Business - Loktej English

How Ananya Bangar Reached Columbia Through Merit and Perseverance

PNN — Thu, 09 Jul 2026 12:00:15 +0530

Ananya Bangar, judicial law clerk at the Supreme Court of India, who has secured admission to the LL.M. programme at Columbia Law School, New York, for the academic year 2026–27 — an achievement she attributes entirely to merit, self-study and disciplined preparation.

New Delhi [India], July 09: A journey of consistent efforts. No expensive coaching. Ananya Bangar reached one of the most competitive law programmes in the world on the strength of her own work. A graduate of National Law University, Delhi, she has spent the past year and a half as intern in the office of the Chief Justice of India, followed by a judicial clerkship at the Supreme Court of India, assisting a sitting Supreme Court Justice on constitutional, criminal, civil and administrative matters. This year, she was admitted to the LL.M. programme at Columbia Law School for 2026–27. In conversation with TheNews21, she reflects on what the apex court taught her, the pull of constitutional law, and the responsibility that comes with shaping public institutions.

Q1. Congratulations. Columbia Law School admits only a handful of students worldwide each year. What does this mean to you?

Ananya Bangar: Thank you very much! For me, Columbia is a place to engage in the biggest global debates in constitutional law, governance, technology and the future of public institutions. Personally, it feels like the result of years of perseverance, self-belief and hard work finally taking shape. Professionally, I see it as a platform that will let me contribute to law and policy in a more meaningful way. And I will be honest — I reached here only through honest preparation guided by the encouragement of my family. I hope that part of the story reaches students who think these doors are shut to them.

Ananya Bangar with her father, Ravindra Bangar, at her graduation ceremony from National Law University, Delhi — the foundation from which she went on to clerk at the Supreme Court of India and earn a seat at Columbia Law School, New York.

Q2. Choosing law over engineering or medicine — especially with an IITian father and a superspecialist doctor mother — is unconventional. Who inspired your journey from the tense Covid-19 exam days to NLU Delhi and your Supreme Court clerkship?

Ananya Bangar: My parents, Ravindra and Manisha Bangar, were my bedrock, inspiring me to dream big in service of humanity. During the gruelling Covid-19 pandemic, my grandparents, Pramila Rangari, Radhabai and Ramchandra Bangar kept me anchored and motivated with their love and support through multiple exhausting law entrance exams. Embracing this path at NLU Delhi opened a new world where my passion fuelled my academic success. My career was then profoundly shaped by incredible judicial mentors: Hon’ble Mr. Justice S.C. Sharma introduced me to what a judicial clerkship is, and allowed me to observe Supreme Court proceedings firsthand, while His Lordship, Former Chief Justice of India Justice B.R. Gavai sharpened my research skills and the guidance that he and those in his office provided pushed me to apply for the clerkship position. Today, my clerkship with Hon’ble Mr. Justice N.V. Anjaria is deeply inspiring, as his warmth, encouragement, and genuine appreciation for my work drive me to push my boundaries daily.

Ananya Bangar at the Supreme Court of India, New Delhi, where she has served as a judicial law clerk for two years, contributing to legal research on constitutional law, criminal justice, bail jurisprudence and minority rights under a sitting judge of the apex court.

Q3. You have been clerking at the Supreme Court. How has that shaped you?

Ananya Bangar: It has been beyond transformative. I truly enjoy every aspect of my job, and feel very fortunate that I was exposed to such experiences. The court lets you dive into an extraordinary range of issues every single day — be it constitutional questions, criminal appeals, civil disputes, public interest litigation, or the application of social welfare legislations. Beyond the research itself, it teaches you intellectual discipline, precision and a sense of institutional responsibility. You learn very quickly that the work is demanding and confidential, and that there is no room for shortcuts.

From a judicial clerk’s desk at the Supreme Court of India to the LL.M. classrooms of Columbia Law School — the New York university where Dr B.R. Ambedkar once studied — Ananya Bangar talks about merit without coaching, the importance of self-belief and perseverance, and why the next generation of lawyers cannot afford to ignore artificial intelligence.

Q4. What is the single most valuable lesson the judiciary gave you?

Ananya Bangar: That law is never abstract in practice. Every file in court represents real people, real institutions, and real social consequences. Judicial work means balancing legal principle with fairness, constitutional morality, and long-term institutional impact. That perspective stays with you. It pushes you to value objectivity, while also balancing it with sensitivity to the human and institutional consequences of every decision.

Ananya Bangar with Former Chief Justice of India, Hon’ble Mr. Justice B.R. Gavai, under whose mentorship she sharpened her legal research skills and gained firsthand exposure to Supreme Court proceedings during her judicial clerkship.

Q5. Columbia has a deep historical connection to India through Dr Ambedkar. Does that resonate with you?

Ananya Bangar: Very much. Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar, the chief architect of our Constitution, studied at Columbia in the early twentieth century. To get the chance to study at the same institution is, for me, not only an academic achievement — it is a way of connecting with a figure who has influenced me to enter law in the first place. For someone whose work is rooted in constitutional values, this connection is very meaningful to me.

Q6. Your profile shows a strong interest in technology and artificial intelligence in law. What draws you to that?

Ananya Bangar: Technology is now shaping legal systems, governance and access to justice in ways we cannot ignore. I wanted to understand how artificial intelligence, algorithmic systems and digital platforms interact with constitutional values and the rule of law. Through my research, my work at Lucio AI and through UNESCO’s course on AI and judicial decision-making, I focused specifically on algorithmic bias. A whole new world of legal issues will accompany the pervasive embedding of AI into legal institutions and everyday life. My conviction is simple: the next generation of lawyers must understand both law and technology to navigate these challenges responsibly, balancing competing considerations such as environmental sustainability, privacy, transparency, non-arbitrariness, and the evolving questions surrounding the regulation and accountability of large language models.

Ananya Bangar with her mother, Dr. Manisha Bangar — Senior Gastroenterologist and Harvard Kennedy School alumna — at the iconic John Harvard statue on the campus of Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, during Ananya’s tenure as a Visiting Scholar at Harvard Law School and Harvard Kennedy School in 2023.

Q7. You also audited courses at Harvard Law School and the Harvard Kennedy School in 2023. How did that change your thinking?

Ananya Bangar: It was a pivotal opportunity. I got to attend in person almost a semester at Harvard. Learning from the best minds — Harvard professors I had only been able to see in YouTube lectures — and gaining different perspectives from global experts broadened my own thought on law and policy. The discussions there were about institutions, democracy, inequality, communication and global justice — the larger ecosystem in which law operates. It made me a firmer believer in interdisciplinary thinking. Law cannot function in isolation from technology, politics, economics or social structure.

Q8. You have written for international legal platforms and worked across litigation, legal-tech and research. How important is legal writing to you?

Ananya Bangar: Essential. Good legal writing should help people understand institutions, not feel alienated from them. Whether you are drafting a research note, analysing a judgment or writing on a current development, expressing clarity of thought is paramount. In a democracy, where public trust in institutions matters so much, legal communication has to stay accessible to ordinary readers, not just to lawyers.

Q9. What will you focus on during the LL.M., and what are you watching most closely?

Ananya Bangar: Constitutional law, comparative public law, technology regulation, digital governance and institutional accountability. I am especially keen to study how different democracies are responding to AI, online speech, misinformation and the erosion of public trust. These are no longer future problems — they are already here.

Q10. Finally, your message to young law students who dream of working in constitutional law or at the highest courts?

Ananya Bangar: More than anything, I would insist that students everywhere focus on their love for learning, and build that as their foundation in pursuing anything that they wish to do. A love for learning makes the consequent efforts you put into making your dreams come true all the more purposeful — not only for you but also the people you have an impact on. Read voraciously. Build genuine research and writing skills. More than just grades and internships, in my experience law school has been about intellectual depth and understanding society beyond the textbook. Do not be fazed by failure, and let your perseverance guide you to your goals. Patience, consistency, and self-belief matter more than raw intelligence. In this day and age, when education and resources are more available than ever before, diving deep into learning will give you an idea of what you want to do, bring you the connections that get you where you want to go, and eventually, help you uplift those around you. If you trust your own ability and work honestly, the doors will open.

Disclaimer: This interview has been provided by a third party. The publication has not independently verified all statements, claims or credentials mentioned herein.

We Served Our First 50 Families — Here’s the One Thing Every Host Got Wrong

PNN — Thu, 09 Jul 2026 12:00:14 +0530

Gali Arundar Sai, Founder & CEO, HostMyGuest

Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], July 09: Fifty families. Fifty events. Weddings that took eighteen months to plan. Pujas that brought three generations under one roof. Milestone celebrations that families had saved up for, talked about, and looked forward to for years.

We showed up to all of them. We delivered, we set up, and somewhere in the middle of each one, we noticed the same thing.

Every single host had got one thing wrong.

It was not the food nor the venue. Not the flowers or the lighting or the seating chart. Those were immaculate. These were people who took their events seriously, and it showed in every detail.

What they had missed – every single one of them, without exception – was where their guests would sleep.

The last item on every list

A family spends months coordinating the big things. The caterer is locked in early. The venue is visited and revisited. The guest list goes through seven versions. The outfits are decided, altered, and decided again.

And then, about a week before the event (sometimes less) someone asks: “Where are the outstation guests sleeping?”

That question lands differently when you are seven days out. For occasions like weddings, the default solution is usually booking hotel rooms. But hotels near the venue are not always available in the right numbers, and when they are, guests often end up split across multiple properties. Families spend time travelling instead of being together, arriving and leaving on different schedules, and missing the conversations and shared moments between ceremonies.

We heard this story, in some version, from nearly every family we served in our first fifty.

A celebration is about bringing everyone together. The accommodation should do the same.

Why this keeps happening

It is not carelessness. The families we work with are not people who cut corners. If anything, they are the opposite – deeply invested hosts who care enormously about how their guests feel.

The reason sleeping arrangements fall through the gap is cultural and structural, in equal measure.

Culturally, we treat guest accommodation as something that will simply work itself out. A relative will manage. A neighbour will lend something. It will be fine. This assumption holds – until it doesn’t, and by then, the event is too close to fix it properly.

Structurally, there has never been a premium, organised solution for this specific need. Long-term furniture rental companies exist, but they are built for homes, not for a four-day wedding. Asking a general vendor to supply quality sleeping arrangements for twenty guests, delivered and set up with care, on a day-wise basis – that was, until recently, a request with no good answer.

That absence is exactly what we built HostMyGuest to address.

What the best hosts do differently

Among our first fifty families, a handful came to us early. Two weeks out, sometimes three. And the difference in their experience was stark.

They were not scrambling. They knew exactly how many cots and mattresses they needed, on which days, and where they would be placed. When their guests arrived, the arrangements were already in place – clean, premium, and handled. The host was free to be present at their own event, not managing logistics from a corner of the room with a phone pressed to their ear.

That is the version of hosting we believe every family deserves. Not just the ones who happen to plan ahead, but every host – because the right infrastructure makes it possible regardless.

The thing no one compliments, but everyone notices

There is a particular kind of guest experience that does not come up in speeches or show up in photographs, but shapes how people remember an event long after it is over.

It is the feeling of being genuinely looked after. Of arriving at someone’s home for a multi-day celebration and finding that every detail – including where you sleep – has been thought about. That nothing was left to chance. That the host cared enough to get it right, completely.

In Indian culture, hospitality is a statement about who you are as a family. The food, the welcome, the warmth – and yes, the quality of the mattress your guest sleeps on the night before a wedding. All of it speaks.

One pattern we observed across many of these events was that families often chose to accommodate guests in their own apartment community or in a nearby residential complex rather than splitting them across multiple hotels. With comfortable sleeping arrangements in place, everyone stayed closer to the celebrations.

It recreated the feeling of a Vididhi Illu – a traditional arrangement where guests stay together in one place, making the celebration feel less like a series of events and more like one shared family experience.

The families who understood this earliest were the ones who reached out to us first. And every one of them told us the same thing afterwards: they wished they had known about this sooner.

What we learned

Fifty families taught us that the demand for this was always there. It simply had no name, no organised solution, and no premium option. Hosts were improvising because there was nothing else to turn to.

HostMyGuest was built to change that – not by adding another vendor to a scattered market, but by creating a category that did not exist: premium, day-wise rental of cots and mattresses, managed end-to-end, for families who take their events seriously.

The one thing every host got wrong was not a failure of planning. It was the absence of the right solution at the right time.

We intend to make sure that absence is no longer an option.

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How to Choose the Right University or Institute for Upskilling in 2026: A Practical Evaluation Framework

PNN — Thu, 09 Jul 2026 12:00:13 +0530

New Delhi [India], July 09: Over 40% of professionals regret their educational choice within 12 months. Not because the university was bad, but because they evaluated it using the wrong criteria. Most people choose universities based on brand reputation. They see an IIM or ISB and assume it’s the right fit. They don’t evaluate whether the program actually delivers what they need: relevant curriculum, active placement support, realistic flexibility, and documented salary growth.

This creates a mismatch. A prestigious program that doesn’t fit your situation becomes an expensive regret. The solution isn’t to trust brand names less. It’s to evaluate all programs—prestige or emerging—using the same systematic framework.

The Real Problem: Brand Name Doesn’t Predict Career Outcomes

Here’s what we know from data:

According to studies, over 40% of professionals who complete an executive education program regret their choice within 12 months. Not because they made a bad decision at the time. But because they evaluated programs using the wrong criteria.

So they enrolled in a prestigious program with outdated content, limited job placement support, and a peer cohort that didn’t match their career goals. Then they felt stuck.

This isn’t a failure on your part. It’s a failure of information. Universities market prestige, not outcomes. Your job is to look beyond the marketing.

Why “Best University” Is the Wrong Question

You’ll see articles titled “Top 10 Universities for Online MBA” or “Best Institutes for Upskilling.” These rankings are useful for one thing: selling advertising. They’re not useful for making a ₹20-50 lakh decision about your career.

Here’s why: the “best” university for you is not the same as the “best” university for someone else.

An IIM MBA might be perfect if:

You want the brand credibility for a consulting role
You can afford ₹40-50 lakh
You’re willing to study 20+ hours per week
You prioritize peer network over schedule flexibility

An online MBA program from Chitkara University might be better if:

You need to maintain your current job without interruption
You want curriculum that changes quarterly (not annually)
You prioritize proven placement support over prestige
You want ROI (30%+ salary increase documented) not just a degree

Neither is objectively “best.” Context matters.

The real question isn’t “which is best?” It’s “which fits my specific situation?”

That’s what this framework answers.

The 10-Factor Evaluation Framework

A structured framework focuses on 10 factors that predict genuine career acceleration:

1. Accreditation & Recognition – Verify AICTE/NAAC accreditation and employer recognition in your target industry.

2. Faculty & Industry Mentors – Confirm current industry experience (not 10+ years old) and active practitioner involvement.

3. Curriculum Freshness – Programs updating quarterly outperform those updating annually. Verify coverage of AI, data ethics, cybersecurity.

4. Placement & Career Support – Distinguish between passive job postings and active employer outreach. What percentage landed target roles within 3 months?

5. Alumni Salary Outcomes – Request documented salary increase data (25-35% is strong). Where do alumni actually work?

6. Flexibility for Working Professionals – Are classes asynchronous or require fixed attendance? Get realistic time estimates from current students.

7. Cost-to-ROI Ratio – A ₹30 lakh program with ₹25 lakh average salary increase breaks even in 1.2 years (good ROI). One costing ₹30 lakh with ₹8 lakh increase is questionable.

8. Industry Partnerships & Projects – Real company projects (not case studies) and capstone projects solving actual business problems.

9. Peer Network Quality – A cohort of 30 entrepreneurs and executives offers more value than 300 anonymous classmates.

10. Student Support Infrastructure – 24/7 academic support, dedicated mentors, mental health resources, and technical support matter significantly.

Questions to Ask Before You Pay

Before writing a check, demand answers to these specific questions:

On Outcomes:

What percentage of last year’s cohort found jobs in their target role within 3 months?
What was the average post-graduation salary increase?
Can I speak to 10-15 recent graduates about their actual experience?

On Curriculum:

When was the curriculum last updated, and how often does it change?
How is AI integrated into the program?
Are there real-world projects, or is it case studies and exams only?

On Practicality:

How many hours per week does this actually require?
What happens if I fall behind? Is there support, or do I drop out?
What’s the final cost (tuition + all fees + materials)?

If a university can’t or won’t answer these questions clearly, that’s your answer.

Making Your Final Decision

You’ve now done the work:

Identified your career goal (5-year vision)
Evaluated 3-4 programs on all 10 factors
Calculated weighted scores
Verified placement data with alumni
Confirmed curriculum is actually fresh
Confirmed you can sustain the time commitment

Now ask yourself one final question:

“In 24 months, after completing this program, will I have the skills, network, and credentials to make my next career move?”

If the answer is yes—not maybe, not probably, but yes—you’ve found the right program.

The Bottom Line

Choosing the right university for upskilling isn’t about picking the most famous option. It’s about picking the one that delivers what you need.

A prestigious MBA from an IIM that doesn’t fit your schedule and leaves you burnt out isn’t a win. A practical program from Chitkara University, BITS Pilani, or Plaksha University that updates curriculum timely, helps you get placed in your target role, and fits your life is a win.

The framework in this post removes the guesswork. Use it. Evaluate systematically. Trust the data, not the marketing.

Your career is worth ₹20-50 lakh and 24 months of your time. Choose wisely.

Ready to Evaluate Your Options?

You now have the framework. The next step is applying it.

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We Are Creating Consumers, Not Creators”: Aditya Shukla’s Vision for an Innovation-Led India

PNN — Thu, 09 Jul 2026 12:00:10 +0530

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], July 8: Aditya Shukla delivered a strong and thought-provoking address on India’s innovation challenges at the GCC Summit in Mumbai on Tuesday.

In his keynote speech, Shukla asserted that India’s greatest long-term challenge is not unemployment but a deep innovation deficit that threatens its ambition of becoming a developed nation by 2047.

“Great economies are remembered not for how much they consumed, but for how much they created. We are creating consumers, not creators — and this must change urgently,” Shukla told the gathering of policymakers, industry leaders, and GCC delegates.

Highlighting India’s young demographic, Shukla noted that the country has approximately 371 million people aged 15-29, constituting nearly 27 per cent of the total population. However, he pointed out that this demographic dividend is at risk due to a significant skills gap.

“Employers frequently struggle to find candidates with the required skills, while many graduates face challenges in securing quality employment,” he said. India produces around 5 million graduates annually, but the creation of high-quality jobs has not kept pace.

Shukla was critical of the education system, saying that despite initiatives like the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, implementation has been slow. He highlighted persistent issues such as rote learning, inadequate teacher training, weak foundational skills, and poor industry linkages in skill development programmes.

In the era of Artificial Intelligence, automation, and emerging technologies, he warned that the current system risks preparing youth for jobs of the past.

Economic Policies and Limits of GDP Growth

Shukla highlighted structural weaknesses in India’s economic model. While headline GDP growth has remained relatively strong, he cautioned that it is increasingly driven by consumption rather than investment and high-value manufacturing.

“Manufacturing’s share in GDP has stagnated around 14-15 per cent for years, far below the 25 per cent target set under Make in India. Despite schemes like PLI, progress in electronics, semiconductors, and advanced manufacturing remains limited, with heavy dependence on imports for critical components,” he said.

He pointed to challenges such as regulatory hurdles, implementation gaps in reforms, and an over-reliance on services (which contribute over 50 per cent of GDP) and domestic consumption. This model, he argued, limits job creation in tradable sectors and exposes the economy to vulnerabilities in global value chains.

Why Other Nations Are Surging Ahead

Shukla drew sharp comparisons with other countries that have successfully transitioned into innovation powerhouses. South Korea invests nearly 4-5 per cent of its GDP in R&D, while the United States spends around 3-3.5 per cent and China approximately 2.5 per cent. In contrast, India’s Gross Expenditure on R&D (GERD) continues to remain low at around 0.64-0.66 per cent of GDP.

“These nations succeeded because they made sustained, high-level investments in research, created strong industry-academia linkages, and built ecosystems that reward risk-taking and original discovery,” Shukla said.

He noted that countries like South Korea and China focused heavily on deep technology, advanced manufacturing, and semiconductors, moving beyond consumer services. Israel, despite its small size, has become a global innovation hub through heavy R&D spending (over 5 per cent of GDP) and close military-civilian technology collaboration. The United States continues to dominate through world-class universities, massive private sector R&D, and venture capital support for frontier technologies.

“These countries did not just celebrate growth — they built institutions and policies that produce breakthrough technologies the world depends upon,” he added.

Call for Urgent Reforms

While acknowledging progress in digital infrastructure and the startup ecosystem, which has produced over 100 unicorns, Shukla said most activity remains concentrated in consumer services, fintech, and e-commerce.

“Deep tech, semiconductors, biotechnology, and advanced manufacturing continue to receive limited focus and funding,” he added.

Shukla called for bold reforms, including raising GERD to at least 2 per cent of GDP with strong private sector incentives, overhauling the education system with greater emphasis on quality, creativity and employability, granting more autonomy to universities, streamlining bureaucracy, and directing patient capital towards deep technology sectors.

“The future will not belong to countries with the largest populations. It will belong to those with the greatest ideas and the ecosystems to realise them. India has the talent. Now we must build the system that allows that talent to change the world,” Shukla said.

His address received wide attention at the summit, with many delegates engaging in discussions on potential collaboration opportunities in innovation, education, and technology between India and GCC countries.

The event underscored growing calls for India to shift from a consumption and services-led growth model to one driven by original innovation and scientific advancement.

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VenueInDelhi Marks 10 Years, Crosses 10,000 Wedding Venue Bookings Across Delhi NCR

PNN — Thu, 09 Jul 2026 12:00:10 +0530

Founded in 2013, the platform (VenueInDelhi) now lists 1,400+ banquet halls, farmhouses and hotels across 15 cities — and plans to enter 10 more in 2026

New Delhi [India], July 08: VenueInDelhi is celebrating its 10th birthday. Since 2013, the Delhi NCR platform, which was one of the first in India to go online for booking wedding venues, has helped over 10,000 families book wedding venues, engagement and reception venues. Today, it has over 1400 properties listed across Delhi NCR and 14 other cities in India, including banquet halls, marriage halls, luxury hotels, farmhouses, resorts and destination wedding venues.

The anniversary comes with an announcement: 10 new cities in 2026, plus instant availability checks, virtual venue tours and a rewards programme for partner venues.

If you have ever organized an Indian wedding, you know that the venue is the difficult part. Families visit six, seven, sometimes eight properties. Every visit is a new negotiation with a new owner, and even after all that, it’s still a mess to compare prices and dates.

Wedding Venue in Delhi presents the entire process on a single screen — location, budget, number of guests, catering style, parking — and the shortlist returns with complimentary advice from the company’s wedding advisors.

The numbers back the model up. Last financial year the platform handled close to 26,000 venue enquiries and helped its partner venues book business worth roughly ₹140 crore.

The founder of VenueInDelhi, Mr. Gagandeep Singh said “I launched this venue discovery platform in 2013” . “In 2013, families still relied on relatives and roadside hoardings to find a banquet hall. My first office was a single room, and I’d personally walk clients through venues in Chhatarpur because they simply didn’t trust photos on a website.”

“Ten years later, it’s the opposite problem. Customers now expect a digital shortlist before they ever visit a property in person. Our main job is to ensure absolute honesty. What people see on our platform must match the physical reality perfectly. We provide verified venue pricing, real gallery photos, and honest capacity numbers. That is our entire business model.”

Delhi’s old wedding belts have the deepest coverage, including Chhatarpur, Vasant Kunj, Dwarka, Rohini, Pitampura, South Delhi. Gurugram, Noida and Ghaziabad are fast developing. The platform features venues in Jaipur, Chandigarh and Lucknow outside NCR and destination wedding properties in Udaipur and Goa.

The biggest change over the last decade has been in customer behavior, not technology, the company says. Couples come with Pinterest boards and precise budgets. Before they even ask about the price, they inquire about décor flexibility, vegetarian-only kitchens, valet capacity and guest accommodation. Bookings that once took weeks of family deliberation now close in days. VenueInDelhi has retrained its consultants around these newer questions and added detailed amenity data — catering options, accommodation, accessibility, parking counts — to every listing.

The industry context matters too. India’s wedding market runs upwards of ₹10 lakh crore a year and feeds a long chain of businesses — hotels, banquet operators, decorators, caterers, photographers, event planners. For venue owners, the platform means a steady flow of verified enquiries; partner venues report that nearly half their annual bookings now come in online.

The 2026 plan splits into two phases. Availability checks and virtual venue tours are available in the first half of the year. The partner rewards programme and the 10 new cities follow by December.

“This industry still has plenty of broken pieces, and pricing is the biggest one. Nobody publishes real rates,” Mr. Singh added. “If a family can see three comparable venues with real rates side by side, half the stress of wedding planning disappears. That’s what the next ten years are about for us.”

About VenueInDelhi

Founded in 2013 by Mr. Gagandeep Singh, VenueInDelhi is a wedding venue discovery and booking platform connecting customers with banquet halls, marriage halls, luxury hotels, farmhouses, resorts and destination wedding venues across Delhi NCR and major Indian cities. The platform pairs venue search with free expert consultation, helping families book venues for weddings, engagements, receptions, corporate events and social celebrations.

Kindly visit the website for more details www.venueindelhi.com

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The New Benchmark in Financial Literacy: Why 20,000+ Students Chose a Rule-Based Mentor Over Viral Shortcuts

PNN — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 19:55:08 +0530

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], July 8: The landscape of the Indian derivatives market is undergoing a structural shift. With retail participation in the Futures and Options (F&O) segment reaching historic highs, the demand for stock market education has exploded. However, regulatory data consistently reveals a sobering reality: nearly 90% of retail day traders experience significant capital erosion due to speculative trading. In an era dominated by flashy, 60-second social media “hacks” and unverified advisory services, a new benchmark in financial literacy is being set by Chirag Rathod, founder of Upper Circuit Stocks. His data-driven, rule-based approach has led a growing wave of over 20,000 students to bypass viral shortcuts in favor of instituional-grade trading frameworks for retail traders.

Bypassing the “Hype” for Quantifiable Logic

The rise of Upper Circuit Stocks highlights a major evolution in student psychology. Today’s retail investors are increasingly realizing that “viral” strategies often fail under real market volatility. Chirag Rathod, an MBA in Finance and a NISM-registered Research Analyst, has structured his educational curriculum to mirror institutional risk models which are specifically designed for retail traders.

His digital footprint reflects this growing demand for structured education:

X (formerly Twitter): A highly engaged community of 15,000+ followers tracking systematic market analysis.
Instagram & Telegram: Over 11,000 Instagram followers and a 5,000+ strong Telegram community collaborating daily on rule-based execution.
Educational Impact: More than 20,000 students mentored systematically across his customized options trading strategies.

Instead of teaching subjective “market feel,” Rathod introduces students to mechanical systems like the “Triple-Wire Convergence” (the statistical overlap of VWAP, 9 SMA, and 20 SMA). This rule-based focus serves as an “Institutional Guardrail,” removing emotional bias and treating trading as a measurable, calculated, rule-based business process rather than a speculative gamble which most retail traders fall for.

What his students learn from him?

Most of the retail traders often fall for easy money schemes and miss on the technical and financial aspects of intraday trading. Chirag Rathod, through his courses which are based on past data, analyse how the markets move, break them down into repeatable models just like “Triple-Wire Convergence”, so his students can identify these market moves and take a calculated, measurable decision rather than relying on other people’s judgement and gut feels.

Chirag Rathod has become the new benchmark for stock options learning through his unique teaching concepts, trading strategies, institutional style mindset and continuous learnings from past market data which retail traders are now taking benefit from.

“I want to create a market where every retail trader has a learning based structured approach towards options trading with the mindset of an institutional trader. The institutional trader has the money power to trade, which the retail trader may not have, but more important here to have that institutional mindset through which both of them can come on common grounds and trade in this ever-volatile market. I am trying to bring the retail traders mindset to the level of the institutional trader. I want to instil the confidence in retail traders with knowledge led, data backed strategies, so they can trade with this structured approach rather than thinking this is a gamble.” Says an enthusiastic Chirag Rathod.

As India’s financial markets mature, the transition from speculative trading to systematic education is no longer optional. Through Upper Circuit Stocks, Chirag Rathod is establishing a new standard of excellence, proving that a rule-based framework is the ultimate tool for retail empowerment.

SEPC to Acquire Up to 90% Stake in UAE-Based Avenir Through Rs 1,530 Crore Preferential Share Allotment

PNN — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 19:55:06 +0530

Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], July 8: SEPC Limited (NSE: SEPC | BSE: 532945), a leading EPC company with proven expertise in industrial infrastructure, process plants, water and wastewater management, has announced a series of strategic proposals approved by its Board of Directors, subject to the requisite shareholders’ and regulatory approvals. The approved proposals are aimed at strengthening the Company’s capital base, enhancing financial flexibility, and expanding its international engineering presence.

A key highlight of the Board’s approval is the proposed acquisition of up to 90% equity stake in Avenir International Engineers and Consultants LLC, Abu Dhabi, through a share swap transaction. The acquisition will be undertaken by way of a preferential allotment of 153 crore equity shares of SEPC at an issue price of ₹10 per share, aggregating to ₹1,530 crore, to the shareholders of Avenir. The transaction will be completed without any cash outflow and is expected to conclude by December 2026.

Established in 2011, Avenir International Engineers and Consultants LLC is an engineering and design company serving the oil & gas and other civil infrastructure sectors in the UAE. The company possesses established qualifications with ADNOC and reported a turnover of approximately AED 75.01 million during 2025. The proposed acquisition is expected to strengthen SEPC’s capabilities in the oil & gas sector and significantly enhance its presence across the Middle East.

In addition, the Board has approved, subject to shareholders’ approval, an increase in the Company’s Authorised Share Capital from ₹2,250 crore, divided into 225 crore equity shares of ₹10 each, to ₹6,000 crore, divided into 600 crore equity shares of ₹10 each, providing the Company with enhanced capital-raising capacity to support its future growth plans.

Further, the Board has approved increasing the borrowing limits to ₹7,500 crore, enabling the Company to support its expanding business operations and long-term growth plans.

Building on its strong execution track record and sustained business momentum, SEPC continues to strengthen its growth platform through strategic initiatives aimed at expanding capabilities, enhancing financial flexibility, and broadening its international presence.

To obtain shareholders’ approval for these proposals, the Company will conduct a Postal Ballot through remote e-voting, and has appointed Alagar & Associates LLP, Company Secretaries, as the Scrutinizer to oversee the voting process.

Commenting on the development, Mr. Venkataramani Jaiganesh, Managing Director, SEPC Limited, said: “The proposals approved by the Board represent important enablers for SEPC’s next phase of growth. As we continue to strengthen our execution capabilities and expand our market presence, it is equally important to build the financial and organisational capacity required to pursue larger and more complex opportunities. The proposed acquisition of Avenir International Engineers and Consultants LLC is intended to complement our engineering capabilities and provide access to the UAE’s oil & gas ecosystem, while the proposed enhancement of our capital and borrowing framework is designed to support the Company’s evolving business requirements. Together, these initiatives reinforce our long-term approach of building a stronger and more diversified engineering enterprise.”

About SEPC Limited

SEPC Limited (formerly Shriram EPC Limited) is a well-established EPC company offering turnkey solutions across Water & Wastewater, Roads, Industrial Infrastructure, and Mining sectors. The company specializes in the design, procurement, construction, and commissioning of large and complex infrastructure projects across India.

SEPC serves a wide range of clients, including Central and State Government agencies, and continues to play a key role in India’s infrastructure development.

In FY26, the Company delivered Total Income of ₹1,085.8 Cr, EBITDA of ₹108.9 Cr, and Net Profit of ₹53.5 Cr, against Total Income of ₹646.0 Cr in FY25, with Net Profit more than doubling over the previous year.

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Acclaimed Actress Shanthi Priya Unveils Shadow of the Serpent Fort by Author Arti Chavan at Grand Mumbai Launch event held at Title Waves

PNN — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 19:55:04 +0530

New Delhi [India], July 8: Shanthi Priya, who attended the event as the Chief Guest, unveiled the book in the presence of readers, members of the literary fraternity and invited guests. The evening celebrated storytelling, Indian history and the country’s rich cultural heritage.

Speaking at the launch, Shanthi Priya said, “Stories have the remarkable ability to transport us across time and connect us with our shared heritage. I am delighted to unveil Shadow of the Serpent Fort, which brings a fascinating chapter of Indian history to life through imagination and adventure. I congratulate Arti on this wonderful achievement and wish the book every success.”

Guest of Honour Sandip Soparrkar, an internationally acclaimed dancer, choreographer, actor, cultural ambassador and Chairman of the India Fine Arts Council, also addressed the gathering. Holding a PhD in World Mythology, Soparrkar spoke about the role of storytelling in preserving culture.

“Whether expressed through dance, cinema or literature, storytelling is one of the most powerful ways to preserve culture and inspire future generations. I am delighted to be part of the launch of a novel that celebrates India’s rich heritage while making history engaging and accessible for modern readers.” he said.

The book marks the literary debut of Arti Chavan, a former Meta and Microsoft strategy leader who now lives in the United States. The novel is the result of six years of research and is set in 324 BCE during the Indo-Greek period following Alexander’s departure from India.

Sharing her inspiration behind the novel, Chavan said, “This book has been a six-year labour of love. Inspired by my children’s fascination with Greek mythology, I wanted to tell an equally entertaining story rooted in India’s own extraordinary past. I hope readers enjoy the adventure while also discovering the remarkable history behind it.”

Published by Vishwakarma Publications, Shadow of the Serpent Fort is the first title in the Forgotten Kingdoms of India series. The historical adventure follows the journey of a young warrior named Malhar as he battles political conspiracies, ancient secrets and supernatural forces in the aftermath of a king’s death, offering readers a fresh perspective on ancient India’s forgotten history.

The book is now available at major bookstores and online platforms across India and the United States.

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Maiden Forgings Limited: Q1 FY27 Business & Operational Update

PNN — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 19:55:02 +0530

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], July 8: Maiden Forgings Limited (MFL), one of the leading manufacturers of Bright Steel bars, wires, and pneumatic nails, delivered a strong operational and financial performance in Q1 FY27. The Company’s continued focus on market expansion, product diversification, and customer acquisition supported healthy growth in both revenue and volumes.

Strategic Business Performance

Revenue: ₹64.96 Crore (24.78% YOY Growth vs. Q1 FY26)
Sales Volume: 9,750 MT (~22.23% YOY Growth vs. Q1 FY26)

Operational Highlights

Resilient Business Performance: Despite external macroeconomic and geopolitical headwinds, MFL continued to deliver consistent growth through disciplined execution.
Strong Revenue Growth: Revenue growth during Q1 FY27 reflected sustained demand across the Company’s product portfolio.
Healthy Volume Expansion: Higher sales volumes demonstrated improved market penetration and strong customer demand.
Product Portfolio Expansion: The introduction of new products during the quarter contributed meaningfully to revenue growth while strengthening the Company’s presence across diversified customer segments.
Marketing-Led Growth: Focused marketing initiatives enabled MFL to expand its business opportunities and drive higher order inflows during the quarter.

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Producer Ashish Sharma Announces THE KEEDA: A Powerful Tale of Courage, Duty, and Resilience

PNN — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 19:55:00 +0530

New Delhi [India], July 08: A promising new cinematic journey is set to unfold as THE KEEDA has officially been announced.

Presented by Mad Motion Pictures in association with Saeyesha Creations, the film promises an emotionally compelling narrative centered on courage, duty, and resilience.

Produced by Ashish Sharma and directed by Prashant Vilankar, THE KEEDA marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter with a fresh vision and a talented cast.

The film introduces Jatin Suri in the lead role as Vishwas Sawant, alongside Vedvika Soni, who also makes a notable debut. The film also features Nikhil Malik, Ravi Pandey, and Dilraj Uday, adding further strength to the ensemble cast.

With the tagline, “A New Story. A New Mission. A New Beginning,” the makers have hinted at an inspiring and emotionally driven film that celebrates courage, duty, and the resilience of the human spirit.

While the storyline remains under wraps, the announcement has already generated excitement among cinema enthusiasts, who are eager to learn more about this upcoming project.

Backed by Mad Motion Pictures and Saeyesha Creations, THE KEEDA is expected to deliver a meaningful cinematic experience that blends powerful storytelling with memorable performances.

As anticipation continues to build, audiences can look forward to more updates, including the film’s first look, teaser, trailer, and release date in the coming months.

THE KEEDA is coming soon to the big screen, and the journey has only just begun.

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Sparx Launches Chunky Sole Sandals, Bringing Fashion-First Comfort to Everyday Style

PNN — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 19:54:58 +0530

New Delhi [India], July 08: Fashion today isn’t just about what you wear, it’s about how you move through the world. Chunky soles, once reserved for fashion runways, have become an everyday essential, effortlessly blending bold aesthetics with all-day comfort. Bringing this global trend to Indian consumers, Sparx, one of India’s leading youth footwear brands introduces the new Sparx Chunky Sole Sandals—a collection designed for young consumers who see footwear as an extension of their personal style.

Confident, contemporary and unmistakably fashion-forward, the range combines elevated chunky soles with comfort, creating sandals that feel as relevant on city streets as they do on weekend getaways, vacations or everyday adventures.

Designed with a modern lifestyle in mind, the collection pairs sculpted soles with sporty construction, durable materials and versatile colourways that complement everything from relaxed denims and cargos to shorts and athleisure. Adjustable straps ensure a secure fit, while enhanced cushioning and lightweight engineering make the sandals comfortable from morning commutes to late-evening plans. The result is footwear that doesn’t ask consumers to choose between style and comfort—it delivers both.

The launch marks another step in Sparx’s evolving fashion-first design philosophy. The Chunky Sole Sandals embody a new generation of casual footwear, bold enough to stand out, versatile enough to fit seamlessly into daily life and comfortable enough to keep pace with every moment.

To introduce the collection, Sparx has partnered with actor Chunky Pandey in a campaign that cleverly plays on the unmistakable connection between his iconic name and the product itself. Infused with humour, personality and internet culture, the campaign transforms a simple play on words into a memorable celebration of contemporary style while keeping the spotlight firmly on the product.

With the launch of Chunky Sole Sandals, Sparx continues to expand its fashion-led portfolio, translating globally relevant trends into products that resonate with Indian consumers. As contemporary wardrobes continue to embrace statement footwear, the collection offers an effortless blend of confidence, comfort and modern style, proving that the right pair of sandals can be just as defining as the outfit itself.

About Relaxo Footwears Ltd.

Incorporated in 1984, Relaxo is the largest footwear manufacturer in India and has been serving the nation for four decades. Ranked among the top 500 Most Valuable Companies (Fortune 500 India), Relaxo is synonymous with quality products and affordable prices. It manufactures slippers, sandals, and sports & casual shoes.

Its most popular brands – Relaxo, Sparx, Flite, and Bahamas – each lead their respective segments. Relaxo, an iconic brand known for its rubber slippers, is a versatile choice for all sections of society. Flite offers a stylish range of fashionable and semi-formal slippers. Sparx reflects the attitude, style, and energy of young India through its sports shoes, sandals, and slippers. Bahamas captures the spirit of freedom, fun, and youth through its vibrant flip-flops.

With a pan-India distribution footprint, Relaxo also operates a strong network of 400+ exclusive retail outlets, and its products are widely available across major e-commerce platforms, large-format stores, and global markets.

For more information: https://relaxofootwear.com/collections/sparx

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Healthcare as Seva: SRMD’s Contribution to Rural Health Infrastructure

PNN — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 19:54:57 +0530

Dharampur: Pujya Gurudevshri Rakeshji interacts with a beneficiary during an SRMD healthcare initiative, supporting access to quality medical care in rural communities.

Dharampur (Gujarat) [India], July 8: In many parts of rural India, access to timely and reliable healthcare continues to be shaped by geography, resources, and awareness. Responding to this reality with compassion and consistency, Shrimad Rajchandra Mission Dharampur (SRMD) has integrated healthcare into its broader vision of seva, viewing medical service as an expression of responsibility rooted in Jain Dharm. The initiative is further strengthened through the Shrimad Rajchandra Hospital and Research Centre, which provides structured medical care and advanced healthcare services to rural and tribal communities.

Inspired by the principles of Jainism in India, which emphasise compassion, non-violence, and service to all living beings, SRMD’s healthcare initiatives reflect the belief that caring for physical wellbeing is an essential part of holistic upliftment. Under the guidance of Pujya Gurudevshri Rakeshji, these efforts draw strength from the timeless teachings of Jain Gurus, translating spiritual values into meaningful action.

A Community-Centred Healthcare Model

SRMD’s healthcare efforts are designed around accessibility, continuity, and trust. Rather than relying on short-term interventions alone, the Mission works to build systems that support long-term wellbeing. Healthcare services are extended through permanent facilities, outreach programmes, and preventive care initiatives that address both immediate medical needs and broader health awareness.

Medical centres supported by SRMD provide essential services such as general consultations, diagnostics, maternal and child healthcare, and treatment for chronic conditions. These facilities serve as dependable points of care for surrounding villages, reducing the need for long and costly travel to urban hospitals.

This ecosystem is further strengthened by the presence of the Shrimad Rajchandra Hospital and Research Centre, which acts as a tertiary care anchor within SRMD’s healthcare network. It enables structured referrals from village-level centres and outreach camps, ensuring that patients requiring specialised or advanced treatment receive timely medical attention. By connecting grassroots healthcare access with a full-fledged multi-speciality hospital, SRMD creates a continuum of care that supports both preventive and critical healthcare needs across rural communities.

Reaching Remote Regions Through Outreach

Alongside permanent healthcare facilities, SRMD extends medical care through outreach initiatives that reach remote and tribal regions. Mobile medical services and periodic health camps bring qualified doctors, nurses, and essential medicines closer to communities with limited access to healthcare.

Specialised camps focusing on eye care, dental health, women’s wellbeing, and preventive screenings play an important role in early diagnosis and timely treatment. Health education forms a key component of these initiatives, encouraging awareness around hygiene, nutrition, and preventive care, principles deeply resonant with the ethical foundation of Jainism in India.

Healthcare Rooted in Compassion

What distinguishes SRMD’s approach is the emphasis on empathy alongside efficiency. Medical professionals and volunteers are encouraged to engage with patients respectfully, acknowledging social and emotional dimensions of health. This environment of care helps foster trust, which is essential for effective healthcare delivery in rural settings.

Healthcare, in this context, becomes an extension of seva, service offered with humility, discipline, and a sense of shared humanity.

Strengthening the Foundation for Long-Term Wellbeing

Shrimad Rajchandra Mission Dharampur’s contribution to rural health infrastructure reflects a long-term commitment rather than a temporary response. By supporting medical facilities, training personnel, and sustaining outreach programmes, the Mission works toward creating healthcare systems that communities can rely on consistently.

Through these initiatives, SRMD continues to translate spiritual values into practical action, ensuring that healthcare reaches those who need it most, while upholding dignity, compassion, and responsibility at every step.

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