All posts by Neel Achary

New Delhi, August 26, 2025: Grehlakshmi, India’s No. 1 Hindi women’s magazine and the country’s largest community of housewives, successfully hosted the grand finale of Grehlakshmi Mrs. India 2025, a spectacular celebration of beauty, talent, and empowerment. The evening was graced by legendary beauty icon Shahnaz Husain, who not only inspired the participants with her presence but also had the honour of crowning the winners, Dr. Swetha Karlapudi in the Silver Category, Amrita Kaur Sokhi in the Gold Category, and Rekha Paladee in the Elite Category.

The runners-up included Arushi Mishra, Meenu Singh, and Shweta Verma in the Silver Category; Prajakta Vaibhav Bhoir in the Gold Category; and Anupama Singh and Babita Amrohi in the Elite Category.

The distinguished jury panel for the evening comprised eminent names from diverse fields: Pavleen Gujral (actor, anchor & wellness influencer), Aashna Malani (lifestyle influencer & digital marketer), Prachi Tehlan (actor & former Indian national sports captain), and Shyam Sharma (Managing Partner, Global Lawyers & Director, DDCA). Their expertise and guidance brought immense credibility to the competition.

The contestants were groomed under the expert mentorship of Anjana and Karl Mascarenhas, Directors of Diva Pageants, with dynamic choreography by Pooja Singh, ensuring that each finalist took the stage with confidence, elegance, and grace.

The four-day journey leading up to the finale was packed with grooming sessions, talent showcases, and empowering activities. The event also saw the presence of dignitaries and achievers such as Anjum Chopra (former captain of the Indian women’s cricket team), Neelam Pratap Rudy (amateur golfer & philanthropist), Piyu Sharma (boxer & wellness coach), Soumya Khurana (visionary entrepreneur & philanthropist), Rennie Joy (corporate lawyer & founder of Aalekh Foundation), along with previous winners of Grehlakshmi Mrs. India, who inspired the contestants with their stories.

Speaking on the occasion, Mrs. Vandana Verma, Editor-in-Chief of Grehlakshmi Magazine, shared, “Grehlakshmi Mrs. India is not just about beauty — it is about identity, courage, and empowerment. Every woman who participated is a winner, and this journey marks the beginning of a lifetime of inspiration for them and for countless women watching. What began as a simple dream to celebrate the spirit, resilience, and brilliance of married women across India has now grown into a movement — a platform where women are not only celebrated for who they are, but also empowered to become who they aspire to be.”

She further added, “Over the last three seasons, we have seen countless Grehlakshmis transform their lives, their families, and even their communities — and that, for us, has been the greatest reward. Together, you are living proof that Grehlakshmi is more than just a magazine — it is a vibrant, breathing community of strong Indian women. Through this platform, we strive to give every woman the courage, visibility, and opportunities she deserves to pursue her dreams and inspire others to do the same.”

The event was powered by major brands including Sirona, Clovia, Voylla, Indus Valley, DailyHunt, Josh, Mila Beaute, Looks Salon, La Pink, 2.OH!, Sparsh, Shahnaz Husain, Blossom Kochhar, Ayouthveda, Bio Organic, Graphis Ads, The Posh Salon, and Red FM.

The finale was attended by eminent personalities, influencers, media representatives, families of the contestants, and special guests, all coming together to celebrate the extraordinary achievements of these remarkable women. As the curtain closed on yet another grand season, Grehlakshmi Mrs. India 2025 reaffirmed its position as a powerful platform that transforms lives, celebrates journeys, and redefines true beauty.

Kollam, 26 August 2025: Royaloak Furniture, India’s No 1 furniture brand expanded its store network again in Kerala with the inauguration of its new store in South Kerala’s Kollam. The grand opening ceremony was honoured by the esteemed presence of Mr. Vijai Subramaniam, Chairman, Royaloak Incorporation Pvt. Ltd; Mr. Mathan Subramaniam, Managing Director, Royaloak Incorporation Pvt. Ltd; Mr. N.K Premachandran, Hon’ble MP of Kollam Lok Sabha and Mr. M Noushad, Hon’ble MLA of Eravipuram.

This expansion emphasises Royaloak’s commitment to providing quality furniture solutions to the people of Kollam. The grand launch event also witnessed guests from the Royaloak team, including Mr. Kiran Chhabria, Franchise Head of Royaloak; Mr. Thammaiah Kotera, Head – Visual Merchandising & New Store Opening of Royaloak; Mr. Ranjith Kappatu, Regional Head – Tamilnadu & Kerala of Royaloak Furniture; Mr. Shajith, Franchise Manager of Royaloak and Franchise partners Mr. Rinson Mathew and Mrs. Jinu Joseph. The successful business expansion has ensured vast employment opportunities created by the brand over the years in the state and opened doors for future business expansion with multiple vendors and partners.

Covering an impressive 13,000 square feet, this store boasts an extensive array of furniture for every part of the home, including living rooms, bedrooms, dining areas, study & office, outdoor, home decor, mattresses and more. Kollam’s residents can now discover a wide variety of both stylish, smart and functional furnishings in an affordable cost all conveniently located in their neighborhood.

Speaking at the launch event, Mr. Vijai Subramaniam, Chairman, Royaloak Furniture, said, “We are proud to open another store in Kerala, where we already have stores in different parts of the state and 200 stores nationwide. The new opening reflects our commitment to serving our customers better and our belief in the growing potential of this market. We look forward to continuing to provide quality products and exceptional service to our valued customers here. We are of the opinion that the people of Kollam would be keen to furnish their place with international products available at an affordable range. I extend my best wishes to the franchise owners as we eagerly anticipate serving customers and assisting them in finding, the ideal pieces to complete their dream homes.”

The store boasts a carefully curated and exclusive ‘Country Store,’ displaying the finest and most unique furniture selections from countries such as America, Italy, Malaysia, and India. Through its dedicated standalone stores, Royaloak aspires to elevate the aesthetic appeal of homes with its modern, luxurious and affordable furniture offerings. The brand has been fulfilling the lifestyle requirements of its expansive customer base, exceeding 10 million individuals. Royaloak has a presence across PAN India, including all the metro cities and the distinctive tier 2 and tier 3 cities of India. This has transformed Royaloak into a furniture brand, spanning from Kashmir to Kanyakumari and Gujarat to Nagaland with 200+ stores.

Mumbai, August 26: ANJ Group, one of India’s leading design and build firms, has appointed Dr Ashfaq Ul Ahad as its Chief People Officer (CPO). The appointment reflects ANJ’s commitment to building inspiring workplaces for its clients and a culture where people can thrive.

Dr Ul Ahad brings with him 25 years of experience, spanning across hospitality, banking, technology, telecom, logistics and education sectors. From leading HR at global organisations like ICICI Bank, GE, Hutchison and Syntel to shaping capability development for Delhivery’s 75,000-strong workforce, his career has been defined by building people-first cultures at scale. Beyond the corporate world, he has also co-founded Talent Edge Academy and CollegeDekho Academy, creating learning platforms that bridge the gap between education and employability for young professionals.

Speaking about his new role, Dr Ul Ahad said, “ANJ for me is a Blue Ocean, and I am joining at a time when the organisation is shaping the future of workspaces in India. ANJ’s manufacturing prowess, customer centricity, coupled with a people-first culture is all poised to move it from a challenger quadrant to a leader. I am tasked to make this happen while creating meaningful impact for our customers, employees and communities alike.”

At ANJ, he will be responsible for steering the company’s People & Culture agenda with a focus on nurturing leadership, strengthening employee engagement, driving organisational transformation and fostering a workplace that inspires creativity and innovation.

26th August 2025: Bappa’s arrival and Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations are incomplete without the irresistible charm of modaks, and just like every year, Conrad Pune is set to make your festive season even sweeter. From 25th August to 7th September, Pune Sugar Box invites guests to experience ‘Modak Bhog’, a specially curated collection of handcrafted delights that celebrate tradition, taste, festivities, and togetherness.

Carrying forward its legacy of curating festive indulgences, Conrad Pune has designed a menu that captures the very soul of Ganeshotsav. Each modak is lovingly crafted by Chef Ramakrushna Chaskar, Chef Krutika Gawas, and their team, blending authenticity with innovation. Guests can relish an exciting variety from the timeless coconut-jaggery ukadiche modak to indulgent chocolate-filled creations, rich dry fruit variations, and several chef-special surprises that are bound to become new festive favourites.

Whether you’re gifting or indulging, it’s the sweetest way to say Ganpati Bappa Morya. So, this Ganesh Chaturthi, let every bite be an offering of joy, devotion, and indulgence with Conrad Pune as Pune Sugar Box offers the perfect setting where festive charm meets warmth and elegance.

Event Details:

· Date: 25th August – 07th September 2025

· Venue: Pune Sugar Box, Conard Pune

ICAI Hosts Convocation Ceremony Across 15 Centers Pan India; Confers Membership to 13,737 Newly Qualified Chartered Accountants

Kolkata, 26 August 2025: The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI), a statutory body established under an Act of Parliament, organized a grand Convocation Ceremony simultaneously across 15 locations in India to confer certificates of membership to newly qualified Chartered Accountants and felicitate rank holders.

The Convocation was held at New Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Ghaziabad, Ernakulam, Vijayawada, Ahmedabad, Pune, Indore, Jaipur, Chandigarh and Ludhiana. A total of 13,737 newly enrolled Chartered Accountants were awarded their membership certificates, marking the beginning of their professional journey.

The Convocation ceremonies commenced concurrently across all centers, with Smt. Ravneet Kaur, Chairperson, Competition Commission of India (CCI), inaugurated the event as the Chief Guest from New Delhi. The New Delhi ceremony was led by CA. Charanjot Singh Nanda, President, ICAI and CA. Prasanna Kumar D, Vice-President, ICAI, in the august presence of Central Council Members—CA. Sanjay Kumar Agarwal, CA. (Dr) Sanjeev Kumar Singhal and CA. Hans Raj Chugh, along with CA. (Dr) Jai Kumar Batra, Secretary, ICAI.

While Addressing Newly Qualified Chartered Accountants from New Delhi, Smt. Ravneet Kaur, Chairperson, CCI, stated, “I congratulate all the newly graduating Chartered Accountants. This day marks a celebration of your hard work, sleepless nights and your unshakeable determination to succeed in one of the most difficult examinations in the country. ICAI is acknowledged for its excellence, ethics and influence and continues to play a pivotal role in nation-building by contributing to corporate governance, taxation, auditing standards, sustainability and digital financial systems. The CA qualification will open numerous opportunities for you, not only in your career but also in your personal growth. With the rapid adoption of technologies such as AI, blockchain, and algorithmic pricing, continuous learning will remain essential to ensure transparent, efficient, and sustainable growth.”

She further added, “Chartered Accountants play a vital role in translating principles into practice, ensuring that market practices remain transparent, ethical, and compliant with regulatory frameworks. The trust placed in their signature is immense, impacting clients, stakeholders, markets and public interest. As professionals, you are the custodians of independence, objectivity and integrity in every valuation and decision you make.”

On this occasion, CA. Charanjot Singh Nanda, President, ICAI, congratulated the newly enrolled Chartered Accountants and said, “Receiving the membership certificate is a defining milestone that marks your transition from students to professionals. Indian Chartered Accountants are called partners in nation-building, and soon they will be recognized as partners in global building, strengthening India’s growth while reinforcing international financial systems. You are the future torch bearers of the profession and I urge you to embrace innovation, remain committed to lifelong learning and lead with integrity and values that will not only uphold the dignity of the profession but also enhance India’s credibility on the global stage.”

With over 65% of our population under the age of 35, the youth are not only the future of this nation, but also the present drivers of innovation, consumption and progress. With ICAI conferring membership to 13,737 newly qualified Chartered Accountants, this addition to the profession further strengthens India’s talent pool. As India moves towards becoming the third-largest economy, these young Chartered Accountants will be the greatest asset. Each of these new members holds the power to shape India’s destiny. As new professional avenues such as forensics, sustainability and artificial intelligence emerge, Chartered Accountants, who have closely witnessed the evolution of technology, will take the lead in these initiatives and contribute to realizing the vision of Viksit Bharat @ 2047.

While addressing the gathering, CA. Prasanna Kumar D, Vice-President, ICAI, said, “Chartered Accountants are not just service providers, they are strategic business solution providers driving the economy forward. The profession offers dynamic opportunities across practice, employment, entrepreneurship, taxation, audits, technology and ESG. Ethics is non-negotiable; integrity, transparency and sound judgment will form the foundation of trust in your work. I would request each one of you to carry forward the legacy of the profession with pride and contribute meaningfully to India’s economic growth story.”

The President ICAI also administered the oath to the newly inducted members. ICAI conducts convocation twice a year to award the Certificate of Membership to newly enrolled members, celebrating their entry into the CA fraternity. This prestigious event serves as a platform to unite young professionals under the esteemed Chartered Accountancy fraternity, fostering a deep sense of belonging and connection with both the profession and the Institute. Through rigorous training and a stringent examination process, only individuals who demonstrate outstanding knowledge, intelligence, dedication and proficiency are qualified to become Chartered Accountants.

Addressing the Convocation Ceremony, CA. Sanjib Sanghi, Council Member, ICAI, lauded the role of parents in shaping the success of the newly qualified Chartered Accountants. He stressed that their future must be built on trust, perseverance, resilience, and integrity. Highlighting the concept of NEST-Networking, Entrepreneurship, Skill, and Technology-he explained its importance in their professional journey.

CA. Ravi Kumar Patwa, Council Member, ICAI, noted that as India moves towards becoming the world’s third-largest economy, the CA profession will gain prominence. Urging members to uphold ethics, pay their membership fees, and serve society, he remarked, “If hard work is your weapon, success will be your slave.”

Guest of Honour CA. (Dr.) Debashis Mitra acknowledged parents’ contribution to the success of the new professionals. Emphasizing that ICAI, set up under an Act of Parliament, safeguards the nation’s financial health, he urged CAs to be fearless and innovative like Garuda, ICAI’s mascot. Stressing the values of Independence, Excellence, and Integrity, he envisioned ICAI being lauded by the Prime Minister in 2027 as the guardian of India’s financial stability.

26th August, 2025, New Delhi: To empower HR and L&D leaders to build a skilled workforce ready to deliver from day one, Enthral.ai, a leading provider of a skilling platform powered by Agentic AI, has now launched a new set of AI Agents focused on building role-readiness. Targeted to address the biggest challenge in Learning and Development (L&D) today providing outcome-driven training—the role-ready AI agents supercharge the platform’s capability to create measurable workforce impact at scale.

While role readiness has always been a key L&D objective, rapid shifts in the world of work, driven by macroeconomic trends, industry dynamics, and tech acceleration, have made it a pressing priority for enterprises today. Enthral’s Agentic AI skilling platform, with its newly launched AI Agents for role-readiness, enables HR and L&D teams to instantly transform a job role into a performance-oriented learning journey.

With a simple input of a role, say Fraud Analyst or Retail Relationship Manager, the system generates a complete “show me, try me, test me” path where learners watch how it’s done, practice in safe environments through interactive role-plays and real-time AI coaching, and get tested with AI Proctoring. This performance is assessed, logged, and auditable, giving HR and L&D teams confidence that their teams are ready to perform before stepping out into real-world situations.

What makes the Role-Ready solution especially powerful is that it is both industry- and role-agnostic. Whether in BFSI, manufacturing, retail, healthcare, IT services, or for upskilling customer-facing teams, blue-collar workforce, frontline employees, the platform’s AI Agents ensure all learners are coached and evaluated against the exact demands of their role. Further, the platform’s easy integration with existing HR tech stacks, along with the ability to build and train custom agents for diverse roles and goals, represents the next wave of enterprise skilling. In this model, HR and L&D leaders don’t just deliver training, they become strategic enablers of ROI through faster onboarding, improved compliance, higher productivity, and consistent readiness across distributed teams.

“Enterprises need to move beyond static learning to adaptive role readiness. HR and L&D leaders don’t need more training, they require solutions that give them the confidence that their workforce can perform from day one, making upskilling not just an input, but a demonstrable business outcome,” said Sammir Inamdar, Co-founder and CEO, Enthral.

Globally, the Agentic AI market is projected to grow from USD 7.06 billion in 2025 to USD 93.20 billion by 2032 with a CAGR of 44.6% during the forecast period. As enterprises shift from passive copilots to autonomous agents that drive measurable outcomes, Enthral’s role-ready agents bring this breakthrough to the skilling ecosystem, making workforce readiness not just faster, but smarter.

Mumbai, August 26: ANJ Group, one of India’s leading design and build firms, has appointed Dr Ashfaq Ul Ahad as its Chief People Officer (CPO). The appointment reflects ANJ’s commitment to building inspiring workplaces for its clients and a culture where people can thrive. 

Dr Ashfaq Ul Ahad, Chief People Officer, ANJ Group.

Dr Ul Ahad brings with him 25 years of experience, spanning across hospitality, banking, technology, telecom, logistics and education sectors. From leading HR at global organisations like ICICI Bank, GE, Hutchison and Syntel to shaping capability development for Delhivery’s 75,000-strong workforce, his career has been defined by building people-first cultures at scale. Beyond the corporate world, he has also co-founded Talent Edge Academy and CollegeDekho Academy, creating learning platforms that bridge the gap between education and employability for young professionals. 

Speaking about his new role, Dr Ul Ahad said, “ANJ for me is a Blue Ocean, and I am joining at a time when the organisation is shaping the future of workspaces in India. ANJ’s manufacturing prowess, customer centricity, coupled with a people-first culture is all poised to move it from a challenger quadrant to a leader. I am tasked to make this happen while creating meaningful impact for our customers, employees and communities alike.” 

At ANJ, he will be responsible for steering the company’s People & Culture agenda with a focus on nurturing leadership, strengthening employee engagement, driving organisational transformation and fostering a workplace that inspires creativity and innovation.  

Mumbai, 26 August 2025: Prin. L. N. Welingkar Institute of Management Development & Research (WeSchool), Mumbai, hosted the third edition of its startup showcase, Wenture.inv 3.0 – Demo Cum Pitch Day, at its Mumbai campus.

The event brought together early-stage entrepreneurs, investors, and mentors on one platform, offering startups both exposure and constructive feedback to strengthen their growth plans. Over the past three years, Wenture.inv has evolved into a forum where business ideas are tested against market perspectives, underlining WeSchool’s continued focus on entrepreneurship and innovation within management education.

The 2025 cohort featured 13 ventures incubated at WeSchool, along with startups from collaborating agencies, spanning sectors such as healthtech, AI, edtech, packaging, sustainability, digital legacy, and pet tech.

Speaking about the initiative, Prof. Dr. Uday Salunkhe, Group Director, WeSchool, said, “At WeSchool, entrepreneurship and innovation are deeply rooted in our culture and are vital pillars of India’s growth story. Over the years, many of our alumni who left corporate careers to pursue entrepreneurship sought guidance on scaling their ventures. This inspired us to create a platform where alumni and student entrepreneurs with market traction could showcase their products and pitch to investors. Through Wenture.inv, we aim to provide an enabling environment for founders to test ideas, gain mentorship, and access networks that help accelerate their journey.”

Inaugurating the event, Prof. Dr. Kaustubh Dhargalkar, Dean – Business Design & Innovation, said, “Wenture.inv began in 2022 as a platform for alumni and student entrepreneurs to pitch their ventures and connect with investors. The first edition featured six startups, the second eight, and this year we hosted 13 ventures including a wildcard entry. What makes Wenture.inv distinctive is its collaborative spirit, where investors not only evaluate but also mentor and conduct masterclasses, making it more than a pitch day. It reflects WeSchool’s commitment to fostering entrepreneurship beyond the classroom and supporting ventures that create meaningful economic and social impact.”

Among the participating ventures were BituBin India, a sustainability-focused B2B marketplace for infrastructure procurement; Cutis, a clean-label nutrition brand; SK Polypack, offering integrated packaging solutions; and MEDZAP, an IoT-based hospital workflow optimizer and winner of the Region 10 ACBSP Entrepreneurship Competition. These four were ventures by WeSchool alumni and students. In addition, the cohort also included Crezlo, an AI-enabled video content creator, Tijori.ai, a digital vault for unclaimed family assets, Rudramaa (MimoTag), a wearable pet tech solution and many others.

The showcase followed a 16-hour bootcamp, conducted by seasoned entrepreneurs and investors, during which founders worked on product-market fit, refining their business model, prudent cash flow management, valuation, and pitch preparation. On the Demo Day, each startup demonstrated its products to a panel of angel investors and seed VCs. There was a pitching round followed by one-on-one discussions. Selected ventures were also offered four months of follow-up mentoring with domain experts.

Alongside the pitches, an exhibition enabled startups to demonstrate their products and services to potential customers and ecosystem leaders. Networking sessions further connected participants with alumni entrepreneurs and venture capital representatives.

With Wenture.inv 3.0, WeSchool reinforced its role as an enabler of innovation-driven entrepreneurship, supporting young ventures that aspire to create meaningful economic and social impact.

“Federal Bank, through the Federal Bank Hormis Memorial Foundation, is deeply committed to supporting communities in their fight against critical illnesses. Our continued partnership with Caritas Hospital under the Sanjeevani program enables access to quality healthcare for those who need it most. We are humbled that this initiative has already benefitted hundreds of patients and will continue to bring hope and relief to many more.” said, Nisha K Das, Vice President & Zonal Head-Kottayam

New Delhi, August 26, 2025: Jindal Stainless, India’s largest stainless steel manufacturer, has partnered with Whiteland Corporation, a Delhi-NCR-based real-estate developer, to supply stainless steel rebars for their branded residences project, Westin Residences Gurugram. This marks one of the first integrations of stainless steel rebars in a branded residences project in the country, underscoring the growing adoption of stainless steel in Indian housing for structural innovation and long-term durability.Jindal Stainless has supplied 410L grade stainless steel rebars, branded as JINDAL INFINITY, forming the project’s structural core.

The move signals a potential shift in material standards and sets higher benchmarks for real estate, a sector traditionally dominated by carbon steel. Known for its superior properties—such as high load-bearing capacity, structural endurance, enhanced corrosion resistance, seismic resilience and tensile strength—410L grade of stainless steel is used in critical infrastructure, including coastal and metro projects, and is a proven choice especially in corrosion-prone environments.While conventional rebars offer a service life of approximately 50 years, stainless steel variants are engineered to endure more than twice that lifespan. This extended lifespan not only strengthens safety and structural integrity but also reduces long-term maintenance costs, an increasingly important consideration for developers and investors focused on lifecycle economics.

CEO and CFO, Jindal Stainless, MrTarun Khulbe, said, “Our partnership with Whiteland Corporation isn’t just about building homes—it’s about redefining how they’re built. As India’s leading stainless steel manufacturer, we have pioneered stainless steel use across critical infrastructure, from metros and railways to coastal projects and beyond. We continue to bring the same unmatched strength, safety, and longevity to residential construction. Together with Whiteland Corporation, we are committed to setting a new benchmark for how durability and environmental responsibility can seamlessly co-exist in modern living.”

Founder, Whiteland Corporation, Mr Navdeep Sardana, said, “This partnership reflects our ambition to redefine timeless living. By embedding Jindal Stainless’ stainless steel into our homes, we are creating dwellings that will endure—both in strength and legacy. Westin Residences Gurugram exemplifies our vision for sustainable, world-class communities that inspire for generations.”

Manufactured via a recycled-route process, the stainless steel rebars used in the project also contributes to reducing the carbon footprint of construction.Jindal Stainless is committed to forging a greener future through responsible practices, innovative solutions, and decarbonisation initiatives, as part of its efforts to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

Westin Residences Gurugram, spread across approximately 20 acres, will feature approximately 1,700 high-rise residences ranging from 248.33 to 402.06 square meters. Developed by Whiteland Corporation and curated withWestin’s hospitality-led ethos, the project aims to combine wellness, design excellence and structural reliability, heralding a new era of branded residences living in the country.