5, May 2026
Oteria Launches New Brand Film Skin In Every Light Celebrating the Modern Woman’s Everyday Care, Confidence and Self-Love
May 05: Oteria, a premium gender-neutral skincare brand under Rivpra Formulations, has unveiled its latest multimedia brand film Skin in Every Light celebrating the modern woman who effortlessly balances ambition, relationships and self-care in her everyday life.
Conceptualized around relatable daily moments, the film showcases a woman who seamlessly manages her professional responsibilities while also caring for the people around her, all while making time for herself. Through this narrative, Oteria reinforces the importance of self-care as an essential part of everyday life.
Set across multiple scenarios, the film showcases how simple personal care rituals naturally fit into a busy lifestyle. From getting ready for an important day at work to sharing thoughtful moments of care with loved ones at home, the narrative reflects the evolving priorities of today’s consumers who seek balance between ambition, relationships and self-care.
Speaking on the launch, Vibhor Rastogi, Director, Rivpra Formulations & Oteria shared, “At Oteria, we believe self-care is an essential part of everyday living. Through this brand film, we wanted to capture relatable moments from modern lifestyles where personal care naturally fits into busy routines, relationships, and daily responsibilities. The campaign reflects our vision of making self-care simple, thoughtful, and seamlessly integrated into the lives of today’s consumers.”
The brand film centres on self-care as a natural extension of everyday life, highlighting quiet, everyday routines. It also thoughtfully weaves Oteria’s hero products, including its lip balms and under-eye cream, into these moments, showcasing how skincare can seamlessly blend into daily rituals and feel both intuitive and essential.
With this launch, Oteria continues its focus on promoting skin awareness and education around circadian rhythm-based skincare, encouraging users to align skincare with their body’s natural rhythm for better overall skin health. The film also features Oteria’s newly launched lip balm range, priced between INR 499 and INR 799, available in variants such as Strawberry, Chocolate, and Vanilla.
The new brand film #SkinInEveryLight is now live across Oteria’s digital and social media platforms, including Instagram and the brand’s official YouTube channel.
- 0
- By Neel Achary
5, May 2026
Bhutan Secures Dollar 515 Million World Bank Support for Major Hydropower Project
Thimphu/New Delhi, May 5 (BNP): Bhutan has signed financing agreements worth $515 million with the World Bank to advance the Dorjilung Hydropower Project, a large-scale renewable energy initiative being developed in partnership with Tata Power and Druk Green Power Corporation (DGPC).
Planned as a 1,125 MW project under a public-private partnership model, it will be the largest hydropower venture in Bhutan. DGPC will hold a majority stake of 60%, while Tata Power will own the remaining 40%.
The project is expected to generate around 4,500 GWh of electricity annually. A major share of this power will be supplied to India, helping meet growing demand, especially during peak periods, while also strengthening Bhutan’s position as a clean energy exporter.
The initiative underscores growing regional cooperation in sustainable energy and is expected to contribute to economic development and long-term energy security for both countries.
5, May 2026
Professional Investment Advisory Services’ Management Successfully Completes Change in Ownership
SINGAPORE, May 05 – Professional Investment Advisory Services Pte Ltd (“PIAS”) today announced that its management has completed the acquisition of PIAS from Singapore Life Limited (“Singlife”), through the purchase of all its shares in Professional Advisory Holdings Limited (“PAH”), PIAS’s holding company.
The change in ownership, approved by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (“MAS”), took effect on 1 May 2026 and was mutually agreed between PIAS management and Singlife. Singlife continues to be a key product provider and partner to PIAS.
Singlife will continue to support PIAS in its mission to grow and offer more choice to consumers. PIAS’ management team will assume full ownership of the business and shape its next phase of growth.
PIAS representatives will continue to serve clients as usual, with no impact on existing servicing arrangements. Day-to-day operations continue as normal.
Following the change in ownership, PIAS will continue to expand its suite of providers and partners across savings, protection and investment solutions. With increasing longevity, a broader range of financial solutions will better position PIAS to support clients along their financial planning journey.
About Professional Investment Advisory Services Pte Ltd (PIAS)
Professional Investment Advisory Services Pte Ltd (“PIAS”) is a financial advisory firm in Singapore, established in 2001 and licensed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore.
As a pioneering financial advisory firm in Singapore, PIAS has close to 25 years of operating experience, having navigated multiple market cycles. It has served over 200,000 families, supporting their financial planning needs across different life stages.
PIAS has a network of financial adviser representatives providing advice across savings, insurance and investment planning.
5, May 2026
India Direct Tax Collections Rise 5.1 pc to INR 23.4 Lakh Crore in FY26
New Delhi, May 5 (BNP): India’s net direct tax collections recorded steady growth in the financial year 2025–26, rising 5.12% year-on-year to ₹23,40,406 crore, according to data released by the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT).
Gross direct tax collections for the fiscal stood at ₹28,11,936 crore, marking a 4.03% increase compared to the previous financial year. The growth was driven by stable inflows from both corporate and non-corporate tax segments, reflecting consistent economic activity and improved compliance levels.
Corporate tax collections showed strong performance, increasing to ₹13,81,606 crore from ₹12,72,542 crore in FY25. Non-corporate tax collections, which include taxes paid by individuals, HUFs, and other entities, stood at ₹13,72,474 crore.
Collections from Securities Transaction Tax (STT) also saw an uptick, reaching ₹57,522 crore during the fiscal year.
Meanwhile, refunds issued declined slightly by 1.09% to ₹4,71,531 crore, which contributed to higher net tax collections. Analysts noted that the overall figures indicate steady tax buoyancy and efficient tax administration despite global economic uncertainties.
The data reflects a balanced contribution from corporate and individual taxpayers, underscoring the resilience of India’s tax system.
5, May 2026
JLR India Slashes Range Rover SV Prices by Up to INR 75 Lakh Ahead of India–UK FTA
New Delhi, May 5 (BNP): Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) India has announced a significant price reduction of up to ₹75 lakh on its flagship Range Rover SV models, ahead of the expected benefits from the India–UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
The company said the revised pricing applies to its completely built unit (CBU) models imported from the UK, with the steepest cuts seen in the high-end SV range. The Range Rover SV has been reduced from ₹4.25 crore to ₹3.5 crore (ex-showroom), while the Range Rover Sport SV now starts at ₹2.35 crore, down from ₹2.75 crore.
According to JLR India, the price revision reflects anticipated changes in import duties once the FTA comes into effect, and the new prices are effective immediately.
Managing Director Rajan Amba said the move is aimed at passing on expected trade benefits to customers in advance and strengthening the brand’s presence in India’s luxury car market.
The company clarified that prices of locally manufactured models, including Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, Range Rover Evoque, Range Rover Velar, and Discovery Sport, remain unchanged. Models such as Defender and Discovery will also retain current pricing as they are manufactured outside the FTA’s scope.
5, May 2026
HOP Events, helmed by Kalpesh Kinariwala, bridges Indian talent and global prestige at the Shows of India 2026 Conclave
New Delhi, May 5: HOP Events, led by Founder and Chairman Kalpesh Kinariwala, marked its strategic entry into the Indian market as the anchor sponsor of the Shows of India 2026 Conclave, reinforcing its vision to connect Indian talent with global platforms.
Held at The Leela Ambience Convention Hotel, the sixth edition of the conclave concluded on May 2, bringing together leading industry professionals, creators, and stakeholders shaping India’s live entertainment ecosystem.
Through its participation, HOP Events aims to bridge the gap between iconic Indian and South Asian artists and international venues, offering them access to global audiences and premium productions. Beyond its anchor sponsorship, the company actively engaged in key discussions and networking forums, with Kalpesh Kinariwala also taking the stage as a speaker.
The initiative reflects HOP Events’ long-term strategy to identify, support, and elevate Indian talent across international markets, particularly in regions with a strong South Asian diaspora. By leveraging its expertise in large-scale experiential events and global entertainment platforms, the company seeks to create new opportunities for artists, managers, and creative professionals.
Highlighting the growing global appeal of Indian artists, Kinariwala emphasised the untapped potential for their presence on international stages, particularly in markets like the UAE and the wider GCC.
With a track record of delivering high-profile live experiences, HOP Events is positioning itself as a key enabler in taking Indian cultural talent to global audiences. The company’s expansion plans include scaling across the GCC and other global diaspora hubs, strengthening its role as a bridge between Indian artistry and world-class entertainment platforms.
5, May 2026
Bright future: PPDS readies new Philips Professional Displays product and partnership reveals at InfoComm 2026 including new UltraSlim Signage in Las Vegas
Philips booth C9000: Taking design, choice, and value to the next level, PPDS will showcase its latest groundbreaking evolutions in Las Vegas, including a new design led category, innovations for energy efficiency, an expanded solutions portfolio, and much more.
Amsterdam,May 05: PPDS, the exclusive global provider of Philips Professional Displays and complementary solutions, is excited to confirm its participation at InfoComm 2026, promising an unmissable lineup, with new partnerships and UltraSlims both debuting and showcasing as future tech among planned announcements in Las Vegas.
Exhibiting on Philips Booth C9000 – and joining over 800 registered exhibitors at the Las Vegas Convention Center (June 13-19) – InfoComm 2026 will mark another major milestone for PPDS and its acclaimed ‘total solutions’ strategy to deliver unrivalled quality, choice, and value to customers in North America and beyond.
Continuing PPDS’ evolution beyond a traditional provider of displays, InfoComm 2026 brings the opportunity to showcase – many for the first time – what is hailed by the company and its partners as the industry’s most complete and energy conscious portfolio of advanced and highly flexible digital display hardware and software solutions.
Total market solutions
With quality only matched by design, solutions now include, but are far from limited to, dvLED (indoor, outdoor, and AIO), videowalls, digital signage (including TAA compliant) and ePaper, interactive displays, and professional TVs, created to support all market verticals and environments.
At InfoComm 2026, PPDS is set to raise this bar even further with a wave of exciting new offerings, reinforcing its position as a centralized resource for projects of any scale, while delivering seamless buying and installation experiences to the channel.
Bruce Wyrwitzke, Senior Director North America at PPDS, said: “Built on the foundations of over 134 years of innovation with Philips, PPDS prides itself on enabling businesses to bring their vision to life through tailored, cutting edge innovations. At InfoComm 2026, we will deliver the latest advances in support of that strategy, as well as showcasing the latest solutions that will enable customers to truly display without limits. You won’t want to miss it.”
Ahead of the pack / Bright times ahead
Continuing PPDS’ highly embraced ‘Picture this’ theme, launched for this year, visitors to the Philips booth at InfoComm 2026 will be treated to an assembly of unmissable AI infused visual activity, with an ever-changing pool of content presented across a broad range of form visual factors and technologies.
Staying ahead of the pack, and with a commitment to delivering unrivalled choice, value, and opportunity to partners and customers in North America and around the world, PPDS can also confirm InfoComm 2026 will become the global launch pad for the latest in its new for 2026 AI ready digital signage lineup.
While full details are under wraps ahead of the show, the creation of this exciting new category within PPDS’ evolving Android SoC portfolio will open a wealth of exciting installation opportunities where proven quality, unparalleled visual performance, and UltraSlim aesthetics really matter. And that’s not all.
PPDS will be announcing a new major partnership and collaboration with one of the AV industry’s most trusted manufacturers, with the introduction of a brand new signage series with a fresh ecosystem for total solutions built in.
Jack Boyczuk, Director of PD Sales at PPDS in North America, added: “This year’s Philips booth encourages visitors to explore the reaches of their imaginations, using displays together with our trusted partner solutions to realise the benefits of what’s already integrated within Philips Professional Displays – including ultimate processing power and artificial intelligence (AI) ready technologies.”
We have the solution
Helping visitors to visualise and experience the full power, potential, and versatility of Philips Professional Displays, this year’s booth will include solutions to support a variety of needs in different environments, including retail, education, corporate, food and beverage, transportation, hospitality, public venues, and control rooms.
Powering forward
The latest evolutions of PPDS’ commitment and global strategy to developing better energy efficiency and more environmentally conscious features into its displays will also be present through the Philips booth, demonstrating ways businesses can deliver instant sustainability (and financial) benefits to their day to day operation.
This year’s show will feature a range of dvLED and digital signage solutions – including the new for 2026 Philips Signage 5000 Series, the TAA compliant Philips Videowall display, and the ‘zero power’ Philips Tableaux range, the award winning Philips Unite LED 6000 Series All In One, with the company’s acclaimed LED wall of fame showcasing many others.
Missed ISE 2026? For the first time in North America, PPDS will also be showcasing the new ‘all inclusive’ Philips LED Configurator, plus ‘game changing’ updates to the Philips Wave remote management platform.
As with previous events, PPDS will adopt an open approach to the Philips booth, with no restrictions on access, allowing visitors the freedom to experience all solutions up close. PPDS’ global management team, together with local and international sales managers from around the world, will be present and accessible throughout the show, providing live demonstrations and answering questions.
Angela Lin, Commercial Head for North America at PPDS, concluded: “We cannot wait to welcome visitors to the Philips booth at InfoComm 2026. 2026 has already been an exciting year, with some incredible new projects, combined with the ever strengthening of our portfolio and offering. With our incredible launches, as well as an array of future tech, together with a major new partnership, a visit to Philips Professional Displays could be a game changer for your business. We look forward to seeing you in Las Vegas.”
5, May 2026
India Most Resilient Emerging Market, Well-Positioned for Future Shocks: Moody’s
New Delhi, May 5 (BNP): India has emerged as the most resilient large emerging market economy since 2020, supported by strong macroeconomic fundamentals and substantial foreign exchange reserves, according to Moody’s Ratings.
In its latest report on emerging markets, Moody’s noted that India’s sizeable forex reserves have helped curb currency volatility and strengthen investor confidence during periods of global uncertainty and economic shocks.
The rating agency stated that India is well-positioned to manage future external shocks, citing a clear and predictable monetary policy framework, well-anchored inflation expectations, and a flexible exchange rate system that allows adjustment when required.
Moody’s further observed that India is among the better-placed sovereigns in the emerging market space, adding that the country is likely to enter any future stress periods with strong and readily accessible economic buffers.
5, May 2026
Bengaluru Airport Introduces AI-Based Airside Safety System
Bengaluru, May 5 (BNP): Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL), operator of Kempegowda International Airport (KIA), has introduced an integrated Smart Airside Safety System aimed at significantly improving operational safety, efficiency, and control across key airside zones.
The system is designed to strengthen safety at critical cross-service roads where aircraft and ground support vehicles operate in close proximity. By leveraging advanced technologies such as AI-based computer vision, intelligent automation, and a centralised monitoring platform, the system enables real-time oversight and improved coordination of airside movements.
According to BIAL, the initiative enhances right-of-way management and ensures precise handling of complex operational scenarios, reducing the risk of human error and improving overall situational awareness.
The deployment of this technology marks a major step in the airport’s digital transformation journey, reinforcing its focus on adopting smart infrastructure solutions to support growing air traffic and operational demands while maintaining high safety standards.
5, May 2026
Invoicemart Surpasses 50 percent Women Workforce, Sets New Inclusion Benchmark in the Fintech Space
New Delhi, May 05: Invoicemart, India’s leading Trade Receivables Discounting System (TReDS) platform, has crossed a key milestone, with women now comprising over 50% of its total workforce, well ahead of industry benchmarks in fintech and financial services.
This milestone reflects more than representation; it signals a strategic commitment to building a balanced, future-ready organisation. Women at Invoicemart play an integral role across leadership, sales, technology, operations, and risk—functions that have traditionally seen lower female participation. A consistent focus on equitable hiring, capability building, and career progression has enabled stronger participation in business-critical roles and decision-making.
The progress is underpinned by structured initiatives, including leadership development programmes, equitable opportunities, and continuous learning frameworks, supported by sustained leadership commitment to embedding inclusion into core business practices.
Commenting on the milestone, Mr. Prakash Sankaran, MD & CEO, Invoicemart, said, “Diverse teams drive stronger business outcomes. Crossing this 50% milestone reflects our sustained focus on building an inclusive organisation. We remain committed to building an environment where talent, irrespective of gender, can grow, lead, succeed and create long-term impact.”
Invoicemart’s people-first culture is reinforced through strong employee engagement, wellness initiatives, and recognition programmes across its pan-India offices. The company has also been recognised in the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Index for its continued focus on advancing equity at all levels. As it scales further, Invoicemart remains focused on building a high-performance, inclusive workplace that drives sustained business impact.
