Brands
Fabindia unveils vibrant Chikankari Spring 2026 collection
‘The Song of Spring’ reimagines heritage embroidery in bold colours across ethnic and western wear for all ages.
MUMBAI: Spring’s wardrobe just got a needle-sharp upgrade because when Chikankari meets modern flair, even the stitches start humming a catchy tune. Fabindia has launched its Spring 2026 campaign, ‘The Song of Spring’, headlined by a refreshed Chikankari collection that breathes new life into centuries-old Lucknowi embroidery. Spanning ethnic and western styles for men, women, and kids, the range blends time-honoured handcraft with contemporary cuts and a daring colour shift away from the usual soft pastels.
Expect a lively palette of plum, berry, and fuchsia dancing across cotton, crepe, and yarn-dyed fabrics. Silhouettes run the gamut, versatile co-ord sets, tailored vests, fluid resort dresses, elegant saris, and sharp modern pieces that fuse heritage finesse with today’s edge. The standout? A high-contrast monochrome series in black-and-white Chikankari, turning traditional delicacy into a bold, graphic statement that feels anything but delicate.
Menswear shines with long and short kurtas, shirts featuring intricate yoke embroidery, and subtle ombre effects. For kids, the lineup delivers all-over embroidered kurtas and checkered shirts in sun-washed yellows, tender pinks, and breezy blues playful yet polished.
A companion film spotlights the real heartbeat behind the collection: master artisans in Fabindia’s cluster communities, whose patience and precision turn rhythmic needlework into living cultural legacy. Every piece carries the Craftmark Tag, verifying genuine handcraftsmanship, and is now rolling out across the brand’s 350-plus stores nationwide.
A Fabindia spokesperson said, “Behind every thread is a heartbeat, behind every pattern, a lifetime of devotion… It is a tribute to the human element, the master craftspeople who transform a rhythmic needle-pull into a cultural legacy.”
Whether you’re chasing resort vibes or city-sharp ethnic looks, this spring’s offering proves Chikankari isn’t just surviving the modern wardrobe, it’s stealing the spotlight with fresh colour, crisp silhouettes, and a quiet nod to the hands that keep the tradition alive.
Brands
Uidai partners with Google to help users locate Aadhaar centres
Verified Aadhaar centres to appear on Maps with services and access info
MUMBAI: Finding an Aadhaar centre may soon be as easy as finding your favourite café. In a move aimed at making public services more accessible, the Unique Identification Authority of India has partnered with Google to display authorised Aadhaar centres on Google Maps. The feature, expected to roll out in the coming months, will allow residents to locate verified centres quickly and confidently.
More than 60,000 Aadhaar centres, including state of the art Aadhaar Seva Kendras, will be mapped. When users search on Google Maps, they will be directed to authorised facilities rather than unverified listings, helping curb misinformation and confusion.
The listings will do more than drop a pin. Users will be able to see the nature of services offered at each centre, whether it is adult enrolment, child enrolment, or limited to address and mobile number updates. Details such as operating hours, parking availability and divyang friendly infrastructure will also be shown wherever applicable.
Uidai CEO Bhuvnesh Kumar, said the collaboration is part of the authority’s continued effort to improve ease of living for Aadhaar holders by making authorised centres simpler and faster to navigate.
The partnership will deepen in its next phase, with Uidai using Google Business Profile to manage information and respond directly to public feedback. Looking ahead, the two organisations are also exploring the option of enabling appointment bookings through the Google Maps interface, potentially allowing residents to plan their visits with greater efficiency.
Google India country head, strategic partnerships Roli Agarwal, said integrating verified Aadhaar centres would help millions access trusted services with confidence, bringing essential government infrastructure closer to the people who need it most.
If all goes to plan, a routine Aadhaar update may soon begin not with a queue, but with a search bar.
