All posts by Neel Achary

New Delhi – Franks Famous Hot Dog, the cult-favorite French QSR brand behind the gourmet Roll-Dog, is making its highly anticipated India debut at the 21st edition of Franchise India Expo, taking place on May 17–18, 2025, at the prestigious Yashobhoomi, India International Convention and Expo Centre, New Delhi. This participation marks a pivotal moment in Franks international growth journey and introduces Indian investors to one of Europe’s most dynamic fast-casual food concepts.

Founded in 2020 in France, Franks Famous Hot Dog has revolutionized the classic American hot dog into a premium dining experience with its signature Roll-Dogs—fresh, oil-brushed toasted buns filled with top-tier ingredients and bold global flavors. With 17 outlets across France and a million hot dogs sold in 2023 alone, Franks has established itself as a modern QSR disruptor in Europe’s fast food space.

Now, the brand is ready to bring its winning formula to India—one of the world’s most promising QSR markets.

At the Booth, Franks will showcase its flexible, franchise-ready formats, including: Kiosk setups for high-footfall areas, Compact takeaway models, and Full-scale dine-in outlets.

Backed by comprehensive franchise support—spanning location scouting, store buildout, staff training, supply chain, and marketing—Franks offers an asset-light, high-margin business that aligns with India’s growing demand for affordable yet gourmet fast food experiences.

“India is a natural next step for our expansion,” said a spokesperson for Frank’s Famous Hot Dog. “The country’s youthful demographic, evolving taste palate, and enthusiasm for global food trends make it an ideal market for our Roll-Dogs. We’re here not just to launch a product, but to lead a hot dog revolution.”

As part of the Franchise India Expo 2025—Asia’s largest franchise platform, which is expected to generate Rs. 2000 crore in deals and draw 20,000+ business buyers and investors—Franks is seeking Master Franchisees, Regional Developers, and Unit Partners in metro, Tier 1, and Tier 2 cities.

Entrepreneurs visiting the Franks booth can sample the iconic Roll-Dogs, explore investment options, and gain firsthand insight into how Franks is redefining fast food with flair, flavor, and franchise-friendly economics.

Founded in France in 2020, Frank  Famous Hot Dog is the creator of the Roll-Dog—a premium reinterpretation of the traditional hot dog, offering gourmet ingredients, European craftsmanship, and a bold brand personality. With a footprint across France, and expansion underway in Switzerland, Belgium, and now India, Franks is on a mission to become the world’s #1 hot dog QSR brand.

New Delhi, 19^th May 2025: FUJIFILM India, a leader in printing excellence started commercial operation in Sri Lanka from April 2025 through its authorized distributor Advanced Digital Graphics Pvt. Ltd. (ADG). It must be noted that the association was formalized in August 2024 of Last Year (FY 2024). As part of the commercial launch ADG has opened Digital Business Centre in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The setup hosts Fujifilm POD’s (Print-on-Demand) flagship product, the Fujifilm Revoria PC 1120S.  The inauguration was done, by Mr. Koji Wada, Managing Director, FUJIFILM India.

ADG will take Fujifilm’s cutting-edge digital printing solutions, including state-of-the-art high-speed digital printers, softwares and solutions to the Sri Lankan market.  This partnership will also further empower ADG to deliver superior print quality, enhanced productivity, and sustainable solutions across various sectors, including commercial printing, packaging and photo album segment.

Mr. Koji Wada, Managing Director, FUJIFILM India, stated, “At FUJIFILM India, we are committed to delivering innovative products and solutions that embody our Group purpose of ‘Giving our world more smiles.’ By blending diverse ideas, unique capabilities, and extraordinary people, we aim to create solutions that bring joy and smiles to the world. This collaboration with ADG reinforces our commitment to fostering innovation, building cross borders printing ecosystems, and supporting partners with advanced solutions that drive growth and customer delight.”

Mr. Udaya Hettiarachchi, Director of Advanced Digital Graphics (Pvt) Ltd. stated, “At ADG our new partnership with Fujifilm strengthens our ability to provide the most advanced, versatile and cost-effective digital printing technologies, ensuring our customers stay ahead in a competitive market. In today’s fast-evolving industry, value-added printing and strategic partnerships are critical to success. By collaborating with Fujifilm, ADG is poised to redefine the digital printing landscape in Sri Lanka, setting new benchmarks for quality, consistency, efficiency, and innovation. This alliance strengthens our shared vision to push boundaries and elevate printing experience for businesses across the region. Together, we are shaping the future of digital printing—one exceptional print at a time.”

Mr. Priyatosh Kumar, Associate Director and Head of Graphic Communications and Device Technology, FUJIFILM India, further commented, “We started our POD journey in India from December 2021. Since then, we have had multiple milestones with success for our customers with the Revoria PC 1120 and Revoria EC 1100 in the Indian market. We want to replicate the same in Sri Lanka. With ADG as our partners, we are confident to provide the best quality and reliability in the Graphic industry of Sri Lanka. We invite customers to come and have a look at our technology and solution in the newly inaugurated demo center and feel the difference.

FUJIFILM India’s collaboration with ADG is a testament to the company’s dedication to innovation and sustainability. Through this partnership, Fujifilm will provide mid and high range of Digital products with advanced printing solutions, CMYK plus special color engines like Fujifilm Revoria PC 1120S, EC 2100S and SC 285S digital printers with Fujifilm Revoria workflow and many other latest printing systems, helping ADG offer wide range of products to its customers.

Almost everyone, at some point in their life, feels the irresistible pull to get into acting after watching their favourite star perform on screen. For actress Hina Bajpai, who portrays Kesar Bhabhi in Shemaroo Umang’s ‘Badi Haveli Ki Chhoti Thakurain’, that spark came early. Watching the icons she admired light up the screen gave her the drive to chase her own acting dreams. Hina recently opened up about how those powerful performances and inspiring journeys lit a fire within her — one that continues to fuel her passion every single day.

Talking about her beginnings, Hina shared, “When I first stepped into this industry, I started from zero—no connections, no background, just dreams. I slowly grew as an actor by watching those who started from scratch and reached great heights through hard work and passion. One such person who truly inspires me is Kangana Ranaut. Her journey from struggling days to becoming Bollywood’s queen is something I admire so much. She picks powerful roles, speaks boldly, and carries herself with such confidence—that’s what I love about her!”

With admiration in her eyes, Hina continued, “Looking at Kangana Ranaut I have learned never to fear any role. If a character excites you, say yes and give it your 100%. I believe every character teaches you something new—you just need to mold yourself into it and make it your own. That’s how I approach my work now. Even while shooting for ‘Badi Haveli Ki Chhoti Thakurain’, I keep learning from every actor around me. Every day is a chance to grow.”

According to Hina, a true role model does more than just inspire. “They don’t just teach—they light up something inside you,” she said. With this mindset, Hina continues to evolve both as an actress and as a person, leaving her own mark in every performance.

Tune into Badi Haveli Ki Chhoti Thakurian, Monday to Saturday at 9:00 PM, only on Shemaroo Umang.

Hyderabad, May 19^th, 2025: Insight, a leading Fortune 500 Solutions Integrator, has inaugurated their new office in Hyderabad, India. Tapping into the engineering community of the nation’s IT hub, the new facility is designed to accommodate global delivery and business enabling functions.

With offices in Bengaluru, Gurugram, and Noida, Insight is now establishing its fourth office in India with its presence in Hyderabad — a rapidly emerging tech hub. This expansion opens new avenues for Insight to tap into exceptional talent, strengthen regional partnerships, and expand delivery capabilities. It also reflects the company’s continued investment in building a strong, future-ready IT, AI, and cloud integration support system in India.

The new office, designed to accommodate teammates across delivery and enablement functions, encourages in-person collaboration for strategic planning, team building, and key meetings, while offering flexibility to work in a hybrid model.  Commenting on the new office opening, Mohan Subrahmanya, Country Leader – India, Insight Enterprises, said, “The launch of our Hyderabad office is a milestone in Insight’s growth in India. As we increase our presence, our vision is to unlock the huge potential of this region’s thriving tech ecosystem and establish a solid foundation for faster innovation. Hyderabad provides access to top-quality talent and a collaborative culture, both essential to achieving powerful digital transformation. This facility isn’t only about scale — it’s about strengthening our client relationships and collaboratively co-creating solutions to meet the shifting needs of the technological landscape.”

Just as Insight grows its footprint, its dedication to a thriving and positive employee work culture remains steadfast. The company has also been certified as a great place to work in India in 2024.

Insight has also been recognized for its dedication to creating inclusive and positive work cultures. Fortune and Great Place to Work recently ranked the company No. 20 on their list of the Best Workplaces in the World. It also ranked No. 14 in IT services on Forbes’ 2023 World’s Best Employers list. Insight has been recognized as a Best Workplace in a number of countries, including the United States, Australia, Austria, Hong Kong, Italy, Singapore, Spain, and the UK. The organisation has also received certification as a Great Place to Work in China, New Zealand, and the Philippines.

New Delhi, 19 May 2025 – ITM is thrilled to share that its internship placement drive turned out to be a huge success. The event witnessed the participation of 202 top companies that offered students different kinds of internships in various fields of study.

Time and again, ITM Business School has kept indicating its steadfast pledge to the gap-filling exercise of academia and industry. As a result, students can secure internship placements with relative ease. This time around, the institute not only went on to break its record but also marked a significant milestone by providing a more direct route to industry for 92% of the students, and the remaining 12% got internships in various fields through their initiatives.

The growth in the number of options available this year is a clear indication of a decisive change in the trends for hiring, which is influenced not only by the companies in sectors such as Manufacturing (17%), Real Estate (16%), NBFC (13%), Retail (11%), ITES (10%) but also by the skill set of ITM’s student talent pool who are being increasingly recognized and valued. The highest point of the internship season was one of the most competitive recruiters who very generously offered a record monthly stipend of ₹40,000, making an indelible new milestone in the program history of the institute.

Pankhuri Chaudhary, student from MBA-Finance said, “Joining ITM was a turning point in my journey, with unwavering faculty support and a transformative internship at EY that boosted my confidence. The experience and training at ITM helped me secure a role at Deloitte as a Tax Consultant.”

Furthermore, the students were entrusted with the responsibilities of Marketing, Finance, Operations, Analytics, and General Management, and this hands-on experience not only allowed them to develop their skills but also laid the groundwork for their future careers. Some of the prestigious organizations participating included Deloitte, PWC, PepsiCo, Nomura, Ernst & Young, ICICI Bank, Aditya Birla Group, JSW, Zomato, Tata Communications, and UltraTech Cement.

“At ITM, we believe in bridging the gap between academic knowledge and real-world application. These internship opportunities are more than just industry exposure; they are stepping stones toward impactful careers,” said Dr. Lakshmi Mohan, Pro Vice Chancellor, ITM Business School. “We’re incredibly proud of our students and grateful to our industry partners for their continued trust and collaboration.”

“The industry-relevant curriculum and hands-on learning at ITM, including live projects and a 5-month internship, deepened my understanding of the banking sector. With continuous faculty support and mentoring, I secured a role at IDFC First Bank as a Management Trainee in Operations and Retail Credit Liability”, said Bhavesh Adwani student from MBA-Finance.

With these Internship placements, ITM reaffirms its role as a premier institution dedicated to nurturing industry-ready professionals. The Institute continues strengthening its corporate collaborations and career support systems to help students thrive in today’s competitive landscape.

Bhubaneswar, May 19, 2025 — The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA), in collaboration with the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Odisha, today hosted an interactive session on the “Importance of Retirement Planning – Role of NPS” at Hotel The New Marrion, Bhubaneswar. The event aimed to enhance awareness around financial security for retirement, with a special focus on the National Pension System (NPS) and its growing relevance across corporate and individual segments.

The session was inaugurated with the presence of esteemed dignitaries, including Dr. Deepak Mohanty, Chairman, PFRDA, who delivered the keynote address, and Shri D Mishra, Chairman of AFCT. Senior officials such as Mr. Devesh Mittal, Deputy General Manager, PFRDA, and Mr. Chitta Ranjan Behera, Chartered Accountant, provided insights into the advantages of NPS and its tax benefits.

Highlighting the strategic importance of Odisha, it was shared that the state currently accounts for over 73,800 corporate sector subscribers under NPS—3.1% of India’s total—despite only 56 registered corporates from Odisha onboarded so far. Bhubaneswar alone houses more than 35,000 NPS subscribers, with over 50% in their 30s, reflecting early adoption among young professionals. Notably, female participation in NPS from Bhubaneswar (26%) exceeds the national average, underscoring the city’s progressive corporate environment.

The event also spotlighted recent milestones and policy initiatives:

• Launch of NPS Vatsalya, which now boasts over 1.12 lakh child subscribers.
• Corporate sector Assets Under Management (AUM)reached ₹2.25 lakh crore.
• Digital transformation through Project TRACE, streamlining compliance and boosting transparency across intermediaries.

Speakers emphasised the urgent need to address India’s low pension penetration—only 17% pension assets to GDP ratio compared to over 88% in OECD countries. With 80% of India’s workforce in the unorganised sector and rising nuclear family trends, the session stressed that building retirement resilience is no longer optional but essential.

The event concluded with an engaging Q&A session, where participants from corporates, MSMEs, and financial institutions discussed challenges and opportunities for adopting NPS in the region.

Shri Bisworanjan Sutar, representing ICC Odisha, delivered the vote of thanks, reiterating industry support for advancing retirement literacy and financial inclusion in the state.

India, 19th May – Paytm (One97 Communications Limited), India’s leading payments and financial services distribution company and the pioneer of mobile payments, QR codes, and Soundbox, has introduced a new privacy-focused addition to its payment experience ‘Hide Payment’. This new capability allows individuals to privately hide and unhide selected transactions from their payment history, offering greater control over how their records are displayed while keeping all transactions securely accessible whenever needed.

Designed in response to customer feedback, this addition addresses the need for greater discretion in managing everyday payments. Whether it’s a surprise gift, a late-night food order, a pharmacy visit, or a personal purchase from a local shop, ‘Hide Payment’ helps keep such transactions private or simply out of view. This helps keep surprises under wraps, and personal expenses private, and lets a sweet indulgence stay unnoticed while on a diet — offering greater control over payment history without compromising accessibility.

Paytm spokesperson said, “Our focus has always been on understanding what our customers need, and that continues to guide our mobile payment innovations. With ‘Hide Payment’, we’re enabling individuals to hide and unhide transactions while maintaining privacy. It’s a thoughtful addition that brings more control and comfort to everyday payments.”

Steps to hide/unhide transactions in payment history on the Paytm app:

To hide a transaction:

1. Open the Paytm app and go to “Balance & History.”
2. Swipe left on the payment you wish to hide.
3. When the option appears, tap on “Hide.”
4. Confirm by selecting “Yes” on the confirmation prompt.
5. The payment will now be hidden from your payment history.

To unhide a transaction:

1. Open the Paytm app and go to the “Balance & History” section.
2. Tap the three-dot icon next to ‘Payment History’.
3. Select “View Hidden Payments” from the menu.
4. Enter your mobile handset’s access PIN or provide biometric (finger/face) verification to view the hidden payment
5. Swipe left on the transaction you wish to unhide, then tap on “Unhide”.
6. The transaction will now be visible again in your payment history.

Paytm, the pioneer of mobile payments in India, continues to innovate with consumer-centric products that enhance the payment experience. Recently, the company introduced the QR Widget for quick access to scan and pay, along with options to check UPI-linked bank account balance and download UPI statements in Excel and PDF formats directly from the app. Paytm also empowers users with UPI Lite for small-value transactions, RuPay Credit Card linking on UPI, and AutoPay for recurring payments. Further expanding its reach, Paytm now supports international UPI payments in the UAE, Singapore, France, Mauritius, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and Nepal, making payments easier for Indian travellers.

Bengaluru, 19^th May 2025 – Coca-Cola India’s iconic flavourful beverage, Fanta, has cemented its position as the undisputed leader in the orange-flavoured carbonated soft drink (CSD) category, commanding over 50% market share. With its delicious orange taste and playful spirit, Fanta continues to connect powerfully with India’s youth, blending nostalgia with a fresh, culturally relevant appeal.

Originally launched globally in 1940, Fanta has evolved into a cultural phenomenon in India, resonating especially with young adults who seek authenticity, fun, and bold self-expression. The brand has consistently been recording strong double-digit growth for the last 5 years, strengthening its presence across urban and rural markets alike. Today, Fanta is available in close to 2 million retail outlets, spanning offerings from 200ml pack @₹10 to 2.25L family packs, catering to a wide range of consumption occasions.

Globally, Fanta is available in over 180 markets, reinforcing its position as one of the world’s most delicious & loved beverage brands.

Vinay Nair, Vice President, Franchise Operations, Developing Markets, Coca-Cola India and Southwest Asia, said “Fanta’s momentum reflects not only strong execution across channels but also our broader strategy to drive category growth through flavour-led innovation, portfolio agility, and deeper regional relevance. The brand’s ability to blend cultural relevance with a bold, digital-forward presence has helped it connect meaningfully with young consumers. This approach strengthens our position in a critical segment and reinforces our ability to anticipate and shape consumer demand that vibe with today’s lifestyles and tomorrow’s trends.”

For decades, Fanta has been more than just a beverage — fun, playful, and bursting lip smacking delicious flavour, it has been the go-to choice for those who embrace life’s little joys without hesitation. Its unmistakable orange hue and effervescent bubbles make it a true icon of taste and fun, instantly uplifting any celebration or gathering. Nowhere is this playful spirit more evident than during Holi, India’s very own festival of colours, where Fanta’s joyful presence adds to the exuberance of the occasion being celebrated with friends. With every sip, Fanta brings an extra splash of delight, perfectly capturing the festive mood. Building on this spirit, Fanta continues to celebrate the thrill of cravings, inspiring consumers to give in to the ultimate craving.

The latest ‘Fanta Mangta’ campaign puts cravings front and center, featuring youth icon Kartik Aaryan, amplifying this further by tapping into young adults’ digital DNA. With a creator-driven approach, meme-forward, the campaign transformed a simple phrase into a cultural cue for spontaneous fun and refreshment. High view-through rates (VTRs), Engagement rates & strong creator collabs like Mac Macha, and vibrant media engagement helped strengthen Fanta’s connect with the new generation of consumers.

Today, Fanta’s rise is not just about numbers — it’s about cultural relevance, digital swagger, and staying truly in the moment. Backed by Coca-Cola’s legacy of building iconic brands, Fanta continues to lead the orange-flavoured CSD category, redefining cravings for India’s young and restless.

Expressing his gratitude, Kartik Daftari, CEO, Hi-Tech Radiators expressed “I am truly humbled to receive this honor. This is not only a personal achievement, but also an acknowledgement of the sheer hard work and commitment of every member of the Hi-Tech Radiators team. Our pursuit for sustainable growth, innovation, and contributing positively to the progress of the nation will always remain at the core of our company’s ethos. I sincerely thank the MSME Chamber of Commerce and Industry of India for this distinction and to all the people who keep supporting our quest for excellence.”

Gujarat | May 19, 2025 –In a significant step towards sustainable water management, Shri C.R. Patil, Hon’ble Union Minister of Jal Shakti, Government of India, inaugurated a groundwater recharge initiative in Bharuch district at the premises of Borosil Renewables Ltd., where several recharge wells have been installed.  Mr. Mayank Gandhi, a renowned water conservationist and founder of Global Vikas Trust, Mr. Pradeep Kheruka, Chairman; and Mr. Shreevar Kheruka, Vice Chairman of Borosil Renewables Ltd, joined him at the ceremony. As part of the symbolic launch, the dignitaries and attendees offered water from the Narmada River to one of the recharge wells.

Mr. Pradeep Kheruka had earlier announced Borosil’s commitment to the Jal Shakti Mission, pledging the creation of 1,000 groundwater recharge wells across India as part of a transformative national water conservation effort.

The Jal Shakti Mission focuses on extensive integrated water resource management and community-driven groundwater recharge to ensure sustainable access to clean water nationwide. With growing concerns around depleting groundwater levels, especially in industrial and agrarian belts, collaborative efforts from industries like Borosil are crucial to long-term water security.

On this occasion, Shri C. R. Patil, Union Minister for Jal Shakti said, “Since there is no time left to build big dams on rivers for 25 years, underground water storage is the only solution to save the water. More than 16 lakh water storage structures have been built in the country on the call of the hon’ble PM Narendra Modi. The coming time will be challenging, and to meet such a situation, the government is already working on water conservation. Along with the government, we must become 100% aware of water conservation through public participation. With the depleting groundwater levels posing a serious threat in agrarian and industrial regions, the need for participation by industry leaders like Borosil for building long-term water resilience is crucial.

Mr. Pradeep Kheruka, Chairman of Borosil Renewables Ltd., said, “Water is heaven’s gold, the land is safe. It is in our self-interest to conserve this gold in our safe. The availability of this feature will promptly dissipate water-logging. Borosil is aligned with the national call to action by the Hon’ble PM Narendra Modi and ably led by Jal Shakti Minister Shri C.R. Patil. The mission is to capture rainwater where it falls, field by field, village by village, city by city! Recharge the groundwater table and secure India’s water resources.”

He further added that the methods recommended are practical and scalable. Strategically placed at the lowest point in each plot of land, these wells will ensure rainwater is absorbed deep into the earth. This will alleviate water logging while replenishing groundwater reserves. This mission is not just about conservation — it’s about empowerment. These recharge wells would drain water swiftly to underground reservoirs after heavy rain, saving people from grief.

 Foundation Stone Laid for New 600 TPD Solar Glass Plant

Adding another significant milestone to the day, Shri C.R. Patil also laid the foundation stone for Borosil Renewables’ upcoming 600 Tons Per Day (TPD) solar glass manufacturing facility at its Bharuch site. This expansion will elevate Borosil’s total Indian solar glass production capacity from 1,000 TPD to 1,600 TPD (10.5 GW). The company already has 350 TPD capacity in its German subsidiary, GMB Glasmanufaktur Brandenburg,

 The new facility will integrate the latest global technologies in solar glass manufacturing and will help meet India’s rapidly increasing demand for solar glass and reduce imports and build resilience in supply chain of this strategically important industry.