Category business

Heeramandi Star Jayati Bhatia Will Bring Quasar Thakore Padamsee’s Khatijabai Of Karmali Terrace To Mumbai, Pune, And Bangalore

India-wide release, 08 September 2025: Jayati Bhatia, the popular actress (Heeramandi, Rocky Aur Rani ki Prem Kahani, and Sasural Simar Ka), will star as the sassy and stubborn matriarch, Khatijabai, in the one woman show, Khatijabai of Karmali Terrace. Directed by the renowned theatre director and producer Quasar Thakore Padamsee, the play opened in November 2004 at the Prithvi Theatre Festival and has been running successfully ever since. It is still a fresh and unique take on the journey of Khatijabai, an underdog, who becomes the ruling matriarch of the Karmali household. This audacious tale will be staged across Mumbai, Pune, and Bangalore in September 2025, starting with Mumbai on September 10, 2025, at the Rangshila Theatre in Andheri. 

Khatijabai of Karmali Terrace is an adaptation of the celebrated Singaporean play Emily of Emerald Hill by playwright Stella Kon. For the Indian audience, Quasar has set the play in the foreground of post-colonial affluence of 1950s Mumbai.

Be it Emily or Khatijabai, their story is a universal tale of women in a male-dominated society who are living a life not dictated by their own will. Khatija, an orphaned girl, gets married into the Karmali family, where her life seems to revolve around endless errands that she fulfils relentlessly but with a sense of endearing entitlement. At the same time, we see different shades of Khatija: her buttering the in-laws for the ‘most favoured position’, power struggles with her sister-in-law, and pressure from her eldest son. While she presents a monologue of her tribulations to become the matriarch and wrap the Karmali household around the web of her providing, the trajectory of her mission takes an unusual turn. 

Jayati Bhatia, a popular actress who has entertained audiences across television, films, stage, and OTT, seamlessly gets into the skin of Khatijabai Karmali. You have seen Jayati play Nirmala, aka, Mataji, in Sasural Simar Ka. Recently, she stumped the audience with her portrayal of Phatto, a loyal aide of Mallikajaan in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s magnum opus Heeramandi. Bhatia successfully taps into the different shades of Khatija, bringing her warmth, grayness, and caring nature to the audience’s notice through a striking monologue. 

Along with the stellar cast and director, this one-act play also has an incredible technical crew making it run smoothly and flawlessly. Arghya Lahiri, a writer, director, and lighting designer, has done the Light Designing, bringing hues that add gravitas and depth to Jayati’s performance. Jinal Shah serves as the Production Manager for the play. 

Quasar Thakore Padamsee has been an integral part of the booming theatre scene in Mumbai for over two decades. With QTP Entertainment, he has brought many social issues to light through an interesting array of plays like Project S.T.R.I.P., So Many Socks, Minorities, and others. With Khatijabai Of Karmali Terrace, he does not victimise Khatija. He instead exposes the intricate webs of complex problems that a woman faces to run a household that does not even see her beyond her role as a nurturer and a provider.

Quasar Thakore Padamsee, Director of the play, said, “When I first adapted Khatijabai of Karmali Terrace in 2004 from the classic Singaporean play from the 80s, I recognised the parallels between their post-colonial experiences as well as ours. However, apart from this broad socio-political context, I was drawn in by the fact that it is a universal story of a woman’s endurance and her strife for agency in a world that is constantly gamed against her every step of the way. The character of Khatija is loosely based on my grandmother, whom I never really got to know closely. And working on this play has helped me better understand her as a matriarch and my roots, as well as Bombay in the 1950s. I am happy with its successful two-decade run and even happier that it is reaching newer audiences every day!”

Jayati Bhatia, who plays Khatijabai, added, “I have played the character of Khatija, or rather, have been practically living with Khatija, from 2004 until now. Her story is still relevant and still fresh. Playing this character has been a truly rewarding experience where I have learnt from her as well as consciously and subconsciously inculcated her values in my life. I am glad to continue portraying this role under a director as talented as Quasar. The play’s continuous run is a testament to the iconic character’s timelessness and relatability even today.”

Come and meet this not-so-typical neighbourhood aunty with a sharp tongue, who is stubborn, has no chill, and has no time for your nonsense, this September

Mumbai, India, 24 September 2025: LuxExclusive Marketing Private Limited, a leader in designing customer experiences and luxury marketing solutions, is delighted to announce that it has been part of the Mercedes-Benz family for 10 successful years in India, along with Qatar and the Kuwait in the past few years. This milestone shows how dedicated the company is to providing innovative, ROI-driven marketing solutions to top Indian companies and worldwide multinationals.

About LuxExclusive
LuxExclusive was started with the goal of “adding customer-centric value to brands and businesses.” It has now become a leader in changing how customers feel about luxury brands. The company focuses on three main areas: Customer Experience Design (CExD), Customised Merchandise, and Curated Events. It serves high-end industries like automobiles, real estate, alcohol and beverages, jewellery, BFSI, and luxury retail.

Sumit Govind Sharma, Managing Director and Founder of LuxExclusive, said, “Our journey with Mercedes-Benz over the past decade has been nothing but extraordinary. This relationship shows our dedication to providing excellent and innovative consumer experiences. As we keep growing and improving our services in India, Qatar, and the Kuwait, we are still focused on making those “WOW” moments that turn consumer interactions into long-term brand loyalty.”

Ten Years of Greatness with Mercedes-Benz
Over the past ten years, LuxExclusive has changed the way luxury car customers interact with the brand by carefully designing touchpoints. The organisation has designed every encounter, from the entrance to the vehicle handover, to exceed client expectations. Their complete customer experience design techniques have become standards in the luxury automotive sector.

Customised Merchandise: Quality That Matches Your Brand
LuxExclusive makes high-end merchandise for Mercedes-Benz that considers the brand’s unique colour scheme, elegant themes, and commitment to being eco-friendly. This careful approach ensures that every branded item not only showcases Mercedes-Benz’s luxurious history but also fits with the company’s environmental ideals and aesthetic standards. This creates real touchpoints that strengthen brand identity and customer connection.

Premium Events: Opening New Doors
This year, LuxExclusive is still pushing the limits of luxury event planning with unique events like the “100 Years of Burrata” celebration. This high-end culinary experience mixes history, luxury, and smart client engagement. These kinds of projects show that the organisation can make well-thought-out, well-designed experiences that really connect with consumers.

New ideas in designing customer experiences
LuxExclusive’s unique method includes thorough project briefings, reviews from both inside and outside the company, mapping consumer touchpoints, gap analysis, and detailed scheduled rollouts with reviews when the project is finished. The company’s Luxe Loyalty Platform lets you manage authenticated databases, run time-limited campaigns, and do everything from start to finish without any problems, all of which always result in measurable ROI.

The company’s philosophy for designing customer experiences is based on eight main goals: making customers happier, going above and beyond what they expect, building trust and loyalty, getting more support and referrals, lowering customer churn, giving the company a competitive edge, creating “WOW” feelings, and making sure that all interactions are the same.

Looking Ahead
As LuxExclusive begins its second decade with Mercedes-Benz, the company stays true to its mission of continuing to grow by offering more solutions, closing the gap between what customers expect and what the brand delivers, and sticking to its ROI-focused approach with cost-effective campaigns and initiatives.

The company still works with a wide range of industries, such as Hospitality, Alcobev, Banks and consumer Goods, Automobile,  airlines. Its headquarters are in Mumbai, but it is growing its presence in markets around the world.

Bengaluru, September 24, 2025: Under Swachhata Hi Seva Campaign 2025, as per the call given by the Finance Ministry, Government of India, a mega cleanliness drive was conducted by Canara Bank, Head Office, on 23.09.2025 at Ward No. 182, Padmanabhanagar, Bengaluru.

Under the guidance of General Manager Shri Rama Naik K and other Executives, along with participation of more than 100 bank staff, general public & safai karmacharis, 3 Cleanliness target units were cleaned and freed from garbage.

All the staff and general public volunteers participated in the true spirit of the campaign and did their best to bring about cleanliness in the spots identified.

As a token of appreciation and thanks-giving, Safai Karmacharis were also felicitated with safety kits & refreshments.

The cleanliness drive was successful, and the efforts were applauded by the residents of the area.

By Akash Pharande, Managing Director – Pharande Spaces

As India’s cities expand, redevelopment projects are rapidly reshaping our cities’ skylines—but this transformation invariably brings some serious challenges with it, namely to the natural ecosystems that have been part and parcel of the areas being urbanized.

It is widely acknowledged that modern construction consumes significant resources. Buildings consume nearly a third of available potable water, as much as 1/4th of the available electricity, and give rise to huge quantities of waste. This has given rise to the trend in sustainable buildings, which tend to replace older, wasteful buildings and societies.

If done right, sustainable real estate uses less than half the water and energy of regular, older buildings. This reduces their environmental footprint, which is crucial in a time and place where climate change and increasing resource scarcity are taken seriously.

India has been at the forefront of the Paris Accords on climate change, which makes sustainability a national responsibility – not only of real estate developers but also consumers of real estate. Responsible building practices and insistence on sustainability features in the spaces we occupy are no longer optional.

Redevelopment that Respects Nature

The Ministry of Urban Development issued its Model Building Bye-Laws in 2016, which are compulsory for all plots above 100 square metres and therefore cover a significant chunk of redevelopment projects. Under its provisions, one tree must be planted for every 80 square meters being developed; three new trees must be planted for every tree chopped down; and the development must retain a minimum of 20% of unpaved land for open or recreational green space.

This is a critical measure to protect biodiversity amid densely urbanized areas. It is also important because redevelopment is driven by a clear profit motive, and the first instinct for precious space in city centres is to build up every available square foot as marketable real estate.

The Ecological Toll of Construction

Despite these and other related mitigation measures, there is no getting completely around the ecological consequences of construction, which involves clearing of vegetation, deep excavation work, and the use of heavy machinery. This has a direct impact on the natural habitats of birds, insects, and smaller mammals. At the same time, the use of fossil fuels, paints, solvents, and volatile organic compounds in construction and development releases heavy pollutants that seep into the soil and groundwater.

Particulate matter severely impacts the air quality in a construction site even as toxic effluents play havoc with the aquatic ecosystems. At any construction site, the local flora and fauna are the silent victims.

Green Construction Lessens Ecological Impact

When redevelopment, or any development for that matter, is done from a sustainable construction perspective, it will involve materials that are gentler in their ecological impact. Greener construction materials include bricks made of fly ash, bamboo, autoclaved aerated concrete panels, and less dense concrete. Not only do these materials put less pressure on the environment, but they are also largely recyclable.

Sustainable development also involves better insulation materials, which reduce the need for power-intensive climate controls like ACs, which also use very harmful coolant gas, and reduce overall emissions. At the same time, new technologies like solar panels and passive solar designs reduce reliance on fossil fuels, while “cool” roofs treated with reflective paint help counteract the harmful urban heat island effect.

The idea behind all these measures remains clear and unwavering – redevelopment must coexist more respectfully with the ecology. The old ways simply don’t serve the needs of the current day any longer.

Integrated Townships – A New Blueprint for Urban India

Moving away from redevelopment, which is basically an afterthought, there is an even more important greenfield development concept that is forward-looking – that of integrated townships.

These massive, master-planned developments have sustainability embedded in their very DNA and in every facet of their design. Efficiently combining residential, commercial, leisure, and green spaces into a cohesive whole, they significantly reduce not only ecological impact but also the stress levels of their inhabitants.

Integrated townships are, quite simply, the ideal blueprint of our urban future and are becoming more and more prevalent in cities like Pune, Bengaluru and the National Capital Region.

Much has been achieved when it comes to taking sustainable development from concept to construction site, but a lot more needs to be done if we are to meet our climate commitments and leave a better urban environment for the future generations.

Perhaps most importantly, we need to realize that sustainability is not just a construction strategy and just the responsibility of real estate developers. It is a responsibility we all share to build and inhabit a nation whose progress does not come at the expense of the environment.

About the Author:

Akash Pharande is Managing Director – Pharande Spaces, a leading real estate construction and development firm famous for its township projects in Greater Pune and beyond. Pharande Promoters & Builders, the flagship company of Pharande Spaces and an ISO 9001-2000 certified company, is a pioneer of townships in the region. With the recent inclusion of Puneville Commercial into one of its most iconic townships, Pharande Spaces taken a major step towards addressing Pune’s current and future requirements for fully integrated residential-commercial convenience

Bengaluru, 24 September 2025: The wait is finally over. Volvo Car India today announced the arrival of the much-anticipated Volvo EX30, the brand’s most sustainable and stylish electric car. The EX30 is set to make luxury electric mobility more accessible than ever before.

This festive season, Volvo Car India, together with its dealers, is bringing extra delight by offering exclusive benefits for customers who pre-reserve the car before 19th October 2025. This special offer is available for a limited time, and customers can reach out to their nearest dealership for further details.

The car will be available in five colors, and deliveries are scheduled to begin in the first week of November 2025.

This marks the third EV model from Volvo Cars to be locally assembled at the company’s plant in Hosakote, Bengaluru. Each EX30 comes with an 11-kW charger as a standard offer. The EX30 embodies Volvo’s commitment to sustainable mobility, innovative technology, futuristic design, and uncompromising safety.

“We are thrilled to introduce the Volvo EX30 to the Indian market at such an exciting price point, with special benefits for those who pre-reserve,” said Mr. Jyoti Malhotra, Managing Director, Volvo Car India. “We believe this model will play a significant role in making luxury electric vehicles appeal to a new segment of innovators and achievers, those who appreciate power, design and sustainable luxury. With its impressive performance, extended range, sophisticated look, and the convenience of a hassle-free ownership package, the EX30 is set to redefine the EV experience for our discerning customers.”

As the most sustainable car in Volvo’s lineup, the EX30 has the lowest carbon footprint of any fully electric Volvo to date. Its attractive interiors are made from recycled materials, including denim, PET bottles, aluminium, and PVC pipes. Incorporating Scandinavian design and cutting-edge technology, EX30 has achieved a five-star rating in the Euro NCAP safety test. The EX30 also features active safety tools such as an intersection auto-brake to mitigate collisions, a door-opening alert to prevent “dooring” accidents, and the advanced Safe Space Technology, which boasts 5 cameras, 5 radars, and 12 ultrasonic sensors.

The cabin offers an immersive experience with five ambient lighting themes and sounds inspired by Scandinavian seasons. The new Harman Kardon soundbar concept, featuring a 1040W amplifier and nine high-performance speakers, delivers state-of-the-art surround sound. The intuitive 12.3-inch high-resolution center display includes Google Built-in, 5G connectivity, and Over-the-Air (OTA) updates. This head-turning design has also earned international accolades, including the prestigious Red Dot award: Best of the Best Product Design 2024 and the World Urban Car of the Year 2024.

The EX30 comes with an 8-year battery warranty and a wall box charger. The car reimagines convenience with its digital key functionality. Using NFC, one can simply tap a card to unlock the car, and with Digital Key Plus on the Volvo Car App, your phone acts as the key, providing a seamless and smarter experience.

Hassle-free package inclusions:

• 3 years comprehensive car warranty
• 3 years Volvo Service Package
• 3 years Roadside Assistance
• 8 years battery warranty
• 5 years subscription to digital services (now called ‘Connect Plus’)
• 1 wall box charger (11 kW) through third party

24 September 2025, India: Standard Chartered’s latest report, “Future of Trade: Resilience,” highlights a significant shift in global corporate strategies, with India emerging as the leading market of interest for companies looking to realign their trade and manufacturing activities.

As per the survey, India is the leading market of interest, where almost half of the respondents are looking to ramp up or maintain trade activities with the world’s fastest-growing major economy, while two in five intend to ramp up or continue manufacturing activities. In particular, more than 60 per cent of corporates from the US, the UK, Mainland China and Hong Kong are looking to increase trade with India.

The report presents inputs from 1,200 C-suite and senior leaders at multinational corporations based in 17 key markets across four industries, on their views for global trade and their strategies over the next three to five years.

Overall, globally the Future of Trade report, reveals that while trade tariffs are top of mind, emerging technologies and global economic growth are equally critical factors, with 53% of corporates respectively ranking those as the top strategic drivers shaping the future of global trade.

Sunil Kaushal, Global Co-head, Corporate & Investment Banking and CEO, ASEAN and South Asia, Standard Chartered, said, “We are seeing strong demand from clients to evolve their global trade and supply chain ecosystems and accelerate the adoption of smart manufacturing and AI to drive efficiencies and offset rising costs. Although trade fragmentation is likely to hinder global growth in the short term, rising prosperity in developing economies and emerging technology mean that the picture, while complex, is still compelling.

The Future of Trade report offers a forward-looking perspective on global corporate priorities to build resilience. It serves as a strategic compass, highlighting the top destinations that multinational companies are considering for realigning their sourcing, manufacturing, and exports. It also provides actionable insights to shape decision making, such as investing in supply chain finance platforms and digitalisation to improve treasury management, corporate cashflows, and supply chain diversification,” Kaushal added.

Corporate leaders believe that Asia will continue to drive trade growth in the next three to five years, with rising prominence from the Middle East and the US remaining as a heavyweight. The report also reveals corridors that will see increased trade and manufacturing activities.

Table: Top six markets of interest for global corporates realigning their supply chains geographically

Net intention is the net proportion of surveyed corporates who are planning to increase or maintain activities with the target market.

Market Analysis by Felipe Barragán, Expert Research Strategist at Pepperstone

– September 23, 2025 –

“The Mexican peso traded with a steady tone on Tuesday, balancing weak domestic signals against a somewhat more constructive global backdrop. The market’s attention remains centered on Banxico’s upcoming policy decision later this week, where most investors anticipate another 25 basis point rate cut that would bring the benchmark rate to 7.50%.

The easing cycle reflects the drag from subdued activity data and softening private demand, but also raises questions about whether Mexico can preserve the carry appeal that has supported the peso. Inflation is the key variable: while headline pressures have moderated, core inflation has proven stickier, prompting Banxico to lift its near-term projections. That has introduced an element of caution, as any upside surprise in inflation could slow the pace of cuts and, paradoxically, lend short-term support to the peso.

Fiscal policy is also coming under greater scrutiny. Analysts believe that without firmer consolidation efforts, Mexico’s debt trajectory could become a source of vulnerability. Authorities have pledged to narrow the budget deficit in the coming year, but investors remain wary given the scale of competing social and infrastructure spending commitments. These fiscal uncertainties layer onto recent trade policy moves, such as higher tariffs on autos from China and other non-USMCA countries. While framed as measures to protect domestic industry, such steps risk raising import costs and potentially complicating Banxico’s disinflation effort if they feed into consumer prices.

At the same time, external conditions provide an offsetting source of support. Mexico continues to benefit from resilient U.S. demand, which underpins exports even as domestic activity shows signs of fatigue. More broadly, expectations that the Federal Reserve will remain on an easing path have helped soften the dollar and maintain appetite for higher-yielding currencies. That dynamic has cushioned the peso against some of its local headwinds, though it leaves the exchange rate vulnerable to any abrupt change in Fed guidance or a renewed bout of dollar strength.

Taken together, the peso sits at the crossroads of easing domestic policy, fragile fiscal dynamics, and supportive global demand. The interplay of these forces will likely keep the currency sensitive to each new data point and policy signal. The critical question in the weeks ahead is whether Banxico can cut rates without unsettling inflation expectations, and whether the government can maintain enough fiscal credibility to keep investor confidence intact. Until those answers become clearer, the peso’s path will remain finely balanced between domestic fragilities and the broader pull of external conditions..”

Compliance with rigorous global standards underscores company’s ability to deliver privacy-first security and regulatory alignment for healthcare, finance, and other regulated industries

RESTON, VA., Sep. 23, 2025 – Diliko, the cloud-delivered Agentic AI data platform company for mid-sized enterprises, today announced it has achieved certification for ISO/IEC 27001:2022 (Information Security Management) and ISO/IEC 27701:2019 (Privacy Information Management). The independent audit, conducted by National Quality Assurance (NQA), USA, found zero nonconformities, confirming the maturity of Diliko’s security and privacy practices.

These internationally recognized certifications validate that the Diliko platform provides enterprise-grade controls for safeguarding sensitive data, including PII and PHI, across complex, multi-cloud environments (Azure, Google, AWS) and with Snowflake as a core data interface. The audit scope also covered ETL, data orchestration, provenance, lineage, and AI platform development, ensuring security and privacy are embedded across the entire data lifecycle.

“Midmarket organizations face the same stringent privacy and security mandates as global enterprises, but without the deep staff or budget resources required to manage compliance,” said Ken Ammon, Chief Strategy Officer at Diliko. “Certification to both ISO 27001 and ISO 27701 independently verifies that the privacy and security controls in our platform are not bolted on after the fact—they’re built in from the start. Customers can operate with confidence knowing their data is managed to the highest international standards.”

Diliko’s platform was designed with security and privacy by design, providing features such as zero-trust data access, end-to-end encryption, real-time anomaly detection, and automated compliance monitoring. Beyond traditional ETL and orchestration, Diliko embeds PII discovery, consent management, and granular policy enforcement into its data pipelines, capabilities essential for meeting global and state-level mandates.

The ISO 27701 certification is particularly valuable for organizations aligning with evolving privacy frameworks including GDPR, HIPAA, HITRUST, CCPA, Virginia CDPA, and the Tennessee Information Protection Act. By certifying to both standards, Diliko helps customers demonstrate compliance while reducing the operational burden of managing overlapping controls internally.

A Future-Forward Travel Experience Arrives in India

Tripadvisor and Experience Abu Dhabi Launch a Groundbreaking AI-Powered Immersive Destination
Experience at Jio World Plaza, Mumbai

MUMBAI, September 2025 – Step into the future of exploring travel destinations this autumn as Tripadvisor partners with Experience Abu Dhabi, the destination brand of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), to unveil their newest project. The multi-sensory, immersive activation “Abu Dhabi Is Calling” will take place at Jio World Plaza in Mumbai from September 26–28, 2025.

Over three days, Jio World Plaza will evolve into a vibrant gateway to Abu Dhabi. This dynamic activation blends cutting-edge technology with real-time AI interactions, enriched by authentic Tripadvisor traveller insights. The result is an innovative, multi-sensory journey that invites both Indian and international visitors to experience Abu Dhabi like never before.

SUPER REALITY MEETS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

The centerpiece? Two immersive domes—one 6-meter and one 8-meter. The 6-meter dome will be powered by the ORA Sphere, an innovative spherical projection system that allows guests to control their travel journey through Abu Dhabi in real time.

With just a touch, visitors can explore 360° cinematic environments showcasing Abu Dhabi’s most iconic attractions – from the architectural wonder of Louvre Abu Dhabi to the lush greenery of Al Ain Oasis. As the dome responds in perfect synchronicity, the ORA Sphere displays live Tripadvisor reviews, insider recommendations, and curated travel data, creating a seamless digital-physical journey.

BUILT ON DATA. DESIGNED FOR WONDER.

“A Doorway Into Abu Dhabi” is crafted using Tripadvisor’s proprietary traveller data highlighting the mostloved destinations, must-do experiences, and authentic traveller insights to ensure guests are seeing Abu Dhabi the way real travellers do.

Steve Paganelli, Acting Global Head, Media & Partnerships, Tripadvisor, said: “Tripadvisor’s Wanderlab has fused emotional storytelling, groundbreaking technology, and real traveller data to redefine how destinations are discovered from afar. Following the success of this project in London, Paris, and New York, we’re proud to continue our partnership with Experience Abu Dhabi to bring this visionary project to India.”

Georgios Kalliamvakos, Planning, Strategy, and Operations Department Director, DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “In partnership with Tripadvisor’s Wanderlab, we’re bringing a piece of Abu Dhabi to the heart of Mumbai through an immersive experience that truly captures the spirit of the emirate. Showcasing Abu Dhabi’s rich culture, scenic landscapes and unique attractions, this activation invites everyone to discover Abu Dhabi, a destination where unforgettable experiences are always within reach.”

INTERACT. IMAGINE. WIN.

“Abu Dhabi Is Calling” will also feature multiple futuristic and cultural touchpoints: AI Pod – Collaborate with Tripadvisor’s conversational AI agent. This people-powered AI tool blends Tripadvisor’s vast first-party data with the authentic insights of millions of real travellers, delivering tailored Abu Dhabi itineraries in real time.

Green Screen Photo Booth – Capture your dream Abu Dhabi moment – from the desert dunes to the Corniche skyline.
Goodie Bags – Guests can pick up a special event passport upon arrival to collect exclusive Ollie the Owl
Tripadvisor stamps. Once completed, the passport can be redeemed for a complimentary goodie bag, a fun
keepsake to take home.

Win a 5-Star Getaway – Guests can enter to win a luxury trip to Abu Dhabi, including round-trip flights from
India and a stay at a 5-star hotel.

EVENT DETAILS

Location: Jio World Plaza, Mumbai
Dates: September 26 – 28, 2025
Opening Times:
September 26: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
September 27: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
September 28: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM

WHY MUMBAI?

As India’s financial capital and a global gateway, Mumbai was chosen to host this landmark activation because of its unique blend of commerce, creativity, and culture. The city is not only home to millions of ambitious professionals and innovators but also acts as a hub for international travel. Its cosmopolitan spirit and diverse audience make it the perfect stage to introduce a global-first experience that connects Abu Dhabi with one of the fastest-growing travel markets in the world.

Mumbai’s vibrant lifestyle—from Bollywood and art to its thriving shopping and food scenes—reflects the same mix of tradition and modernity that Abu Dhabi embodies. By bringing “A Doorway Into Abu Dhabi” to Mumbai, Tripadvisor and Experience Abu Dhabi are tapping into an audience eager for immersive, futureready travel experiences that mirror the city’s forward-looking energy.

22 September 2025, Karnataka: United Way Bengaluru (UWBe), with CSR support from Kotak Mahindra Bank and in collaboration with the Government of Karnataka, is refurbishing 30 Anganwadi centres across Dharwad and Gadag districts.

The initiative aims to support holistic early childhood development for children aged 0-6 years.

The ‘Model Anganwadi Project’ focuses on creating child-friendly spaces equipped with safe learning materials, improved sanitation facilities, and access to nutritious food for children as well as pregnant and lactating mothers. Covering 30 villages, the project will benefit a total population of approximately 30,000. The launch event that took place at Anganwadi centre of Gadag (Kadampura 1 and 2), and Dharwad district (Aarekurahalli-5 and Annigere-21), on 19th September 2025 also marked the celebration of Nutrition Day, highlighting the importance of nutrition and holistic development in early childhood.

The refurbished Anganwadi Centres were inaugurated in the presence of key representatives from Women and Child Development (WCD), Child Development Project Officer (CDPO) Zilla Panchayat, Kotak Mahindra Bank and the UWBe team.

Himanshu Nivsarkar, Head – CSR & ESG, Kotak Mahindra Bank said “For many families in rural areas, Anganwadis are lifelines. Through the Model Anganwadi Project, we aim to empower communities by fostering healthier beginnings and brighter futures for children and mothers. It is a privilege to collaborate with United Way Bengaluru and the Women and Child Development Department on this meaningful initiative, as we continue to invest in the long-term well-being of our communities.”

Under the Born Learning Campaign, our vision for early childhood care is to transform Anganwadis into vibrant, safe, and inclusive spaces that foster learning and growth. For many children, Anganwadis are their first step into education and through our partnership with Kotak Mahindra Bank, we are building an ecosystem where every child has the opportunity to thrive. This initiative strongly reflects our commitment to education, health, and holistic community development,” said Rajesh Krishnan, CEO, United Way Bengaluru.

As part of its CSR vision, Kotak Mahindra Bank is committed to supporting initiatives that create meaningful and sustainable impact, especially in the areas of education, health, and livelihood. The ‘Model Anganwadi Project’ aligns with this commitment by addressing critical early childhood needs in rural Karnataka and reinforcing Kotak’s focus on empowering communities from the ground up.