All posts by Neel Achary

Mumbai/ Kolkata, Dec 06th:  The 54th ITC Sangeet Sammelan 2025, presented by the ITC Sangeet Research Academy (ITC SRA) from 5th to 7th December, commenced with an overwhelming participation, drawing connoisseurs, music lovers and people from all walks of life from across India. Held on the Academy’s picturesque lawns, the inaugural session of the three-day festival showcased the depth, diversity and richness of Indian classical music, an artistic heritage ITC SRA has upheld for nearly five decades.

Commenting on the occasion, Mr. Saradindu Dutta, Executive Director & Trustee, ITC SRA, said, “The ITC Sangeet Sammelan is a celebration of continuity—of knowledge, discipline and artistic devotion. The 2025 edition once again demonstrated the depth of India’s classical music tradition and the Academy’s unwavering commitment to nurturing exceptional talent. It is our privilege to honour the musical legend – Parween Sultana ji with the coveted ITC Sangeet Samman this year.”

Mumbai, Dec 06: Birla Institute of Management Technology (BIMTECH), Greater Noida — one of India’s leading AACSB-accredited business schools successfully concluded its monthly CEO/CXO Talk series, “A Conversation with Gen Z.” The initiative brought top business leaders to campus to share insights on leadership, HR strategies, and digital transformation with aspiring young managers.

The speaker lineup included Kenji Inoue, CFO & COO, UNIQLO India; Swarup Mohanty, Vice Chairman & CEO, Mirae Asset Investment Managers (India) Pvt. Ltd.; Abhay Batra, Co-Founder & CFO, Clovia; and Vijay Ranjan Singh, HR Head, LG India. Subsequent sessions also featured Seepika Singhal, Senior Director & Global Head Total Rewards, Brillio Technologies; Rahul Vij, COO, Digi Haat (Nirmit Bharat); and Aditya Agarwal, Executive Vice President Digital, Maruti Suzuki India Ltd., each delivering impactful individual interactions with students.

These sessions provided students with actionable perspectives on leadership, digital acceleration, investment journeys, and talent management — reinforcing BIMTECH’s commitment to strengthening industry–academia collaboration.

During his talk, Mr. Swarup Mohanty shared an important personal learning, stating:

“I made two mistakes not starting to invest early and not remaining invested. I thought I was smarter than the markets, but soon realized that the markets are always smarter. In a country like India, which is poised for exponential growth, investing in capital markets is one of the most meaningful ways to participate in its progress.”

The interactive format encouraged students to participate in conversations around entrepreneurship, brand positioning, and product innovation. Mr. Abhay Batra emphasized the power of mindful marketing strategies, remarking:

“Spending a lot of money doesn’t ensure success. What works is organic connection and doing things the right way.”

He concluded with an inspiring message for future leaders:

“The only difference between success and no success is doing.”

Bringing high energy to the session, Mr. Vijay Ranjan Singh urged students to reflect on their aspirations and readiness for the corporate world. Quoting the film Sultan, he highlighted the importance of self-driven growth, adding:

“You can only defeat yourself.”

BIMTECH’s Vision: Industry-Ready Leaders for the Future

BIMTECH stands among the few B-schools in India with a structured year-round CEO/CXO talk series designed to develop industry-centric thinking, professional preparedness, and future leadership capabilities. The initiative also invites corporate leaders to contribute their experiences for the benefit of emerging talent, strengthening the larger ecosystem of future managers in India.

As a pioneering institution, BIMTECH continues to raise the bar through initiatives such as:

• Launch of the Bloomberg Lab, Marketing & Retail Research Lab, and BIMCOIN a blockchain-based campus currency

• A strategic partnership with UNIQLO

• Students winning the PRME Global Students Sustainability Award 2025 at the United Nations Headquarters, New York

• Support extended to 150+ startups during the Google AI Startup Day

• Workshops like Train-the-Trainer for Inclusive Higher Education by BCall (Centre of Education for All)

Inspired by its visionary founders Late Basant Kumar Birla and Sarala Birla, BIMTECH offers programs including PGDM, PGDM (International Business), PGDM (Insurance Business Management), PGDM (Retail Management), PGDM Online, and FPM/E-FPM — shaping ethical, globally competent business leaders. Supported by a strong alumni network of over 8,000 professionals, BIMTECH continues to hold its position among globally recognized management institutions.

Lima, Dec 6: The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, announced its participation in a joint financing package of US$400 million for Camposol, one of Peru’s leading agro-exporters.

The goal is to strengthen the country’s sustainable agribusiness, promote the creation of quality formal jobs, and improve the sector’s climate resilience. IFC’s structured investment amounts to US$140 million, consisting of US$100 million of its own funds and US$40 million from Rabobank. The rest of the financing package includes contributions from IDB Invest, Scotiabank, and BBVA.

The funds will support the implementation of Camposol’s blueberry varietal renewal program, based on proprietary genetics developed locally. This program is crucial for adopting varieties with higher yields, greater pest resistance, and, most importantly, improved water-use efficiency—aligning with IFC’s priority to mitigate water and climate risks in agriculture.

The investments will enable productivity improvements in avocados and drive the adoption and scaling of sustainable agricultural innovations that strengthen Camposol’s competitiveness in key global markets, increasing projected export volumes by more than 30% between 2025 and 2030.

“IFC’s participation in this historic financing is a clear endorsement of Peru’s agribusiness as a driver of sustainable and inclusive growth,” said Matilde Bordón, IFC Country Manager for Peru and Ecuador. “This is IFC’s first transaction in the agribusiness sector in over 20 years. By supporting Camposol in creating formal jobs and transitioning to more resilient technologies, we are directly investing in the long-term prosperity of Peru’s rural communities.”

The financing is contingent upon the implementation of a robust Environmental and Social Action Plan (ESAP) that will address critical areas such as water management, biodiversity studies, prevention of workplace heat stress, and obtaining sustainable agriculture certifications.

With this financing package, Camposol anticipates export volumes will increase by more than 30% between 2025 and 2030. Additionally, the company projects the creation of more than 2,500 direct jobs, with female participation above the national average in the agricultural sector.

Hyderabad: Dec 06: Confederation of Real Estate Developers Association of India (CREDAI) Hyderabad welcomes RBI’s 25 basis point rate cut and presents the following leadership quotes to capture the key points and intent as stated by CREDAI Hyderabad executives. The release underlines how the move supports affordable housing, buyer confidence, and sustainable growth in Hyderabad’s real estate sector.

According to Mr. N Jaideep Reddy, President, CREDAI Hyderabad, “This 25-bps reduction in repo rate and a cumulative reduction of 125 basis points in 2025 will help make credit more accessible at lower rates. With RBI’s proactive liquidity measures—₹1 lakh crore in Open Market Operations purchases—banks have both the mandate and the means to swiftly transmit these benefits to homebuyers encouraging home buyers to avail cheaper home loan rates to pick their dream home. As a step toward affordable housing, the RBI rate cut lowers borrowing costs and supports homebuyers in achieving their homeownership goals. This policy action is timely for Hyderabad’s market, reinforcing confidence among developers and buyers alike.”

Adding to this Mr. B. Jagannath Rao, President Elect, CREDAI Hyderabad said, “The consistent rate reduction in the monetary policy gives homebuyers a window to lock in historically low rates and substantial savings while securing their dream home in India’s most dynamic and affordable metro. With Hyderabad’s average home loan value at ₹75 lakh, the benefits are substantial and immediate:

For a ₹75 lakh loan over 30 years, buyers save nearly ₹4.76 lakh in total interest
The cumulative 125 bps reduction for the year delivers ₹800-₹1,000 monthly relief on a ₹50 lakh loan
These are real, meaningful savings that make homeownership more accessible for Hyderabad’s aspiring families.”

According to Mr. Kranthi Kiran Reddy, Gen Secretary, CREDAI Hyderabad, “Lower interest rates directly increase purchasing power. Buyers can now qualify for larger loan amounts while maintaining the EMI burden, opening doors to better properties and premium locations that were previously just out of reach. For our industry—fuelled by monetary policy, infrastructure development, and job-led demand—this offers a perfect combination for sustained success and growth.”

Chennai, Dec 05: Indian Bank is proud to announce that its Managing Director & CEO, Shri Binod Kumar, has been conferred the prestigious ‘CEO of the Year’ award at the Tamil Nadu Business Leader of the Year  Industry Wise Awards 2025. The honour was presented today at Taj Club House, Chennai.

The Business Leader of the Year program is a respected benchmark for recognising leaders who have demonstrated exceptional contributions to their organisations and the broader economy. An independent jury selected Shri Binod Kumar for this coveted award after a comprehensive evaluation based on Strategic Leadership, Business Acumen, Corporate Social Responsibility and creating measurable value for stakeholders and contributing meaningfully to societal well-being

This industry-wise recognition reaffirms Indian Bank’s commitment to excellence and its leadership’s dedication to driving progress with responsibility and purpose.

Bengaluru, Dec 05th: Škoda Auto India has inaugurated three new Customer Touchpoints in Karnataka, further strengthening its network presence in the state and the southern region of India. These new touchpoints, launched in partnership with Karr Motor Ventures Pvt. Ltd., include two new showrooms at JP Nagar and Magadi Road, along with a new aftersales facility in Bannerghatta Road in Bengaluru, Karnataka. 

The JP Nagar showroom is spread across 3,100 sq. ft., with display space for six cars, and the Magadi Road showroom features a 3,100 sq. ft. area, also with a display space for six cars, while Bannerghatta Road gets a 14,600 sq. ft. aftersales facility with 13 service bays. With these additions, Škoda Auto India now has 32 Customer Touchpoints across 12 cities in Karnataka, including Belgaum, Bellary, Bengaluru, Davanagere, Hassan, Hubballi, Kalaburagi, Mangalore, Mysore, Shivamogga, Tumkur, and Udupi. 

Commenting on the inauguration, Ashish Gupta, Brand Director, Škoda Auto India, said, “With the inauguration of these new facilities, we continue to strengthen Škoda Auto India’s presence across Karnataka. This region is a key market for us, and with 32 Customer Touchpoints now operational, we are bringing our complete product range closer to customers while ensuring they experience the highest standards of service and care. Karnataka remains a vital pillar of our growth in India, and with the Kylaq, Kushaq, Kodiaq, and Slavia, we are confident of growing the Škoda brand in this important market.”

Mr. Nikkita Paraamesh, Director & Dealer Principal, Karr Motor Ventures Pvt. Ltd., said, “We are delighted to partner with Škoda Auto India and bring the brand’s premium experience closer to customers across different regions of Bengaluru. These new sales and aftersales facilities are designed to deliver a premium customer experience, from display to delivery, while also offering state-of-the-art service support. Our commitment is to provide the customers of this city with the very best of Škoda Auto’s product range and ownership journey.”

Closer to customers

Over the past few years, Škoda Auto India has expanded its network from over 120 Touchpoints in 2021 to 320 Touchpoints across 180 cities. The company remains steadfast in its goal of getting closer to its customers and reinforcing its commitment to providing a seamless customer experience across India.

By – Mr V P Nandakumar, MD & Chairman, Manappuram Finance LTD

“The RBI’s 25-basis-point rate cut, which brings the repo rate down to 5.25%, comes at a time when inflation is easing and the broader economy needs a little more support. With price pressures gradually stabilising and liquidity improving, the move aims to lift consumption and investment at a moment when the growth momentum has moderated. Lower policy rates usually work their way into borrowing costs across home loans, autos, MSME credit and working-capital financing, helping households and small businesses manage their cash flows more comfortably, even though the full transmission will take a few weeks.
The introduction of the three-year rupee-dollar sell swap adds another layer of support. By infusing longer-term liquidity without unsettling short-term rates, the RBI is ensuring that banks have the room to lend more comfortably. This should help lower funding costs further and improve liquidity conditions for both consumers and small businesses.
From a wider economic standpoint, the cut strengthens the pro-growth environment. Bond yields typically soften, credit demand tends to improve and sectors that rely heavily on financing—such as real estate, autos and NBFCs—benefit from lower EMIs and better borrowing conditions. Savers may see deposit rates adjust downward, but that is part of the broader cycle as the financial system aligns with lower benchmark rates.
Overall, the RBI’s decision is a measured and timely step. With inflation trending toward the comfort zone and certain parts of the economy still operating below capacity, this rate cut helps reinforce confidence and supports a steady, broad-based recovery as the country moves into FY27.”

New Delhi, Dec 5: The plan encompasses becoming a fully operational bank, transferring educational and healthcare models, launching investment vehicles, and making significant investments in technology and infrastructure.

Sber, having already increased its transaction volume in India by more than 14 times last year, now aims to triple its operations over the next three years. This will be supported by an estimated investment of $100 million in technology, team expansion, and new offices.

Building a Full-Stack Bank in India

Herman Gref detailed a phased approach to establishing Sber as a universal bank in India, serving both B2B and B2C clients. The bank has already applied to the Central Bank of India to open branches in ten cities within three years. The core IT platform, brought from Russia and redesigned in-house by a team of several hundred professionals in Bangalore, is being tailored to meet local regulatory requirements.

Exporting Successful Models: Education and High-Tech

A key pillar of the strategy involves partnering to bring Sber’s successful non-financial models to India. Discussions are advanced with a major Indian partner to introduce Sber’s practical, peer-to-peer engineering school model, aimed at making quality education accessible outside of classical universities. Initial modest proposals have been met with strong partner interest, suggesting a potential launch across 20 cities.

Furthermore, Sber is actively seeking partners to introduce its high-tech solutions, including its generative AI capabilities. With a dedicated team of 3,000 AI engineers and a world-class model, Sber is prepared to share this expertise, supporting India’s ambition for sovereign AI development.

Facilitating Trade and Investment

Sber has become a critical bridge in Russia-India trade, currently facilitating 65-70% of Indian exports to Russia and 10-15% of Russian exports to India. Transactions that once took weeks now complete in under ten minutes for 80% of cases, without the need for a third-party currency.

To further catalyze investment flow, Sber has launched “First-India,” a closed-end mutual fund tied to the Nifty 50 Index for Russian accredited investors.

Major Investment in Indian Operations and Talent

The expansion will be backed by substantial physical and human resource investments. Plans include doubling the IT team in Bangalore, opening a new IT office in Hyderabad, and establishing an R&D center in India. A second development team from Moscow will also be relocated to support projects in robotics and chipset architecture.

Herman Gref, CEO and chairman of the Executive Board, Sberbank:

In the age of AI disruption, sovereign AI capability is a strategic imperative for a nation like India. We have built one of the world’s leading models and are fully open to partnering with India on our strategic journey.

Chandigarh, Dec 05th: Bank of Baroda (Bank), one of India’s leading public sector banks, today announced the launch of its latest advertising campaign featuring its global brand ambassador, Sachin Tendulkar. Building on the success of last year’s ‘Play The Masterstroke’ platform, the new campaign highlights the importance of making the right choices when pursuing life’s major goals – from buying a dream home or car to investing in one’s business. The campaign underscores that choosing the right financial partner is the true Masterstroke that helps turn aspirations into reality. 

Aligned with the Bank’s retailisation strategy, the campaign focuses on four key products – Home Loans, Car Loans, MSME Loans through bob Digi Udyam and the bob Masterstroke Lite Savings Account – to drive customer acquisition and deepen market penetration. Through four warm, relatable and light-hearted films, the narratives draw from everyday experiences to showcase Bank of Baroda’s customer-centric offerings, seamless digital access and trusted services. Sachin Tendulkar, with his signature presence and authenticity, reinforces the message that the right financial partner can make all the difference. 

Shri Shailendra Singh, Chief General Manager – HRM & Marketing, Bank of Baroda said, “Through Bank of Baroda’s new Masterstroke campaign, our aim is to empower every individual and support every dream, with the promise that choosing Bank of Baroda as their trusted financial partner can truly be a masterstroke. Sachin Tendulkar, our global brand ambassador, embodies the values of excellence & trust, making him the ideal choice to deliver the campaign’s core message.” 

The campaign kicked off with a #WhatIsYourMasterstroke teaser which generated strong pre-launch buzz, and featured well-known influencers Jatin Sapru, cricket commentator and host, and Kamiya Jani, Founder & Editor-In-Chief at Curly Tales. 

As part of a comprehensive 360° media strategy to ensure strong pan-India reach, the campaign spans television, print, social media, radio, outdoor, and cinema, and is being executed across multiple languages.

Shree Cement, one of India’s leading cement manufacturers, has launched its premium product, Bangur Marble Cement, under its master brand, Bangur Cement in Odisha region. This PSC cement offers best-in-segment brightness, superior strength and crack resistance, making it ideal for exposed concrete structures and ensuring grand, imposing designs. It is also well suited for the weather conditions of coastal Odisha, making it one of the most suitable cement options for the region’s construction needs.

Over 1000 retailers across Odisha will have access to the product, along with live in-store demonstrations designed to highlight its strength, finish, and premium performance. The product has already made a strong mark in the premium cement category across the eastern region, through 2,000+ retailers across Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal.

Speaking on the launch, Neeraj Akhoury, Managing Director of Shree Cement Ltd., said, “With Bangur Marble Cement, we’re redefining what premium construction material should deliver. This product brings unmatched brightness, strength, and performance, meeting the expectations of today’s builders and homeowners who demand both beauty and durability. Odisha, a key focus market, will further accelerate Shree Cement’s growth momentum in the east.”

Bangur Marble’s unique formulation uses GGBS, a steel industry by-product, reducing environmental impact without compromising performance. The result is a high-strength, high quality, and long-lasting cement solution that supports greener building practices and more resilient structures. This product will be offered alongside Bangur Cement’s premium lineup, including Jungrodhak, Rockstrong, Powermax, Magna, and Roofon.

This launch underscores Shree Cement’s mission to champion sustainability and lead the shift toward responsible, high-performance construction in India.