In a significant leadership transition, Deepinder Goyal has stepped down as the Group Chief Executive Officer of Eternal Ltd., the company disclosed in a regulatory filing. Albinder Dhindsa, currently the Chief Executive Officer of Blinkit, has been appointed as the new Group CEO with immediate effect.
The move marks a key moment for Eternal Ltd., which oversees multiple consumer-facing businesses in India’s rapidly evolving digital and quick-commerce ecosystem. Goyal, a prominent entrepreneur and co-founder figure in India’s startup landscape, will no longer hold the group CEO position, though the company has not detailed any further changes to his role at this stage.
Albinder Dhindsa, who has led Blinkit through its transformation into a major quick-commerce platform, is widely credited for scaling operations, strengthening unit economics, and navigating intense competition in the hyperlocal delivery space. His elevation to the group CEO role signals Eternal Ltd.’s focus on operational execution and sustainable growth.
Industry observers see the leadership change as a strategic decision, particularly as quick commerce and integrated digital platforms become central to the company’s long-term roadmap. The regulatory filing did not cite reasons for the transition, nor did it outline immediate strategic shifts.
Further details are expected as the company clarifies leadership responsibilities and outlines its future direction under Dhindsa’s stewardship.
The Nadathur S. Raghavan Centre for Entrepreneurial Learning (NSRCEL) incubated Asymmetrical Learning, led by Siddharth Rahalkar, has announced a landmark partnership with the Collegiate Esports Commissioner’s Cup (CECC) to bring the U.S. collegiate esports phenomenon, May Madness, to India. The collaboration marks the first international licensing deal for CECC’s operator, the Collegiate Sports Management Group (CSMG), and aims to establish a structured collegiate esports ecosystem across Indian schools and universities.
In a statement, S. Krishnan, Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), clarified, “The concern is not with esports, but with money-based gaming. Esports represent skill, discipline, and digital learning—not gambling. Through the new law, our aim is to create a clear national framework that supports competitive gaming and educational innovation.”
The move comes as India strengthens its policy and regulatory frameworks for the gaming sector through the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025, which officially recognizes esports as a legitimate sport. The new act has created an environment that encourages innovation and legitimizes organized gaming competitions.
Siddharth Rahalkar, Founder of Asymmetrical Learning, said, “Our partnership with CSMG allows us to bring organized collegiate esports to students nationwide. Recognizing esports as a competitive sport enables us to design tournaments that promote critical thinking, teamwork, and digital literacy—skills essential for success in modern education and careers.”
The collaboration will mark the first global expansion of CECC, North America’s largest collegiate esports championship, which brings together university-level gamers in structured tournaments. The Indian edition aims to mirror this success by nurturing an ecosystem that supports scholastic esports from high school to college level.
Incubated at NSRCEL, IIM Bangalore, one of India’s leading startup accelerators, Asymmetrical Learning benefits from mentorship, research support, and an innovation-driven community. The company’s parent organization, Acceler Edtech Pvt. Ltd., is registered with the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).
The partnership between Asymmetrical Learning and CECC highlights the growing convergence between education, gaming, and technology, while fostering cross-border collaboration between India and the U.S. It reinforces esports as a tool for digital learning and global skill development—positioning India as a rising force in the international esports landscape.
In a powerful blend of family values, environmental consciousness, and entrepreneurial ambition, Bhumi Pednekar, the acclaimed Bollywood actress, and her sister Samiksha Pednekar, a lawyer and business strategist, have launched Backbay, a premium Himalayan water brand poised to make waves in the Indian beverage industry.
Backbay isn’t just a business—it’s a legacy-in-progress. After two years of planning, the sisters have established a state-of-the-art manufacturing unit in Himachal Pradesh, directly sourcing natural mineral water from the Himalayan region. With a daily capacity of 45,000 boxes, the facility is powered by a largely women-led workforce, further underlining the sisters’ commitment to empowerment and equity.
Backbay’s initial offerings include 500 ml and 750 ml water bottles, priced at ₹150 and ₹200 respectively. The pricing positions it between high-end luxury bottled water (₹600) and premium plastic bottles (₹90), making Backbay a “premium yet accessible” choice for conscious consumers.
What sets Backbay apart is its Gable Top Paper packaging, a packaging style common globally but rare in India. Combined with bio caps, this eco-forward approach reflects the brand’s mission to minimize environmental impact. Bhumi proudly states that Backbay is the only Indian brand currently using this packaging model.
Backbay isn’t stopping at plain mineral water. Samiksha revealed that they are already developing flavored sparkling water in exciting variants like lychee, peach, and lime—targeting health-conscious and lifestyle-driven consumers.
With a vision of reaching ₹100 crore in revenue in four years, the Pednekars are serious about scaling their brand while staying true to their roots.
The launch of Backbay comes just ahead of Raksha Bandhan, a festival that holds deep personal meaning for the sisters. Bhumi shared touching memories of tying rakhis every year and how their late father’s absence only strengthened their bond.
Samiksha recalled how Bhumi shielded her emotionally during the most difficult times, becoming a pillar of strength. “She’s my strongest protector,” Samiksha said.
Their love is no longer just symbolic—it now powers a shared dream, a business, and a brand that’s set to redefine premium hydration in India.
In a landmark achievement for Goa’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, Bodhami, an AI-powered career guidance and skilling platform, has been selected among India’s Top 30 Startups by Startup India – DPIIT, from a pool of over 200,000 startups, and awarded the National Startup Award for Rural Impact in the Access to Open Education category.
This makes Bodhami the first and only Goan startup to receive such a distinction at the national level.
🚀 Humble Roots, Bold Vision
Founded in 2018 in a small garage by Damodar Pai Patnekar, an ex-Wipro digital leader, along with IIT–IIM alumnus Ashutosh Sankar and tech architect Aarthy Vasan, Bodhami set out with a mission: to make career guidance and employability accessible, personalised, and affordable—especially for rural and underserved populations.
Damodar’s personal “trigger point” came after 15 years in corporate leadership roles when he realised that over 70% of working professionals were unhappy, and more than 55% of fresh graduates were unemployable. The problem, he believed, began with a lack of career awareness at the right time—typically classes 10 and 12.
“We asked ourselves: What if students could receive truly personalised guidance early on? What if AI could map their strengths to careers, and then help them upskill accordingly?” says Damodar.
🧠 Technology with a Purpose
Bodhami’s platform uses AI and real-world professional data to generate career paths, skill gap assessments, and learning recommendations tailored to individual users. Unlike generic counselling, Bodhami focuses on contextual, data-backed insights.
From career discovery and scholarships to corporate preparedness and job placement, Bodhami addresses the full spectrum of career building.
🌎 National & Global Impact
With its HQ in Goa and operations in over 350 Indian cities and 9 countries, Bodhami has:
Empowered 100,000+ students and professionals
Conducted 300–400 sessions yearly across India
Trained 700+ teachers on career counselling using its AI tool
Conducted state-wide career programs across 250+ schools in Goa
Delivered over 3,000 scholarships to underprivileged youth
It also partnered with Goa State Innovation Council (GSInC) to launch Innovation Test, a first-of-its-kind initiative in the state.
🏆 Awards & Recognition
Bodhami’s recognitions include:
National Startup Award – Rural Impact (Open Education)
SKOCH Award for rural development
Tally MSME Champions of Change
IT Educator Award – Govt. of Goa
Selected for India–Sweden Innovation Day, VivaTech Paris, SCO Startup Showcase, and INFINITY – Indo-French startup exchange
Recognised by Asia Pacific Career Development Association (APCDA) and IAAP
🧑🤝🧑 Powered by People
Bodhami is built by a lean core team of 10 professionals working remotely, and supported by:
5,000+ certified counsellors
200+ franchise partners
100+ global affiliates
Together, this ecosystem ensures that career guidance reaches even the remotest students in India.
🌱 A Message for Future Entrepreneurs
“If someone from a remote Goan village can build a national award-winning platform, then anyone with commitment and passion can do it,” Damodar shares. “Entrepreneurship teaches what textbooks can’t—resilience, empathy, and purpose.”
Bodhami’s journey is more than a startup story—it’s a movement for a better future, where every student has the guidance and tools to build a career they love.
📍 Headquartered in Goa 🏆 India’s Top 30 Startups – Startup India 🌍 Reach: 350+ cities | 9 countries 🎯 Mission: Empower 10 million lives in 5 years
