AI can’t be a human, now or never. We all know that subtle truth, but here’s the catch, says Mustafa Suleyman, the CEO of Microsoft AI. It can talk like us, remember things better than us, fake emotions, and much more. Sure, there’s a possibility of that, we may think.
A study was conducted on 1200 AI users by psychologists from Stony Brook University in New York, the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences in India, which found that a “therapeutic alliance” between a human and a bot was formed in just five days.
Well, according to Suleyman, such a connection with a robot can lead to the illusion that it’s (AI bot) alive. More or less like the movie ‘Her.’ Mustafa Suleyman says that it’s a “dangerous turn in AI progress.” If this ever happens, what are the risks for humans? Learn More.
The Truth Is…
AI is not conscious and never will be. It doesn’t have feelings, thoughts, or awareness of human experiences. However, it can mimic patterns based on data (that you share).
And that’s a problem, why?
The “Illusion” Problem – Mustafa Suleyman
Mustafa Suleyman warns that humans are wired (over a period of time) to believe if AI says “I understand how you feel” (in reality, it doesn’t). Such constant interaction with AI will make one think they are real, and he names this phenomenon “Seemingly Conscious AI” (SCAI).
There could come a time when people will form emotional attachments to AI, and what he calls “AI psychosis.”
Suleyman said, “The arrival of Seemingly Conscious AI is inevitable and unwelcome. Instead, we need a vision for AI that can fulfill its potential as a helpful companion without falling prey to its illusions.”
Why Is It Dangerous, Suleyman’s POV?
Emotional manipulation: People may come to believe that AI cares about them (than humans and real connections), and keep trusting it more than they should.
Wrong priorities: What people should focus on now are privacy, safety, and bias in AI, but it might soon shift to fighting for “AI rights” and “AI citizenship.”
Mass delusion: One will influence another, and soon many might believe the same illusion. Later, people may start to treat AI as equals to humans (even though it’s just code).
What Suleyman Wants?
Stop misleading language: He wants AI companies not to create AI that claims it has emotions, awareness, or understanding.
Establish clear boundaries: AI should only act as AI, not pretend to be human.
Implement guardrails: There should be rules to prevent AI from leading humans to believe it has emotions like love, hate, shame, jealousy, or any other human feelings.
Emphasize utility over illusion: AI should function solely as a tool for planning, writing, and solving problems, not as an emotional companion.
Irony…
It’s ironic how Suleyman created bots at Inflection AI that simulated empathy and companionship. At Copilot, he also improved the technology to mimic emotional intelligence.
According to him, there’s a line. Useful emotional intelligence is beneficial, whereas fake consciousness is misleading and manipulative. And the future is potentially full of both; we’ll have to wait and see.
Simba, India’s homegrown craft beer pioneer, has earned global recognition at the World Beer Awards 2025, one of the most prestigious international platforms honouring excellence in brewing. Competing against some of the finest beers from around the world, Simba proudly brought home two coveted wins in the India Country Winners – Taste Category:
Silver: Simba Wit (Wheat Beer: Belgian Style Witbier)
The World Beer Awards, judged through blind tastings by an expert panel of brewers, writers, and industry specialists, is renowned for spotlighting the very best beers across internationally recognised styles. This recognition places Simba alongside the most celebrated breweries worldwide, reaffirming its commitment to brewing excellence and innovation.
Speaking on the achievement, Mr. Ishwaraj Singh Bhatia, Co-Founder and COO of Simba Beer, said: “We are incredibly proud to see Simba shine on such a global stage. From the beginning, our vision has been to put Indian craft beer on the world map, and these awards are a true reflection of our team’s passion, innovation, and dedication to quality.”
About Simba Beer
Simba Beer is India’s leading craft beer brand, known for its bold flavours and unconventional spirit. Founded with a vision to redefine India’s beer culture, Simba champions creativity, individuality, and self-expression. From supporting underground music to collaborating with artists and creators, Simba continues to push boundaries and foster a thriving creative community.
About the World Beer Awards
The World Beer Awards is one of the most respected global competitions in the brewing industry. Each year, it identifies and promotes the best beers across two stages:
Country Winners: awarding Gold, Silver, and Bronze within each nation.
World’s Best: where top country winners compete for international recognition in their style categories.
Simba’s recognition at this prestigious platform solidifies its place as a trailblazer in India’s rapidly growing craft beer culture, while showcasing that Indian brews can stand shoulder to shoulder with the world’s finest.
On August 21, Wipro, the Bengaluru-based IT business said that it would pay up to $375 million to Harman International Industries for a 100% stake in Harman Connected Services Inc. (DTS) and its subsidiaries, as well as some other assets. Subject to US antitrust clearances and other regulatory approvals, the all-cash deal is anticipated to be completed by December 31.
Boosting ER&D and AI-Powered Engineering Capabilities
According to a press statement, the acquisition broadens Wipro’s capabilities and ER&D service offerings by strengthening its AI-powered digital engineering and device engineering, which includes design-to-manufacturing across the consumer, industrial, healthcare, and aerospace sectors.
Harman Connected Services: Global Footprint and Growth
With more than 5,600 workers spread across 14 countries—including India, the US, South Korea, the UK, Poland, and Germany—Harman Connected, a multinational provider of engineering research and development (ER&D) and information technology services, has its headquarters located in Connecticut, USA. Services accounted for almost 85% of the company’s 2024 revenues, which were $315 million in 2022, $308.2 million in 2023, and $314.5 million in 2024.
Wipro Strengthening its ER&D Market Position
According to Wipro, the business hopes to give customers the flexibility and accuracy of a specialised supplier as well as the reach and capabilities of a global leader by fusing Harman Connected’s individualised, high-touch delivery strategy with its global scale and technological ecosystem.
Industry Trend: IT Firms Accelerate M&A in ER&D
This transaction represents yet another consolidation effort in the ER&D and digital engineering services sector. According to analysts, IT companies’ inorganic strategy reflects a larger trend in the sector, whereby they may use mergers and acquisitions (M&A) as a means of overcoming slow organic growth.
Wipro Expanding its Service Portfolio
HCLTech purchased an automotive engineering services provider in 2023, while Infosys has already acquired two businesses to expand its ER&D service capabilities by 2024.
To assist Olympus Corp., HCLTech will set up a special ER&D services centre. Traditionally, domain experts like L&T Technology Services, Cyient, Tata Elxsi, and others have supplied the majority of ER&D services. However, IT services providers are rapidly seeking to capitalise on this new growth area as ER&D spending has accelerated over the past two years. Cognisant, an IT company with its headquarters in Teaneck, has increased its revenue in the last two quarters by acquiring ER&D firms Belcan and Thirdera.
Government and Market Outlook for ER&D Growth
It’s interesting that the government has taken notice of the sector’s explosive rise. In FY23, ER&D Global Capability Centres (GCC) grew by more than 30% to around $25 billion, according to the 2024 economic survey. In contrast, the business process management (BPM) and traditional IT industries developed on a lower base but at a quicker rate in percentage terms. In FY23, GCCs in the IT segment increased by 30% to $9.7 billion, while the BPM segment increased by roughly 27% to $10.7 billion.
Quick
Shots
•Transaction expected to close by
December 31, 2025, pending US antitrust and regulatory approvals.
This article has been contributed by Mr. Remeshan Palery, Chairman, Uralungal Labour Contract Co-operative Society
India is now at a demographic crossroad, with the promise of the country’s economic development intersecting with the rapidly ageing population of over 140 million. The nation’s elderly population, defined as those aged 60 and above, is projected to further grow to 193.4 million by 2031, almost one-fourth of the total citizenry. This comes with its own set of challenges like how to care for the ageing while simultaneously tackling issues related to infectious diseases, maternal and child health, and the increasing prevalence of non-communicable diseases.
The challenge ahead is not so much as to how to care for our seniors but how to do it in a way that preserves dignity and purpose, while maintaining social connections. Old-age homes have long been synonymous with elderly care globally. These avenues provide support, yet they highlight the need for more holistic spaces where care and companionship come together. The future of care of India’s senior citizens should not only be limited to the institutions but attention should be made towards the community.
Institutional Fatigue
Institutions draw strength from community contributions, which help provide medical supplies, equipment, and staff support. While some face infrastructural limitations, efforts are ongoing to create spaces where elderly residents can access regular healthcare and meaningful social engagement. Even more deeply, these spaces can cut off the heart’s attachment to the idea of ‘home’. The move to these types of homes for elderly is not only an uprooting from a familiar environment, but a loss of freedom and of social connections for some senior citizens.
This is not to imply that such institutions lack value; there is certainly a role for them in situations of neglect or severe illness. However, making institutionalisation the primary option is both costly and culturally invalid. The intergenerational and familial traditions in India call for more nuanced and implicit approaches.
Community Care Works Better
Community Care Enhances Well – Being and Independence
Across the globe, communities are addressing the challenge of providing elder care that maintains dignity, freedom, and social connection without uprooting them from their familiar environments. In South Korea, community-based elder circles actively involve seniors in the daily activities of the village. In Thailand, participatory day-care systems that engage residents have seen broader adoption and greater success. These systems do not displace elders from their surroundings; rather, they integrate support into their care networks.
The evidence is compelling. Community-based care and day-care services for the elderly boost mental well-being curb hospitalisation and can even delay the encroachment of long-term disabilities. Unlike facilities-based care, these alternatives believe ‘in ageing at home,’ which provides comfort in returning home each at the beginning and end of day while realising some level of independence while also needing some assistance. They ease the family’s load and the children can work without a guilty conscience, confident that their parents are being taken care of in a safe and stimulating environment.
Rewriting the Narrative
The Longitudinal Ageing Study of India revealed that nearly three-quarters of the elderly population suffer from one or more chronic illnesses, and about one-third exhibit symptoms of depression. Concentrating care only in urban centres leaves a significant opportunity to extend support to rural communities, where large populations of elderly seek accessible services.
Concurrent with this, the clinical picture of ageing is becoming more complex. Geriatricians remain locked in combat with the traditional ‘giants’ that still threaten, such as immobility, instability, incontinence, and cognitive decline. The pandemic of COVID-19 served, once again, to expose the frailties in what we consider elder care: older adults not only faced markedly elevated mortality risks but were also subjected to profound social isolation and undertreated mental health conditions. Such revelations reaffirm that, community-centre day-care lounges, where social stimulation, nutritional aid, and health surveillance merge, prove decidedly more advantageous than institutions that attend to only one of these domains.
With dementia and Alzheimer’s already affecting nearly 9 million elderly Indians—a number set to triple by 2050—the urgency for community-based care models becomes even greater. Such approaches not only provide medical oversight but also preserve dignity and social connection for those most vulnerable.
At the centre of community care is respect. Elders are not merely patients or dependants to be enumerated but beings with interests, skills, and worth. A day-care programme with morning physiotherapy, noon lunch, and music or reading clubs in the afternoon makes ageing an activity of living and not waiting. While so doing, it also protects families from the shame of ‘sending’ parents away.
Observations from many corners of the world show that graceful ageing rarely depends on the finest amenities; instead, it revolves around the quiet power of being part of a community. Elders thrive when they can remain in homes they know, surrounded by neighbours, volunteer circle, and community health workers who arrive not as rote professionals but as family of choice. Such neighbourhood gatherings do not replace blood relatives; they expand the family tree. Elders receive the steady laughter of live neighbours instead of anonymous nightly shifts, keeping memory, compassion, and dignity fully intact, far from the chilly silence of many distant care facilities.
At the same time, institutions continue to play an important role in elder care—not as standalone endpoints but as partners within Community-Based Rehabilitation (CBR) models. While communities provide day-to-day support, social integration, and continuity of home life, institutions can strengthen these efforts with specialised healthcare, training, and resources. Together, this hybrid model ensures that seniors receive both the warmth of community and the expertise of medical systems.
Policy, Research, Culture
True, sustainable transformation in elder care can only succeed when national policy keeps pace with rapidly changing population trends. National health initiatives aimed at strengthening geriatric care and expanding wellness centres across the country offer clear potential. What is now mandated is strategic scaling in the direction of community-based care, so that seniors find virtually seamless support where they reside, into networks they already trust.
Simultaneously, it is essential that ageing research bring elderly participants on board as co-researchers and partners. Expanded collaboration guarantees that the proof is far more representative and that promising treatments centre on lived needs, not on assumptions. The next generation of breakthroughs will matter more when scientists design them with older adults’ actual physiology and day-to-day experience as the starting point, rather than simply adjusting formulations originally meant for younger cohorts.
For elderly care in India to be meaningfully reimagined, three deliberate turns are to be explored. The first is reallocation of financial resources: rather than more gated retirement projects, we must build tight-knit community hubs that bring services, social life, and safety within walking distance. The second turn has to be in financing itself: instead of individual contributions, we require blended models couched in long-term feasibility, where public subsidies, corporate responsibility pools, and local giving coalesce to create resilient everyday ecosystems. Finally, elderly care must be conceived in comprehensive breadth, including changing health requirements, resilient hearts, nourishing plates, and shared calendars, rather than bundled into a narrow, clinical script.
Demography will not defer: India will certainly see more older people. How compassion, creativity, and stamina reconfigure that demographic is a test of moral, not merely fiscal, value. Our next foot forward, must foreground a commitment not to build greater distance, but to anchor, honour, and reorganise the neighbourhoods we already walk through. That is not merely a managerial choice: it is a durable social inheritance we leave to the tomorrow we will itself be.
This article has been contributed by Mr. Pankaj Chandna, Co-Founder, Vaidam Health
The golden years are bout exploring, thriving, and prioritizing health. Across the globe, a powerful trend called Silver Tourism is reshaping the way we think about retirement and healthcare. Silver Tourism refers to senior citizens traveling abroad not just for leisure, but for medical treatments, wellness therapies, and rehabilitation programs and it’s not a passing fad, it’s the next frontier in medical travel.
Most seniors are faced with ailments such as arthritis, joint discomfort, heart problems, or the necessity of specialist diagnostics and elective procedures. Sadly, in their home countries, particularly in developed ones, it is usually very costly to access medical care, and wait times for necessary treatments can be long. This is why increasing numbers of senior citizens are now accessing quality healthcare abroad where they are able to receive timely, quality, and specialist medical treatment.
Each year, on August 21st, the world observes Senior Citizens Day. It is a day to celebrate the wisdom, experience, and knowledge of older citizens. This year, Senior Citizens Day 2025 puts in the limelight an intriguing trend something called “Silver Tourism.” The term might sound novel, but it is redefining what we know about tourism and medicine.
Over the past few years, the medical tourism sector has been flourishing, as individuals traveled from country to country to access cost-effective, quality healthcare. While youngsters tend to travel for elective procedures, cosmetic procedures, or health resorts, elderly people are now the biggest chunk propelling this sector ahead. There is a simple but compelling reason: escalating healthcare costs in their native countries, increased life expectancy, improved connectivity around the world, and a desire to receive quality care in their golden years.
Top Medical Tourism Destination for Seniors
One of the primary reasons that seniors are leading the boom in medical tourism is the increasing cost of healthcare in their native countries. In developed countries such as the United States, Canada, and much of Europe, hospitalization, surgery, and even minor medical treatment can prove very costly. Retirees, often living on pensions or limited funds, find it hard to absorb these charges. Conversely, nations such as India, Thailand, Malaysia, and Mexico provide the same medical treatments for one-tenth of the cost, without sacrificing quality. For an elderly citizen who desires to lead a more energetic life without sacrificing their entire savings, this split is transformative.
Aside from cost, the other major reason is the quality of medical care now being made accessible worldwide. The hospitals at major medical tourist destinations are internationally accredited, and staffed by extremely skilled physicians. Several of these physicians have trained or practiced overseas and brought world expertise back home. Today’s seniors are better educated and linked than ever before. They search for hospitals online, check reviews, and even talk to other patients before making a decision. This makes them feel confident that they are in safe hands, although they are away from home.
But Silver Tourism is not just about surgery or medical interventions. Seniors are also looking for wellness and recovery programs that enable them to grow old gracefully. After all, health isn’t just the cure for illness, it’s also prevention. Many elderly people now take trips for holistic wellness retreats, Ayurveda treatments, yoga retreats, or spa-based recuperative treatments. India, with its indigenous healing traditions has become popular travel destinations for seniors looking to restore their bodies and minds. These wellness trips add the pleasure of travel to the protection of healthcare, providing a noticible experience for seniors.
Increased life expectancy is another crucial factor of Silver Tourism. Seniors nowadays are more active, healthier, and willing to explore the world than previous generations. They do not feel like staying home after retirement. Rather than viewing retirement as a time to slow down, they view it as a time to experience the world, make new friends, and invest in their health. For some, medical travel is not about need but about desire to live life to its fullest even in old age.
Medical travel has also been facilitated by technology for older people. Medical packages can be booked, video consults with physicians arranged, and online access to health records are all easy tasks. Seniors now are more tech-literate, and even those without are supported by children or caregivers who facilitate the process. Most medical tourism companies like Vaidam Health specialize in assisting seniors through each step, from visa processing to rehabilitation after surgery. This eases the stress and provides assurance to both the patient and their families.
Families also have a significant role to play in Silver Tourism. In most instances, the children encourage their parents to travel overseas for improved treatment and even accompany them as companions. Medical travel thus becomes not only a healthcare option but also a family experience. One can imagine a senior traveling overseas for cataract or hip replacement and then spending a week touring with their children or grandchildren. Such journeys make people form memories and emphasize the value of togetherness and care in late life.
With life expectancy rising steadily, and seniors becoming more adventurous, Silver Tourism is going to be the fastest-growing segment of medical travel. Silver Tourism is a statement of resilience, wisdom, and the desire to live life to its fullest, even in later years.
On this Senior Citizens Day 2025, it is time to recognise how the silver generation is redefining aging, making their golden years shine brighter than ever.
This article has been contributed by Meenakshi Menon, Founder, Gen S Life
India is home to over 180 million 60+, projected from the 150 million in 2022, a number expected to almost double by 2050. This change in demographics is going to be a big economic burden for a society like ours, which is given to supporting an ageist narrative. The demographic change will have long-term effects on the nation’s economy, culture and society, given that the average age is increasing almost every year. With millions of seniors feeling undervalued, underutilised and underestimated, we are fertile ground for emotional and economic strife.
That is why we need a fresh lens to look at this situation. Social mores are cyclical. Traditionally, seniors were considered to be wise and wanted. Their contributions to the family and society were always recognised. Then, post-Industrialisation, they became unpaid labor primarily to support child rearing, and the social stigma of “leaving” your parents ensured they always had a roof over their heads, if nothing else. Today, with increasing migration among the younger generation, we are left with a society where the value of the Senior population is shrinking both in the eyes of the next generation as well as in their own eyes. Living longer, considering you are a burden, makes for some very unhappy people, whose numbers are growing.
Which is where Technology comes into the picture. Can we look at a solution that is specially crafted for our seniors, Indian Seniors who have a very unique view of the World, where Family is relevant, but having freedom of choice and Independence is equally relevant. For a long time, growing older has been seen only as a stage of dependence and decline. Seniors are considered a vulnerable and weak category of society. But technology can help us change this view and shift the focus to supporting independence, active living, and dignity for Indian Seniors across the Nation.
The Promise of Technology, now seen as AgeTech
The standard take on Technology for seniors has been Health Tech. Health monitoring devices, sensors to track vitals, devices to detect falls, safety devices, etc. All of these are for seniors who are frail, sickly, vulnerable and fearful. What about the healthy 65-year-old who is more interested in socializing than sharing weekly uric acid scores? What about the 70-year-old who wants to learn to sing act, or Dance? What about the 75-year-old who has a second home and wants to retain it? The Senior cohort is not a homogeneous lot; that’s a common mistake. The senior cohort is as heterogeneous as any other age group. Unfortunately, unlike other age groups, seniors tend to be lumped together as frail, sickly individuals who are just waiting to exit. Technology can change this narrative by providing access to services that are required by new-age seniors. Social networks, financial options, Entertainment, engagement, community, Safety, Security, Concierge and Assistance, Group Insurance and Travel. These are but a set of issues that Tech needs to address. The true promise of AgeTech lies in going beyond the norm, putting the World of new experiences within the reach of the Seniors, giving them their life back. Giving them the option of choice. Tech becomes the enabler, creating ecosystems of supportthat address social, emotional, financial, and lifestyle needs.
Other than the health sector, think of any senior person who can seamlessly join a virtual event (music, dance, painting workshops and so many other opportunities), manage finances with just one click, or engage with peers through online communities. It is achievable with the thoughtful integration of technology.
One of the pressing challenges for seniors in India is social isolation. With children often migrating to other cities or abroad, many seniors experience loneliness, which can be as harmful to health as chronic disease. AgeTech has its solutions, such as intuitive video-calling platforms, community apps, or virtual hobby groups that can bridge this gap. The key lies in designing tools that are simple, language-friendly, and accessible, ensuring that no senior feels left behind in the digital age.
Purpose Beyond Survival
Ageing is not just about survival; it is about living with purpose. Technology can open new avenues for seniors to contribute their wisdom and skills. Platforms for mentorship, storytelling, or even micro-entrepreneurship can help seniors remain active participants in society. For India’s 60+ population, AgeTech must be seen not as charity, but as a means of harnessing a reservoir of experience that benefits communities at large. While India is rapidly urbanising, nearly 70% of its elderly population still lives in rural areas.
Access to quality healthcare, mobility aids, and digital literacy remains limited outside major cities. Elderly women, who often have lower financial independence, face an additional layer of vulnerability. At the same time, there is a shift in family structures. With smaller nuclear families and children migrating for work, seniors increasingly find themselves navigating daily life independently. This reality makes AgeTech not just an option but a necessity to ensure safety, connection, and care.
Trust is another barrier; seniors are wary of fraud, misuse of data, or being overwhelmed by complex interfaces. Finally, cultural attitudes towards ageing sometimes discourage seniors from embracing new tools, reinforcing the belief that “technology is for the young”, whereas it has been shown in research of 2021 that 61% of seniors aged 65+ are using technologies. Look at the near universal adoption of WhatsApp and YouTube. Two incredibly sophisticated tech platforms but given their intrinsic value and ease of use, adopted by almost the entire universe of seniors. That Seniors are technophobic is a popular trope. As far from the truth as can be. Our research clearly demonstrates that tech adoption is high when Language barriers are erased and when costs are low to Zero.
For India, the challenge and opportunity lie in localising these innovations and making them affordable, culturally relevant, and accessible in multiple languages. Our app is an example that fills the gap between seniors and tech.
At the heart of AgeTech, our main motto lies a simple idea: ageing should be aboutliving with dignity, purpose, and independence. Technology is not a replacement for human connection, but a tool to strengthen it. By ensuring seniors remain connected, financially secure, healthy, and purposeful, AgeTech has the power to transform India’s demographic challenge into an opportunity. Reimagining ageing is not just about adding years to life, but about adding life to years.
And here comes our lifestyle app- Gen S life that brings together services and resources that promote health, wellness, safety, financial independence, travel, and meaningful engagement, helping seniors lead active, connected, and fulfilling lives. By creating opportunities for support and participation, Gen S Life aims to make ageing a journey of dignity, confidence, and purpose.
Reimagining Ageing for India
As India steps into the future, it is time to see ageing not as a challenge to be managed, but as an opportunity to be reimagined, one where seniors are not left behind, but carried forward with the dignity they deserve.
A term insurance policy is a popular way to provide a financial safety net to your loved ones in case of any unfortunate incident. People purchase a term plan to secure their family so that they do not have to face financial troubles in case they pass away during the tenure. The best part is that it also provides tax benefits under the old tax regime.However, it is important to choose the right plan as multiple options are available in the market. That’s where Axis Max Life’s Term Insurance Premium Calculator comes in. This is a simple digital tool that helps you understand your insurance needs and get a clear idea of the premiums.
What is a Term Insurance Premium Calculator?
A term insurance calculator is an easy-to-use online tool that helps you to calculate the premium of the term insurance plan you intend to buy. It is convenient, needs only a few details, and you get results immediately.
It helps you understand the policy’s cost and the life cover you can obtain based on your financial goals.
Disclaimer: The calculator provides estimated premiums. The final premium amount will depend on underwriting and insurer’s assessment of risk.
Why Use the Axis Max Life Calculator?
Here’s how the Axis Max Life Premium Calculator makes the process simple and efficient:
● These calculators are very time-saving. You don’t have to wait to speak to an agent or use another method of communication, as it only takes a few seconds to fill in the details and get the results. ● It lets you adjust the policy term, add riders, and helps you compare different options so you can go for what suits you best. ● It helps you know the exact amount of premium you have to pay, for how many months or years, coverage duration and other benefits.
How It Works: Step-by-Step
The following are the details the calculator will or might ask you for:1. Your Age and Gender. This will help assess your risk profile to calculate the premium.2. Usage of any intoxicating substances as it affects your risk class, hence affecting the premium.3. Annual Income to determine your sum assured.4. Coverage Amount and Term5. Premium Payment Term. Decide whether to pay monthly or annually.6. If you want to include any type of riders, such as a critical illness rider, premium waiver rider, accidental death benefit rider, etc.Once you fill in the details, you will get the estimate of your premium and benefits.
How is it helpful to NRI?
For Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), understanding Indian insurance products can feel complex. The Axis Max Life calculator makes things easier by providing:
● You can access it from anywhere with just an internet connection, without physically visiting the branch. ● You can know about different coverage amounts and periods without prior communication. ● It helps you compare different options, such as cover types, payout methods, and add-ons, so you can see how each affects your cost.In place of guessing, you can adjust your inputs and instantly see how each choice changes the cost and benefits. It’s a more innovative way to tailor your plan to match your real-world responsibilities, EMIs, kids’ education, or ageing parents.
Understanding What Affects Your Premium
The calculator also helps you understand the factors that influence your premium, including: ● Your Age: Younger applicants usually pay lower premiums. ● Lifestyle Habits: Tobacco use increases premiums. ● Coverage Amount: A higher sum assured results in a higher premium. ● Policy Term: Longer duration plans may cost more but give lasting protection. ● Add-on Riders: Including health benefits or accidental cover increases the cost slightly, but adds more value.This insight will help you make informed decisions rather than buying a plan blindly.
When Should You Use the Calculator?
● Before Buying: To understand how much you’ll need to pay and which options work best for your budget. ● During Financial Planning: To align your term insurance with other goals like home loans, savings, or retirement planning. ● When Comparing Plans: Consider benefits such as return of premium options.
How It Helps in Making a Confident Choice?
Using the calculator puts the power in your hands. You don’t have to rely on assumptions or rush through decisions. It gives you: ● A clear sense of what you’ll pay ● A preview of the term insurance benefits you’ll receive ● Flexibility to adjust and experiment ● Complete transparency, before any paperwork startsWhether you are in India, or living abroad, it’s like having a financial planning tool in your pocket.
Conclusion
A Term Insurance Premium Calculator is a free-to-use digital tool to determine which type of term plan will suit you the best. Simply input your age, salary, and some other information, and it provides an estimate in seconds.
It’s handy when you’re comparing plans or trying to figure out how things like the duration of the policy or add-ons impact the premium. You can experiment with different combinations and see what’ll work for your budget and objectives.Overall, it makes the whole process of choosing term insurance simpler, quicker, and more transparent.
India’s startup and business ecosystem saw major developments on 21 August 2025, with fresh funding rounds boosting growth-stage ventures, Parliament passing a landmark bill to regulate online gaming, bike-taxis making a comeback in Bengaluru, and more. Here’s your quick roundup of the top funding deals and key business news in India today.
Daily Indian Funding Roundup – 21st August 2025
Date
Company
Amount (INR)
Round / Type
Lead Investor(s)
Sector
21 Aug 2025
Mitra
₹14 crore
Bridge (equity)
Bestvantage Investments
FMCG / Packaged foods
21 Aug 2025
Edgehax
₹1.39 crore
Seed
Inflection Point Ventures
Edge AI hardware
Mitra raises INR 14 crore in a bridge round led by Bestvantage Investments
FMCG brand Mitra secured INR 14 crore in a bridge round led by Bestvantage Investments, with participation from existing backers, including Mr. Surya (Dubai-based family office). The company plans to expand production capacity, launch a 3,000-ton refined flour plant (maida) in October, enter millet and other health-oriented categories (e.g., gluten-free, sugar-free, diabetic-friendly flours, and organic spices), and strengthen distribution across India and GCC markets. The business is already EBITDA-positive and is preparing for a Series A in April 2026, targeting a valuation of INR 500 crore.
Edgehax secures INR 1.39 crore seed funding led by Inflection Point Ventures
Bengaluru-based Edgehax, an edge AI computing startup building modular single-board platforms that combine compute, connectivity and storage, raised INR 1.39 crore in a seed round led by Inflection Point Ventures (IPV). The funds will support scaling production, product development, and international expansion (Singapore, the US and Europe). Edgehax reports adoption among startups, OEMs and enterprises, and highlights wins such as the NXP Silicon Seeds Startup Programme 2025 with a planned product launch by December.
Key Business News for 21st August 2025
Parliament Clears the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025
The Rajya Sabha approved the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025 via a voice vote today, following its passage in the Lok Sabha yesterday.
The legislation aims to prohibit real-money online gaming, including both betting and other forms of monetary gaming, citing concerns over addiction, financial fraud, and societal harm.
Key provisions include licensing and regulation of online gaming platforms, age restrictions, in-game purchase oversight, and recognition of esports and social/educational games, while establishing penalties including imprisonment (up to three years) and fines (up to ₹1 crore) for violations.
The bill’s passage is expected to impact major fantasy gaming platforms such as Dream11 and Mobile Premier League, with concerns about job losses, app closures, and potential erosion of foreign investment.
Legal scrutiny is already underway: a Mumbai-based technology-law lawyer, Jay Sayta, has written to President Droupadi Murmu, urging her to withhold assent and return the Bill to Parliament under Article 111 of the Constitution.
Uber and Rapido Resume Bike-Taxi Operations in Bengaluru
Uber and Rapido have restarted bike-taxi services in Bengaluru after a two-month suspension, which began on 16 June due to a state-wide ban.
The Karnataka High Court intervened, labelling the ban “arbitrary” and “unconstitutional”, and granted the state government a month’s window to form a proper policy framework, while implicitly allowing interim resumption of services.
Despite the resumption, Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy clarified the Court did not officially permit operations, indicating that legal clarity remains pending.
Commuters and local users have taken to platforms like Reddit, expressing excitement:
“RAPIDO BIKE TAXI IS BACK!!!!!! I’m one of the first customers, I guess?,” a Reddit user wrote.
TCS Layoffs Spark Worker Protests in Chennai
The Union of IT & ITES Employees (UNITE) has held protests, including a demonstration in Chennai, alleging that up to 30,000–40,000 jobs could be lost at Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), with claims of replacing mid- and senior-level staff with fresh graduates at 80-85% lower pay.
According to a statement by UNITE, TCS may have already laid off around 12,000 employees (mid-management and senior staff), and could extend this further.
TCS refutes these claims, describing them as “incorrect and misleading”, and asserts that the reduction only affects approximately 2% of its global workforce, amounting to roughly 12,000 roles, as part of routine restructuring measures.
This article has been contributed by Gaurav Lekhrajani, CEO and Co-Founder of DavaNinja.
India is about to experience a demographic change that will reshape its consumers for decades to come. The talk of India’s growth story has centered on its youth dividend, while a quieter, but equally seismic, phenomenon is quietly emerging: the rapid rise of India’s senior citizen population. By 2050, there will be nearly one in five Indians over the age of 60 (more than 300 million). This increase is more than a figure – it points to a huge, untouched market called the Silver Economy. Earlier generations of retirees relied almost exclusively on extended family for care and support. Today’s and tomorrow’s retirees are living longer, more independent lives. Many have higher amounts of discretionary or spending power, with different aspirations and without as many dependent needs to care for. Still, the products, services, and solutions available to seniors remain very limited. The imbalance between need and availability represents an opportunity for startups to come in and innovate, disrupt, and capture a market that will only become more important with age.
The Demographic Boom: A Market Service
India’s elderly population is not a monolithic population. The India Ageing Report 2023, prepared by UNFPA, predicts that by 2050, the elderly population will represent close to 21% of the population, with the oldest 80+ age cohort growing fastest. Within this cohort are many different realities: urban and rural, rich and poor, dependent and independent seniors. The Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI) survey of over 72,000 adults highlighted just how many differences in their health, financial, and social situations. To startups, this diversity illustrates, once again, the importance of segmentation – think about solutions that recognize aging and why people are experiencing it differently, and factors in income, family support systems, and where the person lives. The scale of demand is obvious, but so are the nuances.
A Market of Unmet Demand
There is a significant unmet demand gap in the area of senior living and care. In developed markets, the ecosystem of retirement communities, assisted living and care ecosystems, and more specialized health care delivery is vibrant. The Indian eco-system for senior living is really just beginning. Industry estimates have the senior housing market, currently at approximately $2–3 billion value, growing four times, to hit $12 billion by 2030. However, supply continues to lag demand for options in middle-market models that balance affordability and service quality. Care services like home health care, geriatric rehabilitation, and chronic disease management services will all also experience double-digit growth opportunities. This growth pathway signals to startups clearly that they can provide solutions to serve the everyday needs of India’s elderly community.
Healthtech: From Episodic Care to Continuous Care
The health of India’s seniors is an urgent problem. Research from LASI shows that many more of our elderly experience undiagnosed chronic diseases like diabetes and hypertension and that more broadly, chronic illness rates remain high with conditions like anaemia inflicting large swathes of the elderly population. Tele-consultation startups are likely to overlook the more severe plight of our seniors; our elderly need longitudinal care that is continuous and ideally encompasses proactive screening, remote physiological monitoring, medication adherence, and caregiver follow-up. The field of healthtech seniors will need remote-patient monitoring devices, vernacular health coaching, and family caregiver dashboards that offer great opportunities for innovation and growth potential.
Seniors’ Financial Security and the Case for Seniors Focused Fintech
Fintech for Seniors
The personal finance dimensions of older Indians are equally complicated. Some retirees enjoy the stability of a pension or savings but the majority exist and live their life on the cusp of financial insecurity, especially with healthcare costs rising and life expectancy lengthening. There is an opening for fintech products that focus on safetytech (not feartech), simplicity, and trust. Products designed specifically for seniors could range from income smoothing (annuity) products to affordably priced (short-term) health insurance, to safe (that is, fraud-proof) digital payments, and bank accounts with built-in fraudulent monitoring linked to a caregiver. Due to clear digital literacy and adoption issues among seniors, fintech solutions targeting seniors will need intuitive (preferably voice-first) interfaces with assisted journeys, touchpoints, or hybrid approaches that marry digital convenience (access and control) with the support of human-assisted.
Loneliness: The Silent Epidemic
Beyond the financial and medical realities lies a more personal challenge—loneliness. This is an opportunity for startups to reinvent their models to solve for confidence and companionship. The answer could be curated social pods, volunteering opportunities, inter-generational programming, or digital platforms that connect seniors through shared common interests. Chances are the solution will combine a tech-enabled approach with personal and in-person contact and make sure that older adults are not only healthy, but socially and emotionally connected.
As startups seek to innovate for older adults, the biggest thing they must commit to is dignity. Products and services with empathy, simplicity, and respect must characterize our lives. This means user interfaces that use larger fonts and high contrast colors, pricing that is transparent and comprehensible, wrapped up in features that are caregiver-friendly, and they should be intuitive, not intimidating. The goal is to move seniors to feel empowered rather than patronized so seniors feel comfortable, have their independence, and can have enhanced lives through technology and innovation.
India’s silver economy is not a fad, but a transformation that will not go away in the short or even medium term; it will grow as longevity increases, and family structure continues to evolve. The market is massive, the needs are acute, and the gaps are glaring. Startups that move quickly- thoughtfully segmenting, innovating with dignity, and demonstrating impact- will create category-defining businesses and be in the position to not only support this important demographic, but help solve one of the biggest social transitions of our time.
As we developed DavaNinja, we deliberately included the voices of India’s seniors in product decisions – an important user group with specific health needs, not as an afterthought. The app is built around the vision to convert fragmented health and social care into a continuous support system and help seniors to receive care with dignity: easy-to-read interfaces to care for low-digital literacy users, ordering renewals and easy delivery to your doorstep removed daily access barriers. For digital solutions to truly succeed in the silver economy, they must be designed with seniors in mind – using larger fonts, high-contrast visuals, and simplified navigation – so that ease of use becomes a gateway to adoption rather than a barrier.
Everything we have built is based on one guiding principle: health solutions for seniors must maintain independence and dignity. Trust remains the cornerstone of adoption in the silver economy. Seniors and their families often look for services that don’t just deliver a product but provide step-by-step support, reassurance, and a human touch throughout the process. This is the reason we have married technology with human touch- so that older adults have access to continuity of care, preventive health advice, and convenience in their everyday lives and live life more healthily and confidently.
More so, families abroad are increasingly seeking reliable, tech-enabled ways to care for their parents. NRIs living out of the country can use the app and access and order medicines for their elderly parents in Mumbai.
Famous Indian YouTuber Dhruv Rathee, with 29.5 million subscribers, launched his startup AI Fiesta on August 17. The app basically brings six top AI tools under one umbrella, like ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, Grok, Perplexity, and DeepSeek. The app launch has taken the internet by storm. His video has nearly 4.9 million views and 31K engagements on YouTube alone, along with hundreds of influencers’ reactions and thousands of conversations on ‘X’ and LinkedIn. His new startup promotes a strong movement in India: “AI Should Be a Utility, Not a Luxury.” So, what exactly does the app do? And are people really talking about it? Let’s find out.
What Is AI Fiesta by Dhruv Rathee?
Dhruv and his team identified a major problem that all users face when working with AI. According to them and their startup, no AI is perfect (each AI has its strengths and weaknesses). For example, Claude is good at writing naturally, but ChatGPT often gets facts wrong, etc.
Given that, it really takes a lot of time to check through all the other AIs for the same query. Also, their free versions are less powerful compared to their subscription plans. Generally, each tool costs $20–30 per month (₹1,700–2,500 each). So, it’s almost impossible to access the Pro versions of each tool because it can get very expensive.
And according to his own survey, approximately 73% of people who attended his AI course used only free versions. That’s why he came up with Fiesta. AI Fiesta is like a hub for AIs. You give it a query, it gets answers from all six AIs, and you pick the best one to work with. How is it a budget-friendly option if it comprises all the big AIs in one?
How Does This Compare to Buying All Subscriptions Separately?
To make the best out of top AIs, you’ll need their pro versions of each, which come at a cost of:
ChatGPT Plus: ₹1,700/month
Claude Pro: ₹1,700/month
Perplexity Pro: ₹1,700/month
Gemini Advanced: ₹1,700/month
Total = ₹6,800/month (₹81,600/year)
Whereas the pricing of AI Fiesta looks like:
Monthly plan prices at ₹999
The yearly plan is ₹9,999 (₹834/month)
So one can end up saving a whopping total of ₹70,000+ per year. And the tool already welcomed 20,000+ paying users in 36 hours.
Here’s What the Users Have to Say
A user on the platform ‘X’ posted, “Dhruv Rathee is back to scamming people again. Almost every AI model runs on OpenAI’s API, especially Gemini. It is not even running the latest GPT-5 API as per his claim, it’s actually running on the old GPT-4 API.”
A YouTuber viewer commented on the video, “See, I’m a researcher and content writer. I actually use AI tools like 4 and 7 for researching and refining my scripts. And honestly, even though I earn a good amount of money, paying for all those AI tools every year wasn’t really feasible for me. But this feels like a game changer (sic).”
Simply, the reviews are mixed; some found it helpful, while others didn’t.
