Archives February 2026

Sony SAB’s Pushpa Impossible sparks a conversation on why the maternal home is a married daughter’s forever home

 Sony SAB’s Pushpa Impossible is winning hearts with its inspiring story and relatable characters. The show beautifully captures the everyday triumphs and challenges of its lead protagonist, Pushpa (Karuna Pandey), making it one of the most loved family entertainers on television. A recent sequence highlights the bond between Pushpa and her daughter Rashi (Akshaya Hindalkar), reinforcing the idea that no matter how turbulent life gets, a mother’s home remains a daughter’s safest haven.

The show beautifully captures a poignant moment between Pushpa and Rashi, showcasing the unconditional warmth and protection and reassurance that only a mother can provide. Pushpa demystifies a belief that still exists in many Indian households that once a daughter is married, her right to return to her maternal home or seek comfort there somehow diminishes. Challenging this mindset head-on, Pushpa firmly states that she is not one of those parents who forget their daughter once she steps into a new household. For Pushpa, Rashi remains her daughter first, regardless of marital status. Her responsibility as a mother does not end at the wedding; instead, it evolves. She continues to worry about Rashi’s well-being, the environment she lives in, and whether she is being treated with the love, dignity, and respect she deserves. Pushpa makes it clear that the home Rashi becomes a part of must embrace her as their own, offering the same care and understanding that she has always received.

With such socially relevant storytelling, Pushpa Impossible continues to deliver meaningful messages while staying rooted in relatable emotions, reminding audiences that a mother’s home is, and will always be, a daughter’s forever space.

Speaking about the experience, Karuna Pandey shared, 

“The idea of a daughter being called ‘paraya dhan’ has always troubled me deeply. I believe a daughter is the true source of prosperity, strength, and happiness in her parents’ home, yet she is made to feel like she doesn’t belong. As an Indian woman, I always wanted to raise this voice, and through Pushpa, I finally got that chance. I am deeply grateful to the writers, directors, and the entire team for trusting me with a role that is progressive and has the potential to influence change in society.”

Tune in to watch Pushpa Impossible, every Monday to Saturday at 9:30 PM, only on Sony SAB

Mumbai, Feb 06: This Valentine’s Day, Instamart is proving that romance in 2026 goes far beyond roses and greeting cards. The quick commerce platform has gone viral with its limited-edition ‘Bouquets for All Love Languages’, a playful yet insightful take on modern gifting that reflects how India’s expressions of love are evolving.

From condom bouquets and protein bar stacks to snack assortments, chocolates, grooming essentials, and even flower-shaped hair clips, Instamart’s unconventional bouquets have sparked widespread buzz across social media. The response highlights a clear cultural shift, especially among Gen Z and young millennials, who increasingly value humour, practicality, and personal connection over traditional, predictable gestures.

Instamart’s Valentine’s Day assortment mirrors changing consumer behaviour, where love languages are expressed through shared routines, late-night cravings, wellness choices, and inside jokes. Roses may still charm, but snacks you finish together and self-care products chosen with intent are fast becoming the new symbols of affection.

Shopping data reinforces this trend. Evening and late-night orders have seen a spike in comfort snacks, chocolates, wellness products, and ice creams. In metro cities, alternative bouquets, snack hampers, and self-care combinations are gaining popularity, while classic rose bouquets continue to perform strongly in non-metro markets—showing that romance isn’t fading, just becoming more personalised.

Last Valentine’s Day, rose orders on Instamart peaked at 666 orders per minute, with Bengaluru recording a high of 1,780 orders per minute for roses and chocolates combined. More recently, categories such as grooming kits, bath and body care combos, and assorted snack hampers have emerged as popular gifting choices on the platform.

The campaign has also resonated strongly online. A LinkedIn user noted,

“When a trend lives on Instagram long enough to become a behaviour, it stops being content and starts becoming a cue. Instamart turning these viral bouquets into actual products is where innovation really shows up.” Others quickly chimed in with requests for skincare and Biscoff-themed bouquets, further amplifying the conversation.

By turning cultural cues into instantly accessible products, Instamart is reinforcing the idea that meaningful gestures don’t always need weeks of planning. Sometimes, it’s the unexpected gift delivered right on time that says it all.

Mumbai, Feb 06: Atul Projects has launched the “Carnival of the Hills”, an initiative that will provide limited time access to premium panoramic residential hill view homes at The Hillfront, in Mulund, with an unparalleled suite of offers. This campaign will establish a new benchmark for Mulund’s largest and most affordable residential opportunity, by providing nature focused living, township sized infrastructure and price positioning.

The Carnival will go beyond just a traditional sales-driven initiative, to celebrate Mulund’s emergence as a high growth residential area. With ongoing infrastructure development, and with limited large-format hill view developments available to buy in Mumbai, The Hillfront represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for those seeking to live in a scenic environment while also having access to a fully integrated township.

According to Aakash Patel, Managing Director, Atul Projects,

“This milestone is indicative of the strength of purchaser confidence in both The Hillfront and the overall long-term growth trajectory of Mulund. Further to this momentum created by this milestone, The Carnival allows purchasers to gain access to premium inventory, with an attractive entry price point, within a township that offers scale, lifestyle and durability of value over the long term. The sustained demand we are observing for well-planned developments which offer a balance of strong scenic appeal and thoughtfully-designed infrastructure will be further enhanced with The Carnival due to its ability to continue to accelerate these trends, while providing home buyers with a compelling opportunity to invest in a forward-thinking address.”

At the heart of the Campaign is the Carnival Bonanza Offer where we will remove traditional entry costs to buying a new home. You can find a home with zero floor rise, zero stamp duty, zero registration fees, and zero premium view fees providing buyers with access to the panoramic hill views at no extra cost to them. Hill view residences 2 and 3 bedroom units start at ₹1.79 crore, and these residences can be purchased with a Carnival payment plan of 30:40:30, plus a pre-booking bonus of ₹4.99 lakhs.

According to Piyush Niljikar, Head of Marketing, Atul Projects,

“The Carnival of Hills has been set up as a high-impact buying opportunity, creating greater accessibility to premium hill view living. By creating exclusive buying opportunities and matching it with premium inventory we have created conditions for low barriers to entry and strong buying momentum, giving buyers clear motivation to act today.”

The Hillfront is a major super-sized development located in Mulund extending over approximately 9 acres and planned as an integrated township development with 60+ lifestyle amenities, landscaped parks and created community spaces. Integrated infrastructure includes Billabong High International School, a retail plaza, and large green areas, making this a completely self-sustaining ecosystem, thus creating a balance between nature and convenience.

Following a very successful Channel Partner meeting which had over 550+ trade partners in attendance, this demonstrates an exceptional level of confidence and trust towards The Hillfront, commencement of ‘Carnival Of Hills’ Campaign signifies the release of Tower B’s higher floor inventory to the market and provides for a premium inventory of apartments with an elevated view at ZERO premium cost.

Carnival of Hills will benefit from the reputation of Atul Projects as a reputable developer with 5+ decades of history and over 13,000+ satisfied families and represents a unique opportunity for homebuyers to secure a home in one of Mumbai’s most promising micro-markets that will be ready to move in to when completed.

Mumbai, Feb 06: Prime Video has made a bold and unapologetic first move to announce its upcoming Hindi action-drama Subedaar, setting the tone with a campaign that refuses to over-explain and instead commands attention.

With striking outdoor billboards carrying the stark message “Don’t F****K with Subedaar,” Prime Video signals the arrival of a gritty, no-holds-barred world—one that speaks through presence and intensity rather than disclaimers. The campaign introduces Anil Kapoor in a powerful new avatar as Subedaar Arjun Maurya, a character defined by authority, resolve, and an unflinching edge.

Designed to intrigue and provoke curiosity, the first look establishes Subedaar as a story that stands firm in its conviction, drawing audiences into a high-stakes narrative driven by raw emotion and action. The campaign’s minimalism underscores its confidence, inviting viewers to experience the world of Subedaar on its own terms.

Subedaar will stream exclusively on Prime Video.
Coming soon. Stay tuned.

Ampere, from Greaves Electric Mobility, becomes India’s First E2W brand to enter Asia Book of Records by navigating the 70-hairpin bends of Kolli Hills, TN

Bengaluru, Feb 06: Greaves Electric Mobility has been recognized by the prestigious Asia Book of Records to become the first electric two-wheeler brand which successfully ascended Kolli Hills, in Tamil Nadu. Considered one of South India’s most demanding routes, Kolli Hills features 70 hairpin bends while ascending, making any drive a test of endurance.

The record attempt was conducted on January 7^th, 2026, with the ride commencing at 7:00 am and successfully completed in 22 minutes 10 seconds. The ascent was undertaken using GEML’s Ampere Nexus, from Belukurichi to the summit of Kolli Hills. Officials from the Asia Book of Records officially validated and confirmed the success on the same day.

With its 70 hairpin bends, this challenging route showcased and proved Greaves Electric Mobility’s “Built for Bharat” engineering prowess, where vehicles are designed, developed, and validated for India’s diverse and often challenging riding conditions. From steep gradients and broken hill roads to sharp turns and sustained load cycles, GEML’s electric two-wheelers are engineered to handle the toughest terrains the country has to offer.

Taking cognizance of the latest achievement, Mr Vikas Singh, Managing Director, Greaves Electric Mobility said,

“India’s riding conditions are among the most demanding in the world, and our approach has always been to engineer electric vehicles that are built for Bharat, not just for ideal test environments. The Kolli Hills ascent is a real-world validation of that philosophy. The Ampere Nexus combines safe and durable LFP battery technology with a robust dual-frame chassis that is designed to handle steep gradients, repeated cornering, and sustained load conditions. Achievements like this reaffirm our focus on building electric mobility solutions that can perform reliably across tough terrains.”

The Ampere Nexus achieved this success due to its LFP battery and high tensile steel chassis which provides durability for every condition, work together on demanding terrain. The battery is built to stay stable in a wide range of conditions, operating from –40°C to 60°C, and continues to deliver usable power during long uphill stretches, repeated braking, and changes in load. The warranty offered on the battery reflects the confidence in how it performs over extended everyday use rather than short tests. Ampere Nexus’s advanced motor and software deliver instant torque for climbs, regenerative braking for descents, and traction control for slippery slopes — ensuring smooth, efficient performance across every terrain.

The high strength steel chassis adds to this by keeping the vehicle balanced and predictable, especially while negotiating continuous hairpin bends. With a motor tuned for sustained output and braking that responds consistently, the Nexus remains manageable even on steep climbs. These aspects have been observed over multiple endurance runs and record attempts, and the Kolli Hills ascent serves as another real-world example of how the scooter holds up under demanding conditions.

The recognition by the Asia Book of Records is a first for Greaves Electric Mobility, reinforcing its commitment for India-built products which can cater to the world. With a market presence in Nepal and developing presence in Sri Lanka, the Philippines and Africa, this recognition validates the brand’s endurance, capability and durability.

Furthermore, it reinforces the company’s belief that adoption is driven by real-world experience. As electric two-wheelers move beyond city limits, this milestone demonstrates that vehicles engineered for Indian roads are capable of performing consistently even in demanding and rugged terrain. Built to outlast, outperform and outshine, Greaves Electric Mobility’s products continue to prove their capability across conditions that reflect how India truly rides.

Gritzo, India’s only Personalised Nutrition brand for Children from the founder of HealthKart, has launched a special-edition range of Marvel-branded SuperMilk for children, bringing together the world of Marvel into everyday nutrition. The range includes eight new products inspired by fan-favourites Iron Man and Black Panther, the range packs delicious flavour with great nutrition, designed to support growing children as they take on everyday adventures.

Inspired by Marvel’s epic storytelling and supported by Gritzo’s science-led approach, the new offerings are designed for children and teens. Young fans can pair the range with newly-launched official accessories featuring Marvel such as Iron Man and Black Panther sippers and keychains. Select packs of SuperMilk also include Marvel-inspired stickers and badges as collectibles.

Sushant Kotian, Brand Head, Gritzo, said, “This collection celebrates confidence, self-expression and the grit that helps children grow into their own potential. With Gritzo SuperMilk, we give parents nutrition options, and this collaboration adds a layer of entertainment and inspiration that we think young fans will naturally connect with.”

The new range reflects a growing focus on moving beyond baseline nutrition to create everyday moments that feel exciting and meaningful for children. Drawing inspiration from popular Super Hero characters and Gritzo’s commitment to supporting each child’s growth journey, it brings fandom and everyday nutrition in a way that children find exciting.

RBI Keeps Rates Unchanged; Neutral Stance Backed by Soft Inflation, Strong Growth, but challenging External Sector: PHDCCI

Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Reserve Bank has decided to maintain the status quo on the policy repo rate at 5.25%, while maintaining neutral stance, given the backdrop of moderate headline inflation and high GDP growth for 2025-26 at 7.4% amidst geopolitical risks remains, said Mr. Rajeev Juneja.

On the inflation front, RBI’s assessment that headline CPI inflation has remained benign, with projections of 2.1 per cent for 2025–26, provides comfort to both consumers and producers. Moderation in food prices, stable core inflation (excluding food and fuel), and adequate buffer stocks are positive factors for price stability and GDP growth.

At the same time, the RBI’s acknowledgment of potential upside risks from geopolitical tensions, commodity price volatility, and precious metal prices highlights the need for continued vigilance, he added.

Stable interest rate environment, coupled with benign inflation expectations, can help sustain investment momentum. High capacity utilisation, healthy balance sheets of corporates and financial institutions, and robust credit growth are likely to support private sector investment decisions. The government’s continued thrust on capital expenditure is expected to crowd in private investment and strengthen medium-term growth prospects, said Mr. Rajeev Juneja.

Near-term outlook suggests that food supply prospects remain positive on the back of healthy kharif production and favourable rabi sowing, said Mr. Rajeev Juneja.

“RBI’s positive outlook on the external sector, particularly the expectation that merchandise exports may receive a boost from recently concluded EU-India FTA and US tariff deal. Trade diversification will help mitigate risks arising from a volatile global trade environment. However, for sustained export competitiveness continued focus on logistics efficiency, trade facilitation, and access to affordable finance for exporters, especially MSMEs”.

“RBI’s decision is growth-supportive and confidence-enhancing for industry. A predictable monetary policy framework, combined with ongoing structural reforms and fiscal support through public capex, can help India sustain its growth trajectory at the same time navigating global uncertainties. Continued coordination between monetary and fiscal policy to strengthen India’s macroeconomic fundamentals augurs well for long-term economic prospects,” says CEO and Secretary General, PHDCCI, Dr. Ranjeet Mehta.

Feb 6: Dr. Anar Modi has been featured in the prestigious Avendus Wealth Hurun India Uth Series 2025 U40 List, a recognition that celebrates India’s most promising entrepreneurs under the age of 40 who are shaping the nation’s future through vision, resilience and scale.

The Avendus Wealth Hurun India Uth Series is a merit-based platform that honours young leaders building impactful businesses at an early stage, while demonstrating long-term thinking, governance and responsible leadership. Dr. Modi’s inclusion in the U40 list highlights her entrepreneurial excellence and contribution to India’s evolving business ecosystem.

As Chief Heart Officer at Senores, she leads people-centric initiatives focused on empathy, mental wellbeing, and holistic employee development. Along with that she also leads the CSR department of the organization.

The first edition of the Uth Series felicitation ceremony was held on January 29, 2026, at the Four Seasons Hotel, Worli, Mumbai. The evening brought together achievers from across industries, celebrating their role in India’s growth story and recognising those setting new benchmarks for the next generation of entrepreneurs.

Speaking on the recognition, Dr. Anar Modi said,

“It is a privilege to be recognised among entrepreneurs who are reshaping the landscape of leadership and innovation in India. This honour reaffirms my belief that when growth is guided by purpose and responsibility, it leads to impact that truly endures.”

The Uth Series continues to spotlight trailblazers whose journeys reflect ambition balanced with accountability, and innovation driven by purpose.

Bhubaneswar, India, Feb 06: The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the National Stock Exchange of India (NSE), Shri Ashishkumar Chauhan, today welcomed the Union Budget 2026–27, highlighting its balanced approach towards fiscal consolidation, infrastructure-led growth, deepening of financial markets, and strategic investments in future-ready sectors.

Commenting on the Budget, Shri Chauhan said,

“The Union Budget 2026–27—the first presented from Kartavya Bhavan and the ninth consecutive Budget by Hon’ble Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman—reinforces the message that strong economic growth and fiscal discipline can advance together.”

He noted that the Budget remains firmly on the fiscal consolidation path, with the fiscal deficit easing from 4.4% to 4.3% of GDP and debt-to-GDP declining from 56.1% to 55.6%, keeping India aligned with its medium-term target of 50% ±1% by FY31. According to him, this sends a strong signal of macro-economic stability and policy credibility to investors and global markets.

Infrastructure continues to be the central growth driver, with public capital expenditure rising by about 12% to ₹12.2 lakh crore, aimed at crowding in private investment, boosting productivity, and reducing logistics costs.

Shri Chauhan also welcomed measures to deepen financial markets, including calibrated increases in securities transaction tax (STT) on derivatives to curb excessive speculation, monetisation of PSU assets through REITs, the introduction of bond index derivatives, and a stronger market-making framework for corporate bonds. He added that the extension of the income tax exemption window for GIFT City from 10 to 20 years would enhance its attractiveness for foreign portfolio investors.

Urban finance received renewed emphasis through a push for municipal bonds, while regulatory reforms in foreign exchange and capital markets are expected to improve ease of doing business and strengthen India’s global financial integration. Allowing NRIs direct portfolio access to Indian equities, he noted, would help tap long-term diaspora capital.

Highlighting the forward-looking nature of the Budget, Shri Chauhan said it prioritises strategic sectors such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, bio-pharma, rare earths, tourism, and textiles, which are critical for driving innovation, exports, and high-quality employment.

“Overall, Union Budget 2026–27 combines fiscal prudence, infrastructure-led growth, market deepening, and future-ready reforms—laying a strong foundation for India’s journey towards Viksit Bharat 2047,” he said.

The National Stock Exchange of India (NSE) is India’s leading stock exchange, operating a modern, fully automated trading platform with nationwide reach and playing a pivotal role in the development of the country’s capital markets.