7, Nov 2025
Galgotias University Rises Higher in QS World Rankings 2026
Galgotias University Soars to New Heights in QS World Rankings 2026 Marking a Continued Global Rise
Greater Noida, 7th November 2025: Galgotias University continues its remarkable trajectory in global higher education, securing prominent positions in the QS World University Rankings 2026 by Quacquarelli Symonds. The university has been ranked 15th among India’s top private universities and 43rd among all Indian universities, both public and private, underscoring its growing reputation for academic excellence, global relevance, and research-driven innovation.
Building on this momentum, Galgotias University has achieved yet another milestone in the QS World University Rankings: Asia 2026, where it has been placed at 116 in Southern Asia and 454 across Asia. This recognition marks Galgotias as one of the youngest and fastest-rising universities in the region, reflecting its steady progress toward becoming a hub for transformative education and international collaboration.
Adding to its growing list of accolades, Galgotias University has been honored with the prestigious QS Recognition Award for Global Engagement – Performance Improvement, acknowledging its sustained efforts in strengthening global partnerships, fostering cross-border learning opportunities, and continuously improving institutional performance on a global scale.
Commenting on the milestone, Dr. Dhruv Galgotia, CEO of Galgotias University, said,
“Our performance across global and regional rankings underscores Galgotias University’s evolution as a globally connected, research-led institution. These recognitions are the result of our faculty’s excellence, our students’ innovation, and our commitment to creating future-ready graduates who make a real-world impact.”
At the heart of Galgotias University’s success lies its transformative G-SCALE (Galgotias Student-Centric Active Learning Ecosystem). This innovative model emphasises experiential learning, research-driven education, and comprehensive student development. Guided by the visionary leadership of Dr. Dhruv Galgotia, the University continues to strengthen its position as one of Asia’s most dynamic institutions of excellence.
With consistent performance in global rankings and a growing footprint in international collaborations, Galgotias University is setting new benchmarks in quality education, research, and global engagement.
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- By Neel Achary
7, Nov 2025
Imagicaaworld partners with global leader Hello Park to launch India’s First Immersive Digital-Physical Playground Experience
A first-of-its-kind asset-light ‘phygital’ playground that merges immersive technology, motion- based gaming and creative learning for kids and families.
Mumbai, November 7, 2025: Imagicaa Next Private Limited, Imagicaaworld Entertainment Limited’s wholly owned subsidiary for bringing world class future-focused entertainment cum learning experiences ‐ to India., announced a landmark partnership with Hello Park, the world’s largest chain of immersive, digital-physical (“phygital”) play parks for children. This partnership heralds the foray of Imagicaaworld into the Family Entertainment Centre (FEC) category. This asset light, in-city format is planned to be rolled out in malls and high footfall locations in the country. This collaboration entails exclusive rights to bring Hello Park to India, marking a major step in redefining family entertainment and experiential learning in the country.
Present across 50+ locations globally, Hello Park blends interactive projections, gaming, creativity, movement, and learning—turning traditional play areas into intelligent, digital-enabled activity zones. Designed to stimulate imagination, teamwork, sensory development and problem-solving, each Hello Park offers immersive projection zones, interactive games & educational activities, birthday and party experiences, workshops, storytelling & creative sessions, family-friendly dining and entertainment spaces.
Comment from Mr. Jai Malpani, Managing Director, Imagicaaworld Entertainment Limited “The introduction of Hello Park in India is a proud milestone for us and a significant step forward for the country’s entertainment landscape. For years, children’s recreation has largely been seen as either physical play or digital consumption. Hello Park breaks that barrier and brings the best of both worlds together where technology, imagination, movement, and learning beautifully coexist. This in-city format, which is proposed primarily in popular malls, is highly scalable and will be synergistic with our existing outdoor park businesses thus also opening doors for various cross promotional activities with younger audiences and their parents.
We firmly believe that meaningful entertainment should be accessible, inclusive, and enriching. Through Hello Park, we are bringing a globally successful phygital concept to Indian families; designed not only for fun, but for creativity, sensory development, and social interaction. This is entertainment with purpose, and it aligns strongly with our vision of building experiences that are joyful, innovative, and future-ready.
At Malpani Group, our mission has always been to push boundaries and introduce world-class experiences in India. With Hello Park, we are opening a new category of interactive play for children and families. And this is only the beginning. We remain committed to expanding such next-generation entertainment formats across the country, creating destinations that inspire, engage, and celebrate the spirit of a new India.”
Comment from Mr. Alex, Zavyalov, Director and Co-Founder, Hello Park LL.C – FZ: “India is one of the most dynamic and fast-growing family entertainment markets in the world, and we are truly excited to bring the Hello Park experience here. Our parks are built on a simple belief that play should be intelligent, interactive, and inspiring. Children should not just watch screens; they should shape the world inside them. Hello Park turns technology into a tool of creativity, learning, movement and joy.
Partnering with Imagicaa Next gives us the perfect foundation to grow in India. Their deep understanding of Indian consumers and their passion for innovation in entertainment makes this collaboration a natural fit. Together, we aim to redefine indoor play and offer families a space where imagination comes alive in motion, colour and light. We see India not just as a new market, but as a long-term home for Hello Park. This is only the first step, and we look forward to building many more immersive destinations across the country.”
The partnership ensures Hello Park will provide India centers with its global-standard software, hardware specifications, training, and operational support, including regular upgrades. Imagicaa Next will roll out multiple Hello Parks across feasible, high-footfall locations in India.
6, Nov 2025
WAVES Film Bazaar 2025 Announces Co-Production Market, Work-in-Progress Lab, and Viewing Room Lineups
The 19th edition of WAVES Film Bazaar, organized by the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), returns to Goa from November 20–24, 2025, alongside the International Film Festival of India (IFFI), at the Marriott Resort. This year’s edition brings together an exceptional slate across its Co-Production Market, Work-in-Progress (WIP) Lab, and Viewing Room, reaffirming WAVES Film Bazaar’s position as South Asia’s most vital global film market and co-production platform.
The Co-Production Market 2025 presents 22 feature films and 5 documentaries from 8 countries, spanning 19 languages, celebrating a dynamic blend of emerging voices and industry veterans including Kiran Rao, Vikramaditya Motwane, Shakun Batra, Devashish Makhija, Ira Dubey, Shaunak Sen, and BAFTA-winner Ben Crichton. Selected filmmakers will pitch their projects to international and Indian producers, distributors, financiers, and festival programmers, fostering new collaborations.
This year also marks the inclusion of documentary projects in the Co-Production Market, spanning themes such as arts, environment, education, gender, and sustainability. Additionally, three projects—Shamed, Smash, and Tiger in the Lion Den—feature under NFDC’s Handpicked Focused Projects, while “Gloria” from the Asia TV Forum & Market (ATF) cross-exchange initiative spotlights international co-creation.
The Viewing Room 2025 features 230 entries in 33 languages from 14 countries, including 85 world premieres, connecting filmmakers with international buyers and festival programmers through an advanced digital interface. The curated WAVES Film Bazaar Recommends (WFBR) section spotlights 22 innovative films across formats and genres.
The Work-in-Progress Lab 2025 received 50 entries across 14 languages, selecting five films including the India–Australia co-production Chevittorma and Khoriya, backed by Ashim Ahluwalia. Mentored by a global panel including Philippa Campbell, Sandrine Cassidy, Kiki Fung, Nitin Baid, and Sanyukta Kaza, the Lab provides emerging filmmakers with expert editorial feedback and festival insights. Notably, past WIP selections such as Shape of Momo have gone on to win multiple international accolades.
6, Nov 2025
In the Age of AI, This Student’s Hand-Drawn Film Wins National Recognition for Its Human Touch
India, 06th November, 2025: At a time when even the Mahabharat on Netflix is generated by algorithms, 21-year-old Rachel Tom Antony decided to do something radical: draw every frame by hand. When Rachel found out that her grandmother’s handwritten journals had been burned, she didn’t imagine the loss would become the foundation of her first animated film.
Her project, Kannimanga a 14-minute hand-drawn film recently won the Best Student Film Award (2D Short Film category) at the ASIFA India Awards of Excellence, one of the country’s leading recognitions in animation.
A Film That Began With A Question
Growing up between homes and histories, Rachel often wondered what it means to inherit stories you’ve never been told. “My grandmother used to write journals. When I began this project, I wanted to read them for research but they’d been burned. My father simply said, ‘There are some things you shouldn’t know,’” she recalls.
That moment of silence and secrecy becomes the emotional spark for Kannimanga, a visual journey on family, memory and the nuances that get lost in translation across generations.
The Craft Of Remembering
Entirely hand-drawn frame by frame, Kannimanga weaves journal-style narration with muted color palettes and layered textures inspired by Kerala’s lush landscapes. Its slow, contemplative rhythm mirrors how memory unfolds uneven, tender and sometimes painful.
Iterations and Animation
Guided by Shaaz Ahmed, Associate Professor of Communication Design at IIAD Delhi, Rachel explored how animation could hold space for grief and reconciliation. Shaaz Ahmed has over a decade of experience mentoring animation projects that blend storytelling, cultural context and emotional nuance. Known for nurturing students to explore experimental techniques, Shaaz has been pivotal in helping IIAD become a hub where young animators not only create award-winning work but also push the boundaries of what Indian animation can be. Recently, his work was featured in the exhibition After the Assembly: Constituting India (held at the SOAS University of London Gallery) where he contributed animated films that engage with the making of the Indian Constitution and the living nature of constitutional culture.
The film, Rachel says, felt deeply personal a way to preserve emotions through animation.
More Than An Award
For Rachel, the ASIFA recognition is not just validation of craft, but of courage — of staying loyal to an old, meditative process in a world rushing toward AI-generated visuals. “It’s a handmade film. Every line, every movement carries my hesitation and hope.”
The project was developed at the Indian Institute of Art and Design (IIAD). Over the past few years, IIAD has emerged as a breeding ground for both national and international recognition in animation film design. Its students have earned accolades at prestigious platforms including the Animation Xpress ANN Awards in Mumbai, the Women’s Independent Film Festival in Los Angeles, and been officially selected at AniMela, India’s premier international animation, VFX, gaming and XR festival.
With a pedagogy that combines technical mastery, research-driven narratives and artistic freedom, IIAD offers students a supportive ecosystem to experiment, fail and innovate — something Rachel credits as a key factor in her creative journey.
6, Nov 2025
KFC Celebrates Champions Jemimah Rodrigues & Renuka Thakur
India, 06th November 2025: India’s mood after Sunday’s big win? Celebration MAX! Cricket sensations Jemimah Rodrigues and Renuka Thakur are keeping the party going. In a new video released today, the duo is seen celebrating over a table full of finger-lickin’ good chicken from KFC.
The reel captures their trademark camaraderie high-fives, cheers, and laughter because, as they say, “the celebrations are still going on!” The camera pans to reveal a feast from KFC’s Great Feastival menu, including the cheesy, crunchy Chizza, the all-chicken Double Down Burger, the Gold Zinger, and the 9-piece Chicken Meal that they just can’t get enough of.
Amid grooving, feasting, and celebrations, the duo enjoys the iconic celebratory anthem, “Ishq Tera Tadpave (Oh Ho Ho Ho).” For these trophy winners, the festivities truly don’t end.
The Great KFC Feastival menu is available at all 1,300+ KFC outlets across India for dine-in, takeaway, and via the KFC app, website, and leading food delivery platforms. Fans can pre-order through the KFC app while dining in to skip the queue and get straight to their finger-lickin’ good chicken.
6, Nov 2025
Lupin Receives EIR from U.S. FDA for its Pithampur Unit-3 Facility
Mumbai, 06th November, 2025: Global pharma major Lupin Limited (Lupin) today announced that it has received the Establishment Inspection Report (EIR) from the United States Food and Drug Administration (U.S. FDA) for its Pithampur Unit-3 facility, following an inspection from July 7 to July 17, 2025. The facility manufactures metered dose inhalers, dry powder inhalers, topical formulations, and nasal solutions.
Nilesh Gupta, Managing Director, Lupin said, “We are pleased to have received the EIR from the U.S. FDA for our Pithampur Unit-3 facility. This demonstrates our commitment to maintaining the highest standards of compliance and quality, as we aim to deliver high-quality, affordable medicines from world-class factories for patients worldwide.”
6, Nov 2025
Microfinance Lending Shows Strong Signs of Recovery Amid Continued Portfolio Moderation: CRIF High Mark MicroLend Report
Kolkata , 6th November 2025: CRIF High Mark, a leading credit bureau in India, has released the latest edition of its quarterly publication MicroLend, highlighting the continuous cautious yet improving credit environment as of September 2025. While the overall Gross Loan Portfolio (GLP) continued to moderate, delinquencies and origination quality trends point toward improving asset health and better portfolio management across lenders.
As of September 2025, the industry’s GLP stood at ₹3.46 lakh crore, reflecting a 16.5% year-on-year and 3.8% quarter-on-quarter decline. However, the value of loans disbursed rose 6.5% QoQ, indicating a shift toward higher ticket sizes and lending to seasoned borrowers.
Portfolio quality showed notable improvement, with PAR 1–180 days past due (DPD) improving to 5.99%, a 1.07% QoQ decline. DPD buckets (PAR 1–30 and PAR 31–90) eased across most lender types
Highlighting key trends:
- NBFC-MFIs continued to dominate originations value, accounting for 41.6% of total disbursement value in Q2 FY26, followed by Banks (31.2%), Small Finance Banks (14.5%) and NBFCs (12.7%).
- Loans in the ₹50,000–₹1 lakh segment accounted for the majority of disbursements, while loans above ₹1 lakh doubled their share YoY to 15%, driven largely by banks and NBFCs.
- Borrower exposure to up to three lenders rose from 83.1% to 91.2% between Sep’24 and Sep’25, reflecting adherence to the guardrails cap —limiting borrowers to a maximum of three lenders.
- As of Sep’25, borrowers with aggregate portfolio exposure up beyond ₹2.0 lakh (Guardrails threshold) accounted for just 2.3% of the overall industry, reducing from 5.1% as of Sep’24
Commenting on the findings, Sachin Seth, Chairman – CRIF High Mark Credit Bureau (CIC) Regional Managing Director, CRIF India & South Asia, said: “The microfinance sector continues to demonstrate its resilience, with lenders showing prudence in customer selection and credit underwriting. The steady rise in ticket sizes and increased lending to experienced borrowers reflect a maturing credit ecosystem that is balancing growth with sustainability. As institutions leverage data-driven insights to assess borrower behavior, we expect the next few quarters to see more calibrated expansion backed by stronger asset quality.”
The MicroLend report is CRIF High Mark’s quarterly publication that provides data-driven insights into India’s microfinance ecosystem, tracking key performance metrics such as portfolio trends, delinquencies, borrower exposure, and lender behavior.
6, Nov 2025
Nagabhushanam Mess Achieves 7x Growth with Zomato’s Support
Nagabhushanam Mess, Hyderabad’s beloved homely meals brand, sees 7x order volume growth with Zomato platform’s support
Hyderabad, 06th November, 2025: Nagabhushanam Mess, a homegrown Hyderabad brand known for its wholesome, affordable meals, has grown 7x in order volumes since onboarding on Zomato in May 2018. Focused on delivering hygienic, pocket-friendly food to thousands of customers, the brand continues to strengthen its presence in the city.
Speaking on their journey, Srinivas Reddy, Founder of Nagabhushanam Mess said, “We worked hard to set up our kitchen and get customers. However, we felt unsure about how to increase customer satisfaction and grow our restaurant further. Zomato has provided key insights for advancing our progress while keeping customers happy, and we are truly grateful for their support.”
Aditya Mangla, CEO – Food delivery business, Eternal, said, “It’s inspiring to see brands like Nagabhushanam Mess grow rapidly while also staying true to cultural roots. We feel privileged to be able to support their journey by offering the tools, aggregated insights, and visibility they need to serve their customers better. Helping restaurants grow on our platform is a top priority for us.”
Nagabhushanam Mess’s journey began with a simple observation. In 2016, Srinivas was working as a medical representative at a hospital in Hyderabad when he noticed a recurring problem. Patients and their families often struggled to find hygienic, affordable and homely food near the hospital. Determined to fill this gap, he opened the first Nagabhushanam Mess outlet the same year. With no prior experience in running a business, Srinivas persevered through every challenge and stayed committed to his mission of providing wholesome meals at pocket-friendly prices.
Since onboarding on Zomato, the brand has:
- Achieved 7X growth in yearly order volumes, increasing from over 5,400 in May–Dec 2018 to 36,200 in 2024
- Switched from paper to foil and container packaging to address spillage concerns
- Re-engineered the menu and introduced promotions and offers to expand customer reach
- Improved service quality by identifying weak spots in the supply chain and operations
To help small restaurants scale quickly, Zomato has introduced several initiatives in recent years. These include a DIY onboarding tool that helps restaurants get listed on the platform in just 15 minutes, and access to the Restaurant Services Hub, a curated marketplace of verified vendors offering licensing, staffing, and hygiene audit services. In select cities, new restaurants also benefit from 0% commission for the first 30 days, along with credits for ads and Hyperpure services. As of Q2 FY26, Zomato has an average of 327,000 monthly active food ordering and delivery restaurant partners on the platform.
6, Nov 2025
Virtusa Foundation Revives Ranglal Kunta Lake in Hyderabad
Virtusa Foundation Restores Ranglal Kunta Lake in Hyderabad’s Financial District
India, 06th November, 2025: Virtusa Corporation, a leading product and platform engineering services company, through its philanthropic arm, Virtusa Foundation, has successfully completed the restoration of Ranglal Kunta Lake in Hyderabad’s Financial District. In partnership with the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) and implemented by United Way of Hyderabad, the project has transformed the 3.5-acre lake near Virtusa’s Hyderabad campus into a thriving urban ecosystem and a clean, green recreational space for the surrounding communities.
The rejuvenation underscores Virtusa Foundation’s continued efforts to create sustainable environmental impact and improving community well-being. The comprehensive restoration program over two and a half years has transformed the dry lakebed into a healthy water body now capable of sustaining both nature and community life. This dry lakebed has regained its full water-holding capacity of 24 million litres, ensuring year-round water retention. The return of over 14 native species of birds, butterflies, and other fauna and flora have revived the local ecosystem. The enhanced groundwater recharge and an improved microclimate have brought direct benefits to employees working within the immediate vicinity of the financial district.
The Ranglal Kunta Lake had long suffered from continuous sewage discharge from the Nanakramguda area. With support from GHMC, these sewage inflows were diverted to a nearby drain, addressing a long-standing environmental challenge and enabling the restoration to move forward. The rejuvenation involved extensive desilting and deepening of the lakebed, construction of a stone-pitched bund, and installation of bio-remediation systems with aeration support. The project also introduced a pedestrian walkway with secure fencing, a landscaped green zone with a plantation, a gazebo, a pergola, and seating areas, along with a weir gate to regulate water levels and maintain ecological balance. The restored lake now serves as a community-friendly green space that connects people with nature while supporting a healthy ecosystem. This, in turn, contributes to Hyderabad’s vision for sustainable urban living and reflects Virtusa’s belief that healthy environments nurture stronger communities.
The replenished lake was inaugurated today in the presence of Arekapudi Gandhi, MLA, Serilingampally; Hemanth Borkhade, IAS, Zonal Commissioner, GHMC; M. Kavitha, Zonal Commissioner, TGIIC; Madhuri Duggirala, Vice President, gTech Ads Solutions, Google Hyderabad Site Lead. Their participation reflected a shared vision for sustainable urban development and environmental rejuvenation in Hyderabad’s Financial District.
Speaking on the occasion, Amit Bajoria, Chief Financial Officer, Virtusa Corporation, said, “
At Virtusa, sustainability is a core responsibility that guides how we contribute to communities and the environment. The restoration of Ranglal Kunta Lake reflects our belief that progress and purpose can move together. What was once a barren space has now become a thriving ecosystem that supports biodiversity and community well-being. This transformation shows that when organizations, civic bodies, and citizens work with shared intent, change becomes visible, lasting, and deeply fulfilling. For Virtusa, this initiative reflects our purpose of making experiences better with technology and responsibility, bringing together innovation and compassion to build communities that thrive.”
This initiative is part of Virtusa’s broader sustainability vision, reflecting its commitment to engineering measurable environmental impact and fostering sustainable urban ecosystems. Through strategic partnerships and active community engagement, the Virtusa Foundation continues to address societal challenges while empowering individuals and communities to create lasting social outcomes, guided by its purpose of making experiences better with technology.
6, Nov 2025
Curtain Up on a Bigger Canvas: TIFA 2025 Poised to Elevate Young Filmmakers and Content Creators
Bangalore, 6th November 2025: The Teen Indie Film Awards (TIFA) 2025, hosted by RV University’s School of Film, Media & Creative Arts in Bengaluru, is set to become an even more powerful stage for young filmmakers and content creators aged 13 to 25. Building on its recent growth, TIFA has quickly established itself as the city’s third-largest film festival after BIFFES and BISFF.
At its core, TIFA is not just a festival, but a launchpad where budding filmmakers meet industry. At the curtain raiser of TIFA 2025, H. N. Narahari Rao, President of Suchitra Film Society, unveiled the festival catalogue and teaser. The event also featured the screening of select films representing four continents and spanning four genres, offering a glimpse into the diversity and creative spirit of this year’s festival.
This year, the five-day festival is thoughtfully structured around key thematic zones, moving beyond a standard film celebration: Media Day (focused on journalism and media), AVGC Day (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, and Comics), Regional Cinema Day (Karnataka as state in focus) and the Awards Night.
The esteemed jury panel features prominent names, including Television and Film Actor Amit Behl; Editor – International at TV9, R Sridharan; Assamese filmmaker and critic Utpal Datta; CEO and Founder of The Bridge, Amanda Groom; and Founder of Custard Apple Pictures, M.N. Gujari, Author, Ed Vollans, among others.
TIFA 2025 is deepening its focus on industry connections through partnerships with leading media houses and film production companies. Major players in the realm of Film and Media, such as Frameboxx, Hombale Films, TV9, among others will host dedicated sessions and masterclasses throughout the festival.
The festival will host a series of high-stake competitions designed to discover emerging voices in Film, Media & Creative Arts, including the AVGC Hackathon, RJ Hunt, and The Talent Hunt for Emerging Filmmakers of Tomorrow (THEFT), a thrilling 48-hour filmmaking challenge where winners stand a chance to be launched by Hombale Films.
“At 300+ submissions from 40 countries and six continents, TIFA, in its fourth edition, has truly emerged as India’s largest student-led global film festival dedicated to teenage and young adult filmmakers” said Prof. Piyush Roy, Founding Dean of the School of Liberal Arts and Sciences at RV University. “With TIFA, we are creating a clear pathway from campus to screen, from idea to audience, and from young talent straight into professional careers.”
“With finalists having been selected across several genres – fiction, documentary, experimental and animation – and from different regions of Karnataka, India and the world, the festival is also emphasising its regional, national, and global breadth. TIFA will feature an opening film from North East India and has a clear roadmap for a future roadshow in Guwahati to further extend the platform’s national reach will seek to underline themes of childhood and diversity in the youth experience from across the world,” said Vedant Panamgipalli, 3rd Year BSc. Filmmaking Student at the School of Film, Media and Creative Arts and Festival Director of TIFA 2025.
Those interested in attending the festival must register ahead to join this unparalleled celebration of youth creativity.
