Archives September 2025

New Delhi, September 25, 2025 TeamLease RegTech, India’s leading regulatory technology company, today announced the appointment of Mr. Madhu Damodaran to its Board of Directors. His addition further strengthens the company’s leadership as it scales its technology platform, expands labour compliance services, and deepens its advocacy in the compliance ecosystem.

Madhu is a Member of the Central Board of Trustees of the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO).  A respected voice in industrial relations and regulatory policy, he has played a pivotal role across leading industry bodies. Within the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), he serves as a Member, National IR Committee, Member of the Karnataka State Council and Co-Convener of the State Future Skills and IR Panel (Karnataka). He is also a member of the Executive Committee of the Employers’ Federation of India (EFI) and the Regulatory Committee of the India Staffing Federation (ISF).

In this role, he will contribute as a strategic advisor and mentor. His role will focus on forecasting compliance shifts, shaping long-term strategy, and strengthening TL RegTech’s position as a leading organisation in combining legal, regulatory, and technology offerings. 

“Madhu brings an exceptional blend of policy insight and practical experience. His guidance will be pivotal as we advance our roadmap, expand our services and strengthen our advocacy. With his expertise, we are confident of delivering even greater value to our clients and shaping the future of compliance in India” said Sandeep Agrawal, CEO and Co-Founder, TeamLease RegTech.

Commenting on his appointment, Madhu Damodaran said: “Compliance has evolved from a mere statutory requirement to being fundamental to responsible and sustainable business practices. TeamLease RegTech has been a leader in transforming this space through technology and I look forward to contributing to its mission of making compliance simpler, more transparent and future-ready for India.”

“Madhu’s addition to the RegTech Board strengthens our vision of integrating advanced technology with extensive domain expertise. His experience in labour law, governance and industry advocacy will be a valuable asset as we continue to expand our services and assist organisations across diverse sectors in navigating the complexities of compliance, ensuring they stay ahead in an ever-evolving regulatory landscape,” said Ashok Reddy, Managing Director, TeamLease Services.

With this appointment, TeamLease RegTech continues to reinforce its commitment to building a compliance ecosystem that is ready for the future, empowering organizations to navigate regulations with increased confidence, efficiency and transparency.

Pune, 26 September 2025 – Affordable Robotic & Automation Ltd (ARAPL), (BSE: 541402 | NSE: AFFORDABLE), India’s first listed robotics company, has cleared a fresh round of fund infusion into its subsidiary Humro (formerly ARAPL RaaS), as it looks to scale operations and deepen its presence in overseas markets.

At a board meeting held on 18 September 2025, the company cleared an interest-free loan of Rs 25 crore from promoter and managing director Milind Padole, with a provision to convert the amount into equity or warrants at a later date. The board also approved raising an additional Rs 50–60 crore via a preferential issue, the proceeds of which will be reinvested into Humro and subsequently converted into equity, subject to regulatory approvals.

The move follows an earlier announcement this month of an USD 8–10 million investment plan into Humro, formerly known as ARAPL RaaS, through a mix of promoter contribution, preferential issue and debt. Of this, Padole has committed USD 3 million in his personal capacity by diluting part of his shareholding in ARAPL. The balance is expected to be raised from institutional investors and debt markets.

The fresh capital will be deployed towards capex, order book execution and working capital requirements as Humro looks to scale up its operations. The Pune-based subsidiary has built a strong order pipeline of around Rs 32 crore, expected to start translating into revenues by FY26. It has also secured in-principle technology approvals from global clients in the United States and Europe, a step seen as critical for scaling its export business.

“Humro has built a robust product portfolio and secured validations from leading global clients, which is a significant endorsement for an Indian robotics company operating in such a competitive space,” said Mr. Milind Padole, Chairman and Managing Director, ARAPL.

“Over the past four years, we have steadily invested in R&D, intellectual property, and software-led automation platforms, giving us the confidence to compete with established global players. This fresh round of funding will allow us to accelerate our growth trajectory by scaling production, deepening customer engagements, and investing in our talent base. Importantly, it positions us to strengthen our US presence at a time when supply chain diversification and tariff-led cost dynamics are opening up new opportunities for Indian companies in advanced automation. Our focus will be on leveraging India’s cost advantage while continuing to deliver high-quality, reliable solutions that meet global benchmarks,” added Mr Padole.

Founded in 2005, ARAPL has emerged as a significant player in India’s automation landscape. The company has deployed more than 7,500 robots and 14,000 automated car parking systems, employs over 400 professionals, and operates a 350,000 sq. ft. facility on the outskirts of Pune. Its intellectual property portfolio includes nine patents and three proprietary software platforms.

The capital raising comes at a time when Indian automation firms are benefitting from global supply chain realignments and rising tariffs on Chinese imports into the US. With its mix of cost competitiveness and proprietary technology, ARAPL is seeking to position Humro as a serious contender in the fast-growing robotics-as-a-service (RaaS) and autonomous mobile robotics market, where demand is being driven by warehousing, logistics and advanced manufacturing sectors.

Currently, the global robotics market is dominated by Japanese, European and American majors, Indian players like ARAPL are beginning to carve out a niche by offering affordability and faster deployment cycles. The latest infusion underscores the company’s ambition to tap this opening and emerge as a credible global challenger.

New Delhi, 25th September 2025

The National Solar Energy Federation of India (NSEFI), in partnership with Amazon successfully hosted the 1st Data Center Summit on Carbon-Free Energy at The Lalit, New Delhi. The landmark event brought together senior policymakers, renewable energy leaders, and data center industry captains to chart the course for India’s sustainable and carbon-neutral digital infrastructure.

Shri. Deepak Gupta (IAS Retd.), Hon Director General, NSEFI mentioned “Data centres can procure solar power directly from farmers’ fields or get green attributes through decentralized agrivoltaic projects. This model creates a virtuous cycle of growth—data centres reduce their carbon footprint, farmers become energy entrepreneurs, and rural India becomes a stakeholder in the digital economy. The digital industry can lead by example, showing how sustainability and growth can move hand in hand.

Shri. Michael Punke, Vice President, Global Public Policy, Amazon Web Services, highlighting Amazon’s carbon-free data center initiatives and investment journey in India mentioned “As we look to the future, we recognize new challenges, including the increasing energy demands of technologies like generative AI. That’s why we’re diversifying our investments across solar, wind, nuclear, battery storage, and emerging technologies. Our commitment to achieving net-zero carbon by 2040 remains unwavering. I want to emphasize that this is a journey we must undertake together. The path to sustainable digital infrastructure requires collaboration between government, industry, and society. AWS is committed to being a partner in India’s sustainable digital transformation, and we look forward to making this vision a reality together.”

Delivering the Chief Guest Address, Hon’ble Minister of State for Power and New & Renewable Energy, Shri. Shripad Yesso Naik, emphasized that “Under the visionary leadership of our Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji, India has achieved 50% of its installed electricity capacity from non-fossil fuel sources—five years ahead of schedule. Our renewable energy capacity has grown more than four-fold in the last decade, and we are on track to reach 500 GW by 2030. The digital revolution and the clean energy revolution must now converge. India strongly believes that energy transition is not only about megawatts and gigawatts. It is about jobs, skills, and innovation. Every new carbon-free data centre built in India will create green jobs, boost indigenous manufacturing of renewable and storage systems, and generate new business models for digital–energy convergence. It is about farmers supplying biomass for clean energy, engineers developing next-generation cooling systems, and startups innovating in energy management India’s vision is clear: a digital economy powered by carbon-free energy. This vision is aligned with our broader national goals of Atmanirbhar Bharat, Energy Security, and Net Zero by 2070. With the right mix of policies, innovation, and partnerships, I am confident we can make India a global hub for sustainable digital infrastructure.

Shri Shripad Yesso Naik ji also launched the new logo and website of NSEFI Green Data Center Coalition, which will act as a nodal resource for both data center and Renewable Energy stakeholders.

Key dignitaries including Dr. Mohammad Rihan, Director General, National Institute of Solar Energy, Shri. Rajesh Kulhari, Joint Secretary, MNRE, and Shri. Ghanshyam Prasad, Chairman, CEA shared insights on policy frameworks, regulatory support, and the roadmap for enabling 24/7 renewable energy adoption in data centers.

India, September 25, 2025: Salesforce, the world’s #1 AI CRM*, today announced findings from its new Connected Citizen research, revealing that Indian constituents want more proactive, personalised, and seamless public services, and are ready to embrace AI agents to achieve this. The research highlights overwhelming public support for AI agents, with 100% of Indian constituents saying they’d use an AI agent to interact with the public sector.

Government agencies are increasingly looking for ways to improve responsiveness, efficiency, and productivity to meet rising public expectations. In response, Salesforce recently launched Agentforce for Public Sector to augment government workers with digital labor – a digital workforce of intelligent AI agents – that can autonomously handle complex and time-consuming tasks while staying within defined guardrails. For India, a nation at the forefront of digital transformation, AI agents present an immense opportunity to further strengthen citizen engagement and accelerate the country’s digital ambitions. From easing access to information to simplifying everyday processes, AI agents can help public institutions scale services efficiently while building more connected and responsive citizen experiences that benefit communities nationwide.

Comments on the news: 

Arundhati Bhattacharya, President and CEO, Salesforce – South Asia, said, “India’s digital transformation is among the most ambitious in the world, and AI agents present a powerful opportunity to accelerate this journey. AI agents present a transformative opportunity to reimagine how the government serves its citizens – making services faster, more intuitive, and more inclusive. By automating high-volume, routine interactions, AI agents can free public servants to focus on what humans do best: applying empathy, creativity, and expertise to complex cases. The result is a digital workforce that augments human potential, enabling governments to deliver citizen experiences that are more responsive, trusted, and impactful at scale.”

By the numbers:

Indian citizens call for improved government service

• 86% of Indian constituents expect the government to proactively offer more relevant services.
• The most important improvements the public sector can make to its service delivery include offering 24/7 support, responding faster to citizen needs, and improving data security.

Indian citizens feel government interactions can be time-consuming and confusing

• Nearly two-thirds (62%) of Indian constituents say they’ve missed deadlines – such as filing applications, completing official paperworks, or renewing services – due to complicated or confusing interactions.
• The top barriers to seeking public assistance and services: 

1. Takes too long
2. Lack of digital options
3. Confusing or hard-to-navigate processes
4. Lack of clarity on available services

Indians want proactive, personalized, and seamless public services

• The survey reveals that Indians want their government to anticipate their needs, simplify processes, and deliver services proactively.
  • 95% of Indian constituents are interested in being automatically enrolled in government programs they qualify for.
  • 94% of Indian constituents are interested in having pre-filled forms for government services.
  • 94% of Indian constituents  are interested in automatic emergency response coordination.
  • 94% of Indian constituents are interested in receiving personalised notifications.

Indian citizens are ready, optimistic, and eager to engage with AI agents

• Salesforce’s research highlights overwhelming public support for AI agents, with 100% of Indian constituents saying they’d use an AI agent to interact with the public sector. 
• Indian constituents said they would be more likely to use an AI agent if it could:
  • Provide them with 24/7 access to information and services (70%)
  • Give them more personalised support (55%).
  • Keep their personal information safe (53%).
  • Help them efficiently access government resources (53%).
  • Reduce the number of websites and steps needed to address needs (46%).
• 90% of Indian citizens believe it’s likely they will soon work with an AI agent to complete public sector forms.

Trust and the human connection remain essential

• At the same time, Indians would want concerns around data security and the loss of human connection to be addressed in order to be comfortable with the technology, underscoring the importance of building trust, ensuring transparency, and deploying agents side-by-side with humans to deliver exceptional results.
  • Top 3 concerns using AI agents to interact with the public sector

1. Data security risk 
2. Loss of human connection
3. Technology moving too fast

Agentforce for Public Sector

With Agentforce for Public Sector, government agencies can use AI agents to assist employees and constituents, speeding up government responsiveness, enabling better support for the public, simplifying enforcement, and reducing risk for government workers. This frees government workers to focus on mission-critical tasks while enabling easier, faster, and more cost-effective public services.

Methodology

Data from this study are from a double-anonymous survey conducted from November 27 to December 23, 2024. The survey generated 11,500 responses from adults across North America, Latin America, Asia-Pacific, and Europe; 1,000 of these respondents were based in India.

Bengaluru, September 25, 2025:Avtar, India’s pioneer and leading workplace culture consulting and inclusion solutions company, today announced findings from the 10th edition of Best Companies for Women in India (BCWI), listing. The findings mark an evolution in the integration of inclusion as an important business imperative in India Inc. In this landmark edition, the BCWI listing features 125 companies. For the first time, women’s representation in leadership touches 20%, even as overall women’s representation amongst Best Companies stays stable at 35.7%.  Professional Services leads with 44.6% of workforce being women, followed by ITES with 41.7% women. Pharma with 25% of women, FMCG with 23% and Manufacturing with 12% women are intensifying their inclusion efforts.

The study also examined reasons for which women and men quit work. While attrition rates of women and that of men are similar across levels in Best Companies with hovering around 20%, the no.1 reason for both women and men to leave their organizations is access to better job opportunities. Health/well-being related challenges emerge as another dominant reason for women to exit the workplace, even more than child-care responsibilities

In its 10th edition, BCWI received 365 applications from organizations across various industries, regions and sectors in India, out of which companies from industries as diverse as Automotive, BFSI, Chemical, Conglomerate, Consumer Products, E-Commerce, Global Capabilities Centre (GCC), Hospitality, Health Care, IT, ITES, Logistics and Management Consulting, Manufacturing, Media, Pharmaceutical, Professional Services, Revenue Cycle Management,  Real Estate, Retail and Apparel, and Science & Engineering, Telecommunication and Utilities, made it to the Best Companies List. The 2025 Avtar & Seramount Top 10 Best Companies for Women in India listed alphabetically, are: Accenture Solutions Private Limited, AXA XL India Business Services Pvt. Ltd, Cairn Oil and Gas Vedanta Limited, EY, KPMG in India, Mastercard Incorporation, Optum Global Solutions (India) Private Limited, Procter & Gamble India, Tech Mahindra Limited and Wipro Limited.  

Avtar also released the seventh edition of its annual index – Most Inclusive Companies Index (MICI) that spotlights organizational commitment to include the diversity strands of Persons with Disabilities (PwD), LGBTQ+, generations and cultural diversity. From 58% companies focusing on People with Disabilities (PwDs) in 2019, the focus has increased drastically to an absolute 100% of companies focusing on the same, this year. The companies that feature in MICI together employ 9687 People with disabilities. LGBTQ+ inclusion also has gained widespread acceptance – from 23% companies focusing on LGBTQ+ in 2019, this has grown to 95%, this year. The 2025 Avtar & Seramount Champions of Inclusion, listed alphabetically, are: Accenture Solutions Private Limited, Allianz Services India, AXA XL India Business Services Pvt. Ltd, Encore Capital Group Inc, EY, IBM India Private Limited, KPMG in India, Mastercard Incorporation, Omega Healthcare Management Services Pvt. Ltd. and UST. 

For the very first time, Avtar also announced the Top 10 Best Companies for ESG. The BCESG framework evaluates companies on the three tenets of ESG – environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and governance excellence. This study revealed that energy efficiency (90% companies) and solar adoption (80% companies) are the most prevalent sustainability strategies, while hydroelectric and wind energy remain underutilized due to infrastructure and geographic limitations. While 100% of companies have a formal policy for occupational safety and health, 90% deliver ESG specific training to all its employees. The 2025 Avtar & Seramount Top 10 Best Companies for ESG, listed alphabetically, are: CGI, Eaton Technologies Pvt Ltd, EPAM Systems India Private Limited, GRP LTD, Infosys Limited, Lear Corporation, Solenis chemicals, Tata Communications Ltd, UST and Wipro Limited. 

Dr. Saundarya Rajesh – Founder, President, Avtar, celebrating the progress expressed, “My heartiest congratulations to all our winners for bringing inclusion and belonging to life, through intention and focused action! The results are here for us to see – from an average women’s representation of 25% in 2016, the best companies have collectively grown to 35.7% women’s representation, this year. Women in C-suite leadership touches an impressive 20%, up from 13% in 2016. What’s truly encouraging is that these efforts extend beyond multinational corporations – the share of Indian companies that feature in the Best Companies listing has grown from 25% in 2021, to 40% this year.”

She further added, “As we honor the achievements of these frontrunners, many of whose journeys we have seen up close in the past 10 years, we are also inspired by the broader movement they are driving. One that empowers women, enables allies, embraces diverse identities and engages responsibly with sustainability, helping unlock the full potential of the workforce!” 

“What inspires me about the Most Inclusive Companies Index is the real change it sparks—helping organizations in India break down barriers, design thoughtful solutions, and open new opportunities for underrepresented talent,” said Subha Barry, President of Seramount. “This recognition reflects the passion and commitment of leaders who are creating workplaces where women, LGBTQ+ employees, persons with disabilities, and talent across generations feel valued and can truly thrive.”

New Delhi, 25 September, 2025 — In an era where consumers are fatigued by sponsored noise and brands are scrutinized for every partnership, SPAG, a FINN Partners company, has unveiled FINNFluence — a next-generation influencer marketing solution designed to bring trust, compliance, and measurable impact back to the heart of influencer marketing.

With the influencer economy in India projected at INR 3,500 crore in 2025, growing at rate of 25 percentege , marketers face a dual challenge: navigating explosive growth while combating influencer fraud, regulatory tightening, and consumer demand for authenticity. FINNFluence answers this challenge by moving beyond superficial likes and follower counts to what matters most to today’s CMOs — reputation, relevance, and return on investment.

Built on SPAG’s proprietary SCORE model — Signal, Compliance, Overlap, Relevance, and Engagement — FINNFluence delivers a trust-first, ROI-driven framework that quantifies credibility, safeguards brand reputation, and ensures cultural resonance. Each collaboration is designed to be both compliance-forward (aligned with ASCI and FTC guidelines) and performance-led, where impact-driven KPIs replace vanity metrics.

“Influence without trust is just noise. FINNFluence embeds credibility at the very core of influencer marketing. By marrying data intelligence with cultural insight, we are equipping brands to deliver impact that is measurable, meaningful, and market-ready. This is not influencer marketing as usual — it’s influence evolved,” said Aman Gupta, Managing Partner, SPAG FINN Partners.

Why FINNFluence Matters for Today’s Marketers

• Trust as the new currency: In an era of consumer skepticism, FINNFluence ensures every partnership is rooted in credibility and authenticity.
• Compliance as a growth driver: With tightening regulations, brands need influencer models that reduce risk while scaling across diverse markets.
• Data as a decision engine: Through advanced scoring and analytics, FINNFluence provides marketers with the insight-rich reporting they need to prove ROI to the boardroom.
• Cultural relevance as a differentiator: From health and tech to consumer, finance, travel, and sustainability, FINNFluence helps brands resonate in sectors where values and purpose shape consumer decisions.

“Audiences today don’t just buy products; they buy into values. They are discerning, skeptical, and demand authenticity. FINNFluence is designed for this new reality — building creator ecosystems that align with purpose and brand safety, while ensuring every rupee spent delivers long-term equity,” said Shivani Gupta, Managing Partner, SPAG FINN Partners.

From Paid Buzz to Earned Trust

Unlike conventional models chasing virality, FINNFluence is sector-agnostic yet precision-focused. Whether for health, technology, consumer, or sustainability brands, it creates long-term brand-safe partnerships that move influence from transactional to transformational.

As digital ecosystems in Asia-Pacific evolve, FINNFluence is designed for scalability across diverse cultural and regulatory environments giving global marketers a model that’s built for impact, integrity, and influence at scale.

Mumbai, 25th September 2025: Dassani Brothers, one of India’s renowned names in the jewellery industry, has been honoured with the prestigious “Bangle/Bracelet/Kada of the Year (Polki/Jadau)” award at the 14th Edition of the National Jewellery Awards (NJA) 2025, presented by the All India Gem & Jewellery Domestic Council (GJC) in association with the World Gold Council.

The National Jewellery Awards are considered among the highest accolades in the Indian jewellery sector, celebrating innovation, craftsmanship, and excellence. Dassani Brothers’ win in the Polki/Jadau category is a testament to their exceptional artistry, design leadership, and ability to blend traditional craftsmanship with contemporary elegance.

The award-winning piece is a celebration of nature’s eternal beauty. Inspired by a blooming garden frozen in its most perfect moment, it brings together emerald leaves, ruby buds, and diamond blossoms that capture the freshness of spring. The flowing, vine-like silhouette mirrors the natural curves of branches in full bloom, while a unique detachable mechanism allows the jewel to seamlessly transform between a statement kada, an elegant ring, and a delicate cuff. Crafted in 14kt gold, the piece unites uncut Polki diamonds for regal heritage, brilliant-cut diamonds for modern sparkle, and exquisite emerald cabochons, carved leaves, and rubies for lush vibrancy—making it a versatile masterpiece of both design and craftsmanship.

Speaking on the recognition, Sumit Dassani, Partner at Dassani Brothers, said, “We are truly honoured to receive this award on such a prestigious platform. This recognition reinforces our commitment to preserving India’s rich jewellery heritage while continuously innovating to meet the aspirations of today’s customers. We dedicate this win to our team of artisans whose skill and passion bring every creation to life.”

Over the years, Dassani Brothers has carved a niche for itself with its exquisite designs, intricate detailing, and timeless creations, making it a trusted choice for jewellery connoisseurs across the country and beyond.

This award further strengthens their position as leaders in luxury jewellery, setting new benchmarks in the Polki and Jadau segment.

India ,25th sept 2025 :This festive season, give your skin the glow it deserves. Radiance by Forever is a thoughtfully curated skincare range that blends natural, ayurvedic-inspired ingredients to brighten, nourish, and rejuvenate skin. With celebrations, gatherings, and photo moments ahead, Radiance ensures your skin stays radiant, healthy, and celebration-ready.

A part of the globally trusted Forever Living Products family, Radiance elevates everyday skincare into a luxurious self-care experience. With over four decades of expertise, the brand combines nature’s finest ingredients with the precision of science, ensuring products that hydrate, nourish, and restore skin. The range reflects Forever’s commitment to inclusivity, sustainability, and effective solutions tailored to the unique needs of Indian skin.

The Radiance collection harnesses the deeply hydrating and soothing power of Aloe Vera, complemented by botanical actives like Licorice, Bamboo, Moringa Oil, Neem, and CICA. Together, these ingredients address dryness, irritation, redness, and uneven tone, leaving skin soft, luminous, and refreshed.

“Our Radiance Range is designed to bring out the natural glow of every skin type,” says Harish Singla, CSM, Forever Living Products. “This festive season, we want everyone to feel confident, nourished, and celebration-ready, with skincare that combines nature’s goodness and visible results.”

Radiance Face Wash : Gentle yet hydrating, it features Aloe Vera for moisture, Licorice to calm irritation, Bamboo for natural glow, and Apple Extracts to enhance cell renewal, leaving skin soft and revitalized.

Radiance Moisturizer: Lightweight yet nourishing, it combines Aloe Vera, Moringa Oil, Neem, and CICA to soothe, protect, and restore skin’s natural radiance while defending against environmental stressors.

This festive season, make Radiance by Forever a part of your skincare ritual. Perfect for gifting or self-care, it adds a touch of natural glow and festive cheer—because radiant skin is always in style.

Mumbai, 25th  September 2025: The Rekhta Foundation, in collaboration with the Harish Bina Shah Foundation, brought alive a magical second edition of Shaam-e-Rekhta at the Jamshed Bhabha Theatre, NCPA, Nariman Point, on 21st September. Reaffirming its stature as one of Mumbai’s most awaited cultural celebrations, the evening witnessed houseful auditoriums, thunderous applause, and standing ovations, turning into an unforgettable tribute to the timeless charm of Urdu poetry, music, and culture.

This year’s overwhelming demand led to two stagings of Rang Aur Noor  (Urdu Shairo’n Ke Filmi Shahkaar), a spellbinding stage production conceived, written, and directed by Rekhta Foundation’s Trustee & Creative Director, Huma Khalil (Author, Filmmaker). Seamlessly blending dance, live singing, music, and cinematic nostalgia, the show paid homage to Urdu poets whose verses defined the golden era of Hindustani cinema. Featuring stellar performances by Shinjini Kulkarni, Amrish Mishra, Supriya Joshi, Sarvesh Mishra, Yamika Mahesh, Shruti Mishra,  Anupama  Kaushik, and others, both the 2:00 PM and 7:30 PM stagings received rousing ovations from an enthralled audience.

As the evening progressed, the much-anticipated Rekhta Mushaira brought together some of India’s most celebrated voices of contemporary Urdu poetry. Literary stalwarts such as Javed Akhtar, Popular Meeruthi, Iqbal Ashhar, Shakeel Azmi, Nusrat Mehdi, Moin Shadab, Vikas Sharma Raaz, and Azhar Iqbal captivated listeners with their verses on love, longing, wit, and life. Carrying forward the cherished tradition of Urdu poetry gatherings, the Mushaira created moments of intimacy, reflection, and joy that resonated deeply across generations.

Reflecting on the response, Huma Khalil, Creative Director, Rekhta Foundation, said:“Shaam-e-Rekhta is a celebration of the soul of Urdu, its poetry, music, and cultural elegance. With this second edition in Mumbai, our aim was to create a space where language and performance transcend boundaries, inspiring a renewed appreciation for Urdu’s timeless beauty across generations.”  

With both shows running house full and audiences leaving with cherished memories, Shaam-e-Rekhta Mumbai 2025 not only highlighted the cultural relevance of Urdu but also reaffirmed its enduring power to bring people together.

INDIA’S FRONT ROW TO THE WORLD’S BIGGEST MUSIC FESTIVAL: ROSÉ, CARDI B & SHAKIRA LIVE AT PVR INOX FOR GLOBAL CITIZEN FESTIVAL 2025

India, 25 September 2025 – PVR INOX Limited, India’s largest and most premium cinema exhibitor, has announced a broadcast partnership with Global Citizen to bring the 2025 Global Citizen Festival live to cinema screens across India on Sunday, 28th September 2025.

Global Citizen is the world’s leading international advocacy organization on a mission to end extreme poverty. This is only the second time Global Citizen is activating in India, after the unforgettable Global Citizen Live in 2016 which featured Coldplay, Jay Z, and Demi Lovato.

For Indian audiences, this is a unique opportunity to witness the Global Citizen Festival 2025 live on the country’s most immersive big screens. The mega event will feature a special performance by Rosé from BLACKPINK. One of the world’s most celebrated K-pop icons, Rosé’s performance promises to bring BLACKPINK’s unmatched energy to cinemas nationwide, making it a truly memorable experience for her fans in India.

Joining her on stage will be an incredible line-up of global stars including Cardi B, Shakira, Tyla, Ayra Starr, Mariah The Scientist, and Camilo, with the event hosted by Hugh Jackman. With its blend of music, culture and activism, the festival promises to galvanize audiences worldwide towards collective action to end poverty and protect the planet.

Tickets are now live across PVR INOX cinemas nationwide, giving Indian fans the chance to secure their spot for this landmark event. Transforming cinema halls into high-energy concert arenas, the screenings will let audiences experience the energy, atmosphere, and purpose of the Global Citizen Festival as if they were standing at Central Park in New York City.

Speaking about the collaboration, Mr. Aamer Bijli, Lead Specialist – Innovation, Film Marketing, and Digital Programming, PVR INOX Ltd, said: “At PVR INOX, we are thrilled to bring the Global Citizen Festival live to India. The response from audiences has been overwhelming, and it’s exciting to see such anticipation for an event that combines world-class music with a purpose-driven mission. With global icons like Rosé from BLACKPINK—the K-pop sensation whose fan following in India is unmatched—alongside Shakira, Cardi B, and other international stars, this is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Their energy, music, and massive fan bases make this festival a cultural moment Indian audiences cannot afford to miss. We are delighted to offer our cinemas as the front-row seat to this extraordinary celebration, and we can’t wait for audiences to be part of it.”

Adding to this, Lee Rolontz, Global Head of Broadcast and Original Content, Global Citizen, said:“India is home to some of the most passionate, young changemakers in the world, and is our second-largest audience base globally, after the U.S. We’re excited to partner with PVR INOX to bring the 2025 Global Citizen Festival to theaters across the country and connect with a new generation of Indians as we take action to end extreme poverty. This year’s powerful women-led line-up not only showcases incredible artistry but also champions the fight to end extreme poverty”. 

With the integration of Digital Interactive Touchpoints (DIT), the partnership extends beyond the screen—creating a participatory, connected experience that resonates with today’s audiences. 

Together, PVR INOX and Global Citizen are redefining how India engages with global culture and purpose, turning cinemas into arenas of entertainment, community, and change.