15, Dec 2025
Brand Concepts Ltd. Partners with Project Nanhi Kali to Empower Girl Children
Mumbai, Dec 15: Brand Concepts Ltd. is pleased to announce a significant step in its CSR journey with the support of 65 young girl children through a long-term partnership with Project Nanhi Kali. This initiative reflects the organisation’s commitment to inclusion, empowerment, and community development, with a focus on creating opportunities that enable brighter futures.
As part of this collaboration, Brand Concepts Ltd. is contributing to the holistic development of these 65 girls, ensuring access to academic support, sports training, and essential life-skills coaching. Through this effort, the organisation aims to nurture talent, encourage aspirations, and strengthen pathways for young girls as they work toward their goals.
“Our aim is to ensure young girls have the support and opportunities they need to learn and progress. At Brand Concepts Ltd., we are committed to helping young girls access quality education and the skills they need to grow. Working with Project Nanhi Kali allows us to contribute to stronger futures for the communities we serve” said Abhinav Kumar, Co-Founder, Brand Concepts Ltd.
This partnership aligns with Brand Concepts Ltd.’s broader CSR vision of supporting impactful, community-focused initiatives. By joining hands with Project Nanhi Kali, an initiative of the K.C. Mahindra Education Trust and Naandi Foundation, the company is contributing to one of India’s most respected programmes dedicated to girl child education.
Brand Concepts Ltd. acknowledges and appreciates the Project Nanhi Kali team for their continued dedication and for enabling the organisation to participate in this meaningful legacy.
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- By Neel Achary
15, Dec 2025
Better Nutrition Launches India’s First XRF-Based Soil-to-Food Nutrient Verification System
New Delhi, Dec 15:-In a major milestone for India’s food and agri-tech ecosystem, Better Nutrition, the country’s first biofortified food brand, has unveiled its advanced XRF Analyzer, bringing unprecedented scientific validation, safety, and transparency to everyday nutrition. With this breakthrough, Better Nutrition becomes the only private organization in India, and among a handful globally, to deploy advanced X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) technology for real-time nutrient and heavy-metal profiling across every batch of food it produces.
This system now powers India’s first complete soil-to-food nutrient verification model, ensuring that nutrition is not merely claimed, but grown, measured, and proven.
The advanced XRF Analyzer can capture a complete nutrient scorecard within just 100 seconds, enabling the measurement of over 20+ essential nutrients, including iron, zinc, calcium, magnesium, manganese, and boron, while simultaneously screening for 10+ harmful heavy metals, such as lead, cadmium, and mercury.
“Almost every batch of food that we make is tested using this advanced technology, and in under 100 seconds, we can capture a perfect nutrient scorecard. We precisely ascertain levels of zinc, iron, calcium, manganese, boron, and also ensure harmful heavy metals like mercury, cadmium, and lead are absent. In India, we are the only private organization to have this capability today. Going forward, we’ll be showcasing these results to all our consumers, building unmatched trust and transparency,” said Prateek Rastogi, Co-founder, Better Nutrition.
This capability, currently found only in a few advanced research institutions globally, enables Better Nutrition to validate what most brands can only claim.
Unlike standard packaged foods that rely on broad claims such as “source of iron” or “rich in nutrients,” Better Nutrition can now prove the nutrient density of every batch before it reaches the customer.
“We’ve built India’s first soil-to-food nutrient system that can both increase and validate nutrients inside everyday staples. Nutrition is no longer assumed; it’s verified. Eating these staples daily allows consumers to meet a meaningful portion of their essential nutrient requirements without artificial fortification or supplements. This is a new, science-backed standard for everyday food in India,”
said Aishwarya Bhatnagar, Co-founder, Better Nutrition.This innovation directly addresses India’s “hidden hunger” challenge, nutrient deficiencies that persist despite adequate food availability.
15, Dec 2025
Sajjan Jain Support Trust & Arkade Developers Host Wheelchair Basketball Showcase for International Day of Persons with Disabilities
Mumbai, Dec 15:-In a powerful celebration of resilience, inclusion, and the transformative power of sport, Sajjan Jain Support Trust, an Arkade Developers initiative, in association with Project Mumbai, organized a dynamic Wheelchair Basketball Showcase Game to mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
Held with the aim of promoting accessibility, inclusivity, and equal participation in sports, the event brought together athletes, supporters, and community leaders to highlight the talent and determination of persons with disabilities. The showcase offered spectators an inspiring experience while reinforcing the belief that sports can serve as a universal platform for empowerment and social change.
Mr. Arpit Jain, Director of Arkade Developers, expressed his pride in supporting the initiative, stating: “At Arkade Developers, we believe that true progress is defined not just by the spaces we build, but by the communities we uplift. This Wheelchair Basketball Showcase reflects our commitment to fostering an inclusive society where everyone has the opportunity to participate, excel, and be celebrated. We are honoured to stand alongside Sajjan Jain Support Trust and Project Mumbai in promoting dignity, confidence, and equal opportunities for all.”
The Wheelchair Basketball Showcase not only celebrated athletic skill but also created awareness about adaptive sports and the importance of accessible infrastructure. Spectators witnessed firsthand the strength, teamwork, and passion of the athletes, underscoring the importance of providing platforms that allow everyone regardless of ability to participate in sports.
“Wheelchair basketball is not just a sport we support it is a statement of what Mumbai stands for. These athletes remind us every day that ability is never defined by circumstance. At Project Mumbai, our role is to ensure that every citizen, irrespective of mobility or background, gets the opportunity to participate, to shine, and to inspire. This is the Mumbai we believe in, and this is the Mumbai we are committed to building”, said Mr. Shishir Joshi, CEO and Founder, Project Mumbai.
The Project Mumbai Wheelchair Basketball Team, supported by Project Mumbai, stands as a testament to inclusive community building. The initiative provides athletes with training, visibility and platforms to showcase their talent while sensitising citizens on accessibility and inclusion. Project Mumbai continues to work across sectors, from volunteering opportunities like mental health, environment and civic engagement, it welcomes volunteers who wish to contribute to its mission. Every Mumbaikar is invited to join hands and be part of the change. This collaborative initiative reaffirms the shared vision of Sajjan Jain Support Trust, Arkade Developers, and Project Mumbai: to foster an inclusive society that recognises and celebrates the abilities of all individuals.
15, Dec 2025
Hetal Gada Talks On-Screen Chemistry in Amazon MX Player’s Aukaat Ke Bahar
“We tried our best to make every moment look as real as possible”: Hetal Gada on her on-screen chemistry with Elvish Yadav and Nikhil Vijay in Amazon MX Player’s Aukaat Ke Bahar
MUMBAI, Dec 15: College stories work when the friendships feel real, the experiences feel familiar, and the emotions ring true. Amazon MX Player’s Aukaat Ke Bahar taps right into that space. Set in a buzzing Delhi college, the series captures the thrill, conflict, and camaraderie that shape young adulthood. While the series explores ambition, identity, and the messy choices that define campus life, a huge part of its heartbeat lies in the trio of Rajveer (Elvish Yadav), Jogi (Nikhil Vijay), and Rajbala (Hetal Gada), whose chemistry shapes the emotional spine of the series. As Rajbala, Hetal brings a spark that sits somewhere between fierce loyalty and unfiltered honesty, grounding the boys while claiming her own space within the college’s clashing egos and emerging identities.
Reflecting on how she approached Rajbala’s dynamic with Rajveer and Jogi, Hetal Gada shares,
“The approach was pretty clear to me. The audience should feel like these three have been friends since childhood. That was the goal from day one. Even Elvish and Nikhil had this clarity that our friendship had to feel real. And we tried our best to make every moment look as real as possible. We spent time hanging out, reading scenes together, messing around between shots, so by the time the camera rolled, the friendship already had a rhythm. When I see the edits fans make today, calling us Jogi Bala or saying Bala Rajveer is fire, it feels like we really managed to bring that bond alive.”
Talking about Rajbala’s place in the group, she adds,
“Rajbala will always speak up for what is right. She stands her ground, she stands by her boys, and she understands the situation for what it is. That honesty comes naturally to her, and exploring that was super fun to me. It was a very, very fun experience overall.”
Aukaat Ke Bahar is now streaming for free exclusively on Amazon MX Player across the MX Player app, Amazon shopping app, Prime Video, Fire TV and Airtel Xstream.
15, Dec 2025
AORUS Elite 16: Gigabyte’s Best-Priced Laptop for Gamers and Creators in India
GIGABYTE today announced the launch of the AORUS Elite 16 laptop, positioning it as one of the best laptops in its class for users seeking powerful performance at the best price laptop value point. Engineered as a next-generation notebook for gamers, content creators, streamers and professionals, the Gigabyte/AORUS Elite 16 laptop introduces a hybrid-performance design that delivers exceptional gaming power and creator-ready efficiency.
The AORUS Elite 16 is powered by the latest Intel® Core™ Ultra 9 processors and the new NVIDIA RTX 5070 Graphic Card, This next-gen GPU architecture enables ultra-smooth gameplay, accelerated AI features and fast rendering speeds for demanding creative workflows.
The device features a 16-inch WQXGA (2560×1600) display with a 165Hz refresh rate, giving gamers crisp clarity and creators accurate colour depth. Whether for competitive eSports, 4K editing, motion design or streaming, the AORUS Elite 16 is built to handle multi-layer workloads without compromise.
Supporting DDR5 memory, PCIe Gen4 SSD, and multiple high-speed connectivity options such as Thunderbolt™ 5, USB 3.2, HDMI 2.1, and WIFI 7 the notebook ensures rapid data transfers and strong wireless stability. The lightweight yet durable chassis reinforces Gigabyte’s engineering precision, making the AORUS Elite 16 a powerful yet portable choice for modern users.
With its advanced hardware stack RTX 50 Series Graphics Card, creator-grade display technology and aggressive pricing, the AORUS Elite 16 laptop stands as one of the most performance-balanced notebooks available in India today.
15, Dec 2025
Odisha Unveils Ambitious Cold Chain Vision at Cold Storage Conclave & Buyer–Seller Meet 2025
Bhubaneswar, Dec 15: APICOL, in association with ASSOCHAM, successfully hosted the Cold Storage Conclave & Buyer Seller Meet 2025 at Welcomhotel by ITC, Bhubaneswar, bringing together policymakers, industry leaders, agri-entrepreneurs, farmer groups, financial institutions, and technology providers to accelerate the growth of Odisha’s cold storage and post-harvest infrastructure.
The event was inaugurated by Shri Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment, who formally opened the exhibition and visited various stalls showcasing Odisha’s agri-horti potential. During the inaugural session, approval letters were distributed to cold storage beneficiaries.
Addressing the gathering, Shri Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo stated, “The state government is committed to creating an enabling ecosystem for investment, innovation, and inclusive growth in agriculture and allied sectors. Emphasising sustainability, we aim to establish cold storage units in 58 sub-divisions by FY 2029–30, with a proposed budget outlay of INR 252 crore.”
He highlighted key policy interventions such as capital investment subsidies and interest reimbursement to revitalise defunct cold storage units and ensure the long-term viability of new projects. He urged banks, industry associations, technology providers, and large buyers to collaborate closely with Odisha’s farmers and entrepreneurs, noting that strong value-chain partnerships are essential to unlock the sector’s full potential.
Dr. Arabinda Kumar Padhee, IAS, Principal Secretary, Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment, highlighted Odisha’s transition towards market-led agriculture. He noted that the state has been rice-surplus for the past 16–17 years, supplying over 12 states, and produced nearly 15 million tonnes of food grains along with an equal volume of horticultural produce in the last agricultural year. Dr. Padhee emphasised the government’s concise yet comprehensive cold storage policy with attractive incentives to strengthen the ecosystem and attract private investment, highlighting that over 15 proposals have already been received from investors setting up units.
Shri Kalunge Gorakh Waman, IFS, Director of Horticulture, Government of Odisha, explained that the horticulture sector is entering a pivotal phase through the visionary Cold Storage Policy, which aims to strengthen post-harvest management by building a reliable cold storage and logistics network. The Horticulture Directorate, in collaboration with APICOL, is operationalising support mechanisms including capital assistance, time-bound completion of new units, and electricity tariff subsidies to ensure viable operations.
From the industry perspective, Dr. Prabodh Mohanty, Chairman, ASSOCHAM Odisha (Mining, Steel, and Agri Council) and MD, SNM Group, emphasised that Odisha’s next growth leap depends on modernising post-harvest logistics and processing. He highlighted the importance of integrated cold storage solutions with pre-cooling, digital quality tracking, grading, sorting, and access to organised buyers, noting that market predictability and long-term procurement commitments are key to attracting private capital.
Shubhranshu Mishra, Managing Director, APICOL, reaffirmed the government’s vision for a robust and sustainable cold storage ecosystem. He highlighted new schemes under the Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment Department aimed at reviving defunct units, ensuring sustainability beyond the scheme period, reducing post-harvest losses, and enhancing farmers’ incomes.
The event also featured panel discussions on scaling supply chains in Odisha, market access, branding and financing rural enterprises, and developing Odisha’s cold chain and market linkages. The Buyer–Seller Meet emerged as a major highlight, connecting producers, FPOs, SHGs, and entrepreneurs with national buyers from retail, export, and e-commerce sectors. A parallel exhibition showcased a diverse range of local and value-added products, including GI-tagged cashews, honey, spices, mushrooms, and exotic vegetables, facilitating direct business interactions and trade opportunities.
Experts from organisations such as APEDA, NABARD, DANFOS, and leading technology firms shared insights on strengthening cold chains, reducing food waste, improving market access, and integrating Odisha’s agri-enterprises with organised domestic and export value chains.
The conclave concluded with a vote of thanks by Mrs. Geetashree Parhi, Additional Director, Directorate of Horticulture, reaffirming the collective commitment of the government and industry to build a resilient, market-linked, and investment-friendly agri-horti ecosystem in Odisha.
15, Dec 2025
MRF Tyres honoured with FIA ERC Team Title at FIA Awards Gala 2025
Vice-Chairman & Managing Director, Mr Arun Mammen received the trophy at the prestigious annual event held this year in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
Tashkent (UZB), Dec 15 — The night of Friday, December 12th, marked a high-point for MRF Tyres as its Vice-Chairman and Managing Director, Mr. Arun Mammen, stepped on stage at the FIA Awards Gala in Tashkent to collect the official Team Trophy after securing the 2025 FIA European Rally Championship (ERC) Team Title.
The FIA Awards Gala, the annual season-closing ceremony organised by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), brings together champions, teams and leading figures from every major branch of international motorsport to celebrate and formally recognise their achievements over the past season. It is the highest institutional moment of the sport’s global calendar, where world titles are officially awarded.
The 2025 ERC campaign saw Team MRF Tyres deliver consistently outstanding performances across diverse terrain, rally by rally. Thanks to strong results, strategic tyre choices and seamless coordination with crews and engineers, MRF Tyres secured the ERC Team Championship for the third time, following the titles achieved in 2022 and 2023. The result stands as a testament to tyre performance, reliability and to the overall strength of the programme.
At the gala, Mr. Arun Mammen, commented: “We are deeply honoured to receive the Team Title at such a prestigious occasion. This award recognises not only the work of our engineers and staff, but also the spirit, dedication and resilience of the entire MRF Tyres organisation, both on and off the stages of the 2025 European Rally Championship. When preparation, performance and passion come together, tyres can make the difference. This trophy underlines our commitment and encourages us to continue delivering our very best in the seasons to come”.
MRF Tyres extends warm congratulations to all drivers, co-drivers and team personnel who contributed to this achievement. The recognition at the FIA Awards Gala reinforces MRF Tyres’ commitment to excellence and confirms its position as a leading force in international motorsports.
15, Dec 2025
AESL Signs MoU with Indian Army to Support Personnel and Their Families
Bangalore,Dec 15:- Aakash Educational Services Limited the national leader in test preparatory services, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Indian Army to support the welfare of Army personnel and their families, including serving members, retirees, gallantry awardees, personnel with disabilities, and families of those who have died in service.
Under this MoU, AESL will provide benefits to Indian Army students who wish to enroll in its courses across its pan India centres and branches. The agreement was signed by Colonel, Ceremonial & Welfare 3&4, Indian Army, and Dr Yash Pal, Chief Academic & Business Head, Delhi-NCR, AESL.
The MoU focuses on promoting the welfare of Indian Army personnel and their families, including offering scholarships for courses at AESL centres nationwide:
- Only registration feepayable i.e. 100% waiver on all other fee components for the wards of personnel who died in service
- 100% tuition fee waiverfor the wards of personnel with more than 20% disability and gallantry awardees
- 20% tuition fee waiverfor the wards of serving and retired personnel, applicable after other scholarships are deducted
These scholarships are in addition to AESL’s existing scholarship programs, which are available to all students seeking admission.
Mr. Chandra Sekhar Garisa Reddy, (MD & CEO), Aakash Educational Services Limited, said;
“At AESL, we believe education is the strongest foundation for a brighter future. Partnering with the Indian Army allows us to honour the sacrifices of our brave soldiers by empowering their families with quality education and guidance. Through scholarships, mentoring, and counselling, we aim to ensure that the wards of our heroes are equipped to achieve their fullest potential and become leaders in their own right.”
During the tenure of the MoU, AESL will also provide comprehensive mentoring and counselling support to the wards of Indian Army personnel, addressing academic and career-related queries through both virtual and physical platforms.
AESL also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in the recent past with the Central Reserve Police Force Family Welfare Association (CWA) to provide comprehensive academic support, scholarships, and career guidance to the children and families of CRPF personnel across India.
15, Dec 2025
UWA Announces Major MedTech Partnership, Establishes First India Centre in Visakhapatnam
Visakhapatnam, Dec 15: The University of Western Australia one of the world’s top 100 universities, today unveiled a landmark collaboration with the Andhra Pradesh MedTech Zone (AMTZ) and leading institutions across Andhra Pradesh -positioning Visakhapatnam as a major Indo-Pacific hub for MedTech innovation, global research exchange, underwater domain awareness, and future-ready workforce development.
At the heart of today’s announcements is a strategic MedTech partnership between UWA and AMTZ, designed to accelerate innovation, enhance clinical capability, and strengthen industry-ready training. Through joint research, clinical trial knowledge exchange and pathways for internships with India’s top MedTech companies, the partnership will open new opportunities for students and researchers while solidifying Visakhapatnam’s position as a global center for health technology cooperation.
In parallel, aligned to Vizag’s significant defence base, through UWA Defence Security Institute, UWA’s growing role in regional maritime security and blue economy transformation through its ongoing work in Underwater Domain Awareness (UDA) is a critical component of India Australia Indo-Pacific cooperation. UWA is a core partner in the 24-month initiative, Enhancing Australia India Underwater Domain Awareness Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, a joint effort between Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) under its SATP Initiative and New Delhi’s Council for Strategic and Defence Research (CSDR). The program strengthens bilateral capability across anti-submarine warfare, uncrewed undersea vehicles, deep-sea awareness, and undersea search and rescue, contributing to regional security and expanding India’s technological leadership in the Eastern Indian Ocean. Visakhapatnam – home to some of India’s most advanced maritime and naval infrastructure will play an important role as UWA deepens its engagement in India’s ocean science and underwater systems ecosystem.
In a significant milestone for UWA’s Indo-Pacific engagement, the University also announced the creation of its first-ever UWA India Centre, established in Visakhapatnam in collaboration with the Government of Andhra Pradesh and Andhra University. The Centre will act as a platform for academic exchange, industry collaboration and innovation programs supporting joint research, faculty partnerships and deep engagement between institutions across India, Australia and the broader Indo-Pacific. It will bring together MedTech, oceans, defence, sustainability, agriculture, data science and quantum computing to address shared global challenges through interdisciplinary collaboration.
Speaking at the announcement, Professor Amit Chakma, Vice-Chancellor of The University of Western Australia, said:
“Visakhapatnam represents one of India’s most dynamic innovation ecosystems, and we are proud to strengthen our engagement with the region. The UWA India Centre will enable long-term collaboration in areas that matter most to both our nations healthcare innovation, oceans and underwater systems, sustainability and global skills development. Our partnership with AMTZ and our ongoing work in underwater domain awareness will empower students, researchers and industry partners to co-create solutions with real-world impact across borders.”
The Centre will offer year-round programs that prepare students and professionals for future workforce needs across MedTech, maritime technologies, defence systems, agriculture, sustainability and advanced computing. Students from UWA Perth and its upcoming Chennai and Mumbai campuses will gain hands-on exposure to AMTZ’s cutting-edge MedTech manufacturing and testing facilities, as well as India’s rapidly expanding ocean, marine and defence sectors. Through internships, applied research and immersion programs, students will benefit from one of the world’s most robust industry–academia ecosystems.
With the launch of this Centre and the expansion of UWA’s Indo-Pacific agenda, today’s announcements mark a significant step toward cultivating a skilled talent pipeline, strengthening India–Australia cooperation and driving transformative innovation across health, oceans, security, and technology sectors.
15, Dec 2025
FUJIFILM India Expands Advanced MRI Access in East with APERTO Lucent Installation in Siliguri
Siliguri, Dec 15: FUJIFILM India, a leader in advanced diagnostic imaging solutions, has announced the installation of its state-of-the-art APERTO Lucent Open MRI system at Mothercare Centre Airport Plaza Building Bagdogra Naxalbari Block Close to Siliguri District, Darjeeling, strengthening a partnership that spans more than a decade. The centre, led by Director, Dr. Ranjit Bhagat, has long relied on FUJIFILM India’s CR, DR and ultrasound technologies, and this latest installation marks a transformative step forward in expanding high-quality MRI access for communities across North Bengal.
The APERTO Lucent brings together precision imaging and patient-centric design, offering a uniquely open, comfortable scanning experience through its single-pillar structure and True OPEN Bore architecture. Equipped with a 0.4T permanent magnet, the system delivers stable, high-clarity imaging at low running costs, while its IP-RAPID technology significantly reduces scan times without compromising detail, helping clinicians diagnose complex neurological, musculoskeletal, cardiac, and oncological conditions with greater accuracy and efficiency.
The city, Siliguri, functions as a critical healthcare hub for a vast regional population spanning North Bengal, Sikkim, Bihar and the North-East, where access to advanced imaging has historically been uneven and sometimes delayed. With India steadily expanding MRI availability beyond large cities, the installation of this machine in Siliguri aims to bridge these gaps by offering faster, more accurate diagnosis within the region and ensuring that high-quality care is accessible to every family without the burden of long-distance travel.
Dr. Ranjit Bhagat, Director, Mother Care Center, added, “At Mother Care Center, our priority has always been to give patients access to the best possible care, supported by reliable and advanced technology. The APERTO Lucent Open MRI is a significant step forward for us, it delivers superior image quality while offering a more comfortable experience, especially for patients who feel anxious in closed scanners. This upgrade strengthens our ability to diagnose with confidence and ensures that our community benefits from modern, high-precision imaging right here in Siliguri.”
Speaking on the milestone, Mr. Shunsuke Honda, Business Advisor, Medical Systems Division, FUJIFILM India, said, “At FUJIFILM India, improving access to advanced imaging is central to our mission. Many communities in North Bengal and neighbouring regions have long faced delays in reaching specialised diagnostic services, and installations like this help bring high-quality MRI closer to the people who need it most. Our partnership with Mother Care Center reflects our commitment to strengthening regional healthcare infrastructure and ensuring that world-class imaging is not limited to metro cities. With the APERTO Lucent Open MRI, we aim to support more equitable, timely and patient-friendly diagnostics across Siliguri and nearby cities.”
This installation reinforces FUJIFILM India’s commitment to strengthening diagnostic ecosystems in emerging healthcare hubs, ensuring that access to advanced, equitable, and patient-friendly imaging continues to expand across the country.
