Category Archives: Business

Indian Bank waives off Minimum Balance Charges on Savings Accounts; Reduces MCLR to 9 percent

Chennai, July 3, 2025: In a significant customer-centric initiative, Indian Bank has announced the complete waiver of minimum balance charges across all Savings Bank accounts, effective July 7, 2025. This move is aimed at fostering financial inclusion and making banking more accessible and affordable for all sections of society.

This landmark move is set to benefit a vast spectrum of Indian Bank account holders, ranging from students and senior citizens to small business owners and rural customers. The waiver is expected to encourage more individuals, especially those from underserved communities, to enter the formal banking system.

Further reinforcing its commitment to affordable credit, the Bank has also announced a reduction of 5 basis points in its one-year Marginal Cost of Funds Based Lending Rate (MCLR), bringing it down to 9.00%, effective July 3, 2025. This reduction will directly benefit borrowers with lower interest rate on loan.

Bharat Forge successfully completes acquisition of AAM India Manufacturing Private Limited.

Chandigarh, 2^nd July, 2025: In continuation to the announcement of 17^th October 2024, and post receiving approval from CCI on 22^nd April 2025 for the transaction, BFL successfully concluded the acquisition of AAM India Manufacturing Private Limited (AAM India) at an Equity Value of Rs 7,464.6 million including Cash on books of the acquired entity of Rs 1,894.8 million. This cash is available for addressing future growth opportunities.

The final equity value is subject to Net Working Capital adjustments as of June 30, 2025.

We are acquiring an entity which has a formidable name in the automotive products space supplying to all major OEM across traditional and New Mobility technology. This acquisition will enable us to complement our component offerings with products solutions to OEMs in India & Globally.

Suraksha Smart City Announces The Launch of Forest-Themed Garden

Mumbai, July 02, 2025: In celebration of World Environment Day, Suraksha Smart City proudly announces the launch of its Forest-Themed Garden—a green oasis designed to redefine urban living by bringing the serenity and richness of a forest into the heart of the city.

The Forest-Themed Garden is more than just a landscaped area; it is a pioneering urban design philosophy that seamlessly blends nature with modern infrastructure. Inspired by the Earth element and located in the Earth sector of Suraksha Smart City, this unique space is part of the township’s vision to harmonize the five timeless elements—Light, Wind, Earth, Water, and Fire—across its five interconnected lifestyle phases.

Rooted in the growing movement towards sustainability and holistic well-being, the Forest-Themed Garden offers residents a restorative environment where tranquillity, rejuvenation, and joy flourish.

From children’s play zones to peaceful meditation space and vibrant community spaces, the Forest-Themed Garden caters to every age group. Regular activities in the Kids’ Activity Area, meditation area, and community events in the Natural Amphitheatre ensure that every resident finds their own connection to nature and community. A Butterfly Garden with native plants that attract butterflies, contributes to the forest’s biodiversity. Additionally, a natural-looking pathway made from pebbles, offers a tactile experience that simulates walking in a forest environment.

On the heels of World Environment Day, Suraksha Smart City reaffirms its commitment to sustainability, innovation, and quality of life. The Forest-Themed Garden not only enhances the daily lives of residents by fostering well-being and social engagement but also sets a new standard for urban developments in the region.

“Our Forest-Themed Garden is a testament to our belief that modern living and nature can—and should—coexist. By integrating extensive green spaces into our township, we are creating a legacy of sustainability and well-being for current and future generations,” said for Mr. Jash Panchamia, Promoter, Suraksha Smart City.

Crestmont Hotels & Resorts in India upgrades from legacy to the cloud with Hotelogix to centralize group operations

Bangaluru, 02/July/2025: Hotelogix, a globally leading cloud-based hospitality technology provider, said Crestmont Hotels & Resorts in India has upgraded to its cloud-based multi-property management system to digitize processes and centrally manage group operations. With this strategic shift from their previous on-premises system, the group aims to drive growth and accelerate expansion by leveraging Hotelogix’s robust and comprehensive technology platform.

Crestmont Hotels & Resorts is one of the youngest and newest entrants in India’s highly competitive hospitality landscape. It manages four distinctive properties that have quickly become a preferred choice for leisure and business travellers. The group’s motto is to enhance the guest experience with a perfect blend of comfort, style, and excellence. With a vision for the future, Crestmont is poised for rapid expansion, promising to deliver exceptional experiences across more locations.

“We aim to operate smarter, serve guests better and scale faster. And for this, we needed a modern cloud-based solution like Hotelogix that gives us centralized control across all properties while simplifying group-wide operations,” said Mayank Jain, Director of Crestmont Hotels & Resorts.

Hotelogix also offers an integrated Channel Manager and Booking Engine to help the group drive sales via OTAs and its website. The real-time dashboard on the Mobile PMS App will enable them to track critical hotel positions on the go, such as ARR, RevPAR, occupancy, etc. Additionally, Hotelogix will enable them to access actionable central-level reports to make timely decisions to optimize overall performance across all properties.

Speaking about their expansion plan, Mayank further said, “We’re actively growing our footprint across India, with plans to add 3–4 new properties by 2025 and scale to a 40–50-property group by 2030. To support this ambitious journey, we see Hotelogix’s multi-property management system as the ideal foundation—flexible, scalable, and built for growth.”

“We welcome Crestmont Hotels & Resorts to our expanding client base in India and are excited to be their partner of growth. Our platform empowers modern hospitality groups like Crestmont to achieve their goals with agility and efficiency, ensuring they can focus on what truly matters—delivering exceptional guest experiences,” said Sumit Kapoor, Assistant Vice President – Enterprise Sales (South Asia) at Hotelogix.

Tackle Monsoon Skin Woes with Dove’s Serum Body Washes

2nd July, 2025: We’ve double-cleansed, retinol-ed, niacinamide-ed and glazed our way to perfect facial skin, but what about everything below the neck? This monsoon, Dove says it’s time to stop ignoring your other 90%. Introducing the Dove Serum Body Wash collection: three power-packed formulas inspired by skincare actives you already love using on your face — now reimagined for your body.

From battling backne to bringing back your glow, these body washes don’t just cleanse — they care, treat, and transform. Powered by active skincare ingredients and Dove’s proprietary Pro-Ceramide Technology, each variant is a sensorial experience and a solution in a bottle.

Glow Recharge Serum Body Wash – For Dull, Uneven Skin

Infused with 3% Vitamin C Brightening Serum and exfoliating silica, this illuminating body wash gently buffs and energizes dull skin.

Its gel-to-foam texture creates a rich, creamy lather that wraps you in a vibrant, fruity fragrance with notes of blood orange, yuzu, and wild raspberry, leaving your skin radiant, even-toned, and revived.

Exfoliate Away Serum Body Wash – For Rough, Bumpy Skin

Formulated with 4% Refining Serum and AHA, this variant works double duty — exfoliating and moisturizing simultaneously.

Dove’s unique exfoliative action removes dead skin cells while replenishing the skin barrier with fatty acids like stearic and palmitic acid. The warm, woody fragrance, accented by mandarin and bergamot, makes every shower a sensorial escape.

Acne Clear Serum Body Wash – For Acne-Prone Skin

With 1% Salicylic Acid, this acne-fighting body wash penetrates deep into pores to clear and prevent breakouts, without drying out your skin.

A refreshing blend of garden mint, lemon basil, and golden amber creates an invigorating start to your skincare routine, helping your skin stay calm and clear even through monsoon-induced breakouts.

With this line, Dove busts the myth that skincare with active ingredients is only meant for the face. Whether it’s clarifying acne, boosting glow, or refining texture, the Dove Serum Body Wash range gives your body the same thoughtful attention, making body care more intentional, indulgent, and impactful.

Shree Cement Appoints Vishal Bhardwaj as Head of Corporate Social Responsibility

Shree Cement, one of India’s leading cement producers with a strong commitment to sustainable development and inclusive growth has announced the appointment of Vishal Bhardwaj as Head- Corporate Social Responsibility.

Mr. Bhardwaj brings nearly three decades of rich and diverse industry experience in conceptualising and executing impactful CSR strategies across India and other geographies, with deep expertise in the cement, pharmaceutical and chemical sectors. He joins Shree Cement from Indorama Corporation where he served as Group CSR Head based in Dubai, leading the company’s global CSR agenda. A passionate advocate for community-driven transformation, Mr. Bhardwaj is deeply committed to fostering sustainable change through inclusive development initiatives, long-term partnerships and building a smarter today, for a sustainable tomorrow.

In his new role at Shree Cement, Mr. Bhardwaj will spearhead the company’s CSR strategy, strengthen implementation frameworks and build strategic partnerships to scale social impact across communities — with a focus on quality and measurable outcomes.

Neeraj Akhoury, Managing Director, Shree Cement said on the appointment, “At Shree Cement, we view social responsibility as an essential pillar of our business philosophy. We are delighted to welcome Vishal Bhardwaj whose global perspective and grassroots understanding of CSR will help us scale our efforts meaningfully and sustainably. His leadership will be instrumental in aligning our social investments with national development priorities.”

Commenting on his new role at Shree Cement, Mr. Bhardwaj said, “I am honoured to join Shree Cement, a company with a strong legacy of nation-building and community engagement. I look forward to collaborating with teams across locations to design and implement innovative, inclusive and high-impact CSR programs that empower people and create lasting social value.”

Shree Cement has consistently demonstrated its commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility, positively impacting over 6.7 lakh individuals. Its CSR initiatives align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and span across healthcare, education, women empowerment, rural infrastructure development and environmental conservation.

Through the Shree Foundation Trust, the company works closely with local communities across numerous villages, with a strong focus on sustainable development and fostering self-reliance. Healthcare initiatives include mobile medical vans and health centres to improve access to essential services for underserved populations.

In the field of education, Shree Cement supports schools, undertakes infrastructure upgrades and provides merit-based scholarships to children in nearby communities.

The company also drives women empowerment through vocational training programs, offers financial assistance to Below Poverty Line families for the marriage of girls over the age of 18 and supports new born girls through fixed deposit schemes under the Sukanya program.

Additionally, through its national initiative ‘Project Naman’, launched in December 2021, Shree Cement provides free cement to the families of armed forces personnel martyred in the past 20 years, supporting the construction of homes on plots of up to 4,000 sq. ft. and honouring their sacrifice in a meaningful and lasting way.

Through such initiatives, Shree Cement continues to deepen its commitment to community welfare and inclusive development, embedding social responsibility at the core of its operations.

NTT DATA Appoints Alok Bajpai as Managing Director, India, Global Data Centers

MUMBAI – July 2, 2025 – NTT DATA, a global leader in digital business and technology services, today announced the appointment of Alok Bajpai as Managing Director, India, for its Global Data Centers division. In this expanded leadership role, Bajpai will drive the company’s growth strategy in one of its most dynamic and rapidly evolving markets.

Previously serving as CFO of NTT Global Data Centers India, Bajpai played a pivotal role in advancing strategic initiatives and establishing a strong financial foundation for scalable growth. As Managing Director, he will now oversee business operations and lead market expansion efforts across the region.

“India is a fast-growing and important market in our overall global growth strategy, and Alok’s appointment ensures we will continue to deliver world-class infrastructure with agility and speed,” said Doug Adams, CEO and President, NTT Global Data Centers. “His strategic leadership will help guide our next phase of development in the region and support our commitment to sustainable innovation around the globe.”

“India’s data center market is at a pivotal moment, driven by the rising demand for scalable, secure, and high-performance infrastructure to power the nation’s digital evolution,” said Bajpai. “NTT Global Data Centers is already the leading data center provider in the region, and my goal is to ensure we not only maintain, but also strengthen, this leadership as the market evolves.  My vision is to help build a future-ready ecosystem that addresses today’s enterprise needs while contributing to India’s broader economic and technological progress.”

Bajpai brings over three decades of global leadership experience across diverse industries. With deep expertise in operational restructuring, financial strategy, and mergers and acquisitions, he has held senior executive roles at companies including AdaniConneX, CSS Corp, Intelligroup, and Infosys. He is a Chartered Accountant in India, a Certified Public Accountant in the U.S., and holds a graduate degree in management from Alliance Manchester Business School. He is also a four-time recipient of the CFO100 Roll of Honor and was named Most Influential CFO by CiMA.

Accelerating Data Center Growth in India

Under Bajpai’s leadership, NTT Global Data Centers is accelerating the expansion of its data center footprint across key Indian metros to meet surging demand for enterprise and AI-ready infrastructure. As one of the world’s fastest-growing digital economies, India presents a critical opportunity for NTT Global Data Centers to scale high-performance computing capabilities and deliver specialized support for AI workloads.

The company is pioneering advanced infrastructure solutions in the region, including next-generation cooling technologies designed specifically for AI applications. At its Navi Mumbai facility, NTT Global Data Centers deployed liquid immersion cooling (LIC) and direct contact liquid cooling (DLC), improving energy efficiency by nearly 30%. The hybrid-cooled facility now operates at a PUE of 1.27, marking a significant step forward in energy-efficient operations tailored for high-performance computing​. The company’s data centers in Mumbai and Bengaluru already support over 100 MW of operational renewable energy, reinforcing its commitment to reliable and sustainable infrastructure.

As the world’s third-largest data center provider, NTT Global Data Centers is backed by more than $10 billion in capital development to drive future expansion of its data center business in current and new markets.

Best 5 Companies Revolutionizing Wealth Management in Rural India.

In rural India, money once meant cash hidden in trunks and loans from the local moneylender. But that’s changing. With smartphones in hand and growing digital awareness, people in villages and small towns are exploring smarter ways to save, invest, and secure their future.

Apps and digital platforms are introducing first-time users to mutual funds, insurance, digital gold, and microloans services that once felt distant. Financial planning, once seen as a metro-only affair, is gaining ground in Tier 2 and Tier 3 towns. For many, it’s no longer just about surviving, but building a future.

Behind this quiet revolution are emerging FinTechs helping Bharat take charge of its money offering not just products, but guidance, trust, and access.

Here are five companies redefining money management in rural India:

Roinet

Roinet is empowering rural entrepreneurs by turning local kirana stores into digital financial services hubs. Through its platform, Roinet enables access to full-suite financial services banking, insurance, investments, and credit services – in areas traditionally underserved by mainstream institutions. By offering assisted digital financial services, Roinet is enabling last-mile delivery of wealth management tools tailored to specific needs and improving the financial confidence of rural households.

Finhaat

Finhaat is making financial inclusion a reality for rural and semi-urban populations by offering need-based wealth and insurance solutions. Focused on Rural India and Tier 3 and Tier 4 cities, the company has created an assisted digital platform that in partnership with institutions offers curated designs personalized financial products (insurance and wealth) and end to end servicing that empowers its customers – women, safeguard- farmers, and enable low-income households to safeguard themselves against financial shocks and plan for health emergencies and future aspirations. Through partnerships with grassroots organizations and digital platforms, Finhaat is bridging the trust gap and bringing curated financial literacy and access right to the doorstep of rural India.

AssetPlus

AssetPlus is transforming the way mutual fund distributors (MFDs) operate in India by offering a zero-cost, mobile-first platform that simplifies client onboarding, portfolio management, and product access. Focused on empowering MFDs in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, the platform combines seamless tech, in-house research, and vernacular training modules to help advisors grow their business and expand financial inclusion. With over 13,000 partners and ₹80 crore in monthly SIPs, AssetPlus is not just digitizing distribution it’s enabling grassroots wealth creation across Bharat.

Wealthy

Wealthy is simplifying personal finance by empowering independent wealth managers with a free, tech-driven platform. Frustrated by limited advice and one-size-fits-all solutions, the founders built a system that offers product comparisons, research tools, and end-to-end support, helping advisors deliver tailored, transparent, and goal-based financial planning to clients across India.

ZFunds

ZFunds is a financial management platform that specializes in mutual funds, providing clients with research-backed insights to make informed decisions. By offering a comprehensive, user-friendly investment process, ZFunds helps rural investors choose the right funds and allocate assets strategically. With the guidance of expert analysts and a dedicated investment committee, ZFunds ensures that every investor, regardless of location, can make investments that are aligned with their financial goals and risk tolerance.

These companies are reshaping the financial landscape in rural India by offering personalized wealth management services that cater to the needs of underserved populations. With technology, research, and localized solutions, they are paving the way for greater financial inclusion in some of India’s most remote areas.

Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India sells 4,29,147 units in June 2025

Mumbai, July 02, 2025: Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India today announced its sales numbers for the month of June 2025.

The company’s total sales for June’25 stood at 4,29,147 units. This includes domestic sales of 3,88,812 units and 40,335 units exports.

It is worth mentioning that HMSI’s YTD FY26 (April’25 – June’25) total sales stand at 13,75,120 units. This includes domestic sales of 12,28,961 units and 1,46,159 units exports.

HMSI’s Key Highlights of June 2025:

• Road Safety: Expanding road safety awareness in India, HMSI promoted campaigns in 12 locations across India– Jamnagar (Gujarat), Satna (Madhya Pradesh), Kota (Rajasthan), Sangamner and Ratnagiri (Maharashtra), Kanyakumari (Tamil Nadu), Gokarna (Karnataka), Ambikapur (Chhattisgarh), Bhawanipatna (Odisha), Vijayawada (Andhra Pradesh), Midnapore (West Bengal) and Gurugram (Haryana).  Additionally, HMSI celebrated the 11^th anniversary of its Traffic Training Park (TTP) in Bhubaneswar and 6^th Anniversary of Traffic Training Park in Tiruchirappalli, advancing its efforts towards responsible road habits.

HMSI also hosted a Summer Camp at Delhi Traffic Training Park with interactive sessions and engagements like safe riding theory, road safety games and cycling practice, etc. fostering early awareness around responsible road behaviour.

• CSR: HMSI marked Environment Week 2025 with a series of sustainability-focussed activities across its nationwide network, beginning 5^th June (World Environment Day). As part of the week-long celebration, HMSI’s dealerships and service outlets across India actively engaged with customers and local communities with key activities including distribution of saplings to all customers visiting at dealership, awareness campaigns on the harmful impact of plastic pollution and tree plantation drives across multiple cities and towns.

Additionally, Honda India Foundation celebrated International Yoga Day at the Honda Samajik Vikas Kendra in Naurangpur, Gurgaon (Haryana), promoting health, wellness, and mindfulness among participants. Over 200 participants from nearby villages joined for guided yoga sessions that encouraged harmony between individual well-being and collective health.

• Product: HMSI introduced the new 2025 XL750 Transalp at Rs. 10,99,990, ex-showroom Gurugram (Haryana). In a significant step towards electric mobility journey, HMSI inaugurated its first-ever EV Concept Store in India, located at Mantri Square Mall in Bengaluru. The company also announced a new BaaS Lite Plan for ACTIVA e: where customers can pay just Rs 678/month, making EV ownership more accessible than ever before.
• Motorsports: The MotoGP was held at Aragon, Italy, and Netherlands in the month of June 2025. Moreover, showing remarkable determination and racing spirit, the young riders of Honda Racing India put on an impressive show in the first round of 2025 IDEMITSU Honda India Talent Cup CB300F in Chennai.

Visa and Times Prime Announce Partnership to Bring Exclusive Benefits to Visa Signature Credit Cardholders

New Delhi, India, July 2, 2025 – Visa, a global leader in digital payments, and Times Prime, India’s leading premium lifestyle membership, announced a partnership that brings special benefits to Visa Signature credit cardholders. The collaboration will provide these cardholders with complimentary access to Times Prime membership for one year, with a host of premium benefits across entertainment, lifestyle, travel, and dining.

Times Prime membership offers a carefully curated selection of premium subscriptions and exclusive offers from leading brands, ensuring a seamless and enriched lifestyle experience. Members enjoy complimentary access to top-tier services such as DishTv Watcho(Zee5/SunNXT + 12 OTTs), Swiggy, Spotify, Uber, MoneyControl, Lenskart, Apollo 24/7 and Starbucks, among others, unlocking unparalleled convenience and entertainment.

Harshita Singh, Business Head, Times Prime, said: “Times Prime is the ultimate lifestyle membership, bringing together exclusive benefits from the most sought-after brands, both in India and globally. Our collaboration with Visa Signature ensures that cardholders unlock immense value, elevating their lifestyle with seamless access to premium experiences across entertainment,shopping, dining, and more. This partnership reinforces our vision of delivering unparalleled convenience and luxury, making everyday moments extraordinary for our members.”

Ramakrishnan Gopalan, Head – Products & Solutions, India & South Asia, Visa, added: “Our partnership with Times Prime reflects Visa’s commitment to supporting the daily needs of our affluent cardholders. We understand that consumersseek benefitsin entertainment and lifestyle, and together, we are ensuring that Visa Signature credit cardholders get more out of life’s experiences with exclusive benefits that align with their preferences and needs. We are excited to deepen this relationship and further elevate the value we bring to our customers.”

With this partnership, Visa and Times Prime reaffirm their shared commitment to providing unparalleled lifestyle experiences. By offering complimentary Times Prime membership to Visa Signature credit cardholders, this collaboration continues to enhance the everyday lives of premium customers across India.