Category Archives: Business

Market Optimism Grows: RBI’s MPC Meeting Could Usher in a Real Estate Boom

The Monetary Policy Committee is scheduled to convene on April 7, 8, and 9, 2025, to assess the current economic landscape and determine the direction of interest rates. Experts and industry stakeholders are closely monitoring the meeting, as any decision regarding a potential change in the repo rate could have significant implications for borrowing costs, market liquidity, and overall economic momentum. The outcome of this review will play a crucial role in shaping financial and investment strategies across various sectors.

Mr. Pradeep Aggarwal, Founder & Chairman, Signature Global (India) Ltd., said, “The Reserve Bank of India is anticipated to reduce the repo rate by 25 basis points, bringing it down to 6%, in the upcoming Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting. This move is aimed at stimulating consumption and driving economic growth. A lower policy rate serves as a catalyst for increased borrowing, encouraging more individuals to invest in home purchases, thereby boosting demand in the housing market.

However, the actual impact of this rate cut will largely depend on how effectively and swiftly commercial banks transmit the RBI’s policy decision to borrowers. For the intended benefits to materialize, the transmission of the reduced rates must be both faster and smoother. Ensuring a seamless and timely pass-through of the rate cut will lead to a higher demand for retail loans, including home loans, ultimately benefiting the real estate sector and contributing positively to overall economic expansion.”

Mr. Ashok Kapur, Chairman, Krishna Group and Krisumi Corporation, said, “In the upcoming Monetary Policy Review Meeting, the first MPC meeting of FY26, the Apex Bank is expected to further support the economy and borrowers by reducing the policy rate by 25 basis points, bringing the repo rate closer to 6%. This anticipated rate cut would not only inject more liquidity into the market but also stimulate borrowing and spending, leading to increased economic activity. The housing sector, in particular, stands to benefit significantly, as lower interest rates would further reduce home loan EMIs, making homeownership more affordable for a larger section of buyers. The expected policy rate cut is likely to sustain the strong sales momentum in the housing sector in the upcoming quarter.”

Mr. Udit Jain, director, ONE Group Developers, said, “Home loans play a pivotal role in home buying, particularly for end-users, as the majority rely on financing to purchase their dream homes. A reduction in interest rates directly impacts affordability, making homeownership more accessible and boosting demand across all segments of the housing market.

A sustained decline in interest rates is expected to act as a catalyst for the residential real estate sector in FY 2025-26. Lower home loan rates will not only reduce the overall cost of borrowing but also enhance loan eligibility, encouraging more buyers—both first-time homeowners and upgraders—to enter the market. Additionally, with increasing urbanization and strong demand for quality housing in metro and Tier II cities, favorable lending conditions will further accelerate the growth of the housing sector in the coming year.”

Mr. Sahil Agarwal, CEO, Nimbus Developers, said, “Real estate demand continues to remain robust, particularly in the high-end and luxury segments, driven by strong investor confidence and rising aspirations for premium living. The anticipated softening of home loan interest rates is expected to further fuel this momentum, making homeownership more attractive for both end-users and investors.

In the last MPC meeting, the RBI Governor indicated that macroeconomic conditions are aligning favorably, paving the way for further measures to support economic growth. A repo rate cut is one such key intervention that could significantly impact borrowing costs. Economists and market experts anticipate an additional reduction of 25 to 50 basis points in the upcoming monetary policy review, which, if implemented, will provide further stimulus to the housing market by enhancing affordability and improving loan eligibility for buyers.”

Mr. Raoul Kapoor, Co-CEO, Andromeda Sales and Distribution Pvt Ltd, said, “We anticipate further rate cuts in the upcoming RBI monetary policy review in April, given the continued decline in inflation and improved liquidity conditions. The RBI’s rate cut cycle, which began with a 25-basis point reduction in February, is expected to see another cut of approximately 50 basis points in April, with the possibility of an additional cut in the June review meeting.

Lower interest rates reduce borrowing costs for consumers, thereby increasing their affordability and eligibility for loans. If the RBI proceeds with a 50-basis point rate cut in April, coupled with the previous 25-basis point cut in February, the cumulative reduction in repo rates will stand at 75 basis points (0.75%). This will have a significant impact on home loan borrowers.”

inDrive Transforms India’s Mobility Landscape with Its Unique Ride-Booking Model

India, 1 April 2025: inDrive, a global mobility and urban services platform, has redefined mobility in India through its unique model. The company has pioneered the ‘Set your Fare and Choose your Driver’ in India, which allows passengers to decide the price, driver, and type of vehicle, irrespective of the smartphone model, battery time, and other parameters. This is unlike other ride-hailing services, where pricing is determined by AI models and algorithms. Global ride hailing giants and homegrown startups in India are now adopting inDrive’s model which is a testament to its astounding success.

The company clocked a 18% year-on-year (Y-O-Y) increase in rides across India in 2024. The company attributes its success to its unique model which ensures greater customer satisfaction compared to other models.

Pavit Nanda Anand, Communication Lead-APAC, inDrive said: “We launched inDrive in India 6 years back with the ‘Set your Fare and Choose your Driver’ model. inDrive was the first ride hailing player in the market to bring such a feature which enables people to offer their fare and choose the drivers based on driver ratings, vehicle model, pick up time and distance. The Indian consumer has shown a strong preference for this feature, which provides fare flexibility and customized ride options. It’s inspiring to see that both established RH giants and emerging Indian RH startups are recognizing the value of this unique feature and are exploring similar features to achieve their product-market fit. inDrive remains the pioneer of the fair pricing model, making it the second most downloaded app globally and the fifth most downloaded app in the travel category.”

inDrive has been the world’s second-most downloaded ride-hailing app for the third year in a row, according to leading market intelligence firm Sensor Tower. It also ranks as the fifth most downloaded app globally in the travel category. Globally, the inDrive app was downloaded over 6.1 million times in December 2024 alone.

“inDrive is built on fairness, creating an ecosystem where both passengers and drivers thrive. They decide the price and choose their ride themselves. This is the reason why our users, both passengers and drivers love us and every ride with inDrive is a happy ride.” she added.

Drape Yourself in Festive Grace: Rangriti Unveils Its Chand Mubarak Eid Collection

From dressing your best to gifting your loved ones with special eidi, Rangriti celebrates joy and happiness with its beautiful Eid collection that is a combination of unique ethnic, contemporary fusion wear, and Indo-Western styles. Celebrations become even more special and memorable with the fashionable silhouettes and voguish designs that enriches your ethnic vibe. From dazzling mix-and-match, stylish traditional, all-time classics, dresses, festive wear, and matching bottoms, Rangriti is one stop destination for all your festive shopping experiences.

The Colour of Hope

Your Eid celebrations come to a climax when you dress for the D-day in Rangriti’s Emerald Green Embroidered Anarkali Kurta Set. The lightweight Chanderi fabric and intricate embroidery flow gracefully for a flattering silhouette. Ideal for Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations, this set steals the show with its stunning amalgamation of traditional craftsmanship and modern flair.

The Colour of Excitement

Make your rozas brighter with our Red Tiered Color Block Kurta Set that is not just comfortable but also gives off a luxurious look. The Chanderi fabric in vibrant hues with elegant embellishments creates a sophisticated and polished aesthetic. The complementary churidaar and a printed dupatta make your celebrations even more grand and opulent.

India’s First Ghibli Ad by CashKaro Challenges ‘Bakwas Coins’ and Celebrates True Cashback Rewards

India, 31 March 2025: CashKaro, India’s leading cashback platform, has unveiled India’s first-ever Ghibli-style advertisement, delivering a playful yet hard-hitting message about the inefficacy of coin-based cashback. The animated campaign takes a cheeky dig at coin apps, emphasizing that “Coins Are All Bakwas, Real Cashback is CashKaro Ke Paas.”

In an era where many platforms lure users with virtual coins that often have complex redemption value, limited usability or expiry dates, CashKaro reinforces its promise of real cashback — directly credited as real money via UPI that users can transfer to their bank accounts. The visually stunning ad, inspired by the iconic Studio Ghibli animation style, sets a new benchmark in digital advertising with its unique storytelling approach and vibrant, hand-drawn aesthetics.

Swati Bhargava, Co-founder of CashKaro and EarnKaro, said, “People are tired of earning Cashback coins that feel more like a gimmick than real savings. Today’s consumers see through marketing fluff and focus on the real value, not just flashy cashback coins that are hard to use. At CashKaro, we give users ‘Real Cashback’ — real money that can be transferred to the bank accounts and actually spent, rather than being stuck with coins and points that have restrictions. Over the years, we have returned more than ₹1,000 crore in real cashback to our users, proving that savings should be tangible and beneficial. This campaign is a fun yet powerful way to reinforce that CashKaro is the real cashback king.”

Ishan Agarwal, Director – Brand & Creative at CashKaro and EarnKaro, added, “We are always looking out for creative ways to connect with our audience, and this campaign is a perfect example of how storytelling can make an impact. The idea behind this campaign was to blend art with advertising. The Ghibli-style animation is not just visually stunning but also helps us deliver our message in a fun, engaging, and memorable way. In a market flooded with apps that offer coins with limited usability, we wanted to highlight how CashKaro stands apart by providing real cashback that users can spend. This campaign cuts through the noise, grabs attention, and helps in connecting with the audience with more lighthearted and visually striking content.”

Rajiv Lakshman Joins Infinitum Network Solutions as Group Head, Intellectual Properties

Infinitum Network Solutions, a rapidly growing Indian content network reaching audiences in over 160 countries, today announced the appointment of renowned content creator Rajiv Lakshman as Group Head, Intellectual Properties. This strategic association brings together one of India’s most celebrated media personalities with Infinitum’s ambitious vision for expanding its IP portfolio across multiple platforms. Lakshman, widely recognised for co-creating iconic youth formats including MTV Roadies and MTV Splitsvilla, brings more than two decades of experience in developing successful television and digital formats. His appointment represents a transformative development for Infinitum’s content strategy as the company continues its evolution from a traditional multi-channel network to a comprehensive global ambassador for Indian creativity.

“Rajiv’s exceptional track record in creating formats that resonate with Indian audiences across diverse cultural backgrounds perfectly complements our mission to help talented creators grow from non-metro, tier 2, tier 3 cities, and bring their voice to a global stage,” said Satyadev Chada Krishna, Founder of Infinitum Network Solutions. “His expertise in developing IP that captures the zeitgeist of Indian youth culture will accelerate our mission of taking Indian stories to the world while building a versatile content portfolio that spans children’s programming to thrillers and romantic comedies.”

Founded in 2017 in Hyderabad, the company has successfully positioned itself as a hybrid organisation that combines content creation capabilities with digital marketing expertise, completing over 400 projects and delivering results for more than 300 brands worldwide.

“Infinitum’s innovative approach to content creation and distribution represents the future of Indian digital media on the global stage,” said Rajiv Lakshman. “I’m excited to join an organisation that has achieved such impressive global reach while staying true to its Indian roots. Together, we’ll create compelling intellectual properties that showcase India’s cultural richness while transcending boundaries. By reaching out to creators from tier 2 and tier 3 cities, we aim to create opportunities for young talent across diverse languages and regions, empowering them to grow, build careers, and establish a launchpad for the next generation of content creators.”

Lakshman’s appointment comes at a pivotal moment for Infinitum as the company expands its original content offerings across multiple formats and platforms. His experience transitioning from traditional television to OTT platforms mirrors Infinitum’s evolution as a hybrid entity that bridges conventional media production with digital distribution while amplifying Indian voices globally.

Leadership and Business Excellence at the Forefront: IIM Raipur’s New MDPs to Empower Professionals

Mumbai, 31th March, 2025: Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Raipur, a leading institution recognized for #BuildingBusinessOwners has unveiled its line-up of immersive Management Development Programs (MDPs) for April & May 2025. These development programs are scheduled from 4th April 2025 to 8th May 2025.

These short-term, high-impact programs are tailored to equip professionals, executives, and business leaders with advanced knowledge, strategic insights, and leadership capabilities essential for navigating today’s dynamic business environment. A special Faculty Development Program (FDP) titled “FDP on Classroom Communication for Teachers” is also scheduled from 30 Apr – 02 May 2025, to enhance the classroom delivery of teachers.

Prof. Ram Kumar Kakani, Director, IIM Raipur, shared, “Our MDPs are designed to bridge the gap between theory and practice. Through interactive sessions, case studies, and expert-led discussions, these programs will enable professionals to drive innovation, resilience, and sustainable growth within their organizations. Each programme is crafted by experienced faculty, combining research-backed strategies with interactive methodologies for an engaging learning experience.”

The curriculum will focus on domains like Strategic Management, Communications and HRM & OB. The MDPs will be conducted by esteemed faculty members, combining academic rigor with real-world applications.

The programs are curated around Franchising for Business Growth, Communicating with Franchisees, and Enhancing Employee Performance & Well-Being Through Leadership, Justice, Support & Spirituality, each designed to enhance the participant’s skills with practical knowledge for navigating the complexities of the modern business landscape.

These programs offer a valuable platform for professionals to engage with leading academicians, gain industry-relevant knowledge, and develop a strategic mind-set. Participants will benefit from interactive discussions, case studies, and practical frameworks that can be applied directly to their organizations.

PHDCCI and GIZ to jointly work for promotion of RE and smooth energy transition

Speaking at the PHDCCI – GIZ Workshop on Energy Transition with DISCOMs, Mr Salil Gupta, Chair, Power Committee, PHDCCI, stated that energy transition is not merely a technological shift but a comprehensive transformation of our energy ecosystem—one that demands new business models, regulatory frameworks, and operational paradigms. India’s power distribution sector faces unique challenges that demand innovative solutions. Despite significant reforms over the past decades, many DISCOMs continue to struggle with financial viability, operational inefficiencies, and the complex task of balancing social obligations with commercial sustainability. He announced that PHDCCI and GIZ (German Corporation for International Cooperation) will work together for the promotion of RE and smooth energy transition. The conclave was attended by 150 delegates physically/virtually.

Mr P R Kumar, Co-Chair, Power Committee, PHDCCI & MD & CEO, Noida Power Company Ltd, in his Special address observed that India should not copy the energy transition and sustainability path in Power sector of developed countries as their per capita incomes are much higher. DISCOMs should take a lead in RPO compliance for which grid infra needs to be modernised. DISCOMs have to act as an enabler for energy transition and collaboration between DISCOMs, industry, regulators and policy makers is required for creating financially strong and sustainable DISCOMs in India.

The BSES spokesperson who addressed the Workshop stated that DISCOMs are the link between grid and customers and have the most important role to play in sustainability in power sector. He spoke about the Energy Trilemma – Energy Security-Energy Equity and Energy Sustainability with affordability. He gave a brief about BRPL’s initiatives in promotion of RE and informed that they have now started installing energy storage projects in Delhi, which are essential for creating sustainable DISCOMs and are signing Green PPAs as also adding distributed RE. As a next step, he suggested District Cooling and Cooling-as-a-Service (CaaS) in new colonies to decongest the grid. He termed Peer to Peer power trading as a game changer and called for creating an energy trading system (UEI) on the lines of UPI to create equitable and sustainable power distribution in India.

Mr Kuldeep Sharma, Head – Energy Transition with DISCOMs, GIZ INDIA, in his Keynote Address gave a brief about the initiatives of GIZ in transforming DISOCMs in India. He informed that GIZ has worked with 13 states and 26 DISCOMs in India and has been supporting the decarbonisation journey in India in the transport and energy sector. He conveyed that India can only achieve net zero by 2070 goal if the DISCOMs are sustainable.

Ashok Leyland Defence Strikes Multiple Deals, Securing Rs 700 Crore in Orders

Chandigarh, 31th March 2025: Ashok Leyland, the Indian flagship of the Hinduja Group, and the largest supplier of logistics vehicles to the Indian Army, today announced that its Defence business has won multiple orders valued more than Rs. 700 Cr. The vehicles to be supplied under these orders are to fulfil Defence sector needs of troop transportation, logistics, and other specialised mobility requirements under the Close-in Weapon Systems (CIWS) program. With these new orders, Ashok Leyland further solidifies its position as a leader in advanced land mobility solutions for the Armed and Paramilitary Forces.

The recently awarded contracts encompass a diverse range of specialized vehicles, including the Stallion 4×4, Stallion 6×6, Short Chassis Bus, and Mobility System Travelling Platform. These vehicles combine superior reliability with exceptional off-road capability, ensuring seamless manoeuvrability across country’s most demanding terrains, meeting a variety of operational requirements.

Mr. Shenu Agarwal, MD & CEO, Ashok Leyland said, “For decades, Ashok Leyland has been a trusted partner in Defence mobility. We are immensely proud to have secured these new orders, which reinforce Ashok Leyland’s leadership in the sector and reaffirms our commitment to deliver cutting-edge solutions for the armed forces. The defence business remains a key pillar of Ashok Leyland’s future growth.”

Mr. Amandeep Singh, President – Defence Business, Ashok Leyland said, “As a proud proponent of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat,’ we are committed to strengthening India’s defence capabilities through indigenous design and manufacturing in the Defence mobility sector. Our vehicle platforms ranging from 4×4 to 12×12, packed with contemporary Defence specific requirements, including armouring, known for their versatility and durability, remain the backbone of logistics and specialist needs of Armed Forces. As the largest supplier of logistics vehicles to the Indian Army, we take immense pride in supporting our forces and remain committed to delivering these orders on time. Our future Defence order and tender pipeline is also quite robust.”

Ashok Leyland remains committed to developing indigenous mobility solutions that not only fulfill the operational needs of the armed forces but also advance India’s self-reliance in defence. With a legacy of excellence and a spirit of innovation, the company continues to power the Indian Army’s logistics backbone, reinforcing its position as a trusted partner in strengthening the nation’s defence capabilities.

Vogue India Kicks Off the Vogue Beauty and Wellness Honours to Celebrate Industry Leaders

Mumbai, 29th March 2025: Vogue India, the country’s leading fashion, beauty, luxury and lifestyle multi-media brand, presents an elevated evolution of its iconic Vogue Beauty Awards with the launch of the Vogue Beauty & Wellness Honours, in partnership with Tira Beauty. This revamped iteration expands beyond beauty to celebrate the finest in wellness, recognising standout products and innovations that are redefining the industry in India.

 At the first edition of the Vogue Beauty & Wellness Honours, excellence meets expertise. The journey begins with brands submitting their finest products, which are then meticulously shortlisted by Vogue India’s editors. Winners are selected by an expert jury, while readers will cast their votes to determine the Reader’s Choice Award winners across key categories: Makeup, Skincare, Hair Care, Fragrances and Wellness. The Vogue Beauty & Wellness Honours will culminate in a spectacular award ceremony on 29 April 2025, where winners will be unveiled and celebrated for their innovation, impact and excellence.

 “We decided to expand the beauty awards to include wellness, but not just the going-to-the-spa kind. We’re looking at wellness from an emotional, mental, sexual, even a social lens. You could be the kind of person eating organic food, working out five times a day, meditating before bedtime and still be in a rut due to social isolation, one of the major downsides of this digital age,” says Rochelle Pinto, Head of Editorial Content, Vogue India.

 “In this ever-expanding beauty landscape, the Vogue Beauty & Wellness Honours serves as a definitive guide by celebrating brands that push the boundaries of innovation, quality, and performance. These awards provide consumers with a trusted benchmark for excellence and helps them discover and invest in products that truly stand out,” says Bhakti Modi, Co-founder of Tira.

 Stay tuned as Vogue India embarks on this exciting new journey, spotlighting brands, products and professionals shaping the future of beauty and wellness.