Archives January 2026

Gurugram, India, Jan 22:  MentorCloud, the world’s leading Human+AI mentoring and coaching platform, today celebrated the first anniversary of the Amritkaal Mentors Movement, a nationwide initiative aimed at democratizing access to career and life mentorship for students, professionals, and entrepreneurs across India.

Conceptualised by Dr. Ravishankar Gundlapalli, Founder & CEO, MentorCloud, the movement draws inspiration from Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji’s vision of Viksit Bharat @ 2047. Amritkaal Mentors was formally launched on 12 January 2025, marking Swami Vivekananda’s 163rd birth anniversary, celebrated nationally as National Youth Day—a fitting tribute to youth empowerment and nation-building.

Over the past year, seasoned mentors from India and the United States, spanning disciplines such as Engineering, Technology, AI, Entrepreneurship, Consulting, Manufacturing, Public Policy, Finance, and Human Resources, have delivered impactful sessions to thousands of students from 1,340 degree and engineering colleges across the country. More than 85% of participating students rated the sessions as extremely relevant and valuable, with 1,482 students receiving certificates of attendance, strengthening their employability and interview readiness.

“Equipping students with the right vocabulary and confidence to articulate their skills during job interviews is one of the core objectives of this movement,” said Dr. Ravishankar Gundlapalli, Founder of the Amritkaal Mentors Movement and Founder & CEO of MentorCloud.

Distinguished Speakers and Topics

The first year of Amritkaal Mentors featured an impressive lineup of thought leaders and practitioners, including Sadhguru (Founder, Isha Foundation); Dr. Velumani Arokiaswamy (Founder, Thyrocare); Navi Radjou (Author and Frugal Innovation Expert); MR Rangaswami (Founder, Indiaspora); Ramesh Vaswani (Serial Entrepreneur, IIT Madras); Sanjeev Sharan (CHRO – Director HR, ZTE); Geetha Murthy (Ex-HR Head, Collins Aerospace); Geetha Kannan (Ex-HR Head, Infosys), among several others from industry, academia, and the startup ecosystem.

These mentors delivered engaging, hour-long sessions covering a wide range of topics, including Innovation, Artificial Intelligence, Career Mapping, Interview Skills, Personal Finance, Mental Health, Smart Manufacturing, Robotics, Entrepreneurship, Skills for Employability, India as Vishwa Guru, and crafting a 100-year life journey.

“Amritkaal Mentors showcases the true democratization of mentoring and knowledge-sharing by ensuring every aspiring Indian youth has access to the wisdom of global experts,” Dr. Gundlapalli added. “By breaking jargon and sharing real-life experiences, the movement is helping ignite the potential of our youth to accelerate India’s journey towards becoming a Viksit Bharat by or before 2047.”

Sharing their experience, Sanjeev Sharan, CHRO – Director HR, ZTE, said,

“Amritkaal Mentors is a powerful initiative democratizing knowledge by connecting learners with experienced mentors. I was honoured to be part of the movement as a launching mentor.”

Geetha Murthy, former HR Head at Collins Aerospace, added,

“I am honoured to contribute to the Amritkaal Mentors talk series by addressing mental health and hustle culture, in support of India’s journey towards a Viksit Bharat.”

Voices from the Student Community

Students across institutions highlighted the practical impact of the sessions. One participant shared,

“The session offered valuable perspectives on robotics, automation, and future career opportunities. It was both insightful and inspiring. I am grateful to the Amritkaal Mentors initiative for creating such meaningful learning experiences.”

Tilak M. K., a student from The National Institute of Engineering, Mysuru, added,

“It was an insightful webinar on wealth creation, long-term value thinking, and aligning skills with market needs. I’m grateful to Amritkaal Mentors and MentorCloud for enabling such impactful learning.”

Looking Ahead

As the movement enters its second year, MentorCloud, along with key partners Pod.ai, Become.Team, and Verbinden.ai, plans to significantly scale the initiative. The goal is to onboard 100+ experienced mentors from leading organizations and academic institutions and reach over 10,000 students across Tier 2, 3, and 4 cities and towns.

MentorCloud extends its sincere gratitude to all mentors, students, and partners who contributed to making the first year of the Amritkaal Mentors Movement a resounding success.

Mumbai, Jan 22 : In a powerful demonstration of student-led change, Salaam Bombay Foundation’s Preventive Health Education Programme marked the 20th version of its flagship forum Bal Parishad, that enables adolescents from resource-challenged communities directly engage with policymakers and authorities and help create change for the well-being of their communities.

Led entirely by students known as Health Monitors, the Bal Parishad brought together over 200 students from government and government-aided schools and was attended by senior policymakers and administrators. Dignitaries present included Hon. Minister Dr. Pankaj Bhoyar, School Education, Maharashtra; Shri Ranjit Singh Deol (IAS), Principal Secretary, School Education and Sports Department; Hon. Mr. Vijayakant Sagar, Deputy Commissioner of Police;  Mrs. Sujata Khare, Education Officer, MCGM; and Dr. Umesh Shirodkar, Joint Director, Public Health Department, Maharashtra.

Trained under Salaam Bombay Foundation’s Preventive Health Education Programme, the Health Monitors used the platform to highlight real-world challenges within their communities, including tobacco use, hygiene and nutritional gaps. Through direct interactions with policymakers, students presented practical, evidence-based recommendations and shared community initiatives such as poster campaigns, door-to-door outreach and collaboration with local leaders. The Bal Parishad also recognised young changemakers whose efforts demonstrated how awareness, confidence and student-led action can drive meaningful and lasting change.

 Minister Dr. Pankaj Bhoyar  School Education, Maharashtra said,

 “Today, we witnessed how a committed social organisation can drive meaningful change in society. The confidence with which the students presented, and the joy on their faces reflect the true impact of such initiatives. This, to me, is real success. The work being undertaken by Salaam Bombay Foundation addresses a critical need of our times, and the government and the administration will continue to stand firmly in support of such efforts.”

Shri. Ranjit Singh Deol Principal Secretary, School Education and Sports Department said,

 “The Bal Parishad is truly a unique programme. We are seeing children step forward as agents of social awareness. Through the student success stories, we can see that when a child is determined, they can mobilise their community: whether it is addressing waste management or other public health concerns and bring about real, measurable change. I extend my best wishes to all the students for the meaningful impact they can create as Health Monitors.”

Speaking on the occasion, Tshering D. Bhutia, Chief Innovation Officer and Senior Vice President, Projects Salaam Bombay Foundation said,

“What we witnessed today was children speaking truth from lived realities. Bal Parishad reaffirmed that when we listen to young voices, we help break the cycle of fear and ignorance, and nurture confident voices and conscious choices.”

The Bal Parishad was conceptualised under Salaam Bombay Foundation’s Preventive Health Education Programme which began in 2002 as an initiative to steer students away from tobacco and break cycles of addiction and poor health. Since then, the programme has branched out to include every aspect of its students’ health: resistance to tobacco use, awareness about nutrition, looking out for their mental well-being with an overall focus on life skills. Through the Bal Parishad, the Preventive Health Education Programme has empowered thousands of students to work with relevant policymakers and stakeholders to bring about positive change in their communities. It goes beyond awareness of healthy practices, to opening up a portal to leadership and long-term community impact.

As Salaam Bombay Foundation celebrated two decades of Bal Parishad, the message remains clear when young people are equipped with knowledge, confidence and a platform, they don’t just speak up, they help break cycles and reshape the future of their communities.

New Delhi, Jan 22: Lifelong, one of India’s leading consumer lifestyle and fitness brands, has partnered with FindYourFit to bring back the seventh edition of The Wellness Carnival, a one-day celebration of holistic health and well-being, scheduled for January 31, 2026, at Sunder Nursery, Delhi, headlined by fitness icon Milind Soman. The collaboration reflects Lifelong’s continued focus on promoting active, balanced and wellness-led lifestyles across India.

Curated as an immersive wellness experience, The Wellness Carnival will bring together fitness, mental well-being and community engagement through a diverse lineup of activities. As part of the Carnival, Milind Soman will lead a 5 km community run, followed by an interactive session on how running and movement can be seamlessly integrated into everyday life, reinforcing the belief that fitness should be accessible, inclusive and sustainable. The event is expected to witness participation from over 2000 wellness enthusiasts, fitness professionals and families from across the city.

Himanshu Mehta, Head of D2C Marketing, Lifelong Online, said,

“The Wellness Carnival reflects what Lifelong stands for, making fitness and well-being simple, inclusive and sustainable. We’re proud to support a platform that inspires healthier choices through movement, mindfulness and community.”

Shivalika Bhasin, Brand Partnerships Manager at Lifelong Online and spokesperson for FindYourFit, said,

“At Lifelong, we’ve always believed that wellness is not a destination, it’s a way of life shaped by everyday choices. The Lifelong Wellness Carnival beautifully brings together movement, mindfulness and community in a format that feels inclusive and accessible and easy for everyone. Through our association, we want to support people and initiatives that inspire healthier choices, mindful living and make well-being a shared, joyful experience.”

Arushi Lohani, Co- Founder at FindYourFit added,

“With each edition, The Wellness Carnival continues to evolve as a space where people can explore wellness beyond workouts. Our collaboration with Lifelong and the presence of voices like Milind Soman help us make holistic well-being more approachable and relevant for today’s urban communities.”

Milind Soman added,

“Fitness doesn’t need to be complicated or extreme. It’s about consistency, enjoying movement and finding what works for you. Platforms like The Wellness Carnival, supported by Lifelong, help make wellness more approachable and inclusive for everyone.”

The Wellness Carnival will feature a wide range of experiences including yoga, Pilates, box flow, strength training workshops, animal flow, breathwork and journaling sessions, alongside wellness workshops, fireside chats and a curated Wellness Bazaar. Designed for participants across age groups and fitness levels, the Carnival aims to redefine how wellness is experienced in a social and engaging setting.

Through this association, Lifelong continues to extend its commitment beyond products by supporting platforms that inspire healthier choices, mindful living and community-led wellness experiences.

By: Mr. Sumit Bidani, CEO, Knauf, India

“While the continued focus on infrastructure is welcome, the Union Budget 2026 must now look beyond ‘what’ we build to ‘how’ we build. To meet India’s urban housing and commercial demands, we need to transition from labor-heavy, resource-intensive traditional methods to modern, dry-construction technologies. We expect the government to incentivize circularity in construction – specifically rewarding the use of recyclable materials like gypsum that minimize waste and reduce the ’embodied carbon’ of our cities. By providing fiscal support for energy-efficient building systems and prioritizing ‘Value over Lowest Cost’ in public procurement, the Budget can accelerate India’s path to a Net-Zero built environment while ensuring faster, world-class project delivery.”

Pune, Jan 22:  Fibe, has forayed into the consumer lending space for e-commerce through a strategic partnership with Flipkart, India’s homegrown e-commerce marketplace. Through this integration, Fibe’s Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) solution is now live on Flipkart, enabling its customers to access a convenient checkout finance option.

As India’s digital commerce ecosystem continues to evolve, affordability remains a key driver of online purchase behaviour. Through this partnership, Fibe is extending its credit solutions to e-commerce to solve this. The integration of BNPL directly at checkout is designed to provide digitally savvy shoppers with financial flexibility. With Flipkart’s scale and deep reach across customer segments, the partnership brings Fibe’s credit solutions to a wider base of online shoppers.

Whether it is upgrading gadgets, buying gifts for loved ones, or finally making a long-awaited big-ticket purchase, Fibe’s credit offering ensures a smooth shopping experience. It enables users to convert their purchases into simple repayment plans

“This partnership allows us to integrate our consumer financing offering into an e-commerce checkout experience. Working with Flipkart aligns with our focus on building technology-led credit solutions for everyday use cases,” said Akshay Mehrotra, MD & Group CEO, Fibe.

Commenting on the partnership, Nishant Kurup, Vice President, Fintech, Flipkart Group, said,

“Flipkart is committed to expanding access to convenient and affordable purchase options for customers across India. Our partnership with Fibe enhances the financing choices available at checkout, supporting shoppers, including mobile-first and value-conscious customers, in planning their purchases with confidence. By integrating flexible credit solutions into the payment journey, we continue to simplify online shopping.”

Fibe has been offering BNPL solutions across essential use cases such as healthcare and education/upskilling and is now extending this capability to the e-commerce space as part of its broader consumer financing offerings.

This collaboration will allow eligible users to avail credit approval during checkout, with minimal documentation and no hidden charges. Eligible consumers will be able to convert cart value of up to ₹1 lac into EMIs and repay over tenures ranging from 3 to 12 months. The credit journey is 100% digital offering eligible users a seamless checkout experience.

With this integration, Fibe continues to deepen its distribution across digital channels.

New Delhi,  Jan 22: Manipal Hospital, Broadway, a unit of one of the leading healthcare providers of Eastern India  Manipal Hospitals Group, has successfully performed its first-ever stem cell therapy for an advanced case of Peripheral Arterial Disease  on 62-year-old-male patient, Asish Mukherjee  retired government employee from Kolkata under the expertise of Dr. Jayanta Das,Consultant- Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Manipal Hospital, Broadway and Dr. Krishnendu Mukherjee, Consultant  Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Manipal Hospital, Broadway.

The patient was a chronic smoker, had been diagnosed with PAD nearly a year ago and was initially advised angioplasty with possible stenting. Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) is a condition in which the blood vessels in the legs become narrowed or blocked, reducing blood flow. This can cause leg pain, non-healing wounds, and in severe cases, infection or amputation. Smoking, diabetes, and high cholesterol are common causes. However, due to delayed follow-up and disease progression, he later presented with severe critical limb ischemia and an active non-healing ulcer. Advanced angiography revealed that conventional surgical options were no longer feasible due to the absence visible arterial lumen  With amputation the only option left, the team led by Dr. Jayanta Das proposed stem cell therapy, a treatment where special cells are used to help repair damaged tissues and improve blood flow, especially when other treatments are not possible.

The patient was admitted to the hospital on the same day the procedure was conducted and he was discharged on the following day. Within 24 hours, the patient experienced complete relief from pain through a remarkable early outcome. The healing response of the ulcer will be assessed over the next six weeks.

Speaking about the case, Dr. Jayanta Das said,

“In advanced Peripheral Arterial Disease, when angioplasty or bypass surgery is no longer possible due to complete blockage of blood vessels, stem cell therapy offers a promising limb-saving option. In this case, the patient had no viable surgical alternative and was at high risk of amputation. The therapy resulted in significant relief from severe rest pain within 24 hours, highlighting the potential of regenerative medicine to improve blood flow and quality of life in patients with critical limb ischemia.”

Adding to this, Dr. Krishnendu Mukherjee said,

“Critical limb ischemia caused by severe arterial blockage leaves very limited treatment options, and in many cases, patients are pushed towards amputation. In this case, stem cell therapy was carefully planned and executed after thorough evaluation, as no conventional surgical or endovascular intervention was feasible. The early clinical response, particularly the rapid relief from rest pain, is encouraging and highlights the role of advanced regenerative procedures in managing complex vascular cases.”

Sharing his relief, Asish Mukherjee said,

“When I was told that surgery was no longer possible and amputation might be needed, I felt helpless. Stem cell therapy gave me a new option and new hope. Within a day, my pain reduced significantly, and I am grateful to the team at Manipal Hospital Broadway for this treatment.”

New Delhi, Jan 21: DCM Shriram Ltd, a diversified and an integrated business entity with extensive and growing presence across the Agri value chain, Chemicals & Vinyl industry and Building Material Products, today announced financial results for the quarter ending December 31, 2025 (Q3 FY26). The results demonstrated business resilience and the ability of a corporate strategy to deliver long-term value to all stakeholders.

The company witnessed revenue increase across all major business lines  Chemicals, Sugar and Ethanol, Fenesta Building Systems, and Shriram Farm Solutions. For the quarter ending December 2025, the company has posted net revenues, net of excise duty, of Rs 3,811 crore with PBDIT at Rs 560 crore and a PAT of Rs 213 crore. Compared to Q3FY25, net revenue was up by 13% and PBDIT was up by 4%. PAT for Q3FY26 was down by 19% owing to an one time exceptional charge of Rs 55 crore under new labour codes. The company also announced a dividend of Rs 56.14 crores during this quarter.

In a joint statement, Mr. Ajay Shriram, Chairman & Senior Managing Director, and Mr. Vikram Shriram, Vice Chairman & Managing Director, DCM Shriram Limited, said:

“The global business environment is being reshaped by heightened geopolitical volatility, tighter financial conditions and rapid technological disruption. Trade realignments, selective tariff actions and prolonged regional conflicts are disrupting supply chains, elevating cost structures and constraining long-term capital planning. Amid this uncertainty, India stands out with quiet confidence that has been supported by resilient macroeconomic fundamentals and a demographic dividend that is increasingly translating into consumption, entrepreneurship and formalization of the economy.

Against this backdrop, our Chemicals business delivered volume-led growth during the quarter. Our strategic pivot toward downstream adjacencies continues to gain momentum, with the Epichlorohydrin (ECH) facility commissioned in the previous quarter witnessing encouraging market acceptance. The announcement of anti-dumping duty on liquid epoxy resins is expected to accelerate the turnaround of our acquisition done last quarter. We remain focused on ramping up capacity utilization across both ECH and Epoxy, which will also enhance the integrated utilization of caustic soda and chlorine.

In the Sugar and Ethanol business, domestic production estimates have been revised downwards, and the Government has announced an export quota of 1.5 MMT. Despite these developments, an estimated closing stock of approximately 6.2 MMT is expected for the season. Concurrently, an increase in the State Advised Price (SAP) has elevated cost pressures, leading the industry to engage with the Government for support through higher sugar MSP and increased ethanol blending targets to ensure the long-term viability of mills.

Fenesta Building Systems continues to strengthen its position in the building materials space by expanding and diversifying its product and service offerings, enhancing service quality, and increasing its share of customers’ overall wallet through deeper engagement.

Shriram Farm Solutions delivered resilient growth during the quarter, driven by strong performance in the crop protection segment and research wheat seed, where we further strengthened our leadership position with the highest-ever quarterly sales.

Supported by a strong balance sheet and disciplined capital allocation, we remain well positioned to pursue growth opportunities in businesses aligned with our long-term strategic priorities, as we continue to build resilient & future-ready businesses.”

STRATEGIC UPDATES:

• Strong Top-line Growth:Consolidated net revenue rose 13% to Rs 3,811 crore for Q3 FY26. Compared to Q3FY25, the business saw top-line growth driven by Chemicals (+30%), Sugar & Ethanol (+15%), Fenesta (+28%), and Bioseed (+16%).
• Healthy performance in Sugar & Ethanol:The business benefited from higher sugar prices, better volumes, and a positive impact of Rs 36 crore reversal for retrospective levy of duty on ethanol exported outside UP (made in Q1 FY’26).
• Volume-led growth in Chemicals:Chemicals revenue grew 30% YoY in Q3 with newer projects (Hydrogen Peroxide, Aluminium Chloride, Epichlorohydrin, and HSCL Epoxy acquisition) enabling growth. Caustic soda volumes were up 6%.
• Shriram Farm Solutions – Market Leadership in Research Wheat:The quarter marked the highest ever sales of research wheat seed which in turn led to the segment reporting 7% revenue growth to INR 756 crore.
• Delivering Strategic Expansions:Completed acquisition of Epoxy plant in August 2025 and partially commissioned greenfield Epichlorohydrin Plant in Bharuch as of Oct 2025. In the coming quarters, an aluminium extrusion plant in Kota and a captive renewable energy plant for Kota are under implementation. Aluminium Chloride, Calcium Chloride plants at Bharuch and acquisition of Salt works too are under implementation.

DCM Shriram Limited is committed to pursue growth and will continue to invest in scaling up core operations and in adjacent and new businesses to ensure strong backward and forward integration.

New Delhi, Jan 22: Lorazzo, a fast-growing home improvement brand offering smart kitchen and bathroom fittings, today announced that it has raised INR 5 crore in a seed funding round. The round was led by Sprout Venture Partners and First Cheque by India Quotient, with participation from Chandigarh Angel Network and a clutch of prominent angel investors.

Lorazzo plans to deploy the freshly raised capital to accelerate product innovation, deepen its design and technology stack, and scale its omnichannel presence across India’s rapidly growing home improvement market. The brand currently retails its products through its website and is also present on leading online retail and quick commerce platforms in India.

Founded in 2024, Lorazzo operates at the intersection of aesthetics and smart engineering, with a product portfolio spanning intelligent bidets, advanced kitchen faucets, premium stainless-steel and quartz sinks, and modular accessories, all engineered for Indian conditions to enhance bath and kitchen experience.

“We are truly excited to have the backing of a diverse and yet marquee group of investors with this round and regard it as a major milestone in our mission to modernize everyday bath and kitchen experience for Indian homes,” said Jatin Luthra, Cofounder of Lorazzo.  

As India’s home hardware category grapples with brand fatigue from legacy players and a growing gap between low-aspiration mass products and prohibitively expensive global imports, Lorazzo is carving out a new middle ground, one that blends modern design, dependable performance and smart functionality without the premium price barrier.

Kanika Agarwal, Partner at India Quotient said,

“The kitchen and bathroom category touches every Indian household, yet it remains largely split between mass, generic products and super-premium, out-of-reach international brands. Lorazzo is building a powerful middle ground- bringing aspiration, smart functionality, and strong branding. We believe this is where a truly category-defining brand can emerge.”

India’s home improvement and smart hardware market is witnessing rapid growth, driven by rising urbanization, increased home ownership, and a new generation of consumers prioritizing design, hygiene and efficiency. Positioned as a brand for India’s aspirational middle class, Lorazzo is focused on bridging the gap between mass-market utility and ultra-premium brands – offering thoughtfully designed, reliable, and smart home upgrades that feel premium, yet remain attainable for millions of upwardly mobile households.

Sahil Gupta, Partner at Sprout Venture Partners added,

“We believe Lorazzo sits at a powerful intersection of design and technology.  As Indian consumers increasingly seek premium, reliable and smart home solutions, Lorazzo is well-positioned to become a national brand with global aspirations.”

Lorazzo’s founders Jatin Luthra and Saurabh Gupta bring together deep experience across consumer brands and manufacturing. With a strong focus on “Made-for-India” engineering, Lorazzo designs its products to perform reliably across varying water pressures, TDS levels, and household conditions.

India, Jan 22: Twilio the customer engagement platform that drives real-time personalized experiences for today’s leading brands, and AEG, the world’s leading sports and live entertainment company, are growing their relationship with the launch of a new strategic, multi-year partnership. The deal will see Twilio’s customer engagement technology implemented by Crypto.com Arena, the LA Kings, and AXS  AEG’s global ticketing platform  to create more streamlined and elevated customer communication from ticket purchase, to in-venue experience, and beyond.

The agreement, brokered by AEG Global Partnerships, represents a significant expansion of Twilio’s presence in pro-sports and live entertainment, marking its first partnership with both a major venue, NHL team, and ticketing platform. As part of the partnership, Twilio will hold key designations across AEG’s flagship properties, including Founding Partner of Crypto.com Arena, a signature category-exclusive designation; official away helmet partner of the LA Kings; and a media partner across AXS, AEG’s global ticketing platform that connects millions of fans to live events worldwide.

“Live event experiences are emotional at their core, and Twilio’s platform helps amplify those moments by turning every interaction into an amazing experience,” said Chris Koehler, Chief Marketing Officer at Twilio. “By partnering with AEG, we’ll help the company enhance its fan engagement across Crypto.com Arena, the LA Kings, and AXS for fans’ ticketing needs.”

AEG will leverage Twilio’s customer engagement platform to create more meaningful, data-driven connections with its audiences. Products including Twilio Segment, the company’s Customer Data Platform (CDP), will provide deeper insights into fan preferences, before, during, and after live events, helping AEG curate more personalized fan communication and offers while also driving greater engagement.

“This new partnership with Twilio brings transformative technology to our properties,” said Nick Baker, President and COO of AEG Global Partnerships. “The Twilio platform will help us know our customers even better with detailed profiles that deliver the personalized communication and experiences today’s fans expect while giving our teams powerful tools to drive business and operate more efficiently.

Twilio’s technology already plays a key role across AXS. Twilio Programmable Messaging and Twilio Verify      power short message service  and multi-factor authentication for AXS’ mobile app today, with opportunities to scale and grow with the partnership.

“Twilio’s technology has enhanced how we engage with customers across our ticketing platform,” said Justin Burleigh, Chief Product Officer of AXS. “Their services already allow us to deliver secure, seamless communication and ticket transfers. With our broadened partnership, we’re excited to further engage with our global fan base and provide even more personalized experiences.”

As a Founding Partner of Crypto.com Arena, which hosts more than 200 events annually, Twilio will benefit from an interactive fan activation space at the venue, exclusive hospitality experiences and integration with Crypto.com Arena’s premium business division. Twilio’s Founding Partnership includes premium brand visibility across the arena including LED ribbon board takeovers, upper 360-degree scoreboard exposure, and prime positioning on freeway marquees seen by millions annually.

The collaboration will also help Crypto.com Arena’s  premium team strengthen client relationships, deliver more personalized service to Members, and elevate the overall premium experience.

“Crypto.com Arena continues to set the standard for innovation in live entertainment, and Twilio’s platform takes our capabilities to the next level,” said Katie Pandolfo, General Manager of Crypto.com Arena. “Their customer engagement platform will enhance how we engage with millions of annual guests while enabling our premium team to deliver even more exceptional service to our valued clients.”

Announced last month, Twilio is also the LA Kings’ official away helmet partner, with the company’s logo appearing prominently on players’ helmets during all regular season and playoff road games beginning with the current 2025–26 NHL season.

Beyond the ice, Twilio’s presence will extend into downtown Los Angeles at L.A. LIVE – the four-million-square-foot sports and entertainment district surrounding Crypto.com Arena. Under the agreement, its branding will appear throughout L.A. LIVE’s extensive LED signage network, reaching millions of visitors each year and further strengthening its visibility among sports and live entertainment fans.

New Delhi, Jan 22:  Amid a rise in the number of affluent Indians, demand for spacious, amenity-rich 3BHK homes has increased sharply, driven by evolving family structures, the need for multifunctional living spaces, higher work-from-home adoption, and a growing preference for future-ready housing. However, rapid escalation in residential prices, rising land and construction costs, and a supply skew towards premium segments have pushed this configuration beyond the reach of the average homebuyer, according to the latest report by proptech firm Square Yards.

The report, From Aspiration to Reality: The Cost of Owning a 3BHK in India, finds that the average cost of a new 3BHK across India’s top five metropolitan cities now stands at INR 2.7 crore. At an annual income of INR 23 lakh, a buyer would need roughly 12 years to purchase such a home in any of these markets. Even at a national level, the average income threshold required to enter India’s top 1%, estimated at INR 22 lakh per annum, offers a similar affordability horizon, highlighting the depth of stress in large-home ownership.

The report also identifies emerging growth centres within cities as income-aligned corridors offering comparatively better affordability for 3BHK buyers. “India’s residential market is witnessing a sharp affordability imbalance, with just 11% of new housing supply currently falling within the affordable segment. The remaining 89% is concentrated in markets where buyers face significant EMI stress, often stretching incomes beyond sustainable levels. Alarmingly, 41% of this supply lies in ‘income-stretch’ markets, where financial pressure begins to intensify,” the report notes.

Bengaluru emerges as the most uniform property market, with affordability relatively stable across corridors, as incomes increased with increasing prices. NCR and MMR show pronounced corridor-level asymmetry, making location choice critical. Hyderabad, a high-growth market, has seen prices outpace incomes, pushing most residential hubs into high-stress zones. Pune, while a hub for young professionals, has wealth-dominated city cores, requiring buyers to consider peripheral locations to afford a 3BHK. The report highlights that choosing the right location can save buyers INR 30-60 lakh, as central and premium areas function more as wealth-dominant or capital-parking markets, whereas emerging and peripheral corridors increasingly bridge aspiration and ownership.

These conclusions are based on an analysis of 10,500 RERA-registered 3BHK units launched between 2024 and 2025 across 44 micro-markets in Bengaluru, Hyderabad, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), NCR (including Noida, Gurugram, and Greater Noida), and Pune. For each metro, the report offers a structured buyer playbook segmented by income cohorts. It details suitable options for First Time Buyers within income-aligned brackets, provides curated recommendations for Upgraders in the mid-income segment, and concludes with guidance for HNIs and investors, addressing the preferences and investment priorities of the top 1% of society.

To assess affordability, the study uses the price-to-income ratio (PIR), following an OECD-referenced methodology. PIR measures the number of years of household income required to purchase a 3BHK based on actual home prices and annual incomes. Using this framework, markets are classified into five categories- Affordable, Moderate, Stressed, Severely Stressed, and Crisis, which the report reframes as Income-aligned, Income-stretched, Capital-led, Wealth-dominant, and Institutional & Ultra-luxury markets.

Data show that 48% of 3BHK supply launched over the past year falls within stressed, severely stressed, and crisis markets, where higher-priced segments deliver stronger returns. Developer profit margins in these zones range between 45-50%, compared to 15-18% in affordable or income-aligned markets. “This concentration of premium supply has coincided with a post-pandemic shift in buyer preference, with larger, amenity-rich homes by reputed developers becoming the most sought-after living format. At the same time, a surge in high-net-worth individuals in a positive economic environment has further pushed 3BHK affordability under significant stress”, says Tanuj Shori, Founder & CEO, Square Yards.