Link – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKFUet5CBow

Mumbai, November 3, 2026: From bricks to building blocks, K Raheja Corp has spent more than four decades shaping the places where India lives, works and celebrates. The same building blocks that have built Mindspace Business Parks, K Raheja Corp Homes, Chalet Hotels, Inorbit Malls and Shoppers Stop come together this Diwali to build something different. This Diwali, in its festive film, ‘Akkad Bakkad’, the Group shows what else those blocks can build. The film rests on a single thought: “बात सिर्फ़ नज़र की नहीं… नज़रिए की है।” – It’s not just about what you see. It’s about how you see it.

Shot at Raheja Jade City, Airoli, a residential project by K Raheja Corp Homes, the film follows a group of children whose Diwali rangoli is accidentally undone by a young girl. They choose to redraw it, but not in colour. With building blocks, they trace its pattern in raised outlines, turning a design meant only for the eyes into one that can also be felt. For the girl, who is visually impaired, it becomes the first rangoli she can truly experience, and she completes it by adding the final light.

It is a small gesture that speaks of something larger. Spaces take on meaning through the people who share them, and relationships are built one moment at a time. The film captures the belief that has backed K Raheja Corp: “इमारतें बनाना हमारी पहचान है, रिश्ते बनाना हमारी विरासत।“ – “Building structures is our identity. Building relationships is our legacy.”

Cheryl D’Souza-Waldiya, Vice President and Head – Corporate Communications, K Raheja Corp, said, “For a Group that builds structures, the easy story to tell is about scale. We chose a quieter one. A few building blocks, a little imagination and a rangoli that can be felt as well as seen. Our building blocks build more than structures; they build experiences that bring people together. That is what Building Lasting Relationships means to us, and the true measure of what we build is the lives we touch.”

Conceptualised by K Raheja Corp’s Corporate Communications team, ‘Akkad Bakkad’ is directed by praised filmmaker Alok Sutar, with music produced by acclaimed music director Sanket Sane.

Bengaluru, 02 November 2026: The Azim Premji Foundation has launched a Social Startups Programme to support development sector professionals in setting up and leading civil society organisations that address the needs of underserved communities.

Many professionals have years of experience working with communities and understand their challenges but lack the financial support and guidance to start organisations of their own. The programme aims to bridge this gap by providing financial assistance, guidance and learning opportunities to help them build locally rooted organisations.

Rajib Ghosh, Head – Philanthropy, Azim Premji Foundation, said: “We need more organisations working at the grassroots, especially in underserved areas. Many experienced professionals understand the challenges communities face and want to contribute more. This programme aims to help them take that step and build organisations of their own. This is distinct from the Foundation’s regular grants programme that supports existing, registered organisations (both mature and more recently early-stage).”

The first cohort will include ~100 participants across four geographies: Odisha, North-East India, Eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bengaluru Urban. The areas of work supported will include rural livelihoods, health, youth, mental health, disability, children’s welfare, well-being of Adivasi communities, work in urban informal settlements including creches and community sanitation, and welfare rights.

Who can apply
Applicants must be below 40 years of age, have a graduate degree and at least three years of ground-level development sector experience. They should intend to set up and lead a new civil society organisation, be willing to relocate and make a long-term commitment to their chosen geography. Those who have already registered an organisation are not eligible.

Programme structure and support
The programme has two phases. In the first, an eight-month seeding phase, participants will receive financial support to work with communities, understand local needs and develop their organisations. They will also receive guidance on registration, governance and statutory compliances.

At the end of this phase, participants are expected to have registered their organisations. They can then submit a grant proposal for evaluation. Those who meet the programme’s criteria may receive a two-year seed grant to establish and strengthen their work.

Applications and selection

Applications are open from 1 November to 31 December 2026. The selection process includes eligibility screening, document review, a statement of purpose, an online interview and an in-person panel discussion.

The eight-month seeding phase will begin on 1 April 2027. Participants will be assessed in November–December 2027 for progression to the grant phase.

To know more about the programme, eligibility and application process, visit:
https://azimpremjifoundation.org/who-we-are/how-we-are-organised/grants/social-startups-programme/

The 29th edition of Vedvyas Sangeet Nrutyotsav-2026, a five-day national festival celebrating classical dance, classical vocal music, folk and tribal performing arts, commenced on a vibrant note on 1st November 2026, at the open-air stage of Bhanja Bhavan in Rourkela. It is noteworthy that the 29th edition of the festival is dedicated to the birth centenary celebrations of Padma Vibhushan Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra, the legendary Odissi exponent who made an indelible contribution to Indian classical dance.

Mr. Alok Verma, Director In-Charge, SAIL, Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP), graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. Mrs. Namrata Verma, President, Deepika Mahila Sanghati, and Mr. Sudip Pal Chowdhury, Executive Director (Projects), RSP and Chief Patron, Bhanja Kala Kendra, were the Guests of Honour. Trustees of Bhanja Cultural Trust and several senior officers of RSP were also present.

Addressing the gathering, Mr. Alok Verma congratulated the organisers for sustaining the prestigious festival over the past 29 years. He reiterated RSP’s commitment to the promotion of art and culture and assured continued support for such initiatives that enrich the cultural life of the region. Mr. Verma also paid tribute to Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra and said that it is an honour that the iconic Odishi dancer had performed earlier in the Vedvyas Sangeet Nrutyotsav.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Pal Chowdhury, deliberated on the legacy of the Vedvyas Sangeet Nrutyotsav and how it has shaped the cultural landscape of the city and the state.

Earlier, the dignitaries paid obeisance to Lord Jagannath and ceremonially lit the inaugural lamps amidst the chanting of Vedic shlokas, marking the formal commencement of the festival.

The cultural programme opened with a soulful rendition of Odisha’s State Anthem, ‘Bande Utkala Janani’, by young students of Bhanja Kala Kendra, led by Guru Smt. Binapani Rath.

The artistes of Bhanja Kala Kendra then presented a scintillating Odissi recital choreographed by Padma Shri Guru Durga Charan Ranbir and directed by Guru Niladri Mohanty. The performances of ‘Bho Sambhu’ and ‘Mana Uddharana’ showcased the grace, intricate footwork and expressive storytelling that define the classical dance form. The junior artists of the Kendra presented ‘Shantakaram Bhujagasayanam’ as a melodious Mangalacharan, invoking a spiritual ambience.

Adding a vibrant folk dimension to the evening, artistes of ‘Sanathi Kharai’ from Assam, led by Guru Krishna Kherai Swargiary, presented ‘Lok Kherai’, a traditional Bodo folk dance that reflected the colourful cultural traditions of the region. This was followed by a spirited tribal dance presentation by artistes of ‘Guru Gomke Sanskrutika Sangha’ from Sundaragada. The pulsating rhythms, energetic movements and vibrant presentation won enthusiastic applause from the audience.

The programme was coordinated by Mr. Subha Shankar Ray Chowdhury, CGM In-charge (Maintenance), RSP and President, Bhanja Kala Kendra; Mr. Alok Kumar Behera, CGM (Contracts Cell), RSP and Vice President, Bhanja Kala Kendra; and Mr. Radha Krushna Mohapatra, General Secretary, Bhanja Kala Kendra. Mr. Sasanka Sekhar Pattnaik, Deputy Manager (SMS-II), RSP, anchored the evening’s proceedings.

A prominent fixture on Odisha’s cultural calendar, the festival is organised by Bhanja Kala Kendra, the cultural wing of Bhanja Cultural Trust and one of the leading socio-cultural organisations of the state.

The kit contains a rapid at-home pregnancy test and a voucher for a Thyrocare Beta hCG laboratory test at half its regular price, with home sample collection included. A home test reads a hormone level as a line on a strip; the Beta hCG test measures that hormone precisely in an accredited laboratory. Together they give a woman an immediate answer and, when she wants it, a number to confirm it.

Thyrocare operates 46 laboratories and 11,310 collection points across 607 districts, processing 1 lakh+ samples a day. Its laboratories are NABL-accredited. That infrastructure is what makes the pairing possible: a woman who takes the home test can book the confirmatory Beta hCG through the Thyrocare website by scanning a QR code inserted in the packaging and have a sample collected at home, usually within a few hours.

The launch extends Thyrocare’s consumer-facing diagnostics business into a category that reaches Indian households directly. More than 150 million pregnancy tests are sold in India each year, almost all of them read and acted on at home without any laboratory follow-up.

Yami Gautam brings to the association a public voice built on doing the research rather than taking the first answer, which is the idea the kit is built on. A working mother who has spoken often about nutrition and family wellness, she is the brand ambassador for the Thyrocare Pregnancy Kit across its launch campaign.

“When it comes to a pregnancy result, every woman deserves clarity and reassurance. The Thyrocare Pregnancy Kit gives a quick answer at home and a lab to back it – a reassuring combination for such an important moment,” said Yami Gautam Dhar.

“Every year, millions of Indian women take a pregnancy test at home and are left with a line on a strip and no way to confirm it. We have spent two decades building the laboratory network that answers that question properly. Putting the two in one box is the obvious next step, and it is where consumer healthcare is going, a quick answer at home, with clinical confirmation one step away,” said Rahul Guha, MD and CEO of Thyrocare.

The Thyrocare Pregnancy Kit is available at leading pharmacies, e-commerce and q-commerce platforms at an MRP of Rs. 60. Each pack contains an at-home rapid pregnancy test kit with a test sensitivity of 25 mIU/mL , a dropper and a coupon code to avail beta-HCG blood test at home. The bundled Beta hCG laboratory test is offered at Rs. 399, half its regular price of Rs. 800, with home sample collection included. The voucher is valid for 6 months from purchase.

Mumbai, 2^nd November, 2026: Sony LIV has unveiled the first look of Birla Studios & Applause Entertainment’s Scam 2010, the next chapter of the unanimously loved Scam franchise! Season 3 is being directed by Hansal Mehta, who gave audiences one of the most loved shows in the history of Indian streaming landscape when he made Scam 1992 : The Harshad Mehta Story!

Recently, iMDB celebrated Scam 1992 as one of the most appreciated shows of all time as it took pole position for five consecutive years in their list of the decade’s top series!

Set to premiere in January 2027, Scam 2010 stars Siddharth Bodke in the lead, he says, “Playing Subrata Roy in Scam 2010 has honestly been one of the most challenging and special experiences of my career. What interested me the most was understanding the man behind the image. We all know the larger-than-life personality, but I wanted to explore who he really was, what drove him, and why he made the choices he did. I’ve lived with this character for a long time, and the process has taught me so much, not just as an actor but also as a person. Working with Hansal sir has been an incredible learning experience and a lot of fun! The Scam series already has such a strong legacy, and being trusted to take that forward is a huge responsibility. I’m genuinely excited for people to finally see what we’ve created.” 

The alleged violations reportedly involved private individuals, including generator operators, recovery agents, insurance representatives, business correspondents and other support staff, being engaged in routine banking operations amid staff shortages at several branches. Since PNB’s policy prohibits unauthorised outsiders from participating in banking activities or accessing restricted areas, the management has reportedly initiated disciplinary action against the concerned branch heads for allowing such practices. The development highlights the importance of operational discipline, internal controls and customer data security in banking operations.

New Delhi, [Date]: BIG FM has applied to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB), Government of India, for permission to launch six new digital-first broadcast news channels. Alongside the acquisition of Sapphire Media’s existing news business, including India Daily 24×7, the proposed expansion marks a significant step in BIG FM’s plans to strengthen its presence in news broadcasting and build a national news network under BIG News Network.

Building on its existing news operations, BIG News Network aims to combine the reach of broadcast with the scale and accessibility of digital platforms. The proposed channels will focus on timely and accurate news and credible reporting. Alongside this, the company will focus on hyperlocal and vernacular news content, regional perspectives and micro-content formats tailored for digital consumption, with the ambition of building one of India’s largest news networks.

The initiative aligns with BIG FM’s broader vision for ONE BIG WORLD, its AI-powered integrated media ecosystem, bringing together radio, news, digital platforms, digital out-of-home (DOOH) media and live experiences. The proposed expansion will strengthen the news vertical within this wider ecosystem and extend its reach across platforms and markets.

Commenting on the development, Ashit Kukian, CEO, BIG FM, said, “We see a strong opportunity to grow our presence in the news broadcasting space by bringing together our existing capabilities and new digital-first formats. As audience preferences evolve, our focus is on making news more accessible, relevant and engaging across platforms, languages and regional markets. This expansion is an important step in growing our news business and strengthening its role within the broader ONE BIG WORLD ecosystem.”

The proposed expansion reflects BIG FM’s focus on building a stronger national and regional presence while exploring opportunities across regional markets and languages.

Mumbai, October 26th, 2026: Birla Open Minds has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Burlington English, an English language learning provider with over four decades of experience and a presence in more than 45 countries, to integrate digital resources with its English Reader textbooks for Grades 1 to 8. The collaboration aims to transform print-based learning into a multimodal experience through interactive vocabulary tools, Shuffle Plus games, videos, documentaries, songs and digital worksheets, enabling students to see, hear, speak, play and create with the language.

Scheduled for rollout across all schools in the network from the 2027–28 academic session, the initiative will make resources accessible through the Birla Open Minds app, extending learning from classrooms to homes. Aligned with the principles of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Curriculum Frameworks, the programme will strengthen students’ vocabulary, listening, speaking, reading and writing skills while equipping teachers with ready-to-use resources and tools for differentiated learning.

Commenting on the collaboration, Nirvaan Birla, Managing Director, Birla Open Minds, said, “We are very happy to partner with Burlington English to make English learning more engaging, interactive and relevant for students. We believe that children learn best when they actively experience what they are taught. By integrating digital resources with our English Readers, we aim to bring every English lesson to life, helping students not just read the language, but hear it, speak it, explore it and use it with confidence. This is an important step towards nurturing capable communicators prepared for an increasingly interconnected world.”

The integration will complement textbook chapters with multimedia content and play-based activities, encouraging vocabulary retention, comprehension, curiosity and confidence in communication. Teachers will also receive orientation on multimodal pedagogy, enabling them to blend print and digital resources into everyday lessons while using the worksheet generator to address varied learning needs.

Mr. Amit Baveja Managing Director, Burlington English India, Middle East and Southeast Asia said, “We are delighted to collaborate with Birla Open Minds in advancing a more engaging and interactive approach to English language learning. With over four decades of expertise and a presence across more than 45 countries, we recognise the value of combining structured learning with digital experiences. By integrating multimedia resources, interactive games and practical language activities, we aim to support teachers and help students develop stronger language skills and greater confidence. Together, we look forward to making English learning a more meaningful, immersive and rewarding experience.”

Through this collaboration, the two organisations aim to bring every English lesson to life, creating a connected learning experience that goes beyond the textbook and empowers students to communicate with confidence in a global environment.

A Division Bench of Justices C. Hari Shankar and Vinod Kumar delivered the judgment in Union of India & Ors. v. Jatin on 16 September 2026. Justice C. Hari Shankar authored the decision.

The dispute arose from the Combined Graduate Level Examination, 2024. Through a show cause notice dated 26 March 2025, the SSC alleged that the respondent had peeped at another candidate’s screen, made notes and interacted with that candidate during the examination.

In his reply dated 1 April 2025, the respondent denied the allegations and objected that the CCTV footage had not been supplied to him. Without conducting a formal inquiry, the Commission subsequently cancelled his candidature and debarred him for seven years through a memorandum dated 20 June 2025.

The Central Administrative Tribunal granted relief on 18 December 2025 in OA 2402/2025. Challenging that decision, the SSC relied on the Supreme Court’s judgment in S. Janaki Iyer v. Union of India, (2025) 8 SCC 696.

That precedent requires a person challenging disciplinary action on account of withheld documents to demonstrate the resulting prejudice. Following Managing Director, ECIL v. B. Karunakar, the Supreme Court explained that procedural omissions must be examined in their factual context. Non-supply of a document does not automatically invalidate proceedings where its disclosure would have made no difference to the outcome.

After hearing Samarth Luthra, Advocate for the respondent, the High Court found the prejudice apparent in the respondent’s case. The CCTV recording was the only material against him, yet it had neither been supplied nor shown to him. The denial therefore directly impaired his ability to answer the accusation and therefore vitiated the proceedings against him.

“We fail to see how any greater prejudice could have resulted, than has resulted to the respondent in the present case,” the Bench categorically observed.

The Court concluded that the principle relied upon by the SSC supported both Luthra’s contentions and the Tribunal approach: a breach of natural justice that causes prejudice warrants judicial interference. It consequently dismissed the writ petition, leaving undisturbed the relief granted.

The ruling illustrates the importance of meaningful access to evidence in examination misconduct proceedings. A candidate’s ability to respond to an allegation depends on being able to examine the material from which the authority draws its conclusions, particularly where that material constitutes the entire basis of the charge.

Before concluding, the Bench observed that conducting an inquiry or providing the footage could have avoided the litigation.

Central Government Standing Counsel Ms. Swati R.K., assisted by Mr. Mohnish Balu, Advocate, appeared for the petitioners.

The private respondent was represented by Advocate Samarth Luthra, Advocate. The decision clears the way for Jatin’s lawful appointment through CGLE-2024. With his seven-year debarment also set aside, he is free to participate in future SSC examinations, subject to the applicable eligibility requirements, if he so desires.

Case: Union of India & Ors. v. Jatin
Case number: W.P.(C) 7108/2026
Citation: 2026:DHC:8074-DB
Date of decision: 16 September 2026

Mumbai, 23^rd October, 2026: Bosch Home Appliances, together with Ting, release Kitchen Up, a campaign starring Vikrant Massey. Rooted in the little milestones that make up a life, the campaign explores a simple but deeply personal idea, as we move forward, shouldn’t our homes move forward with us?

There’s something about progress. Just when you think you’ve arrived, you find yourself dreaming a little bigger. It could be the first family car that replaces a scooter, the first home that finally feels like your own or the moment you realize that the space you once grew up in has grown with you, too.

At the heart of the film is a simple thought. A home doesn’t just get bigger, it grows with you. And the kitchen is an essential part of that journey. With Bosch home appliances, upgrading your kitchen becomes more than just a change in appliances or aesthetics, it becomes a way of bringing the space you grew up with into the life you’ve grown into.

Delivered with Vikrant’s understated warmth, the film moves beyond standard product features to explore the emotion behind upgrading. As his relationship with food and cooking evolves, so does his idea of the kitchen he wants. Because progress isn’t always about having more. Sometimes, it’s about choosing better. For Vikrant, that choice was Bosch.

To bring this campaign to audiences, Ting orchestrated a phased rollout for Bosch, starting with a pre-launch phase that introduced the broader idea of personal progress and everyday upgrades, followed by the launch of the Vikrant Massey film to bring the campaign’s emotional narrative to life.

Link – https://www.instagram.com/p/DelZPObs55_/

“Category communication for kitchen and home upgrades almost always leads with the product: specs, features, finishes. But an upgrade is rarely about the appliance. It’s about what the home has come to mean to someone, and what the next chapter looks like. In an era where AI is making everything faster and more automated, we wanted to do the opposite and slow down. This film is built around Vikrant’s personal journey, because that’s where the real story is, and where the brand can earn a place in people’s lives beyond the transaction,” said Aadil Mehta, Partner, Ting.

From his mother’s tiffin business to buying his first home, actor Vikrant Massey’s monologue traces a deeply personal journey of growth. What begins as a story about making do gradually becomes one about making choices that feel right for the life we live today.

Speaking about the campaign, Nitin Mishra, Senior Director – Brand Management (Region India) at BSH Home Appliances India shared, “At Bosch, we believe that as lifestyles evolve, the spaces we live in should evolve with us. With ‘Kitchen Up’, our ambition is to inspire Indian consumers to look beyond conventional kitchens and reimagine them as spaces that reflect their aspirations, individuality and changing needs. Our collaboration with Vikrant Massey brings this philosophy to life, as his journey of constantly evolving and moving beyond the ordinary resonates strongly with the campaign’s core thought. Through this initiative, we aim to accelerate awareness and aspiration for built-in appliances in India, while strengthening Bosch’s position as a trusted partner in creating modern, future-ready kitchens.”