Reinforcing its strong connection with Assam and the communities that are an important part of India’s tea ecosystem, Jivraj9 Tea Group has contributed ₹12.5 lakhs to the Assam Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.

The contribution aims to support relief and rehabilitation efforts for communities affected by the recent floods in Assam. For Jivraj9 Tea Group, this initiative goes beyond a corporate social responsibility effort, reflecting its commitment to giving back to a region that has played a significant role in the tea industry.

The company believes that Assam’s contribution to the tea sector extends beyond tea production, with its people, communities and ecosystem forming an essential part of the industry’s journey.

Viren Shah, Chairman & Managing Director (CMD), Jivraj9 Tea Group, said “Our relationship with Assam is rooted in tea, but it goes beyond the tea that is sourced from the region. It is a relationship with the people, communities and ecosystem that have made Assam such an important part of India’s tea story. We have always believed that when a region contributes to your business and your industry, you have a responsibility to contribute back to it as well. Our contribution to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund is a small step from our side towards supporting the relief efforts and the people affected by the floods.”

Sharing his thoughts, Pathik Shah, Executive Director (ED), Jivraj9 Tea Group said “Our responsibility does not end with producing and delivering quality tea. It also extends to recognising and supporting the ecosystem that makes our industry possible. Assam has given enormously to the identity and strength of Indian tea. At a time when people across the state are facing difficulty, we wanted to contribute towards the collective relief effort in whatever way we could.”

Assam remains one of the most important tea-growing regions in India, with its unique geography, climate and rich tea heritage shaping the identity of Indian tea. The state has supported generations of communities whose livelihoods are closely connected with the tea industry.

Jivraj9 Tea Group’s association with Assam reflects its connection with the origins and value chain of the tea it delivers to consumers across India and international markets.

Through this contribution, the company continues to focus on building meaningful relationships across the tea value chain while supporting the communities and regions that play an important role in its journey.

Punjab & Sind Bank has contributed Rs 50 lakh to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund, Assam, as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative to support communities affected by floods in the state.

The contribution is aimed at supporting ongoing relief and rehabilitation efforts for people impacted by the floods, providing assistance towards the broader recovery initiatives being undertaken across affected communities.

Through the contribution, Punjab & Sind Bank has reiterated its commitment to supporting communities during times of crisis and contributing to initiatives focused on social welfare and recovery.

The Bank said its CSR initiatives remain focused on fulfilling its broader social responsibilities and supporting programmes that contribute to community welfare and inclusive development.

The contribution to the Assam Chief Minister’s Relief Fund forms part of the Bank's efforts to extend support during natural calamities and assist communities facing significant challenges.

As flood-affected areas continue their recovery, the contribution is expected to support relief measures aimed at assisting impacted communities and strengthening rehabilitation efforts.

Punjab & Sind Bank continues to undertake CSR initiatives across areas of community development and social welfare, reinforcing its commitment to creating a positive impact beyond its banking operations.

The 9th edition of Big Cine Expo 2026, Asia and India’s dedicated convention and trade show for the cinema exhibition and theatrical distribution industry, officially began on 18 August 2026 at Chennai Trade Centre, Chennai. The two-day event brings together cinema exhibitors, distributors, technology providers, equipment manufacturers, studios, consultants and key stakeholders from across India and international markets.

The expo serves as a platform for discovery, collaboration and networking within the cinema exhibition industry. It features product displays, live demonstrations, product presentations, studio showcases, seminars, panel discussions, awards programmes, film screenings and B2B meetings, creating opportunities for businesses across the cinema and entertainment ecosystem.

The inaugural ceremony was attended by Shri Devang Sampat, Managing Director, Cinépolis India; Shri Sandeep Mittal, Founder, TheatreWorld; Shri Raghavendra T (Raghav), Director, Big Cine Expo and Editor-Publisher, TheatreWorld; and Shri Yusuf Galabhaiwala, Partner, GTC Industries, as Guests of Honour.

The latest edition of the expo showcases a wide range of cinema technologies, products and solutions while offering opportunities for knowledge sharing, business discussions and networking among industry professionals.

Speaking about the event, Raghav, Director, Big Cine Expo, said, “Remarkable progress has been made by Asian countries, taking the cinema industry by storm. India, in particular, shows their passion through increasing numbers of screens and movie releases every year. There are businesses that are enthusiastic about the technical aspects of the cinematic world, and I am thrilled to say that Big Cine Expo 2026 will be an event that has the ability to bridge the knowledge gap, especially at a time when the industry is in desperate need of a boost. Packed with live discussions and demonstrations from various brands, the two-day event will cover humongous networking opportunities for the cinema exhibition industry. A tradeshow and convention that has a lot in store for everybody, including innovations which overtake the competition to feature every cinema in the world, from a multiplex to a single-screen, moulding it into a premium, affordable and sustainable cinema! You just can’t miss it!”

The first day of the expo featured a strong conference programme focusing on the changing needs and future growth of cinema exhibition. The panel “Reclaiming the Masses: Making Cinema Affordable in the Current Era” discussed ways to improve accessibility through smarter pricing, data-based scheduling, targeted promotions and subscription models while maintaining business sustainability.

Another session, “Beyond the Screen: Leveraging Tech to Elevate F&B and the Cinema Experience,” highlighted how technology can help transform cinema food and beverage offerings into a stronger source of revenue and customer engagement.

The panel “Tech vs. Texture: Does Premium Technology Deliver a Premium Experience?” explored the impact of advanced projection, immersive sound, HDR, LED and next-generation presentation technologies. The discussion also focused on how comfort, design, hospitality and social spaces contribute towards creating a complete premium cinema experience.

Meanwhile, ICTA’s session “Cinema 2030: Operating Model of the Future” focused on the growing importance of artificial intelligence, automation and data-driven analytics in building efficient and future-ready cinema operations.

The first day also featured the Qube Cinema Partner Felicitation and the IMAX Big Cine Awards 2026, recognising achievements and contributions from across the cinema exhibition industry.

The exhibition area at Big Cine Expo 2026 featured leading cinema technology, equipment, services and solutions from Indian and international exhibitors. Visitors explored the latest advancements in projection, display technologies, cinema automation, F&B solutions and other innovations through live demonstrations and interactive experiences.

The second day of Big Cine Expo 2026, scheduled on 19 August, will continue discussions around technology, innovation and audience engagement with Barco’s “Limitless Possibilities, Unlimited Experiences” and the panel “Cracking Audience Engagement: Micro-Targeting India’s Diverse Demographics.”

The sessions will focus on emerging technologies and understanding India’s diverse audience base to create stronger engagement strategies and sustainable cinema businesses.

With its expanded scale, industry participation and focus on the evolving cinema landscape, Big Cine Expo 2026 continues to remain an important platform for collaboration, innovation and the future growth of cinema exhibition in India and Asia.