Archives 2026

Mondelez India, the makers of some of India’s most loved snacking brands, today announced the expansion of its Cadbury Bournville portfolio with the launch of two new variants: Bournville 50% Dark Chocolate with Orange and Bournville 70% Dark Chocolate with Orange.

This strategic portfolio expansion reflects India’s growing taste for premium dark chocolate, offering consumers an indulgent experience that balances cocoa intensity with the zestful notes of orange.

Combining the timeless pairing of citrus and cocoa, the new Cadbury Bournville Orange variants have been crafted to deliver a refined multi-sensory experience. The deep, rich character of premium cocoa harmonizes with bright orange undertones, creating a sophisticated treat for both emerging and seasoned dark chocolate enthusiasts. This launch underscores Mondelez India’s continued commitment to leading the premium snacking segment through meaningful innovation and consumer-centric offerings.

Excited about the launch, Nitin Saini, Vice President – Marketing, Mondelez India, said

“Since introducing dark chocolate to India in 2009, Bournville has shaped the category’s journey, witnessing remarkable growth in recent years. As dark chocolate continues to premiumize in India, we’re expanding the Bournville range with distinct cocoa intensities and flavor pairings that elevate indulgence. The new orange variants bring together our signature richness with the vibrancy of citrus, offering Indian consumers more sophisticated ways to experience dark chocolate.”

The New Range:

• Bournville 50% Dark Chocolate with Orange: An inviting introduction to dark chocolate, this variant blend smooth 50% cocoa with a refreshing hint of orange, perfect for those exploring the category.
• Bournville 70% Dark Chocolate with Orange: The first of its kind in Bournville’s 70% cocoa range, this variant offers an intense dark chocolate experience balanced by subtle orange notes, crafted for a more evolved palate.

Global digital health innovator Qure.ai today announced that it has received a multimillion-dollar grant from the Gates Foundation to advance health equity by improving access to timely, high-quality diagnostics for some of the world’s most preventable infectious diseases.

The grant will enable Qure.ai to develop a large, open-source, multi-modal global health database aimed at accelerating innovation in disease prevention and early detection. The initiative will support WHO-aligned lung health diagnostic pathways and incorporate non-identifiable clinical histories, medical imaging data—including Chest X-rays, Thoracic Ultrasound, and High-Resolution CT scans—as well as cough and lung sound recordings, and laboratory or biological markers. This comprehensive dataset will empower researchers and innovators worldwide to develop, validate, and refine next-generation AI models for global health impact.

As part of the initiative, Qure.ai will also develop AI-enabled point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) algorithms to support the early detection of tuberculosis (TB) and pneumonia, two of the world’s deadliest yet preventable and treatable infectious diseases, particularly in under-resourced regions. TB claims approximately 1.23 million lives annually, while pneumonia causes nearly 2 million deaths each year, including 700,000 children under the age of five—despite both diseases being curable when diagnosed early.

Commenting on the development, Prashant Warier, Founder and CEO, Qure.ai, said,

“In our bid to reach the unreachable, we have spent the last decade deploying AI-enabled X-ray solutions in some of the most remote regions of the world—from sub-Saharan Africa to the heights of Everest and rural Southeast Asia—transforming TB detection and diagnosis. This work has reduced diagnosis timelines from 14 days to just 1–2 days, often without a clinician present. With this grant from the Gates Foundation, we are excited to build on this expertise and scale our impact to reach even more communities.”

Dr. Shibu Vijayan, Chief Medical Officer – Global Health, Qure.ai, added,

“By leveraging the latest advancements in digital health and artificial intelligence, Qure.ai is addressing healthcare’s blind spots—bringing high-quality diagnostics within reach of every clinic, health worker, and child, regardless of geography.”

Highlighting the urgency of the initiative, Dr. Justy Antony Chiramal, Project Lead and Clinical Director, Global Health Innovation, Qure.ai, said,

“This grant allows us to build on years of continuous innovation in public health and push the boundaries of what AI can do for global health. By bringing together tuberculosis, pneumonia, and broader lung health priorities—especially for children in low- and middle-income countries—we are addressing an urgent need. A child dies of pneumonia every 43 seconds, a loss that is both unacceptable and preventable, underscoring the critical need for better diagnostics and equitable access to care.”

Qure.ai is a global digital health leader with deployments across 105+ countries and over 4,800 healthcare sites worldwide, supporting the detection and management of tuberculosis, lung cancer, and neurocritical conditions such as stroke through AI-powered solutions.

Novopor Advanced Science expands US footprint with acquisition of FAR Chemical; Strengthens global specialty chemicals platform

Hyderabad & Palm Bay, Jan 23: Novopor Advanced Science Private Limited, a Bain Capital portfolio company and global performance chemicals and material science CDMO, today announced its acquisition of FAR Chemical, a US-based leader in custom and complex specialty chemical manufacturing focused on Electronics, Aerospace & Defense, Coatings & Adhesives and other Specialty Chemicals, from its US parent CPS Performance Materials Group.

The acquisition of FAR Chemical is a key milestone in Novopor’s strategy to build an integrated specialty chemical platform that delivers end-to-end solutions to customers ranging from early-stage process development to commercial scale manufacturing. Integrating FAR Chemical’s deep expertise in complex chemistries and attractive end markets complements Novopor’s existing capabilities and expands its US presence.

“FAR Chemical’s deep expertise in differentiated, complex chemistries and long track record of working with global performance chemical and material science companies make it a strategic fit with Novopor’s mission to drive innovation and deliver custom solutions. This acquisition enhances our ability to support a broader range of chemistries, accelerate time-to-market for new products, and strengthen our presence in key high-growth markets,” said Radhesh Welling, MD of Novopor Advanced Science Private Limited.

“FAR Chemical is a respected operator with a proven track record in complex specialty chemical manufacturing. The combination of FAR Chemical with Novopor strengthens the platform’s technical depth, geographic reach, and ability to support customers across the full product lifecycle. This investment underlines our continued commitment to building market-leading businesses through strategic acquisitions and operational excellence,” said Saahil Bhatia, Partner of Bain Capital.

“FAR Chemical and CPS Performance Materials have established a differentiated platform grounded in deep technical expertise, an uncompromising commitment to safety, and a strong track record of delivering innovative solutions for customers with unique and challenging development needs,” said Justin O’Connor, President of FAR Chemical. “This partnership strengthens our ability to invest in advanced capabilities while maintaining the highest standards of safety and operational discipline and enhances our ability to support customers seamlessly from development through commercial-scale manufacturing. We are proud to join Novopor in building a platform defined by technical excellence, a safety-first culture, and an unwavering commitment to our customers.”

Novopor Advanced Science, backed by Bain Capital, has been executing a strategy of targeted investments and acquisitions to expand its global footprint and technical portfolio. In 2025, Novopor acquired Pressure Chemical Company, a Pittsburgh-based specialty chemical and high-pressure chemistry expert, broadening its development-to-manufacturing capabilities and reinforcing its presence in the US market. Additionally, Novopor inaugurated a state-of-the-art Pilot Plant Facility in Visakhapatnam, designed to bridge early-stage R&D with commercial-scale production and accelerate innovation across agrochemicals, performance materials, and specialty chemicals.

KPMG served as financial advisors, Alvarez & Marsal served as technical advisors, and Honigman LLP, Khaitan & Co and Clifford Chance LLP served as legal advisors to Novopor. Raymond James, Forvis Mazars and Thompson Hine LLP served as advisors to FAR Chemical.

This Republic Day, KLAY, one of India’s leading and most trusted early childhood education and care brands, has launched its Republic Day digital campaign, ‘What Is India?’ The campaign draws from the innate curiosity of preschool children, exploring how early ideas of belonging and national identity begin to form long before children formally understand the concept of a nation.

Designed to spark reflection among parents, educators, and communities, the campaign highlights how young children perceive India—not through history lessons or national symbols, but through the behaviours, emotions, and relationships they observe in their everyday lives. By centring the voices of preschoolers, the campaign reimagines nationhood as a lived experience rooted in inclusion, care, and shared social moments.

Preschoolers may not yet grasp abstract concepts such as governance or geography. However, exposure to national celebrations like Republic Day and witnessing adults express pride and emotion naturally prompts children to ask questions about what India represents. The campaign’s central question, “What Is India?”, emerges from this early curiosity, recognising that children derive meaning from lived experiences rather than formal explanations.

The campaign is anchored in KLAY’s belief that a child’s environment plays a critical role in shaping their worldview. At this formative stage, ideas of identity and belonging are shaped through relationships, community interactions, and emotional security within familiar spaces such as classrooms and homes.

Speaking on the campaign, Arshleen Kalra, Head of Academic, KLAY Preschools and Daycare, said,

“While the idea of a nation may still be abstract for young children, they are highly perceptive to behavioural patterns and interpersonal relationships. When children witness pride in India around them, they naturally seek to understand what India stands for. This campaign interprets that curiosity through children’s everyday experiences and interactions.”

Through ‘What Is India?’, KLAY reiterates its commitment to early learning that extends beyond academic readiness to include social awareness, emotional development, and a strong sense of community. The campaign reinforces the belief that the foundations of citizenship are laid early in life—quietly shaped by the environments in which children grow, observe, and absorb the world around them.

 Bengaluru, India, Jan 23: Samsung, India’s largest consumer electronics brand, today unveiled an early preview of its upcoming cooling innovations, marking a meaningful evolution in how comfort, intelligence and energy efficiency will define modern homes

With the message “The future of AI AC is coming,” the brand is setting expectations for an AC advancement that moves beyond conventional home cooling.

The teaser spotlights the Bespoke AI WindFree™ Air Conditioner lineup, combining advanced AI technology, premium design and smart connectivity to deliver a more refined home cooling experience for Indian conditions

The range will feature WindFree™ Cooling, along with AI Fast & WindFree™ Cooling+, AI Energy Mode, Preventive maintenance and SmartThings integration for optimized performance, better energy management and seamless control.

Chandigarh, Jan 23: Axis Mutual Fund, one of India’s leading asset management companies, launches its new fund offering Axis BSE India Sector Leaders Index Fund an open-ended Index Fund that invests in the constituents of BSE India Sector Leaders Index. The NFO will open for subscription on January 23, 2026 and close on 06 February, 2026. The fund will be managed by Karthik Kumar (Fund Manager). The minimum investment amount is ₹100. The fund aims to provide long-term wealth creation solution to investors.

The new fund is designed to offer investors a prudent way to gain broad market exposure to India’s leading companies across 21 sectors from the BSE 500 Index. The constituents of the fund will include the top three companies based on average six month daily total market capitalisation from each of the 21 sectors represented in the BSE 500 Index. This gives the investors an access to established market leaders in their domain across the Indian economy. The fund helps investors contribute to not only the dominant sectors in the index but also niche growing sectors of the economy

Speaking on the launch, B. Gopkumar, MD & CEO, Axis AMC said,

“As markets evolve, investors are seeking innovative investment solutions. At Axis Mutual Fund, we believe that companies who lead their segments, tend to showcase strong fundamentals and resilience. The Axis BSE India Sector Leaders Index Fund provides access to sector-leading and dependable companies in their own field through a diversified framework. We believe, this fund will allow investors to participate in India’s growth-led economy and future.” 

Key attributes of the fund:

• Allocation to sector leaders: The fund is designed for investors who seek broad market exposure to established leaders across sectors. Drawing from the BSE 500 Index, it will invest in top three companies from each of the 21 sectors. The sectors in this index include financial services, information technology, industrials, commodities, FMCG, healthcare, among others.
• Index Composition: The fund offers diversified exposure across large, mid, and small caps, preventing concentration risk and providing weightage, regardless of the size of the sector. It will be reconstituted on a semi-annual basis which allows the portfolio to be periodically rebalanced.
• Balanced Risk: The index is subject to minimum stock weight of 1% and maximum stock weight of 5% that are rest quarterly.

Commenting on the Ashish Gupta, CIO, Axis AMC said,

“The methodology for the Axis BSE India Sector Leaders Index Fund is designed in a way that its base universe, captures companies across the breadth of the Indian Market. By systemically identifying leading companies within each sector, the fund seeks to provide investors with a diversified exposure to established businesses through a transparent and rules-based passive approach.”

Saatvik Green Energy’s Subsidiary Secures ₹10.15 Crore Solar Module Order, Strengthening Position in India’s Solar Manufacturing Market

Chandigarh, Jan 23: Saatvik Green Energy Limited today announced that its material subsidiary, Saatvik Solar Industries Private Limited, has received and accepted orders aggregating ₹10.15 crore from a reputed power EPC player for the supply of solar photovoltaic (PV) modules. The orders are scheduled to be executed by February 2026.

The order win highlights the growing preference for Saatvik Solar’s world-class manufacturing capabilities among leading industry players. It further reinforces the company’s strong position in India’s rapidly expanding solar manufacturing ecosystem, reflecting continued customer confidence in Saatvik’s product quality, advanced technology, and reliable execution capabilities.

Commenting on the development, Mr. Prashant Mathur, CEO, Saatvik Green Energy Limited, said,

“These orders underscore the sustained demand for high-quality and reliable solar modules, while reaffirming the trust customers place in Saatvik’s manufacturing capabilities. As India accelerates its clean energy transition, we remain committed to delivering efficient, future-ready solar solutions and strengthening domestic manufacturing in line with the Make in India vision.”

The latest order adds to Saatvik Green Energy’s strong momentum over recent months. The company has achieved several significant milestones, including its material subsidiary securing a ₹13.80 crore solar PV module supply order from a renowned IPP/EPC player, scheduled for execution by February 2026. Additionally, its subsidiary Saatvik Cleantech EPC Private Limited won a ₹20.84 crore turnkey solar EPC order, alongside securing a substantial ₹486 crore solar module order from a leading IPP/EPC player. The company has also received solar pump orders aggregating approximately ₹30.24 crore from MSEDCL under the PM-KUSUM scheme.

On the manufacturing front, Saatvik recently commissioned a 2 GW in-house EPE film manufacturing facility, further strengthening vertical integration and reinforcing its leadership in India’s solar manufacturing landscape under the Make in India initiative.

Guwahati, Jan 23: The second edition of the Guwahati Asian Film Festival (GAFF) opened on January 22 at Jyoti Chitraban, celebrating the richness of Asian and Indian cinema with 26 curated films to be screened over four days.

The inaugural ceremony was held on January 22 (Thursday) in the presence of eminent filmmakers, guests, and delegates. The event is being organised by Trending Now Media with support from the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

GAFF 2026 opened with the Uzbekistan feature ‘Sunday’, directed by Shokir Kholikov. The opening day also featured the India premiere of Japanese film ‘S’ by Masahiro Ota in the Asian Cinema section, and ‘An Evening Ballad’ by Bishal Swargiary in the Indian Showcase (non-competition) section.

On January 23, the second day of the festival will feature Karbi film ‘The Lost Path’ (Kangbo Aloti) by Khanjan Kishore Nath, Assamese film ‘Morning Sunshine’ (Rador Pakhi) by Bobby Sarma Baruah, ‘Cu Li Never Cries’ by Pham Ngoc Lan from Vietnam, Assamese film ‘The Woodcutter’ (Gos Kota Manuh) by Prakesh Deka and Manipuri film ‘Phouoibee’ (The Goddess of Paddy) by Rakesh Moirangthem.

The second edition of the Guwahati Asian Film Festival (GAFF) will be held till January 25 at Jyoti Chitraban, Guwahati, showcasing as many as 26 regional, national and international films from across 10 Asian countries.

In addition to film screenings, GAFF 2026 will feature a series of masterclasses, panel discussions, and interactive sessions led by filmmakers, critics, and industry professionals from India and other Asian countries.

As India generates over nine million tonnes of plastic waste annually, industry leaders are calling on the Union Budget 2026 to play a decisive role in transforming plastic recycling into a commercially viable and operationally scalable sector.

Despite rising waste volumes, formal recycling continues to languish in single digits, held back by high taxation on plastic waste and recycling inputs, inconsistent enforcement of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), limited traceability, and inadequate access to modern recycling technologies. Industry stakeholders believe that targeted fiscal and regulatory interventions in the upcoming Budget could unlock significant scale in India.

“India’s formal recycling ecosystem remains constrained by a policy framework that has not kept pace with sustainability goals. High GST on plastic waste, scrap, recycling machinery, and inputs continues to make compliant recycling financially uncompetitive. The Union Budget must prioritise zero-rating GST on plastic waste, scrap, and recycling equipment, along with a meaningful reduction in GST on recycled plastic granules, to incentivise their use in long-life and durable products. Without correcting these cost distortions, the transition from virgin to recycled plastics will remain limited,” Mr. Sushil Kumar Aggarwal, Chairman and Whole-Time Director of AVRO India Limited; National President of The All-India Plastics Molded Furniture Manufacturers Association (AIPMFMA); Chairman, CII Western U.P Zone

Fiscal reform without regulatory certainty will not deliver scale. “EPR cannot work unless it is clear, stable, enforceable, and fully traceable, and the Budget must decisively strengthen EPR guidelines to ensure accountability across the value chain and give recyclers the confidence to commit long-term capital. Equally critical is the introduction of a dedicated technology upgradation fund and targeted subsidies for advanced recycling processes and automation, which will allow Indian recyclers to improve efficiency, meet global quality benchmarks, and make EPR compliance commercially viable at scale,” he added.

With the right policy push in the Union Budget, plastic waste can be transformed from an environmental liability into a value-generating resource, firmly embedded within India’s circular economy framework.

Noida, Jan 22: IMS Noida’s community radio Salaam Namaste has successfully completed 16 remarkable years of community broadcasting and social transformation. To mark this milestone, a programme focusing on women entrepreneurship and youth empowerment was organized at the institute campus. During the event, homepreneur units such as Nani’s Potli and Aventra, along with representatives from NGOs Sadarg and Mera Sahara, shared their inspiring success stories. Discussions were also held on the preservation and promotion of Indian art and culture.

In his message, IMS Noida President Mr. Rajeev Kumar Gupta stated that it is the result of sustained efforts that Salaam Namaste has so far received four National Awards from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India, for thematic interventions, community engagement, and promotion of local art and culture. Since its inception, Salaam Namaste has continuously played an active role in empowering the local community. He added that the radio station will continue to be the voice of the community, promoting social change, empowerment, and positive thinking in the years to come.

Speaking on the occasion, IMS Noida Director General Professor (Dr.) Vikas Dhawan said that the institute is celebrating the 16th anniversary of its success today. He highlighted that Salaam Namaste, the first community radio of Noida and Ghaziabad, has been broadcasting programmes focused on social issues since 2009. Over the years, the station has been honored by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India, for its programmes “Chak De Chhotu” (focused on underprivileged children) in 2016 and “Salaam Shakti” in 2019. Other award-winning and popular programmes of Salaam Namaste include Second Inning Ko Salaam, Med Didi, Salaam Sehat, Radio Tuition, Salaam School, Career Express, Nanhi Awaaz Badi Seekh, and Noida Ke Saarthi.

Station Head Ms. Varsha Chhabaria shared that Salaam Namaste Community Radio works extensively in key areas such as health, women empowerment, environmental conservation, Vocal for Local, and art and culture, with a strong focus on social welfare, education, and community empowerment. Popular programmes like “Sehat Sahi Laabh Kai” (health awareness), “Maati Ke Geet” (local folk music), and “Second Inning Ko Salaam” (focused on senior citizens’ welfare) have been highly appreciated by listeners.

She further informed that in 2025, Salaam Namaste Community Radio received its fourth National Award at WAVES 2025 held in Mumbai for the programme “Med Didi”. In addition, the station was also honored by the Bureau of Indian Standards on the occasion of World Consumer Rights Day 2025 and World Standards Day for its significant contributions.