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Diljit Dosanjh Kicks Off Aura India Tour 2026 with Sold-Out Concert in Delhi

/ Media Entertainment & Art Community

Punjabi singer and actor Diljit Dosanjh launched his RuPay AURA India Tour 2026 with a packed concert at Delhi’s Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Friday, turning the venue into a massive celebration of Punjabi music. The opening show marked the beginning of a six-week musical tour across eight Indian cities, promoted by BookMyShow Live. The Delhi performance followed Dosanjh’s successful international concert run, which featured sold-out stadium shows in Australia and appearances at prestigious venues such as Madison Square Garden in New York and Wembley Stadium in London. He also created history as the first Punjabi artist to headline and sell out the iconic Wembley Stadium. Dosanjh began the Delhi concert with ‘Morni’, followed by several fan favourites, including ‘G.O.A.T.’, ‘Ikk Kudi’, ‘Lalkara’, ‘Lover’, ‘Case’, ‘Panjtaara’, ‘Hass Hass’, ‘Saanso Ki Mala’ and ‘Water’. The show featured elaborate stage production, immersive visuals and sound arrangements that brought the international concert experience to Indian audiences. Adding to the excitement, the singer invited fans on stage to dance and sing with him. He also acknowledged the Delhi Police for managing security and ensuring the smooth conduct of the event. A spectacular drone display concluded the evening with the message ‘Panjabi Aa Gaye Oye!’ lighting up the night sky. Commenting on the successful opening, Naman Pugalia, Chief Business Officer – Live Events at BookMyShow, said the sold-out Delhi concert reflected the strong connection Dosanjh shares with audiences worldwide. He added that the opening performance had established the scale and enthusiasm expected from the remaining cities on the six-week tour. Beyond the musical performances, the event offered additional audience experiences, including a complimentary turban-tying camp and specially curated food and beverage options across the stadium. Following the Delhi opening, the RuPay AURA India Tour 2026 will move to Indore on November 15, Ahmedabad on November 21, Mumbai on November 27, Bengaluru on November 29 and Lucknow on December 5. Concert dates and venue information for Chandigarh and Kolkata are expected to be announced later. Tickets for the upcoming performances are available exclusively through BookMyShow. Source: Economic Times  

Diljit Dosanjh Kicks Off Aura India Tour 2026 with Sold-Out Concert in Delhi Read More »

ITC Infotech to Merge with Happiest Minds After Acquiring 22.1% Promoter Stake for Rs 1,330 Crore

/ Human Resource Community

ITC Infotech, the wholly owned technology services arm of ITC Limited, is set to merge with Bengaluru-based Happiest Minds Technologies, creating an AI-first enterprise targeting a turnover of USD 1 billion by FY28. As part of the transaction, ITC Infotech will acquire a 22.106 per cent stake in Happiest Minds from its promoter Ashok Soota and Ashok Soota Medical Research LLP for around Rs 1,330 crore, according to regulatory filings. Following the acquisition, Happiest Minds will be amalgamated into ITC Infotech. The combined organisation will have a workforce of more than 19,000 professionals and is expected to offer end-to-end technology solutions across build, intelligence and operations. The merger will also strengthen its presence in high-growth sectors such as hi-tech, healthcare and edtech. The promoter stake acquisition will take place in two phases. ITC Infotech will first purchase an 11 per cent stake at Rs 390 per share, followed by another 11.106 per cent stake at Rs 400 per share. Once the merger takes effect, ITC Infotech is proposed to be listed on both the BSE and the National Stock Exchange. Under the approved share-swap arrangement, shareholders of Happiest Minds will receive 25 fully paid-up equity shares of ITC Infotech with a face value of Rs 10 each for every 81 Happiest Minds shares of Rs 2 each. Following the transaction, ITC Limited will become the promoter of the merged entity with a 73.4 per cent stake. Meanwhile, Happiest Minds’ existing promoters will be reclassified as public shareholders and will collectively hold a 7.6 per cent stake in the combined company. ITC Limited and ITC Infotech Chairman Sanjiv Puri said the merger would bring together the two companies’ complementary strengths, domain expertise and technology capabilities, enabling them to offer advanced solutions across global markets. He also highlighted the shared focus on people and customers between the two organisations. According to the regulatory filings, the merged company will rank as India’s 11th-largest listed IT services company by revenue. The entity will have combined FY26 revenue of Rs 7,033 crore and operations across the US, Europe, the Middle East, Asia-Pacific and India. Happiest Minds posted consolidated revenue of Rs 2,315.11 crore in FY26, while ITC Infotech reported revenue of Rs 4,718 crore during the same period. Separately, the Happiest Minds board has approved a proposal to shift the company’s registered office from Karnataka to West Bengal, subject to approval from shareholders and the relevant regulatory authorities. The proposed merger comes amid increasing consolidation in India’s technology services sector, with companies seeking scale and stronger capabilities in artificial intelligence and digital engineering. Earlier this year, Persistent Systems announced plans to acquire German digital engineering company Nagarro, with the proposed combination targeting a USD 2.9 billion revenue run-rate and a workforce of more than 46,000 employees across over 40 countries. Source: PTI

ITC Infotech to Merge with Happiest Minds After Acquiring 22.1% Promoter Stake for Rs 1,330 Crore Read More »

Manipal Health Raises ₹4,167 Crore from Anchor Investors Ahead of ₹9,275-Crore IPO

/ Health & Wellness Community

Manipal Health Enterprises has secured ₹4,167 crore from anchor investors ahead of the launch of its ₹9,275-crore initial public offering (IPO), which opened for public subscription on Wednesday. The IPO witnessed an initial subscription of 6% by 1:30 pm, according to data from the National Stock Exchange (NSE). The anchor investor round attracted several prominent global institutions, including the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA), Allianz Global Investors Fund, Morgan Stanley Asia, Natixis International Fund, Societe Generale, and Goldman Sachs Bank Europe. Domestic institutional investors such as ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund, Kotak Mutual Fund, Aditya Birla Sun Life Mutual Fund, UTI Mutual Fund, and HSBC Mutual Fund also participated. As per a BSE filing, the company allotted over 7.06 crore equity shares to anchor investors at ₹590 per share, the upper end of the IPO’s price band. The public issue is priced between ₹560 and ₹590 per share, valuing the Bengaluru-headquartered healthcare provider at over ₹77,600 crore at the upper end. The IPO will remain open for subscription until July 31. The offering consists of a fresh issue of equity shares worth ₹8,000 crore and an offer for sale (OFS) of up to 2.16 crore shares by existing shareholders. Promoters Imperius Healthcare Investments Pte. Ltd. and Manipal Education and Medical Group India Pvt. Ltd., along with investors including TPG SG Magazine Pte. Ltd., Seventy Second Investment Company LLC, Ammar Sdn Bhd, Novo Holdings Invest Asia, and Phoenix Bear Investments LLC, are participating in the OFS. Manipal Health plans to utilise ₹5,378 crore from the fresh issue to repay or prepay borrowings of its subsidiary, Manipal Hospitals Pvt. Ltd. Another ₹574 crore has been earmarked to acquire the minority stake in Sahyadri Hospitals Pvt. Ltd., with the remaining proceeds allocated for general corporate purposes. At the upper price band, the IPO size is estimated at ₹9,275 crore, while at the lower end it stands at approximately ₹9,210 crore. One of India’s leading hospital networks, Manipal Health operates 49 multispecialty hospitals across the country with 13,037 licensed beds as of March 31, 2026. For the financial year 2025–26, the company reported revenue from operations of ₹10,336 crore and a net profit of ₹916.52 crore. The company’s equity shares are expected to be listed on the BSE and NSE on or around August 5. Source: PTI

Manipal Health Raises ₹4,167 Crore from Anchor Investors Ahead of ₹9,275-Crore IPO Read More »

Delhi Named World’s Most Affordable Student City in QS Best Student Cities 2027; Mumbai Tops Indian Rankings

/ Education Community

Delhi has been recognised as the world’s most affordable destination for students in the QS Best Student Cities 2027 rankings, while Mumbai emerged as India’s highest-ranked student city by climbing to 91st place globally. Released on Wednesday by global higher education analytics firm QS Quacquarelli Symonds, the annual rankings evaluate 150 cities worldwide based on six key parameters: university quality, employer activity, affordability, desirability, student mix and student view. Globally, Seoul retained the top position with a perfect overall score of 100, followed by Tokyo in second and London in third. Melbourne secured fourth place, while Munich and Sydney shared the fifth spot. The global top 10 also featured Paris, Berlin, Vienna and Zurich, with Singapore, Beijing and Kuala Lumpur ranking just outside the top 10. Among Indian cities, Mumbai improved seven places from 98th to 91st, becoming the country’s best-performing student destination with an overall score of 61.8. The city performed particularly well in employer activity and affordability, ranking 34th and 12th globally in those categories, respectively. Delhi entered the global top 100 by moving up from 104th to 99th place with an overall score of 60.3. The national capital earned the highest affordability score worldwide (93.9), making it the most affordable city for students globally. According to QS, the average annual tuition fee for international students in Delhi is around US$2,700 (approximately ₹2.6 lakh). Delhi also ranked 29th globally in employer activity, highlighting strong career opportunities for graduates. Bengaluru slipped six positions to joint 114th with an overall score of 56.0. QS attributed part of the decline to comparatively higher international tuition fees, averaging around US$5,400 annually, the highest among the four Indian cities included in the rankings. Meanwhile, Chennai recorded a modest improvement, climbing from 128th to 123rd place with an overall score of 54.0. World’s Top 10 Student Cities 2027 Seoul, South Korea Tokyo, Japan London, United Kingdom Melbourne, Australia Munich, Germany (Joint) Sydney, Australia (Joint) Paris, France Berlin, Germany Vienna, Austria Zurich, Switzerland QS stated that the Best Student Cities rankings are based on 23 performance indicators grouped under six broad categories: university quality, employer activity, affordability, desirability, student mix and student view. To qualify, a city must have a population exceeding 250,000 and host at least two universities featured in the QS World University Rankings. Source: Indian Express  

Delhi Named World’s Most Affordable Student City in QS Best Student Cities 2027; Mumbai Tops Indian Rankings Read More »

VTU Partners with Google to Boost AI, Cloud and Cybersecurity Skills for Engineering Students

/ Education Community

Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU) has signed a strategic academic partnership with Google LLC to equip engineering students across Karnataka with industry-focused skills, practical learning opportunities and enhanced career readiness. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed in Bengaluru by VTU Vice-Chancellor Prof. S. Vidyashankar and Sanjay Jain, Head of Google for Education India. Under the collaboration, students will receive training in high-demand domains such as artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, data science and cybersecurity. The initiative will also focus on faculty development, helping educators strengthen their expertise while aligning academic programs with evolving industry expectations. Highlighting the significance of the partnership, Prof. Vidyashankar said VTU, which is affiliated with 220 engineering colleges and serves nearly 300,000 students, is committed to ensuring graduates are job-ready from day one. He noted that collaborations with leading technology companies will help bridge the gap between classroom learning and industry requirements. Sanjay Jain said Google aims to support both students and faculty through practical skill development and employment-oriented training. He added that the programme will introduce learning models aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) and State Education Policy (SEP), enabling participants to use AI more effectively and prepare for future workplace demands. Alongside Google, VTU also announced partnerships with Qualcomm, Bharat Skills Institute Foundation and Simulation Enabled Experiential Learning (SEEL) to further strengthen technical education. Qualcomm, through its subsidiary Stem Lore Innovators LLP, will offer long-term training in AI, embedded systems, product prototyping and the Internet of Things (IoT), while also establishing a Centre of Excellence in Edge AI. The Bharat Skills Institute Foundation plans to develop a Centre of Excellence in phases with an investment of ₹20 crore, focusing on skill-based education and workforce development. Meanwhile, SEEL will introduce a cloud-based digital learning platform that enables students to perform laboratory exercises remotely. The platform will provide access to scientific and technical software, GATE preparation resources, previous years’ question papers, mock tests, AI-powered interview practice, more than 1,900 industry projects and internship opportunities, along with webinars, workshops and expert-led sessions for engineering and MBA students. Source: Indian Express  

VTU Partners with Google to Boost AI, Cloud and Cybersecurity Skills for Engineering Students Read More »

Citigroup Shifts Nearly 1,000 Tech Roles to India After China Job Cuts

/ Human Resource Community
ardorcomm news

Citigroup has relocated around 1,000 technology positions to its Global Capability Centres (GCCs) in India following major layoffs in China, according to people familiar with the development. The transition, carried out in phases over the past few months, comes as part of the Wall Street bank’s ongoing global restructuring strategy. While Citi has not officially commented on the move, sources indicate that the decision aligns with a broader trend of multinational banks shifting more back-end and technology functions to India. The shift could accelerate further after former US President Donald Trump’s surprise policy proposal to charge $100,000 for new H-1B visa applications, making offshore support centres even more attractive. India’s GCC ecosystem has grown rapidly, now valued at about $64 billion, according to EY. Citigroup already employs roughly 33,000 professionals in India, mainly across hubs in Bengaluru, Chennai, Pune, and Mumbai. In June, Citi revealed plans to trim its China technology workforce by approximately 3,500 roles under its global simplification drive. The latest transfer of jobs to India is a key part of that transition. Source: Bloomberg

Citigroup Shifts Nearly 1,000 Tech Roles to India After China Job Cuts Read More »

India Inc Poised to Offer 6.2% to 11.3% Average Salary Hikes Across Sectors: TeamLease Report

/ Human Resource Community

Corporate India is set to witness salary hikes ranging between 6.2% and 11.3% in the current financial year, as companies realign their workforce strategies with a sharper focus on skill certifications and performance-linked incentives, according to the TeamLease Services’ Jobs and Salaries Primer 2025–26 report released on Tuesday. Drawing insights from over 1,300 organisations across 23 industries and 20 cities, the report highlights that some job roles may see hikes of up to 13.8%. The evolving demand for professionals who can blend technical expertise with business impact is driving this shift in compensation trends, said Kartik Narayan, CEO – Staffing at TeamLease Services. Among the sectors expected to offer the highest salary increases are Electric Vehicles (EV) and EV infrastructure (11.3%), consumer durables (10.7%), retail (10.7%), and non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) (10.4%). Top-paying roles in these sectors include: Electrical Design Engineer in the EV domain (12.4% hike), In-Store Demonstrator in consumer durables (12.2%), Relationship Executive in NBFCs (11.6%), and Fashion Assistant in retail (11.2%). The report also points to a robust revival in the blue-collar segment, thanks to rising infrastructure investments, a growing EV ecosystem, and renewed activity in real estate and manufacturing. Key roles like mechanic (10.4%), material handler (10%), machine operator (9.9%), and electrician (9.3%) are witnessing healthy pay increases. “This strong wage momentum in traditional blue-collar roles signals a need for companies to recalibrate hiring strategies in line with emerging growth sectors. For workers, upskilling will be key to remaining relevant and resilient,” Narayan added. In terms of cities and individual roles, standout salary hikes include: Quality Control Inspector in Pune (13.8%), MIS Executive in Hyderabad (13.4%), Data Engineer in Bengaluru (12.9%), Electrical Design Engineer in Mumbai (12.6%), and Sales Executive in Gurgaon (12.4%). Functionally, the most significant hikes are projected in sales and marketing roles (9.9%), followed by engineering (9.5%). Other domains such as finance, customer service, back-office operations, HR, and administration are expected to receive moderate increases between 8.2% and 8.6%, indicating balanced growth across business functions. Overall, the report underscores a broader recalibration of compensation structures in India Inc, with skill-based hiring, retention incentives, and future-ready talent emerging as strategic priorities. Source: PTI

India Inc Poised to Offer 6.2% to 11.3% Average Salary Hikes Across Sectors: TeamLease Report Read More »

New COVID-19 Subvariants NB.1.8.1 and LF.7 Detected in India: INSACOG Report

/ Health & Wellness Community

India has recorded the presence of two newly emerging COVID-19 subvariants—NB.1.8.1 and LF.7—according to recent data released by the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG). While these variants are currently categorized as Variants Under Monitoring by the World Health Organization (WHO), they have been linked to the recent surge in COVID-19 cases across China and parts of Asia. As per the INSACOG data, a single case of NB.1.8.1 was identified in Tamil Nadu in April, while four cases of LF.7 were reported from Gujarat in May 2025. Despite these new detections, the dominant strain circulating in India remains JN.1, accounting for approximately 53% of the tested samples. It is followed by BA.2 (26%) and other Omicron-related variants (20%). Preliminary assessments by WHO suggest that NB.1.8.1 poses a low global public health risk, but the subvariant carries spike protein mutations—A435S, V445H, and T478I—that may enhance both transmissibility and the ability to evade immune responses. As of May 19, India reported 257 active COVID-19 cases. A high-level review meeting was recently convened, chaired by the Director General of Health Services, with participation from the ICMR, National Centre for Disease Control, and other leading health agencies to monitor the evolving situation. Meanwhile, certain states have shown localized spikes. Delhi reported 23 new cases, Andhra Pradesh had four, Telangana confirmed one, and Bengaluru recorded a positive case in a nine-month-old infant, reflecting a steady rise over the last 20 days. Kerala, in particular, reported 273 cases in May alone. Source: PTI

New COVID-19 Subvariants NB.1.8.1 and LF.7 Detected in India: INSACOG Report Read More »

Bengaluru Civic Polls Likely Delayed by a Year Amid Implementation of New Governance Act

/ Governance Community

The long-awaited elections to Bengaluru’s civic agency could be delayed by up to a year, following the implementation of the new Greater Bengaluru Governance (GBG) Act. The law, which replaces the existing BBMP Act, was recently approved by Governor Thaawar Chand Gehlot. However, the transition involves several procedural steps that the government must complete before polls can be held. Central to the GBG Act is the formation of a Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA), which requires defining an expanded Bengaluru area beyond the current 786 sq km. The government also intends to restructure the city into multiple corporations—potentially up to seven—requiring new ward boundaries and reservation patterns to be drawn. Urban Development Department officials estimate that this entire process may take at least a year. However, Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy has stated that the government aims to conduct elections by December. “We will try to complete all formalities expeditiously and consult elected representatives from all parties for their suggestions,” he said. The delay has prompted sharp criticism from opposition leaders and civil society groups. BJP leader R Ashoka accused the government of using the GBG Act as a pretext to stall elections further, pointing out that BBMP polls have already been delayed for nearly five years. CN Ashwath Narayan echoed the sentiment, blaming the current government for failing to hold timely elections after taking office in May 2023. Prakash Belawadi, convener of Bengaluru Town Hall, noted that elections could still be conducted under the BBMP Act since the appointed day under the GBG Act has not yet been notified. Civil groups are considering legal action to push for elections under the existing law. Meanwhile, the Karnataka State Election Commission plans to approach the High Court to expedite delayed elections in other cities like Mysuru, Tumakuru, and Mangaluru.

Bengaluru Civic Polls Likely Delayed by a Year Amid Implementation of New Governance Act Read More »

Karnataka Govt to Table Greater Bengaluru Governance Bill After Budget on March 7

/ Uncategorized

The Karnataka government is set to introduce the revised Greater Bengaluru Governance Bill in the upcoming budget session, following recommendations from a joint legislature committee that examined the proposal to split the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) into multiple corporations. The 13-member committee, formed in July 2024, submitted its report to the Assembly Speaker on Monday. Committee chairman Rizwan Arshad confirmed that the report would be presented in the Assembly soon after the governor’s address on March 3, with the Bill scheduled for tabling on March 7, following the state budget. The Congress government’s move to restructure the BBMP comes after opposition from the BJP when the Bill was initially tabled in the July 2024 monsoon session. The committee has recommended dividing the civic body into up to seven smaller corporations to improve governance and administration in the rapidly growing metropolis. “Initially, BBMP can be split into two or three bodies, but the Bill will allow the government to decide on further divisions as needed,” Arshad said, emphasizing that the restructuring is crucial for Bengaluru’s development over the next 20-30 years. Piloted by Bengaluru Development Minister D K Shivakumar, this marks the Congress government’s second attempt at restructuring BBMP, after a similar proposal between 2013-2018 was abandoned due to BJP opposition. The proposed Bill is expected to ignite fresh political debates, with stakeholders closely watching its progress in the Assembly. Source: Indian express

Karnataka Govt to Table Greater Bengaluru Governance Bill After Budget on March 7 Read More »