Category Archives: Business

Rallis India Limited Launches “Idea2Impact™” An Open Innovation Ecosystem to Accelerate Farmer-First Agricultural Solutions

Mumbai, Jan 13: Rallis India Limited, a Tata Enterprise and a science-led agri-solutions company, today announced the launch of Idea2Impact™ Rallis Agri Innovation Ecosystem, a structured open innovation platform aimed at fostering collaboration across the agricultural ecosystem to accelerate the development of farmer-centric, sustainable solutions.

Idea2Impact™ has been conceived to bring external ideas, scientific capability, and real-world field insights together in a transparent and responsible manner. The ecosystem enables collaboration with farmers, researchers, startups, academic institutions, and small enterprises, providing them access to Rallis’ scientific expertise, R&D infrastructure, testing and validation capabilities, and pan-India market reach.

Indian agriculture is facing increasing complexity driven by climate variability, sustainability expectations, evolving regulatory requirements, and changing farmer needs. Rallis believes that addressing these challenges requires innovation that extends beyond organisational boundaries and is firmly grounded in scientific rigor and on-field relevance.

Idea2Impact™ follows a structured, milestone-based governance framework, covering confidentiality, evaluation, development, and value-sharing. Innovations submitted through the platform may progress through laboratory studies, greenhouse and multi-location field trials, piloting, and—where appropriate—commercialization, supported by clear intellectual property and royalty frameworks.

Dr. Gyanendra Shukla, Managing Director & CEO, Rallis India Limited, said:

“At Rallis, we believe that meaningful agricultural innovation emerges when strong science is combined with fresh ideas and real field experience. Idea2Impact™ is our way of opening up Rallis’ capabilities to the wider ecosystem, while maintaining the highest standards of governance, transparency, and scientific rigor. This platform will help us work more closely with innovators to develop solutions that deliver real value to farmers and contribute to the long-term sustainability of Indian agriculture.”

The ecosystem will focus on priority innovation domains critical to Indian agriculture, including Seeds and Trait Innovation (covering plant breeding and germplasm), Biological and Sustainable Solutions,

Crop Protection, Soil Health, Digital and Precision Agriculture, and Climate & Water Resilience. These focus areas align closely with Rallis’ long-term portfolio priorities and growth strategy.

As part of the Tata Group, Rallis brings to Idea2Impact™ a strong foundation of ethical practices, governance standards, and a long-term partnership mindset. Collaborations under the platform will emphasize responsible innovation, respect for intellectual property, transparent benefit-sharing mechanisms, and measurable farmer impact.

Through Idea2Impact™, Rallis aims to strengthen its innovation pipeline, accelerate the validation and scaling of relevant technologies, and build long-term partnerships that support sustainable value creation for farmers, partners, and stakeholders.

Aretto Opens Its Doors at Vegas Mall, Dwarka

Delhi, Jan 13: Vegas Mall, one of Dwarka’s leading lifestyle and fashion destinations, is delighted to announce the grand opening of Aretto, a specialized kids’ footwear brand, now welcoming shoppers at the mall. The addition of Aretto enhances the mall’s expanding mix of lifestyle and fashion offerings, catering to families and young visitors seeking stylish comfort and quality footwear for children.

Aretto is known for blending innovative comfort technology with playful style, designed especially for growing feet. The new store at Vegas Mall presents a curated range of kids’ shoes that prioritize ergonomic design, advanced sole technology, and a joyful in-store experience aligning perfectly with the mall’s commitment to providing diverse, family-friendly retail choices.

“With the launch of Aretto at Vegas Mall, we continue to elevate the shopping experience for families in Dwarka and the wider Delhi-NCR region,” said Ravinder Choudhary, Vice President, Vegas Mall. “We strive to bring brands that resonate with our community’s lifestyle needs, and Aretto’s fresh approach to children’s footwear reflects both innovation and joy values close to our ethos. We look forward to seeing our visitors embrace this exciting new addition.”

Vegas Mall remains dedicated to curating an eclectic and engaging retail environment from national and international fashion brands to experiential shopping concepts. The launch of Aretto reinforces the mall’s position as a go-to destination for quality, variety, and memorable family experiences.

BSE Index Services Launches BSE 150 Midcap Universe Factor Indices

Mumbai, Jan 13: BSE Index Services Pvt. Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of BSE, today announced the launch of four new factor indices derived from the BSE 150 Midcap Index as the universe, with a 5% stock-level capping.

These indices are reconstituted quarterly, have a base value of 1,000, and a first value date of June 20, 2005. The methodology also includes an additional screening criterion of 100% stock trading frequency, ensuring robust liquidity and investability.

Newly Launched Indices

• BSE Midcap 150 Enhanced Value 30
  Measures the performance of the 30 companies within the BSE 150 Midcap Index with the most attractive valuations, based on proprietary value scores.

• BSE Midcap 150 Momentum 30
  Tracks the performance of the 30 companies in the BSE 150 Midcap Index that demonstrate the strongest persistence in relative performance, based on momentum scores.

• BSE Midcap 150 Low Volatility 30
  Measures the performance of the 30 least volatile companies within the BSE 150 Midcap universe.

• BSE Midcap 150 Quality 30
  Tracks the performance of the 30 highest-quality companies in the BSE 150 Midcap Index, selected based on quality scores.

Commenting on the launch, Ashutosh Singh, Managing Director & CEO, BSE Index Services Pvt. Ltd., said:

“Mid-cap stocks are a critical building block in long-term investment portfolios. With this launch, BSE’s factor indices now span large caps, large-mid caps, the broad BSE 500 universe, and mid-caps. Our objective is to create a seamless, institution-grade, investable factor continuum while enabling ETF and passive fund managers to build coherent, market-wide strategies aligned with varying risk–return objectives.”

The newly launched indices are designed to support passive investment strategies, including exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and index funds. They can also serve as effective benchmarks for portfolio management services (PMS), mutual fund schemes, and institutional portfolios.

With this expansion, investors and asset managers gain access to a broader and more structured set of factor-based investment opportunities, further strengthening BSE’s comprehensive suite of benchmark and thematic indices.

Cathay Welcomes Peking University Study Advancing China’s Sustainable Aviation Fuel Ecosystem

Hong Kong / Beijing, Jan 13: Cathay has welcomed the release of Igniting the SAF Market: Policy Pathways for Scaling Sustainable Aviation Fuel in China, a comprehensive research study published by Peking University’s National School of Development in late 2025. The study provides timely and actionable insights into accelerating the adoption of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) across the Chinese Mainland, addressing both supply- and demand-side challenges.

The report analyses the current barriers and untapped potential in scaling SAF production and deployment in China, drawing on global best practices and benchmarking them against the country’s successful solar photovoltaic industry. It highlights China’s strong feedstock availability and manufacturing capabilities, while evaluating long-term cost trajectories across multiple SAF production pathways.

Notably, the study identifies the Power-to-Liquid (PtL) pathway commonly used to produce electro-sustainable aviation fuel (eSAF)—as having the greatest potential for long-term cost reduction. With appropriate policy support, locally produced SAF via the PtL route could achieve price parity with conventional jet fuel, inclusive of China’s projected 2030 carbon price, once cumulative eSAF production reaches approximately 1.6 million tonnes.

The study further recommends a multi-pronged approach to building a robust national SAF ecosystem. Key measures include policy integration, stimulating market demand, expanding access to international markets, and establishing procurement mechanisms that ensure long-term supply and demand stability.

Commenting on the findings, Grace Cheung, General Manager Sustainability at Cathay, said:

“As a vital player in global aviation and the SAF ecosystem, the Chinese Mainland’s development of its domestic SAF industry not only supports national carbon targets, but also contributes to improving the global availability and affordability of sustainable aviation fuel.”

“This study by Peking University is highly encouraging, as it demonstrates the long-term potential for cost parity between SAF and conventional jet fuel. Achieving this will require sustained support for new technologies, large-scale SAF production, and policy frameworks that address both supply and demand. Such progress is essential for global airlines to scale SAF usage in a commercially viable manner.”

Cathay has been a longstanding supporter of SAF development in the Chinese Mainland and globally. The Group was among the early adopters of Chinese-made SAF, uplifting SAF at Hong Kong International Airport, Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, and London Heathrow Airport.

SAF remains a critical pillar of aviation’s decarbonisation pathway. Compared with conventional jet fuel, SAF can reduce lifecycle carbon emissions by around 80%, based on the SAF procured by the Cathay Group in 2024.

HCLTech to partner with The Magnum Ice Cream Company to modernize its digital foundation

 NOIDA, India, Jan 13:  HCLTech, a leading global technology company, has entered into a multi-year partnership to design, build and manage a future-ready IT infrastructure for The Magnum Ice Cream Company (TMICC), the world’s largest ice cream company. In the coming years, HCLTech will deploy its AI Force platform to embed AI across TMICC’s digital infrastructure.

HCLTech’s solutions integrate predictive analytics, improve business process observability and keep user experience at the heart of its clients operating model to deliver scalable, resilient IT operations around across the globe. Central to the partnership with TMICC is the evolution from AIOps to a NoOps operating model, enabling zero-touch automation and agentic solutions for fully autonomous IT operations.

“As The Magnum Ice Cream Company advances as an independent listed ice cream company, we are infusing intelligence into every layer of our digital foundation. Our partnership with HCLTech is instrumental in building a secure, future-ready infrastructure. Together, we are unlocking advanced AI capabilities that will redefine operational excellence and elevate the experiences we deliver,” said Mark O’Brien, Chief Technology Officer, The Magnum Ice Cream Company.

The new partnership demonstrates HCLTech’s innovation, agility and operational excellence within the consumer-packaged goods industry, driving technology-led transformation and enhancing customer experience. HCLTech’s proven methodology will ensure TMICC can navigate a seamless Transition Service Agreement (TSA) exit from Unilever and establish a greenfield IT infrastructure to build an AI-powered digital ice cream future.

“This partnership reinforces HCLTech’s leadership in driving complex, global transformations backed by deep domain expertise. We look forward to contributing to TMICC’s growth vision and strategy with the best of technology and global talent,” added C Vijayakumar, CEO & Managing Director, HCLTech

James Varghese Steps Down from OAP Mediatech; Takes Charge as Founder & CEO of OTS Communications

Mumbai, Jan 12: Veteran media professional James Varghese has announced the launch of OTS Communications (I) Pvt Ltd, a full-service media agency delivering integrated solutions across Out-of-Home (OOH), BTL activations, retail signages, and ATL media.

With over 33 years of experience in the media and advertising industry, Varghese brings deep expertise in media strategy, planning, and execution. He was associated with OAP for 19 years, where he played a pivotal role in driving strategic media initiatives and building long-standing client relationships across categories.

Commenting on the launch, James Varghese, Founder & CEO, OTS Communications, said,

“Over the years, I have had the opportunity to lead campaigns across platforms and categories. These experiences reinforced my belief that effective media outcomes come from strategic clarity, execution rigour, and ownership. OTS Communications is an extension of that belief—hands-on, focused, and deeply involved in delivering tangible value for clients.”

Sharing his perspective, Abhijit Sengupta, CEO & Director, OAP Mediatech, said,

“James Varghese has been an integral part of OAP’s journey for nearly two decades, and his leadership, integrity, and people-first approach have left a lasting imprint on the organisation. As he embarks on the next chapter of his professional journey, I wish him success in building something of his own and pursuing his entrepreneurial vision. I am confident that the values he has always stood for honesty, humility, and commitment will continue to guide him forward.”

His transition marks the culmination of a significant professional chapter, shaped by decades of industry experience, relationships, and trust built over more than three decades—particularly during his time at OAP forming a strong foundation as he embarks on this new entrepreneurial journey.

OTS Communications is founded on the principle that effective media delivery is achieved through a balance of sharp strategy, disciplined execution, and accountability. Built as an agile and focused organisation, the agency is designed to work closely with clients at every stage of the campaign lifecycle, ensuring measurable and outcome-driven media solutions.

Positioned as a responsive and involved media partner, OTS Communications (I) Pvt Ltd aims to deliver integrated, performance-led media solutions while maintaining close senior-level involvement across all mandates, offering clients strategic clarity, execution discipline, and accountability across media platforms.

Sri Vidhya Nilayam, Wins ‘Spirit of Mylapore’ Award 2026 from Sundaram Finance

Chennai, Jan 12: Sundaram Finance Ltd. proudly presented this year’s prestigious Spirit of Mylapore Award 2026 to Sri Vidhya Nilayam, in recognition of their contributions to keeping the culture of the neighbourhood alive for the past many years. The award was handed over by Mr Moahan Venkatesan, Sr. Vice President and Head of Operations and Mr Sudheer Warrier, Chief Technology Officer, Sundaram Finance Ltd., to the proprietor of Sri Vidhya Nilayam, S Vijayakumari and her sons yesterday, towards the conclusion of the Sundaram Finance Mylapore Festival 2026.

The Spirit of Mylapore Award was first instituted in 2009 by Sundaram Finance to celebrate and honour long-standing residents and institutions of Mylapore that have made outstanding contributions to the heritage and culture of this iconic neighbourhood. The award is presented annually during the Sundaram Finance Mylapore Festival.

Founded in 1954, Sri Vidhya Nilayam, is a store that has been selling authentic and good quality puja products, including Kumkum, vibhooti, sandal powder and turmeric, among other things. The store is located on North Mada Street, and they have customers from across the world.

Mr Lakshmanan, son of S Vijayakumari, said, “I thank Sundaram Finance Limited for recognising us through this Spirit of Mylapore Award. It brings so much joy in our hearts. We wanted to keep the legacy of my parents alive by continuing to provide quality products and service to people.”

The Spirit of Mylapore Award has previously been presented to several distinguished recipients, including Sri Ramakrishna Mutt, Rayar’s Mess, The Sanskrit College and SSV Patasala, Vijaya Stores, Rasi Silks, Ramanathan Krishnan, P S Higher Secondary School, Dabba Chetty Shop, and Prof. R Ramachandra.

Canon India Unveils Next-Gen imageFORCE 8100 Series, Redefining Black & White Production Printing

Canon India, a leader in digital imaging solutions, today announced the launch of three new models—imageFORCE 8105, 8195 and 8186—its next-generation printing lineup meticulously engineered to meet the evolving needs of jobbers, copy shops and book publishers. Entering a market valued in the tens to hundreds of billions of dollars, where growth is driven by packaging, publishing and commercial applications, the new series is poised to tap into key demand generators for these segments. With the introduction of the imageFORCE 8105, 8195 and 8186, Canon adds a new monochrome light-production line to its existing production portfolio, ensuring a seamless spread from office printers to high-volume production engines.

This next-generation black-and-white imageFORCE 8100 series is designed to deliver quality and professional-grade output thereby setting new standards of Black & White Brilliance for its customers. The printers deliver superior print resolution, enhanced coated media handling, larger banner size support, and higher feeder capacity to address the demands of Copy shops, Jobber & Print Service providers. Engineered for real‑world production needs, the imageFORCE 8100 series offers sharper 2,400 × 2,400 dpi output and more accurate laser imaging so fine text, graphics and halftones look cleaner, even on complex jobs. By handling a wider range of media, from lightweight duplex stocks to heavy coated papers and long-format banners the new lineup lets print providers take on more varied, higher‑value applications with one device, helping them upgrade print quality, expand services and deliver more premium jobs for their customers.

Speaking on the launch, Mr. Toshiaki Nomura, President & CEO, Canon India, said,

“The launch of the imageFORCE 8100 series marks a significant step forward in our commitment to advancing India’s rapidly evolving Production Print ecosystem. As businesses seek greater efficiency, automation and scalability in their production environments, this new lineup delivers the precision, reliability and media versatility they need to grow. With the 8100 series, we are strengthening our promise of empowering print providers with future-ready technology that elevates quality, expands service capability and supports long-term business transformation.”

Sharing his thoughts on the new lineup, Mr. Puneet Datta, Senior Director, Commercial & Industrial Printing, Canon India, said,

“With the launch of the Monochrome Production Printer imageFORCE 8100 series, we’re expanding our portfolio to give print providers the technology they need to thrive in today’s demanding production environment, where speed, precision, and reliability are non-negotiable. A standout feature is AI-assisted smart maintenance, which predicts the lifespan of parts and key components, enabling proactive service and minimizing downtime. Combined with Canon’s advanced print quality and the ability to handle diverse media, from coated stocks and envelopes to long-format banners, the 8100 series empowers customers to take on more high-value projects with confidence. This lineup is designed to help businesses boost productivity, deliver exceptional quality, and stay competitive in a fast-changing market.”

Higher Print Resolution for Professional Output

The imageFORCE 8100 series delivers up to 2,400 × 2,400 dpi resolution, powered by Canon’s advanced 32-beam R-VCSEL laser technology, which produces sharper text, denser blacks, refined lines, and greater readability, including critical use cases such as barcodes. The upgraded imaging system significantly improves line quality with reduced scatter and raises benchmark barcode performance from D-F levels on earlier models to A-C on the new imageFORCE 8100 range, ensuring professional-grade output across demanding applications.

Coated Media Support for Expanded Print Possibilities

The new imageFORCE 8100 series is built for versatility; the platform now supports coated substrates from 91-150 gsm, along with embossed media, films, and pre-printed stocks. A wider media weight capability ranging from 52-300 gsm enables duplex printing on uncoated sheets and premium coated finishes, ideal for book publishing, commercial print runs, and specialty production jobs that demand richer texture and elevated finish quality.

Higher Feeder Capacity for Increased Productivity

Designed to handle evolving print volumes, the imageFORCE 8100 series features enhanced feeder capacity for sustained, uninterrupted operations in high-demand environments. Equipped to hold more media at once, it improves throughput, supports long-job execution, and reduces intervention time, supporting continuous print cycles for jobbers, copy shops, and book publishers with peak workload requirements.

Extended Size Flexibility for Banner and Long-Format Jobs

With support for media widths up to 13 × 19 inches and extended lengths up to 1,300 mm (51”), the series unlocks new possibilities in banner printing and long-format applications. This capability allows organizations to diversify their service offerings, run complex layouts, and deliver higher-value output without compromising efficiency

Together, these advancements reinforce Canon India’s focus on continuous innovation and customer-centric design, ensuring that the imageFORCE 8100 series not only meets today’s production demands but also anticipates tomorrow’s opportunities. By combining higher print quality, greater media flexibility and scalable productivity, Canon aims to empower print providers across segments to grow faster, differentiate their offerings and build more sustainable, future-ready businesses.

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.