Category: Business

New Delhi, Mar 24: ETBrandEquity.com, in partnership with Protean eGov Technologies, has officially announced the winners of the inaugural Protean Digital Disruptors 2026. The initiative recognises the trailblazing leaders who are architecting India’s next-generation financial landscape through DPI, embedded finance, and regulatory innovation, redefining what it means to build at the intersection of trust, scale, and technology.

As India’s financial sector enters a transformative phase anchored in scale, trust, and inclusion, these Digital Disruptors are moving decisively beyond incremental digitisation. They are building resilient, technology-led systems that serve as the backbone of the nation’s economic growth—connecting underserved citizens to formal financial services, enabling frictionless payment infrastructure, and embedding compliance into digital architecture at a population scale.

The evaluation process was conducted by a distinguished jury of industry veterans, including senior leaders from Bandhan Bank, India Post Payments Bank, IndusInd Bank, DCB Bank, EY, and Protean eGov Technologies. 

Nominees were rigorously assessed against four core criteria: demonstrable impact on end-users and the broader economy; scalability of digital architecture; depth of innovation relative to existing industry benchmarks; and measurable contribution to strengthening India’s digital financial infrastructure.

The 2026 cohort of disruptors features executives from India’s leading banking, insurance, and fintech institutions who have successfully modernised legacy frameworks, enabled secure digital identities, and built platforms that support the country’s broader financial inclusion agenda. 

Notable winners across categories include:

• Banking & Fintech: Anurag Chottani (Bajaj Finance), Sameer Shetty (Axis Bank), Neeraj Singh (Groww), Rahul Chari (PhonePe), and Ramesh Lakshminarayanan (HDFC Bank).
• Insurance: Pradeep Pandey (LIC), Ganessan Soundiram (ICICI Prudential Life), Girish Nayak (ICICI Lombard), and Vishal Bhatia (SBI Life).
• Digital Transformation: Senior leaders from Bank of Maharashtra, Tata Capital, Federal Bank, and Digit Insurance were also honoured for their pivotal roles in driving systemic change across India’s financial services landscape.

“At Protean, we are evolving into an AI-first organisation, focused on enabling population-scale digital systems. The Protean Digital Disruptors Awards recognise leaders who are architecting the next phase of India’s digital economy, where scale, trust, and innovation come together to drive systemic impact,” said Rakesh Dosi, chief business & product officer, Protean eGov Technologies.

The Protean Digital Disruptors 2026 initiative reflects a broader shift underway in India’s financial ecosystem—from managing IT departments to architecting future-ready platforms. By integrating artificial intelligence with DPI, these leaders are creating a more adaptive and intelligent financial environment. Their work is directly contributing to the democratisation of financial access for over a billion Indians, bridging the gap between urban sophistication and rural financial inclusion, and ensuring that India’s digital dividend is shared equitably across its diverse population.

Bengaluru, Mar 24: 42 Estates has announced their new project launch of “In the Wake of Light”, an upcoming thoughtfully designed residential development in JP Nagar that places light, space, and privacy at the center of urban living. Located in JP Nagar 9th Phase, South Bengaluru, the project is surrounded by established residential pockets and parks, offering a balanced mix of connectivity and green surroundings. Designed as two staggered 14-storey towers rising above a landscaped podium as an ‘elevated living’.

 Project Highlights

• Two staggered 14-storey towers to enhance privacy with 3 BHK and 4 BHK residences

• Large vehicle-free landscaped podium with clubhouse, pool and leisure zones

• Central green spine with layered gardens, sky terrace concept and Green planter bands designs.

• Spread across approximately 2.2 lakh sq ft of built area.

The ‘In Wake of Light’ project is offering spacious 3 BHK and 4 BHK residences that are thoughtfully designed for modern families. The high ceilings, efficient layouts and clearly defined living zones ensure comfort without any compromise. The planning focuses on spatial breathing, intentional gaps, greenery and visual openness so that the homes feel expansive, calm and future-ready. The residential areas are pedestrian-friendly with only four units per floor, the development maintains a low-density environment.

The two towers are positioned away from each other and prioritize privacy and calm. This configuration enhances personal space while ensuring abundant daylight, ventilation and uninterrupted views. A thoughtfully designed central void between the towers forms a layered green spine featuring shaded gardens below and interactive terraces above bringing light, air and nature into the heart of the development. Each apartment opens onto a well-oriented balcony, creating a seamless connection between indoor comfort and outdoor breathing space. Looking ahead, the company also holds additional land nearby with plans to develop approximately  2.2 lakh sq ft in future phases. 

Commenting on the launch, Ajith Alex George, Director of 42 Estates said, “In the Wake of Light project is our answer to what modern homeowners truly seek: privacy, natural light and meaningful open spaces. We wanted to create homes that feel elevated not just in structure, but with the experience. By bringing the community life to a landscaped podium and carefully positioning our towers, we have designed a development that balances serenity with connectivity. This project reflects our commitment to building homes that breathe, connect and endure with greenery & luxury designs that last long.”

LONDON/HOUSTON/SINGAPORE, 24 March 2026 – Southeast Asia’s power markets are showing resilience to the ongoing Middle East conflict, but the crisis is reinforcing energy security as a central pillar of long-term power planning across the region. While regulated pricing and long-term LNG contracts are expected to shield most markets from severe near-term price shocks, the disruption is likely to accelerate a reassessment of generation strategies, according to the latest analysis from Wood Mackenzie. 

Imported LNG demand for power sector in Southeast Aisa and exposure to spot LNG in 2025 

“While Southeast Asia is relatively insulated from immediate price shocks, the current crisis is a clear reminder of the region’s structural exposure to global fuel markets,” said Yanqi Cao, senior analyst, Asia Pacific power and renewable research at Wood Mackenzie. “Energy security is moving back to the top of the agenda, and this will have lasting implications for how power systems evolve in the region.” 

Short-term impacts manageable, with uneven exposure 

Rising gas and LNG prices are expected to feed into Southeast Asian power prices through Q2 2026, though impacts will remain manageable and vary significantly across markets. 

Singapore and the Philippines are likely to experience the earliest effects. Singapore’s wholesale electricity prices have increased by around 20% in the third week of March compared to pre-conflict levels, while prices in the Philippines are following similar trend over the same period. In both markets, price caps are expected to limit the impact on end consumers. 

Elsewhere, regulatory mechanisms and subsidies will delay or dampen price increases. According to Wood Mackenzie, Thailand’s fuel tariff adjustment is not expected until May, while in Peninsular Malaysia, the impact is estimated at around a 1% increase in total power bills. Vietnam’s exposure remains limited, with gas accounting for just 9% of its power mix, and Indonesia’s fully subsidised tariff structure is expected to shield consumers from near-term changes. 

Limited flexibility constrains fuel switching 

If elevated fuel prices persist, most Southeast Asian markets will have limited ability to switch away from gas and LNG. 

Vietnam and Indonesia may partially offset higher gas costs through increased coal generation and power imports. However, Singapore and Thailand where gas and LNG account for approximately 85% and 65% of generation capacity, respectively have more limited short-term alternatives. Malaysia and the Philippines also retain coal capacity, but plants are already operating near maximum utilisation levels. 

Energy security concerns to accelerate structural shifts 

Prolonged market disruption is likely to accelerate policy and investment shifts across the region, particularly in nuclear power and firmed renewable energy. 

All six markets analysed have announced nuclear ambitions for 2030 – 2037, ranging from 1.2 GW in the Philippines to 4.0 – 6.4 GW in Vietnam. While these targets face execution challenges, heightened energy security concerns could drive renewed policy focus. 

Firmed renewables combining wind and solar with battery storage are also emerging as a more scalable near-term solution. Policy momentum is building across the region, including higher tariff caps for hybrid projects in Vietnam, battery requirements for new renewables in the Philippines, storage auctions in Malaysia, and ambitious solar-plus-storage targets in Indonesia. Singapore is also advancing plans to import up to 6 GW of low-carbon electricity by 2035. 

“Southeast Asia’s power markets are relatively well insulated from immediate shocks due to existing contractual and regulatory structures,” concluded Cao. “However, sustained volatility in global energy markets is likely to sharpen the region’s focus on energy security, accelerating investment in nuclear and firmed renewable capacity as alternatives to gas-fired generation.” 

Responding to growing disruptions in global trade, the Indian government has reinstated tax incentives for exporters to help them cope with the fallout of the ongoing tensions in West Asia.

The crisis has begun to strain key shipping corridors, forcing rerouting of vessels, increasing transit time, and driving up freight and insurance costs. Exporters across sectors are feeling the pressure, particularly those dependent on time-sensitive deliveries and cost efficiency.

By restoring tax relief measures, the government aims to ease financial stress on exporters and maintain the competitiveness of Indian goods in international markets. The move is expected to improve cash flow for businesses at a time when margins are being squeezed by rising logistics expenses.

Sectors such as textiles, engineering goods, and marine exports are likely to benefit significantly, as they rely heavily on stable and cost-effective supply chains. Smaller exporters, who are more vulnerable to sudden cost spikes, may find the relief especially crucial.

Industry representatives have welcomed the decision, calling it timely and necessary. They note that without such support, prolonged geopolitical instability could slow export momentum and affect order volumes.

Officials indicated that the situation remains under close watch, with the possibility of additional measures if global conditions worsen. The government’s immediate focus, however, is to ensure that exporters remain resilient and trade flows continue despite external challenges.

Mumbai, India,  Mar 24:Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI), the world’s leading diver training organisation, has launched its global ‘Dive Together’ campaign. This campaign aims to promote the joy of sharing diving experiences, inspiring certified divers and enthusiasts to introduce their friends and family to the underwater world through the PADI Open Water Diver eLearning program. 

To make it more interesting for the participants, PADI’ ‘Dive Together’ campaign offers attractive prizes. For a chance to win one of the prizes, the participants must enter the contest by generating a unique referral link. Five lucky winners will be rewarded with Cressi Raffaello Dive Computers through periodic giveaways. Additionally, the person who manages to refer the highest number of new divers until the end of 2026 will be rewarded with the grand prize, which is a dive trip for two people to Madinat Coraya, located on the Egyptian side of the Red Sea and known for its coral reefs and flourishing tourism infrastructure. 

“India has plenty of world-class diving locations in Lakshadweep and Andaman Islands, in addition to mainland destinations like Puducherry, Goa, Kerala, and more. So naturally, more Indians are learning to dive in recent years. Scuba diving is not just about exploring the ocean but sharing the experience. As a buddy activity, diving becomes more exciting and meaningful when shared with others. We hope campaigns like ‘Dive Together’ incentivise and encourage more people to share the joy of discovering the underwater world together,” said Vinod Bondi, PADI Regional Manager for India and Sri Lanka. 

The ‘Dive Together’ campaign is an extension of the existing industry-wide movement towards experiential engagement, where peer communities are seen as having significant potential in influencing participation in experiential activities. 

The PADI Open Water Diver eLearning course allows participants to take theory lessons online before they take any practical lessons at a PADI Dive Centre or Resort. With interest in adventure travel and water-based experiences showing no signs of abating, programs such as ‘Dive Together’ highlight a new push for participation and accessibility in the diving world.

Chennai, Mar 24: In a constant endeavour to reaffirm ISUZU’s commitment to provide best service and ownership experience, Isuzu Motors India will be conducting a nation-wide ‘ISUZU I-Care Pre-Summer Camp’ for its range of ISUZU D-MAX Pick-ups and SUVs. This service camp is aimed at offering customers exciting benefits and preventive maintenance checks for a hassle-free driving experience during the season across the country.

An initiative of ‘ISUZU Care’, the pre-summer camp will be organised across all ISUZU authorised dealer service outlets, between 23rd – 28th March 2026 (both days inclusive). During this period, customers can also avail special offers & benefits for their vehicles.

The Pre-Summer Camp will be organised at all authorised service facilities of ISUZU located in Agra, Ahilyanagar, Ahmedabad, Ambikapur, Anantapur, Baramulla, Bareilly, Barmer, Baruch, Bathinda, Bengaluru, Bhopal, Bhubaneshwar, Bikaner, Bilaspur, Calicut, Chatrapathi Sambhaji Nagar, Chennai, Chikkamagaluru, Coimbatore, Dhule, Delhi, Dibrugarh, Dimapur, Durgapur, Ernakulam, Gandhidham, Gorakhpur, Gurugram, Guwahati, Howrah, Hubballi, Hyderabad, Indore (2), Jaigaon, Jaipur, Jalandhar, Jammu, Jodhpur, Kadapa, Kalaburagi, Karnal, Kayamkulam, Khammam, Kolhapur, Kolkata, Kottayam, Kurnool, Latur, LB Nagar (Hyderabad), Leh, Lucknow, Ludhiana, Madurai, Mandi, Mangaluru, Mehsana, Mohali, Mumbai (Nerul & Borivali), Mundra, Mysuru, Nagpur, Nasik, Nellore, Nizamabad, Noida, Patna, Pune, Raipur, Rajahmundry, Rajkot, Ratnagiri, Satara, Shivamogga, Sikar, Siliguri, Solapur, Surat, Theni, Thrissur, Tirunelveli, Tirupati, Trichy, Thiruvananthapuram, Vadodara, Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam.

Customers can call the nearest ISUZU dealer outlet or visit https://www.isuzu.in/servicebooking.html for service booking. Customers can reach 1800 4199 188 (Toll-free) for more information. 

Kolkata, Mar 24:  iLEAD Kolkata successfully concluded the three-day Creator’s Workshop 2026, powered by Canon India, bringing together students and industry experts for an immersive learning experience in photography and filmmaking.

 Day one introduced iLEAD students and visiting school students to street photography through a session conducted by Soumya Shankar Ghosal, an internationally recognized documentary photographer, Canon India Maestro, author, and educator. This was followed by a technical showcase of Canon camera systems. Students explored composition, lighting, and framing, along with an introduction to emerging trends in cinematography through guided sessions and hands-on practice.

Day two focused on experiential learning through an outdoor photo walk across North Kolkata, guided by Soumya Shankar Ghosal. Students captured everyday life, heritage, and textures across locations such as Sovabazar and Kumortuli, applying techniques like perspective, reflections, and storytelling in real-time.

Day three focused on cinema and visual storytelling, with sessions led by Sukrit Ghosh, Director of Photography. Students gained insights into Ad filmmaking techniques and narrative development, while also exploring the technical side of cinema through hands-on demonstrations of Canon’s professional Cine Line cameras and lenses, conducted by Abhay Bharati, Canon Cine Division Expert, and Anindo Basu, Regional Technical Expert at Canon India.

‘It’s an advantage for any kind of workshop, be it for photography or anything. You put your energy and focus on that particular time. These short time boosts help these people who are into street photography or anything else to give motivation about the work they would like to pursue’ said Soumya Shankar Ghosal, Photographer & Mentor.

Creator’s Workshop 2026 reflected iLEAD’s approach to learning by doing, enabling students to build confidence and creativity through real-world experiences.

Gurugram, Mar 24: M3M India, one of India’s leading real estate developers, has commenced possession at M3M Antalya Hills, its premium low-rise residential development in Sector 79, Gurugram. The project has received the Occupancy Certificate (OC), marking a key milestone for the company and reinforcing its focus on timely delivery and differentiated residential formats.

Spread across 33 acres at the foothills of the Aravalli range, the development comprises 2,540 thoughtfully designed low-rise residences, spanning across 35.1 Lac sq. ft. with each tower configured to house only four apartments, ensuring enhanced privacy and exclusivity.

The project entails an estimated development cost of ~₹1520 crore, with a projected revenue realisation of ~₹4,000 crore, contributing significantly to M3M India’s residential topline in Gurugram. The development has witnessed strong demand from both end-users and investors since its launch, with a current ticket size of ~₹1.8 crore onwards.

Commenting on the development, Robin Mangla, President, M3M India, said: “The commencement of possession at M3M Antalya Hills reflects our continued focus on timely delivery and our commitment to developing differentiated residential formats. Low-rise developments in well-connected locations are witnessing sustained demand, and this project aligns with evolving homebuyer preferences.”

Offering 2.5 and 3.5 BHK residences, the project is inspired by Mediterranean-style architecture and is designed around open green spaces, pedestrian-friendly layouts, and community-centric planning.

The development offers a well-rounded lifestyle with a clubhouse featuring social and leisure spaces, along with wellness amenities such as a gym, spa, private terraces, and swimming pool. Residents also have access to sports facilities, landscaped gardens, and dedicated areas for children and senior citizens. Designed as a secure gated community, it is supported by round-the-clock surveillance and essential conveniences, complemented by premium in-home features.

Strategically located in Sector 79, the project offers seamless connectivity to NH-48 and Southern Peripheral Road (SPR), along with proximity to key industrial and commercial hubs. While road connectivity is strong, public transport options are still developing, with HUDA City Centre being the nearest major metro station. The micro-market continues to witness infrastructure-led growth, positioning it as a key residential destination in Gurugram.

M3M India continues to expand its residential footprint across emerging corridors in Gurugram, with a strong emphasis on scale, design, and execution.

MetrixLab research shows 100% agree dirty restrooms reflect poorly on the establishment, with the #1 contributing factor to dirty restrooms being paper towel mess. 

EAST LONGMEADOW, Mass. –In the post-pandemic world, restroom cleanliness has become a critical part of the customer experience, especially in restaurants and other high-traffic facilities. A clean restroom reinforces confidence in an establishment, while a dirty one can quickly impact repeat business.

Excel Dryer, Inc., a leader in touchless hand drying technology, partnered with global market research firm MetrixLab to conduct an unprecedented international study,  Post-Pandemic Perceptions of Commercial Restrooms. The survey gathered insights from more than 4,000 participants across the United States, Europe and Asia, including restaurant owners, facility managers, architects, design professionals and consumers.

The results revealed three universal truths across all demographics and regions:

• Cleanliness and hygiene are the number one concern in commercial restrooms
• 100% agree that a dirty restroom reflects poorly on an establishment
• #1 contributors to a dirty restroom are paper towels on the floor and overflowing trash cans
• 80% of respondents said they would not, or might not, return to a restaurant with a dirty restroom.

“Restrooms are a direct extension of the guest experience,” said William Gagnon, executive vice president and COO of Excel Dryer. “A dirty restroom experience directly affects a business’s bottom line and works against customer retention. XLERATOR hand drying solutions are the simple answer to what’s been identified as the #1 contributing factor: paper towels.”

Facility managers and restaurant owners reported increased restroom usage, stronger demand for touchless features and greater awareness of how restroom conditions affect customer loyalty. All agreed that compared to paper towels, touchless hand dryers are more hygienic, lower maintenance and more cost-effective over time.

With 75% of U.S. consumers now washing their hands up to 10 times per day, restrooms must keep up with higher expectations and heavier traffic. Excel Dryer continues to support restaurants and facilities with high-efficiency hand dryers featuring adjustable controls, improved motor technology for longer life and optional electrostatic HEPA (eHEPA®) filtration for added hygienic protection.