9, Sep 2026
Honasa Consumer Limited Elevates Nishchay Bahl as Chief Business Officer – Offline
Gurugram, Sep 09: Honasa Consumer Limited, India’s beauty and personal care company, today announced the elevation of Nishchay Bahl to Chief Business Officer – Offline. In his new role, Bahl will lead the company’s offline business across General Trade, Modern Trade and other channels, with a mandate to accelerate growth, expand distribution and strengthen the presence of Honasa’s brands across markets and categories.
Bahl takes on the role after serving as Senior Vice President – Offline Revenue for close to three years, where he played a key role in scaling Honasa’s offline presence, strengthening relationships with trade partners and expanding distribution across markets. He has also been closely involved in Project Neev, an initiative focused on strengthening Honasa’s General Trade business through sharper market execution, stronger partner engagement and a renewed focus on distribution.
Commenting on the elevation, Varun Alagh, Co-founder & CEO, Honasa Consumer Limited, said,
“At Honasa, we believe in building leaders from within and giving people the opportunity to grow with the business. Nishchay has demonstrated strong leadership in transforming and scaling our offline business, while building the capabilities and partnerships required to support the next phase of growth. His ability to combine strategic thinking with strong execution, along with his understanding of our brands, consumers and trade ecosystem, has been instrumental in this journey. As we look to further strengthen our offline presence and scale our brands across India, I am confident that Nishchay will continue to create meaningful impact in this larger role.”
Speaking on his elevation, Nishchay Bahl, Chief Business Officer – Offline, Honasa Consumer Limited, said,
“The last three years have been an exciting and transformative phase for Honasa’s offline business. We have worked closely with our teams and partners to strengthen the fundamentals of General Trade and Modern Trade, rebuild our distribution network and create a stronger foundation for growth. Project Neev has been an important part of this journey, helping us strengthen our partnerships and build a stronger General Trade base. Going forward, our focus will be on building on these foundations to gain share across categories, strengthen our distribution footprint and improve the availability and visibility of our brands across markets. With our brands reaching consumers across the country, there is an opportunity to deepen our presence in priority markets, improve outlet productivity and strengthen our positions across General Trade, Modern Trade and other channels. I look forward to working with our teams and partners to translate this opportunity into sustained, profitable growth.”
Bahl brings over 17 years of experience across FMCG and consumer businesses, with expertise spanning sales, commercial strategy, go-to-market execution, General Trade, Modern Trade, eCommerce and business development. Prior to joining Honasa, he served as Chief Business Officer – Offline at The Good Glamm Group. Earlier, at Reckitt, he served as E-commerce Director – South Asia, leading the company’s eCommerce agenda across the region. He has also held leadership positions at Reckitt and Britannia Industries, managing multiple channels across diverse consumer categories, including General Trade, Modern Trade, eCommerce and key accounts.
An alumnus of the Indian School of Business, Hyderabad, and St. Stephen’s College, Delhi, Bahl’s experience spans multiple consumer categories and channels, with a strong focus on distribution, channel strategy and commercial execution.
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- By Neel Achary
9, Sep 2026
AAEON Release Micro-ATX Duo with Intel Core Ultra Desktop Processors
The MAX-Q870A and MAX-H810A showcase AAEON’s agile approach to supporting diverse market needs.
Taipei, Taiwan – Sept 9: AAEON (Stock Code: 6579), announced the release of two new Micro-ATX industrial motherboards featuring Intel® Core™ Ultra 200S Series Processors (formerly Arrow Lake-S), the MAX-Q870A and MAX-H810A.
The two boards are compatible with a range of Arrow Lake-S CPUs, with the MAX-Q870A supporting up to 125W SKUs and the MAX-H810A supporting up to 65W SKUs. This difference reflects the market positioning of the two boards, with the former marketed for advanced AI and machine vision use and the latter for more cost-efficient industrial automation and HMI applications.
The MAX-Q870A provides four CU/U-DIMM slots for up to 256GB DDR5, with storage options including two M.2 M-Key slots with NVMe support and two SATA 6Gb/s ports with RAID 0, 1, 5 support. The board also provides simultaneous support for four PCIe devices through one PCIe Gen 5 x16, two PCIe Gen 4 x4, and one PCIe Gen 4 x1 slot. For both Wi-Fi and 5G module support, the board offers an M.2 E-Key slot with CNVi support and M.2 B-Key slot.
The board’s rear I/O features three LAN ports, two of which run at 2.5GbE speed, six USB 3.2 Gen 2 (Type-A) ports, and one DB-9 port for RS-232/422/485. Joining these are four physical display outputs, two HDMI 2.1 and two DP 1.4a, all of which grant 4K resolution at 60 Hz. On top of this, the MAX-Q870A’s internal connectors grant access to a co-lay 40-pin LVDS/eDP connector. Additional internal I/Os include pin headers for an additional eight USB, a box header for five RS-232 interfaces, and a DIO 8-bit.
The MAX-H810A, meanwhile, is designed to deliver the essential features required for modern industrial automation and HMI applications at a cost-efficient price point. In addition to its Arrow Lake processor support, the board can host up to 128GB DDR5 via two CU/U-DIMM slots, with storage available through dual SATA 6Gb/s ports with RAID 0, 1 support and an M.2 M-Key slot. For expansion, the board comes with PCIe Gen 5 x16, PCIe Gen 4 x4, and PCIe Gen 4 x1 slots, as well as an M.2 E-Key for wireless module support.
The MAX-H810A’s rear I/O features two USB 3.2 Gen 2×1 (10Gbps), two USB 3.2 Gen 1×1 (5Gbps), and two USB 2.0 ports. Alongside these are dual 2.5GbE LAN ports, both HDMI 2.1 and DP 1.4a, and a DB-9 port for RS-232/422/485. The board also offers the same LVDS/eDP connector, DIO 8-bit, and box header for five RS-232 interfaces as its counterpart, with six USB 2.0 interfaces also available through pin headers.
Both the MAX-Q870A and MAX-H810A support Windows® 11 and Linux Ubuntu 24.04.2, and hold the unusual distinction of -20°C to 60°C operating temperature ranges, an upgrade on the 0°C to 60°C for AAEON’s previous Micro-ATX offerings.
Both platforms are now in mass production, with samples available via the AAEON eShop.
9, Sep 2026
BRICS Summit Can Turn India’s Global South Partnerships into New Business Opportunities
New Delhi, Sep 9: India’s upcoming BRICS Summit can provide a strong platform to turn its growing engagement with the Global South into greater trade, investment and business opportunities, industry representatives said.
The 18th BRICS Summit is scheduled to be held in New Delhi on September 12-13, with trade, finance, technology, investment and economic cooperation among the key areas of discussion.
Industry leaders believe India should use its BRICS presidency to move beyond diplomatic engagement and create practical opportunities for businesses. Greater cooperation among emerging economies could help Indian companies access new markets, attract investment and build stronger international partnerships.
The focus could include easier trade procedures, stronger supply chains, improved access to finance and greater cooperation in areas such as manufacturing, technology, infrastructure, healthcare, agriculture and renewable energy.
For Indian businesses, deeper engagement with Global South economies could open new avenues for exports and investment at a time when companies are looking to diversify markets and reduce dependence on traditional trade routes.
Digital technology could also play an important role. Cooperation in digital payments, trade finance and technology can make cross-border transactions easier and create new opportunities for small and medium-sized businesses. Discussions around the BRICS Economic Partnership 2030 are also expected to focus on trade, investment, supply-chain integration and financial cooperation.
The industry view is that the real value of the summit will depend on how effectively agreements and partnerships are converted into business activity. Greater connectivity among BRICS economies could help Indian companies expand their international presence while attracting more foreign investment into the country.
With India hosting the summit, the event provides an opportunity to strengthen its role as a bridge between major emerging economies and translate its growing Global South partnerships into tangible economic gains.
9, Sep 2026
UPI Drives India’s Fintech Growth, PM Modi Highlights Global Potential
Mumbai, Sep 9: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has described the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) as a major success of India’s fintech journey, highlighting its growing use in the country and its expanding presence overseas.
Speaking at the Global Fintech Fest 2026 in Mumbai, PM Modi said UPI has changed the way people make payments and has helped bring digital financial services to millions of people who were earlier outside the traditional banking system.
More than 24 billion UPI transactions were recorded in August alone, showing the growing role of digital payments in everyday transactions across India.
The Prime Minister said UPI is now available in 11 countries, creating new opportunities for easier international payments. He also called for stronger links between UPI and the payment systems of countries where large Indian communities live or where India has significant trade.
Greater integration of digital payment systems could make cross-border transactions faster and cheaper, particularly for Indians sending money to their families in India.
The growing international use of UPI is also expected to benefit Indian businesses by making digital payments more convenient for travellers, customers and companies involved in cross-border trade.
PM Modi’s remarks highlight how India’s digital payment ecosystem is moving beyond domestic transactions and becoming an important part of the country’s global fintech ambitions.
8, Sep 2026
Saviynt Appoints Kamel Heus as Vice President of Sales for the Middle East and Africa
Cybersecurity veteran to drive regional growth, strengthen partner ecosystem and advance identity security across MEA
Dubai, United Arab Emirates, September 8, 2026: Saviynt, a leading provider of identity security solutions, today announced the appointment of Kamel Heus as Vice President of Sales for the Middle East and Africa (MEA). Based in Dubai, Heus will lead Saviynt’s business across the MEA region, including Turkey, as the company advances its growth and strengthens its presence in key markets.
In his new role, Heus will drive new business, renewals and customer expansion across MEA, while leading Saviynt’s regional channel strategy, expanding its partner ecosystem, and building out the company’s local go-to-market team. As AI reshapes how organizations across government, banking and financial services, utilities, healthcare, oil and gas, and retail approach identity, Heus’ appointment reflects the growing importance of securing both agentic identities and AI-driven environments. His near-term priorities include deepening Saviynt’s regional presence, expanding into Saudi Arabia, and growing local hosting capabilities to meet in-region delivery and data residency requirements.
“MEA represents a significant opportunity for Saviynt as organizations across the region accelerate their digital transformation and increasingly look to AI to transform how they operate and grow,” said Pete Angstadt, Chief Commercial Officer at Saviynt. “Our role is to help customers move faster on that journey while ensuring security and governance keep pace. Kamel’s deep experience in the region and understanding of its customers, markets and partner ecosystem will be invaluable as we continue to expand our presence. We’re making a long-term investment in MEA, and his appointment is an important step in bringing Saviynt closer to our customers and partners as we help accelerate their AI journey securely.”
Heus will also help MEA businesses address a new category of identity risk: AI agents. As these agents gain access to enterprise applications and data, they require the same discovery, governance and lifecycle controls that are traditionally applied to human identities. Saviynt’s Zuma platform is built to meet this need, giving organizations visibility into AI identities and the ability to enforce least-privilege access across their lifecycle.
“The Middle East and Africa have become one of the fastest-growing cybersecurity markets in the world, and Identity sits right at the center of it, especially as AI agents enter the enterprise,” said Kamel Heus, Vice President of Sales, MEA, Saviynt. “I’ve spent over a decade building businesses from the ground up in this region, and I’m excited to do it again at Saviynt. My focus is to build out our local presence, grow a strong partner ecosystem, and enable organizations across MEA to grow their business through secure, confident access both for their people and their AI. It’s a great time to be doing this work here.”
Heus brings 20 years of enterprise cybersecurity sales leadership and a strong track record of building and scaling businesses across the Middle East, Africa and Europe. He has held senior leadership roles at Thales, Centrify (now Delinea) and Sophos, most recently serving as Vice President, EMEA at Thales, where he led the company’s Identity and Access Management business across the region. He holds a PhD in Applied Mathematics and Computing from Université Grenoble Alpes in France and has been based in Dubai for more than a decade.
With Heus leading its MEA sales organization, Saviynt will continue to deepen its relationships with customers and partners, expand its regional capabilities and help organizations strengthen identity security as cloud, AI and digital transformation reshape enterprise environments.
8, Sep 2026
transcosmos launches trans-AI Chat, a generative AI chatbot, in Indonesia
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Sept 08: transcosmos announced the official launch of trans-AI Chat, a generative AI-powered chatbot, in Indonesia. Unlike conventional chatbots that rely on predefined scripts and conversation flows, trans-AI Chat leverages the capabilities of large language models (LLMs) to understand conversational context, recognize customer intent, and generate dynamic, human-like responses.
The solution offers a range of intelligent capabilities that enable organizations to create more proactive, data-driven customer experiences. These include AI Follow-up Message Automation, which automatically sends personalized follow-up messages such as order status updates or product recommendations based on previous interactions; AI Evaluation, which continuously monitors AI responses to ensure accuracy, consistency, and alignment with the company’s knowledge base; and Unknown Keyword Detection, which automatically identifies new questions, phrases, or topics the AI cannot yet answer, enabling organizations to continuously enrich and improve their knowledge base. One of trans-AI Chat’s key differentiators is its intelligent escalation capability, which seamlessly transfers conversations to human agents whenever empathy, complex decision-making, or specialized support is required. The complete conversation history and contextual information are automatically passed to the agent, eliminating the need for customers to repeat themselves. Developed around the concept of collaborative intelligence, this approach enables seamless collaboration between AI and human agents while ensuring a consistently high-quality customer experience across every touchpoint. Designed with high implementation flexibility, trans-AI Chat can be deployed across a wide range of industries, including banking, telecommunications, retail, FMCG, and automotive. The solution is particularly well suited for managing high volumes of customer interactions, ranging from financial service simulations and account management to interactive lead qualification. As a leading CX and digital business services provider, transcosmos delivers integrated solutions that support various aspects of clients’ business operations in the Indonesian market. The company has earned several accolades, including Platinum Winner for Contact Center Operations and Silver Winner for Employee Engagement at the ICCA Awards—cementing its role as a key player in Indonesia’s CX and BPO industries. transcosmos reaffirms its ambition to be a strategic partner for digital transformation in Indonesia. |
8, Sep 2026
India’s EV Market Gains Momentum as August Sales Rise 53%, Penetration Reaches 12.3 pc
New Delhi, Sep 8: India’s electric vehicle market continued to gain momentum in August, with retail sales rising 52.9 per cent year-on-year to 2,98,448 units, according to the Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA). The figure marks the strongest August performance for EVs so far.
EVs accounted for 12.3 per cent of total vehicle retail sales during the month, up from 9.5 per cent in August last year. The rise shows that electric mobility is gradually becoming a more common choice among Indian consumers.
Electric two-wheelers remained a key driver of the growth, while electric three-wheelers continued to see strong demand in the commercial and last-mile mobility segments. The increasing availability of models, improving charging facilities and growing awareness of lower running costs are helping more buyers consider EVs.
The broader automobile market is also seeing a shift towards alternative powertrains. In August, CNG, hybrid and electric passenger vehicles together accounted for 41.95 per cent of passenger vehicle sales, moving ahead of petrol and ethanol-powered vehicles at 40.85 per cent.
The strong EV performance is significant for the wider auto industry as manufacturers, battery companies, component suppliers and charging operators prepare for rising demand. It also signals that electric vehicles are steadily moving beyond being a niche segment and becoming an important part of India’s mobility market.
With the festive season approaching, sustained consumer demand could provide another boost to EV sales in the coming months. At the same time, expanding charging infrastructure and improving affordability will remain important for maintaining the pace of adoption.
8, Sep 2026
Experts emphasize upon the need for regular physical activity on the occasion of World Physiotherapy Day, at Amity
Amity Institute of Health & Allied Sciences (AIHAS), Amity University Uttar Pradesh Noida campus celebrated World Physiotherapy Day, by organizing a Panel Discussion on the theme, “Role of Physiotherapy and Physical Activity in the Prevention, Management, and Rehabilitation of Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke.” World Physiotherapy Day is observed globally on 8th September each year, providing an important opportunity for physiotherapists worldwide to highlight the vital role the profession plays in keeping people healthy, mobile and independent.
The Panellists included Dr. Abha Sharma, Head of the Department, Physiotherapy, Holy Family Hospital, New Delhi, Dr. Dharam Pani Pandey, Head of the Department, Physiotherapy, Manipal Hospital, New Delhi, Dr. Rahul Kumar Verma, In-charge, Physiotherapy, Government Institute of Medical Sciences, Noida, Dr. Preeti Handa, In-charge, Physiotherapy, Felix Hospital, Noida and Dr. Himani Chauhan, HOD-Physiotherapy, Dharamshila Hospital, New Delhi.
Sharing her views on the topic, Dr. Abha Sharma, stated, “Exercise along with a good diet, healthy lifestyle prevent hypertension, diabetes, obesity. In order to prevent a stroke, stress management is extremely important, a person can meditate, practice yoga or do any other kind of activity for stress management.”
Stressing upon the importance of regular physical activity, Dr. Dharam Pani Pandey, said, “Regular physical activity is one of the most effective ways to prevent diseases and maintain overall health. Exercise works like a natural medicine, strengthening the body, improving immunity and reducing the risk of lifestyle-related diseases.”
Dr. Rahul Kumar Verma, opined, “Physical activity and exercises can prevent cardiovascular diseases. It is essential to exercise every day, even if for 20-30 minutes so that your body remains active and fit. One should go for regular examination of the body including blood sugar, stay hydrated and eat a healthy diet.”
Dr. Preeti Handa, shared, “Proper assessment of a patient is extremely crucial so that physiotherapists know which exercise will suit them since all exercises are not meant for all patients. After assessing the patient, they should make a plan which is suitable for the patient.”
Dr. Himani Chauhan, asserted, “Body movement is extremely important if a person wants to remain fit and healthy. One should walk or do at least one kind of physical activity daily which keeps the body flexible and energetic.”
Welcoming the guests, Dr. Jasobanta Sethi, Director- AIHAS, said, “The event aims to promote awareness of the contribution of physiotherapy and regular physical activity to cardiovascular health, stroke prevention, functional recovery and long-term rehabilitation. The programme will bring together students, faculty members, clinicians and invited experts for academic exchange and community-oriented health activities.”
On this occasion, a Guest Lecture by Dr. Khyatee Sharma, Founder, Pratyaksh Health Care, Delhi On-campus Physiotherapy Camp, Laboratory Tests, a Poster-Making Activity, were also organized. Also present on the occasion were Prof (Dr) B. C. Das- Dean, Health & Allied Sciences, Prof. (Dr.) S. K. Srivastava, Mentor, AIHAS, faculty and students of AIHAS.
8, Sep 2026
Yoga for a Healthier Mind and Body: A Simple Habit for Stress, Fitness and Wellbeing
In a fast-moving world filled with work pressure, long hours in front of screens and little time to slow down, maintaining both mental and physical health can be a challenge. Yoga offers a simple way to bring movement, breathing and mindfulness into everyday life, helping people create a healthier balance between the mind and body.
Unlike workouts that focus mainly on physical strength, yoga combines body movements with controlled breathing and mental awareness. This combination can make the practice useful not only for staying active but also for managing everyday stress and improving overall wellbeing.
For many people, one of the biggest challenges of modern life is an overcrowded mind. Thoughts about work, family, finances and the future can continue long after the day is over. Yoga encourages people to concentrate on their breathing and movements, giving the mind an opportunity to step away from these constant distractions.
Breathing exercises and meditation can further support relaxation. By slowing the pace of breathing and paying attention to the present moment, people may find it easier to manage stress and develop a greater sense of calm. Research has found potential benefits of yoga for stress management, although the strength of evidence varies across studies.
The benefits may also extend to heart health. A 2025 systematic review and meta-analysis involving 30 randomised controlled trials and more than 2,200 participants found that yoga was associated with reductions in blood pressure among people with prehypertension or hypertension. However, researchers rated the overall quality of evidence as very low, highlighting the need for larger and better-designed studies.
This means yoga can be a useful addition to a healthy lifestyle, but it should not be treated as a replacement for prescribed medicines or medical treatment. People with high blood pressure should continue to follow their doctor’s advice while using appropriate physical activity and stress-management practices as part of their overall care.
Yoga can also help people stay physically active without putting excessive strain on the body. Different poses work different muscle groups while improving flexibility, balance and body awareness. Regular practice can be particularly useful for people who spend much of their day sitting at a desk or working on computers.
Another advantage is that yoga does not necessarily require a gym or expensive equipment. A quiet space and a few minutes of regular practice can be enough to get started. Beginners can begin with gentle stretches and breathing exercises before gradually moving towards more challenging postures.
A simple daily routine could include a few minutes of gentle movement, followed by slow breathing and a short period of relaxation. The aim is not to perform complicated poses but to build a routine that feels comfortable and can be maintained consistently.
The growing popularity of yoga reflects a broader shift in the way people think about health. Staying fit is no longer only about physical exercise. Mental wellbeing, stress management, sleep, nutrition and regular movement all contribute to a healthier lifestyle.
Yoga brings several of these elements together. It gives the body a chance to move while giving the mind a chance to slow down.
Ultimately, yoga is not about achieving a perfect posture or completing an intense workout. Its real value lies in developing a regular habit of movement, breathing and awareness. For someone dealing with the pressures of everyday life, even a few quiet minutes on a yoga mat can become a meaningful step towards feeling healthier, calmer and more balanced.
8, Sep 2026
LG Electronics India redefines visual excellence with the launch of LG MAGNIT Gen 2 Micro LED Display
New Delhi, Sept 08: LG Electronics India Limited, India’s consumer electronics brand, today strengthened its Information Display portfolio with the launch of the new LG MAGNIT Gen 2 Micro LED display, unveiled at the 12th edition of its propriety platform, the Grand Tech Seminar. The new LG MAGNIT Gen 2 combines enhanced visual performance with features designed to simplify deployment and long-term operation. The ultra-high-definition display features enhanced contrast, deeper blacks, improved grayscale performance and 120Hz refresh rate support for smoother, more realistic imagery.
Beyond visual excellence, the new LG MAGNIT Gen 2 is engineered to deliver differentiated value and convenience across installation, operation and maintenance. A prime example is the newly applied Line-to-Dottechnology. In conventional LED displays, driver ICs operate light sources by line, meaning a single pixel defect can affect an entire line. LG’s LTD technology converts potential line defects into dot-level defects, ensuring that any pixel issue remains isolated to a single dot. This significantly minimizes visual disruption and enables a more comfortable, seamless viewing experience.
“With the launch of the LG MAGNIT Gen 2, LGE India is setting a new gold standard for ultra-premium visual experiences, introducing a product that represents the absolute apex of display technology. We are bringing an unrivaled premium quotient to the market—empowering luxury retail and hospitality sectors with an immersive canvas that elevates brand storytelling to an art form. Simultaneously, its pixel-perfect, fail-safe precision makes it the ultimate choice for corporate boardrooms and mission-critical command centres, while offering elite residences a bespoke cinematic masterpiece. Information Display continues to be one of our fastest-growing segments, and we remain deeply committed to providing our discerning Indian clients with futuristic innovations that seamlessly blend technological brilliance with absolute reliability, redefining what is possible for enterprises and premium consumers alike.”
