Archives May 2025

 26th May 2025: Versatile actor Adarsh Gourav, known for his standout performances in Superboys of Malegaon (2024), The White Tiger (2021), and Kho Gaye Hum Kahan (2023), continues to ride a wave of momentum. He recently took to social media to tease his upcoming film Tu Yaa Main, where he stars opposite Shanaya Kapoor — a fresh on-screen pairing that has fans buzzing with excitement. Amidst this rising career graph and popularity, Adarsh was recently spotted by paparazzi in Mumbai accidentally dropping multiple smartphones, leaving fans gasping for details.

A popular paparazzi page Viral Bhayani hints that the phones could be from the actor’s collaboration with TECNO for their POVA Curve series. The pap shots offer a close-up look at the phone’s striking star ship inspired design and curved aesthetics. From cosmic blues to starlit silvers, the POVA Curve brings together futuristic design and performance in a way that stands out.

Adarsh’s effortless charisma and dynamic presence align perfectly with TECNO’s bold, youthful energy. The reel cleverly blends entertainment and product showcase, capturing the essence of POVA Curve’s sleek identity.

Noida, 26 May 2025 – Radisson Blu MBD Hotel Noida is delighted to introduce its exclusive ‘Suite Summercation’ package. Designed as a curated summer escape for urban dwellers, wellness enthusiasts, and luxury lovers, this offering redefines the concept of staycations in the NCR region.

Package Highlights:

• Accommodation in a spacious Prive Classic Suite

• Daily breakfast + lunch or dinner at the award-winning SXVIII restaurant (excluding Sunday brunch)

• One complimentary extra bed per room upon request

• 15% discount on:
  • Spa & Salon services

  • Food & Beverage (excluding liquor)

  • Laundry services
    

Strategically located in the heart of Noida, Radisson Blu MBD seamlessly combines contemporary luxury with warm hospitality, making it the preferred destination for leisure and business travelers alike.

• Gross Direct Premium (GDP): ₹12,548 crore – a YoY increase of 7.4%, outpacing general insurance industry growth of 5.2%. With effect from October 1, 2024, Long-term Products are accounted on a 1/n basis, as mandated by IRDAI. Adjusted for the 1/n accounting impact, GDP growth stands at 8.5%.
• Profit After Tax (PAT): ₹315 crore – a YoY growth of 12.5%.
• Investment Book: ₹21,358 crore – up from ₹20,514 crore in FY24, with one of the best Investment AUM to Net Worth ratio of 6.2x, indicating a strong cash position.
• Net Worth: ₹3,429 crore – an increase of 10.2% YoY.
• Solvency Ratio: Maintained at 1.59x – comfortably above the regulatory requirement of 1.50x.
• Capital Infusion: ₹100 crore infused in May 2025 by the parent company, Reliance Capital Limited, reinforcing the company’s financial strength and growth momentum.

“FY 2024–25 marked a year of disciplined execution, strategic investments, and resilient growth, even in a dynamic and challenging market environment. Our continued focus on delivering seamless customer experiences, adopting cutting-edge technologies, and investing in talent has helped us build a strong, future-ready organisation. We remain steadfast in our commitment to protecting the aspirations of millions of Indians through innovative and trusted insurance solutions.”

He further added that “The successful conclusion of the CIRP of Reliance Capital Limited in March 2025 has opened a transformative new chapter for us under the stewardship of IndusInd International Holdings Limited (IIHL). With IIHL’s strong financial backing and proven expertise in financial services, we are confident in our ability to accelerate our growth journey and lead the next wave of innovation in India’s general insurance sector.”

Delhi, 26 May, 2025: India’s most trusted and reliable ICT national distributor, Iris Global Services, has announced a strategic distribution agreement with Panasonic, aimed at expanding the reach of Panasonic’s LED Video Wall and Professional Display Solutions across India.

Ms. Neena Vats, Vice President, Iris Global Services, shared insights on the partnership stating “The market is vibrant and resilient, with a sharp rise in demand for Large Format Displays (LFDs) and screen-based solutions. Panasonic is a globally respected brand offering products that meet international standards – ideal for our partners executing prestigious and time-sensitive projects.”

With a logistics footprint covering over 19,000 pin codes nationwide, Iris Global will serve as a robust channel for Panasonic’s state-of-the-art display technologies, ensuring faster delivery and wider accessibility.

Mr. Vijay Wadhawan, Director – SSD, Panasonic Life Solutions India (PLSIND), expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration “At Panasonic, we are committed to delivering cutting-edge technology that helps transform business environments and customer experience. Our collaboration with Iris Global further reinforces our commitment and will enable us to strengthen our go-to-market capabilities and ensure faster, more efficient deployment of our solutions across sectors such as retail, education, hospitality, Government, Education and corporate enterprise. Together, we aim to bring world-class, tech-enabled display solutions to customers and partners across the country”

The surge in India’s digital transformation through initiatives like Digital India and Smart Cities has created a ripe environment for intelligent, immersive display solutions. The partnership leverages Panasonic’s innovation with Iris Global’s supply chain strength, ensuring seamless availability and superior customer experience.

Mr. Sanjiv Krishen, Founder & CMD, Iris Global Services, commented “India’s evolving landscape presents a significant opportunity for display technologies. Iris Global bridges the gap between OEMs and system integrators, delivering value through dependable distribution and integration support.”

“Our collaboration with Panasonic, renowned for technological excellence and Japanese reliability will drive a targeted revenue of Rs 100 crore this fiscal year,” he added. “With Iris’s extensive IT distribution expertise and infrastructure, we are positioned to accelerate the adoption of Panasonic’s LED video walls, professional displays, and associated software and
hardware solutions.”

This alliance is set to enhance accessibility, deployment, and support for cutting-edge visual communication solutions throughout India.

Hyderabad: 26^th May, 2025– Zithara.AI, one of Hyderabad’s most dynamic AI startups, has announced the appointment of Mr. Ravi Bhushan Ojha as Vice President – Product Engineering. The strategic move underscores Zithara’s ambition to scale intelligent solutions for India’s vast offline-first Retail ecosystem — spanning jewelry, Automobile, Electronics, Real-estate, Wellness, Luxury and Modern Retail and local service-led enterprises..

In his new role, Ravi will lead the evolution of Zithara’s core technology offerings, focusing on customer acquisition, engagement and support automation, personalization, and real-time decision-making — all purpose-built to empower businesses that have traditionally relied on in-person customer interactions.

A seasoned technology leader, Ravi brings over 14 years of experience in enterprise software, cloud architecture, and AI-driven SaaS product development. He previously held leadership positions at Caliber Technologies, where he played a pivotal role in building scalable enterprise platforms and driving digital innovation on scale.

Mr. Varun Kashyap, Co-founder of Zithara.AI, remarked, “Ravi’s arrival marks a new chapter in our growth story. His engineering depth and innovative mindset align perfectly with our mission to build practical, AI-first systems that help offline first omnichannel Retailers thrive in the next era of AI Enabled digital world.”

Ms. Sridevi Reddy, Co-founder of Zithara.AI, added, “As we expand from Hyderabad to international markets, Ravi will be instrumental in shaping products that understand the real-time needs of everyday businesses. Our vision is to bring intelligent engagement to the forefront — whether it’s a boutique jeweler, a neighborhood salon, or a growing retail chain.”

Commenting on his new role, Mr. Ravi Bhushan Ojha said, “Zithara represents a rare and exciting opportunity to bring cutting-edge technology to sectors often overlooked in the digital transformation narrative. What drew me to Zithara is its bold yet clear vision — to place intelligent engagement at the core of everyday businesses, not just large enterprises.

I’m especially inspired by the company’s focus on grassroots innovation — empowering jewelers, salon owners, and local entrepreneurs with AI solutions that are human, adaptive, and actionable. These are the businesses that form the economic backbone of our communities, and they deserve tools that are simple, powerful, and designed for real-world impact.

As we build for scale, my focus will be on crafting technology that blends engineering excellence with intuitive design — products that are easy to adopt and make a difference right where it matters: at the counter, on the floor, and in every customer interaction.

This state-of-the-art showroom is a testament to Häfele’s continued commitment to delivering immersive and customer-centric experiences. It serves as a one-stop destination for homeowners, architects, and interior designers, offering a comprehensive range of cutting-edge solutions including Kitchen and Wardrobe Hardware, Home Appliances, Surface and Lighting Solutions, and Digital Locks.

The new Design Studio was inaugurated by Mr. Abhijith R, Business Head – Trade & Franchisee, Häfele India, who was the chief guest for the event. He was accompanied by key stakeholders from Häfele. The launch also witnessed the presence of a diverse group of interior designers and pioneers from the building industry, underlining the relevance and impact of this new studio within Mysore’s rapidly evolving design and construction landscape.

Commenting on the launch, Mr. Abhijith R said, “Mysore is emerging as a vibrant hub of residential and commercial growth, blending cultural heritage with rapid urban development. With this new Design Studio, we aim to provide an experiential platform where customers and professionals can explore innovative interior solutions that cater to evolving lifestyle needs. This launch reinforces Häfele’s commitment to bringing globally benchmarked solutions to local markets in India.”

The Design Studio is thoughtfully curated to reflect modern living requirements while also addressing local needs such as space optimization, multifunctionality, and smart security. With its automation-ready displays and realistic design concepts, the studio stands as a complete destination for anyone looking to build or renovate homes with the latest interior trends and innovations.

26th May 2025, Mumbai: Kyoorius announced the winners of the 2025 Kyoorius Creative Awards, presented by ZEE, today at the awards night held at Mumbai’s Jio World Convention Centre amidst an audience of over 1500 professionals from India’s marketing & communications industry.

Seven standout entries rose as nominees for the rare and revered Black Elephant, the highest honour at the Kyoorius Creative Awards. While the award remained elusive this year, each nominee was recognised with a Baby Black Elephant. These nominees are:

• “Best Birthday Gift” for Pran Foods | Tasty Treat by Grey Bangladesh
• “Beta Stayfree Le Aana” for Kenvue | Stayfree by DDB Mudra Group
• “Dabba Savings Account” for ESAF Small Finance Bank by McCann Worldgroup India
• “Desi Oon” for Centre for Pastoralism by Studio Eeksaurus Productions
• “Nature Shapes Britannia” for Britannia Industries by Talented
• “Write for Rights” for Mumbai Press Club by Famous Innovations
• “Neeraj” for Samsung by LoudMouth Film

Kyoorius also celebrated living legend and a true giant of Indian advertising, Piyush Pandey, with the Master of Creativity award. A name that needs no introduction, Pandey has shaped the way India thinks, feels and communicates through ideas that have stood the test of time. The award honours his unmatched ability to tell stories with heart, humour and deep cultural understanding. Instituted in 2018, the Master of Creativity award recognises individuals who have continually inspired the industry and raised the bar for creative excellence.

This year, Kyoorius received over 4000 entries from over 500 entrants, the highest ever in history. 1124 entries made it to the First List after the first round of judging.

514 entries emerged as winners of the Baby Elephant. A total of 60 unique agencies, 177 campaigns, and 116 brands were awarded Baby Elephants.

Out of the 514 Baby Elephants, only 166 entries were awarded Blue Elephants. A total of 37 unique agencies, 80 campaigns, and 62 brands took home Blue Elephants.

Here are all the brands that took home the Blue Elephant/(s):

Adani Group | Adani Green Energy, Amazon India, Amazon India | Amazon Prime Video, Apollo 24/7, Apple, Archian Foods | Lahori Zeera, Asahi India Glass | AIS, Asianet, Axis Bank, Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. | Times Of India, Britannia Industries | Britannia Marie Gold, Britannia Industries | Britannia Treat Croissant, Britannia Industries Ltd, Buckaroo India | Buckaroo Footwear, Centre for Pastoralism, Colgate-Palmolive India, Def Jam Recordings | Hanumankind, DSP Mutual Fund & Falco Robotics, Duolingo, Emcure | Galact, ESAF Small Finance Bank, Finolex Group, Flipkart, Franklin Templeton Mutual Funds, Grasim | Birla Opus, Hardcastle Restaurants | McDonald’s India, HUL | Clinic Plus, Instamart, ITC Foods | Sunfeast Mom’s Magic, ITC Savlon, KCA24, Kenvue | Stayfree, Krafton India | BGMI, Linc | Pentonic, Mondelez India | Bournvita, Mondelez India | Cadbury 5 Star, Mondelez India | Cadbury Bournville, Mondelez India | Cadbury Dairy Milk, Mumbai Press Club, MyMuse India, National Payments Corporation Of India, Nestle India | Kit Kat, P&G India | Ariel, PepsiCo | Pepsi, Petfully Yours, Pidilite | WD40, Pran Foods | Tasty Treat, Reliance General Insurance, Reliance Retail | Zivame, RPG Group | CEAT, Samsung, Sporta Technologies | Dream11, Steadfast Stationary, Swiggy, The Coca-Cola Company, The Coca-Cola Company | Coca-Cola, Titan Company Ltd | Titan Eye, Ultraviolette Automotive, Urban Company, Veeba | Wok Tok, Volvo Cars India, Wakefit Innovations

3 entries were awarded Purple Elephants as part of the Zee Equality Award.

“Massive congratulations to all the winners! From time-honoured legends to fearless young disruptors, what truly stood out this year was the incredible spectrum of brands that stepped up. And the work? It mirrored that energy and diversity. At Kyoorius, we’ve always believed in championing pure, honest creativity, no rankings, no politics, just the work. That’s the soul of the Elephants. And that’s why they still matter deeply to the industry,” said Rajesh Kejriwal, founder and CEO of Kyoorius.

Awards By Kyoorius do not follow a hierarchical structure – there are no golds, silvers or bronze medals. Instead, only the work that deserves recognition wins an Elephant.

The Kyoorius Creative Awards 2025 was presented by ZEE, with Luxury Experience Partner Glenmorangie and is supported by Indian Creative Women. The Spotlight partners were The Hindu and Tribes Group. The venue was the Jio World Convention Center, Mumbai.

Antica Ceramica, one of the most respected names in the tile and surface industry, proudly announces the launch of its latest design innovation – the Meraki Collection. True to its name, which is rooted in the Greek concept of doing something with love, soul, and creativity, the Meraki Collection embodies a heartfelt approach to surface design, offering a seamless fusion of traditional craftsmanship with contemporary aesthetics.

Crafted using high-quality glazed vitrified tiles in a versatile 600x1200mm format, the Meraki Collection is thoughtfully designed to complement a wide variety of interior spaces. Available in both glossy and matte finishes, the collection adapts effortlessly to personal styles and moods, offering flexibility for architects, interior designers, and homeowners who seek understated elegance with functional superiority. What sets the Meraki Collection apart is its emphasis on emotional storytelling through design. Each tile tells a tale of subtlety and sophistication—delicate textures inspired by life’s quiet moments, color palettes that exude calm confidence, and patterns that reflect timeless minimalism. Whether it’s the cozy warmth of a living space, the sleek expanse of a modern office, or the curated sophistication of a commercial interior, Meraki transforms any space into a refined visual and sensory experience.

The collection is not just about aesthetics—it is built for performance. Designed for both wall and floor applications, the tiles are highly durable, stain and heat resistant, frostproof, and engineered for hygiene, making them ideal for both residential and high-traffic environments. In addition to their robust technical specifications, the tiles are easy to install and maintain, offering a long-lasting solution for design-conscious spaces.

“Meraki is more than a product; it’s a philosophy we’ve translated into surface design,” says Mr. Rahul Bhugra, Director of Antica Ceramica. “It reflects our commitment to creating not just beautiful tiles, but meaningful ones. Tiles that bring emotion into architecture, warmth into minimalism, and depth into everyday spaces. With Meraki, we invite people to express themselves—quietly yet powerfully—through their interiors.”

The Meraki Collection is now available at Antica Ceramica showrooms and authorized dealers across the country. A perfect marriage of beauty and utility, this collection offers a versatile design canvas for those who value detail, depth, and lasting quality.

May 26, 2025, Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh —In a continued effort to strengthen public access to drinking water infrastructure, Anandana, The Coca-Cola India Foundation, in partnership with SM Sehgal Foundation, a rural development organization, and Ayodhya Nagar Nigam, has supported the installation of community Water ATMs across key locations in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh. These Water ATMs have been strategically placed in high-footfall areas identified that need reliable water access.

Each Water ATM is directly connected to the Nagar Nigam municipal supply and supported by overhead storage tanks to ensure continuity. The water passes through Reverse Osmosis (RO) filtration and is stored in stainless steel chilled tanks and dispensed through hygienic public taps mounted on the kiosk exteriors—offering easy access to clean drinking water throughout the day for residents and visitors alike.

Rajiv Gupta, Director, The Coca-Cola India Foundation, said, “Access to drinking water is a fundamental pillar of public health and community well-being. Our partnership with Ayodhya Nagar Nigam and the SM Sehgal Foundation is a strategic initiative that demonstrates our commitment to help improving water accessibility in the region through better infrastructure and local collaboration.”

Anjali Makhija, Trustee and CEO, S M Sehgal Foundation said, “Water is vital, and through our collaboration with Anandana, The Coca-Cola India Foundation, we help create solutions for communities. The installation of water ATMs in Ayodhya marks a significant step towards ensuring access to hydration, especially in a city that welcomes millions of pilgrims and visitors each year.”

Santosh Sharma, Municipal Commissioner, Ayodhya Nagar Nigam said, “This initiative underscores the positive role of public-private partnerships in enhancing urban infrastructure. Together with Coca-Cola India Foundation, we’re addressing the need for reliable drinking water across key areas in Ayodhya, benefiting both residents and visitors. By strengthening the city’s water access, this effort is a crucial part of our broader commitment to improving civic amenities and ensuring a sustainable, community-centered development.”

This latest initiative builds on the foundation’s legacy of water stewardship. Through initiatives like Project Jaldhara, Anandana and the SM Sehgal Foundation have implemented water conservation and access projects across several water-stressed regions including Kolar in Karnataka, Anantapur in Andhra Pradesh, and Aurangabad in Maharashtra. These efforts have included check dam construction, desilting of traditional tanks, and decentralized drinking water systems that have directly benefitted over a million people across India.

In Ayodhya, this effort continues that journey—supporting local governance, easing pressure on existing infrastructure, and enabling safe water access for all, regardless of background or status.

New Delhi | 26 May 2025

A Joint Venture of Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC), Hardy Exploration & Production (India) Inc., and Invenire Petrodyne Limited has successfully commenced production from the PY-3 Field, located offshore in the Cauvery Basin on the east coast of India.

Originally brought on-stream in 1997, the PY-3 Field had been shut since July 2011. Since then, a multi-phase revised Field Development Plan (FDP) has been implemented to revive production.

Phase I of the revised FDP has now been completed. This included integrity assessment, conditioning, and activation of the subsea well PD3SA; installation of subsea infrastructure; and hook-up to the Floating Production, Storage, and Offloading (FPSO) vessel Svetah Venetia. The FPSO is being used to process and separate oil, gas, and water. The produced oil is stored on the FPSO and offloaded to shuttle tankers for transport to refineries.

Phase II of the FDP will involve the drilling of additional wells and the application of enhanced oil recovery (EOR) techniques to boost output from this prolific field, which yields light, sweet crude oil.

Hardy Exploration & Production (India) Inc., a company of the Invenire Energy Group, is the operator of the block with an effective 22.79% participating interest. ONGC holds a 50.63% effective participating interest, and Invenire Petrodyne Ltd. holds the remaining 26.58%.

In a joint statement, Mr. Manish Maheshwari, Chairman, Invenire Energy, and Mr. Arunangshu Sarkar, Director (Strategy & Corporate Affairs), ONGC, expressed their appreciation to the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) and the Directorate General of Hydrocarbons (DGH) for their support, guidance, and unwavering encouragement, which were instrumental in achieving this milestone. Mr. Maheshwari added that this marks a significant step in Invenire’s operational journey and reaffirms the JV’s commitment to contributing to India’s energy security.