Author: Neel Achary

Adhira and Appa Coffee Announces Pan India Growth Plan with 50 Outlets by the end of Financial Year

September 11 2025: Adhira & Appa Coffee (A&A), a homegrown brand redefining India’s filter coffee culture, based out of Kochi, Kerala, today announced the opening of its upcoming stores in Hyderabad and Nashik cities. This expansion comes on the back of the brand’s successful launch in Kochi, where its first store has already become a local favourite.

With a vision to open 50+ outlets across India by the end of the financial year, A&A Coffee aims to create an immersive café experience rooted in tradition yet shaped for modern lifestyles. To accelerate this growth, the brand is also inviting investors and franchise partners to join its journey and help expand its presence more aggressively across the country. Each store will be launched under one of three distinct formats: viz. Signature Stores, Flagship Stores, and Express Stores, catering to different consumer needs while maintaining the brand’s focus on quality, culture & providing an authentic experience for the consumer. Each store will be launched under one of several distinct formats — Mini Kiosks (₹15 lakh investment), Express Kiosks (₹30 lakh investment), Signature Stores (₹90 lakh investment), Flagship Stores (₹60 lakh investment), and Master Franchise models (₹1–3 crore investment) — catering to different investor capacities and consumer needs while maintaining the brand’s focus on quality and culture.

Adhira & Appa Coffee is not just about coffee; it offers a holistic cultural experience that celebrates taste, tradition, and innovation. Each store will feature a region-specific menu designed to reflect local palates while staying true to the brand’s promise of creativity. Guests can enjoy signature fusion dishes like Podi Fries with a bold South Indian spice kick, Medu Vada Waffle served with chutneys, or the indulgent Bombay Masala Croissant layered with spiced potato masala. The café also reimagines comfort foods with creations like the Tandoori Cubano Sandwich and Filter Coffee Tiramisu. Alongside its inventive bites, A&A serves authentic filter coffee sourced from India’s finest estates and offers a retail corner showcasing locally crafted sovereigns keeping alive the artistry of India’s farmers and artisans.

Speaking on the expansion, Mr. Karan Mendon, Co-founder & COO of Adhira & Appa Coffee, said: “Our mission is to celebrate India’s coffee traditions while creating modern spaces where people can come together over authentic food, locally sourced coffee, and meaningful conversations. The enthusiastic response to our Kochi outlet has reinforced our belief that A&A’s unique mix of heritage, innovation, and local artistry has the power to connect with communities across India.”

Commenting on the brand’s journey, Mr. Hari Kiran, Co-founder & COO of EBG Group, said: “Adhira & Appa Coffee reflects our commitment to building businesses that combine cultural heritage with modern consumer needs. As part of the EBG Group, A&A is more than just a café chain; it is a platform for sustainable growth, an experience with community connection, and a vision to expand nationwide. We are confident that A&A’s unique blend of authentic coffee, fusion food, and local artistry will allow us to scale to 50+ outlets this year and strengthen our position as a group that champions India’s entrepreneurial spirit.”

The brand’s growth strategy underlines its ambition to establish Adhira & Appa Coffee as a nationwide movement, where every store is not just a café but a platform to promote mental wellbeing, togetherness, and the joy of authentic experiences.

Conrad Pune Unveils Khushiyan by Hilton A Festive Gifting Collection that Celebrates Joy and Togetherness

September 10th, 2025: Conrad Pune proudly launched Hilton’s signature festive gifting initiative, Khushiyan by Hilton, on September 3, 2025. The grand unveiling marked the beginning of a season dedicated to joy, indulgence, and the art of thoughtful gifting. Staying true to its name, Khushiyan captures the essence of celebration in every detail, from artisanal sweets and elegant gift boxes to indulgent treats that embody warmth, tradition, and togetherness. More than just gifts, these curated creations are crafted to become lasting memories, turning every gesture into a story of light, love, and celebration.

Hilton offers a diverse range of exclusive hampers under its festive collection, Khushiyan by Hilton, thoughtfully curated for both personal and corporate gifting. Each Diwali hamper is a delightful blend of sweet and savoury indulgences featuring premium dry fruits, wholesome millet mixtures, handcrafted clay diyas, soothing scented candles, and more — designed to celebrate the season of togetherness. Sustainable options and a wide range of customisations further allow guests to personalise their hampers and spread Khushiyan in the most meaningful way. Among the highlights are The Royal Élan, embodying opulence, grandeur, and panache for those who wish to celebrate Diwali with majestic flair, and Garden of Lights, a unique hamper that marries abundance with sustainability, reminding us that true prosperity lies in giving back to nature. With such distinctive choices, Hilton ensures a perfect fit for every preference, budget, and sentiment.

The evening commenced with an insightful address by Executive Chef Pradeep Rao, who shared the inspiration and details behind the thoughtfully curated festive hampers. Each hamper has been designed to embody the spirit of celebration while combining tradition, luxury, and innovation in every element. Following this, General Manager Conrad Pune, Mr. Abhishek Sahai, took the stage, highlighting Conrad Pune’s commitment to creating memorable experiences for its guests. The GM officially unveiled the hampers, showcasing the exquisite curation and craftsmanship that defines Khushiyan by Hilton.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Sahai said, “Khushiyan by Hilton is not just about gifting; it’s about celebrating emotions, relationships, and the festive spirit. At Conrad Pune, we are delighted to bring this thoughtful initiative to life with hampers that reflect elegance, authenticity, and a touch of indulgence.”

The celebration was attended by leading influencers, journalists, and friends of the brand, who engaged with the team, explored the hampers, and shared their experiences. The event reflected Conrad Pune’s vision of being more than just a luxury destination, it is a place where meaningful connections and joyous moments are created.

With Khushiyan by Hilton, Conrad Pune invites guests and patrons to celebrate the upcoming festive season through hampers that are not only a treat to receive but also a joy to share.

Thales appoints Ankur Kanaglekar as Vice-President India

10th septenber 2025,Thales announced the appointment of Ankur Kanaglekar as Vice President for India, with effect from 10 September 2025. This strategic appointment underlines Thales’ commitment to expanding its footprint, strengthening local partnerships and accelerating innovation in support of the Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision.

 In his role, Ankur will oversee Thales’ strategy and operations in India, focusing on scaling up industrial collaboration, reinforcing local innovation and engineering capabilities, and delivering advanced solutions across defence, aerospace, and cyber and digital markets.

With over 25 years of experience in the aerospace and defence industry and consulting, Ankur brings a wealth of expertise in driving strategic growth, fostering partnerships, and leading high-stakes initiatives. Prior to joining Thales, Ankur Kanaglekar spent 14 years at Boeing in India, most recently as Executive Director, where he spearheaded global co-development and co-production initiatives for defence platforms, led large sales campaigns, and shaped several strategic growth initiatives. His leadership in forging partnerships with Indian public and private sector organisations, supporting the Make in India initiative, has been instrumental in advancing defence localisation. Earlier, as an Engagement Manager at PRTM Management Consulting (now part of PwC), he advised Fortune 500 clients on mergers, acquisitions, operations, and go-to-market strategies in aerospace, automotive, and industrial sectors.

“I am pleased to welcome Ankur Kanaglekar to Thales. With his proven leadership and deep understanding of the Indian market, we aim to further enhance our support of the country’s ambitious self-reliance objectives, co-develop cutting-edge solutions, and nurture local talent. We remain deeply committed to the Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision and to fostering enduring partnerships across the ecosystem,” said Pascale Sourisse, President & CEO,Thales International.

“India is at the heart of Thales’ global strategy, and I am truly honoured to have this opportunity to lead our operations at such a pivotal time. I look forward to working closely with our partners, teams, and other stakeholders to accelerate growth, deepen localisation, and make a meaningful contribution to nation building, supporting India’s technological ambitions and self-reliance journey,” said Ankur Kanaglekar, Vice-President, India, Thales.

Ankur holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Pune University, a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Cincinnati, USA, and a Master of Business Administration from the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad.

Wondrlab Creates Ajio’s Bold Festive Film This Is How We Festival

Mumbai, 10 September, 2025: Wondrlab, India’s first platform-first martech network, has partnered with Ajio to unveil its latest festive campaign, ‘This Is How We Festival’. Rooted in Ajio’s philosophy of ‘Identity Without Apology’, the campaign puts individuality, diversity, and self-expression at the center of India’s festive celebrations.

 Launched this week, the film takes audiences on a vibrant journey through some of India’s most celebrated festivals, including Durga Pujo, Dussehra, Navratri, and Diwali. It captures the true spirit of festivity by weaving together a rich tapestry of communities, traditions, and contemporary expressions.
The campaign features Ajio ambassadors Varun Dhawan and Shraddha Kapoor alongside cultural icons such as Zeenat Aman, Uorfi Javed, Abir Chatterjee, and Malavika Mohanan. Together, they embody Ajio’s festive narrative, celebrating individuality while boldly addressing themes of ageism, trolling, compassion, inclusivity, and LGBTQ+ representation.

Watch the film here: https://youtu.be/L52jAtcZv3g?si=HHwZf7KlZJxzEp26

Commenting on the campaign, Hemant Shringy, CCO & Managing Partner, Wondrlab, said: “This is how we festival’ is the perfect coming together of a brand’s point of differentiation and the brand’s point of view. It celebrates identity without apology. It’s a thought that rings so true with the Indian festive season. The film is as diverse, as maximalist, as individualistic as our celebrations. We all bring a little bit (or a lot) of our personality to every occasion. And Ajio with its elaborate and eclectic collection is the perfect destination for our festive season!”

Arpan Biswas, CMO, Ajio, added: “At AJIO, fashion has never been just about clothes, it’s about identity, expression, and the freedom to be yourself. With ‘This Is How We Festival’, we wanted to capture the incredible diversity of how India celebrates and how personal style plays such a central role in those celebrations. This campaign is our way of saying: celebrate without hesitation, express without apology.”

The film is now live across Ajio’s digital and social platforms and is being amplified through a wide range of influencer collaborations. With ‘This Is How We Festival’, Ajio and Wondrlab aim to spark a larger cultural conversation, one that redefines festive fashion as a celebration of identity, expression, and belonging during India’s grand festive season.

Roots and Rebellion: Abhay’s Introspective Journey into Youth, Culture, and Belonging

New Delhi: Roots & Rebellion opens at Bikaner House on 12 September 2025, unveiling a new body of work by contemporary artist Abhay. The exhibition is a deeply personal exploration of youth, patriotism, and cultural identity—woven together through the artist’s reflections on his upbringing, lived experiences, and evolving creative voice.

In Roots & Rebellion, Abhay confronts the question: Why am I the way I am? Through maximalist strokes, intricate storytelling, and a bold use of patterns inspired by the timeless beauty of carpets, the artist seeks to elevate narratives traditionally kept underfoot to a place of prominence—on the walls, as art. His layered compositions blend a Gen Z sensibility with the gravitas of Indian history, resulting in works that are as rooted as they are rebellious.

The series is born from a moment of late realisation—at 27—that his cultural inheritance runs deep enough to form a language of its own. Each work is a visual conversation: sometimes with the self, sometimes with imagined audiences, always with the undercurrent of nostalgia and belonging. Whether it’s an imagined monologue in a solitary room lit by a single bulb, or patterns that challenge Western perceptions of class and patriotism, Abhay’s pieces invite viewers into an intimate, unfiltered dialogue.

By merging abstract pattern-making with personal storytelling, Roots & Rebellion marks a shift in Abhay’s practice—towards a mature, self-assured experimentation that retains the raw energy of his earlier work while embracing the complexity of lived experience.

Exhibition Details:

Venue: Bikaner House, New Delhi
From 12 September 2025 6:30 PM onwards.