All posts by Neel Achary

Amsterdam, Dec 10: Standards to illuminate how organizations respond to disclosure expectations on crucial labor rights issues across the value chain are being updated, with a global consultation now underway.

Launched on International Human Rights Day, this public comment period will conclude GRI’s review of all labor-related disclosures and is open until 9 March 2026. Following approval by the Global Sustainability Standards Board (GSSB), feedback is sought on updates to four Topic Standards that span workers’ rights and protections:

• Workers in Business Relationships (GRI 414)
• Forced Labor (GRI 409)
• Child Labor (GRI 408)
• Freedom of Association and Collective Bargaining (GRI 407)

The revamp responds to persistent challenges in labor markets worldwide – including worker poverty, rising informal work, entrenched gender inequalities, and slow progress in ending child and forced labor. They also reflect growing demands for organizations to tackle negative impacts on workers in their value chains.

The exposure drafts increase coverage on labor rights and working conditions, including due diligence processes, incident reporting, grievance mechanisms, and engagement with worker representatives. New disclosures are proposed on policies and assessments that span an organization’s activities and business relationships, with stronger requirements for incidents reporting, prevention, and remediation actions.

Harold Pauwels, GRI Standards Director, said:

“Respect for workers’ rights is non-negotiable for any organization that claims to do business responsibly. Our revised Standards aim to set clearer expectations for how companies identify their labor-related impacts and risks, involve workers, and make improvements in their own operations and across value chains. We encourage all stakeholders to share their views through the public comment, so the final Standards are ambitious, effective, and fully grounded in international best practices.”

By:- Mr. Nachiketa Sawrikar Fund Manager, Artha Bharat Global Multiplier Fund

India’s young workforce is navigating a new financial reality. Rising living costs, unpredictable work schedules, and the pressure to maintain an aspirational lifestyle often create a sense of ongoing financial strain. Instead of cutting down on essentials or delaying important upgrades, young professionals are turning to a smarter solution: monthly subscriptions that reduce upfront costs and spread out expenses without compromising quality. These subscriptions not only ease financial pressure but also help them access better products, services, and experiences in a predictable, manageable way.

Here are the subscription models helping India’s young professionals reduce financial stress:

1. BytePe: Premium Tech Without EMI Burden

BytePe offers subscription-based access to premium smartphones and electronics, catering to India’s Gen Z and millennial consumers who value affordability, convenience and flexibility. BytePe partners with banks and fintechs to enable responsible financing and also provides upfront purchase options with insurance and assured buyback. By focusing on access over ownership, BytePe is redefining technology consumption, supporting a circular economy and keeping users financially agile in a digital-first world.

2. Cult Fit Membership: Predictable Fitness Costs Without Long-Term Lock-Ins

Gym memberships usually demand heavy upfront payments, but Cult Fit’s monthly subscription helps young professionals stay active without financial shock. With access to gyms, studio classes, and online workouts, the subscription provides flexibility for people with erratic work hours and tight budgets. Instead of committing to annual fees that often go unused, the monthly model ensures users pay only when they need it, making fitness a sustainable and stress-free habit.

3. Zomato Gold: Smarter Food Expenses for Busy Workdays

Eating out or ordering in has become routine for professionals managing long working hours. Zomato Gold’s membership helps them save on delivery charges, exclusive discounts, and priority access during peak hours. At a low monthly cost, it significantly reduces food-related expenses that would otherwise add up quickly. For young employees living alone or relocating frequently for work, a food subscription is a simple way to manage budgets while maintaining convenience.

4. Niyo Global Card Services: Hassle-Free Travel and Forex for Work Trips

Work-related travel is common among young professionals, whether domestic or international. High forex markups and unpredictable card charges often create budget anxiety. Niyo Global’s card services, offered via a subscription-like model with value-added benefits, help users lock in transparent and lower fees. Features such as airport lounge access, zero percent forex markup, and real-time expense controls reduce financial surprises during travel, making budgeting easier.

5. LinkedIn Premium: Career Growth Without Large Skill-Building Costs

Career progression is crucial for India’s ambitious young workforce, but professional courses and certifications can be expensive. LinkedIn Premium offers a monthly subscription with access to learning modules, exclusive tools for better job visibility, and insights to improve networking opportunities. Instead of paying large sums for individual courses, professionals can upgrade their career prospects at a predictable monthly cost. It turns continuous learning into an affordable investment rather than a financial burden.

Why These Subscriptions Matter

India’s young professionals are dealing with some of the highest cost pressures the country has ever seen: rising rent in metros, aspirational lifestyle spending, work-driven mobility, and the need to stay technologically updated. Subscriptions help create cost stability by breaking down large expenses into manageable monthly payments and eliminating one-time financial shocks. They also allow users to upgrade, switch, or cancel without being trapped by sunk costs.

Financial stress among young professionals does not stem from overspending but from uneven expenses that disrupt monthly budgets. By embracing smarter subscription models across technology, fitness, food, travel, and career development, they are not just saving money, they are gaining control. BytePe’s tech subscription leads this shift by removing the biggest upfront cost barrier: owning premium devices. With predictable costs and built-in flexibility, these monthly subscriptions are helping India’s young workforce live better, progress faster, and stay financially steady.

“Microsoft closed out 2025 with one of its smallest releases for Patch Tuesday, patching 55 CVEs, matching the lowest total from February of this year. Despite the low volume the last few months, Microsoft patched a whopping 1,129 CVEs in 2025, an 11.9% increase from 2024 and the second largest Patch Tuesday release ever. This year marks the second consecutive year that Microsoft patched over one thousand CVEs, the third time it has done so since its inception.

“Two vulnerabilities caught my eye this month. The first is CVE-2025-62221, an elevation of privilege vulnerability in Windows Cloud Files Mini Filter Driver (cldflt.sys) that was exploited in the wild as a zero day. Elevation of privilege bugs turn a foothold into a full breach as attackers often use them to conduct post-compromise activity after they have gained initial access through other means, such as social engineering or exploitation of another flaw. Windows Cloud Files Mini Filter Driver is an attractive target because it is a file system driver that enables cloud applications to access file system functionalities.

“The second vulnerability exposes a critical and growing attack surface: AI Agents embedded into IDEs as part of an attack chain that leverages prompt injections against these tools to access the base IDE layer, which can result in information disclosure or command execution. CVE-2025-64671 is a remote code execution vulnerability in the GitHub Copilot Plugin for JetBrains IDEs. This flaw appears to be one of several associated with an underlying flaw across multiple IDEs, including GitHub Copilot, Cursor, JetBrains Junie, Roo Code and Claude Code. This is not an isolated incident; it’s part of a broader, systemic security crisis that security researcher Ari Marzuk has branded “IDEsaster.”” Satnam Narang, Senior Staff Research Engineer at Tenable

Hyderabad, Dec 10: India’s ₹50,000-crore basmati export story is running into a silent yet serious hurdle—pesticide residues—warned experts at BioAgri 2025, the country’s largest Bio-Agri Input Professionals Conference that opened today at Ramoji Film City.

Delegates pointed out that key import destinations—including the European Union, Japan and Iran—are insisting on “clean rice” with near-zero pesticide residues. The EU has already reduced maximum residue limits (MRLs) for fungicides like tricyclazole to 0.01 ppm—literally 1 gram in 100 tonnes—making compliance a make-or-break for Indian exporters.

EU rejections of Indian rice have risen sharply—from 3 alerts in 2020 to 37 in 2024—even as India’s rice exports to the EU grew over 100% between 2019 and 2023, increasing both market opportunity and export risk.

Experts said the demand is not only international. India’s 300–400 million middle-class consumers are now asking for residue-free food that remains affordable—putting scientific biological inputs at the centre of the next agricultural transition.

Inaugurating the conference, Dr Sagar Hanuman Singh, Director-General, National Institute of Plant Health Management (NIPHM), a premier body under the Ministry of Agriculture, underlined the need for a formal national soil-health framework, comparable to soil-health policies in Europe and the US.

“Chemical agriculture has done enormous damage to soil. Plant health and human health cannot be separated. We now need soil-health policy, guidelines and rejuvenation programmes at a national scale,” he said.

He added that pesticide overuse is making several crops—including Telangana’s chillies—unacceptable for export, and urged immediate action to ensure India’s produce remains residue-safe and export-ready.

“Biological agriculture is not an alternative—it is essential”, said Prof M S Reddy. Delivering the Keynote, Prof M S Reddy, a globally recognised expert in sustainable agriculture (USA) said, “Two decades ago, when biological agriculture lacked legitimacy, BIPA built the ecosystem. Today, biologicals are not optional tools—they are foundational pathways for soil regeneration, public health and farmer prosperity.”

He added that fatigued soils, water stress, climate volatility and rising residue intolerance now make a biological shift in Indian agriculture inevitable.

“Healthier soils mean healthier cities”, — Dr Bakul Joshi said, and reminded that soil health is ultimately public health. “Parks are empty, and hospitals are full. We need to shift from chemical-dependent agriculture to integrated, biological crop management.”

V. Praveen Rao, Vice-Chancellor, Kaveri University and former VC, Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University (PJTSAU), a state-run University, stressed that collaboration between public institutions and the biological industry must now become central to agricultural transition.

Dr John Peter, President, BIPA, said biological agriculture is not new to India. We practised biological agriculture eight decades ago. Then came the chemical phase. We now need to reverse the trend and reclaim our biological heritage.”

Bio Agri 2025 is being organised by BIPA, the world’s oldest trade body for Agricultural Biology—older than BPIA – Biological Products Industry Alliance of the USA and IBMA – International Biocontrol Manufacturers Association – Europe. “We are exploring overseas expansion beginning with Sri Lanka and have signed an MoU with Kaveri Agri University for skill development,” informed Dr Venkatesh Devanur, Secretary-General, BIPA.

BIPA represents over 100 industry members, supporting innovation, regulation, quality frameworks and policy advocacy in biological agriculture. Its vision is to position India as a global leader in biological inputs, powered by science and sustainability.

BioAgri 2025, now in its 5th edition, is organised by BIPA—the world’s oldest trade body for agricultural biology. The conference, themed “Nurturing Nature, Nourishing the Future,” brings together more than 200 delegates and features over 40 exhibition stalls showcasing cutting-edge biological technologies. The two-day event includes sessions and discussions on biologicals, biotechnology innovations, climate resilience, regulatory developments and emerging market trends in sustainable agriculture.

Dr Linga Srinivasa Rao, CMD, Srikar Biotech (Eldorado Agritech), informed that the company is preparing for a ₹1,000-crore IPO, and said preliminary filings have already been submitted to SEBI.

Trehan Iris Appoints Wellness Icon Milind Soman as Wellness Advisor to Champion Holistic, Nature-Led Living Across Its Developments

Gurugram, Dec 10: Trehan Iris, a pioneering name in Indian real estate for over seven decades, has announced a major strategic initiative to embed holistic wellness at the core of all its upcoming developments. Aligning with its guiding philosophy “Nourish Your Being” the company is integrating biophilic design elements, nature-led environments, and mindful community amenities to create living and working ecosystems that elevate everyday well-being.

In a significant step toward strengthening this vision, Trehan Iris has appointed an actor, model, film producer, fitness and a wellness icon ‘Milind Soman’ as its Wellness Advisor. Widely regarded for promoting holistic health, endurance, and sustainable lifestyle practices, Milind will consult on the wellness framework for Trehan Iris’ upcoming projects in Gurugram and Noida. His guidance will help shape-built environments that inspire residents and professionals to adopt healthier, more mindful ways of living.

Speaking about the collaboration, Abhishek Trehan, Executive Director, Trehan Iris, said

“At Trehan Iris, we believe that wellness is the ultimate luxury. Our partnership with Milind Soman marks a significant step in translating this belief into built environments where every design element, amenity, and experience fosters holistic well-being. His philosophy of balanced, mindful living aligns seamlessly with our vision for the future of real estate.”

While Aman Trehan, Executive Director, Trehan Iris adds:

 “Real estate must evolve to meet the changing needs of people, and wellness is central to that evolution. With Milind Soman onboard, we’re bringing sharper insight into designing spaces that encourage healthier lifestyles, from the architecture to the everyday experiences. This partnership reinforces our mission to build the next generation of wellness-led developments.”

Expressing his enthusiasm, Milind Soman commented:

 “Wellness is not about doing something extra, it’s about integrating healthy habits and mindful choices into everyday life. I’m glad to associate with Trehan Iris as their Wellness Advisor to shape communities that make well-being an intrinsic part of how people live, move, and connect.”

With this collaboration, Trehan Iris reinforces its commitment to redefining luxury real estate by placing holistic wellness at the heart of its design philosophy and community planning. The company continues to craft future-ready spaces that promote harmony, balance, vitality, and a deeper connection with nature.

Zebra Study: Over 8-in-10 of APAC including India Retailers Believe Gen AI to Have Significant Impact on Loss Prevention

New Delhi, DeE 10: Zebra Technologies Corporation (NASDAQ: ZBRA), a global leader in digitizing and automating workflows to deliver intelligent operations, today unveiled the findings of its 18th Annual Global Shopper Study. The research shows Gen AI and automation solutions emerging as critical tools, with 87% of retail leaders citing their importance in loss prevention efforts.

“Businesses that increasingly thrive in retail’s future are agile leaders engaging the “phygital experience” through intelligent workflows,” said Subramaniam Thiruppathi, Director, Sales, India and Sub-Continent, Zebra Technologies. “Tapping on AI, automation, and improved workflows, retailers are empowered to deliver the fast, seamless, and personalized experiences that today’s shoppers demand.”

The data indicates shopper satisfaction levels have dipped for the second consecutive year, declining for both in-store (79% globally, 75% in APAC including India) and online experiences (73% globally, 69% in APAC including India). This marks a further decline compared to the past two years, with the highest satisfaction levels recorded in 2023 at 85% globally (for both in-store and online) and 81% in APAC including India (for online experiences).

The research also highlights a shift in shopper priorities. While increasingly drawn to convenience, speed, and value, nearly eight-in-ten shoppers (78% globally, 74% in APAC including India) prioritize discounts and promotions as inflation pressures persist. At the same time, consumers demand operational excellence, expressing frustration with out-of-stocks (68% globally, 63% in APAC including India), locked-up products (70% globally, 67% in APAC including India) or a lack of self-checkout lanes (62% globally, 56% in APAC, including India).

Connecting Frontline Teams with Advanced Technology

Retailers are increasingly recognizing the importance technology plays in enhancing the shopping experience, as delays in accessing information can hinder associates and disrupt service. According to the study, 88% of associates report challenges in obtaining timely assistance or information, up from 82% last year. This is similarly echoed by APAC including India associates, at 85% and 76% respectively.

Providing the right technology alleviates stress and boosts job satisfaction. More than 8-in-10 surveyed associates (87% globally, 84% in APAC including India) believe effective tools make their work more enjoyable and less stressful while helping them provide better service to customers. Plus, the large majority (90% globally, 86% in APAC including India) believe the right technology helps them complete tasks faster. Discover more insights behind this data in this blog post.

Optimizing Inventory and Mitigating Shrinkage Remain Priorities

Unsurprisingly, inventory challenges continue to impact shopper satisfaction and retailer profitability. While improvement is evident year-over-year, almost half of shoppers (Global’s 52% in 2025 vs 57% in 2024; APAC including India’s 47% in 2025 vs 49% in 2024) are still leaving stores without all the items they intended to purchase, often due to out-of-stocks or difficulties locating products.

Retailers acknowledge these gaps, with 84% of global decision-makers (85% in APAC including India) citing real-time inventory synchronization as a top priority for their organizations. In fact, many of them plan to implement advanced technologies such as computer vision (57% globally, 55% in APAC including India), RFID (54% globally and in APAC including India) and Gen AI (51% globally and 62% in APAC including India) over the next five years as they are viewed as essential tools for improving inventory visibility and reducing shrinkage.

Boosting Revenue and Profitability with Improved Workflows

Improving inventory management also has a positive impact on retailers’ bottom line. Based on a recent research study from Zebra in collaboration with Oxford Economics titled, “Impact of Intelligent Operations,” retailers achieved up to 1.8-percentage-point increases in revenue growth and profitability through improvements in their prioritized workflow of inventory management.

According to the Global Shopper Study, retail decision-makers recognize the importance of making these improvements to drive online and in-store sales. Optimizing inventory processes jumped nine percentage points (38% globally vs 36% in APAC including India), as the leading way retailers believe they can boost profits from online orders.

Inventory optimization also ranked in the top three for in-store profitability drivers (38% globally, 36% in APAC including India), topped by automation for more real-time inventory visibility (39% globally and 36% in APAC including India) and in-store digital ads and retail media networks which rose to 43% globally (42% in APAC including India). Likewise, Zebra recently acquired Elo which provides solutions that retailers use to build their own retail media networks and enhance the customer experience.

“Shoppers deserve to fully enjoy a modern store experience – beyond finding great deals and their desired products, retailers should focus on creating meaningful connections and seamless, hassle-free interactions. With advanced retail solutions like ZD421 Desktop Printer, ZT621/ZT611 Industrial Printers, ZT421/ZT411 Industrial Printers, ZQ630 Plus/ZQ620 Plus/ZQ610 Plus Mobile Printers, Elo I-Series 5 with Android, and EloPOS Z30, Zebra is dedicated to building trust, fostering loyalty, and empowering retailers to remain competitive in an ever-evolving landscape,” added Thiruppathi.

Some of the latest solutions from Zebra improve inventory visibility, associate productivity and loss prevention while those from Elo expand in-store engagement and digital media capabilities:

KEY REGIONAL FINDINGS

Asia Pacific (APAC including India)

• 84% of store associates in APAC including India – compared to 89% globally – agree that AI will help them become more productive.

Europe

• 84% of retail decision-makers are under pressure to synchronize real-time inventory across channels to better forecast demand and replenishment; this is 10 percentage points higher than those who feel pressure to improve pricing and promotions management.

Latin America

• Compared to 52% globally, 60% of shoppers surveyed in Latin America say they’ve left a store within the last three months without all the items they intended to purchase.

North America

• This region has the second highest percentage of retail associates (80%) who agreed that maintaining real-time visibility of out-of-stock products is a significant challenge. The highest region is Latin America at 88%.

WHAT IS THE 18TH ANNUAL GLOBAL SHOPPER STUDY?

Zebra Technologies commissioned this global research study to analyze the attitudes, opinions, and expectations of shoppers, retail associates, and decision-makers across various retail experiences. Conducted online by MAVRIX during May and June 2025, the study surveyed over 4,200 respondents from North America, Latin America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. It explores key trends in shopper behavior, technology adoption, and operational strategies shaping the future of retail.

WHO IS ZEBRA TECHNOLOGIES?

Zebra provides the foundation for intelligent operations with an award-winning portfolio of connected frontline, asset visibility and automation solutions powered by AI. Organizations globally across retail, manufacturing, transportation, logistics, healthcare, and other industries rely on us to deliver outcomes today while driving innovation for what’s next. Together with our partners, we create new ways of working that improve productivity and empower organizations to be better every day

Kolkata, Dec 10: FTS Yuva, the youth wing of Friends of Tribals Society (FTS), is excited to announce the 7th edition of its flagship event, the Ekal Run, which will take place at Godrej Waterside, Kolkata, on 4th January 2026. This year, the event will be inaugurated by India’s trailblazing badminton icon, Saina Nehwal. A sporting legend with over 24 international titles, Saina created history at the 2012 London Olympics by becoming the first Indian to win an Olympic medal in badminton.

The Ekal Run, which draws thousands of fitness enthusiasts every year, continues its commitment to promoting health, community engagement, and a noble social mission – educating rural and tribal children across India through the Ekal Vidyalaya initiative. The 7th edition is expected to witness massive participation across multiple race formats, including 21km, 10km, 5km, and a non-timed 3km fun run, encouraging people of all age groups and fitness levels to be part of the movement.

Speaking to the media, Mr. Rishabh Saraogi, President of FTS Yuva, Kolkata Chapter, said, “We are immensely honored to welcome Saina Nehwal as the inaugurator of the 7th edition of the Ekal Run. Her groundbreaking achievements and extraordinary journey reflect the spirit of resilience, excellence, and empowerment that Ekal Run stands for. This event not only promotes fitness but also supports the noble cause of educating rural children across India. We look forward to another impactful edition that brings communities together for a greater mission.”

On this occasion, Mr. Gaurav Bagla, National Coordinator of Ekal Run, said, “Ekal Run is more than just a marathon – it is a collective stride towards shaping a brighter future for rural India. Having Saina Nehwal inaugurate this edition adds immense motivation for our participants and reinforces our mission of empowering communities through education.”

The Ekal Run is not just a sporting event but a movement to raise funds for the education of rural children through the Ekal Vidyalaya. Over the past editions, the event has garnered immense support and enthusiasm, uniting people from all walks of life to promote education and empowerment for children in rural and tribal areas.

This is further to our intimation dated October 2, 2025, with respect to the proposed acquisition of controlling stake in the Company by Avenir Investment RSC Ltd (“Investor”), which is owned and controlled by International Holding Company PJSC (“Proposed Transaction”).

Pursuant to applicable provisions of the Listing Regulations, this is to update you that the Competition Commission of India (“CCI”) has approved the Proposed Transaction. A copy of the press release of the CCI is enclosed. The detailed order of CCI is awaited.

The only regulatory approvals pending for consummation of the Proposed Transaction are from (a) the Securities and Exchange Board of India for the Open Offer by the Investor and other related approvals and (b) the Reserve Bank of India, for which the Company and the Investor are in active engagement with the respective regulators to ensure expeditious receipt of the approvals, towards timely completion of the Proposed Transaction.

Shipwaves Online Limited, a Mangalore-based digital freight forwarding and logistics-tech company, has announced the launch of its INR 56.35 crore Initial Public Offering (IPO) on the BSE SME platform, opening on December 10, 2025, and closing on December 12, 2025.

The company will issue 4.69 crore equity shares of face value INR 1/- each at a fixed price of INR 12 per share, representing a 33.19% dilution post-issue.

Unified Logistics & SaaS Solutions Company

Founded in 2015, Shipwaves operates as a multimodal logistics platform providing ocean, air, and road freight solutions alongside a suite of enterprise SaaS tools for supply chain optimization.

Its offerings include real-time visibility, automated documentation, online booking, demand forecasting, and digital freight management, enabling seamless, end-to-end logistics operations.

Strong Financial Growth

Shipwaves has demonstrated robust growth, with consolidated revenue rising to INR108.28 crore in FY25, up from INR 96.71 crore in FY24.

Profit after tax nearly doubled to INR 10.83 crore in FY25, compared to INR 5.83 crore in FY24, while EBITDA margin improved to 17.51%, reflecting enhanced operational efficiencies.

For the six-month period ending September 30, 2025, the company recorded INR 40.98 crore in revenue and INR 4.45 crorePAT, maintaining a 10.88% profit margin.

Use of IPO Proceeds

As per the prospectus, Shipwaves will utilize the IPO funds for:

• Working capital requirements
• Investment in its subsidiary
• Partial repayment/prepayment of borrowings
• General corporate purposes and issue-related expenses

Post-Issue Capital Structure

Post-IPO:

• Net worth will increase from INR 30.76 crore to INR 87.12 crore
• Share capital will rise from INR 9.45 crore to INR 14.14 crore, comprising equity shares of face value INR 1/- each

Promoter shareholding, currently at 99.96%, will reduce to 66.79% post-issue.

Major promoters include Kalandan Mohammed Haris, Kalandan Mohammed Althaf, Kalandan Mohammad Arif, Abid Ali, Bibi Hajira, and Mohammed Sahim Haris.

Industry Tailwinds

Shipwaves operates within two rapidly expanding sectors:

• India’s logistics market, projected to reach US$ 591 billion by FY27
• India’s SaaS market, expected to grow to US$ 50 billion by 2030

These trends provide significant growth momentum for Shipwaves’ hybrid logistics + SaaS business model.

IPO Intermediaries

• Lead Manager: Finshore Management Services Pvt Ltd
• Registrar: Cameo Corporate Services Ltd
• Market Maker: Anant Securities

Listing

Following the issue, the equity shares of face value ₹1/- each will be listed on the BSE SME platform.