Archives February 2025

Chandigarh, 14th February 2025: India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC), a public sector enterprise under the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, has announced its financial results for the third quarter of the fiscal year 2024-25.

ITDC reported a total revenue of INR 155.14 crores for Q3 FY 2024-25. The company’s Profit Before Tax (PBT) stood at INR 30.50 crores, while Profit After Tax (PAT) reached INR 21 crores, reflecting steady growth in line with its strategic initiatives. The total revenue for the nine months ending 31 December 2024 stood at INR 401.60 crores with PAT of INR 57.59 crores. The strong financial performance comes at a time when the Union Budget has placed significant emphasis on tourism as a driver of employment and economic growth.

Mr. M.R. Synrem (IAS), Managing Director, ITDC, highlighted the broader vision, stating, “ITDC’s strong Q3 results reflect our ongoing efforts to strengthen infrastructure, improve service quality, and expand business opportunities. With the Union Budget reinforcing tourism as a key driver of employment and economic growth, we are committed to leveraging this and aligning with the government’s vision. ITDC has forayed into new product lines, recently we very successfully set up luxury Camps at the ongoing Mahakumbh 2025 at Prayagraj.”

Commenting on the performance, Mr. Lokesh Kumar Aggarwal, Director of Finance and CFO, of ITDC, stated, “Our third-quarter performance highlights ITDC’s strong financial resilience and continued commitment to operational excellence. ITDC is set to fast-track its expansion by forging strategic partnerships as well. We have focused on optimizing resource allocation and improving efficiency across our SBUs of hospitality, travel, tourism, event management, and skill development”

By leveraging emerging opportunities and adopting a forward-looking approach, ITDC aims to reinforce its leadership in the tourism sector and contribute meaningfully to India’s economic progress. With enhanced government support for tourism-led growth, ITDC remains committed to driving innovation in hospitality, facilitating seamless travel experiences, and delivering top-tier services that create lasting value.

William J. O’Neil’s How to Make Money in Stocks has been a trusted guide for investors for decades. His CAN SLIM method provides a structured approach to identifying high-potential stocks. But how relevant is this strategy in today’s market?

 The CAN SLIM Strategy in Modern Investing
CAN SLIM is an acronym representing seven key factors O’Neil identified in top-performing stocks before their biggest gains. Each component represents a crucial factor in stock selection:
1. Current Quarterly Earnings (C)
O’Neil emphasized that stocks with strong earnings growth outperform the market. Earnings reports are more accessible than ever in our current digital age. Investors can track earnings surprises and revenue growth using platforms like Bloomberg, Yahoo Finance, and company investor relations websites.
2. Annual Earnings Growth (A)
Companies with consistent annual earnings growth attract investors. Look for firms with at least 20-25% earnings growth over the past few years. Tech firms, SaaS companies, and innovative healthcare stocks often exhibit strong earnings expansion.
3. New Products, New Management, or New Highs (N)
A stock’s price often surges when a company introduces groundbreaking products, undergoes leadership changes, or reaches new highs. Investors should watch for AI advancements, clean energy innovations, or disruptive technologies that can drive growth.
4. Supply and Demand (S)
Stocks with limited supply and increasing demand tend to rise in price. Monitor trading volume and institutional ownership; high demand from mutual funds and hedge funds often signals a strong stock.
5. Leader or Laggard (L)
O’Neil advised investing in industry leaders rather than laggards. Today, leaders in cloud computing, semiconductors, and fintech have shown strong momentum. Investors should compare relative strength ratings to find top-performing stocks.
6. Institutional Sponsorship (I)
Institutional investors (example: pension funds, hedge funds) play a crucial role in driving stock prices. Modern investors can track institutional holdings through 13F filings and platforms like Morningstar or MarketWatch.
7. Market Direction (M)
O’Neil stressed the importance of understanding market trends before investing. Today, investors can use technical indicators, macroeconomic data, and sentiment analysis tools to gauge market health.

 Adapting CAN SLIM to Today’s Market
While the core CAN SLIM principles remain relevant, investors must adapt to modern challenges:
● Rise of Retail Investing: With commission-free trading apps, retail investors influence market movements more than ever. Stocks can become overvalued quickly due to hype, requiring careful analysis.
● Algorithmic Trading: AI-driven trading strategies create rapid price fluctuations. Investors should be mindful of short-term volatility and focus on long-term trends.
● Global Events Impacting Markets: Geopolitical tensions, supply chain disruptions, and central bank policies significantly affect stocks. Investors should incorporate macroeconomic analysis into their research.

Chandigarh, FEBRUARY 14, 2025: Following the success of its signature Indian restaurant at Taj Palace, New Delhi,, and Taj West End, Bengaluru, Indian Hotels Company (IHCL), India’s largest hospitality company, today announces the opening of the third outpost of Loya at its flagship Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai. This addition to Taj’s gastronomic portfolio celebrates the rich and diverse culinary traditions of North India.

Mr. Ritesh Sharma, General Manager, Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai, shared, “The Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai, with its century-old legacy, has long been an iconic destination recognised for leading and pioneering innovative dining concepts. The addition of Loya brings an extraordinary celebration of Northern India to our repertoire. As regional Indian cuisines gain wider appreciation, Loya will offer our guests a chance to explore the rich epicurean heritage in a setting that reflects its timeless charm.”

Loya’s culinary journey traverses the Himalayan foothills, Punjab’s fertile plains, and the snow-capped peaks of Kashmir. Inspired by the five elements and the vibrant culture of the region, the restaurant offers a nostalgic dining experience, enriched by spirited folk music and expertly crafted dishes. Loya in Mumbai will offer some of its all-time favorites such as the Gosht Ki Lazeez Pasliyan, Sepu Wadi, Dal Jakhiya, and Kulfi Pops, along with an exquisite selection of new dishes like Loya Chaat, inspired by the celebrated chaat culture of Mumbai. The restaurant showcases time-honored cooking techniques of dhungaar, dum, baghaar, sigdi, and sil-batta. The bar’s signature cocktail menu, titled Panjj (five), continues the theme with drinks motivated by experimentation, and authenticity, complementing the food.

Recreating a North Indian caravanserai, Loya’s design blends tradition with artistry. From the distinctive sandstone masonry featuring arches and alcoves to intricately carved geometric motifs, every element reflects a storied past. Accompanied by a specially curated music album by the renowned Shreyas Patkar, Loya brings unique experiences like Loya Qissa, eclectic storytelling, and the vibrant Loya Bazaar, curated brunches inspired by historic marketplaces, to immerse guests in the region’s rich delicacies.

India, 14 February 2024: Sprite, the iconic lemon & lime beverage, goes live with it’s legendary ‘Thand Rakh’ campaign with a fresh spin. The all-new films showcase Sharvari and Varun Tej making their debut, while the ever-chill Vedang Raina and Dev Adhikari return, bringing their effortless cool back to the summer. No matter what challenges life throws your way, Sprite’s crisp, fizzy magic serves as a simple reminder to sip, relax, and take it easy.

This campaign puts a unique spin on every day, high-temp situations that happen on the go, capturing the essence of how today’s youth tackle these challenges with wit, humor, and a refreshing bottle of Sprite. It perfectly embodies the spirit of staying cool and refreshed in a fast-paced world.

Sumeli Chatterjee, Senior Category Director, Sparkling Flavours, Coca-Cola India and South-West Asia, shared, “For decades, Sprite has been the go-to youth brand, known for its edgy and authentic communication. This summer, the iconic ‘Thand Rakh’ campaign brings to life how Sprite is a perfectly refreshing ally for teens, always on the go. Launching with a 360 approach – the campaign features all-new films with India’s most loved teen icons. We’re excited to bring this chill philosophy to life and provide the refreshment our young audiences crave.”

In line with this partnership, Sharvari added, “Sprite has always had its finger on the pulse of youth culture. The ‘Thand Rakh’ campaign is no different; it’s witty, fun, and reminds all of us to take it easy and go with the flow. It’s the perfect blend of humor and chill vibes, promising to be exactly what we need when life gives you lemons!”

Varun Tej Adds, “Sprite’s ‘Thand Rakh’ is the ultimate life hack—keep it cool, keep it fun, and let nothing faze you. I love how this campaign brings humor into everyday moments, making sure that no matter what, you always have a sip of chill to fall back on.”

Talking about his association, Vedang Raina said, “It’s always a pleasure to be associated with Sprite. ‘Thand Rakh’ is something that I personally relate to because finding your chill in life’s situations is the key to joy. This campaign is sure to match the vibe of audiences who are looking for that one moment of refreshment.”

Dev Adhikari shared, “The ‘Thand Rakh’ vibe is something we all need—whether you’re stuck in a situation or just dealing with everyday chaos. Working with Sprite on this campaign was the right kind of chill, and I can’t wait for everyone to see the fun we had bringing this to life.”

The 360-degree campaign will be amplified across television, and digital touchpoints, bringing Sprite’s zesty punch and playful vibe to the audiences, ensuring that whatever life brings—Thand Rakh, sip Sprite, and stay effortlessly cool!

Sukesh Nayak, Chief Creative Officer, Ogilvy, remarked ‘With this Sprite ‘Thand Rakh’ campaign we really wanted to bring back the Sprite persona in a way that was refreshing, while staying true to the cool, witty, effortless world of Sprite. We chose on-the-go and outdoor summer moments when things are at their most heated to show people how to keep their ‘thand’ and enjoy the Sprite side of life.’

Chandigarh, February 14, 2025: UTI Large & Mid Cap Fund offers a diversified investment portfolio and aims to invest in sound companies which provide margin of safety by trading cheaper, relative to their history or peers. According to the SEBI categorization of mutual funds, large and mid cap funds invest a minimum of 35% each in the equity and equity related instruments of large cap and mid cap companies. The Fund aims to provide stability with a biasness towards large cap companies and offers higher growth in the portfolio through investment in mid and small cap companies.

Value Investing is a strategy that involves picking stocks which are trading at less than their intrinsic value. Markets often over react to short-term news flow or sentiments, which gives the opportunity to the value investor to buy a stock below its intrinsic value. Buying below the intrinsic value provides margin of safety, which is the distinguishing feature of value investing. By purchasing a stock at lower valuations, the value investor increases the odds of making money or losing less money if the business does not perform as expected or takes longer to perform. Value investors emphasize on margin of safety over growth and embrace cyclicality and the potential for mean reversion in business fundamentals and valuation. The value investor makes money when the stock trades at intrinsic value – capturing the potential for improvement in business fundamentals and valuations.

The Fund follows a top down approach to pick sectors which are available at below mean valuations with reasonable prospects. It follows a bottom up approach to pick sound businesses with reasonable relative valuation, a healthy past track record and potential for future growth are considered. The core belief of the Fund is that a company goes through its own valuation cycle which may vary on account of either macro cycles or company specific factors, and its aim is to capture the inefficiency in the cycle. It would also look towards growth oriented companies if the valuations are in the comfort zone.

The investment strategy of the Fund is built around three tenets: relative valuation versus history or peer, growth opportunities at reasonable valuations and mean reversion. The Fund focuses on quality companies whose relative valuation are below their historical valuation or valuation of their peers, providing margin of safety. The Fund also looks at growth oriented stocks which are trading at reasonable valuations. In this regard, small caps can offer the combination of growth and value as they are not well discovered by the market and good quality companies could be available at reasonable valuations. The strategy also endeavours to pick businesses that are undervalued and benefit from mean reversion in profitability and valuation as the cycles play out.

UTI Large & Mid Cap Fund was launched in the year 2009. The Fund has an AUM of over Rs. 4,000 Crores as of January 31, 2025. The Fund has about 48% invested into Large Caps, 38% in Mid Caps and the remaining in Small caps as on January 31, 2024. The scheme’s top holding consists of HDFC Bank Ltd., ICICI Bank Ltd., ITC Ltd., Infosys Ltd., Federal Bank Ltd., Vedanta Ltd., Dalmia Bharat Ltd., Aditya Birla Capital Ltd., Indus Towers Ltd. and IndusInd Bank, which accounts for around 33% of the portfolio’s holdings.

UTI Large & Mid Cap Fund is designed for investors who seek exposure to a portfolio of investing in both large and mid market capitalization stocks with a bias towards relative value style of investing. The Fund is suitable for investors looking to build their core equity portfolio for long-term wealth creation.

Prayagraj, 14 February 2025: Underscoring their commitment to combating diabetes-led vision impairment, the Eyebetes Foundation, led by renowned Mumbai-based eye surgeon Dr. Nishant Kumar (a three-time Guinness Record holder), has launched a large-scale charitable health initiative at the Maha Kumbh 2025. This transformative mission is designed to provide life-changing eye care and diabetes screenings to tens of thousands of devotees and frontline personnel attending this sacred event.

With a dedicated team of 100 professionals, Eyebetes Foundation aims to offer free vision and diabetes screenings to over 20,000-30,000 pilgrims and over 5,000 uniformed personnel, ensuring that preventable blindness and undiagnosed diabetes do not hinder the lives of those who have embarked on this deeply spiritual journey.

Founded in 2016, Eyebetes Foundation is driven by a mission to combat two of India’s most pressing health concerns – diabetes and preventable blindness. An estimated 21 million Indians suffer from Diabetes-led vision impairment. To date, the foundation has served over 175,000 people through its free screening and awareness programs, including its widely recognized annual initiative during Mumbai’s 10-day Ganpati festival. Now, at the Maha Kumbh, the foundation sees an unparalleled opportunity to extend its reach and serve those who may not otherwise have access to quality healthcare.

The Maha Kumbh is a sacred confluence of faith, tradition, and devotion, drawing millions of seekers in pursuit of spiritual awakening. Eyebetes Foundation recognizes this gathering as an opportunity not just for prayer, but for profound transformation through service. Located at Sector 23, Arail Ghat, the foundation’s medical camp offers essential healthcare services, including free random blood sugar tests, comprehensive vision screening, AI-powered retinal imaging, prescription glasses for uniformed personnel, bifocal glasses, and UV protection sunglasses for frontline officers.

Understanding the critical role of uniformed personnel in ensuring the safety and order of this grand event, the Eyebetes Foundation is extending its care beyond pilgrims to the very people who protect them. The foundation is conducting dedicated screenings for diabetes, cholesterol, and vision impairments, ensuring that these frontline officers can continue to serve without health-related hindrances.

Speaking on this initiative, Dr. Nishant Kumar, said “Maha Kumbh is a rare and extraordinary gathering of millions for a spiritual purpose, making it the perfect opportunity to provide life-enhancing medical support. Our mission is simple – to ensure that no one suffers from preventable blindness or undiagnosed diabetes. Through this initiative, we aim to connect healthcare with spirituality, reinforcing the idea that service to humanity is the highest form of devotion.”

By integrating medical care into this momentous spiritual gathering, the Eyebetes Foundation aims to touch millions of lives, leaving a lasting impact far beyond the banks of the Sangam. With each screening and every pair of prescription glasses provided, the foundation is turning devotion into action, ensuring that the journey of faith is also one of health and well-being.

Eyebetes – A Movement Against Preventable Blindness & Diabetes

Diabetes is a movement against Diabetes and Preventable Blindness. Since 2016, the year we started Eyebetes, more than 1,70,000 people have directly benefitted from our charitable work receiving free diabetes and cholesterol blood tests, detailed eye examinations to screen for preventable causes of blindness, free custom-made prescription glasses for near, distance, and both near and distance (bifocal glasses).

More than 1.4 million educational leaflets regarding diabetes and preventable blindness have been distributed by our staff, volunteers, and social work partners during our Eyebetes projects and through door-to-door awareness campaigns.

Our work has highlighted the shockingly high prevalence of undiagnosed diabetes in the poorest of slums and villages and amongst our frontline workers – More than 60% of people participating in our Eyebetes projects are undiagnosed pre-diabetics or diabetics.

70% of people in our projects have either never worn glasses or are wearing the wrong prescription resulting in poor vision with more than 30% having a moderate visual disability due to their refractive error. A simple intervention of prescribing the correct prescription glasses has a transformative effect. As far as ‘bang for buck’ is concerned, prescribing and dispensing prescription glasses, custom-made for the individual has been shown to create the largest impact on quality of life across all indices studied.

Since 2016 our work has been supported and scrutinized by some of the largest and most reputed organisations of the country. We adhere to the strictest standards of corporate governance and reporting and have all the regulatory certifications to conduct our charitable work.

We partner with leading organizations like Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), and academics from India and internationally to ensure our work adheres to the gold standards and all the data we collect helps raise the knowledge and evidence base to help shape future public policy.

STMicroelectronics, a global semiconductor leader serving customers across the spectrum of electronics applications, has been recognized for the first time as a global Top Employer for 2025 by Top Employers Institute.

This year STMicroelectronics was one of only 17 global Top Employers to be recognized by Top Employers Institute for their outstanding HR policies and practices worldwide, covering ST entities in 41 countries. The Top Employers Institute program certifies organizations based on the participation and results of their HR Best Practices Survey. STMicroelectronics was distinguished in this ranking thanks to a continuous improvement approach and stands out particularly in the themes of Ethics & Integrity, Purpose & Values, Organization & Change, Business Strategy, and Performance.

“A couple of years ago, we began a people-centric transformation to enhance our leadership culture, simplify and digitalize people processes, with the employee journey and experience as our north star. Achieving the Top Employer Global certification confirms that our efforts are well-directed, and that ST is a place where every talent can thrive, regardless of their career stage or perspective,” said Rajita D’Souza, President, Human Resources & Corporate Social Responsibility, STMicroelectronics.

“We’re excited that STMicroelectronics certified as a global Top Employer for the first time. They have particularly showcased their strengths in areas such as Organisation & Change, Ethics & Integrity, Purpose & Values and Business Strategy. This Certification shows ST’s commitment to creating a better world of work through their HR initiatives and practices, by demonstrating how they support their colleagues across 41 countries,” said David Plink, CEO Top Employers Institute.

The Top Employers Institute survey, followed by validation and audit, covers six HR domains consisting of 20 topics including People Strategy, Work Environment, Talent Acquisition, Learning, Diversity & Inclusion, Wellbeing and more. The program has certified and recognized over 2,400 Top Employers in 125 countries/regions across five continents.

Grazia India’s February issue turns the spotlight on Veer Pahariya, who made his big Bollywood debut alongside Akshay Kumar in the action-drama Sky Force. It may be Veer’s first film, but his journey as a performer began at the age of five when he fell in love with dance and the stage. In this exclusive cover feature, Veer reflects on his path so far, sharing how, as a first-generation artist in his family, the absence of an industry legacy only fueled his determination to forge his own identity. Known for celebrating individuality and ambition, Grazia India provides the perfect platform for his story, one of passion, resilience and breaking boundaries.

For his role as a Squadron Leader in Sky Force, Veer underwent a transformative process to embody the mindset of a fighter pilot. Recalling the process, he shares, “I needed a lot of emotional training to get into the psyche of a fighter pilot. I did a lot of workshops and spent a lot of time in solitude to get to know myself better.”

Talking about staying true to himself, he says, “I really don’t care what anyone thinks. I’m here to have a voice, and in an occupation where everyone is trying to shoot you down for being different, I want to maintain that throughout my career.”

Opening up about his deep fascination for biopics, Veer shares, “I really enjoy biopics because I get to dive into the character I’m playing. It also scares me to get into the shoes of people who are recognised and followed – that is something that excites me.”

But his journey hasn’t been without its challenges. Having faced media scrutiny from an early age, Veer remains unfazed by the noise. He says, “I’ve seen a lot of ups and downs in my family and personal life. I’ve had bad things written about me in the press since I was very young. The good, the bad – nothing affects me. I want to work and make a name for myself. So, I cut the noise and focus on myself.”

With an insatiable hunger for new experiences, Veer constantly seeks opportunities to reach his limits and wants to embrace roles that demand emotional and physical extremes. He remarks, “I like experiencing different things and pulling myself to extremes; so, I quite enjoyed living the life of a fighter pilot.”

National, February 14, 2025: Focused on offering the best to their parents and children, India’s Sandwich Generation feels unprepared for their future. An Edelweiss Life Insurance study shows that 60% of respondents agree, “No matter how much I save or invest, I feel like it’s never enough for the future.”

Sandwich Generation is defined as individuals between the age of 35 – 54 years, financially providing for two generations of dependents – their aging parents, and growing children. The life insurer, in collaboration with YouGov, surveyed 4,005 respondents in this generation across 12 cities to understand their attitudes, beliefs, and level of financial preparedness.

Sumit Rai, MD & CEO, of Edelweiss Life Insurance, said, “Through our customer interactions over the years, we have closely seen how Sandwich Generation is living in a cycle of caring for their parents and children. They want to enable the essentials like healthcare and education while providing an aspirational life where ‘needs’ don’t come at the cost of ‘wants.’ This is primarily driving their financial decision-making. And, in the process, they often end up relegating their dreams to the background, leaving them feeling they are unprepared for the future.”

With their duty and love for family driving financial decisions, our study indicates financial misalignment or money dysmorphia within this generation (money dysmorphia, simply explained, is feeling unhappy about one’s financial situation). Over 50% agree with varying statements including worrying about running out of money, feeling always behind, and like they are not doing well enough.

“This generation knows their key aspirations and believes to be adequately planned through investments in their preferred product categories. But our study has brought up some curious facts. They display low intent on sticking with these active investments over the next 1 – 2 years. They also have accessed their investments, which are earmarked for pre-defined goals, ahead of time. No wonder they are feeling they are on shaky ground,” Rai added.

Across their top 5 preferred product categories – Life Insurance, Health Insurance, Mutual Funds, Equities, and Bank FDs – less than 60% currently have active investments across categories, and even fewer expect to persist with them over the next 1 – 2 years. On further probing, the study revealed that all these product categories have been prematurely liquidated, meaning accessed before their pre-defined goals were met. While essential needs dictated this liquidation, non-critical needs like vacation, spending during festivities, and more also emerged as the drivers.

This generation’s key aspirations are focused on the child’s future (providing for education and marriage), the healthcare needs of parents, and improving the family’s standard of living. They show reasonably high confidence in financial planning, with 94% saying that they either have a detailed plan or have undertaken some degree of planning. A majority 72% also believe that their investments are linked to specific aspirations.

Yet, 64% said they use some form of credit to fund their short-term needs, while 49% savings. The study indicates that credit coupled with cash/income is allowing them to address critical needs like healthcare and education, but also providing them flexibility to meet non-critical needs like vacation, home renovation, etc.

For long-term aspirations, 79% expect to rely on returns or gains from financial instruments, and 71% on regular future income. It is interesting to note that this generation considers retirement among their top 3 long-term aspirations, a period wherein one stops receiving regular income.

Hyderabad, February 14, 2025: YFLO (Young FICCI Ladies Organisation) is set to host a power talk ‘Redefining Glamour & Influence – A Power Talk for the Next Generation’ featuring Shalini Passi, a visionary art patron, collector, and philanthropist. It will be held at The Leela, Hyderabad, on February 27th at 2 PM.

Announcing the event in a press release issued in the city today, Ms Ridhi Jain, Chairperson of YFLO, shared, “Shalini Passi is a woman who doesn’t just embrace influence—she redefines it. She doesn’t follow the rules; she creates them. True influence isn’t about status or glamour; it’s about impact, about shaping conversations and driving change. Shalini has done just that—melding creativity with purpose, artistry with advocacy, and luxury with legacy. She is proof that when passion meets vision, boundaries dissolve, and possibilities expand.”

Ms. Malliha Fathima, a journalist, will be in conversation with Shalini Passi. Together, they will explore what it truly means to wield influence in today’s world—not just through aesthetics but through culture, creativity, and impact.

Quoting W.E.B. Du Bois, Ridhi Jain reflected, “There is no force more powerful than a woman determined to rise.” She added, “I have always been inspired by women who don’t just follow the path but carve new ones. Today, influence is not just about glamour—it’s about purpose, innovation, and legacy. And Shalini Passi exemplifies this shift.”

Shalini Passi is the founder of the Shalini Passi Art Foundation & MASH, a platform dedicated to fostering contemporary art, design, and fashion. Her keen eye for aesthetics and her commitment to blending tradition with modernity have positioned her as a transformative force in India’s creative landscape.

Her collection includes works from some of the most coveted names in contemporary and modern art, including Bharti Kher, Anita Dube, Zarina Hashmi, Atul Dodiya, M.F. Husain, Manjit Bawa, and Ram Kumar, alongside international artists such as Jeff Koons and Damien Hirst. Beyond paintings, her collection extends to furniture, tapestries, and rare antiques, juxtaposed with cutting-edge contemporary design.

As a patron, she actively supports emerging artists and fosters arts education through her Foundation’s year-round initiatives. She is a sought-after speaker at leading art and design forums globally.