Archives December 2025

New Delhi,  Dec 24: Soothe Healthcare Private Limited, one of India’s leading personal hygiene and wellness companies, has signed a landmark MoU with Osaki Medical Corporation, Japan, marking Osaki’s first-ever entry into the Indian market. This strategic collaboration aims to introduce premium Japanese feminine hygiene, maternity, and baby care products to Indian consumers.

The announcement is followed by Soothe Healthcare’s recent INR 45 crore fundraise from existing investors and a group of Ultra High Net-Worth  family offices, reinforcing strong investor confidence in the company’s innovation-driven, women-centric growth strategy.

Under the MoU, Osaki Medical will bring its globally recognized range of Feminine, Mother & Baby Hygiene products, including postpartum care solutions, renowned for Japanese precision manufacturing, stringent safety standards, and uncompromising quality. These products, currently imported from Japan, will cater to India’s growing demand for premium hygiene solutions. Aligned with the Government’s vision, both companies plan to begin local manufacturing in the second phase under the ‘Make in India for India and for the World’ initiative, strengthening India’s role as a global manufacturing hub.

Commenting on the development, Sahil Dharia, Founder & CEO, Soothe Healthcare, said;

“Osaki Medical is globally respected for its premium quality and Japanese precision. This partnership reflects our commitment to introducing world-class hygiene solutions to Indian consumers. With India’s feminine hygiene market projected to grow at over 15% CAGR and a population of more than 700 million women, the need for high-quality, safe, and innovative products has never been greater. By combining Osaki’s product excellence with Soothe’s strong distribution network, we aim to set new benchmarks in women’s care.”

Mr. Masao Osaki, President of Osaki Medical Corporation added;

“Partnering with Soothe Healthcare allows us to combine Japanese product excellence with a trusted Indian distribution partner to better serve women in a high-potential market.”

 Soothe Healthcare will leverage its pan-India distribution network spanning over 210,000 retail outlets, pharmacies, defence canteens, modern trade, and e-commerce platforms to ensure widespread availability of Osaki Medical’s products. This partnership combines Osaki’s product excellence and decades of expertise in women’s healthcare with Soothe’s proven execution and deep consumer reach, aiming to elevate hygiene standards for millions of Indian women.

Baker Tilly ASA India, a leading global accounting and advisory firm, acted as the advisor to both the transactions, with the deal led by Mr. Naveen Sharma, Executive Director, and Ms. Jyotsna Saini. Osaki Medical was advised by MUFG Bank Japan.

Dec 24: Yatra Online Limited (“Yatra”), one of India’s leading online travel companies, has partnered with MR. DIY, a popular home improvement and lifestyle retail brand, to launch a co-branded in-store campaign titled “Shop Karo, Yatra Karo.” Designed to add an extra layer of excitement to the ongoing festive & holiday season, the campaign transforms everyday shopping moments into opportunities to win memorable travel experiences.

Running from December 2025 to January 2026, the two-month campaign will be activated across 350+ MR. DIY stores nationwide, rewarding shoppers with Yatra travel vouchers and holiday packages during one of India’s busiest shopping and travel periods.

As part of the campaign, customers shopping for INR 750 or more at 115 select Mr. DIY stores across Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Thane, Pune and Ahmedabad stand a chance to win Yatra travel vouchers with savings of up to INR 10,000 on domestic and international flights and hotels. Additionally, shoppers spending INR 1,000 or more at 350+ Mr. DIY stores across India can participate in a lucky draw to win attractive domestic and international holiday package vouchers.

The prizes include:

• 1st Prize: INR 1,00,000 worth International in-land holiday package
• 2nd Prize: Two winners of each INR 75,000 worth of International in-land holiday packages
• 3rd Prize: Three winners of each INR 30,000 worth of Domestic in-land holiday packages

Commenting on the partnership, Bharatt Malik, Senior Vice-President (flights & hotels), Yatra Online Limited, said: “The Christmas-New Year festive season is a time when consumers are actively shopping and planning travel, making it the perfect moment to bring these two experiences together. Through ‘Shop Karo, Yatra Karo,’ we are delighted to partner with MR. DIY to reward shoppers with meaningful travel opportunities. This campaign reflects our continued focus on innovative partnerships that enhance customer engagement and extend Yatra’s presence beyond digital platforms into high-impact physical touchpoints.”

Commenting on the collaboration, a Senior Spokesperson, MR.DIY India, said: “At MR.DIY, we constantly look for innovative ways to enhance the in-store experience for our customers and add more value to their everyday shopping. Partnering with Yatra for the ‘Shop Karo, Yatra Karo’ campaign allows us to reward our customers beyond products, by giving them a chance to turn routine purchases into memorable travel experiences. This festive and holiday season, we are excited to bring together affordability, fun and aspiration through this unique retail-travel collaboration.”

December and January mark a period of heightened consumer enthusiasm for both shopping and travel. By bringing together two consumer-facing brands from the travel and retail ecosystems, the campaign aims to make the festive and New Year season even more rewarding by seamlessly blending routine purchases with aspirational travel opportunities.

Through “Shop Karo, Yatra Karo,” Yatra and MR. DIY celebrate the joy of the holiday season, where everyday shopping can spark travel dreams and small moments can lead to unforgettable journeys.

Dec 24:- Heritage Hospitals, one of India’s most trusted names in healthcare, continues to make advanced and ethical medical services more accessible across National Capital Region. At the centre of this effort, the Noida facility of Heritage has been offering a range of key specialties and serving patients from different parts of the city.

Steadily growing over the years, Heritage is shaped by trust, openness and a genuine sense of care for every individual who walks in. For the hospital, its growth has never been a matter of numbers. It is about reaching more people while staying true to its sense of responsibility.

Each hospital is planned to offer complete medical services close to where families live, so patients no longer have to travel far for quality treatment. The Noida centre, for instance, brings together key specialties including cardiology, pulmonology, urology, and neurosurgery under one roof, ensuring that every stage of care, from consultation to recovery, remains seamless.

Dr. Richa Rai, CEO of Heritage Hospitals said, “We believe that people should never have to compromise between accessibility and integrity in healthcare and that accessibility in healthcare is about more than geography. It’s about building a system the people can rely on and where patients feel informed, respected and cared for at every step. Our focus has always been on creating that trust, one interaction at a time.”

Over the years, Heritage has earned patient confidence through consistent medical outcomes, ethical practice, and open communication. Ethical care is provided through transparent treatment protocols and the clear communication around procedures and costs. The hospital follows a disciplined approach to clinical decision-making. It ensures that medical advice is guided solely by patient requirements and long-term well-being.

Doctors and staff at Heritage Hospitals follow a patient-first approach. They spend time getting to know each patient and their medical history. They also ask about daily habits and the worries that often come with illness. This helps doctors see the full picture and decide on a plan of care for one particular patient.

The treatment they suggest is practical, personal and focused on what works best for each individual depending on their history. To make care more accessible, the hospital has also strengthened digital coordination and follow-up support for patients.

These steps are especially useful for those who need monitoring after discharge or regular consultations with specialists. The system helps patients stay in touch with their doctors even after they leave the hospital.

Heritage Hospitals opened its first multi-specialty hospital in Varanasi in 1994 and has continued to focus on honest and value-based healthcare ever since. Its growing presence in NCR reflects the same commitment to ethical and dependable medical care, built on the simple belief that trust is the foundation of good medicine.

Amazon MX Player’s supernatural thriller Bhay The Gaurav Tiwari Mystery continues to blur the line between fiction and reality, with an unsettling real-life incident captured during the show’s on-ground paranormal investigation shoot in Madh. The incident occurred while filming an episode of YTV Haunting with Haseena, making it one of the rare instances where an unexplained phenomenon was recorded on camera during a professionally conducted paranormal investigation.

In the video, investigator Haseena is seen filming a dark, abandoned doorway while verbally challenging any unseen presence to reveal itself. In a sudden and disturbing moment, a dense black shadow rapidly streaks across the camera frame, briefly obstructing the view and coinciding with an audible shuffling sound. The footage later cuts to a slow-motion replay to highlight the speed and unnatural shape of the anomaly. Moments after the incident, the atmosphere on set visibly shifts as the team’s flashlight malfunctions, leaving the investigators shaken. Haseena can be heard questioning her team, explaining that she initially believed someone had walked past her camera, although the footage confirms that no one was present in her immediate vicinity at the time.

Bhay The Gaurav Tiwari Mystery stands apart as one of the first Indian shows to combine documented paranormal sightings with investigations conducted by professionally certified Indian Paranormal Society experts, reinforcing the show’s grounded and research-led approach to the supernatural.

Headlined by Karan Tacker as real-life paranormal investigator Gaurav Tiwari, Bhay The Gaurav Tiwari Mystery also stars Kalki Koechlin, Saloni Batra, Danish Sood, Nimisha Nair and Shubham Chaudhary in pivotal roles. The series draws from documented cases, real locations and verified accounts, focusing on psychological realism rather than sensational horror..

Bhay The Gaurav Tiwari Mystery is now streaming for free exclusively on Amazon MX Player across the MX Player app, Amazon shopping app, Prime Video, Fire TV and Airtel Xstream.

New Delhi,  Dec 24: BASIC Home Loan, India’s fastest-growing mortgage-focused fintech platform, has partnered with udChalo Housing to offer tailored home loan solutions for serving and retired defence personnel and their families.

The partnership aims to simplify home ownership for defence and CAPF families by combining BASIC’s access to 150 lenders with udChalo’s deep understanding of defence housing needs. Together, the two companies will enable defence buyers to discover verified, defence-friendly residential projects and secure competitive home loans through a single, streamlined process.

Under this collaboration, BASIC Home Loan will facilitate financing for RERA-registered ready-to-move and near-possession residential projects, primarily in the INR 20 lakh and above price range. This includes 1.5, 2, and compact 3 BHK homes, plotted developments, and row houses. The focus is on affordable and mid-income housing, with projects selected to align with defence household income profiles and end-use requirements.

The partnership will initially launch in Chandigarh and Pune, with plans to expand to key defence hubs across India. Over the next three years, BASIC Home Loan expects loan disbursals of up to INR 1,000 crore through this initiative.

This collaboration comes amid strong momentum in the affordable housing segment, which was valued at approximately USD 3.17 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow to USD 9.46 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of nearly 19.8%, with North India being the largest market.

“Defence personnel represent a strong borrower segment with stable incomes and disciplined credit behaviour, yet their housing finance needs are often underserved. The partnership with udChalo allows us to deliver customised loan options that account for defence-specific income structures, postings, and long-term planning,” said Atul Monga, CEO & Co-Founder, BASIC Home Loan.

Rahul Singh Sirohi, Business Head  Builder Business, BASIC Home Loan, added,

“Through this partnership, we are enabling access to competitive financing tailored to the lifestyle, budget, and long-term needs of defence families. By aligning builders, lenders, and platforms like udChalo, we are creating a more reliable and transparent home-buying ecosystem.”

udChalo brings to the partnership a large captive base of serving armed forces personnel, veterans, defence civilians, and their families. The platform curates projects located near strategic and defence-preferred locations, ensuring clear titles, bank-acceptable documentation, and realistic pricing aligned with defence household incomes.

Shivam Arren, CEO, udChalo, said,

“Housing is one of the most important yet complex decisions for defence families. By partnering with BASIC Home Loan, we are extending our support beyond property discovery to financing, ensuring our users get access to multiple lenders, competitive rates, and guidance at every stage of their home-buying journey.”

Over the next 3–5 years, BASIC Home Loan and udChalo aim to formalise and scale defence-focused housing finance across major cantonments and Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, creating a structured ecosystem for first-time buyers, serving personnel, and retirees alike.

BASIC Home Loan operates a phygital home loan model with a proprietary lender-matching technology stack and access to 150 lending partners. The company has serviced over 3.5 lakh customers and achieved cumulative approvals of around INR 45,000 crore across 650 districts nationwide.

By:- Sunil Kumar Prabhu, Consultant dermatologist and Aesthetic physician,  Aster RV Hospital, Bangalore.

Blackheads on the nose are something almost everyone deals with, and when they start increasing, it can feel frustrating and even embarrassing. The nose has more oil glands than most other parts of the face, which is why it becomes a hotspot for blackheads. Even if you wash your face regularly, they can still appear because blackheads are not just about dirt  they’re caused by what’s happening inside your pores. Understanding why they happen and how to manage them can make a big difference in keeping your skin clear and smooth.

Blackheads form when the pores get clogged with excess oil  dead skin cells and sometimes bacteria. When this mixture sits at the surface of the skin and gets exposed to air, it oxidises and turns black. This is why blackheads look like tiny dark dots on the nose. One of the biggest reasons they increase is overactive oil glands. Many people naturally have oily or combination skin, which makes the nose greasier than the rest of the face. During winters, heaters, hot showers and dry air can also make the skin produce more oil to compensate for dryness, leading to more congestion and blackheads.

Another common cause is not exfoliating enough. Washing your face removes dirt and sweat, but it doesn’t get rid of dead skin cells. When these dead cells build up, they mix with oil and block the pores. This is why people who don’t exfoliate regularly often notice more blackheads on the nose. 

Using makeup or skincare products that are too heavy or comedogenic is another reason blackheads increase. Many moisturisers, sunscreens or foundations sit inside the pores like a plug, especially on the nose. If they aren’t removed properly at night, they can lead to a buildup. Hormonal changes, especially during teenage years, periods, stress or even certain medications, can also trigger more oil production, making blackheads worse.

The good news is there are simple, effective ways to reduce blackheads and prevent them from coming back. The most important step is cleansing twice a day with a gentle cleanser. This helps remove surface oil without stripping the skin. Exfoliating two to three times a week is also crucial. Products with salicylic acid work very well because this ingredient goes deep into the pores, dissolves oil, and cleans out buildup. For stubborn blackheads, a clay mask once or twice a week can help absorb extra oil from the pores and tighten them.

Using non-comedogenic  products is another must. Choosing lightweight gels over thick creams can reduce congestion on the nose. Always remove makeup thoroughly at the end of the day. Retinol or retinoid creams can also help because they speed up cell turnover and prevent dead skin from blocking pores.  For people who want quicker results, blackhead extraction by a professional is a safe option. Chemical peels and microdermabrasion can also help improve the texture of the nose and reduce clogged pores.

It also helps to pay attention to everyday habits that may be unknowingly making blackheads worse. Touching your nose frequently transfers oil, sweat and bacteria from your hands to your pores, increasing congestion. Even things like not changing pillowcases regularly, wearing masks for long hours, or letting sweat sit on your skin after a workout can contribute to blocked pores on the nose. Small changes like washing your pillowcases weekly, wiping your face gently after exercising, and keeping your hands away from your face can make a noticeable difference.

Ultimately, the best way to control blackheads is consistency. With a simple routine that includes proper cleansing, gentle exfoliation, the right products and a little patience, blackheads on the nose can be reduced significantly. Keeping the pores clean and avoiding heavy skincare will help your nose stay clearer, smoother and visibly brighter over time.

Dec 24:-MagickHome, a modular home interiors brand, reflects on the year by sharing key milestones, achievements, and recognitions earned in 2025. The brand closed the year on a strong note, recording 100% year-on-year revenue growth and further strengthening its position in India’s home interiors market through design-led innovation, scaled operations, and growing customer trust.

During the year, MagickHome delivered modular interior solutions across 500 homes nationwide, significantly expanding its footprint beyond its core markets of Bangalore, Chennai, and Coimbatore.  Customer trust remained a strong growth driver, reflected in a Net Promoter Score in the high 70s and a robust 25% of new business coming through customer referrals.

The company continued to invest in its in-house AI and 3D design platform, which plays a pivotal role in simplifying the customer journey by enabling faster visualisation, real-time iterations, improved cost transparency, and smoother collaboration.

The year also brought meaningful industry recognition like Silver Trophy at the Shark Awards 2025 by ET BrandEquity for its Make Room For Pride campaign, while Chairman Indy Pathmanathan was honoured with the ET Edge India Impactful CEO Award in the Startup Leader category.

Reflecting on the year, Ganesen Viswanathan, Vice President, MagickHome, said: “2025 was about building with intent – strengthening systems, sharpening execution, and ensuring that quality could be repeated consistently across homes and cities. As we move into the next phase, our focus remains on thoughtful growth and raising standards across every touchpoint.”

Looking ahead, MagickHome is targeting another 100% growth in 2026, with plans for an e-commerce launch and further expansion of its physical footprint across India.

The past year has also reaffirmed the permanence of hybrid working and flexible space adoption. Flex and managed office formats continue to represent a rising share of annual leasing, while both domestic and global occupiers are demanding assets that can adapt quickly to evolving workforce patterns, technology requirements, and cost pressures. As a result, capital investment is increasingly flowing into performance-based specifications such as acoustic comfort, indoor environmental quality, and durable, resilient material systems.

Looking ahead to 2026, we expect this focus to deepen as regulatory frameworks and incentive structures begin to actively support low-carbon construction and retrofit-led modernisation. Modular and sustainable building systems, ranging from raised access flooring and advanced acoustic solutions to structural ceiling systems, will play a critical role in enabling flexibility, faster reconfiguration, and long-term environmental performance.

Ultimately, the next growth cycle in India’s commercial office market will be defined by how intelligently buildings are designed as integrated systems. Assets that combine modularity, sustainability, and performance beneath the surface will be best positioned to attract occupiers, command rental premiums, and protect long-term value.”

By Mr. Cyrus Mody – Founder and CEO of Viceroy Properties

In 2025, Mumbai’s Real Estate Sector has had a favourable outcome due to the continued demand from end users, better infrastructure being developed, and the creation of an enhanced regulatory framework that provides long-term stability and peace of mind. Buyers have been increasingly moving toward purchasing homes that are constructed with an emphasis on quality, sustainability, community-oriented designs, and better amenities. The stability of interest rates and the benefits of GST have created a more positive environment for buyers when it comes time to purchase homes and to complete development projects. As we move into 2026, we expect the continued high demand for luxury homes, increased focus on redevelopment will continue,  increased smart transportation corridors, and new technology-driven construction techniques to develop a more resilient and forward-looking Real Estate Industry.

By:-Aakash Patel, Managing Director of Atul Projects 

“Mumbai’s increasing connectivity through Infrastructure development continues to shape different Micro Markets. For example, new West and Central Metro Connection enhancements will support higher Housing Buyer Confidence and provide long-term value Creation, as will the new Coastal Road Linkages and Improved Arterial Networks. Each of these Corridors, i.e., Metro lines, Coastal Road Linkages, and Improved Arterial Networks, is experiencing an increase in Housing Buyer Confidence and a long-term increase in Value Creation as a result of this work. Historically, Redevelopment has unlocked opportunities for Modern Living in today’s most established Neighbourhoods. In 2026, due to the efficiencies created by GST, this momentum will only continue. We are committed to developing Structurally Sound and future-ready developments in terms of design and constituent construction materials that align with the growth potential of each evolving Micro Market.”

Chennai, Dec 24: India Yamaha Motor (IYM) Pvt. Ltd. is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Hajime Aota as the new Chairman of Yamaha Motor India Group effective from 1st January 2026.

Mr. Aota brings with him extensive experience in corporate strategy, corporate planning, and new venture business development within the automotive sector. He has held several senior leadership roles across key global markets, including Japan, the United States, and the United Kingdom. Prior to his appointment in India, Mr. Aota served as Executive Officer, Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd., and Chief General Manager – Corporate Strategy Center (CSO) at the company’s global headquarters in Japan, where he led corporate strategy, sustainability initiatives, and digital strategy, with a strong focus on driving digital transformation.

He has also served as Chairperson of Yamaha Motor Ventures & Laboratory Silicon Valley (YMVSV), Yamaha Motor’s strategic venture capital arm, overseeing early-stage investments in areas such as robotics, transportation, fintech, insurtech, digital health, and data-driven technologies. In addition, Mr. Aota has played a pivotal role in leading new business development and corporate planning functions, contributing significantly to the long-term growth strategy of the global Yamaha Motor Group. He was also instrumental in shaping Yamaha Motor’s 2030 long-term vision, “Art for Human Possibilities,” and continues to champion its successful execution.

Mr. Aota holds a Program for Leadership Development (PLD) from Harvard Business School and is a graduate in Political Science from Keio University, Japan.

Commenting on his appointment, Mr. Hajime Aota, Chairman, Yamaha Motor India Group of Companies, said,

“I am very excited to begin my journey in India, one of the world’s most dynamic and diverse two-wheeler markets. The rapidly evolving aspirations of Indian consumers, especially the youth, align strongly with Yamaha’s focus on premium products, innovation, and a customer-centric approach. Leading Yamaha in India is a significant responsibility, and my focus is on strengthening the brand by delivering products that seamlessly combine Yamaha’s global engineering excellence with the evolving needs of Indian riders. I look forward to working closely with our teams and partners to drive sustainable growth and reinforce Yamaha’s presence in this important market.”