Bata India teams up with Zepto to offer stylish footwear delivered to your doorstep in minutes, transforming the shopping experience for today’s fast-paced consumers.

In a groundbreaking move to meet the evolving demands of modern shoppers for convenience, Bata India has strategically partnered with quick commerce platform Zepto to provide swift delivery of their fashion and festive footwear collections. The growing Quick Commerce market, with a CAGR of over 4.5%, has driven a rapid surge in demand for fashion products. With a successful launch in Delhi-NCR, Bata now plans to swiftly expand to major metropolitan cities across India, offering a broader assortment of products. With an estimated 48 lakh weddings expected in the next few months, this partnership guarantees convenience and accessibility, catering perfectly to last-minute style needs.

Whether you're gearing up for a last-minute meeting, need to complete a look for a wedding party, or simply want to indulge in a new pair of shoes, you are covered. By enabling seamless, rapid delivery, Bata ensures that customers no longer have to wait to get their hands on stylish and comfortable shoes with a wide range of products to choose from.

Gunjan Shah, CEO of Bata India, shared his enthusiasm for the collaboration: “At Bata, we’re constantly transforming & innovating to meet the needs of our customers, and our partnership with Zepto marks a significant step in that journey. We wanted to strengthen our omni-channel presence to ensure that customers can shop for our stylish and high-quality footwear in the way that best suits them—whether online, in-store, or now, with rapid doorstep delivery. Today's consumers seek the convenience of having everything delivered to them, and this collaboration perfectly aligns with our mission to enhance accessibility.”

Aadit Palicha, CEO of Zepto, said, “We are excited to partner with India’s leading footwear brand, Bata and bring their stylish & comfortable range of footwear to our customers at lightning speed. This collaboration is all about convenience, speed and making a wide variety of styles available to our consumers to choose from. We are united in our goal to enhance the shopping experience, redefining how quickly people can access stylish and quality shoes, making it easier for them to express their personal style on the go.”

As Bata continues to innovate and adapt to the evolving retail landscape, the partnership with Zepto represents a significant step toward enhancing customer accessibility to quality footwear.

EDITOR’S SYNOPSIS

·          Ambuja Cements inaugurates new Community Clinic Centre in Kashyalu, enhancing healthcare access for Darlaghat residents.

·          Community Clinic offers essential health services, including BP and sugar screenings for local adults.

·          Sustainable rural healthcare initiative underscores Ambuja’s commitment to collaborative community involvement.

Ambuja Cements, the cement and building material company of the diversified Adani Portfolio, has inaugurated a new Community Clinic Centre in Kashyalu village. Through CSR efforts, the Company aims to enhance healthcare access for residents around its Darlaghat plant.

Following consultations with the local Panchayat members and stakeholders, the centre was developed with extensive community input, emphasizing a collaborative approach to public health.

The clinic, which saw robust community involvement in its planning and management, has been set up to address healthcare gaps in the area. Ambuja’s CSR team coordinated the logistics, from clinic renovations to essential supplies and medical equipment, ensuring a fully functional facility.

During the inauguration, an initial health screening camp was held, providing free BP and sugar tests to 49 residents aged 18 and above, marking a significant step in community wellness.

Ambuja Cements remains committed to building resilient communities by facilitating accessible healthcare solutions through initiatives including this clinic. This centre is more than just a facility; it represents the collective efforts of local leadership, government health departments, and Ambuja’s CSR efforts towards prioritising and sustaining rural healthcare for years to come.

WSFx Global Pay, formerly known as Wall Street Finance Ltd and established in 1986, is a trusted, BSE-listed leader in the foreign exchange and cross-border payments industry with an AD2 License from Reserve Bank of India. As a pioneering forex fintech company, WSFx leverages cutting-edge technology to deliver seamless payment solutions. WSFx has introduced many Industry defining Digital Products.

Building on its legacy of innovation, the company proudly announces the launch of its very own Visa Forex Card “WSFx Student Pay”, specifically designed to cater to the unique needs of Indian students studying abroad, ensuring convenience, security, and unmatched value.

This launch marks WSFx’s transition to independently offering its cards, providing users with enhanced customization, control, and value. It represents a significant step in the company’s mission to redefine secure, seamless, and convenient financial solutions.

The international education market in India is currently valued at approximately USD 3.5 billion and is expected to grow in the coming years at an impressive rate, fuelled by the aspirations of countless Indian students pursuing higher education overseas. WSFx Global Pay’s Visa Forex Card is strategically developed to address the financial challenges faced by these students, offering a secure and efficient way to manage international expenses.

The WSFx Student Pay Card is thoughtfully designed to cater to the financial needs of Indian students studying abroad, offering unmatched convenience and value. With zero forex conversion charges, students can save significantly on every international transaction, while the Tap & Pay technology ensures quick and secure contactless payments for added ease and safety. To address unforeseen cash needs, the card provides one free ATM withdrawal per month, waiving additional charges. The card also offers a range of exclusive benefits upon loading a minimum of USD 3,000, ensuring convenience and value for users. Customers can enjoy International Lounge Access in India, providing a comfortable and stress-free start to their journeys. Students can benefit from the International Student Identity Card (ISIC), which unlocks exclusive discounts on essential services across the globe. Additionally, users receive a complimentary International eSIM by Zetexa, enabling seamless connectivity while traveling abroad.

In addition to these benefits, the WSFx Global Pay App complements the card’s functionality, making financial management seamless and efficient. The app allows students to transact in just a few steps, complete digital KYC for quick onboarding, and manage their forex cards in real-time. Students can access live forex rates, generate or change PINs instantly, monitor their transaction history, and transfer funds between currency wallets with ease. It also includes options to check wallet balances and temporarily block the card if needed, offering enhanced security.

To top it off, the card features a robust rewards program, enabling users to earn points on every spend, which can be redeemed for exciting benefits. With its comprehensive range of features, the WSFx Student Pay Card ensures students abroad have a reliable, secure, and rewarding financial partner for their educational journey.

The WSFx Visa Forex Card is equipped with Green PIN technology, enabling instant PIN generation and robust transaction security while simultaneously eliminating the need for paper-based communication. Accepted across the globe through Visa’s extensive network, the card allows students to load currencies multiple times, manage funds digitally, and enjoy competitive forex rates—all backed by round-the-clock customer support.

Commenting on the launch, Srikrishna Narasimhan, Whole-Time Director and Chief Executive Officer, WSFx Global Pay, said, “Sending a child abroad for higher education is a significant emotional and financial decision for parents. At WSFx Global Pay, we understand these concerns and have designed our WSFx Student Pay Card to ensure transparency, security, and peace of mind, eliminating risks like hidden charges or fraud.

The card also helps students develop healthy financial habits with features like zero forex conversion charges, currency loading multiple times, and Tap & Pay technology, enabling them to manage expenses responsibly while focusing on their studies. More than a payment tool, it serves as a trusted financial and payment companion, giving parents confidence and students the support they need to succeed in their academic journey.”

Dilip Modi, Chairman, Spice Connect, added, “Throughout my career, I have been driven by the goal of empowering people and transforming lives—whether it’s creating opportunities for underserved communities in rural India or now addressing the evolving needs of Indian students heading abroad. The WSFx Student Pay Card is a reflection to this commitment, providing young global citizens with financial tools that are secure, transparent, and tailored for their journey. By helping students manage their finances responsibly, we aim to give families the confidence and peace of mind they deserve as they take this significant step towards building a brighter future.”

·         EY employees will record over 40,000 pages for the audiobooks in a period of one month.

EY India has partnered with the National Association for the Blind (NAB) to create over 600 audiobooks, aiming to benefit more than 1,00,000 people with visual impairment across India. The initiative is part of EY Ripples program, where EY employees devote their time to SDG-focused projects, bringing together their combined skills, knowledge and experience to positively impact wider sections of the society.

Named ‘Talking Books’, this is the second edition of the initiative by EY Ripples team in collaboration with NABto enable enhanced availability of learning resources for the personal development of several members of the visually impaired community. As part of the initiative, EY employees will record over 40,000 pages for the audiobooks in a period of one month.

There are an estimated 5 million blind people in India (0.36% of the total population), 35 million people visually impaired (2.55%), and 0.24 million blind children in India. People with visual impairment lack access to adequate learning resources and audio books are therefore a crucial learning tool for them.

Reflecting on the overwhelming employee response to the program, Arti Dua, National Talent Leader, EY India, said, “Initiatives like Talking Books allow us to empower differently abled, ensuring everyone has access to the resources they need to learn and grow.The overwhelming response from our employees reflects not just a shared purpose but a collective action towards making a meaningful impact where it matters the most. We are committed to expanding our efforts and introducing new initiatives that uphold our shared purpose.” 

Talking about the initiative, Prashant RanjanVerma,General Secretary of National Association for The Blind said, “It gives us immense joy that such a large number of EY India employees have come forward to help enrich our library. This unique resource-building effort holds the potential to benefit the visually impaired community at large, making a meaningful difference in their lives.”

In India, the EY Ripples community has grown to over 4,000 volunteers and continues to expand. Over the past four years, these volunteers have positively impacted over 11.5 million lives through various initiatives around education, cleanliness drives, plantation drivesetc. 

The new productsoffer Industry-Leading Features including guaranteed additions in

the 1^st policy year.

Pramerica Life Insurance, one of India's fastest-growing life insurance providers, has joined hands with Policybazaar to accelerate its focus on Unit-Linked Insurance Plans (ULIPs). Building on ULIPs as a critical driver of its product strategy, the company introduced two new solutions: Pramerica Life NextGen Pension Plan and Pramerica Life Smart Invest 1UP. Leveraging Policybazaar’s digital expertise and extensive customer insights, these products are designed to empower individuals with retirement planning & wealth-building options, ensuring financial security in today’s dynamic economic environment.

Policybazaar is renowned for simplifying insurance solutions and providing seamless digital experiences to customers.

These ULIPs offer a suite of best-in-class benefits, including:

·         Upfront Guaranteed Additions in the policy

·         Zero premium allocation charges

·         Zero policy administrationcharges

·         Return of mortalitycharges (ROMC) upon policy survival

·         Unlimited fund switchesat zero charges

Pramerica Life NextGen Pension Plan gives access to Pramerica Life’s flagship Nifty Midcap 50 Correlated Pension Fund, which offers an impressive 30.7% 1-Year return. The fund is available through an NFL from 18^th December 2024 to 1^st January 2025 at anNAV of ₹10.

Mr. Pankaj Gupta, MD & CEO, Pramerica Life Insurance said, “Our collaboration with Policybazaar is a significant step in making innovative financial solutions accessible to a larger audience. These new ULIP offerings reflect our commitment to delivering customer-centric products with industry-first features that cater to evolving financial needs, helping individuals secure their future while creating wealth.The Pramerica Life NextGen Pension Plan, in particular, is designed to help individuals build a reliable retirement corpus, ensuring financial independence and peace of mind in their post-retirement years.”

Mr. Sarbvir Singh, CEO, Policybazaar stated “Retirement planning is more important than ever as India faces shifting demographics and evolving financial needs. At Policybazaar, our mission is to empower customers with tailored financial solutions that secure their future. Partnering with Pramerica Life Insurance to introduce these ULIP pension plans reflects our commitment to offering comprehensive products that help individuals achieve long-term financial stability and a worry-free retirement.”

~Pinnacle to drive 40% of LEAD Group’s revenue in the next 3 years~

LEAD Group, India’s leading School Edtech pioneer, today announced the launch of Pinnacle — a first-of-its-kind, modern curriculum solution that combines deeply researched curriculum, pedagogy and content — to address the unmet needs of more than 60,000 high-fee schools across India.  Pinnacle brings the much needed innovation and academic excellence that India’s high-fee schools are seeking beyond regular curricula. Pinnacle not only combines deeply researched, NCF-aligned curriculum, pedagogy and content,  but also blends AI and other advanced education technologies to enable a truly multi-modal, personalised and adaptive learning experience for students. Over the next 3 years, Pinnacle is expected to contribute 40% of LEAD Group’s total revenue, underscoring its importance in the company’s growth strategy.

Parental spend in the high-fee school segment is projected to reach Rs. 4,300 billion by 2030, reflecting a growing demand for quality education. Pinnacle’s deeply researched solutions will meet this rising parental demand for propulsive education.

Sumeet Mehta, CEO and Co-Founder, LEAD Group, said, “Designed and developed in India, Pinnacle is built on more than two years of research and insights from collaborations with schools nationwide.  It addresses the long-unfulfilled needs of progressive Indian schools by offering a modern curriculum solution that builds on the best in curriculum, pedagogy and technology, and is fully aligned with NCF 2023.  This is a first in school education in India and marks a significant shift from traditional approaches that have primarily focused on books, or standalone software or smart classroom content.  We are building an education brand that is made in India and is the best in the world!”

Pinnacle’s flagship innovation, the TECHBOOK, introduces India’s first AI-enabled intelligent books, personalising learning through data-driven insights and AR-enhanced experiences to boost student learning outcomes.  Pinnacle also includes Code.AI, a project-based coding and AI program with a free coding platform designed to nurture technology creators and innovators. The TECHBOOK and Code.AI build on Pinnacle’s Textbook series that leverages world-renowned pedagogies for deeper conceptual understanding Pinnacle also includes ACADEMIA for AI-powered assessments and teacher training for schools; and Pinnacle+ for comprehensive school support, including curriculum integration and infrastructure upgrades.

Pinnacle by LEAD Group meets the growing demand for innovation and integration in progressive Indian schools striving to distinguish themselves.  It empowers schools to streamline operations while maintaining the highest standards of learning. 

 Bharti Airtel (“Airtel”), one of India’s leading telecommunications service providers has partnered with the Indian Army to bring connectivity to villages in the Kupwara, Baramulla and Bandipore districts along the Line of Control in North Kashmir.

The company has deployed 15 mobile towers in this area, which will benefit the local population and also offer essential communication connections for soldiers stationed along the Line of Control, enabling them to stay in touch with their families and improve operational coordination.

Under the PM Vibrant Village Programme, villages such as Kachhal, Balbir, Razdan Pass, Taya Top, Ustad, Kathi, and Cheema are now connected to the rest of the country. These villages are located in the Keran, Machhal, Tangdhar, Gurez, and Uri valley regions, spanning the three districts of Kupwara, Baramulla, and Bandipore. Airtel is the only private telecom operator providing its services in these regions.

Airtel has collaborated with the Indian Army to improve network services and enhance connectivity in remote areas of military bases. Recently, the company has successfully established connectivity in the Galwan River region and Daulat Beg Oldie (BDO), which is recognised as India’s northernmost military outpost. 

Dr. Ramesh also credited the success of the surgery to the advanced medical facilities at Kamineni Hospitals, particularly the expertise of the anesthesia department, skilled medical staff, and experienced nursing team.