Category Archives: Business

Conrad Pune Unveils Khushiyan by Hilton A Festive Gifting Collection that Celebrates Joy and Togetherness

September 10th, 2025: Conrad Pune proudly launched Hilton’s signature festive gifting initiative, Khushiyan by Hilton, on September 3, 2025. The grand unveiling marked the beginning of a season dedicated to joy, indulgence, and the art of thoughtful gifting. Staying true to its name, Khushiyan captures the essence of celebration in every detail, from artisanal sweets and elegant gift boxes to indulgent treats that embody warmth, tradition, and togetherness. More than just gifts, these curated creations are crafted to become lasting memories, turning every gesture into a story of light, love, and celebration.

Hilton offers a diverse range of exclusive hampers under its festive collection, Khushiyan by Hilton, thoughtfully curated for both personal and corporate gifting. Each Diwali hamper is a delightful blend of sweet and savoury indulgences featuring premium dry fruits, wholesome millet mixtures, handcrafted clay diyas, soothing scented candles, and more — designed to celebrate the season of togetherness. Sustainable options and a wide range of customisations further allow guests to personalise their hampers and spread Khushiyan in the most meaningful way. Among the highlights are The Royal Élan, embodying opulence, grandeur, and panache for those who wish to celebrate Diwali with majestic flair, and Garden of Lights, a unique hamper that marries abundance with sustainability, reminding us that true prosperity lies in giving back to nature. With such distinctive choices, Hilton ensures a perfect fit for every preference, budget, and sentiment.

The evening commenced with an insightful address by Executive Chef Pradeep Rao, who shared the inspiration and details behind the thoughtfully curated festive hampers. Each hamper has been designed to embody the spirit of celebration while combining tradition, luxury, and innovation in every element. Following this, General Manager Conrad Pune, Mr. Abhishek Sahai, took the stage, highlighting Conrad Pune’s commitment to creating memorable experiences for its guests. The GM officially unveiled the hampers, showcasing the exquisite curation and craftsmanship that defines Khushiyan by Hilton.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Sahai said, “Khushiyan by Hilton is not just about gifting; it’s about celebrating emotions, relationships, and the festive spirit. At Conrad Pune, we are delighted to bring this thoughtful initiative to life with hampers that reflect elegance, authenticity, and a touch of indulgence.”

The celebration was attended by leading influencers, journalists, and friends of the brand, who engaged with the team, explored the hampers, and shared their experiences. The event reflected Conrad Pune’s vision of being more than just a luxury destination, it is a place where meaningful connections and joyous moments are created.

With Khushiyan by Hilton, Conrad Pune invites guests and patrons to celebrate the upcoming festive season through hampers that are not only a treat to receive but also a joy to share.

Thales appoints Ankur Kanaglekar as Vice-President India

10th septenber 2025,Thales announced the appointment of Ankur Kanaglekar as Vice President for India, with effect from 10 September 2025. This strategic appointment underlines Thales’ commitment to expanding its footprint, strengthening local partnerships and accelerating innovation in support of the Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision.

 In his role, Ankur will oversee Thales’ strategy and operations in India, focusing on scaling up industrial collaboration, reinforcing local innovation and engineering capabilities, and delivering advanced solutions across defence, aerospace, and cyber and digital markets.

With over 25 years of experience in the aerospace and defence industry and consulting, Ankur brings a wealth of expertise in driving strategic growth, fostering partnerships, and leading high-stakes initiatives. Prior to joining Thales, Ankur Kanaglekar spent 14 years at Boeing in India, most recently as Executive Director, where he spearheaded global co-development and co-production initiatives for defence platforms, led large sales campaigns, and shaped several strategic growth initiatives. His leadership in forging partnerships with Indian public and private sector organisations, supporting the Make in India initiative, has been instrumental in advancing defence localisation. Earlier, as an Engagement Manager at PRTM Management Consulting (now part of PwC), he advised Fortune 500 clients on mergers, acquisitions, operations, and go-to-market strategies in aerospace, automotive, and industrial sectors.

“I am pleased to welcome Ankur Kanaglekar to Thales. With his proven leadership and deep understanding of the Indian market, we aim to further enhance our support of the country’s ambitious self-reliance objectives, co-develop cutting-edge solutions, and nurture local talent. We remain deeply committed to the Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision and to fostering enduring partnerships across the ecosystem,” said Pascale Sourisse, President & CEO,Thales International.

“India is at the heart of Thales’ global strategy, and I am truly honoured to have this opportunity to lead our operations at such a pivotal time. I look forward to working closely with our partners, teams, and other stakeholders to accelerate growth, deepen localisation, and make a meaningful contribution to nation building, supporting India’s technological ambitions and self-reliance journey,” said Ankur Kanaglekar, Vice-President, India, Thales.

Ankur holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Pune University, a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Cincinnati, USA, and a Master of Business Administration from the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad.

Wondrlab Creates Ajio’s Bold Festive Film This Is How We Festival

Mumbai, 10 September, 2025: Wondrlab, India’s first platform-first martech network, has partnered with Ajio to unveil its latest festive campaign, ‘This Is How We Festival’. Rooted in Ajio’s philosophy of ‘Identity Without Apology’, the campaign puts individuality, diversity, and self-expression at the center of India’s festive celebrations.

 Launched this week, the film takes audiences on a vibrant journey through some of India’s most celebrated festivals, including Durga Pujo, Dussehra, Navratri, and Diwali. It captures the true spirit of festivity by weaving together a rich tapestry of communities, traditions, and contemporary expressions.
The campaign features Ajio ambassadors Varun Dhawan and Shraddha Kapoor alongside cultural icons such as Zeenat Aman, Uorfi Javed, Abir Chatterjee, and Malavika Mohanan. Together, they embody Ajio’s festive narrative, celebrating individuality while boldly addressing themes of ageism, trolling, compassion, inclusivity, and LGBTQ+ representation.

Watch the film here: https://youtu.be/L52jAtcZv3g?si=HHwZf7KlZJxzEp26

Commenting on the campaign, Hemant Shringy, CCO & Managing Partner, Wondrlab, said: “This is how we festival’ is the perfect coming together of a brand’s point of differentiation and the brand’s point of view. It celebrates identity without apology. It’s a thought that rings so true with the Indian festive season. The film is as diverse, as maximalist, as individualistic as our celebrations. We all bring a little bit (or a lot) of our personality to every occasion. And Ajio with its elaborate and eclectic collection is the perfect destination for our festive season!”

Arpan Biswas, CMO, Ajio, added: “At AJIO, fashion has never been just about clothes, it’s about identity, expression, and the freedom to be yourself. With ‘This Is How We Festival’, we wanted to capture the incredible diversity of how India celebrates and how personal style plays such a central role in those celebrations. This campaign is our way of saying: celebrate without hesitation, express without apology.”

The film is now live across Ajio’s digital and social platforms and is being amplified through a wide range of influencer collaborations. With ‘This Is How We Festival’, Ajio and Wondrlab aim to spark a larger cultural conversation, one that redefines festive fashion as a celebration of identity, expression, and belonging during India’s grand festive season.

Roots and Rebellion: Abhay’s Introspective Journey into Youth, Culture, and Belonging

New Delhi: Roots & Rebellion opens at Bikaner House on 12 September 2025, unveiling a new body of work by contemporary artist Abhay. The exhibition is a deeply personal exploration of youth, patriotism, and cultural identity—woven together through the artist’s reflections on his upbringing, lived experiences, and evolving creative voice.

In Roots & Rebellion, Abhay confronts the question: Why am I the way I am? Through maximalist strokes, intricate storytelling, and a bold use of patterns inspired by the timeless beauty of carpets, the artist seeks to elevate narratives traditionally kept underfoot to a place of prominence—on the walls, as art. His layered compositions blend a Gen Z sensibility with the gravitas of Indian history, resulting in works that are as rooted as they are rebellious.

The series is born from a moment of late realisation—at 27—that his cultural inheritance runs deep enough to form a language of its own. Each work is a visual conversation: sometimes with the self, sometimes with imagined audiences, always with the undercurrent of nostalgia and belonging. Whether it’s an imagined monologue in a solitary room lit by a single bulb, or patterns that challenge Western perceptions of class and patriotism, Abhay’s pieces invite viewers into an intimate, unfiltered dialogue.

By merging abstract pattern-making with personal storytelling, Roots & Rebellion marks a shift in Abhay’s practice—towards a mature, self-assured experimentation that retains the raw energy of his earlier work while embracing the complexity of lived experience.

Exhibition Details:

Venue: Bikaner House, New Delhi
From 12 September 2025 6:30 PM onwards.

KAY2 Xenox Eyes Enhanced Market Share in West Bengal, Aims to Increase Sales by 30 in One Yea

Kolkata, 10th September 2025: KAY2 Xenox, India’s youngest and fastest-growing TMT Bars (the Intelligent Steel) manufacturer, is accelerating its expansion in West Bengal. To meet the surging demand for steel products in the State, the company plans to increase its TMT Bar production capacity by 30% within a year.

Building upon its existing network of dealers and distributors, KAY2 Xenox will gradually expand its dealers & distribution network through various Mason meet, Builder meet and its special ‘Nirman ke Shoorveer’ programs in the State.

Mr. Sunil Agarwal, Director, KAY2 Xenox, said, “KAY2 Xenox is a premium product engineered to support the modern-day construction needs. The product has already made significant inroads into many markets across the country and is expanding to newer markets. Kolkata is an important market for us with phenomenal growth opportunities and fast paced infrastructure developments. We are pleased to announce our expansion strategy and cater to the growing demand for high quality input materials in the State.”

KAY2 Xenox is a premium brand of KAY2 TMT Bars which offers unique rib design that achieves superior bonding with concrete in a hexagonal pattern and ensures a solid foundation and quality of any structure. It provides premium TMT bars crucial for construction across earthquake-prone areas that are needed for today’s modern construction. Its internal angles of 720-degree hexagon delivers superior bonding enabling solid quality in construction that is able to tolerate high degree of stress. Touted as intelligent steel, KAY2 Xenox’s MESH grip, 200% higher bond strength and superior physical and chemical properties makes it ideal for all contemporary construction needs. Manufactured using high grade pure Fe 500 & 500D, it saves up to 20% of steel in construction and delivers a consistent quality as per BIS standard.

Artha Bharat Rolls Out Global Expansion Plan to Target USD 3 bn AUM

GIFT City, India/Abu Dhabi – 10 September 2025: Artha Bharat Investment Managers IFSC LLP, the first Category III AIF foreign portfolio investor to shift the domicile of its special situations fund from Mauritius to GIFT City, is embarking on a global expansion strategy as part of its ambitious goal of reaching $3 billion in assets under management (AUM) by 2030.

Already among the largest fund management entities operating out of GIFT City, Artha Bharat is now expanding its footprint to the Middle East. The firm is in the process of establishing a presence in Abu Dhabi Global Markets (ADGM), where it sees strong opportunities to tap both the Indian diaspora and growing institutional interest from sovereign and quasi-sovereign funds.

“The Middle East has one of the largest concentrations of Indian diaspora and has long been one of the key magnets driving inward remittances into India. We have also seen increased investments into India by sovereign funds such as Mubadala, Qatar Investment Authority and Abu Dhabi Investment Authority amongst others. To tap into the growing potential of HNI, family office and SWF across the GCC markets we are in the process of setting up operations in Abu Dhabi Global Markets,” said Sachin Sawrikar, Managing Partner, Artha Bharat Investment Managers IFSC LLP.

The firm that recently moved into a 2,300 sq. ft. leased office in GIFT City has also opened a 10-seater, 1,200 sq. ft. office in Dubai, with another of similar size being planned in Abu Dhabi Global Markets.

Artha Bharat plans to float feeder funds for non-U.S. investors to channel capital into its strategies, including:

Artha Global Opportunities Fund – one of India’s largest foreign distressed debt funds, already delivering a 6X return in just 2 years of its 7-year life.

Artha Global Multiplier Fund – a long-short hedge fund targeting U.S. markets, which has already delivered 13.4% absolute returns in less than 2.5 months.

Artha Bharat Absolute Return Fund – a USD-denominated arbitrage fund investing across equities, commodities and interest rate futures aiming to provide competitive returns vs fixed income avenues to park short term surpluses.

“We believe that providing competitive risk-adjusted returns to our discerning investor base, delivered with a high standard of ethics and integrity, will help us make a mark on the global investment scene and reach our aspirational target,” Sawrikar added.

Sawrikar who has been based in Oman for almost 2 decades and had a long stint with Bank Muscat has already got a good experience of investing and operating in GCC markets.

In addition to the Middle Eastern foray, Artha Bharat is also setting up its own office in Mauritius to house feeder funds for U.S. investors that will invest in its GIFT City managed funds.

To support growth, the firm has also signed a ₹7.5 crore deal to purchase a 7,500 sq. ft. owned office in Shilp Twin Towers in GIFT City, India, tripling its current space and enabling a larger investment team.

By diversifying across geographies and tapping multiple liquidity pools, Artha Bharat expects its global expansion to play a pivotal role in reaching the $3 billion AUM milestone by 2030.

Electrum Portfolio Managers Welcomes Tejas Gutka as New Fund Manager

Mumbai, 09th September 2025: Electrum Portfolio Managers, a boutique asset management firm specializing in Indian equities, today announced the appointment of Tejas Gutka as a Fund Manager. His addition to the team will enhance the firm’s investment capabilities and support its commitment to a research-driven, client-centric approach.

 Tejas brings over 19 years of experience in fund management and equity research. He joins Electrum from Tata Mutual Fund, where he managed diversified equity portfolios. Previously, as Head of Equity at Tamohara Investment Managers, he led the investment team and was responsible for the firm’s flagship small-cap portfolio. Tejas is a value-conscious growth investor, which aligns well with Electrum’s Growth-At-A-Reasonable-Price (GARP) philosophy.

“We are very pleased to have Tejas join us. His diverse experience adds depth to our investment team. This strategic addition to the team reflects our ongoing effort to strengthen our investment process and provide outstanding service to our clients.” said Arpit Agrawal, Co-founder & CIO of Electrum Portfolio Managers.

On his appointment, Tejas Gutka said, “Electrum’s strong research ethos and a genuine bottom-up approach is what attracted me. I look forward to working with this talented team to further refine our equity strategies and capitalize on India’s growth story.”

With this appointment, Electrum Portfolio Managers continues to build on its long-term vision of delivering differentiated investment outcomes through expertise, discipline, and deep market insight.

KVB expands presence in Coimbatore & Madurai

Madurai/Coimbatore, 9th september 2025: Karur Vysya Bank (KVB) has expanded its reach by opening new branches in Seraiyampalayam Road, Neelambur, Coimbatore and Nedungalam Main Road, Chinthamani, Madurai. The Coimbatore branch was inaugurated by Smt. R. Vijiyalaxmy B.A.BL., Deputy Commissioner HR & CE, Coimbatore. While the Madurai branch was inaugurated  by Smt. V. Mercy Jeyarani M.Sc (Agri), Deputy Director, Agri Marketing Dept, along with Dr. V. Dhanalakshmi M.D, Director, Institute of Microbiology Madurai Medical College, Madurai. An ATM was also inaugurated in the Madurai branch premises by Mr. M. Manikandan M/s. Sri Sastha Appalam & Traders, Chinthamani, Madurai. With this expansion, the bank now has a total of 894 branches across the country.

The new branch will offer a comprehensive range of banking services like accounts, deposits and loans, including savings and current accounts and it will cater to all basic banking transactions and specific needs of customers, offering an entire spectrum of banking products and financial services covering retail, institutional and consumer lending.

Speaking on the branch expansion, Shri Ramesh Babu, Managing Director & CEO, Karur Vysya Bank, said, “Our bank is committed to expanding its presence across all growing centres in India, and this new branch openings is a part of our strategic expansion plans. With our deep-rooted legacy of over 100 years, we have been aggressively working towards providing our customers with traditional banking solutions along with digital comfort. KVB has multiple branches across Coimbatore and Madurai, and these new branches is a testament of our efforts to strengthen our presence in the regions by offering better access and hassle-free convenience to customers.”

KVB offers internet banking and mobile banking facilities.  KVB DLite, the Mobile Banking app of the bank, offers convenience of financial and non-financial services through 150+ features. The app has been recently upgraded with several customer friendly features.

Raj opens second flagship store in Noida

Noida, 9th September 2025 : Vasundhra Raj, India’s heritage fine jewellery brand celebrated for its contemporary design and timeless craftsmanship, has launched its second flagship store at Central 50, Noida.

The store was inaugurated by Aditya Agarwal, owner of the mall.

The new store marks an important milestone for the brand after the success of its Delhi, Noida and Jaipur stores. Designed as an immersive jewellery destination, the space reflects Vasundhra Raj’s modern yet rooted design philosophy, with interiors that echo sophistication and collections that blend artistry with innovation.

Adding to the buzz around the opening, the store recently welcomed actor Divya Khossla, who visited while in Noida for her upcoming movie promotions Ek Chatur Naar. Known for her timeless style and elegance, Divya explored the brand’s latest collections, embodying the very spirit of modern luxury that Vasundhra Raj stands for.

Speaking on the launch, Vasundhra Raj, Founder & Creative Director, shares, “Opening our second flagship at Central 50, Noida is a proud moment for us. This city is vibrant, dynamic and deeply attuned to contemporary style and we’re excited to create a space where clients can connect with our jewellery in an intimate, experiential way.”

With this launch, Vasundhra Raj Luxury continues to strengthen its footprint in India’s luxury retail landscape, bringing modern heirlooms to a new generation of jewellery lovers.

AI Career Platform OutSpark Surpasses 200,000 Paid Users, Reaches Rs 30 Crore Annual Revenue

MUMBAI, India, 9 September 2025 – OutSpark, the AI-powered career growth platform, today announced it has crossed a major milestone of 200,000 paid users just months after its launch. This rapid adoption has cemented its position as India’s fastest-growing career-tech solution, fueled by a 4x revenue increase over the last seven months and an annual recurring revenue (ARR) of INR 30 Crore as of July 2025.

In today’s competitive job market, professionals face significant challenges, including navigating AI-driven hiring systems, building a strong digital presence, and standing out to recruiters. OutSpark addresses this by providing a unified career operating system and an end-to-end ecosystem that equips job seekers with AI-powered tools previously available only to corporations.

The platform has already achieved significant traction, reviewing over two million resumes and LinkedIn profiles with AI-driven feedback. Its unique offerings, such as a first-of-its-kind pack of ten hyper-personalized resumes tailored to specific job descriptions and instant LinkedIn makeovers with studio-grade AI headshots, are empowering professionals to overcome hiring barriers.

“Hiring is evolving faster than ever with AI. But while companies have powerful tools, job seekers have been left behind,” said Kumar Apoorv, Founder and CEO of OutSpark. “OutSpark bridges that gap—giving every professional, from mid-career to senior levels, the same advantage that recruiters enjoy. We are not just building tools; we are creating a market-ready talent pipeline.”

Key Milestones and Platform Highlights:

● Rapid Commercial Growth: Achieved a ₹30 Crore ARR, with 4x revenue growth in seven months. Notably, 50% of revenue comes from existing users purchasing higher-value services.

● Massive User Impact: Generated over 300,000 resumes and delivered more than 20,000 LinkedIn profile makeovers.

● Engagement Automation: The proprietary AI-powered LinkedIn Co-Pilot boosts user visibility by suggesting daily high-impact posts, comments, and networking actions, turning passive profiles into opportunity magnets.

● Recruiter Ecosystem: Provides recruiters access to a talent pool of over one million active and 30 million passive job seekers, searchable through a proprietary AI talent intelligence layer that ensures candidate profiles are always current and relevant.

Future Outlook

Building on its domestic success, OutSpark is preparing for strategic expansion into the US, Europe, and Southeast Asia. The company’s roadmap includes launching a hyper-personalized job alert system, a job search co-pilot to automate applications, and forging partnerships with global recruitment platforms. This vision aims to build the largest AI-first talent database of high-intent professionals and create a truly seamless global career ecosystem.