India’s Biggest Pet Festival Returns with a Bang

India, 22nd October, 2025: Pet lovers, get ready! Pet Fed  India’s Biggest Pet Festival, is back with a banger 11th edition, starting this year’s celebration with Pune for its second season, at a bigger, better, and more pawsome location!

With Royal Canin, Drools, and Bowlers as proud sponsors, Pet Fed 2025 promises to be an unparalleled experience for pet parents and animal lovers alike. The festival will travel to four major cities – Pune, Delhi, Bengaluru, and Mumbai, uniting thousands of pet enthusiasts to celebrate the beautiful bond between humans and their furry companions.

What began as a passion project by Akshay Gupta, Pet Fed has now grown into a national phenomenon and a Limca World Record-holder for being the Biggest Pet Carnival in India. Over the years, it has evolved into a 3-acre celebration featuring 100+ stalls, interactive activities, workshops, and entertainment zones designed for pets and their parents.

“Pet Fed has always been more than just a festival it’s a celebration of unconditional love,” says Akshay Gupta, Founder of Pet Fed. “As we enter our 11th year, we’re going bigger, more inclusive and more engaging than ever. This time, we’re shining a special spotlight on cats and first-time pet parents — helping people discover not just pets, but lifelong companions.”

This year, Pet Fed is all set to go bigger, more inclusive, and more immersive than ever before. The 2025 edition introduces:

• A Special Focus on Cats For the first time, Pet Fed will amplify the cat experience with a much bigger  Cat Zone, featuring cat games, play areas and curated experiences for feline lovers.
• Discover Pets Corner A brand-new addition where pet parents of various breeds will share firsthand knowledge about pet care, breed behavior and training, helping aspiring pet owners choose the right companion for their lifestyle.
• Interactive Experiences Crowd favorites like Temptation Alley, Fashion Shows, Pet’s Got Talent, and Police Dog Shows return with new twists. Expect Doggy Prams, Immersive Photobooths, and the much-loved Free Desi Ticket for indie pets!

Pet Fed is not just an event  it’s a movement that celebrates inclusivity, compassion, and community. From first-time pet parents to seasoned animal lovers, everyone is welcome to join in the fun. The festival also promotes animal welfare through initiatives like the Adoption Drive, encouraging visitors to give loving homes to animals in need.

Staying true to its inclusive spirit, Pet Fed continues to champion Indian street dogs through its Free Ticket initiative, allowing indie pets to attend the festival free of cost. In addition, Pet Fed distributes free passes every year to caregivers and feeders of community dogs, acknowledging their compassion and giving them a platform to bring their beloved street dogs to enjoy the festivities. The event also features an Adoption Drive and awareness sessions on responsible feeding, care, and adoption of stray animals  reinforcing Pet Fed’s mission to build a more compassionate, pet-friendly society.

Ahead of the main event, Pet Fed will continue hosting Pupper Parties and Catapaloozas across 10+ cities — vibrant 3-hour gatherings that bring together 100–150 pet parents and their furry friends for an evening of games, health checks, and pet buffets at local pet-friendly cafés and parks.

Event Line-Up 2025:

• Pune: 22nd – 23rd November 2025, Deccan College Ground
• Delhi: 13th – 14th December 2025, NSIC Exhibition Grounds, Okhla
• Bengaluru: 17th – 18th Jan, KTPO Whitefield
• Mumbai:  21st- 22nd Mar, NESCO Goregaon

Tickets for Pune Pet Fed are already live on www.petfed.org and bookmyshow . Tickets for Delhi are also live and for the very first time, Pet Fed has introduced Phase 2 tickets for Delhi, with day passes available at INR 549 and buddy passes at INR 1,999, valid only till 9th November.

Domestic Equity Rises on Strong Q1FY26 GDP, Says ICRA

Domestic equity gained momentum on the back of robust GDP data for Q1FY26: ICRA Analytics

Mumbai, 22nd October, 2025: Domestic equity markets rose following robust macroeconomic indicators, as India’s economy expanded by 7.8% YoY in Q1 FY26, marking the strongest growth in five quarters, while the Services PMI surged to 62.9 in Aug 2025. its highest level in over 15 years, driven by a sharp rise in new orders and resilient demand. Sentiment was further boosted as the GST Council simplified the existing four tax slabs (5%, 12%, 18%, 28%) into a two-rate structure of 5% & 18% and proposed a special 40% slab for select luxury items such as high-end cars, tobacco, and cigarettes. Gains extended after the U.S. Federal Reserve delivered its first rate cut of the year in Sep 2025, citing recent weakness in the labor market. However, overall gains were capped amid lingering uncertainty over India–U.S. trade negotiations and continued foreign institutional investor outflows from domestic equities.

Bond yields fell after the government projected a smaller net revenue loss from recent Goods and Services Tax revisions than initially expected, easing fiscal concerns. Reassurances from officials about meeting the fiscal deficit target further supported the positive sentiment. However, gains were restricted despite a 25 bps rate cut by the U.S. Federal Reserve in its Sep 2025 policy meeting, as hawkish commentary from the Fed Chair overshadowed the rate cut. The rate cut was described as a “risk-management” move, and the Chair emphasized a data-dependent approach, stating that future decisions would be made on a “meeting-by-meeting” basis.

Following are the trends spotted in the Equity Mutual Fund category as on Sep 2025:

• All categories across Equity Mutual Funds gave positive category average returns over 3-year, 5-year and 10-year period. However, on 1-year period, all the categories continued to post negative average return.
• Small Cap Fund gave maximum category average return over 5-year and 10-year period. Over 5-year period, small cap funds gave category average returns of 27.59%.
• Large Cap Fund gave negative category average returns of around 4.92% over 1-year period.

Following are the trends spotted in the Debt Mutual Fund category in this month:

• Credit risk funds gave maximum average returns over 6-month, 1-year, 3-year and 5-year period. Over 6-month period, credit risk funds gave average returns (annualised) of 10.02%.
• Low Duration Fund gave maximum average return over 1-month period (18.57%). Gilt Fund with 10-year constant duration gave maximum average return over 10-year period (7.76%).
• All categories across debt mutual funds gave positive returns across s1-year, 3-year, 5-year and 10-year period.

Meenakshi Super Speciality Hospital Sets Benchmark with India’s First LEED Platinum Certification

Chennai, October 21, 2025: Meenakshi Super Speciality Hospital, Madurai, has set a new benchmark as India’s greenest hospital, earning the prestigious LEED Platinum Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). It is the first healthcare institution in the country to receive this global recognition for excellence in energy efficiency and environmental sustainability.

LEED, which stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is a green building certification system developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). Buildings can achieve one of four certification levels: Certified, Silver, Gold, or Platinum. The LEED Platinum distinction is the highest rating for sustainable design and operations globally, awarded to buildings scoring 80 points or more (Certified: 40–49 points, Silver: 50–59 points, Gold: 60–79 points).

Meenakshi Super Speciality Hospital scored 83 points under LEED v4 Healthcare, demonstrating outstanding performance in energy and water efficiency, sustainable material use, waste management, and creating a healthy indoor environment for both patients and caregivers.”

Congratulating the hospital on this achievement, Thiru Maa. Subramanian, Health Minister of Tamil Nadu, said, “This is not only a badge of honour for the state but also a proud moment for the entire nation. It demonstrates that a healthcare institution from our state can stand shoulder to shoulder with global leaders, setting benchmarks in sustainability, innovation, and excellence. I am very happy that with this certification, Madurai joins an elite league of hospitals worldwide – including those in the USA, Spain, Turkey, Taiwan, and Saudi Arabia that have achieved LEED Platinum recognition. This milestone was made possible under the visionary leadership of Dr. S. Gurushankar, whose pioneering efforts have placed Tamil Nadu at the forefront of green healthcare.’”

In his comments, Dr. S. Gurushankar, Chairman, Meenakshi Mission Hospital & Research Centre said, “Green building practices are more important than ever due to rising energy demands and environmental challenges. For hospitals, they ensure sustainable, energy-efficient facilities that support patient well-being. LEED-certified designs reduce energy and water consumption, improve indoor air quality, and create comfortable environments that aid recovery and staff performance. This achievement reflects the dedication of architects, engineers, doctors, nurses, and staff, and shows that Tamil Nadu’s healthcare infrastructure can meet global standards. Meenakshi Super Speciality Hospital, Madurai, now stands as a symbol of excellence, inspiring future healthcare projects across the state and nation.”

The Hidden Truth About Home Loans – How Banks Decide If You’re Worth The Risk

By :Akash Pharande, Managing Director , Pharande Spaces

India, 20th October 2025: If you think getting a home loan is just about having a decent credit score and a steady job, think again. Banks and NBFCs have a whole playbook of evaluation criteria  some you know about, many you don’t. This festive season, as you prepare to make that dream home purchase, let me pull back the curtain on how lenders really assess whether you’re a worthy risk or not.

The Obvious Stuff

Banks evaluate home loans using many criteria some standard, some not so obvious or known. Initially, banks consider factors such as a credit score that typically hovers around 750, a consistent source and flow of income, the borrower’s employment history, an age range ideally between 23 and 60, the borrower’s debt-to-income ratio, and the market value of the property.

So far, so good. Most of us know this. But here’s where it gets tricky.

The Not-So-Obvious Stuff

However, they also look at the developer’s and project’s approval status and whether the project’s location is in good standing. In fact, some areas are quietly blacklisted, and many banks maintain an internal risk assessment of specific locations and housing societies. Yes, that’s right. Your dream apartment could be in a location that banks have quietly red-flagged.

Also, banks might know about payment defaults by previous buyers in the project you’re interested in (you obviously have no clue about that), and it affects how favourably they see it.

They will also look for:

–  Defaults by previous tenants in that project and property
–  Whether your spouse is also earning, how much, and how much it contributes to the household income
–  The number of dependants you have
–  Your educational qualifications, and
–  The reputation and financial standing of the company you work for.

When The Economy Speaks

During times of economic downturns, banks tend to become less willing to lend due to an increased risk of defaults. The state of the economy also affects factors like inter bank liquidity and funding costs, non-performing asset levels in different sectors, including housing, current residential market sentiment, employment trends, and consumer confidence scores. Depending on global events and their impact on India, banks will also consider geopolitical risks and how these factors influence the internal stress-test projections of the bank or non-banking financial companies (NBFCs).

In other words, your loan application isn’t being evaluated in isolation. The bank is looking at global economic trends and what’s happening in the housing sector overall and even running stress tests on their portfolios. You could be a perfect borrower on paper, but if the timing isn’t right from a macroeconomic perspective, you might face hurdles.

What’s In Your Control (And What Isn’t)

Many of these factors are beyond your control. You can’t change where a property is located if you’ve already fallen in love with it. You can’t control global economic conditions or your builder’s reputation with banks. You cannot suddenly transform your employer into a blue-chip company, or decrease the number of family members who rely on you.

But there’s still plenty you CAN control. For that, the scout’s motto – Be Prepared – is of utmost importance.

Your Home Loan Readiness Checklist

Before you apply for that home loan this festive season, tick these boxes:

Financial Health Check

–  Credit score – is it 750 or above? (check your CIBIL score online.)
–  Your debt-to-income ratio – is it below 40%? (your EMIs shouldn’t exceed 40% of your monthly income.)
–  Have at least 3-6 months of salary slips and bank statements ready
–  Also keep your income tax returns for the last 2-3 years filed and available
–  Existing loans and credit card dues – have they been paid on time for at least 6 months?

Property Due Diligence

–  RERA registration verified for the project
–  The developer’s track record researched (delivery timelines, quality, approvals)
–  Property location checked with multiple banks (ask your relationship manager informally)
–  Society’s maintenance and payment history reviewed

Documentation Readiness

–  Identity and address proofs
–  Employment proof and appointment letter
–  Property documents (sale agreement, NOC, approvals)
–  Bank statements showing healthy cash flow

The Dos and Don’ts

DO:

–  Maintain a clean credit history for at least 6-12 months before applying
–  Close unnecessary credit cards and loans to improve your debt-to-income ratio
–  Choose properties from reputable developers with RERA-approved projects
–  Research the property location thoroughly – talk to residents, check online forums, use a pro version AI chat tool to dig deeper
–  Include your spouse’s income if applicable and possible – dual incomes strengthen applications
–  Apply during stable economic periods when interest rates are favorable (such as this festive season!)
–  Maintain steady employment for at least 2 years before applying

DON’T:

–  Switch jobs just before applying for a loan
–  Make multiple loan inquiries at once – it hurts your credit score
–  Try to hide existing debts or liabilities – you can’t hide such facts from banks, and trying to is a red flag for them
–  Exceed your budget just because the bank approves a higher amount
–  Ignore the property’s micro-market reputation
–  Apply for new credit cards or loans during your home loan process
–  Assume everything is okay before you get final sanction

The Bottom Line

Understanding how banks think gives you a strategic advantage. While you can’t control everything, knowing what matters helps you prepare better, choose smarter, and increase your chances of approval. This festive season, go into your home loan application with your eyes wide open, your documentation ready, and a realistic understanding of what banks are really looking for.

After all, buying a home may be the biggest financial decision in your life. You owe it to yourself to get it right.