Archives August 2025

New Delhi, August 7, 2025: Global operations management consultancy dss+ has appointed Omesh Garga, as India Managing Director. A seasoned leader with over 30 years of experience across business operations, safety, operational transformation, and strategic projects, Omesh brings a strong track record of delivering high-impact results in complex industrial environments.

This leadership move reinforces dss+’s commitment to enabling sustainable and measurable outcomes for Indian clients across high-risk industries.

Omesh returns to dss+ with a deep legacy of leadership that spans consulting, strategic accounts, and innovation management. With nearly 15 years at DuPont and dss+ during its earlier years, he played a pivotal role in driving safety excellence, operational innovation and client transformation across sectors. Most recently, he held a senior role at EY in Sustainability Services – Safety Excellence, further deepening his cross-sector operational insight. His deep operational insight and cross-sector experience position him to lead dss+ India through its next phase of growth.

“Rejoining dss+ feels both familiar and inspiring,” said Omesh Garga. There’s tremendous momentum in India today—industries are actively seeking practical, scalable solutions to strengthen resilience, boost productivity, and build a safer, future-ready workforce. I’m excited to lead this journey and partner with clients to drive meaningful, lasting change.”

Cédric Parentelli, Asia-Pacific Managing Director at dss+, welcomed the appointment. “India is a critical growth market for us, and Omesh brings the right blend of strategic vision and on-the-ground experience to drive impact. His return reflects our commitment to long-term partnerships and operational transformation for clients navigating increasingly complex challenges.”

As India Managing Director, Omesh will shape market strategy, deepen client partnerships, and lead delivery across key sectors. His focus will be on strengthening the dss+ presence in India while enabling clients to build operational capabilities and sustainable business performance.

Mumbai, 7 August, 2025: Khetika, one of India’s largest clean and healthy food brands in the staples category, has announced the launch of its new manufacturing facility today. The facility is dedicated exclusively to its fresh product category, including preservative-free batters and chutneys. Located in Taloja Industrial Area, near Panvel, Maharashtra, the facility strategically positions the brand to better serve growing demand in Western India.

Spread across 5,000 sq. ft., the Mumbai plant is equipped with cutting-edge automation and modular infrastructure to support not just high-volume production but also future innovation in the fresh food space. Currently, the unit manufactures 11 SKUs from Khetika’s FRESH range and can produce up to 20 tons of batters per day. This capacity is expected to scale further in alignment with consumer demand.

“This launch marks a pivotal milestone in Khetika’s journey of bringing clean, honest, and authentic Indian food closer to urban kitchens,” said Dr. Prithwi Singh, Co-founder and CEO of Khetika. “The Mumbai facility allows us to reduce turnaround time significantly — ensuring that our zero-preservative products reach consumers within 24 hours of production. More importantly, it reinforces our commitment to innovation, sustainability, and farm-to-fork freshness.”

 Khetika’s clean-label promise continues to be powered by direct sourcing from farmers across India such as turmeric from Sangli, chillies from Guntur, moong from Rajasthan, ensuring the best ingredients from their native regions while supporting farming communities.

The plant strengthens Khetika’s existing hub-and-spoke model and streamlines operations for faster, fresher distribution. With Mumbai’s access to high-demand consumption zones and key logistics corridors, the facility will play a vital role in boosting supply chain efficiency, reducing cost-to-serve, and enabling regional scalability.

In line with the company’s sustainability vision, the new facility uses recyclable packaging and is gradually transitioning its last-mile logistics fleet to electric vehicles (EVs), supporting the brand’s broader zero-waste and low-emissions goals.

India, August 7, 2025:  Cloudera, the only company bringing AI to data anywhere, today announced that Krutrim,  India’s own sovereign cloud platform, is working with Cloudera to power large-scale analytics and data lake workloads for Ola on Krutrim Cloud. The Cloudera-based solution will soon be available to other enterprise customers on Krutrim.

This strategic partnership will enable Krutrim to harness the full potential of data and AI to drive business transformation, improve customer experience, and support the development of advanced data engineering, AI Training and inference at scale.

Krutrim is building a vertically integrated cloud infrastructure designed for enterprise-scale needs, spanning compute, storage, data management, and AI-powered end applications designed for the Indian market. Their AI computing stack includes foundational models across text, voice, and video tailored to India’s diverse linguistic and cultural landscape.

Leveraging Cloudera’s data platform and consulting services, Krutrim has developed solutions to process large-scale datasets in real time from a variety of data sources, enabling faster and accurate intelligence for Ola. The platform’s scalability and security empower Krutrim to deliver AI powered data lake solutions to businesses, startups, and researchers across India.

“We are focused on building India’s cloud with deep integrated capabilities across infrastructure, data, and AI to better serve the unique needs of the Indian market,” said  Navendu Agarwal, Senior Vice President and Head of Business, Krutrim.“With Cloudera on Krutrim, it will  give our clients the scalability and performance to advance data lake use cases with confidence and empower businesses to create and package cost effective solutions on India’s own sovereign cloud.” 

“Krutrim’s vision to create a robust AI infrastructure for India aligns perfectly with Cloudera’s mission to enable trusted enterprise AI through data,” said Mayank Baid, Regional Vice President, India & South Asia, Cloudera. “With Ola Group already running mission-critical workloads on this stack, and working with our professional services team on data quality, governance and natural language access, we’re excited about co-developing and implementing the solution framework that brings to the broader enterprise adoption in India. The partnership reinforces Cloudera’s position as a preferred partner for data-driven transformation in India’s rapidly evolving technology landscape and the development underscores Krutrim’s commitment to building an enterprise-grade, India-first cloud that meets the high demands of enterprises.” 

7th August’25, Mumbai, INDIA: The Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA) today released Vehicle Retail Data for July’25.

July’25 Retails

Reflecting on July 2025 Auto Retail results, FADA President Mr. C S Vigneshwar said: “After three consecutive months of growth, India’s auto retail sector applied the brakes in July, with overall retails declining by 4.31% YoY. This pullback largely stems from a high-base effect in July 2024, when an extreme heat wave was immediately followed by excessive rainfall, constraining volumes before a rebound later that month.

Segment‐wise, 3W, Trac and CV achieved growth of 0.83%, 10.96% and 0.23% YoY respectively, whereas 2W, PV and CE contracted by 6.48%, 0.81% and 33.28% YoY.

In the 2W space, July saw a 6.48% YoY decline and a 6.28% MoM drop, as crop-sowing activities and prolonged heavy rains dampened rural footfalls more sharply than urban demand. Dealers are nevertheless confident of a post-monsoon uptick, with several purchase decisions deferred to August ahead of the festive season—making strategic stock alignment and focused rural–urban engagement imperative for reviving momentum.

The PV segment contracted by 0.81% YoY even as volumes surged 10.38% MoM, driven by robust rural demand. The Aashaada period and auspicious delivery days, combined with targeted schemes, new-model introductions and aggressive rural marketing, powered hinterland sales that picked up decisively towards month-end. Urban demand, however, remained muted due to low enquiry and restrained customer sentiment. With inventory levels steady at around 55 days, calibrated discounting, streamlined finance facilitation and intensified urban outreach will be crucial for sustaining festive-season growth.

CV posted a modest 0.23% YoY increase and a 4.19% MoM uptick, led by urban momentum. Dealers cited new-model launches, aggressive marketing support, bulk institutional orders and timely stock availability as key drivers, alongside targeted schemes that bolstered school-bus volumes. In contrast, rural haulage demand remained fragmented amid heavy rainfall, seasonal softness in cement, coal and construction logistics, and slower financier disbursements, prompting many buyers to defer purchases to the post-monsoon period.

Finally, the Trac segment delivered robust performance, with volumes up 10.96% YoY and 14.9% MoM. The timely release of enhanced agricultural subsidies and favourable monsoon rains—together with strengthened rural liquidity—spurred a marked increase in purchase intent. This resilience underscores the pivotal role of policy interventions in sustaining agri-rural demand.”

Near-Term Outlook

From an agrarian demand perspective, the monsoon outlook through September appears broadly supportive—India is projected to receive normal to above‐normal rainfall (approximately 106 % of the long‐period average), which should bolster crop prospects and rural liquidity—albeit with heightened localized flood and landslide risks in select eastern, northeastern and peninsular pockets. However, external headwinds have emerged as the U.S. administration’s imposition of an additional 25 % tariff on Indian exports has precipitated a 0.4 % dip in benchmark equity indices and a depreciation of the rupee, injecting volatility into financial markets. The resulting wealth erosion and import‐cost pressures on exporters could erode consumer confidence, trigger a precautionary rise in household savings and exert downward pressure on discretionary spending—including on vehicles—over the near term.

Dealer sentiment for the near-term (July–September) remains broadly constructive, with 63% of dealers forecasting growth, 27% expecting flat performance and only 9% bracing for degrowth. 2W members anticipate that the convergence of four major festivals—Rakhi, Janmashtami, Independence Day and Ganesh Chaturthi—alongside targeted promotional schemes, aggressive rural engagement and healthy stock levels will drive incremental sales, even as monsoon rains temper footfalls. PV dealers point to a similar festival‐led uplift, underpinned by new model introductions, enhanced EV incentives and deepened finance support. CV dealers remain optimistic on the back of a robust order pipeline and increased rural liquidity from agricultural subsidies, which together offset seasonal logistical headwinds. In aggregate, a festival-driven demand uptick—bolstered by market-specific schemes, inventory readiness and resilient rural sentiment—underpins a positive near-term outlook.

While monsoon tailwinds and festival fervour converge to energise demand, the spectre of export-tariff volatility and isolated weather shocks underscores the need for vigilant stewardship. By harnessing precision-targeted promotions, partnership-driven finance solutions and dynamic rural–urban engagement, the industry can navigate these headwinds and anchor itself on a trajectory of sustained retail growth. In sum, we enter August with a sense of guarded optimism, confident in the upside but ever mindful of the risks.

New Delhi, August 6, 2025 – EIH Limited, the flagship company of The Oberoi Group, announced the addition of four new hotel projects in India, to be operated under management contracts, as part of its continued growth strategy. The announcement was made during the company’s 75th Annual General Meeting held in New Delhi.

The new developments, strategically located in Goa, Bengaluru, Gujarat, and Hyderabad, reflect EIH Limited’s focus on enhancing its presence in key leisure and urban destinations under both the Oberoi and Trident brands:

1. The Oberoi, Gir – A 20-key Oberoi luxury wildlife retreat set amidst a 40-acre mango orchard, located close to Gir National Park, home to the Asiatic lion.
2. The Oberoi, Hyderabad – A 220-key luxury hotel located at Knowledge City, a prominent commercial district in Hyderabad.
3. Trident, Nandi Hills – A 150-key Trident hotel situated in the picturesque Nandi Hills, north of Bengaluru.
4. Trident, Fort Aguada – A 170-key Trident hotel in close proximity to the historic 17th-century Fort Aguada in Goa.

These projects form part of EIH Limited’s robust development pipeline of 25 properties scheduled for completion by 2030. This includes 22 hotels and three luxury boats, all of which will be managed by EIH Limited through direct ownership, joint ventures, or management contracts.

Arjun Oberoi, Executive Chairman of The Oberoi Group, said, “Our growth trajectory is driven by a clear strategic focus: expanding into high-potential markets, delivering authentic and memorable guest experiences, and upholding the service philosophy that defines The Oberoi Group. As we broaden our footprint, we remain anchored in our core values of excellence, integrity, and care.”

Vikram Oberoi, CEO of The Oberoi Group, added, “Our development strategy is shaped by deep consumer insight, a sharp understanding of market dynamics, and a steadfast long-term vision. As we open new landmark hotels and earn continued global recognition, we are deeply grateful for the enduring trust our guests place in us. It is a testament to the passion of our people, the strength of our legacy, and our unwavering commitment to redefining luxury hospitality.”

In 2025, EIH Limited will further strengthen its luxury portfolio with the launch of The Oberoi Rajgarh Palace, Khajuraho, and two Oberoi Nile Dahabeyas offering an intimate and ultra-luxurious cruising experience on the Nile. Earlier this year, The Oberoi Vindhyavilas Wildlife Resort, Bandhavgarh opened, bringing global attention to Madhya Pradesh as a luxury wildlife destination. The resort was also featured among the World’s Greatest Places by TIME Magazine (USA).

Oberoi Hotels & Resorts was recently honoured as the Best Hotel Group in the World at the Telegraph Travel Awards UK 2025 and ranked number two globally in Travel + Leisure USA’s World’s Best Awards, a testament to the brand’s consistent leadership in service excellence.

As EIH Limited marks 75 years and The Oberoi Group celebrates 90 years of pioneering Indian hospitality, the company remains committed to thoughtful expansion, innovation, and responsible luxury, carrying forward the legacy of Rai Bahadur M. S. Oberoi and the visionary leadership of P. R. S. Oberoi.

Gurugram, Haryana | August 7, 2025 – Home Credit India, a leading consumer finance company, today announced that its getting ready for strategic expansion into the Loan Against Property (LAP) business segment. To spearhead this, the company has appointed Neeraj Jain as the new Head of Loan Against Property. This move marks a significant step in Home Credit India’s mission to diversify its product portfolio into secured products, and deepen its presence in the Indian financial services market.

Neeraj brings over 22 years of rich experience in the financial services industry, with a strong focus on secured lending, operations, and customer experience. Throughout his career, he has held key positions at prestigious organizations and leading financial institutions.

Vivek Singh, CEO of Home Credit India, commented on the appointment, “The launch of our Loan Against Property business is a natural progression of our growth strategy, allowing us to serve a wider range of customer needs. We are delighted to have Neeraj join our team to spearhead this new business vertical. His vast experience and deep expertise in the LAP market will be invaluable as we build this business and expand our footprint.”

Sharing his vision, Neeraj said, “I am honored and excited to lead Home Credit India’s foray into the Loan Against Property segment. The brand’s commitment to financial inclusion and its robust pan-India network provides a tremendous platform for success. I am confident that by leveraging our strong foundation and a customer-centric approach, we can establish Home Credit India as a key player in the LAP market and provide a delightful, safe and trustworthy service to our customers enabling them to make their #ZindagiHit.”

A native of Delhi, Neeraj holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Management from BIMM, Pune. Under his leadership, Home Credit India is poised to offer simple, transparent, and tech-driven LAP solutions, building on its reputation for responsible lending while delivering superior customer experience.

Home Credit India remains deeply committed to its core mission of financially empowering its customers. The introduction of the LAP segment aligns perfectly with this objective, providing a new avenue for individuals and small business owners to unlock the value of their property to meet diverse financial goals, from business expansion to personal needs. The company’s customer-centric approach is built on providing trustworthy, transparent, tech-driven and accessible financial solutions, ensuring that even those with limited credit history can responsibly access credit.

From racing through the gullies, gobbling chuskis in the heat, to standing side by side when caught for mischief, siblings grow up sharing memories that quietly shape their bond. They are there for the first day of school, the heartbreaks, the wins, and the moments in between. They are your partner in crime, your secret keeper, and often, your loudest cheerleader.

Raksha Bandhan is not just about rakhis and sweets. It’s about celebrating the silent strength of this connection—the unspoken support, the shared laughter, and the fights that never last long.

This year, go beyond tradition. Gift your sibling something thoughtful, fun, and useful. Lava brings you a list of gifts that match their personality—smart, stylish, and packed with value.

Because a bond this special deserves a little extra.

LAVA AGNI 3
Packed with segment-first features, Agni 3 is a powerhouse that blends innovation with elegance. It’s the only phone in its class to feature a Dual AMOLED Display, including a rear screen for quick glances, selfies, or calls. Powered by the flagship-grade MediaTek Dimensity 7300X processor, it delivers lightning-fast performance and seamless multitasking. The triple rear camera setup, with a 50MP Sony sensor and 30X Super Zoom, ensures stunning shots in any setting. With a 5000mAh battery, 66W fast charging, and clean Android 14, Agni 3 is future-ready.
For more information, head to the Amazon page, here.

LAVA SHARK 5G
For the sibling who is always ahead of the curve, Shark 5G offers next-gen speed without the big price tag. It brings a 6.75” HD+ 90Hz display, 13MP AI camera, and a clean Android 15 experience with IP54 protection. With the reliable UNISOC T765 processor and bloat-free software, it’s built for smooth streaming, snapping, and sharing, all day, every day.
For more information, head to the Amazon page, here.

LAVA STORM PLAY 5G
If your sibling loves speed and entertainment, Storm Play delivers high performance with the world’s first Dimensity 7060 processor. It offers a smooth 120Hz display, fast LPDDR5 RAM, UFS 3.1 storage, and a Sony 50MP camera. It’s built to keep up with their fast-paced life, whether they’re gaming, streaming, or video calling you back.
For more information, head to the Amazon page, here.

LAVA STORM LITE 5G
For the sibling who does it all and needs a phone that can too, Storm Lite is a thoughtful pick. Powered by the Dimensity 6400 processor, it delivers strong 5G performance with a crisp display and 50MP camera. With a clean Android 15 experience and a 5000mAh battery, it’s designed to support their daily hustle with ease.
For more information, head to the Amazon page, here.

PROWATCH V1
For the sibling who’s always chasing their goals, Prowatch V1 is more than a smartwatch—it’s a lifestyle upgrade. Featuring a 1.85-inch AMOLED display with Corning Gorilla Glass 3 and powered by the Realtek 8773 chipset, it delivers both style and substance. Prowatch V1 supports over 110 sports modes, A-GPS, and a high-accuracy VC9213 sensor, making it a solid choice for fitness enthusiasts and busy professionals alike. With IP68 water resistance and Bluetooth v5.3, it’s a thoughtful pick for the one who’s always on the move but never misses a call or reminder. Available in vibrant colors and multiple strap variants.
For more information, head to the Amazon page, here.

PROBUDS T24
For the multitasker sibling who’s always switching between devices, the Probuds T24 is a perfect match. These earbuds come with dual-device pairing, so toggling between your phone and laptop is effortless. The 10mm drivers deliver punchy bass, while quad-mic ENC ensures crystal-clear calls. Whether they’re gaming, binge-watching shows, or tuning in to their favorite playlists, the 45-hour playtime and quick 10-minute charge keep them powered through the day. Available in five trendy colors.
For more information, head to the Amazon page, here.

PROBUDS N32
If your sibling finds rhythm in everything from workouts to late-night walks, the Probuds N32 neckband makes for a great gift. Its acoustic suspension and spherical wave speaker offer rich, immersive sound, while the 10mm drivers and ENC technology ensure every beat and voice comes through clearly. The Magnetic Hall Switch adds a layer of convenience by turning the neckband on and off with a simple snap. With up to 40 hours of playtime and 12 hours of backup in just 10 minutes of charging, it’s built for long listening hours. Available in striking colors like Panther Black and Firefly Green.
For more information, head to the Amazon page, here.

• Plastic Waste Reduction: Single-use plastic bottles have been replaced by refillable ceramic dispensers, resulting in a 61% reduction in plastic consumption and saving 3,787 kilograms monthly.
• Sustainable Sourcing: All products used are crafted with ethically sourced Ayurvedic ingredients, ensuring traceability and eco-conscious cultivation.
• Empowering Local Communities: The initiative supports Forest Essentials’ diversity-first supply chain, employing local women in Uttarakhand in soap, Ubtan, and oil production—fostering long-term self-reliance and economic empowerment.
• Environmental Efficiencies: Additional resource savings include a 13% reduction in water use, 31% drop in electricity consumption, and significant cuts in packaging and label waste, collectively minimizing the initiative’s carbon footprint.

Mr. Taljinder Singh, Senior Vice President, IHCL, said, “We are happy to extend our partnership with Forest Essentials to launch an exclusive line for the Taj portfolio. IHCL has always been at the forefront of pioneering initiatives that have become industry leading practices. In line with its ESG+ framework of Paathya and commitment to eliminate single use plastic across its hotels, this collaboration introduces sustainable materials into the design and packaging of the bath products.”

Mr. Samrath Bedi, Executive Director, Forest Essentials, said, “This milestone is a testament to Forest Essentials’ long-standing commitment to environmental stewardship and conscious luxury. Guests across Taj hotels have consistently lauded the signature Forest Essentials offerings, particularly the Aloe Vera & Neem blend. The new refillable format upholds the brand’s dedication to exceptional quality while elevating its sustainability credentials.”  

“Aligned with the ethos of IHCL’s Paathya, this partnership represents a scalable blueprint for the future of responsible luxury,” adds Ms. Neha Gadi, Head Institutional Sales, Forest Essentials.

Mr. Ashwani Dhanawat, Executive Director & Chief Investment Officer, Shriram General Insurance Limited.

The MPC’s decision to maintain the repo rate at 5.5% with a neutral stance is a well-calibrated move, allowing the economy to absorb the impact of the cumulative 100 basis points rate cuts implemented since February 2025. This pause ensures that the ongoing monetary policy transmission continues to support credit growth while maintaining stability in the financial system. The decision aligns with the RBI’s cautious optimism, as domestic growth remains resilient, with the GDP growth projection for FY26 retained at 6.5%.

 The downward revision of the CPI inflation forecast to 3.1% for FY26, from the earlier 3.7%, is a significant positive. This benign inflation environment, driven by favourable monsoon conditions, healthy kharif sowing, and effective supply-side measures, creates a conducive setting for sustained consumer spending and investment.

 However, the RBI’s caution regarding a potential rise in inflation to 4.9% in FY27 underscores the need for vigilance. The MPC’s consumer-centric initiatives, like standardizing claim settlement for deceased customers’ bank accounts and lockers, enhance trust and efficiency, benefiting families and the insurance sector. The introduction of SIPs for treasury bills via the RBI Retail-Direct platform promotes financial inclusion. A sustainable CAD and strong forex reserves ensure external sector stability, supporting investor confidence crucial for insurance growth. The phased 100 bps CRR cut from September 2025 will boost liquidity. Overall, the RBI’s policy balances growth and risk, fostering sustainable progress.

Delhi , August 6, 2025

Algoquant Fintech Limited (BSE: 505725), a prominent player in the fintech industry, today announced that it has fixed Monday, August 18, 2025, as the Record Date for two major corporate actions: a sub-division (stock split) of its equity shares and the issuance of bonus shares to shareholders. These actions reflect the Company’s commitment to driving inclusive shareholder benefits, improving market participation, and reinforcing investor confidence.

In accordance with Regulation 42 of the SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015 and other applicable legal provisions, the Board of Directors of the Company has approved the following corporate initiatives:

1. Sub-Division (Stock Split) of Equity Shares

Each existing equity share of ₹2/- (Rupees Two only) fully paid-up will be sub-divided into 2 (two) equity shares of ₹1/- (Rupees One only) each, fully paid-up. This step is aimed at increasing the liquidity of the Company’s shares in the stock market and making them more affordable for retail and small investors.

The stock split will result in a proportional increase in the number of shares held by shareholders without altering their overall value of investment. This is expected to boost trading activity, widen the shareholder base, and contribute to better price discovery and enhanced investor interest in the Company’s stock.

2. Issuance of Bonus Shares

In addition to the stock split, the Company has also approved the issuance of Bonus Shares in the ratio of 8:1, i.e., 8 (eight) new fully paid-up equity shares of ₹1/- each for every 1 (one) existing fully paid-up equity share of ₹1/- held by eligible shareholders on the Record Date.

The issuance of bonus shares is a clear reflection of the Company’s strong financial health, consistent performance, and robust reserves position. This step not only rewards existing shareholders but also serves as a signal of management’s confidence in the Company’s future growth trajectory.

Objectives and Expected Impact

The twin corporate actions are designed with a strategic objective to:

* Reward long-term shareholders with a significant increase in shareholding at no additional cost
* Increase accessibility for new investors by reducing the face value and market price per share
* Enhance liquidity in the equity shares of the Company
* Encourage wider participation in the Company’s equity, especially among retail and first-time investors
* Strengthen shareholder engagement and market perception

These decisions underscore the Company’s unwavering focus on delivering sustained shareholder value and fostering long-term wealth creation.

Management Commentary

Speaking on the announcement, Krishna Kumar Yadav, Company Secretary & Compliance Officer of Algoquant Fintech Limited , stated:

“This is a landmark moment for Algoquant Fintech Limited as we initiate steps that reflect both our financial strength and our desire to include more investors in our growth story. The stock split and bonus issue demonstrate our dedication to shareholder-friendly practices. We are confident that these measures will result in greater investor participation, enhanced stock visibility, and an overall strengthening of our presence in the capital markets.”