Airtel Payments Bank focuses on simple payment solutions with small deposit amounts

Digital scams and fraud are increasingly common, affecting many innocent customers. These scams often use clever tricks, such as fake parcel deliveries and fraudulent links, to deceive people.

At Airtel, your safety is our main concern. We are the first telecommunications company to offer instant alerts for spam calls and messages using an AI model. We have also created a way to block fraudulent links even if you accidentally click on them, says Gopal Vittal, Vice Chairman C MD, Airtel. 

Many people use their main bank accounts linked to payment apps for all digital transactions, making them vulnerable to losing their savings with a single mistake. To address this, Airtel has launched Airtel Payments Bank, which is designed primarily for secure payments. Users can keep a small balance in this bank, as we do not lend money and don’t require large deposits. Even this small balance will earn interest, providing extra security for your funds. 

Opening an account with Airtel Payments Bank is easy and can be done in a few minutes from home. The steps include downloading the Airtel Thanks App, filling out your KYC details for verification, and setting an mPIN to start using the account. 

You can top up your account by transferring money from your main account or by visiting any Airtel Payments Bank Retail Point. Taking a few minutes to set up this second account can help protect your money. We welcome any suggestions you may have for improving Airtel’s services.

 

India’s First Toolkit for Employing Persons with Disabilities in Manufacturing Unveiled by Godrej Consumer Products & Atypical Advantage

Godrej Consumer Products Ltd. (GCPL), India’s leading company committed to diversity, inclusion, and equality, together with Atypical Advantage, the country’s largest livelihood platform for people with disabilities, successfully hosted the EmployAbility in Manufacturing Summit 2025 in Mumbai. The summit brought together industry leaders, policymakers, and inclusion advocates to advance disability inclusion within India’s manufacturing sector. 

The manufacturing sector employs over 30 million people, yet a significant inclusion gap persists. In the private sector, the workforce participation rate for persons with disabilities (PwD) stands at only 36%, compared to roughly 60% for those without disabilities. The summit therefore aimed to shift the narrative from “why inclusion is needed” to “how companies can practically implement it.” 

A key highlight of the event was the launch of ‘Work That Includes’- India’s first Employability Toolkit which is a practical, implementation-ready guide designed to help manufacturing units achieve meaningful disability inclusion. Unveiled in the presence of Ira Singhal (IAS), a national icon of resilience and disability advocacy, along with leading industry experts, the toolkit offers step-by-step guidance on job mapping, accessibility checklists, workflow redesigns, Indian Sign Language (ISL) glossaries, and real-world case studies. Researched and written by Integrative Solutions, the toolkit draws from insights and lessons gathered across sectors such as FMCG, automobiles, semiconductors, and more, providing a comprehensive pathway to integrating PwD into factory operations. 

“As per the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) report, the 2.21% official disability figure understates the true scale of underrepresentation in India. And while inclusion drives performance, manufacturing has been one of the slowest sectors to adopt disability inclusion due to legacy processes and outdated assumptions around productivity and safety.” said Vineet Saraiwala, Founder of Atypical Advantage. 

GCPL’s manufacturing units in Malanpur, Madhya Pradesh, and Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu have set a national benchmark for accessible, inclusive, and high-performing factory environments. Through a structured approach that includes job mapping, infrastructure upgrades, Indian Sign Language (ISL) resources, and technical training, GCPL has demonstrated how disability inclusion can strengthen workplace culture while enhancing operational excellence. 

Vaibhav Ram, Global Head - HR, Godrej Consumer Products (GCPL), said, “At a time when disability employment in India remains far below its potential, GCPL is committed to driving meaningful change. We have already employed more than 20 persons with disabilities across our factories, with plans to expand into additional roles and locations. It is important to recognise that disability inclusion is not just a choice but a necessity. The ‘Work That Includes’ Toolkit, launched in partnership with Atypical Advantage and Integrative Solutions, underscores this reality by giving companies a strong starting point for their inclusion journey. It captures learnings from organisations like ours and equips industry players with the guidance needed to take the next step.” 

Commenting further on GCPL’s PwD inclusion journey Vaibhav Ram, said, “Our factories demonstrate that productivity and empathy can co-exist — and that accessible workplaces build stronger, more resilient teams. We are embedding disability inclusion into long-term capability systems by integrating disability-awareness and Indian Sign Language (ISL) modules into our Learning Management System (LMS), making inclusive communication and leadership an integral part of our core training pathways.”

Meesho Limited’s Initial Public Offering to open on Wednesday, December 3, 2025

Meesho Limited  proposes to open the initial public offering  of its equity shares of face value ₹1 each (“Equity Shares”) on Wednesday, December 3, 2025. The Anchor Investor Bidding Date is one Working Day prior to Bid/Offer Opening Date, being Tuesday, December 2, 2025. The Bid/Offer Closing Date is Friday, December 5, 2025.

The Price Band of the Offer has been fixed from ₹105 per Equity Share of face value ₹1 each to ₹111 per Equity Share of face value of ₹1 each. Bids can be made for a minimum of 135 Equity Shares of face value ₹1 each and multiples of 135 Equity Shares of face value ₹1 each thereafter.

The Offer comprises a fresh issue of Equity Shares aggregating up to ₹42,500 million (the “Fresh Issue”) and an Offer for Sale of up to 105,513,839  Equity Shares by certain existing shareholders including Vidit Aatrey and Sanjeev Kumar(together the “Promoter Selling Shareholders”),  Elevation Capital V Limited, Peak XV Partners Investments V, Venture Highway Series 1, a Series of Venture Highway SPVs LLC),  Golden Summit Limited, Y Combinator Continuity Holdings I LLC,Sarin Family India LLC, Crimsn Holdings, LLC, Titan Patriot Fund Ltd and Gemini Investments L.P. (together the “Corporate Selling Shareholders”), Man Hay Tam and Rajul Garg (together the “Individual Selling Shareholders”, and collectively with the Promoter Selling Shareholders and the Corporate Selling Shareholders, the “Selling Shareholders”)

The Offer is being made in accordance with Rule 19(2)(b) of the Securities Contracts (Regulation) Rules, 1957, as amended (“SCRR”) read with  Regulation 31 of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Issue of Capital and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2018, as amended (“SEBI ICDR Regulations”). The Offer is being made through the Book Building Process in accordance with Regulation 6(2) of the SEBI ICDR Regulations, wherein in terms of Regulation 32(2) of the SEBI ICDR Regulations, not less than 75% of the Offer shall be available for allocation on a proportionate basis to Qualified Institutional Buyers (“QIB Portion”). The Company, in consultation with the Book Running Lead Managers (“BRLMs”), may allocate up to 60% of the QIB Portion to Anchor Investors (“Anchor Investor Portion”) on a discretionary basis, of which one-third shall be reserved for domestic Mutual Funds, subject to valid bids being received from domestic Mutual Funds at or above the Anchor Investor Allocation Price.

Further, not more than 15% of the Offer shall be available for allocation to Non-Institutional Investors (“Non-Institutional Portion”) and not more than 10% to Retail Individual Investors.The Equity Shares are proposed to be listed on BSE Limited (“BSE”) and the National Stock Exchange of India Limited (“NSE”). For the purposes of the Offer, NSE shall be the Designated Stock Exchange.

Maruti Suzuki collaborates with Chhattisgarh Gramin Bank to expand retail car financing network

Maruti Suzuki India Limited (Maruti Suzuki) announces the signing of a MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) with Chhattisgarh Gramin Bank, entering into a strategic vehicle financing partnership for customers. Formed to provide retail financing solutions for new cars and commercial vehicles, this collaboration has been established to enhance the accessibility and affordability of Maruti Suzuki vehicles for a wider range of customers.

The collaboration with Chhattisgarh Gramin Bank will leverage the growing customer base of the bank to benefit diverse Maruti Suzuki customer profiles and offer them a range of comprehensive financing solutions. The strategic partnership will also offer competitive financing offers that are tailored to provide greater customer benefits.

The MoU was signed in the presence of Mr. Partho Banerjee, Senior Executive Officer, Marketing & Sales and Mr. Vishal Sharma, Vice-President, Maruti Suzuki Finance & Driving School, from Maruti Suzuki India Limited; from Chhattisgarh Gramin Bank, Mr. Vinod Kumar Arora, Chairman and Mr. Vijay Vasant Raikwad, General Manager, and other senior officials from both organisations.

Commenting on this partnership, Mr. Partho Banerjee, Senior Executive Officer, Marketing & Sales, Maruti Suzuki India Limited, said “Our collaboration with Chhattisgarh Gramin Bank strengthens our commitment to making car ownership more accessible and affordable. This strategic partnership enables us to extend our reach and offer customers competitive financing solutions that enhance the overall buying experience. We remain focused on delivering seamless and customer-centric finance options, and this alliance reinforces our vision of providing tailored financial support to a wider audience.”

Commenting on the association, Mr. Vinod Kumar Arora, Chairman, Chhattisgarh Gramin Bank, said, “At Chhattisgarh Gramin Bank, fulfilling customer aspirations is at the core of our mission. Our partnership with Maruti Suzuki, a leader in the automotive industry, marks a strategic step toward expanding our service offerings and delivering enhanced value to our customers. This collaboration reinforces our customer-centric philosophy of enabling accessible and affordable vehicle financing solutions. We look forward to supporting individuals and families across the country in realising their dream of owning a Maruti Suzuki vehicle.”

Battery Smart Releases Its First Impact Report, ‘Redefining Mobility, One EV at a Time’— Driving India’s EV Journey Forward

●      The report highlights Battery Smart’s pivotal role in accelerating India’s EV adoption, improving air quality, and enabling inclusive economic growth through three core pillars: driving decarbonisation, powering prosperity, and scaling smart systems.

●      To date, Battery Smart has enabled over 95 million battery swaps, set up over 1600 swap stations, and works with over 90,000+ drivers across over 50 cities, enabling over 3.2 billion emission-free kilometers and helping India avoid more than 223,000 tonnes of CO₂e emissions.

Reaffirming its commitment to India’s clean mobility mission, Battery Smart—India’s largest battery-swapping network for electric two- and three-wheelers—today unveiled its first Impact Report, ‘Redefining Mobility, One EV at a Time’. The report presents a comprehensive view of how the company’s partner-led model is reshaping India’s EV landscape by driving decarbonisation, enabling inclusive prosperity, and building a resilient, tech-enabled energy ecosystem.

With over 95 million+ battery swaps, 1,600+ swap stations, and a growing network of 90,000+ drivers across 50+ cities, Battery Smart has powered over 3.2 billion emission-free kilometers, helping India avoid more than 223,000 tonnes of CO₂e emissions to date.

The report captures impact across three focus pillars:

●      Driving Decarbonisation: The company is enabling large-scale EV adoption by making battery swapping accessible, reliable, and affordable—significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving air quality. To date, the network has helped avoid more than 223,000 tonnes of CO₂e emissions, alongside notable reductions in nitrogen oxides (NOₓ), carbon monoxide (CO), and particulate matter (PM) pollution across cities.

●      Powering Prosperity: Through its franchise-led model, the company is fostering entrepreneurship, improving driver earnings, and supporting local economic growth. To date, drivers have earned more than ₹2,800 crore, saving an average of 130 minutes per day, translating to an increase of ₹3,000+ in monthly income.

●      Scaling Smart Systems: With 270,000+ IoT-enabled batteries, a strong circular economy roadmap, and strengthened safety and inclusion initiatives, Battery Smart is building a scalable, future-ready, technology-driven EV ecosystem at scale.

Sharing his views on the report launch, Pulkit Khurana, Co-founder & CEO, Battery Smart, said, “This report captures the journey of Battery Smart and the ecosystem we’ve built together with our drivers, partners, and stakeholders in shaping India’s EV landscape. What began as an uncharted territory has evolved into a scalable, technology-led solution that makes electric mobility affordable, accessible, and inclusive. This report marks an important milestone as we expand into new markets, deepen our impact, and continue contributing meaningfully to India’s net-zero ambitions.”

Assured by TÜV SÜD, a reputed sustainability validation and verification firm, the report details the company’s contributions across environmental stewardship, social empowerment, and responsible governance, underscoring its long-term commitment to powering India’s clean mobility transition.

Looking ahead, Battery Smart aims to expand to 100 cities by 2026, deploy more IoT-enabled batteries, and further strengthen safety, innovation, and circularity—continuing to build a resilient EV ecosystem at national scale.

IMTEX Forming 2026 in Bengaluru will feature global leaders

Indian Machine Tool Manufacturers' Association (IMTMA) will organise IMTEX FORMING 2026 from 21 to 25 January 2026 at Bangalore International Exhibition Centre (BIEC), Bengaluru. IMTEX FORMING 2026 will feature the following concurrent events: Tooltech, which focuses on machine tool accessories, metrology solutions, CAD / CAM tools, tooling systems, and the latest trends in tooling industry. Digital Manufacturing, which showcases real-time solutions in additive manufacturing and Industry 4.0Weldexpo, in association with the Indian Institute of Welding (IIW-India) that showcases the latest welding technologies. Moldex India and Fastenex India, organised by Messe Stuttgart, focusing on moulding, fasteners, and fixing technologies respectively, will be co-located alongside IMTEX FORMING 2026.

IMTEX FORMING 2026 will also feature parallel events, such as: International Seminar on Forming Technology, ninth edition, on 22 – 23 January 2026, to explore new trends, equipment, processes, and technologies in metal forming and related fields. i2 Academia Square, a platform for research institutions to present their R&D initiatives to industry stakeholders. Jagruti-IMTMA Youth Programme to raise awareness about the latest advancements in manufacturing among young professionals.

The forthcoming edition will feature exhibitor group participation from Germany, Italy, Japan, and Taiwan, showcasing the latest manufacturing technologies and innovations. Visitors from various sectors, including automotive and auto components, aerospace and defence, medical equipment, power, railway, construction equipment, general and heavy engineering, capital goods, electrical and electronics, white and brown goods, and many others, are anticipated to visit.

“Although metal forming currently accounts for 29% of the Indian machine tool market, the segment is expected to grow measurably in the coming years. In FY25, the consumption of metal forming machine tools was ₹9,139 crores, while production was valued at ₹2,696 crores. Overall, metal forming machine tool exports increased by approximately 6% year-on-year. Among the exports, presses led the list, followed by press brakes, bending machines, and shearing machines,” said Ms. Mohini Kelkar, President - IMTMA.

“Laser and laser-based applications are finding increasing acceptance across industry sectors and we have seen a steady increase in participation by laser-based manufacturers at IMTEX FORMING. Exhibitors will display fibre laser machines, precision levellers, pick-and-place units, servo presses, machine production monitoring systems, welding and 3D printing solutions. IMTEX FORMING 2026 will accelerate the manufacturing of homegrown products and their exports,” said Mr. Jibak Dasgupta, Director General & CEO, IMTMA. The five-day exhibition is a unique platform to further accelerate the adoption of digital transformation and high productivity solutions in manufacturing.

Malabar Gold & Diamonds Unveils Grand 15th Edition of ‘Brides of India’ Campaign, Celebrating India’s Diverse Bridal Heritage

Every Indian bride carries with her a world of emotions — the rituals she has grown up watching, the culture she belongs to, the memories she holds close and the jewellery that becomes part of her identity on one of the most important days of her life. Malabar Gold & Diamonds, one of the largest gold and diamond retail chains in the world, has long understood the significance of bridal jewellery in India’s rich cultural fabric. The bridal range brings together designs thoughtfully curated, crafted and developed by Malabar Gold & Diamonds, ensuring jewellery created with purity, intention and craftsmanship that honours every bride’s traditions. With deep expertise in bridal craftsmanship, the brand has built an unmatched legacy in creating designs that honour the distinct traditions of brides across the country.  

Marking a major milestone, Malabar Gold & Diamonds today unveiled the 15th edition of its flagship Brides of India campaign, recognised as one of India’s biggest and most anticipated bridal properties. This year’s edition brings together 22 brides and 10 celebrities — Karthi, NTR,Alia Bhatt, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Anil Kapoor, Srinidhi Shetty, Rukmini Maitra, Sabyasachi Mishra, Prarthana Behere and Manasi Parekh, all reflecting the scale, diversity and emotional depth the campaign has come to stand for.  

Brand film URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvW1EkLfGH4 

The film is directed by Abhishek Varman with music composed by Shubhajit Mukherjee, bringing together a visual and musical narrative that captures the essence of India’s many bridal cultures and celebrates the rituals, emotions and heritage that shape every bride’s story.  

When asked about the significance of the 15th edition, Mr. M. P. Ahammed, Chairman, Malabar Gold & Diamonds, said: “Each year, the Brides of India campaign is our tribute to the brides of this country, and the 15th edition marks a significant milestone for us. We have highlighted how brides honour tradition while bringing their own expression to it. This edition celebrates the depth of those traditions — the memories, rituals and relationships that define her. With Malabar’s commitment to transparency and quality assurance, we want every family to feel confident in choosing jewellery that is meaningful and trustworthy”  

A Celebration of India’s Diversity: 

Malabar Gold & Diamond’s Brides of India has always honoured the extraordinary diversity of Indian bridal traditions, and this edition brings the country’s full spectrum into focus. The collection spans every region from North to East to West and South, offering jewellery crafted for each cultural identity. This includes the regal polki craftsmanship of Rajasthan, the temple-inspired gold artistry of Tamil Nadu, Kerala’s traditional kasavu-inspired bridal gold, and the intricate motifs that define Bengal’s jewellery heritage. 

 Traditions That Travel Across India: 

What makes the collection even more special is its pan-India accessibility, allowing any bride, anywhere, to choose jewellery from any cultural style. A bride in Chennai can opt for an elaborate Rajasthani polki set, just as a bride in Delhi can bring home temple jewellery from the South, a reflection of Malabar’s extensive design archive and customisation expertise.  

The 2025 edition brings together some of Malabar’s signature bridal lines, including the Divine Collection inspired by Indian heritage and temple art, the gemstone-rich Precia Collection featuring rubies, emeralds and sapphires, and the contemporary yet tradition-rooted Diamond Collection which blends radiant diamonds with motifs drawn from India’s cultural landscape. Together, these collections form a vivid tapestry of Indian bridal identity and continue the rich legacy that Brides of India has built over the last 15 years.  

Every piece in the bridal range is designed, curated and crafted by Malabar Gold & Diamonds’ master artisans, ensuring jewellery that honours her culture, her rituals and the auspicious moments surrounding her wedding. 

In Tamil Nadu, every bride carries generations of tradition with her from the pride of her ancestors to the strength of her culture and the radiance of new beginnings. Each ritual becomes a part of her story, expressed with grace and beauty. Malabar’s jewellery is crafted to honour these stories, with designs that are timeless, rooted and thoughtful — just like the Tamil bride herself. 

Karthi said, “For a Tamil bride, jewellery speaks a language of its own. Every design — from temple motifs to traditional gold pieces — has a purpose and a history. Brides of India captures this beautifully by bringing the soul of Tamil craftsmanship into focus while celebrating how our brides express their individuality within that heritage.” 

NTR added “Telugu weddings bring together grandeur and emotion — the temple bells, the richness of gold jewellery and the pride families take in every detail. Our brides carry that legacy while shaping their own style. Brides of India reflects this blend perfectly, showcasing everything from classic heritage designs to more contemporary interpretations, all while staying true to our roots.” 

With the 15th edition, Malabar Gold & Diamonds reinforces its position as India’s leading one-stop bridal destination, offering culture-specific and contemporary designs across gold, diamond, platinum and gemstone jewellery. Powered by its design depth and culturally rooted bridal craftsmanship, Malabar continues to serve families looking for jewellery that is both auspicious and authentically theirs. Malabar Gold & Diamonds invites brides to explore jewellery that reflects their heritage, their identity and the memories they want to carry forward.