26, Sep 2026
Decathlon Launches Kiprun, Powered by 17 New High-Performance Running Shoes: Built for every runner’s journey
September 26, 2026: Decathlon Sports India today brought its running community even closer together with the launch of the new collection from KIPRUN, Decathlon’s expert running sub-brand. Designed for every runner who chases the joy of movement, not just the miles, the lineup features highly technical products engineered specifically for running as a sport. It spans high-performance apparel, essential accessories, targeted nutrition, and post-run recovery gear.
Anchoring the collection are the 17 new high performance running shoes for men and women—highlighted by the race-proven KIPRUN Elite, the speed-focused KIPSTORM ELITE 2, and the ultra-cushioned KIPRIDE MAX. Engineered to adapt to every stride, terrain and milestone, KIPRUN supports the daily rhythm of every runner, delivering the comfort, performance and confidence needed to make every run feel complete.
Collection at a Glance: Key Highlights
Key Highlights of the Collection:
● KIPRUN Elite: Engineered for elite-level marathon efficiency and unmatched comfort. Developed by studying how real runners move and rigorous athlete testing. Built for the Olympic stage, Kiprun Elite shoes were worn by Jimmy Gressier, a French elite long-distance runner, during his European Half Marathon championship victory.
● KIPSTORM ELITE 2: Built for intermediate to expert, performance-focused runners, featuring FASTECH+ Foam and an optimized carbon plate engineered for maximum race-day power and energy return.
● KIPRIDE MAX 3 / KIPRIDE MAX: Engineered to deliver the most cushioned and comfortable ride ever created by the brand. Features ultra-soft SOFTECH+ Foam, high-stack cushioning, a premium upper and exceptional shock absorption for runners prioritizing comfort and protection over long distances.
● KIPRIDE 2: Designed for everyday training, combining FASTECH Foam with a cushioned, responsive ride for consistent daily performance.
● KIPRIDE GRAVEL: Crafted for off-road and mixed-terrain running, equipped with FASTECH Foam, 3 mm lugs, and hybrid grip for reliable traction on gravel and trail surfaces.
● 17 High-Performance running shoes: Introduces advanced technologies tailored to specific biomechanical and training needs.
● 35 Total Styles & Colorways: Offers a perfect pair for every pace, person, and personal best.
Mr. Bruno Araujo, Country Sports Leader- Running, Decathlon Sports India says, “As running across India becomes an integral part of daily health and community culture, performance remains at the heart of KIPRUN by Decathlon. Every innovation in this collection is purposefully engineered to elevate the runner’s journey, whether for personal fitness or race-day goals. Combining our latest foam tech for softer landings, smart shoe shapes, and carbon-plates for that extra race-day bounce from the race-focused KIPSTORM ELITE 2 to the plush KIPRIDE MAX 3, we are proud to deliver high-performance technology that makes running accessible to all, reinforcing Decathlon’s commitment to enhancing the wellbeing of every individual.”
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- By Neel Achary
26, Sep 2026
Bhakta Charan Das Falls Ill During Protest, Hospitalised in Bhubaneswar
Bhubaneswar, Sept. 26 (UDN): Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) president Bhakta Charan Das was hospitalised after falling ill during the party’s protest outside the Chief Electoral Officer’s office in Bhubaneswar on Friday.
Representational Image
Das, who had reportedly been suffering from a fever-related illness for the past several days, participated in the protest despite not having taken adequate rest due to his engagements in various party programmes. He was later taken to a private hospital for medical evaluation and treatment.
According to reports, medical examination found elevated blood pressure and blood sugar levels, along with low oxygen saturation. Doctors have advised him to remain under treatment and take rest for about a week.
The OPCC president had led a protest march from the Additional District Magistrate’s office towards the Odisha CEO’s office, as part of the Congress’s nationwide agitation seeking the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Congress leaders and workers carrying banners and placards participated in the demonstration. Police stopped the protesters from proceeding towards the CEO’s office, and several party leaders and workers, including Das, were detained during the agitation.
The protest was organised by the Congress over its concerns regarding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and other issues concerning the functioning of the Election Commission. The Congress has alleged irregularities in the electoral process, while the Election Commission has rejected suggestions of disagreement among its members over decisions relating to the SIR exercise.
Following the protest, Das was shifted to hospital in an ambulance for medical attention. Party workers and leaders have wished the OPCC chief a speedy recovery.
26, Sep 2026
Manas Sahoo Pays Golden Tribute to Asian Games Champions Suruchi, Kamaljeet
Puri, Sept. 26 (UDN): Renowned sand artist Manas Kumar Sahoo has celebrated India’s latest Asian Games triumph with a special sand animation dedicated to shooters Suruchi Inder Singh and Kamaljeet.
The artwork, created at Sahoo’s studio in Puri, commemorates the duo’s gold-medal-winning performance in the 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team event at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.
The sand animation carries a congratulatory message for the champions: “Congratulations champion! Suruchi & Kamaljeet! We are proud of you.”
Sahoo completed the artwork in about an hour, using his distinctive sand-art style to honour the achievement of the Indian shooters.
Expressing his admiration for the duo, Sahoo said their success has brought pride to the country and would serve as an inspiration for aspiring sportspersons across India.
Suruchi and Kamaljeet produced a remarkable performance in the final, registering 484.6 points to clinch the gold medal while also setting a new Asian record in the event.
The Republic of Korea’s Choo Gaeun and Hong Suhyeon secured the silver medal with 478.0 points.
Following the victory, Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the Indian pair, praising their performance and contribution to India’s campaign at the Asian Games.
Through his latest creation, Sahoo has once again used the medium of sand to celebrate a major sporting achievement and salute India’s champions on the international stage.
26, Sep 2026
Hirakud Dam Opens Three More Gates as Mahanadi Flow Rises; Indravati Gates Closed
Bhubaneswar, Sept. 26 (UDN): Authorities at Hirakud Dam have opened three additional gates following a rise in water flow in the Mahanadi river, bringing the total number of open gates to eight.
Representational Image
Of the eight gates currently releasing water, five are located on the left side of the dam and three on the right. The reservoir water level was recorded at 629.56 feet.
Officials said the decision to increase the number of open gates was taken after assessing the reservoir level and the inflow from the upper catchment areas. With additional water being released, authorities are keeping a close watch on the situation downstream of the Mahanadi.
Residents in riverside and low-lying areas have been advised to remain vigilant and closely follow official updates on river levels and any further instructions issued by the administration.
Meanwhile, all three gates of the Indravati reservoir have been closed. However, one gate of the Muran dam continues to remain open to facilitate the discharge of water.
Authorities are continuing to monitor inflows, reservoir levels and downstream conditions as water movement in the Mahanadi system remains under observation.
26, Sep 2026
Bank Strike and Everyday Life: What Customers Need to Know as Branch Services Face Disruption
A bank strike may begin with a dispute over working conditions, but its effects can quickly reach far beyond the banking sector.
For millions of Indians, banks are part of everyday life. Salaries are credited into accounts, businesses deposit collections, families withdraw cash, cheques are processed, loans are serviced and government payments move through the banking system. When employees at bank branches stop work, even temporarily, these routine activities can face delays.
The proposed bank strike from September 28 to 30, 2026, therefore comes at a particularly important time for customers and businesses, with the end of the month and half-yearly financial closing approaching.
The immediate impact, however, is unlikely to be the same for everyone.
For customers who increasingly use UPI, mobile banking, internet banking and cards, much of everyday banking can continue digitally. For people who depend on physical branches, the disruption could be considerably more visible.
Why the Bank Strike Matters
The strike has been called by bank employee unions in connection with demands including the implementation of a five-day banking week.
While the dispute concerns employees and the organisation of banking services, customers are ultimately concerned with one question:
Will I be able to access my money and complete my banking work?
The answer depends largely on the type of transaction.
Digital payments and many automated banking services can continue operating even when employees are away from branches. Transactions requiring direct intervention by bank staff, however, may have to wait until normal operations resume.
That distinction is becoming increasingly important as India’s banking system moves from branch-based banking towards a hybrid model combining physical and digital services.
Branch Banking Could Take the Biggest Hit
The most visible disruption is likely to occur at bank branches.
Customers requiring services such as cash transactions at counters, account documentation, certain loan-related activities, demand drafts, locker access and other employee-assisted services may have to postpone their work.
For someone who simply wants to make a UPI payment, the strike may have little immediate impact.
For a small trader who needs to deposit a large amount of cash at a branch, the situation is very different.
This creates an uneven impact across different sections of society.
UPI and Mobile Banking Offer a Safety Net
India’s digital payment infrastructure has significantly changed the way bank disruptions affect ordinary consumers.
UPI has become an everyday payment method for everything from groceries and restaurant bills to utility payments and person-to-person transfers.
Mobile and internet banking also allow customers to transfer funds, check balances, pay bills and manage many banking requirements without visiting a branch.
As a result, a branch strike does not necessarily mean that banking activity across the country stops.
However, digital banking has its limits.
A mobile application cannot replace every service traditionally delivered by a branch. Documentation, certain account requests, physical instruments and some customer-service requirements may still depend on bank employees.
ATMs May Continue, But Cash Availability Matters
ATMs are another important part of the equation.
Customers can generally continue to use ATMs during periods when bank branches are closed. But ATM availability does not automatically guarantee unlimited access to cash.
Cash machines need to be replenished, particularly in locations where demand is high.
If large numbers of customers withdraw cash simultaneously because of concerns about a strike, some machines could experience temporary shortages.
For this reason, customers who genuinely require cash for essential expenses may want to plan ahead rather than wait until the last minute.
At the same time, unnecessary panic withdrawals can create avoidable pressure on the cash distribution system.
Small Businesses Could Feel the Impact
The effect on businesses could be more significant than on individual consumers.
Small retailers, wholesalers, restaurants, traders and other cash-intensive businesses often depend on regular bank deposits and branch-level services.
A delay in depositing cash can affect working capital. Delays in cheque processing can affect supplier payments. Documentation-related delays can affect business transactions.
For companies approaching month-end financial closing, even relatively short disruptions can require additional planning.
Businesses that have time-sensitive banking requirements should therefore avoid leaving important branch transactions until the final day.
Cheques Could Face Delays
Although digital payments dominate many transactions, cheques remain relevant to businesses, institutions and some individual customers.
A bank strike can create delays in activities connected with cheque processing, particularly where physical or employee-assisted operations are involved.
Customers expecting a payment to clear by a particular date should therefore take the banking calendar into account.
Where an electronic alternative is appropriate and available, businesses may choose to use it instead.
Senior Citizens and Branch-Dependent Customers
The digital transformation of banking has created enormous convenience, but not everyone interacts with banks in the same way.
Many senior citizens continue to prefer branch banking because they value face-to-face assistance.
Customers who are less comfortable with mobile applications, internet banking or digital payment platforms may have fewer alternatives during a branch closure.
The same can apply to customers in areas where digital connectivity is inconsistent.
This means that the impact of a bank strike is not simply a question of technology. It is also a question of accessibility.
Rural Areas Could Face Different Challenges
Urban customers generally have access to multiple digital payment options and a large network of ATMs and bank branches.
The situation can be different in rural and semi-urban areas.
A customer who depends on a nearby bank branch or banking correspondent may have fewer alternatives if physical services are disrupted.
Digital banking can bridge part of this gap, but reliable internet connectivity, smartphone access and digital familiarity remain important factors.
Government Transactions and Institutional Payments
Banks are also critical to government transactions, salaries, pensions and other institutional payments.
When a strike occurs around the end of a month, government departments and other institutions may need to plan transactions earlier to avoid unnecessary delays.
The same principle applies to businesses.
Instead of waiting for a payment deadline that falls during a period of disruption, organisations can process eligible transactions in advance.
This is particularly relevant during financial closing periods, when banks handle large volumes of reconciliation and settlement-related activity.
What Customers Should Do
Customers do not need to panic about a bank strike, but some advance planning can prevent unnecessary inconvenience.
Complete branch work early
If you need a service that requires physical interaction with bank staff, try to complete it before the strike begins.
Keep digital banking ready
Make sure your mobile banking and internet banking credentials are working and that your registered mobile number is active.
Use UPI for routine payments
Where appropriate, UPI and other electronic payment methods can help maintain normal household and business transactions.
Plan essential cash requirements
If you require cash for unavoidable expenses, plan your withdrawal in advance rather than waiting until demand rises.
Don’t delay important cheques
Time-sensitive cheque transactions should be planned around the strike period.
Check your bank’s own advisory
Not every banking service is affected in exactly the same way. Customers should follow communications issued by their individual bank.
Will Normal Life Stop?
Probably not.
That is one of the most important distinctions between a modern bank strike and a banking shutdown.
India’s financial system now has multiple layers.
There are physical branches, ATMs, UPI, cards, mobile banking, internet banking, banking correspondents and automated transaction systems.
Because of this infrastructure, many routine financial activities can continue even when branch employees are not working.
But the disruption will still be real for people whose transactions depend on physical banking.
The strike therefore creates friction rather than a complete halt.
The Digital Divide Becomes Visible
There is a broader lesson in the situation.
India’s rapid digitalisation has made the economy more resilient to interruptions in physical banking services. At the same time, it has highlighted the gap between customers who can comfortably operate digitally and those who still depend on traditional banking.
The future of banking is increasingly digital, but physical branches continue to perform functions that cannot simply disappear overnight.
The challenge for banks is therefore not choosing between digital and physical banking.
It is maintaining reliable access to both.
Why the Timing Is Important
The proposed strike falls close to the end of September and the half-yearly financial closing period.
For banks, businesses and financial institutions, this is an important operational window.
Transactions, reconciliations, settlements, accounting processes and other financial activities may need careful scheduling.
For ordinary customers, the simplest lesson is equally practical:
If something important requires a bank employee, don’t wait until the last possible day.
The Changing Meaning of a “Bank Holiday”
A generation ago, a bank holiday could mean a much broader interruption to financial activity.
Today, the meaning has changed.
A customer may find the local branch closed while simultaneously completing a UPI transaction, paying a bill through an app and transferring money through internet banking.
The physical bank may be unavailable, but the digital banking system continues to operate.
That transformation has fundamentally changed how India experiences bank disruptions.
The Bottom Line
A bank union strike can inconvenience normal life, but its impact is likely to vary sharply depending on how people use banking services.
Digital-first customers may be able to carry on with many routine transactions, while customers and businesses dependent on physical branches could face delays.
Small businesses, cash-dependent establishments, senior citizens and customers requiring documentation or employee-assisted services may need more advance planning.
The best response is not panic but preparation.
Complete important branch work before the strike, keep digital payment options available, plan essential cash requirements and allow additional time for transactions that could face delays.
The episode also highlights a larger transformation in India’s financial system: banking is no longer confined to a branch, but the branch remains important for millions of customers.
And until digital services can provide every banking function seamlessly, a bank strike will continue to have an impact—not necessarily by stopping the economy, but by slowing down the parts of everyday financial life that still depend on human interaction.
26, Sep 2026
The Sunday Sleep Trap: Why One Long Sleep Isn’t Enough
For millions of people, Sunday morning feels like the one opportunity to catch up.
The alarm is switched off. The workweek is over. There is nowhere to rush. So the body gets what it appears to have been asking for all week: a few extra hours in bed.
Sleeping until 10 a.m., 11 a.m. or even noon can feel wonderfully restorative after several nights of late work, early mornings, long commutes and endless screen time.
But there is a catch.
One long Sunday sleep may help you feel less tired, but it cannot completely undo a week of inadequate sleep.
Sleep recovery is more complicated than simply adding up the hours lost during the week and trying to repay them in one weekend.
The Weekend Recovery Myth
Consider a common routine.
Monday to Friday, a person sleeps around five or six hours a night. By Friday, they are tired, irritable and struggling to concentrate. Saturday night becomes an opportunity to sleep longer, followed by an even longer Sunday morning.
It feels like recovery.
And in one sense, it is. Additional sleep can reduce sleepiness and provide the body with more time for recovery.
But researchers have found that weekend catch-up sleep does not necessarily reverse all of the effects associated with repeated sleep restriction.
That distinction matters.
Feeling better is not necessarily the same as being fully recovered.
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends that adults regularly obtain at least seven hours of sleep per night to support health and daytime alertness.
The goal, therefore, isn’t to build a sleep deficit during the week and settle the account on Sunday.
It is to avoid accumulating that deficit in the first place.
Your Body Doesn’t Have a “Reset” Button
One of the biggest misconceptions about sleep is that the body can simply compensate for lost hours whenever convenient.
It doesn’t work quite that way.
Sleep influences a wide range of biological processes, including brain function, metabolism, hormonal regulation, immune activity and cardiovascular health.
When insufficient sleep becomes a repeated pattern, the consequences can extend beyond feeling sleepy at work.
Research has linked habitual inadequate sleep with a range of health risks, although the relationship between sleep and individual health outcomes is complex and influenced by many other factors.
This is why occasional sleep loss should not be confused with chronic sleep deprivation.
A late night before an important presentation is one thing.
Getting five or six hours of sleep almost every night for months is something else entirely.
Why Sunday Can Create Another Problem
There is another side to the Sunday sleep trap.
Suppose your normal weekday schedule requires you to wake at 6:30 a.m. But after a tiring week, you sleep until noon on Sunday.
You have gained several hours of sleep.
However, Sunday evening may bring an unexpected consequence: you are no longer sleepy at your usual bedtime.
You stay awake scrolling through your phone, watching television or working late.
Monday morning arrives.
The alarm rings at 6:30.
You feel exhausted again.
The cycle starts over.
This is one reason sleep experts emphasize not only sleep duration but also regularity and timing.
Your internal biological clock responds to patterns. Large swings between weekday and weekend sleep schedules can make it harder for some people to maintain a consistent rhythm.
Catch-Up Sleep Isn’t Completely Useless
It is important not to turn this into another sleep myth.
Sleeping longer after a period of insufficient sleep isn’t necessarily bad.
If you have had a particularly short night, additional sleep can help reduce sleepiness. People recovering from accumulated sleep loss may also need extra sleep.
The problem is relying on this strategy as a permanent solution.
Think of it this way:
A weekend recovery sleep can be part of recovery. It shouldn’t become the entire recovery plan.
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health notes that after several days of insufficient sleep, recovery can require several nights of good-quality sleep.
That is very different from assuming that one extended Sunday morning completely resets the body.
The Real Cost of a Week of Poor Sleep
Sleep deprivation doesn’t always announce itself dramatically.
Sometimes it appears as small changes:
- Losing concentration during meetings
- Making avoidable mistakes
- Forgetting small details
- Becoming impatient more easily
- Needing multiple cups of coffee
- Struggling to stay alert in the afternoon
- Finding it harder to make decisions
- Feeling unmotivated or mentally drained
For professionals, entrepreneurs, students and people working long hours, these effects can have practical consequences.
A tired employee may spend more time completing a task.
A sleep-deprived driver faces reduced alertness.
A business leader making important decisions may be operating with less-than-optimal attention.
The issue isn’t simply whether you can stay awake.
It is whether your brain and body are functioning at their best.
Seven Hours Is a Starting Point, Not a Competition
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends that healthy adults regularly obtain seven or more hours of sleep per night.
But sleep requirements are not identical for everyone.
Age, lifestyle, health, activity levels and individual biology can influence how much sleep a person needs.
The important point is consistency.
Someone who needs eight hours cannot necessarily function optimally on six hours during the week simply because they sleep ten hours on Sunday.
Likewise, spending an excessive amount of time in bed does not automatically guarantee high-quality sleep.
Sleep quality matters as much as quantity.
What About Sleeping Until Noon?
Sleeping until noon occasionally is not automatically a health problem.
There may be perfectly reasonable explanations: travel, an unusually demanding week, illness, social commitments or a temporary disruption to the normal routine.
The concern arises when sleeping until noon every Sunday becomes necessary just to feel functional.
That could be a sign that the weekday sleep schedule is not providing enough rest.
If someone regularly sleeps for long periods but still feels exhausted during the day, the problem may also involve sleep quality or an underlying sleep disorder.
Persistent symptoms deserve professional attention rather than simply adding more weekend sleep.
The Better Weekend Approach
The answer isn’t to eliminate weekend relaxation.
Instead, rethink what the weekend is for.
Rather than using Sunday as a sleep rescue mission, use it as an opportunity to reinforce a healthier routine.
Protect your weekday sleep
Don’t wait until Friday to think about recovery.
If work requires an early start, set a realistic bedtime that provides enough opportunity for sleep.
Keep weekend timings reasonably consistent
You don’t need to wake at precisely the same minute every day.
But a huge difference between weekday and weekend wake times may make it harder to maintain a stable sleep-wake rhythm.
Use extra sleep strategically
If you are genuinely sleep-deprived, allowing yourself some additional sleep can be helpful.
Just don’t assume that sleeping half the day every Sunday compensates for chronic sleep restriction.
Reduce late-night stimulation
Phones, streaming platforms, work emails and social media can easily push bedtime later.
The problem often isn’t that people don’t have enough time to sleep.
It is that sleep keeps getting postponed.
Look for the underlying problem
If you repeatedly sacrifice sleep because of work, caregiving, commuting, entertainment or other commitments, the long-term solution is to address that pattern.
Weekend sleep cannot solve a schedule that is fundamentally incompatible with adequate rest.
The Sunday Night Test
There is a simple question worth asking:
After sleeping late on Sunday, can you still fall asleep comfortably at your normal bedtime?
If the answer is regularly “no,” your weekend sleep schedule may be pushing your biological clock later.
And if Monday morning consistently feels like a shock to the system, the solution may not be another Sunday lie-in.
It may be a more consistent sleep schedule across the entire week.
When Sleep Problems Need Attention
Occasional tiredness is normal.
Persistent sleep problems are different.
If you regularly experience difficulty falling asleep, frequent nighttime awakenings, loud snoring, gasping or choking during sleep, excessive daytime sleepiness or consistently unrefreshing sleep, it is worth discussing the problem with a healthcare professional.
Simply sleeping longer on weekends may not address the underlying cause.
The Bigger Lesson
Modern life encourages people to treat sleep as flexible.
Work runs late.
Phones stay beside the bed.
Streaming platforms make “one more episode” easy.
Emails arrive around the clock.
Social commitments stretch into the night.
And then Sunday becomes the day when the body is expected to recover from everything that happened during the previous six days.
But sleep isn’t a luxury that can always be postponed and repaid later.
The body needs regular opportunities to rest.
A longer Sunday sleep can certainly feel good. It can help reduce sleepiness after a difficult week. But it should not become a substitute for adequate sleep on the other six days.
The goal isn’t to become someone who never sleeps late.
The goal is to become someone who doesn’t need Sunday to recover from Monday through Saturday.
The Bottom Line
Sunday sleep can help—but it isn’t a reset button.
If poor sleep has become a weekly pattern, the most effective change is likely to come from improving the entire sleep routine rather than relying on one long weekend morning.
Sleep more consistently. Protect your bedtime. Keep your schedule reasonably stable. And treat rest as part of your daily health—not as something to catch up on once a week.
Because the best Sunday recovery plan is not needing to recover from the whole week.
Health Disclaimer: This article is intended for general health and wellness information. It does not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Persistent sleep difficulties or excessive daytime sleepiness should be discussed with a qualified healthcare professional.
26, Sep 2026
Kia India Brings ‘Kia Vibe Studio’ to Chennai for HYBE INDIA’s ‘Final Call’ Auditions, Celebrating Creativity and Youth Culture
26, Sep 2026
Paradip Becomes East Coast’s First Mega Port Under Indian Ports Act, 2025
Bhubaneswar, Sept. 26 (UDN): Paradip Port in Odisha has been officially granted the status of a ‘Mega Port’ by the Union Government under the provisions of the Indian Ports Act, 2025, marking a significant milestone for India’s maritime sector.
Representational Image
The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways issued the notification on Friday after the port fulfilled the structural and operational benchmarks laid down under Section 73 of the Act.
With this recognition, Paradip has become the only port on India’s eastern coast to receive the Mega Port designation. It joins three other ports across the country—Deendayal Port (Kandla) and Mundra Port in Gujarat, and Jawaharlal Nehru Port (Nhava Sheva) in Maharashtra.
Located in Odisha’s Jagatsinghpur district, Paradip Port plays a pivotal role in handling cargo for eastern and central India. The port manages substantial volumes of coal, iron ore, fertilizers and crude oil, making it one of the country’s most important maritime trade gateways.
The new designation is expected to accelerate infrastructure expansion, improve operational efficiency and strengthen maritime connectivity. It is also likely to enhance the port’s capacity to handle growing cargo volumes while supporting industrial and trade activities across the region.
The recognition reinforces Paradip Port’s strategic importance in India’s port-led development initiative and positions it for greater investment and modernization in the years ahead.
26, Sep 2026
THE FUTURE OF CPG LAUNCHES ISN’T ANOTHER FLAVOR — IT’S FANDOM
THE FUTURE OF CPG LAUNCHES ISN’T ANOTHER FLAVOR — IT’S FANDOM: BELLIWELLI BRINGS ITS BRAND-BUILDING PLAYBOOK TO 3,120 WALMART STORES
Walmart’s fastest-growing fiber brand pairs its biggest endcap rollout to date with 8 winners, $64K in cash prizes and a limited 8 Other Reasons collaboration inspired by fashion’s drop-culture playbook
LOS ANGELES, Calif. — September 25, 2026 — Fiber is having a moment — and BelliWelli is taking the community-first playbook that built the brand to its biggest retail stage yet.
The digestive wellness brand known for turning “Hot Girls Have IBS” into a cultural conversation is already sold in every Walmart store nationwide — and is now scaling its in-store presence even further
with its biggest Walmart endcap to date, featured in 3,120 stores across the country by September 26.
Rather than treating the investment as simply another retail expansion, BelliWelli is building a broader consumer activation around it designed to turn a major Walmart moment into participation.
Beginning September 21, BelliWelli launched a sweepstakes giving eight people the chance to win $8,000 each, with every prize package also including a limited BelliWelli x 8 Other Reasons charm
created for the campaign. And yes, the “8” is intentional.
BelliWelli partnered with accessories brand 8 Other Reasons for the activation, leaning into the collaboration with eight winners, $8,000 each and eight limited charm designs. The partnership adds
scarcity, collectibility and cultural relevance to the activation, but the bigger story is BelliWelli’s investment in bringing its community-first brand-building strategy to mass retail at unprecedented scale.
BelliWelli co-founder Katie Wilson with the brand’s dedicated Walmart endcap, part of BelliWelli’s biggest Walmart endcap program to date across 3,120 locations nationwide.
FROM COMMUNITY TO FANDOM TO RETAIL GROWTH
The activation is the latest evolution of a playbook BelliWelli has been building from the beginning: take a category that traditionally felt clinical, functional — and sometimes taboo — and find unexpected ways to put it directly into culture.
From its viral “Hot Girls Have IBS” billboard to “belli-bomb” social moments with Spencer Pratt, Bethenny Frankel, Jojo Siwa and Kelly Osbourne, BelliWelli has consistently looked for ways to make digestivewellness something consumers actually want to talk about, participate in and share. That community-first approach has increasingly become a growth strategy. Led by co-founders Katie
Wilson, Nick Wilson and Tyson Woeste, BelliWelli has focused on building enough affinity around the brand that consumers want to participate in what it does next, rather than simply competing for attention
with another flavor or SKU. The 3,120-store endcap program represents BelliWelli’s largest physical expression of that community-first strategy to date.
“Our mission hasn’t changed; the machine around it has,” said Katie Wilson, co-founder of BelliWelli. “We’ve always wanted to normalize taking fiber, destigmatize digestive health and make the category
something people actually want to engage with. Now we have the opportunity to take that same community-first approach and bring it to consumers at Walmart scale.”
FIBER IS HAVING ITS CULTURAL MOMENT
The Walmart expansion arrives as “fibermaxxing” has pushed fiber further into the broader wellness conversation, reflecting growing consumer interest in getting more fiber into everyday routines.
For Wilson, the opportunity is bigger than a single trend. It is about bringing the energy, creativity and cultural relevance of modern consumer brands to a category that has historically been marketed primarily
around function and need.
“Fiber is finally having its moment, but we believe there is still enormous white space in how this category shows up for consumers,” said Wilson. “We’re not interested in simply launching another flavor and
hoping people pay attention. We want to build real affinity around fiber — making it approachable, fun and culturally relevant enough that consumers want to participate in the brand itself.”
The 8 Other Reasons collaboration is one expression of that strategy. By borrowing elements from fashion’s drop-culture playbook — collaboration, scarcity, collectibility and anticipation — BelliWelli is
creating another entry point into a category consumers may not traditionally associate with fandom. BelliWelli pairs its fiber gummies and powders with a limited BelliWelli x 8 Other Reasons charm collaboration, bringing elements of fashion’s drop-culture playbook to digestive wellness.
THE STRATEGY IS TRANSLATING INTO WALMART MOMENTUM
Behind the cultural strategy is meaningful retail momentum. BelliWelli is currently Walmart’s fastest-growing fiber brand, based on the latest 13-week POS data ending July 11, 2026. Already sold in
every Walmart store nationwide, the brand is now receiving expanded in-store visibility through its biggest Walmart endcap program to date, with dedicated endcaps featured in 3,120 locations.
BelliWelli is also reaching consumers who are new to the category, with 77.6% of its shoppers having never purchased fiber before during the latest 12-month period ending December 31, 2025.
For BelliWelli, that signals an opportunity beyond winning share among existing fiber shoppers. The brand is investing in making fiber relevant and accessible to consumers who may not previously have
considered themselves part of the category — and Walmart gives BelliWelli the ability to take that strategy to mass-retail scale.
Across 3,120 stores nationwide, the endcap program brings BelliWelli’s fiber gummies and powders into a highly visible physical retail moment while the accompanying activation gives consumers a reason to engage with the brand beyond the shelf.
8 WINNERS. $8K EACH. 8 LIMITED CHARMS.
The primary marketed consumer journey is simple: shoppers can purchase an eligible BelliWelli product at Walmart or Walmart.com, upload a qualifying receipt at www.belliwelli8otherreasonssweeps.com and participate for a chance to win. No purchase is necessary, and a free alternative method of entry is available as detailed in the Official Rules.
The BelliWelli x 8 Other Reasons collaboration features eight limited charm designs created for the campaign, with sweepstakes winners receiving one charm alongside an $8,000 cash prize.
Each of the eight prize packages includes $8,000 plus one BelliWelli x 8 Other Reasons charm, with an approximate retail value of $8,050 per prize and approximately $64,400 in total prizes, subject to the Official Rules. The BelliWelli x 8 Other Reasons charm will initially be available exclusively to sweepstakes winners, giving consumers the chance to access a limited campaign collectible before the charm collection becomes available for purchase at 8OtherReasons.com beginning October 27.
The sweepstakes began at 12:00 p.m. ET on September 21, 2026 and ends at 11:59 p.m. ET on October 31, 2026.
Eligible BelliWelli products are available at participating Walmart stores and Walmart.com. For complete eligibility, entry methods, prize details, odds, restrictions and the free alternative method of entry, visit www.belliwelli8otherreasonssweeps.com.
25, Sep 2026
Rapido Launches Ownly in Hyderabad, Celebrates the City’s Captains with a Biryani Party
September 25, 2026: Known for its biryani houses, Irani cafés and late-night kitchens, Hyderabad is one of India’s most food-loving cities. Mobility platform Rapido today announced the launch of Ownly, its standalone food delivery app, in Hyderabad, the brand’s second city after Bengaluru, where it first launched earlier this year. With Ownly now live across the city, Hyderabad becomes the newest home for the platform’s zero-commission, price-honest approach to food delivery.
At the heart of Ownly’s proposition is its zero-commission model, under which restaurants pay no fees and customers are charged only an honest delivery fee that reflects the actual cost of getting food to their door.
Speaking at the launch, Aravind Sanka, Co – Founder, Rapido and Ownly said: “Hyderabad is one of the most passionate food cities in the country, especially when it comes to biryani; and that makes it a natural next home for Ownly. Our model is simple: restaurants keep what they earn, customers pay only for their food and delivery, and nobody pays for anything in between. Bengaluru showed us that people respond to honesty in pricing, and we expect Hyderabad to hold us to it just as closely. It felt right to begin here with our captains, because they are the ones who carry this promise to every doorstep in the city.”
