New Delhi, Apr 1: MAPIC India Shopping Centre Summit and Awards is set to take place on April 8, 2026, at the JW Marriott Hotel, Aerocity, New Delhi, bringing together influential leaders from retail, real estate, and investment sectors to discuss “The India Advantage: Reforms, Retail & Rising Consumption.” The event will explore how India’s progressive reforms, expanding organised retail, and rising consumer demand are making the country one of the world’s most compelling markets for retail and shopping centre development.

India’s retail sector is experiencing strong growth, highlighted by an 11% rise in sales during the 2025 festive season, supported by GST efficiencies. Organised retail is projected to reach USD 230 billion by 2030, with over USD 3.5 billion expected to flow into retail real estate over the next three years. The rapid expansion across Tier II and III cities, coupled with omnichannel retail formats and demand for experiential malls, is fueling India’s retail evolution.

The conference agenda will include keynote addresses, report launches, and panel discussions on topics such as large-scale mall development in emerging cities, the disruption of quick commerce, the convergence of retail and hospitality, and financial strategies in the retail sector. The event will also highlight the role of design in shaping India’s retail future and feature a live competition showcasing the best footfall growth initiatives from leading mall developers.

Key sessions include:

• MAPIC Premier: Exploring the 5 million sq. ft moment with India’s top mall developers building large-scale retail destinations beyond metros.

• Fireside Chat: Examining q-commerce disruption and its impact on consumer behaviour and retail strategies.

• Panel Discussions: Covering retail-hospitality convergence, CFO perspectives on GST and cost management, and insights from fashion designers influencing retail trends.

• Live Competition: Showcasing the Most Admired Shopping Centre of the Year for Best Footfall Growth Initiative.

The day concludes with the MAPIC India Shopping Centre Awards 2026, celebrating the top-performing malls and their achievements in footfall growth, customer engagement, and retail innovation.

The speaker line-up features prominent industry leaders, including:

• Abhishek Bansal, Executive Director, Pacific Malls

• Jayen Naik, President of Operations, Nexus Malls

• Rashmi Sen, CEO – Malls, The Phoenix Mills

• Shibu Philips, Director – Shopping Malls, Lulu Group India

• Harsh Bansal, Co-Founder, Unity Group

• Rajesh Jain, Managing Director and CEO, Lacoste India

• Kavindra Mishra, Managing Director and CEO, Shoppers Stop

• Pushpa Bector, Senior Executive Director and Business Head – Retail, DLF

• Bhuvanesh Mendiratta, Managing Director, Miraj Cinemas

• Vevek K Agrawal, Director and Owner, Haldiram Group

• Binit Agarwalla, Chief Financial Officer, Forever New Apparels

• Saurav Shah, Chief Financial Officer, Libas

• Vishal Goyal, Chief Financial Officer, Ducati India

• Shivendra Nigam, Chief Financial Officer, Cantabil

• Sakshi Goel, Associate Executive Director, CBRE

• Rishi Sakhuja, Founder, Vasa Indica

• Prasoon Mukharji, Senior Vice President, ABFRL and COO, Tarun Tahiliani

• Sanjeev Mehra, Managing Director and CEO, Quest Properties

• Jahnavi Batra, Chief Marketing Officer, Sheetal Batra

• Rajat Wahi – Senior Advisor, CPG & Retail

• Mukesh Kumar – CEO, Malls, K Raheja Realty

• Aman Trehan – Executive Director, Trehan IRIS

• Ajay Bindroo – Managing Partner, Beverly Hills Polo Club Lifestyle Pvt. Ltd, India

• Sandeep Chugh – MD, OVS S.p.a

• Abhay Batra – Co-Founder & CFO, Clovia

• Supria Radaraman – Co-Founder & Group COO, The House Of Angadi

• Jaideep Singh – COO & Brand Head, AMPM

• Aparna Sud – Head Leasing – Luxury Malls, DLF Ltd.

• Nehmat Mongia – Founder, Nehmat Mongia Design LLP

• Milin Rohinesh – Head of Retail India, Cushman & Wakefield

• Pramod Arora – CEO, PVR Inox

• Divesh Sawhney –   Chief Growth Officer, Zepto

Umang Gupta, Country Head, RX India, said “India’s retail sector is entering a high-growth phase driven by reforms, expanding organised retail, and a strong consumption base of a young demography. MAPIC India Shopping Centre Summit and Awards will unite the leaders, decision and policy makers shaping this transformation. MISC has been the industry platform that has over the decade forged meaningful partnerships, investment decisions and Growth stories for retail players across domestic & international markets.”

MAPIC India continues to be a pivotal platform for collaboration between developers, retailers, investors, and policymakers, catalysing the next phase of India’s retail-led growth story.

Presented by actor, entrepreneur and wellness advocate, Shilpa Shetty Kundra, the Chief Guest, at the Udyog Yogdaan Puraskar 2026 in association with Karnataka Tourism

Apr 01: On March 28, 2026, Rashmi Aiyappa – Spiritual Scientist & Inventor of Aashwasan Science®, Founder & Executive Chairperson of Aashwasan Group of Companies, and Founder & Managing Trustee of Aashwasan Foundation – was conferred the Lifetime Achievement Award – Wellness Industry (India) by Shilpa Shetty Kundra at the Udyog Yogdaan Puraskar 2026.

The event, held in association with Karnataka Tourism, was graced by industry leaders, successful entrepreneurs, and accomplished social personalities. The Udyog Yogdaan Puraskar is a distinguished recognition that honours individuals whose exemplary contributions have created a lasting legacy in their respective fields.

Rashmi Aiyappa was honoured for her exceptional contributions to the Health & Wellness sector. Through her pioneering invention, Aashwasan Science®, she introduced a transformative approach that, for the first time, brings quantum science into lived human experience—enabling individuals to embrace their full potential and celebrate their infinite self.

Aashwasan Science® fosters holistic well-being at physiological, psychological, and spiritual levels, marking a significant breakthrough in how wellness is understood and experienced.

About Rashmi Aiyappa

• Spiritual Scientist, Inventor and Social Innovator
• Founder & Executive Chairperson – Aashwasan Group of Companies, Epiance Software, Aank Humane Technologies
• Founder & Managing Trustee – Aashwasan Foundation

A visionary and revolutionary entrepreneur, Rashmi Aiyappa was born with the experience of nature’s phenomena: Lifeforce Mechanism® and Timeless Phenomenon®, which encompass the knowledge of life’s mechanisms and the cause-and-effect cycle of nature.

Through these phenomena, she developed Aashwasan Science®—a groundbreaking spiritual technology rooted in quantum principles. This science bridges the physical and metaphysical realms, offering an experiential understanding of the multidimensional reality of the infinite self. It integrates the mechanisms of all life forms into a unified dynamic framework, addressing the root causes of challenges ranging from disease and life situations to relationships and self-awareness.

To bring this science to the world, Rashmi Aiyappa founded Aashwasan® on May 23, 2005. Over the past two decades, her work has led to 100+ breakthroughs in Health & Wellness, impacting millions of lives across 30+ countries. Her innovations have empowered individuals to discover their infinite identities and enabled organizations to undergo profound transformation.

She describes Aashwasan as a manifestation of her life’s purpose—a space where hope is restored and life is celebrated in its entirety.

In her words:
“Aashwasan is nature’s own. It’s a revolution that will continue for lifetimes and is here to stay. The only essence that marks life is love. Love is where it all begins.”

Media Presence

Between 2005 and 2012, Rashmi Aiyappa and her work were prominently featured across multiple media houses, news channels, radio platforms, and over 250 publications worldwide.

Awards and Recognitions

• 2013 – Social Innovator, CMO Asia Awards (Singapore)
• 2017 – Iconic Women Creating a Better World for All, Women Economic Forum
• 2017 – 50 Most Impactful Social Innovators, World CSR Congress
• 2018 – Global Peace Leadership & Excellence Award, World Peace Conference
• 2019–2021 – Mahatma Awards (Social Good, Impact Leadership, Maximising Human Potential)
• 2021–2022 – Among Top Women CEOs, Women Entrepreneur Magazine
• 2023 – Forbes Recognition as eXtrepreneur (Top 200 Companies with Global Potential)
• 2024 – Influential Leader in Mindfulness, Global Leaders Today Magazine
• 2025 – Best Brand 2025, Economic Times Conclave
• 2026 – Lifetime Achievement Award – Wellness Industry (India), Udyog Yogdaan Puraskar 2026 in association with Karnataka Tourism

Shoyu Brings a Refreshing Summer of Sushis, Dimsums and Light Plates at the comfort of your Home 

 Bengaluru, Apr 1: As Bengaluru eases into warmer, sun-soaked days, the city’s palate begins to shift, leaning towards food that feels lighter, brighter, and more refreshing. This season, Shoyu brings together a thoughtful selection of its signature dishes that naturally complement this mood, spotlighting flavours that are clean, vibrant, and perfectly suited for the summer months. 

The menu leans into bright flavours and playful contrasts. Salads are designed to refresh and uplift – the Crispy Quinoa & Avocado Salad pairs cool crunch with a gentle hint of sweetness from pineapple wafu, while the Baby Potato & Edamame Salad brings a soft kick through its wasabi chilli lime dressing. The Japanese Spinach Salad, finished with sesame gomae and a touch of togarashi, and the Chicken & Avocado Salad with its tangy plum notes, round out a line-up that feels both wholesome and full of flavour. 

Small plates follow a similarly light yet indulgent approach. The crudo selection – from Pepper Pizzette to Tuna & Truffle Pizzette – plays beautifully with texture and temperature, balancing crisp bases with soft, layered toppings. Carpaccios of salmon, hamachi, tuna, and avocado keep things clean and elegant, with just the right touch of acidity to awaken the palate. 

Sushi remains at the heart of the experience, especially styles that feel just right for summer. The Classic Crunchy Summer Maki Roll – with cucumber, avocado, and green apple – is light, crisp, and refreshing, while the Dragon Sushi Roll adds a playful twist with shiitake and dragon fruit. The Classic Seafood Maki Roll keeps things minimal and precise, celebrating the freshness of the fish, while nigiri like Truffle & Peppers and Kappa & Wasabi continue the theme of balance without excess. 

For those who prefer something warm, there’s depth without heaviness. Dishes like Water Chestnuts & Snow Peas in Yellow Bean Sauce and Steamed Fish with Oyster Sauce & Truffle deliver comforting flavours that remain light on the palate. 

The dim sum selection mirrors this philosophy. The Vegetable Crystal Dumpling, with its delicate, translucent wrap, and the Spinach & Water Chestnut Dimsum are subtle, textural, and quietly indulgent. 

Together, the menu reflects a way of eating that feels easy, intuitive, and just right for the season – food that’s light on the plate, yet rich in flavour, leaving you satisfied without ever feeling weighed down

Anastasia Beverly Hills expands its iconic lip collection in India with the launch of new shades of the Matte Lipstick and Lip Liner. Crafted with a soft, smooth formula for enhanced comfort and wearability, the new shades offer versatile hues designed to complement a wide range of lip looks.

 Anastasia Beverly Hills Matte Lipstick  ABH Matte Lipstick delivers full pigment, intense color in a single swipe with a true-matte finish that feels comfortable all day. The ultra-smooth, emollient-rich formula glides effortlessly without drying, cracking, or feathering. Designed for long lasting wear, it offers a velvety-soft texture that stays lightweight on the lips. Available in a versatile range of shades, it’s perfect for creating everything from everyday looks to bold, glam statements.

New Shades:Berry Mocha, Soft Haze, Mauve Cloud, Spice, Hazelnut, Peony

Availability:Tira, Sephora, Nykaa

 Anastasia Beverly Hills Lip Liner – ABH Lip Liner delivers full-pigment color with a creamy, velvety-matte finish for effortless shaping and contouring. The smooth, wax-based formula glides on seamlessly without tugging or feathering, ensuring precise, defined lips every time. Designed for comfortable, long-lasting wear, it can be used to outline, fill, or layer with other lip products.

New Shades:Stormy, Cinnamon, Midnight Rouge

Availability: Tira, Sephora, Nykaa

Mumbai, Apr 1: U-Flex, a flagship brand of Unitile – India’s leading raised access flooring company – today announced the appointment of Dharmesh Joshi as Head – Data Center Specifications & Business Development. In this newly created role, Dharmesh will spearhead U-Flex’s entry into high-growth data center markets across India, the USA, Europe, Southeast Asia, and the GCC region.

The appointment comes at a time when India’s data center sector is experiencing unprecedented momentum, with the Union Budget 2026–27 introducing a tax holiday until 2047 for foreign cloud providers using Indian data center infrastructure and over USD 160 billion in investments either underway or announced.

Dharmesh brings over 16 years of experience in business development, project management, and strategic growth within the construction and infrastructure ecosystem. He has a strong track record of delivering complex, large-scale projects, developing new business verticals, and aligning technical solutions with commercial objectives across diverse geographies. Prior to joining U-Flex, he held key roles with leading organisations in the building materials and project delivery space, driving revenue growth and building long-standing relationships with consultants, contractors, and end clients.

U-Flex has set an ambitious growth agenda for its data center vertical, aiming to become the go-to infrastructure partner for hyperscale and enterprise data center projects globally. The company is investing in deepening its specification network, building dedicated teams for international markets, and developing integrated solutions that combine its raised access flooring and structural ceiling systems into a single-vendor proposition for data center builders. Dharmesh’s appointment is central to this vision. His experience in navigating complex, multi-stakeholder project cycles and converting specification-level relationships into large-scale orders makes him ideally suited to drive this next phase of growth.

Speaking on his appointment, Dharmesh Joshi said:

“I believe sustainable growth comes from a combination of clear strategy, disciplined execution, and strong relationships. The data center sector presents a significant opportunity, particularly with the policy impetus India is now providing through long-term fiscal incentives. I look forward to working with the team to build a scalable, globally relevant infrastructure business for U-Flex.”

Dharmesh is recognised for his structured and collaborative leadership style, combining strategic vision with ground-level execution. His approach emphasises stakeholder alignment, process-driven growth, and long-term relationship building – capabilities that will be critical as U-Flex scales its presence in a fast-evolving global market.

This leadership addition underscores U-Flex’s intent to move from a strong domestic presence to a globally recognised data center infrastructure brand. With a growing pipeline across India, the USA, Europe, Southeast Asia, and the GCC, the company sees Dharmesh’s appointment as a catalyst for accelerating market entry, strengthening consultant relationships, and building a scalable, repeatable business model across geographies.

 

Mumbai, Apr 1: KLAW Snacks proudly announced the launch of its latest innovation, KLAW Super Sprout Sticks, expanding its portfolio of bold, flavour-packed, and better-for-you snacks. Launched after the success of KLAW Supergrains Puffs, the new Super Sprout Sticks are designed for modern consumers who believe that winding down is just as important as powering up.

At KLAW Snacks, the brand philosophy is rooted in the belief that the key to peak performance lies in the mind. Whether it’s after a long workday, a workout, or simply taking a mindful pause, KLAW Snacks aims to create healthier snacking options that support relaxation, recovery, stress relief, and better focus — making it the perfect wind-down for the keyed-up generation.

India’s first Super Sprout Snack, KLAW Super Sprout Sticks are made with 47% sprouted moong & jowar, baked, and high in protein, delivering a smart snacking experience that combines intelligence with indulgence. Crafted with mindful nutrition and bold flavours, the new sticks offer a wholesome way to snack without compromise.

The newly launched KLAW Super Sprout Sticks are available in five bold and exciting flavours — Masala Madness, Mango Mania, Achari Nimbu, Pudina Punch, and Korean Kick — bringing together familiar favourites and globally inspired tastes for adventurous snack lovers.

The launch was celebrated at an exclusive gathering in Mumbai, bringing together wellness enthusiasts, influencers, and industry insiders. The evening also saw the presence of popular personalities like Pratik Sehajpal, along with an immersive wind-down wellness session in collaboration with The Fit Corporate, led by Khyati Kanjani, creating a holistic experience that reflected the brand’s commitment to mindful snacking.

KLAW Snacks, an extended portfolio of Blue Tribe Foods under Shivanika Foods, continues to bring a bold twist to guilt free snacking with innovative snacks in wild, devilishly good flavours, making healthy snacking as exciting as it is wholesome. With the launch of Super Sprout Sticks, the brand further strengthens its commitment to offering better-for-you snacks crafted for today’s conscious consumers.

The newly launched KLAW Super Sprout Sticks are now available on Zepto, Instamart, Blinkit, and nearby retail stores across Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, and other major cities, making mindful snacking easily accessible to consumers.

Speaking about the launch, Nikki Arora Singh, Founder & Director, said: “With KLAW Super Sprout Sticks, we wanted to create a snack that supports mindful winding down while delivering on taste and nutrition. Made with 47% sprouted moong and jowar, these baked, high-protein sticks are designed for those who believe that winding down is just as important as powering up. With bold flavours and wholesome ingredients, we’re building snacks that support relaxation, stress relief, and better focus — making conscious snacking exciting, accessible, and intelligent.”

With its expanding range of innovative offerings, KLAW Snacks continues to focus on creating a healthier, smarter, and more mindful snacking experience — one wind-down moment at a time.

Odisha has taken a significant step toward a sustainable future by emerging as the first state in India to unveil a dedicated Green Hydrogen Policy. The move highlights the state’s strong commitment to clean energy adoption and reducing industrial carbon emissions.

During a high-level meeting chaired by Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, along with representatives from the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and other key stakeholders, a clear roadmap for renewable energy expansion was discussed. The plan places special emphasis on green hydrogen production, floating solar projects, pumped storage systems, and advanced battery energy storage solutions.

This strategic initiative is expected to draw substantial investments into the state while boosting infrastructure designed to withstand natural disasters. It also aims to position Odisha as a leading destination for clean energy innovation in India.

With growing support from industry leaders, Odisha is steadily shaping its future as a hub for sustainable development and next-generation energy solutions.

Precious metals have been on a rollercoaster. Gold prices surged to record highs in 2025 and early 2026 amid safe-haven buying, and silver and platinum also rallied strongly, before a sharp reversal struck in Q1 2026. Major forces that propelled gold upward are  de-dollarization, easy liquidity, reserve diversification, and geopolitical risks, and the recent developments  tightening liquidity, Middle Eastern dynamics, dollar strengthening and unwinding of leverage – triggered the decline.

A Historic Rally in Gold (2025)

The recent rise in gold until early this year was mainly supported by a weak dollar and easy money, coupled with the central bank “de-dollarization” purchases and geopolitical demand.

1. Safe-Haven Flows on Geopolitical Jitters: Conflicts like the war in Ukraine and Middle East flare-ups, along with escalating U.S tariff tantrums since Feb 2025, created a climate of uncertainty. Investors sought safety in gold to guard against volatile equity markets and geopolitical risks. This flight to safety was a key pillar of gold’s strength, as fear and uncertainty made gold’s stability appealing when other assets faltered.

2. Easy Money and Ample Liquidity: Central Banks continued with easy liquidity to counter the negative growth impact from tariff situation, which made it cheap to borrow and invest some of that capital into gold. The U.S. dollar weakened by roughly 10% in 2025, influenced in part by these dovish policy signals. Since gold is traded globally in dollars, a softer dollar lowers its price for overseas buyers, making gold more affordable and therefore more appealing. Falling real interest rates also boosted gold’s appeal.

3. De-dollarization and Reserve Diversification: US’s mounting fiscal strains have reinforced the de- dollarization push. The U.S. gross national debt soared to about $39 trillion by Dec 2025, fuelled by persistent large deficits (~$1.8T in 2025). Consequently, for geopolitical and financial stability reasons, many emerging market central banks have been ramping up gold purchases to reduce their reliance on the dollar. Central banks collectively added ~1,000 tonnes of gold in last 3 years – taking Gold’s share in Reserves from ~13% to over 24%. Notably, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) was also among the major buyers, boosting India’s gold reserves in recent years.

The cumulative effect of these forces was a remarkable upswell in the price of gold and by January 2026, gold had climbed further to nearly $5,600 per ounce.

The Sharp Reversal in Early 2026

After a spectacular run-up, gold’s fortunes turned abruptly in the latter part of Q1 2026. By late March, gold had given up all its year-to-date (2026) gains, falling back to Dec 2025 levels – roughly $4,100–4,300/oz – a drop of about 20–25% from the peak of Jan 2026. The downturn began with the widespread unwinding of leveraged positions as investors booked profits. The subsequent escalation in the US–Iran conflict pushed oil prices sharply higher, stoking inflation concerns. This, in turn, led to tighter global liquidity conditions and a stronger U.S. dollar, while falling surplus in parts of the Middle East further weighed on falling gold prices.

1. Unwinding of Leveraged Positions: Gold’s prior rally had been amplified by investors using leverage – from hedge funds increasing futures positions to retail buyers piling into gold ETFs. When the tide turned, these leveraged bets began to unravel. Profit-booking set in, and as prices slipped from their highs, a wave of

stop-loss orders was triggered, automated sell orders kicked in, accelerating the decline in a self-reinforcing spiral. Margin calls forced further liquidation as investors sold gold to cover losses in other assets during the concurrent equity market turmoil.

2. Middle Eastern Surplus Dry Up: The US–Iran conflict, that erupted in late February 2026, disrupted oil shipments from the Persian Gulf, threatening regional stability. The crisis put certain oil-rich states under financial stress: with their oil revenues in jeopardy and rising expenditures, Gulf nations no longer enjoyed large surpluses to invest in gold. Market observers even speculated that some Middle Eastern oil producers might liquidate gold reserves to raise cash, recalling the infamous 1983 scenario when OPEC members sold off gold amid an oil revenue collapse.

3. Inflation Fears and Liquidity Squeeze: In mid-March, Fed Chair Jerome Powell signalled that the oil shock was an “energy-driven inflation tax” requiring interest rates to stay higher for longer. Consequently, the US dollar shot up to multi-year highs and the 10-year Treasury yield climbed above 4.35% by late March. The war-induced surge in inflation also raised concerns that global central banks would drain liquidity or delay any easing. Signs of tightening dollar funding appeared (e.g. widening cross-currency swap spreads), reinforcing the view that cash dollars were in high demand. All these factors removed the liquidity tailwinds that had buoyed gold and instead created headwinds of strengthened dollar and a resolutely hawkish policy outlook.

The result was a crash in precious metals by mid-March: gold dropped over 10% in a week (its steepest weekly fall since 1983) and silver plunged more than 15% in that same week. At the same time, a previously supportive trend began to reverse; after two years of accumulation, central banks slowed their gold purchases in early 2026, and gold-backed ETFs saw net outflows for several consecutive weeks.

Impact on India

As one of the world’s largest gold consumers and importers, India is directly affected by big moves in gold.

1. Trade Balance & Inflation: When gold prices soar, India’s import bill rises (as the country imports a large portion of its gold consumption). Record high gold prices in 2025 contributed to a wider trade deficit and put upward pressure on inflation – higher bullion costs filtered through to domestic gold and jewellery prices. Indeed, India’s core CPI in late 2025 ticked up despite a lower WPI, partly due to costlier gold.

2. Central Bank Reserves: RBI has been part of the global gold buying spree, indicating that policymakers value gold as a strategic asset. It increased its gold reserves in recent years, aligning with the trend of diversifying foreign exchange reserves into gold. The recent price drop does not change that long-term strategy, though it might offer an opportunity for central banks to accumulate gold at slightly lower prices.

What Next for Gold?

As of 24th March 2026, gold trades around the mid-$4,000s per ounce, having erased its gains for the year. There are early signs of bargain-hunting: speculative positions have started to build again anticipating a comeback. However, the outlook will depend on how the global macro environment evolves. In the near term, much hinges on liquidity, inflation and central banks.

Scenario 1: If inflation remains elevated due to persistent high oil prices, central bankers may keep liquidity tight  bolstering the dollar and yields, which would cap gold’s upside.

Scenario 2: On the other hand, if oil prices settle down indicating lower inflation risk, it could rekindle expectations of rate cuts, easier liquidity and a weaker dollar: conditions under which gold typically thrives. Moreover, if geopolitical risks intensify to the point of severely undermining global growth (a “hard landing” scenario), even a hawkish Fed might be forced to pivot, potentially restoring gold’s safe-haven shine.

Gold’s 2025 rally was built on trust: that inflation would stay low, interest rates would fall, and gold would safeguard against geopolitical storms and currency debasement. The early 2026 sell-off was driven by fear: that inflation would spiral, liquidity would tighten, and even traditional buyers might turn into sellers. For now, Gold’s lustre is tempered by a resurgent dollar and high interest rates. Yet the long-term story  of central banks, investors, and even Indian households valuing gold as a resilient store of wealth  remains intact.