Archives 2025

Mumbai,  Dec 18:- Jaro Education, a publicly listed leading higher education and upskilling company, has taken a significant step toward strengthening India’s commerce education ecosystem through a strategic partnership with J.K. Shah Classes, a Veranda Learning enterprise and a pioneer in commerce education for over four decades.

The collaboration aims to expand nationwide access to structured, recognised commerce education by combining Jaro Education’s scalable digital learning infrastructure with J.K. Shah Classes’ deep academic expertise and proven outcomes. Together, the two institutions seek to address India’s growing demand for qualified commerce professionals. According to the President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI), Mr. Charanjot Singh Nanda, India will require nearly 50 lakh (5 million) Chartered Accountants by 2050.

Founded in 2009, Jaro Education has spent over 16 years building long-standing partnerships with more than 36 premier Indian and global institutions, including 7 IIMs, 7 IITs, top NIRF-ranked universities, and Ivy League institutions. Acting as a bridge between leading academic institutions and learners, Jaro delivers accredited degree and professional programmes through an integrated online and hybrid framework, managing the entire programme lifecycle from academic design to learner delivery. With a portfolio of 268  programmes and support for over 350,000 learners, Jaro has established itself as one of India’s most trusted platforms for higher education and professional upskilling.

J.K. Shah Classes educates over 50,000 students annually across 111 centres and is a leading provider of structured coaching for commerce certifications, including CA, CS, CMA, CFA, and ACCA. Its academic impact is reflected in 2,072  CA rankers and 245 CS rankers, supported by a strong alumni network comprising senior corporate leaders, entrepreneurs, and contributors to national governance. Built over more than four decades, the institution’s reputation rests on consistency, academic rigour, and measurable outcomes.

Under the partnership, Jaro Education will enable the digital delivery and scale-up of J.K. Shah Classes’ commerce programmes, providing robust technology infrastructure and learner support services. This will allow J.K. Shah Classes to extend ICAI- and ICSI-aligned learning pathways to students across Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, significantly expanding access to quality commerce education.

Together, Jaro Education and J.K. Shah Classes aim to strengthen India’s commerce education ecosystem by blending academic legacy with technology-enabled scalability.

Industry Overview

Rapid Growth of Online Higher Education and Upskilling India’s online higher education and upskilling sector is witnessing strong momentum, growing at a CAGR of 25.7% from FY23 to FY28, with market size expanding from INR 13,200 crore to an estimated INR 41,450 crore.

Rising Demand for Commerce Education and Professional Certifications
Commerce education continues to see sustained demand, with B.Com enrolments growing at a 5% CAGR from FY12 to FY21, increasing from 2.7 million to 4.2 million students. Professional certification enrolments mirror this trend, with CA registrations nearly doubling from 559.7 thousand in FY21 to 1,032.6 thousand in FY24. CMA enrolments increased from 55.7 thousand to 70.7 thousand, while ACCA enrolments remained steady at scale at ~585 thousand in FY24.

The professional coaching services segment for CA, CMA, CS, CPA, and ACCA grew at a 14.8% CAGR between FY20 and FY25, reaching an estimated market size of ~INR 40 billion in FY25 and is projected to grow to INR 70–73 billion by FY30. Growth is supported by NEP 2020, increasing multinational presence in India, and rising adoption of flexible payment structures.

Learner preferences are gradually shifting toward global certifications such as ACCA, CMA-USA, and CPA, which grew at a 44.3% CAGR between FY20 and FY25 and are expected to grow at 25–27% CAGR through FY30. While CA continues to dominate with a 47–49% market share, global certifications are gaining traction due to shorter duration, higher pass rates, and global employability.

Source: Crisil Intelligence

Leadership Commentary;

Commenting on the collaboration, Dr Sanjay Salunkhe, Founder & CMD, Jaro Education, said;

“Commerce is a cornerstone of economic vitality and national progress a vision strongly championed by our Hon’ble Prime Minister in pursuit of Viksit Bharat. For over 16 years, Jaro Education has led large-scale upskilling across management, technology, and techno-functional domains through enduring institutional partnerships. This collaboration with J.K. Shah Classes goes beyond distribution; it strengthens India’s commerce education ecosystem by uniting academic excellence with scalable, technology-enabled reach. Aligned with NEP goals, we aim to broaden access, elevate the Gross Enrolment Ratio, and build a strong pipeline of commerce leaders who will reinforce India’s economic backbone.”

Prof. J.K. Shah, Founder, J.K. Shah Classes, added;

“Our academic journey spans more than four decades, with an unwavering focus on outcomes that stand the test of time. Through this partnership with Jaro Education, we are translating our classroom-led academic depth into structured, high-quality online delivery. The collaboration enables us to serve learners nationwide while staying true to our academic values and professional standards.”

Chennai’s Kai Manam records 26x growth in yearly order volume with support from Zomato platform; opens a second outlet in ECR

Chennai, Dec 18: Kai Manam, the Chennai-homegrown brand known for its comforting, homestyle cuisine, has opened its second outlet on the city’s East Coast Road (ECR). What began as a modest kitchen on a terrace in Gopalapuram during the COVID-19 pandemic has since grown into a neighbourhood favourite, now operating with two full-fledged dine-in spaces, with yearly order volume rising from 1,725 orders in 2020 to 44,680 orders till Nov 2025, since onboarding on Zomato.

Speaking about her journey, Vishnu Priya, Founder, Kai Manam, said,

 “It all began on a little terrace with a big dream. The early days were tough, as a woman running a hotel and a mother to twins, but the love for food kept me going. Zomato has continued to help Kai Manam reach customers far beyond our neighbourhood. Today, we’re proud to be recognised as a trusted name on the platform.”

Aditya Mangla, CEO – Food delivery business, Eternal, said,

 “It’s always encouraging to see restaurants like Kai Manam grow meaningfully while staying true to their cultural identity. Being part of their journey, by strengthening discovery and helping them serve customers better, is our only mission.”

In 2019, Vishnu Priya, a former radio jockey who found her calling in the kitchen, set out to build something simple yet deeply personal: food that feels like home. That vision became Kai Manam, a brand shaped by authenticity, resilience, and an unshakeable commitment to homestyle cooking. In its early days, Vishnu balanced limited resources, a small team, and the demands of caring for one-year-old twins, while managing everything from dawn ingredient runs to managing day to day operations with minimal support. Yet, every challenge only strengthened the brand’s promise of comfort and sincerity on a plate.

Over the years, Kai Manam has grown from a handful of daily orders to a beloved local favourite with 20+ staff members and a loyal customer base. Now, in its sixth year, the brand has expanded with a second outlet on ECR. With every new step, Kai Manam continues its journey of bringing heartfelt, homestyle flavours to more people across the city.

Since onboarding on Zomato, the brand has:

• Achieved ~26x growth in yearly order volumes, scaling from 1,725 orders in 2020 to 44,680 orders till Nov 2025
• Expanded from a 900 sq. ft. terrace kitchen to a full-scale outlet, and has now opened a second outlet in ECR
• Streamlined ingredient sourcing through Hyperpure, ensuring consistent access to quality materials
• Optimised its menu, improved category visibility and food photography.

To help small restaurants scale quickly, Zomato has introduced several initiatives in recent years. These include a DIY onboarding tool that helps restaurants get listed on the platform in just 15 minutes, and access to the Restaurant Services Hub, a curated marketplace of verified vendors offering licensing, staffing, and hygiene audit services. In select cities, new restaurants also benefit from 0% commission for the first 30 days, along with credits for ads and Hyperpure services. As of Q2 FY26, Zomato has an average of 555,000 monthly active food ordering and delivery restaurant partners on the platform.

UTRECHT, Netherlands and NOIDA, India, Dec 18: HCLTech, a leading global technology company, announced that it has been selected as a strategic partner by ASN Bank (formerly de Volksbank), the fourth-largest retail bank in the Netherlands.

As part of its new strategy ‘Simplify and Grow’, ASN Bank aims to modernise and standardise its IT architecture, which will involve consolidating IT services, simplifying the vendor landscape and building a future-ready organisation. Under the multi-year agreement, HCLTech will support ASN Bank’s enterprise applications, and streamline services through a distributed delivery model to enhance efficiency and customer experience.

Michel Ruijterman, Chief Information Officer, ASN Bank: “By signing this agreement, HCLTech’s proven track record in delivering scalable, innovative solutions tailored to the financial services sector means we can now confidently press on with streamlining our business by reducing the number of existing products and aligning the underlying processes and systems under our new strategy. Standardising and further automating our systems will enable us to organise our business operations more efficiently and effectively.”

Sudip Lahiri, Executive Vice President and Head of Financial Services for Europe, HCLTech: “By aligning our engineering mindset and scalable, domain-led solutions with ASN Bank’s strategic goals, we are set to deliver tangible impact and long-term value, laying the foundation for future-ready operations. Collaborating with ASN Bank marks a major step forward for HCLTech as we grow our presence in the Dutch banking sector.”

Insurance Samadhan and Vealthx, a leading wealth continuity platform, have established a strategic partnership through service integration to directly address the substantial national challenge of unclaimed financial assets. This joint effort is designed to deliver millions of Indian consumers a secure, unified platform that simplifies the effective management of insurance assets, provides essential clarity on policy provisions, and ensures the successful recovery of rightful claims nationwide, thereby helping customers find money that is rightfully theirs.

The partnership is built on powerful, complementary strengths: Vealthx offers a secure, all-in-one platform for managing customers’ financial assets, liabilities, and estate planning documents, while Insurance Samadhan provides the specialized backend expertise necessary for expedited claim support and grievance redressal. The central motivation is clear: Vealthx and Insurance Samadhan are uniting to directly tackle the high-impact national problem where thousands of crores are locked in unpaid insurance claims.

The challenge posed by unclaimed financial assets in India is substantial, with the Union Finance Minister stating that assets worth approximately ₹1.84 lakh crore are currently lying dormant with banks, regulators, and other financial entities as of late 2025. This pool of dormant wealth continues to grow rapidly: the life insurance sector alone holds over ₹20,062 crore in unclaimed amounts (as of March 2024, IRDAI data).

Through this integration, the Vealthx app will become the single digital touchpoint, providing instant, hassle-free access to critical insurance support services. All backend operations will be managed seamlessly by Insurance Samadhan’s expert team.

The Vealthx app provides access to specialized Insurance Samadhan solutions, which include the Know Your Policy (KYP) Feature aimed at delivering policyholders transparent, accurate, and timely policy understanding, thereby eliminating confusion and reducing paperwork. Additionally, the app offers Policy Claim Grievance Support, leveraging expert knowledge to expedite claim resolutions, significantly lower the rate of rejected cases, and ensure a smoother recovery of insurance-related assets. This strategic integration is set to expand the reach of both Vealthx and Insurance Samadhan across new customer segments and wider geographical areas by utilizing Vealthx’s expanding digital ecosystem.

Speaking about the initiative,Suhasini Anand, COO/CHRO, Vealthx, commented on the partnership’s alignment with their core mission: “Vealthx was built to ensure that no family ever loses access to their rightful financial assets. Insurance Samadhan complements this mission by specializing in insurance grievance redressal and claim support—two areas where families often struggle the most. Our discovery engine combined with their claim support can jointly reduce unclaimed insurance pools, fast-track rightful recoveries, and simplify transmission for nominees.”

The relationship between Insurance Samadhan and Vealthx establishes ways to help automate and simplify multiple facets of implementing and managing your own coverage. COO and Co-founder of Insurance Samadhan, Shilpa Arora stated that partnering with Vealthx gives its users the tools they need to manage their policies on their own via mobile or web applications. “Working together, we create a whole new support system for our customers, as well as ensure that they understand their coverage completely,” said Arora. Insurance Samadhan is focused on providing users with the most comprehensive support, including a user-friendly claims process and instant access to claims-processing resources. The partnership between Insurance Samadhan and Vealthx represents an opportunity for people to have complete control over their own insurance experiences; for example, through easy access to Know Your Policy and Grievance Redressal.

Neurological conditions are one of the leading causes of disability worldwide, with the global burden of illness and disability rising substantially over the last few decades. In India, they account for about 10% of the total disease burden.

Gurugram-based Medanta The Medicity, named Best Private Hospital in India by Newsweek for six years in a row, is an internationally known destination for Deep Brain Stimulation therapy, also known as ‘Brain-Pacemaker surgery’ offering new hope to patients living with neurologically driven disabilities. This neurostimulation procedure, offered by Dr. Anirban Deep Banerjee, Director, Neurosurgery, Institute of Neurosciences at Medanta Gurugram, is known to bring relief to advanced-stage Parkinson’s disease, dystonia, refractory epilepsy (adult onset), essential tremor, and advanced obsessive-compulsive disorder

This comprehensive treatment combines cutting-edge technology with personalised care. Medanta, one of the largest private multi-specialty tertiary and quaternary care providers in the country, employs advanced imaging techniques for precise brain targeting and utilizes state-of-the-art innovations, such as directional leads for multi-dimensional neuromodulation and real-time brain-sensing biomarker feedback for symptom-responsive stimulation.

Dr. Anirban Deep Banerjee, Director, Neurosurgery, Institute of Neurosciences at Medanta Gurugram said;

“While we have recognised effective, advanced treatments like DBS surgery to help transform lives, access remains a significant challenge especially in the low- and middle-income countries. At Medanta, we are committed to improving access to state-of-the-art interventions like DBS and helping patients regain quality of life when medicines and other conventional treatments can no longer manage symptoms. DBS or Brain Pacemaker Surgery is a transformative therapy wherein electrodes are implanted in specific affected areas of the brain to regulate abnormal signals, restoring motor function, and greatly enhancing quality of life.”

Dr. Banerjee has performed well over 300 DBS procedures over the past decade-and-a-half with remarkable success rates, reinforcing his reputation as one of the most trusted neurosurgeons for DBS surgery in this part of the world. At Medanta, DBS also includes patient/condition-specific advanced AI-guided brain area targeting and remote programming capabilities.

Mumbai Dec 17: Kotak Education Foundation  the CSR implementing arm of Kotak Mahindra Group, celebrated its annual scholarship felicitation ceremony, RIZE 2025, honouring over 1,400 newly inducted scholars from economically disadvantaged communities across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. The event reaffirmed KEF’s long-standing commitment to enabling access to quality education and holistic development.

The ceremony was graced by Rinku Hooda, India’s celebrated para-athlete and 2025 World Champion in Javelin, whose inspiring journey includes multiple international podium finishes, including silver medals at the World Para Athletics Championships 2023 (Paris) and 2024 (Japan). His interaction with scholars and words of encouragement left a lasting impression on the young achievers.

A highlight of the event was an inspiring address by Mr. Vishal Nevge, Assistant Commissioner of State Tax, GST Department, Government of Maharashtra, and a proud alumnus of the Kotak Junior Scholarship Programme. He expressed gratitude to KEF and urged scholars to pursue excellence with perseverance.

Devang Gheewalla, Group Chief Financial Officer, Kotak Mahindra Bank, addressed the gathering, underscoring the program’s growth and its role in shaping future leaders. Paul Parambi, Trustee, Kotak Education Foundation, encouraged scholars to remain resilient and purpose-driven in their academic journeys.

Arati Kaulgud, Director  Scholarship Program, Kotak Education Foundation, said;

“These 1,400 Kotak Scholars exemplify the transformative power of education. Beyond financial support, we offer mentorship, guidance, and opportunities that help them unlock their highest potential.”

The ceremony also featured cultural performances by scholars, celebrating their talents beyond academics. Each scholar received a scholarship certificate, marking the beginning of their higher education journey across diverse fields. The event was attended by KEF’s leadership, including Ganesh Raja, CEO; Jayasree Ramesh, COO  Education; and Kavita Shanghvi, Director  Education.

Kotak Education Foundation;

For over 18 years, Kotak Education Foundation has been committed to empowering children and youth from economically disadvantaged backgrounds through education and foundational skills. Its ‘Inch Wide, Mile Deep’ approach focuses on quality-driven, scalable interventions.

KEF’s work spans three core pillars;

1. Holistic school interventions for children and educators

2. Equitable scholarships for higher education

3. Vocational education and skills training for livelihood

Key scholarship initiatives include:

• Kotak Kanya Scholarship (launched in 2021) for meritorious girl students across India

• Kotak Junior Scholarship for Class 11–12 students in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region

• Kotak Graduate Scholarship for professional courses such as Engineering, MBBS, Law, and certification programs

• Kotak Shiksha Nidhi, a PAN-India initiative supporting students impacted by COVID-19-related family loss

To date, KEF has supported 7,500 scholars, with 1,500 alumni now working as white-collar professionals in leading organisations. In 2025, KEF launched a dedicated scholarship programme for Persons with Disabilities  supporting 150 students in its inaugural year.

KEF also runs the Unnati Programme, which equips unemployed youth with IT skills, spoken English, life skills, and assured placements.

As KEF scales its impact, it is transitioning from a school-centric approach to district and state-level education transformation, focusing on leadership development, teacher capacity building, digital learning ecosystems, Foundational Literacy & Numeracy through the Kshamata Project, and support for Model Schools. The Foundation is expanding its footprint beyond Maharashtra into Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, and Goa.

Kotak Education Foundation is the primary implementing agency for Kotak Mahindra Group’s CSR initiatives in education under the Kotak Karma umbrella

Dec 17:-Awfis Space Solutions Limited, India’s largest flexible workspace solutions provider, today unveiled “India Rising  Charting the Managed Office Growth Trajectory”, an in-depth industry report positioning Managed Office Spaces  as the strategic workspace model for enterprises, Global Capability Centres and high-growth companies in India. Developed in collaboration with ANAROCK Research & Advisory, the report combines robust market intelligence, CXO insights, and detailed case studies from Awfis’ ecosystem, spanning technology, BFSI, consulting, and manufacturing sectors across Tier I, II, and III cities.

Amit Ramani, CMD, Awfis Space Solutions Ltd., said;

“The workplace transformation in India isn’t just about flexible leases or shared amenities; it’s about enterprises rethinking workspace strategy to drive agility, talent attraction, and operational excellence. Managed Office Spaces now offer a comprehensive ecosystem, integrating custom design, technology, ESG compliant infrastructure, and full-service operations under one platform. For organisations navigating hybrid work and rapid expansion, MOS provides precision and adaptability that traditional real estate models cannot match.”

The report highlights four key forces shaping India’s workplace future: the permanence of hybrid work models, expansion into emerging markets, rising employee experience expectations, and ESG accountability. Unlike earlier flexible workspace models, contemporary MOS integrate purpose-built environments, enterprise-grade security, brand-aligned customization, and advanced technology infrastructure, supporting mission-critical operations, particularly for GCCs.

Eight key growth drivers for MOS adoption were identified;

• Transition to flexible workspaces

• Emergence of startups and SMEs

• Urbanization and talent mobility

• Cost efficiency

• Technological advancements

• Attractive real estate market dynamics

• Government support for entrepreneurship

• Increased foreign investment

Featured Awfis case studies include;

• National Stock Exchange, Mumbai: 165,000 sq. ft. workplace delivered in 50 days with acoustic engineering, smart building systems, and adaptive spatial zoning.

• Fortune 500 IT Company, Jaipur: 83,000 sq. ft. facility integrating global practices with local culture, enabling Tier II expansion with secure, scalable infrastructure.

• Insurity, Noida: 18,000 sq. ft. post-pandemic office completed in 12 weeks, blending global brand identity with biophilic design and advanced collaboration systems.

Looking ahead, MOS adoption is expected to grow through increased enterprise uptake, geographic expansion into Tier II and III cities, technology integration via IoT, AI, and analytics, alignment with ESG standards, and community-building initiatives that balance privacy with engagement.

As GCCs expand and enterprises reassess real estate strategies, Managed Office Spaces are emerging as the preferred blueprint for secure, brand-aligned, and future-ready workplaces in India.

Mumbai,  Dec 17: Dr Batra’s today announced the appointment of Deepak Pant as Group Chief Operating Officer (COO), effective 27th November 2025. In this role, he will focus on advancing the company’s mission of delivering holistic healthcare, expanding accessibility, and contributing to the vision of giving people a safer choice of medicine through Homeopathy.

Deepak brings over two decades of experience across Consumer Goods, Digital Commerce, and Technology-driven businesses. His career spans impactful leadership roles at Procter & Gamble Singapore, Marico, Zee Entertainment, Purplle.com, and most recently, the RP Sanjiv Goenka Group, where he led the Personal Care vertical and built digital-first brands from the grounds up, driving growth and profitability.

An alumnus of the Indian Institute of Management Calcutta (IIM-C), Deepak has deep expertise in Marketing, Brand Building, Digital Marketing, P&L Management, and Category Development.

At Dr Batra’s, Deepak Pant will drive strategic growth across Homeopathy, Aesthetics, Products, and Clinic Expansion, including over 200 clinics in India and abroad, Virtual Clinics, and international presence. He will lead initiatives to enhance patient services and digital outreach, while overseeing core operational functions to deliver an elevated patient experience and expand Dr Batra’s wellness offerings.

Commenting on the appointment, Dr. Akshay Batra, Vice Chairman and Managing Director, Dr Batra’s  Healthcare, said;

“We are thrilled to welcome Deepak Pant to Dr Batra’s As we enter a new phase of growth, Deepak’s leadership will help enhance our operational excellence and scale our healthcare services within India and abroad. We look forward to him taking the mandate from the Board and delivering it with focus and professionalism.”

Dr. Mukesh Batra, Founder Chairman Emeritus, Dr Batra’s Healthcare, added;
“His diversified operational and strategic background, combined with strong execution capabilities, will be instrumental as we enhance patient experience, strengthen our digital presence, and expand wellness offerings across Homeopathy, Aesthetics, Products, and Clinics in India and abroad.”

Speaking on his new role, Deepak Pant, Group COO, Dr Batra’s said;

“I am delighted to join Dr Batra’s, a brand making a real difference in people’s lives through safe homeopathic alternatives. I look forward to collaborating with the team to enhance service delivery, reinforce patient trust, and drive strategic expansion across Homeopathy, Aesthetics, Products, and Clinic Networks including Virtual Clinics in India and international markets.”

Dr Batra’s remains committed to its patient-first philosophy, prioritising accessible healthcare, community engagement, and social impact. The organisation continues to strengthen the well-being of individuals and communities it serves, readying itself for the next phase of growth.

GURUGRAM, India, Dec 17: Samsung, India’s leading consumer electronics brand, today announced that in 2026, it will launch an expanded Micro RGB TV lineup, available in 55-, 65-, 75-, 85-, 100- and 115-inch models. The new expansive range introduces the next evolution of Samsung’s Micro RGB display technology, setting a new standard for premium home viewing.

“With Samsung’s latest technology, our Micro RGB portfolio delivers vivid color and clarity that make movies, sports and TV shows feel more expressive and engaging,” said Hun Lee, Executive Vice President of the Visual Display (VD) Business at Samsung Electronics. “By expanding the lineup for 2026, we’re establishing a new premium category with sizes that span the full range of modern living spaces while maintaining our highest picture standards.”

Consumers are demanding better picture quality from their TVs, and this differentiator has become a key reason many viewers upgrade to premium models. Whether used as a centerpiece for large living spaces or a space-conscious premium display, each Micro RGB model utilizes Samsung’s advanced display architecture to reflect the company’s commitment to engineering precision and elite picture performance.

Micro RGB: Precision Engineered for Lifelike Colors

Building on the 115-inch Micro RGB introduced in 2025, the new lineup includes advanced features and new enhancements that elevate picture performance across color, clarity and style:

• Micro RGB Technology uses sub-100 μm red, green and blue LEDs that each emit light independently. This advanced display architecture enables ultra-precise light control and improved color accuracy. Enhanced picture-processing technologies, including 4K AI Upscaling Pro and AI Motion Enhancer Pro, further refine brightness, smooth out motion and add clarity in real time.
• Micro RGB AI Engine Pro is equipped with a next-generation AI chipset that enables more precise frame-by-frame clarity and realism. It also includes Micro RGB Color Booster Pro and Micro RGB HDR Pro to provide a vivid color experience that makes viewing content feel as real as seeing it in person. 
• Micro RGB Precision Color 100 includes a refined Micro RGB light source with enhanced RGB color dimming precision for unparalleled color expression. Certified by VDE, Micro RGB Precision Color 100 achieves 100% of the BT.2020 wide color gamut, delivering hyper-real hues and brilliant brightness.
• Upgraded Vision AI Companion, Samsung’s multi-agent platform, combines large language model (LLM)-powered intelligence with natural conversation via Bixby. It enables conversational search, interactive Q&A, proactive recommendations and access to AI features and apps such as Live Translate, Generative Wallpaper and Perplexity.
• Samsung’s proprietary Glare Free technology minimizes reflections to further preserve clear color and contrast in a variety of lighting conditions for the best viewing experience.
• Enhanced audio features including Dolby Atmos® for multidimensional sound, Adaptive Sound Pro for optimized clarity based on room and content types and Q-Symphony, which connects TV speakers with compatible Samsung devices to deliver a deeper soundstage. All 2026 Samsung TVs will also feature Eclipsa Audio, the new spatial sound system engineered for immersive 3D audio.

First Look at CES 2026: New Micro RGB Lineup Made To Reshape Home Entertainment

Highlighting Samsung’s latest advancements in display performance, the company will showcase the new Micro RGB lineup at CES 2026, which takes place in Las Vegas Jan. 6-9. Samsung’s presence at the event will reinforce its commitment to delivering ultra-premium displays across a broader range of screen sizes and living spaces.

Soak, the chic poolside bar and lounge at Novotel Pune, is all set to elevate your evening with Shaam-E-Sufiyana, a mesmerising Sufi night featuring a live performance by Noor-E-Suroor. Scheduled for 19th December, from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM, the event promises an enchanting blend of soulful music, breezy ambience, and flavourful culinary delights.

Located beside the glistening pool, Soak has fast become one of Pune’s most stylish social spaces  known for its resort-like vibe, curated grills, and signature cocktails. Guests attending Shaam-E-Sufiyana can indulge in Soak’s delicious à la carte menu, featuring global grills, tandoor signatures, and chef-crafted small plates. Complementing the food is an array of innovative cocktails, house-infused blends, and refreshing concoctions inspired by botanical flavours.

Sharing his excitement for the event, Anant Leekha, General Manager, Novotel Pune, said:

“Shaam-E-Sufiyana brings together the essence of Soak  soulful experiences, relaxed luxury, and a vibrant poolside setting. At Soak, every evening is designed to make guests feel refreshed and inspired. With live Sufi music by Noor-E-Suroor, flavour-packed grills, and our signature cocktails, we look forward to creating a memorable night for our guests.”

With soothing live melodies, ambient lighting, open-air seating, and thoughtfully crafted food and beverages, the evening is perfect for those seeking a serene yet uplifting weekend escape.

What: Shaam-E-Sufiyana

Where: Soak, Novotel Pune Nagar Road

When: 19^th December, 7 pm to 10 pm

Price: A La Carte