Business

CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (CSIR-NIIST) and Tata Consumer Products Ltd (TCPL) have joined hands to establish the Centre of Excellence for Food Fortification Innovation, Research and Training (CEFIRT) at the CSIR-NIIST Innovation, Technology and Entrepreneurship Hub at Bio 360 Life Sciences Park, Thonnakkal, Thiruvananthapuram. The collaboration was formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding exchanged during the 85th CSIR Foundation Day celebrations in New Delhi on September 25, 2026, in the presence of Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences Dr Jitendra Singh and CSIR Director General Dr N Kalaiselvi. CEFIRT will…

Coke Studio Bharat’s Arz Kiya Hai, featuring singer-songwriter Anuv Jain and electronic-fusion duo Lost Stories, has reached No. 1 on Spotify India’s Top Songs chart, becoming the first song from the platform to achieve the milestone. Released in August 2025, the track has remained on Spotify India’s Daily Chart for more than a year and has also peaked at No. 71 on Spotify’s Global Top Songs chart. It has accumulated more than 484 million audio streams, 260 million YouTube views and over 17.7 million pieces of user-generated content. The collaboration combines Jain’s songwriting and exploration of shayari with Lost Stories’…

Godrej Literature Live! The Mumbai LitFest will return for its 17th edition from October 23 to 25 at the National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA), with Godrej Industries Group joining the festival as Title Partner in a new multi-year association. The festival, which has completed 16 editions, will feature discussions and sessions spanning literature, cinema, journalism, economics, medicine, history, arts, sport, technology, environment, identity and the digital ecosystem. The line-up includes Aditi Mittal, Gulzar, Javed Akhtar, Shashi Tharoor, Ramachandra Guha, Kaushik Basu, Ratna Pathak Shah, Shefali Shah, Sonali Kulkarni, Faye D’Souza, Boria Majumdar and several other writers and public…

IDFC FIRST Bank has integrated its payment gateway with the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) collections system, enabling taxpayers across India to pay Direct Taxes through multiple digital and physical channels. Taxpayers can make payments through UPI, credit cards, debit cards and IDFC FIRST Bank’s Retail and Corporate Internet Banking platforms. Offline payments can also be made at any IDFC FIRST Bank branch through cheque, demand draft or cash. Customers of other banks can use their respective banks’ internet banking facilities through the IDFC FIRST Bank payment gateway. The facility also allows users to access and download challans and…

IDFC FIRST Bank has completed the integration of its payment gateway for Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) collections, allowing taxpayers across India to pay direct taxes through multiple digital and physical channels. Taxpayers can use UPI, credit and debit cards, as well as IDFC FIRST Bank’s retail and corporate internet banking platforms. Customers preferring offline transactions can make payments through cheque, demand draft or cash at any IDFC FIRST Bank branch. Customers of other banks can also use the bank’s payment gateway through their respective internet banking facilities. Challans and payment confirmations can be downloaded after transactions. Shirish Bhandari,…

The Consulate General of India in Atlanta organised a grand celebration of West Bengal Day in the United States, highlighting the state’s rich cultural heritage, traditions, art and vibrant spirit. West Bengal Legislative Assembly Speaker Rathindra Bose attended the event as the Chief Guest. Members of the Bengali and wider Indian diaspora participated enthusiastically in the programme, with one of its most emotional moments coming when Bose joined community members in singing ‘VandeMataram’. The Consulate General of India in Atlanta said in a post on X on September 23 that the event showcased West Bengal’s cultural heritage and featured a…

Coca-Cola India is expanding its festive-season market presence across Maharashtra and other states, with bottling partner Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages (HCCB) strengthening distribution, retail reach and community-level engagement. The company is targeting multiple consumption occasions through partnerships with festive pandals, Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs), neighbourhood markets, eateries and other high-footfall locations. The market strategy covers both in-store and at-home consumption, with beverages being made available through neighbourhood retailers, retail and trade partners and quick-commerce platforms. Affordable pack formats, cooling infrastructure and last-mile availability are being leveraged to improve access to chilled beverages during festive gatherings, meals and travel. Desmond Nikhil D’Souza,…

Dabur India has received approval from the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), New Delhi Bench, for the amalgamation of Ayurvedic hair-care brand Sesa Care Private Limited with the company. The tribunal sanctioned the Scheme of Amalgamation at a hearing held on September 24, 2026, clearing the way for the integration of Sesa Care into Dabur India, subject to the completion of statutory filings and other formalities. Dabur said the merger will add a premium Ayurvedic brand with strong brand equity to its portfolio and further strengthen its presence in the hair-care category. The company had announced the transaction in October…

Spotify has recorded a rise in festive-season listening in India, with music increasingly moving from individual listening to shared spaces as celebrations gather pace across the country. According to Spotify’s latest listening data, Indians spend an average of two hours a day on the platform, while 59% of weekly users surveyed said Spotify makes them feel happy and joyful. Another 73% said their time on Spotify feels more positive than time spent on social media, while 76% reported a positive impact on their lives. The data also showed that 86% of listeners surveyed prefer focused audio, including music and podcasts,…

Turkish Airlines has finalised an agreement with Boeing for up to 150 737 MAX aircraft, marking the airline’s largest-ever Boeing single-aisle aircraft order as it expands its short- and medium-haul network. The deal, finalised in the presence of Türkiye President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, comprises 100 firm Boeing 737-8 aircraft and options for 50 additional 737 MAX jets. The agreement also provides substitution rights for the larger 737-10. Turkish Airlines Chairman of the Board and Executive Committee Prof Murat Şeker said the aircraft would provide greater efficiency and flexibility while supporting the airline’s Istanbul-based network. Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO…