15, May 2025
Marriott to Launch JW Marriott in Ludhiana with Grey Group
India, May 15th, 2025: Marriott International, Inc. today announced the signing agreement with Grey Group to introduce the JW Marriott brand to Ludhiana — often referred to as India’s “Manchester” for its vibrant textile and manufacturing industries and dynamic entrepreneurial spirit. Designed to embody the brand’s signature emphasis on mindfulness, exceptional service, and sophisticated design, JW Marriott Ludhiana will be part of a mixed-use development featuring retail and residential spaces. The hotel is expected to open in January 2029.
On the signing occasion, Ranju Alex, Regional Vice President – South Asia, Marriott International commented, “The signing of JW Marriott Ludhiana marks a bold step in redefining the luxury hospitality landscape of the city. Ludhiana’s market is at the pinnacle of transformation, and the arrival of JW Marriott — with its exceptional brand promise, world-class design, and commitment to excellence — will not only fill a long-standing gap in the city’s luxury segment but will also set a new benchmark for its evolving hospitality scene”. She added, “We are confident that this hotel will become the preferred destination for discerning travelers and a catalyst for Ludhiana’s growing stature as a business and social hub. This signing is a strong testament to Marriott International’s strategic focus, tapping into the potential of high-growth markets across India.”
“It gives us immense pride to collaborate with Marriott International to introduce the globally renowned JW Marriott brand to our city,” said Inder Raj Singh, Owner, Grey Group. “This project is more than just a development for us – it is a significant step to reshape Ludhiana’s urban and hospitality landscape while reinforcing our ambitions across residential and commercial real estate. JW Marriott Ludhiana will stand as a landmark of luxury and excellence, and we are excited to contribute to the city’s growth story as it emerges onto the national stage.”
Ludhiana is one of Punjab’s most prominent and rapidly developing cities, recognized as a major hub for industry, trade, agriculture, and logistics. Strategically located, Ludhiana also acts as a commercial confluence for nearby towns like Patiala and Bhatinda and enjoys excellent connectivity to key regional cities, including Delhi and Amritsar. The city’s economic prospects are set to strengthen further with the opening of a new airport at Halwara. The hotel is a 30-minute drive from the Ludhiana Railway Station and 2.5-hour drive from Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport, and a 10 –to 15-minute drive to the city centre.
Anticipated to feature 160 elegantly designed rooms and suites, JW Marriott Ludhiana is slated to offer an elevated luxury experience, with diverse dining options across multiple venues including an all-day dining restaurant, a specialty dining venue, a Lobby Lounge and Pool Bar, alongside the JW Market, featuring a delightful patisserie serving freshly baked treats and expertly brewed coffees. Inviting guests to fully embrace mindfulness, design plans for the hotel also include multiple tranquil wellness spaces, such as the brand’s signature JW Garden.
Additional leisure and recreation facilities are expected to include the brand’s signature Spa by JW, a fitness centre, and a swimming pool. The hotel also plans to feature 1,500 square meters of versatile banqueting space, including an expansive outdoor lawn, perfect for both large-scale and intimate gatherings, as well as social and corporate events.
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- By Neel Achary
15, May 2025
Beat the Heat Desi-Style with Mango Drinks from The Tastes of India on Audible
Scorching summer heat got you craving something refreshing? As the temperature rises, there’s nothing quite like a chilled drink to cool you down and keep you feeling refreshed. And what better than the king of fruits, mango? Good news is, we’ve gathered some of the best summer mango drinks from ‘The Tastes of India Podcast’ on Audible that you can whip up to beat the heat. These are not only easy to make but also packed with delicious flavours – a great way to stay hydrated while enjoying the season.
Want more? Tune into the podcast for step-by-step guidance and more drink ideas to keep your summer breezy and delightful!
Raw Mango Sattu Drink
Ingredients:
- Roasted chana: 200 gm
- Roasted cumin powder: 1 tsp
- Black salt: 1 tsp (or to taste)
- Onion: 2 tsp, chopped
- Green chilli: 1 tsp, chopped
- Raw mango: 5 tsp, chopped
- Cold water: 1/2 litre
- Lemon: 1 large, juiced
Method:
- Start by placing the roasted chana into a mixer grinder and blend it until it forms a fine powder.
- In a bowl, combine the freshly ground sattu powder with roasted cumin powder, black salt, chopped onion, chopped green chilli, chopped raw mango, cold water, and the freshly squeezed lemon juice.
- Stir everything together until well-mixed, and your refreshing sattu drink is ready to serve! Enjoy!
Mango Mastani
Ingredients:
- Ripe Mango: 2 cups, peeled and cubed
- Full Fat Milk: 1 cup, chilled
- Vanilla Ice Cream: 4 scoops
- Mango: 8 tbsp, chopped (or as needed)
- Almonds: 2 tsp, chopped
- Pistachios: 2 tsp, chopped
- Tutti Frutti: 2 tsp, optional
- Glazed Cherries: 2, optional
Method:
- In a blender, combine mango cubes and milk. Blend until smooth. Set aside.
- Take a tall glass or pitcher. Layer the glass with 2 tbsp chopped mango, 1/4 cup mango shake, and 1 scoop vanilla ice cream.
- Add another 2 tbsp chopped mango, pour in 1/4 cup more mango shake, and top with the second scoop of vanilla ice cream.
- For the finishing touch, sprinkle chopped pistachios and almonds on top.
- Garnish with tutti frutti, extra mango cubes, and glazed cherries as desired. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Aam ka Panna
Ingredients:
- Raw Mango: 2
- Roasted Cumin Powder: 1 tsp, or to taste
- Black Salt: 1 tsp, or to taste
- Salt: to taste
- Water: 4 cups
- Sugar: 3–4 tbsp, or to taste (optional, based on mango tartness)
- Mint Leaves: a handful, fresh
- Ice Cubes: as required
Method:
- Rinse the raw mangoes and wipe them dry with a clean cloth.
- On a gas stovetop, place a roti or papad rack and set the mangoes on top.
- Turn the mangoes at regular intervals to ensure they roast evenly. The peels should become charred.
- Once roasted, slide a knife along one of the sides of the mangoes. If the knife slides easily without resistance, it’s done!
- Let the mangoes cool to room temperature. Alternatively, you can soak them in water for a few minutes to speed up the cooling process.
- Peel the burnt skin off the mangoes once they’ve cooled. Scrape the cooked mango pulp into a bowl using a sharp-edged spoon or knife.
- Add the roasted cumin powder, black salt, regular salt, and mix well.
- Add 4 cups of water and stir everything together. Adjust the water to your preferred consistency. If you like your aam ka panna thick, reduce the water quantity.
- Crush a few mint leaves in a mortar and pestle and add them to the aam panna. Stir to infuse the mint flavour.
- Now you have two types of aam panna – one plain and one with mint!
- Add ice cubes to the aam panna for that perfect chill. Serve immediately, best enjoyed cold!
15, May 2025
Yoga for Anxiety: Simple Asanas to Calm Your Mind Naturally
By Himalayan Siddhaa Akshar Author, Columnist, Founder: Akshar Yoga Kendraa
A natural emotional response to stress is anxiety, but when it becomes chronic, it can interfere with daily life. It affects both mind and body. Yoga can be phenomenally effective for managing anxiety by calming the mind, reducing stress hormones and promoting relaxation. In modern world, the root cause of restlessness stems from digital overload, social and work pressures, poor sleep, sedentary lifestyles, processed food, and suppressed emotions. Simple asanas can help you calm your mind.
Here are some gentle poses which can naturally rest your thoughts
Balasana (Extended Baby Pose)
This is a resting pose,the regulated breathing restores a state of calm.
Formation of the posture
- Kneel down on mat and sit on your heels.
- Inhale and raise arms above head
- Exhale and place your forehead on the floor
- Pelvis should rest on heels
- Ensure that your back is not hunched.
Adhomukhisvanasana (Downward facing dog pose)
It reduces anxiety and depression.
Formation of the posture
- Begin with Padhasthasana, move feet backwards, lift the hips up, straighten your head and elbows and form an inverted ‘V’.
- Try to push your heels to the floor. Hold position for 5 secs and keep your eyes focused on your big toes.
- Exhale as you enter into this posture, inhale as you release from it.
Paschimottanasna (Seated forward bend)
It acts as a stress reliever
Formation of the posture
- Begin with Dandasana
- Extend your arms upward and keep your spine erect.
- Exhale and empty your stomach of air, bend forward and bend your upper body on your lower body.
- Try to touch your knees with your nose.
- Hold the asanas for 5 secs.
Siddhohum Kriya
This practice gives power to your mind and makes it strong. It builds such an energy in you that no matter what kind of time you are facing you get out of it. This process teaches you about your capacity. There are 5 simple steps.
Technique
- Samasthithi- we first form a state which is a balanced state where we become neutral. Stand straight with hands by your side.
- Pranam -Offer pranam to both the visible and invisible energies. Calmly stay in the state. Observe the inflow and outflow of breath as you stay still and calm.
- Prayer- Raise your hands towards the sky. This is the state of invocation. The universal energies should listen to what’s on your mind.
- Receiving- In this state both your hands are out. You either keep your eyes open or closed. You are standing still with your hands extended forward.
- Gratitude- Now keep both your hands on your chest This is the state of gratitude. from this state come back to the balanced state
Hence, one should incorporate yoga into daily practice. It offers both immediate relief and long-term benefits. It is a natural approach to anxiety management,regular practice enhances emotional strength. Even for just a few minutes can make a meaningful difference in managing anxiety and enhancing overall quality of life.
15, May 2025
Monika Panwar Receives an IMDb STARmeter Award
MUMBAI, India— May 15, 2025— IMDb, the world’s most popular and authoritative source for information on movies, TV shows, and celebrities, presented an IMDb “Breakout Star” STARmeter Award to Khauf star Monika Panwar. The award recognizes strong performers on the Popular Indian Celebrities list published every Monday on the IMDb app. The list charts the page views of the more than 250 million monthly visitors to IMDb worldwide, and has proven to be a keenly accurate predictor of stars who are about to have a breakthrough career moment.
Monika Panwar
Panwar stars in the horror web series Khauf, streaming on Prime Video, where she essays the role of Madhu, a young woman who moves to Delhi from her hometown in Gwalior. The series has received critical acclaim and has been praised by fans for its gripping narrative and impactful performances, receiving a rating of 7.5/10 by IMDb customers. Following the show’s success, Panwar has ranked in the top 10 of Popular Indian Celebrities list twice, including reaching the No. 2 spot two weeks ago. Panwar’s earlier credits include Jamtara: Sabka Number Ayega, Choona, and Gaanth: Chapter One: Jamnaa Paar.
“I am a big, big fan of IMDb,” shared Monika Panwar. “For me, cinema and IMDb have always gone hand in hand. So, this is a very special award, and my first as an actor. I believe the most important thing is when your work reaches people and they resonate with it. Since this award is fan-driven, I’m so glad they felt connected with my character in Khauf and have given so much love to our show. I’m very grateful for this.”
View the award presentation video here. IMDb customers can also add films and shows from Panwar’s filmography and other titles to their IMDb Watchlist at imdb.com/watchlist.
Previous IMDb “Breakout Star” STARmeter Award recipients include Zahan Kapoor, Kani Kusruti, Sharvari, Nitanshi Goel, Bhuvan Arora, Adarsh Gourav, Ashley Park, Ayo Edebiri, and Regé-Jean Page. Learn more about the IMDb STARmeter Awards at imdb.com/starmeterawards.
15, May 2025
Ekya Schools and CMR NPS Celebrate 100 Percent Success in CBSE 2025 Results
Ekya Schools and CMR NPS have announced outstanding results in the CBSE 2025 examinations for Grades 10th and 12th, achieving a remarkable 100% pass rate across all campuses.
At Ekya ITPL, 56 Grade 10 students appeared, with 23 scoring above 90% and four scoring centums. Sharika Sreejith led with 97.8%, followed by Aarush Deshpande (97.2%) and Anushka G (96.2%).
Among 118 Grade 12 students at Ekya ITPL, 18 scored above 90% and six earned centums. Stream toppers included Tanisyaa Satishkumar in Humanities (96.6%), Gokul Adarsh JR in Science (95.4%), and Srimaanya Ranganathan Sharma in Commerce (93.6%).
At Ekya BTM, all 23 Grade 10 students passed with distinction, led by Ayaan Rajeev Gopalakrishna with 94.4%. Grade 12 students continued the strong performance, with Anjali Vishwanath topping Science at 97%, Lara Ruth Pinto leading Commerce at 90.4%, and Mahashree Gautom excelling in Humanities with 89.2%.
CMR NPS also reported impressive outcomes. In Grade 10, 24 students scored above 90%, including three centum scores, with top performers Punam Ajit Shenvi (97.4%) and Ridhi Narendra (96.4%).
All 161 Grade 12 students passed, with six securing perfect scores and 29 earning distinctions. Leading the streams were Sri Harini Ravichandar (Science – 97.2%), Ritwik Pattanayak (97%), Anandita Balachander (Commerce – 94%), and Sreelakshmi Naveen (Humanities – 98.6%).
These results reflect the schools’ continued commitment to academic excellence.
15, May 2025
New Relic Announces Manivannan Govindan as Senior Director of Enterprise Sales, Asia
Bangalore India – May 15, 2025 — New Relic, the Intelligent Observability company, announced the appointment of Manivannan Govindan as Senior Director of Enterprise Sales, Asia. Govindan brings 25+ years of monitoring and observability sales experience to the role, where he has driven significant value at several organisations including Cisco, Amazon, and CA Technologies.
Manivannan Govindan
Based in Singapore, Govindan will join a dynamic and highly experienced regional leadership team. This includes Senior Vice President of Asia Pacific and Japan Simon Lee, Group Vice President of Customer Adoption Rob Newell, recently appointed Senior Director of Enterprise Sales for Australia and New Zealand Denis Maguire, as well as other key senior leaders driving strategic growth and customer success across the region.
“Asia is a very promising market for New Relic. There is tremendous growth potential across traditional enterprises looking to modernise, as well as digital natives requiring scale and agility,” said New Relic Senior Vice President of Asia Pacific and Japan, Simon Lee. “With extensive experience in the Asian observability market, I couldn’t be more excited to have Manivannan join the team and take our Asian business to new heights, while delivering real value for our customers.”
Businesses in the Asia Pacific region are turning to observability tools to improve operations, reduce cloud spending, and deliver better customer experiences. According to Gartner, worldwide end-user spending on public cloud services is forecast to total $723.4 billion in 2025, up from $595.7 billion in 2024. Gartner also predicts that 90% of organisations will adopt a hybrid cloud strategy by 2027, presenting a challenge in synchronising data across hybrid cloud environments. The New Relic Intelligent Observability Platform enables businesses to optimise operations by addressing rising cloud costs and tool proliferation, while improving customer experiences.
“Customers in Asia are rapidly driving digital transformation and adopting multi-cloud and containerised applications, while retaining complex backends in hybrid architectures,” said New Relic Senior Director of Enterprise Sales Asia, Manivannan Govindan. “New Relic is uniquely positioned to help Asian enterprises achieve visibility across their entire IT estates, ultimately helping them reduce complexity while ensuring the availability and performance of their digital services. I couldn’t be more excited to join the team and help demonstrate the power of the New Relic Intelligent Observability Platform.”
Govindan’s appointment comes after a series of innovations and enhancements. This includes New Relic’s reimagined Partner Program, which has been designed to fuel business growth for its partner ecosystem with stronger incentives for partners, as well as new and simplified certifications and enhanced training. In addition, 20+ innovations and integrations that leverage AI-strengthened intelligence and insights to drive business uptime were recently announced across the New Relic Intelligent Observability Platform.
14, May 2025
Goyal Salt’s FY25 PAT grown by 40.11% to Rs 13.24 crore
Jaipur, May 14, 2025: Goyal Salt Limited, leading FMCG player which specializes in salt, has announced its financial results for the year ended March 31, 2025.
| Particulars | FY25 | FY24 | YoY (%) | |
| Net Revenues | 129.97 | 117.74 | 10.39% | |
| EBITDA | 11.94 | 7.45 | 60.27% | |
| PAT | 13.24 | 9.45 | 40.11% |
FY25 Financial Highlights
- Total Income in FY25 was at ₹ 129.97 crore, as compared to ₹ 117.70 crore in FY24, up by 10.39%
- EBITDA was at ₹ 11.94 crore as compared to ₹ 7.45 crore in FY24; registered a growth of 60.27%
- PAT was at ₹ 13.24 crore as compared to ₹ 9.45 crore in FY24, increase of 40.11%
Operational Highlights
- Company had inaugurated India’s largest natural salt plant in salt capital of India, Gandhidham in the month of April, 2025
- Total capacity of the company is 2,200 MT per day and 6,60,000 MT per year
Commenting on the performance, Mr. Pramesh Goyal, Managing Director said, “We are delighted to report all time high net revenues of ₹ 129.97 crore for the year.
The Gandhidham plant is expected to increase Goyal Salt’s production capabilities and more than double its turnover in two years to ₹ 275 crore. The Gandhidham facility is a landmark achievement towards strengthening our operations and expanding presence to western and eastern markets in the country. With such plant capacity enhancement, we are poised to boost our market share, consolidating our leadership role in the industry.
With the new capacity on board the company will have full utilisation in FY27 and with both volume and price growth due to branding efforts in both Northern, Western and Eastern markets the company is going to achieve higher revenues with the current expanded capacity.”
14, May 2025
Sonal Panwar: Acting Found Me Before I Found It
Sometimes, destiny scripts the best stories and for &TV’s young and talented actor Sonal Panwar, it could not be truer. Today, she is winning hearts as Inspector Malaika in Happu Ki Ultan Paltan, a tough, disciplined, and level-headed police officer who is known for her values and serves as the rare voice of reason in the quirky Singh household. Looking back at how her acting journey began, Sonal Panwar aka Malaika shares,“Acting, quite literally, happened to me by chance. A few years ago, a friend who was directing an episode for a crime show called me last minute to fill in for a role. At that point, becoming an actor was not even on my radar. I was just helping out. But the moment I stepped onto the set, something clicked. The buzz of the camera, the lights, the team working coordinated, it all felt surreal. People are getting your makeup done, offering you water, and everyone is so focused. I thought to myself, ‘Wow, this is what being an actor feels like?’ That spontaneous moment changed everything for me.” But the road ahead was not all glamorous. She adds, “Of course, the journey was not as dreamy as that first day. I had to audition relentlessly before anything substantial came my way. Eventually, I landed a role in a web series alongside one of my favourite actors, Richa Chadha. I will be honest—I was more of a fangirl on set than a co-actor! But those early experiences taught me a lot and gave me the confidence I needed to take on bigger roles.
Speaking about her experience joining Happu Ki Ultan Paltan and stepping into the shoes of Malaika, Sonal recalls, “My journey to this show was extremely smooth. It genuinely wanted to come home. I already knew most of the cast and crew because I had worked with them on another show from the same production house. Although I joined the show later and replaced another actor in the role, the transition was seamless thanks to the support and guidance of my director and co-actors.” For Sonal, Inspector Malaika is more than just a character, “I love being part of this show and playing Inspector Malaika. For me, she is not just another role, she reflects grit, groundedness, and girl power. Playing Malaika is empowering. She is bold, fair, speaks her mind, and knows how to stand tall in the middle of household madness.”
14, May 2025
ENRISSION INDIA CAPITAL Leads dollar550K Seed Round in LUZO – Powering the Future of Tech-Enabled Wellness
May 14th, 2025: ENRISSION INDIA CAPITAL Inc. has led a $550K seed funding round in Salonsurf Ventures, the company behind LUZO, a curated marketplace for salons, spas, and wellness clinics.The round includes participation from several investors, notably including the Founders of Swiggy Dineout and Orra.
Founded by Anurav Dave, Nikhil Kalwani, and Maan Jetley, LUZO is building a digital platform that streamlines the way consumers discover and book beauty and wellness services. The platform addresses the growing demand among India’s urban consumers for high-quality, convenient, and tech-enabled experiences.
With over 65% of India’s population under 35 and increasing awareness around self-care, there is a rising preference for premium grooming services. LUZO responds to this shift by offering a seamless way to explore, compare, and book curated services across verified providers.
Harsh Deordhar, Principal at ENRISSION INDIA CAPITAL added, “LUZO’s model is grounded in clear market demand, user-first design, and efficient execution. The beauty and wellness space in India is undergoing a digital transformation, and LUZO is well-positioned to play a defining role in shaping its evolution.”
The capital raised will be used to strengthen LUZO’s technology infrastructure, expand its partner network in Tier-1 cities, and increase brand visibility among its target audiences.
Anurav Dave, Co-founder of LUZO further added, “Our goal is to make luxury wellness more accessible and frictionless. This investment supports our next phase of growth as we expand our reach and enhance user experience through technology.”
ENRISSION INDIA CAPITAL continues to invest in ventures driving cultural and consumer change, with LUZO representing a step forward in building the digital future of beauty and wellness.
14, May 2025
LuxeGlamp expands to UAE with Landmark Eco-Tourism Project in Umm Al Quwain
Umm Al Quwain / New Delhi – 14 May 2025: Luxeglamp Eco-resorts, the pioneers of luxury glamping in India, has opened its first overseas glamping destination at Umm Al Quwain in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The company has announced the commencement of operations of LuxeGlamp UAQ, the UAE’s first dedicated eco-tourism glamping resort.
The project, the foundation stone for which was laid by Sheikh Majid bin Saud bin Rashid Al Mualla, Chairman of the Department of Tourism and Antiquities in Umm Al Quwain, signaling the emirate’s shared commitment to responsible and future-forward tourism, is located in the heart of the Umm Al Quwain Mangrove Reserve, offering ten glass-domed suites, each spanning nearly 1,000 square feet.
Antony Thomas, Founder and CEO of LuxeGlamp, said, “LuxeGlamp UAQ is a celebration of what Indian eco-luxury hospitality can achieve globally. We’re proud to share our nature-first design philosophy with the world. A highlight of the destination is Luxe Bistro. This stunning glass-domed fine-dining restaurant delivers a fusion of Indian, Middle Eastern, and Mediterranean cuisines, crafted with local and sustainable ingredients”.
Spread over 50 acres and with a build-up area of 3 acres is a first-of-its-kind project in the region, LuxeGlamp UAQ merges luxury hospitality with a strong commitment to environmental sustainability, redefining conscious travel in the Middle East. It is designed to offer a sustainable and luxurious glamping experience, becoming the regions most significant eco-tourism venture. These panoramic domes are meticulously designed to blend into the mangrove ecosystem and offer guests private plunge pools, wooden decks, saunas, and hammocks—all with uninterrupted views of the Arabian Gulf and surrounding mangroves.
The resort features
Sustainability Highlights:
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- 100% eco-conscious design: no permanent structures, no piling, and zero soil disturbance
- Solar-powered operation across the property
- Structures made from recyclable materials including tempered glass and aluminium
- Use of sustainable bamboo for 80% of wood applications
- No single-use plastics
- Interiors feature elegant Balinese design fused with local cultural elements
Founded by Indian entrepreneur Antony Thomas, LuxeGlamp has become a recognized name in India for its award-winning, eco-sensitive glamping retreats in India at Kodaikanal in Tamil Nadu and Munnar in Kerala. With the launch of LuxeGlamp UAQ, the brand proudly steps onto the global stage, showcasing Indian innovation in sustainable tourism.
