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JOHNNIE WALKER BLUE LABEL HOSTS AN EVENING CELEBRATION WITH DESIGNER & COLLABORATOR RAHUL MISHRA, FEATURING SPECIAL GUEST & BRAND AMBASSADOR PRIYANKA CHOPRA JONAS

Guests including Anoushka Shankar, Priya Kansara, Rahi Chadda, Saffron Vadher, Sakshi Mittal, Vartika Mittal-Goenka, Kaushik Velendra & Jasroop Kaur Singh joined the whisky brand and Indian couturier to toast their limited-edition collaboration with an evening of joy, togetherness and community at The Dorchester

Featuring a specially commissioned one-off dance performance by Usha Jey, and DJ sets by Gracie T and Almass Badat as well as panel moderator Simran Randhawa

LONDON, Oct. 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — On Wednesday 15 October 2025, London came together to celebrate Indian culture and Johnnie Walker Blue Label’s collaboration with Rahul Mishra, following the recent release of their limited-edition bottle design. Johnnie Walker, the world’s number one Scotch whisky*, together with Indian couturier Rahul Mishra, welcomed actress and producer Priyanka Chopra Jonas in her role as the brand’s Global Ambassador, alongside entrepreneurs, designers, models and cultural leaders at the address that captures the spirit and energy of London, The Dorchester. The celebration headlined the night and followed an intimate panel discussion with Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Rahul Mishra, moderated by cultural writer and broadcaster Simran Randhawa.

Rahul Mishra’s limited-edition design, symbolising bright beginnings with “blooming flowers and spirited animals,” features a festive night scene that signifies abundance and joy. This visual language formed the creative blueprint for the event. At The Dorchester, the Orchid Room’s décor in deep blues and luminous golds mirrored the bottle’s palette, while floral installations and hand-tied garlands echoed its botanical motifs. Menu details referenced craft and seasonality, with every touchpoint from first step inside to final toast extending the bottle’s story of light, renewal and craft into the room.
As two globally recognised cultural forces shaping contemporary luxury and entertainment, Rahul and Priyanka carry Indian craft, heritage, modernity and creativity to audiences around the world. The London celebration drew on the conversations they inspire and showcased a new wave of Indian diaspora creatives who are redefining perceptions of Indian creativity. Dancer and choreographer Usha Jey performed a specially commissioned, one-off piece that fused Bharatanatyam with contemporary movement set to the R&B classic “Family Affair” by Mary J. Blige, creating a fresh dialogue between tradition and a modern anthem. Gracie T and DJ Almass Badat, two UK-based DJs leading the UK desi music scene and fixtures across festivals, club nights and radio, blended sounds across the spectrum to give the room a distinctly cross-cultural Indian feel.
Within Indian culture, fashion often reflects craft, celebration and personal expression, which made styling central to the story of the night. Priyanka wore Rahul Mishra Couture: the saree-inspired, one-shoulder silhouette, this signature Rahul Mishra creation in ruby red marks the spirit of India’s festive season with grace and luminosity. From Rahul Mishra’s couture collection ‘Aura’, the gown takes inspiration from Indian draping traditions, reinterpreted through a contemporary lens. Its details appear sculpted, as though thread, needle, rhinestones, and sequins are used like strokes of paint to trace the contours of the human body, creating a play of light and shadow that radiates from the wearer herself. Each element was meticulously crafted over 2,700 hours by 14 skilled artisans at our Noida atelier, transforming fabric into a living artwork that embodies the dialogue between heritage and modernity, body and soul, craft and couture. Dancer Usha Jey wore a piece from AFEW (Air, Fire, Earth & Water) Rahul Mishra, the designer’s ready-to-wear line that channels couture handwork into lighter, everyday silhouettes and supports artisan communities year-round.
Guided by the couturier’s storytelling, Johnnie Walker Blue Label curated the evening’s cocktails while the hotel’s expert mixologists brought the menu to life. Guests enjoyed the Mango Highball and Little Star, a blend of Blue Label, elderflower and champagne, alongside alcohol-free serves such as the Seedlip Spice 94 Paloma and the Seedlip Grove 42 Margarita. The pours were paired with refined Indian canapés and tasting plates from the hotel’s chefs, including spiced lamb tartlets, saffron and coconut bites and seasonal chutney pairings.

Rahul Mishra said: “I feed profound gratitude to Johnnie Walker Blue Label and to everyone who helped bring our shared vision to life this evening. Translating the language of my atelier into a bottle was the first step; seeing it carried into space, sound and taste at The Dorchester was deeply moving. From the artisans who created it to Priyanka who carried the evening with so much grace, the performers, Simran, florist and the culinary and mixology teams, many hands shaped this moment. It reminded me that craft is collective, and in this Indian festive season, celebration feels like its most honest expression.”

Speaking of the celebration, producer and actress, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, added: “There’s something incredibly exciting about the Indian festive season – it’s a season of warmth, joy and community. Celebrating Rahul’s vision with Johnnie Walker Blue Label felt like a beautiful convergence of craft and culture and you could feel it in the room as a shared experience. Rahul’s work has always gone beyond fashion; it’s an expression of culture and emotion. Celebrating that here in London, surrounded by people who appreciate the beauty of creation, made the night very special.”

Hinesh Shah, General Manager of Luxury, Diageo commented: “Johnnie Walker Blue Label is at its best when it brings people and culture together. Partnering with Rahul Mishra allowed us to connect mastery in whisky with mastery in design. Our role tonight was to curate and deliver, from the whisky to the experience. Seeing the city celebrate Indian creativity made the moment feel genuinely significant for the brand legacy.”
Johnnie Walker Blue Label is an icon of modern luxury, handcrafted in small batches using time-honoured techniques reserved for whiskies of the highest calibre, ensuring exceptional depth and character. The limited-edition bottle will continue to take centre stage in a series of international Johnnie Walker Blue Label festive celebrations featuring Indian talent and partners throughout October and November.
The next celebration is set to take place in India, promising an evening of unparalleled opulence and masterful craftsmanship. The occasion will be graced by Delhi’s esteemed bureaucrats and distinguished social elite, alongside Diageo’s global and Indian leadership. Among the dignitaries expected to attend are British High Commissioner Lindy Cameron; Nik Jhangiani, Interim CEO, Diageo PLC; Johnnie Walker master blender Dr. Emma Walker; Cristina Diezhandino, Global Chief Marketing Officer, Diageo; and Praveen Someshwar, CEO, Diageo India.
Please drink responsibly, and please do not forward to anyone under the legal purchase age. 

About Johnnie Walker:  Johnnie Walker is the world’s number 1 Scotch Whisky brand* (IWSR 2024) & the world’s number one International Spirits Brand* (IWSR 2024 Relative Market Share), enjoyed by people in over 180 countries around the world. Since the time of its founder, John Walker, those who blend its whiskies have pursued flavour and quality above all else.      
Today’s range of award-winning whiskies includes Johnnie Walker Red Label, Black Label, Black Ruby, Double Black, Green Label, Gold Label Reserve, Aged 18 Years, and Blue Label. Together they account for over 22 million cases sold annually (IWSR, 2023). Johnnie Walker is also the number one best-selling Scotch and number one trending Scotch (Drinks International, 2024).   
*According to IWSR Global Database 2025 volume for 2024

About Diageo:  Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands including Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, J&B, Buchanan’s, Smirnoff and Cîroc vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio, Tanqueray and Guinness.  
Diageo is listed on both the London Stock Exchange (DGE) and the New York Stock Exchange (DEO) and our products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world. For more information about Diageo, our people, our brands, and performance, visit us at www.diageo.com. Visit Diageo’s global responsible drinking resource, www.DRINKiQ.com, for information, initiatives, and ways to share best practices.  
Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2798111/Johnnie_Walker_Blue_Label.jpg
 
 

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IIT Delhi Spinout DeepLase Raises ₹6 Crore Seed Round co-led by Kavachh and Yali Capital

NEW DELHI, March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — DeepLase Technologies, an IIT Delhi–incubated deep-tech photonics startup developing advanced optical fiber platforms, high-performance fiber lasers, and integrated photonics systems, has raised ₹6 crore in seed funding in a round co-led by Mounttech Growth Fund – Kavachh and Yali Capital.

The company will use the capital to expand its engineering and manufacturing capabilities, accelerate product commercialization, and scale deployments across high-impact sectors including precision industrial automation, optical communications, advanced sensing, quantum technologies, and healthcare instrumentation.DeepLase was founded by Dr. Deepak Jain, a faculty member at the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, whose research focuses on advanced optical fiber technologies and laser systems. The company is focused on designing next-generation specialty optical fibers and fiber-laser platforms engineered for applications requiring exceptional stability, energy efficiency, spectral precision, and long-term operational reliability.As global data consumption accelerates and artificial intelligence infrastructure expands, optical technologies have become the backbone of modern digital systems. Data centers, telecommunications networks, and emerging AI hardware platforms increasingly depend on advanced photonic components capable of delivering higher bandwidth, lower latency, and improved energy efficiency. DeepLase is developing specialty optical fiber platforms designed to address these rapidly evolving performance requirements.Lasers today are foundational tools across precision manufacturing, sensing, optical communications, semiconductor fabrication, medical diagnostics, and emerging quantum systems. However, many existing laser platforms remain complex to integrate and are optimized primarily for laboratory environments. DeepLase aims to bridge the gap between scientific-grade optical performance and scalable, deployable industrial systems by developing robust laser architectures engineered for real-world applications. “Our goal is to build laser platforms that combine advanced optical fiber design, novel materials engineering, and robust system-level reliability,” said Dr. Jain, Founder and Director of DeepLase. “As industries and research domains become increasingly dependent on controlled light sources, the demand for stable, scalable, and application-ready laser systems is growing rapidly. We are developing technologies that deliver high performance while remaining practical for deployment in demanding industrial environments.”Investors believe DeepLase reflects a broader shift toward deep-technology innovation emerging from India’s academic research ecosystem, particularly in critical areas such as photonics and advanced manufacturing. “Photonics technologies are becoming foundational infrastructure for modern industry, powering everything from advanced manufacturing and telecommunications to sensing and next-generation computing systems,” said Raj Sethia, Managing Partner and Co-Founder at Mounttech Growth Fund – Kavachh. “DeepLase is building core intellectual property in a strategic technology domain where global demand continues to grow rapidly. We are excited to support Dr. Deepak Jain and his team as they work to build globally competitive photonics technologies from India.””Photonic technologies hold enormous potential, and many of their most transformative applications are still emerging,” said Ganapathy Subramaniam, Co-founder & Managing Partner, Yali Capital. “DeepLase approaches photonics design from first principles, combining deep scientific expertise with a clear pathway toward commercialization. The team brings together strong research capability with an understanding of real-world deployment challenges, positioning them well to translate advanced photonics into scalable industrial platforms. We believe Dr. Deepak Jain and his team have the potential to deliver photonics technologies at a global scale.”Prior to this round, DeepLase received support through multiple government innovation and deep-tech commercialization programs, reinforcing its mission to develop indigenous, high-value photonics technologies with global relevance. The company’s long-term vision is to build globally competitive photonics infrastructure from India, enabling next-generation optical systems that power advanced computing, communications, industrial manufacturing, and scientific discovery.About DeepLaseDeepLase Technologies is a photonics startup incubated at the FITT, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi focused on developing next-generation specialty optical fibers and high-performance fiber-laser systems. Its technologies target applications in industrial manufacturing, optical communications, sensing, healthcare instrumentation, and emerging quantum technologies. DeepLase aims to translate cutting-edge photonics research into scalable industrial platforms that can power the next generation of optical systems worldwide.Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2937859/DeepLase_Founders.jpg 

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Harteerath Singh Ahluwalia’s book ‘The Power of Doing Good’ coming out this Vaisakhi, from HarperCollins India

The book talks about seva, rooted in Sikhism and relevant for all, which can lead everyone to a life of happiness and purpose.GURUGRAM, India, March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Right ahead of Vaisakhi this year, HarperCollins India is delighted to announce the upcoming publication of Harteerath Singh Ahluwalia’s debut book, The Power of Doing Good: How Seva Can Change Your Life. Taking the reader through the inspiring journey of Hemkunt Foundation and foregrounding seva as a universal life philosophy — rooted in Sikh tradition but relevant to every reader seeking purpose — this book is one for these times where amidst all the chaos, people need something like this to anchor themselves in meaning and connect to shared humanity.

Talking about the book, Harteerath says, “Writing The Power of Doing Good has been a deeply transformative journey — one shaped not just by events, but by years of observing, participating in, and reflecting upon what it truly means to serve. Through the story of Hemkunt Foundation, I have attempted to capture something more enduring than action alone: the quiet discipline of seva, rooted in Sikh principles and guided by the timeless wisdom of our Gurus — ‘Sarbat da Bhala’, well-being for all, and ‘Chardi Kala’, to remain in a state of rising spirit. This book is not merely a record of what has been done; it is an offering, an archive of goodwill shaped with intention and care. It invites the reader to look inward, and to reconsider the nature of purpose — not as something to be found in grand gestures, but in consistent, conscious acts of compassion. I have come to believe, through lived experience, that doing good is a way of being that quietly reshapes both the giver, and simultaneously the world around them. This book serves as a reminder that even the smallest act, when done with sincerity, carries within it the power to transform lives — often beginning with our own.”Trisha Bora, Executive Editor – HarperCollins India, says, “There are very few people/organizations who are as inspiring as Harteerath Singh and Hemkunt Foundation. This is a story about how impactful selfless community service can be, especially in our troubled times. Anyone who reads this book will find their lives changed for the better.”About the book –In April 2020, as a sudden nationwide lockdown left thousands of migrant workers stranded and desperate, the Singhs, a Sikh family in Gurgaon, rose to the crisis. They began preparing rotis at home and distributing them along highways to those making the arduous journey back to their villages. Their compassion sparked a movement, and through the Hemkunt Foundation, thousands across Delhi-NCR and Haryana joined in.In The Power of Doing Good, Harteerath Singh Ahluwalia shares the inspiring story of why Sikhs are born to serve — through the legacy of their eleven Gurus, and the remarkable journey of Hemkunt Foundation. This book is a timely reminder of how practicing seva can lead all to a life of deeper happiness and purpose.About the author –Harteerath Singh Ahluwalia is one of India’s most influential young humanitarians and the driving force behind Hemkunt Foundation’s modern seva movement. Recognized across the country for his fearless on-ground work — from COVID relief to the Punjab floods as well as in farmer support, animal welfare, women’s dignity initiatives and nationwide emergency responses — he embodies the rare blend of leadership, service and storytelling.A founding team member of Hemkunt Foundation, Harteerath helped scale the organization into one of India’s fastest-growing grassroots NGOs. His work includes designing high-impact relief missions, building long-term rehabilitation models, crafting donor-ready MIS systems and mobilizing lakhs of people online and offline to participate in seva. Over the years, he has led some of the largest relief efforts in India: oxygen cylinder drives during COVID, twenty-one Mobile Medical Vans serving multiple states, large-scale flood rehabilitation in Punjab, and Gurukul-based education and livelihood programs in Khandwa.Beyond humanitarian operations, Harteerath is a widely followed content creator with over 500,000 supporters across platforms. Known for his raw honesty, clarity and emotional depth, he uses his voice to champion Sikh values, inspire youth to serve, and highlight real stories from the ground.His work and impact have earned him a place in the Forbes 30 Under 30, HT City 30 Under 30, World Economic Forum’s Top 50 Social Entrepreneurs of India, Femina’s Men We Love, and MensXP’s High Impact Men lists as well as recognition as Grazia’s Social Activist of the Year.About Harpercollins Publishers IndiaHarperCollins India publishes some of the finest writers from the Indian Subcontinent and around the world, publishing approximately 200 new books every year, with a print and digital catalogue of more than 2,000 titles across 10 imprints. Its authors have won almost every major literary award including the Man Booker Prize, JCB Prize, DSC Prize, New India Foundation Award, Atta Galatta Prize, Shakti Bhatt Prize, Gourmand Cookbook Award, Publishing Next Award, Tata Literature Live! Award, Gaja Capital Business Book Prize, BICW Award, Sushila Devi Award, Sahitya Akademi Award and Crossword Book Award. HarperCollins India also represents some of the finest publishers in the world including Harvard University Press, Gallup Press, Oneworld, Bonnier Zaffre, Usborne, Dover and Lonely Planet. HarperCollins India has won the Publisher of the Year Award four times at Tata Literature Live! in 2022, 2021, 2018 and 2016, and at Publishing Next in 2021 & 2015. HarperCollins India is a subsidiary of HarperCollins Publishers.For more information, please write to – shabnam.srivastava@harpercollins.co.in Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2937802/The_Power_of_Doing_Good_HarperCollins.jpgLogo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2105077/5820633/HarperCollins_Logo.jpg 

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Casio India launches music education CSR initiative in partnership with Manzil Mystics to empower young musicians and students from underserved communities

PATNA, India, March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Casio India Co. Pvt. Ltd., a subsidiary of Casio Computer Co., Japan, has announced the launch of a new Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative focused on music education and livelihood creation. In partnership with Delhi-based non-profit organisation Manzil Mystics, the initiative aims to promote skill-based musical training and create sustainable livelihood opportunities for children and musicians from underserved communities.

As a company deeply rooted in the music industry through its Electronic Musical Instruments portfolio, Casio India has consistently championed the role of music in education and creativity. Building on this legacy, the newly launched initiative seeks to integrate structured music learning into community spaces and schools while enabling aspiring musicians to develop professional skills in the performing arts and media ecosystem.Under this collaboration, the program will focus on providing structured musical training through Casio electronic keyboards, alongside curriculum-based modules designed to develop practical skills that can translate into future music education. The initiative will particularly target underprivileged students studying in government schools and young musicians from low-income communities, enabling them to access high-quality music education and professional development opportunities.Commenting on the initiative, Mr. Takuto Kimura, Managing Director, Casio India, said, “At Casio, we believe that music has the power to inspire creativity, build confidence, and transform lives. Through this CSR initiative, we aim to make music education more accessible to children and young artists from underserved communities. By partnering with Manzil Mystics, we hope to nurture musical talent while creating meaningful opportunities for individuals to build sustainable careers in the creative industry.”The event commenced with a welcome address for the Casio India leadership team and representatives from Manzil Mystics, followed by a felicitation ceremony recognising key contributors and educators associated with the initiative. The program highlighted the role of music as a powerful tool for learning and creative development among young students. As part of the event, Casio India also facilitated the students with instruments from its range of electronic musical keyboards, enabling them to begin their training and supporting the broader objective of promoting skill-based music education among children from underserved communities.Through this initiative, Casio India aims to equip young learners with vocational skills in music, encourage creative expression, and support aspiring artists in pursuing sustainable careers as educators, performers, and creative professionals. The program also seeks to foster an inclusive ecosystem that celebrates India’s diverse musical traditions while preparing artists for opportunities in the country’s rapidly expanding media and entertainment industry.About Casio India Co. Pvt. Ltd:Casio India Co. Pvt. Ltd. (CIC) is the Indian subsidiary of Casio Computer Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of consumer electronics and business equipment solutions. Casio India has established a dynamic presence in the Indian market since 1996, emerging as a leading and cherished consumer goods manufacturer. Casio India’s range of products include sales and marketing of Timepieces, Electronic Musical Instruments, Desktop Calculators and Scientific Calculators.Setting the benchmark for excellence, Casio India is dedicated to embodying the spirit of innovation and quality that defines the Casio legacy. With a strong commitment to its corporate creed of ‘creativity and contribution,’ Casio has consistently translated this ethos into the creation of innovative products making a positive impact on society.For more information, visit https://www.casio.com/in/Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2937791/CSR_Event_Casio_India.jpg 

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