Archives December 2025

Celebrating an Aatmanirbhar Christmas: Aara Play’s Design Challenge Captures the Heart of the Nation!

New Delhi, India, Dec 24: This Christmas, the greatest story isn’t coming from the North Pole –  it’s coming from right here in India. Aara Play is proud to report a phenomenal response to the DesignDollChallenge 2026, launched on Children’s Day to reclaim the narrative of Indian toys.

From Kashmir to Kanyakumari, participants are answering the call to create a doll that reflects our skin, our stories, and our style. “We started this journey on November 14th to find a ‘Bringer of Light’ (Aara), and the brilliance we’ve seen so far is blinding,” says Co-Founder Ankita Mehra.

As we celebrate the season of joy, we invite every Indian with a creative bone in their body to join this historic mission. Help us build a toy industry that doesn’t just import heroes but creates them.

The doors are open. The platform is yours. This Christmas, give India the gift of its own identity. Join the DesignDollChallenge 2026 today!

Chennai hosts final zonal round as PHDCCI concludes nationwide National Young Chef Competition journey

CHENNAI, Dec 24: PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) organized the South Zone round of National Young Chef Competition (NYCC) at the Faculty of Hotel Management & Culinary Arts, Dr. M.G.R. Educational & Research Institute, Chennai, bringing together high-potential culinary students from leading hotel management institutes across Southern India.

Organised in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India; Indian Federation of Culinary Associations (IFCA); and Tourism & Hospitality Skill Council (THSC), the South Zone round continued NYCC’s national mission of ‘Celebrating Indian Culinary Heritage: Blending Tradition with Innovation’ by encouraging young chefs to reinterpret classical Indian flavours using contemporary techniques, while remaining rooted in regional traditions.

Spread over six months, NYCC has travelled across the country through four zonal rounds before culminating in a Grand Finale in New Delhi. Following the successful North, East and West Zone rounds held in Chandigarh, Kolkata and Mumbai respectively, the final zonal spotlight shifted to Chennai, where seven institutes competed in an intense live cook-off, showcasing creativity, innovation and strong technical skill.

Following a closely contested competition, three teams from Culinary Academy of India, Hyderabad; Asian Christian Culinary & Agricultural Science Institute, Hosur and IHM, Hyderabad emerged as winners and will represent the South Zone at the Grand Finale. Team from IHM Shri Shakti, Hyderabad was declared the runner-up.

In its maiden edition, NYCC is open exclusively to final-year hospitality students across government, private, stand-alone institutions and university departments specializing in hospitality and hotel management. The initiative aims to create a focused national platform for Indian cuisine, highlighting its depth, diversity and regional techniques, while connecting aspiring chefs with the industry for internships, mentorship and long-term career opportunities. 

The participating institutes in the South Zone round included Asian Christian Culinary & Agricultural Science Institute, Hosur; Chennais Amirta International Institute of Hotel Management; Culinary Academy of India, Hyderabad; Hindusthan College of Arts and Science, Coimbatore; IHM Shri Shakti, Hyderabad; Indian Culinary Institute, Tirupati; and Institute of Hotel Management, Hyderabad. Each participating team prepared a three-course Indian meal comprising starter, main course and dessert within two and a half hours.

The jury for the South Zone round was chaired by Chef Anil Grover, Certified WorldChefs Judge and included Chef Ajeeth Janardhanan, Culinary Director, The Residency Towers; Chef Prem Kumar Mahendran, Executive Chef, Welcomhotel Chennai; Chef Natesan Kannan, Chief Coordinator, SICA Junior Forum; and Chef Nageshwaran K, Executive Sous Chef, GRT Hotels & Resorts.

Renowned Indian Celebrity Chef, K. Damodharan (Chef Damu), while interacting with the participants, remarked,

“Indian cuisine is deeply rooted in culture, memory and emotion and it is essential for young chefs to first understand its soul before reinterpreting it. What impressed me today was the sincerity with which students approached traditional flavours while presenting them with confidence and creativity. Initiatives like NYCC play a crucial role in nurturing chefs who respect tradition, yet have the courage to innovate and take Indian cuisine to global platforms.”

Commenting on the competition, Chef Grover, said, “The South Zone round stood out for its strong technical fundamentals and confident expression of Indian flavours. Platforms like NYCC are critical in shaping chefs who understand not just how to cook, but why we cook the way we do.”

Ms. Sulagna Ghosh, Secretary, PHDCCI, added, “The South Zone round of NYCC reflects the immense talent and discipline that hospitality education in Southern India offers. NYCC is steadily evolving into a national movement that connects education, industry and youth, while reinforcing pride in India’s culinary heritage.”

The Grand Finale of NYCC will be held on 19 January 2026 at the Institute of Hotel Management Pusa, New Delhi and will be graced by Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Hon’ble Minister of Tourism and Culture, Government of India, as the Chief Guest.

NYCC continues to be supported by a strong consortium of industry partners including TATA Consumer Products, Lee Kum Kee, Nestle Professional, Cremica Food Industries, Venus Industries, Hospitality & Kitchen Solutions (HAKS), Wagh Bakri Tea Group, Welbilt India (Merrychef & Convotherm), McCain Foods, Chefs Unlimited, Dr. M.G.R. Educational & Research Institute, South India Chef’s Association (SICA) and Purchasing Professional Forum India (PPFI).

In 2026, Four Seasons Explorer invites travellers to experience Palau in its purest form through an exclusive liveaboard journey that blends refined luxury with profound cultural immersion. Navigating the UNESCO-listed Rock Islands Southern Lagoon, the vessel journeys through a 500,000-square-kilometre protected marine sanctuary, the vessel offers rare access to one of the world’s last truly untouched destinations.

With just 10 elegantly appointed staterooms and an expansive Explorer Suite, Four Seasons Explorer ensures privacy and personalised attention on every voyage. Guided by marine biologists, dive experts, wellness practitioners and Palauan hosts, guests are introduced to Palau not merely as visitors, but as honoured guests welcomed into a living heritage.

Daily experiences unfold with effortless sophistication: diving vibrant reef walls, snorkelling alongside abundant marine life, cycling between cultural landmarks, and enjoying private beach picnics on uninhabited shores. Beyond the natural splendour lies a deeper cultural resonance. Guests encounter Palau’s matriarchal lineage, explore wartime relics that shaped the nation’s resilience, and engage with local communities whose devotion to tradition remains unwavering.

Upon arrival, travellers sign the Palau Pledge, a commitment crafted by Palauan children to protect the environment, setting a tone of reverence and responsibility. This ethos reflects omengull, the Palauan philosophy of respect, woven into every moment onboard and ashore.

The Oceania Spa elevates the experience with rituals inspired by Palauan healing traditions, performed beneath open skies or in secluded natural settings. Evenings usher in quiet refinement, with starlit horizons and the gentle rhythm of island currents.

In 2026, Four Seasons Explorer promises a transformative passage through Palau where luxury meets legacy, and every journey becomes an unforgettable testament to the power of place.

Mumbai, Dec 24: Infidigit, one of India’s leading SEO, GEO, and digital growth companies, has been recognised at the ICMA Awards 2025 for its impactful work with Mochi Shoes, winning Gold in the Content Category – Best Blogs & Website Content. The award celebrates Infidigit’s ability to design and scale content strategies that deliver sustained performance in a rapidly evolving, AI-influenced search ecosystem.

The winning campaign, “How Mochi Shoes Built Content Over Time, Designed To Perform,” focused on building a long-term, search-led content foundation rather than pursuing short-term visibility gains. By aligning editorial depth with evolving user intent and emerging AI-driven discovery patterns, the strategy enabled Mochi Shoes to strengthen its organic presence while driving consistent, measurable growth.

Infidigit implemented a structured content framework that prioritised topical authority, performance optimisation, and scalability. Blogs and website content were designed to compound value over time, supporting both discovery and conversion across traditional SERPs as well as AI-powered search experiences. As a result, the campaign delivered 23.5% growth in organic clicks and 78.5% growth in impressions. It also strengthened Mochi Shoes’ visibility across AI Overviews and LLM-driven discovery platforms, reinforcing the brand’s relevance in a highly competitive retail category.

“Winning this award alongside Infidigit is a proud moment for Mochi Shoes. The team helped us navigate a shifting digital landscape by building a framework focused on topical authority and performance. This approach establishes Mochi Shoes as a leading industry voice. Our significant growth in organic clicks and impressions shows the success of a strategy designed to adapt as AI search patterns change,” said Rohit Shiva, D2C Head (E-Commerce), Metro Brands Limited.

Notably, this recognition represents Infidigit’s second win in the same content category within the month, underscoring the agency’s consistent approach to building high-performing, search-led content strategies.

The ICMA recognition comes at a time when content marketing is being reshaped by AI-generated summaries and large language models that are redefining how consumers discover information. In this environment, brands require strategies that go beyond volume-driven publishing and instead focus on clarity, structure, and long-term performance. Infidigit’s work with Mochi Shoes reflects this shift, demonstrating how well-engineered content can remain effective even as discovery mechanisms evolve.

“Winning at the ICMA Awards for our work with Mochi Shoes is a strong validation of our content-first, performance-led approach,” said Kaushal Thakkar, Founder & CEO, Infidigit. “As search continues to evolve, content must be designed with intent, precision, and longevity. This campaign highlights how brands can build content ecosystems that adapt to change while delivering measurable outcomes.”

This win further strengthens Infidigit’s position as a trusted digital growth partner for brands navigating the intersection of content, search, and AI-driven visibility.

Dec 24: Being Human Clothing, the fashion and lifestyle brand founded by Salman Khan, is celebrating the actor’s birthday in true Salman style, with energy, warmth, and a whole lot of fun. This year, the brand is marking the occasion with a special Birthday Sale, paired with a lively campaign that brings together fashion, surprise, and celebration.

Leading the celebrations is Being Human Clothing’s playful new campaign, “Cake Fake B’day For Real,” which looks at birthdays a little differently. Instead of predictable celebrations, the campaign adds an element of surprise, keeping things light, joyful, and true to Salman Khan’s larger-than-life personality.

A key highlight of the celebration sees Sunil Grover stepping in to enact Salman Khan, delivering a moment filled with humour and familiarity that fans instantly relate to. The playful act is followed by Salman Khan himself, bringing the campaign thought to life and tying it directly to the birthday offer in a way that feels effortless and fun.

“This year’s “Cake Fake, B’Day for Real” campaign is our playful nod to the joy and energy that Salman Mamu brings into people’s lives. By taking the celebrations live with a 50% exclusive birthday sale in stores and online, we wanted to create a digital moment that fans everywhere can be part of—no matter where they are. It’s our way of saying thank you to everyone who continues to support the Being Human Clothing family and Salman Mamu.” says Ayaan Agnihotri, Executive Director at Four Aces Fashion House, Being Human Clothing.

To make the celebration even more special for fans and shoppers, Being Human Clothing is offering birthday-exclusive discounts for a limited period:

• A flat 50% off across all Being Human Clothing exclusive brand stores, department stores, and MBOs

• A minimum 50% off, available exclusively on www.beinghumanclothing.com, as part of the SKB Birthday Celebration

The sale covers menswear, womenswear, accessories and everyday essentials, giving customers a chance to refresh their wardrobes with Being Human Clothing’s consciously designed collections, comfortable, contemporary pieces made for everyday life and celebration alike.

With Cake Fake B’day For Real, Being Human Clothing turns Salman Khan’s birthday into more than just a sale. It becomes a shared celebration, cheerful, unexpected, and full of heart, reflecting the close connection Salman Khan continues to share with audiences across the country.

The Being Human Clothing Birthday Sale and SKB Birthday Celebration will be available for a limited period across offline stores nationwide and exclusively online at Being Human Clothing.

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.”

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.” 

NEW YORK and NOIDA, India, Dec 23:  HCLTech, a leading global technology company, announced that it has joined the Microsoft Discovery platform, an advanced agentic AI platform designed to accelerate scientific breakthroughs.

As part of this collaboration, HCLTech will participate in deep technical onboarding sessions with Microsoft’s Discovery team to align platform architecture, partner collaboration models and explore joint go-to-market opportunities. Following onboarding, HCLTech will take part in projects to accelerate solutions in areas such as chemistry and materials science, drug discovery and semiconductor design, leveraging its strong domain expertise across industries.

Through the Discovery initiative, HCLTech joins a select group of research institutions and tech innovators shaping the next frontier of innovation.

The Microsoft Discovery platform empowers R&D teams to conduct large-scale data processing and simulation, automate workflows and accelerate scientific innovation to tackle some of the world’s most complex challenges. HCLTech’s participation will extend these capabilities to enterprise-scale applications through collaborative proofs of concept, co-innovation labs and industry-focused implementations.

“HCLTech is a natural choice to help expand the Microsoft Discovery platform and the development of sustainable, innovative solutions,” said Aseem Datar, Corporate Vice President, Product Innovation, Microsoft Discovery and Quantum. “We look forward to building on our shared success and uncovering the next generation of transformative technologies together.”

“This selective collaboration reflects our ongoing commitment to advancing AI technologies in partnership with leading innovators,” said Hari Sadarahalli, Corporate Vice President, Engineering R&D Services at HCLTech. “By combining our deep domain expertise and cloud-based computing services with Microsoft’s enterprise-ready platform, we will accelerate scientific breakthroughs and deliver faster innovation across industries to our clients.”

Mumbai,  Dec 23: ITM Skills University is proud to announce a significant milestone in its commitment to industry-integrated education with the signing of strategic Memorandums of Understanding  with renowned international hospitality brands. These collaborations reflect the university’s vision of bridging academia with real-world global industry experience, offering students exceptional opportunities for professional growth and hands-on learning in the luxury hospitality sector.

Through these partnerships, ITM Skills University has aligned itself with some of the most respected names in global hospitality. The university has officially entered into collaborations with Zilwa Attitude and Paradise Cove Boutique Hotel in Mauritius, as well as the iconic JW Marriott Marquis in Dubai. These alliances will enable students to gain practical exposure, international training experiences, and insights into global service standards, preparing them to excel in competitive hospitality environments worldwide.

The collaborations are designed to provide students with immersive learning experiences, including industry-led training, internships, and mentorship from seasoned hospitality professionals. By working closely with leading luxury resorts and hotels, ITM Skills University ensures that its curriculum remains aligned with evolving industry expectations and global best practices.

In addition to its current partnerships, ITM Skills University is actively expanding its global footprint. Several high-profile collaborations are presently in the pipeline, including Anantara Iko Mauritius Resort and Villas and One&Only Le Saint Géran in Mauritius. These upcoming partnerships are expected to further strengthen the university’s international network and open new avenues for student development and global career opportunities.

Commenting on the development, Ms. Purva Tawde, Director & Dean, IHM-ITM Skills University said,

“These global partnerships mark a transformative step in our mission to provide industry-relevant education. By collaborating with world-class hospitality brands, we are equipping our students with international exposure, professional skills, and the confidence to succeed on a global stage.”

With these initiatives, ITM Skills University continues to reinforce its position as a forward-thinking institution dedicated to producing industry-ready graduates. By fostering strong global hospitality partnerships, the university reaffirms its commitment to excellence, innovation, and providing students with a truly global education experience.