Archives February 2026

Ahmedabad, India, Feb 6: After a gap of 13 years, Ahmedabad is set to host the National Town & Country Planners Conference from February 6 to 8, bringing together over 500 town planners, policymakers, academicians, and urban development experts from across India to deliberate on the future of regional and urban planning.

Organised by the Institute of Town Planners, India (ITPI) with support from the Gujarat Government’s Urban Development Department, the three-day conference will be held on the theme “Proactive Regional Planning and Development to Usher Viksit Bharat.” The event will spotlight emerging perspectives on high-speed rail (bullet train) integration, along with the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and GIS-based tools in urban and regional planning.

K. Srinivas, Secretary, Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, will attend as the Chief Guest at the inaugural session. Ahmedabad Mayor Pratibha Jain and former Ahmedabad Municipal Commissioner Keshav Verma will be the Guests of Honour.

The conference comes at a critical juncture for India’s urban transformation, as the country’s urban population is projected to reach 600 million by 2031, accounting for nearly 40% of the total population, with 68 cities expected to cross the 10-lakh population mark. These trends underscore the urgency for balanced, sustainable, and forward-looking regional planning frameworks.

Speaking on the occasion, Pradeep Kapoor, President, ITPI, said,

“As India advances towards its goal of Viksit Bharat by 2047, proactive regional planning is essential to manage the pressures of rapid urbanisation and infrastructure expansion. This conference will serve as a national platform to exchange ideas, learn from successful planning models, and evolve strategies for inclusive and balanced regional development.”

N.K. Patel, Patron and Past President, ITPI, highlighted that the conference will place special emphasis on spatial planning for balanced growth, climate-resilient infrastructure, economic corridor and industrial cluster development, urban-rural continuum management, and institutional mechanisms for effective regional governance, including Metropolitan Planning Committees, Regional Plan Authorities, and inter-state coordination for river basins and economic regions.

R.J. Rawal, Chairman of the Gujarat Regional Chapter of ITPI, presented an overview of ITPI and outlined the objectives and structure of the National Conference.

Key sub-themes of the conference include inclusive infrastructure planning for global events such as the Commonwealth Games proposed to be hosted in Ahmedabad in 2030, AI-driven planning applications, and 100 years of town planning schemes in Gujarat.

Ahmedabad’s metropolitan region will serve as a living case study, with focused discussions on landmark developments such as Dholera Special Investment Region (SIR), GIFT City, the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC), Metro Rail connectivity, major industrial and automobile hubs including Sanand and Becharaji, the Government of Gujarat’s newly announced satellite town policy, and emerging opportunities in integrated regional development.

Deliberations will address policy frameworks, governance models, and implementation strategies to manage rapid urbanisation while ensuring equitable growth. Sessions will also explore planning support for major economic corridors such as DMIC and Chennai-Bengaluru Industrial Corridor (CBIC), strengthening urban-rural linkages through initiatives like AMRUT 2.0, and building climate-resilient infrastructure systems.

With a presence across 26 states and a professional base of over 10,000 town planners, ITPI continues to play a pivotal role in shaping India’s town and country planning discourse. Adani Cement is the preferred brand partner for the conference.

Gurugram, India, Feb 06: Bharti Hexacom Limited today announced its audited financial results for the third quarter ended December 31, 2025, reporting steady revenue growth, margin expansion, and continued momentum across its mobile and home broadband segments.

Q3 FY26 Key Highlights:

• Overall customer base: 29.04 million

• Total revenues: Up 4.8% YoY

• EBITDA: Up 7.4% YoY; EBITDA margin at 54.3%, expansion of 128 bps YoY

• EBITDAaL: Up 7.9% YoY; margin at 47.6%, up 136 bps YoY

• EBIT: Up 8.0% YoY; EBIT margin at 30.3%

• Net Income (before exceptional items): Up from the same quarter last year

• Net Income (after exceptional items): Strong YoY growth

• Capex: Continued investments during the quarter

Operational Performance

Revenues for Q3 FY26 reflected 4.8% YoY growth and 1.8% sequential growth. Mobile revenues grew 3.6% YoY, driven by portfolio premiumisation and a focus on high-quality customers.

ARPU increased to 253, up from 241 in Q3 FY25, supported by rising data usage. Mobile data traffic for the quarter reached 2,022 petabytes, registering a 29.8% YoY increase.

The Company added 1.5 million smartphone data customers over the last 12 months, representing 7.1% YoY growth, while continuing to strengthen network infrastructure with the deployment of 237 new towers during the year.

Homes and Enterprise Services

The Homes, Office and Other Services segment delivered robust performance, recording 50.8% YoY revenue growth, driven by strong customer additions across FTTH and FWA services. The customer base for this segment reached 0.6 million across 117 cities.

Profitability and Balance Sheet

EBITDA and EBIT continued to show strong YoY growth, supported by operating leverage and disciplined cost management. Net Income (before exceptional items) recorded a double-digit YoY increase.

The Company maintained a healthy balance sheet, with Net Debt to EBITDA (annualised) at 1.10x as of December 31, 2025. Net Debt (excluding lease obligations) to EBITDAaL (annualised) improved to 0.48x, compared to 1.03x a year earlier.

Bharti Hexacom’s Q3 FY26 performance reflects disciplined execution, sustained customer growth, and a continued focus on enhancing network quality and digital connectivity across its markets.

In celebration of love’s most cherished gestures, Archana Aggarwal Timeless Jewellery unveils its latest collection, Seal It with Love. More than jewellery, these are tokens of profound affection, designed to gift her a dream and honour her unique grace. The collection masterfully bonds the grandeur of signature heirlooms with the intimate poetry of everyday luxury, each piece a permanent seal on a moment, a feeling, and a promise.

Crafted in luminous 18k gold and set with the fire of natural diamonds and the captivating hues of rare gemstones, the collection is a narrative of devotion. It offers the perfect language for love, from the declarative to the tender whisper.

“True love deserves a signature,” says Archana Aggarwal. “With Seal It with Love, we crafted a collection that is both a tribute and a treasure. It’s for the one who embodies grace, the dream you wish to honour, and the bond you choose to make eternal. This is the art of sealing a feeling in gold and gemstone.”

The collection takes centre stage with the Diamond Collection Bracelets, where the twilight mystery of the Celeste Blue Bracelet meets the intricate romance and the noble lines of the Eternal Royale Bracelet. For the hand, a gallery of meaning awaits: the bold declaration of the Carnage Carat Ring, the timeless continuum of the Eternal Band Ring, the intertwined destiny of the Eternal Triology Ring, and the deep violet dream of the Starlit Tanzanite Ring.

Ear adornments frame her radiance, from the festive sparkle of Gala Glow Earrings and the modern sculpture of the Lumina Arc Ear Cuff, to the refined Gleaming Chic Earrings. Close to the heart, personalisation becomes precious with the Love Language Pendants, where an initial becomes an heirloom, complemented by the sparkle of the Imperial Gleam Pendant. Delicate chains, like the Stardust Link adorned with Pink Sapphire, trace the contours of the hand with poetic intention.

The neckline is graced with pieces that tell a story: the layered conversation of the Luxe Strings Necklace, the dramatic elegance of Moonfall Elegance Necklace, and the infinite flow of The Continuum Necklace.

This Valentine’s Day, couples are being encouraged to move beyond predictable gifting and choose presents that truly journey with them. LUGGIT, a smart travel and lifestyle brand, is spotlighting a curated range of intelligent luggage and bags designed for couples who value innovation, security, and contemporary design in their everyday travels.

Blending cutting-edge technology with sleek aesthetics, LUGGIT’s products are built to complement modern lifestyles—whether navigating busy airports, heading out on date nights, or planning spontaneous weekend getaways.

Featured Valentine’s Day Picks from LUGGIT:

LUGGIT Smart Electric Ride-On Trolley Bag
Designed for frequent flyers and travel enthusiasts, this futuristic trolley features smart electric ride-on functionality for effortless movement through crowded airports. Its premium construction and standout design make travel smoother and more stylish.

LUGGIT Traveler’s Shield – Bio-Matrices Unlocking Sling Bag
Compact, sleek, and highly secure, this sling bag comes equipped with advanced bio-matrices unlocking technology to protect essentials on the go. Ideal for travel days, concerts, casual outings, and date nights.

LUGGIT Signature Shield – Advanced Fingerprint Lock Vegan Leather Multi-Purpose Bag
Crafted from premium vegan leather, this versatile bag combines ethical luxury with advanced fingerprint lock security. Suitable for work, travel, and lifestyle use, it’s designed for partners who value conscious fashion choices.

LUGGIT BioShield Lifestyle Backpack with Advanced Bio-Matrices Unlocking
Built for modern professionals and travellers, this backpack offers biometric security, ample storage, and ergonomic comfort—making it perfect for daily commutes and weekend adventures alike.

This Valentine’s Day, LUGGIT invites couples to gift smarter journeys and shared adventures—celebrating love through innovation, security, and thoughtful design that travels every step of the way.

MNJ Institute of Oncology performs over 250 robotic-assisted surgeries strengthening gynaecological cancer care and surgical training

Hyderabad, Feb 06: MNJ Institute of Oncology, a government-run tertiary cancer centre with more than five decades of service, has conducted over 250 robotic-assisted cancer surgeries during the past 30 months, delivered free of cost to patients from economically weaker and middle-income backgrounds.

A significant proportion of these procedures have been performed for gynaecological cancers, which account for a substantial share of the institute’s surgical workload. Over 150 robotic-assisted gynaecological cancer surgeries have been carried out in the last 2 years, primarily for cancers of the cervix, uterus, and ovary—conditions that often require surgery in anatomically narrow pelvic spaces where precision is critical.

According to India’s National Cancer Registry Programme, cervical cancer continues to be among the most frequently diagnosed cancers in Indian women, contributing to a considerable share of cancer-related morbidity and mortality. While cervical cancer remains a major focus, uterine cancer is another condition where robotic-assisted surgery gives surgeons a clear advantage in delivering good outcomes.

Commenting on the institution’s approach, Dr Ramesh Maturi, HOD, Surgical Oncology, MNJ Cancer Hospital said,

“Our experience with the da Vinci surgical system has supported our ability to deliver complex gynaecological cancer surgeries within the public healthcare system. In gynaecological cancers, where surgery is often performed in anatomically narrow pelvic spaces, the robotic platform provides greater control and precision, including the ability to perform nerve-sparing procedures that can help reduce post-surgical sexual and urological complications. As a publicly funded cancer hospital, its use is guided by careful clinical judgement, with robotic-assisted surgery adopted selectively across gynaecological, urological, and upper and lower gastrointestinal cancers to ensure meaningful benefit and sustainable use of resources for the population we serve.”

At MNJ Institute, robotic-assisted surgery has been adopted selectively for complex pelvic procedures, including radical hysterectomies and staging surgeries, especially in cases where standard laparoscopic approaches may be technically challenging. 

Dr Joseph Benjamen, Director, MNJ Cancer Hospital said,

“As a public institution providing specialised cancer care, the responsibility extends beyond introducing advanced technology to ensuring it is used in a manner that strengthens access, consistency, and accountability in patient care.” 

Dr Umakanth Goud and Dr Murlidhar, Professors and Unit Heads, Department of Surgical Oncology at MNJ Institute of Oncology, have been instrumental in the adoption and clinical integration of robotic-assisted surgery, strengthening both patient care and surgical practice at the institute.

Alongside being at the forefront of patient care, MNJ Institute is a premier teaching institution with a strong national reputation that attracts surgical trainees from across India. As a centre of excellence in surgical education, the institute integrates advanced technology to help public hospitals set the tone and standards for the responsible use of modern devices in patient care.

MNJ Institute said its experience reflects how advanced surgical platforms, when applied judiciously within the public sector, can contribute to expanding access to minimally invasive cancer care while strengthening training and institutional readiness.

NEW YORK, New York—Feb 06: Prime Video debuted the official trailer and key art for Young Sherlock, starring Hero Fiennes Tiffin (After series) as Sherlock Holmes. From visionary director Guy Ritchie, Young Sherlock is an irreverent, action-packed mystery that charts the legendary origin story of the world’s greatest detective. All eight episodes of the series will premiere on March 4, 2026, exclusively on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide.

When a charismatic, youthfully defiant Sherlock Holmes meets none other than James Moriarty, he finds himself dragged into a murder investigation that threatens his liberty. Sherlock’s first ever case unravels a globe-trotting conspiracy, leading to an explosive showdown that alters the course of his life forever. Unfolding in a vibrant Victorian England and adventuring abroad, the series will expose the early antics of the anarchic adolescent who is yet to evolve into Baker Street’s most renowned resident.

Previously announced cast members of Young Sherlock include Dónal Finn (The Wheel of Time), Zine Tseng (3 Body Problem), Joseph Fiennes (The Handmaid’s Tale), Natascha McElhone (Halo), Max Irons (Condor) and Colin Firth (The King’s Speech). Guy Ritchie directs the first two episodes and executive produces. The series is created for television and executive produced by showrunner Matthew Parkhill with executive producers Dhana Rivera Gilbert, Marc Resteghini, Simon Maxwell, Ivan Atkinson, Simon Kelton, Colin Wilson, and co-executive producers Harriet Creelman and Steve Thompson. Motive Pictures led physical production for Young Sherlock.

DIVINE And Gurinder Gill Release ‘Late Knights’ Music Video, One Of The Most Anticipated Desi Hip-Hop And Punjabi Collaborations Of The Year

Feb 5: Indian hip-hop heavyweight DIVINE has released the official music video for ‘Late Knights’, featuring leading Punjabi-Canadian rapper-singer Gurinder Gill. The track appears on the Indian multi-platinum rapper’s 16-track fifth studio album, ‘Walking On Water’ and marks one of the project’s most anticipated collaborations.

Produced by Zzorawar and Arsh Heer, ‘Late Knights’ is anchored by a dark orchestral sample that sets a somber tone, reflecting themes of success, loyalty and the persistence of insincerity that often accompanies rise and visibility. The record brings together two distinct voices from Mumbai and the Punjabi diaspora, unified by a shared narrative of survival and self-belief.

The accompanying music video, directed by Dimple Kotecha and Shaan Sachdeva, adopts a stark visual language defined by high-contrast lighting and minimal stylization. Through close-ups and wide frames, the video emphasizes the artists’ presence and the solidarity of their inner circles, reinforcing the track’s central idea: resistance to false affection and envy masked as admiration. The recurring refrain, “We don’t melt,” becomes a visual and lyrical motif for emotional resilience.

DIVINE’s verse reflects on a decade-long journey from the streets of Mumbai to nationwide dominance, addressing the erosion of relationships and the role of money as a measure of authenticity. Gurinder Gill follows with a verse rooted in his Punjabi-Canadian perspective, drawing attention to rivalries hidden beneath politeness and celebration. His references to white kurtas and Bombay settings underscore a cultural assertion of belonging without compromise.

DIVINE states, “‘Late Knights’ comes from a very real place. As you grow, you start seeing people differently—who’s genuine, who’s around for the moment. The song is about staying grounded through that and holding on to the ones who’ve been solid from day one. Gurinder brought that same honesty and strength to the record, which made the collaboration feel natural.”

Released via Gully Gang, Walking On Water has been noted for its direct engagement with uncomfortable truths and its expansive sonic palette. The album features contributions from Hanumankind, Riar Saab, MC Altaf and Sammohit, and incorporates samples from iconic Bollywood composers A.R. Rahman and R.D. Burman.

With ‘Late Knights’, DIVINE continues to reinforce his position as one of Indian hip-hop’s defining voices, blending regional influences with a contemporary global sound. The official music video is now available on YouTube and all major digital streaming platforms.

Left to right: Dr. Raju Sivaswamy, Vice President, Dr. Ravi Pachamuthu, Chairman of SRM Group, President of the Republic of Seychelles, His Excellency Dr Patrick Herminie, Mrs. Veronique Herminie, First Lady of the Republic of Seychelles, Dr. Marvin Nolan Fanny, Hon’ble Minister of Health, Seychelles, Mr. Paul Robin, CEO, SIMS International.

Chennai, Feb 6: His Excellency Dr. Patrick Herminie, Honourable President of the Republic of Seychelles and Dr. Marvin Nolan Fanny, Hon’ble Minister of Health, Seychelles, met Dr. Ravi Pachamuthu, Chairman, SIMS Hospital, India, to discuss a collaborative roadmap aimed at strengthening healthcare services in Seychelles through sustainable and long-term healthcare solutions such as super-specialty medical outreach, hospital infrastructure development, digital health integration, workforce support, affordable medicines, and dialysis expansion.

A team of specialists from SIMS Hospital, will be travelling to Mauritius and Seychelles next week to evaluate the existing healthcare systems in Seychelles and assess the way forward in coordination with the Ministry of Health. As part of the discussion, it was also proposed to establish a periodic super-specialty medical camps for patients accessing the Seychelles Government Healthcare System, aimed at enhancing diagnostic accuracy and improving clinical outcomes through advanced medical technology, while building local capacity and strengthening the Ministry of Health’s clinical capabilities to position Seychelles as a regional healthcare leader within the East African zone.

The discussion focused on key areas including the development of an integrated, real-time national digital healthcare network connecting all health centres and hospitals nationwide to improve patient data management, referrals, clinical decision-making, transparency, and service delivery. It also covered the supply of high-quality, cost-effective pharmaceuticals and medical products, supported by the implementation of a cloud-based, real-time inventory management system across pharmacy stores to reduce stock-outs, wastage, and procurement inefficiencies, along with periodic outreach super-specialty medical camps, hospital infrastructure development, healthcare workforce strengthening through nurse recruitment, and the expansion of dialysis services to improve accessibility and continuity of care for renal patients.

The meeting also focused on providing technical advisory support for modernisation of existing government hospital infrastructure, planning and development of new hospitals and primary healthcare facilities, and adoption of global best practices in hospital design, patient safety, and operational efficiency.

In addition, healthcare workforce support was highlighted through the recruitment and deployment of qualified nursing professionals, leveraging SRM’s proven education ecosystem, while supporting skills transfer and long-term capacity building for local healthcare staff.

The meeting also included discussions on expansion of dialysis services through strengthening of the existing dialysis unit with satellite support services, ensuring round-the-clock specialist assistance and improving accessibility and continuity of care for renal patients.

In his comments, H.E. Dr. Patrick Herminie, President of the Republic of Seychelles said, “Our focus is to strengthen public healthcare services and ensure access to quality care for all citizens. Partnerships that support infrastructure, digital health, trained workforce, and specialised services such as dialysis are important steps towards long-term healthcare capacity building in Seychelles.”

Speaking about the meeting, Dr. Ravi Pachamuthu, Chairman, SIMS Hospital, India said, “Healthcare collaboration must focus on strengthening systems from infrastructure and trained professionals to digital networks and affordable access to medicines. We are honoured to engage with the Honourable President and explore opportunities that can contribute to sustainable healthcare capacity for Seychelles.”

Mumbai,  Feb 5: Alembic Pharmaceuticals Limited reported its consolidated financial results for the third quarter and nine months ended 31st December 2025.

Financial Highlights for Q3FY26

• Revenue from operations increased by 11% to Rs.1,876 Cr.

• EBITDA increased by 14% to Rs. 308 Cr 
• EBITDA Margin at 16% of revenue 
• Profit Before Exceptional Items and Tax increased by 15% to Rs 205 Cr
• Pursuant to changes under the new labour code, the Company has recognised a one-time provision of Rs 42 Cr towards employee benefits.
• Reported Profit After Tax after this one-time provision was at Rs.133 Cr. 

Commenting on the results, Mr. Pranav Amin MD, Alembic Pharmaceuticals Limited, said,

Our Q3 performance underscores the sustained momentum across our businesses supported by consistent execution, continued focus on profitability and operating rhythm. We further strengthened our presence in Australia, Canada, Europe, the USA and other key markets delivering an overall growth of 11%.  Our pre-R&D EBITDA margin at 25% remains healthy. We continued to invest around 9% of revenue in R&D to build a robust pipeline for future growth. The integration of Utility Therapeutics progressed well, and we are working towards launch of PivyaTM in quarter 4 positioning us to expand our footprint in branded drugs in the US and create new avenues for sustainable growth. 

Operational Highlights 

India Branded Business

• India Branded Business delivered a 6% YoY growth, reaching Rs 652 Cr. in revenue for the quarter.
• Gynaecology, Ophthalmology and Animal healthcare segments supported the growth for the quarter.
• Anti-infective segment grew in line with market performance.
• Successfully introduced 4 new products during the quarter.

International Business

• US Generics grew by 6% to Rs. 553 Cr. for the quarter.
• 2 Launches in the US market during the quarter.
• Ex-US International Generics grew by 36% to Rs. 406 Cr. for the quarter.
• 7 ANDA approvals received during the quarter, 232 Cumulative ANDA approvals. 

API Business

• API business grew by 2% to Rs. 264 Cr. for the quarter. 

Earnings Call: Alembic Pharmaceuticals Limited will host an investor call at 4:30 pm IST on February 5, 2026, where the senior management will discuss the Company’s performance and answer questions from participants. Please dial the numbers provided below ten minutes ahead of the scheduled start time to participate in this conference call. The dial-in number for this call is +91 22 6280 1411/ +91 22 7115 8312. Other toll numbers are listed in the conference call invitation, which is posted on the Company website www.alembicpharmaceuticals.com. The operator will provide instructions on asking questions before the start of the call.

Bengaluru,  Feb 5: Myntra today announced the expansion of its hyper-speed fashion delivery service, M-Now, to four Tier-2 cities  Patna, Jaipur, Lucknow, and Ahmedabad, taking its footprint to 10 cities across India. By introducing the M-Now service starting 30-minutes in these cities,  Myntra is tapping into the rapidly rising demand for speed-led convenience for premium and trend-first selections beyond metros. Powered by 87+ dark stores, Myntra is doubling down on strengthening its delivery grid and assortment depth, bringing customers closer to international and homegrown brands and styles.

Customers across these newly expanded tier-2 markets now have access to over 500 brands and 10,000+ styles, broadening their choice at speed. Early traction during the pilot phase in select pincodes has been highly encouraging, with shoppers showing a strong interest in Women’s Western Wear, Women’s Indian Wear, Men’s Casual Wear, Men’s and Women’s Inner Wear and Lounge Wear and Beauty and Personal Care. This momentum accelerated during the Diwali period last year, with these cities witnessing a 2X spike in orders, highlighting the growing demand for premium lifestyle choices at hyper-speed delivery in these markets. Brands that emerged as popular choices in these cities include Levi’s, United Colors of Benetton, Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, Vero Moda, ONLY, MANGO, NEXT, Jockey, Metro, Mochi, L’Oréal and Maybelline.

M-Now’s expansion beyond metros, where it has been adopted for last-minute trend-first and branded fashion, beauty and lifestyle needs,  will be towards meeting the evolving needs of customers across the country. Myntra’s presence spans 98% of India’s serviceable pincodes, and over 70% of new customers who joined the platform in 2025 are from non-metro markets. Customers from these regions showed high demand for categories like ethnic wear, western wear, lounge wear, inner wear essentials like briefs and vests, wedding collections, beauty essentials, and sportswear.

Speaking on the expansion, Maneesh Kumar Dubey, Vice President, Category Management, Myntra, said,

“ As fashion-forward shoppers, especially Gen Z, prioritize instant gratification, the demand for immediate fulfillment, from festive wear to everyday essentials is rising. By delivering trends in minutes, we’re helping brands meet the ‘instant’ expectations of Gen Z. The expansion into Bharat reflects Myntra’s category-defining approach to hyper-speed fashion delivery, enhancing M-Now’s capability to keep pace with rapidly evolving consumer expectations around speed and convenience. The enthusiastic adoption during our pilot reinforces the significant headroom for growth as we scale M-Now across the country and shape the future of convenience-led fashion shopping in India.”

M-Now’s expansion into these cities further strengthens Myntra’s commitment to democratising premium brand access and speed-led convenience for shoppers in India’s emerging markets. As hyper-speed delivery becomes a defining expectation among digital-first shoppers, M-Now is set to play a central role in Myntra’s ambition to build a nationwide, fashion-first, convenience-led ecosystem, strengthening its position in India’s evolving e-lifestyle landscape.