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Textile Minister Vrunda Desai Champions ‘Freedom from Unused Garments’ as ReFiber calls for Nationwide Garment Collection Drive

ReFiber, powered by OterRi, brings together Tisser Artisan Trust, CMAI, UNIDO and Lions International for an Independence Day textile circularity initiative

MUMBAI, India, Aug. 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — As India marks 80 years of Independence, ReFiber, powered by OterRi, launched its nationwide ‘Freedom from Unused Garments’ post-consumer textile collection drive at an online stakeholder meet, with Ms. Vrunda Desai, Textile Commissioner, Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, as the Chief Guest. The initiative calls for greater awareness around conscious consumption, textile waste and circularity.

The initiative brings together ReFiber, powered by OterRi, Tisser Artisan Trust, CMAI, UNIDO and Lions International to create accessible pathways for the collection, recovery, reuse and upcycling of unused garments.

Ms. Vrunda Desai, Textile Commissioner, Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, highlighted a different dimension of freedom, saying, “Freedom from wasteful consumption, resource inefficiency and unsustainable habits.” Highlighting India’s textile sector, she added, “India’s textile sector is one of the largest in the world and reflects the Prime Minister’s vision of 5F – farm to fibre, fibre to factory, factory to fashion and fashion to foreign markets.”

Highlighting the scale of textile waste, Desai said, “India generates around 70 lakh tons of textile waste annually with nearly 58% arising after consumer use.” She added, “Every discarded garment represents valuable resources like the fiber, water, energy, chemicals, the transportation and the human effort in it.”

Desai also highlighted the role of public figures in encouraging reuse, referring to Alia Bhatt’s wedding saree, which she re-fashioned and wore again for the National Film Awards in 2024. She said, “These are the type of role models we look forward to, who recycle and upcycle their wardrobes and give a new life to the clothes they wear.”

Appreciating ReFiber’s approach, Desai said, “I really appreciate the initiative of ReFiber, which provides citizens a simple digital platform to schedule doorstep collection of unused garments. You don’t have to go anywhere. You just need to press a button and schedule the pickup of your unused garments.”

As part of its wider circularity vision, ReFiber has appealed to the Ministry of Textiles to help connect it with upcyclers across India. The ReFiber Upcycler Marketplace, an exclusive marketplace for recycled and upcycled products, aims to provide upcyclers a platform to showcase their work and create new value from recovered textiles.

Dr. Megha Phansalkar, Founder, Tisser Artisan Trust, emphasised the need to change perceptions around discarded textiles. She said, “Let’s think how we can bring our garments, which are to be discarded, not as discarded material but as raw material for the further journey.”

Mr. Santosh Katariya, President, CMAI, said, “Today we are looking at freedom from waste, freedom from unnecessary landfills.” He added, “Instead of garments ending up in landfills we can recover them through collection recycling and upcycling.” Highlighting the social impact, he said, “On one hand we are protecting the environment, and on the other hand we are empowering women.”

Dr. Pankaj Kumar, National Project Coordinator, UNIDO, stressed the importance of viable economic models, saying, “Whenever we talk of development, we need to think about sustainability and the financial model.” Calling for wider adoption, he added, “Mumbai is one of the case studies, while also considering national adoption.”

Mr. Naveen Sainani, Hon. General Secretary, CMAI & Chairman – ESG, said, “Today is not merely the launch of a waste collection drive. It is the beginning of a moment to change the way we look at textile waste.” He added, “Collection is just the first step and the real success will come when the consumer understands that garments lying unused in their cupboard can have another purpose.”

Manoj Wanvari, COO, OterRi & ReFiber, said, “ReFiber is not just about collection of clothes. Collection is the first step. We are creating a circular ecosystem where these unused clothes can find a new purpose.”

Calling for stronger infrastructure for circularity, Wanvari said, “We would request you to study the ReTuna model in Sweden. ReTuna is the world’s first recycling mall where everything sold is recycled or reused or has been organically or sustainably produced.” He added that similar infrastructure, with government support, could help strengthen India’s circular economy.

Wanvari also shared that the initiative had already received approximately 42 requests for the collection of post-consumer textile waste through the ReFiber app, with the response coming organically.

As India celebrates its freedom, ReFiber seeks to add a new dimension to Independence Day, freedom from wasteful consumption and the opportunity to give unused garments a second life.

About ReFiber

ReFiber, powered by OterRi, is a technology-enabled circular economy platform designed to transform how India collects, tracks and recovers post-consumer textile waste. Rather than functioning as a standalone collection drive, ReFiber integrates digital citizen engagement, doorstep collection through OterRi’s established laundry and delivery network, source segregation, material traceability and impact reporting into a single ecosystem. Through partnerships with organisations such as Tisser, CMAI, UNIDO and World Trade Center Mumbai, ReFiber aims to build a scalable, replicable Digital Public Infrastructure for textile circularity—from a single city demonstration towards a state-wide and eventually national model.

About OterRi

OterRi is the doorstep laundry-service aggregator and micro-logistics network that powers ReFiber’s collection infrastructure. Its established base of laundry service partners and delivery personnel gives ReFiber a ready-made, hygienic first-mile collection channel capable of recovering textiles directly from households, addressing one of the most persistent barriers in textile recycling, access to clean, source-segregated material.

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Fractal Wins US$17M+ Multi-Year AI Deal with a Fortune 500® U.S. Healthcare Organization

MUMBAI, India, Aug. 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Fractal Analytics Ltd. (BSE: 544700) (NSE: FRACTAL), a globally recognized enterprise AI company serving Fortune 500® organizations, announced that it has secured a US$17M+ multi-year agreement with a leading U.S. healthcare enterprise to modernize its Data and AI foundation on Databricks platform and support its journey toward becoming an AI-ready organization.

The engagement also encompasses 24 x 7 managed data operations, including the consolidation of support from multiple vendors under Fractal as the single strategic partner, improving operational efficiency by integrating Agentic Ops and creating a scalable, governed, and resilient platform designed to accelerate AI adoption, reduce technical debt, optimize total cost of ownership and support continuous innovation.

AI Foundations (AIF) is Fractal’s technology pillar, focused on building AI-ready enterprises through modern data foundations, enterprise knowledge layers, AI governance, and managed operations that enable scalable and responsible AI adoption. 

Fractal’s Healthcare & Life Sciences (HLS) practice partners with healthcare payers, providers, pharmaceutical, and medical technology organizations to drive AI-led transformation. The practice delivers solutions across clinical and care management, population health, value-based care, underwriting and risk management, claims and payment integrity, marketing content generation, dynamic targeting, forecasting, patient service programs, field operations, medical affairs, clinical trial acceleration and other areas. This engagement is part of Fractal’s normal course of business with an existing client.

“Healthcare is entering a new era where AI can help organizations make faster, smarter and more informed decisions across every stage of the care journey. At Fractal, our focus is on delivering practical healthcare AI that drives measurable impact, from operational performance to patient and member experiences. We are excited to support our client in building the capabilities needed to realize this vision at scale,” said Matt Gennone, Chief Commercial Officer, Fractal and CEO, Cogentiq.

“As enterprises accelerate AI adoption, moving from isolated pilots to enterprise-scale AI deployment requires strong AI foundations. We are seeing leading organizations make long-term commitments to modernize data, governance and operational foundations, validating AI Foundations as a critical enterprise transformation category. Fractal is uniquely positioned to help clients on this journey through deep domain expertise, proprietary IP and outcome-based delivery. We are excited to expand the partnership with our client in building a resilient, AI-ready foundation that delivers measurable business results,” said Srikanth Velamakanni, Co-founder, Group Chief Executive and Vice-Chairman, Fractal.

The engagement underscores Fractal’s growing role in helping enterprises build the foundations needed to scale AI responsibly and sustainably.

About Fractal

Fractal Analytics Ltd (BSE: 544700) (NSE: FRACTAL) is a globally recognized pure-play enterprise AI company trusted by Fortune 500®-sized enterprises to power decision-making through AI services, solutions, and products. Fractal’s strategy is focused on three pillars: AI-led Transformation (AIT), which reimagines business workflows and decision-making through AI; AI Foundations (AIF), which enables scalable, trusted, and governed enterprise AI through robust data and technology foundations; and AI Work & Workforce (AIW), which helps organizations redesign work, develop AI-ready talent, and build the capabilities needed for the AI-native enterprise. All three pillars are powered by Cogentiq, Fractal’s flagship agentic AI platform.

With over 6,000 professionals across North America, EMEA, and Asia-Pacific, Fractal partners with business leaders to drive competitive differentiation for their organizations by embedding AI into critical decisions across business functions and industry verticals.

Fractal invests more than 6% of its revenue in AI R&D, supporting foundational AI research, product development, and IP creation that address both immediate client needs and long-term technological advancement. Fractal’s track record includes developing proprietary models and products such as Vaidya.ai and PiEvolve, as well as incubating and spinning out Qure.ai, a global healthcare AI leader focused on the rapid identification and management of tuberculosis, lung cancer, and stroke (or critical health conditions). Fractal’s suite of businesses consists of Asper.ai (a Revenue Growth Management product for CPG companies) and Analytics Vidhya (an Ed-tech platform).

Disclaimer:

This communication has been prepared by Fractal Analytics Limited (“the Company”) for general informational purposes only. This document does not constitute or form part of, and should not be construed as, an offer, invitation, or solicitation of an offer to purchase, subscribe for, sell, or otherwise deal in any securities of the Company, nor shall it or any part of it form the basis of, or be relied upon in connection with, any investment decision.

This communication contains certain statements that are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the Company’s actual results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except to the extent required by applicable law or regulation.

The information contained in this communication has not been independently verified. No representation, warranty, or undertaking, express or implied, is made as to the accuracy, completeness, or fairness of the information or opinions contained in this communication.

Past performance of the Company is not indicative of future results. Investors and other stakeholders are advised to exercise independent judgment and consult their own legal, financial, and tax advisors before making any decision based on the information contained herein.

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AISTS INDIA and Young India Physical Education & Sports University Announce Strategic Academic Partnership to Advance Sports Education in Telangana

MUMBAI, India, Aug. 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — AISTS INDIA and Young India Physical Education & Sports University (YIPESU) have entered a strategic academic partnership aimed at strengthening sports education, developing globally benchmarked academic programmes, and building Telangana’s position as a leading destination for international sports education.

The partnership will establish a long-term framework for collaboration between the two institutions, with a focus on jointly offering the Post Graduate Certificate Programme (PGCP) of AISTS INDIA, to create stronger pathways for students through student exchange opportunities, internships, industry exposure and placements, connecting learners with the broader Indian and international sports ecosystem while also exploring the development of internationally benchmarked programmes across sports management and related disciplines.

Through this collaboration, AISTS INDIA and YIPESU will work together on academic programme development, executive and professional education, curriculum enhancement and faculty development, bringing together international expertise and local institutional capabilities to create high-quality learning opportunities for students and professionals in the sports sector.

Expressing happiness at this development, Shri Jayesh Ranjan, Special Chief Secretary, Hyderabad Metropolitan Area & Department of Sports, Govt of Telangana, committed full support to this partnership to ensure that it could benefit a wide cross section of the youth in Telangana.

Speaking on the partnership, Ravneet Gill, Founder, AISTS INDIA, said, “Telangana is a magnet for India’s youth given its vibrant industrial & cultural environment and spirit of enterprise. Not surprising, therefore, that the state Govt is very focused on building a strong sports ecosystem. The founding of the Young India Physical Education & Sports University (YIPESU) is the perfect manifestation of that intent. AISTS INDIA is proud to collaborate with YIPESU to not only strengthen the state’s sports culture but also position it as a hub for world class sports education.”

Dr. Kishore Gopinathan, Vice Chancellor, YIPESU, said, “Through this partnership with AISTS INDIA, we take a decisive step toward a dream we have long held — placing the Indian sports academic system firmly on the global stage. Together, we will build a cycle of excellence that meets the highest international standards, so that our institutions, our coaches, and our athletes are never found wanting when measured against the best in the world. This collaboration enables the university to move decisively toward its goals, with immediate academic pursuits that can begin without delay and are designed to benefit the students of Telangana directly. Through AISTS INDIA’s expertise, our students will gain access to a quality of learning that strengthens the wider sporting ecosystem of the state in a lasting, sustainable way — building the foundation we need as India looks ahead to major sporting milestones in the years to come, including its Commonwealth Games and Olympic ambitions toward 2036.”

With sports in India undergoing rapid professionalisation across leagues, federations, technology, infrastructure, media, sponsorship and governance and India’s bid for the Olympic Games, the partnership seeks to develop talent equipped to lead and manage the next phase of India’s sports growth.

The collaboration between AISTS INDIA and Young India Physical Education & Sports University marks a significant step towards building a globally connected sports education ecosystem in Telangana and further strengthening the state’s ambition to emerge as a leading hub for sports, education and innovation.

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Prodigy Technovations Unveils Industry’s First UFS 5.0 Protocol Exerciser and Analyzer to Power the AI-Driven Storage Era

BENGALURU, India, Aug. 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Prodigy Technovations Pvt. Ltd, a leader in protocol analysis solutions, proudly announces the successful testing and launch of the PGY-UFS5-EX-PA. This groundbreaking tool is the industry’s first UFS 5.0 protocol exerciser and analyzer designed to accelerate the development of next-generation flash memory interfaces required for the burgeoning AI-driven ecosystem.

Supporting MIPI M-PHY® v6.0, MIPI UniPro® v3.0, and the JEDEC UFS 5.0 specification, the PGY-UFS5-EX-PA enables data transfer rates of 46.64Gbps per lane. This massive leap in throughput is critical for the seamless execution of artificial intelligence (AI) workloads, high-speed mobile computing, automotive ADAS, and immersive AR/VR applications.

As AI moves from the cloud to the ‘edge,’ mobile devices and automotive SoCs require unprecedented storage performance to handle complex large language models (LLMs) and real-time data processing. The PGY-UFS5-EX-PA provides design and test engineers with the essential tools to validate UniPro v3.0 and UFS 5.0 designs, ensuring they meet the rigorous reliability and performance standards of the AI era.

“The shift toward on-device AI demands a fundamental change in how data is accessed and moved,” said Godfree Coelho, Founder and CEO of Prodigy Technovations. “Our innovative probing solution and protocol analysis capabilities in the PGY-UFS5-EX-PA address the unique signal acquisition challenges of PAM4 at 46.64Gbps. By overcoming these hurdles, we are empowering SoC and UFS 5.0 vendors to build the high-performance, low-latency storage foundations that AI-driven applications require.”

Prodigy Technovations has been a steadfast Contributor member of the MIPI Alliance, actively participating in the M-PHY and UniPro working groups.

“MIPI Alliance welcomes continued development activity around tools such as the PGY-UFS5-EX-PA that support implementation and validation of M-PHY v6.0 and UniPro v3.0,” said Peter Lefkin, executive director, MIPI Alliance. “These efforts contribute to a healthy ecosystem by helping companies evaluate and adopt these specifications for a range of applications.”

Key features of the PGY-UFS5.0-EX-PA include:

• Support for 46.64Gbps per lane to handle data-intensive AI workloads
• Flexibility to capture very large data using continuous streaming of protocol data
• Real-time protocol decode with error analysis
• Trigger based on M-PHYv6.0, UniProv3.0 and UFS 5.0 layer packet content
• M-PHYv6.0, UniProv3.0 and UFS 5.0 layer protocol decode and analysis

Pricing and Availability

The PGY-UFS5.0-EX-PA is available for order immediately. For evaluation requests or pricing information, please contact contact@prodigytechno.com.

About Prodigy Technovations

Prodigy Technovations provides protocol analysis, decode, and PHY layer testing solutions for technologies including PCIe 5.0, eMMC, SD, SDIO, UHS-II, MIPI I3C, MIPI RFFE, and MIPI SPMI, helping engineers validate complex hardware designs.

Contact:

Godfree Coelho

Godfree.coelho@prodigytechno.com 

+91 8042126100

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