On the occasion of World Environment Day, The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL), India’s largest hospitality company, continues to advance its sustainability and environmental stewardship under Paathya, its ESG+ framework.

Across its Delhi-NCR portfolio, including Taj Mahal, New Delhi; Taj Palace, New Delhi; Taj Surajkund Resort & Spa, Delhi NCR; Taj Damdama Lake Resort & Spa, Gurugram; Taj City Centre Gurugram; Vivanta New Delhi, Dwarka; and Ambassador, New Delhi – IHCL SeleQtions, the company is strengthening a comprehensive approach to water conservation, energy efficiency and responsible resource management anchored in circularity, innovation, and long-term impact.

At Taj Mahal, New Delhi, a LEED Platinum and EarthCheck Platinum certified hotel, sustainability has moved from commitment to measurable action. The hotel has fulfilled the requirements of LEED Zero Water certification, as verified by Green Business Certification Inc., marking a significant milestone in its water stewardship journey.

Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council as a complement to LEED, the certification verifies the achievement of net zero goals and reflects market leadership in responsible resource management.

Water recycling efficiency at Taj Mahal, New Delhi now stands at 97%, with 92% of treated water reused across operations. The hotel’s approach is supported by rainwater harvesting, greywater recycling, and reuse across laundry, flushing, cooling towers and landscaping.

Reinforcing this circular model is an advanced effluent treatment system, amongst the first of its kind in Indian hospitality, which enables laundry water to be treated and reused back within laundry operations.

The property has also introduced inbuilt VFD hydro-pneumatic pumps, sensor-based IoT monitored cooling tower operations, drip irrigation for horticulture, sensor faucets and low-flow aerators, chemical-free cooling tower treatment, and tanks to collect swimming pool overflow water for reuse.

Extending this approach to the guest experience, the hotel continues to champion mindful dining and low-waste culinary practices through concepts rooted in regional wisdom and seasonal produce. Initiatives such as Mitti ka Swaad at Varq, its signature contemporary Indian restaurant, draw from Bhoole Bisre – A Living Archive and A Testament to Time, revisiting traditional recipes, earthenware cooking and responsible ingredient usage.

Dr. Anmol Ahluwalia, Area Director – Operations and General Manager, Taj Mahal, New Delhi, said, “Under Paathya, our focus is on building systems that go beyond operational efficiency to drive long-term environmental impact. Energy and Water stewardship is a critical part of this journey, where the emphasis is on creating circular ecosystems that optimise resources at every stage. This approach reflects IHCL’s commitment to responsible growth while shaping a future-ready model of hospitality.”

Building on this, Taj Palace, New Delhi – a LEED Platinum and EarthCheck Platinum certified hotel integrates advanced engineering with sustainability-led design. Its Water Treatment and Bottling Plant operates through a three-stage purification process combining reverse osmosis, ozonation, and UV technology.

Smart fixtures, including aerators and sensor-based taps, enable up to 80-85% water savings in public areas. The hotel’s infrastructure supports the recycling of up to 80 KL of water daily, while its upgraded sewage treatment plant with MBR technology processes 450 KLD for reuse across cooling towers, horticulture and maintenance.

A dedicated 700-metre pipeline also enables treated water to be used for external landscaping, maximising resource utilisation beyond the hotel’s immediate operations.

Mr. Pradyumna Singh Rathore, General Manager, Taj Palace, New Delhi, added, “Sustainability today requires a holistic and integrated approach that brings together technology, design, and operational practices. Under Paathya, our organisation’s ESG+ framework, our focus is on embedding resource efficiency into the core of how we operate, ensuring that every intervention contributes to a larger, measurable impact across the ecosystem.”

Extending this to a resort ecosystem, Taj Surajkund Resort & Spa, Delhi NCR, an EarthCheck Platinum-certified property, treats approximately 3,500 KL of water monthly through advanced STP and ETP facilities, reusing it across irrigation, cooling systems and garden areas.

Rainwater harvesting, water-efficient fixtures, dual-flush toilets, sensor-based mixers, aerator-equipped shower heads and an in-house bottling plant further support the property’s resource management approach. Strengthening its clean energy transition, the resort has commissioned Phase 2 of its solar power project, adding a 90 kW installation to the existing 50 kW plant.

The combined system is expected to generate approximately 146,000 kWh of green energy annually, with estimated savings of ₹15 lakhs per year and a projected 36-month return on investment.

At Taj Damdama Lake Resort & Spa, Gurugram, water conservation is driven through a multi-layered approach combining infrastructure, operational efficiency and innovation. The resort’s sewage treatment plant redirects treated wastewater across cooling towers, irrigation systems and cleaning operations, ensuring optimal utilisation at every stage.

Sensor-operated systems further enable precise and efficient water usage across guest and service areas. A key milestone in this journey is the installation of an in-house water bottling plant with a capacity of 150 bottles per hour, significantly reducing reliance on single-use plastic.

Within eight months, the initiative has eliminated over 1,40,000 plastic bottles of 500 ml, prevented an additional 2,80,000 smaller bottles of 250 ml, reduced approximately 70,000 litres of packaged water consumption, and led to a total reduction of over 2.8 tonnes of plastic waste.

Mr. Vinod Pandey, Area Director – Operations and General Manager, Taj Damdama Lake Resort & Spa, Gurugram, said, “At IHCL, sustainability is approached as a collective and continuous journey rather than a set of standalone initiatives. Through Paathya, we are focused on building systems that drive long-term value by integrating environmental responsibility into everyday operations. Water conservation and waste reduction are key pillars within this approach, contributing to a more resilient and responsible hospitality ecosystem.”

At Vivanta New Delhi, Dwarka, responsible operations are guided by a strong focus on water reuse, plastic reduction and energy efficiency. The hotel recycles 320 KL of water per day through its sewage treatment plant for horticulture and cooling tower operations, while its effluent treatment plant recycles 50 KL of laundry water per day.

An in-house bottling plant, linen reuse card placements, larger bathroom amenity bottles in place of single-use plastic bottles, and the conversion of discarded linen into in-house dusters further support waste reduction.

The hotel also reuses steam condensate as boiler feed water and partially sources grid electricity through Open Access renewable energy, strengthening its transition towards lower-impact operations.

At Taj City Centre Gurugram, sustainability interventions span energy efficiency, emission reduction, water stewardship and material responsibility.

The hotel has installed a 150 kW heat pump to optimise hot water generation and support air-conditioning efficiency, along with active harmonic filter panels to reduce energy losses and improve electrical system performance.

Dual-fuel kits have been installed in both DG sets to help control fuel emissions, supported by PNG leak detection and safety preparedness measures.

The hotel has also adopted bamboo flooring at the Barbeque restaurant, introduced bamboo keycards through RFID-enabled door locks, eliminated charcoal use across six kitchens through PNG-fired tandoors, installed a water bottling plant with a capacity of around 300 bottles per hour, and commissioned two 7.4 kW EV charging outlets through Tata Power.

Additionally, at Ambassador, New Delhi – IHCL SeleQtions, water conservation measures include reuse of treated water across flushing systems and green areas, supported by efficient fixtures and dual-flush mechanisms. The installation of an ultrafiltration plant further strengthens water quality and reuse capabilities across the hotel.

IHCL continues to embed sustainability across its operations through Paathya, which guides its approach towards environmental stewardship, resource efficiency, and long-term value creation.

About The Indian Hotels Company Limited

The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) and its subsidiaries bring together a group of brands and businesses that offer a fusion of warm Indian hospitality and world-class service.

These include Taj – the iconic brand for the most discerning travellers and ranked as World’s Strongest Hotel Brand 2025 and India’s Strongest Brand 2025 as per Brand Finance; Claridges Collection, a curated set of boutique luxury hotels merging elegance with historical charm; Brij, experiential leisure resorts in storied destinations; Atmantan, an integrated wellness offering; SeleQtions, a named collection of hotels; Gateway, full-service hotels designed to be your gateway to exceptional destinations; Vivanta, sophisticated upscale hotels; Tree of Life, private escapes in tranquil settings and Ginger, which is revolutionising the lean luxe segment.

Incorporated by the founder of the Tata Group, Jamsetji Tata, the Company opened its first hotel – The Taj Mahal Palace, in Bombay in 1903.

IHCL has a portfolio of 620 hotels including 255 in the pipeline globally across 4 continents, 14 countries and in over 250 locations.

The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) is India’s largest hospitality company by market capitalization. It is listed on the BSE and NSE.

As India prepares for one of its harshest summers in recent years, with temperatures in several regions projected to touch nearly 50°C, the impact of extreme heat is becoming impossible to ignore.

Responding to this growing crisis, Berger Paints India Ltd., the country’s second-largest paint company and a leader in protective coatings, is sharpening its focus on its Kool range — an innovative portfolio of heat-reflective coatings designed to reduce heat absorption and improve indoor comfort.

Meanwhile,  the company is rolling out a multi-pronged initiative that combines community intervention and storytelling to drive awareness around preventive cooling.

Taking this effort beyond individual households, Berger Paints has rolled out a school transformation and cooling initiative across 30 government schools in Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, with implementation support from Smile Foundation.

Through the application of heat-reflective coatings from the Kool range, the initiative aims to create significantly cooler and more conducive learning environments for students in regions most affected by extreme heat.

The intervention is expected to support student well-being, improve attendance, and enhance the overall classroom experience during peak summer months.

To further amplify the message, Berger Paints has launched a powerful brand film showcasing the transformative impact of its Kooling Solution range, including Berger Anti Dustt Kool and Berger Roof Kool & Seal, designed to reduce heat absorption across exterior walls and rooftops, along with Berger Tank Kool that helps keep water tanks cooler during peak summers.

The film highlights the importance of proactive cooling in everyday life, featuring heartfelt testimonials from teachers and principals who have witnessed students thrive in the improved environment.

Juxtaposing the harsh outdoor heat with cooler, more hopeful classroom interiors, it captures children learning and playing in comfort, reinforcing Berger Paints’ promise of protection and well-being. The film concludes with the brand’s signature line, “Paint your imagination,” and will be amplified across Berger’s digital and social platforms.

This integrated approach of combining product innovation, on-ground intervention, and storytelling, underscores Berger Paints’ commitment to driving a shift towards preventive cooling solutions.

As climate patterns continue to evolve, the Kool range is positioned to support both households and communities in adapting to rising temperatures in a more practical and sustainable manner.

Mr. Abhijit Roy, MD & CEO of Berger Paints India Limited, said, “At Berger Paints, we believe innovation must translate into real-world impact. The Kool range is designed not just for homes, but for communities that are increasingly vulnerable to extreme heat. Through our school initiative, we are working towards creating more comfortable learning environments, and with our upcoming campaign, we hope to encourage wider adoption of practical and sustainable cooling solutions.”

 About Berger Paints India Ltd.

Berger Paints is among India’s leading paint and coatings company and ranked among the top 15 coatings companies globally operating across India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Europe either directly or through its subsidiary companies. Berger is well recognized in India for its innovations in products and services which has helped reshape the industry over the course of the past few decades. These include the popularization of the tinting systems which redefined the Indian Paint market, launch of products like Easy Clean and WeatherCoat range, the introduction of the iTrain centers for training on paints, coatings and painting processes and Berger’s innovations extends even to scaling up the concept of semi-automated painting tools under the Express Painting range which saw a significant change in the way painting contractors operated in the Indian market.

The collaboration intends to host IBM watsonx Orchestrate on Yotta’s Shakti Cloud and bring IBM Sovereign Core to India, enabling enterprises to scale trusted, compliant AI

IBM (NYSE: IBM) and Yotta Data Services Private Limited (“Yotta”) today announced plans to enter into a strategic partnership to deliver an Agentic AI platform for enterprises and government organisations in India. The platform is proposed to be built using IBM watsonx Orchestrate and deployed on Yotta’s Shakti Cloud, to help organisations scale AI adoption while meeting evolving requirements around data residency, security, and regulatory compliance.

As enterprises move from AI experimentation to operational deployment, there is increasing demand for platforms that can orchestrate AI-driven workflows across business functions while maintaining governance and control. The proposed platform will enable organisations to deploy and manage AI agents across IT service management, HR, finance, procurement, and customer support.

As part of the collaboration, IBM and Yotta also intend to bring IBM Sovereign Core onto Yotta’s Shakti Cloud. IBM Sovereign Core, now generally available, is a software platform designed to help organisations build and operate AI-ready sovereign environments — delivering continuous compliance monitoring, verifiable control, and governed AI execution across data, operations, technology, and AI. Together, the two offerings are intended to give Indian organisations a complete foundation for deploying agentic AI at scale, without compromising on compliance or control.

“AI innovation in India must be anchored in sovereignty, security, and performance. Together with IBM, we propose to enable enterprises to harness the power of agentic AI on a secure, India-hosted cloud, so they can innovate with confidence while maintaining control over their data and operations,” said Sunil Gupta, Co-Founder, Managing Director & CEO, Yotta Data Services.

Yotta’s Shakti Cloud provides scalable GPU infrastructure and AI services designed for Indian enterprises. Combined with IBM watsonx Orchestrate — an enterprise agentic AI platform — the proposed solution is intended to help Indian organisations adopt AI with speed and security, enabling AI-driven orchestration that accelerates time-to-value and streamlines operations across functions.

IBM Sovereign Core: Making Digital Sovereignty Operational

IBM Sovereign Core introduces a new model for operational sovereignty, where governance, compliance, and control are built into the system from the start. IBM defines digital sovereignty across four pillars:

• Operational Sovereignty — control over how environments are operated
• Data Sovereignty — control over data at rest, in use, and in motion
• Technology Sovereignty — open, modular architecture that avoids vendor lock-in
• AI Sovereignty — control over where models run and how inference is governed

IBM Sovereign Core delivers an integrated software platform combining control plane, identity, security, compliance, and AI execution functions within a single deployment model. Key capabilities include a customer-operated control plane, in-boundary identity and encryption, continuous compliance monitoring and evidence generation, preloaded regulatory frameworks, governed AI execution, and an open, modular architecture built on Red Hat OpenShift and Red Hat AI.

By intending to host IBM Sovereign Core on Yotta’s Shakti Cloud — an India-based, MeitY-empanelled infrastructure — the partnership aims to deliver a sovereign environment purpose-built for India’s regulatory requirements, supporting enterprises and government organisations in meeting data residency mandates, maintaining audit-ready compliance evidence, and deploying AI workloads within defined sovereign boundaries.

“Indian enterprises are increasingly focused on operationalising AI in a way that is secure, governed, and aligned with regulatory expectations. This collaboration will combine IBM’s AI capabilities with Yotta’s sovereign cloud infrastructure to help organisations scale AI responsibly — embedding sovereignty, governance, transparency, and trust from the outset,” said Sandip Patel, Managing Director, IBM India & South Asia.

IBM and Yotta intend to jointly pursue go-to-market initiatives including solution co-creation, proof of concepts, and technical enablement, targeting organisations across BFSI, public sector, manufacturing, and digital-native industries.

About Yotta Data Services Private Limited

Yotta Data Services is a sovereign cloud infrastructure and platform services provider, offering cloud, AI cloud, data centre hosting, connectivity, media tech and cybersecurity services; managed applications; and a wide range of managed IT services. Yotta operates its cloud regions at its hyperscale data centre parks in Panvel (Navi Mumbai) and Greater Noida (Delhi NCR). Yotta’s homegrown, open-source-based Sovereign hyperscale cloud, Yntraa, is MeitY empanelled (VCC and GCC). Yotta has also launched Shakti Cloud, a platform providing enterprises with a comprehensive suite of AI services including AI labs, AI workspaces, Shakti Studio AI Inference platform, access to NVIDIA NIM services, and Kubernetes clusters with GPU resources. Yotta is the only NVIDIA Cloud Partner (NCP) across the APAC region to be part of the NVIDIA Exemplar cloud initiative and is one of only six Reference Architecture Platform NCPs globally. For more information, visit www.yotta.com.

About IBM

IBM is a leading provider of global hybrid cloud and AI, and consulting expertise. We help clients in more than 175 countries capitalize on insights from their data, streamline business processes, reduce costs and gain the competitive edge in their industries. Thousands of governments and corporate entities in critical infrastructure areas such as financial services, telecommunications and healthcare rely on IBM’s hybrid cloud platform and Red Hat OpenShift to affect their digital transformations quickly, efficiently and securely. IBM’s breakthrough innovations in AI, quantum computing, industry-specific cloud solutions and consulting deliver open and flexible options to our clients. All of this is backed by IBM’s long-standing commitment to trust, transparency, responsibility, inclusivity and service. Visit www.ibm.com for more information.

Amid the ongoing cricket season, Oakley and Meta today announced a collaboration with cricket icon Virat Kohli as the face of Oakley Meta Performance AI glasses in India.

The partnership highlights how AI-powered wearables bring Athletic Intelligence to the game, supporting how athletes train, create and share moments.

As part of the collaboration, audiences will get a first-person view into Virat Kohli’s world — from training sessions and match preparation to behind-the-scenes moments with Oakley Meta Performances AI glasses which have hands-free AI to help you capture the perfect cricket shot, access personalized insights as you train and record content seamlessly in the flow of action.

Combined with hands-free capture and instant sharing, the glasses unlock a more intuitive and responsive way to document high-performance moments, both on and off the field. The collaboration showcases our vision of Athletic Intelligence and how technology can seamlessly integrate into an athlete’s routine to help them take their training and performance to the next level.

Sandhya Devanathan, Vice President India and South East Asia, Meta said, “Performance has always been a balance of instinct and awareness, and increasingly that is being shaped by data. With Oakley Meta performance AI glasses, we are exploring what Athletic Intelligence can look like in practice, where timely insights and lightweight assistance come together in a way that supports how athletes train and stay focused. Our collaboration with Virat Kohli reflects how technology can fit naturally into an athlete’s routine, helping them stay present while continuing to learn from every session and every personal record they work towards.”

“Sport is constantly evolving, and so is the way athletes understand and elevate their performance. At Oakley, we’ve always been focused on pushing the boundaries of what’s possible, and with Meta, we’re bringing a new dimension to that vision. Virat Kohli embodies the mindset we build for: focused, driven and always pushing limits. And that’s exactly where this product belongs” says Corey Hill, Head of Global Sports Marketing at Oakley.

Adding his perspective, Virat Kohli said, “I have always relied on instinct, but also on understanding my game better over time. What I find useful about Oakley Meta performance AI glasses is that they add small layers of insight without getting in the way. Whether it is staying focused during training or enhancing on-field awareness, it helps build consistency over time. Over time, that can make a difference when you are working towards your next personal record.”

Oakley Meta performance AI glasses combine performance with intelligence, enabling hands-free photo and video capture, live streaming and voice-enabled AI assistance. With Meta AI, users can access contextual information in real time, making interactions more intuitive and responsive, and enabling more seamless, in-the-moment experiences beyond traditional screens.

The campaign will roll out in phases, beginning with the announcement followed by a series of digital activations across platforms, spotlighting key moments including training footage, AI-led interactions and day-in-the-life content.

The Oakley Meta HSTN and Vanguard collections are priced starting at INR 41,800 and INR 52,300 respectively and are available at leading optical stores.

WhatsApp today announced that people in India can now complete prepaid mobile recharges directly within the app. Powered by PayU, the feature is rolling out in phases across Android and iOS and will be available to all users over the coming weeks.

The feature allows people to seamlessly recharge their own number or that of friends and family members in just a few simple steps. People across India with prepaid connections on Jio, Airtel, and Vi can choose from a range of available plans and complete their mobile recharges directly within WhatsApp, making the process easy, and convenient.

Ravi Garg, Director, Business Messaging, Meta India, said, “In India, WhatsApp is where people connect with friends and family — and increasingly, where they complete everyday essential tasks. By bringing recharges directly into WhatsApp, we are making it easier for people to stay connected without having to juggle between multiple apps. This is part of our continued effort to build a more unified experience on WhatsApp, where people can get more done in one place, in a way that is simple, reliable, and seamless.”

WhatsApp has also introduced a rupee (₹) icon on the home screen to make it simpler for people to discover and access the payments section within WhatsApp.

Apart from giving easy access to the recharges, the ₹ icon provides a clear and familiar entry point for people to use UPI on WhatsApp and provide access to all metro services offering WhatsApp based ticketing by clicking on the feature. People can also click the rupee icon within the 1:1 chat threads while messaging friends, family and others to easily send payments using UPI.

“At PayU, we believe the best payment experience is one that is naturally embedded in the platforms where users already spend their time. WhatsApp is part of daily life for people across the country, and mobile recharges are a routine digital transaction. Bringing recharges to WhatsApp allows users to complete a task they perform regularly within an app they already have open—that’s what embedded payments should feel like. Our partnership with Meta reflects our commitment to making high-frequency transactions simpler, more accessible, and effortless,” said Hemang Dattani, Chief Business Officer, PayU Payments.

Steps to access and use the recharge feature

1. Tap on the ₹ icon
2. Select Mobile Prepaid Recharge
3. Select the number (self/ family or friends)
4. Confirm the operator
5. Select your plan based on your mobile operator
6. Select your payment mode (UPI, Debit Card, Credit Cards)
7. Confirm payment

This launch builds on how WhatsApp is already playing a role in people’s everyday lives in India, from conversations and business interactions to payments and essential services. Today, people are using WhatsApp to book metro tickets across cities, pay bills, and access a range of citizen services through government chatbots, all within a familiar chat interface.

With mobile recharges now integrated into the app, WhatsApp is extending this utility further, bringing another essential, high-frequency task into a single, seamless experience.

As hybrid work, flexible learning, and device-agnostic workspaces redefine how India works and studies, BenQ today announced the launch of its GW90TC Series Monitors in India.

Designed to simplify modern setups while enhancing everyday productivity, the new lineup includes GW2490TC and GW2790TC — Full HD, 144Hz USB-C monitors that combine high refresh performance, advanced ergonomics, and BenQ’s industry-leading eye-care technologies.

 With USB-C fast becoming the universal standard across laptops, tablets, and compact work devices, the GW90TC Series reflects a broader industry shift toward cleaner, more efficient, and future-ready work environments.

 Driving the Shift to Single-Cable Workspaces

The GW90TC monitors enable users to connect, display, and transfer data through a single USB-C cable using DisplayPort Alt Mode, significantly reducing cable clutter and improving desk efficiency. The series supports up to 20W power delivery, allowing compatible devices to stay charged while in use — a critical requirement for professionals, students, and creators working across locations.

 By simplifying connectivity without compromising performance, the GW90TC Series addresses the growing demand for plug-and-play workstations in hybrid and space-constrained environments.

 Everyday Performance, Elevated

Built around Full HD IPS panels, the GW90TC Series delivers consistent color, wide viewing angles, and smooth motion through a 144Hz refresh rate and 5ms response time. Whether navigating spreadsheets, multitasking across windows, or enjoying everyday entertainment, users benefit from fluid visuals and reduced motion blur. AMD FreeSync support further ensures seamless performance during dynamic content consumption.

 Designed for All-Day Visual Well-Being

Extended screen time has become the norm — and eye comfort is no longer optional. The GW90TC Series integrates BenQ’s proprietary Eye-Care technologies, including Flicker-Free, Low Blue Light, and Visual Optimizer, to help reduce eye strain and fatigue during prolonged use. These features deliver visual comfort without sacrificing clarity or color accuracy, supporting healthier viewing habits across work and learning scenarios.

 Ergonomics That Adapt to the User

Recognizing that productivity is deeply linked to physical comfort, the GW90TC Series offers comprehensive ergonomic adjustments — including height, tilt, swivel, and pivot — enabling users to personalize their setup for better posture, comfort, and long-term well-being.

 Leadership Perspective

“USB-C is no longer a premium add-on — it has become the foundation of how modern devices connect and work together,” said Rajeev Singh, Managing Director, BenQ India. “With the GW90TC Series, BenQ is responding to this shift by delivering monitors that simplify connectivity, enhance everyday performance, and prioritize eye comfort. Our goal is to empower professionals, students, and hybrid users across India with smarter, cleaner, and more future-ready workspaces.”

Pricing & Availability

The BenQ GW90TC Series monitors—GW2490TC and GW2790TC — are now available across BenQ’s authorized retail partners and leading e-commerce platforms in India, alongside lower-spec GW range variants including GW2490C and GW2790C, ensuring options across price points, with models priced at INR 9,589 (GW2490C), INR 12,750 (GW2490TC), INR 11,989 (GW2790C), and INR 14,990 (GW2790TC).

Honeywell (NASDAQ: HON) today introduced its Hybrid Heating Solution, a flexible, automated way for industrial manufacturers to potentially lower operating costs and carbon emissions by integrating both traditional natural gas and electric energy sources for industrial process heating.

By automating heating controls, manufacturers can switch energy sources in real time from natural gas to electricity for industrial heating, optimizing energy costs and reducing reliance on a single fuel source.

Honeywell’s Hybrid Heating Solution is designed for seamless integration with manufacturers’ existing infrastructure and can deliver up to 30% electric heating capacity at any given time.

It can also provide predictive diagnostics and remote monitoring, making operations more visible and precise for manufacturers across industries including automotive, building materials, and food and beverage.

“Hybrid solutions offer a practical way for energy-intensive industrial manufacturers to not only alleviate strain off the grid, but also to help advance the energy transition at a global scale,” said John Villali, Senior Research Director at IDC Energy Insights.“As companies work to curb emissions and reliance on fossil fuels, their supply chains can play a critical role to help meet decarbonization goals by leveraging electrical power, including renewable sources.”

“Today’s manufacturing landscape is increasingly challenged by rising energy costs and the need to cut back on fossil fuel usage while increasing productivity” said Tim Lee, President of Honeywell Thermal Solutions. “By merging traditional and electrical energy, including renewables, Honeywell is addressing industry challenges by offering a flexible and realistic path to emissions reduction for companies that require energy-intensive heat in their manufacturing processes.”

In facilities where manufacturers have onsite wind, solar or battery energy storage to produce electricity, operators may be able to leverage those renewables to lower the carbon emissions of their heating operations, to the extent permitted by law.

Honeywell’s Hybrid Heating Solution is commercially available now and is in production across various manufacturing verticals following successful pilots. For more information, visit Honeywell.com.

Sampark Foundation has unveiled a significant expansion of its efforts to transform learning and improve educational outcomes in government schools across Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Maharashtra, Jharkhand, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, and Chhattisgarh, through an investment of ₹25 crore.

The announcement comes as the Foundation completes 20 years of driving innovation and impact in public education.

As part of this expansion, the Foundation will support the creation of 20,000 additional smart schools across the eight states, aligned with the National Education Policy’s vision of digitally empowered classrooms.

Under this initiative, Sampark TV will be installed free of cost in government schools where smart televisions or smart boards already exist or are planned, alongside structured teacher training to enable effective classroom integration.

A parallel focus of this expansion is the deployment of an AI-based, real-time classroom monitoring and governance platform, planned to be rolled out across 80,000 government schools.

The platform will enable district, block, and school-level education officials to track teaching data, monitor classroom engagement, and predict learning outcomes, strengthening evidence-based decision-making and accountability within the public education system. This first-of-its-kind platform will be implemented at no cost across all covered schools.

Letters of intent have been formally shared with all eight state governments, marking the next phase of collaboration to scale technology-enabled, student-centric learning across public education systems.

Speaking on the announcement, Mr. Vineet Nayar, Founder and Chairman, Sampark Foundation, said, “Twenty years ago, Sampark Foundation began with a simple idea: every child deserves a learning experience that excites the mind and sparks curiosity, regardless of geography or circumstance. As we renew our efforts to deepen partnerships with state governments, we aim to create classrooms where curiosity thrives and learning outcomes improve meaningfully and sustainably.”

Dr. K. Rajeswara Rao, President, Sampark Foundation and former Special Secretary, NITI Aayog, added, “The future of public education lies in the intelligent use of data, technology, and governance. The AI-based monitoring platform will enable education leaders at every level to respond faster, plan better, and ensure accountability where it matters most – in the classroom. This initiative represents a significant step towards institutionalising data-driven decision-making in government school systems.”

In addition, the Foundation will host large state-level AI Education Conclaves in March 2026 across each of the eight states, focused on the theme “AI Revolution in Education,” bringing together policymakers, practitioners, and global experts to advance dialogue on the future of technology-enabled learning.

Committed to strengthening education delivery across India and fostering a love of learning in every child, Sampark Foundation works closely with state governments to ensure inclusive access to quality education.

Through its flagship Sampark Smart Shala programme, the Foundation has reached over 1.8 crore children across more than 1.4 lakh government schools, trained over 8.5 lakh teachers, and established 40,000 smart classrooms that enhance teaching and learning experiences nationwide.

Over the past  two decades, what began as a vision has evolved into one of the world’s largest education movements, documented as a Harvard Case Study and recognised globally among leading large-scale education innovations.

Bengaluru-based  MiniPix, a mobile-first entertainment platform focused on short-form regional micro-dramas for Bharat audiences, has raised ₹2.4 crore in its maiden pre-seed funding round led by startup accelerator PedalStart.

The round also witnessed participation from Venture Catalysts and renowned investors, including Sandip Gupta and Rajdip Gupta (Founders, Route Mobile), through SanRaj Family Ventures Pvt. Ltd.

The capital raised through this round will be deployed to strengthen MiniPix’s product-market fit, scale high-quality regional content creation, and build a strong execution-focused team. The company aims to sharpen its platform capabilities while remaining deeply aligned with mobile-first consumption patterns and culturally rooted storytelling.

Founded in June 2025, MiniPix is building a premium entertainment platform centred on short, vertical micro-dramas designed specifically for audiences in Tier-2 and Tier-3 India.

Investors backing the company were drawn to the founders’ experience and a shared belief that micro-dramas represent the next evolution of digital entertainment, particularly for regional audiences whose viewing behaviour differs significantly from traditional OTT consumers.

This belief is increasingly reflected in broader industry trends. According to recent market study by Redseer Strategy Consultants, India’s interactive and short-form digital entertainment market is expected to witness rapid growth over the next few years, with micro-drama formats projected to grow at an estimated 50–70 per cent CAGR, driven by rising smartphone penetration, low data costs, and increasing preference for regional language content.

Despite operating in a highly competitive streaming ecosystem, MiniPix has demonstrated strong early traction. Within 6 months of product launch, the platform has crossed 100,000 app downloads, built a base of over 20,000+ paying subscribers, and recorded more than 3 million episode views, translating into upwards of 35,000 hours of content streamed.

This momentum has helped MiniPix reach an annual recurring revenue of ₹3 crore+, offering early validation of its content-led business model.

Brijesh Kashyap (Co-founder & CEO), Om Prakash Singh (Co-founder) and Sushil N. (Chief Technology Officer) of MiniPix, said, “Raising this round marks an important milestone in MiniPix’s journey. We’ve seen strong engagement from Bharat audiences when content speaks their language and reflects their lived context. This capital allows us to move beyond validation and start building scale in a measured way by investing in content quality, strengthening our platform, and assembling a team that can execute consistently. Our focus is on building a long-term premium entertainment brand that feels native to mobile consumption in India”.

Beyond capital, PedalStart, the lead investor, played an active role in supporting MiniPix throughout the fundraise. The accelerator worked closely with the founders on pitch refinement, narrative clarity, and investor discussions, while continuing to mentor the team on a regular basis.

Commenting on the investment, Manas Pal and Aditya Darolia, Co-Founders, PedalStart, said, “MiniPix stands out for its clarity of vision and early revenue traction in an emerging and moving category of digital entertainment. The founders understand regional audiences deeply and are building with intent rather than imitation. Their focus on micro-dramas, combined with disciplined execution, positions them well to create a differentiated entertainment platform. We are pleased to back MiniPix at this early stage and support the team as they scale”.

In the near future, MiniPix plans to introduce greater automation and data-led processes across its content and platform operations. The company is also selectively exploring the use of AI-led tools to identify areas where efficiency can be improved and content production optimized at scale, without compromising creative quality.

These efforts are aimed at building a sustainable and cost-effective content pipeline as the platform expands across languages and regions.

MiniPix’s core audience today comprises young, mobile-first users aged 22–45, primarily from Tier-2 and Tier-3 towns. The platform is currently focused on Bhojpuri micro-dramas, reflecting strong demand for culturally rooted narratives, and plans to expand into five additional regional languages over the next two years.

Looking ahead, MiniPix has outlined a structured growth roadmap, targeting ₹6 crore in ARR by March 2026, with plans to scale to ₹35 crore in Year 1, ₹134 crore in Year 2, and ₹308 crore in Year 3, driven by deeper regional penetration, content expansion, and improved monetisation.