Category Archives: Business

ITC Gardenia Brings in a Treat for All Burger Lovers

Get ready to give in to your cravings as ITC Gardenia, Bengaluru presents a menu featuring a range of smash burgers. Indulge in the popular signature burgers in a fun setting at the food truck placed at the main porch or order your favourite pick at the restaurant.

Choose from creations like The Double Trouble Smash, The Shepard Stack, and The Bourbon Hog stacked high with melting cheese, crisp lettuce, and perfectly toasted buns. Each bite bursts with juicy patties hot off the grill, smoky notes, and sauces that add just the right kick. Crafted with care and flair, these burgers promise a hearty escape from the everyday.

Paired with the elegant yet relaxed ambience of ITC Gardenia, this becomes more than just a meal — it’s an indulgent escape from the everyday. Whether you come for a leisurely lunch, a casual evening out, or simply to treat yourself, every visit offers the perfect blend of comfort, flavour, and signature hospitality.

Ampere Nexus Now Comes with Industry-Leading 5-Year Battery Warranty and Attractive Financing Options

Ampere, the 2W brand from Greaves Electric Mobility, announces a major update to its flagship electric scooter – Ampere Nexus. Lauded as India’s first high-performance family electric scooter, the Nexus has earned top honours, including the India Design Mark and Best Electric Scooter Award.

Equipped with the safest Lithium Ferro Phosphate (LFP) battery, the Nexus delivers a real-world range of 100–110 km, a top speed of 93 kmph, and features best-in-class suspension, aerodynamics, and an industry-fastest charging time of just 3 hours 22 minutes. It also made history by becoming the first electric scooter to complete a 10,000+ km Kashmir to Kanyakumari ride, setting four national records.

In a move to further strengthen consumer trust, Ampere now offers a 5-year / 75,000 km battery warranty (whichever is earlier) across Nexus variants—an industry-leading assurance. Alongside, Ampere has rolled out an affordable financing scheme with lowest down payment and interest rates starting at just 6.99%.

Starting at an ex-showroom price of ₹1,14,900, the Ampere Nexus now delivers unmatched value, performance, and peace of mind—making it the most compelling choice in the EV segment today and offering a Complete EV Experience to the evolved Indian audience.

Virtual Galaxy Infotech Secures Rs 19.78 Crore Renewal Contract from Osmanabad DCC Bank

VIRTUAL GALAXY INFOTECH LIMITED SECURES AROUND RS. 19.78 CRORE RENEWAL CONTRACT FROM OSMANABAD DISTRICT CENTRAL COOPERATIVE BANK

July 03, 2025: Virtual Galaxy Infotech Limited, a leading player in hybrid SaaS and enterprise software solutions, has secured a renewal contract order to the tune of Rs 19.78 crore from Osmanabad District Central Cooperative Bank. As a part of the contract, the company will work on Core Banking Solution project on hybrid SaaS (Capex/ Opex) mode for supply, installation, commissioning and management of CBS, Data Center, DR Site, networking and connectivity. The contract is for a period of seven years.

Virtual Galaxy Infotech provides core banking software solutions, IT solutions, ERP implementation and customized software solutions development and IT services for the BFSI, ERP, and E-Governance domains. BFSI segment accounts for nearly 92 per cent of its total business but it has also been witnessing a steady traction in the other segments including ERP and e-governance among others.

Commenting on the development, Sachin Pande, Co-founder & Managing Director of Virtual Galaxy Infotech, said, “The renewal contract from Osmanabad District Central Cooperative Bank is a testament to the company’s unwavering commitment to providing exceptional services tailored to the needs of customers. This strategic seven-year engagement represents the renewal of a relationship that has flourished for the past seven years, demonstrating the exceptional client retention capabilities of the team. The company’s evolution reflects our steadfast commitment to innovation and client-centric service delivery. From securing our first significant project with a cooperative bank in 1998, we have systematically expanded our footprint to serve multiple bank branches, over 200 clients including numerous manufacturing firms and business houses.”

The company recently forayed into the cybersecurity domain by launching a groundbreaking cybersecurity product, Cyber Sentinel to address the rapidly evolving threat landscape. With this product, the company aims to leverage its extensive expertise in AI-driven technologies and enterprise solutions and redefine how organizations safeguard their digital assets in an era of increasing cyber risks.

For the year ended March 31, 2025, the company registered 97.05 per cent rise in net profit on a standalone basis at Rs 32.12 crore, as compared with Rs 16.30 crore in 2023-24. Revenue from operations on standalone basis increased by 95.48 per cent at Rs 120.14 crore during 2024-25, as against Rs 61.46 crore in FY24.

The company recently made a stellar debut on the stock exchange and got listed at a premium of 26.76 per cent on NSE Emerge.

Volkswagen India announces the return of Autofest – The annual National Exchange Carnival

National: Volkswagen India is proud to announce the return of Volkswagen Autofest, the brand’s highly anticipated National Exchange Carnival. This annual event is designed to offer customers across the country an exceptional opportunity to upgrade their drive and experience the premium engineering of a Volkswagen.

Running for a limited period at Volkswagen dealerships nationwide, Volkswagen Autofest brings together exclusive exchange and attractive finance offers, loyalty rewards and comprehensive service packages — making it the ideal time for prospective buyers to bring home a Volkswagen.

Mr. Nitin Kohli, Brand Director, Volkswagen India, said, “Volkswagen Autofest is more than just a sales event—it’s a celebration of our commitment to offering Indian customers premium mobility solutions with added value. Whether it’s the elegant Virtus, the striking Taigun, or the Beyond betteR Tiguan R-Line, Autofest gives customers the perfect gateway to upgrade their driving experience with unmatched benefits.”

Key Highlights of Autofest – National Exchange Carnival:

• Attractive exchange and loyalty rewards
• Special finance options
• Complimentary vehicle evaluation and test drives
• Special service and maintenance benefits

Autofest reflects Volkswagen’s continued focus on delivering accessible German engineering, backed by a strong service network and future-ready ownership experience. The event is open to both existing Volkswagen owners and new customers looking to own a car engineered with precision, safety, and style.

For more information about Volkswagen products and services, customers can visit their nearest Volkswagen showroom or www.volkswagen.co.in 

SLIC Reconstituted to Boost Insurance Awareness in Karnataka

State Level Insurance Committee (SLIC) reconstituted to strengthen Insurance Awareness and Penetration efforts in Karnataka 

Bengaluru, July 03, 2025: The lead insurers for Karnataka, ManipalCigna Health Insurance, Reliance General Insurance, Canara HSBC Life Insurance, CreditAccess Life Insurance, and Narayana Health Insurance, today reaffirmed their commitment to deepening insurance penetration and awareness for the state at the State-Level Insurance Committee (SLIC) Meeting held in Bengaluru. This initiative is in line with the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India’s (IRDAI) State Insurance Plan and its vision towards “Insurance For All by 2047”.

The meeting brought together key stakeholders from the government, regulatory bodies, and insurance industry to review the progress made and chart a collaborative roadmap for enhancing insurance coverage across the state. Among the dignitaries present were Dr. Vishal R, Secretary to Government, Finance (Fiscal Reforms), Government of Karnataka, Shri Sunil Kurtkoti, Financial Advisor, Finance Department, Government of Karnataka, Shri Krishna Deshpande, Consultant, Finance Department, Government of Karnataka and Shri Inderjeet Singh, Secretary General, General Insurance Council.

Karnataka has consistently stood at the forefront of India’s economic development, and its contribution to the insurance sector is no exception. As the second-highest contributor to national insurance premiums and ranked 2nd in Gross Direct Premium Income (GDPI) in FY24, the state plays a pivotal role in driving inclusive financial protection. The collaborative efforts of all lead insurers through their initiatives enable the spreading of health insurance awareness and accessibility across the state, especially in Tier 2 and 3 cities.

Addressing the audience, Dr. Vishal R, Secretary to Government, Finance (Fiscal Reforms), Government of Karnataka, commended the efforts of insurers and congratulated them on the successful conduct of the second State-Level Insurance Coordination (SLIC) meeting. Highlighting the importance of insurance awareness, he called for greater synergy between SLIC, the State Level Bankers’ Committee (SLBC), and the District Level Bankers’ Committee (DLBC) to strengthen outreach. He also stressed the need to adopt government-backed schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY) and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY) as the starting point for building awareness and driving insurance inclusion at the grassroots level.

Shri Inderjeet Singh, Secretary General, General Insurance Council, recognized the industry’s sustained initiatives to spread insurance awareness and penetration across the state of Karnataka. He emphasized the importance of continued collaboration and support for the sector, particularly in facilitating timely access to data.  He reaffirmed the industry’s commitment to working closely with the government to deepen insurance awareness, highlighting the launch of the ‘Achha Kiya Insurance Liya’ campaign, a key step towards deepening insurance penetration and strengthening financial protection for all.

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.