Archive: February 9, 2026

An Evening of Love: Valentine’s Day Dinner at Novotel Hyderabad Convention Centre

Celebrate love in an elegant and intimate setting as Food Exchange, Novotel Hyderabad Convention Centre presents a specially curated Valentine’s Day Dinner. Designed as a limited-seat, pre-booked experience, the evening promises a romantic ambience, personalised touches, and a thoughtfully crafted multi-course menu to make your celebration truly memorable.

Guests can look forward to an immersive dining experience set against beautifully decorated thematic decor, soft lighting, and live music that enhances the mood of the evening. Every element of the dinner is curated to create a warm, emotional, and Instagram-worthy atmosphere, perfect for couples looking to celebrate their special bond.

Whether it’s a first Valentine’s together or a cherished tradition, this exclusive dinner offers the perfect setting to create unforgettable memories.

Event Details:

Venue: Food Exchange, Novotel Hyderabad Convention Centre

Date: 14th February

Time: 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM

Bo Tai Presents “Meeting of Icons”: A Limited-Edition Thai Food Festival with Chef Vina

New Delhi, Feb 09: South Delhi’s definitive Thai dining destination, Bo Tai, announces Meeting of Icons—a limited-edition Thai Food Festival running 7 February to 31 March 2026, bringing together Bo Tai’s bold, modern Thai ethos with the regional mastery of Chef Vina, MasterChef Thailand alumna celebrated for reviving traditional Thai flavours with contemporary finesse.

For eight weeks only, the festival spotlights rare regional Thai dishes seldom seen outside their home provinces, offering diners an immersive culinary journey that goes far beyond the familiar.

Chef Vina’s festival menu explores Thailand’s diverse flavour landscape—from the comforting coconut richness of Tom Kha to the fiery, tamarind-forward heat of Tom Saap, alongside classics elevated through technique such as Pandanus Chicken, Chicken Satay, and exclusive regional preparations including Southern Kaeng Som Tai and Pla Rad Prik. These dishes are available only during the festival and will not return once it concludes.

Known for her ability to honour “grandmother’s recipes” while presenting them through a modern lens, Chef Vina brings a philosophy rooted in authenticity, precision, and respect for regional identity. Her collaboration with Bo Tai reflects a shared commitment to Thai cuisine that is both culturally grounded and globally relevant.

Beyond the plate, Meeting of Icons delivers a full sensory experience—curated aromas, music, and visual storytelling transform Bo Tai into a vibrant celebration of Thailand’s culinary soul. Chef Vina’s creations will be served alongside Bo Tai’s signature menu, allowing guests to explore new flavours while enjoying familiar favourites.

The festival also features extremely limited Chef’s Table experiences and select media interactions during the opening phase, expected to attract discerning diners, the expat community, and serious Thai food enthusiasts across NCR.

National Latte Art Championship Semi-Finals and Finals to be held at IICF Bengaluru

Feb 09: The National Latte Art Championship (NLAC), India’s premier latte art competition, is set to host its Semi-Finals and Finals at the India International Coffee Festival (IICF), Bengaluru, from 12 to 14 February 2026.

Organized by Kaapi Machines under the leadership of Coffee Board of India and World Coffee Events, the fourth edition of the championship has seen strong participation from baristas across the country.

Following preliminary rounds conducted in Mumbai, Delhi and Bengaluru between December 2025 and January 2026, 12 baristas have qualified for the national finals, earning their place through technical precision, consistency and performance under pressure.

The finalists will now compete at IICF, one of India’s largest coffee industry gatherings, where the championship will culminate in the crowning of the national winner.

Commenting on the championship, Abhinav Mathur, CEO and Managing Director, Kaapi Machines, Something’s Brewing and Budan, said “Kaapi Machines has consistently focused on creating platforms that showcase India’s coffee talent on the global stage. The National Latte Art Championship reflects the rapid evolution of India’s coffee ecosystem, giving baristas a globally benchmarked platform to demonstrate creativity, technical mastery and competitive excellence.”

The winner of the competition will go on to represent India at the World Latte Art Championship 2026, to be held in San Diego, USA.

The National Latte Art Championship serves as India’s national platform for identifying and advancing latte art talent, offering a structured competition framework aligned with international judging and performance standards.

Over the years, the championship has emerged as a key platform for recognizing and advancing barista skill in India, with past winners representing the country on international stages in Switzerland, Denmark and Taiwan.

The Semi-Finals and Finals at IICF are expected to draw strong interest from café owners, coffee professionals and industry stakeholders, as India’s top latte artists compete for the national title.

Enabling Safer, Smarter Banking with TVS Electronics Solutions

Chennai, Feb 9: TVS Electronics a leading player offering integrated end-to-end electronic solutions, highlights its comprehensive ‘Make in India’ hardware portfolio for BFSI sector, ensuring trusted, safe and fast transactions. As transaction volumes rise, digital adoption accelerates, and customer expectations continue to grow, financial institutions face increasing pressure to maintain speed, accuracy, security, and uninterrupted operations. TVSE addresses these demands by delivering reliable, scalable solutions that reduce operational risk, streamline daily workflows, and support consistent service delivery across branch networks and digital touchpoints.

In an industry where precision and trust are essential, TVS Electronics solutions simplify the workload for staff and provide customers with a smoother and more secure experience. TVS Electronics offers a dedicated range of products to help BFSI’s operate seamlessly without compromising on speed, security and accuracy.

According to Mr. C. Balaji, Vice President – Chief Business Officer, Products & Solutions Group, TVS Electronics,

“Banking today demands systems that are secure, resilient, fast, accurate and always available. From counterfeit detection to secure printing, from asset tracking to always on IT support, TVSE strengthens every layer of BFSI operations. At TVS Electronics, we focus on strengthening the operational backbone of financial institutions with technology that enables reliable service delivery across branches, digital platforms, and customer touchpoints, while allowing banks to scale with confidence.”

Key Highlights of BFSI range of Products and Solutions from TVSE

Securing Transactions Through Biometric Authentication

As digital transactions scale, authentication becomes fundamental to trust and compliance. Ensuring that transactions are carried out by the right account holder or operator is critical. TVS Electronics’ fingerprint reader solutions integrate seamlessly into banking and payment workflows, enabling accurate biometric authentication integrated on products.

Smarter and Safer Cash Handling & Digital Payment Momentum

TVSE’s cash management systems help staff process cash with confidence. Modern note counting machines use multiple layers of detection such as optical checks, magnetic sensors, infrared validation, and pattern analysis to identify counterfeit notes instantly. Features like fitness sorting and serial number reading improve traceability while maintaining a rapid workflow.

Today, UPI and RuPay have moved payments beyond conventional modes, setting new expectations around speed, transparency, and convenience. TVS Electronics provides modern POS terminals, sound boxes and all-in-one payment devices built to handle high transaction volumes securely and reliably. For banks and merchants alike, this translates into faster settlements and smoother day-to-day operations.

Secure and Reliable Document Printing

Passbooks, cheques, account statements, and branch receipts remain essential. TVSE’s specialty printers are engineered for this work. They ensure clean, compliant printing of sensitive documents that must be handled with care and precision.

Extending Banking Through Self-Service Kiosks

As customer expectations evolve, banks are increasingly adopting self-service and unattended solutions to improve availability while reducing operational strain. TVS Electronics addresses this shift through its large-panel computing devices under the kiosk portfolio. Designed for continuous operation, these kiosks support services such as account enquiries, form submissions, bill payments, and service requests. This enables greater reach, better availability, and a smoother customer experience without expanding physical branch infrastructure.

Better Tracking and Branch Operations

The BFSI sector moves more than currency. It moves documents, assets, and data. TVSE provides reliable barcode scanners, label printers, and handheld terminals that help branches track everything with accuracy. From cash bags to asset movement logs, these tools improve visibility and accountability at every step.

Moreover, Peripheral devices such as high-durability mechanical keyboards rated for up to 50 million keystrokes, dot matrix printers, and branch-ready accessories are built to withstand continuous use in high-volume banking environments. Together, they reduce operational interruptions and support consistent service delivery where downtime is simply not an option.

Enabling Financial Inclusion Through Business Correspondents

Under RBI-led initiatives, banking services are expanding into tier 3, tier 4, and rural regions through Business Correspondents. TVS Electronics supports this effort with hardware solutions specifically suited for Business Correspondent operations with TVSE all in one tablets. Designed for portability, durability, and ease of use, these products perform reliably in field conditions where infrastructure may be limited. Backed by TVSE’s extensive sales and service reach across India, Business Correspondents gain dependable access to hardware support across geographies ensuring essential banking services remain accessible, consistent, and trustworthy even at the last mile.

TVSE Aikya: Keeping Banking Operations Always On

Behind every modern branch is an IT foundation that must work without interruption. TVSE Aikya provides unified infrastructure management so that systems across multiple branches remain connected, monitored, and supported. Aikya reduces the burden on branch teams by predicting issues before they grow, resolving many problems remotely, and ensuring seamless connectivity across devices and services.

Nationwide Service Coverage for Uninterrupted Banking

TVS Electronics supports BFSI operations through a Pan-India sales and service network with presence across 200+ districts. With service coverage extending to 19,000+ pincodes, TVSE enables consistent deployment, maintenance, and support for banking infrastructure nationwide ensuring continuous operation with zero downtime.

Together, these capabilities from TVS Electronics portfolio help banks and financial institutions minimise downtime, reduce operational complexity, and deliver secure, customer-centric banking experiences across India.

Hindware Smart Appliances Introduces the stylish Tiber Chimney with BLDC Technology

The Tiber Chimney by Hindware Smart Appliances is designed to make everyday cooking cleaner, quieter, and more effortless. Built for modern kitchens, it combines powerful suction, intuitive controls, and a refined design to deliver a consistently comfortable cooking environment. Powered by an advanced BLDC Technology motor, this T-shape chimney delivers a high suction capacity of 1600 m³/hr, efficiently removing smoke, grease, and odours even during intensive cooking.

With nine speed levels and a Turbo Mode, users can precisely adjust airflow, from light sautéing to heavy frying, for optimal performance. For effortless everyday use, the chimney features intuitive touch and motion sensor controls, enabling smooth, hands-free operation for a more hygienic cooking experience. The filterless design ensures low maintenance while maintaining consistent and efficient airflow. Enhancing its premium appeal, the dual-tone display adds a refined visual touch that seamlessly complements contemporary kitchen interiors. Built for long-term reliability, the Tiber Chimney is backed by a five-year comprehensive product warranty and an industry-leading 15-year warranty on the BLDC motor, offering lasting peace of mind.

Compact and space-efficient, the chimney integrates seamlessly into a variety of kitchen layouts. Available in 60 cm, 75 cm, and 90 cm variants, it offers an exceptional balance of performance, design, and value.

Kamma Global Federation Brings Kamma Mahanadu to Sriperumbudur

Tamil Nadu, Feb 09: The Kamma Global Federation (KGF) held the Kamma Mahanadu at Sriperumbudur today, drawing representatives from across Tamil Nadu and multiple other states. The event ranked among the largest in person gatherings organized by KGF since its formation in 2024. 

KGF was set up to bring together Kamma communities worldwide and strengthen cultural linkages. Now, the Federation represents nearly 2.1 crore people globally, accounting for about 1.5 per cent of India’s population. 

Building on the vision of KGF, the Mahanadu opened with an evening cultural program, followed by closed-door sessions reviewing the Federation’s work over the past year. Representatives from regional chapters discussed alignment, membership growth, and how state and overseas units would be aligned within the Federation’s structure. 

Addressing the gathering, Shri Jetti Kusuma Kumar, Founder and President of Kamma Global Federation, said the event reflected the growing demand for a common platform that allows structured dialogue within the community. “The Federation’s expansion over the last year has made such in-person engagements necessary to align priorities and execution. The focus now is on organization-building, sustained participation from regional chapters, and creating systems that allow the Federation to function with continuity and clarity. One of the long-term objectives emerging from this Mahanadu is to enable the election of at least 30 Kamma MLAs across political parties in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly and, in the longer run, to work towards securing a Deputy Chief Minister position in future governments,” he said. 

Tamil Nadu was chosen as the venue in view of its demographic and historical association with the Kamma community. The state is estimated to be home to around 65 lakh Kammavars. The region, including the Chennai–Kanchipuram belt, has historically been associated with several prominent figures from the community, such as Bollineni Munuswami Naidu, the first Minister of the erstwhile Madras Presidency from 1930-1932, Arkat Veera, Swami Naidu, and Vaiko. The region also carries the legacy of earlier rulers and administrators, including Tirumala Nayaka, Mangammal, and the Ravella and Pemmasani lineages, which are often cited in historical accounts of southern India. The community has been associated with critical industrial and economic activity across parts of southern India. Figures such as G. D. Naidu were among the early contributors to engineering and transport enterprises in the region, while others from the community have been active in agriculture, industry, and education over successive decades. 

The Mahanadu closed with deliberations on upcoming initiatives. Additionally, federation office bearers indicated that similar gatherings would be held in other states in the coming months as part of KGF’s outreach efforts.

Cars24 Unveils New Brand Identity as It Grows into a More Mature, Human Company

Gurugram, India Feb 09: Cars24 has unveiled a refreshed brand identity, marking an important moment in the company’s journey as it grows from a fast-scaling transaction platform into a long-term car ownership ecosystem.

Founded in 2015, Cars24 entered a market that was fragmented, opaque and often intimidating for customers. In its early years, urgency mattered. The company needed to be noticed quickly and the all-caps identity — CARS24 — reflected that phase. It was bold, assertive and designed to cut through noise. According to the company, that approach worked well when breaking into a market that didn’t really want to change.

Over time, however, Cars24’s role began to evolve.

Customers started returning to the platform at different stages of their lives, whether they were changing cities, expanding families, or reassessing their needs. What was once a one-time interaction increasingly became an ongoing relationship. As the company grew and the work became more serious, the identity that once helped Cars24 get noticed began to feel louder than necessary.

“When we started, being loud helped,” said Vikram Chopra, Founder & CEO, Cars24. “But as the company and the team grew up, the work started speaking for itself. This change is about reflecting who we are today, calmer, more human and focused on earning trust over time.”

The refreshed identity moves from CARS24 to Cars24, shifting from an assertive, all-caps style to sentence case. The company says the change reflects maturity and confidence, a brand that no longer needs to announce itself loudly, but instead shows up consistently and responsibly.

At the centre of the new identity is an open circular logo, intentionally designed to represent continuity rather than completion. Cars24 says the circle reflects how car ownership actually works in real life, cars change hands, needs evolve and value continues across different phases. The open form signals flexibility and movement, rather than closure.

Alongside the logo, Cars24 has also updated its brand colour. The familiar blue has been replaced with what the team calls a “younger blue” brighter, clearer and more alive. The company says the new blue reflects how it wants to show up for customers today: present, attentive and human. It carries the belief that trust does not need to feel distant to be credible and that scale does not have to come at the cost of warmth.

The updated identity was developed over more than 1,200 hours of design and iteration, focusing on simplicity, longevity and adaptability. While Cars24 expects its products and services to continue evolving, the refreshed look is intended to remain relevant as the company enters its next phase of growth.

The refresh also reinforces Cars24’s long-term vision of Better Drives, Better Lives: helping people make smarter decisions around buying, selling and owning cars, while building systems that stay useful as needs change over time.

Redefining Partner-First: SolarWinds Kickstarts New Partner Program at February Summit

New Delhi, Feb 09: India SolarWinds, a leading provider of simple, powerful, secure observability and IT management software, today unveiled a revitalized partner program at its 2026 Partner Summit, marking a strategic evolution of how SolarWinds supports partner-led growth. The program introduces new benefits, enablement, and demand generation investments designed to help partners scale, compete more effectively, and deliver stronger customer outcomes.

“Our enhanced 2026 Partner Program provides a renewed foundation to drive great customer outcomes and an improved overall partner ecosystem,” said Barb Huelskamp, VP of Global Channel Sales and Alliances. “By aligning our strategy with our purpose, mission, and CARE values, we’re establishing a framework that can support predictability for our partners and scalable growth for partners and their customers.”

The refreshed program includes multiple updates that span a host of program pillars. These updates include:

• New Tiered Benefits — As partners achieve higher program tier status, they will have access to more program benefits. This will include lucrative incentives based on metrics such as channel-initiated growth. As partners grow and invest, they will see higher discounts. To accomplish this, SolarWinds is working with distributors to cascade the benefits and requirements of the partner program to resellers, including published reseller benefits. SolarWinds will also pilot a rewards center in North America that will allow partner sellers to accrue points towards rewards such as cash and prizes.
• Enhanced Marketing Investments — Recognizing the need to consistently build and sustain pipeline, SolarWinds is expanding its investment in partner-led demand generation. Based on program tier, partners will gain access to enhanced marketing support designed to help generate qualified demand and accelerate growth. This includes proposal-based marketing funds, co-brandable assets, and ready-to-execute campaigns in a box available through the partner portal. These enhancements reflect an opportunity for partners to provide solutions and scale for demand more effectively in their markets.
• Elevated Enablement — Building on the 2025 program updates, such as role-based certifications, 2026 enablement opportunities will improve on that curriculum. Partners will also have access to new enablement content, and specializations based on subject matter expertise or services and verticals, including public sector.
• A Better Partner Experience — In 2026, partners will enjoy a more innovative partner experience with an improved partner portal. This will include streamlined deal registration, lead sharing, a better NFR request process, and helpful partner onboarding/business planning checklists.

“This program reflects our serious commitment to a partner-first culture at SolarWinds,” said Sudhakar Ramakrishna, CEO of SolarWinds. “By equipping partners to help customers predict disruptions, reduce risk, and recover faster, we enable real operational resilience. These investments are focused on accelerating time to value and helping partners deliver meaningful outcomes for their customers and solve complex problems via simple, secure, and powerful solution.”

In addition to the upgrades to the partner program, SolarWinds also announced its annual partner awards. For more information on the 2025 awards.