Archives 2026

Chennai, Feb 20: Antara Senior Care, the only fully integrated senior care ecosystem in India, has announced the launch of its second senior care home in Chennai. The 72-bed facility is located along the Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR) corridor in the heart of the city. Together with a Care Home on the arterial ECR, it expands access to long- and short-term assisted living services for seniors in the region.

Nearly 14% of Tamil Nadu’s population is now aged 60 and above—the second-highest proportion of seniors in the country after Kerala. In urban centres, one in every seven residents is a senior citizen, many of whom either live alone or only with their spouse. This demographic trend underlines the need for specialised ageing-friendly care in a region that’s also one of the fastest-growing senior care markets.

Mr. Ishaan Khanna, CEO, Antara Assisted Care Services, said,

“Tamil Nadu’s ageing profile is already far more advanced than the rest of India’s. It has one of the highest shares of seniors living alone at 6.8%, nearly double the national average of 3.6%, with women being disproportionately affected. This is creating deep social, emotional and health vulnerabilities as loneliness and isolation present an elevated health risk. Additionally, seniors constitute a higher proportion of post-acute patients needing long-term care. All these factors compelled us to bring Antara Care Homes’ ‘Expert Senior Care, Apno Jaisi’ to the heart of Chennai in OMR.”

Antara Care Homes’ network expansion also improves access to senior-first transition care services in a city often called ‘The Health Capital of India’. Located in the medical hub of Chennai, close to leading hospitals and key medical infrastructure, the OMR Antara Care Home offers excellent connectivity via both road and air.

Mr. Ishaan Khanna added.

“Our increasing presence in Chennai reflects not just rising demand for long-term assisted living, but the city’s growing role as a hub for transition care. Blending healthcare with lifecare empowers seniors to age with dignity and provides invaluable peace of mind for caregivers and family members.”

India is at the cusp of a profound demographic and healthcare shift. According to the JLL-ASLI report, the country’s elderly population is poised to more than double from 156.7 million in 2024 to an estimated 346 million by 2050. During this time, UNFPA data projects that the population of people aged 80+ in India will grow at a rate of 279% by 2050. By 2046, the rising senior population is expected to outnumber children for the first time in the nation’s history.

Changing demographics mean it is becoming important for families to choose senior-friendly environments with robust clinical care protocols. Chennai has a rapidly ageing population, improved lifespan and a tertiary healthcare ecosystem that’s among the strongest in India.

Antara Care Homes are built with care, independence and safety at their core. They bring together clinical care, kitchens offering home-style nutritionally planned meals, end-to-end services including laundry and housekeeping. All services, clinical and non-clinical, are delivered by our staff trained on geriatric care modules approved by the Government of India’s Healthcare Sector Skills Council (HSSC). The facilities feature ramps, extra-wide corridors and doorways, grab rails, raised seating, rounded walls and furniture, anti-skid flooring, panic buttons, luxe lighting, generous balconies, open terraces and gardens to boost mental health. The suite-style rooms have been designed for couples and single occupancy. They open into common areas promoting natural interaction among residents; activity room doubles up as family room. Backed by a clinic, nurses’ stations on each floor and a physiotherapy room, our rooms can evolve to accommodate growing care needs.

New Delhi, India Feb 21: Zscaler, Inc., the leader in cloud security, in partnership with Bharti Airtel (Airtel), one of India’s largest telecommunication service providers, today announced the launch of the AI & Cyber Threat Research Center India. This multi-stakeholder initiative is dedicated to advancing national cyber resilience, protecting sectors, industries and assets that are essential to India’s economic and national security, such as telecommunications, banking, and energy, as well as digital users, and accelerating trusted AI adoption across India’s rapidly expanding digital ecosystem. 

India has long been a key hub for Zscaler’s technology innovation and cyber research, with a significant share of Zscaler’s research talent based in the country. The research center will serve as an expansion of Zscaler’s operations into a national platform for collaboration between the private sector, public sector, academia and the government. The center is designed “In India, For India,” with the goal of strengthening the nation’s cyber defenses and building a future-ready talent pipeline to support India’s progress toward Viksit Bharat and a peaceful, secure, and digitally self-reliant future. 

India is in the midst of a generational digital transformation, building systems not at enterprise scale, but at population scale across critical sectors dramatically expanding the national attack surface. At the same time, the threat landscape is evolving at machine speed, with nation state and financially motivated attackers increasingly leveraging AI to probe, target, and weaponize vulnerabilities in minutes. Zscaler’s research arm, ThreatLabz India, has observed millions of infiltrations attempts each month, including notable campaigns such as: 

• Nation-state cyber espionage activity using the theme of regional geopolitical tensions, which attempted to target multiple Indian entities. 
• A surge in attempts to infiltrate India’s private and public sectors, with 1.2 million intrusion attempts originating from 20,000 sources targeting 58 Indian digital entities; and 
• An increase in zero-day exploit attempts aimed at multiple industries in India. 

As threats grow in sophistication, traditional perimeter-based security models are no longer adequate, and disruptions to essential services can threaten national economic stability making secure-by-design foundations and a modern architectural shift imperative to protect national digital systems in an increasingly borderless, AI-enabled environment. 

The objectives of the AI & Cyber Threat Research Center – India are anchored in four strategic pillars: 

• Protect: Deliver real-time, actionable intelligence to strengthen India’s national cyber resilience and digital-first businesses. 
• Remediate: Partner directly with government agencies to neutralize and prevent cyber-attacks. 
• Facilitate: Drive the adoption of modern security frameworks, specifically focusing on AI-driven defenses and Zero Trust architecture. 
• Build: Strengthen the cybersecurity talent pipeline through specialized AI and Zero Trust certifications to bridge the national skills gap.  

As founding members, Zscaler and Airtel will combine the former’s global intelligence with the latter’s local operational reach to create a stronger, faster research-to-response loop for India. Zscaler will deploy a specialized threat research team focused on India. This team will leverage the Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange™ platform, which processes over 500 billion daily transactions, to extract threat intelligence to secure India’s public and private sectors. Airtel will contribute deep visibility into IoT and mobile traffic, collaborating with Zscaler to monitor networks and develop new solutions, enabling faster identification of suspicious activity and more effective coordination with ecosystem stakeholders. Looking ahead, additional members from India’s critical public and private sectors will be invited to join the center to expand collaboration and strengthen cyber resilience across India. 

“At Airtel, our commitment has been to safeguard our customers and the nation’s digital fabric. This partnership with Zscaler marks a significant extension of this commitment that will combine the power of our AI capabilities and deep scale for cybersecurity research to protect the country’s expanding digital ecosystem,” said Gopal Vittal, Executive Vice-Chairman, Bharti Airtel. “We will focus on addressing challenges unique to our market to build a safer, more resilient digital India where every citizen and enterprise can connect and thrive with confidence. Our research-backed preventive mechanism will also encourage peaceful and secure engagements on digital platforms.” 

“India is building digital systems at an unmatched population scale. You cannot secure this level of ambition with legacy firewalls and VPNs that were never designed for a hyper-connected world. It demands a modern Zero Trust architecture that is secure-by-design,” said Jay Chaudhry, CEO, Chairman, and Founder, Zscaler. “With the AI & Cyber Threat Research Center – India, we will bring the full power of the world’s largest security cloud to protect the nation’s public and private sectors. By combining actionable intelligence from over 500 billion daily transactions with local expertise, we aren’t just building readiness; we are empowering a new generation of defenders to stay ahead of the adversary.” 

BLACK MOUNTAIN, N.C., Feb. 21 — Burnout, uncertainty, and a growing sense of disconnection have fueled a surge in spiritual curiosity — particularly practices that promise inner alignment rather than external fixes. In The Akashic Way: Living Through the Lens of the Akashic Records, three-time Emmy Award-winning director and advanced Akashic Records practitioner Mary Madeiras explores why so many people are searching inward for clarity, affirmation, and healing.

After decades spent shaping stories for millions of viewers, Madeiras now invites readers into a different kind of narrative — one rooted in the Akashic Records, a quantum divine field believed to contain the energetic imprint of every soul’s journey through time. Rather than offering another roadmap for self-improvement, The Akashic Way reframes healing as an act of remembering and reconnecting with the deeper truth of who we are and why we are here.

“We can actually access our own journey — our own soul’s imprint — for every incarnation,” Madeiras explained.

Drawing from her own Akashic experiences and client sessions, Madeiras shows how working within the Records consistently creates alignment — emotionally, spiritually, and energetically. “It’s like having a conversation with the higher, divine aspect of yourself,” she said. “And when we’re aligned, the world becomes more aligned.” The result, she believes, is clarity, affirmation, and self-empowerment — tools urgently needed in a fragmented, fast-moving world.

The Akashic Way touches upon the many challenges that pull people away from connecting with their intuition and inner love — relationship struggles, traumas, unresolved patterns, and health issues. Madeiras shows how anyone can access this deeper guidance to create meaningful change and awaken that inner love. Her personal Akashic exchanges — woven with messages for humanity — offer readers the opportunity to reflect on their life’s purpose. The wisdom from the Akashic Realm is a profound tool for rediscovering purpose, trusting intuition, and learning to live through love and intention.

As Madeiras writes, “I titled this book The Akashic Way because I believe that living life through the Akashic Records is a path back to ourselves — a way to remember who we are, why we chose to come here, and what we are here to do. When we view our life through our own Akashic lens, we experience self-empowerment in the most profound way.”

The Akashic Way: Living Through the Lens of the Akashic Records

Publisher: Precocity Press

ISBN-13: 979-8993115092 (Paperback)

ISBN-13: 979-8993115047 (Kindle)

Feb 21: Bulandshahr: In a gesture rooted in social responsibility and deep spiritual devotion, Kapil Sharma, founder of Archon Group, along with his father Momraj Sharma, has constructed a grand new temple at Shankar Farm on the Jadol Canal in Gram Panchayat Kakarai, Bulandshahr.

The temple was officially inaugurated on February 20 through a traditional pran pratishtha (idol consecration) ceremony in accordance with the Vedic ritual. The event was attended by hundreds of followers of Kakarai and surrounding towns to observe the most impressive ceremony that consisted of mantras, havan and other religious rituals that gave the whole region a spiritual experience.

The new temple has idols of the Shiva family, Radha- Krishna, Ram- Lakshman, Maa Sita, Maa Durga and Lord Hanuman. Before the consecration, there was a colorful Kalash Yatra and a big procession, which was implemented throughout the village, and the women attended it in large numbers, contributing to the devotion.

A native of Bulandshahr (currently a renowned industrialist with his location being Ahmedabad) Kapil Sharma spoke of the temple as a simple form of paying a debt of gratitude to the town of his birth. The initiative also indicates how committed the family is towards spiritual values but also community development and social harmony.

After the rituals, a community feast (bhandara) was arranged, during which the villagers and the devotees attended the feast in huge numbers. The people in Kakarai praised the work done by Kapil Sharma and Momraj Sharma labeling the temple as an eternal beacon of beliefs, community and cultural identity

The locals assume that the temple shall be a spiritual and cultural center to the generations to come as a way of boosting the principles of devotion, unity and social accountability in the area.

A Quiet Shift in the European Buying Mindset

Jaipur, Feb 21: Across Europe’s design and interiors landscape, a subtle but meaningful shift is taking place. Buyers are moving away from short-term sourcing models and toward long-term partnerships with rug manufacturers who work closely with artisan communities. The change is less about cost efficiency and more about continuity, trust, and shared responsibility.

This evolution reflects a broader rethinking of value. Rugs are no longer viewed as interchangeable products. They are increasingly seen as outcomes of skill, culture, and collaboration.

Why Transactional Sourcing Is Losing Relevance

For years, global sourcing in the rug industry was driven by speed and scale. Today, EU buyers are questioning that approach. Inconsistencies in quality, limited transparency, and a growing emphasis on ethical accountability have made transactional relationships less viable.

Instead, buyers are prioritising manufacturers who offer stability, clarity of process, and a long-term commitment to artisan ecosystems. The focus is shifting from suppliers who fulfil orders to partners who understand evolving design sensibilities and global expectations.

Partnership Through Process

For Man Made Rugs, this shift mirrors how the brand has always approached global relationships. By working directly with artisan communities, the company places emphasis on consistent collaboration, skill development, and production practices that can evolve without losing authenticity.

“European buyers today want to work with partners who think beyond a single season,” says Nirmit Khanna, Founder of Man Made Rugs. “They want alignment in values, design thinking, and long-term intent. That is what transforms a supplier relationship into a strategic one.”

Transparency as a Foundation, Not a Requirement

One of the defining aspects of this new partnership model is transparency. EU buyers are increasingly engaging in deeper conversations around sourcing, working conditions, timelines, and scalability. This openness is not driven by regulation alone, but by a desire for reliability and mutual respect.

Manufacturers who work with artisan communities are uniquely positioned here. Their processes are inherently human-led, making accountability and traceability a natural extension of how work is done rather than an added layer.

Jaipur and the Strength of Continuity

Jaipur’s long-standing relationship with rug-making offers a compelling case for this new approach. The city’s production networks are built on continuity rather than constant churn. Skills are passed down, relationships are maintained, and quality is refined over time.

“What EU buyers increasingly value is consistency,” Khanna notes. “When you work with the same artisan communities year after year, you are able to deliver that consistency, both in craftsmanship and in communication.”

Designing the Future Together

As EU buyers rethink how they engage with rug manufacturers, the idea of partnership is taking on new meaning. Design development is becoming more collaborative. Forecasting more transparent. Expectations more clearly shared.

This shift benefits both sides. Buyers gain reliability and depth. Manufacturers gain stability and the ability to invest further in artisan communities without compromising on design or delivery.

From Jaipur to Europe, the rug is no longer just a product moving across borders. It is the result of a long-term conversation, built on trust, shared values, and the belief that the strongest partnerships are the ones designed to last.

Indian Investor & Entrepreneur HE DATO Dr Bhargav Mallappa & HE DATO Dr S. Selvaganesh Selvaraj Meets Yam Raja Izzuddin Iskandar Shah Al-Haj Ibni Almarhum Sultan Idris Afiffullah Shah, Seeks Blessings for Kampung Bharu 2.0 Project

 Signs Major MoU to Speed Up Iconic Twin-Tower Plan, Boost FDI, Create High-Value Jobs, Modernize City Infrastructure, and Strengthen Malaysia–India Ties

Malaysia / India, Feb 20: HE DATO Dr Bhargav Mallappa, a prominent Indian investor and entrepreneur from the MBRA Group, along with HE DATO Dr S Selvaganesh Selvaraj, recently met Yam Raja Izzuddin Iskandar Shah Al-Haj Ibni Almarhum Sultan Idris Afiffullah Shah, a Member of the Malaysian Royal Family (Perak), on February 15 at the Mid Valley Hotel in Kuala Lumpur.

During the meeting, HE DATO Dr Bhargav Mallappa sought His Highness’s blessings for the ambitious Kampung Bharu 2.0 redevelopment project. The discussion focused on shared vision, mutual respect, and long-term cooperation aimed at transforming one of Kuala Lumpur’s oldest and most historic neighbourhoods.

Following the meeting, a major strategic partnership was formalized with DSAT Private Equity Sdn. Bhd., under which HE Dato Dr Bhargav Mallappa is committing substantial investment to accelerate the redevelopment initiative. A key highlight of the project is the proposed iconic twin-tower development, designed to redefine the city’s skyline while carefully preserving the cultural and historical identity of Kampung Bharu.

As part of the agreement, HE DATO Dr Bhargav Mallappa has acquired equity in DSAT Private Equity Sdn. Bhd., a company licensed and regulated by the Securities Commission Malaysia. The regulated structure ensures that all investments follow strict legal, regulatory, and governance standards, maintaining full transparency and accountability.

Speaking about the initiative, HE DATO Dr Bhargav Mallappa said:

“Malaysia stands out for its economic resilience, stable governance, and vast opportunities in urban transformation. Kampung Bharu 2.0 presents a unique opportunity to create a landmark that honors heritage while embracing modern progress. Our commitment is to invest responsibly, transparently, and with a long-term development vision.”

Adding to this, HE DATO Dr. S Selvaganesh Selvaraj stated:

“This collaboration reflects the growing strength of Malaysia–India partnerships in strategic development. By combining international expertise with local vision, we aim to contribute meaningfully to sustainable growth, job creation, and long-term economic value.”

Welcoming the engagement, Yam Raja Izzuddin Iskandar Shah Al-Haj Ibni Almarhum Sultan Idris Afiffullah Shah said:

“We appreciate the confidence shown by international investors in Malaysia’s growth story. Development must be forward-looking while respecting our cultural roots. Initiatives like Kampung Bharu 2.0 have the potential to generate economic value, create skilled employment, and further strengthen Malaysia–India relations.”

The partnership is expected to attract foreign direct investment (FDI), create high-value jobs, upgrade urban infrastructure, and deepen economic ties between Malaysia and India, while supporting inclusive and sustainable national development goals.