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New Delhi, 19th March, 2025: This year Doritos redefined the experience by transforming a well-known Holi tradition into an engaging, high-energy game. At Galleria Market, Gurgaon, the brand introduced a larger-than-life, target-based activation, where participants tossed water balloons towards the iconic Doritos logo—bringing the thrill of Holi in a bold new way.

The activation relays the simple belief – “This Holi gubbare logon pe nahi, logo pe barsao”. While the excitement of throwing water balloons is undeniable, being on the receiving end isn’t always fun. Doritos flipped the script, shifting the focus from people to its bold, triangular logo, ensuring the celebration remained high-energy, inclusive, and just as thrilling.

Doritos additionally infused its signature boldness into Holi by making the logo come alive—each successful splash triggered a dynamic colour change, amplifying the festive energy and turning every water balloon throw into a celebration. Participants were met with cheers and excitement, proving that Holi’s spirit of fun and play can be just as electrifying.

Speaking about the campaign, Aastha Bhasin, Marketing Director – Kurkure® & Doritos, PepsiCo India said: “Holi is a festival of joy, and Doritos wanted to elevate that joy to the next level. We wanted to take the playful spirit of the festival and give it a fun, new twist. With this OOH activation, we created a space where people could enjoy the thrill of colour play in a way that brings everyone together. No one enjoys being caught off guard, but everyone loves a great shot—so we turned Holi into a game, making every throw more exciting and every celebration even bigger.

“Doritos as a brand has always been about engaging and encouraging your playful side and with Holi around the corner we wanted to create a platform where everyone could enjoy the thrill of colour and water ballons without any harm. With that in mind, we have created this interactive experience turning the iconic Doritos triangular logo into a target. “Gubbaare Logon pe nahi, Logo pe barsao” turns the celebration of Holi into a high-energy, all-fun, no-fear celebration where every throw lands right, every hit feels like a win, and the spirit of Holi stays as bold as ever.” Vikram Pandey, Chief Creative Officer, Leo – South Asia.

Doritos has always championed bold experiences, and this activation gave Holi an interactive twist. Instead of random bursts of colour, participants engaged in a structured, competitive, and entertaining challenge, making every throw count.

The Doritos OOH activation quickly became a crowd favourite. People eagerly embraced the new experience, with many sharing their excitement: “It was an absolute blast! Holi is always about colour, but this added a whole new level of excitement. We kept at it, cheering each other on, and trying to land the perfect shot on the logo!” – Alankrita Mohapatra, Participant.

Chandigarh, MARCH 19, 2025: Indian Hotels Company (IHCL), India’s largest hospitality company, today announced the signing of a resort in Pench, Madhya Pradesh. This greenfield project will be branded a Gateway resort.

Speaking on the occasion, Ms. Suma Venkatesh, Executive Vice President – Real Estate and Development, IHCL stated, “As one of the country’s key national parks, Pench is seeing increasing demand for quality hospitality services. This signing is in line with our strategy of expanding in high-potential tourism corridors. We are delighted to partner with Mr. Abhijit Mujumdar for this project.”

Located near the Maharashtra border, the 105-key Gateway Pench is an authentic reflection of its location, embodying the spirit of Pench and offering immersive guest experiences. Spread across over 10 acres, the resort features an array of culinary options including an all-day dining restaurant, a specialty restaurant, a bar, a pool bar and meeting venues. Guests can also unwind at the spa, rejuvenate at the fitness centre and the swimming pool.

Mr. Abhijit Mujumdar, Managing Director of Abhijit Realtors and Infraventures Pvt Ltd. said, “We are excited to partner with IHCL for this resort in Pench and look forward to an immersive hospitality experience in the region.”

“This collaboration marks an important milestone for us. The hotel will add to the region’s offerings,” added Mr. Sanket Bawankule, Director, Shree Jagdamba Construction Pvt. Ltd.

Mumbai, 19th March 2025: India Africa Business Network (IABN) is pleased to announce the fifth edition of the India Africa Entrepreneurship and Investment Summit, hosted in Nairobi, Kenya – East Africa’s economic hub and international centre, at the time of the Great Wildebeest Migration, 17–18 July 2025. This invite-only exclusive summit hosted in collaboration with Kenya Investment Authority, is designed to create opportunities for Indian and African entrepreneurs, enabling them to learn, share, and foster entrepreneurial collaborations, particularly for those seeking joint ventures and B2B connections..

The fifth edition of India Africa Entrepreneurship and Investment Forum wishes to build upon the remarkable success of its previous four editions which were hosted three times in Mauritius and once in Kenya. Pre-eminent entrepreneurs, thought-leaders, policy-makers, and investors from both Africa and India will discuss opportunities and challenges of investing in each other’s geographies and connecting with potential investors and entrepreneurs investing or co-creating joint ventures and market access arrangements at the same time.

Emphasising his enthusiasm for the summit, Baljinder Sharma, Convenor, India Africa Business Network, states “Over the last four years, the summit has been a platform for building on the historical and economic relationship between India and Africa, this year we wish to delve deeper into collaborations in different sectors such as energy, agriculture, healthcare, AI, critical minerals, and education. This will benefit both the economies.”

With participation from experts across different sectors, the fifth edition promises to be a significant platform for regional as well as international entrepreneurs. The fifth edition includes notable advisory members including Sushil Jiwarajka, Chairman, Artheon Group of Companies; Busisa Moyo, Chief Executive Officer, United Refineries; Nirmala Sankaran, Co-Founder, HeyMath; Pradeep Gupta, Chairman, CyberMedia Group, Padmaja Ruparel, Founding Partner, IAN Fund; Tomi Davies, CIC, TVC Labs; Satya Narayanan R, Chairman and Executive Director on the Board, CL Educate; Zachariah George, Managing Partner, Launch Africa Ventures; Anirudh Damani, Managing Partner, Artha Venture Fund; Ramesh Awtaney, Founder and Chairman, ISON Group; and several others.

Since its inception in 2018, IABN has emerged as a catalyst for creating new collaborations between Indian and African enterprises where both large established enterprises and startups can find space for discussions and demonstrations of their products and services. The fifth edition of India Africa Entrepreneurship and Investment Summit will further enable IABN’s cause and create opportunities for seasoned experts and budding entrepreneurs alike.

Redness, irritation, or unpredictable flare-ups? We’ve all been there. If sensitivity is your red flag, meet the ultimate green flag—the Dr.Jart+ Cicapair range. In the quest for skin care that truly understands your skin, this cult-favorite K-beauty solution stands out. Powered by Tiger Grass (Centella Asiatica), a powerhouse known for its calming and restorative properties, Cicapair works to soothe, strengthen, and support your skin barrier—because healthy skin should never be a guessing game.

From instant redness correction to deep barrier repair, the Cicapair range is dermatologist-tested and formulated to bring stressed-out skin back to balance. Whether it’s daily environmental aggressors, post-breakout inflammation, or post-procedure sensitivity, Cicapair works like a charm to restore skin’s calm, healthy glow.

Meet the Skin Saviors:

• Cicapair Tiger Grass Color Correcting Treatment– Innovative green-to-beige cream that adapts to skin’s natural colour to neutralise redness and even out skin tone.
• Cicapair Intensive Soothing Repair Cream- A silky, moisture cream with Centella Asiatica & Peptides that instantly soothes redness and rapidly repairs the skin barrier.
• Cicapair Sleepair Intensive Soothing Repair Mask- A leave-on night time gel mask that instantly smooths and soothes skin.
• Cicapair Intensive Soothing Repair Gel Cream- This soft gel face cream is enriched with Centella Asiatica and Peptides. It instantly helps skin feel cool with soothing hydration, reduces the look of redness and rapidly strengthens skin’s barrier for more resilient skin.
• Cicapair Intensive Soothing Repair Serum- A potent serum with Cica Complex (centella asiatica extracts) and Allantoin that helps keep skin stable and healthy looking by rapidly boosting skin’s barrier.
• Cicapair So Soothing Treatment- An SOS silicone-free treatment suitable for sensitive skin to use after laser skincare or acid peel treatments. This gel cream brings skin back from the brink by soothing, smoothing, hydrating and repairing skins barrier. The formula gives skin a highly concentrated dose of Cica 3 Complex when and where skin needs it the most.

Atlanta, GA, and Kolkata, India – March 19, 2025 – Fusion CX, involved in providing customer experience (CX) solutions, has acquired Sequential Technology International LLC (STI), a provider of CX services for the telecom and utilities industries. The acquisition enhances Fusion CX’s market position, expands its global footprint, and boosts its ability to deliver innovative CX solutions. [Fusion CX is investing approximately $12M in acquiring and integrating the business.

“We are thrilled to welcome the STI team into the Fusion CX family,” said Pankaj Dhanuka, Co-Founder, Managing Director, and CEO of Fusion CX. “This acquisition enables us to expand our services and deliver value to clients worldwide.”

Headquartered in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, STI is recognized for its scalable and reliable customer support services. The integration strengthens Fusion CX’s presence in key global locations, including Bethlehem, Manila, Bangalore, Gurugram, and San Salvador.

“This acquisition brings us complementary strengths, significantly enhancing our capabilities in telecom, utilities, and healthcare,” said Kishore Saraogi, Co-Founder, Managing Director, and COO of Fusion CX. “We are committed to driving innovation and delivering seamless customer experiences across these vital sectors.”

Fusion CX’s President, Andrew Wilmott, will take on the additional responsibility of overseeing the STI business, to ensure a smooth transition and position the organization for growth.

“By combining our vision and tech stack with STI’s capabilities in serving clients in telecom, utilities, and healthcare, we are poised to deliver scalable, and innovative solutions,” said Andrew Wilmott, President of Fusion CX. “This partnership will build on STI’s remarkable legacy, deliver transformational solutions, and accelerate growth”

New Delhi, 19th March 2025: inDrive, a global mobility and urban services platform, has won 14 awards, including eight gold, four silver, and two bronze, for its celebrity marketing campaign in India ‘Ab App ki nahi, aap ki chalegi’, at various marketing award ceremonies held between January 2025 and March 2025. These awards celebrate excellence in marketing and advertising.

“At inDrive, we are committed to crafting bespoke experiences for our passengers. India is a key market for us. These wins are a testament to our commitment to engaging with our users to offer superior experiences,” said Avik Karmakar, Senior Marketing Manager – South Asia, inDrive.

“At the core of our efforts is our mission to challenge injustice and impact the lives of one billion people by 2030,” he added. 

The list of awards at various forums is given below:

inDrive’s marketing campaign ‘Ab App ki nahi, aap ki chalegi’ is built on the premise of its salient feature, the ‘Offer your fare’ model, which allows passengers and drivers to set fares mutually instead of leaving it to AI algorithms to determine their price. The campaign includes a brand film unveiled by Vikrant Massey as brand ambassador. It captures the daily hassles of commuting and how inDrive addresses those challenges. The campaign played an instrumental role in achieving key objectives such as driving brand awareness, more app installs, increase in new users as well as rides.

Chandigarh, March 18, 2025: Aditya Birla Sun Life AMC Limited (ABSLAMC) was incorporated in the year 1994. Aditya Birla Capital Limited and Sun Life (India) AMC Investments Inc. are the promoters and major shareholders of the Company. ABSLAMC is primarily the investment manager of Aditya Birla Sun Life Mutual Fund, a registered trust under the Indian Trusts Act, 1882. The asset manager has announced the launch of the Aditya Birla Sun Life CRISIL-IBX Financial Services 9 to 12 Months Debt Index Fund, an open-ended constant maturity index fund tracking the CRISIL-IBX Financial Services 9 to 12 Months Debt Index. The New Fund Offer (NFO) will remain open from 18th March 2025 to 20th March 2025.

The fund offers a distinctive opportunity for investors looking to optimize yields while maintaining a low-risk profile. With a constant maturity structure and a roll-down strategy from 9 to 12 months, the fund focuses on low-duration securities, primarily Commercial Papers, Certificates of Deposit and bonds, ensuring minimal exposure to interest rate fluctuations. It is strategically diversified, investing in a wide range of high-quality, AAA-rated issuers within the financial services sector, providing robust security and stability. The roll-down approach adds further value by holding securities for a 6-month period, potentially enhancing returns when term premiums are favourable. Additionally, being open-ended, the fund offers liquidity with flexibility for investors to enter or exit without any load, making it an attractive option for those seeking a combination of safety, flexibility, and potential return in a dynamic market.

Commenting on the new fund launch, A. Balasubramanian, Managing Director & CEO, Aditya Birla Sun Life AMC Ltd, said, “Our debt passive fund offerings continue to gain strong investor traction with the 3 to 6 months debt index fund assets reaching almost Rs 3700 crore as of 15th March 2025. This reflects strong investor confidence in high-quality, short-duration fixed-income solutions. With interest rates and yields currently elevated, expectations of upcoming rate cuts could lead to lower yields, enhancing the potential for attractive returns. The financial sector’s strong fundamentals, coupled with expectations of favourable interest rate movements, make the 9 to 12 months debt index fund an opportune time for investors to participate in this space.”

Accenture and CrowdStrike are collaborating to drive cybersecurity transformation, helping clients confidently navigate the next wave of innovation and growth.

By combining Accenture’s security services with the CrowdStrike Falcon® cybersecurity platform – including cloud security, identity protection and next-gen security information and event management (SIEM) – the collaboration will bring transformative improvements and cost efficiencies to areas such as security operations (SecOps), continuous threat exposure management and AI workload protection. This will enable real-time threat visibility, prevention and remediation with optimized operational costs.

“Cybercriminals are infiltrating organizations with alarming sophistication and unprecedented speed,” said Paolo Dal Cin, global lead, Accenture Security. “To combat this, we work closely with organizations to understand their unique cybersecurity needs and tailor solutions to address their specific challenges. By combining our expertise with CrowdStrike’s technology, we can help clients adopt a more proactive and efficient approach to digital defense.”

As businesses move to cloud-based environments and AI-enabled operations, the massive volume of data generated can overload traditional solutions, making it difficult for security teams to efficiently and effectively detect and respond to threats. This challenge is exacerbated as security teams often struggle to manage a mix of outdated technology and the need to constantly switch between disparate security tools, slowing down solutions designed to protect the business and customers from cyberattacks.

WHSmith is a global travel retailer, operating over 1,700 stores in more than 30 countries selling key travel essentials including food & drink, health & beauty, tech accessories and books. The retailer has strengthened its security operations by leveraging Accenture’s Managed Extended Detection and Response (MxDR) services and the CrowdStrike Falcon platform. The powerful combination of CrowdStrike and Accenture has enabled WHSmith to gain visibility across their global operations, extending advanced protection, detection and response capabilities from the corporate network to the storefront cash register.

Jon Begley, Global CISO WHSmith Group, said, “The collaboration between Accenture and CrowdStrike is helping us improve threat visibility across our global business while maintaining a responsive and agile security operation to protect our digital assets. This means we can focus on growing our global travel retail business further and offering a leading experience in our stores for customers on their journeys across the world.”

“Customer demand for Falcon platform adoption, cybersecurity consolidation, and SOC services expertise is driving our market-moving Accenture partnership,” said George Kurtz, founder and CEO, CrowdStrike. “Accenture’s deep expertise with the Falcon platform and SIEM transformation have directly assisted organizations in upleveling their cybersecurity programs from device to cloud to datacenter. Accenture plays a key role in guiding organizations to embrace the AI-native SOC, leaving legacy SIEMs, point products, and manual SOC operations behind for automated, resilient, and machine speed cybersecurity platform controls.”

The integrated offering benefits organizations by consolidating point cybersecurity products, reducing costs and simplifying operational functions and enhancing detection and response capabilities through a unified platform. The collaboration between Accenture and CrowdStrike includes:

● SecOps Modernization – Streamlines security operations workflows into an ecosystem that integrates threat prevention, detection and response with a unified approach based on CrowdStrike’s Next-Gen SIEM technology. This approach can unlock up to 30%1 cost optimization through streamlined security workflows enabled by AI and technology rationalization initiatives.

● Managed Detection and Response – Delivered by a seamless combination of Accenture and the Falcon platform to detect, investigate and respond to threats faster leveraging Accenture’s global scale. This powerful combination, augmented by integrated AI solutions from Accenture and CrowdStrike, can drive up to 60%1 workflow optimization for SecOps use cases.

● Continuous Threat Exposure Management – Helps clients transform their approach to vulnerability management while optimizing investments in teams, processes and tools. The combination of the Falcon platform and Accenture’s transformation services enables clients to consolidate exposure visibility across the extended attack surface and streamline prioritization using attack path analysis. This approach can help organizations simplify processes and consolidate tooling, realizing up to 15%1 cost optimization.

Bangalore, March 18, 2025 – Following its success across multiple cities, Reap Benefit is hosting the 6th edition of SolveCon on Saturday, March 22, 2025, at Bangalore Creative Circus. This one-day youth festival brings together young problem-solvers, entrepreneurs, and changemakers to collaborate, learn, and take action on local challenges.

As a launchpad into the Solve Ninja Movement, India’s largest community of 1.6 lakh youth changemakers, SolveCon equips young people with skills, mentorship, and real-world problem-solving experiences through interactive learning, networking, and fun activities.

SolveCon offers three dynamic spaces, encouraging participants to connect, learn, and play:

• SolveCon Mela – A lively, interactive space with creative exhibits, fun activities, and networking.
• Learning by Doing – Hands-on workshops on open-source tech & AI, persuasive communication, emotional well-being, and problem-solving skills.
• Changemaker Adda – A platform to share stories, challenges, and solutions, gaining inspiration from peers.

Attendees can also expect engaging discussions, interactive activities, and real-world problem-solving challenges, fostering a new generation of youth leaders.

SolveCon is open to anyone aged 17+ looking to:

• Develop practical skills
• Connect with mentors and like-minded peers
• Be part of a thriving community of changemakers

Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, a problem-solver, or simply eager to make an impact, SolveCon offers a unique opportunity to turn ideas into action.

Since its launch in 2024, SolveCon has engaged nearly 500 youth across Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Bangalore, Mysore, and Nanded.

“SolveCon is about action—people coming together, exchanging ideas, and solving real problems. Bangalore, as India’s startup capital and innovation hub, is the perfect place for SolveCon’s return,” said Kuldeep Dantewadia, Founder – Reap Benefit.

The core of India’s economy is its blue-collar workers, who propel expansion in industries like manufacturing, logistics, and services. This group has historically had difficulty obtaining formal credit, which has forced them to rely on unofficial loan channels with exorbitant interest rates and strict terms, despite their crucial contributions.

 Leading tech-driven disruptors like RupeeRedee, Kredit-Bee, and Cashe are changing the way financial services are provided to underprivileged areas. These platforms are removing obstacles in lending by utilizing technology, data analytics, and streamlined procedures to provide fast, transparent, and easily accessible loans that are customized to meet the particular requirements of blue-collar workers.

 Here are the leading lending platforms that are connected to RBI-registered NBFCs, if you want to be protected from scams.

 RupeeRedee: Tech driven digital lending platform that was founded in 2018 to provide quick and hassle – free personal loans to underserved segments of the Indian population. By leveraging advanced technologies and robust data protection, RupeeRedee Simplifies the borrowing process for individuals who may not have access to traditional banking services. The platform focuses on offering medium-sized loans (up to 1,49,000) with minimal documentation, making it accessible to individuals from lower-income groups, especially those in need of immediate financial assistance. RupeeRedee operates through its captive Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC), FincFriends Private Limited, ensuring faster loan disbursals and a seamless KYC process

 Freo (formerly MoneyTap)
Freo revolutionizes personal lending with its innovative credit solutions and user-friendly app. By offering flexible credit lines and instant loans, Freo caters to modern financial needs with ease. Its real-time loan tracking and personalized credit options enhance the customer experience, making borrowing convenient and transparent. Freo’s focus on simplicity and efficiency sets it apart as a top choice for digital lending.

 Cashe
Cashe is redefining short-term lending with its fast and accessible microloans. The platform’s emphasis on rapid approvals and disbursals ensures that customers can quickly access funds when needed. Cashe’s use of alternative credit data allows it to serve a wide range of borrowers, including those with limited credit histories. Its dedication to clear communication and customer support enhances the overall lending experience.

 KreditBee
KreditBee stands out with its tailored loan offerings for young professionals and underserved segments. The platform provides a straightforward application process and instant loan approvals, leveraging technology to meet diverse customer needs. KreditBee’s personalized loan products and flexible repayment options make it a preferred choice for those seeking convenient and adaptable financial solutions.