Archives 2026

‘Z’ Partners with Kabaddi Champions League Haryana to Bring ‘Mitti Ka Khel’ to Millions; Inaugural Season to Telecast Live across Zee 5 & Linear Channels

Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (‘Z’), India’s leading media and entertainment company, today announced a landmark partnership with the Kabaddi Champions League (KCL) Haryana to bring the high-octane action of professional kabaddi to viewers nationwide. Officially sanctioned by the Amateur Kabaddi Association Haryana (AKAH), the league’s inaugural season is set to take place from January 25th to February 7th, 2026, featuring 8 powerhouse franchises competing for the ultimate glory.

The collaboration will see KCL Haryana stream digitally on the Zee 5 app and broadcast across ‘Z’s leading linear channels, including Zee Anmol Cinema 2, Z Yuva, Z Bollywood, &Pictures HD, Z Punjabi, and ‘Z’s dedicated sports platforms. By offering feeds in both Hindi and regional languages, ‘Z’ aims to maximize accessibility for fans across India’s diverse demographic landscape, particularly within the heartlands where Kabaddi is a legacy sport.

The 14-day tournament will feature the founding eight franchises: Karnal Kings, Gurugram Gurus, Rohtak Royals, Faridabad Fighters, Panipat Panther, Sonipat Stars, Bhiwani Bulls, and Hisar Heros. Guided by Dronacharya Awardee Shri Balwan Singh, championed by brand ambassadors Rajesh Narwal and Mohit Chhillar and with world’s top kabaddi players, the league is designed to give ‘Mitti Ka Talent’ a professional platform to rise.

he partnership extends beyond live matches to include a 360-degree content ecosystem on Zee 5, featuring “Champions Talks” (podcasts with players and coaches), “Champ’s POV” (behind-the-scenes footage), and city-wise cine-films. ‘Z’ will support the league with an intensive promotional campaign across its network, leveraging its cumulative reach of over 800 million viewers to build a massive, youth-centric fanbase.

Laxmi Shetty, Head – Advertisement Revenue, Broadcast and Digital, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd., said, 

“At ‘Z’, we are committed to strengthening our content-tech leadership by bringing India’s most authentic and high-passion sports to every screen. Kabaddi is more than just a sport; it is a cultural legacy that resonates with the heartbeat of Bharat. By partnering with Kabaddi Champions League Haryana, we are unlocking a massive opportunity for brands to connect with a deeply engaged, youth-led audience in a high-impact, event-based environment. This collaboration perfectly aligns with our strategy of diversifying our sports portfolio and monetizing niche, regional-first properties. With our integrated ecosystem across Linear and Zee 5, we are not just broadcasting a tournament; we are building a professional stage for grassroots talent and providing advertisers with a high-trust platform to reach the real pulse of India.”

Beyond the mat, KCL Haryana is committed to social impact, aligning with the Government of Haryana’s “Drug-Free Haryana” campaign to promote fitness, discipline, and pride through sports.

“We are thrilled to partner with ‘Z’, an iconic broadcaster that understands the soul of Indian entertainment and sports,” said a Spokesperson for KCL Haryana. 

“Haryana is the global powerhouse of Kabaddi, and with ‘Z’s unparalleled reach, we can finally give our local champions the national visibility they deserve. By bringing together the best players and ensuring the best, high-octane games, we are creating the best viewing experience for fans across every screen in Bharat.  This league is a professional bridge for grassroots players to become national icons. With ‘Z’s expertise in storytelling and digital-first innovation, we are confident that the inaugural season will set a new benchmark for indigenous sports in India.”

The season officially kicks off on January 25th, 2026, following a state-wide Trophy Tour. Fans can expect world-class production, expert commentary from the likes of Sunil Taneja and Vishwash Chauhan, and high-energy live performances throughout the league days.

Over the past two decades, the Indian kitchen has quietly transformed. The whistle of the pressure cooker and the aroma of hand-ground spices are increasingly drowned out by the crinkle of plastic packets. From “healthy” breakfast cereals to ready-to-heat parathas, ultra-processed foods (UPFs) have shifted from occasional treats to daily staples.

Health experts warn that this isn’t just a shift in taste—it’s a silent rewriting of India’s public health story.

What Are Ultra-Processed Foods?

Most people think of processed foods as frozen peas or pasteurized milk. UPFs are very different. These are industrial formulations that home kitchens can’t replicate, made from substances extracted from real foods—hydrogenated fats, modified starches—and bound with cosmetic additives like emulsifiers, artificial flavors, and colors to make them last for months while tasting addictive.

“These foods are engineered to be hyper-palatable,” explains Dr. Arun Gupta, public health advocate. “They override the body’s natural signals of fullness. You don’t just eat them—you keep eating them.”

Hidden Health Risks

The visible rise in obesity is just the tip of the iceberg. Reports from The Lancet and ICMR show that regular consumption of UPFs drives chronic diseases, increasingly affecting younger Indians.

The Sugar Trap: “Healthy” products like fruit yogurts or brown bread often contain hidden sugars that spike insulin levels.

Gut Health: Additives that smooth packaged foods disrupt gut microbiota, affecting immunity, digestion, and even mental health.

The Health-Washing Mirage: Labels like “High Fiber” or “Zero Cholesterol” often mask long lists of chemicals on the back.

Government Intervention

The Indian Government is responding. The Economic Survey 2024-25 emphasized stricter food regulations, with Front-of-Pack Warning Labels set to roll out in 2026. Imagine a clear red symbol stating “High in Salt” or “Ultra-Processed”—helping parents make healthier choices in seconds.

Reclaiming the Thali: Intentional Swaps

Reversing the trend doesn’t mean abandoning modern life—it means making simple, informed swaps. The ICMR-NIN 2025-26 guidelines emphasize minimal processing and whole-food nutrition:

The Verdict

India is moving faster than ever—but our bodies are still tuned to slow, whole-food nutrition. The Great Indian Kitchen Transition has given convenience but at the cost of metabolic resilience.

The most powerful health tool isn’t a supplement or gym membership—it’s the simple act of choosing foods that look most like nature intended, reading labels, and reclaiming the tradition of the Indian thali.

Honeywell (Nasdaq: HON) today unveiled its AI-enabled Smart Shopping Platform, developed in collaboration with Google Cloud and 66degrees, designed to revolutionize the in-store retail experience. Leveraging Google’s Gemini and Vertex AI technologies, the platform brings digitally enhanced personalization, product guidance, and navigation to physical retail stores.

The solution allows shoppers to effortlessly locate products, compare options, and discover relevant alternatives when items are unavailable—making in-store shopping more convenient and enjoyable. Retailers benefit from an “out-of-the-box” AI solution without needing an in-house AI team.

David Barker, President of Honeywell Productivity Solutions and Services, said:

“There is nothing more frustrating than roaming a store unable to find the last item on your list. The Smart Shopping Platform solves these pain points, creating a seamless experience for shoppers while enabling retailers to enhance operations.”

Built on Honeywell’s Mobility Edge™ platform and powered by Google Cloud AI, the Smart Shopping Platform connects a retailer’s digital data to the physical store. Features include:

• Personalized Recommendations: Shoppers can link loyalty accounts to receive suggestions based on purchase history, preferences, complementary products, and ongoing promotions.

• Store Navigation: Step-by-step guidance helps customers find products quickly.

• Alternative Suggestions: AI-driven recommendations mirror e-commerce convenience when products are out of stock.

• Employee Assistance: Retail associates using devices like Honeywell CT70 can provide instant, expert guidance to shoppers, enhancing customer service.

Jose Gomes, Vice President, Retail and CPG, Google Cloud, added:

“This collaboration turns Honeywell devices into intelligent assistants for both shoppers and staff, streamlining store operations and delivering a frictionless shopping journey. It’s a win-win for retailers and consumers alike.”

The platform will be available to retailers starting February 2026, supporting major grocery chains, department stores, specialty retailers, and more.

Mumbai, India, Jan 13: Genesys International Corporation Ltd. announced that the Varanasi Smart City 3D Digital Twin, implemented by Genesys International for Varanasi Smart City Limited (VSCL), has been conferred the SKOCH Award (Gold) 2025 in the Urban Development category. The award recognises the Design, Development, and Deployment of the 3D Urban Spatial Model, evaluated under the e-Governance stream.

The SKOCH Award follows a structured, multi-stage evaluation process that includes research-led validation, assessment by an independent jury of domain experts, and review of measurable governance impact, with shortlisted teams participating in interaction or presentation stages as part of the final evaluation.

In Varanasi, the objective was to create a city-scale digital base designed for daily municipal use, not just visualisation. Genesys implemented a high-fidelity 3D urban spatial foundation and organised it into decision-ready layers that enable planning, monitoring, and faster inter-department coordination. The pan-city deployment covered areas within Varanasi Nagar Nigam limits and involved end-to-end project planning, establishment of ground control for positional accuracy, and comprehensive data acquisition.

The project combined manned aerial surveys using LiDAR and optical imagery (nadir and oblique, including RGB/NIR) with terrestrial mobile LiDAR and 360-degree street-level panoramic imagery. These datasets were used to produce 2D and 3D base maps at 1:500 scale, high-precision elevation models, a 3D reality mesh, and a unified spatial database integrating multiple line-department datasets.

Speaking on the recognition, Sajid Malik, Chairman and Managing Director, Genesys International Corporation Ltd., said,

“Varanasi Smart City’s SKOCH Award (Gold) is a strong validation of what happens when high-accuracy city data is paired with real municipal workflows. Our role was to implement the end-to end digital twin foundation, from manned aerial LiDAR and optical surveys to street-level mobile LiDAR and panoramic capture, and then translate that into applications that departments can actually use for planning, monitoring, and response.”

The Digital Twin enables practical municipal use cases, including urban planning and development control, asset mapping and maintenance, project execution support, public safety and emergency response, and flood and resilience planning. The scope also includes integrated governance modules such as crowd management, solid waste management, road works management, water works management, flood management, and crime control, allowing departmental workflows to be executed and monitored through dashboards. The solution has been deployed at the city’s command environment, including the Kashi Integrated Command and Control Centre (KICCC), supported by training, user acceptance testing, and post-go-live manpower support.

Gopalpur-on-Sea, Odisha, Jan 13: Tourism India Alliance (TIA) successfully concluded the 2026 edition of its flagship Tourism Exchange (TEX 2026), held from January 8 to 10 at the Mayfair Palm Beach Resort & Spa, Gopalpur-on-Sea, Odisha. The three-day event brought together over 300 delegates and more than 30 exhibitors from across India and overseas, reinforcing TEX’s position as one of the country’s most comprehensive and influential tourism platforms.

TEX 2026 served as a strong forum for collaboration, dialogue and business development, uniting state tourism boards, global tourism bodies, industry leaders and travel companies to collectively shape the future of India’s tourism landscape. This year’s edition placed a sharp focus on destination diversification, sustainability, innovation and the promotion of lesser-known yet high-potential regions. The event was supported by Incredible India, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, further underlining its national relevance and industry significance.

Throughout the event, tourism experts highlighted the need to promote the distinct identity and uniqueness of emerging destinations such as Odisha and Chhattisgarh. Industry leaders noted that destinations like Gopalpur-on-Sea remain relatively unexplored despite their strong potential, with Odisha offering diverse tourism experiences spanning serene beaches, eco-tourism, Buddhist circuits, culture, heritage and tribal tourism capable of attracting both domestic and international travellers.

Discussions also highlighted Chhattisgarh’s focus on sustainable tourism development, with the state having taken several steps to strengthen its tourism ecosystem, including granting industry status to tourism in 2024 and introducing a dedicated homestay policy.

Poonam Sharma, DGM, Chhattisgarh Tourism Board, said,

“Platforms like TEX provide an important opportunity for stakeholders to engage in meaningful dialogue around sustainable and inclusive tourism development. Chhattisgarh has been working towards strengthening its tourism ecosystem through policy support and responsible tourism initiatives, and such platforms help amplify these efforts at a national level.”

Jagdeep Bhagat, President, Tourism India Alliance, said,

“The tourism destinations in Odisha now need focused promotion at both the national and international level. Several lesser-known destinations such as Gopalpur have immense potential, and TEX 2026 was deliberately hosted here to draw attention to these hidden gems and encourage stakeholders to explore and invest in them.”

The event featured a robust knowledge programme with expert-led sessions covering artificial intelligence in tourism, leadership and motivation for the travel trade, GST and compliance frameworks, the evolution of luxury travel in India, and inbound tourism growth.

Another major highlight of the event was the Tourism India Alliance Awards for Excellence in Tourism 2026, which recognised outstanding achievements across multiple categories, celebrating innovation, leadership, sustainability and technology-driven initiatives across the tourism sector.

Building on the momentum of TEX 2026, Tourism India Alliance announced that the next edition of the Tourism Exchange will be held in Raipur, Chhattisgarh, from January 7 to 9, 2027, further strengthening the platform’s focus on promoting emerging destinations across India.

With the successful conclusion of TEX 2026, Tourism India Alliance reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening India’s tourism ecosystem by fostering collaboration, promoting sustainable development and enabling long-term growth pathways. The event marked another significant milestone in TIA’s ongoing efforts to position India as a diverse, resilient and globally competitive tourism destination.

 Mumbai, Jan 13: Bank of Baroda (Bank), one of India’s leading public sector banks, has been recognised for its leadership in technology and innovation at the prestigious Indian Banks’ Association’s (IBA) 21^st Annual Banking Technology Awards 2024-25, winning honours across five award categories among Large Banks, including four wins and one Special Mention. Bank of Baroda was adjudged the Winner in four categories – Best AI & ML Adoption, Best Fintech & DPI Adoption, Best IT Risk Management and Best Tech Talent. In addition, the Bank received a Special Mention in the Best Technology Bank category.

 Speaking on the achievement, Dr Debadatta Chand, Managing Director & CEO, Bank of Baroda said, “Bank of Baroda is honoured to receive these coveted awards from the IBA, which reflect our continued focus on innovation, robust risk management, and building a strong tech team. We will continue investing in advanced future-ready capabilities to deliver a seamless and secure banking experience for our customers and create lasting stakeholder value.”

Bangalore, Jan 13: Students from Greenwood High International School students delivered an outstanding performance at the 17th State Level Bangalore School Olympics – Athletics Championship 2026, with several athletes securing podium finishes at the state-level competition held at the Kitturu Rani Chennamma Stadium, Bengaluru. The students competed against participants from nearly 40 schools across Bengaluru.

The championship, organised by the Youngsters Sports Promoters Trust, featured participation from nearly 40 schools across Bengaluru. Greenwood High students competed across Under-8 to Under-16 age categories in track and field events including javelin throw, hurdles, shot put, and relay races. Greenwood High athletes competed across multiple events over the two-day programme.

Among the medal winners, Aariya Maan (Grade 6) won the Gold Medal in the Under-14 Javelin Throw, demonstrating exceptional technique and competitive spirit. Greenwood High also earned multiple silver medals, including Ansh Sandeep (Grade 4) in the 60m Hurdles, and the Under-12 (4×100m) Relay Team comprising Rohini Sindhu Prasad (Grade 5), Hanvitha Koneru (Grade 6), Ilaria Anna Melvin (Grade 6), and Aayushi Karnath (Grade 6), who delivered a strong team performance on the track. Several other Greenwood High students also won medals across different age categories and events.

Speaking on the occasion, Mrs. Niru Agarwal, Managing Trustee, Greenwood High International School said

“We are immensely proud of our students for their achievements at the Bangalore School Olympics. Their success reflects their dedication and discipline, as well as the consistent guidance provided by our coaches and faculty. Greenwood High continues to prioritise sports as a key pillar of student development.”

The performance at the Bangalore School Olympics – Athletics Championship 2026 stands as a testament to Greenwood High International School’s continued focus on excellence across academics, sports, and co-curricular education, preparing students to compete confidently at state and national platforms.

Kolkata, Jan 13: Anemia has quietly become one of the most common yet neglected health problems among women today. Due to busy lifestyles, lack of awareness, and the tendency to ignore early symptoms, many women continue to live with low energy, weakness, and poor health without knowing the real cause. Timely blood tests can help detect anemia early, prevent complications, and significantly improve a woman’s overall well-being.

Anemia is a condition in which the body does not have enough healthy red blood cells or hemoglobin to carry adequate oxygen to tissues. As a result, the body feels tired and weak, even after routine activities. Iron-deficiency anemia is the most common type seen in women. Anemia in women is often caused by iron deficiency due to poor diet, heavy menstrual bleeding, repeated pregnancies, blood loss, or poor absorption of nutrients. Chronic illnesses, vitamin B12 or folate deficiency, and certain medical conditions can also contribute to anemia. Women with anemia may experience constant tiredness, weakness, dizziness, headaches, pale skin, shortness of breath, hair loss, and difficulty concentrating. Since these symptoms develop gradually, many women tend to ignore them. If anemia is not detected and treated on time, it can lead to severe fatigue, reduced immunity, heart strain, complications during pregnancy, delayed recovery from illness, and poor quality of life. Long-term untreated anemia can increase the risk of serious health problems.

Dr Abhik Banerjee, Zonal Technical Chief East Zone, Apollo Diagnostic Kolkata said,

Alarmingly, close to 70% of women aged 35-55  do not opt for routine blood tests, allowing anemia to go undiagnosed and untreated for years. Nearly 40% of women who are tested show signs of anemia and are advised to take appropriate treatment.  They often normalize fatigue and weakness, unaware that untreated anemia can lead to serious complications affecting the heart, immunity, and reproductive health. Early testing can prevent years of unnecessary suffering. Simple blood tests can make a huge difference. Women who should regularly test include adolescents, women with heavy menstrual cycles, pregnant and breastfeeding mothers, working women with constant fatigue, and those following restrictive diets. Early detection through blood tests allows us to manage anemia effectively with diet changes, supplements, and treatment, restoring energy and improving daily life.”

Dr Abhik  further added,

“Key tests women should take for anemia are the hemoglobin test to measure the oxygen-carrying capacity of blood and confirm anemia. Iron Studies (Serum Iron, Ferritin, TIBC) help identify iron deficiency and iron stores in the body. Complete Blood Count (CBC) provides overall information about red blood cells and anemia severity. Vitamin B12 and Folate Tests allow for the detection of nutritional deficiencies causing anemia. So, understand that  anemia is easy to detect and treat if addressed early. Management includes an iron-rich diet, supplements, treating the underlying cause, and regular follow-up tests. Despite this, there is still a significant lack of awareness, and many women continue to ignore testing. Women shouldn’t  dismiss persistent tiredness and to prioritize routine blood tests for a healthier, more active life.”

Anemia should not be accepted as a “normal” part of a woman’s life. Regular blood tests are the key to early detection, prevention of complications, and long-term health. Awareness, timely testing, and proper treatment can help women regain strength, confidence, and quality of life.

Mumbai, Jan 13th: Hoopr India’s leading music licensing platform and Universal Music India (UMI), a division of Universal Music Group (UMG), the world’s leading music-based entertainment company, have partnered to launch an Indian music industry-first Artist Accelerator Programme, designed to provide emerging independent domestic artists with structured funding and support to create, release, and earn money from their artistry.

The programme aims to address key challenges faced by many independent musicians by offering end-to-end publishing, distribution, sync and micro-sync and brand opportunities. It will include the creation of a large catalogue of new original compositions, which will be released on Hoopr’s YouTube channel, Songfest, and published on its music-tech platform, Hoopr Smash. Songfest has previously collaborated with leading artists such as Monali Thakur, Shalmali Kholgade, Nikhil D’Souza and Ash King, and has also delivered award-winning brand music projects

Additionally, the programme will also make available a significant collection of iconic UMI classics for Hoopr artists to reimagine and recreate — a collection of these remixes will be released on UMG India’s Revibe YouTube channel.

UMG’s vast global distribution network and first-class ability to market music around the World, combined with Hoopr’s extensive community of independent artists, will provide emerging musicians with a unified platform to create new music with visibility and monetisation opportunities

To identify participants, curated auditions will be available to Hoopr’s community of 1000s of artists and will be conducted by UMG. Through this process, emerging talent will be selected. These artists will receive end-to-end support—including A&R guidance, studio access, mixing and mastering, music video production, and sync opportunities via Hoopr.

The programme is open to all genres and languages. At a time when independent music is leading India’s charts and brand sync opportunities are expanding rapidly, this joint programme offers a tech-enabled launchpad for the next wave of musicians.

Viral Jani, the Chief Revenue Officer at Universal Music Group in India and South Asia, said:

 “Our partnership with Hoopr is a strategic and creative one.  We pride ourselves in being an artist- first label, and we invest equally in discovering emerging talent from anywhere, and in promoting some of the biggest superstars in the business. With Hoopr, we have found a perfect sync: their significant network of emerging independent artists will have the chance to create new music the way they want – especially in the case of recreating classics from the UMG catalogue.  When this new music is combined with the extensive distribution network of UMG, these new artists will have the chance to reach audiences all around the world.”

Gaurav Dagaonkar, Co-Founder & CEO, Hoopr, said:

“This program represents an essential breakthrough for India’s independent artist community – a chance, for the first time, for new musicians to receive the support they require to produce high-quality music, launch their music on an international scale, and make money doing it using transparent means such as sync or microsync. Our ambition has always been to create an ethical, opportunity-rich music ecosystem. In establishing this program, we have begun to achieve that vision. We are grateful to UMG for this partnership, which has created a first-of-its-kind collaboration and sets a new benchmark for the industry. We believe that this program will define how we identify, develop, and grow talent going forward”

Visakhapatnam, Jan 13: Adani Gangavaram Port, the deepest and one of the most modern ports in India today has been recognized for its exceptional environmental stewardship and awarded the prestigious title of “Environmental Excellence Award” Platinum Category by the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) at the 19th Environment Partnership Summit & Excellence Awards held in Kolkata.

This esteemed recognition underscores the AGPL’s unwavering commitment to sustainable development, environmental conservation, and responsible infrastructure development. The Port has consistently adopted innovative green practices, energy-efficient technologies, and community-driven environmental programs to minimize ecological impact and promote responsible growth.

Over the past three years, AGPL has received six national awards for environmental excellence, reaffirming its position as a leading contributor to environmental development and sustainable operations in the maritime sector. These initiatives reflect AGPL’s commitment to creating a cleaner, greener, and more efficient port ecosystem—strengthening its vision of shared progress and long-term well-being.

Key sustainability initiatives at AGPL include:

• Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Facilities for real-time compliance with air quality standards.
• Mechanised Cargo Handling Systems to reduce dust emissions and improve operational efficiency.
• Integrated Truck Tarpaulin Covering Facilities to prevent spillage and minimize environmental impact during cargo movement.
• Mechanised Road Cleaning Solutions to maintain clean, dust-free port roads, enhancing air quality and worker safety.

Speaking on the occasion, Adani Gangavaram Port Limited Management said, This award recognition reflects our entire team’s dedication and hard work in ensuring that our operations are conducted with the utmost respect for the environment. We remain committed to continuously improving our environmental performance and setting new benchmarks for sustainable port operations in India.