12, Jan 2026
James Varghese Steps Down from OAP Mediatech; Takes Charge as Founder & CEO of OTS Communications
Mumbai, Jan 12: Veteran media professional James Varghese has announced the launch of OTS Communications (I) Pvt Ltd, a full-service media agency delivering integrated solutions across Out-of-Home (OOH), BTL activations, retail signages, and ATL media.
With over 33 years of experience in the media and advertising industry, Varghese brings deep expertise in media strategy, planning, and execution. He was associated with OAP for 19 years, where he played a pivotal role in driving strategic media initiatives and building long-standing client relationships across categories.
Commenting on the launch, James Varghese, Founder & CEO, OTS Communications, said,
“Over the years, I have had the opportunity to lead campaigns across platforms and categories. These experiences reinforced my belief that effective media outcomes come from strategic clarity, execution rigour, and ownership. OTS Communications is an extension of that belief—hands-on, focused, and deeply involved in delivering tangible value for clients.”
Sharing his perspective, Abhijit Sengupta, CEO & Director, OAP Mediatech, said,
“James Varghese has been an integral part of OAP’s journey for nearly two decades, and his leadership, integrity, and people-first approach have left a lasting imprint on the organisation. As he embarks on the next chapter of his professional journey, I wish him success in building something of his own and pursuing his entrepreneurial vision. I am confident that the values he has always stood for honesty, humility, and commitment will continue to guide him forward.”
His transition marks the culmination of a significant professional chapter, shaped by decades of industry experience, relationships, and trust built over more than three decades—particularly during his time at OAP forming a strong foundation as he embarks on this new entrepreneurial journey.
OTS Communications is founded on the principle that effective media delivery is achieved through a balance of sharp strategy, disciplined execution, and accountability. Built as an agile and focused organisation, the agency is designed to work closely with clients at every stage of the campaign lifecycle, ensuring measurable and outcome-driven media solutions.
Positioned as a responsive and involved media partner, OTS Communications (I) Pvt Ltd aims to deliver integrated, performance-led media solutions while maintaining close senior-level involvement across all mandates, offering clients strategic clarity, execution discipline, and accountability across media platforms.
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- By Neel Achary
12, Jan 2026
Suraj Pratap Singh Applauds Young Co-Stars of Divya Prem for Focus and Quick Learning
Divya Prem: Pyaar Aur Rahasya Ki Kahani Actor Suraj Pratap Singh Praises Young Co-Stars: They are fast learners and extremely focused
“Since the kids Harathi and Aqdas have joined the show, the atmosphere on set has become even more fun and lively. All the children are extremely adorable, and together we keep pulling pranks on our co-actor Megha Ray, which adds to the laughter on set. Their energy is contagious and brings a fresh vibe to our shoot days. Being around them reminds us to enjoy the process and not take things too seriously. Honestly, when kids are on set, work stops feeling like work, it feels like play with purpose.”
“What truly amazes me is how smart and sharp today’s generation of kids is. Even during shoots, they pick up their lines very quickly and perform scenes with such confidence that retakes are rarely needed. They are fast learners and extremely focused. Kids today are also very curious, they ask questions that sometimes even surprise me. There are moments when I think, “Wow, this question never even crossed my mind!” Working with them feels less like teaching and more like learning from a new generation.”
12, Jan 2026
Sri Vidhya Nilayam, Wins ‘Spirit of Mylapore’ Award 2026 from Sundaram Finance
Chennai, Jan 12: Sundaram Finance Ltd. proudly presented this year’s prestigious Spirit of Mylapore Award 2026 to Sri Vidhya Nilayam, in recognition of their contributions to keeping the culture of the neighbourhood alive for the past many years. The award was handed over by Mr Moahan Venkatesan, Sr. Vice President and Head of Operations and Mr Sudheer Warrier, Chief Technology Officer, Sundaram Finance Ltd., to the proprietor of Sri Vidhya Nilayam, S Vijayakumari and her sons yesterday, towards the conclusion of the Sundaram Finance Mylapore Festival 2026.
The Spirit of Mylapore Award was first instituted in 2009 by Sundaram Finance to celebrate and honour long-standing residents and institutions of Mylapore that have made outstanding contributions to the heritage and culture of this iconic neighbourhood. The award is presented annually during the Sundaram Finance Mylapore Festival.
Founded in 1954, Sri Vidhya Nilayam, is a store that has been selling authentic and good quality puja products, including Kumkum, vibhooti, sandal powder and turmeric, among other things. The store is located on North Mada Street, and they have customers from across the world.
Mr Lakshmanan, son of S Vijayakumari, said, “I thank Sundaram Finance Limited for recognising us through this Spirit of Mylapore Award. It brings so much joy in our hearts. We wanted to keep the legacy of my parents alive by continuing to provide quality products and service to people.”
The Spirit of Mylapore Award has previously been presented to several distinguished recipients, including Sri Ramakrishna Mutt, Rayar’s Mess, The Sanskrit College and SSV Patasala, Vijaya Stores, Rasi Silks, Ramanathan Krishnan, P S Higher Secondary School, Dabba Chetty Shop, and Prof. R Ramachandra.
12, Jan 2026
Festive Indulgence Takes a Toll on Health, Warn CARE Hospitals Doctors
“After extended festive periods, many patients present with fatigue, acidity, uncontrolled blood sugar levels, elevated blood pressure and breathlessness. When celebrations continue without a break, the body does not get sufficient time to recover, increasing the risk of complications, particularly in people with diabetes, hypertension or obesity.”
“The liver is among the most affected organs during festive indulgence. Repeated consumption of alcohol and rich foods can worsen fatty liver disease, gastritis and other digestive disorders. Many patients seek medical attention only when symptoms persist well beyond the festive season.”
12, Jan 2026
ECO Mobility Reinforces Safety-First Culture Through #Safety365 Programme
New Delhi, India, Jan 12: ECOS (India) Mobility & Hospitality Limited (ECOSMOBLTY | 544239 | INE06HJ01020), one of India’s leading chauffeur-driven corporate mobility providers, has reinforced its long-term commitment to safety with the successful implementation of its #Safety365 initiative, embedding safety as a core organisational value across operations.
The initiative was designed to move beyond a short-term campaign approach and establish safety as an everyday responsibility for chauffeurs and teams. Over a four-week period, ECO Mobility conducted structured engagement and training programmes focused on awareness, responsible driving behaviour, and continuous learning, supported by interactive sessions and regular communication touchpoints.
As part of the initiative, chauffeurs participated in safety pledges, symbolising their personal commitment to ensuring safe and reliable journeys. The programme saw strong participation, with more than 2,600 chauffeurs trained across 137 sessions, delivering over 2,800 man-hours of focused safety learning.
To sustain engagement beyond formal sessions, ECO Mobility has also launched a dedicated Chauffeurs’ WhatsApp Channel, ECO Mobility: Chauffeur Club, to share ongoing safety updates, training content, and best practices, ensuring continuous reinforcement of safety standards.
Commenting on the initiative, Ms. Deepali DeV, Chief Operating Officer of ECOS (India) Mobility & Hospitality Limited, said,
“At ECO, safety is not a periodic initiative but a responsibility we uphold every day. Through #Safety365, we are reinforcing a culture where every chauffeur takes ownership of safety, ensuring consistent, dependable, and secure mobility experiences for our customers.”
ECO Mobility continues to strengthen its safety-first culture, supporting its mission to deliver professionally managed, compliant, and reliable chauffeur-driven mobility solutions across India.
12, Jan 2026
Varthana Secures $6M Loan from WaterEquity to Boost Safe Water and Sanitation in Indian Schools
Varthana secures USD 6 million loan from WaterEquity to expand access to safe water and sanitation in underserved schools across India
Varthana Finance, a leading NBFC in the affordable education sector in India, has secured a USD 6 million loan from WaterEquity, a global asset manager exclusively focused on water and sanitation. The funding aims to expand access to safe water and sanitation in underserved school communities across India. The proceeds will be deployed exclusively toward school improvement loans that incorporate water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) infrastructure, enabling affordable private schools to provide clean drinking water, improved sanitation facilities, and promote healthy hygiene practices for students.
This investment aligns with Varthana’s commitment to creating sustainable impact through education-focused financing. With deep geographical reach across peri-urban and rural India, Varthana is well-positioned to scale access to water and sanitation infrastructure in affordable private schools. WaterEquity brings sectoral expertise through prior investments in microfinance institutions, housing finance companies, and SMEs. This transaction introduces school financing to WaterEquity’s India portfolio, expanding its support of long-term impact.
“Access to safe water and sanitation is fundamental to creating a healthy and conducive learning environment,” said Steve Hardgrave, Wholetime Director and Executive Vice Chairman, Varthana. “By integrating WASH improvements into our school financing model, we are ensuring that quality education goes hand in hand with the well-being of students. Our collaboration with WaterEquity helps us deepen our commitment to sustainable school ecosystems, especially in communities that need it most.”
“Children spend a significant portion of their day at school, and access to safe, dignified WASH facilities is essential to improving attendance and learning outcomes – particularly for girls,” said Amit Agarwal, Head of South and Central Asia for Financial Institutions, WaterEquity. “Varthana’s extensive network of affordable private schools presents a strong platform to scale these improvements. This transaction marks WaterEquity’s first global investment in the school finance sector adding WASH lending for schools as a new product in our debt portfolio. That portfolio currently generates water and sanitation impact in 23 countries through households and enterprises loan products from Microfinance Institutions, Banks, Housing Finance Companies and other non-Banking Financial Institutions. We are pleased to support Varthana in expanding sustainable school infrastructure and improving access to water and sanitation in underserved communities.”
This initiative is expected to contribute to improved public health outcomes, increased school attendance, and India’s progress toward the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6, ensuring availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. By combining WaterEquity’s expertise in impact investing and Varthana’s on-ground reach and financial acumen, this collaboration seeks to help bridge the gap that often prevents vulnerable communities from accessing basic water and sanitation facilities.
12, Jan 2026
Canon India Unveils Next-Gen imageFORCE 8100 Series, Redefining Black & White Production Printing
Canon India, a leader in digital imaging solutions, today announced the launch of three new models—imageFORCE 8105, 8195 and 8186—its next-generation printing lineup meticulously engineered to meet the evolving needs of jobbers, copy shops and book publishers. Entering a market valued in the tens to hundreds of billions of dollars, where growth is driven by packaging, publishing and commercial applications, the new series is poised to tap into key demand generators for these segments. With the introduction of the imageFORCE 8105, 8195 and 8186, Canon adds a new monochrome light-production line to its existing production portfolio, ensuring a seamless spread from office printers to high-volume production engines.
This next-generation black-and-white imageFORCE 8100 series is designed to deliver quality and professional-grade output thereby setting new standards of Black & White Brilliance for its customers. The printers deliver superior print resolution, enhanced coated media handling, larger banner size support, and higher feeder capacity to address the demands of Copy shops, Jobber & Print Service providers. Engineered for real‑world production needs, the imageFORCE 8100 series offers sharper 2,400 × 2,400 dpi output and more accurate laser imaging so fine text, graphics and halftones look cleaner, even on complex jobs. By handling a wider range of media, from lightweight duplex stocks to heavy coated papers and long-format banners the new lineup lets print providers take on more varied, higher‑value applications with one device, helping them upgrade print quality, expand services and deliver more premium jobs for their customers.
Speaking on the launch, Mr. Toshiaki Nomura, President & CEO, Canon India, said,
“The launch of the imageFORCE 8100 series marks a significant step forward in our commitment to advancing India’s rapidly evolving Production Print ecosystem. As businesses seek greater efficiency, automation and scalability in their production environments, this new lineup delivers the precision, reliability and media versatility they need to grow. With the 8100 series, we are strengthening our promise of empowering print providers with future-ready technology that elevates quality, expands service capability and supports long-term business transformation.”
Sharing his thoughts on the new lineup, Mr. Puneet Datta, Senior Director, Commercial & Industrial Printing, Canon India, said,
“With the launch of the Monochrome Production Printer imageFORCE 8100 series, we’re expanding our portfolio to give print providers the technology they need to thrive in today’s demanding production environment, where speed, precision, and reliability are non-negotiable. A standout feature is AI-assisted smart maintenance, which predicts the lifespan of parts and key components, enabling proactive service and minimizing downtime. Combined with Canon’s advanced print quality and the ability to handle diverse media, from coated stocks and envelopes to long-format banners, the 8100 series empowers customers to take on more high-value projects with confidence. This lineup is designed to help businesses boost productivity, deliver exceptional quality, and stay competitive in a fast-changing market.”
Higher Print Resolution for Professional Output
The imageFORCE 8100 series delivers up to 2,400 × 2,400 dpi resolution, powered by Canon’s advanced 32-beam R-VCSEL laser technology, which produces sharper text, denser blacks, refined lines, and greater readability, including critical use cases such as barcodes. The upgraded imaging system significantly improves line quality with reduced scatter and raises benchmark barcode performance from D-F levels on earlier models to A-C on the new imageFORCE 8100 range, ensuring professional-grade output across demanding applications.
Coated Media Support for Expanded Print Possibilities
The new imageFORCE 8100 series is built for versatility; the platform now supports coated substrates from 91-150 gsm, along with embossed media, films, and pre-printed stocks. A wider media weight capability ranging from 52-300 gsm enables duplex printing on uncoated sheets and premium coated finishes, ideal for book publishing, commercial print runs, and specialty production jobs that demand richer texture and elevated finish quality.
Higher Feeder Capacity for Increased Productivity
Designed to handle evolving print volumes, the imageFORCE 8100 series features enhanced feeder capacity for sustained, uninterrupted operations in high-demand environments. Equipped to hold more media at once, it improves throughput, supports long-job execution, and reduces intervention time, supporting continuous print cycles for jobbers, copy shops, and book publishers with peak workload requirements.
Extended Size Flexibility for Banner and Long-Format Jobs
With support for media widths up to 13 × 19 inches and extended lengths up to 1,300 mm (51”), the series unlocks new possibilities in banner printing and long-format applications. This capability allows organizations to diversify their service offerings, run complex layouts, and deliver higher-value output without compromising efficiency
Together, these advancements reinforce Canon India’s focus on continuous innovation and customer-centric design, ensuring that the imageFORCE 8100 series not only meets today’s production demands but also anticipates tomorrow’s opportunities. By combining higher print quality, greater media flexibility and scalable productivity, Canon aims to empower print providers across segments to grow faster, differentiate their offerings and build more sustainable, future-ready businesses.
12, Jan 2026
KIIT World School Hosts CBSE Workshop on Art Integration
Gurugram, Jan 12: KIIT World School, Sohna Road, recently hosted a CBSE Capacity Building Programme (CBP) workshop focused on Art Integration, designed to equip educators with innovative strategies to make classroom learning more engaging, creative, and effective.
The workshop was led by CBSE Resource Persons Rama Shankar and Kalyani Voleti, both seasoned educators with extensive experience in teacher training. Kalyani Voleti, a specialist in Visual Arts Education, shared practical insights on embedding artistic approaches across subjects to enhance conceptual understanding and foster deeper learning.
Teachers actively participated in experiential activities, including role-playing exercises based on the Preamble of the Constitution and discussions aligned with the Multiple Intelligences theory. These hands-on sessions demonstrated how art can be seamlessly integrated into diverse disciplines, enabling students to connect better with academic concepts.
The workshop also emphasized the role of art-based learning in nurturing ethics, values, and emotional intelligence. Educators were encouraged to express ideas through acting, poetry, and visual storytelling, highlighting how every creative medium conveys meaningful narratives. Strategies to develop critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and communication skills—key 21st-century competencies—were also discussed for immediate classroom implementation.
Speaking on the occasion, Principal Neelima Kamrah said,
“Art integration has become an essential component of modern education. It not only nurtures creativity but also enables students to develop a deeper and more meaningful understanding of academic subjects.”
12, Jan 2026
Courtyard by Marriott Pune Chakan Launches Friday Themed Brunches at MoMo Café
Pune, India, Jan 12: – Courtyard by Marriott Pune Chakan is delighted to announce the launch of its exciting Friday Themed Brunches at MoMo Café, offering guests an elevated culinary and entertainment experience every Friday.
Curated to delight food enthusiasts and redefine weekend dining, the Friday Themed Brunches feature a rotating selection of global cuisines, thoughtfully crafted and presented by speciality chefs. Each week introduces a new theme, inviting guests to explore authentic flavours, innovative presentations, and diverse culinary traditions from around the world, all in one vibrant setting.
Enhancing this gastronomic journey is Melody & Meals, a signature Thursday evening dining experience at MoMo Café. Guests can indulge in an elaborate buffet while enjoying live musical performances by talented musicians, who set the mood with soulful and energetic tunes. The seamless blend of music and cuisine creates an engaging yet relaxed ambiance, making for a memorable evening.
From indulgent spreads and chef-led specialities to live music that elevates the atmosphere, MoMo Café transforms Fridays into a celebration of flavours and rhythm. Whether gathering with family, friends, or colleagues, guests can look forward to a lively dining experience that redefines the social and culinary landscape of Pune Chakan.
12, Jan 2026
Jubilant Bhartia Foundation & Jubilant FoodWorks Limited skill 5000 youth for careers in QSR industry
Noida, Jan 12: Jubilant Bhartia Foundation, the social arm of Jubilant Bhartia Group, marked the completion of three years of its JFARM (Jubilant FoodWorks Academy for Restaurant Operations & Management), a CSR-driven skill development initiative by Jubilant FoodWorks Ltd, enabling employment pathways for over 5,000 youth.
The programme equips young people with Industry-ready skills for the growing Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) sector across India. At the heart of this endeavour lies our commitment to nurture youth as agents of transformation.
Jubilant Bhartia Foundation brought together some of these youth agents of transformation with an aim to encourage more people to learn from their experiences and success stories. Over 70% of these alumni are today employed with QSR organisations across the country.
Speaking on the occasion, Rahul Bharde, Chief Analytics Officer, Senior Vice President Analytics & Innovation and CSR, Jubilant FoodWorks Limited, said:
“When skill development is approached with long-term intent, it creates systems that endure. Over the years, our focus has been on building practical, industry-linked models that others can learn from—where training, employability and continuity come together to deliver real outcomes for young people entering the workforce.”
Vivek Prakash, SVP & Head, Jubilant Bhartia Foundation, added:
“It fills us with immense pride to witness the young professionals trained through our programme securing promising careers with QSR brands across the country. Our recent felicitation ceremony celebrated these alumni—not just for their achievements, but for the powerful stories of resilience and success they carry. By sharing their journeys, they become catalysts of change, inspiring countless others to dream bigger and pursue brighter futures.”
Launched in 2023 for Jubilant FoodWorks Limited, JFARM QSR Skill Development Program has been implemented across 12 states of India with a special focus on the country’s North-East region and Tier-2 cities. The programme has consistently achieved over 70% placement outcomes per batch since its inception.
The training centres under the programme are strategically located near operational hubs to support smoother transition from training to employment and improved workforce retention. A significant proportion of alumni continue to work within the QSR sector, reflecting the programme’s focus on sustainable livelihoods rather than short-term placements.
Designed to strengthen workforce readiness among youth from underserved communities, the JFARM Programme delivers industry-aligned, hands-on training through a five-week model. The programme combines classroom training, practical exposure, monitoring and on-the-job learning along with placement support. It is open to candidates with a minimum qualification of Class 10, creating accessible entry points into the QSR ecosystem.
The JFARM programme also aligns with national priorities on youth employability and workforce readiness, reinforcing the role of structured, industry-linked skilling initiatives in supporting inclusive economic participation.
Through initiatives such as JFARM, the Jubilant Bhartia Foundation has consistently focused on upskilling, community capacity-building, through programmes that respond to workforce needs and aligns with industry requirements.
