Kathleen Sherwin steps in as President and CEO, bringing more than 25 years of experience across global health, gender equality, and humanitarian development.
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Digital Safety and Financial Protection Emerge as Key Stress Points in the अ-Nishchit Index 2.0, Aditya Birla Sun Life Insurance
The nationwide study highlights lower uncertainty among financially prepared individuals, with insurance coverage, digital risks, and socio economic segmentation shaping anxiety levels across cities.
Hyderabad, February 3, 2026: India continues to experience elevated levels of uncertainty driven by financial pressures, health related challenges, digital risks, and broader societal factors. With the national uncertainty index at 79, concerns around financial readiness, personal safety, healthcare costs, and long term stability remain persistent, according to findings from the अ-Nishchit Index 2.0 commissioned by Aditya Birla Sun Life Insurance.
The study records Hyderabad’s uncertainty index at 76, lower than the national average but higher than the South Zone benchmark of 71. Digital safety emerges as the most dominant theme shaping anxiety levels in the city. Residents ranked personal data safety, security of online financial transactions, and vulnerability to online scams as their top three concerns.Beyond digital risks, respondents also cited rising crime rates, increasing pollution, and the impact of government tariffs on the cost of living as contributors to city wide stress. Infrastructure related concerns were evident, with doubts around whether urban systems can keep pace with rapid population growth. Workplace stress, mental health pressures, and the effect of global conflicts on prices further compound uncertainty.
The data highlights a strong relationship between financial protection and confidence. Uncertainty declines steadily as insurance coverage increases, dropping sharply to an index of 64 among individuals holding four or more insurance policies, compared to 77 among those with one or two policies. A similar pattern is observed in investment ownership, where lower uncertainty is reported among individuals holding either one or four plus investment instruments.Socio economic segmentation reveals significant variation. Respondents from SEC B and SEC C reported uncertainty levels of 82 and 83 respectively, markedly higher than the score of 64 recorded among SEC A respondents. The findings underline how access to financial buffers, resources, and preparedness plays a critical role in shaping confidence.
Across demographics, uncertainty levels remain broadly consistent, though women reported slightly higher anxiety than men. Older age groups, particularly Baby Boomers and Gen X, showed higher uncertainty compared to Millennials and Gen Z. Business owners and salaried professionals reported nearly identical anxiety levels, while married individuals with children indicated marginally higher stress than singles or married individuals without children.Overall, the findings reinforce that uncertainty in urban India is shaped by a combination of digital safety concerns, financial responsibilities, health preparedness, and lifestyle pressures across life stages. The study underscores the importance of proactive planning and adequate financial protection in helping individuals build resilience and reduce anxiety over time.
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Cross continental collaboration opens new pathway for integrated workplace delivery with ANJ
India and UK based firms align capabilities to serve multinational clients with coordinated design and build solutions
Mumbai, 3 February 2026: ANJ Group has entered into its first international strategic collaboration, establishing a cross continental framework to deliver integrated workplace solutions for multinational organisations through a partnership with United Kingdom headquartered WFG Group.
The collaboration brings together complementary strengths across workplace strategy, design, and build execution, enabling coordinated delivery across India, the United Kingdom, and Europe. The arrangement is designed to support multinational clients seeking consistent service standards, shared innovation, and seamless project execution across time zones and geographies.Through the alliance, both organisations will work closely to align design intent, delivery processes, and operational frameworks, allowing them to respond more effectively to evolving workplace requirements. The partnership also facilitates creative exchange and knowledge sharing, strengthening the ability of both groups to deliver integrated solutions at scale.
Jay Kularia, Executive Director of ANJ Group, said the collaboration reflects a strategic progression in the company’s global journey. He said as workplace requirements become increasingly borderless, the focus has shifted toward ensuring consistency, quality, and insight across markets. He added that combining ANJ’s integrated design and build expertise with WFG Group’s established multi brand presence in the UK and Europe creates a platform for deeper collaboration and faster innovation.WFG Group operates through specialist brands including Modus, Ambit, Two, and Platfform, each offering expertise across workplace strategy, design innovation, fit out delivery, and furniture consultancy. Together, these capabilities support a multi disciplinary approach to workplace transformation for clients across sectors.
A spokesperson from ANJ Group said the collaboration is grounded in a shared vision around people centric, future ready workplaces. The spokesperson said the alliance strengthens the ability to support global clients with locally grounded expertise while advancing how workplaces are designed, delivered, and experienced.The partnership is intended to deepen service capability, enhance creative exchange, and support the delivery of workplaces that respond to changing organisational needs. Both organisations said the collaboration reinforces a shared commitment to innovation, quality, and long term client value in an evolving global workplace 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.
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First time access to formal credit scales for women dairy farmers with ₹100 crore milestone at Dvara E Dairy
Agri fintech platform reaches over 11,000 borrowers across 700 villages through cattle based lending model
Chennai, 3 February 2026: Dvara E-Dairy has crossed ₹100 crore in cumulative loan disbursements, marking a significant step in expanding formal credit access for women dairy farmers through a technology led and scalable dairy finance model.
The disbursements have reached more than 11,000 women dairy farmers across over 700 villages, many of whom are accessing institutional credit for the first time. The financing has supported farmers in expanding dairy operations, typically increasing herd sizes from two to three cattle to ten to twenty cattle over a three to five year period, while building more stable and predictable farm incomes. In many households, dairy represents a primary source of independent income and economic agency for women.Small and marginal dairy farmers have historically remained underserved by formal finance due to the absence of conventional collateral, fragmented documentation, and the complexity of livestock based cashflows. Dvara E Dairy was established to address these structural challenges by applying fintech driven innovation to dairy underwriting and credit delivery, designing systems anchored in dairy economics rather than proxy indicators.
Central to this approach is Surabhi, the company’s proprietary dairy operating platform, supported by an AI led cattle intelligence stack that brings predictability and risk transparency to dairy lending. The platform enables end to end workflows covering farmer onboarding, cattle level assessment, cashflow based underwriting, doorstep verification, and field execution.Surabhi uses a unique bovine biometric identity known as Surabhi ID, along with cattle imagery, health data, breed characteristics, and productivity indicators, to assess income potential and align lending decisions closely with actual dairy economics, even in the absence of formal records such as printed milk slips.
By recognising cattle as productive economic assets, the platform reduces reliance on land records and traditional documentation, enabling faster, lower friction, and more responsible lending decisions at the village level.Commenting on the milestone, Balaji Lakshmanan, Co Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Dvara E Dairy, said crossing ₹100 crore in disbursements was an important institutional marker, but its real significance lay in thousands of dairy households gaining access to credit designed around their lived realities. He said the integration of cattle level intelligence with dairy cashflow analysis demonstrates how fintech can meaningfully extend formal finance to livelihoods that have long remained excluded.
John Vincent, Co Founder and Chief Operating Officer, said the company has focused on building institutional capabilities that combine deep field engagement with technology driven underwriting. He said platforms such as Surabhi enable informed and responsible credit decisions while ensuring finance directly supports herd growth, productivity, and income stability.As it continues to scale, Dvara E Dairy said it remains focused on deepening its village footprint, strengthening field execution, and using fintech infrastructure as a core institutional capability to sustainably extend dairy finance to underserved farmers.
Dvara E Dairy Solutions Private Limited is an agri fintech company focused on supporting small and marginal dairy farmers through technology enabled financial services and cattle management solutions. The company is part of the Dvara Holdings portfolio and the Dvara Venture Studio cohort working toward systemic change in financial inclusion.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.
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The Distance Between Choosing a Two Wheeler and Securing a Loan Is Shrinking, AU Small Finance Bank and Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India
The two organisations have signed an MoU to enable paperless, digitally supported financing with faster credit decisions across Honda dealerships nationwide.
Mumbai, February 3, 2026: AU Small Finance Bank has entered into a strategic memorandum of understanding with Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India to simplify and accelerate financing for customers purchasing Honda motorcycles and scooters across India.
Under the agreement, AU Small Finance Bank will serve as a preferred financing partner for Honda two wheelers, offering digitally enabled and paperless loan journeys at the dealership level. The collaboration is designed to shorten the time between vehicle selection and loan approval through STP enabled, analytics based credit decisioning supported by the Account Aggregator framework, along with digital repayment solutions.The partnership aims to improve access to two wheeler ownership for a wide range of customers, including first time buyers. Faster eligibility assessment and end to end digital processing are expected to reduce friction during purchase while enabling customers to benefit from competitive schemes, promotional offers, and pre approved financing options.
Customers of AU Small Finance Bank will gain direct access to Honda’s portfolio of motorcycles and scooters through HMSI’s extensive dealership network across the country. The system integration allows customers to apply online, track application status in real time, and complete the financing process seamlessly at the point of sale.Commenting on the collaboration, Uttam Tibrewal, Executive Director and Deputy Chief Executive Officer at AU Small Finance Bank, said that the tie up marks an important step in expanding mobility finance across India. He said that the collaboration supports the bank’s focus on customer first solutions, national distribution strength, and transparent financial offerings as it progresses toward becoming a Universal Bank.
Yogesh Mathur, Director, Sales and Marketing at Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India, said that strengthening the financing ecosystem remains central to HMSI’s customer centric approach. He added that the collaboration will simplify the purchase journey at HMSI dealerships while offering customers affordable and convenient credit solutions built on trust and transparency.Through the integrated operational framework, both organisations aim to deliver a consistent and efficient financing experience that supports mobility aspirations across urban, semi urban, and emerging markets in India.
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.
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Senior leadership role expands as Deepmala Chaudhary takes on sales and revenue mandate at The LaLiT
Hospitality group elevates long serving executive to General Manager role following sustained revenue performance
New Delhi, 3 February 2026: The LaLiT Suri Hospitality Group has promoted Ms Deepmala Chaudhary to the role of General Manager for Sales and Corporate Revenue, recognising her long standing contribution to the organisation and her leadership across the group’s revenue strategy.
Ms Chaudhary has been associated with The LaLiT Suri Hospitality Group since 2013 and has progressed through several senior leadership positions. She most recently served as Head of Corporate Revenue, a role she has held since 2016. With over 18 years of experience in luxury hospitality revenue management, she has played a key role in strengthening the group’s commercial performance across its portfolio in India and international markets.In her expanded mandate, Ms Chaudhary will oversee sales and corporate revenue functions across the group. Her responsibilities will include driving integrated strategies spanning rooms, food and beverage, MICE, and digital revenue channels. She will continue to lead group wide pricing, demand forecasting, distribution strategy, and revenue optimisation, working closely with unit general managers, cluster sales teams, marketing communications, and digital functions.
During her tenure at The LaLiT, Ms Chaudhary has been instrumental in building national and international partnerships, improving the performance of online and direct booking channels, and establishing centralised revenue and demand analysis systems. Under her leadership, the group has recorded growth in online verticals and improved yield management across multiple destinations, including India and London.Prior to joining The LaLiT, Ms Chaudhary began her career with ITC Hotels, where she held progressive roles across properties such as ITC Maurya, ITC Welcome Hotel Chola, and ITC Grand Chola. Her experience across these marquee hotels contributed to her grounding in operational and revenue functions within the luxury hospitality sector.
Commenting on the promotion, Vivek Shukla, Chief Executive Officer of The LaLiT Suri Hospitality Group, said Deepmala’s journey reflects dedication, resilience, and a strong understanding of the hospitality business. He said her elevation was a natural progression and a reflection of her leadership and consistent performance.
The promotion underscores The LaLiT Suri Hospitality Group’s focus on developing internal talent and building leadership capabilities aligned with the group’s long term growth 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.
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Behind the scenes execution shapes Prime Video’s Telugu thriller Cheekatilo through The Pittch
Event agency manages end to end production for the film’s special media interaction in Mumbai
Mumbai, 4 February 2026: The special media interaction for the Telugu thriller Cheekatilo, currently streaming on Prime Video, was executed with end to end project oversight by The Pittch, which handled all aspects of production and coordination for the event.
The Pittch managed the full scope of execution, including venue identification, talent logistics, technical setup, and on ground coordination, ensuring the interaction aligned with the creative intent of the film and the expectations of multiple stakeholders. The agency also oversaw timelines, vendor coordination, and operational planning to ensure a smooth and uninterrupted event experience.Commenting on the collaboration, Sonny Sharma, Co Founder and Director at The Pittch, said being part of Cheekatilo was an exciting opportunity for the team. He said the agency was involved from identifying the right venue to managing talent movement and technical execution, adding that working closely with stakeholders reinforced The Pittch’s focus on delivering seamless, end to end production experiences. He also thanked Amazon Prime Video for the trust placed in the team to deliver the project.
Directed by Sharan Kopishetty and produced by D Suresh Babu under the banner of Suresh Productions, Cheekatilo stars Sobhita Dhulipala in the lead role of Sandhya, a true crime podcaster who uncovers hidden truths while navigating complex moral choices. The film also features performances by Viswadev Rachakonda, Chaitanya Visalakshmi, Esha Chawla, Jhansi, Aamani, and Vadlamani Srinivas.In addition to managing on site logistics, The Pittch coordinated audiovisual requirements, equipment planning, and technical vendors to ensure the production ran as planned. The agency also handled stakeholder communication and risk management, allowing the media interaction to proceed without disruption.
The project highlights The Pittch’s experience in managing complex entertainment assignments involving multiple creative and operational stakeholders, while maintaining execution precision and alignment with the film’s promotional objectives.The Pittch is a full service event management agency working across corporate events, social engagements, and media and entertainment projects. The agency specialises in conceptualisation, creative production workflows, and technical execution, supporting clients across the entertainment ecosystem with integrated event solutions.
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.
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Classroom reform and student agency dominate global higher education talks in Goa with Dr Dhruv Galgotia
Global university leaders convene at the QS India Summit to examine evolving classroom practices and student engagement
Greater Noida, 3 February 2026: Galgotias University led a high level dialogue on the future of classroom teaching at the QS Quacquarelli Symonds India Summit in Goa, bringing together Presidents, Chancellors, and Vice Chancellors from universities across the world for a focused discussion on student agency and learning relevance.
The presidential roundtable examined how universities can rethink classroom practices in response to shifting learner expectations, rapid technological change, and the growing need for graduates to demonstrate critical thinking, creativity, and leadership. Participants shared global perspectives on moving beyond traditional syllabus driven models toward learning environments that are adaptive, participatory, and future oriented.The session was chaired by Dr Dhruv Galgotia, Chief Executive Officer of Galgotias University, and co chaired by Richard James, an internationally recognised authority in higher education. The discussion reflected a shared recognition that meaningful transformation in higher education must begin inside the classroom, with institutions taking greater responsibility for student engagement and learning outcomes.
Participants explored how classroom design, pedagogy, and institutional culture can evolve to prepare graduates for complex social and economic realities. The dialogue also highlighted the role of universities in shaping socially responsive and resilient learners who are equipped to navigate uncertainty and contribute meaningfully to society.Addressing the roundtable, Dr Dhruv Galgotia said meaningful transformation in higher education begins inside the classroom. He said Galgotias University’s academic vision is anchored in its G SCALE approach, which prioritises student empowerment, active learning, and the development of future ready competencies aligned with global realities.
The university’s leadership role at the QS India Summit underscored its commitment to contributing to international academic discourse and engaging with higher education leaders worldwide. Galgotias University continues to participate in global conversations that influence teaching practices, institutional responsibility, and the future direction of universities in India and beyond.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.