11, Feb 2026
Murshidabad Heritage Festival 2026 Concludes, Celebrating the Region’s Rich Cultural Legacy
Kolkata / Murshidabad, Feb 11: The Murshidabad Heritage Festival 2026, held from 6–8 February, concluded on a high note, leaving visitors with memories of the city’s history, architecture and vibrant culture. The festival welcomed heritage enthusiasts, scholars, artists and culture lovers to experience one of Bengal’s most historically significant city.
Visitors were accommodated at heritage properties like the House of Sheherwali and Bari Kothi, immersing them in Murshidabad’s living legacy. The festivities began with a traditional Sheherwali lunch and a film screening on Rani Bhawani, followed by a boat ride to Char Bangla, the terracotta temple built by Rani Bhawani and a breathtaking sunset over the Ganges, accompanied by Ganga Aarti. Visitors also explored Tantipara, witnessing skilled artisans at work on the centuries-old Baluchari weaving tradition.
Highlights included a thrilling traditional boat race, tours of Hazarduari Palace Museum, Nasipur Rajbari, and Katgola Palace and a vibrant cultural evening featuring Baul singers, Raibenshe dancers, Kathak performances and folk artists. The festival concluded with a film screening on The Battle of Plassey and a farewell lunch, leaving guests with cherished memories of Murshidabad’s heritage and hospitality.
“The Murshidabad Heritage Festival 2026 was a remarkable success, bringing together heritage enthusiasts, artists and culture lovers from across the region. Over three days, visitors experienced the city’s rich history, architectural marvels, vibrant traditions and timeless legacy. The festival also highlighted the incredible skill of local artisans” said Pradip Chopra, President of the Murshidabad Heritage Development Society.
“Marking 16 years since MHDS was founded in 2010, the Murshidabad Heritage Festival 2026 celebrated the city’s living history, local crafts and traditions, while helping revive pride and preserve heritage,” said Sandip Nowlakha, Founding Member of the Murshidabad Heritage Development Society.
The Murshidabad Heritage Festival 2026 successfully showcased the city’s timeless architecture, crafts, music, cuisine and traditions, reaffirming its status as a vibrant center of living heritage.
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- By Neel Achary
11, Feb 2026
ElevenLabs Launches Expressive Mode with Indian Language Support for Smarter Voice Agents
Feb 11: ElevenLabs, a global leader in AI-driven voice technology, today announced the launch of Expressive Mode for its Eleven Agents platform, bringing emotionally intelligent, real-time voice agents to enterprise customer interactions. The new mode enhances conversational AI with human-like timing, tone, and emotional awareness, enabling enterprises to create natural, context-sensitive voice experiences.
Expressive Mode integrates Eleven v3 Conversational, ElevenLabs’ most emotionally intelligent text-to-speech model optimized for live dialogue, with a new turn-taking system that ensures better-timed responses with fewer interruptions. This allows agents to pause, respond, or adjust tone just like human interlocutors, improving engagement and satisfaction in customer conversations.
A key feature of Expressive Mode is expanded multilingual support, covering over 70 global languages, including 11 Indian languages: Hindi, Bengali, Marathi, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Gujarati, Malayalam, Punjabi, Urdu, and Assamese. This empowers Indian enterprises to serve diverse audiences while maintaining clarity, consistency, and emotional nuance.
By leveraging real-time emotional signals from Scribe v2 Realtime, ElevenLabs’ transcription system, Expressive Mode enables agents to interpret cues from how something is said—not just what is said—allowing for empathetic and context-aware interactions in high-stakes scenarios across sectors like support, mobility, finance, and retail.
Karthik Rajaram, GM and Country Head, India at ElevenLabs, commented:
“In customer-facing conversations, how something is said often matters as much as what is said. Expressive Mode marks a shift from scripted voice automation to emotionally intelligent conversations across multiple Indian languages. This enables Indian enterprises to design voice-first experiences that feel natural, responsive, and deeply aligned with how India communicates, helping brands build trust and consistency at scale.”
Expressive Mode allows businesses to deploy voice agents that respond naturally, stay on-brand, and adapt to real customer emotion, with the reliability, integrations, and monitoring needed for operations from pilot deployments to global rollouts.
ElevenLabs’ technology is already powering Indian companies like Meesho, Cars24, Apna, 99acres, TVS Motors, Mahindra, PocketFM, and others in delivering conversational AI experiences and multilingual customer engagement.
11, Feb 2026
Care.fi Raises Funding to Scale AI-Driven Healthcare Revenue Cycle Management
Gurugram, Feb 11: Care.fi, a healthcare-focused fintech building an AI-powered revenue cycle management infrastructure for hospitals, has raised $8 million in a Series A round. The funding includes $5 million in equity led by July Ventures, with participation from Peak XV Partners, Accion Ventures, and Sadev Ventures, and $3 million in debt financing from Trifecta and Vivriti.
India’s healthcare system is entering a decade of scale. In FY25 alone, general and health insurers settled over 32.6 million health insurance claims, with payouts exceeding ₹94,000 crore. Alongside this, more than 36.9 crore Ayushman Bharat cards have been issued, dramatically expanding access to cashless care. As coverage widens across government and private schemes, hospitals are grappling with rising claim volumes, tighter compliance requirements, and increasing expectations for faster, more predictable settlement cycles.
Care.fi is building infrastructure for this new reality. Its AI-driven platform helps hospitals manage documentation, coding, claims processing, and collections at scale, while its NBFC arm provides working capital solutions that enable predictable cash flows. Today, Care.fi’s systems are deployed across Ayushman Bharat and multiple large government and private insurance programs, supporting hospitals as operational complexity continues to rise.
The newly raised capital will be used to expand operations into additional Indian cities, accelerate international expansion across the United States and the Middle East, and further invest in product development for its AI-powered healthcare operating system.
“This capital allows us to go deeper on our core mission: making healthcare revenue operations seamless and invisible for hospitals,” said Vikrant Agrawal, Co-founder of Care.fi. “Doctors and care teams should not be spending time navigating paperwork, approvals, or delayed payments. We are building an AI-first healthcare operating system that takes care of revenue end-to-end, so hospitals can focus on patient outcomes, and patients can experience care with confidence and dignity.”
The fundraise follows a period of sustained growth for Care.fi, marked by over 10% year-on-year growth in assets under management and expansion of its team to 250+ employees, strengthening support for hospital partners amid rising claim volumes and faster turnaround expectations. Recently, Care.fi has also acquired Aldun to make hospital discharge faster and less stressful for patients and their families, reducing waiting time after the final bill from hours to just 10 minutes. Together, they aim to scale from 10,000 to nearly 1 lakh discharges per month, helping patients return home sooner and ensuring a smoother end to the hospital journey.
“Healthcare delivery in India is scaling faster than the financial rails that support it,” said Sidak Singh, Co-founder of Care.fi. “When millions of claims move through fragmented systems, even small inefficiencies compound into real stress for hospitals and patients. We’re building Care.fi to be the underlying revenue infrastructure for insurance-led healthcare—one that brings speed, clarity, and trust to every discharge and every settlement. This capital lets us scale that infrastructure responsibly, in India and beyond.”
“At July Ventures, we back scalable, category-defining digital platforms,” said a spokesperson from July Ventures. “Carefi’s tech-led RCM platform tackles one of healthcare’s hardest problems, i.e. hospital cash-flow. By compressing billing cycles, improving collections, and unlocking working capital for providers, Carefi is building a future-proof digital infrastructure coupled with finance. The team’s depth, clarity of vision, and consistent execution further reinforced our conviction in backing them at this stage.”
Mohit Bhatnagar, Managing Director at Peak XV Partners, said,
“Getting discharged, with Insurance, from a large Indian hospital can be tedious and lengthy. Care.fi’s instant discharge solution demonstrates how innovation and trust come together to create world-class customer experiences.”
Care.fi’s long-term ambition is to become a global, end-to-end healthcare revenue cycle management platform, built from India for the world. By unifying documentation, claims, collections, and financing into a single intelligent system, the company aims to redefine how hospitals manage revenue while improving transparency and comfort for patients across insurance programs.
11, Feb 2026
Mukand Limited Receives Green Steel Certification, Reinforcing Commitment to Sustainable Manufacturing
Mumbai, Feb 11: Mukand Limited, a leading manufacturer of stainless steel long products and part of the Bajaj Group, has been awarded the prestigious Green Steel certification, marking a significant milestone in the company’s sustainability journey.
The certification, conferred by the National Institute of Secondary Steel Technology (NISST), recognises Mukand’s Black Bars with a 5-Star rating, and its Wire Rods and Bright Bars with a 4-Star rating. This accolade underscores Mukand Limited’s commitment to environmentally responsible manufacturing and its ongoing efforts to reduce its carbon footprint.
The independent audit, conducted by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) under the Government of India’s Green Steel Taxonomy, involved rigorous verification of Scope 1, 2, and 3 greenhouse gas emissions, plant energy consumption, and production data at the company’s Thane facility.
By integrating energy-efficient processes, responsible resource management, and sustainable production methods—including systematic monitoring of emissions and resource efficiency—the company actively contributes to the global transition toward greener industrial practices. During the reporting period, approximately 58% of the plant’s electricity requirement was met through renewable energy sources, supporting Mukand Limited’s strategy to progressively increase clean energy adoption and reduce lifecycle emissions. The company is also working towards transitioning to 100% renewable power through a hybrid solar–wind energy model, alongside a comprehensive energy efficiency program across the plant.
Green steel plays a critical role in enabling sustainable infrastructure and manufacturing. With this certification, Mukand Limited strengthens its position as a responsible industry leader, delivering high-quality steel solutions while minimizing environmental impact.
Commenting on the achievement, Mr. Neeraj Kant, Chief Executive Officer, Mukand Limited, said:
“Receiving the Green Steel certification is an important step in our sustainability roadmap. It reflects our long-term commitment to environmentally conscious manufacturing and our responsibility toward future generations. We will continue to invest in technologies and practices that support a cleaner and more sustainable future.”
Mukand Limited remains focused on advancing innovation, operational excellence, and sustainability across its operations, with continuous improvement initiatives aimed at further enhancing environmental performance and resource efficiency. The Green Steel certification reinforces the company’s dedication to supporting customers and partners in achieving their environmental goals while contributing to a more sustainable industrial ecosystem.
11, Feb 2026
Ritco Logistics Launches New Polypropylene Facility in Gujarat
Ritco Logistics strengthens Gujarat’s polymer corridor with new high-throughput Polypropylene facility in Kheda, Gujarat
Gurgaon, Feb 11: Ritco Logistics announces the commissioning of a cutting-edge 25,000 sq.ft. dedicated warehouse for polypropylene storage in Kheda, Gujarat, right on the high-stakes Mumbai-Delhi Highway. This isn’t just added capacity it is a precision-engineered response to the polymer industry’s zero-tolerance for delays, where throughput defines success.
Situated strategically on the Mumbai–Delhi Highway, the facility is designed to serve as a high-velocity node for one of India’s largest polypropylene manufacturers. The warehouse is covered with temperature-controlled facility ensuring protection from heat and weather variations. Out of 35,000 sq. ft. warehouse space 10,000 sq. ft. is empty & suitable for immediate operations. It is equipped with 12 loading and unloading docks for swift operations along with forklift services. 40-feet vehicles reduce the turn-around time. Highly trained and skilled manpower ensure accurate and damage-free handling. With modern compliance requirements, it ensures complete safety. 24 x 7 security and monitoring facilities adds to the safety layer. Parking facilities are designed to provide enough space and movement.
Dr. Rajesh M Mudaliar, Chief Business Officer at Ritco Logistics said,
“In logistics, especially for polymers, it’s all about flow—uninterrupted inbound, outbound, and everything in between. Our team has eliminated cross-congestion with smart layout design, maintaining pinpoint inventory accuracy across 10 active SKUs. Our in-house material handling equipment (MHE) and dedicated teams ensure zero downtime, while fire-proof construction, advanced sprinklers, and insulated roofing keep safety front and center. Capacity of this nature doesn’t need to announce itself loudly. In our business, success is measured by the silence of a seamless operation. This Kheda facility isn’t just about floor space; it’s about reshaping what a manufacturer can expect from their logistics partner in terms of speed and reliability.”
11, Feb 2026
Flipkart Bengaluru HQ Earns Platinum LEED Certification
Flipkart Group’s Bengaluru Headquarters Achieves Prestigious Platinum LEED Certification for Operations and Maintenance
Bengaluru, Feb 11: Flipkart, India’s homegrown e-commerce marketplace, has earned the Platinum certification under the LEED Operations and Maintenance: Interior (O+M) rating system for its headquarters at Embassy Tech Village, Bengaluru. Awarded by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), this globally recognized certification represents the highest level of LEED recognition for sustainable building operations.
The certification validates Flipkart’s rigorous, data-driven approach to energy efficiency, water stewardship, waste management, and indoor environmental quality, reflecting measurable reductions in emissions, energy consumption, and waste through targeted operational interventions. Notably, Myntra’s headquarters has also earned Platinum certification from the CII-IGBC, demonstrating the Group’s unified commitment to operational sustainability.
Nishant Gupta, Head of Sustainability, Flipkart Group, commented:
“Sustainability is reflected in the choices we make every day in how we operate, use energy, manage water, and handle waste. LEED Platinum certification for our headquarters validates the operational changes we have implemented to reduce our environmental footprint while creating a healthier, more efficient workplace. We see this achievement as both a responsibility and an opportunity to replicate proven best practices across Flipkart’s other offices and facilities.”
Peter Templeton, President and CEO, USGBC, added:
“LEED is a transformative tool that ensures buildings achieve high performance, improve human health, and protect the environment. By prioritizing sustainability, Flipkart is leading its industry and helping USGBC move toward our goal of green buildings for everyone within this generation.”
Key Operational Interventions & Impact
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Tech-Led Energy Efficiency: IoT-enabled air-conditioning systems dynamically adjust cooling based on occupancy, resulting in electricity savings of over 115,000 units in CY25 compared to CY24.
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Renewable Energy Integration: The headquarters sources green energy via the grid from a 100 MW solar power plant, supplemented by solar-powered lighting in common areas.
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Closed-Loop Water Systems: Nearly 60% of wastewater is recycled, supported by a 300 KL rainwater storage tank and low-flow fixtures.
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Zero-Waste to Landfill: Daily waste output reduced by 55%, from 900kg to 400kg, with 100% of remaining waste diverted from landfills through composting, recycling, and advanced processing.
Creating a Conscious Culture
Flipkart’s certification also recognizes initiatives to embed sustainability into employee behavior. Programs such as the ‘Trashy No More’ training module and dedicated infrastructure for EVs and cycling ensure employees actively participate in the company’s climate roadmap.
This LEED Platinum recognition reinforces Flipkart Group’s commitment to resource efficiency, low-carbon operations, and waste elimination, setting a benchmark for sustainable practices across India’s corporate ecosystem.
11, Feb 2026
Pilgrim Launches India’s First Vitamin C Serum Sunscreen SPF50
Mumbai, Feb 11: Pilgrim, a pioneer in skincare innovation, has launched its 5% Vitamin C Complex Brightening Serum Sunscreen SPF50+ PA++++, designed to meet the evolving needs of Indian consumers who seek high-efficacy, multi-functional products that seamlessly integrate into daily routines.
The new sunscreen combines advanced UV filters—Uvinul T 150, Uvinul A Plus, and Tinosorb S—with Pilgrim’s proprietary UVshield X™ Technology, offering broad-spectrum protection against UVA, UVB, and Blue Light. This formulation is tailored for modern lifestyles, helping prevent tanning, sun damage, pigmentation, and premature ageing while remaining photostable, ensuring long-lasting performance without oxidising or darkening on the skin.
Beyond sun protection, the hybrid formulation is enriched with 5% Vitamin C Complex, Niacinamide, and Glutathione, delivering visible skin benefits including brighter, more even-toned, and radiant skin over time. Its lightweight, serum-like texture absorbs quickly, feels non-greasy, and leaves no white cast, making it ideal for all skin tones and suitable for daily wear alone or under makeup.
Aligned with Pilgrim’s clean and conscious beauty philosophy, the sunscreen is skin-friendly, safe for all skin types—including sensitive skin—and free from potentially disruptive ingredients.
With this launch, Pilgrim continues to merge global skincare technology with Indian consumer needs, offering innovative, everyday solutions that combine efficacy, comfort, and multi-functional benefits.
11, Feb 2026
Supriya Lifescience Delivers Strong Q3 FY26 Results with 11% YoY Revenue Growth
New Delhi, Feb 11: Supriya Lifescience Ltd., a cGMP-compliant pharmaceutical company with a robust global presence across more than 120 countries, has announced its unaudited financial results for the third quarter of FY26. The company specializes in API manufacturing across diverse therapeutic segments, including anti-histamine, anti-allergic, vitamin, anaesthetic, and anti-asthmatic products.
Key Financial Highlights – Q3 FY26 (Consolidated)
| Particulars | Q3 FY26 | Q3 FY25 | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue (Rs Cr) | 206.44 | 185.65 | 11.2% |
| EBITDA (Rs Cr) | 72.08 | 65.96 | 9.3% |
| EBITDA Margin | 34.9% | 35.5% | -0.6% |
| PAT (Rs Cr) | 49.68 | 46.78 | 6.2% |
| PAT Margin | 24.1% | 25.2% | -1.1% |
| EPS (Rs) | 6.2 | 5.8 | 6.9% |
Business Highlights – Q3 FY26
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Revenue grew 11.2% year-on-year to Rs 206.44 crore, driven by strong demand in global markets.
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EBITDA stood at Rs 72.08 crore with a margin of 34.9%, while PAT reached Rs 49.68 crore with a margin of 24.1%.
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The anesthetic segment was the primary growth driver, contributing 54% of total revenues, up from 48% in 9M FY25. The vitamins segment also improved, increasing its contribution from 11% to 12%.
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Export markets continued to perform strongly, with Europe remaining the largest market (36% of revenues), followed by Asia (32%), Latin America (24%, up from 21%), and North America (6%, up from 3%).
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Capacity utilization improved to 76% in 9MFY26 from 70% in FY25, reflecting operational efficiency gains from the ramp-up of Module E at the Lote Parshuram facility.
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To support future growth, the company has acquired three land parcels near existing manufacturing facilities, strengthening its long-term expansion plans.
Commenting on the results, Mr. Satish Wagh, Executive Chairman and Whole-Time Director, Supriya Lifescience Ltd., said:
“Our performance this quarter reflects consistent execution and sustained profitability, supported by steady demand across key global markets. Exports continued to be a strong contributor, accounting for approximately 82% of revenues in Q3, with Europe forming a significant share of the business mix. Capacity utilization improved to around 76% during 9MFY26, aided by the ramp-up of Module E at our Lote Parshuram facility, enhancing operational efficiency and supply reliability. As we prepare for the commercial launch of our Ambernath formulation facility in Q4 FY26 and continue to deepen our presence in regulated markets through backward integration and new product introductions, we remain confident of driving stronger growth in the coming quarters.”
11, Feb 2026
Essensai067 Redefines Rooftop Celebrations with a Shaadi-Inspired Launch Event
Bengaluru, Feb 11: Essensai067 is set to redefine rooftop celebrations with “It’s Not A Shaadi”, a high-energy, culture-led evening marking the launch of its brand-new rooftop event venue. Taking place on 14th February, the immersive experience brings together the most loved elements of an Indian wedding – music, décor, food, fashion, and festive flair – without an actual wedding in sight.
Designed as a fresh, contemporary celebration, It’s Not A Shaadi invites guests to dress up, dance freely, indulge generously, and celebrate together – no rituals, no expectations, just pure shaadi-style joy. The event positions the Essensai067 rooftop as a lively, open-air destination built for large, experience-led gatherings that prioritise vibe over convention.
From sunset onwards, the rooftop transforms into a vibrant playground of gulabi hues, with pink florals, gajras, flowing fabric drapes, and warm ambient lighting setting the mood. Wedding-style installations receive a playful, modern twist – designed for movement, photos, and full-on celebration.
Music forms the heartbeat of the evening, with DJ Hasaan curating a DJ-led shaadi vibe set layered with high-energy Punjabi dhol moments. Guests can drop into a mehendi corner for minimal, modern motifs, accessorise with gajras, pagdis, and playful add-ons, and join the collective baraat moment where dhol beats collide with DJ drops. A paan corner, photo booths, and even a tarot reading station add to the playful spirit.
The evening is rounded out with a buffet-style food and beverage spread, featuring celebratory bites and free-flowing drinks throughout the night.
With It’s Not A Shaadi, Essensai067 introduces its rooftop as more than just a venue -it’s a destination for social, fun-loving audiences who want to celebrate together, dress up without pressure, and experience the joy of a shaadi without the obligations.
11, Feb 2026
Natuf Café Onboards Milind Soman as Cultural Ambassador to Champion Clean Levantine QSR Vision
EBG Group’s Natuf Café brings Milind Soman on board as cultural ambassador to drive its clean Levantine QSR vision through his fitness philosophy
Feb 11: EBG Group, a fast-growing multi-sector organisation with interests across Mobility, Health, Realty, Lifestyle, Food, Services, Technology, and Education, has announced the next phase of growth for its flagship food and beverage brand, Natuf Café, by appointing fitness icon, actor, and wellness advocate Milind Soman as its cultural and lifestyle ambassador. Known for his long-standing commitment to clean living, endurance, and mindful nutrition, Soman’s philosophy closely mirrors Natuf Café’s approach to Levantine cuisine rooted in Middle Eastern food traditions, where fresh ingredients, balanced flavours, and sustainable choices come together without compromise.
The association marks a significant milestone as Natuf Café accelerates its ambition to build one of India’s most progressive Levantine quick-service restaurant (QSR) chains, offering protein-rich, low-carb, low-fat, and low-sugar meals through a plastic-free, sustainability-first ecosystem. Positioned at the intersection of global flavours and mindful nutrition, Natuf Café is redefining how India consumes fast food. Together, Natuf Café and Milind Soman champion the belief that clean, nutritious eating is no longer niche or aspirational—but mainstream, accessible, and culturally relevant for today’s urban consumer.
As part of its expansion roadmap, Natuf Café will scale across corporate-owned outlets, franchise formats, cloud kitchens, and exclusive retail cafés, catering to India’s growing population of young, urban, and wellness-conscious consumers. The brand aims to establish over 100 outlets nationwide by the end of 2026, spanning both company-owned and exclusive partner locations.
Commenting on the association, Hari Kiran, Co-founder & COO, EBG Group, said,
“Milind Soman embodies the values we stand for at EBG—discipline, authenticity, and conscious living. Natuf Café is not just expanding as a QSR brand; it is building a movement around better food choices that respect people, the planet, and long-term well-being. Over the next year, EBG Group plans to invest between ₹35 lakh and ₹1.25 crore per outlet, supporting rapid retail development across key Indian cities.”
Amer Juneidi, Founder & Managing Director, Natuf, said,
“For me, Natuf has always been about sharing heritage, culture, and honest food. Partnering with Milind Soman feels natural because he represents integrity and mindful living. As we scale Levantine cuisine across India, we remain committed to authenticity, nutrition, and sustainability in every meal.”
Speaking on the partnership, Milind Soman said,
“What attracted me to Natuf Café is its simplicity and honesty. The food is rooted in tradition, naturally nutritious, and aligned with how people want to eat today—without excess or compromise. I’m glad to associate with a brand that is making healthy, sustainable food part of everyday life.”
Natuf Café differentiates itself from conventional QSR brands by offering wholesome Levantine-inspired meals that balance bold global flavours with nutrition and wellness. From colourful hummus bowls and protein-packed wraps to fresh, low-sugar offerings, each outlet operates with a plastic-free supply chain, reinforcing EBG Group’s People–Planet–Profit philosophy.
