Prittle Prattle Pr

Author: admin

  • With 734 DPIIT Startups, Goa Introduces Structured Accelerator to Back Early Stage Founders

    Rohan Khaunte, Minister for Information Technology, Electronics and Communications, Tourism and Printing and Stationery, Government of Goa, says nearly half of the state’s registered startups are women led

    Panaji, February 13, 2026: The Department of Information Technology, Electronics and Communications, Government of Goa, through the Startup and IT Promotion Cell, has launched the Goa Startup Accelerator Programme, a five month initiative aimed at supporting early stage founders with mentorship, market access and investment linkages.
    The programme comes at a time when Goa has 734 DPIIT registered startups, according to data shared during the launch event. Nearly half of these ventures are women led.

    The launch event brought together startups, industry representatives and government officials. The programme will run from February to June 2026 and will conclude with a Demo Day where participating startups will present their progress.
    Rohan Khaunte, Minister for Information Technology, Electronics and Communications, Tourism and Printing and Stationery, Government of Goa, said, “Today, Goa is not just known for its quality of life, but for its forward-looking policies and a growing startup ecosystem of 734 DPIIT-registered startups, nearly half of which are women-led. Through the Goa Startup Policy 2025 and its 12 comprehensive schemes, along with initiatives like the Goa Accelerator Program and the Goa Open Innovation Challenge, we are creating an environment where startups have access to capital, mentorship, skills, infrastructure and real market opportunities. The Government is committed to providing every possible resource and support and we encourage our entrepreneurs to leverage these platforms.”

    The event began with an orientation session for startups enrolled in the accelerator. Participants were briefed on the programme structure and roadmap, followed by startup pitches and interactions with mentors.
    During the event, winners of the Goa Open Innovation Challenge 2025 were felicitated. In the startup category, the winners were SOLO Network, Cidroy Technologies LLP and So-AIR. In the student category, Shri Suraj Vishwakarma and team from Padre Conceição College of Engineering, Verna, and Shri Dattaprasad Narendra Prabhu and team from Don Bosco College of Engineering, Fatorda, were recognised. The Goa Open Innovation Challenge 2025 Report was released at the event.

    Winners of the MedTech Hackathon organised by the National Association of Palliative Care for AYUSH and Integrative Medicine in collaboration with DITE&C were also awarded. The winning teams were Team Biomade, Team My Pallo Friend and Team Kindred Tech.
    Those recognised for their contribution to the innovation ecosystem included Shri Praveen Volvotkar, MD, InfoTech Corporation Ltd; Smt Revati Kumar, CEO, Goa Electronics Limited; Shri Mangirish Salelkar, President, Goa Technology Association; Shri Milind Anvekar, Senior Vice President, India Operations, Open Destinations; Shri Americo Ricky Noronha, Director, Online Productivity Solutions Pvt. Ltd.; Shri Vincent Toscano, Managing Partner, Uzoorba Technologies LLP; Shri Prajyot Mainkar, Founder and CEO, SoFueled; Dr Anil Wali, CEO, BITS BioCyTiH Foundation; and Shri D. S. Prashant, CEO, Startup and IT Promotion Cell.
    Officials stated that the accelerator is intended to provide structured support to startups at different stages of growth within the state.
    At Prittle PrattleNews, featuring you virtuously, we celebrate the commitment and innovation. Led by Editor-in-Chief Smruti Bhalerao, our platform is dedicated to sharing impactful stories that inspire change and create awareness. Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube for more stories that matter.

  • Public Ballots Open for Gadgets Now Awards 2025 as Sixth Edition Adds Creator Honours

    Prasad Sanyal, Group Business Head at Timesofindia.com, Indiatimes and WhatsHot, says the awards track tech shaping how India lives, works and connects

    New Delhi, February 13, 2026: Public voting has started for the sixth edition of the Gadgets Now Awards 2025, with consumers invited to choose winners across more than 20 categories.
    The 2025 edition has over 40 brands competing across segments that include smartphones across multiple price and use cases, laptops, gaming devices, audio products, wearables, smart televisions and home automation devices. The organisers said voting is currently live, with only a few days left before the lines close.

    This will also be the first edition to recognise technology influencers and creators, a category added for the sixth run of the awards.
    Winners will be announced at an awards ceremony scheduled for February 23, 2026 at The Westin Gurgaon.
    Prasad Sanyal, Group Business Head at Timesofindia.com, Indiatimes and WhatsHot, said, “These awards recognize the technology that’s actually shaping how India lives, works, and connects. Not just what’s new, but what’s genuinely making a difference in people’s lives.”

    The organisers said the final outcome combines public voting with expert assessment. Partners supporting the awards include GoKiwi, Sling TV, Cetaphil and Bissell.
    Gadgets Now is a technology news platform under Times Internet, covering consumer technology, smartphones, laptops, gadgets and digital innovation.

    At Prittle PrattleNews, featuring you virtuously, we celebrate the commitment and innovation. Led by Editor-in-Chief Smruti Bhalerao, our platform is dedicated to sharing impactful stories that inspire change and create awareness. Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube for more stories that matter.

  • Curious About Your Partner’s Past? Four Apps That Trace Lineage and Compatibility This Valentine’s

    From family trees built on 1.6 billion records to digital Kundli matching, genealogy and astrology platforms are turning Valentine’s Day into a search through ancestry and tradition.

    Valentine’s Day may be marked by flowers and dinner reservations, but a growing set of digital platforms is encouraging couples to look further back, sometimes centuries back, before calling it destiny.
    As interest in ancestry, heritage and compatibility grows, several Indian focused applications are offering tools that combine genealogy research with astrology insights. Whether users are curious about royal lineage, clan histories or traditional compatibility markers, these platforms bring family records and horoscopes onto the same screen.

    iMeUsWe positions itself as both a genealogy and relationship compatibility platform. The app allows users to explore more than 1.6 billion historical records to construct detailed family trees and identify ancestral connections. Alongside lineage tracking, it offers Kundli and Marriage Reports that provide insights into personality traits, financial alignment and marital compatibility. A free compatibility test is also available for users seeking a quick assessment of their relationship dynamics.
    Kulvriksh focuses on India specific lineage research. Users can build family trees that document traditional identifiers such as Gotra, Kuldevi and native villages. Its Community Tree feature matches submitted family information with its broader database to help individuals identify extended relatives and ancestral links within Indian communities.

    For users primarily interested in astrological compatibility, AstroSage provides Kundli Matching, also known as Guna Milan, along with AI driven horoscope services. Through its AstroSage Cloud feature, families can securely store birth charts and maintain a digital archive of their astrological records across generations.
    Kintree, described as a social networking platform for families, is available in 12 Indian languages. It enables multiple generations to contribute photographs, stories and historical details to a shared digital family tree. The platform is designed for families living across different cities or countries who want to maintain a centralised space for preserving their lineage.

    While these apps may not confirm royal titles or ancient dynasties, they reflect a broader shift in how modern couples approach heritage and compatibility. For some, Valentine’s Day is no longer just about romance. It is also about tracing roots, understanding tradition and asking how far back a relationship story might actually begin.
    At Prittle PrattleNews, featuring you virtuously, we celebrate the commitment and innovation. Led by Editor-in-Chief Smruti Bhalerao, our platform is dedicated to sharing impactful stories that inspire change and create awareness. Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube for more stories that matter.

  • New India Mandate for Manish Syag as Mars Reorganises Pet Nutrition Leadership

    Salil Murthy appointed Global Vice President Enterprise Transformation at Mars Pet Nutrition, to be based in London

    Hyderabad, February 13, 2026: Mars, Incorporated has appointed Manish Syag as Managing Director of its Pet Nutrition business in India. He will oversee the company’s pet food operations in the country, which include PEDIGREE, WHISKAS and SHEBA.
    Manish Syag has more than twenty years of experience in the FMCG sector. He has held senior sales roles at Hindustan Unilever Limited and GSK Consumer Healthcare. He joined Mars in 2024 as Chief Sales Officer for the India Pet Nutrition business.

    India’s pet food market is projected to reach USD 2 billion within the next decade. Commenting on his appointment, Manish Syag said, “India is at a defining moment for the pet food market, which is expected to grow into a USD 2 billion category in a decade, evolving much as mainstream FMCG did in its early growth years, driven by access, awareness, and trust. I am excited to take on this role and lead the next phase of growth for our business in India, serving pets and pet parents across the country with trusted, high-quality packaged pet food by further strengthening our portfolio of deeply loved brands and expanding our market presence. At the heart of this journey will be our Mars Five Principles, and our Purpose: A Better World For Pets.”

    He succeeds Salil Murthy, who has been appointed Global Vice President, Enterprise Transformation, Mars Pet Nutrition. In this role, Salil Murthy will be based in London and will work on the company’s long term organisational and operational priorities across markets.
    Speaking about his new role, Salil Murthy said, “I am excited to take on this new global role and help shape the future of Mars Pet Nutrition. This role offers an opportunity to focus on driving accelerated growth for the global Pet Nutrition business through unleashing the power of our associates across the world, strengthening our strategic resource allocation process and our digital and AI capabilities, and accelerating transformation to win with pet parents and our customers in every market. Leading the India Pet Nutrition business has been deeply fulfilling, and I am incredibly proud of the growth we have driven and the high-performing team we have built over the last few years. I have every confidence in Manish’s leadership to take the business forward in its next phase of growth.”

    Francisco Fernandez, Regional President, Mars Pet Nutrition Rapid Growth Markets, said, “India is one of the most important growth markets for Mars Pet Nutrition. Salil’s elevation reflects the strong, purpose-led business he and the team have built in India and the depth of leadership talent emerging from this market. Manish’s appointment demonstrates our confidence in his expertise, leadership capability, and deep understanding of pet parents and customers in India. Together, these appointments reinforce our commitment to developing leaders from within and further strengthening India’s role in our global strategy and future growth of the business.”
    Mars Pet Nutrition has been present in India since 2002, following the launch of PEDIGREE. In 2007, the company set up the country’s first pet food manufacturing facility. The business serves pets and pet parents across India through its product portfolio for dogs and cats.
    At Prittle PrattleNews, featuring you virtuously, we celebrate the commitment and innovation. Led by Editor-in-Chief Smruti Bhalerao, our platform is dedicated to sharing impactful stories that inspire change and create awareness. Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube for more stories that matter.

  • Brand Transition Formalised as Standard Engineering Technology Limited Rolls Out New Identity

    Hyderabad based engineering company completes visual rebrand following earlier name change from Standard Glass Lining Technology Limited

    Hyderabad, India, February 13, 2026: Standard Engineering Technology Limited has introduced a new corporate identity, completing the branding shift that began with its earlier renaming from Standard Glass Lining Technology Limited.
    The company had already informed stock exchanges about the change in its legal name. The latest announcement focuses on the visual and brand transition that now reflects its broader engineering footprint.

    Addressing the development, Mr. Kandula Nageswara Rao, Promoter and Managing Director, Standard Engineering Technology Limited, stated that glass lining remains central to the company’s operations. He clarified that the rebrand does not signal a shift away from that business, which continues to be one of the fastest growing and most profitable segments within the organisation.
    He further said that the refreshed identity reflects the company’s evolution into an integrated engineering platform capable of handling complex, multi disciplinary projects with single point accountability from concept to commissioning.

    Management indicated that the company has expanded its engineering and manufacturing capacity and strengthened its turnkey execution capabilities in recent years. The new branding aligns with its intent to operate as a long term strategic partner for clients in pharmaceutical, chemical and allied process industries, rather than functioning solely as an equipment supplier.

    The company stated that the transition has been planned in line with its long term roadmap. While pursuing growth across its integrated engineering portfolio, it will continue to prioritise and develop its core glass lining business. Both the earlier and updated logos have been released as part of the announcement.
    At Prittle PrattleNews, featuring you virtuously, we celebrate the commitment and innovation. Led by Editor-in-Chief Smruti Bhalerao, our platform is dedicated to sharing impactful stories that inspire change and create awareness. Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube for more stories that matter.

  • From Misty Hills to Palace Retreats, Jaypee and Taj Hotels Present Curated Valentine’s Escapes Across North India

    Romantic stays span Mussoorie, Agra, Jim Corbett and the Delhi NCR with spa rituals, heritage settings, forest retreats and luxury dining experiences designed for couples seeking quiet indulgence.

    Some Valentine’s Day plans are built around grand gestures, while others centre on time spent together in thoughtful settings. Across North India, a selection of luxury hotels is presenting curated romantic stays that range from mountain hideaways and heritage palaces to forest retreats and refined city escapes.
    Perched above the Doon Valley in Mussoorie, Jaypee Residency Manor offers a winter setting shaped by misty views of the Shivalik ranges and unhurried mornings. Guests can spend afternoons at the spa experiencing Himalayan wellness rituals, followed by evenings by the fireplace in intimate lounges. The focus remains on quiet conversations and shared moments in a setting defined by calm.

    In Agra, Jaypee Palace Hotel and Convention Centre draws inspiration from Mughal architecture, with red sandstone façades, domes, arched corridors and manicured gardens forming the backdrop for a romantic stay. The property sits close to the Taj Mahal, where soft morning light and the monument’s presence add to the atmosphere of enduring romance. Couples can unwind at the heated pool or at the Tamaya Spa, which offers Ayurvedic and modern therapies. Dining experiences feature candlelit settings and Mughal cuisine including slow cooked curries, biryanis and kebabs, designed for leisurely meals.
    For those seeking a nature led escape, Aahana Resort in Jim Corbett is spread across 13.5 acres of forested landscape. The resort offers Victorian style residences with expansive green views and temperature controlled Pool Villas that provide privacy. Days begin with relaxed breakfasts and swims, while forest walks, spa therapies and yoga sessions allow couples to set their own pace. Evenings unfold under clear skies with slow meals and time spent amid the quiet of the forest.

    Within the National Capital Region, Jaypee Greens Golf and Spa Resort offers a staycation experience overlooking golf greens and tropical gardens. The property features a Greg Norman designed golf course and the Tamaya Spa with hammam experiences and Ayurvedic rituals. Dining options include Café Resto and a selection of restaurants serving Italian and Indian cuisine, with candlelit settings designed for intimate evenings.
    In the heart of Lutyens’ Delhi, Taj Mahal, New Delhi presents a recently renovated five star retreat with 213 reimagined rooms, suites and luxury residences overlooking the city skyline. Surrounded by gardens and tree lined boulevards, the hotel combines heritage character with contemporary design. Guests can visit the J Wellness Circle, browse at Khazana or dine at venues including Machan, Varq, House of Ming, Rick’s and Captain’s Cellar. For Valentine’s Day, the hotel is offering curated dining experiences, spa rituals and romantic suite stays, including four course dinners with sparkling wine and candlelit evenings.

    Located in the Diplomatic Enclave, Taj Palace, New Delhi has hosted world leaders and dignitaries since 1983. Spread across six acres, the boomerang shaped property overlooks the ridge forest and offers rooms and suites designed for comfort. Dining venues include Loya, Orient Express, Spicy Duck and Capital Kitchen. Valentine’s offerings feature degustation menus, Chinese dinners, buffet celebrations, private poolside cabana dinners and curated hampers from the Tea Lounge.
    From mist covered hills and heritage courtyards to forest landscapes and city boulevards, these properties offer varied settings for couples choosing to mark the occasion with time away together.
    At Prittle PrattleNews, featuring you virtuously, we celebrate the commitment and innovation. Led by Editor-in-Chief Smruti Bhalerao, our platform is dedicated to sharing impactful stories that inspire change and create awareness. Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube for more stories that matter.

  • Valentine’s Home Buying Sentiment Gains Momentum as Srishti Group Rolls Out Commitment Benefit on 1, 2 & 3 Bed Residences

    Kamlesh Thakur, Co-Founder and Managing Director, Srishti Group, outlines the limited-period festive offering across Craft De Srishti in Nahur and Srishti Oasis in Bhandup

    Mumbai, 13 February 2026: Valentine’s season has become a strategic window for residential developers to align emotional positioning with purchase intent. Srishti Group has introduced a limited-period “Commitment Benefit” across its residential developments, targeting buyers exploring 1, 2 and 3 Bed homes in Mumbai’s central suburbs.
    The festive offering is applicable to Craft De Srishti in Nahur and Srishti Oasis in Bhandup. The campaign combines financial incentives including Zero GST, No Floor Rise charges, spot discounts and a Go-Flexi pay plan structure. Prices for the residences begin at ₹96 lakh onwards.

    The initiative is positioned around the concept of long-term commitment, linking homeownership with stability and shared financial planning. The projects feature sun deck residences designed to enhance natural light and ventilation, alongside contemporary layouts and curated amenities.
    Kamlesh Thakur, Co-Founder and Managing Director, Srishti Group, said the campaign reflects the evolving perception of homeownership as a long-term partnership rather than a short-term transaction. He noted that festive windows such as Valentine’s provide an opportunity to combine emotional milestones with structured financial planning.

    The developer highlighted growing participation from young couples opting for joint home purchases, driven by combined loan eligibility, shared financial responsibility and long-term asset creation. Improved infrastructure connectivity in the eastern suburbs, including the Goregaon Mulund Link Road corridor, has also widened location preference among buyers seeking better east west connectivity.
    Craft De Srishti in Nahur and Srishti Oasis in Bhandup are positioned to cater to end users prioritising accessibility, layout efficiency and amenity integration within established residential neighbourhoods. The campaign will remain valid for a limited festive window.

    At Prittle PrattleNews, featuring you virtuously, we celebrate the commitment and innovation. Led by Editor-in-Chief Smruti Bhalerao, our platform is dedicated to sharing impactful stories that inspire change and create awareness. Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube for more stories that matter.

  • Stem cell donor matching access expands for thalassemia families in Vizag

    Dr Deenadayalan Munirathnam of MGM Cancer Institute Chennai, Patrick Paul of DKMS Foundation India and Sarath Babu Voggu of Saptha Foundation detail high resolution HLA testing support for 55 families at King George General Hospital

    Visakhapatnam, 13 February 2026: Access to stem cell donor matching for children diagnosed with thalassemia and sickle cell disease expanded in north coastal Andhra Pradesh through a high resolution HLA testing initiative conducted at King George General Hospital, Visakhapatnam.
    The effort brought together over 55 families from Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram, Paderu, Srikakulam and Parvathipuram, with more than 200 cheek swab samples collected from patients and family members for advanced HLA typing. The initiative was organised by MGM Cancer Institute, Chennai in collaboration with Saptha Foundation and supported by DKMS Foundation India under its Access to Transplantation programme.

    High resolution HLA typing is a critical first step in identifying compatible donors for stem cell transplantation, currently the only curative option for many children affected by thalassemia. The collected samples will be processed at the DKMS Life Science Lab in Germany at no cost to participating families. Results are expected within six to eight weeks and will guide transplant related decisions.
    Dr Deenadayalan Munirathnam, Paediatric Transplant Specialist at MGM Cancer Institute, said thalassemia continues to affect thousands of children annually and early transplantation significantly improves outcomes. He said expanding access to donor matching through community level interventions helps bridge financial and logistical barriers that often delay treatment.

    Sarath Babu Voggu, Founder and Chairman of Saptha Foundation, said structured outreach combined with counselling and testing access enables families from lower awareness regions to enter the transplant pathway with clarity. He noted that partnerships with specialised institutions strengthen regional thalassemia response efforts.
    Patrick Paul, Executive Chairman of DKMS Foundation India, said the organisation continues to work with hospitals and non profit partners to extend advanced testing facilities to remote areas. He said the objective is to ensure children requiring transplantation are not restricted by geography or affordability.

    DKMS Foundation India has registered more than 200,000 blood stem cell donors and has facilitated over 200 transplants, supporting patients diagnosed with blood cancers and inherited blood disorders.
    At Prittle PrattleNews, featuring you virtuously, we celebrate the commitment and innovation. Led by Editor-in-Chief Smruti Bhalerao, our platform is dedicated to sharing impactful stories that inspire change and create awareness. Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube for more stories that matter.

  • Revenue growth steadies at Ajax Engineering as non SLCM and services segments expand in 9M FY26

    Shubhabrata Saha, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Ajax Engineering Limited, outlines transition impact on Q3 margins and long term portfolio strategy

    Mumbai, 12 February 2026: Ajax Engineering Limited reported revenue of ₹1,345 crore for the nine months ended FY26, reflecting a 2 percent year on year increase. Growth during the period was supported by a 4.5 percent rise in non SLCM revenue and a 14 percent increase in Spares and Services revenue, indicating a gradual shift toward a more diversified revenue mix.
    In Q3 FY26, revenue from operations stood at ₹434 crore compared to ₹548 crore in Q3 FY25. The quarter was affected by extended monsoon conditions, transition to new emission norms, slower project execution and customer cash flow constraints.

    Adjusted EBITDA for Q3 FY26 was ₹48 crore compared to ₹88 crore in the corresponding quarter last year. EBITDA margin stood at 11.0 percent versus 16.1 percent in Q3 FY25, impacted by higher production costs linked to the emission transition, changes in product mix and one time marketing and promotion expenses.
    For 9M FY26, adjusted EBITDA stood at ₹154 crore compared to ₹207 crore in the previous year period, with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 11.5 percent. Profit after tax for Q3 FY26 was ₹38 crore compared to ₹68 crore in Q3 FY25, while 9M FY26 profit after tax stood at ₹130 crore against ₹169 crore in the corresponding period last year.

    Shubhabrata Saha, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Ajax Engineering Limited, said the construction equipment industry has experienced a transitional phase due to extended monsoons, emission norm changes and slower project execution. He said the company maintained leadership

    At Prittle PrattleNews, featuring you virtuously, we celebrate the commitment and innovation. Led by Editor-in-Chief Smruti Bhalerao, our platform is dedicated to sharing impactful stories that inspire change and create awareness. Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube for more stories that matter.

  • Couples dine complimentary as TA.MA.SHA Gunrock marks its first Valentine’s Day

    Mahender Vyas, Founder of TA.MA.SHA, and AK Solanky, Co Founder of TA.MA.SHA, outline the special reservation only lunch hosted at the Gunrock outlet in Hyderabad

    Hyderabad, 12 February 2026: TA.MA.SHA – Asian Veg Café at Gunrock will mark its first Valentine’s Day with a reservation only lunch experience where selected couples will be hosted with the bill covered by the café.
    Positioned as a curated afternoon dining event, the Valentine lunch will feature a preset menu comprising starters, main course selections and desserts, along with signature mocktails created for the occasion. The experience is limited to advance bookings.

    The Gunrock outlet, known for its vegetarian Asian menu, will host couples in a controlled seating format designed to maintain an intimate setting for the event.
    Mahender Vyas, Founder of TA.MA.SHA, said the initiative is intended to create a memorable experience for guests marking the occasion. He said Valentine’s Day offers an opportunity to celebrate togetherness through hospitality and shared dining moments.

    AK Solanky, Co Founder of TA.MA.SHA, said the first Valentine’s Day at the Gunrock location is being positioned as a gesture of appreciation for the local community. He said the curated lunch reflects the brand’s focus on experiential dining and guest engagement.
    With limited capacity, reservations are being managed directly through the café.
    TA.MA.SHA operates as an experiential dining brand focused on vegetarian Asian cuisine, curated menus and themed hospitality formats, with expansion plans underway.

    At Prittle PrattleNews, featuring you virtuously, we celebrate the commitment and innovation. Led by Editor-in-Chief Smruti Bhalerao, our platform is dedicated to sharing impactful stories that inspire change and create awareness. Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube for more stories that matter.