Archives July 2025

Mumbai, 21st July 2025: Infiniti Mall, Mumbai’s premier shopping, entertainment, and leisure destination, is all set to welcome the beloved character Labubu for a fun-filled weekend of creativity, performances, and interactive activities at Infiniti Mall, Malad.

From social media feeds to collector shelves, Labubu is becoming a pop culture sensation winning hearts with its quirky expressions, playful charm, and unique aesthetic. Loved by kids, teens, and even adults, Labubu has captured the imagination of a generation, making every appearance a buzzworthy moment. Whether it’s through collectibles, themed content, or fun activities, Labubu’s growing popularity shows no signs of slowing down.

Building on this excitement, Infiniti Mall has curated a special line-up of events on 26th and 27th July to bring the magic of Labubu to life:

1. Puppet Show / Décor My Doll Curator :

Step into a world of creativity with the Puppet Show and Décor My Doll Curator zone. Kids can let their imaginations soar as they decorate and personalize their very own dolls, while enjoying whimsical puppet stories unfold live. With vibrant setups and engaging storytelling, it’s a hands-on experience designed to delight young minds.

2. Group Dance Performance :

Catch the beat and feel the energy as talented young performers light up the stage with high-energy group dance performances. From upbeat music to funky styles and energetic moves, this spectacle is sure to get the audience clapping, grooving, and cheering along..

With Labubu making a special appearance and a lineup of creative and cultural fun, Infiniti Mall’s Labubu Event promises an unforgettable weekend for families and kids alike!

Delhi, 21st July 2025: Hudle, India’s largest sports community platform has secured $2.5 million in a Series A round led by Sky Impact Capital, with participation from Physis Capital, Atrium Venture, Mahesh Bhupathi (12 Time Grand Slam winner and serial investor), Gaurav Kapur (TV presenter and Producer) and founders of Blue Tokai (Shivam Shahi) and Nitro Commerce (Umair Mohammed). This fundraise marks a pivotal moment for Hudle, propelling its mission to make fitness and recreational sports accessible to all.

Hudle will use the funds to fast-track product innovation, including frictionless booking, match discovery and performance tracking features to improve the player experience with a specific focus on pickleball and padel, the 2 fastest growing sports in India and globally. The company is also introducing India’s first-ever rating system in August to help players track progress and connect with players of similar skill levels. Another objective is to expand its venue partner network across Tier 1/2/3 cities to meet the growing demand for community and recreational sports.

Suhail Narain, Founder & CEO, Hudle, says, “At Hudle, we genuinely believe that playing sports should be as easy and normal as going out for coffee. That’s what drives us — making it easier for people across India to play, connect, and stay active. We’re adding over 300 pickleball courts every month; we’ve seen that people love the sport once they try it. This fundraise isn’t just about scale — it’s about doubling down on the experience, the tech, and the community. For us, it’s always been about putting sport at the centre of everyday life — and we’re just getting started.”

Founded by Suhail Narain (Founder & CEO), Arjun Singh Verma (Co-Founder & COO), and Sonam Taneja (Co-Founder & Head, Business Development), Hudle envisions using technology to help 100 million Indians make sports a way of life by connecting players with venues, streamlining facility management, helping track performance and creating a digital ecosystem for the sports community.

Aakash Sachdev, Founder & Managing Partner, Sky Impact Capital, says. “Hudle is rewiring India’s recreational sports economy. Its frictionless platform lets tens of thousands of sports enthusiasts discover and book courts in seconds, turning fitness into a social routine. Lifestyle diseases burden 300 million Indians each year and wellness spending already tops $98 billion, so the runway for growth is enormous. Over the last 18 months we have applied our value creation playbook to help Hudle scale. This round will fund the next wave of product innovation, player engagement and nationwide venue expansion, ensuring that—true to Hudle’s ethos—no player is left behind. We are pleased to deepen our commitment at this inflection point in Hudle’s Journey.”

Commenting on investment, Vinay Bansal, Partner, Physis Capital, says, “While they say that you need a healthy body for a healthy mind, I think sports is the only addictive activity that is healthy for both physical and mental well being. The sports ecosystem in India is fragmented and unorganized due to which the sports participation number amongst the general population is very low. Hudle is bridging the gap through a tech-enabled full-stack sporting experience to make outdoor sports more accessible to the public, making it easier for people to discover, play, and compete in a variety of sports, bringing in a sense of community and accessibility. As we see more and more people struggling with health issues due to a sedentary lifestyle, Hudle stands at a vantage point of not only improving the sports infrastructure but also paving the way towards a more fitter and healthier India.”

The company has reported 3.5x growth in gross transaction value and 2.5x growth in revenue over the last twelve months.

21st July 2025, DELHI: The House of Creed proudly announces the opening of its first flagship boutique in India at The Chanakya, New Delhi, bringing over two and a half centuries of fragrance mastery to the discerning Indian market.

This landmark boutique showcases the House’s prestigious collection in an environment that celebrates the brand’s rich heritage, from its founding in 1760 to its position today as one of the world’s most revered fragrance houses, trusted by generations of royalty and connoisseurs. Exceptional service is integral to the in-store experience, including bespoke gifting touches such as perfume engraving.

The flagship presents Creed’s most iconic masterpieces, including the revolutionary Aventus, the ethereal Silver Mountain Water, and the distinguished Green Irish Tweed, alongside the captivating Aventus for Her – each creation representing decades of perfumery excellence and rare ingredient sourcing. The boutique presents an exquisite selection of perfumes, body care, home, and lifestyle treasures — each piece available exclusively at this location.

“With great pride, we open our doors in Delhi — offering India its first intimate glimpse into the world of Creed. We aim to share a legacy built over seven generations, and invite a new audience to embrace the quiet power of scent.”, said Mr.Erwin Creed, House of Creed.

For seven generations, the Creed lineage has upheld a rarefied devotion to age-old artistry and the pursuit of the world’s most exquisite raw materials — resulting in fragrances that evolve into deeply personal emblems for those who wear them.

For the first time in India, fragrance aficionados can step into the world of Creed — the preferred house of leaders and luminaries.

“We are proud to partner Creed Fragrances for this new chapter of growth in India. LUXASIA has been bringing the brand’s artisanal creations closer to our Asia Pacific consumers since 2003, with this relationship beginning in Singapore. Given the immense potential of luxury niche fragrances in India, we are very excited about Creed Fragrances’ future in this promising market and we look forward to achieving great success jointly with the brand.”, said Mr. Satyaki Banerjee, CEO, LUXASIA Group

ALUMEX India 2025 to spotlight regional potential and industrial transformation

Kolkata 19th July 2025: India’s ambition to achieve self-reliance in critical manufacturing sectors is set to gain a major boost with ALUMEX India 2025, the nation’s first and only dedicated platform for the aluminium extrusion industry. Organised by the Aluminium Extrusion Manufacturers Association of India (ALEMAI), and supported by Hindalco, Vedanta, and JNARDDC, an autonomous body under the Ministry of Mines, the three-day event will take place in New Delhi from September 10 to 13 and showcase the strength and potential of domestic extrusion manufacturing.

With more than 200 exhibitors and 12,000+ expected visitors across the globe, ALUMEX India 2025 will bring together leading industry players, MSMEs, technology providers, and policymakers to explore the future of aluminium extrusion across mobility, infrastructure, green energy, aerospace, electronics, and other sectors. The participation of global metal and metal recycling leaders will boost the quality and exports of Indian manufacturers.

Eastern India, particularly West Bengal, Odisha, Jharkhand, Bihar and Assam, is poised to play a pivotal role in the growth of the aluminium extrusion sector. The region is home to around 25 manufacturing facilities, having a combined production of 10,000 metric tonnes per month. Of these, ten units are located in West Bengal.

These plants are supported by Odisha’s abundant primary aluminium supply, providing cost advantages for downstream processing. They also benefit from demand from the industrial zones of Hooghly, Howrah, and Kharagpur, driven by urban infrastructure projects such as metro rail expansion, electric mobility, and solar power plants. Regional export activity is also on the rise, with producers in East India supplying to markets in Europe, the Middle East, and North America.

Jitendra Chopra, President of ALEMAI, said, “Eastern India holds immense strategic value for the aluminium extrusion industry. With rich mineral reserves, proximity to smelters, robust industrial corridors, and improving connectivity, it is a significant contributor to the sector. Eastern India will play an important role in reducing dependence on aluminium imports and driving the next chapter of growth in India’s aluminium extrusion sector.”

“ALUMEX India 2025 reflects our belief in India’s domestic manufacturing strength and offers a unique platform to showcase our capabilities before the world. It will enable collaboration, drive innovation and unlock new growth opportunities for Indian companies,” Mr. Chopra added.

Despite its unique advantages, Eastern India continues to face challenges such as high energy costs, limited access to advanced machinery, and a shortage of skilled CNC operators and metallurgists. Regulatory delays around environmental approvals and land allocation also hamper industrial expansion.

ALUMEX India 2025 will address these barriers through sessions on PLI schemes, technology localisation, green extrusion practices, and policy support for MSMEs. Business matchmaking and buyer-seller meets will facilitate collaboration across the extrusion value chain.

Out of approximately 400-450 aluminium extrusion plants in India, more than 225 are members of ALEMAI. Ranging from MSMEs to Nifty 50 companies, they have a combined production of 2.1 million tonnes per annum.

Hyderabad, July 19, 2025 — The Nizamabad Police Commissioner, Sri Potharaju Sai Chaitanya, IPS, unveiled the poster for the 8th Edition of the Global Grace Cancer Run, expected to draw over 1.5 lakh runners across 130 countries and to be held in October in a hybrid format (online & in-person) in a function in Nizamabad.

It was launched during the community outreach program, a full-day Cancer Screening Drive at the Rural Community Cancer Hospital called Bridge Gap Hospital in Nizamabad. It was launched in the presence of the city’s elite doctors, NRIs, 12 Indian origin medical interns from the USA. These interns were present as part of the initiative titled Bridging Borders—an internship program for Indian-origin medical students from the United States. The internship aims to connect global youth with grassroots healthcare systems in India.

The poster was launched during a day-long Free Cancer Screening Camp jointly organised by Hyderabad-based Grace Cancer Foundation and Bridge Gap Hospitals, the only rural community cancer hospital serving five districts in Northern Telangana, disclosed this in a press note issued in Hyderabad today.

The 8th Edition of Global Grace Cancer Run–2025 is the World’s Largest Cancer Awareness Run. The run will be held on 12th October, 2025, in Hybrid mode—physical and virtual across the globe.

The theme for the edition is “Run for Grace and Screen for Life”

The run will be organised by the Hyderabad-based non-profit Grace Cancer Foundation, which has worked for 11 years to alleviate the cancer burden through Education, Early Detection, Treatment, Rehabilitation, and Research.

Dr. Chinnababu Sunkavalli shared the vision behind the event: “The Run aims to make a meaningful impact by raising cancer awareness, promoting physical activity as a preventive measure, and enabling access to free doorstep cancer screening for the underprivileged.”

The physical run will be held at Gachibowli, Hyderabad, with over 30,000 to 40,000 runners, including 10,000 students from Navodaya schools, expected to be participated.

The proceeds will fund mobile cancer screenings for underserved communities, to screen one lakh lives for Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDS) and deliver doorstep healthcare to rural India.

The 7th edition drew an overwhelming 1.5 lakh runners from 130 countries, making it a truly global movement.

“Over generations, kindness has changed”, Anupam Kher on the changing nature of the industry on In The Ring with Filmfare

Catch Unfiltered Anupam Kher in his most honest, heartfelt avatar on In the Ring with Filmfare, now streaming on Filmfare’s YouTube Channel

July 19, 2025: From walking into Mumbai with just ₹37 in his pocket to building a filmography that spans over 540 films across languages and continents, Anupam Kher’s journey has been anything but ordinary. In the latest episode of In The Ring with Filmfare, the veteran actor sits down with Jitesh Pillaai for an unfiltered, honest conversation—one that dives deep into rejection, resilience, and the quiet power of self-belief.

Known for his unforgettable performances, Anupam Kher is one of Indian cinema’s most enduring and respected actors. From powerful roles in Saaransh, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, and A Wednesday, as well as acclaimed international titles like Silver Linings Playbook and New Amsterdam, he has consistently demonstrated incredible range and depth as a performer. He is also a writer, theatre artist, and motivational speaker who has consistently connected with audiences beyond the screen. Despite the fame, he’s remained grounded, staying true to a journey marked by rejection, self-doubt, and the steady building of a legacy that continues to evolve with every passing year.

On tracing his path from a small town to becoming a pillar of Indian cinema, Kher shares what he’d say to his younger self, “My 20-year-old younger self is someone I would tell to dream. Continue to dream and don’t worry about obstacles or failures because that’s what my father taught me: failure is an event, never a person. And I would also tell him, don’t worry if you go bad, because that will become your trademark, and then so many people will want to be like you. I’m genuinely very happy with how my life has turned out. I have no regrets. It’s a beautiful life. God has been very kind to me. I come from a small town, and my father used to earn ₹190 per month. I came to the city on the 3rd of June 1981, with just ₹37 in my pocket. Now, 40 years later, I have having done 546 films. In this city, millions and millions of people come to make it, but only 0.01% do. I’m one of those, so I have no complaints.”

Looking back at the early rejections that shaped his grit, Kher recalls the moments that cut deep, and what they taught him about empathy, “There have been a lot of kind advice and things that happened in my life. But I want to highlight the unkind things, too. I saw so many big actors treat their boys so badly. And so many people said to me, ‘What will you do in your life? You don’t have hair, you’re not that good looking.’ That’s when I really started struggling to fit in and build a career. I remember being in Natraj Studio, and someone told me, ‘You cannot be an actor.’ So I believe, no matter what, one must always choose to be kind.”

Speaking on how the world has changed, he reflects on a shift in values in today’s fast-paced world, “Over generations, kindness has changed. People are no longer kind. People are no longer compassionate. People have become very competitive. And I’m not saying that’s a bad thing, it’s just the truth. The mobile phone has taken over our lives. I’ve seen doctors scrolling on their phones right before a shot, saying, ‘Okay, ready?’ And I think, where’s the relationship? Where’s the bonding? It’s not there anymore.”

Recounting a career-defining moment, Kher remembers how he fought to reclaim what was his, “I was finalized for Saaransh and rehearsed for six months. I used to go to Shivaji Park, observe people’s movements, walk with a stick, really get into the character. One day, I found out I had been replaced by Sanjeev Kumar. I was shocked. I immediately went to Mahesh Bhatt’s house and fought for my role. I told him, ‘He can’t do the role—I was finalized six months ago.’ I fought for it and got the role back. That day, I learned how to fight for myself. Because when you manipulate friendship, that’s not real friendship. With Mahesh Bhatt, I’ve always shared mentorship and genuine camaraderie.”

Speaking candidly about his battle with depression, Kher shares the life-altering advice that helped him shift his mindset, “I had reached a point where I just couldn’t sleep for years. Even sleeping pills didn’t work. I once told my eye doctor there was pressure in my eyes and asked for drops. He said, ‘Mr. Kher, you don’t need eye drops, you need to talk to someone.’ I was diagnosed with depression and given medication, but I kept going back just to talk. One day, he told me something that stayed with me: ‘Stop making stories. The problem is the stories you tell yourself. Maybe the other person is happy—you’re just creating a false narrative in your head.’ That one line changed a lot for me. Even today, I remind myself—stop making stories.”

Over 54 lakh tourists visit Goa in 6 months as Global travelers keep the state buzzing despite summer heat.

July 19, 2025: Goa’s tourism graph has scaled remarkable heights in the first half of 2025, registering a record-breaking surge in both domestic and international arrivals. According to the Department of Tourism, the state welcomed an unprecedented number of visitors between January and June, reinforcing its status as one of India’s most preferred and evolving travel destinations.

Preliminary data reveals that tourist footfalls have reached historic levels, with notable increases across all categories, solo travellers, families, FITs, and group tours. As per official data, a total of 54.55 lakh tourists visited Goa between January and June this year. Of these, 51.84 lakh were domestic visitors, while 2.71 lakh were international tourists. January proved to be the strongest month, registering 10.56 lakh tourists, including 9.86 lakh domestic and nearly 70,000 foreign arrivals.

February followed with 9.05 lakh tourists, comprising 8.44 lakh domestic and over 61,000 international travellers. March saw a footfall of 8.89 lakh tourists, with 8.32 lakh from within India and around 56,000 from abroad.

Despite the onset of summer, tourism activity remained consistent. In April, Goa received 8.42 lakh visitors, including 8.14 lakh domestic and 28,000 international arrivals, followed by 9.27 lakh tourists in May, comprising 8.97 lakh domestic and nearly 30,000 foreign visitors. June recorded 8.34 lakh total arrivals, with 8.08 lakh from India and around 25,000 international visitors.

Speaking on the growth, Director Tourism, Shri Kedar Naik stated, “This boom is the result of a multi-pronged approach adopted by the state. We have intensified promotional campaigns in key source markets, both domestic and global, participated in leading travel trade exhibitions, and launched innovative marketing initiatives under the ‘Regenerative Tourism’ umbrella. These efforts have enhanced visibility and reinforced Goa’s image not just as a beach destination, but one that offers a diverse array of experiences, from hinterland trails and heritage walks to spiritual and wellness retreats.”

Goa’s presence at national and international travel trade fairs, its emphasis on cultural and monsoon tourism, spiritual circuits, and hinterland trails, coupled with the hosting of large-scale festivals and sporting events, has helped attract a wide spectrum of travellers. The rising number of foreign tourists, particularly from the Middle East, Europe, and Southeast Asia, is also attributed to better flight connectivity and a more seamless travel experience.

Infrastructure upgrades across the state, ranging from enhanced airport and transport facilities to the development of new hospitality offerings, have further enabled Goa to handle high tourist volumes while maintaining service quality.

With the monsoon season now in full swing and a vibrant calendar of festivals and experiences lined up for the coming months, the Department of Tourism expects the upward trend to continue through the second half of the year. As the state continues to innovate and diversify its tourism portfolio, the record-breaking numbers serve as a testament to the successful convergence of strategic planning, stakeholder collaboration, and Goa’s enduring charm.

KOCHI, July 19, 2025: Kerala’s rising brand value in the post-COVID-19 era must be effectively leveraged to drive industrial growth across the state, said Industries Minister P. Rajeeve on Friday. He was speaking at a stakeholder workshop in Kochi, convened to expand the scope of the ‘Kerala Brand’ (Nanma) initiative, which aims to certify high-quality, responsibly manufactured products with global standards.

The workshop was jointly organised by the Department of Industries and Commerce, Kerala Bureau of Industrial Promotion (K-BIP), Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC), and KINFRA, under the Central Government’s “Rising and Accelerating MSME Performance” (RAMP) scheme.

Highlighting the government’s broader vision, Minister Rajeeve said the state aims to attract skilled professionals who have migrated abroad and build a smart, sustainable economy powered by local enterprise. He emphasized the importance of strengthening the MSME ecosystem and enhancing market access for Kerala-based businesses.

The workshop featured an address by A.P.M. Mohammed Hanish IAS, Principal Secretary (Industries), followed by a welcome speech by Rajeev G., Additional Director, Department of Industries and Commerce. Director P. Vishnuraj IAS outlined the concept of the Kerala Brand and the structural framework of the initiative.

Key participants included R. Hari Krishnan IRTS, Executive Director, KSIDC; Martin Chacko, Assistant Director, MSME-DFO Thrissur; Suraj S., CEO, K-BIP; and Shabeer M., Deputy Director, Directorate of Industries and Commerce.
The ‘Kerala Brand’ initiative is designed to give a distinct identity to high-quality, ethically produced products from the state. Coconut oil has already been certified under the initiative, and the label serves as a mark of quality and authenticity, helping products access larger national and international markets.

The initiative has now been expanded to include ten additional products. In the food category, Coffee, Tea, Honey, Ghee, and Packaged Drinking Water have been shortlisted. In the non-food category, Plywood, Footwear, PVC Pipes, Surgical Rubber Gloves, and Cattle Feed will be brought under the certification umbrella. The expansion is expected to create significant market opportunities for Kerala’s small and medium-scale entrepreneurs.

The morning sessions of the workshop featured detailed discussions on brand certification criteria, including general and category-specific prerequisites, quality standards, ethical production practices, and evaluation mechanisms. Afternoon plenary sessions explored the branding potential and challenges faced by edible and non-edible product segments.
Officials stated that a comprehensive State-level survey will be conducted, building on the insights from the workshop, to finalize the selection and evaluation criteria for certification.

The expansion of the Kerala Brand (Nanma) initiative marks a major step in the state’s industrial journey. It is expected to enhance the credibility, market visibility, and global competitiveness of Kerala-based enterprises, while offering consumers a trusted assurance of quality and responsible production.

Partners with sustainable green initiative, One Tree Planted USA, and FedEx USA

Hyderabad, 19 July 2025 — Demonstrating its commitment to sustainable and eco-conscious practices, the International Institute of Information Technology Hyderabad (IIITH) carried out a large-scale plantation drive on Saturday, planting 1,200 saplings across its lush 66-acre campus in Gachibowli.

The initiative was undertaken in collaboration with Sustainable Green Initiative (SGI), supported by One Tree Planted USA and FedEx Corporation USA. The drive aligns with IIITH’s ongoing mission to foster a green, smart, and environmentally responsible campus.

Since its inception, IIITH has remained an environmentally conscious institution, home to over 2,000 trees, equipped with rainwater harvesting systems, Wi-SUN smart street lighting, and intelligent monitoring systems for water and electricity consumption. The campus is also proudly plastic-free, reflecting its broader ethos of sustainable living.

“Supporting Sustainable Green Initiative (SGI) was a natural extension of our values and annual plantation efforts,” said a spokesperson from IIITH. “This drive not only enhances biodiversity on campus but also inspires wider environmental action.”

SGI has been actively working to restore Hyderabad’s green cover, rebuild degraded ecosystems, and promote environmental stewardship. “As urban areas increasingly lose natural cover, partnerships like these between corporations, academic institutions, and civil society are key to creating long-term impact,” said a representative from SGI.

Both IIITH and SGI expressed hope that this initiative would act as a catalyst for similar green drives across Hyderabad and India, encouraging communities to reimagine sustainability as a shared responsibility.

Takes a significant step in the Brand’s Strategic Growth

Candolim, Goa: 19th July 2025 – Ode Spa, the wellness and spa vertical of the Ridhira Group, has expanded its national presence with the launch of a new outlet at Regenta Central Imperial, Candolim. This marks a significant step in the brand’s strategic growth across India’s high-value hospitality and leisure destinations.

With nearly two decades of experience and over 1.5 million customers served across India, Ode Spa is scaling its presence through a growing network of wellness destinations, strategically positioned in high-demand tourism markets. The newly launched outlet in Candolim strengthens this approach, delivering curated wellness experiences for both leisure travellers and health-focused locals in one of North Goa’s most vibrant hospitality corridors.

“Candolim represents a high-density leisure market with consistent tourist footfall and a growing appetite for premium wellness experiences,” said Ritesh Mastipuram, Founder & Managing Director, Ridhira Group. “For us, this expansion is not about geographical reach – it’s about weaving wellness into the very fabric of hospitality. Each new outlet strengthens our commitment to creating transformative experiences while unlocking revenue potential for our hotel partners. This marks our second spa in Candolim, building on the success of our first outlet at Fortune Select and reaffirming our strong footprint in Goa’s most sought-after destination,” he added.

The new spa offers a wide spectrum of services designed to meet the needs of modern, wellness-oriented guests:

· Deep tissue, Swedish, and Balinese massages

·Detox wraps, organic facials, and rejuvenating body scrubs.

· Jet lag recovery therapies

· Relaxing head and shoulder Massage

· Foot Reflexology

All therapies are administered by certified professionals and incorporate eco-conscious products and techniques. Staying true to Ode Spa’s design ethos, the outlet features calming interiors, natural materials, and aroma-infused, toxin-free spaces that elevate the guest experience. The vision is to create scalable wellness destinations that deliver both commercial value and genuine wellbeing. By strategically positioning its offerings in India’s top travel destinations, Ridhira Group is redefining wellness as a value-driven asset for the hospitality sector rather than just an amenity.

Staying true to its sustainability ethos, Ode Spa incorporates eco-conscious practices—using biodegradable, cruelty-free products and water-efficient systems—to minimize environmental impact while delivering premium experiences. The opening of the second spa at Candolim marks another milestone in Ode Spa’s long-term growth plan, with upcoming launches set for other key leisure markets. As India’s hospitality and tourism sectors continue to evolve, Ode Spa is positioning itself at the intersection of wellness, business performance, and guest-centric innovation.