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  • Wealth Management Broadens Scope as Standard Chartered Integrates Health and Wearable Solutions

    Aditya Mandloi, Head of Wealth and Retail Banking, India and South Asia, Standard Chartered, joins Krishnan Ramachandran, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Niva Bupa, and Todd Stiefler, Vice President Enterprise, WHOOP, to outline the integrated affluent proposition

    12 February 2026, India: The intersection between financial security and personal wellbeing is becoming increasingly central to affluent banking strategies, as Standard Chartered introduces a health and wellness proposition for its affluent clients in India.
    The offering has been developed in collaboration with Niva Bupa and WHOOP, combining insurance protection and wearable-driven health monitoring with wealth management services. The initiative aims to extend the bank’s affluent proposition beyond traditional financial planning by incorporating preventive healthcare access and wellness tracking tools.

    Under the partnership, Niva Bupa provides its newly launched ReAssure 3.0 plan featuring unlimited health cover, global health coverage up to ₹5 crore, and a virtual concierge service exclusively for Standard Chartered clients. The concierge supports claims processing, renewals, and policy servicing. WHOOP contributes wearable devices that provide data-driven insights across sleep, recovery, cardiovascular indicators, and overall wellness metrics, alongside personalised coaching.
    Aditya Mandloi, Head of Wealth and Retail Banking, India and South Asia, Standard Chartered, said prosperity extends beyond financial capital to include personal health and wellbeing. He stated that the collaboration seeks to bridge the gap between financial planning and proactive health management by integrating protection and technology within the affluent banking ecosystem.

    Krishnan Ramachandran, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Niva Bupa, said the partnership builds on a decade-long association and introduces unlimited coverage and global protection features tailored for Standard Chartered clients. He noted that rising healthcare costs require solutions that integrate protection with convenience.
    Todd Stiefler, Vice President Enterprise, WHOOP, said the collaboration reflects a shared approach toward embedding proactive health management into everyday life through science-backed insights and personalised performance tracking.

    The proposition reflects a broader shift in wealth management models, where financial institutions increasingly align capital preservation strategies with health resilience and lifestyle stability for long-term client engagement.
    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.

  • Only two in ten CXOs say leaders act early in crisis, reveals Great Place To Work® at For All Summit™ 2026

    Balbir Singh, Chief Executive Officer of Great Place To Work® India, highlights leadership readiness gap as over 1,200 leaders convene in Mumbai

    Mumbai, 12 February 2026: Just 2 in 10 CXOs believe their leaders took early action and maintained stability during business crises, according to new findings shared by Great Place To Work at the For All Summit™ 2026 in Mumbai.
    The data also shows that every second CXO identifies managing change as their single biggest leadership challenge, indicating a widening leadership readiness gap across India Inc.

    The findings were presented at the Great Place To Work® For All Summit™ 2026, described as the country’s largest workplace culture summit, which brought together more than 1,200 senior leaders. The discussions focused on redefining leadership models in the face of technological disruption, workforce shifts and organisational transformation.
    Balbir Singh, Chief Executive Officer of Great Place To Work® India, said leaders who embrace what he termed The Great Adaptation are shaping organisations through clarity, agility and consistent action. He said organisations that identify leadership potential early, invest in mentoring and build trust through consistent behaviour are better positioned to navigate disruption.

    The summit highlighted a transition in leadership thinking from command driven models to enablement focused frameworks. Ajay Vij, Senior Country Managing Director at Accenture, said modern leadership is less about individual brilliance and more about enabling collective capability, noting that effective leaders make the team stronger rather than positioning themselves at the centre.
    Pramod Bhasin, Founder of Genpact, reinforced the idea of distributed leadership, advising organisations to bring in individuals with stronger domain expertise and provide them autonomy.

    Artificial intelligence was also central to the discussions. CP Gurnani, Co Founder and Executive Vice Chairman of AIONOS, and Arun Kohli addressed AI adoption as a productivity multiplier rather than a displacement risk, highlighting India’s demographic profile and data scale as advantages. They emphasised the importance of communication and rapid skill development to ensure effective implementation.
    Rituraj Chaturmohta of Uber for Business pointed to everyday operational friction as a barrier to employee experience, noting that trust based systems and removal of routine irritants have greater impact than large scale programmes.
    The summit also featured Mithali Raj, former captain of the Indian women’s cricket team; Prof. John Amaechi OBE, Founder of APS Intelligence and former NBA player; Gaurav Sehgal, Senior Vice President Human Resources Asia at Synchrony; Gurcharan Das, author and former Chief Executive Officer of Procter and Gamble India; and Dr Santrupt Misra, National Spokesperson of the Biju Janata Dal Party and former Chief Executive Officer of the Chemicals Business at Aditya Birla Group.
    Sessions focused on leadership accountability, AI adoption, employee experience design and purpose driven influence. All sessions were supported by sign language interpretation to ensure accessibility in line with the summit’s For All framework.
    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.

  • Employer intent to hire women apprentices outpaces graduate employability levels

    Dr Nipun Sharma, Chief Executive Officer of TeamLease Degree Apprenticeship, examines sector wise demand across renewable energy, semiconductor manufacturing, IT, healthcare, BFSI and retail

    India’s apprenticeship landscape is entering a critical phase of gender participation, with employer appetite for female apprentices rising faster than graduate employability metrics.
    According to industry outlook indicators referenced by Dr Nipun Sharma, Chief Executive Officer of TeamLease Degree Apprenticeship, 44 percent of employers plan to increase women apprentices. However, only 34 to 37 percent of graduating women are currently assessed as employable, pointing to a widening readiness gap.

    Renewable energy leads employer intent, with 64 percent planning to increase female participation. Roles include solar installation technicians, project coordinators, energy auditors, operations analysts and ESG reporting professionals. Skill requirements range from electrical fundamentals and safety compliance to data analysis and sustainability reporting.
    Semiconductor manufacturing follows with 61 percent of employers seeking higher female engagement. With women representing roughly 14 to 16 percent of STEM roles, companies are building structured pathways into fabrication, cleanroom operations, equipment maintenance and quality control. Electronics fundamentals, automation systems and precision process adherence remain central competencies.

    IT and BPM recorded the highest Net Apprenticeship Outlook at 88 percent. Women account for approximately 36 percent of the sector’s workforce. Demand is concentrated in software testing, data operations, cybersecurity monitoring, application support and cloud operations. Digital literacy, coding foundations and automation tools are key enablers.
    Healthcare and allied services show comparatively higher female employability at 55 to 60 percent, with nearly 49 percent of employers planning increased hiring. Roles include medical laboratory technicians, healthcare administrators, pharmacy assistants and clinical data coordinators. Training environments benefit from structured clinical protocols and digital health systems.

    Leather, textiles and apparel reported 58 percent employer intent to increase female participation. As these industries formalise operations, demand is growing for quality inspectors, merchandising coordinators, supply chain assistants and compliance executives. Skills in lean manufacturing, inventory systems and export standards are increasingly required.
    Banking, Financial Services and Insurance recorded an 84 percent Net Apprenticeship Outlook. Female employability stands at around 40 percent. Demand spans operations executives, compliance analysts, risk support professionals and digital banking associates, with emphasis on financial literacy, regulatory understanding and data handling.
    Retail and sales, with a 78 percent Net Apprenticeship Outlook, remains a high volume entry point into formal employment. Store operations, customer experience, merchandising and e commerce support roles continue to expand, supported by digital POS systems and omnichannel operations.
    Dr Nipun Sharma noted that sectors characterised by technology intensity and structured training environments are leading female apprenticeship demand. He added that eliminating the gender gap in workforce participation could raise India’s GDP by 27 percent, underscoring the economic implications of converting apprenticeship intent into sustained employment.
    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.

  • Rising Pet Ownership in Emerging Cities Drives Allpets’ Clinic & Beyond Platform

    Dr. Jasleen Kaur, Founder and Chief Veterinarian, Allpets, and M. Thirumalai, Co-Founder, Allpets, outline a national rollout strategy beginning with the Banjara Hills flagship in Hyderabad

    Hyderabad, 12 February 2026: Growth in pet ownership across India’s emerging cities is reshaping demand for structured veterinary infrastructure, as Allpets unveiled its flagship ‘Clinic & Beyond’ facility in Banjara Hills, Hyderabad.
    The new centre marks a strategic shift toward building an organised, scalable pet healthcare model designed to extend beyond metro markets into Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. Positioned as an integrated veterinary hub, the facility brings together advanced diagnostics, 24×7 emergency services, pharmacy, hydrotherapy, grooming, boarding, and dedicated wings for cats and exotic pets under a unified operating framework.

    The launch event was headlined by actor Jagapathi Babu, who addressed attendees on the evolving role of pets within Indian households and the growing need for accessible and modern veterinary care systems.
    Founded by Dr. Jasleen Kaur a decade ago, Allpets began as a single clinic and has since expanded into a platform serving more than 15,000 pet parents, conducting over 57,000 consultations and performing more than 1,000 surgeries. The Hyderabad flagship represents the next phase of its development, with infrastructure built to standardise clinical delivery and support future expansion.

    Dr. Jasleen Kaur, Founder and Chief Veterinarian, Allpets, said the flagship reflects the direction veterinary care in India must take, noting that demand for advanced diagnostics, structured clinical systems, and operational discipline has grown significantly over the past decade. She added that the platform is designed to extend specialist-grade care to markets that have historically lacked organised veterinary ecosystems.
    M. Thirumalai, Co-Founder, Allpets, said non-metro India represents the next major growth engine for pet healthcare. He stated that scaling into these regions requires consistent systems, specialist access, and technology-enabled workflows that move beyond fragmented single-practitioner models.

    The Banjara Hills centre houses in-house digital X-ray, ultrasound, ECG, advanced pathology services, hydrotherapy facilities, and specialised treatment areas. With expansion plans targeting cities including Vizag, Coimbatore, Hubli, Nagpur, Surat, Bhubaneshwar, and Patna, Allpets is positioning the Hyderabad facility as the template for a broader national network.
    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.

  • Indian Capital Pools Drive ₹3,900 Crore First Close for Kotak Alts Yield & Growth Fund

    Srini Sriniwasan, Managing Director, Kotak Alts, and Amit Jain, Chief Executive Officer, Kotak Yield & Growth Fund, outline the Category II AIF strategy targeting ₹5,000 crore

    Mumbai, 12 February 2026: Domestic investor participation in private credit gained momentum as Kotak Alternate Asset Managers Limited announced a ₹3,900 crore first close of the Kotak Yield & Growth Fund, structured as a Category II Alternative Investment Fund with a target corpus of ₹5,000 crore.
    The first close, equivalent to approximately USD 430 million, represents the largest domestic private credit fundraise from the Indian market to date. The capital was mobilised through participation from domestic family offices, Ultra High-Net-Worth Individuals, and Indian insurance companies, with distribution driven through Kotak Private Banking relationships.

    The Kotak Yield & Growth Fund follows a sector-agnostic strategy focused on cash-flow-positive assets and mid to large-sized enterprises with established governance standards. The investment framework combines stable yield-generating assets with selective growth opportunities, supported by disciplined underwriting and portfolio construction principles.
    Srini Sriniwasan, Managing Director, Kotak Alts, said the first close is significant as it marks the platform’s first domestic fundraise from Indian investors. He noted that earlier strategies were largely supported by global institutional investors and added that the fund extends institutional-grade governance and investment discipline to a domestic investor base.

    Amit Jain, Chief Executive Officer, Kotak Yield & Growth Fund, said the response reflects investor confidence in the platform’s risk management framework and execution capabilities. He added that in the current credit environment, investors are increasingly seeking predictable income alongside downside protection, which the fund aims to address through a structured investment approach.
    The fund seeks to leverage India’s expanding private credit landscape while maintaining focus on underwriting rigor, capital preservation, and clearly defined exit pathways as it progresses toward its targeted corpus.

    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.

  • Nationwide blood donation drive by Sanjay and Jyoti Agarwal Foundation records 848 units across 18 cities

    Jyoti Agarwal, Co Founder of Sanjay and Jyoti Agarwal Foundation, highlights four year legacy of the initiative conducted with AU Small Finance Bank

    Jaipur, 12 February 2026: Sanjay & Jyoti Agarwal Foundation conducted a nationwide blood donation drive across 18 locations in collaboration with AU Small Finance Bank, mobilising employees, community members and healthcare institutions to support hospital and emergency blood requirements.
    The initiative was organised simultaneously in Indore, Bhopal, Ahmedabad, Raipur, Zirakpur, Delhi, Lucknow, Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, Jaipur at multiple centres, Shahpura, Jodhpur, Bengaluru and Hyderabad. Local hospitals and blood banks partnered to manage collection and screening under established medical supervision protocols.

    The 2026 edition recorded 848 units of blood collected, continuing a four year run of annual drives undertaken by the Foundation.
    All centres operated under medical oversight with adherence to prescribed safety and quality standards. The drive was positioned as a voluntary contribution effort to strengthen blood availability in regional healthcare systems.

    Jyoti Agarwal, Co Founder of Sanjay and Jyoti Agarwal Foundation, said the initiative reflects the belief that community participation can translate into measurable public health support. She said voluntary blood donation remains one of the most direct ways individuals can contribute to saving lives, and the response across cities reinforces the Foundation’s ongoing healthcare commitment.

    Over the past four years, the annual blood donation drive has become a recurring programme under the Foundation’s community engagement efforts. Beyond healthcare, the Foundation works across education, culture, arts, sports and broader community welfare initiatives aligned with inclusive development objectives.
    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.

  • Sunita Kapoor Chooses Divya Sheth’s Fuchsia Pink Organza Silk Ensemble for Festive Appearance

    Fashion designer Sunita Kapoor was seen in a ₹1,62,840 Gota Patti design from Divya Sheth’s Yogini collection, crafted in natural silk under the Kalamputli Revival initiative

    Fashion designer Sunita Kapoor was recently spotted in a fuchsia pink ensemble by Divya Sheth, bringing traditional Indian craftsmanship into a contemporary festive setting.
    The two-piece outfit, crafted in organza silk, is part of the Yogini collection and features intricate Gota Patti embroidery executed in natural silk. The technique involves cutting, folding, and hand-stitching fine metal strips, sometimes secured with delicate metal dori, reflecting time-honoured Indian textile traditions.

    Floral and paisley-inspired motifs add depth to the design, while the clean silhouette maintains a modern structure. The ensemble is suited for poojas, religious ceremonies, and wedding celebrations such as haldi and mehendi functions.
    Priced at ₹1,62,840, the garment is part of the Kalamputli Revival initiative, dedicated to sustaining traditional artisanal knowledge and craft practices. The piece reflects an intersection of heritage detailing and contemporary wearability.

    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.

  • Lab grown diamond jewellery gains seasonal push with Love Lore collection

    Anand Lukhi, Co Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Lukson, and Vedant Lukhi, Co Founder of Lukson, outline the brand’s sustainability focus and Valentine retail strategy

    Mumbai, 12 February 2026: The lab grown diamond segment in India’s fine jewellery market is seeing increased seasonal activity with the rollout of the Love Lore collection by Lukson ahead of Valentine’s Day.
    The collection features pendants, rings, couple bands and bracelets crafted in 18K gold vermeil, with solid gold options available, set with SGL certified lab grown diamonds. Designs include heart motifs, infinity forms and minimal silhouettes intended for daily wear as well as gifting.

    Select pieces include Everlasting Heart and Love Capsule pendants, Infinite Us and Endless You rings, couple bands such as Forever Wave and Always Chosen, and bracelets including Beating Heart. Pricing begins at ₹4,249, with limited period Valentine offers across select pieces.
    Lukson operates under the JK Star Group, which has a 34 year presence in the jewellery industry. The company reported crossing ₹75 lakh in direct to consumer sales within its first three months and has expanded through partnerships with retail and digital platforms.

    Anand Lukhi, Co Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Lukson, said consumer expectations in fine jewellery are shifting toward transparency and responsible sourcing. He said lab grown diamonds allow the brand to offer products that align with sustainability preferences while maintaining quality standards.
    Vedant Lukhi, Co Founder of Lukson, said Valentine’s Day remains a key retail moment for jewellery purchases, and the Love Lore collection has been positioned to cater to buyers seeking contemporary designs with traceable sourcing.

    The brand currently operates four retail stores across Mumbai, Hyderabad, Pune and Noida, with 12 additional outlets planned in Gurgaon, Delhi, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Chennai and Ahmedabad.
    The Love Lore collection is available through the company’s online platform and select retail partners.
    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.

  • Grid Infrastructure Momentum Builds as Hartek Secures ₹735 Crore Substation Orders Across Nine States

    Simarpreet Singh, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer, Hartek Group, links the contracts spanning 66 kV to 765 kV to rising renewable and industrial power demand

    Power transmission infrastructure expansion continues across India, with Hartek Group announcing cumulative substation and transmission orders worth ₹735 crore through its Power Systems business unit.
    The contracts span utility public sector undertakings, independent power producers, and industrial clients. The projects cover voltage levels ranging from 66 kV to 765 kV and are distributed across Jammu, Punjab, Haryana, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh.

    The scope of work includes substation development and associated transmission infrastructure designed to support regional and interstate power evacuation. These projects are expected to contribute to grid stability and strengthen transmission capacity in high-demand corridors.
    Commenting on the development, Simarpreet Singh, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer, Hartek Group, said that as renewable energy capacity and industrial power consumption expand, integrated and resilient grid infrastructure becomes increasingly important. He noted that the company’s capabilities in delivering substations, protection systems, and end-to-end engineering solutions position it to support evolving power network requirements.

    The order wins reinforce Hartek’s presence in high-voltage engineering and execution, with expertise spanning substations, switchyards, and protection systems across multiple voltage classes. The milestone also aligns with the company’s recent strategic expansion into integrated solar-plus-storage solutions, including grid-synchronised Battery Energy Storage Systems.
    With end-to-end engineering and execution capabilities across voltage levels from 66 kV to 765 kV, Hartek continues to deepen its footprint in India’s utility and industrial power infrastructure landscape.

    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.

  • Quick Commerce Outpaces Marketplaces as Valentine’s Orders Climb 48 Percent, Unicommerce Data Shows

    Unicommerce analysis of 15 million order items processed through Uniware highlights stronger growth across quick commerce, D2C websites, and Tier 3 cities

    Valentine’s season shopping patterns are shifting toward speed and impulse-driven purchases, according to data released by Unicommerce. An analysis of more than 15 million order items processed through its flagship platform Uniware between 1 and 10 February 2026 indicates that quick commerce platforms recorded a 48 percent year-on-year rise in order volumes during the period.
    Overall e-commerce volumes grew approximately 17 percent compared to the same period in 2025. Direct-to-consumer brand websites saw about 16 percent growth in order volumes, while online marketplaces recorded roughly 14 percent growth. The sharper acceleration in quick commerce reflects increasing consumer preference for instant deliveries during occasion-led shopping.

    Gifting trends also evolved beyond conventional categories such as flowers and chocolates. Consumers opted for gourmet snacks, artisanal teas, perfumes, skincare kits, makeup combinations, and personalised lifestyle items including couple-themed mugs and cushions. Practical and wellness-oriented products also gained traction as gifting choices.
    Geographically, growth was visible across urban and emerging markets. Tier 1 cities and metros reported approximately 19 percent growth, Tier 2 cities saw around 14 percent growth, and Tier 3 cities recorded nearly 18 percent growth, indicating broad-based adoption of digital channels for festive purchases.

    Marketing automation also played a role in driving last-minute conversions. Data from Unicommerce’s AI-enabled marketing platform Convertway shows that brands managed over 1.2 million customer interactions during the Valentine’s period across SMS, WhatsApp, RCS, and its AI voice agent Catalyst. These targeted engagements translated into more than 18,000 orders worth approximately ₹35 million.
    Unicommerce provides e-commerce enablement solutions including Uniware for order and inventory management, Shipway for logistics automation, and Convertway for marketing automation. The company serves more than 7,500 clients across India, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East and reported an annualised transaction run rate exceeding one billion order items in the third quarter of FY25.
    The Valentine’s sales data suggests that speed, targeted engagement, and operational efficiency are increasingly shaping consumer purchasing behaviour during occasion-led commerce cycles.

    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.