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

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

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

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

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

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

A Quiet Shift in the European Buying Mindset

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

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

Why Transactional Sourcing Is Losing Relevance

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

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

Partnership Through Process

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

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

Transparency as a Foundation, Not a Requirement

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

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

Jaipur and the Strength of Continuity

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

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

Designing the Future Together

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

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

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

With A Haiku of a Still Mind: Continuum · Consciousness · Coherence, Devin Gawarvala, founder of Bespoke Art Gallery, presents one of the most significant exhibitions of Satish Gupta’s long and contemplative career. On view from 1 February to 30 March 2026 at Bespoke Art Gallery, Ahmedabad, the exhibition reflects Gawarvala’s curatorial vision—one rooted in attention, patience, and the courage to allow silence to speak.

Rather than positioning the exhibition as a spectacle, Gawarvala frames it as an experience. Haiku of a Still Mind unfolds slowly, inviting viewers to step out of urgency and into awareness. His approach aligns deeply with Gupta’s philosophy, where stillness is not emptiness but a charged and living state. The exhibition becomes a shared space of reflection, where art is not consumed but encountered.

For Gawarvala, presenting this exhibition is not only about scale—it is about responsibility. As the largest and most immersive presentation of Gupta’s work to date, it brings together installations that envelop the viewer through light, shadow, repetition, and rhythm. Walls dissolve, boundaries soften, and the viewer becomes part of the continuum the title suggests. Consciousness and coherence are not themes imposed on the work; they emerge naturally through experience.

Gawarvala’s curatorial sensitivity is evident in how the exhibition encourages slowing down. In a world saturated with noise and distraction, he positions the gallery as a refuge—one where seeing becomes listening, and presence replaces interpretation. His belief that contemporary galleries must offer spaces for introspection, not just display, finds quiet strength here.

By hosting Haiku of a Still Mind at Bespoke Art Gallery, Gawarvala reinforces the gallery’s role as a platform for thoughtful, process-driven practices. The exhibition does not chase trends or timelines. Instead, it speaks to enduring human concerns—clarity, compassion, balance, and inner coherence.

Ultimately, Gawarvala’s presentation allows Gupta’s work to breathe. It trusts the viewer. And in doing so, it reminds us that the most profound encounters with art often happen not through explanation, but through stillness.

Oil markets are currently moving within a repricing framework to keep pace with geopolitical risks. Setting a time window of 10 to 15 days to reach an agreement on the Iranian nuclear program has created what can be described as a time-compressed risk window, which is an important point from a pricing and price-action perspective. The market is not dealing only with the probability of escalation and its continuation, but with a timeline that could shift the scene from political pressure to a field development within a relatively short period, especially given that military assets are already present in the Gulf. This time factor in itself justifies the move in prices to their highest in several months.

Price action indicates that Brent crude is not moving in a vacuum. It shows a transition since the January low near 60 dollars, where we see a sequence of higher highs and higher lows, reflecting a shift in investor behavior from selling rallies to buying dips. The return of price to test the 71 to 72 dollar range, a supply zone that previously formed a ceiling, suggests that consolidation below it is characterised by relatively lower volatility compared to prior rejection waves, pointing to an absorption of available demand. A break of this area would reflect a shift from a temporary risk premium to a broader repricing of the range, and the path toward 80 dollars per barrel appears to be a realistic target should geopolitical tensions evolve further.

The fundamental angle is more complex as the Gulf region represents around one third of global crude supply, a high geographic concentration of risk. A broad disruption could affect flows exceeding 15 million barrels per day in a severe scenario. On the other hand, data has shown Saudi exports declining to around 7 million barrels per day, a relatively low level compared to previous periods, implying available spare capacity to compensate for supply shortages.

Logistically, Saudi Arabia possesses important elements of flexibility. Ras Tanura port is capable of handling around 6 million barrels per day, and the East–West pipeline transports approximately 5 million barrels per day to Red Sea ports, reducing reliance on the Strait of Hormuz. Yanbu facilities also provide additional export alternatives. However, this flexibility remains within a normal operating framework. In the event of military escalation or a direct threat to routes, insurance risks and shipping costs could become independent pressure factors in their own right, potentially amplifying costs.

As for the world’s ability to absorb a major supply shock, the picture is less reassuring. Strategic reserves held by International Energy Agency countries are estimated at around 1.5 billion barrels but the actual daily draw capacity ranges between 4 and 6 million barrels only. If we assume a disruption exceeding 15 million barrels per day in a worst-case scenario, the theoretical gap between the shock and compensation capacity could reach roughly 9 to 11 million barrels per day before accounting for any spare production capacity. Even the US strategic reserve, at about 380 million barrels, provides relatively limited time coverage in the event of a severe disruption.

Therefore, the market is not currently pricing in a major supply outage, but it recognises that the margin of safety is not wide. The current risk premium reflects a mix of the political time factor, the geographic concentration of supply and the limited effective ability for rapid compensation. In the coming days, the price path will remain contingent on whether tensions shift from negotiated pressure to a material event affecting global oil flows.

New Delhi, Feb 20: Nimmit, a sustainable luxury lifestyle brand that sits at the intersection of interiors and fashion, has launched a new Black Pottery collection that celebrates slow craft, timeless design, and understated luxury. Created for India and the world, the collection reflects Nimmit’s philosophy of bringing people, craft, and design together.

The name Nimmit translates to “the one who brings people together.” This belief guides the brand’s approach to design by connecting tradition and innovation, heritage and contemporary living. The Black Pottery collection is a natural extension of this philosophy.

Each piece in the collection is handcrafted using traditional pottery techniques. The clay is shaped by hand and fired using natural processes that create a deep black finish. The surface carries organic textures and subtle variations. No two pieces are the same, making each product truly one of a kind.

The collection features functional and decorative pieces such as bowls, plates, vases, and serveware. The forms are simple and balanced. The matte black finish highlights the raw beauty of the material. Designed for modern homes, the pieces add depth without overpowering a space.

Quiet luxury is at the core of this collection. It does not rely on excess or ornamentation. Instead, it focuses on thoughtful design, honest materials, and craftsmanship that speaks softly. The pieces are meant to be lived with and used every day.

Speaking about the launch, Manish Shah, Founder of Nimmit, said,

“At Nimmit, we believe luxury lies in intention, not excess. The Black Pottery collection is about slowing down and appreciating the beauty of handmade objects. Each piece carries the marks of the artisan’s hand and the time it took to create it. That is where its true value lies.”

Nimmit celebrates India’s cultural and artisan legacy while shaping a modern narrative around responsible luxury. The brand is deeply rooted in zero-waste systems and circular craft practices. Natural materials are used, and traditional techniques are preserved to reduce environmental impact.

Founded by Manish Shah, a second-generation textile entrepreneur, Nimmit reinterprets traditional techniques into timeless handcrafted pieces across décor, textiles, and wearable art. While the brand is known for working with crafts such as block printing, eco printing, kantha, and Ajrakh, the Black Pottery collection extends this design philosophy into a new material language.

Nimmit works closely with artisan communities across India through long-term collaboration, fair value practices, and skill development. Each creation reflects a shared journey of heritage, care, and craftsmanship.

The Black Pottery collection is now available on Nimmit’s website.

Executive from Turo and Outdoorsy will oversee the company’s revenue engine and sales operations, supporting commercial growth across the car share and mobility insurance industry

(New York, NY, February 19, 2026) – INSHUR, the leader in insurance solutions for the on-demand economy, announced today the appointment of Christopher Aragon as Head of US Sales and Operations. In this role, Aragon will be responsible for overseeing the company’s revenue engine and commercial operations, with a focus on scaling profitable growth, strengthening execution across sales functions, and ensuring tight coordination between commercial strategy and execution as INSHUR continues to expand globally.

Aragon joins INSHUR with more than 20 years of experience in the insurance and mobility industry, having held senior leadership roles at Tint, Outdoorsy/Roamly, Turo, and Progressive. His background spans sales, underwriting, claims, risk management, and automation, with a focus on designing and scaling data-driven insurance programs for shared economy, fleet, and gig-driver ecosystems, aligning closely with INSHUR’s mission to build insurance infrastructure designed for how mobility actually works today.

“Christopher brings a strong blend of expertise and insights thanks to his successes in building data-driven insurance programs across the on-demand mobility economy,” said Dan Bratshpis, CEO and co-founder of INSHUR. “His experience at leading mobility and insurance companies gives us valuable perspective on where the market is headed and where we can push it forward. As we scale our first-to-market Off-rental (Period X™) and On-rental (Period Z) car share products, his expertise in this category will be invaluable. His deep understanding of the on-demand economy allows him to translate complex regulatory and operational constraints into innovative products and scalable commercial systems that customers actually need.”

“I was drawn to INSHUR by the environment they’ve created at the intersection of deep insurance knowledge and modern mobility needs,” said Aragon. “The company’s focus on building durable and cohesive systems is a flywheel where revenue growth, operational integrity, and customer outcomes are constantly reinforcing each other. It’s a rare combination, and I believe it’s the foundation for carrying on the future of mobility insurance in both a responsible and sustainable manner.”

With over 40 million people in the US involved in gig economy work, rideshare and delivery drivers are the backbone of the on-demand economy, powering one of the biggest economic shifts in decades. INSHUR supports this workforce by simplifying commercial insurance for rideshare, carshare, and last mile delivery, aligning coverage with real driving activity to build trust between drivers, platforms, and insurers. Through embedded, flexible commercial auto insurance, INSHUR enables coverage that fits how people actually work today.

Researchers have developed a unified theory of microcavity OLEDs, guiding the design of more efficient and sustainable devices. The work reveals a surprising trade-off: squeezing light too tightly inside OLEDs can actually reduce performance, and maximum efficiency is achieved through a delicate balance of material and cavity parameters.  Organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) offer several attractive advantages over traditional LED technology: they are lightweight, flexible, and more environmentally friendly to manufacture and recycle. However, heavy-metal-free OLEDs can be rather inefficient, with up to 75% of the injected electrical current converting into heat.

OLED efficiency can be enhanced by placing the device inside an optical microcavity. Squeezing the electromagnetic field forces light to escape more rapidly instead of wasting energy as heat.

“It is basically like squeezing toothpaste out of a tube,” explains Associate Professor Konstantinos Daskalakis from the University of Turku in Finland.

After a certain squeezing threshold, the original energy levels of the emitting material and the electromagnetic field hybridize. These mixed light–matter states are known as polaritons.

While the static energy levels of polariton OLEDs are well understood, much less is known about how the squeezing affects transitions between these states. As a result, the development of polariton OLEDs has largely relied on trial and error.

Now, a research group at the University of Turku has developed the first theoretical model that explains how these transition mechanisms change as the squeezing increases. Surprisingly, the model predicts that efficiencies decrease once polaritons are formed. This reduction arises from two distinct effects.

“Although polaritons emit light very quickly, they are shared states of typically hundreds of thousands of molecules, which dilutes the processes populating them,” explains Postdoctoral Researcher Olli Siltanen. “These population mechanisms can be further weakened if the polariton energies lie too far from the original molecular energy levels.”

According to the model, maximum efficiency in microcavity OLEDs is achieved through a delicate balance of material and cavity parameters. While the model finds polaritons with many molecules disadvantageous, all hope is not lost.

“Alternative device architectures allow us to reduce the number of molecules involved from hundreds of thousands to just a few,” says Daskalakis. “Such OLEDs have the potential to achieve record-breaking efficiencies.”

The results have been published in the journal Materials Horizons.

Read the research article: https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2026/mh/d5mh01958c#!divAbstract

Mumbai, Feb 19 : SMFG India Credit, one of India’s leading NBFCs, successfully concluded the 8th edition of Pashu Vikas Day (PVD), its flagship livestock welfare and rural livelihood initiative, on February 14, 2026. Anchored around the theme ‘Sarvottam Seva: Pashu, Parivar aur Pragati’, the initiative reinforced the organisation’s commitment to holistic rural development by strengthening livestock health, family wellbeing, and sustainable progress.

Launched in 2014, Pashu Vikas Day addresses the critical healthcare needs of cattle owners by providing access to free veterinary services and expert guidance. Over the years, the initiative has evolved into one of the largest one-day cattle welfare programmes in the country.

SMFG India Credit positively impacted over 1.55 lakh lives, including the treatment of approximately 1.4 lakh cattle and healthcare support for over 14,000 people, benefitting more than 30,000 households. The initiative was conducted in 16 states, across 510 SMFG Gramshakti branches, underscoring the company’s deep reach into rural India.

Commenting on the successful conclusion of the initiative, Mr. Ravi Narayanan, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, SMFG India Credit, said,

“Sarvottam Seva’ is about delivering service at its highest standard—where empathy meets impact and intention translates into lasting change. In rural India, the health of livestock, the security of families, and economic progress are deeply interconnected. Pashu Vikas Day embodies our commitment to nurturing this ecosystem by caring for cattle, strengthening livelihoods, and supporting community well-being. Through this initiative, we aim to create sustainable outcomes that empower farming households and drive inclusive growth from the grassroots level.”

Over the years, the initiative has earned multiple national and global recognitions, underscoring its scale and impact. PVD was featured in the Limca Book of Records in 2015, Best of India Records in 2018, World Book of Records in 2019 and the World Records Union in 2024 for hosting the largest single-day cattle care camps nationwide. Building on this legacy, SMFG India Credit achieved a significant global milestone in 2025, when Pashu Vikas Day set a Guinness World Record for the ‘Largest Cattle Welfare Lesson, conducted simultaneously across multiple locations in India—further reinforcing the company’s long-standing dedication to rural welfare, livestock care, and community-led development at scale.

Surat, Feb 19 : Concept Medical Group successfully concluded Momentum 6.0, its sixth annual sports fest, held in Surat, India. The two-day celebration brought together employees from across the organization for high-energy competition, camaraderie and connection.

Momentum 6.0 featured tournament-style matches across Cricket, Volleyball, Badminton, Table Tennis, Chess and Carrom. The event opened with an Opening Ceremony and Team Flag March, setting the tone for two days of spirited participation and sportsmanship.

Evenings added a celebratory dimension through performances, employee recognition and Concept Got Talent showcase. The fest concluded with the recognition of winning teams and standout performers, including the Momentum 6.0 Champions.

Dr. Manish Doshi, Founder & Managing Director, Concept Medical Group, said,

“Momentum has evolved into more than a sports fest. It is a shared experience that strengthens bonds, deep-rooted camaraderie, nurtures leadership beyond the workplace, and reinforces the values that drive Concept Medical forward every day.”

Parth Doshi, Executive Director, Concept Medical Group, added,

“Momentum is about energy, unity and belief. What we witnessed over these two days was our people coming together with pride, passion and purpose. That spirit is what defines Concept Medical.”

Momentum 6.0 reflects Concept Medical’s commitment to building a people-first workplace grounded in trust, inclusion and a strong sense of belonging, demonstrating the organization continues to be recognized among the country’s top Great Place To Work year after year.

With support from volunteers, mentors and cross-functional teams, the event was delivered through structured coordination and a vibrant on-ground experience. Concept Medical will continue to invest in initiatives that promote wellbeing, collaboration and shared success.

Mumbai, Feb 19: iQOO S8UL, the MOBA Legends 5v5 roster of esports and gaming content powerhouse S8UL Esports, emerged victorious at the Rai Star x Gyan Gaming Cup following a thrilling 4-3 win in the grand final held in Kolkata on February 18. The triumph earned the team a total of INR 12.5 lakh in prize money and further solidified the organization’s standing as a dominant force in India’s competitive MOBA ecosystem.

Featuring a massive open qualifier pool with participation from 1,024 teams across the country, the month-long Rai Star x Gyan Gaming Cup established itself as one of India’s largest MOBA Legends 5v5 tournaments. Led by in-game leader (IGL) Mohammad Saad (Apex), alongside Abhijeet Katkar, Mehta Jay (J), Chirag Singh (Radium), Debasish Sana (Anti), and Joseph Nehhunjang iQOO S8UL’s championship run was defined by composure, adaptability, and elite-level execution under pressure.

Animesh Agarwal, Co-founder of S8UL Esports, said,

“This victory is a testament to the structure and long-term vision we are building at S8UL. The Indian MOBA ecosystem is entering a new phase of growth, with larger tournaments, stronger grassroots participation, higher competitive standards and we are proud to have a strong, well-balanced lineup featuring some of the best players in the title. Wins like this validate our investment in building elite lineups and support systems around our players. Our focus now is to sustain this level of performance and replicate similar success in upcoming national and international tournaments.”

The tournament commenced with single-elimination open qualifiers played in a Best-of-One (Bo1) format, from which only 16 teams advanced. iQOO S8UL secured their place among the top contenders before entering the main event brackets, where the intensity increased significantly.

In the Group A playoffs, iQOO S8UL defeated Megatron Esports 2-0 in the Best-of-Three quarterfinals, followed by a commanding 3-1 victory over PEAK in the Best-of-Five semifinals. They then delivered a dominant 4-0 sweep against Elusivity Esports in the Best-of-Seven Group A finals to book their spot in the grand final. In what turned out to be a nail-biting Best-of-Seven decider, iQOO S8UL held their nerve in a fiercely contested series, eventually closing out the matchup 4-3 against Godlike Esports to be crowned champions.

“Coming into this tournament with so many teams, we knew the margin for error would be extremely small. As a team, we focused heavily on preparation, communication, and adapting our gameplay depending on the opponent’s playstyle. That grand final was one of the most intense series we’ve played as a team and this title belongs to everyone who believed in us,”

commented Mohammad Saad aka Apex, IGL of iQOO S8UL’s MOBA Legends 5v5 team who has previously competed at the MLBB Mid Season Cup 2024 at the Esports World Cup, a global event that featured a staggering USD 3 million prize pool.

The championship further strengthens S8UL Esports’ reputation as one of India’s leading esports organizations, underlining its commitment to nurturing elite talent and elevating Indian esports on both national and global stages.