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MYCPE ONE has been awarded in the Service Export: EdTech category at the Payoneer India Cross-Border Excellence Awards 2026 for its technology-led approach to serving CPA and accounting firms globally. The awards, presented by Payoneer in association with The Economic Times, are a jury-led program honoring Indian businesses and entrepreneurs driving India’s cross-border growth.    MYCPE ONE awarded in the service Export EdTech Category at the Payoneer India Cross-Border Excellence Awards 2026   Shalin (Shawn) Parikh, Co-Founder & CEO, and Nemin Vora, VP of Client Relationship Management, received the award on behalf of MYCPE ONE at the ceremony in New Delhi.   Shalin (Shawn) Parikh and Nemin Vora represented MYCPE ONE at the Payoneer India Cross-Border Excellence Awards 2026 in New Delhi   The award recognizes MYCPE ONE’s approach to combining AI, automation, digital learning, and compliance technology to support the evolving needs of CPA and accounting firms.    Unlike traditional EdTech platforms focused primarily on course delivery, MYCPE ONE combines professional education with technology and operational capabilities designed for the day-to-day needs of accounting firms.    At the center of its learning ecosystem is MYCPE ONE’s CPE platform, providing CPA and accounting firms with access to professional education across 100+ qualifications, along with tools for CPE compliance and learning management. The platform brings together 15,000+ hours of content, 50-state compliance tracking, automated reminders, audit-ready reporting, and a centralized Learning Management System for managing users, learning plans, assignments, practical training, assessments, and performance. It also supports customized learning paths, firm academies, and AI-powered learning tools to help firms develop skills across their teams.    The company is also developing practical training programs, AI-focused academies, and AI-monitored assessments to help accounting professionals build skills for an increasingly AI-driven workplace. Its assessment platform uses AI-based monitoring to strengthen assessment integrity.    Beyond learning, MYCPE ONE is developing an AI-first, technology-enabled offshoring model that combines offshore talent with structured workflows, digital productivity tools, candidate assessments, centralized management, and technology-enabled operations. Through its offshoring solutions, accounting firms can build their own offshore teams or use managed offshoring models while accessing accounting professionals across multiple locations.    “This award reflects the journey we have taken at MYCPE ONE to bring technology, talent, and learning together to create more meaningful solutions for accounting and professional services firms,” said Shalin (Shawn) Parikh, Co-Founder & CEO, MYCPE ONE. “We are proud to be awarded in the Service Export: EdTech category. It reinforces our belief in building solutions that help firms access the right talent, develop skills, and embrace technology as they grow globally.”    MYCPE ONE’s technology and processes are backed by a SOC 2 Type 2 and ISO 27001:2022-certified Information Security Management System covering technology, development, operations, and offshore staffing activities.    As accounting and professional services firms look beyond geographic boundaries for talent, technology, and learning, MYCPE ONE continues to expand its capabilities across AI-enabled education, compliance, and cross-border service delivery.    About MYCPE ONE  MYCPE ONE is a full-stack accounting and business services platform headquartered in Ahmedabad, India, serving 3,000+ CPA and accounting firms, along with 300+ growing businesses across North America, the UK, and Europe.    Founded by Shalin (Shawn) Parikh and Valay Parikh, the company has evolved into an integrated platform offering offshore staffing, continuing professional education and learning and development, digital marketing, website solutions, managed IT, cybersecurity, AI implementation and other professional solutions. With SOC 2 Type II certification, ISO 27001 compliance, GDPR readiness, and a proven track record of zero data breaches, MYCPE ONE delivers secure, scalable workforce, education, and business enablement solutions.    Backed by a talent pool of 500,000+ vetted professionals and a global team of 3,000+ members, MYCPE ONE operates as a unified ecosystem supporting firms and businesses at every stage of growth.

Kerala took its war on drugs to the grassroots on Monday. Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala inaugurated Toofan Thaddesham, the second phase of Operation Toofan, at Malabar College in Vengara, Malappuram. It is the state’s largest mass mobilisation against drugs so far. The programme turns the anti-narcotics campaign into a people’s movement in association with the local self-government institutions, led by the Kerala Police, with Kudumbashree networks working alongside them.   Toofan Phase 2 Begins: Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala hoists the Toofan flag in Vengara, inaugurating Toofan Thaddesham in collaboration with the Local Self-Governments   As the state-level launch took place, the Toofan flag was raised in local bodies across Kerala. Everyone present at the venue was declared a Toofan Warrior.   Chennithala called the programme a mass mobilisation against drugs that goes all the way down to the grassroots, and said the women of Kerala would be at its centre.   “The biggest strength in this fight is the participation of our mothers and sisters,” he said. “A mother is the first to notice when something changes in her child. That is why mothers will play a decisive role in this people’s movement. Mahatma Gandhi dreamt of Gram Swaraj: villages strong enough to govern and protect themselves. That is what we are building against drugs. Every ward will become its own first line of defence. It is time for every one of us to say, ‘Njan ente naadinte kaavalaal’: I am the guardian of my land.”   What Toofan Thaddhesham brings Toofan Thaddesham is built on two tiers, so that the anti-drug campaign reaches every home in Kerala.   Toofan Jagratha Samithis in every local body: There will be 1,034 committees, one in each of Kerala’s 941 grama panchayats, 87 municipalities and 6 corporations. Each is headed by the panchayat president, municipal chairperson or mayor. The local Station House Officer, the local body secretary and elected representatives sit on each committee, which plans, coordinates and monitors anti-drug work in its area.   Toofan Janasabhas in every ward: Each ward will have a people’s assembly led by the ward member or councillor. It brings together residents, enrolled Toofan Warriors, Kudumbashree members, ASHA workers, Haritha Karma Sena members, rural employment scheme workers, residents’ associations and local volunteers. Their job is to carry the anti-drug message to every family, run awareness sessions and keep a close watch on the neighbourhood.   Ward volunteers will be trained with audio-visual modules covering five areas: the medical, social and economic harm of drugs, rehabilitation, and the law and safety. On the ground, the Janasabhas will run awareness classes with doctors and local police officers, hold follow-up programmes in schools and special PTA meetings, and convene Toofan neighbourhood group meetings. They will also keep watch around schools and residential areas, and help people struggling with addiction get treatment through rehabilitation and palliative care centres. Ward and local body committees will review their work every month, and the state will review it every quarter.   The aim, in the programme’s own words, is to make every Keralite a Toofan Warrior and turn Kerala into a ‘lahari-mukta desham’, a drug-free land.   Industries Minister P.K. Kunhalikutty presided over the function, and Local Self-Government Minister K.M. Shaji delivered the welcome address. Dr. Divya S. Iyer, Principal Director of the Local Self-Government Department, administered the anti-drug pledge.   About Operation Toofan Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala launched Operation Toofan on 2 June 2026 as Kerala’s flagship anti-narcotics mission. It rests on three pillars: Toofan Strike (enforcement), Toofan Warriors (student and community mobilisation, which has reached over 1 lakh school children in person) and Toofan Care (treatment and rehabilitation). The mission has since grown into an interstate coordination effort across South India.

Group 108, a prominent name in the real estate sector, showcased its strong presence at MAPIC India 2026, held on 29th and 30th September at the Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai. The event brought together leading retailers, developers, investors, brands, and industry stakeholders to discuss the evolving landscape of Retail Real Estate in India.   Group 108’s team at MAPIC India 2026, Mumbai, showcasing its vision for experience-led retail and commercial destinations across NCR Group 108 drew industry attention with its forward-looking commercial developments, Grandthum and One FNG, which reflect the growing demand for well-planned, experience-led retail and commercial destinations in the NCR. Grandthum, located in Greater Noida West, and One FNG, situated along the Noida Expressway, are designed to bring together retail spaces, lifestyle experiences and business opportunities within strategically positioned developments. The company’s participation at MAPIC India 2026 provided an opportunity to engage with leading retail brands, investors and industry stakeholders, while exploring emerging opportunities across India’s evolving retail ecosystem. Commenting on the company’s participation, Mr. Sanchit Bhutani, Managing Director, Group 108, said, “MAPIC India continues to be an important platform for meaningful conversations and collaborations across the retail and real estate ecosystem. Our participation this year reflects our commitment to creating commercially vibrant destinations that respond to the evolving expectations of brands, businesses and consumers. We look forward to building stronger partnerships and contributing to the next phase of retail growth in India.” As MAPIC India 2026 concludes, Group 108 continues to focus on developing high-quality commercial destinations that combine strategic location, contemporary design and evolving retail and business needs. About Group 108 Group 108 is a real estate development company focused on creating high-quality commercial developments that cater to the evolving needs of businesses and consumers. The company is developing commercial and IT/ITeS spaces with an emphasis on design, functionality and global standards. With a focus on quality, transparency and long-term value creation, Group 108 aims to contribute to the growth of emerging commercial destinations.  

The healthcare needs of Indians are changing, shaped by longer working lives, more active lifestyles, evolving family-planning choices and a growing focus on preventive care. What customers seek from health insurance today can be very different from what they may need as they move through different stages of life. This is driving a shift towards health protection that can adapt to changing priorities and provide comprehensive coverage rather than being limited to hospitalization alone.   Health Alpha offers holistic, flexible health cover designed to evolve with India’s young, growing families and their changing healthcare priorities   As lifestyles and life circumstances change, the nature of health risks and the protection customers seek can change as well. For a younger individual, health protection may need to account for an active lifestyle and fitness-related needs; as customers enter family-building years, maternity and family-planning needs may become more relevant; while with age, the focus may increasingly shift towards preventive healthcare, specialized treatment and protection against critical illnesses. This changing pattern of healthcare needs is creating greater relevance for health insurance solutions that can offer protection across different life stages and adapt to the priorities of customers over time.   Against this backdrop, SBI General Insurance’s Health Alpha brings together comprehensive health protection under one product, reflecting the changing healthcare needs of today’s customers. Designed to adapt to different life stages and priorities, the product combines a range of benefits that go beyond conventional hospitalization-led coverage, offering customers a more holistic approach to health protection.   Key Health Alpha features include: Assisted Reproduction Treatment & Maternity and New Baby Care: Recognising the evolving healthcare and family-planning needs of customers, Health Alpha includes Assisted Reproduction Treatment, particularly relevant to the 26–30 age group, along with Maternity & New Baby Care expenses, addressing healthcare needs particularly relevant to customers in the 30–45 age group.  Preventive Health Check-up & e-Opinion: As customers become more conscious of managing their health proactively, preventive healthcare is becoming relevant across life stages from younger adults looking to establish healthier habits to older customers seeking to monitor and manage evolving health risks. Health Alpha includes Preventive Health Check-up and e-Opinion benefits, supporting customers in taking a more proactive approach to their health and making informed healthcare decisions. Adventure Sports, Gym & Sports Injury Cover: Designed to support customers aged 25 years and above with active lifestyles, particularly those in their working years, this benefit extends protection to hobby sports and daily fitness activities. It covers common sports and fitness-related injuries such as fractures, stress fractures, sprained ankles, shin splints, muscle pulls/groin pulls and sprains. The cover also supports associated healthcare expenses, including specialist consultations, diagnostics, medicines and physiotherapy. Global Cover & Critical Illness: Health Alpha provides broader protection through Global Cover, supporting eligible healthcare requirements beyond India. Particularly relevant for working professionals aged 30–50 who travel internationally for work or other commitments, the benefit extends eligible healthcare protection overseas. The product also includes Critical Illness protection, addressing significant health risks that become increasingly relevant with age, particularly for customers aged 50 and above. Unlimited Sum Insured Reinstatement & 10X Cumulative Bonus: Designed for long-term protection across life stages, Health Alpha offers unlimited restoration of the base sum insured after the first admissible claim. Customers can also build their health cover over time with a cumulative bonus of up to 10 times the base sum insured for every claim-free year. Customisable Health Protection & Plan Ahead Benefit: For customers aged 25 years and above, as they begin taking on greater financial and personal responsibilities, the need for health protection can evolve over time. Health Alpha offers flexible coverage aligned to individual needs and life stages. Through the Plan Ahead Benefit, eligible new policyholders can upgrade to a higher sum insured at key milestones without fresh medical underwriting, allowing their coverage to grow with their changing healthcare needs.   The future of health insurance will be shaped by its ability to evolve alongside the people it serves. As India’s health priorities shift towards prevention, wellness and personalised care, insurers have an opportunity to redefine their role from being financial risk protectors to long-term health partners. Through Health Alpha, SBI General Insurance continues to advance this vision by developing customer-centric solutions that reflect the changing realities of healthcare and the aspirations of a more health-conscious India.    About SBI General Insurance SBI General Insurance, one of the fastest-growing private general insurance firms, backed by the robust support of SBI, upholds a legacy of trust and security. We position ourselves as India’s most trusted general insurer amidst a dynamic landscape. Since our establishment in 2009, our expansion has been substantial, growing from 17 branches in 2011 to a nationwide presence in 182 branches. In FY 2025-26, SBI General Insurance reported a Gross Direct Premium (GDP) of INR 15,904 crores, recording a YOY growth of 14.5%.   The company received numerous prestigious accolades, showcasing its excellence across various domains. Key honors include winning the Domestic General Insurer of the Year – India and Claims Initiative of the Year – India at the Insurance Asia Awards 2025 in Singapore, Smart Insurer for the year 2025 at the ETNOW Insurance Summit & Awards 2025, India’s Leading General Insurance Company (Mid) for its outstanding performance at the 18th edition of the Dun & Bradstreet BFSI & Fintech Summit 2026 and Best General Insurance Company of the Year at 4th Edition of Future of Insurance Summit 2025.   Certified as a Great Place to Work in 2025, the company also excelled at 8th ICC Social Impact Award 2026 for its commitment to CSR Activities in Project Mission for Vision in Meghalaya, and “ET NOW Champions of CSR” at the ET Edge ET NOW Champions of CSR 2025.   With a team of over 9,900+ employees and our multi-distribution model covering Bancassurance, Agency, OEM, Broking, Retail Direct Channels, and Digital collaborations, we are committed to providing both Suraksha and Bharosa to all our consumers. Leveraging a vast network that includes over

The Prime Minister has lauded India’s hospitality saying that it is rooted in the timeless philosophy of ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’, and credited the hotel industry with carrying this legacy forward for domestic and global travellers. He noted that technology is helping travellers discover new destinations and enjoy more immersive experiences. At the same time, he stressed that “the warmth of human emotions will always be at the heart of hospitality.”    07th HAI Hoteliers’ Conclave    In his message to the apex body, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has extended his congratulations to the Hotel Association of India (HAI) on the Hoteliers’ Conclave 2026 and highlighted that HAI has an important role to play in India’s journey towards Viksit Bharat 2047 in ensuring that the tourism potential of every region contributes to the prosperity of the people.   In addition, he expressed hope that the Conclave’s deliberations would contribute meaningfully to the future of the industry and the nation.   The Conclave, themed ‘Re-engineering Hospitality‘, brought together leaders from hospitality, tourism, business and policy. They discussed the sector’s opportunities, its challenges, and its role in India’s growth story.   Speaking on the same, KB Kachru, President, Hotel Association of India (HAI) and Chairman – South Asia, Radisson Hotel Group, said “We are deeply encouraged by the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s message and his recognition of the transformative role of hospitality in India’s tourism and economic journey. His emphasis on skills, technology, regional tourism potential and the enduring importance of human warmth closely reflects the priorities discussed at the meet. As an industry, we remain committed to working with all stakeholders to unlock the full potential of Indian hospitality.”    The conclave reaffirmed HAI’s commitment to strengthening collaboration across the hospitality and tourism ecosystem and creating an enabling environment for the sector to contribute more significantly to employment, investment, regional development and India’s global tourism proposition.

The festive season is one of the biggest smartphone upgrade moments of the year. But choosing a new phone increasingly comes down to a simple question: what matters most to you?   For some, it is a battery that can comfortably keep up with long days. For others, it is a better display, a capable camera, more immersive entertainment or simply a dependable smartphone that gets the everyday essentials right.   BBD 2026 Smartphone Buying Guide: Ai+ Smartphones to Consider This Festive Season   Ai+ Smartphone currently has a portfolio of devices across its Nova and Pulse series available on Flipkart, catering to these different priorities. With the ongoing festive sales and Big Billion Days giving consumers another reason to consider an upgrade, here are five Ai+ smartphones to look at based on how you actually use your phone.    1. Want a phone that keeps going? Consider the Ai+ Nova 2 Power 5G Battery anxiety can quickly become a deciding factor for travellers, gamers, heavy users or simply anyone who spends most of the day away from a charger.   That is where the Ai+ Nova 2 Power 5G makes its case. Its headline feature is a massive 7000mAh battery, paired with 33W fast charging for consumers who prioritise endurance.   The phone also features a 120Hz display, 48 MP Sony IMX582 camera, VC cooling for sustained performance and IP65 protection against dust and everyday splashes.   For consumers whose smartphone needs to survive a long commute, workday, entertainment and everything in between, Nova 2 Power puts battery life at the centre of the experience.   Why consider it: 7000mAh battery | 120Hz display | 48 Sony IMX582 camera | VC cooling | IP65 BBD price: Rs. 15,999* | Available on Flipkart 2. Upgrading for a more premium experience? Look at the Ai+ Nova 2 Ultra 5G Sometimes an upgrade is not about one particular feature, but about wanting a noticeable step up in the overall smartphone experience.   The Ai+ Nova 2 Ultra 5G combines a 6.78-inch 1.5K AMOLED display with a 50MP Sony IMX752 main camera and customisable lights in the back panel, adding a distinctive visual element to the device experience.   It also features IP68 protection and a 6000mAh battery supports upto 40W fast charging, balancing a more premium everyday experience with practical durability and battery life.   Why consider it: 1.5K AMOLED display | 50MP Sony IMX752 camera | Customisable lights in the back panel | 40W charging | IP68 protection BBD price: Rs. 18,999* | Available on Flipkart 3. Spend hours watching, gaming and creating? The Ai+ Nova 2 Pro 5G goes puts the screen first For consumers who spend more time streaming, gaming, scrolling and consuming content on their phones, a bigger and smoother display can make all the difference.   The Ai+ Nova 2 Pro 5G puts the viewing experience at the centre with its expansive 6.9-inch FHD+ display and 144Hz refresh rate, delivering a large, fluid canvas for entertainment, gaming and everyday multitasking.   A 6000mAh battery with 33W charging is designed to keep up with longer viewing and gaming sessions, while the dedicated Ai key and customisable lighting add greater convenience and personality to the experience.   Why consider it: 6.9-inch FHD+ display | 144Hz refresh rate | 6000mAh battery |Dedicated Ai key | Customisable lighting BBD price: Rs. 16,999* | Available on Flipkart   4. Buying someone’s first smartphone this Diwali? Start with the Ai+ Pulse 2 FE Festive smartphone shopping is not always about buying the most powerful device. For many families, it is about choosing someone’s first smartphone, replacing an ageing device or gifting a practical everyday phone to a parent or family member.   Built around the idea of a “First Step to a Smarter World,” the Ai+ Pulse 2 FE brings together the essentials that matter for everyday smartphone use.   It features a 120Hz display, 50MP main camera and 5000mAh battery, while practical additions such as a 3.5mm headphone jack and FM radio retain features that remain relevant for many users.   For first-time smartphone users or families looking for a straightforward festive purchase, Pulse 2 FE focuses on accessibility without stripping away the essentials.   Why consider it: 120Hz display | 50MP camera | 5000mAh battery | 3.5mm headphone jack | FM radio BBD price: Rs. 9,999 | Will be available on Flipkart from 8th October midnight *Prices and offers are applicable during the promotional period and may be subject to applicable terms, conditions and availability.

As EV buyers weigh unfamiliar battery and technology risks, a long factory warranty can offer valuable reassurance. VinFast’s warranty and ownership package in India shows how that protection can fit into a wider EV ecosystem.   VinFast offers a battery warranty of 10 years or 200,000 km, whichever comes first   Buying a new car has always involved a small leap of faith. You hand over a fairly large cheque and, in return, get a machine containing thousands of parts that are expected to behave themselves for years.   With electric cars, there is one extra source of anxiety: some of the most expensive and unfamiliar parts of the car are also the ones buyers cannot easily inspect. That makes the warranty more important, as it can reduce the financial uncertainty around what happens if something expensive does go wrong.   A warranty can make a new technology feel less risky Research into car buying suggests that consumers do put a value on warranty protection. One study of the U.S. automobile market found that buyers were willing to pay a median of about USD850 for one additional year of warranty coverage. That was around 3.1% of the median vehicle price in the study. It also found that longer warranties mattered more when product quality was lower.   Another study, looking at more than 9,000 used-car auctions on eBay, found that cars sold with a warranty attracted an average price premium of about 11%. The effect was stronger when the seller had a weaker reputation, suggesting that a warranty can give buyers some extra confidence when they have less information about the vehicle.   The logic is fairly simple. A buyer knows what they are paying today, but cannot know exactly what will happen to the car five or 10 years from now. A warranty shifts at least some of that future risk back to the manufacturer or seller.   For EVs, the battery makes this particularly relevant. In a 2024 UK study by the Green Finance Institute, 31% of consumers without an EV said a battery warranty longer than eight years would encourage them to switch to an electric car. That was close to the 34% who said price parity and the 34% who cited more charging infrastructure. The concern also shows up when people think about buying used EVs. In Strategy&’s 2024 eReadiness survey, a battery warranty, either from an OEM or a third party, was identified as a key factor encouraging consideration of a used EV by 80% of respondents in India.   There is an interesting twist here: experience appears to reduce some of these worries. Plug In America’s 2025 EV Driver Annual Survey found that 19.1% of respondents considered battery warranty a concern when they bought or leased their EV. The figure fell to 9.1% among current owners. Concerns about battery lifetime also fell, from 26.7% at purchase to 19%.   For an experienced EV owner, the technology is no longer quite so mysterious. For someone buying their first one, a long warranty can provide some reassurance before that experience has been built.   Still, a long warranty is only useful if customers can actually make use of it. For an EV buyer, the practical questions go beyond battery life. Where can the car be serviced? How easy is it to charge? What will routine maintenance cost? And if something does go wrong, is there somewhere nearby to get it fixed?   This is why a warranty works better when it sits alongside other forms of ownership support. The customer gets protection against major repair costs, while other services can reduce the smaller sources of friction that come with owning a car.   This is where VinFast’s approach in India comes in The company offers a vehicle warranty of seven years or 160,000 km and a battery warranty of 10 years or 200,000 km, whichever comes first. The battery coverage is particularly relevant to the concerns identified in the research. For someone considering an EV for the first time, 10 years or 200,000 km gives a clear time and distance limit around one of the vehicle’s most expensive components.   VinFast is also pairing that coverage with other ownership measures. Its India programme includes free maintenance for three years or 36,000 km, as well as free charging at V-Green charging stations until March 31, 2029.   At the same time, the company is building out the supporting network, through partnerships with MyTVS, RoadGrid and Global Assure to work toward a planned 120 service workshops, while V-Green has announced partnerships with RoadGrid and HPCL to expand EV charging infrastructure in India.   None of this changes the basic reality of buying a new car: there is always some uncertainty. But for EV buyers, the warranty can put a clearer boundary around part of that risk. And that may be its biggest value. A buyer does not need to know exactly what a battery will look like 10 years from now. They just need to know who is taking responsibility if something covered by the warranty does not go according to plan.

Percept Live has announced the launch of ‘Aaj Ka Scene’, its newest original Intellectual Property celebrating the energy, creativity and culture of hip-hop. The debut edition of this new youth-focused property will take place on 31 October and 1 November 2026 at Phoenix Marketcity at Kurla, Mumbai, bringing together established artists, emerging talent and the next generation of hip-hop creators on one dynamic platform.   Percept Live’s ‘Aaj Ka Scene’ Early Bird Tickets are Live   Designed as more than a music festival, Aaj Ka Scene is a bespoke cultural IP that brings together the many dimensions of hip-hop – from Rap, Beatboxing and Breaking to graffiti, streetwear and creator culture. Across two days, the property will bring established names and emerging talent together through live performances, competitions, workshops, creator interactions, games and immersive experiences.   Built as a dynamic platform for participation, discovery and expression, the festival gives artists an opportunity to showcase their craft while inviting audiences to experience, engage with and become part of the culture. From aspiring performers and young creators to Gen Z audiences who live and breathe hip-hop, Aaj Ka Scene is where talent meets opportunity, community meets culture, and the next wave gets its moment in the spotlight.   At the heart of Aaj Ka Scene is a powerful live line-up featuring two artists who represent the energy and evolution of contemporary Indian hip-hop. The festival kicks off on Saturday, 31 October with Sambata, bringing his distinctive rap style, lyrical energy and strong connection with Mumbai’s underground hip-hop movement to the Aaj Ka Scene stage. Known for his authentic street voice and raw, uncompromising energy, Sambata is set to ignite Day 1 and get the scene moving.   On Sunday, 1 November, Karma takes over the stage, bringing the sharp lyricism, storytelling and infectious energy that have made him one of the prominent voices of India’s new-age hip-hop movement. With a sound that resonates strongly with a generation that sees hip-hop as a powerful form of expression, Karma is set to close the Mumbai debut edition on a high.   Together, the two artists bring two distinct sounds, styles and perspectives to Aaj Ka Scene, reflecting the diversity and evolution of India’s hip-hop culture.   But Aaj Ka Scene is not just about who is on stage. It is about who gets discovered next. The festival will put some of India’s most exciting hip-hop disciplines under the spotlight through competitions and showcases spanning Rap, Dance, Beatboxing, Breaking and DJ Culture. For aspiring rappers, dancers, beatboxers, DJs, graffiti artists, creators and culture enthusiasts, Aaj Ka Scene is designed to be more than a weekend out. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to step forward, show up and get seen.   That journey begins even before the festival, with Aaj Ka Scene opening its doors to emerging talent through a digital talent hunt promoted across communities, social media and multiple digital platforms. Aspiring performers can submit a two-minute video across five competition categories -Dance, Rap, Beatboxing, DJing and B-Boying. Entry is Rs. 500 across categories, while Group Dance is Rs. 1,000 for teams of up to 10 members. Importantly, there is no fee to audition – only shortlisted participants pay the entry fee, which also serves as their day pass to the festival. From these entries, organisers and judges will select top performers to take the stage across the two-day festival, battling one-on-one in their respective disciplines, with the last one standing taking the title. The competition will be judged by established artists and credible professionals from each field, while the DJ category gets an added edge with Pioneer, the globally recognised professional DJ equipment brand, as its partner.   But the real prize extends far beyond the trophy. Aaj Ka Scene is designed to give emerging talent a stage today, and a pathway to more stages tomorrow. Winners will get the opportunity to collaborate with established artists and be considered for performance opportunities at future events in their respective disciplines, giving them the chance to turn a breakthrough moment at Aaj Ka Scene into a continuing journey. In that sense, the festival is not simply discovering talent …it is creating opportunities for the next wave of artists to be seen, heard and move forward.   The judging panel will bring together many respected names from multiple genres spanning Hip-Hop, Rap, DJing, Beatbox. Dance and B-Boying. With experienced voices from the culture evaluating emerging talent, Aaj Ka Scene creates a credible platform where skills can be tested, talent can be recognized and the next generation can make its mark.   Aaj Ka Scene will be transforming Phoenix Marketcity into an immersive celebration of hip-hop culture, with experience zones, games, on-ground activations, F&B experiences, creator interactions and community-led programming designed to keep audiences engaged beyond the main stage. From getting into the action to discovering new artists, meeting creators, participating in games and contests, or simply soaking up the atmosphere, every part of the festival is designed to feel participatory, unexpected and unmistakably street.   The festival will also take the experience beyond the venue through college outreach, pre-event contests, giveaways and youth-focused engagement, bringing Aaj Ka Scene directly to the audiences who are shaping the culture today.    Nikhil Uniyal, Business Head, Percept Live, said “Aaj Ka Scene is our way of giving Mumbai’s hip-hop community a stage that matches the scale of its talent. This isn’t just a festival, it’s a platform where the next generation of artists, dancers and creators get to be seen, heard and celebrated on their own terms. As a new live IP from Percept Live, we wanted to create something bespoke to the culture – a platform that is immersive, participative and genuinely driven by talent. A key part of our vision is also to create a Regional Artist Platform. Our ambition is to build Aaj Ka Scene into a larger cultural movement, taking the IP to audiences and hip-hop communities across India in the coming editions.”   Sonal Shah,

Hatsun Agro Product Ltd. (HAPL), the largest private sector Dairy in India, has launched ‘Go-Dhan’, a flagship initiative aimed at empowering dairy farmers across Odisha by improving access to financial support, government schemes, modern dairy practices and technology.   Hatsun Agro Product Ltd. Partners With Government of Odisha and State Bank of India to Launch ‘Go-Dhan’ to Empower Dairy Farmers   The initiative was formally launched at a ceremony held at the OUAT Auditorium, Bhubaneswar, in the presence of distinguished representatives from the Government of Odisha, banking and the dairy sector, including Sri Prem Chand Chaudhary, Secretary, Department of Fisheries & Animal Resources Development, Government of Odisha, as Chief Guest; Sri Shubhranshu, Managing Director, APICOL, as Guest of Honour; Sri Rakesh Kumar Yadav, Chief General Manager, State Bank of India; and Mr. R. G. Chandramogan, Chairman, Hatsun Agro Product Ltd. The gathering brought together key stakeholders from across the dairy, financial and government sectors, reflecting a shared commitment to strengthening farmer livelihoods and supporting the continued growth of Odisha’s dairy economy.   Go-Dhan is expected to benefit 6000 dairy farmers across 15 districts of Odisha, providing them with greater access to institutional finance and relevant government support to invest in areas such as quality bovine breeds, improved cattle housing, farm mechanisation, nutrition and herd health. The initiative also seeks to leverage government subsidy schemes, including the Mukhyamantri Krushi Udyog Yojana (MKUY), to help participating farmers access more affordable capital for strengthening and expanding their dairy operations. With dairy farming serving as an important source of livelihood for rural households, the initiative is designed to address key requirements for sustainable dairy development, including access to finance, scientific farm management and productivity enhancement.   Commenting on the launch, Mr. R. G. Chandramogan, Chairman, Hatsun Agro Product Ltd., said, “At Hatsun Agro Product Ltd., we have played a significant role in the development of the dairy sector and animal husbandry across South India for decades. Our journey has always been guided by the belief that the prosperity of dairy farmers is the foundation of a strong and sustainable dairy industry.”   “Through the Go-Dhan initiative, we aim to support the establishment of more than 6,000 dairy farms, over the next three years in a phased manner. This initiative is designed to improve farmer incomes, encourage scientific dairy farming, and create a sustainable dairy ecosystem in Odisha.”   “We are deeply grateful to our partners in this journey—the dairy farmers of Odisha, the Department of Animal Husbandry, Government of Odisha, APICOL and the State Bank of India. Their support and collaboration have made this initiative possible. Together, we are committed to transforming Odisha into a dairy-rich state while creating better opportunities, higher incomes, and long-term prosperity for its farming community.”   “Hatsun Agro’s focus has always been on dairy farming, a key component of secondary agriculture. Strengthening dairy farming creates a positive impact on primary agriculture by providing farmers with a stable and progressive source of income. Through this initiative, we envision building a strong dairy value chain in Odisha, unlocking the state’s agricultural potential while creating long-term prosperity for its farming community. Our objective is to produce and procure milk within Odisha, creating value for local farmers while meeting consumer demand not only in Odisha but also for export to the neighbouring markets such as West Bengal, North Andhra Pradesh, and other nearby states. This initiative will strengthen the regional dairy economy and create sustainable growth opportunities for everyone involved.”   About Hatsun Agro Product Ltd. Hatsun Agro Product Ltd. (HAP) Is a leading private sector dairy player in India. HAP procures milk from select fine quality cattle collected directly from over 5,00,000 farmers, chosen with care. HAP follows quality standards certified by the prestigious ISO 22000. HAP’s portfolio includes. Arun Icecreams – South India’s leading ice cream brand, Arokya Milk & Milk products – the country’s largest private sector milk brand, Hatsun Dairy Products –a rapidly growing, wide portfolio brand of dairy products, ibaco – Premium chain of ice cream outlets enabling consumers create their own ice cream sundaes., HAP Daily – With 4200+ outlets, HAP Daily has expanded its reach in traditionally strong markets like Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana, and has started to make inroads into Maharashtra, Kerala, Orissa, Goa, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Gujarat, Andamans, Chandigarh and Bihar. HAP Daily products are distributed to kirana stores, premium supermarkets and other retail outlets through various distribution channels. This increases availability and expands the brand’s reach to a wider consumer base. Hanobar – A range of coco confectionaries infused with nuts, ganache and fruit fillings, every bite is an exquisite mouthfeel, giving an indulgent experience like none other. Havia – Premium chocolates have been made to make each of these moments memorable by gifting the special one’s with a box of indulgence & Santosa is an in-house brand for cattle feed and cattle care. Aniva – a range of deliciously flavoured whey drinks.