Category: FINANCE
ICAI hosted yoga day programmes pan India across 179 Branches and 5 RCs
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) celebrated the 11th International Day of Yoga (IDY) on June 21, 2025, with enthusiasm and wide participation across the country. This year’s celebration was held under the inspiring global theme ‘Yoga for One Earth, One Health’, echoing the vision of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to make the whole world healthy through Yoga.
A grand event was held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, which witnessed energetic participation from over 2,000 Members and CA Students. The inaugural ceremony was graced by the presence of Shri Vijender Gupta, Hon’ble Speaker, Delhi Legislative Assembly as the Chief Guestalong with Shri Raja Iqbal Singh, Hon’ble Mayor, MCD, Delhi; Shri Sandeep Kapoor, Hon’ble Councillor & Ex-Chairman, Standing Committee and Dr. Sandeep Marwah, Chancellor, AAFT University of Media & Arts in presence of CA. Charanjot Singh Nanda, President, ICAI and CA. Prasanna Kumar D, Vice President, ICAI along with Central and Regional Council Members.The mega celebration was followed by a Health & Wellness Session conducted by yoga science master Shri Acharya Umang Tyagi.
Shri Raja Iqbal Singh, Hon’ble Mayor, MCD said, “Yoga brings harmony to the body and mind and when we carry that spirit into our daily lives, we can do wonders for our communities. I call upon our Chartered Accountants to not just lead in finance, but also help us build a cleaner and healthier Delhi. Real change begins when professionals become partners in progress.”
Shri Sandeep Kapoor, Hon’ble Councillor & Ex-Chairman, Standing Committeesaid, “Yoga is more than a practice, it’s a way to centre ourselves, stay grounded, and lead with clarity. On this special day, I urge every professional to embrace yoga not just for personal well-being, but to bring greater focus and energy to building a better Delhi and a stronger India.”
On this occasion, CA. Charanjot Singh Nanda, President, ICAIsaid “Yoga is not just a one-day event; it is a way of life, it is a discipline, a mindset that promotes clarity, resilience and balance. As Chartered Accountants, when we embody these values, we become not just financial professionals but nation-builders, leading with integrity, composure and purpose in a world that increasingly demands both agility and accountability.”
CA. Prasanna Kumar D, Vice President, ICAI said, “Yoga is not just an exercise, it’s a way of life that nurtures balance, clarity and inner strength. On this International Yoga Day, it was truly heartening to see such esteemed leaders come together with the ICAI community to celebrate wellness and health. Their presence reaffirmed that in the midst of our demanding lives, taking a moment to connect with ourselves is both powerful and essential.”
The event included live Yoga sessions conducted by expert Yog gurus by Bhartiya Yog Sansthan, meditation practices and wellness lecture by CA. Alekhya Shastri. The programme was streamed live across all ICAI Branches and Regional Councils pan India, ensuring widespread involvement of members and students aimed at enhancing the holistic well-being of Chartered Accountants for a healthier nation.
Simultaneously, series of impactful programmes focused on promoting physical, mental and emotional well-being along with Yoga Sessions were organised across all Regional Councils and Branches involving over 14.5 Lakh Members and Students to commemorate 11th International Yoga Day celebrations.
PNB HF Expands Healthcare Access for Underprivileged Communities
PNB Housing Finance, one of India’s leading housing finance companies, through its CSR arm Pehel Foundation, announced the launch of the second phase of its Mobile Medical Unit (MMU) Program in partnership with Wockhardt Foundation. The program is aimed at improving primary healthcare access for construction workers and underprivileged communities across key regions of Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Ahmedabad, providing doorstep medical services to them.
The program is designed to address the lack of accessible and affordable healthcare services near construction sites and slum areas. Construction workers and their families often forego basic medical treatment due to high commute costs, long queues at hospitals, or fear of wage loss from time away. PNB Housing Finance and Wockhardt Foundation have joined hands to bridge this gap and offer a sustainable solution by bringing primary and preventive care directly to them.
Speaking on the launch, Mr. Girish Kousgi, MD & CEO of PNB Housing Finance said, “Healthcare is a basic right, yet access remains a privilege for many. At PNB Housing Finance, we believe that development must be inclusive, and that means addressing real needs where they exist – on the ground, at construction sites, in underserved neighborhoods. Our Mobile Medical Unit Program in association with Wockhardt Foundation aims to reduce the financial and physical barriers that prevent thousands of underserved families from seeking primary medical care. This is not just about treatment – it’s about creating awareness and promoting long-term well-being amongst the masses.”
Mr. Denis Varghese, Director- Wockhardt Foundation, added, “This collaboration with PNB Housing Finance gives us an opportunity to bring healthcare to those who need it the most – right inside the communities. With over 93,000 lives touched in Phase 1, this next chapter will further expand our reach to over one lakh individuals—a meaningful step toward bridging the healthcare gap. By bringing healthcare to the underserved, we will continue to empower communities to take charge of their health.”
Each mobile unit is staffed with 3 members – an MBBS doctor, pharmacist and licensed driver. The medical vans will offer essential services including general check-ups, treatment for common ailments, diabetes and hypertension management, and referrals for advanced treatment. In addition, the MMUs will continue to conduct health education and hygiene awareness sessions, and promote access to government healthcare schemes, further empowering these communities with knowledge and preventive practices.
The initiative builds on the success of Phase 1, where four MMUs served thousands of beneficiaries, majority of whom were from the construction worker community. With this second phase, PNB Housing Finance reaffirms its commitment to inclusive community development and sustainable urban progress – where nobody is left behind in the journey towards better health and well-being.
Veranda Learning merges the operations of 4 key verticals in its business
Veranda Learning Solutions has grown leaps and bounds through organic and inorganic route over the last few years. It has now initiated a major restructuring exercise under its Veranda 2.0 vision—primarily aimed at unlocking long-term value, enabling focused growth, and sharpening operational agility in the rapidly evolving education sector by carefully studying the synergies between its various businesses and unbundling / re-bundling operations of its 4 key verticals namely, academic, commerce, government test prep and vocational training.
A sub-committee of the Board, primarily consisting of independent directors, has been set up by the Board to study the above with the help of independent consultants and make appropriate recommendations to the Board including merger/demerger of its key verticals.
Veranda’s flagship commerce education brands—JK Shah Classes, BB Virtuals, Navkar Digital Institute, Tapasya College of Commerce, and Logic School of Management have built a formidable presence in the test preparation space for CA, CS, CMA, and ACCA, with over 2000 CA rankers since 2001 and a growing roster of All-India top performers. This vertical, which is led by Prof. J.K. Shah, Founder of JK Shah Classes, would play a critical role in helping drive growth in the years ahead.
The proposed QIP for which the enabling resolution has been approved by the members in the EGM is expected to help provide liquidity, fast track growth, and to ensure that critical business verticals are made debt-free.
Commerce Education: A High-Growth Sector
Veranda 2.0 vision comes amid India’s emergence as a global hub for finance and accounting talent. With over 1,580 Global Capability Centres and 4.32 million B.Com enrolments annually, the demand for certified commerce professionals is rapidly increasing. The company’s commerce education vertical is expected to grow in line with sectoral growth but faster through consolidation of market share from local/regional players driven by Veranda’s preeminent position as the leader in this segment. It is projected to grow revenue from ₹281 crore (pro forma) achieved in FY25 to over ₹1,000 crore by FY30. Student enrolments are also expected to more than double from the present 4.01 lakh in FY25 to over 8 lakhs during the same period.
Given the scope for cross selling across brands, operational efficiencies achieved through economy of scale, offering value-added products across the entire commerce education spectrum, and by expanding the Lifetime Value of each student, the company expects to increase margins from the current 36% in FY25 to over 50% by FY30.
This potential strategic realignment would aim to position Veranda to create distinct verticals which are education powerhouses—each poised for scalable, sustainable, and stakeholder-driven growth.
“The proposed restructuring would be a strategic step toward focused execution and value creation. We are confident in the continued growth and excellence of each one of our key verticals, the commerce vertical being our largest by revenue and profitability,” said Mr. Suresh Kalpathi, Executive Director and Chairman, Veranda Learning Solutions.
EKA Mobility Signs MoU with SGF to Accelerate Adoption of Electric Commercial Vehicles
EKA Mobility, a leading electric vehicle and technology company, announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Shriram Green Finance Limited, a 100% subsidiary of Shriram Finance Ltd., to provide easy financing solutions for electric commercial vehicles. This strategic partnership will empower fleet operators, transporters, dealers, small businesses and communities to seamlessly transition to sustainable mobility by availing flexible, accessible, and affordable financing options for EKA’s wide range of commercial electric buses, LCVs, trucks and 3-wheelers.
Speaking on the partnership, Rohit Srivastava, Business Head & Chief Growth Officer EKA Mobility, said: “The adoption of EVs at scale requires not just world-cl-ass technology and reliable vehicles, but also a strong ecosystem of partnerships that make the shift financially viable for customers. This collaboration brings together EKA Mobility’s advanced EV technology and manufacturing expertise with Shriram Green Finance’s extensive financing network to accelerate clean mobility adoption across India.”
Mr. Nanda Gopal, National Business Head, Shriram Green Finance Limited, said: “At Shriram Green Finance, we are committed to supporting India’s transition to sustainable and green transportation solutions. Our partnership with EKA Mobility allows us to finance a new generation of electric commercial vehicles that will drive both economic growth and environmental progress.”
With this MoU, EKA and Shriram Green Finance aim to reduce barriers to EV adoption, accelerate deployment of zero-emission commercial vehicles, and contribute to India’s mission of achieving net zero emissions.
The Granthas are a set of highly organised manuscripts divided into fourteen chapters or kandams
The origins of the Naadi Shastra (energy-channel treatises) are shrouded in the mists of time. This marvellous system of prediction has been used to give reliable guidance for many centuries: knowledge about ourselves (past and future), our relationships and our destinies.
Research shows that this system has been in use for at least 2000 years, since the treatises were first written (on palm leaf scrolls) in Sanskrit, the predominant language of ancient India. The original transmission was by oral means, before the committal of the texts to writing.
The shastras are believed to have been first composed long ago by the Sapta Rishis (seven sages) – Agasthya, Kaushika, Vyasa, Bohar, Bhrigu, Vasishtha and Valmiki. The primary centre for Naadi Shastra is in Vaitheeswarankoil, near Chidambaram in Tamil Nadu, a state in South India
Here Lord Shiva is said to have assumed the role of a vaidhya (a doctor), who alleviated the miseries of his devotees. Until the 1930’s, Naadi remained an ancient legacy, hardly used or even comprehended by the majority of Hindu Astrologers
The preservation of the Naadi palm leaves and the translation from Sanskrit into the Tamil language was undertaken on a large scale during the regime of the Kings of Tanjore (9th-13th Century AD). When the leaves started disintegrating with age, the Tanjore rulers appointed scholars to rewrite them on fresh ola (palm leaves).
Some of the Naadi Granthas were also translated into another South Indian language, Telugu.The Maratha king Sarabhoji and the Chola kings patronized these translations. When the British left India they took with them some of the ancient manuscripts and texts delving into Alchemy, Ayurveda, and Rasayan, while those pertaining to occult sciences were left behind and auctioned. The Valluvar community, who specialized in Astrology at the time, bought these palm leaves and made Naadi reading their hereditary profession and means of livelihood. Each Naadi is made up of a particular ola or palm leaf, written in vatta ezathu, Tamil script, with a sharp, nail-like instrument called ezuthani.
The palm leaves are preserved by rubbing peacock oil on auspicious occasions. These palm leaves are still preserved in the Saravasti Mahal library of Tanjore, in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The Granthas are a set of highly organised manuscripts divided into fourteen chapters or kandams. These Kandams serialize the various aspects of materialistic and spiritual life of an individual such as family, marriage, profession, wealth , luck etc.
Two thousand years ago one of the ancient sage Koushika Rishi, through his supreme divine powers, had accurately pre-recorded every individuals past, present and future on Palm Leaves in comprehensive details.
These readings have been passed down from generation to generation and Shri B. SUBHASH, belongs to this family tree.These Palm leaves have been preserved at Vaitheeswarankoil, Tamilnadu
Matching each person’s thumb impressions (Right thumb for Men and Left thumb for Women), the correct Palm Leaf is taken out from the bundle, read and interpreted to the nadi seeker by Shri B. SUBHASH. Remedial measures to remove the evil effects are also provided in these Palm Leaves.These recordings are classified under 14 Kandams
The process is simple. Thumb impressions (Left for women; Right for men) are taken three times on a blank white paper. After that, the search begins for the palm leaves that match with the configuration of the thumb print.
The traits in each thumb impression are classified into 1008 types and the leaves have been arranged according to these types.
Matching the leaves with the thumb impression can be the most tedious exercise and it may take a few hours and or at times, a few days.
Once found, the contents of the leaves are narrated by the reader in the old Tamil verse, which is then simultaneously translated into the language of the client’s choice.
The reader also gives the client an audio recording of the predictions for future reference. It is popularly understood that only a person who is destined to know his fate can successfully get his predictions from a Naadi Astrologer. There is more to Naadi Astrology than just predictions. Besides giving you comprehensive details of your past, present and future life, Naadi Astrology provides, apt remedies to all your problems from marriage obstacles, career stagnation, health hazards, business problems, financial instability, property disputes or hurdles in higher education, etc.,
Nadi Astrology is also known as Kanda Astrology because the predictions on your Nadi leaf are segregated into 14 main Kandams or Chapters. Of these, first 12 Chapters relate to the 12 Houses of one’s birth chart. Chapters 13 and 14 are remedial chapters.
FAMILY KANDAM : This is an additional chapter giving elaborate prediction of Nadi seeker’s Family Life, Marriage, Education, Career and Finance.
SUKSHMA KANDAM : Containing more elaborate predictions of a special nature are also available.
These will be charged at higher rates in view of the more detailed nature of the predictions.Consultation : The person, gets a complete outline of his/her past, present & future, as depicted in the 14 Kandams.Readings are: General Reading all 14 Chapter’s , Family Chapter , Shushma Kandam.
Courtesy : In Conversation with Shri B. SUBHASH, Nadi Astrologer, 25/195, Anand Nagar, Nehru Road, Vakola Bridge, Near Vora Dental Clinic, Santacruz (East), Mumbai- 55. E : rbskoushika@gmail.com
PNB Housing Finance Joins Hands with Niramay Charitable Trust to Boost Digital Literacy
PNB Housing Finance, a leading housing finance company in India, has inaugurated Pehel Computer Labs in collaboration with Niramay Charitable Trust through its CSR arm, Pehel Foundation. The state-of-the-art computer labs, established in the Government Nursing College Ahmedabad and Surat, aim to enhance digital literacy among nursing students and faculty. The facilities will help more than 1000 students and faculties across both the colleges with online study material, references, assignments, and projects to promote nursing education and research.
The labs are equipped with latest technology and devices like computers, printers and high-speed internet connections, along with modern infrastructure, to offer a conducive learning environment and significantly promote nursing education and research.
Commenting on the initiative, Mr. Girish Kousgi, MD & CEO of PNB Housing Finance said, “One of the key intervention areas at Pehel Foundation is education, and our initiatives aim to elevate educational quality and accessibility through targeted support programmes across multiple regions. Our partnership with Niramay Charitable Trust will help nursing students and faculties get access to latest study material online, thereby promoting digital literacy among them. We believe that this initiative will foster progressive growth of the country.”
Dr Hariprakash Hadial, Program Director and Dr Apurva Ratnu, Managing Director, Niramay Charitable Trust, added, “We are grateful to PNB Housing Finance for their support and collaboration on this new initiative to launch Pehel Computer Labs. Through this partnership, we look forward to working together and making a positive impact on the lives of nursing students to help achieve their future aspirations.”
PNB Housing Finance and Pehel Foundation remain committed to supporting educational initiatives that empower individuals and communities, fostering a brighter and more inclusive future for all.
Verizon India’s School Transformation Program imparts STEM Education
Verizon India, a leading IT and Technology Global Capability Centre (GCC) in partnership with BHUMI, an Indian NGO has successfully established 77 STEM Labs and Smart classrooms across Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Karnataka with its School Transformation Program. This corporate social responsibility focused program aims to drive qualitative empowerment of school students which benefit over 40,000 students across select cities in Southern India.
The School Transformation Program is designed to equip students studying in Classes 6-12 in government schools with a robust STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education platform. A total of 77 government schools across Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Karnataka were furnished with STEM labs focused on diverse subjects including Mathematics, Robotics and powered by interactive smart boards, digital infrastructure like PCs as well as robust lab furniture. The STEM Labs and Digital infrastructure were established after thorough student baseline assessments, teacher awareness tests and feasibility studies to ensure the right infrastructure for each specific location and school.
Through the partnership with BHUMI, STEM sessions were also designed and conducted for students studying in Classes 6–9 providing them with dedicated hands-on experience to explore various facets of science. Necessary digital infrastructure was also set up to bridge the digital literacy gap in identified schools. To demonstrate their learnings from the sessions, STEM fests are conducted periodically in the schools. BHUMI also implements capacity-building sessions twice every quarter for teachers and once every quarter for trainers to equip them with the right tools and updated resources to facilitate seamless learning to the students.
“Verizon India understands its role in enabling and equipping young minds across various socio-economic backgrounds to solve complex challenges through technology. Reports from industry bodies suggest that GCCs like Verizon are becoming one of the most preferred employment avenues for the top STEM graduates in India. I am thus proud to note that we have successfully impacted the lives of 40,000+ students across India. By imparting digital learnings and high-quality training for both the trainers as well as young minds through the School Transformation Program we have successfully aided in enhancing the digital literacy quotient as well as created a strong talent pipeline for the nation. We are committed to bridging the digital divide and contributing to a more advanced and inclusive nation” said, Mr. Prasad V. Annadanam- Senior Director, Finance for Verizon India.
Ms. Vaishnavi Srinivasan- Executive Director, BHUMI, said, “Our collaboration with Verizon India has been instrumental in bringing quality STEM education to students. By providing essential resources and training, we are not only enhancing their academic experience but also preparing them for a future where digital literacy is crucial. We are proud to be part of this transformative initiative that truly makes a difference in the lives of these young learners.”
Barriers like outdated teaching methods, lack of digital and computing infrastructure as well as lack of training for the trainers impede the balanced growth of the young learners. Through the School Transformation Program, VERIZON and BHUMI encouraged diverse stakeholders to participate in comprehensive online and offline discussions on the effective implementation of pedagogical techniques, helping inculcate a child-centric educational approach. Students also received training in digital literacy and interpersonal skills to maximise the benefits of the digital infrastructure provided. India’s National Education Policy from 2020 indicates that focusing on quality STEM education is the key to embracing critical thinking. Igniting the passion for learning and experimenting in STEM sciences is critical to ensuring that India and its citizens transition to a knowledge based economy.
Kinetic Green Appoints S.Sundareswaran as Director of Mfg & Opt’ns
Kinetic Green Energy and Power Solutions Limited, a leading manufacturer of electric two and three-wheelers in India, announced the recent appointment of Mr. S. Sundareswaran as the Director of Manufacturing & Operations. With over three decades of experience in the automotive and auto component industries, Mr. Sundareswaran brings a wealth of expertise and a proven track record of success in leading manufacturing, operations and strategic sourcing teams.
In his new role, Mr. Sundareswaran will spearhead the direction and monitoring of plant performance to support the organization’s objectives. His responsibilities will encompass leadership in production, quality assurance, supply chain management and manufacturing engineering activities. Additionally, he will play a pivotal role in ensuring the implementation of manufacturing capacity augmentation strategies and instill advanced processes aligned with business objectives, focusing on price, quality and delivery targets.
Mr. Sundareswaran’s distinguished career includes senior positions at renowned companies such as Ashok Leyland Ltd., Switch Mobility Automotive Ltd. and TAFE Ltd. He holds a Post Graduate degree in Senior Leadership from XLRI, Jamshedpur, a Masters in Science (M.S) from BITS, Pilani, an MBA (Finance) from IGNOU and a B.Tech. from the Indian Institute of Industrial Engineering.
Recognized for his ability to cultivate robust relationships with customers and suppliers, Mr. Sundareswaran has previously headed the successful creation of an electric vehicle plant capable of manufacturing 3000 chassis annually, complete with a 1000 MW Lithium ION battery manufacturing and charging facilities. Notably, he has demonstrated success in launching four new EV products.
Expressing her delight, Sulajja Firodia Motwani, Founder and CEO of Kinetic Green, said, “I am excited to welcome Mr. S. Sundareswaran to Kinetic Green. Sundareswaran is a proven leader with a deep understanding of the manufacturing, quality and sourcing excellence process. We are confident that his expertise and leadership will be instrumental in driving our growth, help create advanced, high quality yet affordable EVs and spur innovation as we continue to expand our EV product portfolio.”
Mr. Sundareswaran also shared his enthusiasm about joining Kinetic Green, stating, “I am thrilled to embark on this exciting journey with Kinetic Green at a pivotal juncture in the company’s growth. Kinetic Green stands as a leader in the electric vehicle industry and I am honoured to take on the role of Director Manufacturing & Operations. My commitment is to lead a team of highly skilled and dedicated professionals towards achieving operational excellence and fostering innovation. Together with the talented team at Kinetic Green, I am confident that we will continue to set new benchmarks in the EV industry, driving not only operational success but also making meaningful strides towards a greener and more sustainable future.”
PNB HF & Rotary Club of Pune NIBM Extend ‘Sanjeevani’ for Bravehearts of the Indian Army
Support the Northern Command of the Indian Army with 7 ALS ambulances
PNB Housing Finance, through its CSR arm Pehel Foundation, has taken a significant step in supporting the nation’s bravehearts by providing 7 ALS (Advanced Life Support) ambulances to the Northern Command of the Indian Army. In a heartfelt tribute to the relentless services and sacrifices of the nation’s soldiers, the Company collaborated with the Rotary Club of Pune NIBM Charitable Trust for a new initiative ‘Sanjeevani’. As India celebrates its 78th Independence Day, this gesture stands as a reminder of the unyielding spirit of our Armed Forces and the importance of supporting their unwavering commitment to the country.
The Northern Command, operating in the sensitive regions of Jammu & Kashmir, Leh, Ladakh and Siachen, faces immense challenges in managing medical emergencies under extreme and diverse weather conditions. This fleet of state-of-the-art ALS ambulances will enable timely and effective evacuation of wounded soldiers and civilians, ensuring they receive advanced medical care swiftly. PNB Housing Finance remains dedicated to its mission of giving back to the community and supporting those who safeguard the nation.
Mr. Girish Kousgi, MD & CEO of PNB Housing Finance, said, “The nation’s soldiers in the Northern Command operate in some of the most challenging terrain, where access to timely medical care is extremely crucial. Our initiative ‘Sanjeevani’ embodies our deep respect for the Indian Army and the bravehearts who sacrifice their lives for the country. We are proud that together with the Rotary Club of Pune NIBM Charitable Trust, we will be able to help enhance the region’s emergency medical facilities and ensure that our brave soldiers and civilians receive the highest level of care.”
Rtn. Ajit Walimbe, Chairman of the Rotary Club of Pune NIBM Charitable Trust added, “It’s an honour to collaborate with PNB Housing Finance on this vital initiative. These ALS ambulances will be a crucial resource for the Northern Command, ensuring our soldiers and civilians receive the best possible medical care in the quickest time.”
The ambulances were handed over to the Army base in a special ceremony where key dignitaries from the Northern Command, PNB Housing Finance and Rotary Club of Pune NIBM Charitable Trust were present.
Quote RBI Monetary Policy by Mr. V. P. Nandakumar – Managing Director & CEO at Manappuram Finance
“The MPC’s decision on Friday (December 8) to keep the key policy rates steady while staying the course on monetary tightening is the best policy prescription that the central bank could deliver at this point of time.
The tightening cycle, in my view, will continue till the headline inflation returns to the below 4% mark. For this to happen, we may have to wait for a few quarters more as food price inflation is listed as a major downward risk in the near term.
The point, however, to note here is that the past policy actions have started showing results as mirrored in the moderating core inflation print.
As economic expansion gathers momentum with the apex bank projecting the real GDP growth at 7% for the current fiscal, a full 50 bps up from its earlier forecast, it is only prudential for the central bank to continue its disinflationary stance. I don’t expect a rate cut on the RBI’s table any time soon”.