Category Archives: Business

Views on Rate cut | Aadhar Housing, hBits & Vested Finance

Rishi Anand, MD & CEO, Aadhar Housing Finance Limited

“Today’s rate cut by 25 basis points after a gap of nearly five years is much in line with our expectations and set to provide overall support as well as be a catalyst to growth enablers outlined in the recent union budget. The benefits of this rate cut will begin to accrue on an immediate basis and are expected to be fully realized in the next 3 to 6 months, benefiting customers. This step is in the right direction aligning with the sustained central bank assurance of proactive liquidity support and allay concerns of liquidity crunch, thereby accelerating growth.”

Samir Bhandari, Co-founder, CFO, hBits

“The RBI’s decision to cut the repo rate by 25 bps to 6.25 % for the first time in 5 years underscores its commitment to financial stability while balancing inflation and growth. This is particularly significant for commercial real estate investors, as it ensures access to capital at predictable costs, allowing for long-term strategic investments in premium assets. With inflationary pressures moderating and liquidity remaining steady, investor confidence in structured real estate investments, including fractional ownership, is expected to strengthen. At hBits, we see this as a positive shift, as more institutional and retail investors look for stable, inflation-hedged assets with strong rental yields. Given the global economic uncertainties, commercial real estate remains a resilient and income-generating asset class, and the RBI’s policy direction will play a key role in shaping future investment trends in this space.”

Viram Shah, Founder & CEO, Vested Finance

“RBI’s decision to cut rates is in line with expectations. The dovish stance follows most global major central banks that have also cut rates or have shown an indication to do so. The rate cut will likely further narrow the US-India bond yield spread which is already at a 20-year low, making the US bonds more attractive for foreign investors. This may lead to more outflows in coming months leading to investments in US bonds and stock markets. A weak rupee also makes a case for investing in US markets as investors will benefit from the strong dollar. At the time the Indian market has been struggling, investors should consider investing in global equities, especially US-listed, as they may not just provide alpha but also help diversify their portfolio. Domestic focused stocks in the US, such as utilities, steelmakers, etc. look attractive.”

Arete Premier League Season 5 Kicks Off with Exciting Cricket Action

Vapi, Gujarat, 8th February 2025: Arete Group is all set to bring the excitement of cricket again with the much-awaited AretePremier League (APL) Season 5, scheduled to take place between February 5-8, 2025, at Meril Cricket Ground in Vapi, Gujarat. This high-energy tournament is more than just a sporting event as it celebrates teamwork, camaraderie, and the energetic culture that defines AreteGroup.

The APL Season 5 is set to have six very powerful teams, including Arete Royal Strikers, Arete Titans, Casa Super Kings, Retail Rising Stars, Hospitality Warriors, and Sigma Thunders. It promises fierce competition and electric moments on the field, as it all comes down to one team at the grand finale of the tournament.

APL is not just about cricket; it is an integral part of Arete Group’s employee engagement initiatives, fostering collaboration, networking, and a shared spirit of excellence. The event is curated to help employees from diverse verticals build connections, propagate the feeling of belonging, and engage with the organization.

Adding to the excitement, APL Season 5 will have live match highlights, live scoring, fun engagement booths, and on-ground entertainment that will shape this tournament into a cricket festival. It is all fun and thrilling for the audience as well as the participants.

Commenting on the official launch of APL Season 5, Virendra Kumar, Vice President – of Marketing, Arete Group said “APL is so much more than a competition it is really what teamwork and passion mean in action. A tradition that keeps uniting employees of our firm while promoting an attitude of cordial competition toward teamwork. Witness this energy as the teams in competition strive to emerge victorious, vying for that championship win.”

As Arete Premier League Season 5 was inaugurated, everyone became enthusiastic, and excitement was palpable as employees geared up with eagerness to demonstrate their cricketing talent and sportsmanship. With an action-packed schedule, engaging activities, and a strong community spirit, APL continues to set a benchmark for employee-driven sporting events.

India Art Fair 2025 showcases India’s art market rapidly gaining international prominence

New Delhi, 8 February 2025: As India’s art market continues to expand and gain international recognition, addressing the legal complexities of ownership, transactions, and artist rights has become crucial to its sustained growth. Art continues to evolve into a significant alternative asset class, transcending borders through sales, loans, and exhibitions, and navigating this complex landscape demands deep legal and market insights.

The 16th edition of the India Art Fair in New Delhi has philanthropist, collector, and Director at Nature Morte, Aparajita Jain and Roshnek Dhalla, Counsel at Khaitan & Co. engaging in conversation on the legal intricacies shaping the art market. Scheduled on 7 February 2025, the session will explore various topics that will be of interest to the art community such as title disputes, cross-border transactions, estate structuring, intellectual property rights, and artist protections, offering valuable insights to stakeholders.

With India’s art market gaining international prominence, safeguarding the interests of artists, museums, collectors, and other stakeholders has become paramount in today’s interconnected, and digital age. Legal expertise is vital in steering art investments, estate planning, CSR strategies, and the import/export regime.

India’s dynamic artist community also faces the need to protect their intellectual property, secure resale rights, and navigate estate planning. Addressing these challenges requires a nuanced understanding of both domestic and international legal frameworks. With its comprehensive approach, Khaitan & Co and Nature Morte will offer critical insights for creating a transparent and secure art ecosystem. Such efforts are instrumental in ensuring a robust and legally sound future for India’s vibrant art landscape.

Rising Raebareli: Pioneering Change Through Heritage and Progress

Rising Raebareli, the fifth event in the Rising 100 Cities series, was held at Senanai Hotel, Uttar Pradesh. Organized by Network18, presented by Maruti Suzuki, and in partnership with the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, the event provided a platform to discuss Raebareli’s journey toward progress through sustainability, road safety, and skill enhancement. Known for its cultural depth, Raebareli is steadily embracing innovation and technology to drive forward-thinking development.

The event featured an esteemed panel of speakers, including Minister Dinesh Pratap Singh, Ms. Harshita Mathur (DM, Raebareli), Dr. Yashvir Singh (SP, Raebareli), Mr. Manoj (ARTO), Mr. Naveen Singh (DPRO), Poet Sandip Shararti, Prof. Amit Singh (Cyber Security Expert, Firoz Gandhi Institute of Engineering & Technology), Prof. Priyanshu Shrivastava (AI Expert), and Eng. Preeti Sinha (AGM, NTPC). They deliberated on topics such as fostering sustainable urban development, improving road safety measures, and equipping the youth with essential skills to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving economy.

The Rising Cities series aims to highlight the distinct strengths and aspirations of India’s growing urban landscapes. From Raebareli, the initiative moves on to Varanasi, Faridabad, Bhadohi and beyond, creating a mosaic of stories that reflect the collective progress and potential of the nation’s cities.

RBI Monetary Policy Commentary by Sakshi Gupta, Principal Economist, HDFC Bank

In the inflation-growth trade-off, the RBI tilted towards supporting growth by cutting the policy rate by 25bps today. This decision was underpinned by the governor’s emphasis on the “flexibility” in the inflation target framework, a deviation from the previous assertion of reaching the median target of 4% by the central bank.

While the policy rate was reduced, the MPC kept the stance unchanged at neutral. This could imply a more cautious approach toward the extent of rate cuts going forward in this rate-cutting cycle.

The stance also suggests that while the central bank is likely to provide sufficient liquidity – both transient and durable — to the system, it has abstained from providing a liquidity bonanza. Therefore, lingering pressures on liquidity could weigh on the transmission process for now.

The pressure on liquidity conditions is anticipated to linger on as we move into the end of the month and year-end drags including advance tax outflows weigh in. We expect this to be met by appropriate liquidity infusion measures including further OMOs, buy/sell swaps, and longer-duration repos.

The RBI showed confidence in the disinflation process, pegging the inflation rate to average at 4.2% in FY26 while growth is projected to be at 6.7% — which is towards the higher end of the range set out in the economic survey of 6.3-6.8% for FY26.

The governor set out a more balanced approach towards regulations which would strike a balance between the associated benefits and costs. However, it fell short of providing any clarity on the implementation of the new LCR norms.

We expect the RBI to frontload its rate cuts and deliver another rate cut in the April policy of 25bps. The space for rate cuts beyond this would hinge on how domestic and global headwinds pan out.

Akzo Nobel India announces Q3 and 9M financial results for 2024-25

Mumbai, February 7, 2025, the Board of Directors of Akzo Nobel India Limited, a leading paints and coatings company and maker of Dulux Paints, approved the financial results for the quarter and nine months ended 31 December 2024.

Highlights

Q3 FY25* (compared with Q3 FY24**)

• Revenue from operations at ₹1,050.5 crore, up by 2%
•  EBIT from operations at ₹143.5 crore, down by 2%
•  PAT at ₹108.6 crore, down by 5%
• 9M FY25 (compared with 9M FY24)
•  Revenue from operations at ₹3,069.1 crore, up by 3%
•  EBIT from operations at ₹414.8 crore, up by 1%
•  PAT at ₹321.1 crore, up by 1%

Akzo Nobel India Limited Chairman and Managing Director, Rajiv Rajgopal, commented:

“In Q3 FY25, we achieved both volume and value growth despite subdued market conditions. Favorable demand in infrastructure, power, mining, marine, and real estate sectors fueled sustained B2B momentum in paints and coatings. Prudent cost management protected profitability, effectively mitigating the impact of raw material inflation on margins.

Overall, our performance in 9M FY25 reflects continued growth and strong double-digit profitability trajectory with market share gains.”

Recent highlights:

New propositions launched across categories in Decorative Paints:

•  Upgrading from distemper to a more durable entry-level emulsion at an affordable price is now possible with the new Dulux Promise Freedom. It’s advanced Latex Technology delivers longer-lasting protection to home interiors and exteriors with three key benefits: enhanced whiteness, improved coverage, and a smoother finish.
•  Dulux Aquatech DampProtect 2in1, our latest high-performing solution further strengthens our waterproofing segment portfolio. Its unique AquaProtect technology prevents water ingress and provides protection for both vertical and horizontal surfaces, with a warranty of up to 8 years.
•  Dulux Professional M900 Premium Gloss Enamel marks the Company’s debut enamel offering in the professional segment. This high-sheen, multi-surface gloss offers exceptional gloss retention, benefit of washability, and resistance to wear-and-tear. It’s tough and durable finish makes it ideal for high-traffic surfaces and project exteriors exposed to demanding conditions.

New certification of Resicoat electrical insulation range of powder coatings

AkzoNobel’s Resicoat Electric Insulation range of powder coatings has now received the prestigious Underwriters Laboratories (UL) flame retardant certification. As the shift to powder coatings accelerates, this validation opens new opportunities in the growing electric vehicle market, where the demand for more sustainable and high-performance coatings for electrical insulation is surging.

Award & Recognition:

Project Revive, Akzo Nobel India’s vocational skill-building initiative in decorative painting for drug-rehabilitated youth, was recognized with a Special Mention for ‘Skill Building in Decorative Painting for Substance Users in the North-East Region’ at the second edition of the North-East CSR Awards 2024. Launched in 2021, Project Revive has positively impacted the lives of over 800 vulnerable youth across Assam, Manipur, and Arunachal Pradesh.

Škoda Auto Volkswagen India Wins Multiple Awards for Workplace Excellence

Thursday, 07 February 2025: Škoda Auto Volkswagen India Private Limited (SAVWIPL) has received multiple recognitions for being an outstanding workplace. SAVWIPL achieved a significant milestone by securing the “Top Employer” certification and the “Best Companies to Work For in Asia”, both for the second consecutive year. Adding to this remarkable success, the company has garnered accolades across three categories at the Economic Times Human Capital MENA awards. These achievements underscore SAVWIPL’s unwavering commitment to making the workplace employee-friendly and engaging.

The Top Employer certification is a hallmark of quality in the realm of human resources. The process comprises a rigorous evaluation spanning six critical organizational dimensions to choose the winner. This detailed audit involved approximately 260 assessment points, validating the company’s commitment to ensure the best workplace practices and strategic human resource management.

The recognition of being the “Best Companies to Work For in Asia” for the second consecutive year was based on a comprehensive evaluation of three core areas – Feel, Think, and Do – through employee feedback and a thorough audit, demonstrating SAVWIPL’s success in creating an engaging workplace environment.

Adding to these achievements, SAVWIPL’s debut participation in the Economic Times Human Capital MENA Awards resulted in recognition across three significant categories: Health and Wellness Excellence, Global Talent Acquisition, and Environmental and Social Governance Leadership.

Speaking about the achievement, Piyush Arora, Managing Director and CEO of Škoda Auto Volkswagen India, said “Securing the “Top Employer” certification for the second year in a row is not just a badge of honor; it reflects our deep commitment to creating an environment where our employees can thrive. We understand the vital role our people play in ensuring our success, and we earnestly work towards empowering them with a culture of innovation, integrity, inclusivity, and well-being. Receiving the Top Employer certification, along with being named among the “Best Companies to Work For in Asia” and bagging multiple accolades at the “Economic Times Human Capital MENA Awards” – is a clear reflection of the ethos we carry, and the Group’s proven world-class work culture. As we continue to grow, we remain committed to the highest standards of compliance, ethics, and integrity, ensuring a workplace that is built on trust, respect, and responsible business practices.”

Sarma Chillara, CHRO, Škoda Auto Volkswagen India, said, “Achieving a reward goes beyond individual success; it’s about creating an environment and fostering a culture where every effort is valued and the employees are motivated to put their best foot forward. Bagging these three prestigious awards two of which we have won consecutively, reinforces my belief in our teams’ dedication and our collective commitment to build a culture of excellence.”

These accolades collectively reflect SAVWIPL’s strategic focus on inclusive and transparent workplace practices, employee development, and organizational excellence. As SAVWIPL continues to set benchmarks in the automotive sector, these recognitions reaffirm its position as an “Employer of choice”. By prioritizing employee well-being and engagement, the company is not only enhancing its workplace culture but also driving industry standards for excellence.

Experience the Magic of Love at Ophelia This Valentine’s Day

This Valentine’s Day, Ophelia welcomes you to experience romance like never before. Located just moments away from the iconic Ashoka Hotel, Ophelia has quickly become the place to be for those who appreciate the finer things in life. With its chic ambiance, exquisite décor, and incredible food and drinks, Ophelia offers the perfect backdrop to celebrate the day of love.

This year, the team at Ophelia is showcasing all the magic to make your Valentine’s Day extra special. With an evening featuring a thoughtfully curated menu, enchanting romantic décor, and the perfect soundtrack of live DJ performances, the restaurant sets the tone for a night to remember. Whether you’re seated indoors surrounded by elegant design or dining under the stars in their outdoor area, Ophelia promises a Valentine’s experience that’s as unforgettable as the love you share.

Ophelia’s exclusive Valentine’s Day menu is a feast for the senses, designed with love in every bite. Commence with appetizers like the Trio Berries, a fresh mix of cranberries, blueberries, and strawberries with a tangy vodka sauce, or the Avocado Caprese, featuring creamy baby bocconcini and vibrant cherry tomatoes. For the main course, you can savour the Sambuca Infused Salmon or indulge in a Grilled New Zealand Lamb Steak with rich truffle mushrooms and red wine prunes jus. If you’re after something light but equally delicious, try the Low-Fat Poached Mock Meat or Roasted Apple Gourd, offering a burst of flavour for every diet. To wrap it up, relish desserts like the rich Basque Cheesecake or the indulgent Red Velvet Cake.

Ophelia makes sure your evening is tailored to perfection. Whether you have dietary restrictions or a specific request, their team is here to make sure everything is just perfect, like your love story. With a beautiful atmosphere and impeccable service, you’ll feel like you’re in a world all your own.

Vellam – Gurgaon’s Modern Take on South Indian Cuisine

South Indian cuisine has found its newest and most refined address at Vellam, a contemporary and eclectic dining experience born out of passion and nostalgia. Paras, who grew up amidst the vibrant streets of Chennai, and Priyansha, a connoisseur of South Indian flavors, have joined hands to bring a unique culinary vision to Delhi NCR. With a shared love for the rich heritage of South Indian cuisine and a determination to enhance its perception, they have curated Vellam as a tribute to the flavors they adore and the sophistication they seek to present.

The name “Vellam,” Tamil for jaggery, complements the nature of this venture. Jaggery, a quintessential ingredient in South Indian cuisine, represents tradition, sweetness, and depth – qualities that accord deeply with the restaurant’s ethos. The choice of the name not only pays homage to the roots of the cuisine but also carries a modern and catchy appeal that perfectly aligns with the restaurant’s concept. Vellam breaks away from the stereotypes associated with South Indian food. Often confined to quick, budget meals or limited to idlis and dosas, this cuisine deserves a seat at the fine dining table.

At Vellam, traditional southern flavors meet innovative techniques, creating a symphony of tastes that surprises and delights. With a menu that reimagines the classics, Chilled Tomato Shorba, Water Chestnut Pepper Fry, Karaikudi Prawns, Spice Toss Fish Taco and Gonkura Mutton, every dish is made with creativity and respect for authenticity. Even the bar menu draws inspiration from the south, with creations like the Curry Leaf Martini and Spiced Banana Old Fashioned Rum adding a spirited twist.

The ambiance at Vellam is equally exquisite. Moving away from predictable design norms, the interiors strike a balance between rustic South Indian charm and modern aesthetics. Earthy tones, lush greenery, bronze accents, and bespoke artwork come together to create a space that is both warm and contemporary. With a seating capacity of 76, including a chic outdoor area, Vellam offers an inviting yet refined setting for diners to absorb themselves in a delicious journey.

The vision for Vellam surpasses beyond food and decor. Paras and Priyansha aim to offer an experience where every detail, from the taste to the atmosphere, challenges preconceived notions. It’s a carnival of South Indian cuisine in a way that’s never been seen or experienced before, a fine-dining experience that pairs bold flavors with modern flair. Whether you savor the spicy allure of Nellore Fish with Mini Idli Croutons or sip on a Filter Coffee MudSlide, the experience is to revamp your understanding of the cuisine. Priced at ₹3,000 for two (excluding alcohol), Vellam is accessible yet aspirational, inviting guests to explore the worldly southern flavors. Operational from 12 PM to 11:30 PM, the restaurant is poised to become a haven for food enthusiasts seeking an elevated and reimagined take on South Indian dining.

Paras and Priyansha’s journey hasn’t been without challenges, from finding skilled artisans to realizing their dream to overcoming ingrained stereotypes about South Indian cuisine. But with Vellam, they’ve achieved something incredible – a restaurant that’s a movement to bring the brilliance of South Indian flavors into the spotlight they so richly deserve. A Sophisticated Taste of South India Awaits at Vellam.

Prime Video Announces Start of Filming for its Original Series Gram Chikitsalay

MUMBAI, India—February 7 —Prime Video, India’s most loved entertainment destination, today announced commencement of filming of its upcoming original series Gram Chikitsalay. Produced by The Viral Fever (TVF), the creators of several award-winning and fan-favorite originals, this comedy-drama brings an engaging story filled with humor and heartfelt moments.

Boasting of a highly talented and versatile ensemble cast including Amol Parashar, Anandeshwar Dwivedi, Akash Makhija, Garima Vikrant Singh, Vinay Pathak, and Akansha Ranjan Kapoor in the lead roles, Gram Chikitsalay is a delightful blend of humor and emotions. The series follows the journey of a doctor from the city as he adjusts to life at a small-town public health center. The series serves up a witty cocktail of playful journey of self-discovery, unexpected friendships, and the awkward hilarity that comes with figuring out how to fit into a place that plays by its own rules. Currently in production, Gram Chikitsalay will be available to Prime Members in over 240 countries and territories upon its release.