19, Sep 2025
Global Icon Ram Charan to Champion Inaugural Archery Premier League as Brand Ambassador
Hyderabad, 19th September 2025 – Archery Association of India (AAI) today announced acclaimed actor and global icon Ram Charan as the Brand Ambassador of the first-ever Archery Premier League (APL), ahead of its inaugural edition scheduled from 2nd to 12th October 2025 at the Yamuna Sports Complex, New Delhi.
Archery Premier League is a first-of-its-kind franchise-based tournament that will bring together leading men and women recurve and compound archers from India and across the globe. The league aims to strengthen India’s Olympic movement, accelerate the growth of archery nationally, and enhance the sport’s international appeal. With six franchise teams featuring 36 top Indian archers and 12 international archers (including athletes from the world’s top 10), the APL introduces a unique and dynamic format where recurve and compound archers will compete together under lights — a format never seen before in global archery.
Ram Charan, on his association, said, “Archery is a sport that represents discipline, focus, and resilience — values I deeply resonate with. I am proud to be associated with the Archery Premier League, which not only provides a world-class platform for Indian talent but also shines a global spotlight on the sport. I look forward to supporting this pioneering initiative and inspiring the next generation of athletes.”
President of the Archery Association of India, Shri Arjun Munda, said, “The dream envisioned by us is the dream that has lived for many years in every young archer across India’s villages. With the Archery Premier League, we are confident of fulfilling these dreams, creating opportunities, and taking the sport to the next level in the country. Having Ram Charan as our Brand Ambassador further strengthens our mission, as his global influence will inspire countless young people to take an interest in archery.”
Secretary General of AAI, Shri Virendra Sachdeva, added, “Inspired by the transformative impact of leagues in other sports, the Archery Premier League brings professional standards, greater visibility, and global competitiveness to Indian archery. This is not just a league; it’s a stepping stone towards India’s Olympic dream. Ram Charan’s presence will amplify the league’s visibility and connect archery with newer audiences worldwide.”
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- By Neel Achary
19, Sep 2025
Marking National Recovery Month: Life Coach Uses His Journey to Inspire Others, Shares 30-Day Roadmap to Sobriety
EL PASO, Texas, Sept. 19, 2025 — An estimated 400 million people worldwide live with alcohol use disorders, according to the World Health Organization. Chris Najera is a certified life coach who also battled alcohol use disorder, and he delivers a timely guide for change in his new book, The Hard Truth! Stopping Alcohol.
Blending raw honesty, personal experience and practical strategies, Najera gives readers the tools to take back control. His 30-day roadmap to taking an alcohol break also provides readers with a pathway toward clarity, purpose and long-term sobriety.
“If you’re looking to stop, you’ve come to the right place,” Najera writes in the book’s introduction. “What I learned in sobriety is when you stop, you find a new person — you’re someone completely new … the person you were supposed to be in the first place, before the alcohol disrupted your life.”
Najera doesn’t just share his personal story of struggle and triumph, he equips readers with an action-oriented guide designed for anyone who drinks alcohol regularly and may question their relationship with alcohol — from mild drinkers and weekend drinkers to daily users. Through lived experience and researched wisdom, Najera challenges readers to dismantle the illusions of alcohol, break free from dependency and reclaim their lives.
“What makes this book unique is its mix of unfiltered honesty, practical strategies, and powerful insights that speak directly to moderate and heavy drinkers who are tired of the cycle,” Najera said. “Whether you’re questioning your relationship with alcohol, taking a break for Sober October or searching for hope after repeated struggles, The Hard Truth! offers both clarity and courage. This isn’t just a book. It’s about educating communities and providing a tool to fight back against something that destroys so many lives.”
The Hard Truth! Stopping Alcohol
Publisher: Spines
Release Date: June 13, 2025
ISBN-13: 979-8896917939
Available from: https://www.amazon.com/Hard-Truth-Stopping-Alcohol/dp/B0FD5DSTGM
19, Sep 2025
Dhruva Capital Services announces strategic merger with microfinance lender Vector Finance Private Ltd
Mumbai/ Kolkata, September 19, 2025: Dhruva Capital Services, an NBFC engaged in the business of investment and financing has announced strategic merger with Vector Finance Private Limited marking its foray into microfinance business. The company currently offers business loan, loan against property, loans for commercial vehicle and commercial equipment, invoice and lease rental discounting and construction finance.
The board of directors of Dhruva Capital Services on Friday approved the merger of Vector Finance with the company and its shareholders. The merger will be subject to necessary approvals/sanctions, from National Company Law Tribunal or such other competent authority and shareholders and creditors of both the companies, Dhruva Capital said in a notification to stock exchanges.
With Assets under Management (AUM) of Rs 390.23 crore as on March 31, 2025, Vector Finance has presence across six states primarily in the eastern and north eastern parts of the country. In FY25, the company disbursed a total amount of Rs 222.66 crore among 43,274 customers. Its total revenue from operation stood at Rs 27.16 crore as on March 31, 2025.
Mr Rahul Johri, Chairman, Vector Finance and a veteran banker with over 34 years of experience in leadership roles between the microfinance sector and banks such as Bandhan Bank, DBS Bank, Standard Chartered and Barclays said, the merger would offer perfect synergies and help create and develop a more diversified and resilient organisation.
“At Vector Finance it has been our constant endeavour to drive grassroot level penetration of finance in the country. This merger will offer the perfect synergies to help create and develop a more diversified and resilient organisation by leveraging upon Dhruva Capital’s understanding of financial sector and backed by our strong deep roots level connect in the MFI sector. The merger will also help reduce the overall cost of borrowing besides providing access to additional capital, which in turn would help the company further improve both its topline and also endeavour to reduce the interest rate to customers. This integration will enhance our ability to serve customers across segments, expand our product suite and unlock synergies in operations and capital efficiency,” Johri said.
Commenting on the merger, Mr Shreeram Bagla, Managing Director of Dhruva Capital Services, said, “The proposed merger of Vector Finance with Dhruva Capital marks a significant milestone in our growth journey. The microfinance company has a strong presence across six key states in the eastern and northeastern parts of the country, which are largely underpenetrated. By joining forces with the company, we wish to create a stronger and more resilient institution which combines our robust understanding of the financial sector with the deep and well entrenched reach of microfinance sector. Our vision is to drive inclusive growth by penetrating into under penetrated markets and empowering underserved communities. We believe that this strategic merger will not only strengthen our balance sheet and help us expand our reach and presence but will also make finance accessible and affordable to the mass market.”
According to SIDBI data, the portfolio outstanding of microfinance industry as on 31st March 2025 is ₹3,35,071 crore with 11.1 crore active loans. NBFC-MFIs contributes highest towards portfolio outstanding.
18, Sep 2025
KFON Expands High-Speed Internet to Nelliyampathy
Palakkad, September 18, 2025: KFON is set to bring high-speed internet services to the Nelliyampathy region in Palakkad. Work on establishing the Nelliyampathy– Kollengode backbone link is progressing rapidly to support this expansion.
KFON is focusing on providing broadband connections to areas with limited internet connectivity. The team is working urgently to complete all essential infrastructure and ensure services are made available to customers as quickly as possible.
In the first phase, KFON internet services will be rolled out at 17 End-of-Service (EOS) centers, including government offices. Subsequently, households, commercial customers, and other institutions will also be able to enjoy KFON’s high-speed internet services.
“This is a significant step by KFON toward realizing Kerala’s digital aspirations. Internet services open up vast opportunities for every individual. KFON’s goal is to ensure high-quality internet at affordable rates for all people across Kerala, without economic, social, or geographic disparities. We are now very close to achieving that goal,” said Dr. Santosh Babu IAS, Managing Director of KFON.
18, Sep 2025
Rahul Sinha Joins ‘Chhoriyan Chali Gaon’ as It Premieres on Zee TV, Sept 19 at 10 PM
When the dynamism of news meets the thrill of reality television, the result is nothing short of extraordinary. This was evident on Zee TV’s popular show Chhoriyan Chali Gaon, which featured a special integration with Rahul Sinha, Managing Editor of Zee News. In this unique episode, contestants took on the role of journalists—reporting, investigating, and presenting stories with the same responsibility and energy as real media professionals. The challenge gave participants a true taste of the fast-paced newsroom environment, testing their ability to identify stories, frame narratives with impact, and deliver them confidently before a wide audience.
The special Chhoriyan Chali Gaon episode featuring Rahul Sinha will air on Thursday, 19th September at 10:00 PM, only on Zee TV. Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind crossover where news meets entertainment most engagingly.
Adding even more excitement to the mix was the presence of Rahul Sinha, Managing Editor of Zee News, who joined the show as a special judge. Known for his sharp editorial eye and commanding presence, Mr. Sinha brought real newsroom credibility to the reality stage. He evaluated contestants on their instincts, storytelling flair, and ability to think on their feet when faced with situations inspired by real-world journalism. His insights didn’t just raise the competition’s bar but also gave participants and viewers a glimpse of what it truly takes to be a journalist.
Mr. Anindya Khare, Marketing Head, ZMCL, said, “We’ve always believed in the power of storytelling to shape perspectives and spark dialogue. With Chhoriyan Chali Gaon, we saw an opportunity to go beyond entertainment and bring journalistic integrity into the reality format. This collaboration with Zee News is more than a content experiment—it’s a cultural statement. By placing contestants in the shoes of real reporters, we’re not only challenging them to think critically and communicate with impact, but also inviting viewers to appreciate the responsibility behind every headline. It’s a format that entertains, educates, and elevates—true to Zee’s legacy of innovation with purpose.”
This collaboration was a fresh experiment in content—blending the seriousness of news with the energy and entertainment of reality TV. It not only entertained but also educated, showing audiences that journalism is as much about responsibility as it is about storytelling.
18, Sep 2025
EY India Techathon 6.0 engages with young innovators to shape the AI leaders of tomorrow
New Delhi, 18 September 2025: EY India, the leading professional services organization, today announced the launch of the sixth edition of its flagship campus innovation challenge — Techathon 6.0; Building Tomorrow’s Solutions for Today’s India. Techathon 6.0 is focused on developing real-world solutions for India’s unique challenges, and by harnessing the creativity of young innovators, it aims to nurture the next generation of AI leaders.
Themed Agentic AI — autonomous systems that can adapt, take initiative, and make proactive decisions, Techathon 6.0 challenges students to design scalable, real-world AI solutions for businesses, communities, and citizens across sectors including pharma, BFSI, auto, FMCG, retail, and Startups.
For the first time, leading organizations such as Aditya Birla Fashion & Retail (ABFRL), Mahindra & Mahindra, Hero MotoCorp, Asian Paints, Tata Capital, and Firstsource will collaborate with EY leaders in mentoring rounds, offering students unparalleled industry exposure and the opportunity to co-create solutions with real-world business applications.
Mahesh Makhija, Partner and Technology Consulting Leader, EY India, said, “Techathon 6.0 is about building real solutions for Indian’s unique problems. By pairing young India’s creativity with responsible innovation, we are preparing tomorrow’s AI leaders.”
Techathon has seen 100x growth since inception, the competition has engaged more than 1.25 lakh students across 95%+ of India’s premier institutes over the years, making it one of the largest platforms for nurturing AI talent in the country.
Over the years, Techathon has produced solutions that have been recognized by industry leaders, with winners and runners-up from institutions such as IIT Kharagpur, IIM Lucknow, RV College of Engineering, Bengaluru, and KIIT Bhubaneswar.
This year’s edition introduces a multi-stage evaluation powered by EY’s proprietary AI-enabled tools, followed by expert reviews, mentoring sessions, and semi-final presentations. Finalists will showcase their innovations at the grand finale before an eminent jury of industry leaders. Winners will receive cash prizes, mentorship, and potential opportunities to work on real-world client challenges.
18, Sep 2025
EvoluteIQ Secures 53 Million Funding from Baird Capital to Boost Global Growth and India R&D
National, 18th September 2025 – EvoluteIQ, the enterprise-grade, AI-native automation platform, today announced the successful close of a $53 million minority growth capital round. This investment is led by Baird Capital, a leading global private investment firm. This strategic infusion of capital will enable EvoluteIQ to supercharge its global expansion, deepen investments in its Bengaluru R&D Centre, and cement its leadership in the agentic AI–powered automation space across varied industries.
Founded in 2019, by a group of tech visionaries – Sameet Gupte, Sanjay Koppikar, Deepak Kinger, Arun Hiremath, and Naveen Prabhu, EvoluteIQ redefines automation of complex business processes through its breakthrough platform (EIQ), underpinned by its proprietary Agentic Mesh Architecture {aMa} and the AI Workbench. The platform delivers measurable outcomes across mission-critical operations in Banking & Financial services, Insurance, Healthcare, Telecommunications, and Manufacturing by orchestrating complete end-to-end business workflows.
EvoluteIQ’s differentiated approach addresses the enterprise market’s most pressing need: moving beyond fragmented AI tools to comprehensive, autonomous business process management. The EIQ platform sets the standard for agentic automation, enabling Fortune 500 enterprises to build autonomous, resilient, and future-ready systems that drive lasting growth.
Strategic Investment for Global Expansion
With support from Baird Capital’s global platform, EvoluteIQ plans to scale its established business internationally while maintaining its strong Indian foundation. Baird Capital’s Daina Spedding and Mark Donnelly will join the EvoluteIQ Board of Directors.
“The investment demonstrates our excitement for AI and reshaping automation,” said Daina Spedding, Director in Baird Capital’s Global Private Equity team. “EvoluteIQ has earned its place alongside other automation trailblazers, bringing deep expertise and addressing a critical AI need across the enterprises they serve. We are delighted to welcome EvoluteIQ into Baird Capital’s portfolio.”
Strong India Focus Drives Global Growth
India continues to be at the core of EvoluteIQ’s growth strategy, housing the company’s largest R&D centre in Bengaluru. The funding will enable significant expansion of the Indian operations, with plans to hire top talent and scale the team as the company builds next-generation technology for AI-led transformation.
“India has been instrumental in our journey, providing the technological backbone of innovation for our global success,” said Sameet Gupte, Co-Founder & Chief Executive at EvoluteIQ. “We are privileged to partner with Baird Capital for EvoluteIQ’s next phase as a company. The Agentic AI market represents a fundamental shift from reactive automation to proactive, intelligent orchestration. Baird Capital’s expertise in scaling technology companies, network, and global resources will help us accelerate our journey, as we focus on driving transformative growth through outcome driven agentic models.”
Major Industry Recognition and Market Leadership
EvoluteIQ’s innovative approach has garnered significant industry recognition across multiple leading analysts across the industry, a few amongst them are:
- Gartner Recognition in the BOAT (Business Orchestration and Automation Technologies) market segment
- Gartner MQ in 2025 for RPA
- Everest PEAK Matrix for Low-Code Platforms as a “Major Contender”
- Everest Group’s ‘Innovation Watch’ for Agentic AI Products
- Featured in Celent’s Report on Generative AI in Insurance
- Recognized in Everest Group’s Agentic AI in HR study
- Included in IDC’s Unified AI and Agentic AI Platforms in Asia report
Strategic Fund Utilization
The investment will be strategically deployed across three key areas:
- Global Expansion: Hiring sales and marketing teams globally to accelerate growth and scale operations
- R&D Innovation: Continued investment in research and development to maintain leadership in the Agentic AI space
- Strategic Acquisitions: Identifying and acquiring complementary technologies and capabilities
Future Vision
EvoluteIQ’s long-term vision centres on enabling organizations to automate their processes through the EIQ agentic AI platform at scale. The company believes the future lies in AI ecosystems where customers purchase outcomes through integrated platforms, with intellectual property encompassing not just technology but comprehensive enablement capabilities.
18, Sep 2025
Bhajanlal Commercial Pvt. Ltd. Gears Up for Apple Puja Mahotsav Launch
Kolkata, September 18, 2025: With Puja festivities around the corner, Bhajanlal Commercial Pvt. Ltd., Eastern India’s most trusted premium retail name, is set to host the much-awaited Apple Puja Mahotsav Launch on September 19 at 8:00am across all Bhajanlal showrooms and its online platform www.bhajanlal.in. Customers will be among the first in India to order Apple’s latest iPhone 17 lineup, Watch series, and AirPods Pro 3 — with exclusive launch-day offers, no-cost EMIs, and instant cashback benefits.
Bhajanlal: Beyond Retail, Into Lifestyle
For over three decades, Bhajanlal has redefined the consumer experience — not just selling electronics, but creating a culture of trust, service, and aspiration. Today, the brand represents more than premium gadgets; it has become an ecosystem of technology and lifestyle retail.
Under the leadership of Mr. Mohan Bajoria, Director, Bhajanlal has steadily grown into a household name, recognised for its forward-looking approach and unwavering reliability. With Mr. Jayant Bajoria, CEO driving the digital transformation, Bhajanlal’s phygital presence — blending high-street flagship outlets with a powerful online store — has become a benchmark in Indian retail.
Why Bhajanlal Remains the Gold Standard
Bhajanlal’s offering extends beyond devices to a complete lifestyle proposition. Its portfolio spans smartphones, wearables, TVs, home appliances, audio, cooling solutions, computing and hand-picked lifestyle brands such as Mia by Tanishq, CaratLane and Titan Eye+. The company strengthens purchase confidence with comprehensive services—gadget insurance, buyback & upgrade programmes, doorstep repairs, and extended warranties. Financial partners including Bajaj Finance, HDFC, SBI, Axis, ICICI, IDFC First, TVS Credit enable attractive buying options such as zero-cost EMIs up to 36 months, cashback and device-financing plans.
In a bold step of diversification, Bhajanlal is now expanding into apparel, with its first exclusive Jockey showroom set to open soon — signalling the brand’s evolution into a full-fledged lifestyle destination.
18, Sep 2025
Stryker expands its R&D footprint in India with new facility in Bangalore
Bengaluru, India, September 18, 2025 – Stryker (NYSE: SYK), a global leader in medical technologies, announced the expansion of its R&D presence in India with the opening of a new facility in Whitefield, Bengaluru. Building on its existing 220,000 square-foot R&D campus in Gurgaon, the new 140,000 square-foot facility further strengthens Stryker’s footprint in the country.
The new state-of-the-art facility brings together cross-functional teams and industry-leading lab infrastructure, uniquely blending next-generation capabilities in robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), digital innovation and product security.
Complementing this innovation hub, a medical experience center will deepen collaboration with healthcare professionals by showcasing solutions that help save lives and improve patient care, including ICU beds, stretchers, ambulance cots, and hospital and public-access AEDs (automated external defibrillators).
“We’re growing with purpose – expanding our capabilities to innovate, collaborate and deliver solutions that address the needs of our customers and patients worldwide,” said Ram Rangarajan, Vice President, Stryker Global Technology Center. “The advanced labs will allow us to work closely with healthcare professionals, unlock valuable insights, and accelerate innovation. With a strong focus on Digital and AI technologies, our new, state-of-the-art facility is designed to attract top talent, foster excellence, and drive sustained growth – all while remaining true to our mission of making healthcare better”.
The launch of the new facility in Bangalore builds on Stryker’s existing presence and reflects its continued commitment towards India’s dynamic ecosystem of research excellence, medical technology innovation and deep talent expertise.
18, Sep 2025
Nikon supports Youth India Programme to empower Future Creators
Mumbai/ New Delhi, 18 September 2025 — In a significant move to nurture creativity and build future-ready skills among students, Nikon India has announced its support for the Youth India Programme as an official equipment partner. The initiative is led by Arya Chitra, General Manager of the Youth Global Program.
By providing structured exposure to the world of visual media, the programme aims to equip students with industry-relevant skills that foster creativity, confidence, and career preparedness. Through this activity we are planning to reach out to 20 different schools/colleges within this financial year.
Programme Highlights
- Skill Development: Training in photography, filmmaking, storytelling, and responsible media use.
- Experiential Learning: Access to Nikon-led workshops, curated projects, and guided excursions.
- Media Labs in Schools: Dedicated creative spaces supported by Nikon with mirrorless cameras, media kits, and mentorship.
- Career Exposure: Early exposure to fields such as journalism, communications, media, and content creation.
“At Nikon India, we firmly believe that early skilling is critical to preparing a future-ready generation. We support initiative of knowledge sharing with students from Schools and Colleges, which encourages creativity, experiential learning, and career preparedness. Through the Youth India Programme, we are enabling students to gain industry-relevant skills,” said Mr. Sajjan Kumar, Managing Director, Nikon India.
As part of its phased rollout, the programme has been introduced in partnership with leading educational institutions, beginning with the Global Indian International School (GIIS) network under the Global Schools Group.
“The Youth Programme is more than just photography/videography—it’s a movement of youth empowerment through creativity and purpose. Through storytelling, visual expression, and digital media, young Indians are finding their voice—and that voice is powerful.” Said Arya Chitra General Manager, Youth Global Program.”
