Category business

Hyderabad, Mar 18: Apis India Limited’s MISK has launched its newest innovation – Masala Dates in Hyderabad. It’s a savoury spin on a traditional superfood-on-the-go that brings three punchy Indian masala profiles – Achari, Imli (tamarind) and Chilli-Lime to deseeded, sliced dates. 

Traditionally consumed in their whole form, dates often require preparation such as deseeding or cutting before consumption. Recognising this friction and the growing consumer interest in flavour experimentation, Apis India has introduced Masala Dates as a value-added, sweet-savoury innovation in the category. The range is designed for immediate consumption and flavour exploration, offering an alternative to sugary and fried snacks. 

Unlike conventional date products that largely remain in their natural sweet format, Masala Dates is an innovation that introduces a differentiated flavour dimension. It combines the natural sweetness of dates with bold Indian spice blends to create a snack that stands apart from typical offerings in the segment.

Masala Dates pairs the natural energy and nutritional profile of dates with bold spice blends created for snacking, topping and quick recipe uses. The product is seedless, pre-sliced and ready to eat, making it easy to add to breakfast bowls, chaat, salads, or to enjoy straight from the pack as an on-the-go savoury bite.

The launch expands the company’s clean-nutrition and value-added portfolio and is aimed at  consumers who are curious about flavour, time-pressed, or looking for healthier substitutes to conventional snacks. The de-seeded format is intended to reduce handling time and broaden usage occasions across households and on the move.

Commenting on the launch, Mr Amit Anand, Managing Director, Apis India, said:

“We are excited to present this latest innovation to consumers. We developed Masala Dates to address everyday convenience and healthy choices without moving away from familiar Indian flavour profiles. The range is intended for consumers who want ready-to-use options that fit into modern routines while offering distinct taste choices.”

Masala Dates will be rolled out PAN India through retail shops, leading modern trade stores and major e-commerce platforms in coming weeks.

Mumbai, Mar 18: Rubix Data Sciences has released its latest report, “State of the States; Assessing State-level Performance: Driving India’s Economic Transition,” revealing that 10 states account for nearly 70% of India’s total economic output, underscoring the concentration of growth across key regions.

The decadal analysis, covering FY15 to FY25, evaluates state performance across multiple indicators including GDP contribution, per capita income, capital expenditure, exports, credit flows, social sector spending, and tourism.

South Emerges as Leading Growth Engine

According to the report, India’s southern region leads national GDP contribution with a 31% share in FY25, marginally ahead of the northern region at 30%. Key southern states—Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh—collectively increased their share of national GDP from 25% in FY15 to 27% in FY25.

These states also recorded strong growth:

• Karnataka: 7.8% average real growth

• Telangana: 7.1%

• Andhra Pradesh: 6.9%

• Tamil Nadu: 6.8%

Maharashtra Remains Top Contributor; Gujarat Leads Growth

While Maharashtra continues as India’s largest contributor to GDP, its share moderated from 15% in FY15 to 13% in FY25. Meanwhile, Gujarat emerged as one of the fastest-growing major economies, posting a 7.9% average growth rate.

Investment and Credit Remain Concentrated

The report highlights that capital expenditure remains concentrated:

• Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Gujarat together account for nearly 30% of India’s capex

• The top 10 states contribute ~67% of total capex

Industrial credit is similarly concentrated, with the West and North accounting for 34% each, capturing two-thirds of total industrial credit.

Exports Driven by West and South

India’s goods exports remain dominated by a few states:

• Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu together contribute ~61% of total exports

• The West holds ~48% share, while the South has increased from ~26% to ~33%, reflecting growing manufacturing strength

Per Capita Prosperity Led by Southern States

Southern states also lead in per capita income:

• Telangana: ₹3.88 lakh

• Karnataka: ₹3.81 lakh

• Tamil Nadu: ₹3.62 lakh

These figures surpass larger states like Maharashtra and Haryana, indicating that growth in the South is translating into higher individual prosperity.

Shifting Investment Trends

India’s investment landscape is gradually evolving:

• Fixed capital remains concentrated in the West (33%)

• However, new investments are diversifying toward Tamil Nadu, Odisha, and Uttar Pradesh

Karnataka and Telangana have demonstrated high capital efficiency, with capital-to-invested ratios exceeding 100%.

Northeast Leads in Social Sector Spending

The Northeast region recorded the highest social sector spending as a share of GDP, rising to ~16.4% in FY25. States like Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh led with significant allocations toward education, healthcare, and welfare.

Tourism Growth Highlights Regional Trends

India recorded:

• 20.9 million foreign tourist arrivals

• 2.9 billion domestic visits in 2024

The North led tourism, with Uttar Pradesh emerging as the top domestic destination (22% share), driven by events like the Ram Temple inauguration and the Maha Kumbh Mela.

BIMARU States Show Strong Transformation

Traditionally lagging states—Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh—have demonstrated notable progress:

• GSDP nearly tripled in Bihar and Madhya Pradesh

• Per capita income rose ~2.5 times across all four states

These states are increasingly becoming significant contributors to India’s economic landscape.

Leadership Perspective

Commenting on the findings, Mohan Ramaswamy said:
“India’s growth story is fundamentally a state-level story. While growth is broadening beyond traditional anchors, concentration risks remain. The ability of emerging states to convert investment momentum into sustainable industrial capacity will define the next phase of India’s growth.”

Conclusion: Need for Balanced Growth

The report emphasizes that while leading states such as Maharashtra, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Telangana continue to anchor India’s economy, long-term resilience will depend on broader regional participation.

A more balanced distribution of investment, credit, and industrial growth will be crucial in shaping India’s next phase of economic development.

For many new investors, diversification can sound like a concept reserved for large accounts. In reality, it’s simply a way to avoid tying the performance to a single stock, sector, or theme. The main idea is that different assets don’t always move in lockstep, so spreading exposure can help reduce the impact of a single company- or sector-specific shock on overall performance.

Having a limited capital changeshow investors diversify, not whether they can. One reason that diversification is more accessible than it used to be comes down to product design. Instead of trying to buy a long list of individual shares, investors can start with broader building blocks. That’s where pooled investments like ETFs come in. They are a way to spread risk because they bundle multiple underlying holdings into one product.

ETFs regularly feature in introductory conversations about investing. They’re designed to provide diversified exposure through a single instrument, and they trade throughout the day like stocks. For someone learning to invest, this removes the pressure of picking the right individual stocks while learning the basics. However, diversification can also be achieved through individual stocks.

It helps to be clear about what diversification can look like in everyday terms. It usually means mixing assets that are affected by different drivers and balancing higher-risk growth with more defensive holdings. It’s not about predicting what will win, but about avoiding overdependence on any single part of the investment portfolio.

While some assets are affected by global geopolitical developments, others react to local changes, shifts in monetary or economic policies. Investing in different assets from different industries and region of the world helps spread out risk and reduce exposure to sudden shocks and price corrections. This in turn add a layer of protection to a portfolio if it is well diversified.

Finally, position sizing can also play a role in the effectiveness of diversification. Small accounts can become concentrated by accident when one theme becomes a larger position holding, driving most of the day-to-day gains or losses, either because it moved sharply or because the rest of the portfolio is too small to balance it out. When a single big position dominates the outcome, diversification stops doing its job.

While none of this guarantees smoother performance as diversified portfolios can still move with broader risk sentiment, a proper diversification strategy can alleviate adverse market moves. In this regard, starting with a simple framework that reduces single-point risk, makes the portfolio’s overall performance less volatile and risks more manageable, in particular for newcomers with limited knowledge of the financial markets and more advanced instruments.

New Delhi, Mar 18th: Nklusive, India’s foremost real estate consultancy specializing in premium, luxury and uber luxury residential real estate categories, has released its most recent Hyderabad Premium Market Report for Calendar Year 2025, highlighting strong supply expansion and steady price appreciation in the ₹2-₹5 crore premium residential segment. The market continues to benefit from robust developer confidence, rising employment hubs, and growing demand for larger, lifestyle-oriented homes.

The report highlights, Hyderabad added 29,187 new premium residential units in CY25, compared to 19,145 units in CY24, marking a 52% increase in fresh supply. North West Hyderabad dominated the market with 77.5% share, followed by South West with 20.9%, while North East and South East contributed 0.9% and 0.7% respectively. The weighted average saleable price rose 7% YoY from ₹7,320 per sq ft in CY24 to ₹7,850 per sq ft in CY25. 

Strong market traction for projects such as Prestige Spring Heights, Godrej Regal Pavilion, My Home Akrida, Cybercity Stone Ridge North and Ramky The Eminent, supported by strategic locations, trusted developer brands, phased launches and competitive pricing attracting both end-users and investors.

Key drivers of the market include:

• Strong demand for 3 BHK and 4 BHK apartments in the premium segment

• Growing preference for integrated lifestyle communities with modern amenities and green spaces

• Proximity to major employment corridors such as HITEC City, Gachibowli and the Financial District

Commenting on the findings, Pawan Kumar Agarwal, Managing Director of Nklusive, said, “Hyderabad’s premium residential market continues to demonstrate strong fundamentals. While the supply surge in CY25 has slightly moderated absorption, the underlying demand for premium homes remains robust. Infrastructure development and expanding employment hubs continue to reinforce buyer confidence, making Hyderabad a key destination for long-term residential investment.” 

Looking ahead, Hyderabad’s residential market is expected to maintain growth supported by infrastructure expansion, metro connectivity, and emerging corridors along the Outer Ring Road. Established micro-markets such as Gachibowli, Kondapur and Kokapet remain prime residential hubs, while upcoming locations are attracting increasing interest from buyers and investors. Nklusive remains committed to providing clients with in-depth market research and tailored advisory solutions.

India’s renewable energy sector is witnessing unprecedented growth, signaling a transformative shift in the country’s power landscape. As demand for electricity rises, data centres expand, and decarbonisation commitments strengthen, renewable energy is emerging as the cornerstone of India’s sustainable future.

Pic Credit: Pexel

At the forefront of this transition is solar energy, which forms the backbone of India’s 272 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity. This financial year alone, approximately 35 GW of renewable capacity has been added, marking a record pace of expansion. These gains reflect strategic planning in solar deployment, manufacturing priorities, and grid integration.

Solar Power: Driving India’s Energy Transformation

Solar energy has moved from the periphery to the center of India’s energy agenda. “The scale at which solar is growing reflects a structural shift in how we think about power generation,” says an industry expert. The surge includes utility-scale solar farms, rooftop installations, and hybrid energy projects, all contributing to a cleaner grid and reduced reliance on fossil fuels.

Strengthening the Grid

Integrating this rapid capacity growth presents challenges. The intermittent nature of solar requires advanced grid management, energy storage solutions, and smart transmission systems to ensure stable supply. Operators are increasingly deploying forecasting tools and storage technologies to maintain reliability as more renewable power comes online.

Data Centres and Renewable Demand

The expansion of India’s data centre industry is another major driver. As cloud computing, AI, and digital services proliferate, these centres are becoming significant energy consumers. Many are now sourcing electricity directly from renewable projects or through green energy certificates, aligning business growth with sustainability commitments.

The Road to 500 GW

India has set an ambitious target of 500 GW of non-fossil fuel energy by 2030, and the current trajectory shows strong momentum. Solar energy is expected to remain the dominant contributor, complemented by wind, bio-energy, and emerging technologies like green hydrogen. Achieving these targets will not only advance India’s climate commitments but also stimulate employment, industrial development, and energy security.

Economic Opportunities in Renewables

Beyond environmental benefits, the renewable sector is a growing economic engine. Investments in panel manufacturing, storage solutions, and project development are creating high-skill jobs and boosting regional economies. Analysts note, “Renewable energy is becoming as much an economic opportunity as an environmental necessity.”

Looking Ahead

India’s green energy journey is a story of ambition, innovation, and resilience. With solar leading the way, the country is charting a path toward a sustainable, inclusive, and economically vibrant energy future. By 2030, India aims to not only meet its renewable targets but also emerge as a global leader in clean energy deployment.

Mar 18: Ramee Group of Hotels, a globally recognized hospitality brand known for its vibrant lifestyle experiences and guest-centric service, has announced the signing of new hotel with Pure Hotels Pvt Ltd in Mohali, marking strategic expansion of the brand’s footprint in North India following the introduction of its boutique concept in Amritsar. The upcoming boutique property reinforces the group’s focus on strengthening its presence across emerging destinations in the country. 

 The new property aligns with Ramee Group’s strategy of developing distinctive hospitality offerings in densely populated urban centres with strong demand from leisure and business travellers. 

Speaking on the new signing, Saurabh Gahoi, Senior Vice President – India, Ramee Group of Hotels, said,

“North India continues to be an important market for our growth strategy, and Mohali’s rapidly evolving business and lifestyle landscape makes it an ideal location for our boutique hospitality concept. Through this property, we aim to offer a well-balanced hospitality experience that combines comfortable stays, engaging dining spaces, and versatile venues for celebrations and events.”

Jaspal Singh, Director, Pure Hotels Pvt Ltd, said,

 “We are delighted to partner with Ramee Group of Hotels, one of the most respected hospitality brands in the lifestyle hospitality space. This collaboration marks an exciting step for us as we work together to bring quality hospitality experiences to emerging markets like Mohali. With a strong vision for growth, we aim to expand our portfolio and develop around 10 hotels over the next 24 months, strengthening our presence across high-potential destinations.”

The Hotel will feature well-appointed guest rooms that combine comfort, functionality, and contemporary design. The property will also offer multiple food and beverage experiences with global and contemporary flavours, along with elegant banquet and event spaces for weddings, corporate conferences, and social gatherings, supported by curated menus, dedicated event planning, and modern leisure facilities to enhance the overall guest experience.

Mohali, part of the rapidly developing Tricity region of Mohali–Chandigarh–Panchkula, has witnessed significant infrastructure development and increasing business activity in recent years. The city has become an important hub for corporate travel, sporting events, weddings, and lifestyle experiences. With its proximity to the international airport, IT parks, and educational institutions, Mohali attracts a diverse mix of business and leisure travellers, making it a strong growth destination for hospitality players.

2026 stands as a defining year in Ramee Group of Hotels’ growth trajectory—accelerating strategic footprint across India’s most dynamic markets and unveiling varied signature hospitality experiences to set new industry benchmarks.