Bengaluru Shines Bright with “Sitaro Ki Diwali” at Phoenix Mall of Asia

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India’s first immersive light festival returns with dazzling décor and large-scale art installations, transforming the city’s Diwali celebrations

Bengaluru, October 15, 2025: Phoenix Mall of Asia, the city’s leading lifestyle and cultural destination, proudly presents the second edition of the Phoenix India Light Festival (ILF) – Sitaro Ki Diwali: The Festival of Lights, Redefined.

Launched in September to coincide with Navratri, the grand Diwali installation has transformed the central plaza into a radiant festive landmark — glowing with star-inspired sculptures, shimmering lights, and immersive art displays that capture the spirit of the season.

Following the phenomenal success of last year’s edition, which became a visual landmark for Bengaluru, ILF 2025 returns with the evocative theme “Rhythms of Reverie.” This year, the festival reimagines the mall as a luminous realm where art, design, and technology unite to create an enchanting journey through light, colour, and emotion.

At the heart of ILF 2025 lies a symphony of light — rhythmic patterns, dynamic beams, and glowing installations that create harmony between movement and stillness. Each display invites visitors to pause, reflect, and immerse themselves in moments of awe and connection.

The festival features a collection of large-scale light art environments, each offering a unique sensory story:

Echoes: A portal of shifting light inspired by the aurora, where waves of glow mirror fleeting memories. The towering frame, illuminated by animated multi-colour LEDs, serves as a gateway to a surreal, intergalactic experience.

Tunnel of Colour: A radiant walkway surrounded by layered beams and ever-changing hues, transforming each step into a living artwork. The installation’s vibrant palette invites visitors to pause, pose, and revel in its constantly evolving atmosphere.

Dreamscape: A luminous maze inspired by galaxies, featuring a woven network of lights and gradients that simulate walking through a living constellation. As visitors move through it, ripples of colour and shadow invite curiosity and rediscovery.

Chasing Stars: A breathtaking celestial archway adorned with strings of light and illuminated stars that sweep across the sky like shooting stars. Larger-than-life stars and moving projections recreate the magic of standing beneath a sky alive with wishes.

Together, these installations transform Phoenix Mall of Asia into an interactive wonderland, where creativity, technology, and human connection converge to celebrate the essence of Diwali — light, unity, and joy.

Speaking about the festival, Ritu Mehta, Centre Director – Phoenix Mall of Asia and Director of Marketing – South, said, “Phoenix India Light Festival 2025 is among the most immersive and experiential light festivals in India, seamlessly blending art, technology, and imagination into a celebration that evokes wonder. At Phoenix, our vision is to curate experiences that inspire creativity, connection, and happiness. Bengaluru’s vibrant cultural spirit provides the perfect setting for this luminous journey, and we’re thrilled to unite the city once again under the brilliance of light.”

Free and open to the public, ILF 2025 invites families, art enthusiasts, and travellers from around the world to experience a festival where art meets innovation. With its blend of accessibility, creativity, and scale, Phoenix Mall of Asia reaffirms its position as Bengaluru’s leading destination for culture, celebration, and community engagement.

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The India Advantage Summit 2025 Opens in Bengaluru, Showcasing Global Collaboration in Innovation and Policy

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Bengaluru, October 15, 2025:
The 9th edition of The India Advantage Summit (TIA-2025), one of India’s leading platforms for collaboration between industry, academia, and policymakers, commenced today at The Taj West End, Bengaluru. The two-day summit, scheduled for October 15 and 16, is designed to foster meaningful partnerships and spotlight leadership in innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship.

The event was inaugurated by Shri Gaurav Gupta, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Energy, Government of Karnataka; Shri K. Rajaraman, IAS, Chairperson, International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA); and Sanjeev Kumar Gupta, CEO, Karnataka Digital Economy Mission (KDEM).


AI and Emerging Technologies Redefining the Future

Recent years have witnessed remarkable progress in Artificial Intelligence (AI), revolutionizing industries, economies, and everyday interactions. Key innovations in deep learning, natural language processing, and generative AI have significantly advanced applications across sectors — from improving healthcare diagnostics and financial forecasting to enabling autonomous systems and robotics.

However, the pursuit of general-purpose AI models continues to pose challenges, particularly in ensuring data quality, ethical governance, and domain adaptability. Regulatory frameworks and multi-stakeholder collaborations are now shaping the responsible evolution of AI, ensuring its alignment with human and societal values.

At TIA-2025, these critical issues are being explored in depth, offering delegates valuable insights into the applications, implications, and potential pathways of emerging technologies. The summit also aims to strengthen India’s position as a global hub for innovation, sustainability, and investment.


Leaders and Innovators Converge at TIA-2025

Speaking at the inaugural session, Jose Jacob, Director & Curator, The India Advantage Summit, said, “TIA Summit 2025 brings together leading innovators, disruptors, and changemakers from India and across the world. The summit is dedicated to building strong collaborations between industry, academia, and policymakers to drive the next phase of technological and entrepreneurial transformation.”



Over 60 distinguished speakers and global thought leaders are participating in the summit, sharing insights and experiences across sectors such as aerospace, artificial intelligence, data analytics, finance, and global markets. Their perspectives will help define actionable strategies and guide decision-makers in navigating today’s rapidly evolving economic and technological environment.

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Bengaluru’s Airbound Raises $8.65 Million to Make Delivery Costs Negligible; Launches Medical Drone Pilot with Narayana Health

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Airbound Raises $8.65 Million Seed Funding, Partners with Narayana Health to Launch Drone Delivery Pilot

Bengaluru, October 14, 2025:
Bengaluru-based autonomous logistics startup Airbound has announced that it has raised $8.65 million in seed funding and entered into a pilot partnership with Narayana Health to enable medical drone deliveries.

The funding round was led by Lachy Groom, Co-founder of Physical Intelligence, with participation from Humba Ventures, Lightspeed Venture Partners, and senior leaders from Tesla, Anduril, and Ather Energy. This investment reflects strong conviction from operators who have scaled complex hardware and autonomy programs across industries.

Under the three-month pilot program with Narayana Health, Airbound will conduct ten medical drone deliveries per day, transporting blood samples, diagnostic kits, and essential medical supplies. The initiative will serve as a proof of concept for one of the most time-sensitive and critical logistics applications in healthcare.

Founded in 2023, Airbound is building a next-generation logistics platform designed to make deliveries faster, more reliable, and cost-efficient across all terrains — urban, semi-urban, and remote. Its proprietary carbon-fibre manufacturing process enables rapid drone production, while its blended-wing-body tailsitter design merges the vertical takeoff and landing advantages of multicopters with the aerodynamic efficiency of fixed-wing aircraft. This combination overcomes the performance limitations of traditional tilt-rotor and quadplane drones.

Speaking about the milestone, Naman Pushp, Founder and CEO of Airbound, said, “We are grateful to our investors for sharing our vision to make delivery costs negligible. The healthcare sector is the ideal testing ground for our technology — it demands reliability and speed. Our partnership with Narayana Health validates that Airbound’s platform can meet critical delivery needs while proving that cost-effective drone logistics can be scaled globally.”



Lachy Groom, Co-founder of Physical Intelligence, added, “Airbound’s unique approach addresses the fundamental physics and economic challenges that have limited existing drone delivery systems. Their blended-wing-body design and in-house manufacturing capabilities position them to achieve the cost efficiencies required for large-scale deployment.”



Dr. Devi Shetty, Founder and Chairman of Narayana Health,in his statement he said, “At Narayana Health, we continuously explore technologies that enhance patient care and operational efficiency. Partnering with Airbound enables us to pilot a solution that could dramatically improve the speed and reliability of medical deliveries — a critical factor in saving lives, especially in remote or underserved areas.”


With this fresh capital, Airbound plans to scale manufacturing, expand operations beyond healthcare, and refine its technology for broader market adoption by 2026. The company aims to make delivery costs so low that geographic distance becomes irrelevant in accessing essential goods and services.

Including this round, Airbound’s total funding has crossed $10 million. Insights gained from its Narayana Health pilot will be used to further optimize logistics solutions and accelerate the rollout of drone-based delivery networks across industries.

For more information, visit http://www.airbound.com

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The Freedom Park Protection and Protest Committee has accused civic authorities of “inhuman neglect”,

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Basic facilities razed; activists call it inhuman and undemocratic

Bengaluru, October 13:
The much-publicized Brand Bengaluru project has come under sharp criticism after the Freedom Park redevelopment allegedly turned into a site of suffering for hundreds of peaceful protesters.

The Freedom Park Protection and Protest Committee has accused civic authorities of “inhuman neglect”, stating that toilets were demolished, electricity cut off, and even water connections shut down — leaving demonstrators without basic survival facilities.

Committee President Gandasi Sadananda Swamy, after inspecting the site, minced no words: “This is nothing short of cruelty. Thousands of citizens assemble here daily to raise public issues. Yet, the government has stripped them of the most basic amenities — no toilets, no water, no power. The place now reeks of neglect,” he said.



Swamy warned that the situation is especially unsafe for women protesters. “Freedom Park has become a den for drunkards and drug abusers at night. Women have no safety or privacy. Police hardly patrol the area. Is this how Bengaluru treats its citizens exercising democratic rights?” he questioned.



He demanded the immediate restoration of essential facilities or suspension of protest permissions until redevelopment is complete. “Beautification cannot come at the cost of citizens’ dignity,” Swamy asserted.

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Footprints Preschool Celebrates Grand Launch of Its Jayanagar Centre in Bengaluru

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Bengaluru, October 11, 2025:
Footprints Preschool, one of India’s leading names in early childhood education, successfully inaugurated its new centre in Jayanagar, Bengaluru, on Saturday, October 11, 2025. The event marked a joyful beginning for children, parents, and educators, as the preschool opened its doors to the community with a morning filled with fun, learning, and celebration.

The launch event, held at House No. 414/17, 1st A Main, 5th Cross, 7th Block, Jayanagar, welcomed families with engaging activities such as Smiley Making, Art & Craft, a captivating Magic Show, and an insightful Campus Tour. Children between the ages of 2 and 5 participated enthusiastically, experiencing the vibrant and nurturing environment that Footprints is known for.

A Vision of Safe, Joyful, and Holistic Learning

Speaking at the launch, the centre’s founders emphasized Footprints’ mission to create an atmosphere where every child feels safe, valued, and inspired to learn, while fostering a strong partnership between parents and educators. With its team of skilled Super Ma’ams and dedicated caregivers, the Jayanagar centre aims to continue Footprints’ legacy of offering high-quality early education and holistic child development.

The centre follows the globally respected HighScope curriculum, a research-driven approach that encourages active learning, exploration, and guided discovery. Children are empowered to think, create, and experiment, nurturing curiosity, confidence, and critical thinking skills — essential foundations for lifelong learning.


Safety, Transparency, and Parental Trust

Reinforcing its commitment to safety and transparency, the centre features child-safe infrastructure, secure play areas, and live CCTV access for parents to monitor their children’s day in real time. All meals are prepared fresh in-house, following nutritionist-approved menus free from junk food. A strong adult-to-child ratio, rigorous staff screening, and continuous teacher training ensure that every child receives personalized care and attention.


Holistic Development and Parental Partnership

Footprints believes that education extends beyond academics. The preschool’s programs — ranging from Toddlers and Playgroup to Pre-Nursery, LKG, UKG, and Daycare — are designed to promote cognitive, emotional, physical, and social development. Parents are encouraged to be active partners through regular interactions, progress updates, and collaborative engagement in their child’s growth journey.

Daily routines include music, storytelling, creative art, motor play, and value-based activities that nurture empathy, confidence, and curiosity in every child.


Acknowledging the Team Behind the Launch

The successful inauguration of the Jayanagar branch was driven by the vision and dedication of Centre Founders, Mr. Srikanth and Mrs. Tanusha, along with Centre Directress, Mrs. Meghalatha. Their collective commitment to creating a safe, nurturing, and child-centric environment was beautifully reflected in every aspect of the event.

Special appreciation was extended to the centre’s Super Ma’ams — Kubra, Saniya, Lavanya, and Vrunda, and to support staff Bhavya and Manjula, along with Security Guard Ambriesh, for their care, service, and contribution.

Gratitude was also expressed to the Central Coordination Team, Franchise Support Team, Marketing, and HR Teams for their vital roles in ensuring a smooth and successful launch.

The management also acknowledged Footprints Founders : Mr. Raj Singhal, Mr. Purvesh Sharma, Mr. Ashish Aggarwal, and Ms. Amita Bharadwaj — for their pioneering vision in redefining early childhood education in India through a model built on trust, transparency, and holistic learning.


A Launchpad for Lifelong Learning

The event concluded with a message of hope and purpose — that Footprints Preschool is not merely a place for early education but a launchpad for lifelong learning and emotional growth.

“At Footprints, we nurture not just young learners but confident, compassionate individuals who will shape a better tomorrow,” the team shared.

The launch reaffirmed Footprints’ enduring commitment to providing children a joyful start to their educational journey — one that blends fun, discovery, and values in a safe and inspiring space.

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