Author: Neel Achary

Courtyard by Marriott Pune Chakan Launches Friday Themed Brunches at MoMo Café

Pune, India, Jan 12: – Courtyard by Marriott Pune Chakan is delighted to announce the launch of its exciting Friday Themed Brunches at MoMo Café, offering guests an elevated culinary and entertainment experience every Friday.

Curated to delight food enthusiasts and redefine weekend dining, the Friday Themed Brunches feature a rotating selection of global cuisines, thoughtfully crafted and presented by speciality chefs. Each week introduces a new theme, inviting guests to explore authentic flavours, innovative presentations, and diverse culinary traditions from around the world, all in one vibrant setting.

Enhancing this gastronomic journey is Melody & Meals, a signature Thursday evening dining experience at MoMo Café. Guests can indulge in an elaborate buffet while enjoying live musical performances by talented musicians, who set the mood with soulful and energetic tunes. The seamless blend of music and cuisine creates an engaging yet relaxed ambiance, making for a memorable evening.

From indulgent spreads and chef-led specialities to live music that elevates the atmosphere, MoMo Café transforms Fridays into a celebration of flavours and rhythm. Whether gathering with family, friends, or colleagues, guests can look forward to a lively dining experience that redefines the social and culinary landscape of Pune Chakan.

Jubilant Bhartia Foundation & Jubilant FoodWorks Limited skill 5000 youth for careers in QSR industry

Noida, Jan 12: Jubilant Bhartia Foundation, the social arm of Jubilant Bhartia Group, marked the completion of three years of its JFARM (Jubilant FoodWorks Academy for Restaurant Operations & Management), a CSR-driven skill development initiative by Jubilant FoodWorks Ltd, enabling employment pathways for over 5,000 youth.

The programme equips young people with Industry-ready skills for the growing Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) sector across India. At the heart of this endeavour lies our commitment to nurture youth as agents of transformation.

Jubilant Bhartia Foundation brought together some of these youth agents of transformation with an aim to encourage more people to learn from their experiences and success stories. Over 70% of these alumni are today employed with QSR organisations across the country.

Speaking on the occasion, Rahul Bharde, Chief Analytics Officer, Senior Vice President Analytics & Innovation and CSR, Jubilant FoodWorks Limited, said:

“When skill development is approached with long-term intent, it creates systems that endure. Over the years, our focus has been on building practical, industry-linked models that others can learn from—where training, employability and continuity come together to deliver real outcomes for young people entering the workforce.”

 Vivek Prakash, SVP & Head, Jubilant Bhartia Foundation, added:

“It fills us with immense pride to witness the young professionals trained through our programme securing promising careers with QSR brands across the country. Our recent felicitation ceremony celebrated these alumni—not just for their achievements, but for the powerful stories of resilience and success they carry. By sharing their journeys, they become catalysts of change, inspiring countless others to dream bigger and pursue brighter futures.”

Launched in 2023 for Jubilant FoodWorks Limited, JFARM QSR Skill Development Program has been implemented across 12 states of India with a special focus on the country’s North-East region and Tier-2 cities. The programme has consistently achieved over 70% placement outcomes per batch since its inception.

The training centres under the programme are strategically located near operational hubs to support smoother transition from training to employment and improved workforce retention. A significant proportion of alumni continue to work within the QSR sector, reflecting the programme’s focus on sustainable livelihoods rather than short-term placements.

Designed to strengthen workforce readiness among youth from underserved communities, the JFARM Programme delivers industry-aligned, hands-on training through a five-week model. The programme combines classroom training, practical exposure, monitoring and on-the-job learning along with placement support. It is open to candidates with a minimum qualification of Class 10, creating accessible entry points into the QSR ecosystem.

The JFARM programme also aligns with national priorities on youth employability and workforce readiness, reinforcing the role of structured, industry-linked skilling initiatives in supporting inclusive economic participation.

Through initiatives such as JFARM, the Jubilant Bhartia Foundation has consistently focused on upskilling, community capacity-building, through programmes that respond to workforce needs and aligns with industry requirements.

POWERCON® Group Publishes ESG & Sustainability Report, Highlighting Progress Towards Net Zero

Pune, Jan 12: The POWERCON® Group, a global leader in renewable energy (RE) asset creation and management, has released its ESG & Sustainability Performance Report, marking a significant milestone in its journey towards responsible growth and Net Zero operations. The report highlights strong advancements in carbon reduction, circularity, governance, and renewable asset performance, reflecting POWERCON’s commitment to sustainable and resilient energy solutions.

During the reporting period, POWERCON achieved a reduction of 5.6 lakh tons of CO₂ emissions, driven by enhanced energy efficiency, digital O&M technologies, and optimised operational practices across its sites. The company also reported notable year-on-year gains in energy generation, reflecting stronger asset reliability and improved field performance.

Environmental and Circularity Achievements

• 60% reduction in plastic usage, with near-total elimination of Single-Use Plastics (SUP) across offices, warehouses, and O&M sites

• 85% of total waste diverted from landfills, with 55% of components refurbished rather than replaced

• 70% renewable energy usage across offices and operations

• Strengthened supplier compliance: 65% of suppliers under circularity compliance, 100% adherence to the Supplier Code of Conduct

Social Initiatives
Through its CORE Academy, POWERCON trained over 6,000 renewable energy professionals, contributing to local skill development and supporting India’s clean-energy transition.

Governance and Compliance
The Group maintained zero non-compliances, zero data breaches, and zero human rights violations, underscoring a strong commitment to ethical operations and robust internal controls.

POWERCON’s efforts have been recognised through the ‘EcoEdge’ Certificate of Recognition by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) for integrating sustainability into operations and the ‘Bronze’ certification under the Government of India’s ZED (Zero Defect Zero Effect) initiative, signifying zero environmental harm.

Commenting on the report, Mr. Praveen Kakulte, CEO & Founder, POWERCON® Group, said:

“Our journey towards Net Zero goes beyond offsetting emissions. Sustainability is embedded across our operations—from energy efficiency and circularity to ethical supply chains and workforce development. These milestones reflect the collective commitment of our teams and partners to building renewable energy operations that are responsible, resilient, and future-ready.”

POWERCON continues to align its systems with ISO 14001, ISO 45001, ISO 26000, ISO 50001, and SA8000, reinforcing its leadership in environmental management and ethical business governance. Looking ahead, the Group aims to expand across major Indian renewable corridors, extend its footprint in Africa and Southeast Asia, and achieve an additional 5% reduction in GHG emissions across Scope 1, 2, and 3 by 2030.

Drychem India Earns Great Place To Work® Certification for Second Consecutive Year

Navi Mumbai, Jan 12: Drychem India Private Limited has been certified as a Great Place To Work® for the second consecutive year by the Great Place To Work® Institute, India. This back-to-back recognition highlights the company’s sustained commitment to fostering a high-trust, people-centric workplace culture rooted in collaboration, accountability, and continuous growth.

The certification is based entirely on employee feedback collected through the Trust Index® Survey, reinforcing the credibility and authenticity of the recognition. Employees expressed strong confidence across key dimensions of workplace culture, including leadership credibility, respect and fairness, pride in the organisation, and a strong sense of camaraderie and teamwork.

As part of the assessment, Drychem achieved an impressive overall average score of 84% on the Great Place To Work® Model, with employees affirming that Drychem is truly a Great Place To Work. The survey also recorded a 93% participation rate, significantly surpassing the benchmark for mid-sized organisations. Employees cited pride in the organisation, effective team collaboration, approachable managers, and a safe, supportive work environment as some of the company’s key strengths.

The survey was conducted anonymously and confidentially, covering all eligible employees across locations and independently administered by Great Place To Work®. This ensured candid participation and an accurate reflection of the employee experience across the organisation.

Recognition and development are central to Drychem’s workplace culture. Programs such as the Hi-Five Program, Emerging Leaders Club (EL), and the DSC and GEM Programs are designed to recognise real-time achievements, reward consistent performance, and celebrate impactful contributions across functions. By integrating recognition into everyday work life, these initiatives strengthen engagement and reinforce a sense of shared ownership.

Commenting on the achievement, Kaushal Mehta, Managing Director, Walplast Products Pvt. Ltd., said,

“This certification matters because it reflects how our people experience Drychem every day. We focus on keeping leadership approachable, recognising effort as it happens, and creating real opportunities for learning and movement within the organisation. Whether it’s through open conversations, leadership development programs, or making it easier for teams to work across functions, our intent is to build trust through action. The feedback from our employees tells us we’re moving in the right direction, and it motivates us to keep improving.”

Drychem’s leadership philosophy is built on accessibility, transparency, and empathy. Leaders actively engage with teams, encourage cross-functional collaboration, and maintain open communication channels. Regular surveys and ongoing dialogue help align organisational initiatives with employee aspirations, while internal success stories are shared to inspire learning and motivation across teams.

Continuous learning remains a cornerstone of Drychem’s people strategy. Through its Learning Management System (LMS) and role-transition opportunities, employees are supported in developing new capabilities and exploring growth pathways aligned with organisational priorities. Data-driven insights are used to continuously refine policies and programs, ensuring they remain relevant, practical, and impactful.

The consecutive Great Place To Work® Certification further strengthens Drychem’s employer brand, reinforces its position as an employer of choice, and validates its internal culture against a globally recognised benchmark. Above all, it reflects the company’s long-term commitment to building a workplace founded on trust, recognition, and shared success.