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India, 19 september 2025:The festive season in India is a time when homes are refreshed, renewed, and reimagined to welcome joy and togetherness. This year, design is playing an even bigger role, with products that bring couture-inspired artistry, indulgence, and vibrant energy into everyday living spaces. From laminates, bathroom fixtures to paints, brands are offering collections that make it easier than ever for homeowners to turn their homes into runways of celebration.

Laminates are at the heart of this transformation, allowing people to infuse drama and personality into walls, cabinetry, and furniture. With rich textures and striking finishes, they provide both functionality and style, perfect for festive-ready homes. 

Ms Parul Mittal, Director, Greenlam Industries: “With the launch of Greenlam Laminates’ latest collection, featuring 4 new trends, 79 unique decors, and 3 cutting-edge textures, Indian homes take centre stage this festive season. Every design reflects our commitment to blending couture-inspired artistry with industry-leading innovation, so each space feels like a runway of premium and self-expression. At Greenlam, we invite discerning homeowners to experience not just surfaces, but curated masterpieces that elevate every celebration”

Festive design is also about adding touches of indulgence, and bathrooms are increasingly becoming spaces for self-expression. Brands are introducing statement fixtures that double as works of art, creating an element of luxury where it’s least expected. 

Mr. Ranjeet Oak, Managing Director, South Asia, Kohler: “With the Wild at Heart collection, we wanted to bring artistry and luxury into the bathroom, a space that is increasingly central to home makeovers. At Kohler, we believe design is most powerful when it creates an emotional connection, and this collection reimagines everyday fixtures into statement pieces that reflect creativity, distinction, and a sense of indulgence, perfect for homes looking to make a festive-ready transformation” 

Colour finally completes the festive makeover, setting the mood for celebration. Walls become expressive canvases, turning homes into vibrant reflections of personality and warmth. 

Srikant SK, Head of Consumer Experience at Birla Opus Paints: “At Birla Opus Paints, we consider the festive season an occasion that truly transforms homes into vibrant, expressive canvases. This is a time when every detail matters, from new decor pieces to the festive glow of lighting, and our paints, with their range of vibrant shades, make walls the perfect backdrop for this celebratory spirit.

We strongly believe a wall isn’t just a surface; it’s a key element in shaping the emotional and sensory experience of a space. To ensure this beauty endures, our paints are engineered with features like scuff resistance, dust resistant, spatter-proof technology, delivering high gloss finishes that truly make colours pop. Just as a runway showcases curated artistry, our product range empowers homeowners to craft interiors that are an extension of their unique style. Every carefully chosen shade and texture ensure their homes don’t just look good, but truly feel like a celebration of their personality, ready to embrace the joy and warmth of the festivities”

This festive season, products are doing more than decorating homes, they are enabling homeowners to celebrate their individuality with surfaces, fixtures, and colours that blend innovation with artistry. With every new design, Indian homes are stepping onto the runway of celebration, ready to host the season in style.

Unity Amid Adversity: World Leaders, Artists and Faiths Unite at the One World One Family World Cultural Festival 2025

Sathya Sai Grama, Muddenahalli | 19 September 2025 – While the world divides, a spectacular wave of culture, artistry, and compassion is weaving it back together at the One World One Family World Cultural Festival 2025 in Karnataka. Hosted at Sathya Sai Grama, Muddenahalli, this one-of-a-kind festival is uniting the arts, traditions, wisdom, and spirit of service from every corner of the globe under one roof, celebrating humanity as one family. Taking place from 16 August to 23 November, this unprecedented gathering is a beacon of unity amid diversity.

Hosted by the One World One Family Mission, which has a presence in over 100 countries, the Festival has become a crossroads where spiritual leaders, humanitarians, dignitaries, artists and audiences from across the globe come together as One World, One Family

Renowned spiritual leaders from Lebanon, Japan, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and North Macedonia shared timeless wisdom at the Festival that stirred hearts and minds. Among their powerful reflections were: “The greatest testimony of faith is to love without condition and serve without expectation,” and “Every act of kindness, however small, reminds us that we are not strangers but members of one human family.” At the heart of their message was a call to see our differences not as barriers, but as precious gifts that, when embraced as a way of life, can unite the world in the spirit of oneness.

The Festival has drawn eminent dignitaries including Sheikh Humaid Bin Abdullah Al Mualla, Member of the Royal Family of the United Arab Emirates; Yousef Mustafa Ali Abdel Ghani, Ambassador of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to India; Aloys Bizindavyi, Ambassador of the Republic of Burundi to India; and Alexis Bukuru, Ambassador of the Republic of Burundi to South Africa. They hailed the Festival as a powerful platform for global dialogue, harmony, and shared responsibility in addressing the world’s greatest challenges.

The Festival stage came alive with performances celebrating the richness of world cultures. Highlights included Lebanon’s “Love is My Identity” concert, South Africa’s 13 Voices, the Royal Drummers of Burundi, Soca rhythms from Trinidad and Tobago, Zimbabwe’s traditional dances, Mbakumba, Shangara, and Dinhe, melodies from Germany and Greece, Japan’s Spirit of Prayer, Jordan’s lively Dabke, and a classic ballet from Russia. This diversity of music, dance, and art showed that when love crosses all borders, humanity truly thrives.

Beyond culture, the Festival exemplifies the Mission’s spirit of selfless service. The One World One Family Mission has been providing life-saving nutrition, healthcare, and education—entirely free of charge to communities across the world, turning compassion into action. 

This grace-in-action takes many forms, including surgeries and life-saving surgeries and medicine, therapy and counselling, mobility aids, neonatal care equipment, and sustained elder care; cooked meal distributions, ration kits, and monthly food baskets; university scholarships and fee support, school supplies and uniforms, values-based education, daycare support, and community blood donation drives.

The Festival honoured outstanding humanitarians for their contributions in Education, Healthcare, Women and Child Welfare, Music and Fine Arts, and Corporate Governance, with the most prestigious One World One Family Humanitarian Award 2025 presented to His Excellency Kgalema Motlanthe, former President of South Africa, in recognition of his lifelong commitment to justice, dialogue, and social cohesion.

The Festival also honoured global leaders for their vision, innovation, and dedication to addressing complex challenges and creating a better world for all.

At the heart of the celebration was Sri Madhusudan Sai’s discourses on the Ashtavakra Gita, which inspired the audience on the path of self-realisation and the journey from diversity to divinity. In one of the inspiring sessions, he cited: “Don’t absorb negativity; don’t match it. Protect your energy, lead with love, and guard your peace – that’s your real power.” He also encouraged everyone to choose discipline over impulse and cultivate discernment, allowing higher intelligence to take the lead and guide their actions. 

As part of the One World One Family World Cultural Festival, the One World One Family Mission is also celebrating the key Indian Festivals that reflect the timeless wisdom of Sanathana Dharma. These festivals guide humanity toward a life rooted in Dharma (righteous duty), Karma (the law of cause and effect), and the concept of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (the world is one family).

The Navaratri and Ati Rudra Maha Yagna celebrations, taking place from 22 September to 2 October at Sathya Sai Grama, will showcase Sanathana Dharma in its deepest spiritual expression.

The One World One Family World Cultural Festival 2025 is an once-in-a-lifetime celebration of what’s possible when humanity and spirituality come together with pure intent and selfless love. Visitors are invited to be part of this global gathering of love, peace, spirituality and shared humanity

Jaro Institute of Technology Management and Research Limited’s Initial Public Offering to Open on Tuesday, September 23, 2025

Mumbai, September 19, 2025: Jaro Institute of Technology Management and Research Limited is set to launch its maiden Initial Public Offering (IPO), which will open for subscription on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, and close on Thursday, September 25, 2025.

The IPO consists of a fresh issue of equity shares aggregating up to 170 crore and an offer for sale of up to 280 crore equity shares by the promoters and selling shareholders. Investors can bid for a minimum of 16 equity shares and in multiples of 16 thereafter.

Jaro Education plans to use a portion of the net proceeds to fund marketing, brand building, and advertising initiatives, as well as prepayment or scheduled repayment of certain borrowings, in addition to general corporate purposes.

An early mover in the online higher education and upskilling space, Jaro Education was established in 2009 by Namdeo Salunkhe, a first-generation entrepreneur with over 17 years of experience in the education sector. He is supported by Ranjita Raman, the CEO and Whole-time Director, who brings over 15 years of expertise in the field.

The institute delivers personalized, technology-enabled degree and certification programs in collaboration with its partner institutions, catering to both students and working professionals, including C-suite executives.

As of March 31, 2025, Jaro Education operates 22 offices-cum-learning centres across major Indian cities for offline learning and maintains 17 immersive tech studios on the campuses of various IIMs. The company partners with 36 institutions, including IITs, IIMs, and renowned global schools such as the Swiss School of Management and the Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto.

Jaro offers 268 programs across a wide academic spectrum, including DBA, MBA, M.Com., MA, PGDM, MCA, B.Com., BCA, and other degree programs in collaboration with 17 Indian universities, 14 of which are ranked among the top 100 by the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF).

In addition, the company provides online, hybrid, and in-person certification courses in areas like management, fintech, data science, business analytics, design thinking, and digital marketing. These are delivered in collaboration with 21 Indian institutions, including 7 IIMs, 7 IITs, and 2 other NIRF top 100-ranked institutions.

Nuvama Wealth Management Limited, Motilal Oswal Investment Advisors Limited, and Systematix Corporate Services Limited are acting as book-running lead managers, while Bigshare Services Private Limited is the registrar to the offer.

The IPO is being conducted through the book-building process, with:

• Not more than 50% of the net offer reserved for Qualified Institutional Buyers (QIBs)

• At least 15% for Non-Institutional Investors (NIIs)

• At least 35% for Retail Individual Investors (RIIs)

Bengaluru 19th September 2025 :  Rajasthan Handicrafts & Furniture  organizes handwoven Sarees  Exhibition & Sale   at  Siddharth Convention Centre, HSR Layout, Bengaluru  on from  19th to 29th September 2025 – from  19th to 29th September 2025 for Dusseshra and Deepavali  festive edition. Celebrate style & culture with the largest silk cotton,

The Expo will showcase the masterpiece Sarees, Kurtis, homedecor, dresses, bridalwear, footwear, and many more under one roof.

Speaking on the expo Mr. Ravi, Promoter said, “Every season we host an exclusive exhibition across various cities in India. This festive season, we handpicked some of the best handloom sarees for our customers  for an exclusive  exhibitions & sale in Bengaluru.

Date – 19th to  29th  September 2025

Venue:  Siddharth Convention Centre, 25th A main , 26th cross HSR Layout 2 sector, Bengaluru-560102  on from  19th to 29th September 2025

Timings: 10am to 8pm

Indriya, Aditya Birla Jewellery, launches its festive collection through a musical celebration of a recreated legendary song, ‘Dil Abhi Bhara Nahin’

National, September 19, 2025: Indriya by Aditya Birla Group celebrates the festive season with its new collection, ‘Alka’, unveiled in a soulful music video with a recreated legendary song, ‘Dil Abhi Bhara Nahin’. The video features Aditi Rao Hydari and Siddharth coming together for the first time in a music video, showcasing their real-life chemistry in a story that redefines modern romance.  

Conceptualised by the Ogilvy India team, soulfully composed by Sneha Khanwalkar, with lyrics and direction by Anvita Dutt, the film tells an endearing tale of a couple stealing special moments amid festive grandeur. It taps into a cultural shift—deepening bonds and cherishing moments with the people who matter most. The story is about finding the ‘us’ in the ‘we’—discovering intimate, personal connections within our closest circle. From a woman’s love for her jewellery to her love for those she holds dear, Indriya’s jewellery becomes a timeless expression of these emotions.

The festive collection is inspired by the mythical city of Kubera, the God of Wealth and Prosperity, and celebrates the beauty and abundance of festivity. Crafted in gold, diamonds, and polki, the collection features opulent necklaces, earrings, and bangles — perfect for every festive moment. Rooted in ancient lore where lotuses bloom eternally, swans glide gracefully, and peacocks shine in moonlit palaces – every design of Alka brings to life timeless symbols of grace, prosperity and celebration. Crafted with festive joy, Indriya’s Alka Collection will make you fall in endless love as your heart sings “Dil Abhi Bhara Nahin”. 

Speaking on the campaign, Sandeep Kohli, CEO, Indriya, said, “We see jewellery as a powerful symbol of the bonds that truly matter. This campaign is our ode to the quiet, personal moments that make the festive season so special—the ones you share with the people who are closest to your heart. Aditi and Siddharth’s real-life chemistry brought this narrative to life beautifully, showing that true luxury isn’t in grand displays, but in the small, heartfelt connections we cherish.”

Shantiswarup Panda, CMO, Indriya, added “Indriya’s exquisitely designed festive collection, ‘Alka’, is inspired by the beauty and bountifulness of Alkapuri, the mythical abode of Kubera the God of wealth. This collection embodies the warmth & prosperity of the festive season,  along with the deep longing for those closest to our hearts. Our campaign beautifully brings out this endless love through a story featuring Aditi Rao and Siddharth Suryanarayan stealing a moment amid festive celebrations. This festive season, Indriya unveils the full version of the soulful, reimagined rendition of the classic song, Dil Abhi Bhara Nahi, offering a fresh, emotional ode to the endless love the brand celebrates”

With 29 stores in 15 cities, Indriya continues to grow its presence across India and captivate consumers with expert craftsmanship and intricate designs, each crafted with endless love. Indriya celebrates a woman’s love for jewellery by offering a variety of designs for all occasions, from everyday wear to special celebrations, and exquisite bridal jewellery, with over 20,000 designs in gold, polki and diamond.

EL PASO, Texas, Sept. 19, 2025 — An estimated 400 million people worldwide live with alcohol use disorders, according to the World Health Organization. Chris Najera is a certified life coach who also battled alcohol use disorder, and he delivers a timely guide for change in his new book, The Hard Truth! Stopping Alcohol.

Blending raw honesty, personal experience and practical strategies, Najera gives readers the tools to take back control. His 30-day roadmap to taking an alcohol break also provides readers with a pathway toward clarity, purpose and long-term sobriety.

“If you’re looking to stop, you’ve come to the right place,” Najera writes in the book’s introduction. “What I learned in sobriety is when you stop, you find a new person — you’re someone completely new … the person you were supposed to be in the first place, before the alcohol disrupted your life.”

Najera doesn’t just share his personal story of struggle and triumph, he equips readers with an action-oriented guide designed for anyone who drinks alcohol regularly and may question their relationship with alcohol — from mild drinkers and weekend drinkers to daily users. Through lived experience and researched wisdom, Najera challenges readers to dismantle the illusions of alcohol, break free from dependency and reclaim their lives.

“What makes this book unique is its mix of unfiltered honesty, practical strategies, and powerful insights that speak directly to moderate and heavy drinkers who are tired of the cycle,” Najera said. “Whether you’re questioning your relationship with alcohol, taking a break for Sober October or searching for hope after repeated struggles, The Hard Truth! offers both clarity and courage. This isn’t just a book. It’s about educating communities and providing a tool to fight back against something that destroys so many lives.”

The Hard Truth! Stopping Alcohol

Publisher: Spines

Release Date: June 13, 2025

ISBN-13: ‎979-8896917939

Available from: https://www.amazon.com/Hard-Truth-Stopping-Alcohol/dp/B0FD5DSTGM

 By CA Pankaj Kapoor, Assistant Professor, School of Commerce, NMIMS Chandigarh

The article analyzes the 56th GST Council Meeting (September 2025), which rationalized India’s GST framework from four slabs (5%, 12%, 18%, 28%) to a streamlined two-slab system (5% and 18%), alongside a 40% tax on luxury/sin goods.

Key highlights:

1. Relief for households: Everyday essentials like soaps, food items, and bicycles moved to 5% or exempt categories, boosting disposable incomes.
2. Sectoral impact: FMCG, healthcare, agriculture, handicrafts, and renewable energy sectors stand to gain from reduced tax burdens.
3. Growth outlook: Lower consumer costs may push GDP growth up by ~0.6%.
4. Public health gains: A 40% GST on cigarettes, pan masala, sugary drinks, and luxury vehicles could reduce unhealthy consumption.
5. Fiscal challenges: Estimated annual revenue shortfall of ₹48,000 crore (~0.4% of GDP) could strain Centre–State relations, with states demanding compensation.
6. GST 2.0 efficiency: Simplification, automation in refunds, and streamlined registrations will lower compliance costs and support MSMEs.
   

Overall, the reforms mark a bold stride towards a simpler, consumer-friendly, and growth-oriented tax system, aligning with the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, while underlining the need for prudent fiscal balancing.

India, September 18, 2025: Kyndryl (NYSE: KD), a leading provider of mission-critical enterprise services, today announced the release of its Fiscal Year 2025 Corporate Citizenship Report.  

The report highlights Kyndryl’s continued progress across its three corporate citizenship pillars – Environment, People and Trust. The Company’s significant achievements underscore Kyndryl’s ongoing commitment to sustainability, responsible innovation and inclusive growth. 

“Corporate citizenship is a driving force for innovation, growth and global impact at Kyndryl. We are committed to advancing sustainability, empowering our workforce and communities, ensuring high standards of corporate governance and supporting our customers in achieving their objectives,” said Faith Taylor, Senior Vice President, Global Citizenship and Sustainability at Kyndryl. “We’re proud to be shaping a future where sustainability and social impact, powered by transformative technologies like AI, are integral to business success.”

Highlights of Kyndryl’s progress described in the report include:

• Delivering an 18% reduction in total greenhouse gas emissions (GHG, market-based) compared to its fiscal 2023 baseline, supporting the Company’s goal of achieving net–zero emissions by 2040 and its near-term targets, validated by the Science Based Targets initiative.
• Reducing total energy consumption by 15% compared to its fiscal 2023 baseline, with 58% of its purchased electricity coming from renewable sources.
• Doubling the average learning hours of customer-facing employees year-over-year, with an emphasis on advanced technology training. 
• Launching Kinship Kyndryl – a unified team dedicated to scaling initiatives that foster inclusion, belonging and employee well-being. 
• Awarding second-year grants to 12 nonprofits across 11 countries by the Kyndryl Foundation to advance cybersecurity and AI skilling and support training of more than 49,000 individuals.
• Advancing Kyndryl’s AI strategy and responsible AI principles by implementing a robust governance model to support the use of AI tools and technologies, as well as solutions for customers.
• Enhancing Kyndryl’s AI-driven sustainability services, which help organizations shape strategy, drive transformation and decarbonization, and meet regional and regulatory goals.

Kyndryl’s significant progress in citizenship and sustainability has earned the Company several industry recognitions, including an EcoVadis Gold medal, placing it among the top five percent of participating organizations, inclusion in TIME’s World’s Most Sustainable Companies and Forbes’ Net Zero Leaders lists and a leader ranking in the ISG Provider Lens Sustainability and ESG – IT Solutions and Services Report. Kyndryl has also received more than 60 workplace-related awards in the first three years of its operation as an independent company.

Read the full report and details on Kyndryl’s corporate citizenship strategy and how the Company is powering progress for its people and communities through its differentiated culture – The Kyndryl Way.

By: Mr. Sanjay Tripathy, CEO and Co-Founder, BRISKPE

“RBI’s Master Directions on Payment Aggregators bring much-needed clarity to the operations of online, offline, and cross-border players. By standardizing licensing, merchant due diligence, and escrow norms, the RBI has taken a decisive step to safeguard customers while enabling responsible innovation. The move also acknowledges the rising importance of seamless international payments for Indian businesses and consumers, strengthening transparency, trust, and stability across the ecosystem. With clear authorization timelines, players like us now have a predictable path to compliance and growth. Most importantly, the directive consolidates fragmented guidelines into a single framework streamlining compliance and building resilience for the entire payments industry.”

Pune, India, September 17, 2025: Persistent Systems, a global Digital Engineering and Enterprise Modernization leader, today announced that it has been recognized as a 2025 Elevate Honors recipient in the “Growth Honor of the Year” category by Everest Group, which highlights companies with annual revenue between $1–5 billion. This acknowledgement affirms the Company’s strong growth trajectory with a commitment to driving long-term value across stakeholders.

This award recognizes Persistent’s market-leading organic, constant-currency revenue growth among publicly listed global service providers. The Elevate Honors are determined through Everest Group’s independent, analyst-driven research, with recipients chosen solely on performance merit, underscoring both differentiation and consistency in financial results. Persistent has delivered 21 sequential quarters of revenue growth, reflecting the sustained momentum behind this recognition. Persistent reported $1,470.7 million in trailing twelve-month (TTM) revenue as of Q1 FY26, with a 25.6% four-year CAGR (FY21–FY25) and a 17.4% CAGR since its IPO in 2010. Listed on the National Stock Exchange of India and the Bombay Stock Exchange, the Company has also delivered a five-year shareholder return of 1,805.2%, reflecting exceptional value creation for investors.

Persistent’s client-centric approach, deep market understanding, and the ability to capitalize on emerging technologies have fuelled its growth. Despite dynamic macroeconomic conditions, Persistent has continued to expand by delivering tangible outcomes through its AI-led, platform-driven services strategy, including differentiated offerings such as SASVA™, iAURA, and GenAI Hub. Its growth is further reinforced by a strong partner ecosystem, as well as a world-class global talent base, delivering business outcomes and stakeholder trust.

The recognition was announced at Everest Group Elevate – Dallas 2025, an inaugural gathering of leaders shaping enterprise growth, focused on driving revenue, strategy, and customer impact at scale.

Sandeep Kalra, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director, Persistent

“We thank Everest Group for this recognition, which stands as a powerful affirmation of our clients’ trust, the passion of our global team, and the strength of our partnerships. Our disciplined execution and innovation mindset, combined with our focus on AI-led, platform-driven services strategy, have powered our growth and enabled us to drive measurable outcomes for our clients. As we continue advancing toward our aspiration of becoming a $5 billion company by FY31, we remain steadfast in accelerating this momentum as we set new benchmarks for growth and performance.”

Ronak Doshi, Partner, Everest Group

“We are proud to launch the Everest Group Elevate Honors recognition program at Elevate in Dallas, Sept 2025. Elevate Honors recognitions are based on Everest Group’s independent, fact based, analyst-driven research. Honorees are selected based on objective, data-driven analysis and serves as third party validation of high performance and excellence. We congratulate Persistent Systems for their recognition in the Growth Honor of the Year (annual revenue > USD 1 to 5 billion).”