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Five hatchbacks alone account for roughly one in every three used hatchbacks sold through one of India’s largest organised resale platforms. The Maruti Suzuki Swift, Wagon R 1.0, Hyundai i10, Hyundai Grand i10 and Maruti Suzuki Baleno together take 33.7% of sales, and the Swift alone accounts for 9.6%, the largest share of any single model.   Best Selling Used Hatchbacks  in India in 2026 Hatchbacks still hold the bulk of India’s used car market, accounting for 50.2% of all used cars sold. That share has been slipping, though, as demand for SUVs keeps rising and more buyers look for extra ground clearance and a commanding road presence. Even so, a hatchback remains the most practical way into car ownership for first-time buyers, small families and city drivers. The same five names keep showing up at the top of used hatchback sales, and each one earns its place for a slightly different reason. These figures are based on data derived from Cars24’s internal vehicle transactions till July 2026, covering the best-selling used hatchbacks in 2026. Within that dataset, Maruti Suzuki’s three models account for 21.7% of used hatchback sales, with Hyundai’s two at 12.0%. Petrol leads on every model, and manual transmissions still dominate across the board, at 86.6% or more on each one. All shares below are a model’s share of used hatchback sales.   Maruti Suzuki Swift The Swift leads the list at 9.6%, well clear of the Wagon R at 6.8%. It looks sporty, drives with some energy and has stayed within reach of young buyers and small families for two decades. That long history matters on the used side too: because so many people want a Swift, resale is rarely a worry, and that confidence is half the reason people buy one. Fuel choice is varied, with petrol at 60.1%, diesel at 30.6% and CNG at 9.1%. Manual variants account for 94.1% of used Swift sales. Maruti Suzuki Wagon R 1.0 The Wagon R 1.0 takes second place at 6.8%, and its fuel mix is the most unusual on the list: 41.2% of used sales are CNG, with the remaining 58.8% petrol. CNG buyers tend to be daily commuters who care about cost per kilometre above all else, and the tall-boy body adds generous headroom and an easy driving position. If you’re looking at a CNG one, check the cylinder’s test date and remember that it eats into boot space. Budget helps too, since older examples often turn up among second hand cars under 2 lakhs, depending on age, kilometres and city. Manual variants make up 94.5% of used Wagon R 1.0 sales. Hyundai i10 The i10 holds 6.6%, a strong showing for a car that’s no longer sold new. Its small size is the draw: it fits tight parking spots, threads through narrow lanes and costs little to maintain, which suits drivers who spend most of their time in dense city traffic. That mix of low upkeep and easy parking is a big part of why older i10s are still bought in such large numbers. Petrol dominates at 82.4%, followed by CNG at 15.9% and LPG at 1.7%. Automatics are rare here, at 7.6% of sales, so 92.4% of buyers chose the manual. Hyundai Grand i10 The Grand i10 sits at 5.4% and often appeals to buyers who like the i10’s footprint but want a roomier, more modern cabin. It’s also the only Hyundai on the list with a diesel option, taken by 15.8% of buyers, while petrol leads at 73.5% and CNG makes up 10.6%. Automatic uptake is higher than on the i10, at 11.9%, which makes sense for buyers stepping up from a first car. Before you commit to either Hyundai, it’s worth reading a used Hyundai i10 buying guide for the checks that matter on older small cars, from service history to clutch feel. Maruti Suzuki Baleno Rounding out the list at 5.3% is the Baleno, the premium pick here. That shows up in transmission choice: 13.4% of buyers go automatic, the highest share of the five. Petrol makes up 82.3% of used Baleno sales, with diesel at 11.5% and CNG at 6.2%. Even so, manual still wins comfortably at 86.6%. What do these five hatchbacks have in common? Looked at together, these five are built around low running costs, easy servicing and resale confidence rather than outright features. Manual transmissions dominate every model on the list, while CNG has carved out a place on every one of them, most visibly on the Wagon R. Hatchbacks may be losing share to SUVs, but none of these five is chasing novelty, and that’s arguably the point: buyers here are backing cars that have already proven themselves over years of real-world use.

Big Bang Boom Solutions (BBBS), an Indian deep-tech company, organized QuantEW 2026, a workshop on quantum technologies for electronic warfare, at IEEE MILCOM 2026, the IEEE Military Communications Conference, held in the Washington, DC area. At the workshop on 12 October, BBBS Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer Dr. Shivaraman Ramaswamy delivered the opening keynote. In it, he unveiled the company’s plans to build quantum radars and presented a technology assessment and development roadmap.   Dr. Shivaraman Ramaswamy (centre) with attendees at QuantEW 2026, organized by BBBS at IEEE MILCOM 2026   A dedicated quantum-EW forum at IEEE MILCOM IEEE MILCOM is one of the world’s leading conferences on military communications, bringing together researchers, defence agencies, armed forces and industry. Hosting a workshop in its official technical programme is a significant milestone for an Indian company, especially a young startup such as BBBS.   QuantEW 2026 created a forum devoted entirely to the point where quantum technologies and electronic warfare meet. Submitted papers went through peer review, and accepted papers presented at the workshop will be published in the IEEE MILCOM 2026 workshop proceedings and IEEE Xplore.   Dr. Shivaraman Ramaswamy, Co-founder and CTO of BBBS, delivering the opening keynote on quantum radar at QuantEW 2026   Keynote: the case for quantum radar Dr. Shiva’s keynote focused on cutting edge tech around quantum illumination radar. This technique uses entangled signal and idler photons to detect low-observable targets against strong background noise. In such conditions, conventional radar is limited by stealth shaping, thermal noise and spoofing from digital radio frequency memory (DRFM) jammers. Theory shows that quantum illumination can give up to a significant advantage in the detection error exponent over the best classical scheme with the same transmitted energy. That advantage applies in the low-signal, high-noise regime where conventional sensors have the most trouble. The keynote then mapped the gap between this theoretical advantage and what can be built in practice, noting that no field-deployable quantum radar exists today and that cryogenic requirements remain a critical barrier while outlining BBBS’ plans for the same supported by National Quantum Mission.   “Bringing the quantum and electronic warfare communities together at MILCOM was a milestone for BBBS. Quantum Radar is moving from the laboratory toward engineering reality. Our approach is designed to deliver measurable advantage in the contested, noise-dominated environments where it matters most,” said Dr. Shiva.   Roadmap and collaboration BBBS currently places its quantum radar programme at technology readiness level (TRL) 3 and targets TRL 4-5 in about 24 months, with platform-mounted demonstrators and an operational prototype as longer-term goals. The company welcomes collaboration with academia, government laboratories and industry on the open research problems the keynote highlighted.   About QuantEW 2026 QuantEW 2026: Quantum-Enhanced Electronic Warfare and Secure Military Communications was held on Monday, 12 October 2026, as part of IEEE MILCOM 2026, which runs from 12 to 16 October in the Washington, DC area. The workshop was organized by BBBS.   About Big Bang Boom Solutions Big Bang Boom Solutions Private Limited is a Chennai-based deep-tech company, founded in 2018, building defence, homeland security and strategic technologies. Its work spans AI, electronic warfare, autonomous systems and counter-UAS, supported by in-house R&D, engineering and manufacturing and a 20,000 sq. ft. SHAKTI R&D Hub in Chennai. BBBS has won eight iDEX (Innovations for Defence Excellence) projects.

The Foundery has opened applications for Cohort 2 of its 90-day residential venture build, sharpening its search for people who have already demonstrated the ability to build, whether teams, products, categories, communities or businesses and are now ready to create something of their own.   The Foundery, founded by Kishore Biyani, Nikhil Kamath and Ronnie Screwvala, opens applications for Cohort 2   Founded by Kishore Biyani, Nikhil Kamath and Ronnie Screwvala, The Foundery is a venture builder that creates new companies alongside the entrepreneurs who will run them. Cohort 2 will begin on 15 January 2027 at The Foundery Sanctum in Alibaug, bringing a new group of co-founders into an intensive 90-day build environment.   The Foundery does not begin with a pitch competition or require founders to arrive with a fully formed business plan. Co-founders explore opportunities from The Foundery’s Idea Vault and are matched around experience, strengths, conviction and category fit. From there, they build moving from thesis to product, consumer validation and an operating business, with capital, practitioners, operators and shared infrastructure around them from the start.   The model reflects the way companies increasingly get built today. Product, consumer insight, brand, distribution, technology, culture and capital rarely move in a neat sequence; a decision in one area can quickly reshape another. The Foundery is designed to bring those disciplines together around the entrepreneur, rather than leaving founders to assemble them one piece at a time.   Ronnie Screwvala, Co-founder, The Foundery, said, “Capital alone has never built anything that lasts. Founders can lose their first year assembling all the pieces they need to get moving. At The Foundery, those pieces are around them from day one, a head start that helps them move faster, get to market sooner and keep pace with how quickly the world is changing.”   Cohort 1: From Thesis to 18 Companies in 90 Days The first cohort put that model to work. Over 90 days in Alibaug, matched co-founders moved from early theses to 18 companies ready to face investors at The Foundery FWD in Mumbai in July 2026.   The residency brought founders into close proximity with entrepreneurs, investors, operators, creators and cultural voices including Santosh Desai, Rajan Anandan, Aakash Chaudhry, Prasoon Joshi, Garima D. Bahl, Aditya Sehgal, Harsh Mariwala, Diipa Khosla, Rana Daggubati, Jonty Rhodes, Ranveer Singh, Falguni Nayar and Anil Agarwal, among others — bringing perspectives across consumer behaviour, leadership, design, capital, culture, media and company-building into the room.   At The Foundery FWD, the 18 companies generated more than Rs. 550 crore in non-binding expressions of investment interest, with indicated valuations of over Rs. 1,400 crore. For businesses that had begun taking shape only months earlier, it was an early signal of investor conviction in both the companies and the model behind them.   The work has continued well beyond the residency. Cohort 1 companies are now moving full steam toward market, with launches planned through the remainder of 2026 as founders continue building products, teams, distribution and go-to-market plans.   Cohort 2 builds on that foundation, bringing the same concentration of people, capital, expertise and infrastructure around a new set of co-founders — while raising the bar on the kind of entrepreneurial experience and operating muscle entering the room.   Kishore Biyani, Co-founder, The Foundery, said, “India is changing fast, and so is its consumer. After three decades of building consumer businesses, one thing I have learnt is that understanding the Indian consumer cannot be inherited as instinct, it has to be relearned continuously. The next generation of entrepreneurs will need to build for where India is going, not where it has been.”   Nikhil Kamath, Co-founder, The Foundery, said, “Everyone in China says ‘ecosystem, ecosystem, ecosystem.’ Foundery is a small attempt at trying to build that for consumer brands in India. It’s not about how many of the 20 brands per batch succeed or what valuations they achieve, but about the fact that, in 10 years, we would have built the rails and the ‘ecosystem’ by attempting to create 200 Indian brands with the potential to sell globally.”   About The Foundery A venture builder that forges entrepreneurs into co-founders and builds companies with them from the ground up. Every co-founder is matched with an idea from our Idea Vault, aligned with their strengths, experience, and conviction. Over a 90-day venture build at The Foundery Sanctum in Alibaug, they move from thesis to operating company, backed by capital, operators, mentors, and the execution infrastructure needed to build from day zero.

With admissions for the 2027–29 academic year now underway, LIBA is witnessing a notable increase in enquiries and applications from eligible students exploring the Children of Indian Workers in Gulf Countries (CIWG) category. The admission pathway, mandated by the Indian government, enables eligible candidates to apply under the prescribed CIWG provisions, subject to applicable eligibility requirements, selection criteria and documentation.   Loyola Institute of Business Administration (LIBA)   Elaborating on the exclusive opportunity and the gradual increase in numbers, Rev. Dr C. Joe Arun, SJ, Director of LIBA, stated, “We have consistently seen interest from students whose parents are working in the Gulf, and this year the level of enquiries around the CIWG category has been particularly encouraging. For eligible candidates, the category provides an opportunity to explore LIBA’s PGDM programme while availing themselves of the applicable domestic fee structure, subject to the prescribed eligibility and admission criteria.”   LIBA, a Jesuit business school in Chennai, combines industry-oriented management education with its philosophy of “Excellence with Ethics”. Its experiential approach to learning has also attracted students from Indian families based overseas, including the Gulf region. Students admitted under the CIWG category account for approximately 15% of each PGDM batch.   “Over the last few years, we have seen growing interest from students from Gulf-based Indian families. Many of these students have already completed or are pursuing their undergraduate education in India, making a PGDM a natural next step as they prepare for careers in a competitive global business environment,” added Rev. Dr. C. Joe Arun, SJ.   While candidates under the CIWG category are required to meet the prescribed eligibility and admission criteria, including applicable entrance-test requirements, the category provides eligible children of Gulf-based Indians with a distinct pathway to apply to LIBA’s PGDM programme. Final selection remains subject to the institution’s admission process and verification of the required documents.   Admissions for LIBA’s 2027–29 PGDM programme are now open. Eligible students interested in exploring the CIWG category can contact LIBA’s admissions team for information on eligibility, documentation and the application process. Further details are available at LIBA’s official website.   About LIBA A Jesuit business school, LIBA (Loyola Institute of Business Administration) is known for its industry-oriented approach to management education, combining academic rigour with experiential learning. Its Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM) programme is designed to equip aspiring business leaders with the knowledge, skills and ethical perspective needed to navigate a dynamic global business environment. Guided by its philosophy of “Excellence with Ethics”, LIBA continues to nurture responsible leaders who can create meaningful impact across industries.

As businesses across Indonesia and Southeast Asia accelerate their use of artificial intelligence (AI), NUS Business School is exploring a different question: as AI gets better at providing answers, how can leaders get better at asking questions?   Dr. Emir Hrnjic, Senior Lecturer in Finance, NUS Business School (fifth from left), at a media engagement with Indonesian media in Singapore For more than a century, case-based learning has put students in the shoes of business leaders by giving information they need to analyse a problem, and then ask them how they would solve it. Now, artificial intelligence (AI) is changing what it means to solve a case. Since January 2026, NUS Business School has been piloting an AI-enabled approach in which students are given an AI-simulated problem where they must determine what information they need, decide whom to ask, evaluate the answers they receive and make a recommendation under uncertainty. The simulation is built on ScholAIstic, a generative AI platform developed by the NUS AI Centre for Educational Technologies (AICET) to support roleplaying and simulation-based learning. Dr Emir Hrnjic, a Senior Lecturer in Finance at NUS Business School, has been working with AICET to adapt and refine these capabilities for management education, developing executive personas around the business case. To date, the tool has now been used by close to 100 MBA and Executive MBA students across Singapore and Jakarta, many of whom are senior executives. Sharpening the human instinct behind good decisions In the pilot, students interview AI-simulated executives, including a Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Product and Technology Officer, each offering a different perspective to the same business situation. Students must navigate these perspectives, assess the information they gather and reach their own conclusions. After each interview, students receive personalised feedback on on their questioning, allowing them to reflect and adapt their approach in subsequent interviews. Dr Hrnjic said: “Students must decide what they need to know, ask the right questions, challenge what they hear and exercise judgement without having the complete picture. The aim is not to replace that human instinct with AI, but to sharpen in by helping students become more discerning about what to ask and trust. That is much closer to how leaders make decisions in the real world.” Early findings suggest that effective use of AI is not about asking more questions but about asking the right ones. Analysis of interview transcripts showed found that stronger interviews had more targeted questions, follow-ups and adaptation as new information emerged, rather than simply working through a prepared list. The findings point to a broader role for generative AI in management education. Rather than using AI primarily to search for information or generate answers, the technology can recreate the real-world scenarios, sharpening executives’ judgement to better navigate uncertainty and competing perspectives they face in real organisations. NUS Business School sees potential for similar AI-simulated tools to be applied to other areas of business education where students need to question stakeholders, negotiate competing interests and make decisions under uncertainty. The ambition is to move beyond the largely static information environment of the traditional case towards a dynamic one where students actively acquire information, pursue emerging lines of inquiry, challenge assumptions and exercise judgement as the problem unfolds. The simulation is one part of NUS Business School’s broader approach to integrating AI into education. The school is exploring how AI can enhance, rather than replace, meaningful learning, thereby helping students develop the judgement, critical thinking and adaptability needed to navigate an increasingly AI-enabled workplace. This becomes increasingly important as AI takes on a greater role in business. Companies across Asia, including Indonesia, are rapidly adopting AI across their operations, making the ability to question and assess AI-generated information an increasingly important leadership skill. For Indonesia, the economic stakes are significant. A 2020 study by Kearney and EDBI projected that AI could contribute USD 366 billion to the country’s GDP by 2030, equivalent to 12 per cent of projected GDP. www.linkedin.com/school/nus-business-school x.com/NUSBizSchool www.facebook.com/NUSBusinessSchool www.instagram.com/nusbizschool/?hl=en   About National University of Singapore (NUS) The National University of Singapore (NUS) is Singapore’s flagship university, which offers a global approach to education, research and entrepreneurship, with a focus on Asian perspectives and expertise. We have 15 colleges, faculties and schools across three campuses in Singapore, with more than 40,000 students from 100 countries enriching our vibrant and diverse campus community. We have also established around 15 NUS Overseas Colleges entrepreneurial hubs around the world. Our multidisciplinary and real-world approach to education, research and entrepreneurship enables us to work closely with industry, governments and academia to address crucial and complex issues relevant to Asia and the world. Researchers in our faculties, research centres of excellence, corporate labs and more than 30 university-level research institutes focus on themes that include energy; environmental and urban sustainability; treatment and prevention of diseases; active ageing; advanced materials; risk management and resilience of financial systems; Asian studies; and Smart Nation capabilities such as artificial intelligence, data science, operations research and cybersecurity. For more information on NUS, please visit nus.edu.sg.   About NUS Business School With 50,000 alumni and 60 global chapters, the National University of Singapore (NUS) Business School is known for providing management thought leadership from an Asian perspective, enabling its students and corporate partners to leverage global knowledge and Asian insights. The school has consistently ranked first in Asia by independent publications and agencies, such as The Financial Times and Quacquarelli Symonds, in recognition of the quality of its programmes, faculty research and graduates. The school is accredited by AACSB International (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business) and EQUIS (European Quality Improvement System), endorsements that the school has met the highest standards for business education. For more information about NUS Business School, please visit bschool.nus.edu.sg. To discover our MBA, MSc or Executive Education courses, visit mscbiz.nus.edu.sg, mba.nus.edu.sg or executive-education.nus.edu.sg

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.