Tag: Lifestyle

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], February 03: The Hon’ble Union Finance Minister, Smt Nirmala Sitharaman, announced the Union Budget for 2026-27 on Sunday, February 01.

Welcoming the Budget, Shri Shaleen Toshniwal, Chairman, MATEXIL (Manmade and Technical Textiles Export Promotion Council), stated, “The Budget is Positive, and addresses the requirements of India as a growing economy with expanding trade and deeply integrated with the global economy”. He extended his thanks to the Hon’ble Union Finance Minister, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman for announcing a very Pragmatic and Growth-oriented Union Budget 2026-27, which will lead our country towards Viksit Bharat.

Shree Shalin Toshniwal, Chairman – MATEXIL

I am glad the Union Budget has proposed an integrated program for the textile sector, which is labour-intensive,” said Shri Toshniwal.

The budget has proposed a National Fibre scheme for natural fibres, manmade fibres and new-age fibres . The Chairman, MATEXIL, expressed his confidence that the scheme will certainly address the requirements of fibres by the textile & Clothing sector to achieve the export target of US$ 100 billion by 2030.

The proposed Textile Expansion and Employment scheme to modernise traditional clusters with capital support for machinery, technology upgradation and common testing and certification centres will go a long way in facilitating the manmade fibre textiles and technical textiles to produce value-added products and adapt themselves to the requirements of the export markets, according to the Chairman, MATEXIL.

MSMEs play a vital role in the economy, especially in the export of products.

The budget proposes to create champion MSMEs and support small and medium enterprises by encouraging them. Shri Toshniwal pointed out that MSMEs play a significant role in exports of manmade fibre textiles and technical textiles, and the proposed support will  help and encourage MSME exporters to scale up and increase their production capacity.

The budget has proposed to allow SEZ units to sell in the Domestic Tariff Area (DTA) at concessional rates of duty as a one-time measure. This will provide the much-needed relief to the SEZ units who are grappling with underutilization of capabilities due to an adverse global ecosystem and higher tariff rates in leading export markets, said Shri Toshniwal.

Other measures, such as the introduction of the new Income Tax Act with simplified rules and forms, and the rationalisation of the Customs warehousing framework and seamless cargo clearance through a single and interconnected digital window, will promote ease of doing business, according to the Chairman, MATEXIL. Further, he added that the complete removal of the current value cap of Rs. 10 lakh per consignment on courier exports will promote exports through e-commerce.

He expressed confidence that these initiatives will boost exports of Manmade Fibre Textiles and Technical Textiles.

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The Great Indian Sleep Awakening

New Delhi [India], February 03: If the last decade was about “hustle culture,” 2026 is shaping up to be the year of “recovery culture.” The Indian consumer has fundamentally shifted gears. We are no longer looking for a mattress just because the old one sagged; we are looking for performance tools to combat rising stress levels, sedentary lifestyles, and chronic back issues.

Market data and consumer behavioral shifts point to a clear conclusion: The days of the generic “cotton gadda” are fading. The modern Indian sleeper demands science, specificity, and sustainability. Here is what is driving the market in 2026.

1. The Orthopedic Imperative: “My Back Needs a Break”

The number one priority for Indian consumers remains unchanged, but the expectation has evolved. “Back support” is no longer a buzzword; it’s a medical necessity. With nearly 60% of urban Indians reporting lower back issues due to long desk hours, the demand is for preventative orthopedic support.

Consumers are moving away from “rock hard” mattresses (a common Indian myth for back pain) toward High-Resilience (HR) Foam and Pocketed Spring systems. These technologies offer contouring support—firmness where you need it (lower back) and softness where you want it (shoulders).

2. The Death of “One-Size-Fits-All”

Above: The King Koil SleepID system uses biometric data to replace guesswork with precision.

In 2026, personalization is not a luxury; it is the baseline. Indian consumers are accustomed to personalized playlists, diet plans, and workout routines—why should their sleep be generic?

The trend is shifting heavily toward Data-Driven Customization. This is where King Koil’s SleepID technology leads the market. Consumers want validation. They don’t want a salesperson saying, “This is soft.” They want an algorithm to tell them, “Based on your BMI of 24 and side-sleeping habit, you need a mattress with a firmness score of 6.5.”

3. Climate-Adaptive Comfort

India is a hot country, and “sleeping hot” is a major disruptor of Deep Sleep. A massive trend for 2026 is Temperature Regulation. Consumers are actively rejecting materials that trap heat.

• What’s In: Breathable latex, open-cell structure foams, and cool-gel infusions.
• What’s Out: Traditional, high-density foams with zero airflow that act as heat sinks.

Expert Insight: The King Koil Sleep Lab

Drawing from our extensive blog archives and sleep research, we know that hardware (the mattress) is only half the battle. The “Soft” trends for 2026 involve Sleep Hygiene Ecosystems.

• The “Golden Hour”: Indian consumers are increasingly adopting a tech-free hour before bed to reduce blue light exposure.
• Circadian Sync: There is a growing preference for mattresses that minimize toss-and-turn friction, allowing for faster entry into REM cycles.

Addressing the Indian Consumer: Common FAQs

As buyers become more discerning, the questions in showrooms are changing. Here is how the modern market responds to the top queries:

Q: “Will a soft mattress hurt my back?” A: It depends on your body type. A “soft” mattress can actually be better for side sleepers as it cushions the hips. The trend is moving away from “Hard vs. Soft” to “Aligned vs. Misaligned.”

Q: “Is Memory Foam good for Indian summers?” A: Traditional memory foam can get warm. However, 2026 innovations utilize Phase Change Material (PCM) and breathable fabrics that neutralize body heat, making them perfectly suitable for Indian climates.

Q: “How do I know if I need a custom mattress?” A: If you and your partner have a weight difference of more than 15-20kg, a standard mattress will likely sag on one side or feel too hard for the lighter person. Customization ensures motion isolation and individual support.

The Verdict for 2026

The future is Hybrid. The Indian consumer wants the durability of traditional springs combined with the plush comfort of modern foam, all wrapped in a package that is scientifically validated for their specific body type. They are willing to pay a premium, but only if the product promises—and delivers—a measurable improvement in their health.

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Strategic investor Jasper Group backs hospital-focused nutrition format with plan for 1,000 outlets nationwide

Gurugram (Haryana) [India], February 03: SoupX opened its first outlet, SoupX – Sip of Health, at Aarvy Healthcare Hospital, Gurugram, signalling the scale-up of a hospital-linked food services format designed for patients, caregivers, medical staff, and visitors.

“When people are in a hospital, they are often there for extended hours, patients, family members and medical teams alike,” said Shri Surinder Arora, Chairman, Jasper Group, who joined as the Guest of Honour. “In such environments, access to food that is clean, balanced and easy to consume becomes important to the overall experience. SoupX – Sip of Health has been created to work alongside existing hospital facilities by offering a reliable option for simple, nutritious meals within the premises, through a format that can be maintained with consistency as it expands to more locations.” 

The inauguration was attended by Shri Radha Mohan Singh, Honourable Member of Parliament (BJP), Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Defence and former Union Cabinet Minister, who served as the Chief Guest, along with policymakers and industry representatives. The event also saw the presence of Mahender Singh Prajapati and Naresh Kumar Kumawat, along with senior officials from government-linked banking institutions.

These outlets operate on standardised preparation processes, hygiene protocols and portion-controlled menus suited for high-footfall healthcare settings. SoupX plans to open 12–15 additional outlets across Delhi-NCR over the next three months and scale the network to around 1,000 outlets nationwide over the next five years.

Uttam Kumar, Founder & CEO of SoupX, said the outlet format has been built around operational consistency, from sourcing and preparation to hygiene and portion control, to ensure the same experience is delivered every day within hospital settings. “Our immediate focus is on getting the execution right across healthcare locations, understanding footfall patterns and usage behaviour, and only then taking the model to other suitable environments,” Uttam Kumar added.

India’s institutional food services market has expanded steadily alongside the growth of private healthcare infrastructure, with hospitals increasingly seeking structured food partners that meet hygiene and nutritional standards.

About Jasper Group:
Jasper Group is a trusted frozen food company in India, specialising in premium non–vegetarian and Vegetarian products. We are committed to delivering quality, safety, and innovation across frozen, ready-to-cook, and ready-to-eat food categories. With a process-driven and technology-enabled ecosystem, we ensure consistent products, operational excellence, and sustainable growth. At Jasper Group, our focus is on building long-term trust by delivering food that meets the highest standards every day.

About SoupX:
SoupX is India’s first wellness QSR designed for hospitals, workplaces, and public environments. We create clean-label meals that support energy, recovery, and nourishment. Our menus are crafted with chefs, nutritionists, and food technologists to provide balanced, delicious meals that suit modern lifestyles.

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Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], February 03: We are proud to announce that we have been honoured with the prestigious award CIO CHOICE 2026 and received our recognition in the Cloud Service Vendor – Public Cloud category. This achievement showcases CloudPe’s commitment to delivering reliable, high-performing, and secure public cloud solutions customised to the needs of fast-growing businesses.

This achievement reflects CloudPe’s focus on service excellence, focus on innovation, and creating a public cloud platform that combines compute, GPU-cloud, and infrastructure with simplicity, transparency, and strong customer support whenever needed.

Trust & Performance – A Strong Track Record:

CloudPe has built its reputation as a Public Cloud Provider by offering cost-effective, scalable and secure cloud infrastructure for businesses across industries. CloudPe is designed to address the real-world challenges of cloud adoption. CloudPe enables organisations to modernise, migrate and manage their workloads with confidence.

Powered by the infrastructure and deep cloud expertise of Leapswitch Networks, CloudPe delivers consistent high availability, localised support, consistent performance – making sure a global-grade experience to customers’ technology with regional reliability and responsiveness.

Leadership Speaks:

Commenting on the recognition at CIO Choice 2026, from Ishan Talathi, Chandrashekhar Talathi, Karan Jaju & Priyen Sangoi:

“Being named a CIO CHOICE 2026 winner in the Cloud Service Vendor Public Cloud category has highly validated our vision around making cloud simple, reliable, and accessible for businesses. This award energises our pledge of offering a public cloud platform that is performance, security, and flexibility, yet without complexity. We express our gratitude toward the CIO community for their trust and enduring confidence in CloudPe.

We are deeply motivated by this recognition to constantly raise the bar for the design and delivery of our public cloud services. Our teams have customer solutions at the centre of their work, supported by robust infrastructure and efficient customer service. Together with Leapswitch Networks as the engine of our platform, we are prepared to extend our support to organisations undertaking digital transformation.”

Commitment to our clients about the future:

With this recognition, CloudPe reaffirms its commitment to delivering secure, scalable, and high-performance public cloud services that help organisations innovate faster and operate more efficiently. As cloud adoption accelerates across industries, CloudPe continues to invest in platform enhancements, security frameworks, and customer experience to support businesses in a dynamic digital environment.

About CloudPe:
CloudPe is a Public Cloud Platform for the next generation that enables enterprise-grade businesses to easily deploy, scale and manage their digital presence as well as workloads. By providing networking, cloud management services, and compute storage, it allows certain businesses to best manage their returns on investments for cloud computing, and it also allows companies to be agile. The parent company being Leapswitch Networks, CloudPe, understands the needs of a business-critical company and adds to the advantage of localised knowledge and customer-focused support.

About Leapswitch Networks:
Leapswitch Networks is a premier provider of cloud services that include private cloud, public cloud, hybrid cloud, and managed services. Concentrating heavily on dependability, security, and operational excellence, Leapswitch enables companies to develop and run IT environments that foster business expansion and digital transformation.

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Review of the play ‘From The Warehouse’ by Troy Ribeiro 

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], February 03: I walked into Rangshila Auditorium, Bandra, thinking I was watching a play. I walked out feeling like I had accidentally opened a live tab into the collective anxiety of being seventeen in 2026. Live! From The Warehouse does not gently invite you into its world. It pulls you in, shuts the door behind you, and asks a simple but unsettling question. If your life is spiralling, would you rather fix it or film it?

I was impressed, yes, but I did not expect to feel mildly exposed, slightly attacked, and weirdly seen. This is the sneaky thing the play does well. It makes you laugh first, relax second, and then quietly reminds you that you might be more complicit than comfortable.

The situation it drops us into is almost disarmingly simple. Two seventeen-year-old classmates make one reckless choice too many and end up locked inside an abandoned warehouse while the world outside begins to close in. Authority, consequences, and the slow creep of adulthood hover just beyond the walls. The warehouse becomes a pause button on life. Time stretches. Options shrink. What unfolds is less about escape and more about what happens when there is nowhere left to perform except in front of each other. As a two-hander, high-intensity play, the entire emotional weight rests on the shifting dynamic between these two characters.

Inside this space, fear and fantasy bleed into one another. The boys talk, argue, dream, and spiral, imagining versions of themselves as artists, creators, voices that matter. The instinct driving them is not the crime or even the chase, but the need to be noticed. Faced with uncertainty, they choose narration over silence, framing their chaos as something watchable, maybe even meaningful. Confession slowly becomes performance, not because they are dishonest, but because performing feels like control when everything else is slipping.

What stands out in Shashwat Srivastava’s writing and direction is restraint. The play could have easily become preachy or overly clever. Instead, it trusts the audience. The humour lands naturally, the silences are allowed to breathe, and moments are not rushed toward neat conclusions. The story unfolds with clarity without ever feeling spoon-fed.

The pacing is tight without feeling rushed. Ninety minutes with no interval sounds intimidating, but here it works because the energy never dips. The rhythm mirrors how conversations unfold when people are cornered. One moment playful, the next defensive, then suddenly vulnerable. It feels honest rather than theatrically exaggerated.

Vrishab Wig delivers a grounded and thoughtful performance. There is an internal calm to his work that keeps the emotional temperature balanced. He listens well, reacts truthfully, and gives the central friendship a believable sense of history. His character feels like someone trying to hold things together even as control slips away, and that quiet steadiness adds emotional weight to the play.

Aryaman Krishna Aggarwal, however, is the one who keeps pulling your attention back. There is an ease to his stage presence that cannot be taught. He plays urgency without panic and confidence without arrogance. His character constantly shifts between bravado and insecurity, and Aryaman navigates those turns with impressive fluidity. Even in stillness, he feels active. You can almost see the thoughts forming before they are spoken.

There is also a playful intelligence in his performance. He understands timing, knows when humour should deflect and when it should dissolve. His emotional openness never feels forced, which is striking given what the play is examining. You sense an actor fully aware of his craft but unafraid to let the edges show. It is a performance that hints at depth well beyond his years.

The design supports the storytelling without announcing itself. The staging is clean and flexible, allowing the space to shift subtly as the night progresses. Lighting and sound work in the service of mood rather than spectacle. Nothing feels excessive. Everything feels intentional.

What makes Live! From The Warehouse resonate is its empathy. It does not ridicule youth culture or romanticise it. It observes. It understands that wanting to be seen is not vanity, but survival in a world that measures worth in views and validation. The play asks difficult questions without insisting on easy answers.

The audience at Rangshila responded with focused attention and a warm, deserved ovation. Viewers across age groups seemed to find their own entry points into the story, which is no small achievement.

Overall, this is a confident, well-crafted piece of contemporary theatre. It is funny, uncomfortable, and emotionally alert. Both actors deserve credit for carrying a demanding narrative with discipline and sincerity. And while the balance between them works beautifully, Aryaman Krishna Aggarwal emerges as a performer with a rare combination of presence, instinct, and emotional clarity.

Live! From The Warehouse does not shout for relevance. It earns it. And that makes it worth watching.

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Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], February 02: KRAFTON India, the publisher of India’s most loved online multiplayer game BATTLEGROUNDS MOBILE INDIA (BGMI), today announced the launch of BGMI Career Mode, an industry-first, game-led initiative that explores how in-game behaviour can be translated into real-life, career-relevant skill insights for gamers. It intends to complement resumes, LinkedIn profiles, and personal development journeys for students, gamers and working professionals.

An exploratory initiative that combines psychometric frameworks with gameplay signals to generate a personalised report, reflecting the cognitive abilities and soft skills of BGMI players

• Developed in partnership with Aeos Group and Leo Burnett India, bringing together assessment thinking and gameplay analytics –  www.bgmicareermode.com.
• Designed to help players reflect on cognitive strengths, soft skills, and personality traits that may show up during play, and express them in a structured format

Developed in partnership with Aeos Group, BGMI Career Mode combines structured psychometric frameworks with gameplay analytics to generate a personalised Career Mode report. The report highlights attributes commonly demonstrated in gaming environments – such as problem-solving, adaptability, teamwork, decision-making under pressure, and leadership – and organises them across three broad categories: Core Skills, Adaptive Skills, and Additional Attributes.

“Gaming today is an important part of youth culture, and it’s also a space where real behaviours and skills naturally emerge,” said Srinjoy Das, Associate Director – Product and Marketing, KRAFTON India. “BGMI Career Mode is a humble and exploratory attempt to see how those moments of play can be translated into a structured, credible reflection that helps players better understand their cognitive strengths, soft skills, and growth areas. It reflects our belief that young people deserve accessible tools that acknowledge learning wherever it happens – not just in classrooms or formal settings.”

As organisations increasingly look beyond traditional credentials to understand candidates more holistically, BGMI Career Mode examines whether gaming can serve as an unconventional yet meaningful lens into how individuals think, collaborate, and perform. By translating hours of gameplay into structured behavioural insights, the initiative also seeks to validate the time and effort players invest in the game.

How BGMI Career Mode Works: It brings together two types of inputs to create a structured reflection.

1. The first is a psychometric layer, where players complete a guided assessment designed to capture behavioural preferences, personality indicators, and work-style tendencies. This creates a baseline view of how an individual may approach situations, learn, and interact with others.
2. The second is a gameplay layer, where in-game behaviour is analysed to observe decision-making patterns that can surface during competitive play, such as strategic thinking, composure under pressure, teamwork, adaptability, and attention to detail.

These signals are then synthesised with the psychometric inputs to generate a Career Mode report that organises insights across skill and attribute areas.

A key aspect of BGMI Career Mode is its focus on personality reflection. Gaming environments often allow players to express their most authentic selves – sometimes more freely than in academic or professional settings. Hence, It seeks to surface and capture these expressions, offering players a clearer understanding of how they show up in moments of strategy, pressure, and collaboration.

The launch reinforces KRAFTON India’s continued commitment to community-first innovation within India’s gaming ecosystem. By experimenting with new ways to recognise and articulate the broader value of gaming, KRAFTON India continues to explore how BGMI gameplay can intersect with learning, self-awareness, and long-term personal and professional growth.

It reflects a broader belief that gaming can be a meaningful part of youth culture and personal development, and that players deserve credible, accessible tools to better understand their strengths and growth areas.

BGMI Career Mode is now live and can be accessed at www.bgmicareermode.com. Also head to BGMI social channels to witness the career mode film with BGMI’s very own brand ambassador, Tiger Shroff.

About KRAFTON, Inc.
Headquartered in Korea, KRAFTON, Inc. is dedicated to discovering and publishing captivating games that offer fun and unique experiences. Established in 2007, KRAFTON is built on a global network of 19 creative studios that include PUBG STUDIOS, Striking Distance Studios, Unknown Worlds, Neon Giant, KRAFTON Montréal Studio, Bluehole Studio, RisingWings, 5minlab, Dreamotion, ReLU Games, Flyway Games, Tango Gameworks, inZOI Studio, JOFSOFT, Eleventh Hour Games, OmniCraft Labs, Olivetree Games, Loonshot Games, and 9B STUDIO. Each independent studio strives to continuously take on new challenges and leverage innovative technologies. Their goal is to win over more fans by broadening KRAFTON’s platforms and services.

KRAFTON is responsible for premier game IPs, including PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS, PUBG MOBILE, PUBG: BLINDSPOT, inZOI, Subnautica, MIMESIS, Hi-Fi Rush, Dinkum, TERA, My Little Puppy, and more. With a passionate and driven team across the globe, KRAFTON is a tech-forward company with world-class development capabilities, continuously exploring new possibilities that enhance the gameplay experience — including AI and other emerging technologies. For more information, visit www.krafton.com.

About KRAFTON India
In India, KRAFTON is responsible for premier mobile games, including BATTLEGROUNDS MOBILE INDIA (BGMI), which has surpassed 250 million downloads, Bullet Echo India, Road To Valor: Empires, and CookieRun India, among others. Committed to enhancing the start-up ecosystem in India, KRAFTON has invested over $200 million in several Indian startups across interactive entertainment, gaming, Esports, and technology, since 2021. KRAFTON actively supports India’s game development ecosystem through its KRAFTON India Gaming Incubator (KIGI) while strengthening the Esports ecosystem with flagship events like the BATTLEGROUNDS MOBILE INDIA SERIES (BGIS) and BATTLEGROUNDS MOBILE INDIA PRO SERIES (BMPS). For more information, visit https://krafton.in/

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Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], February 02: Celebrated Chennai-based artist Beena Unnikrishnan is set to showcase her powerful travelling solo exhibition, “Ekaa – The One,” a stunning visual ode to the 64 Yoginis, in Mumbai from 31st January to 2nd February 2026 at P. L. Deshpande Maharashtra Kala Academy, Prabhadevi, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400025.

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