September 2026

Manipal University Jaipur (MUJ) marked another milestone in its journey towards accessible and technology-enabled higher education with the successful organisation of the Sixth Convocation Ceremony of its Centre for Distance and Online Education (CDOE) on September 12. A total of 5,655 graduates from the MBA, BBA, MCA, BCA, MA (JMC), M.Com. and B.Com. programmes were awarded their degrees, with 903 graduates receiving their degrees in person from the dignitaries, while the remaining degrees were conferred in absentia.   6th Convocation of Online Degree Programs at MUJ – President Dr N N Sharma felicitates Chief Guest Mr Ashish Kumar Srivastava in presence of dignitaries   The convocation also witnessed the participation of learners residing outside India, reflecting the expanding global reach of MUJ’s online degree programmes and the growing acceptance of flexible, digitally enabled models of higher education.   The ceremony was graced by Mr Ashish Kumar Srivastava, Managing Director, Haver & Boecker India, as the Chief Guest, and Mr Ambrish Sinha, CEO, UNext Learning, as the Guest of Honour. The academic procession was led by the Chief Guest and Guest of Honour along with Dr N. N. Sharma, President, Manipal University Jaipur; Commander (Dr.) Anil Rana, Pro-President; Dr. Amit Soni, Registrar; Dr. Nitu Bhatnagar, Provost; Dr. Mallikarjuna Gadapa, Director, Centre for Distance and Online Education; Mr Dasari Nagaraju, Controller of Examinations, and members of the Academic Council.   The ceremony commenced with the rendition of the University Kulgeet, followed by the ceremonial welcome of the Chief Guest and other distinguished guests. In his welcome address, Commander (Dr.) Anil Rana congratulated the graduating students and highlighted the perseverance, self-discipline and resilience demonstrated by online learners. He emphasised that the success of students pursuing education through digital platforms is supported by families, faculty members and technology-enabled learning, which together help overcome geographical and professional barriers.   Delivering his presidential address, Dr. N. N. Sharma highlighted the University’s achievements in research, rankings, academics, SWAYAM MOOCs and sports. He underlined the importance of online degree programmes in enabling learners to gain specialised knowledge and enhance their professional competencies, thereby improving their suitability for careers across diverse sectors. He also noted that the graduating cohort represented the true spirit of lifelong learning, with students ranging in age from 19 to 78 years.   Addressing the graduating students, Chief Guest Mr Ashish Kumar Srivastava appreciated Manipal University Jaipur’s emphasis on combining academic learning with practical and industry-oriented education. He encouraged the graduates to continuously upgrade their knowledge and skills to remain relevant in a rapidly changing professional environment. He observed that online degree programmes offer learners the opportunity to acquire specialised knowledge while strengthening competencies required for careers across a wide range of sectors.   Presenting the graduating students, Dr. Mallikarjuna Gadapa, Director, CDOE, said that online education is closely aligned with the demands of the digital age. He highlighted that technology-enabled education provides learners with greater flexibility and independence while helping them become familiar with emerging technologies and develop essential digital skills.   The Sixth Convocation reaffirmed MUJ’s commitment to creating inclusive learning opportunities for students and working professionals seeking to pursue higher education without geographical or professional constraints. The diversity in the age and location of the graduating cohort further reflected the role of online education in supporting lifelong learning and continuous professional development.   Concluding the ceremony, Dr. Amit Soni, Registrar, Manipal University Jaipur, expressed gratitude to the Chief Guest, Guest of Honour, distinguished guests, parents, faculty members, University management and staff for their contribution to the successful conduct of the convocation. He extended his best wishes to all the graduating students for a successful and bright future.   The convocation was also live-streamed through the University’s official channel, enabling students and parents who could not attend the ceremony in person to participate virtually and share in the milestone.

Kauvery Hospital, Alwarpet has advanced its spine care programme with the successful introduction of endoscopic fusion surgery, a first-of-its-kind procedure in Chennai. The technique offers a minimally invasive alternative for selected patients who require spinal fusion but may benefit from a smaller surgical footprint than traditional open surgery or standard minimally invasive surgery (MIS).   Kauvery Hospital introduces Endoscopic Spinal Fusion in Chennai   Endoscopic fusion is spinal fusion performed through a working channel and high-definition camera inserted via an incision of about 8 mm. The surgeon decompresses the affected nerves, prepares the disc space and places an interbody implant with fixation under continuous visualisation, while aiming to preserve surrounding muscle, bone and ligaments.   Unlike traditional open spine surgery, which involves larger incisions and extensive muscle dissection, and standard MIS, which still requires some tissue handling with an incision of around 20 mm, the endoscopic approach is designed to reduce tissue damage, blood loss and postoperative pain, and to support faster recovery.   The treatment is more suitable for Degenerative lumbar conditions such as disc disease, spinal stenosis and selected low-grade instability, persistent nerve-root compression causing leg pain after adequate conservative care, revision or re-do spine surgery, where previous open surgery has left scar tissue that would be riskier to operate through again. It is also recommended for selected elderly patients for whom a long open fusion would be a heavier surgical burden.   “Endoscopic procedures are also used for disc herniation and nerve compression. In certain cases, they may help avoid the need for extensive fusion by preserving the spine’s natural stability. However, the suitability is decided after clinical evaluation, imaging and assessment of overall health. The technique is not suitable for all patients. High-grade slips, some complex deformities and cases that require wide open reconstruction may still need conventional surgery,” said Dr Keerthivasan P, Senior Consultant Spine and Orthopaedic Surgeon, Kauvery Hospital Alwarpet Chennai.   In appropriately selected cases, intended benefits include a smaller wound, less muscle injury, lower blood loss, less postoperative pain, earlier walking and a shorter hospital stay.   In a recent complex case, a 56-year-old woman who had previously undergone L4–L5 open spine surgery later developed problems at the L3–L4 and L4–L5 levels. The team used an endoscopic approach to avoid operating through scarred tissue. Blood loss was less than 50 ml. The patient walked within two hours and was discharged within two days.   In another case, an elderly patient with severe leg pain due to a disc problem was treated endoscopically, avoiding a major open operation that would have required long-segment fusion. The patient recovered quickly and returned to normal activity sooner than expected.   Dr Balamurali, Head of Department – Spine and Neurosurgery, Kauvery Hospital, Alwarpet, Chennai, added, “This advancement strengthens our comprehensive spine care programme, where patient selection, precision planning and multidisciplinary coordination play a crucial role in outcomes. Endoscopic fusion is not just about smaller incisions, but about choosing the right approach for the right patient. With this technique, we are able to expand our treatment spectrum and offer personalized solutions, especially in complex and revision spine cases.”   Speaking on the technology, Dr Aravindan Selvaraj, Co-Founder and Executive Director Kauvery Hospitals said, “Our focus is to combine clinical expertise with advanced technology to deliver effective treatment while reducing the overall burden of surgery. The introduction of endoscopic fusion surgery reflects our commitment to offering less invasive options wherever appropriate.”

The BRICS Chamber of Commerce & Industry (BRICS CCI) hosted the BRICS+ Dialogue 2026 at the Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya, New Delhi, bringing together business leaders, policymakers, diplomats, entrepreneurs, investors, academics and sectoral experts from across the BRICS+ ecosystem.   BRICS + Dialogue 2026   Held under the theme “Building Inclusive, Innovative & Resilient Pathways for the Global South,” the Dialogue took place as India holds the BRICS Presidency and focused on strengthening practical cooperation among emerging economies through business partnerships, innovation, women’s economic participation and healthcare collaboration.   The Dialogue was organised by BRICS CCI and powered by GrowQR.   Mr. Sameep Shastri, Chairman, BRICS CCI & President, BRICS CCI Young Leaders, underlined the need to move beyond dialogue towards tangible outcomes. “BRICS+ must move from dialogue to delivery—creating real partnerships, investments, technology linkages and opportunities across the Global South.”   Opening the proceedings, Ms. Shabana Nasim, Vice Chairperson, BRICS CCI, highlighted the importance of technology-enabled and inclusive growth. “Technology, education and women’s empowerment must work together to build truly inclusive and future-ready economies across BRICS+.”   In his Special Address, Mr. Atul Banshal, Vice Chairman, BRICS CCI, emphasised stronger commercial linkages across BRICS+ markets, “The next phase of BRICS+ cooperation must deepen the movement of capital, technology, talent and enterprise across our markets.”   The first session, “From Margins to Mainstream — Institutionalising Women’s Leadership in BRICS Innovation Ecosystems,” examined the role of women in entrepreneurship, innovation, technology and decision-making.   Moderated by Ms. Ruby Sinha, President, BRICS CCI WE, the session brought together distinguished voices including Mr. Sanjay Bhattacharyya, former Indian Foreign Secretary and former BRICS Sherpa; HRH Ms. Lebogang Zulu, Executive Chairperson, BRICS Women’s Business Alliance South Africa; Ms. Monica Monteiro, Chairperson, BRICS WBA Brazilian Chapter; Ms. Shadi Sedghinejad; and Ms. Yana Oseyeva.   Ms. Sinha said, “Women’s leadership is an economic imperative. BRICS+ must expand women’s access to capital, markets, mentorship and decision-making.”   HRH Ms. Zulu highlighted the importance of connecting women entrepreneurs across markets, “Economic empowerment means connecting women to capital, markets and opportunities at scale.”   Mr. Bhattacharyya noted, “As BRICS+ expands, its strength will depend on the quality of cooperation it creates across societies, economies and knowledge networks.”   Ms. Monteiro added, “Stronger cross-border networks can help women entrepreneurs turn ideas into markets, partnerships and opportunities.”   A key outcome of the Dialogue was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Karnataka State Marketing Communications and Advertising Limited (KSMCA) and the BRICS Women’s Business Alliance South Africa under the “Screen to Market Pathway 2028” initiative. The MoU represents an effort to create practical cross-border pathways for creative talent, enterprises and market access, reinforcing the Dialogue’s focus on converting conversations into tangible collaboration.   The second session, “Building the BRICS+ Innovation and Startup Economy,” focused on entrepreneurship, investment, technology, digital transformation and the creation of a more connected startup ecosystem across BRICS+. Moderated by Mr. Bibin Babu, Executive Director, BRICS CCI and Founder & CEO, GrowQR, the session brought together Mr. Dmitry Khrichenko, Ms. Nokuthula Nokky Ndlovu, Mr. Mudit Kumar, Mr. Anudeep Muttavarapu, Dr. Nageswara Rao Atyam, Mr. P. Ramakrishna and Mr. Mahavir Pratap Sharma.   Mr. Babu said, “BRICS+ can connect founders, investors, technology ecosystems and markets, enabling innovation from the Global South to scale globally.”   The third session, “Health Beyond Borders — Advancing a Shared Vision for the Future,” addressed healthcare cooperation as a critical component of sustainable development. Moderated by Mr. Prann Sharma, Director General, BRICS CCI, the session brought together healthcare, policy and business leaders including Ms. Pauline Maksimovna Pavlova, Ms. Mbali Khumalo, Dr. Anoop Mirakhur, Dr. Shuchin Bajaj, Dr. Vaibhav Kapoor, Dr. Anupama Mutthige and Dr. Moumita Nandy.   Mr. Sharma said, “Healthcare offers BRICS+ an opportunity to combine technology, traditional knowledge and affordable delivery models to create solutions that cross borders.”   The Dialogue also featured a Keynote Address by Dr. Payal Bansal Kanodia, Promoter, M3M Group and Chairperson, Paralympic Committee of India. Dr. Kanodia quoted, “Inclusive growth means creating opportunities for every individual to participate, contribute and lead. Stronger partnerships across the Global South can help turn this vision into meaningful social and economic impact.”   The initiative was supported by GrowQR, BRICS Women Business Alliance (WBA), Dexter Energy, SABYA, SACCI, NIELIT, World People’s Assembly, ACCWs, Ideabaaz and Easy Knowledge Club.   The event reaffirmed BRICS CCI’s commitment to strengthening business and institutional linkages across the expanding BRICS+ community and creating platforms that move the conversation from dialogue to meaningful collaboration and action.   The BRICS+ Dialogue 2026 concluded with a renewed emphasis on building an ecosystem where cooperation among Global South economies translates into markets, investments, innovation, knowledge exchange and inclusive opportunities.

Piston, a cardless payments platform that connects commercial fleets and gas stations, today announced it has raised USD 15 million in Series A funding. FPV Ventures led the round, with participation from existing investors Spark Capital and Pear VC. The financing brings Piston’s total capital raised to USD 22.5 million.   Piston co-founders Vikram Sekhon and Shivam Shah raise USD 15M in Series A funding, led by FPV Ventures, to scale cardless payments and logistics infrastructure across the U.S.   The round follows a year of rapid growth for Piston. Payment volume increased 8x year over year, while its merchant network grew 40x and customer retention remained at 98%. Piston is now deployed at more than 2,000 stations across 48 states. Its point-of-sale integrations are also certified and live across systems covering more than 95% of U.S. merchant fuel sites.   “Commercial fuel still runs on payment technology built for another era,” said Vikram Sekhon, Co-founder and CEO of Piston. “Fleet fuel fraud is a physical card problem, disguised as a detection issue. We removed the card and built a network that authorizes every purchase for a specific driver and vehicle at the point of sale. This round lets us expand that infrastructure until no commercial driver has to ask whether a station accepts Piston.“   The more than USD 900 billion trucking industry still relies heavily on payment infrastructure built around physical cards. For fleets, that can mean persistent fraud, limited visibility into spending, and time-consuming reconciliation. Now, Piston offers fleet owners real-time visibility into fuel spending as it happens, without issuing or managing physical cards. And merchants gain direct access to commercial fuel demand, lower transaction costs, and the opportunity to capture the in-store purchases that come with repeat fleet traffic.   The two-sided network was built from firsthand experience. Vikram and co-founder Shivam Shah previously operated fleets and dealt directly with fuel-card fraud, hidden costs, and administrative burden. Sekhon’s fleet remains the first environment in which Piston validates and tests new features.   Piston’s India presence has also grown alongside the company’s expansion in the U.S. Its Kolkata office, which was launched in April 2023 with a team of five, has since grown into a 25+ member hub and is home to the company’s entire engineering team. The Kolkata team plays a central role in building and scaling the technology infrastructure that powers Piston’s payments network across the U.S.   “Fuel is one of the largest B2B spend categories in America, and every transaction still runs through decades-old card infrastructure,” said Nikunj Kothari, Partner at FPV Ventures. “Piston moves that money over its own rails, with no card networks or intermediaries in between. Vikram ran hundreds of trucks and felt this pain every day, and Shivam recruited thousands of drivers before they wrote a line of code. This is a new payment network in a massive market, built by the people who actually lived the problem.”   Piston is also extending its real-time controls with two AI products. Piston Guard evaluates each transaction for anomalies and can flag or block suspected fraudulent spending before it is completed. The Piston Analytics Agent allows fleet owners to better understand their spending data and uncover patterns without spending hours on manual analysis.   “Vikram and Shivam understood this market from the operator’s seat before they ever approached it as founders,” said Shravan Reddy, Partner at Pear VC. “Piston has translated that insight into exceptional growth, strong retention, and a network that creates value for both fleets and merchants. We are proud to continue backing the company in its next growth phase.”   Piston will use the new capital to accelerate the national build-out of its payments network, advance product development, and add senior leaders across key areas of the business. Over the next 18 months, the company aims to establish coverage across every U.S. region. The expansion will also lay the groundwork for Piston to move beyond fuel into broader logistics payments infrastructure.   The Series A also marks the next phase of Piston’s India story: a company serving a highly specialized U.S. logistics market while building its core technology from Kolkata. As Piston scales its payments network nationally, its Kolkata engineering team will continue to be central to the product and technology roadmap.   About Piston Piston is a fully cardless payments network connecting commercial fleets with gas stations and convenience stores. Its secure mobile authorization technology is built directly into the point of sale, eliminating skimming fraud and lowering transaction costs on both sides of the pump. Merchants gain access to high-margin commercial fuel volume and increased in-store sales, while fleet owners receive real-time visibility into every gallon purchased, tied to a specific driver and vehicle. Piston is live at more than 2,000 stations across 48 states and is backed by FPV Ventures, Spark Capital, and Pear VC. The company is headquartered in Cupertino, California.   Learn more at www.piston.com.

The customer-led initiative took the New Holland 3630 TX Super Plus+ closer to farming communities across Haryana and Punjab through customer interactions, field engagements, tractor rallies and product showcases.  Connected over 1,500 farmers across Haryana and Punjab while generating more than 35 lakh organic digital views through Rocky Shahpuria and regional influencer collaborations.  Brought alive the spirit of ‘Zindagi Super Plus’, the philosophy behind the New Holland 3630 TX Super Plus+.   New Holland, a brand of CNH, has successfully completed its unique farmer-to-farmer engagement initiative, ‘Super Safar’, a journey that celebrated the trust, experiences and aspirations of farmers across Haryana and Punjab. Led by New Holland customer and digital creator Rocky Shahpuria, the campaign took the New Holland 3630 TX Super Plus+ directly into farming communities, creating meaningful interactions with over 1,500 farmers through customer meets, field engagements, tractor rallies and dealership activations.   New Holland brings ‘Super Safar’ to Haryana and Punjab, celebrating a customer-led journey   Spanning over 500 km, the campaign covered more than 10 districts across key agricultural markets in Haryana and Punjab. The customized 3630 Super Plus+ caravan travelled through Gohana, Jind, Narwana, Patran/Moonak, Sangrur/Sunam, Barnala, Jagraon, Nakodar/Jalandhar and Amritsar. The campaign highlighted the 3630 TX Super Plus+ proposition across key pillars including Performance+, Power+, Savings+, Service+, Style+ and Safety+, while reinforcing the brand philosophy of ‘Zindagi Super Plus’, which reflects New Holland’s commitment to helping farmers achieve more in every aspect of their lives. What made the initiative particularly unique was Rocky Shahpuria’s deep association with the New Holland 3630 TX Super Plus+. Known for his travel-focused content and long-distance journeys, Rocky transformed his own 3630 TX Super Plus+ into a customized caravan and undertook the journey across Haryana and Punjab aboard the tractor itself. His decision to use the tractor as a travel companion reflects the confidence, comfort and trust he has developed in the machine through real-world usage. The campaign therefore went beyond a conventional brand association, showcasing an authentic customer experience that resonated strongly with farming communities. Commenting on the initiative, Tarun Khanna, Director – Marketing (AG) India, New Holland, said, “At New Holland, we believe the strongest endorsement of a tractor comes from the farmers who use it every day. Rocky’s decision to convert his own 3630 TX Super Plus+ into a travelling caravan and take it directly to farming communities made this initiative especially authentic, as it reflected genuine customer confidence in the product. Through Super Safar, the journey brought alive the spirit of ‘Zindagi Super Plus’ by showcasing how the 3630 Tx Super Plus+ contributes to farmers’ aspirations, livelihoods and everyday success.” Rocky Shahpuria, New Holland Customer & Influencer, said, “The New Holland 3630 TX Super Plus has been a trusted companion in my journey. When I decided to convert my tractor into a customized caravan and travel with it, I wanted to demonstrate my confidence in the machine beyond the farm. Through Super Safar, I had the opportunity to meet fellow farmers, hear their stories and share my own experience with a tractor that has become an integral part of my life. The response from farmers across Haryana and Punjab has been truly overwhelming.”   Haryana and Punjab remain important markets for New Holland, with their strong agricultural base and high levels of farm mechanization making them strategically significant to the brand’s growth and customer engagement agenda. The region also represents a diverse set of farming requirements, from field preparation and sowing to haulage and other agricultural applications, creating a strong environment to demonstrate the versatility and performance of the 3630 TX Super Plus+ About New Holland For over 125 years, New Holland has supported farmers with the technology, solutions and services they need for productive agriculture. It has a history of driving innovation, providing the answers to customer needs with a broad range of agricultural and light construction equipment. With proven production machines that utilize the latest alternative fuel technology to power the sustainable revolution in farming, we are the sector’s Clean Energy Leader. Our expertise and innovations are backed by precision connected services and supported by a dedicated and global dealer network with a strong territory presence. With you, Season after Season.    New Holland is a brand of CNH Industrial N.V. (NYSE: CNH) a world-class equipment, technology and services company. More information about CNH can be found online at www.cnh.com 

Ai+ Smartphone today announced its association with Rajouri Garden Metro Station, bringing the brand into one of Delhi’s most prominent everyday commuter touchpoints. As part of the association, the station will take on the branded identity “Ai+ NOVA Smartphone Rajouri Garden Metro Station”.   Ai+ Smartphone Takes Over Rajouri Garden Metro Station in Landmark Delhi Metro Association   The integration puts Ai+ at the heart of one of Delhi NCR’s most familiar everyday environments, taking the brand beyond conventional advertising and into the daily journeys of consumers.   The association will extend beyond the station itself, with in-metro announcements across the Delhi Metro network introducing the station as “Ai+ NOVA SMARTPHONE Rajouri Garden Metro Station” in both English and Hindi, creating repeated audio recall for the brand as commuters travel across the city. Additionally, all entry gates at Rajouri Garden Metro Station will feature prominent Ai+ NOVA SMARTPHONE branding, welcoming commuters with the message, “Welcome to Ai+ NOVA Smartphone Rajouri Garden Metro Station.”   Archi Gogoi, Head of Brand, Marketing & Growth, Ai+ Smartphone, said “With Ai+ NOVA Smartphone Rajouri Garden Metro Station, we are taking Ai+ beyond the smartphone screen and making it part of how millions of people move through the city every day. For a young brand, putting our name on an iconic part of Delhi’s everyday infrastructure is a significant moment and reflects the scale of our ambition for Ai+ Smartphone.”   The association is part of Ai+ Smartphone’s broader approach to building the brand through high-impact consumer touchpoints that create visibility, familiarity and recall at scale. By embedding the Ai+ NOVA SMARTPHONE identity into a high-frequency commuter environment, the brand aims to create a connection that extends beyond traditional media and digital platforms.   The initiative also marks the latest step in Ai+ Smartphone’s growing consumer presence as the brand expands through new products, strategic partnerships and cultural integrations across India.   With Ai+ NOVA Smartphone Rajouri Garden Metro Station, Ai+ is turning an everyday commute into an everyday brand experience – one journey at a time.   About Ai+ Smartphone Ai+ Smartphone is a next-generation brand built in India, delivering reliable and high-performance mobile experiences. Powered by NxtQuantum OS, India’s first sovereign mobile operating system. The brand focuses on delivering a clean design, ensuring long battery life, and maintaining trusted software performance, all while keeping prices accessible without compromising the user experience.   From redefining smartphones to pioneering AIoT products as part of the company’s Connected Ecosystem, Ai+ Smartphone is creating a new standard for trust, immersive experience, and accessibility. Rooted in a privacy-first architecture and a commitment to equitable access, Ai+ Smartphone stands for more than specs — it stands for India’s next era of user-owned, future-ready technology.   About Ai+ and NxtQuantum Shift Technologies NxtQuantum Shift Technologies is a deep-tech Indian company building secure, sovereign digital platforms for a digital-first world. Founded by Madhav Sheth, the company develops NxtQuantum OS, India’s first sovereign operating system, and is committed to building technology that is designed, engineered and developed in India while remaining globally competitive.

As outdoor spaces increasingly become an extension of the home, lighting is playing an important role in defining their look and ambience. Recognising this evolving need, Crompton Greaves Consumer Electricals Limited, renowned for its dedication to quality and innovative lighting solutions, has introduced its latest WallSmile Outdoor Deco Wall Light Range. Designed to bring together contemporary aesthetics, durability and functionality, the collection offers a premium lighting experience for modern outdoor spaces.   Crompton launches Outdoor Deco Wall Light Range   Consumers today are looking for outdoor lighting solutions that complement their surroundings while delivering dependable performance. Addressing this need, Crompton’s WallSmile Outdoor Deco Wall Light Range combines modern design with features designed for outdoor use, helping enhance the ambience, appearance and functionality of a variety of spaces. The range is suitable for applications including balconies, porches, poolside areas, lobbies, parking spaces, as well as accent and display lighting.   Crompton’s WallSmile Outdoor Deco Wall Light Range includes a diverse range of products which elevate the overall experience of the consumer:   WallSmile Linea: Featuring a sleek, cylindrical form, Linea brings a refined and contemporary aesthetic to outdoor walls. The 6W wall light is designed to complement modern exteriors while adding a subtle decorative element. WallSmile Nexo: Designed in both round and square forms, Nexo brings a contemporary aesthetic to modern outdoor spaces. The 5W wall light adds character to exterior spaces while maintaining a clean, sophisticated look. WallSmile Prism: Defined by its bold, elongated profile, Prism makes a contemporary statement on outdoor walls. The 4W wall light combines a distinctive form with a premium visual appeal, making it suited to spaces where lighting is also part of the décor. WallSmile Halo: Featuring an elegant oval form, Halo creates an interplay of light and shadow that adds visual interest to outdoor surroundings. The 5W wall light brings a contemporary decorative touch to modern exteriors.   Designed to enhance the overall outdoor lighting experience, the WallSmile Outdoor Deco Wall Light Range combines its contemporary designs with features that support reliable performance in outdoor environments. The range is water resistant with IP54 protection and offers surge protection of up to 3kV, along with an elegant build and easy installation. It also features No UV/IR, CRI >80, long-lasting durability and BIS registration, and comes with a one-year warranty. Together, these features bring a balance of aesthetics, durability and functionality to outdoor lighting.   Speaking about the launch, Mr. Shaleen Nayak, Business Unit Head – Lighting, Solar Rooftop & Wires, Crompton Greaves Consumer Electricals Ltd, said, “At Crompton, we believe lighting should do more than illuminate a space; it should enhance the way the space looks, feels and is experienced. As outdoor areas become an increasingly important part of modern homes, consumers are looking for solutions that bring together design, functionality and durability. With the WallSmile Outdoor Deco Wall Light Range, we have brought together contemporary aesthetics and dependable outdoor performance to create lighting that complements a wide range of outdoor settings. This launch is a reflection of our continued endeavour to develop thoughtful lighting solutions that respond to evolving consumer needs while adding greater value to everyday spaces.”   The WallSmile Outdoor Deco Wall Light Range will be available through Crompton-authorised retail outlets across India and leading e-commerce platforms.   The price range of the products is as follows:   Product Wattage MRP WallSmile Halo 5W  1,000 WallSmile Prism 4W  2,000 WallSmile Nexo 5W  1,200 WallSmile Linea 6W  1,500                   With its combination of contemporary designs, outdoor-ready features and premium aesthetics, the WallSmile Outdoor Deco Wall Light Range offers consumers a stylish way to enhance the beauty, ambience and functionality of their outdoor spaces.   About Crompton With a brand legacy of over 85 years, Crompton Greaves Consumer Electricals Ltd. is India’s market leader in the category of fans and residential pumps. Over the years, the organization has continuously strived to produce a range of innovative products that cater to the modern consumer including superior quality and high-performance fans, pumps, lighting solutions, and a range of other categories like water heaters; air coolers; small kitchen appliances like mixer grinders, air fryers, OTG, electric kettles etc; other home appliances like irons & built-in kitchen appliances. The company has further invested in brand and innovation to not only better understand and meet consumer needs but to also help drive energy efficiency. The consumer business also has a well-established and organized distribution network driven by a strong dealer base across the country offering a wide service network and robust after-sales service to its customers. Beyond its consumer portfolio, Crompton also has a robust B2B presence in the Lighting segment, delivering advanced and energy-efficient solutions for commercial and industrial applications. In 2025, Crompton became the first lighting company to receive the GreenPro certification for its B2B lighting solution, reaffirming its commitment to sustainability and innovation. Strengthening its foothold in the renewable energy space, the company has forayed into solar rooftops—representing a significant step forward in its contribution to India’s evolving clean energy landscape. With solar solutions spanning lighting, pumps, and rooftops, Crompton continues to lead as a responsible and future-ready brand in sustainable energy.   The company’s consistent dedication to developing energy-efficient products has led to significant recognition. It has been honored with three prestigious National Energy Consumer Awards (NECA) by BEE, Ministry of Power. The recent award was presented by the Hon’ble President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu for the company’s storage water heater in 2023. In 2019, the brand won in two categories: Ceiling Fans and LED Bulbs. Additionally, it was recognized as one of India’s Best Managed Companies 2022 by Deloitte Private and listed among ‘India’s Top 500 Companies 2022’ by Dun & Bradstreet India. The company has also been featured in Brand Top 75 most valuable Indian brands list for 2020 released by WPP and Kantar. Furthermore, Crompton was also recognized as the Brand of the Decade 2021 by Herald Global and BARC Asia in

Ramaiah Memorial Hospital today organized an Organ Donation Awareness Drive in Bengaluru, bringing together healthcare professionals, organ donors and their families, transplant recipients, patients, and members of the public in support of a shared cause, strengthening the culture of organ donation in India – “The Gift of Life”.   Dr. Madan S. Gaekwad, COO; Dr. M.R. Jayaram, Chairman, GEF(M); Shri U.T. Khader, Hon’ble Minister; and Dr. Nagendra Swamy S.C, CE, Ramaiah Memorial Hospital, with the donors   The event was graced by Shri U.T. Khader, Hon’ble Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Government of Karnataka, India.   The programme was organised in response to a widening gap between the need for organs and their availability in India. The country’s deceased organ donation rate remains below 1 donor per million population, compared to over 48 per million in Spain. While India recorded a landmark 20,138 transplants in 2025, nearly 82% relied on living donors, and more than 89,000 patients remain on transplant waiting lists as of March 2026, a number that far outpaces the availability of organs.   Through this initiative, the hospital sought to encourage more individuals and families to come forward and pledge organ donation, in order to help bridge this critical gap and give patients on the waitlist a genuine chance at life. If we can increase organ donations through brain-dead patients, the situation will definitely improve.   Living organ transplantation continues to be a well-established and life-saving treatment option in India, particularly for kidney and liver failure, where a healthy individual, often a close family member, voluntarily donates an organ or part of an organ to a patient in need. Advances in surgical technique, immunosuppression, and post-transplant care have made living donor transplants highly safe and successful, with excellent outcomes. However, experts note that living donation alone cannot bridge India’s growing organ shortage, underscoring the need for more citizens to pledge deceased organ donation, alongside greater awareness, timely identification of potential donors, and robust hospital-level coordination.   Shri U.T. Khader, Hon’ble Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Government of Karnataka, said, “Organ donation is a gift that transcends boundaries of relation and community. The Government of Karnataka remains committed to strengthening deceased donation infrastructure across the state, and initiatives like this by Ramaiah Memorial Hospital play a vital role in encouraging more citizens to come forward and pledge their organs.”   Dr. M. R. Jayaram, Chairman, Gokula Education Foundation (Medical) & Chancellor – Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences (RUAS), said, “Organ donation is among the most profound expressions of human compassion. Today’s gathering reflects our collective responsibility to build public awareness and trust around deceased donation. Every family that comes forward brings us closer to closing India’s organ gap and giving more patients a genuine chance at life.”   Dr. Nagendra Swamy S. C., Chief Executive – Ramaiah Memorial Hospital & Healthcare Services, GEF (Medical), added, “Organ transplantation — whether through living or deceased donation — has evolved into one of the most reliable treatment options for end-stage organ failure. With over 89,000 patients awaiting transplants in India, the need far exceeds availability. Through today’s drive, we hope to have inspired more citizens to come forward, pledge their organs, and help us close this critical gap.”   The event reinforced the hospital’s long-standing commitment to ethical transplant practices and donor awareness in Karnataka. Ramaiah Memorial Hospital’s transplant programme spans multiple organ systems, supported by a multidisciplinary team of specialists dedicated to advancing safe, high-quality transplant care in the region.   About Ramaiah Memorial Hospital Ramaiah Memorial Hospital (RMH), established in 2004, is a 500 bed, JCI-, NABH- and NABL-certified multi-disciplinary super specialty quaternary care hospital in Bengaluru, India. RMH received the Joint Commission International (JCI) Gold Seal of Approval in June 2025. The Gold Seal of Approval is a symbol of a healthcare organization’s commitment to meeting international standards of patient care and safety, demonstrating excellence in clinical quality, patient safety, and outcomes. In June 2025, RMH was also certified by the American Heart Association (AHA) as a Comprehensive Chest Pain Center and by the American Stroke Association (ASA) as a Comprehensive Stroke Center. The recent FACT (Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy) accreditation of our Bone Marrow Unit and stem cell laboratory reflects our adherence to rigorous, peer-reviewed standards, ensuring the highest quality of patient care across the entire stem cell process—from collection and processing to administration and long-term follow-up.   With more than 22 years of service, the hospital has touched the lives of over 5 million patients and performed more than two lakh surgeries. Its transplant milestones are close to 600 renal transplants, over 50 heart transplants, more than 210 bone marrow transplants, and liver transplant services initiated in 2025.   Ramaiah Memorial Hospital is affiliated with Mount Sinai International, New York from June 2024, marking a transformative collaboration focused on elevating healthcare through excellence in clinical care, quality, research, innovation, and technology.   Our Centers of Excellence, such as the Ramaiah Institute of Cardiac Sciences, Ramaiah Institute of Oncosciences, Ramaiah Institute of Nephro-Uro Sciences, Ramaiah Institute of Neurosciences, and the Ramaiah Institute of Gastro-Enteric Sciences are delivering comprehensive healthcare services under respective specialties along with other super-specialties.   RMH has received recognition from Newsweek as one of the World’s best hospitals in 2025. The ranking is based on hospital recommendations from peers, hospital quality metrics, patient experience, and PROMs implementation survey.

PayU, India’s leading diversified fintech platform, announced the launch of its Agent HQ, an AI agent store for Indian SMB merchants, where they can choose and deploy an agent for each job in commerce – from making their business discoverable to AI shopping agents and driving growth, to simplifying payment-related everyday operations and powering their own conversational AI experiences.   PayU Agent HQ enables SMB merchants to get discovered by AI shopping agents, grow sales, simplify payment-related operations & build own custom AI assistants   As AI reshapes how consumers discover and buy, businesses, especially SMB businesses, need to find ways to be relevant in this new commerce era. Industry reports suggest that about 50% of search traffic is shifting to AI agents and AI-referred shoppers converting up to three times better.(1) To enable these merchants with a level playing field, PayU designed its Agent HQ. This is built on more than a decade of commerce intelligence generated across a platform that powers 4.5 lakh+ merchants, 700+ million shoppers’ journey, and has processed Rs. 7,800 billion in transaction volume.   “As a merchant aggregator, PayU has been supporting merchants not just to collect payments but to grow their businesses through its value-added solutions. PayU Agent HQ builds on that foundation and expands on our value-added offerings for SMB merchants. By putting a personalized team of AI agents to work across the business – from improving discoverability and driving growth to managing chargebacks, reconciliations, refunds, settlements, etc. – we want to put control back in merchants’ hands, enabling them to focus on their growth. Agent HQ is one of our biggest bets in that direction,” said Manas Mishra, Chief Product Officer, PayU & Wibmo.   PayU Agent HQ brings together a suite of AI agents for merchants to achieve the following two outcomes, depending upon their requirements: building an AI-ready growth engine or running the business efficiently or both. Building an AI-ready growth engine: PayU merchants can make their products, services, and business discoverable and transactable on AI platforms like Claude and ChatGPT as well as channels such as WhatsApp through Agent HQ. Merchants also have an option to custom create their conversational AI assistants that work across their websites, apps and customer journeys, providing real-time assistance to shoppers and responding to post-purchase queries. Running the business efficiently: Our Agent HQ offers a suite of AI agents that merchants can choose from to automate their complex operational tasks like transactions follow-ups, chargeback reconciliations, refund escalations and settlements, etc. Furthermore, drawing on merchant transaction data, including payment success and failure patterns, chargeback histories, settlement cycles and shopper behaviour, these agents can also act as growth enabler and suggest targeted campaigns across sales, marketing, and other functions. This helps merchants manage fraud and disputes more proactively, reduce operational effort, and protect revenue.   The No-Code, Zero-Integration Flow: Unlike standalone tools that require merchants to connect data sources, configure workflows or build integrations, PayU’s Agent HQ is a no-code AI agent storefront, already built into PayU merchant dashboard. Merchants can hire an AI agent in a few clicks; select how frequently it runs and monitor its activity through dashboard and receive outputs delivered through email and WhatsApp. No agent acts beyond the boundaries and limits defined by merchants.   Agent HQ represents PayU’s approach to building practical, outcome-oriented AI experiences for merchants across the full commerce journey- not just payments alone. Policybazaar, Daily Objects, Pinq Polka, and many more PayU merchants are already on Agent HQ, leveraging the power of AI agents to drive their commerce story.   About PayU PayU, India’s leading diversified fintech platform with Prosus as an investor, operates businesses that are regulated by the Reserve Bank of India and offers advanced solutions to meet the digital financial services needs of customers (merchants, banks, and consumers). PayU provides payment gateway solutions to online businesses through its cutting-edge and award-winning technology and has empowered 4.5 lakhs+ businesses, including India’s leading enterprises, e-commerce giants and SMBs. It enables businesses to collect digital payments across 100+ online payment methods such as Credit Cards, Debit Cards, Net Banking, EMIs, pay-later, QR, UPI, Wallets, and more. It’s a preferred partner in the affordability ecosystem, offering the maximum coverage of issuers and easy-to-implement integrations across card-based EMIs, pay-later options and new-age cardless EMIs. PayU offers e-commerce brands best-in-industry success rates while ensuring a seamless checkout experience.   (1) AI-referred shoppers convert better and spend more (2026) – Shopify