Archives 2026

From flawless sets to fresh fades, Tip & Toe – pioneers in nails, lashes, brows and hair – bring HAIRMECHANIXX, redefining men’s grooming with a luxury street edge.

Feb 10: Mumbai-born premium beauty destination for nails, lashes, hair and brows, Tip & Toe Unisex Salon, introduces Hair Mechanixx at its Meherchand Market outpost, signalling the hair brand’s Delhi debut. Known for its meticulous nail, lash, hair and brow artistry, Tip & Toe’s entry into Delhi marks a strategic expansion into one of India’s most design- and experience-driven beauty markets.

Spanning 1,200 sq. ft. across three thoughtfully designed floors, the new Tip & Toe × Hair Mechanixx space brings together precision-led beauty services and focused grooming under one roof – offering a seamless, high-quality self-care experience tailored for modern, global clientele. The salon is designed to cater especially to foreign and well-travelled MBC customers who seek consistency, hygiene, and premium results without compromise.

Tip & Toe enters Delhi with a clear purpose: to address a noticeable gap in the beauty and nail salon space – the lack of premium, reliable, full-service nail, lash, and brow destinations that combine technical expertise with a refined, confidence-boosting experience. The brand’s Delhi expansion builds on its Mumbai roots, translating its signature craft-first philosophy into a new market without diluting quality or intent.

The salon houses multiple nail technician stations and premium pedicure chairs, alongside four hairstyling stations and two backwash units operated by Hair Mechanixx. By integrating Hair Mechanixx into the Tip & Toe ecosystem, the brand evolves beyond a single-service destination into a holistic beauty and grooming lifestyle space, allowing clients to complete their entire grooming journey in one place.

Hair Mechanixx functions as a focused, specialist hair and grooming studio within the salon – offering high-impact services that complement Tip & Toe’s beauty-led experience rather than overcrowding it. Together, the two brands cover both transformation and finishing, ensuring the experience remains seamless, aspirational, and efficient.

Hygiene, safety, and service consistency form a core pillar of the Tip & Toe × Hair Mechanixx philosophy. From sanitisation protocols to repeatable service systems, quality and cleanliness are designed into every touchpoint of the experience – reinforcing trust and delivering consistent results across services. Tip & Toe uses professional-grade nail lacquers and products, selected for performance, formulation quality, and long-lasting finish.

The salon’s design aesthetic is modern, intentional, and quietly confident steering clear of loud luxury or typical salon energy. Thoughtful details, intuitive layouts, and client-first comforts elevate the in-salon experience, making each visit feel personal, unrushed, and considered.

This Delhi launch reflects the brand’s larger vision: to build a new standard in beauty and grooming, one that values craft over shortcuts, experience over excess, and confidence over trends, while making premium self-care personal, accessible, and memorable.

Services at the salon are priced from ₹1,000 onwards. To celebrate the launch, Hair Mechanixx is offering a flat 50% off on all services, while clients availing any Tip & Toe service will receive a complimentary hair wash from Hair Mechanixx during the opening period.

Speaking on the expansion, Sharmila Thanki, Founder Tip & Toe said,

“Delhi was a natural next step for us. With this launch, we wanted to bring the same level of precision, hygiene and personalization that Tip & Toe is known for in Mumbai, while responding to the expectations of a more global, experience-led audience.”

Montie Thanki, Founder-Hair Mechanixx added,

“This partnership allows us to stay focused on specialist grooming while being part of a larger, lifestyle-driven beauty destination. Tip & Toe and Hair Mechanixx share a commitment to craft and consistency, which makes this collaboration seamless.”

Lab-grown diamond jewellery brand Ethera raises 25 crores from BlueStone to accelerate growth and retail expansion

Ethera, a Bengaluru-based laboratory-grown diamond jewellery brand, has raised ₹25 crore from Bluestone, which has doubled down on its investment to support the brand’s next phase of growth and expansion. The development marks a continued commitment towards scaling Ethera’s market presence.

India’s lab-grown diamond jewellery market is witnessing a rapid momentum, driven by evolving consumer behaviour, rising demand for everyday jewellery, and a growing preference for ethical and transparent luxury. The lab-grown diamond (LGD) segment in India represents an estimated ~$500 million revenue opportunity today and is growing at 35–40% year-on-year. By 2030, LGDs are expected to form a meaningful share of the overall diamond jewellery market, underpinned by structural shifts in purchasing preferences.

Ethera is well-positioned to serve this shift with a strong design pipeline, launching over 200 new designs every month, supported by a rigorous 40-point quality check across every piece.

Founded in 2024 by Nitesh Jain and Sharad Arora, Ethera is a design first contemporary jewellery brand built for the modern, confident woman. Rooted in the belief that jewellery shouldn’t be locked away but worn and lived in, Ethera offers a wide range of classic and modern everyday designs crafted using IGI certified lab-grown diamonds and BIS hallmarked gold across categories including earrings, bracelets, solitaires, pendants, and necklaces. Ethera’s collections are designed to move seamlessly from everyday wear to personal milestones, reflecting individuality, confidence, and evolving personal style. The brand caters to women who value thoughtful design, curated wardrobes, and quality.

The fresh capital will be primarily deployed to expand Ethera’s physical retail footprint. In a span of 1 year, the brand has already expanded and currently operates five retail stores in Bengaluru and Delhi, with multiple new locations set to go live in the coming weeks and several more already in the pipeline. Alongside retail expansion, Ethera will continue to invest in deepening its in-house design creation capabilities, strengthening its technology stack, and accelerating brand awareness to support sustained omnichannel growth.

Commenting on the announcement, Sharad Arora, Co-Founder Ethera, said,

“Everything we’re building at Ethera starts from first principles: understanding the customer, the category and the long-term opportunity. That clarity is shaping Ethera into a brand defined by strong design, transparent values and a consistent experience across channels. BlueStone’s strategic backing strengthens our ability to expand our retail presence, deepen our supply-chain capabilities and build the operational backbone needed for the scale ahead.”

Nitesh Jain, Co-Founder Ethera, added,

 “Jewellery today is a powerful form of self-expression, and women are increasingly choosing pieces that reflect their individuality and life journeys. At Ethera, our focus has always been on design, quality, craftsmanship, and consistency. This capital enables us to expand our retail reach while continuing to invest in systems that deliver consistency and trust at every touchpoint.”

As Ethera enters its next phase of growth, the brand remains focused on its philosophy of jewellery as self-expression, designed to be worn every day and become a part of lived experiences.

New Delhi, Feb 10:  Indian kickboxing sensation Sudhir Saxena has once again elevated the nation’s standing in combat sports by securing a Silver Medal at the 5th India Open International Kickboxing Cup. The elite championship, sanctioned by the WAKO India Kickboxing Federation, took place at the iconic Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium from February 4th to 8th, 2026.

Facing a grueling draw against some of the world’s most formidable fighters, Saxena displayed a masterclass in resilience and technique. His silver-medal performance is a testament to his “never-say-die” spirit, proving that grit and discipline can overcome the toughest odds on the international stage.

A Victory Built on Family and Faith

Behind Sudhir’s explosive performance in the ring lies a foundation of immense personal sacrifice and family support. Saxena dedicated this victory to his father, Mr. Suresh Saxena, and his wife, Priyanka Gautam, whose relentless encouragement served as his primary motivation during the most exhausting hours of training.

“Every punch I landed and every round I survived was for my family,” Saxena stated. “My father, Suresh Saxena’s vision and my wife, Priyanka Gautam’s unwavering support have been my greatest strengths. This medal is as much theirs as it is mine.”

Fueling the Dream: PNB and Gauravi Foundation

Success at this level requires world-class infrastructure, and Sudhir highlighted the pivotal role of his sponsors. He extended his heartfelt gratitude to Punjab National Bank (PNB) and the Gauravi Foundation for their continued financial and moral sponsorship. Their commitment to nurturing Indian sporting talent has been a cornerstone of his journey from local rings to international podiums.

The Road to Gold

While the silver medal is a significant milestone, Saxena is far from satisfied. With his eyes firmly set on the top of the podium, he is already transitioning back into training mode. “I fought well, but the hunger for gold remains. I am immediately shifting my focus to my upcoming matches, refining my technique to ensure the Indian tricolor flies highest in the next competition,” he added.

Sudhir Saxena continues to be an inspiration for aspiring martial artists across India, proving that with the right backing and a dedicated family, no goal is out of reach.

Bangalore, Feb 10: SWITCH Mobility, a global leader in electric buses and light commercial vehicles and part of the Hinduja Group, today flagged off 272 SWITCH EiV12 Low Floor Bus for city transport under the CESL (Convergence Energy Services Limited) tender from the Ramlila Maidan, New Delhi.  The flag-off forms part of a centralised rollout of 950 electric buses in the Capital city.

The flag-off was undertaken by the Hon’ble Chief Minister, Government of NCT of Delhi, Ms. Rekha Gupta, in the presence of Mr. Nitin Nabin, National President, BJP; Mr. Pankaj Singh, Hon’ble Minister for Transport, Government of NCT of Delhi; Ms. Niharika Singh, Commissioner, Transport; and Mr. Jitender Yadav, Managing Director, DTC. The occasion underscores Delhi’s continued commitment to strengthening sustainable urban mobility and improving air quality for its citizens, in line with the Government of India’s vision for “Disabled-Friendly means of transport” and “No Emission Buses”.

Under the CESL tender for Delhi, SWITCH Mobility will deploy a total of 950 electric buses across key depots in the national capital, supporting the city’s transition to a cleaner public transport system. Deployment will be undertaken in phases across Okhla Srinivas Puri (SNP) Depot, Grand Trunk Road Depot and Rajghat Bus Terminal and other depots. Ohm Global Mobility will support operational deployment and service readiness for the fleet, enabling integration into Delhi’s public transport network.

Manufactured at SWITCH’s state-of-the-art facility in Tamil Nadu, the SWITCH EiV12 Low Floor Bus embodies the company’s ‘Make in India for the World’ vision, bringing together cutting-edge global technology and Indian manufacturing excellence to serve the nation’s capital.

The Low Floor Bus features an ultra-low entry design with kneeling and tilting for effortless boarding, supported by floor-mounted batteries that ensure a low center of gravity and superior stability. Rear-mounted charger ports enable quick and ergonomic charging, while a large manual or automated wheelchair ramp enhances accessibility. Panoramic glass creates a spacious, airy interior, complemented by a Fire Detection and Suppression System for safety. Advanced SWITCH iON technology monitors 140+ parameters with low latency and 80+ alerts, alongside dual gun fast-charging for quick turnarounds and silent operation delivering inclusive, comfortable mobility for seniors, people with special needs, and parents with prams.

Mr. Ganesh Mani, Chief Executive Officer of SWITCH Mobility, said,

“The flag-off of 200+ SWITCH EiV12 Low Floor Buses electric buses in partnership with CESL is a significant milestone in strengthening Delhi’s electric public transport ecosystem. SWITCH Mobility is committed to collaborating with city transport authorities to deliver dependable, high-performance electric buses that can scale rapidly. Deployments like these demonstrate how electric mobility can be seamlessly integrated into urban operations while delivering tangible benefits in emissions reduction and passenger experience.“

The phased deployment of 200+ buses from Srinivas Puri Depot aligns with the Delhi Government’s ambitious vision to make Delhi the city with the highest number of electric buses in operation. This strategic rollout is expected to significantly reduce CO₂ emissions, improve air quality, and provide safer, more comfortable commutes for Delhi’s millions of daily bus commuters while setting new benchmarks for sustainable urban transportation.

Valentine’s is a special time to celebrate love and share memorable moments with your loved ones. As Valentine’s is a time for togetherness and creating cherished memories, Barista Coffee aims to make every moment meaningful for couples and loved ones. This season, India’s iconic café brand, Barista Coffee Company, invites you to indulge in sweetness and irresistible flavours through its special ‘Currently Romantic’ menu.

As a part of “Currently Romantic”, Barista brings crafted  Valentine’s limited-time offerings, available from 1st February onwards across all Barista outlets. Customers can treat their love with the Strawberry Brownie Frappe, a heavenly mix of fruity and chocolatey goodness, the Brownie Latte, a rich, creamy, and indulgently comforting coffee, and much more. For those who want to celebrate the spirit of love by indulging in a sweet treat, the Valentine’s Cake is a thoughtful way to share a piece of love that can be relished and remembered.

Speaking on the campaign, Rajat Agrawal, CEO, Barista Coffee Company, said,

“As we enter into a season of love, our intent is to make people feel special, and our aim is to spread warmth, happiness, and indulgence across cities and bring our customers close to their loved ones. With these specially designed treats, we are ensuring that everyone can celebrate love, whether it is a quiet café experience, a fun date, or a treat for yourself.”

The campaign embodies the essence of Barista’s brand identity, full of life, energy, and experiences giving customers the opportunity to make memories over cups of coffee and desserts that are not only delicious but also ‘gram-worthy. The exclusive Valentine’s menu will be available at select Barista cafes across the country, starting 1st February, and is an invitation to everyone to indulge, celebrate, and fall in love with every sip and bite.

Sandhya Haribal, Sr. Program Manager – CDD Society and a member of the NFSSM Alliance

“The Union Budget 2026-27 provides a road map for India by ensuring continued growth to reach the ambitious target of becoming a global financial hub. While impetus is being focussed on achieving ‘Atmanirbharta’, there is an equal focus on ensuring inclusion and sustainability to become a ‘Viksit Bharat’. Initiatives like high-speed rail corridors, 20 national waterways, City Economic Regions, Infrastructure Risk Guarantee fund, SASCI scheme etc. would help in further boosting development of cities across the country. However, it is also important to understand what this means in terms of equitable and uniform access to basic services like water and sanitation for all citizens.”

While there seems to be either a stagnation or reduction in the populous schemes in the water and sanitation space like AMRUT, SBM – Urban & Rural, JJM etc., allocation of Rs. 20,000 Crore over next 5 years for Climate Action could be planned in a strategic manner by the cities and villages to make them resilient to climate change impacts. Keeping in mind the sustainable development of necessary infrastructure, the provision of Rs. 1.4 lakh Crores for Rural and Urban local bodies and Disaster Management Grants could be a game-changer.

To conclude, the budget rightly indicates reforms over rhetoric- from the experiences over the past few schemes, this means that while big numbers and ambitious budgets are being set out, the implementation and regulation at the ground level become equally crucial through alignment of all the key stakeholders; Public-Private-People-Partnerships. While budget is being guided by the three Kartavyas, inclusion of the water-sanitation-climate nexus.”

New Delhi, Feb 09: AuthBridge, India’s leading provider of digital trust and identity verification solutions, and Vibrium AI, an enterprise artificial intelligence company, have announced a strategic technology collaboration and co-innovation partnership. Through this alliance, the companies aim to jointly develop next-generation, AI-driven verification and conversational intelligence solutions that will redefine digital trust, strengthen operational intelligence, and enhance innovation across the verification ecosystem.

The partnership combines AuthBridge’s two decades of leadership in digital verification and data intelligence with Vibrium AI’s advanced generative and cognitive AI capabilities. This strategic synergy will strengthen AuthBridge’s in-house AI ecosystem, powering smarter automation, improved verification accuracy, and contextual decision-making at scale. This will enable organisations to enhance efficiency, reduce risk, and make faster, more confident decisions in a digital-first world.

Commenting on the partnership, Mr Ajay Trehan, CEO and Founder of AuthBridge, said,

“At AuthBridge, innovation has always been at the core of how we build trust in a digital-first world. Our partnership with Vibrium AI marks a decisive step towards shaping the next generation of verification intelligence, where AI not only accelerates processes but also enables deeper, contextual decision-making. By integrating generative and cognitive AI into our ecosystem, we aim to set new benchmarks in automation, accuracy, and insight, empowering businesses to make faster, smarter, and more confident decisions at scale.”

Responding to the partnership, Mr Akshat Saxena, CEO of Vibrium AI said,

“Trust is becoming the defining currency of the digital economy, and AI will determine how confidently organisations scale. This partnership blends AuthBridge’s domain leadership with Vibrium’s enterprise-grade AI to redefine verified, secure, and intelligent interactions. With conversational AI-led verification workflows, we are already seeing multifold lift in engagement and conversions. By integrating generative and cognitive AI with AuthBridge’s infrastructure, we aim to deliver faster, more accurate, and trusted digital experiences at scale.”

As part of the collaboration, the companies will co-develop AI-powered conversational interfaces and cognitive verification models designed to enhance user experience, minimise friction, and deliver real-time intelligence to AuthBridge’s clients. The partnership underscores a shared vision to create AI-led trust solutions that are simple, secure, and scalable, setting new industry benchmarks in digital verification, due diligence, and decision intelligence.

Japanese Researchers Unlock Key Insights into Polymer Micelle Behavior, Paving the Way for Advanced Drug Nanocarriers

Chiba University, in collaboration with Nagahama Institute of Bio-Science and Technology and Muroran Institute of Technology, has made a breakthrough in understanding how polymer micelles behave under physiological conditions—a major step forward for drug delivery and nanomedicine.

The study focused on poloxamer 407 (P407), a widely studied micelle-forming polymer known for its temperature-dependent sol–gel transition. This property allows P407 to slowly release drugs over time, reducing dosing frequency and minimizing side effects. However, the sol–gel transition is influenced not just by individual micelles but by how they interact collectively, especially in environments resembling human bodily fluids.

Led by Associate Professor Takeshi Morita of Chiba University, the research team combined small-angle X-ray scattering and dynamic light scattering to analyze P407 micelles in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), a solution that mimics body conditions. They calculated the pair interaction potential, quantifying the forces that drive micelles to attract or repel each other at different temperatures.

The study revealed that micelles in saline bind more strongly than in pure water, forming gels with greater structural fluctuations. These fluctuations make the gels less uniform and more likely to collapse at lower temperatures, providing critical insights for designing stable and predictable drug delivery systems.

“This research provides a fundamental understanding of how polymer micelles interact and organize under physiological conditions,” said Dr. Morita. “These findings will help scientists design more effective drug nanocarriers, enhancing the delivery of poorly soluble drugs while improving patient outcomes.”

The paper, co-authored by Shunsuke Takamatsu, Dr. Kenjirou Higashi, Minami Saito (Chiba University), Dr. Hiroshi Imamura (Nagahama Institute of Bio-Science and Technology), and Dr. Tomonari Sumi (Muroran Institute of Technology), was made available online on December 9, 2025, and is scheduled for publication in Volume 707 of the Journal of Colloid and Interface Science on April 1, 2026.

This breakthrough underscores the importance of experimentally grounded approaches in soft materials research, offering a roadmap for translating nanoscience discoveries into practical medical applications.

Bengaluru, Feb 09: Following a successful roadshow kick-off at OTM Mumbai, South African Tourism has now successfully completed the Bengaluru leg of its Annual India Roadshow, continuing its focused engagement with the Indian travel trade and reinforcing India’s growing importance as a key source market for South Africa. Led by Ms. Mitalee Karmarkar, Marketing and Communications Manager (MEISEA), the roadshow serves as a strategic platform for industry collaboration, insights into evolving traveller behaviour, and the identification of new business opportunities across leisure, corporate and MICE travel segments.

Featuring over 40 exhibitors presenting a diverse range of offerings, the roadshow drew participation from over 235 Indian travel trade agents in Bengaluru. Continuing its focused engagement with the Indian market, the multi-city initiative will next move to Ahmedabad on 10^th February 2026, further strengthening trade collaborations and encouraging outbound travel to South Africa.

Sharing her perspective at the roadshow, Ms. Karmarkar said,

“India continues to be a priority growth market for South African Tourism, driven by strong interest across family travel, experiential holidays, and premium travel. Indian travellers today are also planning differently, using AI-powered tools to research and customise their trips, travelling more occasionally, and showing a growing willingness to explore destinations beyond traditional favourites. This shift in traveller behaviour reflects a more confident and curious audience, and it opens up new opportunities to highlight lesser-known regions and experiences across South Africa

She further added,

“Bengaluru has firmly established itself as one of South Africa’s key source markets in India. Travellers from the city are digitally savvy, experience-driven, and increasingly confident in exploring long-haul destinations. Through the roadshow, we aim to deepen our engagement with the local travel trade and further strengthen South Africa’s visibility and relevance in this important market.”

With a strong base of frequent international travellers, Bengaluru represents a high-potential market for South African Tourism, particularly across premium leisure, adventure, and wildlife segments. The city’s outbound audience is increasingly seeking personalised, well-paced itineraries that combine iconic experiences with lesser-explored regions, with safaris continuing to be a key motivator. Through sustained collaboration with the travel trade, South African Tourism is focused on unlocking new itineraries and driving greater consideration and conversion from this market.

South Africa is targeting a return to pre-Covid Indian traveller volumes in 2026 and remains committed to fostering lasting partnerships with Indian trade partners, delivering tailored experiences for a range of traveller profiles, and positioning South Africa as a must-visit destination. The roadshow demonstrates the country’s dedication to strengthening ties with the Indian market and inspiring more travellers to explore the Rainbow Nation in the years ahead.

The country is also set to host the 2027 ODI World Cup, providing an exciting opportunity to showcase the country’s diverse tourism attractions and attract visitors from around the globe. Through ongoing trade engagement, targeted consumer outreach, and innovative marketing initiatives, the tourism board remains dedicated to expanding its presence in India.

Mumbai, Feb 09: Infiniti Mall, Mumbai’s premium destination for shopping, dining, and entertainment, brings February alive with a feel good celebration of love, music, and cinema. Across its locations, the mall will host special Valentine’s décor, live performances, and an open air movie screening series, creating memorable experiences for visitors throughout the month.

The highlight of the season is the open air movie nights, curated around love stories that defined a generation. These screenings revisit iconic films that feel like old friends, stories audiences have laughed with, cried over, and returned to time and again.

From the youthful energy and coming of age romance of Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, the February lineup unfolds as a celebration of love in its many forms. The timeless charm of Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge revisits romance that defined an era, while the soulful emotion of Veer Zaara brings depth and poetry to the screen. The series concludes with Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, a story of friendship, self discovery, and living in the moment.

Open Air Movie Nights

INFINITI MALL, MALAD

Valentine’s Weekend Highlights – Infiniti Mall, Malad

Valentine’s Weekend Highlights – Infiniti Mall, Andheri

Adding to the Valentine’s Day celebrations, visitors can also enjoy special performances, festive décor, and live music designed to create a warm and lively atmosphere.

As the evenings set in and the screens light up, guests can relax, savour some popcorn, enjoy the music, and lose themselves in stories and moments that celebrate love in all its forms.