Odisha Govt Approves Rs 3.30 Crore For Habishyalis During Kartika Brata In Puri

Puri, Nov 4 (UDN): In a major step towards ensuring a comfortable and spiritually fulfilling Kartika Brata for devotees, the Odisha government has sanctioned Rs 3.30 crore for accommodation and other essential facilities for Habishyalis staying in the holy town of Puri.

 Representational Image 

The financial approval by the state Culture Department comes as thousands of elderly women from different parts of Odisha have converged on the pilgrim town to observe the month-long religious ritual dedicated to Lord Jagannath.

The sanctioned amount will primarily be utilised to strengthen arrangements at Habishyali centres, ensuring that devotees can perform their religious observances without facing difficulties during their stay.

Accommodation, Mahaprasad And Special Darshan

The facilities being provided to Habishyalis include accommodation, arrangements for darshan of Lord Jagannath, Mahaprasad and opportunities to participate in devotional activities such as bhajans, kirtans and other cultural programmes.

Special attention is being given to the comfort and convenience of elderly women, many of whom travel considerable distances to spend the sacred month in Puri.

The arrangements are aimed at providing a safe and supportive environment where devotees can concentrate on their spiritual practices while receiving necessary assistance throughout their stay.

Why Kartika Brata Holds Special Significance

Kartika, regarded as one of the holiest months in the Hindu calendar, carries immense religious significance in Odisha, particularly in Puri.

Every year, thousands of elderly women, widows and other devotees observe Kartika Brata with deep devotion. Many of them undertake the traditional Habisa rituals, including worshipping the Tulsi plant, performing Radha-Damodar Puja and visiting the Shree Jagannath Temple.

Those observing the month-long Habisa follow a strict dietary routine, traditionally eating a single meal a day and avoiding certain vegetables, including brinjal, gourds and several other food items.

For many devotees, staying in Puri during Kartika is not merely a religious practice but a deeply cherished spiritual experience. The opportunity to worship Lord Jagannath, participate in devotional gatherings and consume Mahaprasad makes the annual pilgrimage especially significant.

Focus On Devotee Welfare

With a large number of Habishyalis arriving in Puri every year, managing accommodation, food, sanitation and other essential services remains an important administrative responsibility.

The allocation of Rs 3.30 crore is expected to support the arrangements and ensure that elderly devotees receive the assistance they need during the observance.

For the Habishyalis, the month-long stay in Puri represents faith, discipline and an enduring connection with Lord Jagannath. The government’s financial support is intended to make this sacred journey more comfortable and accessible for the women who travel to the pilgrim town to fulfil their religious commitments.

China’s Approach to Integrating Health into Poverty Reduction Offers Insights for Global Development, Lancet Commission Report Finds

BEIJING, Nov. 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Poverty remains a major global development challenge. China’s efforts to bring health into poverty reduction offer insights for countries seeking to protect vulnerable households and advance health equity, according to a Lancet Commission report launched at Tsinghua University on October 29. 

Led by Tsinghua University and chaired by Margaret Chan, Dean of the Vanke School of Public Health and WHO Director-General Emeritus, a Lancet Commission analyzed four years of data on China’s health poverty alleviation policies, their implementation and broader implications for global health.

The report examines how China combined financial protection and primary healthcare with interventions in safe drinking water, housing, nutrition and education.

Key findings include:

• Approximately 1.4 trillion yuan was invested in health-related poverty alleviation between 2015 and 2020.
• A national monitoring system tracks more than 80 million low-income rural residents to identify risks of health-related poverty.
• The share of inpatient expenses paid out of pocket by people living in poverty declined from 41.0% in 2013 to 31.0% in 2018.

Given the concurrent implementation of multiple policies and data limitations, further research is needed to assess the contributions of individual measures.

The launch convened 130 participants from government, international organizations, universities, research institutes and healthcare institutions. Speakers included Chen Zhu, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences; Tsinghua University Vice President Wang Hongwei; Sun Yang, Deputy Director of the National Disease Control and Prevention Administration; and Richard Horton, Editor-in-Chief of The Lancet. Martin Taylor, WHO Representative to China, addressed the event by video.

Horton discussed the links between health and social determinants, including nutrition, water, housing and education. Chen Zhu called for appropriate technologies to reach primary care settings and for closer coordination across prevention, screening, treatment and long-term health management. Qiao Jie, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and Director of Peking University Health Science Center, spoke about women’s and children’s health, quality of care and patient dignity. Amanda Bissex, UNICEF Deputy Representative to China, emphasized the role of nutrition, healthcare and social support in addressing multidimensional poverty from early childhood.

In her closing remarks, Margaret Chan said that health equity means ensuring that everyone is recognized and respected and has access to the services they need. She described the report’s launch as a starting point for further research, policy dialogue and international cooperation.

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New Era for School STEM: Cosmofluencer Launches CosmoClub with Fizzics Education’s India Entry

BENGALURU, India, Nov. 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Cosmofluencer, the astronomy outreach and SciComm arm of Centelon Group, has announced a strategic partnership with award-winning Australian science-education provider Fizzics Education as it enters India.

Building on this collaboration, Cosmofluencer will launch CosmoClub for Schools, a new school-based STEM, space and astronomy programme for private premium schools across India, with Fizzics Education playing a pivotal role in shaping its expert-curated learning experiences.

Direct-to-school Learning

What makes CosmoClub for Schools especially distinctive is its direct-to-school, on-campus model. Cosmofluencer will deliver specially curated STEM, space and astronomy courses designed in collaboration with Fizzics Education’s expert educators, bringing globally informed, curriculum-aligned learning directly into partner schools.

In addition, Fizzics Education’s acclaimed educators will visit school campuses to deliver their highly regarded experiential science sessions, interactive workshops and shows that have earned recognition in Australia for making complex scientific ideas engaging, hands-on and memorable. This combination gives students both structured, expert-curated learning and live, immersive experiences within their own school environment.

Students will gain direct access to international science-education expertise and global best practices in STEM learning, helping them connect classroom concepts with real-world space science, innovation and career pathways.

“Our goal has always been to make space science feel within reach for every young person,” said Paul Savio, Founder, Cosmofluencer. “Through the launch of CosmoClub for Schools and the partnership with Fizzics Education, we want students across India to experience astronomy not just as something they read about, but as something they can explore, question and imagine being part of.”

“Science becomes powerful when students can see it, touch it and ask their own questions,” said Ben Newsome, Founder, Fizzics Education. “We are excited to work with Cosmofluencer to create learning experiences that spark curiosity and show young people in India that STEM and space are for everyone.”

Schools Invited!

Schools in India are invited to participate in the upcoming inter-school competition and discover more about CosmoClub for schools and the Cosmofluencer–Fizzics Education programme. The launch event will take place in Bangalore, but the initiative is designed for private schools across India, offering primary and secondary students access to expert-curated STEM, space and astronomy learning along with on-campus experiential sessions.

CosmoClub for Schools will also be presented at the Didac India convention in Bangalore from 25^th to 27^th November 2026, offering educators and school leaders an opportunity to explore the programme, its on-campus learning model and potential collaborations.

About Cosmofluencer

Cosmofluencer is a vibrant network of space enthusiasts united by a passion for exploring the cosmos and making space science accessible to wider audiences. The platform creates opportunities for students and budding science communicators to engage with astronomy through content, community initiatives and career-focused programmes such as CosmoScope.

About Fizzics Education

Fizzics Education is an award-winning Australian science-education provider that has delivered interactive science shows, workshops and resources since 2004. Founded by qualified science teacher Ben Newsome, it has reached more than three million students through inquiry-based, curriculum-linked activities designed to make science memorable, fun and accessible.

Cosmofluencer Team

helpdesk@cosmofluencer.com 

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Acuity Analytics appoints Jon O’Donnell as Chief Executive to lead next phase of AI-enabled expansion

Former IBM Managing Partner succeeds Rob King as the group builds further AI native capabilities for its financial services clients

LONDON, Nov. 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Acuity Analytics has appointed Jon O’Donnell as Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately, as the Permira-backed financial services specialist expands its AI, Data and Digital capabilities through acquisitions and organic investment.

O’Donnell, formerly Chief Operating Officer, succeeds Rob King, who will become Chairman at the end of the year. King will succeed Philip Gore-Randall, who retires on 31 December after seven years as Chairman. The appointments form part of the group’s succession planning and have the full support of the Board and Permira.

The leadership changes come as Acuity Analytics broadens its insights and analytics business to help clients redesign how they operate, combining financial services expertise with AI, data and digital transformation.

O’Donnell joined Acuity Analytics as Chief Operating Officer in 2024 after more than 20 years at IBM. His roles there included leading Business and Technology Consulting divisions in Europe, the Middle East and Africa with up to 15,000 people and $3 billion in annual revenue. He was also a member of IBM Consulting’s global leadership team.

At Acuity Analytics, he has worked with the executive team on strategy, the rapid growth of its’ AI, Data and Digital Services business, technology and AI innovation, helping develop the capabilities that will underpin the group’s next stage of growth.

Jon O’Donnell said:

“Our clients are making significant decisions about where to invest in AI and how to change the way their businesses work. They need partners who understand their workflows and can turn technology investment into sustainable advantage.

“Acuity Analytics brings together people who understand financial services in depth with growing expertise in data and AI. My priority is to make that combination count: helping clients re-design their workflows, optimising operations through the best combination of AI and talent and achieve more from their investment.

“Rob has built a strong business with trusted client relationships and talented colleagues. I look forward to building on that work and continuing to benefit from his experience as he transitions to the role of chairman.”

Acuity Analytics’ investment programme includes the acquisition of US data consultancy Continuus in October 2026, adding specialists in data strategy, governance and data platforms. This followed the acquisition of data and AI specialist Ascent in 2025 and PPA Group in 2024, a technology led managed services provider to the Lending industry.

Rob King said:

“Jon brings substantial experience of leading technology businesses and helping organisations change how they operate. Since joining Acuity Analytics, he has combined that experience with a clear understanding of our clients, our people and the opportunities ahead.

“We have invested significantly in AI, digital and data, building on the industry expertise that has always distinguished Acuity Analytics. Jon is the right person to lead the business through its next stage of growth.

“I would also like to thank Philip Gore-Randall for his contribution as chairman over the past seven years. His judgement, counsel and support have been invaluable to me and have helped guide Acuity Analytics through a period of significant growth and change.”

King led Acuity Analytics through its separation from Moody’s in 2019 and its subsequent expansion. As chairman, he will lead the board and support O’Donnell and the executive team, while remaining involved in selected investor and client relationships.

About Acuity Analytics

Acuity Analytics is the trading name of Acuity Analytics Knowledge Partners, a global provider of research, data management, analytics and AI-enabled solutions to financial institutions and corporates.

With more than 7,800 analysts, data specialists and technologists across 28 locations, the firm combines financial services expertise with data and AI capabilities. Acuity Analytics supports more than 850 organisations.

Acuity Analytics was established as a separate business from Moody’s Corporation in 2019 following its acquisition by Equistone Partners Europe. In January 2023, funds advised by Permira acquired a majority stake, with Equistone remaining invested as a minority shareholder.

For more information, visit Acuity Analyticsanalytics.com.

Media enquiries

Gill Galassi

Director of Brand and Communications

Gill.Galassi@Acuity Analyticsanalytics.com

+44 (0)7961 244215

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Dainik Bhaskar sparks a meaningful dialogue with its latest Deepawali campaign: #GiftBeforeDiwali

BHOPAL, India, Nov. 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Every Diwali, Dainik Bhaskar’s initiative ‘Sarthak Deepawali’ encourages people to make the festival more meaningful by sharing happiness with those who are less privileged and often excluded from festive celebrations. 

This year, the campaign takes this thought a step further with the message, ‘Is Baar Khushiyan Thoda Pehle Pahunchaiye, Kisi Ki Deepawali Sarthak Banaiye.’

People often gift sweets, clothes or bonuses to their house helps, security guards and others who support their everyday lives on the day of Diwali or sometimes even after that. However, if these gifts are given before the festival, recipients can actually use them in their Diwali preparations, making their celebrations more meaningful. 

The campaign tells this story through Gen Z, a generation often perceived as distracted, unbothered and glued to their mobile phones. Yet, beneath this perception lies a generation of doers, capable of mobilising people, driving change and turning a simple thought into a movement. This message has deeply resonated with people across India, with the campaign already touching over 12 million hearts and encouraging more people to embrace the spirit of #GiftBeforeDiwali. Watch the film to experience the thought behind this year’s Sarthak Deepawali campaign: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8tOOtPZ6wh8

Girish Agarwal, Director, Dainik Bhaskar Group, shared: “Sarthak Deepawali has always been about making Diwali more meaningful by extending the joy of the festival beyond our own homes. Over the years, our endeavour has been to encourage people to look around, think of those who are often left out of celebrations, and take small steps to make their Diwali better. We believe that when we celebrate with others in mind, the festival becomes truly meaningful.”

Pawan Pandey, Head – Brand & Product Marketing, Dainik Bhaskar Group, added: “The idea behind Sarthak Deepawali was to encourage a simple behavioural change through #GiftBeforeDiwali. Choosing to tell this story through Gen Z was equally intentional. A generation often seen as indifferent has the potential to inspire people, drive change and turn a simple thought into collective action.”

About Us – Dainik Bhaskar Group

Dainik Bhaskar Group is a leading media conglomerate with a diverse presence across print, radio, and digital platforms, reaching 14 states in 4 languages- Hindi, Gujarati, Marathi and English. With a readership of 14 Crore across newspapers, digital, and social platforms, the Group holds a prominent position in the Indian media landscape.

Its flagship publication, Dainik Bhaskar, ranks as India’s largest and the world’s third-largest newspaper by circulation.

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FatakPay Unveils New Diwali Campaign Featuring Vaani Kapoor, Encouraging a Shift Towards Formal Digital Borrowing

The new campaign uses humour to highlight the awkwardness of asking people for money, building on the brand’s earlier campaign and its focus on responsible borrowing.

MUMBAI, India, Nov. 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — FatakPay, a digital financial wellness platform, has unveiled its new Diwali campaign #FatakpayKarYaar, featuring actor Vaani Kapoor. Through humorous and relatable everyday situations, the film highlights the discomfort of turning to friends, family and acquaintances for money when an unexpected need arises, encouraging consumers to consider formal digital borrowing options.

At the heart of the campaign is the recurring musical hook ‘Paise De Yaar’, which captures the lengths people go to when they need money. Through humour, minimal dialogue and relatable situations, the film brings to life the awkwardness of turning to friends and acquaintances for financial help. It culminates with Vaani Kapoor introducing FatakPay as a reliable alternative for eligible consumers seeking formal digital credit, bringing the campaign line #FatakpayKarYaar to life.

Commenting on the campaign, Abhishek Gandhi, Co-founder and Chief Business Officer, FatakPay, said, “For many people, borrowing money often begins with turning to friends, family or acquaintances, even when it can lead to uncomfortable conversations. As financial needs evolve, it is important to make formal credit more accessible, convenient and transparent. Through FatakPay, we aim to give eligible consumers access to financial solutions that help them address their needs while making informed borrowing decisions. With this campaign, we hope to encourage a wider consideration of formal digital credit as part of responsible financial choices.”

Building on FatakPay’s first brand film featuring Vaani Kapoor, launched in July this year, the new campaign extends the conversation to normalising responsible borrowing through reliable formal credit options. It reflects the brand’s broader positioning as a digital financial platform serving India’s aspirational middle class, including salaried and self-employed individuals seeking convenient access to formal financial solutions.

Ashwin Shetty, Head of Branding and Communications, FatakPay, added, “With #FatakpayKarYaar, we wanted to build on the relatability of our earlier campaign while taking the story forward. The awkwardness of asking people for money is something many consumers can identify with, making it a natural starting point for a conversation around formal borrowing. By combining a familiar, everyday situation with humour and Vaani Kapoor’s appeal across audiences, we wanted to create a campaign that entertains while encouraging consumers to shift to formal digital credit for their needs.”

FatakPay’s personal loan offerings range from ₹20,000 to ₹5 lakh, with eligible applications potentially receiving approval in as little as seven minutes, subject to the applicable eligibility and approval process. The fully digital application journey is designed to simplify access to credit and minimise procedural hassles. The Hindi-language campaign is planned for a pan-India rollout across digital and offline channels, targeting audiences across Tier 1, Tier 2 and Tier 3 markets.

With more than 5 crore customer applications, 3 crore app downloads, and over 25 lakh new users onboarded every month, FatakPay continues to expand access to digital financial services across India. More than 65% of its users come from Tier 2 and Tier 3 markets, reflecting the growing demand for accessible financial solutions beyond India’s largest cities.

Campaign Credits

YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/aebcIQxFNoo

Insta link:https://www.instagram.com/reel/DfOqmpEpVjG/?cplk=MWEyMWRkc3JzdTVnbg==

Brand: FatakPay

Brand Ambassador: Vaani Kapoor

Creative & Strategy: FatakPay Branding & Communications Team

About FatakPay:

FatakPay is a Mumbai-based fintech platform focused on enabling instant, accessible financial solutions for underserved and emerging India. Through its suite of offerings, including instant loans, insurance, investments, and credit improvement tools, FatakPay aims to simplify and expand access to formal finance. Operating through its subsidiaries, FDPL Finance Pvt. Ltd. (an NBFC registered with the Reserve Bank of India) and FatakSecure (an insurance platform aligned with Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India guidelines), the company offers products ranging from instant loans of up to ₹20,000 and personal loans of up to ₹5 lakh, to affordable insurance solutions including cancer and accidental coverage. Its ecosystem also includes credit-building tools like FatakUdaan, along with digital investment options such as gold and silver. Founded by Ajit Kumar and Abhishek Gandhi (Co-founders of RupeeCircle), along with Amit Lodha and Amit Goyal, FatakPay is committed to building a financially resilient India by empowering users with simple, transparent, and reliable financial solutions.

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What Makes a Vastu Watch, Canon Quartz Unveils the Vastu Inspired Day-Date Watch

A green Roman dial, a day-date window and a Miyota Japanese movement; the Indian brand treats Vastu and numerology as belief, not a benefit

AHMEDABAD, India, Nov. 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Canon Quartz, the Indian direct-to-consumer watch brand founded in Ahmedabad in 1997, has introduced the CN-519 Maha Vastu Day-Date, a men’s analogue watch with an emerald green dial, Roman numerals, a day-date window and a two-tone gold-and-steel bracelet. The watch is the day-date model in the brand’s Maha Vastu Collection, a range designed around the colour and metal associations of Vastu Shastra, and is priced at ₹3,649 against an MRP of ₹4,999.

Introducing the Vastu Watch

A Vastu watch is a wristwatch whose dial colour, metals and markers are chosen according to the associations of Vastu Shastra, the Indian tradition of arrangement and orientation. In that tradition, green is associated with the planet Mercury and with the qualities of intellect, communication and commerce; gold tones are associated with the Sun, and silver and steel with the Moon. On the CN-519, the Roman numeral markers are finished in gold, the metal the tradition links to the Sun, and the dial is designed with its twelve o’clock marker read as North, the direction Vastu assigns to Mercury and to Kubera, its guardian deity. A Vastu watch is a design choice informed by that tradition. It is not a device, and Canon Quartz makes no claim that wearing one changes a person’s finances, health or fortune.

The Numerological Significance of a Green Dial Watch

Numerology is a belief system, not a science, and its watch guides do not agree with one another. The most widely followed Indian system assigns each planet a number: the Sun 1, the Moon 2, Jupiter 3, Rahu 4, Mercury 5, Venus 6, Ketu 7, Saturn 8 and Mars 9. Under it, a person whose birth date reduces to 5 is matched with Mercury and with its colours and metals: green, silver and two-tone steel. The same guides describe Roman numeral dials as a favourable choice. The CN-519, with its emerald green dial, full track of gold Roman numerals and two-tone bracelet, sits inside the profile those guides pair with people born on the 5th, 14th or 23rd of a month. Canon Quartz offers this as context for customers who follow numerology. It makes no claim that a number, a colour or a watch alters anyone’s circumstances.

Research on the Colour Green

Canon Quartz separates tradition from evidence. The one area where peer-reviewed research touches the subject is colour perception. A 2012 study published in Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, ‘Fertile green: green facilitates creative performance’ by Lichtenfeld, Elliot, Maier and Pekrun, found across four experiments that a brief glimpse of green before a task improved creative performance compared with white, grey, red and blue. The study did not examine wristwatches, and Canon Quartz does not claim the CN-519 produces this effect. The brand cites it as context: green holds a place in both tradition and research as a colour people choose to keep in view.

Key Features and Components of the CN-519

The CN-519 runs on the Miyota Cal. 2105, a Japanese quartz movement with a day-date display made by Miyota, the movement maker within Japan’s Citizen group. Miyota rates the calibre’s battery life at approximately three years, and its quartz crystal oscillates at 32,768 Hz. The day and date are set from the crown. The dial sits under hardened mineral glass, and the case is water resistant to 3 ATM (30 metres), which covers rain and handwashing but not swimming. The two-tone bracelet has adjustable links, and a printed manual covering sizing, setting and care ships in the box. Canon Quartz covers the movement, case and dial with a one-year warranty.

“We have made watches in Ahmedabad since 1997, and the discipline has not changed: the movement must be reliable, the dial must be legible, and the finish should be premium, not just survive daily wear,” said Jayendra Vadher, proprietor of Shree Sai Sales, the company behind Canon Quartz, who has worked in watchmaking for more than 35 years. “The CN-519 carries a tradition that many of our customers value. It earns its place on the wrist as a watch.”

Who the CN-519 Is Designed For, and Availability

The CN-519 is made for men who wear a watch through the working week and who follow Vastu, or who are choosing a gift for someone who does. It pairs with the women’s CN-520, which shares the green dial and two-tone bracelet. The watch is available at canonquartz.com at ₹3,649 (MRP ₹4,999). Every order ships in the signature Canon Quartz gift box, is dispatched within 24 hours, and carries a 7-day exchange from delivery.

CN-519 Maha Vastu Day-Date: key facts

About Canon Quartz

Canon Quartz is an Indian direct-to-consumer watch brand of Shree Sai Sales, founded in Ahmedabad in 1997 and now in its 29th year of watchmaking. Its collections, including Dominion, Lucid, Rose Gold, Vintage, Maha Vastu, Green Dial, Serenite and AUREON, pair design-led cases and dials with Japanese quartz movements, sold directly to customers at accessible prices. Canon Quartz is not related to Canon Inc., the Japanese camera and imaging company.

Contact – marketing@canonquartz.com 

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IIHM Scot Malt Tour 2026: Taking Hospitality Education Beyond Borders

The 11th edition of the fully sponsored international educational tour will take selected F&B Major students across Scotland, offering first-hand exposure to the science, craftsmanship and global business of the beverage industry.

KOLKATA, India, Nov. 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Hospitality education in India is evolving beyond conventional classroom learning, and the International Institute of Hotel Management (IIHM), Asia’s largest chain of hotel schools, is taking this transformation across international borders. Through experiential learning in hospitality and strong industry partnerships, IIHM continues to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and real-world application. Reflecting its philosophy of High Tech, Higher Touch, the institution is redefining hospitality education by creating opportunities for students to learn directly from global industries and explore career possibilities beyond traditional hotel operations.

The Scot Malt Educational Tour 2026, the 11th edition of IIHM’s highly anticipated international learning initiative, begins in Scotland this November. Nine carefully selected Food & Beverage (F&B) Major students from IIHM campuses across India will participate in this fully sponsored international educational tour, travelling from 19 to 26 November. Curated by Prof. Ron Scott, IIHM’s Scotland-based International Director, the programme offers an immersive understanding of the global beverage industry. Students will explore the science of distillation, the art of blending, the craft of cask-making, maturation techniques, Scottish heritage and the business behind globally celebrated beverage brands. They will gain insights into how craftsmanship, technology, quality control and supply chains come together to create products recognised across the world.

The eight-day itinerary is packed with learning experiences at some of Scotland’s renowned malt distilleries. Beginning in Edinburgh, students will visit the Port of Leith Distillery and the Johnnie Walker Experience, followed by the Edinburgh Gin Distillery and a city history tour. The journey continues to Blair Athol Distillery in Pitlochry before taking them into the famous Speyside region to explore the Glenfiddich and Cardhu distilleries. A visit to Speyside Cooperage will offer insights into the fascinating craft of making and maintaining wooden aging casks, while The Glenlivet and Dalwhinnie distilleries will complete the industry immersion. Masterclasses, guided tastings and interactions with professionals from the Scot Malt industry will add further depth to the experience.

The nine students selected for the 2026 edition are Saloni Ghanshyam Patel (IIHM Ahmedabad), Aananjay Majumdar (IIHM Bangalore), Rahul Kumar (IIHM Delhi), Annaliz Gomes (IIHM Goa), Farhatul Nasreen (IIHM Hyderabad), Adhyayan Yogesh Jain and Aditi Singh (IIHM Kolkata), Rajat Sharma (IIHM Jaipur) and Ryan Carnelio (IIHM Pune). Selected through a competitive campus-level process, these students will receive the entire international learning experience at no cost, with IIHM fully sponsoring the tour.

Dr Suborno Bose, Chairman & CEO, International Institute of Hotel Management (IIHM) & Indismart Group Worldwide, Chairman & CEO, International Hospitality Council, London, UK, believes that education must open doors to opportunities that students may not even have imagined. Commenting on the initiative, he says:

“At IIHM, we believe that education must go beyond classrooms and create opportunities for students to experience the world first-hand. Our endeavour is to prepare young people not just for jobs, but for global careers by exposing them to industries, cultures, technologies and professional practices across borders. The IIHM Scot Malt Educational Tour is a reflection of this vision. By fully sponsoring this international learning experience, we want our students to explore new dimensions of the hospitality and beverage industry, understand its craftsmanship and business, and discover career opportunities they may never have imagined. We want every IIHM student to dream big, think globally and have the confidence to make their mark on the world.”

Prof. Ron Scott, IIHM’s Scotland-based International Director and curator of the tour, brings his expertise and understanding of the local industry to create a learning experience rooted in Scotland’s rich distilling heritage and contemporary industry practices.

This initiative is part of IIHM’s larger commitment to preparing students for global hospitality careers through meaningful international exposure. Its strategic alliance with Sommet Education also opens up opportunities for academic progression and scholarships at prestigious institutions such as Glion Institute of Higher Education and Les Roches Global Hospitality Education.

With recognitions including The Economic Times Best Hospitality Education Brand and FHRAI’s Best Hospitality Management Institute of the Year, IIHM continues to strengthen its position in hospitality education. For students aspiring to build international careers, the institution offers more than an academic qualification – it provides opportunities to explore global industries, gain practical knowledge and develop the confidence to pursue careers across borders.

Through the Scot Malt Educational Tour 2026, IIHM once again takes learning beyond textbooks, transforming international exposure into professional confidence, knowledge and opportunity.

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