Thursday, November 6, 2025

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Muthoottu Mini Financiers Wins ‘NBFC of the Year 2025’ at Dhanam BFSI Summit & Awards 2025 Kochi, November 6, 2025: Muthoottu Mini Financiers Ltd., one of India’s most trusted and long-standing gold loan NBFCs, popularly known as Muthoottu Yellow, has been honoured with the prestigious ‘Dhanam NBFC of the Year 2025’ (below ₹10,000 crore AUM) award at the Dhanam BFSI Summit & Awards 2025, held at Le Méridien Convention Centre, Kochi. The award was presented by Shri M. Rajeshwar Rao, Former Deputy Governor, Reserve Bank of India, in recognition of Muthoottu Mini’s exceptional performance, responsible growth, and sustained leadership in India’s gold loan and retail finance sector. This recognition celebrates Muthoottu Mini’s exceptional performance, responsible growth, and sustained leadership in India’s gold loan and retail finance sector. The award acknowledges the company’s commitment to customer-centric innovation, digital transformation, and ethical lending practices, which have helped strengthen its position as a leading player in the NBFC industry. Speaking on the achievement, Mr. Mathew Muthoottu, Managing Director, Muthoottu Mini Financiers Ltd., said, “We are deeply honoured to receive the ‘NBFC of the Year’ recognition from Dhanam. This award is not just a testament to our performance but a reflection of a century-long journey built on trust, purpose, and values. At Muthoottu Mini, we have always believed that financial inclusion is not about numbers; it is about enabling progress and dignity for every individual we serve. Over the years, we have evolved from a traditional gold loan company into a modern, responsible financial institution that continues to uphold its legacy of transparency, compassion, and reliability. This recognition reinforces our commitment to creating long-term value for our customers, employees, and the communities we serve.” Adding to this, Mr. P. E. Mathai, Chief Executive Officer, Muthoottu Mini Financiers Ltd., stated, “This recognition is a proud validation of our collective effort to strengthen the NBFC ecosystem through innovation and customer trust. At Muthoottu Mini, our focus remains on balancing technology with human touch, ensuring accessibility, speed, and simplicity in every customer interaction. We are investing in digital enablement, operational excellence, and governance frameworks that support sustainable growth while keeping customer needs at the centre. As we expand across newer markets and customer segments, our goal is to continue building a model that reflects both resilience and responsibility in financial services.” The Dhanam BFSI Summit & Awards is one of Kerala’s most respected industry platforms, recognising outstanding performance and leadership in the banking and financial services sector. As part of the 2025 edition, Mr. P. E. Mathai, Chief Executive Officer of Muthoottu Mini Financiers Ltd., participated as a speaker on the panel discussion titled “Redefining Lending: How NBFCs are Diversifying and Innovating for the Future.” During the session, he shared insights on how responsible innovation, customer trust, and digital adoption are reshaping the NBFC sector and driving financial inclusion across India. Operationally, Muthoottu Mini Financiers continues to strengthen its customer experience through enhanced digital processes, simplified gold loan renewals, and faster disbursals. The company operates through over 980 branches across 10 states and 2 Union Territories, serving a customer base of more than 3 million, supported by a team of over 5,500 employees. Its distribution footprint continues to expand steadily, particularly across high-potential markets in South and West India, reflecting the brand’s deep regional trust and growing national presence.

Johnson’s Baby unveils new branding, Upgraded formulations and Sustainable Packaging: Better for Baby, Better for Mum, and Better for the Planet

Johnson’s Baby unveils new branding, Upgraded formulations and Sustainable Packaging: Better for Baby, Better for Mum, and Better for the Planet Launches ‘It’s Pure Love’ campaign with Anil and Sonam Kapoor, celebrating everyday moments of bonding and role of Johnson’s Baby in enhancing these moments. A person and person holding a baby AI-generated content may be incorrect. Campaign Film Link: https://youtu.be/7o3g1i7XnjE National, November 6, 2025 – The world of parenting has evolved. Today’s parents are more informed and intentional in the choices they make for their little ones. Amidst busy lives, everyday moments like bathing and massaging are still cherished for bonding. To support and enhance these moments of bonding, Johnson’s Baby, the world’s No.1 baby care brand has upgraded its range with advanced skin-science based formulations and new sustainable packaging to cater to emerging needs of new age parents and designed to protect a baby’s delicate skin and hair. Living into its promise to “Protect what’s precious”, Johnson’s® Baby also unveils its ‘It’s Pure Love’ campaign with Anil and Sonam Kapoor, celebrating these precious moments of bonding. Better for the Baby: Advanced formulations designed for a baby’s skin sFor over 130 years, Johnson’s Baby has pioneered products that are best for babies, anchored on deep understanding of baby skin science. Taking another step, Johnson’s baby has upgraded its entire range with industry-first formulations to better protect baby’s skin amidst the changing weather conditions. Every product is carefully crafted to protect the natural softness of a baby’s delicate skin, hair and eyes, along with the beloved Johnson’s fragrance. The new range has: · 'Gentle formulations that are 100% doctor tested' Purposeful and natural ingredients like Aloe Vera, Vitamin B5, milk protein, turmeric, and more to nourish the baby’s skin. · Enhanced Protection: The new moisturizing range provides up to 72 hours of moisturization, while Johnson’s baby soap provides triple protection against germs, dryness, and irritation. Better for the Mum: The advanced formulations help mums protect their baby’s skin better, but it also enhances their experience of those everyday moments of bonding and care. Johsnon’s Baby’s refreshed packaging highlights key ingredients and benefits front-of-pack, empowering parents to make informed and confident choices. For the first time, Johnson’s Baby also introduces a new brand mascot, ‘The Iconic Drop’, symbolising love, care and protection across which will be seen across touchpoints. Better for the Planet With this transformation, Johnson’s Baby also takes meaningful steps toward sustainability. The new bottles are made with 50% Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) plastic that support responsible recycling. This reflects the brand’s commitment to caring not just for today’s babies, but also for the world they will inherit. Celebrating these everyday precious moments, with “It’s Pure Love” Campaign To bring alive its renewed promise‘, Johnson’s Baby launches a new campaign film, ‘It’s Pure Love’, featuring Anil Kapoor and Sonam Kapoor. The film celebrates the small everyday moments of ‘Pure Love’ shared between a mum and her baby. Conceptualized by FCB Group India and produced by Flirting Vision, the campaign highlights the role of a mother’s touch and Johnson’s Baby in protecting what is most precious to her. The campaign will be amplified across television, digital platforms, social media, influencer collaborations and on-ground experiences. Speaking on the campaign, brand ambassador, Anil Kapoor said, “Being part of the ‘It’s Pure Love’ campaign with Johnson’s Baby has been incredibly special for me, not just as an actor, but as a father. The bond between a parent and child is the purest form of love, and this campaign captures that emotion so beautifully. Johnson’s Baby has been a part of our family for generations, and I’m proud to associate with a brand that continues to evolve while staying true to its heart.” Sharing her experience as a mum and a brand ambassador on the new campaign, Sonam Kapoor said “As a mother, every decision I make for my baby comes from a place of love and protection. Everyday rituals with a baby, be it massaging, bathing, post-bath care, are moments of bonding with the little one which is almost magical, joyful and pure love in its truest form. It’s amazing how Johnson’s Baby has captured this thought so beautifully. I loved shooting for the new Johnson’s Baby campaign, be it reel or in real life, a bond with a baby is precious and ‘Pure Love’.” This launch marks a renewed chapter for Johnson’s Baby, one that continues to honour its legacy while supporting the evolving needs of today’s families.

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ICRIER-UNESCAP APAC Policy Summit Calls for Unified Framework to Boost E-commerce Exports National, November 06: As India positions itself at the forefront of digital trade in the APAC region, policymakers and industry experts convened at the Second Asia-Pacific E-commerce Policy Summit to deliberate on the region’s evolving digital commerce landscape. Experts underscored the urgent need for harmonised digital trade frameworks and interoperable payment systems to accelerate cross-border e-commerce growth in the region. Policymakers and industry experts highlighted that while India is emerging as a key driver of digital exports in Asia, a fragmented policy environment continues to limit the potential of MSMEs and women-led enterprises to participate in global value chains. The two-day summit was co-hosted by the Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER) and the UNESCAP Subregional Office for South and South-West Asia (SSWA), in partnership with Startup India (DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce and Industry), MSL Group, Amazon India and Express Industry Council of India. A key highlight of the summit was ICRIER announced plans to set up a Working Group on APAC E-commerce Policy, which will develop recommendations on data interoperability, consumer protection, and AI governance by mid-2026. Further, Amazon India Exports Digest was previewed, highlighting sellers on its Global Selling programme have crossed $20 billion in cumulative exports, ahead of its 2025 target. The milestone underscored the growing role of digital platforms in driving MSME-led exports and enhancing India’s global trade footprint. Digital Trade at an Inflection Point Speakers emphasized the need for a unified approach to policy and digital infrastructure across the region. The inaugural session themed “Vision for Advancing APAC’s Digital Trade Ecosystem” highlighted that while digital commerce is rapidly transforming trade flows, challenges around fragmented regulations, logistics costs, and data interoperability continue to impede cross-border trade efficiency. “E-commerce is the biggest enabler for MSME exports, by increasing access to global markets while keeping costs affordable. The policy framework must work more cohesively to reduce regulatory friction to achieve India's ecommerce export targets” said Nirupama Soundararajan, Co-founder & CEO, Policy Consensus Centre. Exports Digest Highlights MSME Success Stories Amazon’s Exports Digest 2025previewed at the summit showcased how over 200,000 Indian sellers are reaching customers in more than 200 countries and territories through the platform. The top-performing categories included home décor, beauty, and kitchenware with small businesses from cities like Surat, Jaipur, and Coimbatore driving global demand for “Made in India” products. According to Amazon, this growth demonstrates how digital marketplaces can democratize exports and help India achieve its long-term target of a $2 trillion export economy by 2030. Srinidhi Kalvapudi, Head, India Global Selling, Amazon India, stated “When we started in 2015, our pledge was to enable $10 billion in exports by 2025. We’ve already crossed $20 billion before that. Now our vision is to reach $80 billion by 2030. Long range milestones are never about foresight – they’re about conviction that India has a lot to offer the world and that technology can enable it.” Building a Future-Ready, InclusiveEcosystem The summit’s deliberations revolved around MSME empowerment, digital inclusion, technology-driven trade, and cross-border cooperation.Discussions focussed on building a future-ready e-commerce ecosystem driven by interoperability, inclusivity, and innovation. Experts agreed that enabling MSME participation through simplified export processes, affordable logistics, and digital skilling will be key to sustaining growth. The need for harmonised regulations across data governance, payments, and platform operations was emphasised to promoting trust and predictability in digital trade.

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Harmanpreet showed Indian women could hit big: Former teammate Reema Malhotra Watch Video Here Speaking on ‘The Great Indian Cricket Show’ on Doordarshan, former India cricketer and commentator Reema Malhotra reflected on the evolution of women’s cricket in India through the journey of Harmanpreet Kaur. Malhotra said, “When Harmanpreet Kaur made her debut in the 2009 World Cup, we saw her hit a six for the first time. We were looking for players who could hit those big, powerful shots. There were such players in teams like New Zealand and Australia, but we didn’t have one back then.” She added, “Harmanpreet brought a vibe, that yes, we are Indian players, but we can also hit big shots. She started with a six, but that six was heard till 2017, when she scored 171 in the World Cup semi-final. Such moments are rare, and that one changed everything.” Malhotra further said, “When we talk about men’s cricket, we always recall Kapil Dev’s 175 - it transcends generations. I think Harmanpreet’s 171 will be that story for women’s cricket. That’s where the change began, in our thinking, our confidence, and our belief that women’s cricket truly existed at the world stage.” She concluded, “After 2017, when we returned home as runners-up, there was noise, recognition, and pride. People started talking about women’s cricket. And it was all because of Harmanpreet Kaur.” Catch more such inspiring stories and legends of Indian cricket on The Great Indian Cricket Show, airing every Saturday and Sunday at 8 PM IST only on Doordarshan. Uddipta Borah | Senior Account Manager | Mumbai

Wednesday, November 5, 2025

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New Delhi, 6th November, 2025: adidas unveils the official 2026 home kits for 22 partner federations ahead of FIFA World Cup 26™, including: Algeria, Argentina, Belgium, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Northern Ireland, Peru, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, Venezuela and Wales.* The collection combines historic visual identities and traditions of each nation and portrays them in a modernist, forward-looking aesthetic. The designs are representative of a liberated style of play and fresh perspectives on the game, aiming to bridge the gap between every generation of fan, ahead of the biggest World Cup tournament ever. The bold array of jerseys reflects the heart of each nation via colourways and patterns that celebrate key aspects of each nation’s identity. From their rich histories to famous landscapes, traditional architecture and iconic past kit designs, each jersey aims to unite fans around a shared passion for their nation. Throughout, subtle details that nod to the tournament’s storied history - including acknowledgements of historic jersey designs, past victories and memorable dates – can be discovered when viewed up close, creating on-going moments of delight for fans past the first viewing. The full range is crafted for performance, built to support world-class players in high-pressure moments to cope with the varying conditions they will experience across three unique host nations. To tackle the more intense warm-weather conditions, body-mapped 3D engineered mechanical stretch fabrics incorporating adidas' latest CLIMACOOL+ materials wick sweat faster, keeping players dryer for longer. Perforated wide 3-stripe tapes enable ultimate breathability, while strategically placed mesh holes on both fabric and trims deliver best-in-class air permeability, ensuring optimal ventilation even in the most demanding climates. The jerseys also feature a new lenticular heat-applied federation crest and adidas logo expression, a process that creates a unique shapeshifting appearance, adding a bold and innovative visual detail. Sam Handy, GM Football at adidas said: “The national kit is the symbol of a nation’s togetherness and pride. As teams step onto the world stage at the biggest World Cup we have ever seen, they carry the hopes of a whole new generation of fans, while representing those that have come before them. A World Cup is about creating moments that transcend the stadium, so we’ve engineered the designs as an honour to each nation’s roots but also to celebrate an era where every fan, everywhere, is part of the story.” Thomas Mace, VP Design, adidas Football said: “Designing our jersey roster for the FIFA World Cup 2026™ has been about honouring each nation’s unique identity while pushing the boundaries of innovation and performance. Every jersey tells a story — blending cultural heritage with modern aesthetics — and is built using our most advanced technologies to keep players cool and comfortable on football’s biggest stage. From the bold visual details to the shapeshifting lenticular logo and innovative ventilation features, this collection represents the future of football jersey design.” All adidas federation home jerseys** will be available to purchase from 6th November online at https://www.adidas.co.in/federations-football and select retail stores..

Tuesday, November 4, 2025

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Embassy of Egypt Celebrates the Opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum with a Gala Evening in New Delhi New Delhi, November 3, 2025: The Ambassador of Egypt to India, H.E. Kamel Galal, and Mrs. Reham Handoussa hosted a gala evening at Egypt House, Embassy of Egypt, to mark the inauguration of the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), the world’s largest museum dedicated to a single civilization. The event was co-organized by Egypt Air and Sopaan, a cultural organization founded by Ambassador Monika Kapil Mohta and Siddhaant Mohta, with support from Uflex, TCI Sanmar, L’Opéra, TBO.com, and Allied Aviation. The evening brought together a distinguished audience comprising members of the diplomatic corps, business leaders, and the arts fraternity of Delhi. The program featured a film presentation on the Grand Egyptian Museum, followed by an enchanting Kathak performance by Shivani Varma set to pharaonic and Indian tunes, and a captivating Tanoura dance by Egyptian artist Ahmed Atta, specially invited for the occasion. Guests were also introduced to an exclusive VIP trip curated for select Indian travelers to visit Egypt’s iconic landmarks, including the Grand Egyptian Museum, and enjoyed a lavish spread of authentic Egyptian cuisine prepared in the Ambassador’s residence kitchen. In his address, H.E. Kamel Galal remarked, “The Grand Egyptian Museum stands as a monumental testament to the enduring legacy of Egypt and its unmatched contribution to human civilization. It is Egypt’s gift to humanity — a bridge between our ancient past and our modern aspirations.” About the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) Located on the Giza Plateau, just two kilometers from the Great Pyramid, the Grand Egyptian Museum represents one of Egypt’s most ambitious cultural projects. Constructed over two decades at $1.2 billion, it spans 120 acres, aligning visually with the pyramids to create a harmonious connection between ancient heritage and modern architecture. The museum houses over 100,000 artifacts, including the entire Tutankhamun collection of approximately 5,000 items displayed together for the first time, as well as Khufu’s solar boat, monumental statues, manuscripts, and royal mummies. With 19 conservation laboratories, the museum also serves as a leading global center for archaeological research and heritage preservation. It is expected to attract 5–7 million visitors annually, establishing a new benchmark for cultural tourism and education.

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Mumbai, 4th November 2025: Leading Content and Technology powerhouse, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. (‘Z’) leveraged its strategic approach centered around quality content to achieve a three-year high share of 28.7% in the Hindi movie cluster in Q2FY26, further reaffirming its dominant position in the genre. The Company is fortifying its position across the linear entertainment landscape by recording strong viewership gains in the Movies genre across languages. Leading the performance in the Hindi movies genre is Zee Cinema, which regained its position as the No. 1 Hindi Movie Channel (15+ HSM Urban) in Q2FY26. The gains were driven by premieres of blockbuster movies such as ‘Jaat’ and ‘Game Changer’. The audience favourite, ‘Pushpa: The Rule – Part 2’, garnered the highest-rated movie premiere of FY26 till date. (Notably, the movie that previously achieved a similar feat was ‘Gadar 2’, which premiered on Zee Cinema in November 2023.) Anmol Cinema and Zee Action, part of the Company’s portfolio of Free-to-Air movie channels, also delivered a strong performance, attaining the highest reach in Q2FY26 (15+ HSM Urban), amongst all channels across languages and genres. Both the channels garnered over 116 million viewers each. The Company’s movie channels across languages continue to sustain its strong leadership position, attracting significant viewership gains. The Marathi movie cluster of ‘Z’, comprising Zee Talkies, Zee Yuva and Zee Chitramandir have extended their leadership in the Marathi movies segment with nearly 50% market share. The World Television Premiere of ‘Phullwanti’, garnered the highest ratings for a World Television Premiere, for the cluster during the quarter. In other key language markets of Tamil, Telugu and Bhojpuri, the respective movie channels namely – Zee Thirai, Zee Cinemalu and Zee Biskope also maintained their leadership position ranking among the top three channels in their language markets