Archives 2026

Koncept Global Books, a modern educational venture dedicated to providing holistic learning support to the next generation, today announced the launch of its new middle-school catalogue, Leapstone, for students in Classes 6–8. Building on the 25-year publishing legacy of Arihant Publications, the initiative aims to redefine how students learn, think, and apply knowledge in the 21st century.

Koncept Global Books was established to address the growing need for textbooks that go beyond academic content and develop broader competencies essential for today’s rapidly evolving world. With a shift in education towards critical thinking, problem-solving, emotional intelligence, and real-world application, traditional textbooks often fall short. Leapstone bridges this gap by offering learning resources that are India-centric yet globally aligned, ensuring students develop strong cultural roots while cultivating a future-ready mindset.

As the first milestone of its ambitious Project 21 Agenda, Koncept Global Books has launched a comprehensive catalogue of 45 titles across 15 series for Classes 6, 7, and 8. The Leapstone series represents a fundamental shift from conventional textbooks. While anchored in India’s cultural, social, and educational context, the content integrates a global outlook, preparing students for opportunities on both national and international platforms. The series emphasizes conceptual clarity, critical thinking, experiential learning, and emotional development, aligning closely with the spirit of NEP 2020 and NCF 2023.

Commenting on the launch, Mr. Atishay Jain, Managing Partner, Koncept Global Books, said:

“The ‘Project 21 Agenda’ is about transforming education from teaching ‘what to think’ to ‘how to think.’ We aim to nurture a generation of innovators and leaders who will shape the world rather than simply participate in it.”

The Leapstone series has been designed to support diverse school environments and student capabilities, ensuring accessibility and meaningful impact across different learning levels. By integrating inquiry-based activities, real-world tasks, and value-based learning, the books empower students to understand, question, apply, and internalize knowledge, moving beyond rote memorization.

The Leapstone series from Koncept Global Books is now available for schools and parents across India.

The PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI), through its Carbon Market Forum and Centre for Sustainability, has released the Carbon Edge Knowledge Series,  presenting a comprehensive assessment of India’s evolving carbon trading and sustainability landscape. The publication brings together insights from industry leaders, policymakers, and environmental experts to outline strategic recommendations for strengthening the efficiency, credibility, and inclusiveness of India’s carbon markets.

The knowledge series underscores the critical role of carbon markets in mobilising climate finance, incentivising emissions reductions, and aligning economic growth with environmental responsibility. It emphasises the need for strong institutional frameworks and coherence between India’s Climate Finance Taxonomy, global carbon market mechanisms, and international standards to ensure transparency, environmental integrity, and investor confidence.

A key focus of the series is on Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), highlighting the challenges they face in adopting ESG practices, complying with BRSR requirements, and undertaking carbon accounting. This series recommends simplified methodologies, targeted capacity building, and digital tools to enable MSMEs to participate effectively in sustainability initiatives and carbon markets.

The knowledge series also highlights sector-specific opportunities in agrivoltaics, manufacturing decarbonisation, smart buildings, and blue carbon ecosystems, alongside the importance of water management and restoration in enhancing climate resilience. It further examines global policy developments such as the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and their implications for Indian industry.

PHDCCI remains committed to supporting industry and stakeholders in advancing India’s sustainable development and climate objectives.

Samsung Unveils ‘Big Bespoke AI Fest’ with Never-Before-Seen Republic Day Deals, Cashback and Rewards on Bespoke AI Home Appliances

GURUGRAM, India, Jan 13: Samsung, India’s largest consumer electronics brand, today announced the ‘Big Bespoke AI Fest’, its Republic Day celebration designed to help consumers embrace innovation and connected living at their homes. Running from January 8 to January 31, 2026, the festive campaign brings together exciting offers, cashback rewards and warranty benefits across Samsung’s Bespoke AI digital appliances, while also extending special festive offers for Pongal and Makar Sankranti.

Through the ‘Big Bespoke AI Fest’, Samsung is inviting consumers to reimagine their homes as smarter, more intuitive spaces that seamlessly fit into modern lifestyles. Consumers can enjoy up to 50% off on select digital appliances, along with cashback benefits of up to INR 20,000 across a wide range of Bespoke AI refrigerators, washing machines, air conditioners and microwaves, making it the ideal time to upgrade to future-ready home solutions.

To make the journey towards connected living even more effortless, Samsung is offering affordable options, including a special ‘1 EMI Off’ benefit on T-Combo and select Top Load Washing Machines. These offers are designed to help consumers bring home premium, intelligent appliances with greater ease and confidence during the festive season.

As part of the festive offers, Samsung is rolling out category-wise cashback benefits, including up to INR 20,000 cashback on Frost-Free Double Door and Side-by-Side refrigerators, up to INR 6,000 cashback on Frost free refrigerators, up to INR 10,000 cashback on Front Load washing machines and Washer Dryers, and up to INR 4,000 cashback on Air Conditioners, making it an ideal time for consumers to upgrade their homes with Samsung’s intelligent appliances.

Adding further value to the festive celebration, Samsung is extending industry-leading warranty benefits, including a 10-year warranty on the Ceramic Enamel Cavity of Microwaves and a 5-year Comprehensive Warranty on Air Conditioners, offering consumers long-term peace of mind and reliability. Enhancing the festive experience further, Samsung is also offering a complimentary Borosil Kit with select microwave models, delivering added value to consumers looking to upgrade their kitchens this season.

The complete range of ‘Big Bespoke AI Fest’ offers will be available across Samsung retail outlets, leading e-commerce platforms and Samsung.com. Whether consumers are welcoming the new year or taking a step towards smarter, connected living, the Big Bespoke AI Fest makes it the perfect moment to bring home Samsung’s Bespoke appliances.

Dubai / India, Jan 13: Sansaar, the premium home furnishings brand from the house of D’Décor Exports, has officially made its international debut in the GCC through a strategic partnership with Bru Textiles’ Fabric Library. The Dubai launch marks Sansaar’s first step in bringing India’s design excellence to luxury buyers abroad.

Built on principles of thoughtful design, timeless aesthetics, and conscious craftsmanship, Sansaar reflects a modern, globally informed approach to interiors. Founded by sisters Sanjana and Sarah Arora, the brand combines refined textures, contemporary color palettes, and understated design sensibilities with the manufacturing expertise and legacy of D’Décor Exports.

Gary Neiman, Director at Bru Textiles, said:
“At Bru Textiles, we have always believed that the most powerful businesses are built not just on scale or longevity, but on vision, integrity, and an instinctive understanding of people. Sansaar’s story of two sisters building a brand together, with trust, clarity, and shared purpose, is exceptional. Their approach to design-led, culturally aware, and thoughtful leadership aligns perfectly with our values. Partnering with Sansaar is not just a business collaboration, it is an alignment of vision, creativity, and long-term purpose.”

The Dubai rollout, completed in early December 2025, follows a B2B-led distribution model, with Sansaar’s fabric collections now available across select retail and trade counters in the GCC. The partnership leverages Fabric Library’s strong regional presence and expertise in the Middle East’s interior and design ecosystem.

Sarah Arora, Co-founder of Sansaar, commented:

“We are grateful to Gary and the team at Fabric Library for recognising Sansaar’s potential and supporting our entry into the GCC market. Their deep understanding of the region, strong distribution capabilities, and long-standing relationships make them ideal partners for our international expansion. We share a commitment to quality, design integrity, and long-term value creation, making this collaboration especially meaningful.”

Sanjana Arora, Co-founder of Sansaar, added:

“Working alongside Fabric Library is a significant milestone for Sansaar as we take our first step beyond India. We are proud to be the first Indian home furnishings brand to go global. The legacy of craftsmanship and quality that made D’Décor a trusted name continues in Sansaar’s entrepreneurial spirit, which strives for excellence while upholding family values and business ethics.”

With this launch, Sansaar sets the foundation for a phased global expansion into selective markets through strategic distribution partnerships, bringing India’s rich design heritage to discerning international audiences.

“India is at an inflection point in wealth management, with institutional thinking now essential,” said Gaurav. “My focus at Nexedge is to define the investment philosophy, governance and decision-making framework that will guide portfolio construction and capital allocation over the long term.”

“Gaurav’s depth across investment strategy and his experience working with sophisticated families make him a strong partner as we build Nexedge for the long term,” said Anirudha Taparia, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Nexedge Capital. “His leadership strengthens our ability to offer thoughtful, aligned investment solutions to clients.”

By: Akshali Shah, Executive Director, Parag Milk Foods

“Ahead of Budget 2026, a continued focus on the dairy and agriculture sector, particularly on strengthening infrastructure, improving farm productivity, and expanding milk collection, can help the sector become more efficient and globally competitive. Investments in modern processing technology, organised supply chains, and better farm practices will not only support farmers and reduce wastage but also give the Indian dairy sector greater global reach and recognition for quality products.

Reforms in GST and other taxation have played a positive role in supporting consumption patterns over the past year. Boosting consumption remains an important ask from the FMCG sector. While urban demand is showing signs of recovery, rural consumption—though resilient—requires continued policy support, especially in the face of monsoon risks and inflationary pressures.

Looking ahead, we hope Budget 2026 will continue to strengthen agricultural and dairy infrastructure, support rural development, and encourage the adoption of modern technology. Initiatives such as incentivising modern processing facilities and expanding cold-chain logistics can help improve milk availability, product quality, and overall efficiency. By building on recent progress and supporting farmers with better access to credit and resources, the sector can become more resilient, competitive, and capable of meeting growing consumer demand.”

Chandigarh, Jan 13: Bank of Baroda (Bank), one of India’s leading public sector banks, has announced its association with CREDAI Hyderabad as the Exclusive Presenting Partner for the upcoming CREDAI Hyderabad Property Show 2026, scheduled to be held from February 6 to 8 at HITEX Exhibition Centre, Hyderabad. The three-day property expo will bring together leading real estate developers from across the city, offering prospective homebuyers a single platform to explore a diverse range of residential projects and avail attractive financing solutions from Bank of Baroda.

Organised by the Hyderabad chapter of Confederation of Real Estate Developers’ Associations of India (CREDAI), the Property Show will feature only RERA-approved projects from CREDAI member developers, ensuring transparency, credibility and enhanced consumer confidence.

At the Bank of Baroda stall, home buyers can avail instant in-principle home loan sanctions, special offers and receive personalised loan consultations.

Speaking on the occasion, Shri Ritesh Kumar, General Manager & Zonal Head Hyderabad Zone, Bank of Baroda said,

“At Bank of Baroda, our aim to play a constructive role in Hyderabad’s growth and development by acting as an enabler for both homebuyers and developers through timely, accessible and customised financial solutions. Our association with CREDAI Hyderabad for the Property Show 2026 reflects this commitment. Hyderabad is one of India’s most vibrant housing markets, and through this partnership, we look forward to making home ownership more accessible and affordable for aspiring buyers.”

Chennai, Tamil Nadu, Jan 13: Ashok Leyland, the Indian flagship of the Hinduja Group and the country’s leading commercial vehicle manufacturer, along with Switch Mobility and Tamil NRIs based in the United States, today gifted a double-decker bus to the Tamil Nadu Tourism Department.

Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Thiru M.K. Stalin, inaugurated Chennai’s new double-decker tourism bus service, which will connect the city’s iconic landmarks and heritage sites.

The initiative aims to offer residents and tourists an immersive experience of Chennai’s rich cultural and architectural heritage, while promoting sustainable and modern urban mobility solutions.

The initiative underscores Ashok Leyland’s continued focus on sustainable mobility and highlights its enduring partnership with Tamil Nadu in driving innovation-led growth in public and tourist transportation.

Mumbai, Jan 13: Rallis India Limited, a Tata Enterprise and a science-led agri-solutions company, today announced the launch of Idea2Impact™ Rallis Agri Innovation Ecosystem, a structured open innovation platform aimed at fostering collaboration across the agricultural ecosystem to accelerate the development of farmer-centric, sustainable solutions.

Idea2Impact™ has been conceived to bring external ideas, scientific capability, and real-world field insights together in a transparent and responsible manner. The ecosystem enables collaboration with farmers, researchers, startups, academic institutions, and small enterprises, providing them access to Rallis’ scientific expertise, R&D infrastructure, testing and validation capabilities, and pan-India market reach.

Indian agriculture is facing increasing complexity driven by climate variability, sustainability expectations, evolving regulatory requirements, and changing farmer needs. Rallis believes that addressing these challenges requires innovation that extends beyond organisational boundaries and is firmly grounded in scientific rigor and on-field relevance.

Idea2Impact™ follows a structured, milestone-based governance framework, covering confidentiality, evaluation, development, and value-sharing. Innovations submitted through the platform may progress through laboratory studies, greenhouse and multi-location field trials, piloting, and—where appropriate—commercialization, supported by clear intellectual property and royalty frameworks.

Dr. Gyanendra Shukla, Managing Director & CEO, Rallis India Limited, said:

“At Rallis, we believe that meaningful agricultural innovation emerges when strong science is combined with fresh ideas and real field experience. Idea2Impact™ is our way of opening up Rallis’ capabilities to the wider ecosystem, while maintaining the highest standards of governance, transparency, and scientific rigor. This platform will help us work more closely with innovators to develop solutions that deliver real value to farmers and contribute to the long-term sustainability of Indian agriculture.”

The ecosystem will focus on priority innovation domains critical to Indian agriculture, including Seeds and Trait Innovation (covering plant breeding and germplasm), Biological and Sustainable Solutions,

Crop Protection, Soil Health, Digital and Precision Agriculture, and Climate & Water Resilience. These focus areas align closely with Rallis’ long-term portfolio priorities and growth strategy.

As part of the Tata Group, Rallis brings to Idea2Impact™ a strong foundation of ethical practices, governance standards, and a long-term partnership mindset. Collaborations under the platform will emphasize responsible innovation, respect for intellectual property, transparent benefit-sharing mechanisms, and measurable farmer impact.

Through Idea2Impact™, Rallis aims to strengthen its innovation pipeline, accelerate the validation and scaling of relevant technologies, and build long-term partnerships that support sustainable value creation for farmers, partners, and stakeholders.

Jaipur, Jan 13:  As homes transition into spring, interior lighting is undergoing a quiet but decisive transformation. Instead of relying on a single dominant light source, designers are embracing layered illumination, which adds depth, balance, and flexibility. The goal is no longer sheer brightness, but a nuanced atmosphere crafted through multiple light sources working in harmony.

Layered lighting responds to how spaces are actually lived in throughout the day. It allows natural daylight to lead, while artificial lighting enhances function without overwhelming architecture. The result is clarity rather than visual noise, creating interiors that feel composed, considered, and welcoming.

At Lumeil, this philosophy shapes every collection. Lighting is integrated into spatial planning from the outset, supporting both architecture and daily experience.

Why Layering Defines Spring Interiors

Spring light is softer and more fluid. As daylight hours lengthen, artificial lighting must adapt rather than compete. Layered schemes enable this transition, allowing different sources to take prominence at different times.

Designers typically work with three primary layers: ambient, task, and accent. Each serves a distinct purpose, and together they create spaces that feel calm, adaptable, and visually rich.

“Layered lighting allows a space to respond naturally to changing daylight and usage. It adds depth without excess.”  Naman Jain, Founder, Lumeil

Establishing the Ambient Layer

Ambient lighting forms the foundation of any layered scheme. In living rooms and open-plan areas, a well-chosen chandelier establishes spatial hierarchy while maintaining restraint.

• The Allure Golden Orb Crystal Chandelier provides a diffused glow that complements daylight, anchoring the space without dominating it.

• The Adonis Premium Chandelier balances seating and circulation zones with quiet elegance.

These fixtures act as anchors, allowing task and accent layers to perform seamlessly.

Defining Zones with Task Lighting

Task lighting adds precision and functionality. Over dining tables or kitchen islands, pendants define scale and focus.

• The Panache Pendant Light directs illumination while maintaining visual elegance.

• The Roseate Pendant Light Single works beautifully over reading corners or bedside tables, creating pockets of intentional light.

Planned early in the design process, task lighting reduces the need for excessive fixtures later.

Adding Depth Through Accent Lighting

Accent lighting introduces rhythm, texture, and subtlety. Wall-mounted fixtures are especially effective in spring interiors, complementing natural light rather than competing with it.

• The Outline Wall Light highlights textures and artwork with a low profile.

• The Duo LED Wall Light guides movement through corridors while remaining visually unobtrusive.

• For vertical interest, the Muziris 3 Head Gold Cylindrical Pendant Light enriches surfaces with gentle light play.

“Accent lighting is where a space gains character. It supports architecture and materials rather than competing with them.”  Naman Jain, Founder, Lumeil

Layering Beyond the Living Room

Layered lighting extends naturally into secondary spaces:

• The Roseate Floor Lamp introduces warmth and scale to lounge corners.

• The Blade Pedestal Outdoor Light maintains continuity between interior and exterior areas.

When thoughtfully combined, these elements create a cohesive lighting language that unifies the entire home.

A Design Strategy, Not a Trend

Layered lighting is not a seasonal trend—it’s a considered design approach. It allows designers to respond to architecture, daylight, and human behaviour with precision. The question shifts from “how many fixtures do we need?” to “how does each light contribute to the overall experience?”

Homes that embrace layered lighting feel calmer, more adaptable, and enduring. They transition effortlessly from day to night, from functional tasks to relaxation.

In contemporary interiors, layering creates richness without clutter and atmosphere without excess. By combining ambient, task, and accent layers thoughtfully, designers craft homes that feel balanced, intentional, and quietly expressive.