A major highlight of the conference was the international keynote address by Professor John C. Warner, globally recognized as the Co-Founder of Green Chemistry and President, Beyond Benign, USA. Addressing the distinguished audience, Professor Warner emphasized that Green Chemistry is fundamentally about designing safer chemical products and processes that eliminate hazardous substances at the source rather than managing pollution after it occurs. He underscored that innovation, education and cross-sector collaboration are indispensable for creating sustainable industrial systems that deliver both environmental protection and economic prosperity.

Welcoming the gathering, Shri Abhay Kumar Srivastava, Chair, Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Committee and Senior President – Operations, Mankind Pharma, emphasized that Green Chemistry has evolved from an environmental aspiration into an industrial necessity. He highlighted that sustainable manufacturing enhances competitiveness, improves resource efficiency and strengthens India’s position as a global manufacturing hub while stressing the importance of collaboration among industry, government and academia.

Dr. Shailaja Donempudi, Scientist & Head–BDG, CSIR, Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India, underscored the need to accelerate Green Chemistry adoption through stronger industry–academia partnerships, technology commercialization and enabling policy support. She emphasized that financial incentives, standardized certification systems and scaling of innovative green technologies are essential to building a globally competitive and sustainable chemical manufacturing ecosystem.

Dr. Suman Mazumdar, Scientist ‘D’, Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR), Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India, highlighted the Government of India’s initiatives to promote Green Chemistry through research funding, technology commercialization and collaborative innovation. He elaborated on flagship programmes such as PACE, PRISM and CRTDH, while showcasing successful innovations from CSIR–National Chemical Laboratory (CSIR–NCL) and IIT Patna in continuous flow manufacturing, sustainable oil spill remediation and PET plastic recycling.

The programme was further enriched by the presence of Prof. Rakesh Kumar Sharma, Former Professor, Department of Chemistry, University of Delhi, and Director, Green Chemistry Network Centre, who highlighted India’s immense potential to emerge as a global leader in sustainable chemical sciences through innovation, interdisciplinary research and responsible industrial practices.

The inaugural session was moderated by Dr. Nasir Jamal, Director, PHDCCI, who emphasized the growing importance of Green Chemistry in driving sustainable industrial transformation and called for stronger collaboration among government, industry and academia to accelerate the adoption of environmentally responsible technologies.

The conference featured two technical sessions focused on technology and policy. The first session, “Green Chemistry Technologies for Sustainable Manufacturing,” moderated by Dr. Mymoona Akhter, Professor (Medicinal Chemistry), Jamia Hamdard, featured Dr. Rohit Chakravarty (Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.), who showcased continuous flow chemistry for greener pharmaceutical manufacturing; Dr. G. S. Kapur (Former Executive Director–R&D, Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. and Advisor–R&D, GAIL India Limited), who highlighted India’s potential to become a global hub for sustainable bioplastics; Dr. Mohan Prasad (Walter Bushnell), who discussed biocatalysis and advanced process technologies for environmentally responsible manufacturing; and Shri Prabodh Swain (Q-Line Biotech Ltd.), who emphasized enzyme engineering and synthetic biology as key drivers of sustainable bio-based manufacturing.

The second technical session, “Enabling Green Chemistry Adoption: Policy, Standards and Market Drivers,” moderated by Shri Namit Joshi, Chairman, Pharmexcil, featured Dr. Shilpi Gupta (BIRAC), who highlighted BIRAC’s support for startups, MSMEs and researchers through funding mechanisms and the BioE3 Policy, and Dr. Neeraj Kumar (Mankind Pharma), who emphasized integrating Green Chemistry and ESG principles into pharmaceutical process design through solvent recycling, waste valorization and innovation in complex molecules.

The Roundtable concluded with a collective commitment from government, industry, academia and research institutions to accelerate Green Chemistry adoption, promote sustainable innovation and strengthen India’s leadership in environmentally responsible chemical manufacturing. Participants expressed confidence that the deliberations and recommendations emerging from the conference would contribute to future policy development and support India’s transition towards a globally competitive, sustainable chemical industry.

Mumbai, 17 July 2026: Building on the encouraging response to its inaugural edition, FinX has today announced the launch of Season 2 of the Franklin Templeton National Mutual Fund Olympiad (FTNMFO) 2026, Knowledge Partner Groww. The initiative is supported by BFSI Sector Skill Council of India & FPA Edutech.  Registrations are now open, inviting undergraduate and postgraduate students across all academic streams from colleges Pan India. Its inaugural edition attracted over 10,000 students from more than 400 colleges across the country, establishing itself as one of India’s largest student-focused financial literacy initiatives and a credible platform for advancing investment awareness among young learners.

Building on the momentum of its first edition, Season 2 aims to significantly expand its reach by engaging 50,000 students from 1,000 colleges nationwide. Students of the empaneled colleges can register through the registration portal. Through a structured, multi-level competition, participants will be assessed on their understanding of investment fundamentals, mutual fund products, financial planning, wealth creation, market concepts and emerging investment avenues.

The second edition has already garnered participation from several of India’s premier educational institutions, including the IIM Bangalore, IIM Indore, IIM Vizag, IIT Kharagpur, IIT Dhanbad, VIT Vellore, IIFT Kolkata, Delhi Technological University (DTU), BITS Goa, Christ University, Lady Shri Ram College (Delhi University), among others. Their participation reflects the growing recognition of the Olympiad as a credible national platform for advancing financial literacy and investment education among students.

Powered by the FinX ecosystem, the Olympiad is being delivered as an end-to-end, technology-enabled learning experience. From participant registrations and assessments to analytics, and engagement, FinX seamlessly orchestrates every stage of the initiative, enabling the delivery of a national-scale financial education programme with efficiency and impact.

Speaking on the launch of the second edition, Mr. Avinash Satwalekar (President, Franklin Templeton Asset Management (India) Pvt.) said, “The enthusiastic response to the inaugural Franklin Templeton National Mutual Fund Olympiad reaffirmed the growing interest among young Indians to build practical financial knowledge beyond the classroom. At Franklin Templeton, we believe financial literacy is an essential life skill, and initiatives like the Olympiad help equip students with the confidence to make informed financial decisions while improving their understanding of the evolving investment landscape.”

Speaking on the launch, Mr. Himanshu Vyapak (MD & CEO, FinX) said, “The Franklin Templeton National Mutual Fund Olympiad has evolved into a unique platform that brings together academia and industry to make financial education more engaging, accessible and relevant for students. With Season 2, we aim to significantly expand our reach, deepen engagement across campuses and continue building a financially aware generation that is better prepared for the opportunities and responsibilities of India’s evolving financial ecosystem.”

Through the Olympiad, Franklin Templeton and FinX continue their shared commitment to advancing financial literacy and creating meaningful learning opportunities for India’s youth. By bringing together academic institutions and industry expertise, the initiative seeks to equip students with the knowledge, confidence and practical understanding needed to navigate an evolving financial ecosystem while building greater awareness of long-term investing and wealth creation.

The MoA was signed on July 14, 2026 by Shri Arun Kumar Tyagi, Executive Director (CSR), REC Limited, and Shri Anant Chauhan, Chairman, Career Forum, in the presence of Shri L. B. Nautiyal, HoD (CSR), REC Limited, along with other senior officials of REC Limited.

Under this CSR initiative, 20 Smart Classrooms will be established in Government schools across the Alipurduar district of West Bengal. The project is expected to benefit more than 1,500 students by providing access to technology-enabled, interactive learning tools that foster greater classroom engagement and improve learning outcomes.

The initiative is aimed at strengthening digital education infrastructure in rural and tribal areas of West Bengal by integrating modern teaching technologies into government schools. It reflects REC Limited’s continued commitment to bridging the digital divide, promoting inclusive education, and empowering students with access to quality, technology-driven learning opportunities.

Mumbai, 15^th July 2026: Essel Group Chairman, Dr. Subhash Chandra along with his brothers Shri Laxmi Narain Goel, Shri Jawahar Goel and Shri Ashok Goel, offering a lasting tribute to their father Late Shri Nand Kishore Goenka Ji, have announced the establishment of Shri Nand Kishore Goenka University in Agroha, Hisar.

The educational institution will be established on 32 acres of land owned by the Goenka family and will entail an investment of nearly Rs. 100 crores. Conceived as a center of excellence focusing on social service and community welfare, the University will seek to carry forward Late Shri Nand Kishore Goenka Ji’s lifelong commitment to charitable work. The University will introduce a specialized and unique curriculum focused on ‘Social Service’ and ‘Giving Back to Society’. The Goenka family has signed an agreement with the Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII), Ahmedabad to establish the University.

The announcement was made by Dr. Chandra in Agroha, Hisar, upon completing the last rites of Late Shri Nand Kishore Goenka Ji, amidst the presence of thousands of well-wishers and family members. People from across the region paid their respects to the departed soul, reflecting the deep affection, admiration and goodwill Late Shri Nand Kishore Goenka Ji had earned over a lifetime. The funeral was also attended by several distinguished dignitaries and prominent political leaders from across the country, who came together to honour his memory and significant contributions to society. Those present included Union Minister Manohar Lal, former Union Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Haryana Cabinet Minister Ranbir Gangwa, Rajya Sabha MP Subhash Barala, Hansi MLA Vinod Bhayana, former Haryana Minister Kamal Gupta, Adampur MLA Chandraprakash and Nohar (Rajasthan) MLA Amit Chachan.

The Nation’s Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi also penned a heartfelt letter to the Goenka family, describing Late Shri Nand Kishore Goenka Ji as an inspiring personality who placed the highest value on hard work throughout his decades-long public life. The Prime Minister stated, “He not only enriched the family’s business traditions but also fulfilled his responsibilities toward society with complete sincerity. His life, inspired by his service to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and guided by the ideals of organization and ‘Nation First’ stood as an example of simplicity and public welfare. I consider it my privilege to have had the opportunity to meet him on several occasions. His warmth and gracious nature will always remain in my memory. His passing is an irreparable loss to society.”

Dignitaries from various fields across the country paid a heartfelt tribute to the legacy of Late Shri Nand Kishore Goenka Ji. Political leaders including Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini condoled his demise along with Yoga guru Baba Ramdev. Renowned business personalities including Kumar Mangalam Birla and Bombay Stock Exchange MD and CEO, Sundararaman Ramamurthy also expressed grief.

In honour of Late Shri Nand Kishore Goenka Ji’s memory, the Goenka family has also organized daily ‘Shanti Baithaks’, from 10 am to 1 pm and 4 pm to 7 pm at the Goenka Seva Sadan, Devi Bhawan Mandir Complex, Hisar, bringing together friends, well-wishers and members of the community to offer prayers and pay homage to his life and legacy. A ‘Rasam Pagdi’ ceremony will also be held on 26^th July 2026 from 3 pm to 4 pm at the Maharaja Aggarsain Bhawan, Old Government College Ground in Hisar.

The family expressed its heartfelt gratitude for the immense outpouring of prayers and support received from across the country during this time of bereavement and reaffirmed its commitment to carrying forward the values that Late Shri Nand Kishore Goenka Ji embodied throughout his life.

Late Shri Nand Kishore Goenka Ji, passed away on 13^th July 2026 at the age of 96 in Mumbai. He was widely respected for his humility, generosity and unwavering commitment to community welfare. Through his contributions towards society, he championed the values of service and compassion, touching countless lives through his philanthropic efforts and guidance.

Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming modern healthcare, combining technologies that improve diagnosis, treatment, research, and healthcare operations. From detecting diseases in medical scans to streamlining hospital workflows, AI is increasingly helping clinicians make faster and more data-driven decisions. While once viewed as a futuristic concept, many AI-powered tools are already becoming part of everyday medical practice.

Modern AI in medicine combines technologies such as machine learning, computer vision, natural language processing, and generative AI to support both clinical care and healthcare operations. In India, this shift toward preventive and digital healthcare is accelerating rapidly. According to an IMARC Group report, India’s AI healthcare market was valued at USD 435.7 million in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 4.77 billion by 2034.

India’s healthcare ecosystem is also undergoing rapid digital transformation. A recent Grand View Research industry report on India’s digital health market highlights growing adoption of telehealth platforms, AI-assisted diagnostics, remote patient monitoring and digital health infrastructure across the country. As healthcare systems become increasingly technology-enabled, future physicians will need to develop clinical expertise alongside the ability to work with data-driven healthcare tools and digital care ecosystems.

AI in medical imaging and diagnostics

One of the clearest examples of AI’s success in healthcare has emerged in medical imaging. AI-powered computer vision systems are increasingly being used to help clinicians detect abnormalities in radiology scans with greater speed and accuracy. Breast cancer screening has become one of the most studied use cases.

A large India-led study involving over 100,000 women assessed the use of an AI-based breast cancer screening tool for population-level screening and reported that AI-supported screening could improve early cancer detection while overcoming infrastructure and specialist shortages in large-scale public health settings.

These imaging tools have seen relatively smoother adoption because they are designed for narrow, measurable tasks. Their performance can be validated against standardized clinical benchmarks such as sensitivity, specificity, and detection rates. Importantly, these systems are intended to support physicians rather than replace them, functioning as a second layer of review that helps reduce workload while improving diagnostic confidence.

Personalized medicine and the role of AI

Another major area of interest has been personalized medicine, where treatments are tailored to an individual’s genetic profile. Since the Human Genome Project in the 1990s, researchers have hoped that advances in genomics and computational medicine would enable highly individualized therapies. While significant progress has been made, especially in oncology biomarker testing, many AI-driven applications in drug discovery and precision medicine still remain at the research or pre-clinical stage.

AI has nevertheless accelerated parts of the research process. Tools such as protein-structure prediction models and machine learning systems are helping researchers identify potential drug targets more efficiently than before. However, translating computational discoveries into approved clinical therapies still requires years of testing, validation, and regulatory review. As a result, personalized medicine continues to evolve gradually rather than transforming healthcare overnight.

Generative AI in healthcare

Generative AI has emerged as one of the most discussed technologies in medicine over the last few years. Much of its real-world adoption currently remains concentrated around administrative and operational workflows rather than direct clinical decision-making. AI tools are increasingly being used for functions such as claims coding, prior-authorization reviews, clinical documentation, and patient record summarization, helping healthcare systems improve efficiency and reduce administrative burden.

Although generative AI systems can process medical information and respond effectively to standardized medical questions, patient care still depends heavily on contextual understanding, ethical judgment, communication, and decision-making in uncertain situations. Concerns around transparency and explainability also continue to limit AI’s role in high-stakes clinical environments. As a result, AI is unlikely to replace physicians in critical diagnostic or therapeutic decisions in the near future. Instead, it is expected to remain a supportive tool that enhances efficiency while clinicians retain final responsibility for patient care.

The future of healthcare lies in human-AI collaboration

The future of healthcare is unlikely to involve AI replacing doctors entirely. Instead, AI is expected to increasingly manage repetitive, structured, and data-heavy tasks, while clinicians continue to lead areas requiring empathy, communication, contextual reasoning, and complex judgment.

Core clinical skills such as patient interaction, history-taking, physical examination, and ethical decision-making will remain central to medical practice. At the same time, healthcare professionals will increasingly need to understand the strengths and limitations of AI tools, critically evaluate AI-generated outputs, and identify potential errors or bias.

As healthcare continues to evolve, physicians who can effectively combine clinical expertise with technological understanding will likely be best positioned to lead the next generation of patient care.

(The article is authored by Stephan Bandelow, BSc, MSc, Dphil, Associate Professor, Associate Director, Researcher, St. George’s University, Grenada, West Indies)

Since every region has its own identity, customs, and what it wants to become, the campaign includes localized creatives made for different states. So the brand message feels more familiar and easier to relate to for consumers across India. And by leaning into regional culture and daily routines, Thermocool wants to form deeper emotional bonds with households while showcasing its range of innovative and reliable home appliances.

This initiative also continues Thermocool’s consumer-first mindset, as India’s cultures can look different from state to state, but the wish for comfortable, modern living is kind of universal. Through this initiative, the brand tries to celebrate the individuality of every region while at the same time pushing and reinforcing its presence in markets across the country in a more steady way.

On the launch,Mr. Tanuj Gupta, Director of Sales, Thermocool Home Appliances. said,, “India’s diversity is its biggest strength, and each state has a distinct way of life that truly should be celebrated. With ‘India Ka Naya Andaz,’ we really wanted to avoid a one-size-fits-all approach and craft communication that connects well with people on a local level. As a token of appreciation for the trust our customers place in us, we’re also offering vouchers worth up to ₹11,000, making this celebration even more rewarding. This campaign shows our dedication to understanding our consumers, while we deliver innovative home appliances that fit in with their changing routines.”

According to Mr. Tushar Gupta, Director Operations, Thermocool Home Appliances, “At Thermocool, every campaign is backed by our commitment to delivering a seamless customer experience. ‘India Ka Naya Andaz’ reflects not only our growing presence across the country but also our ability to serve consumers through a strong operational and distribution network. As we continue to expand, our focus remains on making reliable and innovative home appliances accessible to households across India.”  

Under the leadership of Rajeev Kumar Gupta, the brand has consistently focused on enhancing consumer engagement through impactful, high-visibility campaigns and strategic market expansion

With a portfolio that keeps expanding across air coolers, refrigerators, washing machines, LED televisions, and kitchen appliances, Thermocool continues to reinforce its position as a trusted home appliance brand. Under ‘India Ka Naya Andaz,’ the company also reiterates its vision of bringing innovation, comfort, and meaningful consumer engagement into homes throughout India.

Hyderabad: 16 July 2026 — Zithara.AI, an AI native customer engagement platform for offline retailers, announced a strategic partnership with Palmonas to enhance customer engagement through data driven solutions across the brand’s retail operations.

As part of the partnership, Palmonas will implement Zithara.AI’s AI native CRM platform to unify customer data across multiple touchpoints, enabling a single, consolidated view of customer interactions. The platform will support intelligent customer segmentation, automated engagement workflows, and personalised communication designed to improve customer retention and increase repeat purchases. The deployment is aimed at creating a more structured and consistent approach to customer engagement as the brand continues to scale.

The integration will allow Palmonas to capture and analyse customer data across online and offline touchpoints, enabling targeted campaigns, timely follow ups, and more relevant communication across the customer lifecycle. By helping bridge the gap between digital customer enquiries and physical store visits, the platform will support improved customer conversions, strengthen retention, and enable more effective customer journeys that contribute to revenue growth.

Speaking about the partnership Mr. Hitesh Magoo, CMO, Demifine Fashion Pvt Ltd. said, “At Palmonas, our focus has always been on creating meaningful customer experiences while expanding our retail presence. As more customers discover brands through digital channels, one of the biggest opportunities for offline retailers is converting that interest into store walk ins and lasting customer relationships. We were looking for a platform that could intelligently manage customer engagement across multiple stores while helping us improve walk in conversions and long term customer retention. Zithara.AI’s AI native platform aligns with these objectives by enabling more personalised customer interactions that support stronger conversions, increased store walk ins, and sustainable revenue growth. We look forward to leveraging its capabilities to build deeper customer relationships as we continue to scale our retail footprint.”

Varun Kashyap, Co-Founder, Zithara.AI, said, “We are pleased to partner with Palmonas as they continue to expand their retail presence. Our platform is built to help brands organise and leverage their customer data to drive structured, consistent, and personalised engagement. This partnership reflects the growing focus among offline retailers on using technology to strengthen customer relationships and improve retention.”

Sridevi Reddy, Co-founder, Zithara.AI, added: “Our focus is on enabling offline retailers to become more data driven and customer centric. Through this partnership, we aim to help Palmonas build stronger customer connections and deliver more personalised experiences at scale.”

The partnership marks a continued focus by both companies on leveraging AI native capabilities to strengthen customer engagement and support revenue growth in offline retail environments. By integrating Zithara.AI’s platform, Palmonas aims to build a more connected, efficient, and scalable customer engagement framework aligned with its growth plans.

·        The brand value rises 31.3 per cent to$8.48 billion, the highest growth among India’s Top 20 brands, making the Adani Group the country’s third-most valuable conglomerate.

·        Adani Power is India’s No. 1 most valuable energy brand while Adani Green Energy and Adani Energy Solutions join it among the country’s Top Five energy brands.

·        A Brand Strength Index (BSI) score of 84 places Brand Adani alongside India’s leading consumer and retail brands.

July 16, 2026; Mumbai, India: Brand Finance, the world’s leading independent brand valuation consultancy, has ranked the Adani Group among India’s Top 10 Most Valuable Brands for the first time, while naming Adani Power as the country’s No. 1 energy brand in the “Brand Finance India 100 Report 2026.”

In their Brand Valuation India Report, last year, Brand Adani was recognized as “India’s fastest-growing brand in 2025.

The Adani Group secured Rank #8, rising from #13 last year, becoming the fastest company to break into India’s Top 10 in just three years.

Brand Finance has valued the Adani Group at $8.48 billion (net of approximately $500 million relating to Adani Wilmar and associated consumer-facing brands), up from $6.46 billion a year ago. The 31.3 per cent uptick is the highest among India’s Top 20 brands, making the Adani Group the country’s third-most valuable conglomerate. The Group has also recorded the steepest three-year climb among India’s Top 25 most valuable brands, advancing 15 positions during the period. Over the past year alone, it has added $2.02 billion in brand value—more than its entire valuation in 2022.

Adani Power has emerged as India’s most valuable energy brand, with its brand value surging 152 per cent to $1.8 billion. Reinforcing the Group’s leadership in the sector, Adani Green Energy and Adani Energy Solutions also feature among India’s Top Five energy brands, while Adani Total Gas further strengthens the Group’s presence in the rankings.

Commenting on the rankings, Alex Haigh, Managing Director, Asia Pacific, Brand Finance, said: “The Adani Group’s entry into India’s top 10 most valuable brands reflects the strength of a business that has become deeply embedded in India’s growth story. Through its expanding presence across infrastructure, logistics and energy, the Group has built a powerful portfolio of brands supporting some of the country’s most important economic priorities.”

The report has also highlighted the Adani Group’s rising Brand Strength Index (BSI). Its score climbed 3.6 points to 84, lifting the Group eight places to Rank #18. Among India’s Top 20 companies, the Group recorded the fastest gain in Brand Strength, placing the diversified conglomerate alongside some of India’s most established consumer and retail brands—a reflection of growing familiarity, trust and stakeholder confidence.

The rankings are derived from Brand Finance’s globally recognised methodology, which combines consumer perception, brand impact and forecast revenues to assess long-term brand value.

The “Brand Finance India 100 Report 2026” has valued India’s 100 leading brands at a record $252.8 billion, underpinned by continued investment in digital transformation, manufacturing, infrastructure and innovation. Within this landscape, the Adani Group has emerged as one of the year’s standout performers, driven by sustained expansion across infrastructure, energy and logistics.

Under the project, Servotech has been allocated 12 locations of 75 kW each with a total allocated capacity of 900 kW. Under the scope of the project, Servotech Renewable will be responsible for the design, supply, installation, commissioning, and Maintenance of Hybrid solar systems with BESS across the locations. The hybrid solar systems, integrated with battery energy storage, are designed to provide reliable and uninterrupted clean energy while reducing dependence on conventional power sources.

The project aligns with the state’s continued focus on decentralised renewable energy adoption and is expected to strengthen energy access across rural communities by promoting sustainable and resilient power infrastructure.

Commenting on the development, Sarika Bhatia, Whole-Time Director, Servotech Renewable Power System Ltd., said, “We are excited to work with the UPSRLM on this initiative. Reliable access to clean energy has the potential to transform rural communities, and we are proud to contribute to that vision through our hybrid solar solutions. This project reflects our commitment to delivering sustainable energy infrastructure that empowers communities while supporting state’s transition towards renewable energy excellence and accelerating the adoption of solar power across the country.”