October 15, 2026

Ekya Vana Early Years, the nature-based preschool and daycare programme from Ekya Schools, will welcome its first cohort at its Haralur campus on October 21, 2026. Admissions are open for children aged 18 months to 6 years. Spread across 10,000 sq. ft., the campus features a mini-forest, a butterfly garden and indoor and outdoor spaces designed to bring nature into children’s learning experiences.   Ekya Vana Early Years, Haralur, Bengaluru – a nature-inspired space where children learn through exploration, play and connection with nature   Haralur is the programme’s third Bengaluru campus, following its centres in RMV Sanjay Nagar and Manyata Tech Park. The campus extends Ekya Vana Early Years’ nature-based approach to early childhood education in south-east Bengaluru.   The campus landscape includes mango, guava, chikoo, banana, coconut and pomegranate trees, alongside a butterfly garden where children can observe and engage with the natural environment.. Spaces such as the mud kitchen, nature workshop, eco lab and indoor atelier support hands-on exploration, creative expression and learning through experience.   As part of its planned eco-initiatives, the campus will also introduce a biopond. Once developed, it will give children opportunities to observe fish and explore how aquatic life interacts with plants and other elements of an ecosystem, helping them understand how different living things depend on one another.   At the heart of the programme is Earth Sense, an approach rooted in the belief that children are part of the natural world. Through its People & Planet and Earth Care pathways, Ekya Vana Early Years encourages children to explore their relationship with nature. The programme aims to make sustainability tangible through observation, inquiry and hands-on experiences, helping children understand how living systems are connected and why care for the environment matters.   “At Ekya Vana Early Years, we want children to grow up seeing nature not as something outside their lives, but as part of the world they belong to. In the early years, even simple experiences of observing a butterfly, exploring soil or noticing how plants grow can shape the way children relate to their surroundings. That connection is where we believe a lasting sense of care for the natural world begins,” said Dr. Tristha Ramamurthy, Founder, Ekya Schools.   Parents are invited to participate in sessions around food, nutrition and nature, creating opportunities to engage with the ideas that shape the programme.   The Haralur campus was unveiled at an event on September 19, attended by parents, prospective families and early childhood educators. The launch was also attended by Dr. K.C. Ramamurthy, IPS (Retd.), Chairman of the CMR Group of Institutions and CMR University, and former Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha), and Dr. Sabitha Ramamurthy, President of CMR Jnanadhara Trust and Chancellor of CMR University.   Admissions are open for children aged 18 months to 6 years. The campus is located at  10th, 13/57, Shubh Enclave, main, Haralur Main Rd, off Sarjapur Main Road, Haralur, Kasavanahalli, Bengaluru, Karnataka.    About Ekya Vana Early Years Ekya Vana Early Years is the nature-based preschool and daycare programme from Ekya Schools, part of the CMR Group of Institutions. Founded in 2025, it offers early learning for children aged 18 months to 6 years across three Bengaluru campuses: RMV Sanjay Nagar, Manyata Tech Park and Haralur.   Its Earth Sense approach encourages children to develop a connection with the natural world through curiosity, exploration and hands-on learning. Through its People & Planet and Earth Care pathways, the programme introduces children to ideas of interdependence, care and environmental responsibility from their earliest years.

58% of Indians plan to travel abroad more in 2027 Skyscanner’s Travel Trends 2027 report reveals seven emerging trends shaping Indian travel, including Signal Severance, Pilgra-merch, Sten Do Surge, Grand Odysseys, Gymcation, Sound Bound and Currency Chasers Indian travellers are putting their own spin on travel, with 91% drawn to wellness-focused stays, 89% inspired by history and mythology, and 67% having changed a destination because another offered better value Skyscanner’s Travel Trends 2027 report combines proprietary search insights with research into 2,000 Indian traveller behaviour across travel intent, AI, wellness, music, history, exclusive finds and value   Leading global travel app Skyscanner has officially launched its Travel Trends 2027 report, revealing next year’s top trending and best value destinations as well as showcasing the seven key trends influencing traveller behaviour and key shifts in the travel industry in the coming year.   Neel Ghose, Travel Trends and Destinations Expert   In a fragmented and often overstimulating world, Indian travellers are increasingly seeking value not just in what they spend but what they gain. Whether that means unplugging completely, travelling for an exclusive purchase, maintaining a wellness routine on the road, celebrating together, following music and culture, or tracing history and mythology – getaways are increasingly reflecting how Indians choose to live.   And despite broader consumer spending slowing and global economic tides shifting, travel appetite remains strong – with 58% of Indians planning to travel abroad more in 2027. Instead of giving up on travel, Indians are adapting how they spend, with 56% planning to spend more on flights and 44% on accommodation. At the same time, value remains central, with 67% having changed a holiday destination or considered doing so because an alternative offered better value.   Neel Ghose, Travel Trends and Destinations Expert, Skyscanner India, said, “Indian travellers are entering 2027 with a stronger appetite to explore, but they are also becoming more considered about how they spend their time and money. We’re seeing a shift from simply choosing where to go towards thinking more carefully about the experience they want from a trip, whether that is switching off, discovering something new, staying active or getting better value.   With 87% of Indians now confident using AI to plan and book travel, technology is also becoming an important part of this decision-making journey. Tools such as Skyscanner’s Explore with AI can help travellers turn an idea into a trip, while features like Price Alerts and Drops can help them stay on top of fares and spot opportunities to travel for less. The opportunity for travellers in 2027 is to use these tools to be more flexible and intentional, without compromising on the experiences that matter most.”   Combining exclusive Skyscanner proprietary data with insights into 2,000 Indian travelles and supporting data from trusted partner, the seven trends shaping travel in 2027 include: 1. Sound Bound – Music is taking Indian travellers beyond traditional concert halls, with 43% choosing carnival experiences and 38% preferring unique venues such as volcanoes, pyramids and caves for music-based experiences while on holiday. While genre leads as the biggest consideration at 27%, cultural immersion (20%) and seeing a new venue (19%) also shape music-led travel.   2. Signal Severance – Switching off is easier said than done for Indian travellers, with 43% saying it takes a little time to clear their head and stop checking their phone, while only 23% switch off immediately at the start of their journey. Yet going off-grid could help them reconnect with what matters, with 75% saying they would feel more connected to nature and 73% to themselves without their phones. In response, destinations offering a chance to slow down and switch off are seeing rising demand, with Pokhara (+166% YoY), Agatti (+157% YoY) and Phu Quoc (+133% YoY) emerging as top destinations for digital disconnection.   3. Gymcation – Health and fitness travel is inspiring Indian travellers to seek out destinations where staying active and prioritising nutritious choices is as easy as sightseeing. 91% are likely to book a hotel offering nutritional-performance breakfast options, while 53% actively look for fitness facilities and are willing to choose one hotel over another if its fitness offering is better.   Deepak Raj, Country Head, HYROX India, said, “Our registration data shows that fitness is no longer something Indians pause when they travel – it’s becoming a reason to travel. Nearly half the athletes at our Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru events this year travelled from another city, sometimes another state, just to compete. That tells us the ‘gym-cation’ isn’t a niche behaviour anymore; for a growing number of Indian travellers, a workout event is now as legitimate a reason to book a trip as a concert or a marathon.”   4. Pilgra-merch – The best keepsakes are the ones you have to travel for. 80% of Indians have visited a specific destination or store to purchase a location-exclusive item, with Gen Z (84%) and Millennials (82%) particularly likely to have travelled for an exclusive purchase. Nearly half (49%) would even fly for up to three to six hours to buy something they cannot get elsewhere.   5. Sten Do Surge – As couples marry later in life and move away from traditionally gendered celebrations, the classic ‘stag’ or ‘hen’ trip is giving way to a more inclusive era of joint travel – the ‘Sten Do’. 73% Indian travellers prefer either a shared celebration or a mix of shared and separate celebrations. Fun (64%), more time together before the wedding (53%), convenience (49%) and cost savings (48%) are driving the shift.   6. Grand Odysseys – In a fast-paced world, history and mythology offer context, grounding travellers in timeless human stories. For Indian travellers, the past is inspiring the present, with 89% having had their travel plans inspired by a historic event, a classical story or myth, or both. Historical figures (61%), architectural wonders (57%) and mythological legends (52%) are among the strongest sources of inspiration.   7. Currency Chasers – Savvy Indian travellers are actively

Following the launch of their first project in the KIADB micro-market, Assetz and Fairlark announce a new residential development with at least 1.68 million sq. ft. of estimated saleable built-up area Transaction strengthens Assetz’s presence in one of Bengaluru’s airport-led growth corridors   Assetz, a Bengaluru-based design-led residential real estate developer, has tied up land belonging to Fairlark Sagar Enterprises Centroid Pvt. Ltd., a 10-acre land parcel within the KIADB Hardware Park in North Bengaluru. The proposed residential development will have minimum 1.68 million sq. ft. of estimated saleable built-up area. This new development follows the response to the partners’ first project, Assetz Sora & Saki.   Assetz   The transaction marks another significant addition to Assetz’s development pipeline and strengthens the company’s presence in North Bengaluru, a micro-market that has become an increasingly important part of the city’s residential growth story. The acquisition is aligned with Assetz’s strategy of consolidating and strengthening its position in Bengaluru by expanding presence across established high-absorption, infrastructure-linked and emerging micro-markets. The continued partnership reflects the confidence of both companies in the long-term potential of the KIADB micro-market and in a development model that aims to bring together strategic locations, thoughtful design, quality homes and a customer-centric approach.   Located approximately 15 minutes from Kempegowda International Airport, the site sits within the KIADB Hardware Park and the larger aerospace, technology and advanced-manufacturing ecosystem developing around the airport. The corridor today accommodates a growing concentration of global technology, aerospace and engineering companies, with facilities of companies such as Shell India Markets, SAP Labs and Boeing in the vicinity. The neighbourhood is also supported by educational and healthcare institutions, strengthening its appeal as a residential catchment. The wider area is witnessing further development of its social infrastructure, with new malls, hotels and other lifestyle destinations that are coming up. Reflecting the growing residential interest in the micro-market, the zone has also attracted projects from several real estate developers.   The location also benefits from access towards Kempegowda International Airport, Devanahalli, Bagalur and the wider North Bengaluru region, with road networks providing links towards Budigere Cross, Old Madras Road, East Bengaluru and Whitefield. The Satellite Town Ring Road further strengthens the larger regional road network by connecting Bengaluru’s northern and eastern peripheral growth centres. The upcoming Namma Metro Blue Line and the under-construction Bagalur Cross Metro Station are expected to further enhance public-transport access between the corridor and key parts of the city.   Commenting on the transaction, Mr. Sunil Pareek, Executive Director, Assetz, said, “The scale of this parcel gives Assetz the opportunity to plan a cohesive residential development with the depth and quality that a project of this size demands. There is significant potential to create a development that remains relevant as the surrounding micro-market continues to evolve. At Assetz, growth is not simply about adding acreage; it is about identifying opportunities where thoughtful design, strong execution and capital discipline can create enduring value. This transaction reflects that approach and further strengthens the visibility of our future development pipeline.”   Mr. Madhav Raju, Managing Director, Fairlark, also comments that, “At Fairlark, we believe that the success of any development ultimately comes down to the customer — the location they choose, the quality of the home they purchase and the experience they receive throughout the journey. Assetz brings a strong design-led approach and a deep understanding of what today’s homebuyer values, while Fairlark brings its focus on North Bengaluru and its understanding of the opportunities emerging across this rapidly developing corridor. Together, we are creating a development model that combines strategic locations with aesthetically designed homes, quality and customer-centric thinking.”   About Assetz Assetz is a residential real estate developer with a focus on design excellence, along with disciplined capital allocation, institutional governance and sustainability practices. The developer focuses on delivering high-quality homes characterised by timeless architecture, thoughtful material selection, refined minimalism and calm, cohesive living environments. This philosophy enables Assetz to create value both internally through space planning and externally through amenity-led master plans. As a result, this approach has enabled the company to create a differentiated and recognisable brand positioning within Bengaluru’s residential real estate market.   The Assetz portfolio spans 50+ projects, 50+ million sq. ft. and 22,000+ units as of August 31, 2026, reflecting the scale of its experience and its growing contribution to Bengaluru’s residential landscape.

Park Hospital, part of Park Medi World Limited, marked the groundbreaking ceremony for its upcoming 550-bed multi-super-speciality hospital in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. With an investment of approximately Rs. 200 crore, the project represents a significant milestone in the Group’s expansion plans and its efforts to strengthen healthcare infrastructure in the region.   Park Hospital Marks Groundbreaking of Rs. 200 Crore, 550-Bed Multi-Super-Speciality Hospital in Prayagraj   The hospital is being developed under a public-private partnership (PPP) with the Prayagraj Municipal Corporation. The project is expected to expand access to organised, multi-speciality healthcare for residents of Prayagraj and neighbouring areas. The facility is targeted for completion within two years from the appointed date under the concession agreement.   The groundbreaking marks the next stage of a project for which Park Medi World received the PPP mandate in August 2026. The development forms part of the Group’s broader strategy to expand its hospital network across emerging healthcare markets and strengthen its presence beyond established metropolitan centres.   Park Medi World currently operates a network of 17 hospitals with a combined capacity of approximately 4,290 beds. The Group is working towards expanding its network capacity to approximately 6,660 beds by December 2028 through a combination of new hospital developments, acquisitions and capacity additions at existing facilities.   The Prayagraj project builds on the Group’s growing presence in Uttar Pradesh, where it already operates a 360-bed hospital in Agra and will soon be commissioning two new hospitals in Kanpur and Gorakhpur under the O&M model. Together, these projects are expected to strengthen Park’s healthcare footprint across the state and expand its ability to serve patients across a wider regional catchment.   The Group also has an established presence in Punjab through facilities including Park Hospital Bathinda, Park Hospital Patiala and Park Hospital Mohali. Its wider network spans 15 cities across 6 states in North India, supported by investments in hospital infrastructure, clinical capabilities and patient services.   Commenting on the development, Dr. Ankit Gupta, Managing Director, Park Medi World Limited, said, “The groundbreaking of our Prayagraj hospital marks an important milestone in our expansion journey. As we work towards increasing our network capacity to approximately 6,600 beds by December 2028, our focus remains on strengthening our presence across North India and expanding access to healthcare in emerging markets. Prayagraj is an important addition to our growth plans, reflecting our commitment to developing healthcare infrastructure that responds to the needs of the communities we serve.”   Through its planned investments and capacity additions, Park Medi World aims to strengthen its regional presence and expand access to multi-speciality healthcare across established and emerging markets.   About Park Medi World Limited Park Group is North India’s 2nd largest hospital chain, currently operating 17 hospitals with a combined capacity of ~4,300 beds as on date. Together with this proposed 550-bed PPP facility at Prayagraj, the Group is in the process of integrating 6 additional hospitals and expanding capacity at 3 existing units. These are in various stages of execution and will add ~2,300 beds to our network. With these, Park Group’s total capacity is expected to reach ~6,600 beds, underscoring its commitment to leadership and growth in healthcare delivery. The Group has established a strong presence across 15 key cities including Delhi, Gurgaon, Faridabad, Panipat, Karnal, Sonipat, Ambala, Mohali, Patiala, Bathinda, Behror, Jaipur, Agra, Panchkula and Rudrapur, and is expanding into Zirakpur (Punjab), Kanpur, Gorakhpur, Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh) and Rohtak (Haryana). Built on a commitment to accessible, high-quality healthcare, Park Group offers a comprehensive range of clinical services—spanning super-specialities such as cardiology, neurology, oncology, orthopaedics, gastroenterology, critical care, nephrology, organ transplants, and women & child health. Each facility is equipped with modern medical infrastructure, advanced diagnostics, 24×7 emergency support, and multi-disciplinary teams delivering evidence-based care. Through continuous expansion and strategic investments, Park Group is strengthening its mission to build a dependable, technology-enabled healthcare ecosystem that serves both metropolitan and regional communities across North India.