All posts by Neel Achary

Hyderabad, Feb 26: Florian Hurel Hair Couture & Spa announces the opening of its newest flagship in Jubilee Hills, introducing a 15,000 sq. ft. private bungalow designed as a dedicated destination for immersive, experience-led luxury. Conceived as more than a salon, the space represents a significant evolution for the brand — transforming its couture philosophy into a fully realised architectural and experiential environment.

Founded by Florian Hurel, the brand has become synonymous with precision-led craftsmanship and high-glamour sophistication. The Hyderabad opening marks one of its most ambitious milestones to date, reinforcing Hurel’s position as a leading luxury beauty entrepreneur in India while expanding the brand beyond the traditional salon model into a layered, design-forward beauty residence.

At its core, Florian Hurel Hair Couture & Spa approaches beauty as couture — meticulous, intentional, and deeply personal. The Hyderabad flagship extends this ethos across multiple levels, integrating technical mastery, advanced diagnostics, and restorative rituals within a setting defined by scale, glamour, and refinement. Every detail, from spatial flow to service design, is curated to create a seamless and immersive guest journey.

The expansive main hair floor houses 14 couture hair stations dedicated to bespoke cuts, colour, and styling, alongside a private nail atelier featuring four immersive hand-and-foot ritual stations. An in-house coffee bar encourages an unhurried, elevated experience, while a glass garden introduces natural light into the interiors, softening the architectural lines. A suspended lounge overlooks the main floor, offering a tranquil pause between services — distinct zones that remain visually and spatially connected.

The spa occupies dedicated levels within the bungalow and is anchored by three couples’ suites, each centred around distinct rituals. The sanctuary also features two steam rooms, a red-light sauna, a hammam, an ice bath, two skin treatment rooms, two Korean scalp therapy rooms, and an exclusive VIP suite. An internal lift ensures fluid movement between floors, reinforcing the sense of cohesion throughout the residence.

Signature offerings include the Florian Hurel Hair Couture & Spa Signature Skin Treatment and Couture Haircut And Colour , AI-powered Korean Scalp Rituals, AI-based skin analysis and Hydrafacial, Red Light Therapy, Bamboo Massage, Potli Massage, Hot Stone Massage, and the fHair Signature Hair Spa & Ritual. The integration of advanced AI diagnostics reflects the brand’s commitment to merging technological innovation with couture-level precision and personalisation.

Set in Jubilee Hills — widely regarded as Hyderabad’s cultural nucleus — the bungalow balances creative vibrancy with discreet privacy. Designed by RII Arc, the space reinterprets Florian Hurel’s signature cement textures through a restrained monochromatic palette and hand-finished surfaces. Soft curves and sculpted niches replace rigid geometry, lending the interiors a fluid, almost organic quality. Indirect lighting enhances depth and warmth, creating an atmosphere that feels composed, intimate, and quietly luxurious without relying on high-gloss finishes.

Commenting on the launch, Florian Hurel said: “Drawing inspiration from both France and India, I envisioned this space as an expression of a contemporary cultural dialogue. It harmonises the quiet restraint and structural elegance I inherited from France with the richness, warmth, and sensory depth I have come to cherish in India. To me, luxury today transcends the purely visual — it is profoundly emotional. It lies in crafting an environment that feels layered, immersive, and deeply intentional.”

The Hyderabad team has been largely recruited locally and supported by a structured training framework led by the brand’s Mumbai headquarters. A five-day foundational programme is followed by extended on-ground mentorship to ensure alignment with global luxury standards across haircutting, colouring, consultation protocols, hygiene practices, AI-based analysis, and specialised treatment rituals.

With this launch, Florian Hurel Hair Couture & Spa expands its national footprint with a flagship that embodies its signature blend of couture craftsmanship and contemporary luxury — establishing a new benchmark for immersive beauty experiences in Hyderabad.

Gurugram, Feb 26 : The Indian School of Hospitality has launched a four-year B.Sc. in Global Business and Entrepreneurial Leadership, expanding its academic portfolio beyond hospitality-focused pathways into integrated business leadership education aligned with India’s evolving economic structure.

India’s services sector contributes over half of the country’s GDP and is supported by complex networks of logistics, digital infrastructure, capital flows and consumer markets. As enterprises operate within increasingly interconnected environments, industry demand is shifting toward graduates who understand how pricing, supply chains, working capital and governance decisions influence one another.

The new program has been structured around that integrated view of business.

Rather than organising learning around isolated management functions, the B.Sc. in Global Business and Entrepreneurial Leadership (GBEL) is designed to help students understand how business decisions create consequences across an entire enterprise. Students will examine how consumer demand shapes revenue models, how operational design affects margins, how capital allocation influences growth and how governance frameworks shape long-term performance.

Academic progression moves from foundational business literacy in the first year to enterprise-level strategy and capstone integration in the final year. The curriculum includes structured internships and applied decision exercises across all four years.

The degree will be awarded by Gurugram University and operates under academic direction from Les Roches, part of the Sommet Education network.

Kunal Vasudeva, Managing Director and Co-founder of the Indian School of Hospitality, said the launch reflects a broader institutional alignment.

“India’s next phase of growth will be shaped by professionals who understand how complex enterprises function. Business is not a collection of subjects. It is a chain of consequences. Pricing affects demand. Demand affects operations. Operations affect cash. Cash affects growth. Education must prepare students to think in that interconnected way. This program extends our liberal hospitality philosophy into broader business leadership aligned with India’s economic direction.”

With this launch, ISH extends its academic framework beyond hospitality-focused pathways into integrated business leadership education while sustaining its liberal hospitality philosophy and allied services foundation.

Hyderabad, February 26th Feb: Indian Railways has launched RailParcel, a pilot initiative aimed at improving parcel movement through rail across seven cities — Hyderabad, Vijayawada, Guntur, Rajahmundry, Visakhapatnam, Bengaluru and Chennai under the leadership of the South Central Railway (SCR) zone. The initiative is digitally enabled through ROQIT, a platform developed by AION-Tech Solutions Limited, which serves as the underlying digital layer for managing parcel workflows, enabling coordination across operational stakeholders, and integrating with existing railway systems during the pilot phase.

RailParcel is designed to enhance the efficiency of rail-based parcel logistics by introducing structured workflow digitization, improving shipment visibility, and enabling better coordination between railway operations and logistics participants.

Commenting on the development, Bhanutej Mallangi, Chief Product Officer, ROQIT, said, “RailParcel represents an important step toward structured, digitally enabled parcel operations within the rail ecosystem. Through ROQIT, AION-Tech Solutions is establishing a foundational technology layer that enhances operational visibility and standardizes workflows across touchpoints. As the pilot progresses, the insights generated can support scalable, data-driven logistics operations across the rail network.”

Under the current PoC deployment, ROQIT enables key capabilities including:

• Real-time parcel tracking across operational touchpoints

• Digitization of booking and operational workflows

• Integration readiness with third-party logistics service providers

• Interoperability with existing railway systems, including CRIS

The pilot focuses on establishing a reliable and interoperable digital foundation while maintaining compatibility with Indian Railways’ existing infrastructure. The initiative is aligned with Indian Railways’ broader focus on enhancing logistics efficiency through digitization, improving multimodal connectivity, and leveraging its predominantly electrified network to support more sustainable freight movement.

RailParcel is expected to support more efficient utilization of rail-based logistics capacity – particularly relevant given Indian Railways’ extensive electrified network and cost-efficient freight capabilities. 

Based on pilot outcomes, future phases may explore opportunities to further strengthen network optimization, enable data-driven decision support, and support broader multimodal logistics coordination across transport networks.

The RailParcel pilot reflects Indian Railways’ continued efforts to modernize logistics operations through targeted digitization while reinforcing rail as a scalable, cost-effective and sustainable mode for parcel transportation.

The gathering is built on a singular premise, that Africa’s environmental challenges are, in fact, its greatest economic opportunities

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, Feb 26– The Africa’s Green Economy Summit (AGES) 2026 opened its doors in Cape Town today, marking a pivotal moment in the continent’s economic trajectory. Convening a powerful coalition of policymakers, financiers and innovators, the summit signals a decisive shift from conceptual ambition to concrete, bankable action in the pursuit of a sustainable African future.

Under the banner of “From Ambition to Action: Scaling Opportunities in Africa’s Green and Blue Solutions,” AGES 2026, proudly sponsored by Sanlam Investments, is not merely a forum for discussion but a catalyst for deal-making and partnership. The gathering is built on a singular premise, that Africa’s environmental challenges are, in fact, its greatest economic opportunities.

“Ambition lights the path, but it does not pave it. To transform our economies and uplift our communities, we must move beyond rhetoric to robust execution,” said Lerato Mbele, Summit Moderator. “This summit is a marketplace of ideas where we connect visionaries with investors, ensuring that Africa’s green transition is not just sustainable, but also scalable and profitable.”

The strategic focus of this year’s agenda is underpinned by compelling data. The summit is shining a spotlight on the blue economy, a colossal yet often under-leveraged asset that already injects nearly $300 billion annually into the continent’s GDP and sustains 46 million livelihoods through fisheries, tourism and logistics. Simultaneously, the green economy, with agriculture and renewable energy at its core, is projected to unlock a staggering $10 trillion in global business value over the next decade, positioning Africa to generate an estimated 300 million new jobs for its burgeoning youth population.

These are not distant prospects, but immediate frontiers for investment and innovation.

Echoing this sentiment, the Honourable Naren Singh, Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment, addressed delegates with a call for holistic progress. “Our journey towards a low-carbon future must be defined by a fundamental truth: sustainability is a three-legged stool, balancing the health of our planet, the prosperity of our people and the creation of shared value,” he stated. “By investing in our natural capital, we are investing in the most resilient infrastructure of all our communities.”

Over the next two days, the summit floor will be a hive of activity. Attendees will engage in high-level interactive sessions, witness live project pitches from Africa’s most promising green entrepreneurs, and participate in curated networking forums designed to fast-track collaboration and knowledge transfer.

AGES 2026 is more than an event, it is a declaration that Africa is ready to build a future where economic resilience and environmental stewardship are the same.

Hyderabad, Feb 26: Indian Railways has launched RailParcel, a pilot initiative aimed at improving parcel movement through rail across seven cities — Hyderabad, Vijayawada, Guntur, Rajahmundry, Visakhapatnam, Bengaluru and Chennai under the leadership of the South Central Railway (SCR) zone. The initiative is digitally enabled through ROQIT, a platform developed by AION-Tech Solutions Limited, which serves as the underlying digital layer for managing parcel workflows, enabling coordination across operational stakeholders, and integrating with existing railway systems during the pilot phase.

RailParcel is designed to enhance the efficiency of rail-based parcel logistics by introducing structured workflow digitization, improving shipment visibility, and enabling better coordination between railway operations and logistics participants.

Commenting on the development, Bhanutej Mallangi, Chief Product Officer, ROQIT, said,

 “RailParcel represents an important step toward structured, digitally enabled parcel operations within the rail ecosystem. Through ROQIT, AION-Tech Solutions is establishing a foundational technology layer that enhances operational visibility and standardizes workflows across touchpoints. As the pilot progresses, the insights generated can support scalable, data-driven logistics operations across the rail network.”

Under the current PoC deployment, ROQIT enables key capabilities including:

• Real-time parcel tracking across operational touchpoints

• Digitization of booking and operational workflows

• Integration readiness with third-party logistics service providers

• Interoperability with existing railway systems, including CRIS

The pilot focuses on establishing a reliable and interoperable digital foundation while maintaining compatibility with Indian Railways’ existing infrastructure. The initiative is aligned with Indian Railways’ broader focus on enhancing logistics efficiency through digitization, improving multimodal connectivity, and leveraging its predominantly electrified network to support more sustainable freight movement.

RailParcel is expected to support more efficient utilization of rail-based logistics capacity – particularly relevant given Indian Railways’ extensive electrified network and cost-efficient freight capabilities. 

Based on pilot outcomes, future phases may explore opportunities to further strengthen network optimization, enable data-driven decision support, and support broader multimodal logistics coordination across transport networks.

The RailParcel pilot reflects Indian Railways’ continued efforts to modernize logistics operations through targeted digitization while reinforcing rail as a scalable, cost-effective and sustainable mode for parcel transportation.

Gurugram, Feb 26: Doctors at Manipal Hospital, Gurugram, successfully treated a 28-year-old woman who suffered from major burns along with inhalation injury caused by a LPG cylinder leak at her home. The nursing college teacher residing in Panipat was brought to the emergency after receiving initial first aid at a local hospital. Given the extent of burns and the involvement of the respiratory tract, she was referred to Manipal Hospital Gurugram for advanced care.            

Globally, burn injuries remain a major public health challenge with thousands of deaths and fatal injuries reported every year. According to the World Health Organization, in India, an estimated 2.1 million burn injuries occur each year, resulting in around 25,000 deaths. Addressing this burden requires structured burn management, sustained multidisciplinary support, and continuity of care, as major burns demand long-term physical and psychological care. Responding to these specialised needs, Manipal Hospital continues to manage complex cases and provide comprehensive treatment to the patient. After a month-long intensive care and rehabilitation program, she was discharged in stable condition. 

Dr. Asheesh Dhingra, Consultant – Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery, Manipal Hospital, Gurugram, said, “Severe burn injuries are among the most complex medical emergencies, requiring immediate intervention and a coordinated multidisciplinary approach. In this case, the patient’s recovery journey involved early stabilisation, infection control, and continuous monitoring. What truly made the difference was the patient’s extraordinary resilience and determination. That strength of spirit, combined with timely medical care, played an important role in helping her reclaim her life. We need to understand that burn injuries are medical emergencies, and seeking immediate attention can significantly improve survival and recovery outcomes.” 

This case highlights Manipal Hospital Gurugram’s strength in managing severe burn injuries through timely intervention, specialised care, and sustained rehabilitation support.

New Delhi, Feb 26: realme, the most popular smartphone brand among Indian youth, is all set to expand its Narzo lineup with the launch of the all-new realme Narzo Power 5G on 5th March, 2026 on Amazon.in, realme.com and offline stores. Designed for users who are on the hunt for unmatched endurance and powerful everyday performance, the realme Narzo Power 5G is built to deliver power that lasts longer and performs stronger.

At the heart of the device lies the MediaTek Dimensity 7400 Ultra 5G chipset, built on an advanced 4nm process and clocked up to 2.6GHz, ensuring seamless multitasking, smooth gaming and efficient power management. Paired with LPDDR4X RAM and UFS 3.1 storage, the device promises fast app launches and a fluid user experience.

Setting a new benchmark in battery innovation, the realme Narzo Power 5G packs a massive 10,001mAh battery, delivering extended usage that can comfortably last up to two days. It supports 80W Ultra Charge, enabling rapid top-ups, along with 27W wired reverse charging, allowing the device to double up as a power bank when needed.

On the imaging front, the smartphone features a 50MP Sony IMX882 OIS primary camera, complemented by an 8MP ultra-wide lens and a 16MP front camera, enabling sharp, stable and vibrant captures across lighting conditions. With support for 4K video recording and advanced AI imaging features, the realme Narzo Power 5G ensures users can capture every moment with clarity.

The device also boasts a 6.8-inch AMOLED curved display with up to 144Hz adaptive refresh rate, 1.07 billion colors, and peak brightness up to 6500 nits, delivering an immersive and ultra-smooth viewing experience. With IP66/IP68/IP69 ratings for durability and realme UI 7.0 based on Android 16, the realme Narzo Power 5G brings together endurance, performance and innovation in one powerful package. The realme Narzo Power 5G will be available for purchase on realme.com and Amazon.in. Stay tuned for more details as we gear up for the official unveiling on 5th March, 2026.

Odisha’s 2026–27 state budget has placed renewed emphasis on cultural preservation, with major announcements centered on heritage conservation, museum development and digitization initiatives. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, while presenting the budget in the state Assembly, proposed the establishment of a world-class Shree Jagannath Museum and Library in Puri, reinforcing the government’s stated priority of preserving and propagating Jagannath culture.

A World-Class Museum in Puri

• The proposed museum in Puri will complement the historic Shree Jagannath Temple, one of India’s most revered 12th-century shrines. With an allocation of ₹1,000 crore for initiatives linked to Jagannath culture, the project aims to:
• Create a global-standard museum and research library
• Digitally connect devotees through the ‘Samarpan’ digital hundi platform
• Restore the spiritual and architectural heritage of the Gundicha Temple
• Undertake conservation work at Emar Mutt, Pramod Udyan and Raghunandan Library
• Prepare a detailed inventory of the Ratna Bhandar ornaments

This initiative signals a broader shift toward integrating heritage conservation with tourism development and digital accessibility.

Condition of Odisha’s Existing Museums

Odisha houses several state-managed museums that preserve its rich maritime, tribal, artistic and archaeological heritage. However, many institutions face infrastructural and modernization challenges.

1. Odisha State Museum, Bhubaneswar

The Odisha State Museum holds valuable collections of palm-leaf manuscripts, sculptures, inscriptions, coins and folk art. While it remains a key cultural institution, sections of the museum require upgraded galleries, improved lighting, climate control systems and digital cataloguing facilities. The budget allocation of ₹10 crore for maintenance of galleries is a step toward modernization.

2. Odisha State Maritime Museum, Cuttack

Located at Jobra in Cuttack, the Odisha State Maritime Museum highlights Odisha’s ancient maritime trade links across Southeast Asia. Recent maintenance activities, including work on its aquarium facility, indicate ongoing infrastructural needs. Although operational, the museum requires technological upgrades, interactive displays and enhanced visitor services to meet contemporary standards.

3. District and Thematic Museums

Several district-level and thematic museums across Odisha face common issues:

• Limited funding for upkeep
• Shortage of trained museum professionals
• Lack of digitization of collections
• Minimal public engagement and outreach programs

Central Scheme for Museum Development: Objectives and Scope

The broader national scheme for museum development aligns closely with Odisha’s current initiatives. The scheme aims to provide financial assistance for:

Objectives

• Setting up new museums at regional, state and district levels
• Strengthening and modernizing existing museums
• Digitizing art objects and creating online catalogues
• Capacity building and training of museum professionals

Scope

Financial assistance covers museums managed by Central and State Governments, societies, autonomous bodies and trusts. The scope includes:

• Museums with collections of antiquities, numismatics, paintings, ethnology, textiles and crafts
• Online Virtual Museums
• Theme-based museums
• Virtual Experiential Museums (VEM)
• Projects of National Importance

Monitoring Mechanism

Museums receiving assistance must report annual visitor footfall for five years after project completion. A Project Monitoring Committee under the Ministry periodically reviews progress to ensure effective implementation.

Steps Toward New Museums in Odisha

The proposal for a Shree Jagannath Museum reflects a strategic cultural vision. Discussions around new museums in Odisha increasingly focus on:

1. Digitization and Virtual Access
2. Creating online archives and virtual walkthroughs to attract global audiences.
3. Experiential and Theme-Based Museums
4. Developing immersive storytelling spaces around Jagannath culture, maritime history and tribal heritage.
5. Capacity Building
6. Training curators, conservators and archivists in modern museum management practices.
7. Public-Private Partnerships
8. Involving trusts, academic institutions and autonomous bodies to strengthen governance and funding.
9. Tourism Integration
10. Linking museums with pilgrimage and heritage circuits to boost visitor engagement and revenue.

The Way Forward

Odisha stands at a critical juncture in cultural infrastructure development. While existing museums preserve invaluable heritage, many require modernization to remain relevant and engaging. The proposed Jagannath Museum in Puri could serve as a benchmark for future museum projects in the state—combining tradition, technology and tourism.

If effectively implemented, the new initiatives may transform Odisha into a leading cultural hub, where heritage preservation coexists with digital innovation and global outreach.

Chandigarh, Feb 26: As consumer preferences evolve, everyday beverages are increasingly being chosen with purpose. Functional teas, in particular, are gaining relevance as part of simple daily routines that support balanced lifestyles, without requiring drastic changes. Green tea has emerged as a familiar base in this shift, valued for its natural antioxidants and light, refreshing profile. Its versatility makes it easy to consume across the day, whether during work hours or as part of an evening routine, reinforcing consistency rather than intensity. Tetley Green Tea Slim Care builds on this growing trend by combining premium green tea with added L Carnitine, designed to help reduce body fat when combined with a balanced diet and regular physical activity.

 Available in Lemon and Honey and Ginger, Mint and Lemon flavoured variants, Tetley Green Tea Slim Care supports routine building through familiar flavours and easy consumption. Positioned as an everyday addition rather than aquicksolution, itreflects how functional teas are becoming anaturalpartof modern daily choices.

New Delhi, Feb 26: Clove Dental, India’s largest dental clinic network, has launched 48 new clinics in a single day as it marks 15 years of operations, the largest single-day expansion by any dental network in the country. The milestone takes the company’s footprint to 715 clinics across 26 cities, supported by over 1,700 dentists, 1,100 dental assistants, and more than 500 professionals supporting its clinical infrastructure.

The expansion reflects the steady rise of organised dentistry in India, a sector historically dominated by fragmented single-clinic practices. Over the past 15 years, Clove Dental has treated more than 3.5 million patients across the full spectrum of dental care—from preventive cleanings and routine caries management to complex full-mouth rehabilitation involving multiple implants and fixed dentures, emerging as a leader across dental specialties, including orthodontics, Invisalign, Whistle Aligners, and braces.

From the outset, Clove Dental has focused on standardizing clinical treatment protocols as well as operational sterilization and hygiene practices to ensure consistency across clinics. These standards are reinforced through unannounced biweekly audits conducted throughout the network.

The company has institutionalized a structured peer-review mechanism that enables dentists to discuss optimal treatment protocols through a proprietary dental application, ensuring that every patient benefits not only from a single clinician’s expertise, but from the collective knowledge of over 1,700 dentists across the network.

Clove Dental has also deployed an integrated practice management system that fully digitises diagnosis, X-rays, treatment planning, and billing. AI-supported decision frameworks within its proprietary cloud platform help enhance treatment planning, improve clinical consistency, and reduce variability.

Standardised pricing and uniform treatment protocols across all clinics further ensure that patients receive the same level of care, transparency, and value—irrespective of location.

Clove Dental’s growth has been anchored in a deep and continuously evolving understanding of the Indian dental patient. Ongoing patient insights have consistently highlighted the importance of ethical, high-quality treatment plans, stringent clinical hygiene standards, and transparent pricing.

Over time, this patient-centric approach has done more than build trust, it has helped reshape expectations and set new benchmarks for organised dentistry. Clove Dental translated these insights into a standardised clinic model supported by disciplined recruitment and operating processes, enabling rapid expansion while maintaining consistent quality. By combining deep patient understanding with strong governance and scalable technology, Clove Dental has not only expanded its footprint but also contributed to raising the standard of organised dental care across India.

Mr. Louis Shakinovsky, Group Chairman, Global Dental Services, said,

“We founded Clove Dental with the clear vision of transforming the dental landscape in India by setting consistently high clinical standards. Our goal has always been to make the Clove standard synonymous with the gold standard in dentistry. The continued trust and validation from patients has enabled this growth, and launching 48 clinics in a single day—taking us to 715 clinics—reflects the strength of the foundation our teams have built together.”

Mr. Amarinder Singh, Founder & CEO, Clove Dental, said,

“To organise an unorganised sector, scale must be built on systems. For the past 15 years, we have focused on creating repeatable processes supported by strong checks and balances—clinical audits, case reviews, technology oversight, structured recruitment, and governance controls. That foundation allows us to expand with both speed and discipline. Even at 715 clinics, we believe we are still at the beginning of a much larger journey.”

Lt Gen (Retd.) Dr. Vimal Arora, Chief Clinical Officer, Clove Dental, said, 

“Delivering clinical excellence across a distributed healthcare network requires rigorous control over standards. Every Clove Dental clinic is company-owned and company-managed, enabling consistency in care delivery. We employ specialists across all dental disciplines, and over 75% of our dentists hold MDS degrees. In addition, every doctor undergoes internal validation and accreditation upon joining Clove Dental to ensure the highest level of clinical excellence. This disciplined approach has enabled us to maintain quality while growing at scale.”

Clove Dental continues to invest in advanced diagnostic technologies, AI-enabled sterilisation tracking systems, digital treatment planning tools, and centralised clinical oversight to maintain uniform standards nationwide. The addition of these clinics enhances accessibility to high-quality oral healthcare across North, West, and South India, supporting the company’s long-term vision of building scalable, technology-driven dental infrastructure.