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Lords Hotels and Resorts Launches Lords Inn Katra Near Vaishno Devi Shrine

Lords Hotels & Resorts has announced the launch of Lords Inn Katra, further strengthening the group’s presence across India’s prominent spiritual destinations. Strategically located near the revered Vaishno Devi shrine, the hotel offers convenient access for pilgrims as well as leisure travellers.   Lords Inn Katra, Jammu  Located in the heart of Katra, the hotel is designed to provide guests with a comfortable and enriching stay experience while reflecting the spiritual essence of the destination. The property features 45 well-appointed rooms, modern amenities, and thoughtfully curated hospitality services catering to both devotional and family travellers. Commenting on the launch, Pushpendra Bansal, COO, said, “Katra, one of India’s most prominent spiritual destinations, attracts millions of devotees and travellers every year. With Lords Inn Katra, we are pleased to strengthen our presence in the region and offer guests a comfortable stay experience backed by Lords’ signature hospitality and service standards. We thank our partners for their trust and look forward to welcoming travellers to the heart of Katra.” Speaking on the development, Vikas Suri, Vice President – Lords Hotels & Resorts, said, “Spiritual tourism in India continues to witness strong and sustained growth, and Katra remains a key destination within this segment. Lords Inn Katra reflects our strategic focus on expanding across high-potential pilgrimage and leisure markets while delivering warm hospitality and enriching guest experiences.” Kumar Roushan, Senior GM – Development & Pre-opening, added, “The launch of Lords Inn Katra marks another important milestone in strengthening our footprint in Jammu & Kashmir. We see significant growth potential in the region and remain committed to expanding our presence while creating quality hospitality experiences for travellers visiting these destinations.” The hotel will feature dining options and guest facilities designed to offer comfort, convenience, and relaxation during the stay. The development is expected to address the growing demand for quality hospitality infrastructure in the region. Katra continues to attract millions of devotees and tourists each year due to its religious significance and strong tourism connectivity, making it an important addition to the Lords Hotels & Resorts portfolio. About Lords Hotels & Resorts Lords Hotels & Resorts is one of India’s leading mid-market hospitality chains, known for delivering exceptional guest experiences across leisure, business, and pilgrimage destinations in India and Nepal. With a growing portfolio of hotels, the brand continues to expand with a commitment to quality, affordability, and warm hospitality.  

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Ujaas and Central Railway Unite on World Menstrual Hygiene Day 2026, Advocating Menstrual Hygiene and Dignity as a Fundamental Right

Marking Menstrual Hygiene Day 2026 and this year’s global theme, “Together for a #PeriodFriendlyWorld,” Ujaas — an initiative of the Aditya Birla Education Trust founded by Advaitesha Birla — partnered with Central Railway Mumbai to drive a public awareness initiative at Mumbai’s iconic Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT). As part of the initiative, the CSMT heritage building was illuminated in red to reinforce the message that menstrual hygiene management is a right, not a privilege. The activation also featured a series of interactive public engagement activities designed to encourage open conversations around menstruation, challenge stigma and myths, and build greater awareness around menstrual hygiene management.   CSMT lights up red as Ujaas drives conversations on menstrual dignity, awareness and period equity on World Menstrual Hygiene day 2026   Through “Trash Out the Myths,” participants were encouraged to identify and challenge common misconceptions surrounding menstruation and menstrual hygiene. “Period Pulse” created an interactive platform for commuters and passersby to exchange perspectives and assess awareness around menstrual hygiene management, helping spark more informed and open conversations on the subject. Meanwhile, the “Period Rights Map” invited individuals to express support for dignity, awareness, accessibility and inclusivity in menstrual hygiene across schools, workplaces, public spaces and communities. By bringing these conversations into one of the country’s busiest public spaces, the initiative aimed to normalise discussions around menstruation and foster more informed, supportive and stigma-free attitudes towards menstrual hygiene in everyday life.   The initiative comes at a time when menstrual health and hygiene management is increasingly being recognised as an issue of dignity, equality, education, and public health. This momentum was further reinforced by the Supreme Court’s recognition of menstrual health and hygiene as intrinsically linked to the fundamental rights to dignity, equality, education, and health under Articles 14, 15, and 21 of the Constitution.   While India has made progress in menstrual hygiene awareness, significant gaps continue to persist. National data indicates that nearly one in four young women in India still does not have access to hygienic menstrual products and practices. Studies have also shown that many adolescent girls remain unaware of menstruation before experiencing their first period, while menstruation-related stigma, misinformation, and lack of supportive environments continue to impact confidence, mobility, and school attendance and participation in everyday life.   The disparities are often more visible within underserved communities and urban informal settlements, where girls continue to navigate challenges around privacy, access to menstrual hygiene products, awareness, and social stigma despite living within large metropolitan cities. Research across urban settlements has also highlighted that school absenteeism during menstruation can reach close to 38%, reinforcing the need for sustained awareness and community engagement around menstrual health and hygiene management   By bringing the conversation to one of India’s busiest public landmarks and transport hubs accessed by millions every day, Ujaas and Central Railway sought to encourage more visible, mainstream conversations around menstrual hygiene management and challenge the silence that continues to surround the subject.   Speaking on the occasion, Ms Advaitesha Birla, Founder, Ujaas an initiative of Aditya Birla Education Trust, said, “For many girls and women, menstruation still impacts confidence, mobility and everyday participation due to the silence and misinformation surrounding it. Real change requires more than awareness alone — it calls for supportive ecosystems and open conversations across schools, communities, families and public institutions. We thank Central Railway for partnering with us to amplify awareness around menstrual health. Through this initiative, we hope to bring the conversation into public spaces and encourage greater openness, dignity and normalisation around menstrual health.”   Adding further, Dr  Swapnil Nila, Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO), Central Railway said, “As one of the country’s largest public service networks, carrying millions of people every day, Indian Railways believes that public institutions and public spaces can play an important role in driving social awareness and inclusion. Through this collaboration with Ujaas, we hope to encourage more open conversations around menstrual health and hygiene, and contribute towards building a more informed and supportive environment for women and girls, for better realisation of their potential”.   To date, Ujaas has impacted over 1.2 million beneficiaries and distributed more than 4.8 million menstrual hygiene products across India. Programme assessments indicate measurable behavioural change, including a 48 percentage-point increase in rejection of menstrual myths among girls, a 38 percentage-point improvement in menstrual health awareness, and a 44 percentage-point increase in puberty awareness among boys — reinforcing the importance of inclusive, community-led menstrual health education that engages both girls and boys in building supportive attitudes around menstruation.   As conversations around menstrual equity continue to evolve nationally, the initiative highlights the importance of sustained awareness, education, and collaborative action in ensuring menstruation is addressed not through silence or stigma, but through dignity, confidence, and equal opportunity.   About Ujaas Ujaas, a transformative initiative under the stewardship of the Aditya Birla Education Trust, is committed to fostering positive change and empowerment in the space of menstrual health and hygiene management. With an unwavering focus on driving awareness, breaking stereotypes and myths and contributing to social development in the space of menstrual health and hygiene, Ujaas epitomizes the Aditya Birla Education Trust ethos of contributing meaningfully to society.   Driven by a relentless pursuit of excellence, Ujaas leverages the values, resources, and expertise of the Aditya Birla Education Trust to create lasting impact. By implementing awareness workshops distribution of free pads, Ujaas serves as a beacon of progress and inclusivity.   Guided by the visionary principles of the Aditya Birla Education Trust, Ujaas embodies the belief that sustainable change begins at the grassroots level. Through collaborative efforts, strategic partnerships, and a deep-rooted commitment to uplift communities, Ujaas aspires to make a significant difference in the lives of underprivileged girls and society at large.

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The Hindu Group and Galgotias University Bring Newsroom Learning to Greater Noida Campus through New Journalism Excellence Centre

Galgotias University has entered into a strategic collaboration with THG Publishing Pvt Ltd, publisher of The Hindu, to establish The Hindu Center for Excellence in Journalism at the University campus in Greater Noida. The initiative seeks to create stronger industry integration for journalism and visual communication students through newsroom exposure, editorial mentorship, field engagement, and practical learning opportunities.   Galgotias University Brings One of India’s Leading Newsrooms Closer to Students Through New Partnership with The Hindu Group The collaboration is designed to connect academic learning with the realities of contemporary journalism through direct engagement with one of India’s most respected media institutions. Under the partnership, students will gain access to internship opportunities with The Hindu’s editorial teams, collaborative publishing opportunities for visual communication projects, curated workshops, field visits, and structured interventions by media professionals. The programme will also provide students with access to The Hindu newspaper, digital platforms, archives, webinars, and special publications to deepen engagement with current affairs, public discourse, and journalistic practice. The School of Media and Communication Studies at Galgotias University has built a strong focus on practical and industry-oriented media education and has been recognised among the leading private media institutions by India Today for promoting practical and field-based learning. The School combines classroom learning with studio exposure, production-based training, industrial visits, internships, newsroom interaction, masterclasses, and hands-on project work designed to strengthen storytelling, editorial thinking, production capability, and communication skills across evolving media formats. Its programmes span journalism, digital media, strategic communication, advertising, corporate communication, television and fiction production, transmedia storytelling, communication research, anchoring, media graphics, and visual communication. Students are trained across multidimensional aspects of the media and entertainment industry while being exposed to both theoretical and practical learning environments from the early stages of the programme. The School also collaborates with the India Today Media Institute (ITMI) for integrated undergraduate, postgraduate, and certification programmes that combine academic learning with professional industry exposure. These programmes include studio-led training, broadcast presentation, visual communication, digital storytelling, and interaction with working media professionals, allowing students to graduate with both academic qualifications and industry-oriented professional certifications. Speaking on the collaboration, Dr Dhruv Galgotia, Chief Executive Officer, Galgotias University, said, “Journalism today demands credibility, editorial judgement, critical thinking, and the ability to engage responsibly with society across rapidly evolving information platforms. The School of Media and Communication Studies at Galgotias University has been making a concerted effort to build a practice-oriented learning ecosystem through studio exposure, industry interaction, field-based learning, and hands-on media training. This collaboration with The Hindu Group will further strengthen that ecosystem by giving students closer exposure to professional newsroom environments, editorial processes, and contemporary journalism practice.” The initiative will also include quarterly physical and virtual interventions, a certified journalism signature course, and immersive field visits that will allow students to observe newsroom processes, editorial workflows, and media operations more closely. Selected student projects developed under the collaboration may also be showcased through The Hindu’s digital platforms, helping students build professional portfolios and real-world publishing experience.

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Suntec Successfully Hosts Dealer Meet 2026 in Kasauli to Strengthen Dealer Network and Showcase Advanced Heating Solutions

Suntec successfully organized its annual Dealer Meet 2026 in the scenic hill town of Kasauli. The event brought together authorized dealers and channel partners from multiple states across India with the objective of strengthening business relationships, sharing market insights, and introducing the latest technological advancements in heating solutions.   Suntec successfully hosted its annual Dealer Meet 2026, “Summit 7.0″   The two-day event witnessed enthusiastic participation from dealers representing diverse industrial and commercial sectors. The gathering served as a strategic platform for collaboration, knowledge sharing, and business growth discussions aimed at enhancing customer satisfaction and expanding Suntec’s market presence nationwide.   During the event, Suntec’s leadership team presented the company’s business performance, annual sales achievements, future expansion plans, and upcoming growth opportunities in the heating and energy-efficient solutions segment. Dealers were provided with detailed updates regarding market trends, customer expectations, and evolving industrial demands related to burners and heat pump technologies.   A major highlight of the Dealer Meet was the comprehensive product presentation on Riello burners and modern heat pump systems. Technical experts conducted informative sessions demonstrating product efficiency, fuel-saving capabilities, environmental benefits, and application areas across industries. Dealers also received insights into new product developments, installation best practices, troubleshooting techniques, and after-sales service improvements.   The management team emphasized the company’s commitment toward delivering high-quality, energy-efficient, and sustainable heating solutions to the Indian market. Discussions also focused on strengthening dealer support systems, improving response times, enhancing customer engagement, and building long-term partnerships with channel associates.   Speaking at the occasion, Managing Director Mr. Siddharth Vadodaria from Suntec stated, “Our dealers are the backbone of our business growth and customer outreach. This Dealer Meet was organized not only to share our achievements and future vision but also to understand the expectations and challenges faced by our partners. Together, we aim to drive innovation, strengthen service excellence, and expand the adoption of advanced heating technologies across India.”   A standout moment of Summit 7.0 was the presence of Mr. Andrea Balani, representative of Riello Burners.   Apart from business sessions, the event also included networking activities, dealer recognition programs, and interactive discussions that encouraged collaboration among participants from different regions. Outstanding dealers were appreciated for their exceptional sales performance, dedication, and contribution to the company’s growth journey.   Experts form the field also shared insight for the benefit of the dealers as to how to enhance and grow business multi-folds.   The successful completion of the Dealer Meet 2026 reflects Suntec’s continued focus on dealer engagement, technological advancement, and customer-centric business development. The company remains committed to building a strong nationwide dealer ecosystem while promoting reliable and energy-efficient heating solutions for industrial and commercial applications.   About Suntec Suntec is a leading supplier of premium industrial heating solutions, specializing in Riello burners and advanced heat pump systems. The company is dedicated to providing innovative, efficient, and sustainable heating technologies supported by strong technical expertise and customer service across India.

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Strong Momentum Ahead: Tiger Logistics MD as Company Reports 34.5% Volume Growth

Tiger Logistics (India) Limited, a leading international logistics solutions provider, reported a robust operational performance for FY26, with container volumes growing 34.5% year-on-year to 92,614 TEUs from 68,858 TEUs in FY25. Revenue of the company increased by 6.81% YoY to Rs. 572.82 crore from Rs. 536.30 crore in the previous financial year, despite persistent geopolitical uncertainties and a sluggish global trade environment.   Representative visual of global freight and logistics operations   Tiger Logistics’ continued growth amidst global supply chain disruptions highlights the resilience of its diversified business model and the company’s ability to successfully navigate evolving trade challenges over the last four quarters. During the year, global trade continued to witness volatility arising from geopolitical conflicts, tariff-related uncertainties, and fluctuating freight demand across key global markets.   Despite these headwinds, the company has continued to strengthen its operational footprint and expand its market share across strategic growth verticals through reliable execution, long-standing customer relationships, and market diversification.   The company’s key growth drivers remained the automotive, renewable energy – solar and BESS, EVs, electronics, tyres, and pharmaceutical sectors, which will continue to contribute significantly to cargo volumes across major trade corridors. Supported by deeper market penetration and sectoral diversification, Tiger Logistics expects to maintain a healthy 15–20% year-on-year growth in TEU volumes going forward.   Commenting on the company’s performance, Harpreet Singh Malhotra, CMD, Tiger Logistics stated, “We are pleased with the robust growth recorded in our TEU volumes during the year, especially amidst continuing geopolitical uncertainties and global trade disruptions. This performance reflects the strength of our sectoral diversification strategy and the agility of our business model in navigating evolving market conditions.” “The strong momentum across our focus sectors gives us confidence that volume growth will remain robust going forward and that the future ahead for Tiger Logistics remains bright. With enhanced business acquisition and execution capabilities across integrated international logistics solutions, we continue to strengthen our footprint across emerging markets such as Sri Lanka, Colombia, Mexico, the Philippines, and the Maldives. Going forward, we remain focused on expanding global partnerships, deepening customer relationships, increasing our market share across key trade verticals, and delivering sustainable long-term growth,” he further added.   As India continues to strengthen its role in global manufacturing and trade, Tiger Logistics remains committed to delivering efficient, technology-enabled, and customer-centric logistics solutions that support evolving global supply chain requirements.

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ICCPL Group Eyes to Cross Over 7,000 Real Estate Marketing Campaigns by FY 2026–27

ICCPL Group, one of India’s leading home-grown PR and communications firms, has announced its ambition to cross 7,000+ marketing campaigns for the real estate sector by FY 2026–27, further strengthening its position as a specialised communications partner for the industry.   ICCPL Group Eyes to cross 7,000+ Real Estate Marketing Campaigns by FY 2026–27 Over the last 15 years, ICCPL Group has serviced 500+ real estate companies across India, with a strong presence across North, West, East and select South Indian markets. The firm has also been associated with the launch and promotion of 2,500+ real estate projects, spanning residential, commercial, retail, mixed-use and allied segments. Headquartered in Noida, Uttar Pradesh, ICCPL Group has built a strong national footprint with offices in Delhi, Gurugram, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Chandigarh and Goa, along with backend operations across 42+ cities in India and presence in the UAE. The firm has also expanded its communications reach across parts of Southeast Asia. Known for its deep sectoral understanding, strong media relationships and reference-led business model, ICCPL Group has emerged as one of the most preferred PR and communications agencies for real estate companies in India. Its sector-first approach has helped the firm create a strong legacy in real estate PR, backed by consistent performance, long-standing client relationships and market credibility. The company has been awarded three times as one of the most preferred PR and communications agencies for real estate, further reinforcing its leadership credentials in the sector. As per market reports and industry estimates, ICCPL Group is currently valued at Rs 250+ crore and is aggressively working towards achieving a Rs 400 crore valuation by FY 2026–27. The growth strategy is expected to be driven through continued expansion across communications, digital media, real estate allied services and strategic investments in the hospitality sector. Over the years, ICCPL Group has worked with several leading real estate brands including BCD Group, Bhartiya Group, Signature Global, Gaurs Group, Omaxe, Gulshan Group, Reach Group, Bhumika Group, MRG Group and Aurika Homes, among others. The agency has also been associated with the launch of several marquee projects including Gaurs NYC Residences, Taj Skyscape by Gulshan Group, Experion Saatori, Omaxe Chowk and Nimbus The Arista Luxe, along with multiple residential, commercial and mixed-use developments across NCR and other key markets. Speaking on the milestone, a spokesperson from ICCPL Group said, “Real estate has always been at the core of ICCPL Group’s journey. Our focus has been to build meaningful communication strategies that support brands, projects and sector narratives across markets. As we move towards FY 2026–27, crossing 7,000+ campaigns will mark a significant milestone in our journey and reflect the trust that developers and industry stakeholders continue to place in us.” With its specialised focus, expanding national network and growing international presence, ICCPL Group continues to strengthen its leadership in real estate PR and communications while supporting brands across emerging and established markets. About ICCPL Group ICCPL Group is one of India’s leading integrated PR, communications and marketing groups with a dominant presence in the real estate sector. Founded over 15 years ago, the group has serviced more than 500 clients and executed over 6,000 marketing and communication campaigns across sectors. Headquartered in Noida, ICCPL Group operates through multiple verticals including public relations, digital marketing, creative designing, media solutions and hospitality. The group has a strong presence across India with offices in key metro cities along with international reach in the UAE and parts of Southeast Asia. ICCPL Group is widely recognised for its strong media network, strategic communication capabilities and specialised expertise in real estate PR and brand positioning.

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Max Fashion Celebrates 20 Years with Max Kids Festival Inspired by Disney and Pixar's Toy Story 5

The largest kidswear festival in India returns, offering an expansive Disney and Pixar’s Toy Story 5-themed collection, exciting in-store experiences, and city-wide activations, providing families with even more compelling reasons to participate.   Celebrating 20 years, Max Fashion brings the Max Kids Festival inspired by Disney and Pixar’s Toy Story 5   This summer, Max Kids Festival returns with its biggest edition yet transforming 530+ stores across India into destinations built around discovery, imagination, and play. What began two decades ago as a seasonal retail event has evolved into one of the country’s most anticipated summer experiences for families. Max Kids Festival 2026 is bringing timeless Disney storytelling to life through character merchandise, interactive experiences, and on-ground activities designed to make every store visit truly memorable.   Celebrating 20 years, Max Fashion brings the Max Kids Festival inspired by Disney and Pixar’s Toy Story 5   Disney and Pixar’s Toy Story 5 Is Here. And so is Max Fashion’s themed collection. The launch of Max Fashion’s Toy Story 5-inspired collection is timed with the much-anticipated film release on 19 June. Inspired by one of the world’s most beloved franchises, the collection features designs showcasing fan-favourite characters like Woody and Buzz Lightyear, bringing themes of friendship and adventure to everyday kidswear.   50+ Styles. Everyone’s Favourite Characters. Spanning infants, kids, and teens, the Max Kids Festival features over 50 styles from the Toy Story 5-inspired collection including coordinated sets, playful prints and everyday essentials, all starting at xx INR. As part of a broader celebration of Max Fashion’s Disney and Marvel-themed portfolio, this year’s festival will be the most exciting yet.                                         Paint & Win: Making Kids the Stars, City by City Taking the festival beyond store walls, Max Fashion is launching Paint & Win – a city-wide creative contest that has already drawn 5,000+ registrations. Designed to engage children through imagination and art, the initiative rolls out across Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Chennai, inviting young fans to express themselves through painting while enjoying games, music, and interactive experiences themed after Toy Story 5 at every stop. Exciting prizes await the young creators: the winner will walk away with a gift voucher worth INR 6,000, a trophy, and a certificate, while the runner-up will receive a gift voucher worth INR 3,000 alongside their own trophy and certificate.   A Grand Celebration Two Decades in the Making As part of the festival launch in celebration of 20 years of Max Fashion in India, the brand hosted a first-of-its-kind in-store fashion walk wearing Toy Story 5-themed collections at its Rajouri Garden store in New Delhi – a truly grand occasion that brought together 200+ families, including parenting creators for an unforgettable afternoon.   Sumit Chandna, CEO, Max Fashion, said, “Max Kids Festival has evolved into a powerful platform for us to showcase the depth and breadth of our kidswear offering while creating memorable experiences for families. This year, we are bringing that to life through an expansive character-led collection that blends everyday comfort with playful design across categories and age groups. This collection inspired by Disney and Pixar’s Toy Story 5 gives us a unique opportunity to connect storytelling with product in a way that feels relevant, accessible, and engaging for both kids and parents.”   About Max Fashion Max Fashion, known for ‘everyday fashion’, is the biggest fashion brand across the Middle East and India. Opening its first store in the Middle East in 2004, the brand has grown at a phenomenal pace and now has a footprint in over 19 countries globally. In India, currently with 530+ stores & presence across 210+ cities, Max is the largest family fashion brand not only in the Middle East but also in India in the shortest span of time. Fashion’s brand vision is to “democratize fashion” for the contemporary middle class by offering global fashion trends at amazingly affordable prices. It enjoys universal appeal across young families as well as millennials, who are not only fashion conscious but tech-savvy, because of a well-balanced portfolio across Apparel, Footwear & Accessories for Men, Women & Kids.   Max Fashion is a true omnichannel brand with an outstanding Online shopping experience through the maxfashion.com website as well as an engaging app which is enjoyed by millions of consumers.   For more information, visit www.maxfashion.in/in/en.

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Tide Crosses 2 Million Members Worldwide with India Driving the Next Phase of Growth

Continuing to grow in the UK and internationally, with India seeing especially strong member growth Over 70% of Tide’s Indian members are under 35 years; adoption has been strongest across Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities Rapid roll out of products; from admin, accounting and tax tools; subscription options; payment solutions; government registrations; bill payments and credit   Tide, the UK’s leading business management platform, today announces it has crossed 2 million members globally, with India in particular seeing strong growth. More than 1.1 million small businesses joined Tide in India since the company launched there in December 2022. This makes India Tide’s fastest-growing market by member acquisition.   The UK is Tide’s home market, with 900,000 SMEs, 15% market share, and the majority of the company’s revenue. Tide is steadily expanding its presence in Europe, with Germany and France, where the platform is gaining strong traction, thanks to millions of small businesses turning to digital to manage their businesses.   In late 2025, Tide received a strategic investment from TPG, a leading global alternative asset manager, valuing the company at $1.5 billion.   Oliver Prill, CEO of Tide, said, “We are delighted to be crossing the 2 million member milestone. This number is a testament to the trust that our members place in us in all our markets. Behind every number, there’s a story of a member choosing a simpler, less time-heavy, connected way of managing their business.”   “This success is also thanks to the passion our teams bring to their role every day. From our world-leading 900-strong product engineering teams, to operations, marketing and support functions; a commitment to excellence and agility has brought us to this point. India’s growth in member numbers is phenomenal, and shows how getting the product-market fit right when considering new markets is crucial. We’ll continue to expand both internationally and provide a richer and more connected product offering, ensuring we focus at all times on our mission to save members time and money.”   India: Powering Tide’s global growth story India has emerged as a key growth engine for Tide, contributing over 1.1 million members to its global base in just over two years since launch. This rapid adoption underscores the scale of opportunity in one of the world’s largest SME ecosystems, with over 72 million registered and an unofficially estimated 140 million informal businesses.   Growth in India is being driven not just by metros, but increasingly by tier 2 and 3 cities. Emerging hubs such as Bareilly, Bhopal, Murshidabad, Mysuru, Lucknow and North 24 Parganas are leading the shift, highlighting how entrepreneurial activity is steadily expanding beyond urban centres. This shift reflects a broader movement towards greater financial inclusion and formalisation, as entrepreneurs there look to build more structured, scalable businesses.   Tide is playing a key role in this transition by simplifying access to essential services such as Udyam and GST registration and lending — enabling small businesses to build a financial footprint, improve access to credit, and unlock growth opportunities.   Gurjodhpal Singh, CEO, Tide India, said, “This milestone goes beyond a number, it reflects the strong momentum we are building in India. With over 70% of our members under the age of 35, we are witnessing a new generation of digital-first entrepreneurs shaping the future of business in India. What we are seeing on the ground is a strong shift towards digital adoption and formalisation, especially beyond metros, where access to the right tools can make a meaningful difference. Tide’s growth in India reflects this demand and further underscores our deep connection with the ‘Bharat’ growth story. India is also emerging as a key hub for product innovation at Tide, with solutions built here creating scalable use cases for global markets. As we continue to grow, our focus remains on building intuitive financial and administrative tools that enable MSMEs to operate more efficiently and scale with confidence.”   Highlights: Product pipeline, International expansion and the future Product pipeline: Growth is driven by our product offering and relentless ambition to solve SME problems. Tide’s all-in-one business management platform provides members with access to government registrations, time-saving accounting and administrative tools, and integrated team management features. It also offers fixed deposits, affordable credit, seamless payment solutions, bill payments, and website building. Tide’s objective is to deliver integrated solutions that address the core needs of small businesses, from inception to growth. UK: More than 900,000 members, and 15% market share, against a backdrop of 5.2m small businesses, make Tide the leading business management platform. The focus is on diversification and connectivity, with products that are admin and business friendly. Europe: Bringing the full richness of Tide’s UK platform to each of its international markets over time. Tide is also looking to further expand its presence on the European mainland. Following the entry of Germany the previous year, Tide entered France in late 2025. Tide’s Credit Intermediation is leading initial growth in these two EU markets with over EUR 50 million already disbursed. Tide recently announced the establishment of its European headquarters in Luxembourg. AI: Tide is leveraging AI to generate growth in regulated environments, using its large, proprietary SME dataset to gain real-time insights within a strong risk framework. This data advantage enables it to build practical, scalable AI tools that solve everyday small business challenges, such as access to finance. Tideans: Strengthening its leadership and OneTeam Bernie Miles joined as Chief Data and Technology Officer (CDTO) in 2026, providing a major boost to Tide’s Executive Team.  Dan McNally joined as SVP and CEO of Tide Insurance Services in late 2025, to lead its growing global insurance business and advance the next phase of Tide’s expansion into business protection.  Marc Lacroix joined as Country Managing Director for France in mid-2025, to launch Tide in France, with a view to building a team on the ground.  More than 2,800 employees and rising; largely in the UK; India, Germany, France, Bulgaria, Luxembourg, Lithuania, and Serbia. Women in Business: Dedicated to supporting female-led

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TimbuckDo Signs MoU with Karnataka DCTE to Boost Student Employability and Gig Opportunities

TimbuckDo, India’s pioneering student gig and growth platform, presented its strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Department of Collegiate and Technical Education Karnataka under the Government of Karnataka during the Campus to Career Summit 2026. The collaboration is aimed at empowering students with industry exposure, employability opportunities, and structured pathways to financial independence.   Mythri Kumar, Co-Founder, TimBuckDo, signs an MoU with Karnataka Government’s DCTE in the presence of Hon’ble CM Shri Siddaramaiah   The MoU was presented in the esteemed presence of the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Karnataka, Shri Siddaramaiah, marking a significant step toward strengthening the bridge between higher education and the future workforce ecosystem in the state. The initiative was designed to enable students across government and technical colleges in Karnataka to access verified part-time gigs, internships, project-based opportunities, and career development resources through TimbuckDo’s platform.   This collaboration builds upon TimbuckDo’s ongoing commitment to solving one of India’s most pressing youth challenges the gap between academic education and real-world employability. Through the partnership, students will gain access to flexible earning opportunities, practical work exposure, financial literacy resources, and skill-building initiatives designed to prepare them for the evolving demands of the modern workforce and gig economy.   Speaking on the partnership, Mythri Kumar, Founder & CEO of TimbuckDo, said, “India’s students are looking for more than just degrees today they are actively seeking real-world exposure, financial independence, and meaningful career opportunities while they study. Our collaboration with the Department of Collegiate and Technical Education, Government of Karnataka, is closely aligned with TimbuckDo’s larger mission of helping students earn, learn and grow through meaningful opportunities. We believe this collaboration can create a scalable and impactful employability ecosystem for the youth of Karnataka.”   Unlike traditional job platforms, TimbuckDo is building a comprehensive ecosystem focused exclusively on students. The platform combines KYC-verified gigs and internships with AI-enabled opportunity matching, curated lifestyle benefits, upskilling resources, and community-driven engagement initiatives. One of its flagship initiatives, the Intrapreneurship Campus Ambassador Program, already spans over 300 colleges and provides students with leadership, sales, and real-world project experience.   The partnership comes at a time when India’s student workforce and gig economy are witnessing rapid growth, with increasing demand for flexible work opportunities and skill-based learning models. By integrating technology, employability, and industry access, the collaboration aims to create stronger career pathways for students across Karnataka’s educational institutions.   Founded in 2022 and headquartered in Bengaluru, TimbuckDo has rapidly expanded across Tier-1 and Tier-2 cities and is backed by a strong network of prominent investors and venture firms including Nandkishore (Andy) Kalambi, Founder of Kanu Ventures LLC; the Late Mr. Morton Meyerson, Chair at the Morton H Meyerson Family Foundation; Arjun Vaidya, Managing Partner at V3 Ventures and Founder of Dr. Vaidya’s; Turbostart Venture Capital Fund; Sandesh Sharda, Angel Investor and Titan on Ideabaaz; Shaili Chopra; Anupam Bansal; Rukam Capital; and Ideabaaz. The company continues to position itself as a leading student empowerment platform focused on enabling financial independence, employability, and future-readiness among India’s youth.   About TimbuckDo Founded in 2022 and headquartered in Bengaluru, TimbuckDo Innovations Pvt Ltd is a student gig and growth platform that empowers India’s youth to earn, learn, and grow. Co-founded by Mythri Kumar and Apoorv Sharma Prasad, the company connects students with verified part-time gigs, internships, and project-based opportunities while also offering financial literacy tools, lifestyle benefits, and upskilling resources. TimbuckDo’s mission is to bridge the gap between education and employability by creating a trusted ecosystem where students gain practical exposure, financial independence, and career readiness during their academic journey.

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Cosmo Foundation Supported Global Fair Play Movement in India to Promote Integrity, Respect and Inclusion in Sport

Cosmo Foundation, the community outreach arm of Cosmo First, supported the International Symposium on World Fair Play Day 2026 on May 19 at the ISIC Institute of Rehabilitation Sciences, New Delhi. The symposium, attended by over six million people across the globe through a hybrid format, marked the global observance recognised by the United Nations and brought together sports leaders, educators, students, policy advocates and international stakeholders to reinforce the importance of ethics, inclusion and integrity in sports and society.   Ms Yamini Kumar Jaipuria championing the values of integrity, respect and inclusion through the global Fair Play movement, reinforcing the spirit of ethical and value-driven sport   The initiative also sought to advance Fair Play education across schools and universities with recommendations for integrating Fair Play into the National Education Policy (NEP 2020). Experts also discussed fostering international cooperation and encourage the integration of values such as respect, solidarity and ethical conduct into youth development and community programmes. Further, establishment of a National Fair Play Committee of India to coordinate Fair Play programmes, research, education, and policy advocacy was a key discussion.   The initiative was conceptualised with the support of Ms Yamini Kumar Jaipuria, Managing Trustee, Cosmo Foundation, who has been actively associated with international Fair Play initiatives. This was then organised in collaboration with the Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Sports Foundation and endorsed by the International Fair Play Committee (CIFP). The symposium marked one of the first large-scale World Fair Play Day celebrations in India and aimed to deepen India’s engagement with the global Fair Play movement while encouraging stronger collaboration among educational, sporting and social institutions.   In her special address, Ms Yamini Kumar Jaipuria, Managing Trustee Cosmo Foundation and Whole-time Director (Corporate Strategy, ESG and CSR), Cosmo First said, “Fair play is a universal language. Fair play is more than a game; it is a way of life. It is not about how you win, but how you play. By promoting values such as dignity, justice, respect and togetherness, we can create a better world not only through sport, but also in everyday life.”   In his keynote speech, Mr Sunil Sabharwal, President of CIFP, acknowledged the contribution of Ms Yamini Kumar Jaipuria and the invaluable support by Cosmo Foundation towards advancing the Fair Play movement in India and globally. He further emphasised the global responsibility to uphold ethics, integrity and respect in sport, while highlighting the importance of international cooperation in strengthening values-driven sports ecosystems.    The symposium featured panel discussions on ethics in sports governance, the role of education in fostering sportsmanship, and the cultural significance of Fair Play in building peaceful and inclusive societies. Discussions focused on ethical leadership, transparency and accountability in sport, anti-doping frameworks, value-based education for youth, and the role of traditional sports in promoting community bonding, cultural preservation and social harmony. The event also included a Fair Play Pledge Ceremony and participation from national and international institutions associated with sports, education and Olympic values.   As the community outreach initiative of Cosmo First, Cosmo Foundation works across education, environment and empowerment initiatives, with programmes spanning multiple states and communities across India. Through its support for World Fair Play Day, the Foundation helped strengthen India’s leadership in the global Fair Play movement and reinforced international cooperation for ethical and value-driven sport. The symposium also helped catalyse conversations around expanding Fair Play education and building stronger collaborations among Indian and global institutions working in sports, education and social development.   About Cosmo Foundation Cosmo Foundation was established in 2008 as the community outreach initiative of the Cosmo First Ltd, the largest manufacturers of BOPP worldwide. The Foundation works closely with less developed communities around its manufacturing units at the Karjan in the Vadodara District and Gangapur in the Chatrapati Sambhajinagar District as well as in Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, and tribal district Chhindwara of Madhya Pradesh. The organization works on several development programs aimed at Computer operation and digital skill building, Foundational Literacy, Numeracy, Life skills and English Communication, health and hygiene, Environment and Empowerment of women.   About Cosmo First Limited Established in 1981 by Mr Ashok Jaipuria, Cosmo First Limited is an over four-decade-old global conglomerate. Its consumer vertical comprises Cosmo Consumer, which is into Window Films, Paint Protection Films & Ceramic Coatings for automobiles, and Zigly Pet Care, which provides a digital-first omni channel pet care ecosystem. Its industrial vertical includes Cosmo Films for specialty films for packaging, labels, lamination, and industrial applications; Cosmo Speciality Chemicals for coatings, adhesives and masterbatches, and Cosmo Plastech for rigid packaging. With sustainable innovation, development, and research embedded in its core values, Cosmo First serves customers in 100+ countries.

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