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Articles by Srushti Pathak
Karva Chauth 2026: 10 Desi Brands to Shop for Ethnicwear That’ll Make You Shine!
Karva Chauth is almost here, and you know what that means; time to bring out the bangles, perfect that festive makeup, and find an outfit that makes you feel like the leading lady of your own Bollywood romance! Whether you’re dressing up for the evening puja, getting ready for the moonrise, or planning a special dinner with your partner, the right ethnic ensemble can make the occasion even more memorable.
Rahul Agarwal Wins $350,000 on Shark Tank USA for Origami-Inspired Spoon
Indian-origin designer and entrepreneur Rahul Agarwal has secured a $350,000 investment deal on Shark Tank USA for his innovative kitchen product, Polygons. The foldable measuring spoon set impressed investors Lori Greiner and guest Shark Mindy Kaling with its practical design, which transforms six conventional measuring spoons into two compact tools. The deal, reported in October 2026, values Agarwal’s company, Polygons Design, at $3.5 million.
What Makes a Board Fit for the Future? Everything Starts at the Top Asks
Corporate governance can often feel like a world of committees, compliance checklists and boardroom jargon. But as businesses navigate AI, cyber risks, geopolitics, regulatory changes and growing public scrutiny, a more fundamental question emerges: how well are boards actually equipped to make decisions? Srinath Sridharan and Agamjeet Dang explore this question in Everything Starts at the Top: Building Boards of the Future.
Mumbai Restaurants Weigh 10–15% Price Hike as Operating Costs Rise
Restaurants across Mumbai are preparing to revise menu prices by 10–15% from next week, according to the Indian Hotel and Restaurant Association (AHAR), as rising food, fuel and operating costs put pressure on the hospitality industry. The proposed increase could affect everyday meals such as idli, dosa and dal-rice, as well as dining-in and food delivery orders.
Startup Roundup: Ecosystem, Mergers, Acquisitions and Funding News this week
This week’s funding landscape featured major investments across AI, healthcare, manufacturing, semiconductors and consumer businesses, alongside IPO-bound companies attracting anchor investors and technology firms pursuing strategic acquisitions to strengthen their capabilities and expand market reach.
10 Indian Destinations for Memorable Bridal Showers & Bachelorette Parties in 2026
So, your best friend is getting married, and the group chat has officially entered planning mode! Between deciding who’s booking the stay, what the bride should wear, and whether the trip needs a theme, there’s one big question: where are you all going? And no, the answer doesn’t have to be Goa followed by a night of cocktails! Bridal showers and bachelorette parties are becoming opportunities to travel together, try something new, and create memories before the big day.
Living With PMOS: Experts Explain Why Mental Health Needs a Place in the Care Plan
A diagnosis of PCOS can bring more than questions about irregular periods, fertility or managing weight. For many women, it can also mean years of navigating body-image concerns, anxiety, low mood and unsolicited advice about their health. Yet, these emotional struggles often remain unspoken in consultations that focus on physical symptoms. This conversation is becoming even more important as the condition gets a new name.
Startup Roundup: Ecosystem, Mergers, Acquisitions and Funding News this week
India’s startup and business ecosystem saw notable developments this week across manufacturing, regulatory changes, venture capital, consumer technology, AI, quantum computing, funding and strategic acquisitions. India’s startup and business ecosystem saw several notable developments this week across manufacturing, foreign trade regulations, venture capital and food delivery.
Shop for Durga Pujo from these Local Stores in Kolkata
Durga Pujo shopping in Kolkata is a whole mood and half the fun is hunting down those perfect finds before the pandal-hopping begins. Whether you’re after a classic handloom saree, a blouse that makes a statement or jewellery that does all the talking, the city has plenty of local gems to explore. So, if your Pujo wardrobe still needs some love, consider this your shopping cheat sheet.
Inside the Craft: Lambani vs Kutch Embroidery, How to Tell the Difference
During Navratri, Indian textiles become a celebration of colour, texture and craft. Embroidered skirts, dupattas, blouses and accessories often feature vibrant threads, intricate patterns and the unmistakable glint of mirrors. Two embroidery traditions that frequently enter this visual conversation are Lambani and Kutch embroidery. At first glance, the two can appear remarkably similar. Both can be colourful and heavily embellished, and both have traditions of mirror work.
Craft Katha: 7 Classic Handloom Sarees to Wear for Durga Pujo
Few things feel as synonymous with Durga Pujo as the sound of dhaak, the smell of bhog and women walking into pandals in their favourite sarees. While the white-and-red saree may be the image most closely associated with the festival, Bengal's textile traditions offer a much wider world of weaves, textures and techniques to explore. For generations, sarees have been part of how Pujo is experienced and remembered.
Startup Roundup: Ecosystem, Mergers, Acquisitions and Funding News this week
India’s startup and business ecosystem saw notable developments this week across space technology, digital payments, EVs, artificial intelligence, consumer brands, startup funding and strategic acquisitions, reflecting continued investment across emerging industries. India’s startup and business ecosystem saw several notable developments this week across space technology, digital payments, venture capital and advanced manufacturing.
Love Bandhani? Try These Bandhani Picks, From Sarees to Shirts, for Your Festive Wardrobe
There is something instantly recognisable about Bandhani. The tiny dots, vibrant colours and distinctive tie-dye patterns have made it a festive wardrobe favourite for generations. And with Navratri around the corner, it is the perfect time to bring this colourful craft back into your wardrobe. But Bandhani is not limited to the traditional saree.
Trending On Our Feed: Instagram Brands we Found in September you Need to Check out
Last couple of years, Instagram has been one of the major discovery platforms, making small businesses more accessible, in turn giving them more visibility and a well-deserved boost. If you're looking to know all about them at one place, then you need to check out this list by Local Samosa. Jinal, trained sculptor, founded Dookdi for her practice to move fluidly between mediums to find the appropriate expressions.
Lilly Singh: Holding space for an entire generation
Here's to Lilly Singh, the internet star who turned girl love into a reminder to celebrate other women. It’s January 10, 2019. I’m getting ready for office, charged up as the week inches closer to the weekend. And up pops Jenna Marbles’ ‘I Want To Be Tall’ video. It’s her, the queen of YouTube at the time, taking us along with her on a weirdly magical journey like she does every week. This time, the quest she is on is to be taller, as a 32-year-old lady. The goal is simple - to be 7 inches taller.
Beyond the Pill: Why Contraception is Still a Woman’s Burden in India
Contraception is often discussed as a question of choice: which pill, which device, which method, and which one works best for an individual body. But in India, there is another question underneath those choices: who is expected to take responsibility for preventing a pregnancy? For decades, family planning has been closely associated with women.
Indian Brands Aren’t Just Building Communities. They’re Building With Them
A customer buys your product. A community member might tell you what to make next. That difference is becoming increasingly important for Indian consumer brands. Think about the last time you discovered a product because someone you trusted mentioned it in a WhatsApp group, watched a founder explain why they made it, asked strangers about it on social media, or saw people like you using it. Increasingly, the relationship between a brand and its consumer does not end at checkout.
Startup Roundup: Ecosystem, Mergers, Acquisitions and Funding News this week
India’s startup and business ecosystem saw notable developments this week across advanced manufacturing, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, public markets and startup funding, reflecting continued investment across technology and emerging industries. India’s startup and business ecosystem saw several notable developments this week across advanced manufacturing, semiconductors, artificial intelligence and public-market activity.
Michelin Key Guide 2026: 47 Hotels Worth Travelling For in India
If you usually choose the destination first and the hotel later, the latest MICHELIN Key selection may have you doing things the other way around. For 2026, MICHELIN has recognised 47 hotels across India, spanning palaces, wildlife retreats, mountain hideaways and city stays. And two of them have received the guide's highest hotel distinction: Three MICHELIN Keys.
From Rs. 2 Lakh to Rs. 100 Crore: The Joker & Witch and Teejh Story
For a new consumer brand, getting a customer to buy once is only one part of the challenge. Getting them to return, making the economics work and keeping inventory moving while acquisition costs rise is where the harder business decisions begin. India's consumer market has changed considerably since Satish Singh and Maya Varma started building Joker & Witch and Teejh in 2015.
Startup Roundup: Ecosystem, Mergers, Acquisitions and Funding News this week
India’s startup ecosystem saw notable developments across e-commerce, fintech, crypto, healthcare, gaming, funding and strategic investments, reflecting a growing focus on regulation, trust, innovation and sustainable growth. India’s startup and business ecosystem saw several notable developments this week, spanning e-commerce regulation, fintech, cryptocurrency, healthcare investing and gaming.
When India Says Help is Just a Call Away, Can You Actually Reach a Suicide Prevention Helpline?
It was 11:40 PM on a Tuesday when 31-year-old Nisha* picked up her phone to call one of the suicide prevention and crisis helplines recommended by her therapist. As the call rang, she contemplated hanging up and continuing with her plan. It rang, and rang, and rang. No one answered. She dialled the next number. It didn’t connect. Then the third. Then the fourth. One after another, the calls ended in silence. That’s when her tears turned into an uncomfortable, uncontrollable laughter.
Startup Roundup: Ecosystem, Mergers, Acquisitions and Funding News this week
India’s startup ecosystem saw notable developments across semiconductors, AI-led payments, fintech, deeptech, aerospace, EVs, funding and strategic investments, reflecting a growing focus on innovation and scale. India’s startup and business ecosystem saw several notable developments this week, spanning semiconductor manufacturing, AI-led payments, financial services, investor activity, e-commerce and public markets.
Vecros is Teaching Drones to Navigate Where GPS Cannot
Imagine sending a drone into a warehouse, tunnel or industrial site where GPS simply does not work. It can fly, but without a reliable reference for where it is, even a sophisticated machine can struggle to navigate safely. That problem sits at the centre of Vecros, a deep-tech company founded by Prem Besta Sai and Rajeshree Deotalu, whose work began in aerial robotics at IIT Delhi.
Trending On Our Feed: Instagram Brands we Found in August you Need to Check out
Last couple of years, Instagram has been one of the major discovery platforms, making small businesses more accessible, in turn giving them more visibility and a well-deserved boost. If you're looking to know all about them at one place, then you need to check out this list by Local Samosa. A luxury fashion jewellery destination based in Delhi, Purple Tresor offers options in kundan, polki and diamond.
Startup Roundup: Ecosystem, Mergers, Acquisitions and Funding News this week
India’s startup ecosystem saw notable developments across responsible AI, electronics, e-commerce, gaming, public-market activity and strategic investments, reflecting a shift towards scale and disciplined growth. India’s startup and business ecosystem saw several notable developments this week, spanning responsible AI, electronics manufacturing, e-commerce, gaming, consumer brands and investor activity.
World Entrepreneurs’ Day 2026: 25 Indian Entrepreneurs and Ventures Driving Economic Growth
Ever wondered how a tiny idea becomes the business you suddenly start seeing everywhere? Maybe it is a new food brand on your quick-commerce app, an electric vehicle used by delivery workers, an AI tool that writes software from a prompt, or a homegrown company preparing to send a rocket into space. India's entrepreneurial story in 2026 is increasingly being shaped by businesses like these.
Startup Roundup: Ecosystem, Mergers, Acquisitions and Funding News this week
India’s startup ecosystem saw fresh funding, electronics manufacturing investments, AI developments and cross-sector partnerships this week, highlighting continued momentum across technology, healthcare, fintech and infrastructure. India’s startup and business ecosystem saw several notable developments this week, from fresh investments in electronics manufacturing and new fintech products to venture capital activity, AI and satellite internet.
Raksha Bandhan 2026 Gift Ideas for Every Kind of Sibling
Well, siblings don’t actually sing “Phoolon ka taaron ka”. You’ll instead find them fighting for the bigger piece of cake, having late night gossip sessions in their own invented language and casually getting each other the best gifts ever! So, for Raksha Bandhan 2026, Local Samosa brings you a curated list of some of the most stunning, quirky, functional, trendy Rakhi Gifts. This is a solid choice for the sibling that takes healthy eating seriously.
Startup Roundup: Ecosystem, Mergers, Acquisitions and Funding News this week
This week, India’s startup ecosystem witnessed developments across startup funding, venture capital, electric mobility, artificial intelligence, spacetech, wealthtech, IPOs, public markets, mergers and acquisitions, and consumer businesses. India’s startup ecosystem remained active this week, with fresh capital flowing into venture funds, startups advancing their public-market ambitions and mobility platforms navigating evolving regulations.
Why Aretto Founder Satyajit Mittal Wants Kids’ Shoes to Grow With Them
There is a familiar scene in many Indian homes: a child comes back after a long day and finds that their shoes feel tight, only for a parent to realise that the pair bought just a few months ago no longer fits. The alternative has often been to buy a size bigger, hoping the child will grow into it. It is a practical solution, but one that comes with its own compromises. The problem is hardly a small one.
The Beginner’s Guide to Buying Authentic Handloom: How to Identify Genuine Indian Weaves Before You Invest
For many Indians, buying a handloom saree or textile begins with a familiar dilemma: standing in front of rows of beautifully woven fabrics and wondering, “How do I know this is truly handloom?” The question is becoming increasingly relevant as traditional textiles find new appreciation among younger buyers.
Can Friendship Survive Entrepreneurship? How PHURR's Three Fou₹nders Built a Restaurant Brand on Trust
If Dil Chahta Hai taught us anything, it's that friendships evolve with time. Careers take different turns, people move cities, and life gets busier, but the strongest friendships often find a way to endure. What the film didn't explore, however, was what happens when friends decide to build a business together.
Trending On Our Feed: Instagram Brands we Found in July you Need to Check out
Last couple of years, Instagram has been one of the major discovery platforms, making small businesses more accessible, in turn giving them more visibility and a well-deserved boost. If you're looking to know all about them at one place, then you need to check out this list by Local Samosa. House of Drip is a handcrafted home décor brand that transforms wax into hyper-realistic candles inspired by desserts, beverages, fruits and flowers.
Startup Roundup: Ecosystem, Mergers, Acquisitions and Funding News this week
This week, India's startup ecosystem witnessed developments across artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, cryptocurrency regulation, venture capital, startup funding, semiconductors, electric mobility and mergers and acquisitions. India's startup ecosystem witnessed another eventful week, with developments spanning artificial intelligence, venture capital, semiconductors, cryptocurrency regulation and government policy.
Before It Disappears: The Story of Muga Silk and Homegrown Brands Reviving it
Every handloom carries more than threads. It holds the memory of landscapes, communities and knowledge passed down over generations. Through Before It Disappears, Local Samosa revisits Indian textile traditions & legacies that deserve to be understood, celebrated and protected before the systems sustaining them begin to unravel. Some textiles impress with their colours. Others are admired for their craftsmanship. Then there are fabrics like Muga Silk, whose brilliance comes entirely from nature.
From Cockroaches to Expired Food: Why India's Food Safety Crackdown is Putting Restaurants Under the Scanner
Whether it is a neighbourhood restaurant, an exclusive club or a luxury hotel, diners expect the food they are served to be safe and hygienic. Recent regulatory action in Mumbai and Delhi, however, has placed even some of the best-known hospitality establishments under scrutiny.
Before It Disappears: The Story of Himroo and Homegrown Brands Reviving it
Every handloom carries more than threads. It carries the memory of people, places and traditions that have survived for centuries, often against the odds. Local Samosa revisits India's textile legacies that deserve to be remembered, celebrated and protected before they fade from everyday life. Some fabrics are worn. Others are inherited. Then there are textiles like Himroo, woven with centuries of migration, royal patronage, artistic evolution and resilience.
Startup Roundup: Ecosystem, Mergers, Acquisitions and Funding News this week
This week, India's startup ecosystem witnessed developments across e-commerce policy, venture capital, startup funding, fintech, climate technology, public markets, employee stock ownership plans and mergers and acquisitions. India's startup ecosystem witnessed another eventful week, with developments spanning e-commerce policy, climate-tech funding, fintech, employee wealth creation and public markets.
How Mumbai's Streets Became a Hub of Solidarity Protests This Week
Mumbai is often described as a city that rarely pauses. Office-goers rush to catch the last local, traffic swallows evenings, and public demonstrations seldom manage to interrupt the rhythm of daily life for long. Yet over three consecutive days, from July 20 to 22, that familiar routine gave way to something unusual.
How India's Education Protests Spread Across Cities and Continents
What began as an education protest at Delhi's Jantar Mantar has since spread to multiple Indian cities and Indian diaspora communities abroad. Here's how the movement expanded over the past few weeks. What began at Jantar Mantar in Delhi has since spread across India and beyond. The student-led protest against India's education system, which continues in the national capital, has found support in several Indian cities as well as among the Indian diaspora abroad.
Mumbai's 110-Year-Old Parsi Dairy Farm Loses Food Licence After FDA Inspection
Mumbai's iconic Parsi Dairy Farm, one of the city's oldest and most recognisable dairy brands, has had its food business licence suspended after Maharashtra's Food and Drug Administration (FDA) found multiple hygiene and food safety violations during an inspection. The suspension comes as part of a wider statewide enforcement drive led by FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe, which has targeted food businesses across Maharashtra for alleged non-compliance with food safety regulations.
Emergent Becomes India's Latest AI Unicorn After $130 Million Funding
India's artificial intelligence startup ecosystem has a new unicorn. AI coding platform Emergent has raised $130 million (around Rs. 1,120 crore) in a Series C funding round, taking its valuation to $1.5 billion. Founded just over a year ago, the company has become one of the fastest Indian startups to achieve unicorn status, underscoring growing investor confidence in AI-native businesses.
Startup Roundup: Ecosystem, Mergers, Acquisitions and Funding News this week
This week, India's startup ecosystem witnessed developments across artificial intelligence, semiconductor manufacturing, venture capital, startup funding, mergers and acquisitions, consumer technology and regulatory action. India's startup and technology ecosystem witnessed another eventful week, with developments spanning artificial intelligence, semiconductor manufacturing, venture capital, consumer technology and startup exits.
Choosing the Right Packaging: A Small Business Guide to Protection, Shipping and Branding
Think about the last product that genuinely caught your attention before you even used it. More often than not, it wasn't just the product itself but the way it arrived. From the collectible Special Drop boxes of Comet to the bold, street-inspired packaging of Gully Labs, several Indian brands have turned packaging into a memorable part of the customer experience.
How Asian Footwears Built a Homegrown Footwear Brand on a Manufacturing Legacy
From school shoes bought for everyday use to sneakers designed around comfort and performance, footwear has become an important part of India’s changing consumer landscape. The country’s footwear market has grown beyond basic utility, with consumers increasingly looking for products that combine affordability, design, technology and durability. This shift has also created space for homegrown brands that understand local preferences while building manufacturing capabilities at scale.
Paris Fashion Week 2026: Indian Craftsmanship Takes Centre Stage
If there's one place where fashion dreams are stitched into history, it's Paris. For decades, Indian artisans have quietly embroidered gowns for the world's biggest luxury houses, their craftsmanship admired but rarely acknowledged. Today, that story has changed. India is no longer just creating couture behind the scenes. It is presenting it on the runway, occupying the coveted front row, and influencing global luxury conversations like never before.
Startup Roundup: Ecosystem, Mergers, Acquisitions and Funding News this week
This week, India's startup ecosystem witnessed developments across artificial intelligence, venture capital, startup funding, IPOs, mergers and acquisitions, alongside new accelerator programmes, strategic investments and global expansion initiatives. India's startup ecosystem witnessed another eventful week, marked by fresh accelerator programmes, new venture capital commitments, funding rounds, IPO developments, strategic acquisitions and a growing wave of AI-led innovation.
Maharashtra to Legalise Bike Taxis from August 1 with New Rules
For millions of Indians navigating congested cities, bike taxis have become one of the quickest ways to beat traffic and bridge the crucial last mile between home, work and public transport. They are often cheaper than cabs, require less road space and have become a familiar sight in urban centres despite operating under different rules across states.
Startup Roundup: Ecosystem, Mergers, Acquisitions and Funding News this week
This week, India's startup ecosystem recorded developments across semiconductor manufacturing, venture capital, startup funding, public markets and mergers and acquisitions, alongside fresh investments, IPO filings and strategic acquisitions. India's startup and technology ecosystem witnessed another active week, with developments spanning semiconductor manufacturing, venture capital, startup funding and activity in the public markets.
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