Archives January 2026

MUMBAI, India, Jan 23: Amazon MX Player’s beloved youth series Campus Diaries has officially begun filming for its second season. Following its success with young audiences for its honest, slice-of-life depiction of college friendships and the journey of growing up, the show returns with the same warmth, humour, and emotional authenticity that defined Season 1. The season is produced by Prem Mistry and Abhishek Yadav (Yellow Montage) and directed by Abhishek Yadav.

Season 2 reunites the fan-favourite ensemble cast, including Harsh Beniwal as Sudheer, Ritvik Sahore as Abhilash, Srishti Ganguly Rindani as Sushmita, Saloni Gaur as Priyanka, Abhinav Sharma as Raghav, and Salonie Patel as Sanya. Known for its relatable storytelling, Campus Diaries continues to explore the nuances of friendships, emotions, and everyday campus life that have resonated with young viewers.

The new season will stream for free on Amazon MX Player, accessible through the MX Player app, Amazon Shopping app, Prime Video, Fire TV, Smart TVs, and Airtel Xstream.

Johnnie Walker Redefines the Festival Experience at Lollapalooza India 2026 with World-Class Craft, Flavour and Cultural Energy

Mumbai, Jan 23: Johnnie Walker Blonde Non-Alcoholic Lemonade is set to redefine the festival experience at Lollapalooza India 2026 through an extraordinary showcase of innovation, craftsmanship and culture. As one of India’s most anticipated cultural events, Lollapalooza offers an electric atmosphere that serves as the ultimate stage for Johnnie Walker’s premium mixology and its progressive ‘Keep Walking’ spirit. This year, Johnnie Walker has also come on board as the official partner for the Platinum Lounge – the festival’s most exclusive space for music lovers who seek elevated experiences.

At the heart of the Platinum Lounge experience, premium design, hospitality and creativity converge. The fully air-conditioned lounge offers unparalleled comfort and fanpit access across stages, combining the thrill of live music with sophisticated hospitality. A bespoke Whisky Experiments menu, led by Arnold Hou, Head Mixologist, Dali & Gala, Bengaluru, celebrating creativity and craftsmanship with serves inspired by distinct flavour directions – Spice, Coffee, Smoke and Sweet, each designed for a high-energy, all-day setting. We also have another unique experiential space on- ground -The Blonde Social Club. Festival-goers can personalize merchandise, play a game of pickleball and unwind while enjoying signature serves like the Blonde Bloom – a refreshing coffee-based cocktail and the Kokum Highball, an ode to Mumbai’s coastal zest. Exclusive slushies and flavor-led mixes will be available, promising a unique tasting journey for every guest. Completing the world-class experience, a premium bar experience is also being curated within the exclusive Red Stud Club, in collaboration with Bar Paradox, blending festival energy with refined craftsmanship.

Speaking on the association this year, Varun Koorichh, Vice President Marketing, Portfolio Head, Premium and Luxury, Diageo India said:

 “At Lollapalooza, the ‘Keep Walking’ spirit finds its most vibrant stage, allowing us to weave Johnnie Walker Blonde Non-Alcoholic lemonade’s craftsmanship into India’s most iconic musical moments. Our vision this year was to create a world-class experience that celebrates the craft, flavor, and progressive energy of the brand, while continuing to push boundaries across experience, innovation, and cultural relevance. From the artisanal serves at the Platinum Lounge to the interactive Blonde Social Club, every element is designed to feel both premium and participatory – an authentic reflection of how we continue to ‘Keep Walking’ at the forefront of culture.”

Extending its footprint beyond the festival grounds, Johnnie Walker Blonde Non-Alcoholic Lemonade partners with Uber, Zepto, MyGate, and Indē wild to create a holistic, lifestyle-led experience. This collaboration touches every moment of the consumer journey – from the first mile to the after-party.

With its world-class cocktails, visionary design and seamless brand storytelling, Johnnie Walker continues to push boundaries at Lollapalooza India 2026 – where every sip, serve and space is crafted to inspire progress and celebrate the spirit of Keep Walking.

With live flamenco music and dance setting the tone from the moment guests arrive, Milagro is a premium Spanish European dining destination where luxury is expressed through restraint, rhythm, and detail. Its weekend brunch is unhurried and deliberate, designed for those who value pacing as much as flavour. The experience unfolds through a spread of tapas and composed starters, moving into thoughtfully executed mains, with live stations such as tacos adding a subtle sense of theatre. Signature dishes include Chicken Schnitzel, Spaghetti Milagro, and Veg Paella, delivering depth without heaviness.The dessert trolley arrives as a quiet finale, featuring seasonal cakes, éclairs, bombolines, tiramisu, cheesecakes, profiteroles, and more. With flamenco performance setting the mood throughout, the brunch blends refined gastronomy with authentic Spanish rhythm and emotion.Elegant, assured, and timeless, Milagro reflects how modern luxury dining is shaping itself for 2026.

Address: 5th Floor,Sobo 25,S.V Swatantryaveer Savarkar Rd,opposite Century Bazaar Prabhadevi,Mumbai-400025

What to order: Chicken Chipotle Tacos, Chicken Wings, BBQ Chicken Paella, Chicken Schnitzel, Patatas Bravas, Truffle Fries, Mushroom Cauliflower Tacos, Spaghetti Milagro, Veg Paella

Mumbai, Jan 23: EuroKids, India’s leading preschool chain, celebrated Saraswati Puja across 300 centres nationwide engaging 15000 students, marking the occasion with joyful activities designed to introduce young learners to India’s rich cultural heritage while fostering curiosity, creativity, and a love for learning.

Recognised as a festival that honours knowledge and wisdom, Saraswati Puja was celebrated at EuroKids as a cultural and educational experience. The celebrations were carefully curated to suit early learners, focusing on exploration, expression, and meaningful engagement with ideas that support holistic development.

The celebrations began with a simple Saraswati Puja, observed across centres to introduce children to the cultural significance of learning and knowledge. This was followed by thoughtfully planned learning-led activities. Children participated in storytelling, music and movement, art and craft, creative play, and interactive conversations that encouraged imagination, expression, and curiosity. These experiences helped children associate learning with joy, exploration, and confidence.

The celebrations also saw active participation from teachers and parents, creating a warm, inclusive environment that highlighted the importance of cultural awareness in a child’s formative years. By engaging families, EuroKids ensured that children experienced the occasion as a shared, joyful journey rooted in both tradition and modern pedagogy.

This approach reflects EuroKids’ strong alignment with its child-centric learning philosophy and the vision of NEP 2020, which emphasises holistic development, cultural rootedness, and experiential learning in the early years. Through such celebrations, EuroKids continues to integrate Indian traditions into everyday learning in ways that are meaningful, inclusive, and age appropriate.

Commenting on the occasion, KVS Seshasai, CEO, Pre-K Division, EuroKids (Lighthouse Learning), said,

 “Basant Panchami is a meaningful reminder that learning should begin early and with joy. At EuroKids, we believe the early years shape a child’s curiosity and love for learning. Celebrations like these allow us to connect cultural significance with early education in a way that helps parents understand why the right start matters so deeply.”

EuroKids’ brand ethos is rooted in creating safe, nurturing, and stimulating environments where children feel seen, heard, and valued. Powered by its Heureka Curriculum, based on Harvard’s Project Zero and aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the brand places curiosity at the heart of learning, encouraging children to explore, question, and discover, while continuing to emphasise holistic development through learning by play, emotional security, social skills, language development, independence, and school readiness.

With a legacy of nurturing over seven lakh children across 1,700+ preschools in more than 500 cities, EuroKids continues to lead the way in early childhood education. The brand remains steadfast in its mission to champion what truly matters in the early years, building not just sharper minds, but kinder hearts and resilient individuals who are prepared for school and for life.

As indulgence-led snacking evolves, young consumers are seeking snacks that deliver intensity, personality and share-worthy moments and not just taste. Responding to this shift, Sunfeast Wowzers from ITC Ltd. has dialled up the sensory drama with a bolder, cheesier and crunchier communication. Staying true to its core, Wowzers brings alive indulgence through its signature 28-layer cracker enrobed in an indulgent cheesy crème, creating a cracker that doesn’t just taste cheesy, but feels cheesier with every bite, taking the ‘wow’ a notch higher.

The new campaign translates this heightened product experience into a fresh, youthful film that speaks the language of young consumers. Conceptualized by Ogilvy, the film unfolds in a vibrant, high-energy setting, capturing spontaneous snack breaks among friends. Riding on the growing trend of ASMR, the TVC engages deeply with the product’s sensory appeal. The film brings alive the indulgence through immersive sound and rhythm, mirroring how today’s youth experience food.

With this communication, Sunfeast Wowzers strengthens its positioning by moving beyond conventional product claims to build a stronger cultural connect with young consumers. By pairing a cheesier product experience with a fresh, vibe-led visual language, the brand makes indulgence feel contemporary, premium and socially relevant.

Commenting on the new campaign, Suraj Kathuria, Head of Marketing, Sunfeast at ITC Limited, said,

“Youth look for snacks that are bold, expressive and sensorial, something that stands out in both taste and experience. With Wowzers, we’ve leaned into what makes the product truly distinctive by making the indulgence even cheesier and bringing that to life through a fresh, high-energy film. The idea was to create a communication that feels immersive and culturally in sync, where the product’s layered crunch and cheesy payoff are experienced as much visually as they are in taste.”

Adding the creative perspective, Puneet Kapoor, Chief Creative Officer, Ogilvy South, said,

“I still recall biting into Wowzers at the ITC office, with the whole team instantly falling for the multi-sensorial snacking experience, led by that indulgent cheesy hit. The campaign idea was simply to demonstrate the truth we tasted first: the proof of the tasty, cheesy cracker is in the munching.”

New Delhi, Jan 23: Moj, India’s leading homegrown short video platform from ShareChat, today announced the launch of the Micro Drama Challenge, a first-of-its-kind accelerator programme designed to support and strengthen the micro drama ecosystem in India. The company has initially set aside over a ₹20 crore annual budget, to scout and groom upcoming studios in India’s rapidly growing short-form entertainment ecosystem.

This initiative opens doors to discover, finance and groom the next wave of storytellers building vertical micro drama series for India’s fastest-growing short-video audience, to showcase their talent and content capabilities. By fostering collaboration between content creators, filmmakers, production houses, and storytellers, Moj’s initiative aims to supercharge the micro-drama landscape, delivering fresh stories that resonate with millions of users nationwide and open up fresher revenue streams in the industry.

The application process open till January 26th, 2026, will enable Moj to shortlist 10 applicants by January 31st, 2026, and equip them with a grant of ₹10 lakhs each to craft engaging micro-dramas tailored for short-form vertical viewing. While the initiative provides complete creative freedom, these will need to adhere to basic guidelines of the format that entail it being at least an hour long, with each episode being 1-2 minutes long. Moj will also support these studios with deep consumer insights from state of the art recommendation systems allowing creators to craft their stories for maximum consumer engagement.

Thereafter, till March 31st, these participants dive into a high-stakes monthly challenge, showcasing their storytelling prowess through the genre of choice – ranging from action-packed narratives, emotional dramas, and culturally rooted tales. As these micro dramas get uploaded on Moj, it would face the real audience test with its 60 million strong micro drama viewer base.

In the end of the competition that enables creators to promote their series across mediums for driving viewership, the first placed team will secure a winning prize of ₹25 lakhs, followed by ₹15 lakhs for the second placed team, and ₹5 lakhs for the third team, not just enabling them to scale operations and produce even more compelling series’, but also be considered for future Moj Originals. 

Manohar Singh Charan, Co-Founder & CFO, ShareChat & Moj, said,

“This recurring monthly accelerator program acts as a launchpad, building a robust ecosystem that enables discovery of new storytellers. We are committed to building an enabler ladder where independent studios and creators can thrive alongside industry giants. It not only accelerates talent development but also ensures a steady influx of diverse, culturally rooted stories from all parts of India, bringing out something of interest and relevance for everyone. Our state-of-the-art recommendation systems will sit on top of this treasure trove and enable discovery of the right audience for each of these stories. We are moving to a world where every user should be able to access a deep supply of content tailored to their own unique taste. With ShareChat and Moj uniquely positioned to democratize access to micro-drama content to its users, this initiative reflects our resolve towards enabling a cohesive ecosystem that fosters innovation and growth across the board.”

The initiative is in line with the company’s vision of innovation in India’s booming short-video space. Through this, studios gain professional resources, access to a larger pool of revenue, mentorship, and exposure, while users benefit from an ever-expanding library of binge-worthy micro-dramas.

By:  Tapan Patel, Fund Manager-Commodities at Tata Asset Management.

“While silver’s dual role as a precious and industrial metal positions it as a potent return enhancer, its historical volatility suggests that retail investors should approach the recent rally with caution. Rather than a core hedge, silver is currently best suited for tactical exposure or as a specialized component of a diversified portfolio.

The recent ‘premium-to-iNAV’ episode serves as a vital reminder: during high-demand phases, supply constraints and tariff threats can temporarily disconnect ETF prices from their underlying value. To mitigate this, investors should avoid chasing vertical moves and instead adopt a staggered, systematic entry to benefit from price averaging during inevitable consolidations.

For those already invested, the decision to hold or rebalance should be guided by the Gold/Silver ratio. As the ratio compresses toward the 50 mark—having retraced from the highs of 100 seen in 2025—investors might consider booking partial profits to reallocate into more stable assets like Gold ETFs, ensuring the portfolio remains aligned with their long-term risk appetite.”

New Delhi, Jan 23: Aptronix, an Apple Premium Partner in India, has introduced a new multi-device exchange initiative aimed at strengthening formal e-waste collection and responsible recycling across the country. The programme, titled Limitless Aptronix Exchange, allows customers to exchange up to 10 electronic devices of any brand and condition at Aptronix retail outlets.

Powered by device lifecycle management company Servify and recycling partner Karo Sambhav, a government-authorised Producer Responsibility Organisation (PRO), the initiative accepts both functional and non-functional devices. Eligible categories include smartphones, laptops, tablets, wearables, and select household electronics.

Functional devices are assessed instantly through Servify’s diagnostic platform, with the evaluated value redeemable against the purchase of new Apple products. Devices without resale value are routed for responsible recycling, with customers receiving vouchers, along with a tree planted on their behalf.

According to Aptronix, the programme is designed to address India’s growing e-waste challenge by encouraging consumers to responsibly dispose of unused and obsolete electronics. The company expects the initiative to divert a significant volume of electronic waste from landfills during its first year.

Servify’s platform enables transparent device assessment and end-to-end tracking, ensuring devices move through certified refurbishment or recycling channels. Karo Sambhav will oversee recycling operations in compliance with Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) guidelines, providing traceability from collection to final processing.

Commenting on the launch, Meghna Singh, CEO, Aptronix, said,

“This programme is about making responsible disposal simple and accessible for consumers. By removing friction from the recycling process, we hope to encourage more people to part with old devices responsibly.”

Sreevathsa Prabhakar, Founder & CEO, Servify, added,

“Technology-driven diagnostics, transparent valuation, and traceable recycling are critical to formalising e-waste management at scale.”

The programme is available across all Aptronix retail locations and is open to customers irrespective of device brand. Aptronix will monitor key environmental impact metrics, including the number of devices collected, recycled, and consumer participation levels.

Industry observers note that initiatives such as this align with India’s tightening regulatory framework around e-waste management and reinforce the growing emphasis on producer and consumer responsibility within the electronics ecosystem.

Navi Mumbai, Jan 23: A 41-year-old man from Mauritius, who had been living with debilitating hip pain for over 11 years due to advanced Avascular Necrosis (AVN), has successfully avoided hip replacement surgery after undergoing cell-based regenerative therapy at StemRx Hospital & Research Centre, Navi Mumbai. Treated under the care of Dr. Pradeep Mahajan, Regenerative Medicine Researcher and Founder of StemRx, the patient has experienced significant pain relief, improved mobility, and a renewed quality of life.

Mr. Kavraj Singh Bohani had been suffering from persistent pain, stiffness, and severely restricted movement for more than a decade. Over the last three to four years, his condition worsened considerably, affecting his ability to walk, sleep, work, and perform everyday activities. Multiple medical consultations in Mauritius recommended hip replacement surgery as the only viable option. Long-term use of pain medication offered only temporary relief and began impacting his mental and emotional well-being.

In search of a non-surgical, root-cause-focused solution, Mr. Bohani learned about StemRx through the Medi Check Clinic in Mauritius and decided to travel to India for treatment.

At StemRx Hospital, a comprehensive evaluation confirmed advanced AVN of the hip, a condition caused by reduced blood supply to the bone, leading to bone damage and joint degeneration. Based on the assessment, the medical team designed a personalised regenerative medicine protocol aimed at restoring blood flow, reducing inflammation, and stimulating natural bone healing.

Even before the primary therapy commenced, the patient showed improvement through supportive care and physiotherapy. He subsequently underwent stem cell-based regenerative therapy, supported by a multidisciplinary treatment approach that included targeted cell therapy, physiotherapy, quantum energy medicine, Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT), and EBOO (Extracorporeal Blood Oxygenation and Ozonation). The integrated strategy focused on slowing or halting disease progression, relieving pain, improving joint function, and avoiding joint replacement surgery.

Commenting on the case, Dr. Pradeep Mahajan, Regenerative Medicine Researcher & Founder, StemRx Hospital & Research Centre, said,

“Avascular necrosis develops when the blood supply to the bone is compromised, leading to progressive damage and severe pain. In many cases, joint replacement is advised as the final option. Our approach focuses on addressing the disease at the cellular level—by improving blood flow, reducing inflammation, and stimulating bone regeneration. In Mr. Bohani’s case, a customised stem cell therapy protocol helped support recovery of the hip joint and significantly improve his quality of life.”

He added,

“What stood out in this case was the patient’s determination and trust in the treatment process. With consistent therapy and rehabilitation, we observed meaningful improvements in pain levels, mobility, and overall function. This case highlights how regenerative medicine can offer hope to patients who believe surgery is their only option.”

Sharing his experience, Mr. Kavraj Singh Bohani said,

“For years, pain controlled every part of my life. I couldn’t work properly, sleep peacefully, or even step out without discomfort. Doctors told me surgery was the only way forward. Coming to StemRx changed everything. Today, I am almost pain-free and no longer dependent on medicines. I finally feel hopeful again.”

He further added,

“Dr. Mahajan gave me confidence from day one. His calm approach and clear explanations made me feel safe throughout the treatment. Before opting for a hip replacement, I would strongly encourage anyone suffering from AVN to explore regenerative therapy. It truly gave me my life back.”

This case underscores the potential of cell-based regenerative medicine in offering effective, non-surgical treatment options for chronic and debilitating conditions such as Avascular Necrosis—helping patients restore mobility, dignity, and long-term quality of life.

Intellect Accelerates Global Enterprise AI Adoption, Onboards 14 Value Discovery Partners for Purple Fabric Ecosystem

Intellect Design Arena Ltd, a global leader in enterprise-grade financial technology, today announced the onboarding of 14 Value Discovery Partners across India, Africa, Europe, the UK, APAC, and Canada, to accelerate AI-First value discovery and enterprise adoption of Purple Fabric, its enterprise-grade Business Impact AI platform.

As financial institutions worldwide face the challenge of moving Generative AI initiatives from “pilot mode” to production-grade “business impact,” this new partner ecosystem will play a pivotal role in bridging the gap.

Built using First Principles Thinking and reinforced by Design Thinking-led solution discovery, Purple Fabric integrates knowledge derived from over three decades of domain expertise and more than 20 million engineering hours. The platform offers a robust suite of enterprise-ready Digital Experts that are already deployed and trusted by global financial institutions.

As Value Discovery Partners, these organisations engage early with customer leadership to lead AI-First value discovery identifying high-impact use cases, prioritising measurable value pools, and co-designing governed, production-ready AI solutions on Purple Fabric. This ensures enterprises move beyond experimentation and accelerate the delivery of tangible, scalable business outcomes.

At its core, Purple Fabric enables enterprises to operationalise AI through four foundational technology stacks. These include the Enterprise Knowledge Garden (PF EKG), which provides a unified, continuously updated domain data fabric; Enterprise Digital Experts (PF EDE), a multi-agent orchestration layer that automates and augments enterprise tasks across credit, risk, compliance, and customer experience; Enterprise Governance (PF Govern), embedding observability, auditability, and fairness controls to ensure trust and regulatory compliance; and the LLM Optimisation Hub (PF MOH), an LLM-agnostic layer that optimises speed, accuracy, and cost through intelligent benchmarking and resource allocation.

A New Collaborative Framework: Co-Build, Co-Exist, Build

The Purple Fabric Value Discovery Partnership Program is anchored on deep technical and strategic collaboration. Partners are not positioned as distributors but as co-creators within the ecosystem, working closely with Intellect to:

• Co-Build: Jointly develop new AI agents and industry-specific workflows.
• Co-Exist: Seamlessly integrate Purple Fabric’s Digital Experts into existing legacy and core architectures.
• Build: Create bespoke IP and differentiated solutions on top of the Purple Fabric foundation.

Flexible Engagement Models

To ensure broad market adoption and flexible go-to-market execution, the partner ecosystem operates under three distinct engagement models:

• Sell With: Partners leverage Purple Fabric to address customer challenges, with Intellect providing deep architectural and platform support.
• Sell To: Partners adopt Purple Fabric for their own internal operations, using pre-built Digital Experts to streamline workflows and decision-making.
• Sell Through: Designed for partners with strong cloud capabilities, this model offers dual deployment flexibility, either hosting Purple Fabric on partner infrastructure or reselling it via Intellect’s managed Purple Fabric Cloud, aligned to customer compliance and data preferences.

Commenting on the expanded partner ecosystem, Arun Jain, Chairman and Managing Director of Intellect Design Arena Limited & Chief Architect of Purple Fabric, said,

“AI must move beyond pilots to deliver measurable business impact at enterprise scale. This value discovery partner ecosystem reinforces our belief that Business Impact AI can only scale through trusted collaboration, where industry context, governance, and execution come together. Purple Fabric is designed as an open platform, and this growing global ecosystem will help enterprises move decisively from experimentation to outcomes.”