Category Archives: Business

MMTC-PAMP appoints Samit Guha as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer

New Delhi, 11th September 2025: MMTC- PAMP, India’s leading precious metal player and the only LBMA accredited Good Delivery Gold & Silver refiner has announced the appointment of Mr Samit Guha as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the company. Mr Guha has been associated with MMTC-PAMP for five years as the Chief Finance and Technology Officer (CFTO), later appointed as Interim CEO. 

With nearly three decades of leadership across various industries, Samit Guha brings a rare experience of strategic vision, financial acumen and technology-driven transformation to his role as MD & CEO of MMTC-PAMP. He has successfully navigated complex leadership roles across telecom, real estate, hospitality, retail, and consumer goods Industry. This has enabled him to consistently drive growth, turnarounds and large-scale transformations. 

From spearheading digital commerce rollouts and supply chain innovations to leading IPOs, M&A, and strategic partnerships, Samit has built a reputation as a business leader who can balance immediate operational priorities with long-term value creation. His ability to inspire teams, manage diverse stakeholders, and harness technology as a growth enabler, positions him as a well-rounded leader poised to guide MMTC-PAMP into its next phase of innovation and expansion.

Speaking on the appointment, Mr Marwan Shakarchi, Chief Executive Officer, MKS PAMP GROUP said, “Samit comes with a tremendous experience in finance and technology where he has driven large transformational projects, leading business deals and strong understanding of new technology stack. With this appointment, his client-centric approach, growth mindset and strong technology focus will ensure MMTC-PAMP will scale new heights while retaining our core values of transparency and customer satisfaction.”

Thanking the entire MKS PAMP Group and MMTC-PAMP team member for the support, Mr Samit Guha, Managing Director & CEO, MMTC-PAMP said, “This appointment is a testament to the trust placed in me by all our stakeholders. As we shape the new journey of MMTC-PAMP, my focus will remain on leveraging technology to reimagine customer experience, expanding our India presence and building long-term value for all. With my team, my vision is to strengthen our leadership in the precious metals industry and keep setting new benchmarks.”

Mr Samit Guha is a Chartered Accountant (Accounting and Finance) from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, 1994 batch and Cost & Works Accountant from the Institute of Cost and Work Accountants of India 1991 batch.

Sabujasanatanpali Farmer Producer Company Ltd. Holds AGM in Sambalpur

Sabujasanatanpali Farmer Producer Company Ltd. hosts Annual General Meeting in Sambalpur, showcasing innovation, inclusion, and impact

Sambalpur, September 11, 2025 — The Sabujasanatanpali Farmer Producer Company Limited (SSFPCL), established in 2021 in Jujomora block of Sambalpur, formed under the Central Sector Scheme for formation and promotion of 10,000 FPOs with NABARD as the implementing agency and Palladium as the CBBO, and supported by the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ empowerment, Odisha. 

The FPC held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) today, marking a milestone in its journey of empowering smallholder farmers through innovation, sustainability, and inclusive growth. With over 300 participants in attendance, including farmers, government officials, development partners, and representatives from agri input agencies, the event served as a platform to celebrate achievements, share future, and strengthen the ecosystem of farmer-led agribusiness.

SSFPCL has emerged as a transformative force in Odisha’s rural economy, with a strong base of 1,450 farmers, 55% of whom are women. The FPO has adopted climate-resilient agriculture, ag-tech solutions, and export-oriented growth models to boost farmer incomes. Collaborations with CSIR-NBRI have enabled nature-based farming, sustainable soil management, and crop diversification.

SSFPCL is also a pioneer in floriculture, launching Odisha’s first polyhouse for climate-resilient flower cultivation, and has empowered women farmers to lead digital transformation in agriculture. Innovations like solar-powered cold storage, mobile farm management apps, and traceability platforms have increased farmer incomes by 30–40% and reduced post-harvest losses.

Key Highlights of the AGM:

Performance Review: Significant growth in farmer income, market linkages, and tech adoption.

Certificate distribution: 15 farmers were honoured for outstanding contributions to the FPO.

Special Felicitation: Itish Pradhan was felicitated for pioneering cultivation of exotic Eustoma flower in the district fetching a price-realization of INR 1500 per bunch.

“I am passionate about farming flowers, but I was not very sure if such an exotic flower could survive here. But I got adequate guidance by being associated with the FPO, which included information on the importance of controlled temperature,” said Itish.

Certificates Awarded: Over 200 farmers received certificates for their active participation and achievements.

Interactive Events: Quiz competitions, company showcases, and farmer felicitation ceremonies added vibrancy to the day.

Guest of Honour Address: A keynote speech emphasized the importance of FPOs in building resilient rural economies, highlighting themes of technology, sustainability, and floriculture.

Voices from the Ground

The AGM was enriched by powerful reflections from key officials and project leaders.

“FPOs like SSFPCL are not just aggregators—they are engines of transformation. Their work in floriculture, tech adoption, and women-led innovation is setting benchmarks for rural entrepreneurship,” said the DDM NABARD, Shri Dhirendra Kumar Dash, emphasizing the role of farmer collectives in building resilient agri-value chains.

“This gathering is a testament to how watershed development, convergence with horticulture, and farmer collectivization can drive inclusive growth. SSFPCL’s model is a blueprint for sustainable rural development,” added the Project Director of Watershed Mission, Shri Rabindra Kr. Panda highlighting the synergy between community planning and institutional support.

Engaging Events and Future Outlook 

The AGM featured a vibrant series of events including quiz competitions, company showcases, and farmer felicitation ceremonies. Deputy Director of Horticulture, Shri Sanjib Kumar Baidhar delivered a keynote address on the importance of FPOs, their role in technology-driven agriculture, sustainability, and floriculture. The speech underscored the need for continued investment in farmer capacity building, digital tools, and climate-smart practices.

The event was graced by eminent dignitaries including Sanjib Kumar Baidhar (DDH, Horticulture), Dhirendra Kumar Dash (DDM, NABARD), Sanjay Mahapatra (OLM DPM), Rabindra Kumar Panda (Watershed PD), Anjan Kumar Panda (Manager, Palladium India), Piyush Ranjan Behera (Assistant Fisheries Officer), and Shrimanta Hota (Deputy CEO, ORMAS). Representatives from leading agri-input agencies such as PPL, IFFCO, Safex, and Mahindra Summit also marked their presence, lending further weight to the deliberations. Their collective participation and insights enriched the discussions, making the event a meaningful step forward in strengthening collaborative efforts for FPO development across the district and state.

Looking ahead, SSFPCL aims to deepen its partnerships, expand its export footprint, and continue empowering farmers—especially women — to spearhead community transformation through agriculture.

Adhira and Appa Coffee Announces Pan India Growth Plan with 50 Outlets by the end of Financial Year

September 11 2025: Adhira & Appa Coffee (A&A), a homegrown brand redefining India’s filter coffee culture, based out of Kochi, Kerala, today announced the opening of its upcoming stores in Hyderabad and Nashik cities. This expansion comes on the back of the brand’s successful launch in Kochi, where its first store has already become a local favourite.

With a vision to open 50+ outlets across India by the end of the financial year, A&A Coffee aims to create an immersive café experience rooted in tradition yet shaped for modern lifestyles. To accelerate this growth, the brand is also inviting investors and franchise partners to join its journey and help expand its presence more aggressively across the country. Each store will be launched under one of three distinct formats: viz. Signature Stores, Flagship Stores, and Express Stores, catering to different consumer needs while maintaining the brand’s focus on quality, culture & providing an authentic experience for the consumer. Each store will be launched under one of several distinct formats — Mini Kiosks (₹15 lakh investment), Express Kiosks (₹30 lakh investment), Signature Stores (₹90 lakh investment), Flagship Stores (₹60 lakh investment), and Master Franchise models (₹1–3 crore investment) — catering to different investor capacities and consumer needs while maintaining the brand’s focus on quality and culture.

Adhira & Appa Coffee is not just about coffee; it offers a holistic cultural experience that celebrates taste, tradition, and innovation. Each store will feature a region-specific menu designed to reflect local palates while staying true to the brand’s promise of creativity. Guests can enjoy signature fusion dishes like Podi Fries with a bold South Indian spice kick, Medu Vada Waffle served with chutneys, or the indulgent Bombay Masala Croissant layered with spiced potato masala. The café also reimagines comfort foods with creations like the Tandoori Cubano Sandwich and Filter Coffee Tiramisu. Alongside its inventive bites, A&A serves authentic filter coffee sourced from India’s finest estates and offers a retail corner showcasing locally crafted sovereigns keeping alive the artistry of India’s farmers and artisans.

Speaking on the expansion, Mr. Karan Mendon, Co-founder & COO of Adhira & Appa Coffee, said: “Our mission is to celebrate India’s coffee traditions while creating modern spaces where people can come together over authentic food, locally sourced coffee, and meaningful conversations. The enthusiastic response to our Kochi outlet has reinforced our belief that A&A’s unique mix of heritage, innovation, and local artistry has the power to connect with communities across India.”

Commenting on the brand’s journey, Mr. Hari Kiran, Co-founder & COO of EBG Group, said: “Adhira & Appa Coffee reflects our commitment to building businesses that combine cultural heritage with modern consumer needs. As part of the EBG Group, A&A is more than just a café chain; it is a platform for sustainable growth, an experience with community connection, and a vision to expand nationwide. We are confident that A&A’s unique blend of authentic coffee, fusion food, and local artistry will allow us to scale to 50+ outlets this year and strengthen our position as a group that champions India’s entrepreneurial spirit.”

The brand’s growth strategy underlines its ambition to establish Adhira & Appa Coffee as a nationwide movement, where every store is not just a café but a platform to promote mental wellbeing, togetherness, and the joy of authentic experiences.

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.