28, Sep 2026
ISO and UNDP launch world’s first International Standard to advance action on the Sustainable Development Goals

Paris, France, 28 September 2026 – ISO and UNDP today launched ISO/UNDP 53001, Management systems for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – Requirements, live from the first day of the ISO Annual Meeting. The new standard is the world’s first International Standard providing organizations with a structured management system to integrate the SDGs into strategy, governance and operations.

As governments, businesses and institutions face growing expectations to demonstrate meaningful progress on sustainable development, ISO/UNDP 53001 provides a globally agreed approach to help organizations move beyond commitment towards measurable implementation and continual improvement.

ISO/UNDP 53001, for the first time, provides concrete tools to enable organizations to identify priorities, establish objectives, integrate them into existing processes and measure performance over time. As a requirements-based management system standard, it provides a consistent basis for demonstrating that an organization’s approach meets defined requirements, strengthening accountability and confidence in the actions taken.

The launch comes at a moment when the way national development priorities are financed and delivered is changing rapidly. With public development resources under increasing pressure and the scale of sustainable development needs far exceeding what public finance alone can meet, businesses and private investment will play an increasingly important role in advancing national and global development priorities. This makes credible, internationally recognized systems for translating sustainability commitments into business practice more important than ever.

ISO/UNDP 53001 provides a foundation for that emerging architecture. By giving organizations a common framework to integrate sustainable development priorities into governance, strategy, operations and decision-making, the standard can help businesses strengthen sustainability management while giving governments, investors, development institutions and other stakeholders greater confidence in how commitments are implemented and measured.

ISO Secretary-General Sergio Mujica said the launch represents an important step in supporting organizations to make measurable progress towards the SDGs.

“The SDGs have provided a shared global vision for a decade. Today, organizations are looking for concrete ways to translate that vision into action,” Mr Mujica said.

“International Standards have long helped organizations address complex global challenges by providing a common language and a shared framework for action. We are delighted to launch ISO/UNDP 53001 today, extending this proven approach to the SDGs and helping organizations create positive impact for people and planet.”

UNDP identified ISO as its international standards development partner for the initiative, bringing together UNDP’s expertise in sustainable development with ISO’s global standardization system and network of national standards bodies.

Marcos Neto, UN Assistant Secretary-General and Director of UNDP’s Bureau for Policy and Programme Support stated that achieving the SDGs will depend on organizations of every kind playing an active role in advancing sustainable development.

“The SDGs provide a shared blueprint for a more inclusive and prosperous future. Achieving that requires organizations everywhere to turn ambition into action,” Mr Neto said.

“We are proud to launch ISO/UNDP 53001 alongside ISO as a crucial tool to help organizations embed the SDGs into the way they operate, lead and govern. By making sustainability part of everyday decision-making, the standard can help accelerate progress towards the 2030 Agenda.”

Jens Heiede, Chief Executive Officer of Danish Standards, said developing the world’s first International Standard dedicated to the SDGs required international collaboration to build consensus across a broad range of sectors and perspectives.

“Creating a standard that could be applied by organizations of every size, sector and geography required extensive collaboration between experts from around the world. Together, we developed a practical and internationally agreed set of requirements that organizations can apply with confidence,” Mr Heiede said.

“It has been a privilege for Danish Standards to lead the technical committee behind ISO/UNDP 53001. We look forward to seeing organizations use the standard to demonstrate accountability and deliver meaningful sustainability outcomes.”

Through ISO’s network of national standards bodies, ISO/UNDP 53001 could support greater consistency across countries and economies. It offers organizations, governments and policymakers a common reference point for translating sustainable development priorities into measurable action.

The new standard integrates smoothly with other management system standards, such as ISO 9001 for quality management and ISO 14001 for environmental management. By building on existing processes, organizations can reduce duplication, improve efficiency and take a more coherent approach to managing risks, meeting commitments and achieving strategic objectives.

The standard is intended for businesses, governments, educational institutions, civil society organizations and other organizations seeking to align their activities with the SDGs. Its flexible approach enables users to focus on the SDGs most relevant to their purpose, context and stakeholders.

ISO/UNDP 53001 is designed to provide long-term value by supporting the current SDGs and any subsequent global goals that supersede the 2030 Agenda. Like all ISO International Standards, it will undergo ISO’s regular systematic review process to help ensure it remains relevant, fit for purpose and responsive to evolving international priorities and best practice.

ISO and UNDP intend to work with partners across the multilateral system to support its implementation, including through sector-specific guidance that can connect global development priorities with the realities of different industries and markets.

The launch of ISO/UNDP 53001 is a key feature of the ISO Annual Meeting, hosted by AFNOR in Paris, France, from 28 September to 2 October 2026. Under the theme Building trust in a changing world, the Annual Meeting is bringing together global leaders, policymakers and standards experts to explore the role of International Standards in addressing the world’s most pressing challenges.

More information about the ISO Annual Meeting, including livestream sessions open to the public, is available at http://www.iso.org/annualmeeting.

ISO/UNDP 53001 is available at https://www.iso.org/standard/53001.

More information about ISO is available at www.iso.org.

28, Sep 2026
TCI Organises Nationwide Blood Donation Drive in Memory of Founder Shri Prabhu Dayal Agarwal Ji

Gurugram, 28 September 2026: Transport Corporation of India (TCI), one of India’s leading integrated logistics and supply chain solutions providers, organised a nationwide blood donation drive in memory of its Founder, Shri Prabhu Dayal Agarwal Ji (Shri PD Ji), reaffirming the organisation’s commitment to community service and humanitarian values. 

The seven-day campaign, held from 14th to 20th September 2026, witnessed the participation of 1,734 employees and associates, including 1,641 male and 93 female participants, across 68+ locations in India. Blood donation camps were organised in cities including Kolkata, Gurugram, Rajkot, Delhi, Chandigarh, Pune, Aurangabad, Kolhapur, Ludhiana, Noida, Hyderabad, Kanpur, Lucknow, Bengaluru, Jaipur, Prayagraj, Patna, Varanasi, Mumbai, Haridwar and Ahmedabad, among others. 

The initiative commemorates the enduring legacy of Shri PD Ji, fondly remembered as a pioneer of the Indian transport & logistics industry. Beyond transforming the logistics landscape, he made significant contributions to social welfare, healthcare, education and women’s empowerment. His association with initiatives in the healthcare sector, including the establishment of some of the country’s early private blood banks, reflects his belief in giving back to society and supporting communities in meaningful ways. 

Building on this legacy, TCI’s annual blood donation drive brings together employees and business associates across the country to contribute to a cause that directly supports patients and healthcare institutions. The initiative reflects TCI’s continued efforts to foster a culture of social responsibility and encourage its people to actively contribute to the communities in which it operates. 

Through initiatives such as the nationwide blood donation drive, TCI continues to honour the values and vision of its Founder while creating opportunities for its employees and associates to make a meaningful difference to society.

 

28, Sep 2026
Anant National University Hosts Mass Timber Workshop 2026, Championing Sustainable Construction and a Greener Future

AHMEDABAD, India, Sept. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Anant National University co-hosted the Mass Timber Workshop 2026 recently at its Ahmedabad campus. Organised by the US Softwood Export Council (SEC) an Anant National University, with support from the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) under the Regional Agricultural Promotion Program (RAPP), the workshop brought together stakeholders to explore the role of mass timber in advancing sustainable construction in India.

Anant National University Hosts Mass Timber Workshop 2026, Championing Sustainable Construction and a Greener Future

As the construction sector grows, the need for environmentally responsible building practices becomes increasingly important. Mass timber offers an opportunity to explore alternatives to conventional construction materials and contribute to a more sustainable built environment. The workshop encouraged dialogue and collaboration around the role of such materials in shaping the future of construction.

At Anant National University, sustainability is central to its vision for education and its commitment to creating a better future. The University supports initiatives that encourage students, faculty and industry partners to address real-world challenges through sustainable architecture, responsible material use, climate-conscious design and interdisciplinary research.

The Mass Timber Workshop reflected this commitment by bringing together perspectives from academia and industry through discussions, knowledge-sharing and practical engagement. It provided a platform to explore how mass timber and other sustainable approaches can contribute to a more environmentally responsible built environment. Ahead of the workshop, participating Anant students also visited India’s landmark mass timber project in Umargam, Gujarat, gaining firsthand insights into the material’s practical applications.

By supporting initiatives such as this, Anant continues to create opportunities for its academic community to engage with emerging ideas and contribute to meaningful change. Through sustainability-focused learning, research and collaboration, the University remains committed to nurturing designers, architects and changemakers who can help build a more sustainable future.

About Anant National University 

At Anant National University, education begins with a simple belief: The future will not be inherited. It will be purposefully designed.

Guided by the philosophy: Come, Create the New, Anant brings together learners who are curious about the world as it is, but also ambitious about what it could become. The University encourages students to look beyond conventional answers and engage with the complex challenges of our times: Ranging from climate and sustainability to cities, communities, systems and technologies.

Anant offers undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral programmes across design, architecture, climate action and visual arts. Its approach combines academic rigour with studio-based learning, emerging technologies, research, entrepreneurship, Indigenous Knowledge Systems and hands-on engagement with communities. The goal is not only to build practical skills but also to train diligent professionals who can connect disciplines, understand context and create meaningful change.

Recognised as a Centre of Excellence by the Government of Gujarat, Anant received a 5-Star Rating in Architecture and a 4-Star Rating in the University category under the Gujarat State Institutional Rating Framework (GSIRF) 2023-24. These recognitions reflect Anant’s abiding commitment to build an innovating institution where creativity, sustainability, innovation and purpose come together to help shape a more thoughtful and resilient future.

For more details visit https://www.anu.edu.in/

 

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28, Sep 2026
InCorp India Completes Rebrand to Ascentium, Aligning Domestic Growth with Global Strategy

Integration strengthens cross-border capabilities and expands access to Ascentium Group’s global expertise and services

MUMBAI, India, Sept. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — InCorp Advisory India, an Ascentium Company, which has built a comprehensive portfolio of professional and advisory services for businesses operating in India and across borders since 2019, has officially rebranded as Ascentium India, completing its transition to Ascentium, a Singapore-headquartered global business services group. 

The transition marks the completion of a phased integration, bringing the firm’s expertise, people and client relationships under one identity. The business will now operate as Ascentium India with the same leadership and teams, while gaining access to Ascentium’s expertise and presence across 27 markets. 

“This is more than a new name. It completes our integration into a global company built for clients operating across borders and increasingly complex jurisdictions. We now pair deep understanding of India’s regulatory and business environment with global scale, technology and cross-border reach. Our people, our leadership and our client relationships remain at the heart of what we do. What has changed is the depth of expertise we can bring to our clients,” said Manish Modi, CEO, Ascentium India. 

A Global Company Built Through Strategic Growth 

Ascentium was founded in 2024 with Lennard Yong as Group CEO and Wendy Wang as Group President, and has grown rapidly through the integration of established specialist businesses across Asia, the Middle East, Europe and other key markets. 

These include InCorp Global, Harneys Fiduciary, Links International, Marbury, Virtuzone, ZICO Corporate Services, Clara Technologies, Dezan Shira & Associates, and MGI Dobbyn Carafa, among other specialist businesses across its global footprint. 

This approach reflects Ascentium’s broader growth strategy: bringing together established, locally rooted businesses and their specialist expertise under a common global identity, while retaining the leadership, knowledge and relationships that have made those businesses successful. Ascentium India has followed the same approach, bringing together complementary capabilities and specialist teams to build a broader and more integrated business in India. 

Building a Comprehensive India Business 

Established in 2019, InCorp India has expanded steadily, with growth accelerating over the past year through a series of strategic acquisitions and investments, including Amita Desai & Co., Ken & Co., TMSL, Manish Modi & Associates, PR Gandhi & Co., Jayesh Sanghrajka & Co., and Vinay & Keshava Associates. The business also holds a significant investment in Zolvit (formerly VakilSearch), further extending its access to technology-led business services and digital capabilities. 

Amita Desai & Co. significantly strengthened the existing Corporate Secretarial practice, bringing greater depth of expertise and enabling the firm to offer more comprehensive, end-to-end corporate law advisory and secretarial compliance services. Ken & Co. further enhanced capabilities across cybersecurity, data privacy, governance, risk and compliance, while TMSL expanded the firm’s tax and automation capabilities. 

Together, these acquisitions and investments have created a broader and more integrated platform in India, bringing together complementary expertise, technology and specialist teams while retaining the leadership, domain knowledge and client relationships of the businesses involved. 

A Differentiated Model for Clients 

Ascentium India is building its client proposition around four principles: continuity of senior leadership, accessible decision-making, institutional governance and investment ahead of client demand. 

“Four principles shape how we work with clients: continuity of senior leadership, accessible decision-making, strong governance and investment ahead of demand. We keep senior leaders closely engaged, maintain a lean structure that enables quick decisions, and hold ourselves to high standards of governance and accountability. At the same time, we continue to invest in technology, talent and capabilities to deliver long-term client value,” added Manish Modi. 

Ascentium India offers expertise across a comprehensive range of services spanning Global Expansion, Tax & Structures, Managed Services, Risk Advisory, Regulatory & Governance Advisory, Investment Banking, Fund Services, Sustainability & ESG, Cybersecurity and Data Privacy, among others. The expanded business builds on established practices while strengthening capabilities in areas such as Data Privacy under the DPDP framework, Cybersecurity and Global Fund Services. 

About Ascentium India 

Ascentium India is part of Ascentium Group, a global business services company headquartered in Singapore. With offices across India’s key commercial and financial centres, it provides advisory and operational solutions across international expansion, tax and structures, managed services, risk, regulatory and governance advisory, investment banking, fund services, cybersecurity and data privacy, and sustainability and ESG. 

The firm serves multinational corporations, listed companies, high-growth businesses, investment funds, family offices and not-for-profit organisations navigating complex business, regulatory and cross-border requirements. 

For more information, visit in.ascentium.com

About Ascentium

Ascentium is a leading global business services platform dedicated to helping businesses and individuals scale greater heights. Headquartered in Singapore, we drive extraordinary growth through expert people, purpose-led technology, and an unwavering commitment to service excellence.

With over 3,000 professionals across 58 cities in 27 markets globally, we deliver integrated solutions in corporate services, finance and accounting, fund administration, human resources, and fiduciary and trust services. Serving more than 65,000 client entities across diverse industries, Ascentium combines specialised expertise with innovative, technology-enabled solutions to help clients navigate complexity and unlock new opportunities for sustainable growth.

For more information, please visit ascentium.com

Contact Details: Suryansh Singh | +91 9779859237 

 

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28, Sep 2026
Aon Launches Power Lifecycle Program to Support Conventional Gas Power Projects Powering Digital Infrastructure Growth

New multiline insurance solution offers up to $2.5 billion in coverage across construction and operations for utility and digital infrastructure clients

DUBLIN, Sept. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Aon plc (NYSE: AON), a leading global professional services firm, today announced the launch of its Power Lifecycle Program (PLP), a new integrated insurance solution designed to support conventional gas power projects from construction through testing, commissioning and into operations.

Reliable power generation is becoming increasingly important as demand for digital infrastructure, cloud computing and artificial intelligence accelerates. PLP is designed to help organizations investing at scale in power generation – whether behind the meter for dedicated digital infrastructure or in front of the meter to serve broader grid demand – address the growing risks associated with power assets required to meet rising energy needs.

“As investment in energy infrastructure continues to grow, organizations require risk solutions that evolve alongside increasingly complex power assets,” said Joe Peiser, CEO of Risk Capital, Aon. “Our Power Lifecycle Program provides a coordinated insurance solution from construction, testing and commissioning through to operation. By bringing multiple coverages together within a single lifecycle framework, Aon’s Power Lifecycle Program helps clients take a more holistic approach to managing project, operational and infrastructure risk.”

A Lifecycle Approach to Power Risk

Developing a conventional power project involves managing interconnected risks across construction, testing, commissioning and early operations – and a loss or interruption at any stage can affect schedules, financing commitments and anticipated revenue – particularly when insurance is arranged separately at each stage. PLP’s lifecycle model moves insurance from a series of disconnected placements to a single coordinated risk-transfer strategy that supports a project from site selection and construction through commissioning and ongoing operations. The result is generally better continuity of cover, reduced coverage gaps, improved capital efficiency, and greater confidence for developers, owners, lenders and investors.

Key features of PLP generally include:

  • Up to $2.5 billion in Erection All Risks and Delay in Startup coverage per project, for the construction, testing and commissioning periods
  • Up to $2.5 billion in Operational Property Damage and Business Interruption coverage per project, for the immediate operational period
  • Up to $100 million of Construction and Operational Third-Party Liability (excluding U.S. Projects)
  • Clients can opt for a tailored risk advisory assessment of the risk to projects from natural catastrophe, climate, cyber, casualty, supply chain and business interruption risks, delivering enterprise resilience from site selection through to portfolio scale. Risk Engineering and Casualty consulting available.

The program is underpinned by a lead panel of London-based carriers, combining power-sector expertise with meaningful capacity for global clients. Beyond the lead panel, the balance of capacity is predominantly London-based, complemented by significant participation from key local and global markets, providing the breadth, resilience and reach required to support projects worldwide.

PLP is available to power infrastructure developers, private equity firms funding power project developments, contractors controlling construction cover and power infrastructure owners for both grid-connected standalone conventional gas power projects and dedicated projects supporting data centers.

The launch comes as the rapid expansion of data centers drives significant investment in conventional power generation capacity and builds on Aon’s established position supporting digital infrastructure clients through the Data Center Lifecycle Insurance Program that expanded to $5 billion in capacity in July 2026. Together, the two programs reflect Aon’s lifecycle approach to helping clients build, operate and scale critical infrastructure with greater confidence.

About Aon

Aon plc (NYSE: AON) exists to shape decisions for the better — to protect and enrich the lives of people around the world. Through actionable analytic insight, globally integrated Risk Capital and Human Capital expertise, and locally relevant solutions, our colleagues provide clients in over 120 countries with the clarity and confidence to make better risk and people decisions that help protect and grow their businesses.

Follow Aon on LinkedIn, X, Facebook and Instagram. Stay up-to-date by visiting Aon’s newsroom and sign up for news alerts here.

Media Contact

mediainquiries@aon.com

Toll-free (U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico): +1 833 751 8114

International: +1 312 381 3024

Aon plc (NYSE: AON) exists to shape decisions for the better — to protect and enrich the lives of people around the world. Through actionable analytic insight, globally integrated Risk Capital and Human Capital expertise, and locally relevant solutions, our colleagues in over 120 countries provide our clients with the clarity and confidence to make better risk and people decisions that protect and grow their businesses.

 

Follow Aon on LinkedIn, X, Facebook and Instagram. Stay up-to-date by visiting Aon’s newsroom and sign up for news alerts here.

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28, Sep 2026
Accor Appoints Vipin Khattar as Chief Commercial Officer, South Asia

Accor Appoints Vipin Khattar as Chief Commercial Officer, South Asia

Sep 28: Accor, a world-leading hospitality group, has announced the appointment of Vipin Khattar as Chief Commercial Officer, South Asia. In this role, he will lead the Group’s commercial strategy across the region, overseeing sales, revenue management, marketing, digital distribution, loyalty, partnerships, and transformation initiatives.

 
With more than two decades of international hospitality experience spanning India, the Middle East, Africa, and the United Kingdom, Vipin brings a distinguished track record of driving business growth, building strategic partnerships, and leading high-performing teams. Throughout his career, he has consistently demonstrated strong commercial acumen, operational excellence, and a commitment to delivering sustainable business results.
 
Prior to joining Accor, Vipin served as General Manager of The Ritz-Carlton, Jeddah. He previously held several senior leadership roles with Marriott International, including General Manager of JW Marriott New Delhi Aerocity and a multi-property General Manager position in Dubai. His career portfolio also includes leadership assignments across renowned brands such as The St. Regis, Delta Hotels, and Marriott Residences.
 
Earlier in his career, Vipin held senior commercial and operational leadership roles with Hyatt across the UAE and Egypt, including General Manager and Area Director of Sales & Marketing. His experience with Atlantis The Palm and Grand Hyatt Dubai further strengthened his expertise in sales, business development, MICE, and commercial strategy. This diverse background across commercial leadership and hotel operations positions him strongly to advance Accor‘s growth ambitions and commercial performance across South Asia.
 
Commenting on the appointment, Ranju Alex CEO, Accor South Asia, said: “We are delighted to welcome Vipin Khattar to Accor as Chief Commercial Officer, South Asia. His extensive experience across commercial strategy, sales and marketing, and hotel operations makes him a valuable addition to our leadership team. Vipin’s strategic vision, business acumen, and ability to align commercial opportunities with operational excellence will play an important role in strengthening Accor’s commercial platform across the region. As we continue to accelerate our growth ambitions, I am confident that under his leadership we will further enhance our brands, deepen key partnerships, and unlock new opportunities across markets and segments.”
 
Commenting on his new role, Vipin Khattar, Chief Commercial Officer, South Asia, Accor, said: “I am excited to join Accor at such a dynamic phase of its growth journey in South Asia. The region presents tremendous opportunities, and I look forward to collaborating closely with our teams, hotel owners, and partners to strengthen commercial performance, elevate our brands, and drive sustainable growth across the market.”
 
Vipin’s contributions to the hospitality industry have been recognized through several prestigious accolades, including Best Luxury General Manager of the Year 2026 at the Marriott EMEA Awards and recognition among the Top 100 General Managers of the World 2024 by the Luxury & Lifestyle Awards.
An alumnus of IHTTI School of Hotel Management, Neuchâtel, Switzerland, Vipin specialized in Hospitality Operations and has since built deep expertise across commercial leadership, sales, marketing, revenue generation, and organizational development. He is widely recognized for his ability to cultivate strong teams, foster innovation, and deliver measurable business impact.
 
Outside of his professional responsibilities, Vipin enjoys traveling, discovering new cultures, and spending quality time with family and friends.
28, Sep 2026
Alive App Raises $1 Million From Powerhouse Ventures and Flipkart Ventures to Accelerate India’s Experience Economy

Experience-tech platform expands to six markets with 500+ experiences and 400+ creators

Targets 3X revenue growth in the next few months, as it seeks to make experiences a default part of urban India’s weekends

BENGALURU, India, Sept. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Alive App, India’s AI powered experience-tech platform for building and distributing new and unique experiences, has raised $1 million in a new funding round led by Powerhouse Ventures and Flipkart Ventures. The capital will support the company’s next phase of product and supply expansion as it works to make experiences a more frequent and habitual part of how urban Indians spend their leisure time.

Vivek Kumar, Founder and CEO, Alive App

The investment from Flipkart Ventures also creates opportunities for Alive App to explore synergies across the broader Flipkart ecosystem as it builds new pathways for consumer discovery, engagement and access to experiences at scale.

The new capital will be used to strengthen Alive App’s product and technology capabilities and accelerate the creation and availability of experiences across its existing markets. The company is targeting 3X revenue growth in the next few months and plans to focus on increasing the frequency with which consumers use Alive App, with the goal of making the platform a default companion for weekend discovery. The company has also achieved its first profitable quarter in Bengaluru, its first and largest market, as it continues to build density across cities.

Alive App is seeing this shift play out on its platform. The company is now present across Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Chennai, Delhi and Goa, offering more than 500 experiences across categories including adventure, food, wellness, art, culture and learning. Its creator ecosystem has grown to over 400 creators and partners. Over the last six months, it has expanded into Mumbai, Chennai and Delhi, in addition to its presence in Goa. The company’s experience supply in the newly launched markets of Chennai, Mumbai, Delhi and Goa has grown five times faster than during its initial expansion phase, with Alive App now adding approximately 100 new experiences every month. The rapid expansion follows a broader shift in how consumers are spending their leisure time. According to Alive App’s platform data, more than 90% of bookings are for local experiences, with consumers increasingly choosing activities closer to home rather than treating experiences purely as part of travel.

The company’s growth reflects the evolution of India’s experience economy from an occasional, travel-led activity into a more regular part of urban consumption. Alive App’s platform combines technology with a curated and largely exclusive supply of experiences, working with creators to conceptualise, build and launch experiences rather than simply aggregating existing listings. With the latest round, Alive App’s focus shifts from establishing the category across individual cities to building the habit around it and making discovery of experiences as routine a part of the weekend as choosing a restaurant, watching a movie or planning a day out.

Supporting Quotes

Vivek Kumar, Founder & CEO, Alive App, said, “Over the last year, the biggest validation for us has been seeing how quickly experiences are being adopted as an upgrade to weekend plans in every city we enter. Mumbai and Chennai are growing much faster than Bengaluru did in its early months, while our supply in the newly launched cities has grown five times faster than in our initial expansion phase. We are now adding around 100 new experiences every month. The opportunity ahead is to make Alive App the default weekend companion for urban India, something people return to every week to discover what they want to do next.”

Kshitij Golwalkar, General Partner, Powerhouse Ventures, said, “Alive App stands out as one of the most differentiated and capital-efficient companies we have seen in this category. What is particularly compelling is how the team is using AI not only as a product feature, but across the business to rethink how consumer technology companies can be built, scaled and operated in India. We believe this combination of a strong consumer proposition, differentiated supply and an AI-led operating model gives Alive App the potential to be a leader in India’s rapidly growing experience economy.”

About Alive App

Alive App is an experience-tech platform focused on helping urban consumers discover and experience curated activities across adventure, food, wellness, art, culture, learning and more. The platform currently operates across Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Chennai, Delhi and Goa, with 500+ experiences and 400+ creators and partners. Founded by Vivek Kumar, Alive App is building technology and supply infrastructure for India’s emerging experience economy.

Website: www.iamalive.app

 

Alive Logo

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28, Sep 2026
Shriram Group awards scholarships to class 10 toppers from govt schools across Telangana constituencies

HYDERABAD, India, Sept. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The Shriram Group has awarded scholarships to 10th class toppers from government schools across 119 assembly constituencies in Telangana for the academic year 2025-26. As part of the scholarship initiative, under Chaduvuko Telangana programme, each constituency topper will be awarded ₹1 lakh, district topper ₹2 lakh, state runner-up ₹3 lakh, and state topper ₹5 lakh.

The scholarships are expected to partly fund the students’ expenses in their intermediate course.

This was the second edition of ‘Mission 10th Class,’ wherein meritorious students from across Telangana were felicitated for their outstanding performance in the Class 10 examinations. A total of 632 students have been selected for scholarships under the programme.

One state topper, one state runner-up, 37 district toppers and 95 assembly constituency toppers, together comprising 134 students, were awarded scholarships at the event.

As part of the eligibility criteria, only government-run state board schools are covered. The list of students has been provided by the Department of School Education, Government of Telangana.

“Today’s achievement is a reflection of your dedication, perseverance and determination. This is a great initiative to recognise and encourage young achievers, because you are the future of our nation. Life will bring many challenges your way, and whenever you face one, remember this day and the journey that brought you here. Let this moment inspire you to believe in yourself, overcome every obstacle and continue striving towards your dreams,” Hon’ble Governor of Telangana, Shri Shiv Pratap Shukla, said, after distributing scholarships to the students.

“Education is one of the most powerful enablers of opportunity. The achievements of the students are a reflection of their hard work, determination, and the support of their families and teachers. The initiative aligns with the Shriram Group’s longstanding philosophy of putting people first and supporting the progress of society,” said Casparus J.H. Kromhout, MD and CEO, Shriram Life Insurance.

Additionally, 498 mandal toppers will be felicitated in their respective mandals while state, district, and constituency toppers received them from the Governor.

The initiative reflects the collective commitment of the Shriram Group to education and community development in Telangana. The scholarships are funded by Shriram Finance, Shriram Life Insurance, Shriram Chits, and Shriram General Insurance.

About Shriram Group

Shriram Group is one of India’s leading financial conglomerates, with a strong presence in retail financing, asset reconstruction, wealth management, life insurance, general insurance, chit funds, stock broking, financial product distribution, and asset management services. The Group’s focus is on serving underserved communities, driven by its financial inclusion agenda to bring finance to low-income families and small businesses. Shriram Group serves over 3 crore customers, has a marketing force of more than 1.85 lakh, employs over 1.16 lakh people, and operates through more than 4,800 branches. It manages an AUM of ₹3.97 lakh crore as of June 2026.

Media Contact information:

Taniya Roy,

taniya.r@shriram.com 

 

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28, Sep 2026
Virat Kohli Breaks Sachin Tendulkar’s ODI Records, Becomes Fastest to 15,000 Runs and Hits 55th Century

Thiruvananthapuram, Sept. 28: Virat Kohli once again etched his name into the record books with a stunning performance against the West Indies in the first ODI. His unbeaten 139 not only powered India to an eight-wicket victory but also saw him break two major ODI records previously held by legendary batter Sachin Tendulkar.

Virat Kohli Breaks Sachin Tendulkar’s ODI Records, Becomes Fastest to 15,000 Runs and Hits 55th Century

 Representational Image 

Kohli Reaches 15,000 ODI Runs in Just 303 Innings

Kohli became only the second batter in ODI history to reach 15,000 runs, joining Sachin Tendulkar in the elite club.

What makes the achievement even more remarkable is the speed at which Kohli reached the milestone. He completed 15,000 ODI runs in just 303 innings, breaking Tendulkar’s previous record of 377 innings.

Kohli therefore reached the landmark 74 innings faster than Tendulkar.

More Than 7,000 ODI Runs on Home Soil

Kohli’s unbeaten 139 also helped him surpass another major Tendulkar record — the most ODI runs scored in India.

Tendulkar had accumulated 6,976 ODI runs in India. Kohli went past that mark during his memorable innings and became the first batter to cross the 7,000-run mark in ODIs on Indian soil.

55th ODI Century

The record-breaking performance was capped by another major milestone.

Kohli’s unbeaten 139 brought up his 55th ODI century, further extending his record for the most ODI centuries in men’s cricket.

Three major milestones in one memorable innings — 15,000 ODI runs, more than 7,000 ODI runs in India, and a 55th ODI century.

While India secured an eight-wicket victory over the West Indies, Kohli’s unbeaten 139 emerged as the defining highlight of the match, adding another remarkable chapter to his illustrious ODI career.

28, Sep 2026
New Livestock Insurance Portal to Strengthen Financial Protection for Farmers

New Livestock Insurance Portal to Strengthen Financial Protection for Farmers

 Pic Credit: Pexel

New Delhi, Sep 28: The Centre is set to launch a new Livestock Insurance Portal to make insurance services easier to access and manage for livestock farmers, while providing stronger financial protection against losses of insured animals.

Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Rajiv Ranjan Singh will launch the portal in New Delhi. Developed by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, the digital platform is aimed at bringing livestock insurance services onto a single, transparent and technology-driven system.

The portal will bring key services such as policy registration, insurance issuance, claim processing, monitoring and reporting together on one platform. This is expected to simplify procedures, reduce paperwork and improve coordination among farmers, insurance agencies and government authorities.

Making Insurance Easier for Farmers

One of the key objectives of the initiative is to improve access to insurance, particularly for small and marginal farmers who depend heavily on livestock for household income.

The portal will be available in Hindi, English and 11 regional languages, making it easier for farmers to understand insurance provisions, access services and track their applications and claims.

For farmers, livestock insurance can provide an important financial safety net. The loss of cattle or other insured animals can significantly affect household income, particularly for families that depend on dairy farming and livestock-related activities. Faster and more transparent claim processing can help reduce the financial pressure caused by such losses.

Supporting Rural Livelihoods

Under the existing Livestock Insurance framework, beneficiaries contribute 15 per cent of the insurance premium, while the Centre and state governments jointly bear the remaining 85 per cent.

Subsidised insurance coverage is available for up to 10 cattle units per beneficiary household for most eligible animals, with separate limits for pigs and rabbits.

Government data shows that 60.8 lakh animals were insured during the latest five-year reference period, while ₹161.07 crore was released under the scheme.

The new digital platform is expected to make such support easier to administer and reach eligible beneficiaries more efficiently.

Greater Transparency in Claims

Another important objective is to improve the monitoring of insurance policies and claims. By shifting major processes to a common digital platform, the government expects to improve visibility over applications, policy status and claim settlements.

Real-time data can also help authorities identify delays, monitor implementation and take corrective action where necessary. Better data management could support more informed policymaking and improve the delivery of livestock-related programmes.

The government is also exploring the use of radio-frequency identification technology for animal identification. Such technology could help improve record-keeping and make verification during insurance claims more efficient.

Wider Economic Impact

The initiative could have an impact beyond insurance administration. Livestock is an important source of income for millions of rural households and contributes to India’s dairy, meat and other allied sectors.

Greater access to affordable insurance can reduce the financial risks associated with livestock ownership and provide farmers with greater confidence to maintain or expand their animal holdings.

A stronger insurance system can also support the broader rural economy by helping protect household incomes when livestock losses occur. This, in turn, can support spending on animal feed, veterinary services, dairy activities and other rural businesses linked to the livestock value chain.

For the government, the digital platform could improve institutional efficiency by bringing information and monitoring systems together. For farmers, the larger objective is simpler access to insurance, better information and a more transparent process for receiving support.

The launch of the Livestock Insurance Portal therefore marks a step towards technology-enabled risk protection for livestock farmers, with the potential to strengthen rural livelihoods while improving the efficiency and reach of government-supported insurance services.