Archives 2026

Birla Global University Hosts HR Conclave Uniting Industry and Academia on AI-Driven People Strategy

Birla Global University Hosts HR Conclave Uniting Industry and Academia on AI-Driven People StrategyBhubaneswar, Feb 17th: Birla Global University (BGU) hosted a conclave on the theme “AI-Powered People Strategy: Balancing Technology and Empathy,” bringing together leading personalities from industry and academia to examine how Artificial Intelligence can enhance, not replace, the human dimension in Human Resource management.

The objective of the conclave was to explore how AI could augment the human touch in HR by reimagining talent practices, leadership behaviours, and organisational culture. The discussions delved into real-world applications of AI in recruitment, learning and development, performance management, and employee experience. The sessions also discussed the ethical, legal, and emotional implications of AI adoption for employees and managers.

The conclave featured an Inaugural Session, two Panel Discussions, and a Valedictory Session. The sub-themes included Human-Centred AI in Talent Management and Empathy, Well-being, and Psychological Contracts in an AI-Driven Workplace.

The event was graced by Satyanarayana Vinjamoori, Former Vice President (HR & Operations), ADP Private Ltd. and Board Member – Food 4 Thought Foundation; Richa Mehrotra, Director – Staffing, Alvarez & Marsal; Swetaali Pattnaik, CEO & Director, SAIntellect Solutions; Arya Vedabrata, Founder & CEO, ByteIQ Analytics; Hemant Rath, Principal Scientist & Distinguished Engineer, TCS; and  Sikha Nanda, HR Head, Integreon.

Speaking on the occasion, Richa Mehrotra, Keynote Speaker said, “AI-driven talent acquisition and workforce analytics must address concerns such as algorithmic bias, trust deficits, and change resistance through a ‘human-in-the-loop’ approach to ensure fairness and contextual sensitivity in HR practices.”

 Highlighting the importance of the conclave, Satyanarayana Vinjamoori , Chief Guest said, “AI has evolved over decades, and its present scale and accessibility call for responsible integration. Technology must complement, not replace, human judgment, and modern HR leadership must align mindset, skillset, and toolset.”

The conclave aimed to enrich students with a future-ready understanding of how AI was reshaping careers, skills, and people management practices. Through direct interaction with HR practitioners and experts, students gained practical insights into AI-enabled HR tools, emerging career pathways in HR analytics and people strategy, and the ethical considerations surrounding AI-driven decision-making.

The platform brought together HR practitioners, people analytics specialists, line managers, start-up founders, and consultants to exchange experiences and best practices in implementing AI-driven HR solutions. By fostering dialogue between industry and academia, the conclave encouraged thoughtful adoption of technology while preserving empathy, fairness, and human judgment in organisational decision-making.

Swiggy Dineout Onboards Bhuvan Bam as GIRF 2026 Ambassador; Brings BB Ki Vines Characters to Life with ‘Bill Half. Party Full

 Swiggy Dineout Onboards Bhuvan Bam as GIRF 2026 Ambassador; Brings BB Ki Vines Characters to Life with ‘Bill Half. Party Full

Bengaluru, India Feb 17: Swiggy Limited, India’s leading on-demand convenience platform, has announced the launch of Swiggy Dineout’s widely popular Great Indian Restaurant Festival (GIRF) 2026. Launched with Bhuvan Bam as the official ambassador for GIRF 2026, integrating the much loved universe of BB Ki Vines into India’s biggest dining festival.

Following the phenomenal success of last year’s editions, GIRF 2026 returns bigger, better and louder with a simple, powerful promise: Bill Half. Party Full. Starting 15 February 2026, diners can enjoy up to 50 percent off at 40,000+ top restaurants in 60+ cities in India. The offers are available across categories including cafes, pubs, bars, luxury dining and family restaurants for two full months. Diners can not only unlock up to 50 percent off on their food bill, but also get an additional 10% instant discount across all HDFC Bank cards and avail 10% back as Dinecash on every order when booking via Dineout.

Leading this year’s cultural moment is Bhuvan Bam, who brings the iconic world of BB Ki Vines into the heart of GIRF 2026. The campaign integrates beloved characters including Babloo, Babli, Sameer and Bhuvan, each representing relatable diner archetypes India instantly recognises.

In the flagship film, the BB Ki Vines universe takes on a familiar dining anxiety. Babloo worries about discount caps and fine print. Sameer confidently explains the scale of GIRF. The insight is simple but powerful. When the bill is half, hesitation disappears. Celebrations get bigger. Group plans become spontaneous. The vibe changes.

Commenting on the launch, Dhruvish Thakkar, AVP Marketing and Revenue, Swiggy Dineout, said “GIRF is one of India’s largest dining movements. Our focus every year is to make dining out more rewarding, more accessible and more frequent for consumers, while unlocking sustained incremental footfalls and revenue growth for our restaurant partners. With Bhuvan and the BB Ki Vines universe, we are tapping into characters that India deeply relates to. Babloo, Babli and Sameer represent real diner mindsets we see on the platform every day, from the bill conscious planner to the value maximiser to the spontaneous celebration starter.”

The GIRF 2026 theme, ‘Bill Half. Party Full.’, captures the core emotional insight behind dining out. Dining out is a joy. The Bill is the only brake. Take that away and the celebration scales. From the established dining capitals of Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Chennai to emerging culinary hotspots like Goa, Jaipur, Indore, Coimbatore, Chandigarh, Lucknow and Udaipur, GIRF 2026 ensures that every foodie across 60+ cities gets to celebrate their way.”

The campaign will roll out across digital, social,and  creator ecosystems as well as in-app storytelling formats, with deep integration of BB Ki Vines characters across performance marketing, platform creatives and cultural moments.

Beyond discounts, GIRF 2026 introduces high energy activations including limited time Crazzzy Deals of the Day, complimentary cocktails and mocktails at select partner bars, and extended happy hours across participating venues.

This year’s edition features participation from leading brands such as Cafe Coffee Day, Barista, Good Flippin Burgers, Punjab Grill, YouMee, Krishnapatnam, Biergarten, Ironhill and several other popular dining destinations.

India’s GCC expansion hits record 31 million sq. ft with metros leading growth despite Tier II emergence: JLL

Mumbai, Feb 17: India’s Global Capability Centers (GCC) leasing activity reached a record 31 million sq. ft in 2025, reflecting the evolution of a sophisticated ecosystem of specialised metropolitan hubs, each commanding distinct competitive advantages across critical industry verticals.

According to New JLL report titled India GCC Guide 2025 the top six major cities have strategically positioned themselves as GCC powerhouses across a diverse spectrum but with unique offerings to specific sectors.

Bengaluru commands a 34-39% market share through its over 900 GCC units, setting the benchmark as the leader of the pack, while Hyderabad’s 20-23% market capture is built upon its status as the undisputed healthcare-biotech sector leader. This geographic specialisation model is reshaping how multinational corporations approach their Indian operations, moving beyond simple cost arbitrage to leverage each city’s unique strengths.

“India’s GCC landscape has evolved, moving beyond simple cost arbitrage to leverage each city’s unique strengths. The numbers tell a compelling story of sustained growth and maturation. With over 90% of current GCC activity concentrated in Tier I cities, these centers have commanded more than 263 million sq. ft of Grade A office stock across the top seven cities, while driving 40% of all office leasing activity over the past decade. What we are witnessing is not just expansion but acceleration. Over 200 new GCCs have entered India in just the last two years, with projections indicating total GCC footprint will surpass 350 million sq. ft within the next 3-4 years. This growth is particularly driven by US-headquartered firms, which represent 70% of all GCC demand from 2018 to 2025, underscoring India’s strategic importance to American enterprises. The future belongs to GCCs that view location strategy not as a cost center, but as a competitive differentiator, leveraging India’s multi-tiered city framework to build resilient, scalable operations that can adapt to changing global business demands. This multi-year growth trend reflects a fundamental shift where India has become indispensable to global corporate strategy, offering not just operational efficiency but strategic capability building across the entire value chain,” said Dr Samantak Das, Chief Economist and Head of Research and REIS, India, JLL.  

Bengaluru solidifies its position as India’s undisputed GCC capital

Bengaluru continues to dominate India’s GCC ecosystem, with the Silicon Valley of India now hosting over 900 GCC units, leveraging its robust talent pipeline, mature business ecosystem, and established tech credentials.  The city’s strength spans IT/ITeS, research and development across engineering and manufacturing sectors, innovation centers spearheading cutting-edge analytics, and retail operations, making it the preferred destination for companies seeking comprehensive offshoring capability development.

“Bengaluru continues to solidify its position as India’s undisputed GCC capital, with over 900 GCC units now operating in the city.  The city’s commanding 34-39% market share is built on its robust talent pipeline, mature business ecosystem, and established tech credentials. Bengaluru’s comprehensive strength across IT/ITeS, research and development, innovation centers, and retail operations makes it the preferred destination for companies seeking world-class offshoring capability development,” said Rahul Arora, Head – Office Leasing & Retail Services, Senior Managing Director (Karnataka, Kerala), India, JLL.

Hyderabad emerges as healthcare-biotech leader

Hyderabad has captured 20-23% of India’s overall GCC market, establishing itself as the country’s premier destination for healthcare and biotechnology operations. The city’s strategic advantages include world-class infrastructure, government policy incentives, and a rapidly growing talent pool specialising in BFSI and analytics as well. Key growth sectors include IT/ITeS, semiconductors, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and life sciences, positioning Hyderabad as a critical hub for innovation-driven enterprises.

Pune has secured 15-20% of the national GCC activity over the past four years, attracting major multinational corporations through superior quality-of-life metrics, talent availability and strategic sector positioning. The city excels in BFSI, automotive, IT/ITeS, manufacturing, and engineering services. Similarly, Chennai has experienced strong demand growth year-over-year since 2023, cementing its status as India’s manufacturing and automotive hub with complementary strengths in IT/ITeS, BFSI, and Engineering Research & Development (ER&D) build on its STEM talent base.

Delhi NCR has evolved into a corporate services powerhouse, capitalising on its diverse economic base and strong growth momentum. The region demonstrates strength in IT, BFSI, e-commerce and retail, healthcare, consulting, and education sectors. Mumbai, as India’s commercial capital, continues to attract strategic capability and solutions center set-ups driven by major banks, financial institutions, and multinational corporations, with BFSI continuing to remain its primary sector of excellence.

Tier II cities could be new frontiers for GCC set-ups

While Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Pune with the other major metros have long dominated the landscape, a shift is underway as global enterprises discover the untapped potential of India’s Tier II cities.

From the industrial and GIFT City corridors of Ahmedabad to the cultural capitals of Kolkata and Jaipur, secondary cities are rapidly transforming into sophisticated business hubs. This is not just geographic expansion; it is a strategic evolution driven by compelling business economics and emerging opportunities. Companies are achieving 10-35% cost savings while accessing fresh talent pools previously beyond reach. From Coimbatore’s engineering excellence to Mysuru’s IT prowess, and Kochi’s emerging tech ecosystem, these geographies represent more than cost arbitrage, they embody India’s distributed innovation model coming of age. Smart infrastructure investments, progressive state policies, and digital connectivity improvements have eliminated traditional barriers that once limited these cities. The result is that organisations are building operational resilience through geographic diversification while unlocking value that combines service delivery at scale with cost efficiencies. This migration represents India’s GCC sector maturing beyond the confines of established metros. As global enterprises seek sustainable growth models, Tier II cities offer a confluence of talent, cost efficiency, and infrastructure readiness.

The road ahead

As India’s GCC landscape continues to evolve, organisations that embrace strategic geographic diversification will be best positioned to capitalise on the country’s vast talent ecosystem while optimizing operational efficiency. The future belongs to GCCs that view location strategy not as a cost center, but as a competitive differentiator, leveraging India’s multi-tiered city framework to build resilient, scalable operations that can adapt to changing global business demands.

Portronics Launches Mport Space: 8-in-1 Type-C Hub with Built-In M.2 SSD Expansion for Seamless Productivity

Portronics Launches Mport Space: 8-in-1 Type-C Hub with Built-In M.2 SSD Expansion for Seamless Productivity

New Delhi, Feb 17th: Portronics, a leading name in consumer electronics and mobile accessories, introduces Mport Space, a versatile 8-in-1 USB Type-C hub that redefines everyday connectivity by integrating built-in M.2 SSD storage expansion alongside essential ports. Designed for modern laptops with limited ports, the hub delivers a complete solution for storage, charging, display output, and data transfer — all through a single Type-C connection.

At the heart of Mport Space is its integrated M.2 SSD slot, supporting NVMe and SATA SSDs in 2242, 2260, and 2280 sizes (SSD not included). This eliminates the need for a separate enclosure and turns the hub into a compact, portable storage companion — ideal for professionals handling large files, content creators managing high-resolution media, and users seeking flexible data expansion on the go.

Beyond storage, the hub expands a single Type-C port into eight essential connections, including HDMI, USB 3.0, SD and microSD card readers, a Type-C Power Delivery port, and a Type-C data port. The HDMI output supports 4K resolution at 30Hz, allowing users to mirror or extend their screens for presentations, streaming, or enhanced multitasking on larger displays. This expands the usage of your devices, making it better for the user to have extra slots and expanded functionality.

To ensure uninterrupted workflows, Mport Space features 100W USB-C Power Delivery pass-through charging, enabling users to power their laptops while simultaneously using all connected peripherals. High-speed file transfers are supported via the USB 3.0 and Type-C data ports, while the card readers offer quick access to footage and photos from cameras, drones, and storage devices.

Portronics has also focused on user safety and durability. The hub includes a dedicated SSD ON/OFF switch to prevent accidental disconnections, along with LED indicators to show standby and read/write activity. Its premium aluminium body aids heat dissipation while maintaining a sleek look, and the nylon braided cable enhances longevity, making it well-suited for office desks, home setups, and travel.

With plug-and-play compatibility, Mport Space works seamlessly with laptops, tablets, and other supported USB-C devices without requiring additional drivers or installation.

 Pricing and Availability:

The Portronics MPort Space  is available for purchase on Portronics.com, Amazon.in, Flipkart.com, and other leading online and offline retail stores across India. The product comes with a 12-month warranty.

Markolines Pavement Technologies Ltd. Reports Stellar Earnings for Q3FY26, PAT Jumps 71 percent QoQ

Mumbai, Feb 17th: Markolines Pavement Technologies Ltd., a growing infrastructure services company specializing in Highway Operations & Maintenance (O&M), in its board meeting held on February 14, 2026 has approved the audited Financial Results of the Company for the quarter and nine months ended on 31 December 2025.

Financial Statement Highlights

Particulars (Rs. Crores)* Q3FY26 Q2FY26 QoQ% 9MFY26 9MFY25 YoY%
Revenue from Operations 92.95 77.67 20% 243.34 185.92 31%
EBITDA 11.62 8.87 31% 28.81 22.42 29%
PBT 8.42 5.69 48% 19.30 12.57 54%
PAT 7.00 4.08 72% 14.87 10.43 43%

* Consolidated financials. Financial Figures & percentages have been rounded and reorganized for efficient presentation and understanding

Commenting on the performance, Mr. Sanjay Patil, Founder, Chairman & Managing Director of Markolines Pavement Technologies Limited said, “We are pleased to report a strong performance for Q3FY26 and the nine months ended FY26, reflecting sustained execution momentum and improved operational efficiencies across our business segments.

During Q3FY26, our Revenue from Operations grew by 20% quarter-on-quarter to ₹92.95 crore, demonstrating healthy project execution and improved billing traction. On a nine-month basis, revenue stood at ₹243.34 crore, registering a robust 31% year-on-year growth compared to ₹185.92 crore in 9MFY25. This growth reflects the strength of our order book and our ability to consistently scale operations.

Our EBITDA for the quarter increased by 31% QoQ to ₹11.62 crore, while 9MFY26 EBITDA grew 29% YoY to

₹28.81 crore. The improvement underscores our focus on cost discipline, operational efficiency, and better project mix.

Profit Before Tax for Q3FY26 rose sharply by 48% QoQ to ₹8.42 crore. For the nine-month period, PBT grew by an impressive 54% YoY to ₹19.30 crore. This strong growth trajectory translated into a 72% QoQ rise in PAT to ₹7.00 crore for the quarter, while 9MFY26 PAT increased by 43% YoY to ₹14.87 crore.

Our performance reflects disciplined execution, improved productivity, and operating leverage benefits as scale increases. We continue to focus on efficient capital allocation, timely project execution, and strengthening our presence in high-value infrastructure segments.

With a strong order pipeline and healthy execution visibility, we remain confident of sustaining growth momentum in the coming quarters. Our strategic emphasis on operational excellence, technological capability, and prudent financial management positions us well to deliver consistent value to our stakeholders. We are also exploring the other Infra sectors also to leverage our skillsets as an additional growth driver”

The Company believes that the Government’s continued and record level infrastructure push under the latest Union Budget provides strong structural tailwinds for its business. With public capital expenditure projected at ₹12.2 lakh crore for FY27 and infrastructure-led growth remaining a central policy priority, a sustained pipeline of highway and road development projects is expected across the country. Given its deep domain expertise in highway operations, maintenance, and specialized pavement technologies, the Company is strategically positioned to benefit from increased investments in road infrastructure, asset monetization programs, and expansion of national corridors. Its established execution capabilities, strong order book visibility, and technology-driven approach enable it to meaningfully participate in this infrastructure growth cycle while delivering long-term value to stakeholders.

RTP Global-Backed S45 gets into AI-Native Investment Banking

RTP Global-Backed S45 gets into AI-Native Investment Banking

New Delhi, Feb 17th: S45 today announced the operationalisation of the nation’s first AI-native investment banking platform amid global conversations at The AI Impact Summit 2026. A VC-backed company supported by RTP Global, S45 has raised $5 million to build and scale its proprietary technology-led infrastructure, designed to deliver institutional-grade precision in the high-stakes world of capital market exits. By augmenting traditional financial expertise through the automation of repetitive, data-heavy administrative tasks, S45 is removing the execution bottlenecks that have historically complicated the IPO journey for high-growth capital markets.

Commenting on the official platform deployment, Deepank Bhandari, Co-Founder of S45, noted: “India’s capital markets have entered an era of unprecedented scale and maturity, yet the execution frameworks powering most IPOs remain anchored in high-friction, legacy methods that haven’t kept pace with this growth. This disconnect often leaves even the strongest companies navigating a ‘black box’ of fragmented workflows and manual administrative hurdles during their most critical transition. At S45, our strategy is to provide an institutional-grade infrastructure layer that empowers issuers with data-validated precision. By integrating AI-driven governance and real-time demand analytics, we are moving the industry beyond traditional approximation toward a new standard of transparency and execution certainty, fulfilling the promise of ‘AI for All’ in the financial sector.”

Market Impact: A Proven Track Record for High-Growth Exits

Since its pilot phase, the S45 platform has demonstrated the impact of a tech-led approach across 26 IPOs in diverse sectors, including technology, aerospace, healthcare, and industrials. These mandates have already facilitated ₹1,120.8 crore in capital raised, supported by an intelligence layer that tracks investor demand analytics with extreme granularity.

Key performance benchmarks from the platform’s deployments include:

● Substantial Investor Appetite: Mandates recorded an average subscription of 168.4x, with peak demand reaching 325x.

● Massive Bid Volume: The platform generated cumulative investor bids totalling ₹3,64,719 crore.

● Post-Listing Performance: Issuers achieved an average listing gain of 43.1%, while recording an average listing pop of 47.1% over the last twelve months.

The “7-Day” DRHP: Precision Exit Infrastructure
For founders and venture investors seeking efficient pathways to liquidity, S45 introduces a structural redefinition of the listing process. The platform enables an exhaustive IPO readiness assessment in just 30 minutes and utilises an integrated operating system to bring Draft Red Herring Prospectus (DRHP) preparation time down to just 7 days. By embedding AI-driven validation and regulatory process mapping, the system provides boards and CFOs with real-time visibility into their listing journey while ensuring higher compliance consistency and reducing regulatory friction.

The venture was developed by a multi-disciplinary team of founders -Deepank Bhandari, Pankaj Harlalka, Aman Singh, and Tushar Sharma -who launched S45 to bridge the structural gap in the capital markets execution framework through data engineering and banking expertise.

Behrouz Biryani to Launch Its Signature Ramzan Iftar Offerings in 2026

Behrouz Biryani to Launch Its Signature Ramzan Iftar Offerings in 2026
Mumbai, Feb 17th: Behrouz Biryani, India’s leading royal biryani brand, is set to refresh its much-loved Ramzan Iftar offerings in 2026 as the holy month begins. Rooted in a rich royal legacy, slow-cooked dum pukht biryanis, and a deep cultural association with Iftar traditions, Behrouz continues to celebrate Ramzan with thoughtfully curated food experiences  designed to honour patience, tradition, and togetherness.

Ramzan has long been a significant period for Behrouz, where food transcends indulgence to become a shared ritual. Staying true to this sentiment, the brand is introducing limited-time Iftar boxes, timeless Ramzan favourites, and a multi-format storytelling campaign that further strengthens its presence at Iftar tables across India.

Nishant Kedia, Chief Marketing Officer, Rebel Foods, said,  “Ramzan is a deeply significant period for our consumers, rooted in patience, gratitude, and togetherness. At Behrouz, we approach the month with great respect for these traditions. Our Ramzan menu — from slow-cooked haleem to thoughtfully curated Iftar boxes — is crafted to remain consistent, comforting, and deeply satisfying, strengthening the trust our consumers place in us.”

Ramzan Limited Time Offerings include:

Badshahi Iftari Sandooq

The Badshahi Iftari Sandooq is a grand 7-course Iftar, thoughtfully curated for 3–4 people and ideal for larger gatherings. The offering includes Royal Dates, a Royal Biryani of choice, Royal Gosht Haleem served with Kulcha, Zareen Murgh Shorba, Murgh Patti Samosa, Murgh Koobideh Kebabs, Phirni, Sheer Khurma, Gulrosh Soda Sharbat, and a Royal Gift Box (Luxe Choco Indulgence).

Nawabi Iftari Khazana

The Nawabi Iftari Khazana is an elegant 5-course Iftar, curated for smaller gatherings of 1–2 people. It features Royal Dates, a Royal Biryani of choice, Gosht Haleem with Kulcha, Phirni, and Gulrosh Soda Sharbat bringing together comfort and tradition. Customers can select their preferred biryani variant in both Iftar boxes.

A-La-Carte Ramzan Menu

In addition to the Iftar boxes, Behrouz’s Ramzan favourites will be available a-la-carte across India. The menu includes Gosht Haleem, Murgh Haleem, Zareen Murgh Shorba, Sheer Khurma, Murgh Patti Samosa, Phirni, Gulrosh Soda Sharbat, Royal Dates, and a seasonal Rose Falooda. The Royal Gift Box (Luxe Choco Indulgence) will also be available for festive gifting during the season.

Ramzan Campaign:

Behrouz’s Ramzan 2026 campaign is anchored by two hero films. Royal Biryani, narrated by Vijay Raaz, brings alive the brand’s royal origins, dum pukht cooking process, long-grain basmati rice, and its signature blend of 23 shahi masalas. The Haleem film highlights the slow and patient cooking of Behrouz Haleem, positioning it as a comforting and rewarding Iftar staple.

The campaign is further amplified through a Mushaira series in collaboration with Tape A Tale, along with influencer-led storytelling that captures families coming together over shared Iftar meals across India.

NPCI Promotes Digital Payments Safety Awareness for Senior Citizens

Digital payments have positively changed everyday life for senior citizens. It has brought convenience by making payment easy for buying groceries, pharmacy purchases or travel bookings. It supports independence by allowing senior citizens to pay on their own without asking family members, especially for small daily needs. It also provides safety and control, as there is less need to carry cash, the risk of loss or theft is lower, and every payment is recorded in transaction history. As digital payments become more common, fraudsters have increased attempts to trick users using social engineering. Common frauds targeting senior citizens are given below:

  • Digital Arrest: Fraudsters pose as law enforcement agents and threaten arrest over fake charges and pressurise victims into paying or sharing personal information. It is important to remember that real government and law enforcement agencies will never ask for money or investigate cases through phone or video calls
  • Investment Fraud: Scammers often trick senior citizens by impersonating as financial experts. They use fake endorsements from reputed organisations promising extraordinary returns. Once these fraudsters receive the money, they disappear. If an investment sounds too good to be true, it is likely a scam
  • Phishing/Vishing Scams: These scams involve emails, texts or calls that impersonate trusted entities like banks or government agencies to trick senior citizens into revealing login details, OTPs or other sensitive information
  • Tech Support Scams: Scammers call, claiming to be from a tech company saying that there is a virus in the computer. They then trick senior citizens into downloading file(s)/Apps that gives them remote access to steal data or route messages without their knowledge
  • Refund and Payment Link Fraud: In such frauds, senior citizens click a link to receive a refund or rebate for an online purchase, which instead leads to a fake page that steals their login or payment data

Simple rules to protect yourself

  • Never share sensitive details such as UPI PIN, OTP, passwords, bank account details, or login credentials. Anyone who asks for these is committing fraud
  • Do not click unknown links or install apps shared by callers or strangers posting as people of authority. Screen sharing or remote access apps are commonly used to steal data and control your phone
  • If an investment sounds too good to be true, it is likely a scam. Check SEBI, RBI, or official regulatory websites for registered firms before investing. Look for HTTPS in the web address, check official domain names, and avoid clicking on unsolicited links
  • Pause when urgency is created. Messages saying your account will be blocked today, your KYC will expire, your SIM will stop, or your pension will be paused are designed to rush you. Real institutions will allow time to verify
  • If you receive unexpected calls or messages about legal issues, you must take a moment to verify. Stay calm. Real government and law enforcement agencies will never ask for money or investigate cases through phone or video calls, and neither will they press you for time

If you suspect fraud, immediately report to the national cybercrime helpline by dialing 1930 or through the Department of Telecommunication (https://sancharsaathi.gov.in/sfc/). You should also report the case to your bank. Always save messages, take screenshots, and document interactions. Also, do not hesitate to get help from your family members or trusted neighbours before acting on instructions from unknown callers. Digital payments are a strong and safe system. With awareness and calm verification, senior citizens can use them confidently every day.

PoppiGo Partners with Slay Media to Strengthen Its NoPause Digital Presence

Mumbai, Feb 17: PoppiGo, India’s first hygiene brand built for active lifestyles, has announced a strategic partnership with Slay Media, the independent creative agency founded by Khushboo Mulani. The collaboration will focus on building a bold, performance-led digital identity that reflects PoppiGo’s fast-growing presence in the fitness and Gen Z space.

Designed for a generation that refuses to slow down, PoppiGo creates high-performance hygiene solutions for training days, race days, long workdays, and everything in between. Its hero product, an ultra-slim disposable hygiene panty powered by exclusive Japanese fast-absorption technology, delivers rapid absorption, leakproof protection, and zero bulk, making it ideal for active routines.

At its core, PoppiGo stands for “NoPause” a brand philosophy rooted in uninterrupted confidence and performance. It’s not a campaign, but the foundation of the brand: creating solutions that allow individuals to move freely, train harder, and live fully without hesitation.

Slay Media, known for its sharp storytelling and data-driven execution, brings expertise in AI-led content creation, digital strategy, and performance marketing. The agency has built impactful brand narratives across finance, lifestyle, and wellness sectors, combining creativity with measurable growth.

Together, the partnership will strengthen PoppiGo’s digital voice across platforms — blending cultural relevance, movement-driven storytelling, and strategic performance marketing to connect deeply with Gen Z and Millennial audiences.

“At PoppiGo, we are building a performance-first hygiene brand for a generation that doesn’t believe in slowing down,” said Nilima Jhunjhunwala, Founder, PoppiGo. “NoPause defines our mindset. With Slay Media, we’re scaling that voice with precision and impact.”

Khushboo Mulani, Founder & CEO of Slay Media, added, “PoppiGo is a brand built with clarity and conviction. Our focus will be on amplifying its NoPause philosophy through bold, culturally sharp storytelling that drives both engagement and growth.”

This collaboration signals a focused growth phase for PoppiGo, where innovation meets intelligent digital strategy to shape the future of hygiene in the active lifestyle space.

Swelect Q3 Report Shows Steady Growth

Chennai, Feb 17:  The Board of Directors at SWELECT Energy Systems Ltd, formerly known as NUMERIC Power Systems Ltd., a leading name in India’s renewable energy sector, approved the unaudited financial results for the quarter and 9 months ended December 31, 2025, at its meeting held on 13th February 2026. 

Performance Highlights of Consolidated Results

INR in Cr. 

Particulars Q3 – FY25 Q3 – FY26 9 months – FY25 9 months – FY26
Total Income 100.32 147.19 435.75 483.40
Revenue from Operations 91.38 138.63 402.86 454.71
Operational EBITDA 27.35 40.17 101.12 142.78
Profit Before Tax (PBT) 3.00 14.01 27.86 62.77
Profit After Tax (PAT) (10.58) 9.52 5.00 46.50

 Consolidated Results Q3 (2025 – 2026)

  • Total Income stood at INR 147.19 cr in the quarter ended December 31, 2025, as against INR 100.32 cr in the corresponding quarter in FY25
  • Revenue from operations for the third quarter of FY26 stood at INR 138.63 cr as compared to INR 91.38 cr in the third quarter of FY25
  • The Company’s Earnings before Interest, Tax, Depreciation and Amortization (Operational EBITDA) stood at INR 40.17 cr for the October-December 2025 quarter, as against INR 27.35 cr in October-December 2024
  • Profit Before Tax (PBT) stood at INR 14.01 cr for the third quarter of FY26 as compared to INR 3.00 cr in the third quarter of FY25
  • Profit After Tax (PAT) stood at INR 9.52 cr in Q3 (2025 – 2026) as against INR (10.58) cr in Q3 (2024 – 2025)

Consolidated Results for 9 months (2025 – 2026)

  • Total Income stood at INR 483.40 cr for the 9 months ended December 31, 2025 as against INR 435.75 cr in the corresponding period in FY25
  • Revenue from operations for the 9 Months in FY26 stood at INR 454.71 cr as compared to INR 402.86 cr in the 9 Months in FY25
  • The Company’s Earnings before Interest, Tax, Depreciation and Amortization (Operational EBITDA) stands at INR 142.78 cr for April-December 2025, as against INR 101.12 cr for April-December 2024
  • Profit Before Tax (PBT) stood at INR 62.77 cr for the 9 Months of FY26 as compared to INR 27.86 cr in the 9 Months of FY25
  • Profit After Tax (PAT) stands at INR 46.50 cr in the 9 Months (2025–2026) as against INR 5.00 cr in the 9 Months (2024–2025)

From the Management Desk

Commenting on the company’s performance, Mr. R. Chellappan, Founder & Vice Chairman, SWELECT Energy Systems Ltd. said, “Our results are in line with our expectations. We remain in continual pursuit of our announced goals of achieving 2 GW of manufacturing capacity, 1 GW of IPP assets and 1 GW of EPC orders within a two-year timeframe. We have a strong balance sheet with financial assets greater than 500 cr. and operational IPP assets of 150 MW and the financial strength to achieve these goals. We continue to focus on solutions combining Solar plus BESS leveraging our battery knowledge and experience for more than two decades as a leading UPS manufacturer in India.”

 “Our Project Development pipeline is strong with more than 250 MW in TN at various stages of land acquisition and connectivity. We are in the process of broadening our focus on energy sales to C&I customers to states beyond TN to achieve our stated goals of 1 GW of IPP assets. We launched our NUMERGY brand of products in the current quarter (Q4 FY25-26) and expect good traction for it in the next 3-6 months as our distribution network expands across India.  We expect our Module Manufacturing Capacity to reach 2 GW in Q1 FY26-27 and have firm tie-ups to get DCR cells for that facility to serve the Indian market.” added Dr. Arulkumar Shanmugasundaram, CEO & Managing Director, SWELECT Energy Systems Ltd.