Archives 2026

“After extended festive periods, many patients present with fatigue, acidity, uncontrolled blood sugar levels, elevated blood pressure and breathlessness. When celebrations continue without a break, the body does not get sufficient time to recover, increasing the risk of complications, particularly in people with diabetes, hypertension or obesity.”

“The liver is among the most affected organs during festive indulgence. Repeated consumption of alcohol and rich foods can worsen fatty liver disease, gastritis and other digestive disorders. Many patients seek medical attention only when symptoms persist well beyond the festive season.”

New Delhi, India, Jan 12: ECOS (India) Mobility & Hospitality Limited (ECOSMOBLTY | 544239 | INE06HJ01020), one of India’s leading chauffeur-driven corporate mobility providers, has reinforced its long-term commitment to safety with the successful implementation of its #Safety365 initiative, embedding safety as a core organisational value across operations.

The initiative was designed to move beyond a short-term campaign approach and establish safety as an everyday responsibility for chauffeurs and teams. Over a four-week period, ECO Mobility conducted structured engagement and training programmes focused on awareness, responsible driving behaviour, and continuous learning, supported by interactive sessions and regular communication touchpoints.

As part of the initiative, chauffeurs participated in safety pledges, symbolising their personal commitment to ensuring safe and reliable journeys. The programme saw strong participation, with more than 2,600 chauffeurs trained across 137 sessions, delivering over 2,800 man-hours of focused safety learning.

To sustain engagement beyond formal sessions, ECO Mobility has also launched a dedicated Chauffeurs’ WhatsApp Channel, ECO Mobility: Chauffeur Club, to share ongoing safety updates, training content, and best practices, ensuring continuous reinforcement of safety standards.

Commenting on the initiative, Ms. Deepali DeV, Chief Operating Officer of ECOS (India) Mobility & Hospitality Limited, said,

“At ECO, safety is not a periodic initiative but a responsibility we uphold every day. Through #Safety365, we are reinforcing a culture where every chauffeur takes ownership of safety, ensuring consistent, dependable, and secure mobility experiences for our customers.”

ECO Mobility continues to strengthen its safety-first culture, supporting its mission to deliver professionally managed, compliant, and reliable chauffeur-driven mobility solutions across India.

Canon India, a leader in digital imaging solutions, today announced the launch of three new models—imageFORCE 8105, 8195 and 8186—its next-generation printing lineup meticulously engineered to meet the evolving needs of jobbers, copy shops and book publishers. Entering a market valued in the tens to hundreds of billions of dollars, where growth is driven by packaging, publishing and commercial applications, the new series is poised to tap into key demand generators for these segments. With the introduction of the imageFORCE 8105, 8195 and 8186, Canon adds a new monochrome light-production line to its existing production portfolio, ensuring a seamless spread from office printers to high-volume production engines.

This next-generation black-and-white imageFORCE 8100 series is designed to deliver quality and professional-grade output thereby setting new standards of Black & White Brilliance for its customers. The printers deliver superior print resolution, enhanced coated media handling, larger banner size support, and higher feeder capacity to address the demands of Copy shops, Jobber & Print Service providers. Engineered for real‑world production needs, the imageFORCE 8100 series offers sharper 2,400 × 2,400 dpi output and more accurate laser imaging so fine text, graphics and halftones look cleaner, even on complex jobs. By handling a wider range of media, from lightweight duplex stocks to heavy coated papers and long-format banners the new lineup lets print providers take on more varied, higher‑value applications with one device, helping them upgrade print quality, expand services and deliver more premium jobs for their customers.

Speaking on the launch, Mr. Toshiaki Nomura, President & CEO, Canon India, said,

“The launch of the imageFORCE 8100 series marks a significant step forward in our commitment to advancing India’s rapidly evolving Production Print ecosystem. As businesses seek greater efficiency, automation and scalability in their production environments, this new lineup delivers the precision, reliability and media versatility they need to grow. With the 8100 series, we are strengthening our promise of empowering print providers with future-ready technology that elevates quality, expands service capability and supports long-term business transformation.”

Sharing his thoughts on the new lineup, Mr. Puneet Datta, Senior Director, Commercial & Industrial Printing, Canon India, said,

“With the launch of the Monochrome Production Printer imageFORCE 8100 series, we’re expanding our portfolio to give print providers the technology they need to thrive in today’s demanding production environment, where speed, precision, and reliability are non-negotiable. A standout feature is AI-assisted smart maintenance, which predicts the lifespan of parts and key components, enabling proactive service and minimizing downtime. Combined with Canon’s advanced print quality and the ability to handle diverse media, from coated stocks and envelopes to long-format banners, the 8100 series empowers customers to take on more high-value projects with confidence. This lineup is designed to help businesses boost productivity, deliver exceptional quality, and stay competitive in a fast-changing market.”

Higher Print Resolution for Professional Output

The imageFORCE 8100 series delivers up to 2,400 × 2,400 dpi resolution, powered by Canon’s advanced 32-beam R-VCSEL laser technology, which produces sharper text, denser blacks, refined lines, and greater readability, including critical use cases such as barcodes. The upgraded imaging system significantly improves line quality with reduced scatter and raises benchmark barcode performance from D-F levels on earlier models to A-C on the new imageFORCE 8100 range, ensuring professional-grade output across demanding applications.

Coated Media Support for Expanded Print Possibilities

The new imageFORCE 8100 series is built for versatility; the platform now supports coated substrates from 91-150 gsm, along with embossed media, films, and pre-printed stocks. A wider media weight capability ranging from 52-300 gsm enables duplex printing on uncoated sheets and premium coated finishes, ideal for book publishing, commercial print runs, and specialty production jobs that demand richer texture and elevated finish quality.

Higher Feeder Capacity for Increased Productivity

Designed to handle evolving print volumes, the imageFORCE 8100 series features enhanced feeder capacity for sustained, uninterrupted operations in high-demand environments. Equipped to hold more media at once, it improves throughput, supports long-job execution, and reduces intervention time, supporting continuous print cycles for jobbers, copy shops, and book publishers with peak workload requirements.

Extended Size Flexibility for Banner and Long-Format Jobs

With support for media widths up to 13 × 19 inches and extended lengths up to 1,300 mm (51”), the series unlocks new possibilities in banner printing and long-format applications. This capability allows organizations to diversify their service offerings, run complex layouts, and deliver higher-value output without compromising efficiency

Together, these advancements reinforce Canon India’s focus on continuous innovation and customer-centric design, ensuring that the imageFORCE 8100 series not only meets today’s production demands but also anticipates tomorrow’s opportunities. By combining higher print quality, greater media flexibility and scalable productivity, Canon aims to empower print providers across segments to grow faster, differentiate their offerings and build more sustainable, future-ready businesses.

Gurugram, Jan 12: KIIT World School, Sohna Road, recently hosted a CBSE Capacity Building Programme (CBP) workshop focused on Art Integration, designed to equip educators with innovative strategies to make classroom learning more engaging, creative, and effective.

The workshop was led by CBSE Resource Persons Rama Shankar and Kalyani Voleti, both seasoned educators with extensive experience in teacher training. Kalyani Voleti, a specialist in Visual Arts Education, shared practical insights on embedding artistic approaches across subjects to enhance conceptual understanding and foster deeper learning.

Teachers actively participated in experiential activities, including role-playing exercises based on the Preamble of the Constitution and discussions aligned with the Multiple Intelligences theory. These hands-on sessions demonstrated how art can be seamlessly integrated into diverse disciplines, enabling students to connect better with academic concepts.

The workshop also emphasized the role of art-based learning in nurturing ethics, values, and emotional intelligence. Educators were encouraged to express ideas through acting, poetry, and visual storytelling, highlighting how every creative medium conveys meaningful narratives. Strategies to develop critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and communication skills—key 21st-century competencies—were also discussed for immediate classroom implementation.

Speaking on the occasion, Principal Neelima Kamrah said,

“Art integration has become an essential component of modern education. It not only nurtures creativity but also enables students to develop a deeper and more meaningful understanding of academic subjects.”

Pune, India, Jan 12: – Courtyard by Marriott Pune Chakan is delighted to announce the launch of its exciting Friday Themed Brunches at MoMo Café, offering guests an elevated culinary and entertainment experience every Friday.

Curated to delight food enthusiasts and redefine weekend dining, the Friday Themed Brunches feature a rotating selection of global cuisines, thoughtfully crafted and presented by speciality chefs. Each week introduces a new theme, inviting guests to explore authentic flavours, innovative presentations, and diverse culinary traditions from around the world, all in one vibrant setting.

Enhancing this gastronomic journey is Melody & Meals, a signature Thursday evening dining experience at MoMo Café. Guests can indulge in an elaborate buffet while enjoying live musical performances by talented musicians, who set the mood with soulful and energetic tunes. The seamless blend of music and cuisine creates an engaging yet relaxed ambiance, making for a memorable evening.

From indulgent spreads and chef-led specialities to live music that elevates the atmosphere, MoMo Café transforms Fridays into a celebration of flavours and rhythm. Whether gathering with family, friends, or colleagues, guests can look forward to a lively dining experience that redefines the social and culinary landscape of Pune Chakan.

Mumbai, India, Jan 12: The Digital Fifth has announced the 4th edition of the Bharat Fintech Summit (BFS) 2026, scheduled for 10th–11th February 2026 at JW Marriott, Sahar, Mumbai. The two-day summit will bring together leaders from the BFSI sector, fintech founders, investors, technology providers, and regulators to chart the next phase of India’s digital financial transformation.

The summit will focus on key priorities shaping the BFSI ecosystem, including digital banking, payments, lending, cybersecurity, AI-led transformation, data privacy, and the evolution of financial infrastructure. BFS 2026 is expected to feature over 250 speakers across 95+ sessions, including product launches, report releases, awards, workshops, and masterclasses.

“Bharat Fintech Summit was built to move conversations beyond vision to execution,” said Sameer Singh Jaini, Founder & CEO, The Digital Fifth. “As the ecosystem matures, the fourth edition will focus on institutional decision-making, responsible innovation, and building scalable digital finance models for India.”

A key highlight of BFS 2026 will be Investment Day, a structured platform connecting select BFSI and fintech startups with active investors in a deal-focused setting. The summit will also host the Fintech & Digital Excellence Awards, recognising innovation and leadership across banks, financial services, and fintech companies.

“The summit is designed to drive tangible outcomes,” added Shashank Shekhar, Co-Founder & Head of Consulting, The Digital Fifth. “It enables startups to connect with investors and institutions, fosters meaningful partnerships, and brings leaders together to exchange perspectives that shape long-term strategy. Our goal is to catalyse collaboration that accelerates digitisation and broadens access to financial services across India.”

In 2025, India’s fintech ecosystem witnessed significant growth, with over US$1.69 billion raised by 140+ startups, reflecting a shift towards disciplined and selective capital deployment. Investors focused on technology-enabled, scalable, regulation-ready models across lending, payments, wealth-tech, and compliance-led platforms, while mid- and late-stage deals continued to drive capital flow alongside sustained early-stage investments—highlighting a maturing, long-term value-driven ecosystem.

“As Bharat Fintech Summit enters its fourth edition, the focus is firmly on strengthening collaboration across institutions, fintech innovators, investors, and regulators,” said Sreekant Rudrabhatla, Co-Founder & Head of Sales & Partnerships, The Digital Fifth. “BFS 2026 is designed to enable meaningful engagement—where partnerships are formed, solutions are evaluated, and the ecosystem collectively works towards building a scalable and resilient digital financial future for India.”

Since its inception in 2023, Bharat Fintech Summit has emerged as a platform for policy-relevant dialogue and ecosystem collaboration, and the 2026 edition aims to further strengthen its role as a convening point for leaders shaping India’s digital finance landscape.

Pune, Jan 12: The POWERCON® Group, a global leader in renewable energy (RE) asset creation and management, has released its ESG & Sustainability Performance Report, marking a significant milestone in its journey towards responsible growth and Net Zero operations. The report highlights strong advancements in carbon reduction, circularity, governance, and renewable asset performance, reflecting POWERCON’s commitment to sustainable and resilient energy solutions.

During the reporting period, POWERCON achieved a reduction of 5.6 lakh tons of CO₂ emissions, driven by enhanced energy efficiency, digital O&M technologies, and optimised operational practices across its sites. The company also reported notable year-on-year gains in energy generation, reflecting stronger asset reliability and improved field performance.

Environmental and Circularity Achievements

• 60% reduction in plastic usage, with near-total elimination of Single-Use Plastics (SUP) across offices, warehouses, and O&M sites

• 85% of total waste diverted from landfills, with 55% of components refurbished rather than replaced

• 70% renewable energy usage across offices and operations

• Strengthened supplier compliance: 65% of suppliers under circularity compliance, 100% adherence to the Supplier Code of Conduct

Social Initiatives
Through its CORE Academy, POWERCON trained over 6,000 renewable energy professionals, contributing to local skill development and supporting India’s clean-energy transition.

Governance and Compliance
The Group maintained zero non-compliances, zero data breaches, and zero human rights violations, underscoring a strong commitment to ethical operations and robust internal controls.

POWERCON’s efforts have been recognised through the ‘EcoEdge’ Certificate of Recognition by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) for integrating sustainability into operations and the ‘Bronze’ certification under the Government of India’s ZED (Zero Defect Zero Effect) initiative, signifying zero environmental harm.

Commenting on the report, Mr. Praveen Kakulte, CEO & Founder, POWERCON® Group, said:

“Our journey towards Net Zero goes beyond offsetting emissions. Sustainability is embedded across our operations—from energy efficiency and circularity to ethical supply chains and workforce development. These milestones reflect the collective commitment of our teams and partners to building renewable energy operations that are responsible, resilient, and future-ready.”

POWERCON continues to align its systems with ISO 14001, ISO 45001, ISO 26000, ISO 50001, and SA8000, reinforcing its leadership in environmental management and ethical business governance. Looking ahead, the Group aims to expand across major Indian renewable corridors, extend its footprint in Africa and Southeast Asia, and achieve an additional 5% reduction in GHG emissions across Scope 1, 2, and 3 by 2030.

Mumbai, India, Jan 12: Amazon MX Player, Amazon’s free video streaming service, today unveiled the trailer for its upcoming entrepreneurial reality series, Bharat Ke Super Founders, offering an exclusive glimpse into a high-stakes pitch room where ambition is tested, ideas are scrutinised, and real investment decisions are made. The series will stream for free from 16th January 2026, with new episodes dropping every Thursday and Friday.

Hosted and mentored by Suniel Shetty, the show brings together an illustrious panel of business tycoons to back India’s next wave of entrepreneurs who are building with clarity, discipline, and long-term vision. Produced by Rusk Media and Recur Club, the series is co-powered by StockGro and Legacy Collective, with Jana Small Finance Bank as the Start-Up Banking Partner, OnePlus Pad3 as the Productivity Partner, and Bowlers as the Pet Food Partner.

Bharat Ke Super Founders positions itself as a platform for entrepreneurs driven by long-term ambition and grounded execution. The trailer highlights a ₹100 crore investment pool, the largest-ever commitment for an Indian entrepreneurial reality series, backed by leading industry tycoons and Recur Club. The show focuses on founders from across Bharat, including small towns and emerging markets, building businesses rooted in real needs and scalable solutions.

The series captures authentic entrepreneurial journeys, showcasing founders presenting their ideas with clarity and conviction while facing direct feedback from the investor panel. The combination of equity and AI-driven debt financing ensures that ideas are met with real capital and mentorship.

The show features some of India’s most respected business minds, including:

• Dr. A. VeluMani, Creator of Thyrocare and MD, AVMLabs

• Nitish Mittersain, Founder & CEO, Nazara Technologies

• Dr. Aarti Gupta, Chief Investment Officer, Anikarth Ventures

• Shanti Mohan, Founder & CEO, LetsVenture Trica

• Aditya Singh, Co-Founder, All In Capital

• Ankur Mittal, Partner, Physis Capital and Co-Founder, Inflection Point Ventures

Additional investors and mentors will join throughout the season, enriching the dialogue with diverse perspectives and real-world experience.

Commenting on the trailer, Amogh Dusad, Director and Head of Content, Amazon MX Player, said:

“With Bharat Ke Super Founders, we are introducing a format that places authenticity at the heart of entrepreneurial storytelling. By combining real founders, real capital, and a stringent evaluation process, the show creates genuine opportunities across Bharat, giving ideas and innovations a platform to flourish.”

Suniel Shetty, host and mentor, shared:

“I’ve always believed that success comes from consistency, not shortcuts. Bharat Ke Super Founders is about putting in the work, learning from failures, and getting back up. Guiding founders in a space where real ideas are backed by real capital is a truly rewarding experience.”

Dr. A. VeluMani, investor, said:

“Bharat Ke Super Founders reflects the ground reality of building a business. Every founder on the show has earned their place, and the series respects entrepreneurship and the effort it takes to create real value.”

Nitish Mittersain, Founder & CEO, Nazara Technologies, added:

“True entrepreneurship demands patience, adaptability, and courage. I’m excited to engage with founders ready to build the next generation of enduring Indian companies.”

Bharat Ke Super Founders streams exclusively on Amazon MX Player from 16th January 2026, accessible via the MX Player app on mobile and Connected TVs, the Amazon shopping app, Prime Video, Fire TV, and Airtel Xtreme.

New Delhi, Jan 12: The Sanrachna Handloom and Handicrafts Expo, organised by the National Design Centre, has begun at Handloom Haat, Janpath, opening its doors to visitors from January 10 to January 18, 2026. The exhibition will be open daily from 11:00 am to 8:00 pm.

The opening day featured a vibrant fashion showcase titled ‘Bharat Weaves’, curated in collaboration with Satyam Fashion Institute, which brought India’s rich textile traditions to the ramp in a contemporary format. The showcase presented a wide spectrum of collections, including wedding wear, Phulkari ensembles, saree collections, Khadi designs, and traditional handloom-inspired corporate wear. The presentations highlighted the finesse of Indian craftsmanship while aligning with modern design sensibilities.

The expo is being organised in association with Development Commissioner (Handlooms), National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), National Jute Board, NABARD, and Satyam Fashion Institute. Its objective is to strengthen the visibility of India’s handloom, handicraft, and traditional craft sectors while enabling artisans to access wider markets.

Visitors to Structura Expo can explore an extensive range of handicrafts, handloom textiles, jute products, home décor, gift items, and innovative textile offerings. More than 100 participants from across the country, including weavers, self-help groups, cooperatives, and production units, are showcasing their work. The expo provides a platform for direct engagement with buyers, wholesalers, exporters, and industry stakeholders.

Positioned as a bridge between traditional weaving techniques and contemporary consumer demand, Structura Expo offers urban audiences an opportunity to experience the diversity and cultural depth of Indian handloom traditions.

 Through this initiative, the National Design Centre continues its efforts to preserve India’s weaving heritage, empower artisan communities, and expand the global reach of Indian handloom products.

Messe Frankfurt Trade Fairs India Signs Landmark MoU with Government of Tamil Nadu to Launch Techtextil India Summit in Coimbatore

Mumbai, Maharashtra, Jan 12: In a significant move to strengthen Tamil Nadu’s position in the global technical textiles value chain, Messe Frankfurt Trade Fairs India Pvt Ltd has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Department of Textiles and Guidance Tamil Nadu, Government of Tamil Nadu, to launch the Techtextil India Summit in Coimbatore. The Summit is scheduled to be held from 26–27 November 2026 at CODISSIA, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu.

The MoU, signed on 25 November 2025 in Coimbatore, formalises the launch of the Tamil Nadu edition of the Techtextil India Summit, which will be organised every alternate year starting 2026. The partnership aims to establish a dedicated knowledge-sharing platform for the rapidly growing technical textiles sector, facilitating expert exchange, innovation, and global collaboration.

Under this long-term association, Messe Frankfurt Trade Fairs India will conceptualise, curate, and deliver five editions of the Techtextil India Summit in Tamil Nadu over the coming decades. As India’s leading B2B platform for technical textiles, nonwovens, and composites, and part of the globally renowned Techtextil brand, the initiative brings one of the world’s most influential textile platforms closer to India’s largest textile and apparel hub.

The MoU was signed in the august presence of Thiru. M K Stalin, Honourable Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, during the Tamil Nadu Rising Investment Summit.

Sharing her views on the collaboration, Smt R. Lalitha, IAS, Director of Textiles, Department of Textiles, Government of Tamil Nadu, said,

“Tamil Nadu has a strong and well-established textile ecosystem. This collaboration with Messe Frankfurt India will further enable the State to assume a leadership role in the technical textiles sector by strengthening industry linkages. Through structured knowledge exchange and exposure to global best practices, entrepreneurs and manufacturers will be better equipped to adopt advanced innovations and reinforce Tamil Nadu’s position as a hub for high-value, functional textile solutions.”

Commenting on the milestone, Mr Winston Pereira, Executive Director, Messe Frankfurt Trade Fairs India Pvt Ltd, said,

“We are honoured by the trust placed in us by the Department of Textiles, Government of Tamil Nadu. The State’s proactive approach, supported by progressive policies and infrastructure development, provides a strong foundation for the growth of technical textiles. With global knowledge platforms like Techtextil, Tamil Nadu has the potential to evolve beyond its traditional strengths in spinning and knitwear into high-value technical textiles, creating a robust pipeline for future investments. Launching Techtextil in Coimbatore will position the State as a focal point for global industry dialogue.”

Backed by strong policy-level support from the Government of Tamil Nadu, the initiative is expected to strengthen industry–academia linkages, attract international stakeholders, unlock new opportunities for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), and accelerate the State’s leadership in the high-growth technical textiles segment.

The first two editions of the Techtextil India Summit will be hosted in a high-level confex format in Coimbatore, laying the groundwork for a full-scale trade fair from the third edition onwards. The Summit will actively engage key textile stakeholders across the State, including MSMEs, research institutions, universities, and sectoral agencies such as SIDCO, TIDCO, TANSIDCO, SITRA, PSG Tech, and Anna University.

Techtextil India and Techtextil India Summit are part of Messe Frankfurt’s Texpertise Network, which spans the entire textile value chain—from research and development, yarns and fabrics, to apparel, home textiles, and technical textiles, along with processing and cleaning technologies. With over 60 international textile trade fairs across 13 countries, Messe Frankfurt connects more than 500,000 industry participants worldwide, reinforcing its position as the global market leader in textile trade fairs.