Category Archives: Business

Dr Bhargav Mallappa Appointed as Director of SIIA Data Analysis Research Council (SIIADARC)

The appointment aims to strengthen legal oversight and institutional governance within the Council

New Delhi, Apr 1: The SIIA and Data Analysis Research Council (SIIADARC) has announced the appointment of Dr Bhargav Mallappa as Director of, following an official selection process and approval by the competent authority. The appointment has been made by Dr. Lijo Kuriyadath, Director, SIIADARC.

Dr Mallappa, will serve in this nominated position for a fixed tenure of five years. The role is honorary in nature and aligned with the Council’s broader objective of strengthening institutional governance and legal oversight within its framework.

Speaking on the appointment, Dr. Lijo Kuriyadath, Director, SIIADARC, said, “Dr Bhargav Mallappa’s appointment comes at a crucial time as the Council continues to strengthen its institutional framework. His experience and commitment to professional integrity will play an important role in advancing the Council’s objectives.”

Accepting the role, Dr Bhargav Mallappa stated, “I am honoured to take on the responsibility Director at SIIADARC. I look forward to contributing to the Council’s mission while upholding its values, bylaws and the principles of the Constitution of India.”

The Council reiterated that the position carries a strong emphasis on ethical conduct, accountability and compliance. Any deviation from its bylaws or legal standards may invite disciplinary action, including termination of the appointment.

SIIADARC continues to focus on strengthening its institutional processes through such appointments, ensuring a robust and accountable framework for its operations.

The Offshore Crypto Problem Regulators Can No Longer Ignore

New Delhi, Apr 01 : Globally, the virtual digital asset (VDA) space is emerging as one of the fastest-growing and most innovative sectors. Yet, it continues to face persistent challenges, including a lack of regulatory clarity, legal uncertainty, skepticism, and high taxation. A recent report by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) highlights another growing concern for the industry: virtual asset platforms that operate across borders while remaining largely out of reach of regulators.

These platforms, known as offshore Virtual Asset Service Providers (oVASPs), are exchanges or platforms that are registered in one country but serve customers in another, often without proper registration, consumer protections, or safeguards against illicit activity. The FATF cautions that such operations expose a structural gap in the global financial system, increasing vulnerability to risks like money laundering and terrorist financing.

The core issue here is regulatory evasion. While countries that follow FATF standards require VASPs to register with financial regulators, verify user identities, and report suspicious transactions, oVASPs often sidestep these requirements entirely. Their operations are typically fragmented, with senior management, servers, and compliance functions spread across jurisdictions, far from where their services are actually used. This makes it difficult for enforcement authorities to establish contact, obtain information, and ensure compliance—especially when such platforms are based in countries with weak virtual asset laws.

There are two types of oVASPs, those that may not fully understand the rules that apply to them and those that deliberately design their operations to avoid oversight. The latter pose a far greater risk. The FATF report notes that such entities are often non-responsive to enforcement authorities, deny their legal obligations, or appoint “dummy” compliance representatives who lack the authority or information to engage meaningfully.

To evade scrutiny, these platforms use a range of tactics, including onboarding users through local affiliates, encouraging VPN usage, and falsifying information. They may also rely on complex corporate structures to obscure accountability, making it difficult to identify a responsible entity and causing delays for authorities. This becomes even more concerning when oVASPs are suspected of enabling on-chain illicit activities such as large-scale money laundering and terrorist financing.

India’s experience illustrates how oVASPs can undermine regulations for commercial advantage. Despite requirements for platforms serving Indian users to maintain a physical presence in the country, offshore operators continue to onboard users with diluted KYC norms, gaining a pricing edge over compliant platforms. A significant share of users has shifted to these exchanges, which continue to accept UPI deposits and enable withdrawals into Indian bank accounts through intermediaries—while remaining outside India’s regulatory reach.

The report also acknowledges progress in some jurisdictions. India, for instance, has improved detection capabilities, reinforced physical presence requirements, and established better domestic coordination mechanisms. However, challenges remain. The FATF recommends that countries actively identify oVASP activity, adopt risk-based supervision, and strengthen cooperation with both domestic and international authorities. Home jurisdictions must supervise the global operations of locally registered VASPs and respond promptly to information requests, while host jurisdictions should require oVASPs to obtain local licenses and share intelligence with home regulators.

For the private sector, the responsibility is equally important. Banks, payment platforms, and VASPs must assess and limit their exposure to unlicensed offshore entities and report any suspicious activity to regulators.

oVASPs thrive in the gaps between jurisdictions, agencies, and regulations. Closing these gaps will require stronger cross-border supervision, more accountable platforms, and a coordinated global approach that treats virtual asset risks as a shared responsibility.

Rajagopal G Appointed as Chairman of the Association of Senior Living India

Mumbai, April 1, 2026: The Association of Senior Living India (ASLI), the premier national organisation representing the senior living and care industry, has appointed Rajagopal G as its Chairman for the 2026–2028 term. He succeeds Rajit Mehta, following a period of notable advocacy for the sector.

 A veteran with over three decades of experience, Rajagopal is the Co-founder, Director, and Group CEO of Lifebridge Group. Under his leadership, the group has pioneered a uniquely integrated model across the continuum of aging: Serene Communities (Senior Living), KITES Senior Care (Out-of-hospital Geriatric Care), and Seniorshield (Preventive Health Technology). Together, these platforms support thousands of seniors across India, reflecting his core belief that aging must be addressed as a holistic system delivering high quality solutions

Speaking on his appointment, Rajagopal said: “I am honoured to lead ASLI as India stands on the cusp of a ‘silver wave.’ Our priority will be to collaborate with the government and industry stakeholders to standardise care, advocate for inclusive insurance models, and ensure that every senior in India has access to a life of dignity, innovation, and compassion.”

His appointment comes at a defining moment for India’s “Silver Economy,” as the sector shifts toward specialised geriatric services and elder-centric policy frameworks to meet the needs of a rapidly growing senior population.

SonicWall Report Highlights ‘Seven Deadly Sins’ of Cyber Protection in 2026

Bangalore ,  Apr 1: SonicWall today announced the release of the 2026 SonicWall Cyber Protect Report, marking a landmark reframing from traditional threat reporting in favor of the protection outcomes that matter most to business leaders.

 At the heart of the report is a sobering finding: most SMBs aren’t failing because of sophisticated attacks. They’re failing because of seven predictable, preventable gaps that SonicWall has named the Seven Deadly Sins of Cybersecurity.

The 2026 report continues to draw on data from SonicWall’s global network of more than one million security sensors to reveal a threat landscape that is growing more precise and more relentless. Some key statistical findings include:

• High and medium severity attacks surged 20.8% to 13.15 billion hits. Attackers aren’t striking more often, they’re striking smarter.
• Automated bots now generate more than 36,000 vulnerability scans per second, accounting for more than half of all internet traffic. Bad bot traffic alone has surged to 37% of all global internet traffic.
• IoT attacks climbed 11% to 609.9 million hits; Log4j alone generated 824.9 million IPS hits in 2025, four years after disclosure.
• Identity, cloud, and credential compromise account for 85% of actionable security alerts. The stolen password, not the zero-day, is the attacker’s weapon of choice.
• SMBs bear a disproportionate ransomware burden: 88% of their breaches involved ransomware in 2025, more than double the rate seen at large enterprises.

“SonicWall data reveals attacks are getting faster, and in some instances, they’re getting a little more sophisticated,” said Michael Crean, SVP and GM of Managed Security Services at SonicWall. “But the vast majority of the attacks that we’re seeing and investigating are basic fundamentals that continue to be missed. The danger isn’t that AI isn’t working; it’s that we’re using it as an excuse not to do the things we already know we should.”

The 2026 SonicWall Cyber Protect Report is the first in the company’s history to be built around protection outcomes rather than threat statistics alone. In preparing this year’s research, SonicWall identified seven recurring patterns, dubbed the Seven Deadly Sins that consistently define the difference between resilience and exposure across SMB breach investigations, security assessments, and incident reviews.

The Seven Deadly Sins of Cybersecurity

Rather than attributing breach risk to exotic or emerging attack methods, the 2026 Protect Report identifies seven operational failures that appear repeatedly across investigations and that remain largely preventable. The Seven Deadly Sins are:

1. Ignoring the Fundamentals — Weak authentication, unpatched systems, and excessive admin privileges remain the primary attack surface.
2. False Confidence — Believing you’re too small to be targeted, overestimating control effectiveness, and assuming resilience without testing it create dangerous blind spots.
3. Overexposed Access — Overly permissive rules, flat networks, and implicit trust after authentication give attackers an unobstructed path once inside.
4. Reactive Security Posture — Without 24/7 monitoring and proactive threat hunting, attackers set the timeline. The average breach goes undetected for 181 days.
5. Cost-Driven Security Decisions — Deferring investment based on short-term budget pressure creates costs that arrive later — with interest. A single SMB breach can exceed $4.91 million when downtime and recovery are included.
6. Reliance on Legacy Access Models — VPNs that authenticate once and grant broad network access remain one of the most exploited entry points in enterprise security. VPN CVEs grew 82.5% over the analyzed period.
7. Chasing Hype Over Execution — Buying the latest tools without deploying them completely, and expecting technology to compensate for process gaps, is its own form of vulnerability. Tools don’t create outcomes — execution does.

“The organizations that suffer the most are not failing because of sophisticated attacks, they’re failing because of predictable, preventable gaps,” Crean continued. “SMBs are the backbone of the U.S. economy, representing 99% of all U.S. businesses and nearly half of private sector employment. Protecting them protects entire communities. That’s why this report is designed around protection outcomes, not just threat statistics.”

Commenting on the findings, Debasish Mukherjee, Vice President of Sales, APJ at SonicWall said,

 “This year’s report reflects what we are consistently seeing across APJ, SMBs continue to be impacted by gaps in fundamental security practices that are both predictable and preventable. By reframing our research around protection outcomes, SonicWall aims to help organizations move beyond threat awareness to action, focusing on the areas that directly reduce risk. As attackers become more precise and increasingly AI-enabled, closing these gaps will be critical for SMBs across the region to strengthen resilience and make more informed decisions.”

In keeping with SonicWall’s partner-first mission, the 2026 Cyber Protect Report is designed to equip MSPs and MSSPs with the data and language needed for strategic conversations with SMB decision-makers, translating technical threat intelligence into business risk that leaders can act on.

The SonicWall 2026 Cyber Protect Report makes one thing clear: the gap between protected and exposed rarely comes down to technology. It comes down to execution. For the SMBs and the MSPs and MSSPs who protect them, this report is designed to close that gap with data, clarity, and a road map for what to do next.

To learn more about SonicWall and download the complete 2026 SonicWall Cyber Protect Report, please visit sonicwall.com/threat-report.

Standard Chartered appoints Nalini Tarakeshwar as Global Head of Standard Chartered Foundation

London / Mumbai , Apr 1: Standard Chartered Foundation (the Foundation) announces Nalini Tarakeshwar as Global Head, Standard Chartered Foundation and Corporate Philanthropy. The appointment was made as the Foundation scales its ambition to facilitate access to quality jobs and opportunities for young people in response to the growing youth employability gap, which increased to 12.4 per cent in 2025 and hits disadvantaged young people hardest.

Tarakeshwar will lead Standard Chartered’s corporate philanthropy agenda and the Foundation’s global strategy, which addresses barriers to employability and entrepreneurship through the development of programmes, partnerships and financing solutions that unlock opportunities for young people. Drawing on over 20 years of experience including most recently as Deputy CEO, UBS Optimus Foundation, Tarakeshwar brings a wealth of experience to the role and will help expand the impact of the Foundation’s capital and resources globally.

 Tanuj Kapilashrami, Chief Strategy and Talent Officer, Standard Chartered and Trustee,Standard Charted Foundation, said: “Today’s world has the largest generation of young people in history, making them a critical driver of future growth and stability. Yet globally, one in five young people are not in employment, education or training. Corporate philanthropy has a critical role to play in addressing this challenge and through the Foundation, we’ve to date enabled over 100,000 jobs, impacting over 700,000 lives. As we scale and leverage our role as a global ‘super-connector’ to deliver transformational outcomes across our markets, Nalini’s experience will be a catalyst for further impact.”

Commenting on her appointment, Nalini Tarakeshwar, said: “Standard Chartered is a powerful global bank and purpose-led brand. The Standard Chartered Foundation has already had a significant impact, enabling jobs for under-served young people, especially young women. We now have an opportunity to build on this success to achieve impact at scale, working with our networks across the business and others who are committed to this goal. I’m proud to join the Foundation at this unique juncture to unlock opportunities that will help young people shape their own futures and generate an outsized impact on communities and markets globally.”

Global youth unemployment increased to 12.4 per cent in 2025 (up from 12.3 per cent in 2024), with around 260 million young people not in education, employment or training (NEET) Women also continue to face systemic barriers largely driven by social norms and stereotypes, with data outlining that they are 24 per cent less likely than men to participate in the labour force.3 The Foundation aims to help address this by supporting young people to gain skills and sustainable employment, and entrepreneurs to build thriving microbusinesses.

transcosmos announces its Purpose, Vision, and Values for the next phase of growth

Tokyo, Japan, Apr 1: Marking its 60th anniversary, transcosmos  announced its Purpose to remain an indispensable company to society and achieve sustainable growth. Along with the Purpose, transcosmos has defined its Vision for the next 10 years and the Values that guide each employee’s daily decision-making and actions, establishing a renewed philosophy structure. As its business continues to grow and its domains and social relationships expand, this structure clarifies the company’s essential drivers of growth and fosters unity among employees by sharing the common values across the organization. Through this, transcosmos aims to create even greater social value and remain the company of choice for all stakeholders. Inheriting the spirit of “people & technology” that sits at the heart of its business from its founding, transcosmos will take a step forward toward the next growth phase with a renewed Purpose, Vision, and Values at its core.

Purpose

Make It Real, Together. By transcending limits and connecting people through technology, we open a universe of possibilities for growth and success. Amid rapidly changing societal and business environments, companies today are expected not only to demonstrate efficiency and technological strength but also to show how—and with whom—they create value. transcosmos has long brought wishes and passion of clients and society to life by treating their challenges as its own, discussing and addressing their problems together from planning to execution, and delivering tangible results together. By upholding this Purpose, transcosmos seeks to extend its ability to Make It Real to a wider global audience by multiplying autonomous capabilities of each individual.

Vision

Powering Intelligent Businesses through Consulting, Technology, and Operations transcosmos defined the above as its medium-term vision. Today, advanced companies are aiming to transform into an Intelligent Business, a next-generation business with advanced, autonomous decision-making and execution capabilities with AI and data at their core. Recognizing this trend, transcosmos aims to serve as a powerful engine that helps propel clients’ transformation by enhancing its consulting and technological capabilities.

Values

To achieve its Purpose and Vision, transcosmos has defined values that guide each employee’s daily decision-making and actions.

– Deliver results as one team. – Build trust through integrity and sincerity. – Take ownership and think beyond. – Grow through every challenge. – Create a fair environment for everyone.

[Next steps] Under the Purpose, Vision, and Values, transcosmos will strive to deliver its medium-term business plan, which starts in fiscal year 2026, and the vision beyond, to further enhance its corporate value and create greater social value.

* transcosmos is a trademark or registered trademark of transcosmos inc. in Japan and other countries.
* Other company names and product or service names used here are trademarks or registered trademarks of respective companies.

MAPIC India Shopping Centre Summit and Awards to Spotlight India’s Retail Growth as Reforms and Consumption Accelerate

New Delhi, Apr 1: MAPIC India Shopping Centre Summit and Awards is set to take place on April 8, 2026, at the JW Marriott Hotel, Aerocity, New Delhi, bringing together influential leaders from retail, real estate, and investment sectors to discuss “The India Advantage: Reforms, Retail & Rising Consumption.” The event will explore how India’s progressive reforms, expanding organised retail, and rising consumer demand are making the country one of the world’s most compelling markets for retail and shopping centre development.

India’s retail sector is experiencing strong growth, highlighted by an 11% rise in sales during the 2025 festive season, supported by GST efficiencies. Organised retail is projected to reach USD 230 billion by 2030, with over USD 3.5 billion expected to flow into retail real estate over the next three years. The rapid expansion across Tier II and III cities, coupled with omnichannel retail formats and demand for experiential malls, is fueling India’s retail evolution.

The conference agenda will include keynote addresses, report launches, and panel discussions on topics such as large-scale mall development in emerging cities, the disruption of quick commerce, the convergence of retail and hospitality, and financial strategies in the retail sector. The event will also highlight the role of design in shaping India’s retail future and feature a live competition showcasing the best footfall growth initiatives from leading mall developers.

Key sessions include:

• MAPIC Premier: Exploring the 5 million sq. ft moment with India’s top mall developers building large-scale retail destinations beyond metros.

• Fireside Chat: Examining q-commerce disruption and its impact on consumer behaviour and retail strategies.

• Panel Discussions: Covering retail-hospitality convergence, CFO perspectives on GST and cost management, and insights from fashion designers influencing retail trends.

• Live Competition: Showcasing the Most Admired Shopping Centre of the Year for Best Footfall Growth Initiative.

The day concludes with the MAPIC India Shopping Centre Awards 2026, celebrating the top-performing malls and their achievements in footfall growth, customer engagement, and retail innovation.

The speaker line-up features prominent industry leaders, including:

• Abhishek Bansal, Executive Director, Pacific Malls

• Jayen Naik, President of Operations, Nexus Malls

• Rashmi Sen, CEO – Malls, The Phoenix Mills

• Shibu Philips, Director – Shopping Malls, Lulu Group India

• Harsh Bansal, Co-Founder, Unity Group

• Rajesh Jain, Managing Director and CEO, Lacoste India

• Kavindra Mishra, Managing Director and CEO, Shoppers Stop

• Pushpa Bector, Senior Executive Director and Business Head – Retail, DLF

• Bhuvanesh Mendiratta, Managing Director, Miraj Cinemas

• Vevek K Agrawal, Director and Owner, Haldiram Group

• Binit Agarwalla, Chief Financial Officer, Forever New Apparels

• Saurav Shah, Chief Financial Officer, Libas

• Vishal Goyal, Chief Financial Officer, Ducati India

• Shivendra Nigam, Chief Financial Officer, Cantabil

• Sakshi Goel, Associate Executive Director, CBRE

• Rishi Sakhuja, Founder, Vasa Indica

• Prasoon Mukharji, Senior Vice President, ABFRL and COO, Tarun Tahiliani

• Sanjeev Mehra, Managing Director and CEO, Quest Properties

• Jahnavi Batra, Chief Marketing Officer, Sheetal Batra

• Rajat Wahi – Senior Advisor, CPG & Retail

• Mukesh Kumar – CEO, Malls, K Raheja Realty

• Aman Trehan – Executive Director, Trehan IRIS

• Ajay Bindroo – Managing Partner, Beverly Hills Polo Club Lifestyle Pvt. Ltd, India

• Sandeep Chugh – MD, OVS S.p.a

• Abhay Batra – Co-Founder & CFO, Clovia

• Supria Radaraman – Co-Founder & Group COO, The House Of Angadi

• Jaideep Singh – COO & Brand Head, AMPM

• Aparna Sud – Head Leasing – Luxury Malls, DLF Ltd.

• Nehmat Mongia – Founder, Nehmat Mongia Design LLP

• Milin Rohinesh – Head of Retail India, Cushman & Wakefield

• Pramod Arora – CEO, PVR Inox

• Divesh Sawhney –   Chief Growth Officer, Zepto

Umang Gupta, Country Head, RX India, said “India’s retail sector is entering a high-growth phase driven by reforms, expanding organised retail, and a strong consumption base of a young demography. MAPIC India Shopping Centre Summit and Awards will unite the leaders, decision and policy makers shaping this transformation. MISC has been the industry platform that has over the decade forged meaningful partnerships, investment decisions and Growth stories for retail players across domestic & international markets.”

MAPIC India continues to be a pivotal platform for collaboration between developers, retailers, investors, and policymakers, catalysing the next phase of India’s retail-led growth story.

Spiritual Scientist, Rashmi Aiyappa, receives Lifetime Achievement Award for Her Pioneering Work in Wellness Industry (India)

Presented by actor, entrepreneur and wellness advocate, Shilpa Shetty Kundra, the Chief Guest, at the Udyog Yogdaan Puraskar 2026 in association with Karnataka Tourism

Apr 01: On March 28, 2026, Rashmi Aiyappa – Spiritual Scientist & Inventor of Aashwasan Science®, Founder & Executive Chairperson of Aashwasan Group of Companies, and Founder & Managing Trustee of Aashwasan Foundation – was conferred the Lifetime Achievement Award – Wellness Industry (India) by Shilpa Shetty Kundra at the Udyog Yogdaan Puraskar 2026.

The event, held in association with Karnataka Tourism, was graced by industry leaders, successful entrepreneurs, and accomplished social personalities. The Udyog Yogdaan Puraskar is a distinguished recognition that honours individuals whose exemplary contributions have created a lasting legacy in their respective fields.

Rashmi Aiyappa was honoured for her exceptional contributions to the Health & Wellness sector. Through her pioneering invention, Aashwasan Science®, she introduced a transformative approach that, for the first time, brings quantum science into lived human experience—enabling individuals to embrace their full potential and celebrate their infinite self.

Aashwasan Science® fosters holistic well-being at physiological, psychological, and spiritual levels, marking a significant breakthrough in how wellness is understood and experienced.

About Rashmi Aiyappa

• Spiritual Scientist, Inventor and Social Innovator
• Founder & Executive Chairperson – Aashwasan Group of Companies, Epiance Software, Aank Humane Technologies
• Founder & Managing Trustee – Aashwasan Foundation

A visionary and revolutionary entrepreneur, Rashmi Aiyappa was born with the experience of nature’s phenomena: Lifeforce Mechanism® and Timeless Phenomenon®, which encompass the knowledge of life’s mechanisms and the cause-and-effect cycle of nature.

Through these phenomena, she developed Aashwasan Science®—a groundbreaking spiritual technology rooted in quantum principles. This science bridges the physical and metaphysical realms, offering an experiential understanding of the multidimensional reality of the infinite self. It integrates the mechanisms of all life forms into a unified dynamic framework, addressing the root causes of challenges ranging from disease and life situations to relationships and self-awareness.

To bring this science to the world, Rashmi Aiyappa founded Aashwasan® on May 23, 2005. Over the past two decades, her work has led to 100+ breakthroughs in Health & Wellness, impacting millions of lives across 30+ countries. Her innovations have empowered individuals to discover their infinite identities and enabled organizations to undergo profound transformation.

She describes Aashwasan as a manifestation of her life’s purpose—a space where hope is restored and life is celebrated in its entirety.

In her words:
“Aashwasan is nature’s own. It’s a revolution that will continue for lifetimes and is here to stay. The only essence that marks life is love. Love is where it all begins.”

Media Presence

Between 2005 and 2012, Rashmi Aiyappa and her work were prominently featured across multiple media houses, news channels, radio platforms, and over 250 publications worldwide.

Awards and Recognitions

• 2013 – Social Innovator, CMO Asia Awards (Singapore)
• 2017 – Iconic Women Creating a Better World for All, Women Economic Forum
• 2017 – 50 Most Impactful Social Innovators, World CSR Congress
• 2018 – Global Peace Leadership & Excellence Award, World Peace Conference
• 2019–2021 – Mahatma Awards (Social Good, Impact Leadership, Maximising Human Potential)
• 2021–2022 – Among Top Women CEOs, Women Entrepreneur Magazine
• 2023 – Forbes Recognition as eXtrepreneur (Top 200 Companies with Global Potential)
• 2024 – Influential Leader in Mindfulness, Global Leaders Today Magazine
• 2025 – Best Brand 2025, Economic Times Conclave
• 2026 – Lifetime Achievement Award – Wellness Industry (India), Udyog Yogdaan Puraskar 2026 in association with Karnataka Tourism

What Bengaluru Should be Eating This Summer: Shoyu’s Light Pan-Asian Menu

Shoyu Brings a Refreshing Summer of Sushis, Dimsums and Light Plates at the comfort of your Home 

 Bengaluru, Apr 1: As Bengaluru eases into warmer, sun-soaked days, the city’s palate begins to shift, leaning towards food that feels lighter, brighter, and more refreshing. This season, Shoyu brings together a thoughtful selection of its signature dishes that naturally complement this mood, spotlighting flavours that are clean, vibrant, and perfectly suited for the summer months. 

The menu leans into bright flavours and playful contrasts. Salads are designed to refresh and uplift – the Crispy Quinoa & Avocado Salad pairs cool crunch with a gentle hint of sweetness from pineapple wafu, while the Baby Potato & Edamame Salad brings a soft kick through its wasabi chilli lime dressing. The Japanese Spinach Salad, finished with sesame gomae and a touch of togarashi, and the Chicken & Avocado Salad with its tangy plum notes, round out a line-up that feels both wholesome and full of flavour. 

Small plates follow a similarly light yet indulgent approach. The crudo selection – from Pepper Pizzette to Tuna & Truffle Pizzette – plays beautifully with texture and temperature, balancing crisp bases with soft, layered toppings. Carpaccios of salmon, hamachi, tuna, and avocado keep things clean and elegant, with just the right touch of acidity to awaken the palate. 

Sushi remains at the heart of the experience, especially styles that feel just right for summer. The Classic Crunchy Summer Maki Roll – with cucumber, avocado, and green apple – is light, crisp, and refreshing, while the Dragon Sushi Roll adds a playful twist with shiitake and dragon fruit. The Classic Seafood Maki Roll keeps things minimal and precise, celebrating the freshness of the fish, while nigiri like Truffle & Peppers and Kappa & Wasabi continue the theme of balance without excess. 

For those who prefer something warm, there’s depth without heaviness. Dishes like Water Chestnuts & Snow Peas in Yellow Bean Sauce and Steamed Fish with Oyster Sauce & Truffle deliver comforting flavours that remain light on the palate. 

The dim sum selection mirrors this philosophy. The Vegetable Crystal Dumpling, with its delicate, translucent wrap, and the Spinach & Water Chestnut Dimsum are subtle, textural, and quietly indulgent. 

Together, the menu reflects a way of eating that feels easy, intuitive, and just right for the season – food that’s light on the plate, yet rich in flavour, leaving you satisfied without ever feeling weighed down

Dugar Finance Secures 5M Pre-Series A Funding

Apr, 1: Chennai-based non-banking financial company  Dugar Finance has raised $5 million  in a Pre-Series A funding round led by HegdInvst, a Category II AIF focused on growth equity investments. The capital will support the company to scale its secured MSME lending franchise alongside its established vehicle finance business, and to deepen its presence across tier 2-6 underserved semi-urban and rural markets.

The company has previously raised approximately $18 million  in structured debt from a mix of domestic and international lenders, including Symbiotics and British International Investment (BII), along with multiple Indian banks in December 2025.

The latest fundraise comes at a time when several NBFCs are recalibrating growth amid tighter liquidity conditions and rising credit costs. Dugar Finance is positioning itself for the next phase of calibrated expansion from a foundation of demonstrated credit discipline.

While historically anchored in commercial and passenger vehicle finance, Dugar Finance is expanding its presence in secured MSME lending, with the aim of building a more balanced and diversified loan book across both segments.

“We are entering the next phase of growth, where diversification and institutional disciplined scaling become critical. Vehicle finance gave us a strong foundation, and we are now leveraging that to build a broader secured lending platform,” said Ramesh Dugar, Founder and Managing Director, Dugar Finance

The company aims to progressively move toward a more even mix between secured MSME and commercial vehicle finance, improving resilience across credit cycles.

Dugar Finance currently operates across six states and plans to expand to ten states over the next three years, alongside a calibrated expansion of its branch network. The company is targeting ₹2,000 crore in AUM in the next 3-4 years, while aiming to maintain current levels of GNPA below 2% and RoA in the 4–5% range; reflecting a continued emphasis on profitable, quality-driven growth.

The fresh capital will be deployed across four key areas: strengthening technology infrastructure, advancing analytics-led underwriting and centralised risk systems, and hiring senior talent across critical functions.

For Hegdinvst, the investment reflects its stated strategy of backing regionally strong Secured NBFCs with demonstrated credit discipline focusing on underserved markets.

“Dugar Finance combines a solid promoter group and a clear intent towards creating a professionally run NBFC focused on Tier 2 to 6 towns. We see significant potential in its strategy to scale a well governed & diversified secured lending platform” said Aditya Bhandari, Founder and Managing Partner, HegdInvst

Beyond capital, HegdInvst will actively support Dugar Finance in strengthening its governance framework, access to international capital, and assisting in building their professional management team.