Category business

Ujire, Apr 07:  A two-day mega job fair, ‘SDM Udyogam 2026’, organised under the aegis of Shri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara Educational Institutions (R), was inaugurated at SDM Autonomous College, Ujire.

The state-level job fair was formally launched by Dr Satishchandra S, Secretary of SDM Educational Institutions. Addressing the gathering, he highlighted that one of the biggest challenges in the education sector today is the availability of employment opportunities.

“Many job aspirants are capable, yet remain deprived of suitable opportunities. One of the key reasons is the gap between employers and job seekers. As a solution, this two-day mega job fair has been organised by bringing over 100 companies to a rural setting like Ujire,” he said.

He further noted that the fair is not limited to students of SDM institutions but is open to all job aspirants from the region, offering them a platform to attend interviews and explore career opportunities.

Referring to the vision of Dr D Veerendra Heggade, President of the institutions, he said the initiative aims to ensure that students from rural areas are not deprived of opportunities and resources. “This will provide exposure and new avenues for a large number of rural youth,” he added.

Chief guest of the event Avinash Rao, Founder and CEO of Agrileaf, remarked that industries today are evolving rapidly due to technological advancements. “Changes that once took a generation now occur within a short span. Students must adapt to these shifts. With the growing influence of artificial intelligence, it is essential for youth to become skilled and strive for sustainable success,” he said.

He also emphasised that job aspirants must stay informed about developments in their respective fields. “Educational institutions, like parents, carry the responsibility of enabling students to secure employment and build their lives. SDM institutions are fulfilling this responsibility by organising such a significant job fair,” he added.

During the programme, Avinash Rao was felicitated by the SDM Educational Institutions.

Among those present on the dais were Prof Vishwanath P, Principal of SDM Autonomous College; Dr Ashok Kumar T, Principal of SDM IT College; Santosh, Principal of SDM Polytechnic College; and organising committee secretaries Dr Nagaraj Poojary, Dr Subrahmanya and Amaresh Hebbar.

Various SDM institutions heads, administrative staff, faculty members, and a large number of job aspirants were present during the inauguration. Vaidehi and her team rendered the invocation. The programme was compered by Dr Mahesh Kumar Shetty, Assistant Professor at SDM Autonomous College, who also delivered the vote of thanks.

“This is the first-ever, ambitious and prestigious initiative organised under the guidance of our President Dr D Veerendra Heggade. It will greatly benefit thousands of rural students by opening up new opportunities. I extend my best wishes to all job aspirants and express gratitude to the reputed companies participating in this fair,” said Dr Satishchandra S, Secretary. SDME Society.

Shillong, April 6, 2026: Seeti 2.0, a never-before-seen five-day culinary immersion initiative, brought together around 50 chefs, creators, and storytellers for an experience designed to go beyond conventional food tourism in Meghalaya. Unlike typical food festivals, Seeti 2.0 focused on deep cultural engagement, with participants experiencing Meghalaya through its communities, landscapes and traditions.

Seeti Movement is a platform for people in the food industry to come together at different locations and experience not only the space, but also celebrate the generosity of feeders. The guests give back to each other or to the environment. Rooted in a pillar of generosity, it seeks to reawaken the spirit of Atithi Devo Bhava, fostering a culture of respect, openness, and shared value. Rather than fleeting engagement, it builds lasting ideas, collaborations, and intellectual capital beyond the event itself.

“This year, Seeti 2.0 Meghalaya Experience decided to do things differently. Keeping our mission in mind, we explored how we could work in the North East and introduce it to our storytellers, so they can carry the food, craft, and culture of Meghalaya forward. We wanted to understand what we could give to Meghalaya, and what we could introduce to the rest of the world as well. This year, Seeti 2.0 Tables in the Clouds not only focused on the food of India and the food industry, but also directly invited local chefs to curate experiences, and to share and participate in our panel discussions,” said Priyadarshini Raje Scindia, Co-Founder of the Seeti Movement.

The Seeti 2.0 Meghalaya experience was preceded by nearly a year of on-ground research and curation, with the team mapping Meghalaya’s landscapes, communities and food systems to identify locations and narratives that best represent the state’s diversity. This translated into carefully designed experiences set in unique and context-rich environments, from curated meals following the visit to the sacred forest, to immersive sessions at tea estates overlooking Umiam Lake, allowing participants to engage with the cultural and ecological significance of each setting rather than viewing them as standalone destinations. The programme was also structured around the cultural identities of Meghalaya’s Khasi, Jaintia and Garo communities.

“Designed as a cultural platform rather than a conventional food event, Seeti focused on creating deeper connections between our Storytellers and local contexts. In many food-led events, the deeper conversation gets lost if it is only about food. We wanted each experience to reflect something iconically rooted in the place. A key aspect of the initiative was its emphasis on participation over observation, allowing visitors to experience food within its cultural and social context. People begin to feel a sense of ownership when they experience something meaningful, whether it is an experience at the sacred forest, a tea estate or a community meal,” said Sid Mewara, Co-Founder of the Seeti Movement.

Mewara also noted, “Many visitors arrived with a limited understanding of regional cuisines. There is a perception that it is only very spicy or non-vegetarian food, but once people experience it, they realize the depth and diversity, from vegetarian dishes to subtle flavours that can be cherished among the locals at breathtaking venues”.

The Seeti 2.0 Meghalaya programme also highlighted how local food systems are inherently sustainable. Organizers pointed to practices such as local sourcing, low carbon consumption, use of whole ingredients and community-based food systems as examples of long-standing ecological balance.

“The initiative also reinforced the importance of responsible and respectful tourism, encouraging visitors to engage with heritage spaces such as sacred forests and community-owned ecosystems. The initiative also highlighted how food can serve as an entry point into larger conversations around identity, sustainability and responsible tourism. The idea was to balance heritage and modernity, with visits to contemporary dining spaces alongside traditional settings, offering a holistic perspective on the evolving Northeastern urban culture,” said Priyadarshini.

While the on-ground programme involved around 50 participants, organizers said its impact is designed to scale through Live and post-event storytelling through its carefully selected guests, which included world-renowned chefs, hoteliers, investors, traditional media, new age content creators, and marketing professionals. Seeti 2.0 aimed to enable its guests to become its storytellers, to accelerate inbound tourism for the State.

Seeti 2.0 Meghalaya Experience was also designed to merge with Meghalaya Government’s existing food festival, Culinary Cascades, where Seeti 2.0 storytellers were again able to directly meet farm-to-table vendors and chefs, as well as hold a panel on the future of Meghalaya’s food, craft, and journey.

The founders of Seeti 2.0 also highlighted the role of Meghalaya Government’s Support in enabling the initiative, noting that proactive coordination by state agencies helped facilitate access and logistics across locations. When a state comes forward and supports an initiative like this, it allows us to build something much larger than an event. It creates an ecosystem that organically surpasses the event.

Following the success of Seeti 2.0 Meghalaya edition, the experience has emerged as a scalable model for cultural tourism in India, with organizers positioning the platform as a format that can be adapted across states by combining food, community engagement and storytelling at offbeat locations. The event also includes a long-form film documenting the experience, with participants serving as storytellers, carrying narratives to wider audiences.

London, UK – From Easter eggs in the UK and Germany to refined gifting boxes in France and Switzerland, Europe continues to dominate the seasonal chocolate industry, accounting for half of the world’s top 10 seasonal chocolate markets by value, according to market intelligence company Euromonitor International.

Among those top markets, the fastest value growth in 2025 is being recorded in Switzerland (23%), Germany (18%) and France (18%). However, this surge is largely price-driven rather than demand-led, reflecting the impact of tariffs and the passthrough of high cocoa commodity costs. Outside of Europe, the US, Japan, Canada, Brazil and Australia appear on the ranking.

Meanwhile, the global seasonal chocolate market reached USD 16 billion globally in 2025, underlining the category’s enduring importance even as consumers become more price conscious.  According to Euromonitor International’s Voice of the Consumer: Lifestyle Survey, fielded January to February 2026, 29% of global consumers tend to eat snacks during the holidays, a figure that remains unchanged from 2025.

Carl Quash III, global insights manager for snacks at Euromonitor International, said: “Despite chocolates made with costly cocoa still in market and evolving geopolitical risks, like global conflicts and SNAP food restrictions, demand for seasonal chocolate is holding up better than others because of the strong emotional and tradition-driven value assigned to it.”

Retail takes the lead as supermarkets shape Easter chocolate innovation

Supermarket retailers have emerged as some of the most dynamic innovators in the seasonal chocolate space, with retailers such as Aldi, M&S, Waitrose and Costco driving growth through curated collections, limited-edition ranges and experience-led products that tap into consumer demand for novelty and shareability.

According to Quash: “Supermarkets are uniquely positioned in that they hold large consumer reach with real-time visibility into purchasing behaviour, emerging preferences and now more tapped into social media trends – even displaying visually striking ‘Dubai-style’ chocolates and other pistachio-infused creations for example. Unlike traditional retailers, supermarkets provide scale for testing limited editions, rotating seasonal offerings and fulfilling consumer affordability demands through private labels. Retailers are also evolving to quickly reposition brand identity and create in-store experiences that feel fresh, relevant and exclusive.”

Climate change and geopolitical tensions impact the market in the coming years

While seasonal chocolate continues to show strong global growth, the underlying story is less about rising consumption and more about rising costs. Value gains across key markets are being driven primarily by higher prices linked to the ongoing cocoa supply crisis, itself exacerbated by climate change and sharp harvest decline in major producing countries. At the same time, geopolitical tensions, including trade disruptions and tariffs on key inputs such as cocoa butter, sugar and dairy are adding further pressure to already strained supply chains.

Quash added: “Behind the headline growth in Easter chocolate lies a more complex reality. Climate-related disruptions to cocoa production, combined with geopolitical pressures on trade and inputs have pushed prices higher globally, meaning consumers are often paying more for less, even as the emotional importance of seasonal chocolate remains unchanged.”

Read more insights on Chocolate Confectionery at Euromonitor’s Insights Hub to explore how global trends, pricing pressures and innovation are shaping the future of seasonal chocolate.

Five new projects span more than 84,000 sqm and create 500 jobs, extending KEZAD’s strong 2025 growth momentum

Abu Dhabi, UAE – 06 April 2026: Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi – KEZAD Group, one of the largest operators of integrated and purpose-built economic zones in the region, today announced that it has attracted five new industrial and logistics projects across KEZAD Al Ain and KEZAD Al Ma’mourah – Abu Dhabi, with investors committing a combined investment of AED 147 million, a total footprint of over 84,000 square metres, and the creation of 500 jobs.

The projects include Haber/Elixir, which will establish an oilfield chemicals blending facility; Grand Line Industries, which will set up a car cleaning products manufacturing facility; Precent Enterprises Metals Coating, which will develop a metal forming and coating facility; Unibal Group Investment, which will develop its second industrial and logistics warehousing project in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and its first project in KEZAD Al Ain (Unibal Park II). Meanwhile, Al Lul Transport & General Contracting, will develop a major industrial and logistics warehousing project in KEZAD Al Ma’mourah.

The projects add to the momentum KEZAD built in 2025, when it reached 73.6 sq km of leased land, recording 3.3 sq km of net new land leases, with 67 per cent of total land leases linked to industrial and manufacturing activity. The AD Ports Group’s Economic Cities & Free Zones cluster, which KEZAD Group is a part of, also reported AED 2.87 billion in revenue in 2025, up 45 per cent year on year. 

Abdullah Al Hameli, Chief Executive Officer, Economic Cities & Free Zones, AD Ports Group, said: “These new projects reflect steady demand for industrial and logistics assets that support real economic activity in Abu Dhabi. The combined scale of investment, the diversity of sectors involved, and the 500 jobs these projects are expected to create are the highlights of these projects. This is the kind of growth that strengthens Abu Dhabi’s industrial base in practical terms, adding production capability, warehousing capacity, and long-term value across the wider trade ecosystem.”

Four of the projects are in KEZAD Al Ain, where they represent a little more than a combined 37,400 square metres, AED 47 million in investment, and 200 jobs. The fifth project, located in KEZAD Al Ma’mourah in Abu Dhabi, represents more than 46,500 square metres, AED 100 million in investment, and 300 jobs, making it the largest of the five by both value and employment.

The latest agreements show that businesses continue to choose KEZAD for infrastructure that is ready, connected, and built for growth. From specialist chemicals and metal processing to warehousing and logistics development, these projects add depth to KEZAD’s industrial offering and support its role in enabling investors to scale with confidence in the emirate of Abu Dhabi.

The new agreements come at a time when KEZAD continues to expand its industrial and warehousing base. In 2025, the Economic Cities & Free Zones cluster delivered 146,000 square metres of new warehouse capacity, while maintaining 91 per cent warehouse occupancy despite this additional supply. KEZAD also continued to advance specialised hubs including Metal Park, Rahayel Auto and Mobility City, Agtech Park, and Abu Dhabi Food Hub, widening its offer across core industrial sectors.

As Abu Dhabi continues to strengthen its industrial and logistics base, KEZAD Group remains focused on enabling investors with integrated solutions that bring together industrial land, warehousing, utilities, and connectivity within one operating environment.

Apr 06:  Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels Limited (ASPHL) continues to accelerate its growth trajectory with the launch of three new hotels on March 31, 2026 – marking a significant expansion of its presence across key leisure destinations in India. The Group announces the launch of Zone by The Park Darjeeling, Zone Connect by The Park Gangtok, and Zone Connect by The Park Katra.

By entering these iconic geographies simultaneously, the Group reinforces its position as a dominant force in India’s design-led and mid-scale hospitality sectors.

• Zone by The Park Darjeeling marks the entry into one of India’s most iconic hill destinations, bringing its signature design-forward sensibility, vibrant social spaces, and tech-savvy design to the “Queen of the Hills.”
• Zone Connect by The Park Gangtok caters to the growing demand for well-planned stays in a key hill destination, serving both leisure and adventure travellers.
• Zone Connect by The Park Katra marks the brand’s presence one of India’s most prominent spiritual destinations, offering a comfortable and efficient stay for visiting pilgrims and travellers.

Commenting on the milestone, Mr Vikas Ahluwalia, Associate Vice President and National Head – Zone by The Park Hotels, stated, “The simultaneous launch of these three hotels underscores our commitment to rapid growth and the strategic diversification of our portfolio. By establishing a presence in these vital getaways – from the spiritual heart of Katra to the serene heights of Darjeeling and Gangtok – we are meeting the evolving needs of the modern traveller. We look forward to a transformative 2026 as we continue our journey into new and exciting destinations.”

Delhi NCR, Apr 06: The first day of the 10th edition of 4M BNI 2026: ACCELERATE concluded today at The Orana, Gurugram, marking a historic milestone in North India’s entrepreneurial journey. Spanning two high-octane days on the 3rd & 4th April, the conclave brought together 3,500+ business visitors alongside 120+ exhibitors, celebrating 15 years of accelerating growth and fostering a culture of “Givers Gain”.

The venue transformed into a dynamic business ecosystem with MSME founders, startups, business leaders, and key stakeholders coming together. Over 120+ stalls showcased products and services across diverse sectors, including retail, F&B, gold and silver jewellery, fashion, design, interiors, personal finance, banking, corporate gifting, healthcare, IT, and technology. Notable exhibitors included Consortium Gifts, India’s leading corporate gifting company, and Gaurav Bhagat Academy (GBA), further elevating the scale and diversity of the conclave.

The event kicked off with a spiritual Ganesh Vandana followed by a symbolic flag march and Lamp Lighting, officially declaring the exhibition open. From the high-stakes Pitch Arena 2.0, where members presented to “Member Sharks” and VCs, to specialised 1-on-1 Conclaves for industries ranging from Wellness to Construction, 4M 2026 proved to be the ultimate catalyst for business networking and collaboration.

Talking about the 10th Edition of this event, Arti Kochhar, Executive Director, BNI Gurgaon & Faridabad said, “Watching the energy at the 10th edition of 4M is a testament to the resilience and ambition of our community. This isn’t just a business meet; it’s a movement.” We are here to ensure that every member has the tools and the network to scale beyond their imagination.”

“Our mission has always been to build a legacy of growth. The synergy witnessed at the opening of day 1 between industry stalwarts and emerging entrepreneurs is exactly what drives the North Indian economy forward.” added Pranav Kochhar, BNI.

The event was bolstered by the support of Gold Partner, Gaurav Bhagat Academy (GBA). Gaurav Bhagat, Founder of Gaurav Bhagat Academy, shared his vision for the future of Indian 

enterprise, he says, “As the Gold Sponsor for 4M BNI 2026, the Gaurav Bhagat Academy is proud to be the torchbearer of 10X growth. Our commitment is to skill the new-age generation and build brands that last. We are on a relentless mission to help 100,000 companies and 900,000 individuals grow, ensuring they don’t just survive but dominate their markets through world-class training and mindset shifts.”

The conclave featured an elite lineup of speakers and visionaries, including:

●       Hemu Suvarna: National Director of BNI India, sharing his bold vision of creating 100,000 millionaires and 10 lakh job opportunities by 2026.

●       Atul Joglekar: ED of BNI Pune East & North and a master trainer, who shared insights from his 18-year BNI journey and his transition from the automotive sector to becoming a co-authored authority on networking.

●       Tarun Lamba: Executive Vice Chairman of Imperial Auto Industries, bringing the perspective of a global manufacturing giant with 20 locations worldwide.

●       Sandeep Bardia: Managing Director of Bardia Family Office, providing deep-dive expertise into private equity and global investments.

●       Aajay Bundela: CEO of 3H World and ED of BNI Vasai Virar, bridging the gap between management consulting and the world’s first franchising show.

The event wasn’t all business; it celebrated the human side of networking. BNI’s Got Talent showcased 10 chapter performances and 12 individual singers, while a series of fashion shows featuring designers like Kanav Gaba and Sneha Rataria added a layer of sophistication to the final evening. The extravaganza concluded with a grand Gala Dinner and the prestigious Chapter of the Year Award, leaving attendees inspired to truly “Accelerate” their business goals for the year ahead.