All posts by Neel Achary

Feb 24: In a landmark move for India’s footwear industry, Meerut-headquartered inclusive footwear startup House of Avi has onboarded Guinness World Record holder Tanya Herbert as its Brand Ambassador. In 2022, Herbert was included in the Guinness Book World Records for having the largest feet on a living person (female). The collaboration marks a pivotal milestone for House of Avi, which has built its reputation and identity around curating the world’s largest standard footwear size range – from 4 to 20 (US size) – as part of its regular inventory.

While major global brands typically cap women’s footwear production at US size 10 to 12, and most Indian manufacturers rarely exceed size 14, House of Avi is offering a wide variety of women’s and unisex footwear up to size 20, making them the undisputed world’s largest shoes’ manufacturer. As their Brand Ambassador, Herbert will be actively participating and contributing towards House of Avi’s digital and social media campaigns, strategic marketing and publicity efforts, and propel awareness initiatives tailored to connect the brand with individuals worldwide who struggle to find footwear accommodating their size.

41-year-old Tanya Herbert, who lives in Houston, Texas, USA, used to struggle, for the most part of her life, when she tried finding feminine footwear options in large sizes. Her right foot measures 33.1 cm (13.03 inches) and her left foot 32.5 cm (12.79 inches), corresponding to US women’s shoe size 18. That changed after she wore House of Avi shoes for the first time in 2024; and today, House of Avi has become a regular part of her everyday life, as Herbert continues to advocate publicly for body positivity and inclusivity in footwear and fashion. 

Expressing her enthusiasm on joining House of Avi as brand ambassador, Tanya Herbert said,

“I strongly believe that style should be inclusive, and House of Avi is actually making that happen. For decades, I was forced to compromise – often wearing men’s shoes because nothing else fit. House of Avi helped me flip that script. They approached me not as an exception or afterthought, but as someone they were already building for. That difference matters. I am truly excited to officially partner with Avi and his team, and look forward to working together to meaningfully grow a brand that genuinely understands the importance of inclusivity, and is committed to serving those with plus-size feet – who have been, for long, overlooked by mainstream footwear brands”.

People with large-sized feet, who have been traditionally left out by mass-market and premium brands alike, find it extremely challenging to find proportionate, size-appropriate footwear. House of Avi’s approach not only bridges this gap, but also challenges the industry norm of treating larger sizes as rare, custom requests. Instead, the brand integrates large-sized footwear into its core manufacturing, while ensuring style, craftsmanship, and durability remain consistent across its entire size range.

Avi Kumar, Founder and CEO, House of Avi commented,

“Our collaboration with Tanya marks a symbolic and strategic alignment – the woman with world’s largest feet meeting the world’s most ambitious extra-large footwear maker. At House of Avi, we have always believed that inclusivity isn’t a trend or a checklist – it’s a responsibility. Tanya’s journey powerfully represents the very reason we exist. Every woman deserves access to fashion that fits her body, her identity and her aspirations; and we are here to make that a reality. As we move ahead to cater to more of the underserved and ‘forgotten’ demographics who historically lacked representation in footwear design, joining forces with Tanya Herbert shall not only enhance our brand credibility and visibility, but also help us reach the right audiences, reinforcing that an Indian brand can lead the conversation on inclusive footwear globally”.

Founded in 2019, House of Avi was born out of founder Avi Kumar’s personal struggle to find well-fitted shoes while living in Australia. What began as a personal frustration later evolved into a mission-driven enterprise: to end “footwear exile” — the exclusion faced by millions worldwide with larger builds, and all whose feet sizes fall outside of conventional production size limits.

The startup sells its products majorly through its own website, and has gained substantial organic traction over the years, with growing demand witnessed pan-India, as well as from international markets such as Australia, US, UK, Germany, France, and many others. Among House of Avi’s most popular, standout offerings is ‘Avircazz’ – the brand’s modern re-interpretation of the traditional Spanish Avarca sandals, wherein by “Indianizing” the Menorcan silhouette, they have created the country’s first-of-its-kind hybrid footwear: delivering the structure of a closed shoe with the breathability of a sandal.

Notably, every pair of House of Avi footwear is designed for long-term durability and comfort using high-quality materials, and handcrafted by Indian artisans, positioning the brand as a “Make in India” success story. With strong in-house manufacturing capability, a lean business model, and association with an influencer like Tanya Herbert championing inclusivity, House of Avi is well positioned for major expansion and growth in the years to come. As Avi himself puts it, “With an Indian soul, wide sole, House of Avi is now ready to take on a global role.”

Mumbai, Feb 24: HGS Interactive, a global digital marketing agency and part of leading intelligent experience company Hinduja Global Solutions (HGS), has announced that it has secured the social media mandate for Rallis India.

Rallis India, a subsidiary of Tata Chemicals, is a leading player in the Indian agri-input industry with a strong presence in crop protection, seeds, and plant growth nutrients. As part of the engagement, HGS Interactive will strategically manage and elevate the brand’s social media presence by designing and delivering compelling content, targeted campaigns, and integrated communication strategies.

Dr. Arpita Pattanaik, Business Analyst and Corporate Communications at Rallis India, said,

“Our digital marketing vision has been to build deeper engagement with farmers and stakeholders, while positioning Rallis as an innovative and trusted partner in Indian agriculture. With HGS Interactive’s expertise in social media and digital storytelling, we’ve been able to bring this vision to life and create meaningful impact across platforms.”

Sachin Karweer, Business Head at HGS Interactive, added,

 “We are excited to partner with Rallis India in elevating its digital presence. Our role has been to craft creative campaigns, leverage data-driven insights, and drive impactful engagement across platforms – helping the brand connect more effectively with its diverse audience in the agri space.”

Delhi-NCR, Feb 24: XLRI Delhi-NCR, a premier management institution recognised for academic excellence, industry engagement, and policy-focused research successfully concluded VerteX 2026, its flagship CXO Conclave, at the campus. Organised by the Student’s Team of Xplore: CXO Club, the summit centred around the theme ‘The Five-Year Mosaic (2020–2025)’ and brought together senior industry leaders to reflect on systemic leadership, defining decisions, technological transitions, and structural market shifts that have reshaped organisations over the past five years. Designed to bridge academic theory with organisational realities, the conclave created a platform for examining real-world decision-making in high-stakes environments.

The two-day conclave was structured around a grand inauguration, flagship panel discussions, a fireside conversation, CXO podcast sessions, and student interaction forums. The inaugural address by Dr. Munish Thakur, Dean (Academics), XLRI Delhi-NCR, set the thematic tone by underscoring that crises do not merely create challenges but reveal the calibre of leadership. The address emphasised the responsibility of leaders to create coherence amid uncertainty, safeguard human values in an increasingly AI-led landscape, and navigate shifting power dynamics toward society, consumers, and regulators.

Speaking on the successful conclusion of VerteX 2026, Dr. Munish Thakur, Dean (Academics), XLRI Delhi-NCR, said, “The last five years have reminded us that leadership is not tested in stability, but in disruption. Crises strip away titles and reveal character. In an AI-driven and rapidly shifting regulatory landscape, responsible leadership must be anchored in inner conviction, ethical clarity, and human presence. Technology may accelerate decisions, but it cannot replace presence based leadership that inspires trust, resilience, and collective progress.”

A key highlight of VerteX 2026 was the participation of distinguished leaders from diverse industries, representing organisations such as PwC, Bikanervala Foods Pvt. Ltd., Accenture Strategy, Tata Play, GMR Group, Metro Telworks Group, Jio BP, Nxtra Data Ltd., Everest Group, and Cambridge University Press & Assessment. The sessions explored the operational and strategic trade-offs emerging from the global crises of 2020–21, highlighting the need for organisations to demonstrate agility and resilience in an uncertain world. Speakers reflected on how accelerated digital and AI adoption have reshaped corporate priorities, bringing renewed focus to financial discipline, operational adaptability, and human-centred leadership.

The conclave featured four flagship discussions: “When the Music Changed,” moderated by Prof. Sanchayan Nath; a fireside chat titled “Conducting in Real Time”; “When the Decision Couldn’t Be Replayed,” moderated by Prof. Malvika Chhatwani; and “Who Sets the Tempo Now?” moderated by Prof. Narsimhan Rajkumar. Leaders including Lalit Mohan (Partner, PwC), Suresh Goel (CEO, Bikanervala Foods Pvt. Ltd.), Param Puneet Singh (Partner & MD, Accenture Strategy), Sambasivan G (CFO, Tata Play), Subir Hazra (Chief Commercial and Strategy Officer, GMR Group), Bhavik Shah (Group CFO, Metro Telworks), Satyaki Mukherjee (Chief Digital Officer, Jio BP), Deepesh Sirohia (CFO, Nxtra Data Ltd.), Yugal Joshi (Partner, Everest Group), and Priya Sharma (CFO, Cambridge University Press & Assessment) shared insights on navigating irreversible decisions, managing extreme uncertainty, and building psychologically safe environments that foster innovation.

Leaders discussed navigating irreversible decisions amid incomplete information, stressing the importance of emotional composure, psychological safety, and judgment rooted in experience. Conversations further examined the intersections of healthcare, supply chains, consulting, and AI-enabled systems, while analysing shifting power dynamics among consumers, platforms, and regulators. The exchange also contrasted the agility of startups with the structured governance of legacy institutions. The conclave was live-streamed on the official Xplore YouTube channel, extending its reach beyond the campus and engaging a wider audience.

Hyderabad, February 23, 2026: Celebrating two decades of shaping women leaders, fostering entrepreneurship, and strengthening community networks, the Young FICCI Ladies Organisation (YFLO) commemorated its landmark 20th Anniversary at a grand function held on Monday evening at the Park Hyatt, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad. Over the past twenty years, YFLO has evolved into a powerful platform that has nurtured women changemakers across business, governance, healthcare, education, arts, and social impact — transforming networks into engines of meaningful societal change.

 The milestone celebration, held under the leadership of Chairperson Ms. Pallavi Jain, reflected on YFLO’s journey from a leadership forum to a dynamic movement that continues to inspire purpose-driven action. In her opening remarks, Pallavi Jain said, “YFLO’s 20-year journey is a celebration of courage, collaboration, and the collective strength of women who dare to lead with purpose. Over the past two decades, we have built more than a network — we have nurtured a community of changemakers committed to shaping industries, uplifting voices, and creating lasting impact. As we mark this milestone, we reaffirm our belief that when women lead with vision and empathy, transformation is not just possible — it is inevitable.”

She further added that FLO has now transformed into a powerful national movement, reinforcing the role of women in leadership and nation-building. “I have learned that leadership is not about authority; it is about responsibility, stewardship, and service,” she remarked.

 Highlighting the chapter’s achievements, Pallavi Jain noted that FICCI FLO Hyderabad has consistently set benchmarks of excellence — from establishing the first FICCI FLO office to pioneering the first industrial park initiative, and achieving one of the highest Governing Body representations at the national level. “This chapter has demonstrated vision backed by execution,” she said.

 National Vice President Kamini Saraf delivered a message on behalf of FLO National President Ms Poonam Sharma. 

 The evening also honoured all past Chairpersons of YFLO and FLO for their contributions to building the organisation’s strong foundation. Several former leaders shared reflections on their journeys and the milestones achieved during their respective tenures.

 A major highlight of the celebration was a distinguished Panel Discussion moderated by Ms Anjum Babukhan — education leader, philanthropist, community organiser, and Past Chairperson of YFLO — known for her work in civic engagement and interfaith harmony. The panel brought together eminent women leaders from diverse sectors, including Ms. Swati Lakra; Ms. Mahima Datla (Pharmacy & Healthcare); Ms. Swapna Dutt (Cinema & Creative Vision); Dr. Manjula Anagani (Women’s Health & Innovation); Dr. P. Sindhura Narayana (Education & Leadership); Ms. Jayanti Reddy (Craft & Couture); and Ms. Miheeka Daggubati (Art & Mental Health).

 The discussion offered powerful insights into leadership journeys, resilience, innovation, and the evolving role of women in shaping India’s social and economic landscape. Bringing together voices from governance, healthcare, entrepreneurship, fashion, cinema, and mental well-being, the conversation underscored the importance of collaborative leadership in driving inclusive growth.

 As YFLO marks twenty impactful years, the celebration stands as a tribute to its enduring legacy of fostering leadership, strengthening communities, and empowering women to lead with vision, responsibility, and purpose.

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Hyderabad, Feb 24: Nexus Hyderabad Mall is all set to emerge as Hyderabad’s Biggest Eid Shopping Destination with the launch of Nexus Eid Fest, a grand month-long celebration from 17th February to 22nd March 2026. Designed as a one stop festive hub, the celebration brings together curated Eid shopping, immersive décor, cultural showcases, culinary experiences, and mega rewards, creating an unmatched festive experience for families across the city.

As part of the festivities, the mall will host exclusive Eid Curated Brand Stations, where leading fashion, lifestyle, jewellery, and gifting brands will display their finest festive collections. From elegant traditional wear and accessories to premium gifting options, shoppers can discover everything they need for Eid celebrations under one roof. Elevating the excitement further is the Special Shop & Win Gifting Catalogue, giving customers a chance to win a Jawa Bike as the bumper prize, an all-expense paid trip to Dubai, along with assured gifts and exclusive rewards through the Nexus One App.

The highlight of the celebrations, Jashn e Hyderabad, an Eid Carnival will take place from 13th to 15th March, transforming the mall into a vibrant cultural carnival. Visitors can indulge in Hyderabad’s Grand Iftar Party featuring over 25 Eid delicacies, explore Dastarkhwan Street with authentic festive spreads, savour indulgent treats at Ramzan Dessert Street, and experience the charm of Irani Café culture through interactive workshops and live activities. The three-day celebration will also feature over eight engaging workshops for families and children, alongside energetic performances including drummers, a Fusion Sufi set and traditional Rouf dance performances adding a distinct flavour to the celebrations happening at the South Side Event Arena. The entire mall will be transformed with spectacular Eid décor installations across the atrium and exterior façade, complemented by grand lighting displays that create a stunning festive ambience for visitors.

The celebrations will culminate on 22nd March with a Sanam India Tour Live Musical performance by acclaimed singer Sanam Puri, promising an electrifying musical finale to Hyderabad’s biggest Eid celebration.

Event Details:

What: Hyderabad’s Biggest Eid Shopping Destination

When: 17th February to 22nd March 2026

Where: Nexus Hyderabad Mall

Important Event Days- 

13th to 15th March – Jashn e Hyderabad Eid Carnival

22nd March – Sanam – India Tour Musical Concert

Jaipur, Feb 24 : In contemporary interiors, lighting is no longer just functional. It plays a decisive role in shaping mood, proportion, and spatial narrative. Across thoughtfully designed homes in India today, designers and homeowners are replacing cluttered arrays of decorative lights with a single, commanding fixture that serves both lighting and design goals. This shift speaks to a deeper understanding of visual authority, spatial clarity, and refined taste.

Lighting that makes a strong design statement allows a room to speak with coherence rather than noise. It frames furniture, complements textures, and gives direction to human interaction within a space.

Rewriting the Rules of Illumination

For years, the reflexive approach was to scatter multiple lights throughout a room. Table lamps, wall sconces, multiple ceiling spots and pendant clusters were the default. Yet this abundance often diluted visual hierarchy. When each piece vies for attention, none truly defines the space.

That is changing. Today’s design language increasingly privileges a single statement light as the centre of gravity. This fixture becomes both the primary source of illumination and the central design gesture.

“Lighting should lead a space rather than decorate it,” says Naman Jain, Founder of Lumeil. “A single, well considered light creates clarity of vision in a room. It simplifies the visual field and elevates the entire interior.”

When One Fixture Does the Work of Many

At Lumeil, curated lighting embodies this philosophy. The focus is on fixtures that are capable of commanding presence while performing essential illumination tasks. Examples include:

• Allure Golden Orb Crystal Chandelier, a refined crystal chandelier that provides warm ambient light while anchoring a living room or dining space with graceful geometry.

• Mushroom Medley Crystal Chandelier, with its nature-inspired glass forms that enrich interiors with sculptural dimension and warm radiance.

• Adonis Premium Chandelier by Philips, a modern take on classic silhouette that combines statement quality with functional illumination.

• My Living Glacial Crystal Chandelier, a versatile centrepiece suitable for living rooms and formal dining spaces alike, with crystal elements that cast inviting light.

These fixtures are chosen not just for their aesthetics but for how they define a space’s lighting strategy. Each is capable of providing ambient illumination while reinforcing the room’s design identity.

Why Designers Are Embracing the Single Statement Light

There are practical design reasons for this shift. A single dominant light simplifies the planning process. It reduces visual clutter and provides a clear focal point around which furniture and spatial flow can be organised. This is especially valuable in modern open plans where spaces bleed into one another.

Using fewer, stronger lights also aligns with evolving tastes. Interiors that feel deliberate rather than busy are read as more sophisticated and calm. This rhythm supports both everyday living and special occasions with ease.

“At Lumeil, we see homeowners becoming more intentional with how they light their homes,” Jain explains. “They are asking deeper questions about proportion, finish, and placement. Choosing one strong fixture often leads to better design outcomes than filling a room with many lights that compete with each other.”

The Role of Scale and Proportion

A statement light works best when balanced with the scale of the space. Too small, and it gets lost. Too large, and it overwhelms. This is where Lumeil’s curated approach becomes an asset. Each fixture in the collection is vetted for design integrity, material quality, and spatial appropriateness.

This shift toward singular fixtures does not mean eliminating layers of light entirely. Subtle secondary sources such as concealed LEDs or wall lights can provide functional support without undermining the statement piece. However, these sources are understated by design and never vie for attention.

A New Standard in Lighting Elegance

The rise of the statement light marks a deeper reset in interior priorities. Homeowners and designers alike are embracing clarity over clutter, and intention over excess. The outcome is spaces that feel composed and purposeful.

In this new era of lighting design, what matters most is not how many fixtures are present, but how thoughtfully they are chosen. In that focus, one perfect light can do the work of many and elevate the entire home.

Designed for deployment in space-constrained industrial robotic solutions, the de next-RAP8-EZBOX packs 13th Gen Intel Core processing into a system measuring just 95.5mm x 69.5mm x 42.5mm.

(Taipei, Taiwan – Feb 24) Edge computing leader AAEON (Stock Code: 6579) announced another breakthrough with the release of the de next-RAP8-EZBOX, the world’s smallest embedded PC powered by 13^th Generation Intel® Core™ Processors.

Measuring just 95.5mm x 69.5mm x 42.5mm with a heatsink, and 95.5mm x 69.5mm x 45.4mm with an active cooler, the de next-RAP8-EZBOX is designed for deployment in space-constrained autonomous systems or as the central controller within industrial robots.

The system comes with the 10-core, 12-thread Intel® Core™ i7-1365UE processor (formerly Raptor Lake), Intel® Iris® Xe Graphics, and 16GB of soldered LPDDR5x system memory. Despite its small size and relatively high processing capabilities, the de next-RAP8-EZBOX provides a range of I/Os designed to connect and coordinate with various robotics subsystems. For example, the system comes with two LAN ports, one for GbE and one for 2.5GbE speed, joined by two USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports. Rounding off its physical interfaces is an HDMI 1.2a port. Meanwhile, the de next-RAP8-EZBOX’s storage comes via an M.2 2280 M-Key slot.

The de next-RAP8-EZBOX is available with both fan-assisted and passive heatsink cooling options, making it possible to integrate the system into fully sealed enclosures without the risk of overheating. Moreover, the system’s 15W performance hybrid architecture CPU and LPDDR5x system memory both minimize heat output and energy draw, preventing excessive thermal buildup during extended periods of operation.

Despite it being a new release, the product has already seen a great deal of attention, winning a Taiwan Excellence Award for its innovative design and market potential, particularly with respect to its potential use in space-constrained autonomous systems or as a central controller within industrial robots.

The system offers broad compatibility with operating systems, including Windows® 10 and Ubuntu 22.04.3 (Kernel 6.2).

CERA, a premier destination for luxury sanitaryware and bathroom solutions, proudly announces the grand opening of its company-owned display centre at Bay Pride Mall, Marine Drive, Kochi.

The centre was inaugurated by Mrs. Deepshikha Khaitan, Vice Chairman & Joint Managing Director, in the presence of company officials, eminent architects, developers, and valued channel partners.

Cera Style Studio seamlessly brings together the luxurious elegance of Senator, the sophistication of Cera Luxe and Cera’s most popular offerings, all under one roof.

Designed as an immersive destination, it delivers an elevated consumer experience to explore the brand’s finest collections in a sophisticated setting.

Mrs. Deepshikha Khaitan, Vice Chairman & Joint Managing Director, shared, “With CERA Style Studio, we envisioned a space where architects, interior designers, and customers don’t just browse — they imagine and create. It reflects our promise of finest design, superior craftsmanship, and innovative solutions under one roof, setting new benchmarks for modern bathrooms”.

Late-night Netflix binges and long screen hours expose skin to frequent blue light from phones, tablets, and TVs. This digital light can penetrate the skin, contributing to pigmentation dullness and early ageing alongside traditional UV damage. The impact becomes stronger in a dark room where the contrast makes your skin absorb more concentrated light from screens.

This is why skin protection now goes beyond outdoors. Pond’s Anti‑Blue Light UV Miracle SPF 50 PA++++ & DPF offers broad-spectrum SPF 50 PA++++ protection, plus a Digital Protection Factor (DPF) to help shield skin from blue light emitted by screens as well as UVA and UVB rays. Its lightweight, tinted formula blends seamlessly with no white cast, enhancing natural radiance and helping blur imperfections, making it ideal for daily indoor and outdoor use.

New Delhi, Feb 24: Sapaad, a bootstrapped, Make-in-India cloud-based restaurant technology company with a strong global footprint, today announced its participation at AAHAR 2026, to be held from 10th – 14th March, 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. At the upcoming edition of India’s leading food and hospitality industry exhibition, Sapaad will showcase its enterprise-grade, cloud-native restaurant technology solutions designed to support the evolving needs of organised and growth-focused foodservice brands across the country.

Vishnu Vardhan Madabhushi, Founder & CEO, Sapaad, said, “Across global and Indian markets, the foodservice industry is being reshaped by rising operational complexity, multi-channel demand and cost pressures, making real-time visibility and data-led decision-making critical for sustainable growth. In India, high-growth formats such as cloud kitchens, QSRs and café chains are expected to grow at around 12–14% CAGR, compared to 5–7% for unorganised formats, highlighting the need for scalable, enterprise-grade digital infrastructure. At AAHAR 2026, we will showcase our unified, cloud-native platform with live demonstrations, highlighting how restaurant brands can streamline operations and leverage AI-driven insights to build scalable, future-ready businesses. With our interactive conversational tool and a unified one-stack platform, we plan to capture at least 8 to 10% of India’s organised food services space by 2030.

After a decade of successful global operations, the company has entered the Indian market to bring its proven technology solutions to support the country’s rapidly growing food services sector. India’s organized food services market is expected to reach approx. US$120–125 billion by 2030, from an estimated US$78 billion in 2025 with roughly 60% absolute growth over the period. The company’s participation in AAHAR 2026 aligns with its broader India market strategy, which focuses on serving the organised and technology-ready segment of the country’s foodservice ecosystem and enabling operators to adopt scalable, reliable and future-ready digital infrastructure.

At AAHAR 2026, Sapaad will present live demonstrations of its solutions – Cloud-Native Restaurant POS its unique AI conversational BI tool Ask Vantage. Built inside Sapaad’s Unified Commerce platform, Ask Vantage analyses real-time signals across POS, inventory, recipes, purchasing, labour, and delivery channels, delivering actionable intelligence on the go. Sapaad’s solutions play a critical role in enabling restaurants, cafés and QSR chains, cloud kitchens and multi-outlet brands to digitise and streamline end-to-end operations, from ordering and payments to kitchen operations, inventory, analytics and AI-driven decision support.

Sapaad will be exhibiting at AAHAR 2026 in Hall 14 – First Floor (14FF), Booth No. 14F-12-D. Alongside live demonstrations, visitors will have the opportunity to engage with the company’s leadership and product teams, and discover Sapaad’s modular cloud-first platform enables multi-format restaurant operations and scalable digital infrastructure for both Indian and international food service brands.