Archives 2026

This January, 3 Spices invites diners to embark on a richly immersive culinary journey with Sofreh, an exclusive Persian food pop-up celebrating the depth, warmth, and heritage of one of the world’s oldest cuisines. Scheduled from 26th to 31st January 2026, the food pop-up will be available only during dinner, offering guests an evocative taste of Persia through time-honoured recipes and soulful flavours.

Curated to reflect the essence of Persian gastronomy, Sofreh showcases a menu steeped in tradition, where saffron-infused delicacies, aromatic grilled kebabs, and herb-rich slow-cooked stews take centre stage. Signature dishes include the comforting Ghormeh Sabzi, the indulgent Fesenjan with its delicate balance of nutty and tangy notes, Albaloo Polo, and fragrant Persian pilaf, each prepared using authentic techniques and ingredients true to the cuisine’s roots.

Speaking about the pop-up, the Khizer Khan, Hotel Manager at DoubleTree by Hilton Pune-Chinchwad said,

“With Sofreh, we aim to bring an authentic and immersive dining experience to our guests—one that goes beyond food and tells the story of Persian culture, heritage, and hospitality. At 3 Spices, we continuously strive to curate meaningful culinary journeys, and this pop-up is a celebration of flavours that are both soulful and timeless.”

So, this January, head to 3 Spices at Double Tree by Hilton Pune-Chinchwad and savour the soul of Persia through a dining experience that blends tradition, flavour, and finesse.

Republic Day Sale 2026 Sets New Benchmarks: Beauty Surges While Electronics Dip; Online Payments Flip Cash on Delivery, Reveals GoKwik Insights

New Delhi, Jan 27: The 77th Republic Day has officially concluded, not just with parades, but with a massive digital footprint that cements the occasion as a primary shopping season in the Indian calendar. New data released by GoKwik reveals that the 2026 Republic Day sale period witnessed a robust 34% year-on-year growth in orders, signalling a maturing D2C ecosystem where consumer intent is high and distinct from traditional festive sales.

The e-commerce enablement platform released its post-sale insights, capturing how Indians shopped during the Republic Day period. The data reveals sharp shifts in category trends, payment preferences, and shopping timing.

The “Glow-Up” Surges, Electronics Dip According to GoKwik, the 2026 sale saw a massive acceleration in the Beauty and Personal Care (BPC) sector. Data indicates that the Beauty and Personal Care category nearly doubled its order volume, surging by approximately 74% year-on-year. This growth was driven by a high demand for “Clean Beauty,” haircare, and skincare products.

In contrast, the Electronics category saw a decline of nearly 24% in order volumes compared to the previous year. Meanwhile, Fashion sustained its position as a dominant category, continuing to drive a significant portion of the total sale volume alongside Beauty.

Online Payments Flip the Script Perhaps the most significant behavioral marker of the 2026 sale was the collapse of Cash on Delivery (COD) dominance. For the first time in this sale period’s history, online payments accounted for the majority of orders, edging out COD. This marks a fundamental maturing of the Indian shopper, driven by increased trust in homegrown brands and the allure of “Prepaid Discounts.”

The “Coffee & Cart” Ritual Shopping activity showed a distinct move toward early hours. The “Morning Rush” emerged as the prime shopping window, contributing the highest volume of orders. Unlike previous years defined by late-night impulse buys, 2026 shoppers were decisive early risers, checking out their carts before clocking in for the workday.

The “Tiranga” Effect in Bharat The sale also highlighted a deep-rooted thematic connection. Merchants fully embraced the theme with “Patriotic” coupon codes like REPUBLIC26, BHARAT, and FREEDOM seeing category-wide adoption.

Beyond discounts, the sale spurred a demand for identity. Merchandise with “Republic” and “Tiranga” themes, ranging from tricolor apparel to special edition stationery and curated snack combos, saw brisk sales. Notably, a significant portion of these thematic orders were shipped to Tier 2 and Tier 3 towns in states like Assam, West Bengal, and Odisha, highlighting that the patriotic sentiment driving consumption is a truly pan-India phenomenon.

Commenting on the findings, Chirag Taneja, Co-founder and CEO, GoKwik, said:

“The data reflects a fundamental shift in Indian consumer behaviour. What’s fascinating is how the top categories behaved this season. Beauty and Personal Care grew aggressively by ~75%, while Fashion sustained its strong contribution. Furthermore, with online payments overtaking COD, we are witnessing the maturation of the Indian online shopper in real-time. They are decisive, they pay digitally, and they shop before breakfast.”

GoKwik’s insights are derived from network data analyzing millions of orders across D2C brands, comparing the performance of the Republic Day sale period in 2026 against 2025.

Higher Spending, Increased Daily Time on Offshore Betting Platforms as Domestic RMG Remains Banned – Survey in Tamil Nadu

Chennai, Jan 27: A new survey conducted by CUTS International among 1,000 former online real money gaming (RMG) users in Tamil Nadu finds that spending on illegal offshore betting platforms has increased significantly since the nationwide ban on all online money games in India through Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025. The findings suggest that while users have shifted platforms following regulatory changes, their underlying gaming behaviour, spending levels, frequency, and engagement intensity has remained largely unchanged.

Despite the state enacting stringent regulations in February 2025, through The Tamil Nadu Online Gaming Authority (TNOGA), which imposed tighter operational mandates on domestic and legitimate operators, the study indicates that since the PROG Act 2025, offshore betting platforms continued to be a part of user’s gaming behaviour. About 67.8% of respondents engaged with offshore platforms alongside domestic operators, prior to the national ban. This proportion has since increased to 83%, driven by more respondents initiating offshore use after the ban (26.9%) than discontinuing it (11.7%).

 “The data from Tamil Nadu clearly shows that users have not stopped online money gaming or reduced spending,” said Mr. Amol Kulkarni, Director (Research), CUTS International. “Instead, the same patterns of behaviour are now playing out on illegal offshore betting platforms. What stands out is the noticeable shift and consolidation of spending on these platforms, with fewer but higher-value transactions, even in a state where they were formally banned.”

CUTS surveyed online gaming users in Tamil Nadu through a self-reported online questionnaire to assess changes in behaviour before and after restrictions on legal platforms took effect. The analysis examined shifts in platform usage, monthly spending, and frequency of play, session duration, and daily engagement. Across all parameters, the data points to platform substitution rather than any meaningful reduction in gaming activity.

KEY FINDINGS

• Offshore platform usage remains high: Offshore betting usage increased from 67.8% before restrictions to 83% after, underscoring sustained and widespread access to offshore platforms despite regulatory prohibitions.
• Significant increase in offshore spending levels: While offshore betting was previously concentrated in lower-value play, post-restriction spending has shifted sharply toward higher ticket sizes:
• 25% of offshore users now spend ₹5,000–9,999 per month, 
• Pre-ban, only 2% reported monthly spends offshore above ₹10,000; post-ban, the share has increased with 21% spending ₹10,000–24,999 per month
• 9% report monthly spending offshore of ₹25,000 or more

These spending levels indicate a consolidation of higher-value play on offshore platforms, which was earlier spread across both regulated domestic money gaming platforms and unregulated offshore operators.

• Frequency and intensity of play remain unchanged: User engagement has intensified on offshore platforms:

• Daily offshore play increased from 3% pre-restrictions to 45% post-restrictions
• Users spending more than two hours per session offshore rose from 2% to 43%
• Multiple gaming sessions per day are now significantly more common offshore

The survey findings point to an important policy implication: prohibitive regulation that removes regulated domestic supply without effectively addressing access to offshore or informal alternatives may displace higher-value gaming activity into less regulated environments.

CUTS International conducted a similar survey in Delhi NCR in December 2025, which saw one in four surveyed users migrating to offshore platforms. With similar surveys in other states, CUTS International is building a broader, evidence-based understanding of how users respond to the PROG Act and how spending and engagement patterns evolve across different regulatory contexts.

Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO), the worldwide leader in networking and security, unveiled the results of its 2026 Data and Privacy Benchmark Study, showing a striking shift in how organizations approach data privacy and governance. As AI adoption accelerates, nearly all companies are expanding privacy programs and governance frameworks to protect their data and innovate at scale. The growing demand for high-quality data to power AI is exposing gaps in oversight, and raising the stakes for trust, security, and competitiveness. The bottom line: for organizations to succeed in the AI-era, scalable and responsible AI strategies must be built through a mature, integrated approach to privacy and data governance.

Cisco surveyed 5,200 IT, technology, and security professionals with data privacy responsibilities across 12 markets* worldwide. The study reveals AI as the primary catalyst, driving 90% of companies to report expanded privacy programs, with 93% planning further investment to keep up with the complexity of AI systems and expectations of customers and regulators. Notably, globally 38% of organizations surveyed spent at least $5 million on their privacy programs in the past year, up from 14% in 2024.

AI Raises the Bar for Privacy and Trust, But Governance Is Still Evolving

An overwhelming 95% of organizations report that robust privacy frameworks unlock AI agility and innovation, while an equal 95% recognize privacy is essential for building customer trust in AI-powered services.

This year’s report points to a deep structural shift, where trust is no longer established simply by meeting regulatory requirements. Data governance is now seen as a strategic business enabler with 100% of organizations surveyed in India reporting at least one tangible benefit from their privacy initiatives, such as enhanced agility, innovation, and greater customer loyalty. 46% say that clear communication about how data is collected and used is the most effective way to build customer confidence.

With this momentum, governance is evolving to meet the needs of this changing landscape. Many organizations are still working to define and establish the governance structures required to manage AI responsibly at scale. While nearly two-thirds of organizations in India report having a dedicated AI governance body in place, only 12% describe these structures as mature. And, as AI systems draw from increasingly complex and distributed datasets, 70% of organizations struggle to access relevant, high-quality data efficiently.

“AI is forcing a fundamental shift in the data landscape, calling for holistic governance of all data – both personal and non-personal,” said Jen Yokoyama, Senior Vice President, Legal Innovation and Strategy at Cisco. “Organizations must deeply understand and structure their data to ensure every automated decision is explainable. It’s not just for compliance, but a necessary scaling engine for AI innovation.”

AI Sparks Global Data Flow Challenges

While around 79% of respondents in India are generally positive about data privacy laws, there is a growing push to streamline and update data requirements.

The study found that 91% of organizations surveyed in India face heightened demand for data localization and global data complexity. 91% of organizations in India say data localization adds cost, complexity, and risk to cross-border service delivery. Further, 87% report these requirements limit their ability to offer seamless 24/7 service across markets.

Global companies increasingly prefer technology partners that match their footprint: 87% believe global‑scale providers are better at managing cross‑border data flows.

“To capture the potential of AI, organizations (87%) are advocating for a shift toward harmonized international standards” said Harvey Jang, Cisco Vice President and Chief Privacy Officer. “They recognize that global consistency is an economic necessity to ensure data can flow securely while maintaining the high standards of protection required for trust.”

Building Trust and Innovation in the AI Era

To successfully evolve from reactive compliance to a proactive approach, the data shows that companies should invest in robust data infrastructure, prioritizing transparency, and embedding security and privacy throughout AI initiatives.  Organizations should make informed decisions about data localization, establish strong AI governance, and empower their teams with comprehensive training and safeguards. These concrete actions are crucial for building enduring trust, driving responsible innovation, and ultimately thriving in the dynamic, AI-driven digital economy.

Amazon MX Player Announces its Upcoming Revenge Drama Ab Hoga Hisaab, Starring Sanjay Kapoor, Shaheer, Mouni Roy, and Nimrit Kaur Ahluwalia

MUMBAI, India,  Jan 27: Amazon MX Player, Amazon’s free video streaming service, announces its upcoming series Ab Hoga Hisaab. Set in Punjab, the series is deeply rooted by ambition, brotherhood, and the relentless pull of migration. Loosely inspired by true events, Ab Hoga Hisaab follows the lives of two brothers, Bobby and Bunty Manocha, whose lives take a dramatic turn after a life-altering incident which pulls them into a dangerous world driven by power, greed, and survival.

The announcement promo offers a chilling glimpse into the high-stakes universe of the show, establishing a tone steeped in revenge, dominance, and unresolved moral debt. The teaser introduces Sanjay Kapoor as Goldy Sekhon, a ruthless force who believes in striking before time runs out; Shaheer as Bobby Manocha, a man pushed to the brink emotionally and physically; and Mouni Roy as Kamna, a sharp, calculating presence who understands the true price of power. Anchored by the haunting refrain, “Gunahon ka aur karmon ka… Ab Hoga Hisaab,” the promo sets the tone for a morally charged battle where loyalty is fragile, lines are constantly crossed, and every past action demands reckoning.

Produced by Arré Studio and directed by Divyanshu Malhotra, the series boasts a strong ensemble cast featuring Sanjay Kapoor, Shaheer, Mouni Roy, Avinash Mishra, Nimrit Kaur Ahluwalia, Harman Singha, and Asheema Vardaan, each bringing raw intensity and emotional depth to a narrative built on brotherhood, betrayal, and resistance against a far greater force.

Speaking about the series, Amogh Dusad, Director and Head of Content, Amazon MX Player, said,

“At Amazon MX Player, we are focused on telling stories that feel raw and rooted. Ab Hoga Hisaab brings strong performances, intense emotional core, and a world inspired by true experiences, the series brings a compelling narrative that is both grounded and gripping. We’re excited to bring this hard-hitting story to audiences across India, free on Amazon MX Player.”

Sharing his experience, Shaheer said,

“Hisaab is built on emotion and intensity, and being part of this world has been an incredible experience. The vision behind the series, the energy on set, and the layered writing makes it a special project. I’m excited for audiences to experience it.”

Sanjay Kapoor shared,

“What drew me to Hisaab was its honesty and the way it captures human emotions under extreme pressure. There is a realism in the writing and an intensity in the world that makes the story powerful. We can’t wait for the audience to witness this compelling revenge drama unfold.”

Mouni Roy added,

“What instantly drew me to Hisaab was the depth and detailing of its world and the way every character shapes the rhythm of the story. The story has a precise pulse and mood that makes it both challenging and exciting to perform. I’m thrilled for viewers to dive in.”

“Ab hoga….Hisaab is a story close to our heart which we have nurtured with the brilliant team at Amazon MX Player.  An emotional revenge drama with strong characters is what attracted our fantastic cast to this project. We are happy to share this cast announcement with our audience, with a promise that there is a lot more in store ahead,” said Namit Sharma, CEO Arré Studio.

Ab Hoga Hisaab will soon stream exclusively on Amazon MX Player, free of charge, across the MX Player app, Amazon shopping app, Prime Video, Fire TV, and Airtel Xstream.

By:  Mr. Dinesh Kanabar, Chairman & CEO, Dhruva Advisors, on the India–EU Trade Deal

“Great leadership, it is often said, lies in the ability to convert external challenges into strategic opportunities. In that spirit, it is heartening to see how India has responded to the headwinds created by higher tariffs imposed by the United States—not by retreating, but by accelerating its global economic integration through trade agreements with the UK, New Zealand, and now, most significantly, the European Union.

The India–EU Free Trade Agreement opens up one of the most important trading corridors in the world. For India, long a global leader in services, this pact expands access to the European market for its skilled professionals, technology services, and knowledge-based industries, at a time when human capital and digital capabilities are becoming central to global competitiveness. 

For the European Union, India represents both a vast consumer market of 1.4 billion people and a fast-growing economy with rising demand for advanced manufactured goods, green technologies, pharmaceuticals, and capital equipment. Reduced tariffs and clearer market access will allow European firms to participate more deeply in India’s growth story.

Beyond trade, the agreement strengthens strategic partnership between two major democratic blocs, promotes investment, technology collaboration, and resilient supply chains. In that broader sense, this is not merely a trade deal, but a platform for long-term economic partnership—rightly being hailed as the “mother of all deals.”

This Valentine’s Day, go beyond words and let the timeless brilliance of natural diamonds speak for your emotions. Zen Diamond India presents a curated selection of elegant, versatile and meaningful pieces, created for modern couples and style-forward individuals who value both beauty and sentiment. From the Kismet Midnight Heartbeat Bracelet, a symbol of love in its many expressions, to the striking Iris Ruby Heart and Diamond Eye Ring, an ideal choice for a thoughtful Valentine’s gift, each design blends contemporary refinement with enduring romance. Perfect for celebrating milestones, anniversaries or simply the joy of being together, these pieces are crafted to turn every moment of love into a lasting memory.

• Zen Pirlanta Heart of Sunshine Ring

At the heart of this striking design is a vibrant yellow diamond, beautifully shaped into a heart and framed by a sparkling halo of natural diamonds, set on a finely pave-crafted band. Luminous and full of warmth, the ring captures the spirit of romance and celebration, making it an ideal choice for a meaningful proposal, a milestone anniversary or a memorable Valentine’s Day gift. Each facet reflects light with exceptional brilliance, while the halo and pave accents enhance its radiance, creating a piece that mirrors the depth and permanence of true emotion. Crafted for those who wish to express love with grace and confidence, this ring turns a special occasion into a moment to be cherished forever.

• Regal Radiance Heart Pendant

From the Love Knot Collection, this elegant necklace is a tribute to enduring bonds, brought to life with a graceful design set with natural diamonds. The heart-shaped pendant carries a quiet sophistication, making it a beautiful choice for romantic evenings, anniversaries, milestone moments or intimate celebrations. Resting close to the heart, it lends a touch of refined luxury to every occasion, turning both everyday moments and special milestones into memories that shine.

• Iris Ruby Heart and Diamond Eye Ring
  

Part of the Iris Collection, this refined ring showcases a vivid ruby heart framed by shimmering natural diamonds, coming together in a design that is both graceful and versatile. Created to transition seamlessly from everyday wear to special occasions, it adds a subtle yet striking touch of brilliance to any look. Comfortable, elegant and full of character, the ring makes a beautiful choice for daily styling, milestone moments or a meaningful Valentine’s Day gift, blending timeless appeal with a modern sensibility.

• Hearts Aglow Diamond Necklace

The Deck Up Collection brings a fresh expression of everyday elegance, elevated with a touch of luxury. Showcasing fine rose gold chains set with bezel-framed diamonds and distinctive pendants in silhouettes such as marquise, oval, teardrop, emerald and baguette, each design balances modern minimalism with enduring brilliance. Created for those with a keen sense of style, these necklaces move effortlessly from refined daytime looks to evening glamour, making them a versatile and striking addition to any jewellery wardrobe.

• Kismet Midnight Heartbeat Bracelet

A romantic yet bold accent, crafted to captivate and inspire. Perfect for weddings, festive celebrations, date nights, cocktail parties, and other special occasions, this bracelet adds a touch of graceful charm and emotional elegance to any ensemble. Its design celebrates all forms of love, allowing even married couples to commemorate their shared moments, anniversaries, and milestones in style. With the Kismet Midnight Heartbeat Bracelet, every heartbeat, every glance, and every memory is captured in a sparkling statement of enduring connection and timeless beauty.

New Delhi, Jan 27: The Indian Electrical and Electronics Manufacturers’ Association (IEEMA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) today with Delhi Technological University (DTU) to strengthen industry, academia collaboration in the electrical and electronics sector. 

The MOU was signed by Binod Doley, Registrar, DTU and Charu Mathur, Director General, IEEMA, on behalf of the two organisations, here in Delhi today.

Highlighting the significance of academia, industry engagement, the Dr Prateek Sharma, Vice Chancellor of DTU said,

“This partnership is an important step towards bridging the gap between industry and academia. While many engineers today move towards software roles, strong industry exposure during college is essential to build self-reliance in core sectors. Academia is the best space to experiment, innovate, and learn from failure. The participation of the private sector and R&D investment will drive better outcomes. Continuous industry engagement will ensure students graduate as industry-ready professionals.”

Emphasising the sector’s growth and global competitiveness, Shri Vikram Gandotra, President, IEEMA said,

“India has significantly reduced its import dependence, emerging as a strong global supplier of high-quality products. As the sector continues to witness exponential growth, strengthening industry, academia collaboration is essential to sustain and accelerate this momentum, and this partnership is expected to deliver meaningful and fruitful outcomes.”

Outlining the key focus areas of the collaboration, Charu Mathur, Director General, IEEMA said,

“The collaboration will focus on clear, outcome-driven areas such as supporting startup expansion and identifying specific industry challenges for DTU to work on. Dedicated slots will also be provided for DTU in technical conferences and research papers, ensuring defined and quantifiable outcomes from this partnership.”

This Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between IEEMA and DTU is set to institutionalise a long-term partnership under the Industry-Academia Engagement Initiative. This strategic collaboration aims to bridge the divide between theoretical academia and real-world application, fostering a robust ecosystem for innovation and manufacturing excellence. 

This comprehensive review for curriculum upgrade by integrating industrial insights into academic programs will ensure that students are equipped with market-relevant skills in high-growth areas such as clean energy, digital grids, sustainable material and power electronics. Beyond education, the alliance focuses on joint research, startup mentorship, and policy advocacy to align with India’s national goals for decarbonisation and energy transition. 

With IEEMA joining the DTU Industry Academia Council, this partnership serves as a model for sustained knowledge creation and the development of industry-ready professionals to lead India’s electrical and electronics sector.

A Joint Working Group of DTU and IEEMA experts will oversee the partnership. Meeting bi-annually, the group will approve action plans and monitor progress to ensure the collaboration hits measurable goals.

The DTU and IEEMA alliance stands as a national blueprint for practice-based engineering education. Aligned with the National Education Policy, it serves as a catalyst for India’s manufacturing excellence and energy transition.

DELHI, India, Jan 27:   Honeywell (NASDAQ: HON) today announced that SAF One Energy Management Limited (SAF One) will use Honeywell UOP Ecofining™ process technology to produce sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

Tata Projects Limited (TPL), the Tata Group’s engineering and construction arm, has been appointed as the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) partner for the project. Together, Honeywell and TPL will deliver an integrated solution tailored to SAF One’s project requirements.

Honeywell UOP’s Ecofining process technology, developed in collaboration with Eni S.p.A., offers a capital- and cost-effective solution for processing waste fats, oils and greases into renewable diesel and SAF.

This collaboration marks a significant milestone in SAF One’s plans to develop multiple SAF production units globally, including one in India. Through the deployment of Honeywell UOP’s Ecofining process technology, SAF One will convert used cooking oil (UCO) and other waste oils and fats into SAF, helping the aviation industry reduce lifecycle emissions and advance its decarbonization goals.

Rajesh Gattupalli, President, Honeywell UOP, said:

“Our Ecofining process technology broadens the potential feedstock base for SAF and enables producers to adapt to shifting market conditions and resource availability. By leveraging our experience and continuous advancements in process engineering, we aim to make SAF production more economically feasible. The installation of our Ecofining process technology with SAF One and TPL demonstrates our leadership in SAF production and ability to help produce renewable fuels at scale.”

Rajiv Menon, President & COO – Energy & Industrial Business, Tata Projects Limited, said:

“Our collaboration with Honeywell and SAF One highlights the value of early engineering integration and disciplined execution in delivering scalable SAF projects. Together, we are enabling solutions that blend technology excellence with constructability and lifecycle efficiency.”

Commenting on this significant milestone, Deepak Munganahalli, cofounder and CEO of SAF One, said:

“We are delighted to work with Honeywell and Tata Projects Limited. Their techno-commercial expertise supports SAF One’s ‘design one build many’ approach across our pipeline of SAF projects. This collaboration strengthens our platform and enables us to work with our customers on scalable long-term decarbonization solutions.”

Honeywell and TPL are jointly optimizing the technology configuration to maximize capital expenditure, enhance project timelines, and deliver a solution aligned with SAF One’s global deployment strategy.  The companies’ collaboration supports the ambitions of both India and the larger world for climate change mitigation and reinforces Honeywell’s leadership in developing SAF technologies for global markets.

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