Author: Neel Achary

South Indian Bank CFO Commends RBI’s Neutral Repo Rate Stance

Mr. Vinod Francis, Chief Financial Officer, South Indian Bank, on the recent RBI MPC announcement:

“The RBI’s decision to keep the repo rate unchanged at 5.25% while maintaining a neutral stance reflects confidence in a benign inflation outlook and resilient economic growth. The upward revision in FY26 GDP growth, along with the RBI’s assessment that system-level parameters for banks remain sound, reinforces confidence in the sector’s ability to support sustained economic expansion. For banks, a stable rate environment enables effective transmission of policy measures, disciplined balance sheet management, and calibrated credit growth across key segments.

The continued focus on data-driven policymaking, supported by the upcoming new GDP and inflation series, further enhances predictability for lenders. At the same time, initiatives such as the proposed guidelines for Kisan Credit Cards and the ongoing emphasis on MSME and rural credit align well with our strong presence in these segments, positioning the Bank to deepen credit penetration while maintaining asset quality and capital strength.”

Dubstep Launches ‘Love on Loop’ Campaign with Limited-Edition Valentine’s Earbud

Dubstep launches ‘Love on Loop’ Campaign and Limited-Edition ‘Buzz X12 – Love Edition’ Wireless Earbuds Exclusively on Instamart for Valentine’s Day

Feb 06: This Valentine’s Day, Dubstep, the fast-fashion consumer tech brand from the Nu Republic Universe, has rolled out its seasonal Valentine’s Day campaign ‘Love on Loop’, built around impulse-led gifting, music, and quick-commerce behaviour. The campaign coincides with the launch of the Dubstep® Buzz X12 Wireless Earbuds – Love Edition, available exclusively on Instamart.

Designed to reflect how young consumers increasingly shop for occasions, Love on Loop targets last-minute Valentine’s Day shoppers who prioritise speed, experience, and emotional value over advance planning. By leveraging Instamart’s quick-delivery ecosystem, the campaign positions spontaneity not as a compromise, but as a feature of modern gifting.

As part of the campaign, customers purchasing eligible Dubstep® products on Instamart during the campaign period stand a chance to win curated Valentine’s rewards. Nine winners will receive dinner vouchers worth INR 3,000 each, while one grand prize winner will win air tickets for two to Goa, along with a chance to meet actor Abhay Deol, subject to availability and scheduling.

Commenting on the campaign, Ujjwal Sarin, Founder, Nu Republic Universe, said,

“Valentine’s Day is about moments, not planning weeks in advance. With Love on Loop, we wanted to blend instant access with real emotion. Dubstep® is built for spontaneity — loud, expressive, and ready when you are. Partnering with Instamart lets us deliver that vibe in minutes.”

As part of the Valentine’s Day collection, Dubstep® has introduced the Buzz X12 Wireless Earbuds in a bold, passion-red finish with metallic accents, created exclusively for the season. These earbuds are powered by Bluetooth v5.4 and tuned with X-Bass® technology to deliver deep bass and clear vocals. Equipped with Environmental Noise Cancellation (ENC), the earbuds ensure clearer calls even in noisy surroundings. With up to 60 hours of total playtime, intuitive touch controls, and a comfortable all-day fit, the Buzz X12 is designed for both everyday listening and Valentine’s gifting.

The Dubstep® Buzz X12 Wireless Earbuds – Love Edition will be available exclusively on Instamart at an offer price of INR 599 for a limited period, giving consumers across India a quick and convenient way to celebrate Valentine’s Day through expressive audio gifting.

Mamaearth Appoints Sreeleela as Hair Care Brand Ambassador, Launches Valentine’s Film

Mamaearth Onboards Sreeleela as Hair Care Category Brand Ambassador; Unveils Valentine’s Day Film for Rosemary Anti-Hair Fall Shampoo

Feb 06:  Mamaearth, India’s leading purpose-driven personal care brand, has unveiled its latest campaign for the Rosemary Anti-Hair Fall Shampoo, onboarding South Indian and Bollywood actress Sreeleela as the new brand ambassador for the hair care range. With her youthful charm, authenticity, and strong Gen Z connect, Sreeleela brings a refreshing new energy to the brand.

This association marks a significant milestone in Mamaearth’s journey as well as in Sreeleela’s fast-rising career. Known for her natural appeal and inclination towards wellness, she strongly aligns with Mamaearth’s ethos of delivering effective personal care solutions rooted in natural, toxin-free ingredients.

Set in a packed cricket stadium, the campaign film features Sreeleela alongside actor and dancer Shantanu Maheshwari in a light-hearted, playful moment on the Kiss Cam. As the two share a close moment, the mood shifts when Shantanu runs his fingers through her hair, and a few strands come loose, instantly magnified on the stadium’s big screen. The crowd reacts, turning a personal moment into a very public one.

The film then introduces Mamaearth Rosemary Anti Hair Fall Shampoo, powered by the goodness of Rosemary and Methi Dana, as a solution designed to help reduce hair fall and strengthen hair. In a confident turn of events, the film closes with Sreeleela returning to the stadium with visibly healthier, fuller-looking hair, reclaiming the moment and ending the story on a strong, self-assured note.

Speaking about the campaign, Sreeleela said, 

“I’m excited to be a part of this campaign as it brings together a fun, relatable story that reflects real, everyday moments. The film addresses concerns like hair fall in a light and honest way, without exaggeration. What truly draws me to Mamaearth is the brand’s philosophy of using thoughtfully chosen, natural ingredients backed by proven efficacy. Being associated with a brand that addresses real consumer needs with effective, ingredient-led solutions makes this campaign feel authentic and meaningful to me.”

Snigdha Anand, SVP & Brand Head – Marketing, Mamaearth, added,

“With this campaign, our intent was to tell a story that feels familiar and easy to recognise, without over-dramatizing the concern. By placing hair fall in a moment of closeness and public visibility, the narrative remains honest while clearly establishing the product’s role. Welcoming Sreeleela as the new face of Mamaearth’s hair care category is a strategic step in strengthening our relevance with a younger, evolving consumer base, while continuing to focus on effective, ingredient-led hair care solutions.”

The campaign is rolled out across digital and social platforms, bringing ingredient-led hair care into everyday conversations through relatable storytelling. With Sreeleela at the forefront, Mamaearth continues to build a modern, trust-led narrative around hair fall, confidence, and solutions powered by nature.

RBI’s Steady Repo Rate Boosts Confidence in the Real Estate Sector

The Reserve Bank of India’s decision to keep the repo rate unchanged at 5.25% has reinforced stability and confidence across the real estate sector. Industry leaders believe that a steady interest rate environment, coupled with the continued transmission of earlier rate cuts and the government’s increased public capital expenditure, is supporting resilient residential demand. For homebuyers, this policy clarity encourages long-term purchase decisions, while for the sector as a whole, it strengthens the outlook for sustained growth, employment generation, and urban development.

Mr. Pradeep Aggarwal, Founder & Chairman, Signature Global (India) Ltd., said,

“The RBI’s decision to hold the repo rate steady at 5.25% offers stability for interest-rate–sensitive sectors like real estate in the current macroeconomic environment. With inflation remaining at manageable levels and the benefits of earlier rate cuts continuing to flow through to homebuyers in the form of improved affordability, residential demand has remained resilient. The Union government’s decision to raise public capital expenditure to ₹12.2 lakh crore in FY27, as announced in the Union Budget 2026, further strengthens the growth outlook through infrastructure-led development.

Supported by stable monetary policy and sustained public spending, the real estate sector will continue to play a pivotal role in driving economic growth, employment generation, and urban development across the country.”

Mr. Ashok Kapur, Chairman, Krishna Group and Krisumi Corporation, said,

“The RBI’s decision to keep the repo rate unchanged at 5.25% reinforces policy stability and provides a supportive backdrop for the residential real estate market. While a rate cut would have lowered borrowing costs, a steady interest rate environment enables homebuyers to take long-term purchase decisions with greater confidence and predictability. This is particularly relevant for the premium housing segment, where buyers place stronger emphasis on product quality, location, and long-term value creation rather than short-term rate movements.”

Vikas Bhasin, Managing Director, Saya Group, said,

“The RBI’s decision to maintain the status quo on policy rates is a positive and reassuring signal for the housing sector. Stability in interest rates plays a crucial role in homebuyer decision-making, as it reduces uncertainty and builds confidence among both end-users and investors. With home loan rates currently hovering around an affordable and comfortable level of approximately 7.5%, and expected to remain below 8% for an extended period, borrowing conditions remain supportive for residential purchases.”

Mr. Raoul Kapoor, Co CEO, Andromeda Sales and Distribution, said,

“The RBI’s decision to maintain a status quo on policy rates is largely in line with expectations, especially after the cumulative rate cut of 125 basis points in 2025. The transmission of these cuts is still playing out, with several banks yet to fully pass on the benefit to borrowers.

A cumulative reduction of 125 basis points over a 20-year loan tenure translates into an EMI reduction of approximately ₹80 per lakh per month, significantly improving affordability and enhancing borrowing capacity for big-ticket purchases such as homes.”