The five-day extravaganza (17th–21st September) brought together students from over 100 medical colleges across India, offering a rich blend of socio-cultural, literary, and sports events.

A key highlight of this milestone edition was the presence of Dr. Abraham Kumar, who joined as a distinguished jury member for two of the most anticipated events: the Fashion Competition and the Battle of Bands. With his vast industry expertise, creative vision, and discerning judgment, Dr. Kumar elevated the competitions, inspiring participants to showcase their best performances. His presence added prestige and excitement, making these events standout moments of Pulse 2025.

Dr. Abraham Kumar, born in Lucknow, holds dual bachelor’s degrees in Computer Science and Music from the United States, along with a master’s degree in Business Administration. 

Sharing his experience, Dr. Abraham Kumar said, “It was a great honor to be part of Pulse 2025, especially in its 50th year. The talent, energy, and creativity of the students were truly inspiring. Events like these showcase the incredible potential of youth, where knowledge, culture, and art come together beautifully.”

This golden jubilee edition also featured special commemorative activities, a greater international student presence, and expanded cultural showcases—reflecting Pulse’s commitment to promoting interdisciplinary interaction and celebrating outstanding youth talent. As Pulse 2025 concludes on a high note, the festival once again reaffirms its place as a defining annual moment in India’s medical education and cultural landscape.

Dr. Abraham is a renowned business leader and strategist. He has contributed to major projects such as the Athens 2004 Olympics, Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games, Torino 2006 Olympics, as well as several Super Bowl and PGA events, earning multiple awards for his work. In addition, he is actively involved in the media and entertainment industry, having worked as a host, producer, and art director for TV shows, news productions, music videos, and films.

Chennai, September 23, 2025: Thryve Digital, the dedicated GCC for a leading US health insurance plan and hospital network, will now operate under the name enGen. The move marks a strategic milestone for the company as it steps into a new era defined by greater cohesion between its US and India operations, a sharper go-to-market identity, and a stronger employer brand.

The rebrand brings its India operations into full alignment with enGen’s global identity, reinforcing its role as a unified organisation delivering end-to-end technology and business services to health payors and provider systems across the United States.

Operating since 2014, formerly as HM Health Solutions Inc., enGen is a wholly owned healthtech subsidiary of Highmark Health. Headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, enGen, supports healthcare delivery for millions of members in the US. The rebrand marks a key milestone in the company’s global integration strategy, aimed at delivering seamless, scalable, and cost-effective healthtech solutions. 

India has played a pivotal role in this growth story. The team in India powers core technology platforms, drives enterprise-wide digital transformation, and supports mission-critical operations. The rebranding will contribute in unifying its East and West teams under the enGen name. This change acknowledges the ongoing contributions of the East team, which has been integral in supporting clients and members across time zones and contributing to the company’s collaborative culture. 

Speaking about this, Marcus Johnson, Head of Growth and Enterprise Effectiveness, said, “This rebrand is a defining moment for us. It reflects the organisation we have become, a globally integrated healthtech leader with deep capabilities across the US and India. For our people, it provides clarity and pride in being part of a unified multinational. For our clients and partners, it simplifies our identity and strengthens our value proposition. And for the industry, it signals that enGen is ready to lead with scale, agility, and one cohesive vision.’’

The rebranding will be rolled out in phrases through 2025. While the Thryve Digital name will be retired from external use, there are no changes to roles, reporting structures, or day-to-day operations.

This transition simplifies the company’s brand, sharpens its go-to-market approach, and enables enGen to act with greater agility in a rapidly evolving healthcare environment. With a unified identity and a globally distributed team, enGen is well-positioned to drive the future of healthcare technology at scale and with impact.

The rankings feature the top 2% of researchers worldwide

New Delhi/Hyderabad, Sept 23, 2025:.Dr. Santosh G. Honavar, Honorary Secretary of the All-India Ophthalmological Society (AIOS), Director of Ophthalmic Plastic Surgery and Ocular Oncology at Centre for Sight Eye Hospital, Hyderabad, former Associate Director of LV Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, and the past Editor of the Indian Journal of Ophthalmology, has yet again emerged as the top-ranked Ophthalmology researcher from India.

For the fifth consecutive year, Dr Honavar has secured the number one position in the annual impact ranking and, for the first time, has also topped the career-long impact ranking in Ophthalmology from India. A panel of experts from Stanford University and Elsevier announced the prestigious lifetime and annual global rankings for 2025. The rankings feature the top 2% of researchers worldwide, based on the influence and impact of their work, both career-long and during the year 2024.

Dr Santosh G. Honavar is an internationally renowned ophthalmologist with expertise in eye cancers, and his illustrious career has earned him accolades such as the prestigious Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award from the Government of India and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Academy of Ophthalmology. He is the sole ophthalmologist from the Indian subcontinent to receive the Honorary Fellowship, the highest honour bestowed by the Royal College of Ophthalmologists in the UK. Dr Santosh G. Honavar also holds the second position in the Stanford List based on his lifelong contributions to the field. He has over 17000 citations and a high H-index of 69.

Dr. Partha Biswas, the President of AIOS, extended his congratulations to the Indian researchers featured in the Stanford list. He highlighted AIOS’s commitment to promoting Indian research through its Journals (Indian Journal of Ophthalmology and IJO Case Reports), scientific activities, and research as part of the Vision 2030 strategy, which aims to support and nurture the research potential of Indian ophthalmologists. He expressed optimism about witnessing more young Indian ophthalmologists making their mark on the Stanford list soon. The consistent rise in representation of Indian Ophthalmology in such prestigious global lists reflects the growing trajectory of high-quality research across the country and it underlines the strength of our institutions, the dedication of our researchers, and India’s emergence as a global leader in ophthalmology and vision sciences, Dr Biswas emphasised.

There are 27 Indian Ophthalmologists who are part of the list of the top 2% of researchers in the world in terms of career-long impact. Sixty-one Indian Ophthalmologists figure in the list of the top 2% of world researchers, considering the impact of their work in 2024. This year’s list includes eminent Ophthalmology researchers from across India, representing leading institutions such as LV Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad (17 researchers); Dr. Rajendra Prasad Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences, AIIMS, New Delhi (12); Sankara Nethralaya, Chennai (5); Aravind Eye Care System, Madurai (4); Narayana Nethralaya, Bengaluru (4); Dr. Agarwal’s Eye Hospital, Chennai (3); Centre for Sight, Hyderabad (2); and PGIMER, Chandigarh (2), among others.

The Top 10 in the Stanford 2025 list for career-long impact are: 1. Santosh G. Honavar, 2. Gullapalli N. Rao, 3. Philip Aloysius Thomas, 4. Virender S. Sangwan, 5. Savitri Sharma, 6. Muthiah K. Srinivasan, 7. D. Balasubramanian, 8. Amod Gupta, 9. GVS Murthy, and 10. Mohd Javed Ali

The top 10 Indian researchers in ophthalmology included in the 2025 Stanford list are: 1. Santosh G. Honavar, 2. Mohammad Javed Ali, 3. Swathi Kaliki, 4. GVS Murthy, 5. Savitri Sharma, 6. Namrata Sharma, 7. Vinod Kumar, 8. Philip Aloysius Thomas, 9. Virender S. Sangwan, and 10. Dr. Prashant Garg

All India Ophthalmological Society is the world’s second-largest professional organisation of Ophthalmologists, with over 26000 members.

Mumbai, 23rd September, 2025: Mumbai-based Offee has launched India’s first BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) Green Exam Grid, an offline-first, book-sized IoT hub that creates a secure local network so students can take digital exams on their own devices without internet or computer labs. With over 3 million digital exams conducted across 100+ top campuses, Offee has already transformed assessments across diverse formats and disciplines. Aligned with NEP 2020, Digital India, and Viksit Bharat 2047, Offee is pioneering a future-ready education model that empowers students and institutions with technology-driven, inclusive assessment solutions.

Trusted by India’s leading universities, including Somaiya Vidyavihar University, SNDT, and JBIMS, Offee is the preferred partner for institutions seeking to move beyond traditional exams towards secure, scalable, and technology-driven assessments. The Green Exam eliminates connectivity gaps, reduces paper dependency, overcomes the challenge of limited computer availability in labs, and ensures assessments are secure, sustainable, and accessible for institutions of all sizes. By creating a local offline network, it also prevents internet-enabled cheating in computer labs or through mobile devices, ensuring a controlled and fair exam environment.

“With the Green Exam, we are solving two critical challenges in assessments that are accessibility and security. Our offline-first innovation not only prevents internet-enabled cheating but also ensures that every institution, no matter its infrastructure limitations, can conduct reliable, eco-friendly, and digital exams and cut down on paper, infrastructure, and connectivity requirements. This is a step towards a truly inclusive and future-ready education system for India,” said Amit Shah, Founder & CEO, Offee.

Mumbai, 23 September 2025 – The Burger Company (TBC) has announced the official rollout of its newest format – TBC PICO, a compact yet full-flavor outlet model designed to bring the brand’s signature taste closer to a wider audience. The concept has already witnessed an overwhelming response, with more than 10,000 direct Expressions of Interest (EOIs) received to date.

The highest traction for PICO has come from Delhi NCR (with over 1,000 EOIs), followed by Bangalore, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, and East UP – each recording 500+ EOIs. This city-wise demand reflects the strong enthusiasm for TBC’s expansion into newer, high-potential markets.

By October 5, 2025, the first TBC PICO outlet will be operational. The month will further see 5–7 outlets opening their doors, with 25+ more already under fit-out and scheduled to launch in the following weeks.

Staying true to its roots, every PICO outlet will feature the star attractions from the regular TBC menu, offering vegetarian burgers, chicken options, fries, munchies, sandwiches, momos, pies, and beverages. The curated menu ensures that customers experience the same beloved taste and variety of TBC in a compact, neighborhood-friendly format.

“With PICO, we’re making TBC more accessible while retaining everything our customers love about us – great taste, variety, and quality,” said Neelam Singh, Founder and CEO at The Burger Company. “The incredible response proves the strength of the concept and marks an exciting new chapter in our growth journey.”

The PICO format represents TBC’s commitment to innovation, scalability, and customer convenience, strengthening its position as a brand built on delivering exceptional food experiences across India.

Kolkata, 23 September 2025: Dabur Amla Hair Oil, India’s leading hair oil brand, has launched a campaign titled “Hair Washing Se Pehle, Dabur Amla Wali Oiling Ji,” featuring its brand ambassador, Deepika Padukone. The campaign is designed to revive the time-tested practice of pre-wash oiling, positioning it as a vital and modern ritual for today’s fast-paced consumers.

In an era of quick fixes, the campaign encourages young Indians to embrace a small yet meaningful change by making oiling before shampoo a non-negotiable step in their hair care routine. The core message blends tradition and science, supported by a catchy jingle featuring Deepika Padukone that reinforces the ritual in a memorable way across all touchpoints.

“With this campaign, we are not just driving awareness—we are driving a behavioral change. Oiling before hair wash is a simple shift but one with long-term benefits for hair health,” said Abhishek Jugran, Executive Director -Marketing, Dabur India Ltd. “By combining cultural insight, scientific efficacy, and a memorable jingle, we have made Dabur Amla Hair Oil relevant for today’s generation while staying true to its legacy of trust and Mazbooti which has made Dabur Amla the World’s No. 1 Hair Oil.”

Ankur Kumar, Head of Marketing, Hair Care, Dabur India Ltd., added, “This campaign reminds consumers of a time-tested haircare ritual that generations have trusted. With Deepika Padukone as the face of this campaign, Dabur Amla reinforces that oiling is not optional—it is the essential, foundational step for truly healthy hair. Oiling with Dabur Amla before every wash is the simplest yet most powerful step towards stronger, longer, and thicker hair.”

The campaign was conceptualized and executed in partnership with Ogilvy North. “Our goal was to make Dabur Amla Oil relevant to the new generation by understanding their existing behaviors and positioning the product as a natural fit within their daily routines, rather than simply preaching its benefits,” said Prakash Nair, President of Ogilvy North.

The brand’s mission is to make oiling with Dabur Amla more frequent and relevant for today’s youth. The campaign’s message is being amplified through a comprehensive and integrated media plan.

Mumbai, 23rd September 2025: Phoenix Marketcity Mumbai, the city’s ultimate lifestyle destination, continues to set the benchmark for immersive shopping, dining, and entertainment experiences. From a child’s day out to an indulgent family shopping spree, from high-octane gaming to world-class concerts, the mall offers something for every age, mood, and occasion making it the definitive “mall for all” in Mumbai.

Adding to its ever-evolving portfolio, the centre welcomes a line-up of coveted brands spanning fashion, footwear, jewellery, and dining, each enhancing its promise of blending global trends with local sensibilities. Recent and upcoming openings include You Mee, Freakins, Kalyan Jewellers, Birkenstock, Marks & Spencer, R&B Fashion, The Sunglass Atelier, Popeyes, and The Bear House further diversifying the mall’s experiential offerings.

 New Brand Launches:

1. You Mee: Opened on July 13, this Pan-Asian dining concept enriches the mall’s premium F&B portfolio with sushi, ramen, and donburi, presented in a vibrant, youth-friendly setting designed to resonate with the urban millennial and Gen Z diner.
2. Marks & Spencer: Reopened on July 24 after a major renovation, the British retail giant unveiled its refreshed India strategy with elevated essentials and trans-seasonal staples, reinforcing its value-led premium positioning.
3. Kalyan Jewellers: Opened on July 27, the heritage brand strengthens the mall’s jewellery portfolio with a curated mix of bridal, traditional, and contemporary designs catering to both luxury seekers and occasion-led shoppers.
4. Kushal’s: Opened on July 30, Kushal’s enhances the mall’s jewellery collection with its distinguished range of fashion jewellery. Known for its unique designs, the brand offers a curated selection of traditional and contemporary pieces perfect for both casual and festive occasions.
5. Birkenstock: Opened on August 1, the German footwear leader adds a global wellness-fashion dimension to the retail mix, tapping into the growing health-conscious, style-aware consumer base.
6. Popeyes: Opened on August 6, this internationally acclaimed restaurant brand launched its first store in Mumbai, bringing its signature Louisiana-style fried chicken to the city in a full-service format. The opening further expands the mall’s appeal within the fast-growing casual dining segment.
7. The Sunglass Atelier: Opened on August 10, the luxury eyewear boutique offers an exclusive curation of high-end sunglasses from leading global and Indian designers, elevating the premium accessories segment.
8. Allen Solly: Opened on August 12, the renowned apparel brand enhances the mall’s fashion mix with its contemporary workwear and casual wear offerings.
9. Fun N Ride: Opened on August 14, this family entertainment zone adds a leisure and recreation dimension to the mall, offering engaging experiences for kids and families.
10. R&B Fashion: Opened on August 14, the Dubai-based fashion retailer enriches the mall’s family-focused offering with affordable yet trend-driven apparel, footwear, and accessories.
11. Freakins: Launched on August 15, this Mumbai-based denim wear brand chose Phoenix Marketcity Mumbai for its first-ever store in any mall in India, cementing the centre’s reputation as the preferred launchpad for disruptive homegrown labels. Known for embracing boldness and comfort, Freakins has been redefining denim since 2021 with its mantra, “Embrace the Unconventional.” Offering over 35 categories and 800+ designs, the brand delivers a constant rotation of Gen Z-inspired styles, crafted for contemporary fashion sensibilities with uncompromising comfort.
12. LoveChild by Masaba: Opened on August 16, the celebrity designer’s beauty and skincare brand makes its mall debut, offering cruelty-free, inclusive, and trend-driven products tailored to modern Indian consumers.
13. Zigly: Opened on August 16, this full-stack pet care brand offers a wide range of pet products and accessories, adding a unique lifestyle element to the retail mix.
14. Uni Seoul: Opened on August 16, this Korean-inspired lifestyle brand brings Seoul’s trendy accessories and culture to Mumbai’s fashion-forward youth.
15. Hidesign: Reopened on August 21, India’s leading leather goods brand re-opened after renovation, expanding the mall’s premium accessories portfolio with its signature handcrafted bags and wallets.
16. The Bear House: Opened on August 22, this contemporary menswear label, known for its premium yet accessible fashion, makes its entry into Phoenix Marketcity Mumbai.
17. Gargi: Opened on August 26, this ethnic jewellery brand brings modern yet tradition-rooted designs, expanding the mall’s accessories range for festive and everyday wear.
18. Street Food by Punjab Grill: Celebrating India’s street food culture with gourmet flair, this vibrant casual dining concept will soon re-open at the food court, broadening the mall’s F&B experiences.

These openings are strategically aligned with seasonal demand cycles, ensuring that Phoenix Marketcity Mumbai remains a high-frequency destination for both planned and impulse visits.

“Phoenix Marketcity Mumbai is committed to being a premium lifestyle destination. We’re curating top global and Indian brands, creating experiences that reflect evolving aspirations, and ensuring the mall remains inclusive and valuable for both customers and partners,” said Vikas Shetty, Senior Vice President – Leasing & Retail Director.

By – Jaivinder Singh Gill, Regional Vice President and Managing Director – Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa at Diebold Nixdorf

“With the advancements in GST reforms, digital payments and financial inclusion, there is a lot happening now. This presents a great opportunity to reimagine how banks, fintechs and payment providers can work together to offer seamless, secure and scalable financial services.

Few takeaways to contemplate on:

• How to stay nimble as one works with evolving regulations?
• What innovations can one provide to further the thrust to drive inclusion to areas beyond metros?
• How to extend existing processes to ensure customers continue to trust the digital ecosystem being built?

At Diebold Nixdorf, we understand that the next decade of BFSI is going to be about the intersection of technology, policy and consumer behaviour. From my perspective it is the leaders who can anticipate where things are going in this new marketplace – not just react – will impact the future.

There are incredible opportunities in the present and it is time to seize them.”

By – Abhishek Wadekar, Founder Chairman – Tradelink International Private Limited

“Introduction of the new GST reforms is a timely and welcome step for the agri-input industry. By reducing the tax burden on critical raw materials for fertilizers and making compliance procedures simpler, the government is encouraging an environment which is more efficient for trade and industry. The steps will not only ease cost pressures along the supply chain but also help speed up modern farming practices and enhance market efficiency. At Tradelink International, we view this as a powerful indication of the government’s determination to create a solid agri-value chain and unlock new private investment opportunities in the sector.”

National, 23rd September 2025: Feeding people’s potential. One language at a time. On International Day of Sign Languages, KFC India is taking a meaningful step towards expanding its Kshamata program, by pioneering a written English comprehension program for speech & hearing-impaired (SHI) team members. 

Launched in partnership with Atypical Advantage, India’s largest livelihood platform for people with disabilities, the initiative will train 100% of KFC’s SHI teams in essential writing & comprehension skills by 2026. Based on the insight that most workplace communication is written, this program addresses challenges SHI team members face due to limited exposure to languages other than Indian Sign Language (ISL). 

By strengthening written comprehension, KFC India is helping SHI teams work more independently, communicate confidently, and grow in their careers, furthering the long-standing mission of KFC Kshamata to feed people’s potential & empower SHI teams. In 2024, KFC India became the first QSR in the country to launch a Sign Language training program for 100% of its employees. This year’s written English comprehension program for specially-abled teams, in turn, makes the communication bridge stronger & more effective. 

Speaking about the initiative, Aman Lal, Chief People Officer, KFC India, said: “KFC Kshamata reiterates our commitment towards feeding people’s potential and building a more inclusive world. Communication is key to bridging the ability gap & while we continue to focus on raising awareness for Indian Sign Language, this year, we’re also looking at it from the lens of written communication. The written English comprehension program will lower barriers to communication & equip our SHI teams with tools to navigate workplace communication independently. Atypical Advantage are front-runners in creating pathways for persons with disabilities, and have been instrumental in shaping this program. With an aim to train 100% SHI team members by 2026, it’s a powerful step towards fostering inclusion at scale.” 

Vineet Saraiwala, Founder & CEO-Atypical Advantage said, “At Atypical Advantage, we’ve always believed that true inclusion begins when persons with disabilities are equipped with the tools to thrive independently. This partnership with KFC India is a landmark step towards unlocking the potential of speech and hearing-impaired talent by building their confidence in written English — a critical workplace skill. It is incredible to witness KFC’s inclusion initiatives, where on one hand they are expanding the reach of Indian Sign Language, and on the other, strengthening English skills among speech and hearing-impaired team members. This dual approach is a powerful example of how inclusion can bridge the communication divide.”

The program is designed as a 50-hour virtual training, with a curriculum focused on basic grammar, email writing, and reading comprehension. The program is specifically crafted to bridge a crucial learning gap faced by many speech & hearing-impaired  employees, who received early education only in Indian Sign Language (ISL).  While ISL remains their first language and a source of pride, workplace communication often also requires English – making it important to build confidence in both.

As part of KFC’s commitment to become the most purposeful QSR brand in the country, the brand remains focused on maintaining 2% of workforce from the SHI community in the coming year. Other milestones under KFC Kshamata include: 

• 2X growth in number of speech & hearing-impaired team members, as well as Special KFCs (restaurants operated by SHI employees) in the last 5 years 
• 5% of SHI team members have progressed their careers within KFC & hold restaurant leadership positions currently 
• In 2024, KFC became the first QSR to roll out mandatory Sign Language training. Today, every new employee undergoes this training during induction, leading to 18K+ people being trained in ISL 
• To support success of SHI teams, KFC has a dedicated Sign Language Coach who works closely with them
• 100% of our restaurant trainings now include Sign Language insets and subtitles, making them truly inclusive. 

23 September 2025, India : VT Markets has announced the launch of a dedicated CSR initiative to support families affected by the recent floods in Punjab. Partnering with Mission Deep Education Trust, the company is channeling resources to distribute 100 comprehensive relief kits to households across some of the hardest-hit villages and relief camps.

This initiative is part of VT Markets’ ongoing commitment to stand with communities during times of crisis, extending support beyond its role as a global trading platform. By directly contributing to recovery efforts, the company seeks to ensure that vulnerable families receive urgent assistance to meet both their basic and long-term needs. The relief kits have been carefully structured to provide holistic support. The 50 food kits are designed to cover nutritional essentials such as flour, rice, pulses, tea, sugar, and dry milk to help families safeguard their health and well-being as they navigate the immediate aftermath of the floods. At the same time, the 50 daily essentials kits provide blankets, medicines, soaps, sanitary pads, clothing, and slippers, items that restore dignity, warmth, and hygiene for families who have lost access to everyday supplies.

Distribution will be led by volunteers from Mission Deep Education Trust, who will ensure the kits are delivered directly to those in need. To strengthen transparency and amplify awareness, the activity will be documented through photographs and videos, highlighting the impact of the initiative and encouraging broader community involvement in relief and rebuilding efforts.

Beyond short-term aid, this CSR effort also reflects VT Markets’ broader vision of responsible corporate citizenship. The company has consistently emphasized the importance of supporting communities, advancing education, and contributing to resilience regions where people face sudden and life-altering challenges. Through collaborations with local organizations, VT Markets ensures that its contributions are not only immediate but also meaningful, sustainable, and aligned with real community needs.