All posts by Neel Achary

Nizamabad. Feb 18: Strengthening its presence in South India, Centuary Mattresses and Sofas, India’s trusted Sleep Specialist brand with over three decades of legacy, has announced the grand inauguration of its new Centuary Mattresses & Sofas Experience Store in Vinayak Nagar, Nizamabad. The launch marks another milestone in the brand’s aggressive retail expansion across Telangana, bringing advanced sleep and comfort solutions closer to customers in emerging urban markets.

As part of the grand launch celebrations, customers can avail up to 20% off on mattresses along with complimentary pillows, bed sheets, and mattress protectors on eligible purchases during the inaugural period. Customers can also benefit from Buy 1 Get 1 Free on select accessories, making it easier to upgrade their complete sleep ecosystem. In addition, customers purchasing mattresses can avail up to 40% off on sofas, enabling them to upgrade both bedroom and living room comfort simultaneously.

The store also offers easy financing options through Bajaj Finserv, fast and free delivery on select orders, and exclusive inaugural gift hampers for early customers. The outlet is designed with ample parking and a customer-first retail layout to ensure a seamless and convenient shopping experience.
Strategically located at Building No. 1-13-4052, beside Rukmini Chambers, Vinayak Nagar, Hyderabad Road, the new experience store is designed to provide customers with a hands-on, immersive shopping experience. The outlet showcases a wide range of mattresses, sofas, and sleep accessories catering to diverse comfort, health, and lifestyle needs.

The store was inaugurated by Uttam Malani, Executive Director, Centuary Mattresses and Sofas, in the presence of local partners, customers, and industry stakeholders. The inauguration witnessed strong local participation, reflecting the growing demand for premium and technologically advanced sleep solutions in the region.

Speaking on the occasion, Uttam Malani said, “At Centuary, we are committed to redefining comfort through continuous innovation and consumer-focused design. The launch of our Nizamabad experience store is an important step in strengthening our presence in Telangana. We aim to offer customers a personalised and educational buying experience that helps them choose the right sleep solutions for long-term well-being.”

The new experience store offers an extensive portfolio including orthopaedic mattresses, memory foam solutions, advanced spring systems, and ergonomic sofas. The products are engineered using high-density foam technologies, cooling comfort layers, and antimicrobial protection solutions, ensuring durability, hygiene, and enhanced sleep quality.

Designed as a one-stop destination for comfort solutions, the store also enables customers to physically experience products before purchase, supported by trained sleep advisors who guide customers based on individual comfort and health requirements.

With a strong network of over 4,500 dealer outlets and 450+ exclusive brand stores across India, Centuary continues to expand its retail footprint while staying committed to its core vision of helping customers achieve better sleep and improved lifestyle comfort.

New Delhi, Feb 18th: Reinforcing its commitment to emerging technologies and future-ready governance, Goa is making a strong and strategic presence at the India AI Impact Summit 2026, organized by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India, at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. The summit, being held from February 16 to 20, 2026, marks the first major global AI summit hosted in the Global South and aims to shape an inclusive, responsible and resilient Artificial Intelligence ecosystem.

Aligned with the broader vision of People, Planet and Progress, the summit has drawn global attention, with participation from key political leaders, industry leaders, startups and stakeholders from across the world. The Department of Information Technology, Electronics & Communications (DITE&C), Government of Goa, presence at the summit underscores its strategic efforts to position the state as an emerging AI-driven innovation hub, across India’s growing AI ecosystem and on the international stage.

On the inaugural day, during the knowledge-sharing Workshop on AI adoption, Shri. Heramb Kanekar, Startup and IT Promotion Cell, DITE&C outlined Goa’s AI initiatives and affirmed the state’s commitment to building ethical and scalable AI solutions that benefit citizens and enable startups to innovate responsibly.

Under the Goa AI Mission 2027, the state has launched initiatives like the AI for Governance & Social Impact workshop, an AI Hackathon and a new AI Chatbot on Goa Online Portal. These efforts highlight Goa’s approach to leverage AI not merely as a technological advancement, but as a tool to improve public service delivery, enhance transparency, empower startups and create sustainable economic growth.

Among the flagship initiatives at the summit, the AI Impact Expo at the Bharat Mandapam serves as an experiential showcase featuring international, state, enterprise and startup pavilions. Spanning over 70,000 square metres across 10 arenas and hosting more than 840 exhibitors, the expo was inaugurated by Shri. Narendra Modi, Hon’ble Prime Minister of India on day one.

Supported by the DITE&C, five innovative startups from Goa are exhibiting at the expo. These include DivvyUp and Grow by Shri. Gaurish Datta Pangam and Shri. Shivam Kamat; Frover Labs Pvt. Ltd. by Shri. Siddharth Manjrekar and Shri. Sarvesh Patkar; Neural Kissan by Shri. Sai Vitthal Rane; Kverty by Shri. Mexson Fernandes; and Phosic India Pvt. Ltd. by Shri. Dewansh Choudhary. These startups are demonstrating AI applications across sectors, highlighting the diversity of Goa’s growing innovation ecosystem.

While the expo remains open to delegates and visitors throughout the summit, the final two days of the summit, February 19 and 20, will feature Leaders’ Plenary Sessions, roundtables and panel discussions focused on how AI can serve humanity, foster inclusive growth and drive sustainable development.

Through strategic collaboration, forward-looking policy and a growing startup ecosystem, Goa is positioning itself as a responsible and future-ready AI destination. The state invites delegates, industry leaders, investors and visitors to explore the Goa pavilion (Stall No. 4F.21) in Hall No. 4 to experience firsthand how Goan innovators are harnessing Artificial Intelligence to create meaningful, inclusive and sustainable impact.

 MUMBAI, India, Feb 18: Mumbai was announced as the host city for The Earthshot Prize 2026 – the world’s most prestigious and impactful environmental award.

The announcement was made during the city’s inaugural Climate Action Week, underscoring India’s growing role as a global leader in climate and nature solutions. An evening event gathered leaders from science, business, politics and the arts to hear from previous Earthshot Prize Finalists from India on how they are scaling solutions to repair and restore the planet.

 Chief Minister of Maharashtra Devendra Fadnavis, said:

“The Earthshot Prize is the world’s most prestigious environmental award and I’m proud to announce that it will be hosted in Mumbai in November. Sustainability and climate action remain top priorities for Maharashtra, and The Earthshot Prize will create global attention for India’s leadership and commitment to turning our goals into meaningful action on the ground.”

 Founded by HRH Prince William, The Earthshot Prize exists to inspire a decade of urgent optimism and environmental action. The celebration in Mumbai will bring together environmental and business leaders, investors and philanthropists who are spearheading change. The Awards Night will culminate in five Earthshot leaders each winning £1 million to accelerate the impact of their innovative solutions.

 Founder and President of The Earthshot Prize, HRH Prince William, said:

’’We must continue to look to the future with urgency and optimism, which is why I am delighted that Mumbai will host The Earthshot Prize 2026. India is one of the world’s most important forces for climate and nature. What succeeds in India at scale has the power to inspire progress everywhere.’’

 “With the largest population of young people in the world, there is a real sense of momentum – to not only imagine a better future, but to inspire change and make it a reality. Together we can rise to meet our greatest challenge, to repair and restore our planet by 2030.​”

 Jason Knauf, CEO of The Earthshot Prize, said:

“We cannot wait to celebrate India’s climate leadership with the world this November. Earthshot 2026 Mumbai is going to be the biggest and most impactful in our history.”

 Event speaker and UN Environment Goodwill Ambassador and sustainability advocate Dia Mirza Rekhi said:

“What drew me to The Earthshot Prize is its focus on solutions that are already creating real impact, not just conversations about the future. India is demonstrating that climate action can be practical, inclusive, and scalable and this moment is about recognising that leadership and taking it further.”

 Inspired by President John F. Kennedy’s 1962 ‘Moonshot’ to land a man on the moon within a decade, The Earthshot Prize was founded by HRH Prince William in 2020 to spark the same spirit of collective ambition and action for our planet.

This year’s Prize will shine a global spotlight on 15 groundbreaking environmental solutions, under five categories developed in collaboration with leading environmental experts: Protect and Restore Nature; Clean our Air; Revive our Oceans; Build a Waste-Free World; and Fix our Climate.

Five years into the Earthshot decade, the Prize has identified over 5,600 emerging environmental innovations from 156 countries – over 2,400 in 2025 alone, recognised and supported 75 Finalists and awarded £25 million to Prize Winners to help scale their solutions. Earthshot Prize Finalists have already:

• Protected and restored over 1 million square kilometres of land and oceans – an area nearly twice the size of France.
• Stopped 250,000 tonnes of waste reaching landfill – the same as 22,000 school buses.
• Captured 4.8 million tonnes of CO2 – the equivalent of taking 1.2 million cars off the road for an entire year.

Earthshot Prize Finalists have collectively secured more US$500m in investment and philanthropy, setting the stage for unprecedented acceleration in solutions to repair our planet over the next five years.

Mumbai joins previous Earthshot host cities Rio de Janeiro, Cape Town, Singapore, Boston and London in being a launchpad for environmental action.

As one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing economies, India represents both the scale of climate challenge and the opportunity to deliver solutions that work in dense cities, agricultural systems and complex supply chains.

What succeeds in India at scale has the potential to shape global climate progress. The multi-day celebration of environmental leaders who are delivering bold solutions to repair our planet will come to India for the first time in November 2026.

India is home to more Earthshot Prize Winners and Finalists than any other country, with seven Finalists to date, including four winners, reflecting the country’s depth of innovation and execution across clean energy, regenerative agriculture, waste management and air quality. They are:

• The State of Gujarat (2025 Finalist – Clean Our Air) The State of Gujarat in India has pioneered the world’s first trading scheme for particulate emissions, that lets businesses keep growing while providing clean, healthier air for its citizens.
• S4S Technologies (2023 Winner – Build a Waste-free World) S4S Technologies’ solar-powered dryers and processing equipment combats food waste – enabling smallholder farmers to preserve crops and turn produce, that might otherwise go to waste, into valuable products.
• Boomitra (2023 Winner – Fix Our Climate) Inspired by an event in India, and with multiple projects there (including the URVARA Project, Boomitra’s first and largest project in India involving over 12,000 smallholder farmers across nearly 50,000 acres) Boomitra is removing emissions and boosting farmer profits by incentivising soil restoration and the adoption of regenerative agriculture through a verified carbon-credit marketplace.
• Kheyti (2022 Winner – Protect and Restore Nature) Eight in ten of the world’s farmers are smallholders. Beset by climate-affected harvests, Kheyti’s Greenhouse-in-a-Box is helping them reduce climate risk and increase yields.
• Fleather (2022 Finalist – Build a Waste-free World) Flowers cast into the Ganges River contain highly toxic pesticides. Phool used this floral waste to make a sustainable alternative to leather.
• Takachar (2021 Winner – Clean Our Air) – Globally, we generate US$120 billion of agricultural waste every year, which is often burnt. Takachar’s technology massively reduces these emissions.
• Vinisha Umashankar (2021 Finalist – Clean Our Air) Its solar-powered ironing cart is a clean alternative to the charcoal powered street irons that press clothes for millions of Indians each day.

Bangalore, Feb 17: Paradise’s ‘Jashn-e-Haleem 2026’ is back in town to treat the denizens of Bangalore with the most cherished Hyderabadi Haleem from the kitchen of Paradise – the most loved outlet for Hyderabadi cuisine. Following the overwhelmingly positive response of the previous year, Jashn-e-Haleem food fest is now live across all Paradise outlets for dine-in, takeaway, and online ordering on Swiggy and Zomato.

For decades, Paradise Haleem has been more than a dish — it has been a ritual that signals the start of the festive season in the city. Crafted using 29 carefully selected ingredients, premium ghee, and slow-cooked mutton, the Haleem continues to be prepared using time-honoured methods that deliver the unmistakable depth, richness, and consistency that customers associate with the brand.Behind every serving lies a meticulous, end-to-end commitment to quality and uncompromising food standards. From sourcing and preparation to final service, each batch undergoes stringent checks to ensure that every bowl meets Paradise’s benchmark for taste, hygiene, and authentic flavour.

Besides Mutton Haleem, Paradise’s latest highlight is their specially prepared Chicken Haleem, offering guests another way to enjoy the same iconic Paradise flavour.

Mr. Abhik Mitra, MD & CEO, Paradise Food Court Pvt. Ltd., said “At Paradise, Jashn-e-Haleem is not just a seasonal launch — it is an emotion that brings people together year after year. Every bowl represents our commitment to authenticity, consistency, and the culinary legacy we have built over decades”

Mr. Robinder Singh, COO, Paradise, added “People of Bangalore loved  the Paradise Haleem Festival last year and just as Hyderabadis look forward to it, so are Bangaloreans counting the days to the fest because they bond over good food and spend quality time together. . They can now relish the most delicious Hyderabadi haleem with their loved ones right in Bangalore from today”

Mr. Swatantra Gautam, Vice President – Culinary, Paradise, said “Our Haleem is the result of meticulous preparation, premium ingredients, and culinary precision. Maintaining the same signature taste across batches and outlets is a responsibility we take very seriously, and that consistency is what keeps customers coming back every year.”

The food chain has acquired its place in the Limca Book of Records for ‘Most Biryanis Served In A Year’. Paradise has 11 stores currently and plans to scale up to 20 to 22 stores in Bangalore by end of 2026. In 2017, Paradise catered over 70 lakh servings of biryani, and in 2018, the numbers crossed over 90 lakh. Paradise won Biryani Restaurant of the yest in 2025 & 2026, at Restaurant Awards, People Choice Brand of the year 2025 at Hybiz-Telangana, Restaurant of the year 2025 at hospitality excellence awards, Restaurant serving the best Hyderabadi Biryani-South India and Best Restaurant chain of the year at Food Connoisseurs Convention 2026 .

New Delhi: February 2026, the House of OLFA Originals, in collaboration with composer and cultural patron Dr. Sanjaanaa Jon, presented The Invisible Arts – an invitation-only evening in New Delhi where the scent of OLFA quietly shaped the atmosphere in dialogue with music and philanthropy. Conceived in the spirit of We Are the New World, the gathering explored fragrance and sound as parallel languages of memory, diplomacy, and unity.

The evening welcomed a distinguished audience drawn from the diplomatic world and the best of international society, including H.E. Issa Alshibani, Ambassador of Oman, and H.E. Fernando Bucheli, Ambassador of Ecuador, alongside Raghav Chandra, Rekha Bhatia, Prashant Jain, and Shashi Abraham. Attendance was intentionally intimate, favouring depth of engagement over scale.

The musical programme unfolded with restraint and classical resonance. Ustaad Kamal Sabri offered a resonant sarod recital, grounding the evening in tradition. Operatic interpretations by Sparsh Bajpai followed, complemented by a vocal performance from Nishi Singh, whose presence added a contemporary tonal layer. Selections aligned with Dr. Sanjaanaa Jon’s We Are the New World further reinforced the evening’s ethos of artistic diplomacy and global consciousness.

Throughout the programme, bespoke scent experiences by OLFA were revealed gradually, guiding the emotional architecture of the space and introducing guests to the house’s signature oud and floral expressions as living elements of the experience rather than display.

In quiet alignment with the evening’s values, support was extended to PACT, a New Delhi–based organisation dedicated to the care and rehabilitation of stray dogs — giving voice to the voiceless through sustained, compassionate action.

A Bantr production its emphasis on discretion, craftsmanship, and cultural dialogue, The Invisible Arts reaffirmed OLFA Original’s position at the intersection of scent, sound, and society — where atmosphere becomes memory, and memory becomes legacy.

New Delhi, Feb 17: The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India, today convened policymakers, industry leaders, investors and innovators at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi, reinforcing India’s commitment to responsible, scalable and globally competitive artificial intelligence.

As part of the Summit’s programme, the Impact AI PitchFest — supported by the Indian Venture and Alternate Capital Association (IVCA) — brought together AI founders and leading venture capital investors in a structured platform to accelerate scale-ready innovation.

The Impact AI PitchFest featured presentations by 31 AI-native startups building deployable solutions across enterprise and public-impact sectors.

In a significant announcement at the Summit, 16 IVCA member venture capital funds —  3One4 Capital, 888VC, Accel Ventures, Ankur Capital, Antler, Boundless Ventures, Capital A, Chiratae Ventures, Dallas VC, Inflection Point Ventures, Mount Growth Fund (Kavaach), PeakXV Partners, Piper Serica, Prosus, Seafund, SenseAI — collectively committed ₹500 crore to support high-potential AI startups emerging from and aligned with the platform. The coordinated participation signals strong investor conviction in India’s AI ecosystem and reinforces structured alternate capital backing for scalable innovation.

Setting the broader policy context and underscoring the government’s commitment to responsible and scalable AI deployment, Shri Abhishek Singh, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and CEO, IndiaAI Mission, said, “India’s approach to artificial intelligence is anchored in real-world deployment, public value and inclusive scale. Through the India AI Impact Summit, we are bringing together innovators, investors and policymakers to ensure that AI solutions are not only cutting-edge, but also aligned with governance priorities and national development objectives. The Impact AI PitchFest reflects the growing maturity of India’s AI ecosystem. It is encouraging to see structured alternate capital participation supporting startups that are building deployable, scalable solutions. Such collaboration between government and industry will be central to strengthening India’s leadership in trusted and responsible AI.”

In a significant signal of long-term confidence in India’s AI ecosystem, a collective of IVCA’s venture capital members announced a ₹500 crore commitment to support high-potential AI startups aligned with the platform’s vision. The commitment is intended to deepen investor engagement with AI-led innovation, enable commercially viable deployment, and align alternate capital with India’s broader digital ambitions.

Reflecting on the depth of innovation and the importance of ecosystem alignment, Prashanth Prakash, Partner, Accel & Co-Chair, VC Council, IVCA, said, “What we saw at the PitchFest was genuinely exciting. The breadth of applications was striking. Teams tackling everything from recruitment and education to healthcare and defence, all with deployable AI solutions. But more than the sectors, it was the quality of founders that stood out. They’re technically deep and they understand their markets. That balance is what separates companies that will scale from those that won’t. It’s also encouraging to see government convene platforms like this. Bringing policy, investors and entrepreneurs into the same room creates the alignment the ecosystem needs to move faster. That’s why we’re committed to this. India can build world-class AI companies, and what we saw today reinforces that belief.”

Highlighting the scale opportunity for Indian AI founders, Rajan Anandan, Managing Director, Peak XV & Surge and Co-Chair, VC Council, IVCA said, “Indian startups will innovate across the AI stack, from applications and tooling, to models and chips. India already has more consumer AI startups than the US and this trend will accelerate over the new several years. India’s AI leadership will come from building population-scale products that solve real needs for 900 million Indians, helping people find jobs, grow income, and build businesses. Platforms like this, where the government and ecosystem come together to support founders early, play an important role in accelerating that journey. The ambition and quality of founders we’re seeing is exceptional, and many of these companies will go on to build globally significant businesses from India.”

Speaking on behalf of the alternate capital ecosystem, Rajat Tandon, President, IVCA, emphasised the importance of institutional alignment between innovation and long-term funding and opined, “India’s AI ecosystem is entering a phase where innovation must be matched with patient capital and structured support. The ₹500 crore commitment by our VC members reflects a shared conviction in the quality and ambition of Indian AI founders. Platforms like the Impact AI PitchFest bring policy, capital and entrepreneurship onto a common platform — and that alignment is essential to building globally competitive AI enterprises from India.”

The India AI Impact Summit continues through the week at Bharat Mandapam, bringing together stakeholders across government, industry, academia and investment communities to shape the next chapter of India’s AI growth story. Within this larger national effort, the Impact AI PitchFest signals that India’s alternate capital ecosystem is prepared to play a proactive and aligned role in enabling responsible, scalable AI innovation.

Bengaluru, Feb 17: Bhartiya Mall of Bengaluru, in association with Free Spirits Motorcycling Club (FSMC), is set to host the Women Bikers’ Ride on 7th March 2026 — a powerful celebration of courage, independence, and women who challenge conventions. The ride forms part of the 3rd edition of the mall’s signature Women’s Day campaign, TheSheImpact, which champions women-led stories, businesses, and communities.

This high-energy initiative will bring together women riders from across the city, creating a striking visual of solidarity on wheels. The Women Bikers’ Ride honours women who not only embrace the thrill of motorcycling but also embody leadership, resilience, and the spirit of breaking stereotypes.

Following the ride, the celebration will continue at Bhartiya Mall of Bengaluru with an evening of inspiring storytelling by experienced women bikers, live music, and engaging performances. Interactive games and activity zones will further add to the festive atmosphere, fostering meaningful connections and a strong sense of community.

Through initiatives such as the Women Bikers’ Ride under TheSheImpact, Bhartiya Mall of Bengaluru continues to strengthen its position as a premier destination for inclusive, experience-led events that bring people together and celebrate diverse voices.

Event Details:

What: Women Bikers’ Ride (ThSheImpact 2026)

When: 7th March 2026 | 5:00 PM – 7:30 PM

Where: Bhartiya Mall of Bengaluru

Registration: BookMyShow

Technip Energies India’s Managing Director Davendra Kumar has been conferred the Business Leader of the Year – Engineering Services award at the CHEMTECH Leadership & Excellence Awards 2026.

The award recognises his contributions to engineering and manufacturing spheres, as well as his leadership and role in setting global benchmarks.

Commenting on the recognition, Davendra Kumar said, “This award reflects the collective effort of our teams in India and the Technip Energies network. Over the years, our India team has built capabilities to deliver complex projects. We remain focused on safe, reliable and sustainable engineering solutions for our clients. We are equally proud of our contributions to India’s journey toward becoming a leading global energy hub, driven by innovation, sustainability, and collective progress”.

Technip Energies India has scaled up its operations and strengthened its role as a global player in LNG, Refining, Petrochemicals, Specialty Chemicals and Fertilizers. The company has also expanded its domain across Sustainable Solutions, including Green Hydrogen, Green Ammonia, Carbon Capture and Sustainable Aviation Fuels.

The award was presented at a ceremony held in Mumbai, in the presence of distinguished leaders from India’s engineering and chemical industries.

Instituted in 1983, the CHEMTECH Leadership & Excellence Awards recognise visionary contributions across engineering, technology, research, and academia. The winners are selected through an evaluation process conducted by an independent jury of eminent industry leaders.