Category Archives: Business

Salesforce – Industry Leaders Champion Agentic AI at Salesforce Trailblazing Women Summit

Bengaluru, May 7, 2026: Salesforce India, a leading AI CRM company,  hosted the Trailblazing Women Summit in India, bringing together business leaders, technology experts, and industry professionals to discuss leadership, innovation, and organizational transformation in the age of Agentic AI.

The summit, themed “Drive Success in the Agentic Era,” witnessed participation from more than 380 in-person attendees and over 3,700 live virtual participants across industries.

The event focused on how enterprises and leaders can move beyond AI adoption toward building AI agency — the strategic ability to leverage AI agents to enhance productivity, decision-making, and organizational growth.

Leadership lessons from sports and business

A key highlight of the summit was a fireside chat featuring Arundhati Bhattacharya and Mithali Raj.

Drawing from her 23-year cricketing career, Mithali Raj shared insights on adaptive leadership, resilience, and navigating transformation across evolving environments.

Speaking at the summit, she said:

“Every era brings new conditions and new rules. The leaders who thrive are not those who resist change, but those who build teams capable of turning it into a competitive advantage. That is as true in cricket as it is in any boardroom navigating Agentic AI today.”

Building leadership for the Agentic AI era

Commenting on the significance of the summit, Arundhati Bhattacharya said:

“We are at an inflection point — not just for technology, but for leadership itself. The Agentic Era gives us the ability to direct AI with intention, freeing people to lead with what matters most — judgment, empathy, and purpose. This summit is about having the conviction to build that future ourselves, not simply adapt to one being built elsewhere.”

Industry leaders discuss the future of AI-powered enterprises

The summit also featured executive panel discussions focused on leadership, workforce transformation, and future-ready careers.

Leading the agentic enterprise

Moderated by Aditi Sharma, the panel included:

• Piya Haldar
• Ashima Bhat
• Nathalie Scardino

The discussion explored how enterprises are redesigning teams and operating models where AI agents and human expertise work together.

Future-proofing careers in the AI era

Moderated by Geetha Chandrasekhar, the panel featured:

• Annapurna Vishwanathan
• Praneet Sidhu
• Sridevi Rao

The panel emphasized the growing importance of human judgment, adaptability, and leadership skills in an AI-driven workplace.

Advancing AI-native enterprises

Salesforce India stated that the summit reflects its broader focus on helping organizations evolve into AI-native enterprises by integrating humans, AI agents, applications, and data within unified and trusted platforms.

The event reinforced the importance of balancing technological advancement with human-centered leadership as enterprises prepare for the next phase of AI transformation.

Royal Enfield Celebrates 125 Years Of Pure Motorcycling With Its Biggest Himalayan Odyssey Yet

India, May 07: Celebrating its 125th year milestone, Royal Enfield, the global leader in the mid-sized motorcycle segment, announces the 22nd edition of its iconic Himalayan Odyssey. For over two decades, the Himalayan Odyssey has served as the ultimate proving ground for the spirit of ‘Pure Motorcycling‘—a gruelling, soul-stirring pilgrimage that transforms riders and defines legacies against the backdrop of the world’s highest peaks.

In 2026, the legend evolves and is now reimagined across four distinct formats. This evolution offers riders four unique gateways into the raw, unyielding landscapes of Ladakh, ensuring that while the paths may differ, the destination remains the same: a life-altering journey into the Himalayas.

What was once reserved for a handful of seasoned riders has become a shared aspiration across a new generation of explorers. And this year, the format reflects that shift. For the very first time, the Himalayan Odyssey will unfold across four routes—Himalayan Odyssey Original, Explore, Kargil Circuit, and Nubra Circuit—each designed to meet riders where they are, and take them further than they imagined.

Himalayan Odyssey Original – The Legendary Mile : June 25, 2026 – July 10, 2026

The original 16-day expedition remains the definitive expression of the Odyssey. Beginning and ending in Chandigarh, it is a fully supported journey through Himachal, Zanskar, and Ladakh, uniting long days in the saddle with the discipline and rhythm of riding in formation. For many, this is where the idea of the Himalayas becomes real. 

Himalayan Odyssey Explore – Beyond the Edge of the Map : June 26, 2026 – July 5 2026

Built for those who seek more from the mountains, Explore strips the journey back to its essentials. With limited support and self-carried gear, riders navigate harsher terrain and make decisions that shape their own path. It is raw, demanding, and deeply rewarding, where every kilometre is earned, and every moment stays with you. 

Himalayan Odyssey Kargil Circuit, and Nubra Circuit– The Soul of the Himalayas : June 29, 2026 – July 5, 2026

Built for those who want to feel the Himalayas as much as ride through them, these routes slow the pace and deepen the experience. Beginning in Leh, the Satellite edition unfolds across two distinct journeys—The Frontier & The Sands and History & Heritage—each offering a different window into the region. These routes go beyond the ride, into the lives, stories, and cultures that define the Himalayas. Here, the journey is as much about connection as it is about conquest.

Over the years, it has grown, not just in scale but in meaning. Spanning over 2,200 kilometres, it traverses some of the highest motorable passes in the world. From the stark, wind-carved heights of Khardung La to the remote reaches of Umling La, the Himalayan Odyssey has also always been about what unfolds along the way – moments of stillness, shared hardship and the quiet clarity that only these mammoth mountains can offer.  

At its core, it has always been guided by the simple belief that the places we ride through must be left better than we found them. In 2026, Royal Enfield continues its commitment to responsible travel through its #LeaveEveryPlaceBetter initiative, focusing on conscious riding practices, reducing environmental impact, and supporting the communities that make these journeys possible. 

Because in the end, the Himalayan Odyssey is not just about reaching the highest passes. It is about discovering what lies beyond them and within.

Retail Inflation Seen Near 4pc in April as Food Costs and Global Pressures Intensify

Indian Markets Rise on US-Iran Peace Hopes; Sensex Gains 380 Points in Early Trade

Mumbai, May 7 (BNP): Indian benchmark indices traded in positive territory on Thursday morning as investor sentiment improved amid expectations of a possible diplomatic breakthrough between the United States and Iran.

The BSE Sensex rose nearly 380 points, or 0.48 per cent, touching an intraday high of 78,339.24. The NSE Nifty also advanced by around 92 points, or 0.37 per cent, to trade near 24,423 in early deals.

Despite the broader gains, several heavyweight stocks witnessed selling pressure. Among the notable laggards on the Nifty were Tata Consumer Products, Power Grid Corporation, Hindustan Unilever, TCS, HDFC Bank, Titan, NTPC, and Sun Pharma.

Sector-wise, indices linked to real estate, FMCG, consumer durables, and private banks slipped up to 0.7 per cent. On the other hand, auto and metal stocks outperformed, with both sectors posting gains of nearly 0.8 per cent.

Analysts attributed the positive market mood to reports suggesting Iran is reviewing a peace proposal backed by the US. According to international reports, the proposed framework could help ease ongoing tensions in West Asia, although major concerns surrounding Iran’s nuclear programme and the Strait of Hormuz remain unresolved.

An Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson indicated that Tehran would soon share its response to the proposal, while US President Donald Trump expressed confidence that Iran is willing to negotiate.

Market experts, however, cautioned that volatility may continue due to geopolitical uncertainty and fluctuating crude oil prices. They noted that investor sentiment is currently swinging between optimism over diplomatic progress and fears linked to the broader regional conflict.

Analysts also flagged concerns over rising valuations in the artificial intelligence segment globally, warning that any sharp correction in AI-related stocks could impact foreign portfolio investment flows into emerging markets, including India.

On the earnings front, market participants said investors are rewarding companies that delivered strong March quarter results, while firms missing expectations are facing sharp reactions.

In the commodities market, Brent crude traded around $102.50 per barrel, up 1.2 per cent, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude gained nearly 1.5 per cent to trade close to $96.50 per barrel.

Asian markets mirrored the positive momentum, with indices such as the Nikkei, Hang Seng, and KOSPI trading firmly higher. Overnight, Wall Street also ended on a strong note, with the S&P 500 gaining 1.46 per cent and the Nasdaq rising 2 per cent.

SK Telecom Announces Q1 2026 Results

Seoul, Korea, May 07–SK Telecom (NYSE:SKM, hereinafter referred to as “SKT”) today announced its consolidated earnings for the first quarter of 2026, based on Korean International Financial Reporting Standards (K-IFRS): revenue of KRW 4.3923 trillion, operating income of KRW 537.6 billion, and net income of KRW 316.4 billion.

Revenue increased 1.5% quarter over quarter (QoQ), driven by a recovery in the wireless business and growth in the AI Data Center (AIDC) business. Through company-wide productivity improvement efforts, operating income exceeded KRW 500 billion on a quarterly basis for the first time since the first quarter of last year.

Following a period of subdued performance last year, SKT posted a clear turnaround in the first quarter of 2026, driven by efforts to innovate customer value and restore trust. The company’s AI business, built on a strategy of focus and selectivity, also improved its profitability and delivered tangible results.

On a non-consolidated basis, the company reported revenue of KRW 3.1058 trillion, operating income of KRW 409.5 billion, and net income of KRW 332.7 billion. SKT also reinstated its quarterly dividend, with a dividend of KRW 830 per share for the first quarter.

■ Handset subscribers up 210,000 as trust restoration efforts bring customers back

SKT achieved net additions of approximately 210,000 handset subscribers in the first quarter of 2026. Mobile service revenue increased 1.7% QoQ. These results are attributable to the company’s commitment to placing customers at the core of its business and implementing a range of measures to strengthen fundamental competitiveness.

SKT recently revamped its membership program to expand customer benefits and improve ease of use. The company is also advancing a restructuring of its rate plans to further enhance customer choice.

SK Broadband, the company’s fixed-line subsidiary, recorded revenue of KRW 1.1498 trillion and operating income of KRW 116.6 billion, up 3.2% and 21.4% year over year (YoY), respectively, driven by growth in high-speed internet subscribers.

■ AI Data Center business accelerates, fuelling full-scale push into AI B2B market

SKT’s AI business is delivering tangible results through its strategy of focus and selectivity.

The AIDC business, a key growth engine, recorded revenue of KRW 131.4 billion in the first quarter, surging 89.3% YoY. Performance was driven by higher utilization rates at data centers including the Gasan (Seoul) data center, as well as increased revenue from GPUaaS (GPU-as-a-Service), adding further momentum to the business.

A service that provides GPU resources in a cloud-based model according to customer demand

As AI infrastructure demand from global Big Tech companies accelerates rapidly, SKT plans to reinforce its competitiveness across the full AIDC value chain and continuously expand its infrastructure footprint.

The company will also broaden its push into the AI Business-to-Business (B2B) market. As the only domestic provider with full-stack capabilities spanning AI infrastructure, models, and services, and drawing on its accumulated experience in the enterprise business, SKT plans to make a full-scale entry into the AI B2B market going forward. To this end, the company has recently established an integrated organization to drive enterprise business, reporting directly to the CEO.

In the AI Business-to-Consumer (B2C) space, SKT plans to enhance its fundamental competitiveness by creating synergies between the AI agent business and the telecommunications industry. In particular, its flagship AI service ‘A.’ (pronounced “A-dot”) is set to enhance its performance by leveraging a sovereign AI foundation model on par with leading global models, thereby strengthening its standalone competitiveness.

“The first quarter of 2026 was a meaningful period in which we delivered tangible results in line with this year’s goals — strengthening fundamental competitiveness centered on customer value and restoring profitability through a focused AI business,” said Park Jong-seok, CFO of SK Telecom. “Going forward, we will make every effort to restore our earnings by generating sustained results.”

※ The conference call in regard to SKT’s 1Q 2026 earnings results can be heard via SKT’s webpage on Thursday, May 7, from 16:00 Seoul Time.

※ Attachment 1. Summary of Consolidated Income Statement (Unit: KRW billion)

※ Attachment 2. Summary of Non-Consolidated Income Statement (Unit: KRW billion)

Maishaa Unveils Thread Art Collection, Bringing French Country Romance to Modern Bedrooms

New Delhi, May 07: Redefining bedroom aesthetics with a blend of artistry and comfort, Maishaa has introduced its exquisite Thread Art Collection—a premium bed linen range inspired by the serene charm of the French countryside. Designed to transform everyday living spaces into elegant sanctuaries, the collection celebrates craftsmanship, intricate detailing, and refined luxury.

Crafted from 100% combed cotton, the Thread Art Collection stands out for its delicate crewel thread work that accentuates floral motifs with subtle golden highlights. The intricate embroidery—featuring flowing, nature-inspired patterns—creates a visually rich texture, lending both depth and sophistication to bedspreads. The interplay of vibrant threadwork against contrasting bases delivers a striking yet graceful aesthetic.

Available in thoughtfully curated colour combinations such as Black–Fluorescent Green, Black–White, and Black–Red with distinctive red motif embroidery, the collection offers versatility for both contemporary and classic interiors. Each set includes finely designed bed sheets, pillowcases, and duvet covers, allowing homeowners to create a cohesive and luxurious bedroom experience.

Drawing inspiration from nature’s quiet beauty, the collection has been conceptualised by international designers who have translated the romance and tranquillity of countryside living into textile form. Every piece reflects meticulous attention to detail, reinforcing Maishaa’s commitment to quality and design excellence.

“At Maishaa, we believe that the bedroom is more than just a space—it is a personal retreat that should evoke comfort, beauty, and emotional warmth,” said Arun Garg, Founder, Maishaa.

 “With the Thread Art Collection, we have brought together global design sensibilities and traditional craftsmanship to create something truly timeless. The intricate thread work is not just decorative—it tells a story of elegance, heritage, and thoughtful design.”

Beyond aesthetics, the collection also prioritises well-being. The fabrics are anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and free from formaldehyde, ensuring a safe and healthy environment for users. This makes the Thread Art Collection not only a design statement but also a conscious lifestyle choice for modern homes.

“The Thread Art Collection embodies this philosophy—it is where comfort meets craftsmanship in its purest form. We pledge to create textiles with love and passion. The amazing look, texture and finesse is all possible only because of breakthrough processes and techniques that make ordinary things like home linen and furnishing fabrics, the ultimate in luxury and good living.” added Arun Garg.

With this launch, Maishaa continues to strengthen its position as a curator of global luxury textiles, offering holistic design solutions that extend from bedrooms to complete living environments. The Thread Art Collection stands as a testament to the brand’s vision of transforming homes into spaces of enduring elegance and meaningful comfort.

Netwrix Builds Out Leadership Bench with CTO, VP of Engineering, and Head of Americas Channel

FRISCO, Texas – May 6, 2026 – Netwrix, a recognized leader in identity and data security solutions, today announced the appointment of Avesta Hojjati as Chief Technology Officer, Marcin Gierlak as Vice President of Engineering and Kraków Site Leader, and Natalie Tomlin as Head of Channel for North America.

“With AI fueling both external attackers and data leakage, our customers are confronted by security challenges that are more complex than ever — more identities, more data, more risk,” said Grady Summers, CEO at Netwrix. “We’re bringing in leaders across engineering and channel to accelerate innovation and help partners improve customers’ security posture and AI governance.”

Avesta Hojjati joins from SecurityScorecard, where he served as CTO and led cross-functional teams spanning AI, data science, threat intelligence, product engineering, and core platform operations taking a new platform from concept to production in under 12 months. He brings experience on both the offensive and defensive sides of security, alongside deep expertise in AI, machine learning, and distributed systems. Before SecurityScorecard, he spent eight years at DigiCert leading engineering across IoT security, automation, and digital trust. Earlier roles include Symantec and Yahoo. He holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and is named on more than 45 patents.

Marcin Gierlak most recently served as VP of Engineering at Napster, where he led teams focused on machine learning and AI research in production systems. He has held engineering leadership roles at HID Global and IBM and has led distributed engineering teams across multiple geographies. Based in Krakow, he will also serve as site leader for Netwrix’s innovation center and engineering hub there.

Natalie Tomlin brings extensive channel and partner leadership experience across leading cybersecurity companies, including McAfee and Trellix, with additional experience building partner programs at Palo Alto Networks. Recognized by CRN as a Woman of the Channel, she has built and scaled partner-driven growth across national and commercial markets, working with MSPs and cloud providers such as AWS and Azure. At Netwrix, she will expand the North American partner network and strengthen how the company goes to market through the channel.

Real estate sentiment eases in Q1 amid global pressures

New Delhi, May 6 (BNP): India’s real estate sector witnessed a shift toward cautious sentiment in the first quarter of 2026, influenced by global economic uncertainty and rising cost pressures, according to a joint report by Knight Frank and NAREDCO.

The report noted a decline in stakeholder confidence, with the Current Sentiment Score dropping to 49 from 60, while the Future Sentiment Score eased to a neutral level of 50 from 61. The index reflects the outlook of developers, investors, and financial institutions on economic conditions and funding availability.

The moderation in sentiment has been largely attributed to global macroeconomic volatility, including rising crude oil prices, which have increased construction, logistics, and financing costs—impacting overall project viability.

Despite stable domestic economic fundamentals, geopolitical factors are beginning to influence both demand and supply dynamics in the sector.

The residential segment showed signs of slowing after a sustained growth phase, with moderation in both housing sales and new project launches during the quarter. Around 52 per cent of stakeholders expect housing sales to decline in the near term. However, 73 per cent believe property prices will either remain stable or continue to rise, driven by higher input and borrowing costs.

This divergence between softening demand and firm pricing underscores the structural cost pressures shaping the housing market.

Meanwhile, nearly half of respondents anticipate a slowdown in new project launches. In contrast, the office segment remains relatively resilient, with 41 per cent of stakeholders expecting improved leasing demand.

Industry experts described the current phase as a short-term recalibration rather than a fundamental slowdown, noting that end-user demand and steady price trends continue to support the sector’s long-term outlook.

India, South Korea set to review trade pact to boost economic ties

New Delhi, May 6 (BNP): India and South Korea are expected to hold talks on May 25 to review their existing trade agreement, with an aim to strengthen economic cooperation and address key trade concerns.

The discussions will focus on revisiting the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which has been in force since 2010. India is likely to push for updates to make the pact more relevant to current global trade dynamics and to tackle issues such as the trade imbalance.

Officials from both countries are set to participate in the negotiations, which are seen as an important step toward enhancing bilateral trade and creating more balanced and mutually beneficial opportunities.

The review could pave the way for a more modern and effective trade framework, helping deepen economic engagement between the two nations.

Piyush Goyal Meets Airbus India Chief, Discusses Aerospace and MRO Growth

May 6 (BNP): Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal held discussions with the India head of Airbus, focusing on strengthening aerospace manufacturing and expanding Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) capabilities in the country.

The meeting centered on enhancing India’s role in the global aviation supply chain, with emphasis on boosting domestic manufacturing capacity, skill development, and investment opportunities in the aerospace sector.

Both sides discussed ways to deepen collaboration in aircraft production ecosystems and improve India’s MRO infrastructure, which is seen as a key growth area for the aviation industry.

Officials said the engagement reflects India’s ongoing efforts to position itself as a major hub for aerospace manufacturing and services, supported by policy reforms and growing industrial capacity.