As part of the association, Matix’s branding will feature prominently on the pendant of the first team’s jerseys during matchdays. The brand will also have a strong presence across the Club’s training base at the NMSA Ground in Navi Mumbai and its home venue, the Mumbai Football Arena.

The partnership will further extend beyond matchday visibility, with a series of curated digital and content-led initiatives planned through the season. These initiatives will showcase the competitive ethos of Mumbai City FC while highlighting Matix’s support for the Club and the growth of the sport.

Mr. Bimal Parekh, Co-Owner of Mumbai City FC, said:

“Matix has been a valued partner of Mumbai City FC, and we are delighted to continue our association with them. Their support came at an important time for Indian football, and we are grateful to have partnered with an organisation that shares our commitment to performance, growth and excellence. We have built a strong foundation together, and we look forward to building on this partnership, creating greater impact and achieving new milestones together.”

Commenting on the partnership, Nishant Kanodia, Chairman of Matix Fertilisers and Chemicals Limited, said:

“Our first year with Mumbai City FC strengthened our belief in the power of football to inspire discipline, ambition, and teamwork. We are pleased to continue this partnership, reflecting our confidence in the club and the relationship we have built. At Matix, we share Mumbai City FC’s drive for excellence and look forward to supporting the club’s continued success and growth of Indian football.’’

Spanning over two days, Weverse Con Festival India will bring HYBE’s signature live music experience to India, uniting world-class Indian and global artists, spectacular performances and a vibrant celebration of fan culture. For Indian fans, the festival is set to be a landmark moment, bringing one of the largest K-pop festival experiences ever seen in the country.

Inspired by the immersive fan experiences fostered through global superfan platform Weverse, the festival will go beyond live performances to bring music, interactive fan engagement, brand activations and cultural experiences together in one physical setting. Designed around the connection between artists and their fan communities, the festival will offer fans opportunities to engage with artists and fellow fans throughout the experience. Weverse Con Festival India will feature a diverse lineup of Indian and K-pop artists, alongside special collaboration stages that bring artists and cultures together in new ways.

Jason Jaesang Lee, CEO of HYBE said, “Weverse Con Festival India marks a new chapter in our ‘multi-home, multi-genre’ strategy and reflects our commitment to India as a key market in HYBE’s global growth. By bringing HYBE’s global capabilities together with India’s creativity, we aim to create a festival that expands our ecosystem through experiences that resonate with local audiences. We look forward to bringing fans together to discover a new universe of music and unlock an immersive journey where they can connect, celebrate, and explore new possibilities alongside the artists they love.” 

Zooil Yang, President of Weverse Company, said, “We are thrilled to join HYBE to deliver Weverse Con Festival India to one of the world’s most vibrant K-pop fan communities. As a global superfan platform, Weverse serves as the leading hub connecting artists and fans around the world. Through the festival, we are excited to extend our innovative services and fan experiences beyond the screen and into a live setting, seamlessly integrating the online and offline worlds of fandom.”

Weverse Con Festival India is co-produced and promoted by BookMyShow Live, the live entertainment experiences division of BookMyShow. Having built K-pop into a thriving live category in India, BookMyShow Live will bring Weverse Con Festival to Indian fans as they know it from Seoul, in full and at scale. As the producer of some of India’s most celebrated live entertainment experiences, it brings the production expertise and audience reach to deliver this global festival at home, with tickets available exclusively on BookMyShow, India’s leading entertainment destination.

Along with HYBE and Weverse, which have been bringing Weverse Con Festival to life since its launch, the festival is presented by Kia India, Mastercard, Project B and Samsung, and NONGSHIM joins as an Associate Partner. As the festival’s banking partner, Mastercard will offer its cardholders exclusive access to pre-sale tickets.

The first India edition of Weverse Con Festival will give fans the opportunity to experience some of the world’s most influential K-pop artists through immersive live performances, alongside artists from India’s diverse music scene. Bringing global and Indian music cultures together, the festival will offer a distinctive festival experience that celebrates artists, music, and fans, creating new connections across cultures.

HYBE’s commitment to cultural exchange extends beyond Weverse Con Festival India. HYBE INDIA, HYBE’s strategic global office in India, has been conducting nationwide auditions to discover and develop local talent, produce content and expand intellectual property, with a focus on creating locally resonant, globally scalable content.

Bengaluru, October 08, 2026: In yet another testament to their achievements, Greenwood High International School Sarjapur students delivered a strong performance at the CISCE National Girls’ Football Championship 2026, contributing to the Under-14 and Under-17 girls’ teams representing the Karnataka & Goa Region. The championship, held recently in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, brought together teams representing several CISCE schools from across the country in the U-14, U-17 and U-19 girls’ categories, with 11 teams competing in the U-14 category and 12 teams in the U-17 category. Seven Greenwood High students represented the region in the U-14 team, while two students represented the U-17 team.

The U-14 Karnataka & Goa Region team remained unbeaten throughout the championship, securing five consecutive victories. It began with a 2–0 win over North India, followed by a 5–0 victory against Bihar and a 5–0 win over the North East Region. A further 2–0 semi-final victory against North India took the team into the final, where it defeated West Bengal 1–0 to claim the national title. The team scored 12 goals without conceding a single goal across five matches, a notable defensive record in a national-level championship.

The Karnataka & Goa Region also secured the U-17 national title with an unbeaten campaign. The team defeated North West 3–0, Uttar Pradesh 4–0 and Uttarakhand 5–0 in its opening matches, before overcoming Bihar 3–0 in the semi-final. The final against Maharashtra ended goalless in regulation time, with the Karnataka & Goa Region winning 4–3 on penalties to claim the championship.

Commenting on the achievement, Mrs. Niru Agarwal, Vice Chairperson and Managing Trustee, Greenwood High International School, said, “Sport provides students with an opportunity to develop discipline, teamwork and the ability to work towards a common objective. The performance of our students at the national championship reflects the commitment and preparation required to compete at this level. We are pleased to see our students represent the Karnataka & Goa Region and contribute to its success at the national level. Opportunities to participate in competitive sport also enable students to develop confidence, responsibility and resilience through experience.”

The two championship victories reflect the consistency and competitive discipline demonstrated by the Karnataka & Goa Region across both age categories, with Greenwood High students contributing to the teams’ progress through the championship and their eventual national titles.

The Annual Session will juxtapose entrepreneurship, innovation and new-age businesses at the centre of the national growth conversation, reflecting PHDCCI’s growing role as a platform connecting startups with established industry, policymakers, investors, technology institutions and markets.

“We believe that India’s next leap will require a shift from incremental progress to accelerated execution. This means identifying opportunities faster, developing strategies even faster and translating decisions into outcomes with greater speed and efficiency”, said Mr. Rajeev Juneja, President, PHDCCI.

Building a Hub for Startups and New-Age Enterprises

PHDCCI is strengthening its engagement with India’s startup ecosystem, with a focus on mentorship, industry–startup linkages, corporate engagement, access to markets, innovation partnerships and policy dialogue.

The aim to create a stronger bridge between India’s established industrial base and its new generation of entrepreneurs, enabling startups to access networks, mentorship, technology, and markets, while enabling established enterprises to benefit from new technologies and innovative business models.

The startup ecosystem can play an important role in this transition by bringing new business models, technologies and solutions to sectors ranging from financial services and hospitality to consumer technology, sustainability and emerging industries.

The 121st Annual Session will take this engagement to a national platform, bringing prominent entrepreneurs and emerging founders together with policymakers and industry leaders.

The Annual Session will further showcase India’s emerging entrepreneurial ecosystem through Shri Ritesh Aggarwal, Founder & CEO, PRISM (Parent Company of OYO), Shri Ankit Aggarwal, Founder & CEO, InsuranceDekho, Shri Sidhantt Suri, Founder & CEO, Urban Harvest and Deliverit, Shri Sneh Vaswani ,Co-Founder & CEO, MIKO and Shri Sourayadeep Basak, CEO, Neervana Netzero Pvt. Ltd., The startup-focused programme will feature a series of standalone sessions with leading entrepreneurs.

India’s Next Leap: From Ideas to Scale

The next phase will require not only higher investment and productivity but also faster innovation, faster adoption of technology, faster commercialization and faster scaling of enterprises.

Dr Jitendra Singh, Hon’ble Union Minister of State for Science & Technology will bring the policy and institutional perspective to the discussion on science, technology, research, innovation and entrepreneurship, with emphasis on translating India’s scientific and technological capabilities into economic opportunities.

The interaction will also underline the importance of stronger linkages between research institutions, startups, industry and government in developing commercially scalable technologies and strengthening India’s innovation ecosystem.

Annual Session will go beyond a discussion of India’s current economic performance to examine what India needs to do differently and how quickly it needs to do it. By bringing together government, established industry, startups, entrepreneurs, researchers and innovators, PHDCCI seeks to strengthen an ecosystem in which ideas can be developed, businesses can scale, technology can be commercialized and Indian enterprises can compete more effectively in global markets, said Dr. Ranjeet Mehta, SG & CEO.

Five Type Rating Examiners (TREs) and one Senior Type Rating Examiner (STRE) from Etihad Airways participated in the programme, which drew on the expertise of SriLankan Airlines’ flight instructors, experienced flight crew and supporting operational teams to provide the visiting examiner pilots with a safe, effective and professionally rewarding training experience.

Captain Chaminda De Zoysa, Head of Flight Operations at SriLankan Airlines, commented on the programme’s success, stating, “For SriLankan Airlines, this opportunity represented more than a single training assignment. It demonstrates the airline’s ability to leverage its Airbus A330 fleet, experienced instructors, operational expertise and established training infrastructure to support the training and development of aviation professionals from other major global carriers. The initiative also highlights the potential of SriLankan Airlines Flight Training to serve as a regional aviation training partner, offering specialised and high-quality training solutions to international operators.”

Behind the programme was extensive planning and coordination by SriLankan Airlines. The Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL), the Ministry of Defence and other relevant stakeholders supported the process of establishing the necessary framework and securing the required clearances, paving the way for the seamless delivery of the programme.

Through initiatives such as this, SriLankan Airlines continues to demonstrate that its expertise is not just limited to operating flights, but extends to supporting the development of aviation professionals worldwide and positioning Sri Lanka as a regional centre for professional aviation training.

Photo captions

1 – L–R: Capt Georgios Mitselos of Etihad Airways; Capt Dushantha Jayaweera, Chief Pilot Training and Standards, SriLankan Airlines; and Capt Ignacio Griffo of Etihad Airways

2 – L–R: Capt Paul Binks of Etihad Airways; Capt Dushantha Jayaweera, Chief Pilot Training and Standards, SriLankan Airlines; and First Officer Aloka Ranasinghe of SriLankan Airlines

3 – L–R: Capt Dushantha Jayaweera, Chief Pilot Training and Standards, SriLankan Airlines; Capt Gautam Nayyar of Etihad Airways; and Capt Chaminda De Zoysa, Head of Flight Operations, SriLankan Airlines

4 – L–R: Capt Niranjan Johnpulle, Type Rating Examiner, SriLankan Airlines; Capt Arjun Menon of Etihad Airways; and Capt Dushantha Jayaweera, Chief Pilot Training and Standards, SriLankan Airlines

5 – L–R: Capt Kshemendra Weeratunga, Type Rating Examiner, SriLankan Airlines; Capt Mohammad Al Ramahi of Etihad Airways; and Capt Dushantha Jayaweera, Chief Pilot Training and Standards, SriLankan Airlines

This year’s conference centers around the transformative theme of “Unlearning,” challenging educators to set aside outdated methodologies, implicit biases, and traditional teaching paradigms to make room for modern, student-centered practices fit for a rapidly evolving world.

As technology, artificial intelligence, and global dynamics reshape learning environments, the role of the educator is undergoing a fundamental shift. TeachConx will explore how letting go of legacy habits can foster deeper critical thinking, creativity, and adaptability in the classroom.

Throughout the two-day event, attendees will participate in practical breakout sessions focused on modern assessment, digital integration, student agency, and inclusive learning environments. Renowned educational leaders will deliver insightful keynote addresses examining the psychology and necessity of pedagogical unlearning, while structured networking opportunities will enable educators to exchange ideas, address shared challenges, and discover innovative strategies.

“Education is no longer just about accumulating knowledge; it’s about adaptability,” said Shefali Jhaveri, Head of Learning at Canadian International School, Bangalore. “To prepare our students for an unpredictable future, educators must first be willing to question long-held assumptions and unlearn habits that no longer serve today’s learners. TeachConX provides the ideal platform for educators to collaborate, reflect, and innovate together.”

TeachConx invites teachers, administrators, and educational practitioners across all disciplines to join this transformative gathering at the Canadian International School campus in Yelahanka, Bangalore, on October 29 and 30. Further information and registration details are available online at https://www.canadianinternationalschool.com/teachconx.

Gamber Valley is distilled, matured and bottled entirely at Alcobrew’s facility in Solan, Himachal Pradesh. The brand builds its identity around the Himalayan setting, where sharp swings between day and night temperature are said to accelerate the spirit’s interaction with the cask, drawing out wood sugars, tannins and flavour more quickly than sea-level climates.

The debut range comprises two expressions: Gamber Valley Private 1 Edition and Gamber Valley The Vault Series

With this rollout, both expressions are now available across Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Chandigarh, with a phased expansion planned for Rajasthan, Odisha, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Delhi NCR.

Alcobrew has also joined the Indian Malt Whisky Association (IMWA) alongside the brand’s launch.

On the Chandigarh launch, Romesh Pandita, Chairman and Managing Director, Alcobrew Distilleries India Limited, said “Gamber Valley is a creation of Solan, that’s where the spirit is distilled, matured and bottled. Chandigarh is also home to us in every real sense: with our other unit in Dera Bassi standing alongside our distillery in Solan, this isn’t just another market for us, it’s family.”

“These 2 markets have everything a luxury spirits brand looks for — a young, cosmopolitan consumer base that’s willing to explore,” said Ashutosh Rajput, Chief Operating Officer, Alcobrew Distilleries India Limited. “It’s a natural home for Gamber Valley. The consumer base at these markets drink with intent, not just habit — and that’s exactly the audience a single malt is made for. We believe the world’s most discerning whisky drinkers will, in time, reach for an Indian bottle with the same instinct they once reserved for other geographies.”

Gamber Valley’s credentials were further underscored earlier this year when the brand earned a score of 92 points at the International Wine & Spirits Competition (IWSC) 2026, placing it among one of the highest-rated Indian single malts recognised by the competition this year.

Sanand, Gujarat, 7^th October 2026: Vijayi Bharat Foundation’s Khele Sanand Sports Utsav 2026 today concluded at Sanskardham, marking the culmination of an 18-day sporting movement that brought together 45,000+ young athletes from 150+ schools across all 105 villages of Sanand Taluka. Launched on 17 September, the initiative enabled the early identification and scientific evaluation of sporting talent, creating a pathway from grassroots sport to the Olympic stage while strengthening the sporting culture across Sanand. 

The closing ceremony brought together a distinguished group of sporting personalities and leaders, including Arjuna Awardee and Table Tennis player– Sathiyan Gnanasekaran, MMA Fighter – Pawan Maan Singh, Cricketer – Vedant Trivedi and VBF Directors – Jalaj Dani, Dhanraj Nathwani and Durgesh Agarwal. The ceremony marked the finale of competitions held across the taluka and celebrated the young athletes, schools and communities that came together as part of the Sports Utsav. 

The Sports Utsav culminated with competitions across 23 events in girls’ and boys’ categories, with 336 medals awarded across Gold, Silver and Bronze categories. As part of the closing-day programme, the Chief Guest interacted with the U-17 60m finalists, U-14 50m Cycling, U-8 Softball and witnessed the U-11 Kids Javelin and U-14 and U-17 Tug of War finals. The closing ceremony showcased the journey of Khele Sanand Sports Utsav from 17 September to 7 October, and featured the launch of Veer and Garvi, the mascots of Khele Sanand, representing the movement’s focus on bringing children and communities together through sport. 

Sathiyan Gnanasekaran, Arjuna Awardee and Table Tennis Player said, “It is wonderful to see the enthusiasm among the children and the platform that Vijayi Bharat Foundation has created for them through Khele Sanand. This is closely aligned with the vision of making sport more accessible and creating opportunities at the grassroots. Seeing the energy here, I truly believe this is the right time to be in sports. I would encourage every child to keep playing, because sport teaches you dedication, discipline and teamwork. Whether you win or lose, what matters is that you continue to play and keep improving.” 

Pawan Maan Singh, MMA Fighter, said, “The scale of the facilities and the platform created through Khele Sanand is immense, and it is encouraging to see children being given such opportunities at an early age. Initiatives like this can make sport a meaningful part of a child’s journey by giving them access, encouragement and the confidence to compete. It is heartening to see VBF creating an environment where children are being encouraged to take up sport and pursue it seriously.” 

Vedant Trivedi, Cricketer, said, “Being from Gujarat, it makes me really proud to see VBF giving grassroots athletes the attention and opportunities they need to grow. Sporting talent can emerge from anywhere, and what matters is having the right platform, guidance and support to nurture it.Seeing so many children participate through Khele Sanand gives me confidence that initiatives like this can help create a stronger sporting culture and give young athletes the opportunity to take their talent forward.” 

The ceremony included the felicitation of medal winners, addresses by the participating dignitaries and a celebration of the students and schools that contributed to the movement. 

At the heart of Khele Sanand Sports Utsav was a large-scale, on-ground talent identification process led by coaches, scouts and sports experts. Athletes were observed and assessed through sport-specific drills, physical tests and performance parameters to identify promising talent at an early age.

Tools such as statistical data models and predictive analytics were also used to support these assessments, helping create a more scientific pathway for identifying and developing future sporting talent from the grassroots.

Khele Sanand Sports Utsav is part of VBF’s larger effort to strengthen sport at the grassroots by creating structured opportunities for children even before talent reaches established sporting centres.

The Sports Utsav has established a platform across Sanand with the message at its core:

“Every Child. Every School. A Sporting Movement. A Vibrant Sports Taluka.”

A signature campaign was organised at Indira Gandhi Park on 2nd October 2026, drawing participation from visitors to the park. This was followed by a zoo outreach programme for students of Vivekananda School, Sector-1, Rourkela on 3rd October. Later during the day, a wildlife quiz competition was also organised at Indira Gandhi Park. More than 65 children participated in the quiz enthusiastically and interacted with the quiz masters, namely Mr. Sampad Mishra, DGM (Coke Ovens), and Mr. Purab Das, Senior Manager (Flux & Refractories).

A sit-and-draw competition, organised on 4th October was another major attraction of the week that witnessed participation of more than 300 school students, who expressed their thoughts on wildlife and nature conservation through art.

On 5th October a webinar on wildlife trafficking was conducted for school students to create awareness about the threats posed by illegal wildlife trade and the collective responsibility of society towards wildlife protection.

As part of the observance a tree plantation programme was also organised at Indira Gandhi Park on 6th October 2026. Mr. Manas Ranjan Rath, CGM (HR) with additional charge of ED (HR), Mr. C. M. Chug, CGM (TE & Horticulture), Mr. T. G. Kanekar, CGM (TS & CSR), and  other senior officers of the plant and town, planted saplings to reinforce the message of environmental stewardship and wildlife conservation. The programmes were coordinated by Dr. Satya Narayan Mishra, AGM (Horticulture) & Curator & Biologist under the guidance of Dr. A Biswas, GM(Horticulture) & in charge ZDP.

●   It follows the Ministry of Corporate Affairs’ 27 May 2026 amendment allowing companies to meet CSR obligations by subscribing to ZCZP instruments issued by SSE-listed non-profits.

●       Proceeds will strengthen career counselling, skilling, employer partnerships and long-term livelihood tracking in Pune.

5th October 2026, Mumbai: Lighthouse Communities Foundation (LCF), a non-profit that helps underserved youth build livelihoods, is set to list on the Bombay Stock Exchange’s Social Stock Exchange (SSE), with its public issue recently openeded on 30th September and closes on 14th October 2026. The issue will raise funds through Zero Coupon Zero Principal (ZCZP) instruments to expand its Lighthouse programme in Pune. The SSE is a SEBI-regulated platform for eligible non-profits, and the listing builds on a programme that has enabled more than 50,000 youth to access livelihood opportunities.

The timing is significant. On 27 May 2026, the Ministry of Corporate Affairs amended India’s CSR rules so that companies can fulfil their CSR obligations through subscriptions to ZCZP instruments issued by SSE-listed non-profits. For corporates with ESG commitments and measurable impact goals, this creates a direct, regulated route to organisations that can show results at scale. Lighthouse can.

For the past decade, LCF has worked to give young people from underserved communities the guidance, confidence and skills to build careers they choose for themselves. Lighthouse begins before any training does. Every young person is first helped to understand their aspirations, strengths and the realities of the job market, so they can make informed livelihood choices. They then choose from 80 vocational courses delivered through 100+ partner organisations, across fields such as manufacturing, BFSI, fashion design, fitness and nutrition, beautician certification, electrician training, accounting and hospitality.

The model runs on a public-private partnership, with state and local governments providing infrastructure and corporate partners funding operations. Today, Lighthouse operates 51 centres across six states: Delhi, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan, Telangana and Uttar Pradesh. Women account for nearly 60% of programme enrolments, 77% of placed youth are still employed a year after placement, and two-thirds of graduates find their own job leads after the programme. These are ten years of documented outcomes, not projections, which is exactly what the SSE’s social audit and impact reporting framework is designed to surface and verify.

The need is just as large. India has 367 million young people aged 15 to 29, according to the State of Working India 2026, and the Economic Survey 2025-26 found that 91.94% of adolescents aged 14 to 18 had no exposure to skilling.

Dr. Ganesh Natarajan, Founder & Chairman, LCF said, “India’s demographic dividend can only be realised if young people are equipped not just with skills, but with the confidence, guidance, and opportunities to make informed livelihood choices. The Social Stock Exchange listing strengthens our ability to build that ecosystem while holding ourselves to the highest standards of transparency and accountability.

The listing is not a fundraising event. It is a transparency commitment, an invitation to institutional donors, impact investors, and CSR partners to examine exactly what we do, how we do it, and what it produces.”

Proceeds from the ZCZP instruments issued through the listing will support the expansion of Lighthouse’s programmes in Pune, strengthening career counselling, skilling, employer partnerships, and long-term livelihood tracking.