Category Archives: Business

Sattva Group Announces Sattva Aaranya, Expanding Its Premium Residential Presence in West Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Jan 13: Sattva Group has announced the launch of Sattva Aaranya, a premium residential development along Mysore Road, further strengthening its residential presence in West Bengaluru. The project reflects the Group’s consistent approach to creating well planned homes that prioritise long term liveability, thoughtful design, and strong urban connectivity.

Located adjacent to Jnanabharathi Metro Station on the Namma Metro Purple Line and with direct access to the Bengaluru Mysuru Expressway, Sattva Aaranya offers convenient connectivity to key employment zones and established residential neighbourhoods across the city. The development overlooks the expansive 600 acre Bangalore University campus, one of Bengaluru’s largest protected green spaces, offering residents enduring views and a rare sense of openness within the city.

The Mysore Road corridor has seen steady residential traction in recent years, supported by sustained infrastructure investment including metro expansion, improved arterial connectivity, and expressway access. Proximity to neighbourhoods such as Rajarajeshwari Nagar and Nagarbhavi, along with growing social infrastructure, has positioned the corridor as a stable and increasingly preferred residential destination for end users.

Derived from the word Aaranya, meaning forest, the project has been conceived as a nature integrated residential environment where architecture and landscape are closely aligned. The design adopts a restrained contemporary expression, with natural materials and landscaped open spaces that respond to the surrounding green context.

Spread across 6 acres, Sattva Aaranya comprises 480 residences, offering 3 BHK homes starting from 2,117 sq. ft. and 4 BHK homes starting from 2,944 sq. ft. The homes are planned with an emphasis on proportion, natural light, ventilation, and views, resulting in interiors that are comfortable, functional, and suited for long term living.

Lifestyle amenities include a 35 metre infinity pool positioned at the P3 level, along with dedicated family and children’s pools. A considered mix of fitness, leisure, and community spaces supports everyday wellbeing and social interaction.

Commenting on the launch, Karishmah Siingh, President Sales, Marketing and CRM, Sattva Group, said,

“Homebuyers today are making more considered choices, placing importance on comfort, design quality, and long term relevance. With Sattva Aaranya, we are extending our residential approach of creating thoughtfully planned communities that integrate nature, connectivity, and everyday functionality. Mysore Road continues to evolve as a strong residential corridor, and this project reflects our long term confidence in the area.”

Sattva Group has an established presence along Mysore Road through residential developments such as Sattva Divinity and Sattva SimpliCity, supported by commercial assets including Sattva Global City. Together, these developments reflect the Group’s approach to building integrated urban environments that bring together housing, employment, and infrastructure in a cohesive manner.

Sattva Aaranya adds to the Group’s growing portfolio of premium residential developments across Bengaluru and other key markets, reinforcing its focus on quality led development and long term value creation.

Standard Chartered launches refreshed Priority Banking Proposition 

In line with Standard Chartered’s (“the Bank”) strategic pivot to the wealth and affluent segment, the Bank today announced its refreshed Priority Banking proposition in India.

The refreshed Priority proposition is built on four core pillars  wealth expertise, international banking, sales and service expertise, and exclusive lifestyle benefits. Together, they reflect the core strengths of the Bank and its approach to delivering a differentiated and integrated banking experience, as clients’ financial needs become more sophisticated and increasingly global.

The refreshed Priority proposition marks a pivot from a product-led engagement to deeper, multi-product relationships with clients, designed to support them more holistically as their financial needs evolves.

At the core of the refreshed Priority proposition is the Bank’s wealth expertise, enabling clients to grow, manage and protect their wealth through a comprehensive suite of solutions delivered through Standard Chartered and its securities arm (Standard Chartered Securities India). This is supported by a team of dedicated INSEAD trained Wealth Specialists and Relationship Managers, ensuring a consistently high standard of expertise and client experience. The Bank has also been investing in offering bespoke, personalised experiences to clients through dedicated Priority Banking Centres within existing branches.

The proposition also brings to fore Standard Chartered Group’s international network, enabling clients to manage their wealth seamlessly across borders, supported by digital capabilities, cross-border banking solutions and services, aligned to their global lifestyles.

The proposition is further complemented by ‘Priority Exclusives’, which offers curated lifestyle, travel and wellness privileges. Priority Exclusives includes access to lifestyle benefits and experiences and the Beyond Credit Card, an invite-only metal card for Priority clients, that’s in sync with the aspirations of the Global Indian.

Through a curated network of industry experts, clients can also access specialist support beyond banking, including global education, assistance with international citizenship and international relocation. These customised offerings are available to clients via SC Privileges, an integrated digital platform featuring handpicked experiences.

Speaking at the occasion, Aditya Mandloi, Head, Wealth and Retail Banking, India & South Asia, Standard Chartered said,

“India continues to be a strategic growth market for our Wealth and Retail Banking business. Our enhanced Priority proposition, including the launch of our Beyond Credit Card, reflects our commitment to further entrench ourselves within the wealth and affluent segment. We are committed to supporting the ambitions of the Global Indian client segment, leveraging our global expertise, intuitive digital platforms, and curated lifestyle benefits to ensure clients receive world-class, personalised support, in line with their evolving needs.

Our client continuum, global network and wealth expertise uniquely position Standard Chartered as a leading international wealth player. Our strategy remains centred on serving clients holistically across individual and business needs, supported by superior and consistent client experience” Mandloi added.

Panasonic lights up Jhajjar with 400 solar lanterns under its ‘Light Up the Future’ initiative

New Delhi, Jan 13: Reinforcing its commitment to inclusive growth and sustainable development, Panasonic Life Solutions India (PLSIND) has rolled out its global CSR initiative, Light Up the Future, in and around its manufacturing facility in Jhajjar district. Under the programme, Panasonic has distributed 400 solar lanterns across the nearby villages of Jahangirpur, Shura, and Kaloi, aimed at improving access to clean, reliable lighting for communities with limited electricity infrastructure.

The initiative was formally launched at the Senior Secondary School in Jahangirpur, bringing together village leaders, students, and representatives from Panasonic Life Solutions India. The event marked Panasonic’s continued engagement with communities around its manufacturing operations and underscored the company’s focus on creating long-term social impact through sustainable interventions.

Speaking at the programme ceremony, Tadashi Chiba, MD and CEO, Panasonic Life Solutions India, said,

“Guided by our founder Konosuke Matsushita’s philosophy that business must contribute meaningfully to society, Panasonic has always believed that access to essential resources is the foundation of strong and resilient communities. Through our global ‘Light Up the Future’ initiative—which began in 2009 and has reached communities across more than 30 countries, we are proud to bring sustainable lighting solutions to underserved regions. We hope these solar lanterns become a source of opportunity, supporting children’s education, strengthening households, and enabling safer, more productive lives after sunset.”

Commenting on the initiative, Anju Malhotra, Head, Corporate Social Responsibility, Panasonic Life Solutions India, said,

“Community welfare remains central to Panasonic’s efforts in India. The initiative is designed to address everyday energy challenges in rural areas. The solar lanterns are expected to deliver a meaningful impact by optimizing time for education and entrepreneurial activities among youth, enhancing household safety, and enabling productive activities after sunset. We appreciate the cooperation and participation of local village representatives and residents in making this initiative successful.”

Light Up the Future” is Panasonic’s global CSR programme, implemented with on-ground support from Eco Roots Foundation (NGO partner), focused on delivering clean, sustainable lighting solutions to underserved regions. Through continued investments in education, skill development, healthcare, and renewable energy, Panasonic remains committed to driving social progress and strengthening rural communities across its areas of operation.

Edgistify, a leading e-commerce & quick-commerce warehousing and fulfilment platform, raises $1.4M to fund its next stage of growth

New Delhi, Jan 13: Edgistify, a leading e-commerce and quick-commerce warehousing and fulfilment platform, has raised $1.4 million in its latest funding round to accelerate growth and strengthen its AI-led fulfilment orchestration capabilities through its proprietary platform, EdgeOS.

The round was led by Dubai-based venture capital firm NB Ventures and global supply chain veteran Rajesh Ranavat, with participation from Prateek Maheshwari (Co-founder, PhysicsWallah), Vivek Gaur (CGO, PhysicsWallah), Vikram Tandon (Former CHRO, Adani Group), along with other strategic angel investors.

Founded by Umang Shukla, Antim Suman, and Kamal Kishore Kumawat, Edgistify was built to address a fundamental gap in India’s fast-scaling commerce ecosystem—while demand has grown rapidly, fulfilment infrastructure has struggled to keep pace. The company focuses on helping high-growth brands navigate fulfilment complexity across marketplaces, quick commerce, D2C, and B2B channels.

Today’s brands face challenges such as purchase order errors, fragmented multi-channel operations, inconsistent city-wise execution, and unpredictable replenishments. Each channel brings its own SLAs, packaging norms, ASN requirements, and reconciliation processes. Edgistify’s strength lies in absorbing this complexity through customised fulfilment models rather than forcing brands into rigid, standardised setups.

Commenting on the investment, Rajesh Ranavat, mentor and investor, said,

“This funding is a strong endorsement of Edgistify’s vision to build a modern fulfilment backbone for India’s evolving commerce ecosystem. Fulfilment will define the next decade of brand growth, and Edgistify’s blend of technology, operational discipline, and market understanding positions it well to scale sustainably.”

With this funding, Edgistify plans to onboard more high-growth brands, deepen its fulfilment network across Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, and further enhance AI-driven orchestration through EdgeOS—a unified platform that integrates WMS, OMS, FMS, last-mile operations, and internal intelligence into a single real-time execution layer.

“We’re building a fulfilment partner brands can trust at scale,” said Umang Shukla, Co-founder & CEO, Edgistify. “This round strengthens our ability to help brands grow without chaos. Fulfilment needs to be fast, intelligent, and predictable, and that’s exactly what we’re focused on delivering.”

Antim Suman, Co-founder & COO, added,

“Indian logistics is still heavily manual. Our goal is to standardise reliability across warehouses and cities so execution feels as consistent as manufacturing. This funding helps us deepen that execution engine.”

Kamal Kishore Kumawat, Co-founder & CTO, said,

“India has world-class demand but outdated fulfilment infrastructure. With EdgeOS, we’re enabling real-time visibility, AI-driven decision-making, and predictive insights so brands operate with confidence instead of guesswork.”

As Indian commerce continues to expand rapidly, Edgistify is positioning itself as a long-term fulfilment orchestration partner—focused not just on storage and dispatch, but on enabling predictable, scalable growth for brands across channels and geographies.

Bank of Baroda Receives Five Awards at IBA’s 21st Annual Banking Technology Awards 2025

Mumbai,  Jan 13: Bank of Baroda (Bank), one of India’s leading public sector banks, has been recognised for its leadership in technology and innovation at the prestigious Indian Banks’ Association’s (IBA) 21^st Annual Banking Technology Awards 2024-25, winning honours across five award categories among Large Banks, including four wins and one Special Mention. Bank of Baroda was adjudged the Winner in four categories – Best AI & ML Adoption, Best Fintech & DPI Adoption, Best IT Risk Management and Best Tech Talent. In addition, the Bank received a Special Mention in the Best Technology Bank category.

Speaking on the achievement, Dr Debadatta Chand, Managing Director & CEO, Bank of Baroda said,

“Bank of Baroda is honoured to receive these coveted awards from the IBA, which reflect our continued focus on innovation, robust risk management, and building a strong tech team. We will continue investing in advanced future-ready capabilities to deliver a seamless and secure banking experience for our customers and create lasting stakeholder value.”

These recognitions reinforce Bank of Baroda’s focus on technology-led innovation and customer-centric banking.

Wendy’s Strengthens Presence in Gujarat with Two New Dine-In Outlets in Ahmedabad and Anand

Rebel Foods, the world’s largest internet restaurant company and the master franchise holder for Wendy’s® in India, today announced the opening of two new Wendy’s dine-in restaurants in Gujarat, located in Ahmedabad and Anand. The launches further strengthen Wendy’s footprint in the state, which continues to emerge as a key growth market for organised QSR brands.

Designed to serve both dine-in and takeaway customers, the new restaurants feature modern, welcoming spaces that reflect Wendy’s bold, flavour-forward brand experience. With these additions, Wendy’s brings America’s Most Loved Burgers® closer to consumers across Gujarat.

Customers at the new outlets can enjoy Wendy’s globally loved Frosty® dessert, along with a diverse menu inspired by flavours from around the world. Offering one of the widest flavour ranges in India’s gourmet QSR segment, the menu features burgers inspired by Argentina’s Chimichurri, Louisiana’s Cajun, Korea’s fiery Buldak, American BBQ, India’s Tandoori, and Mexico’s Nachoburg, delivering a truly global burger experience under one brand.

Commenting on the expansion, Ankush Grover, Co-founder & Global CEO, Rebel Foods, said:

“Gujarat continues to be a strong growth market for us, driven by a young consumer base and rising demand for global food experiences. The launch of dine-in restaurants in Ahmedabad and Anand reflects our commitment to expanding Wendy’s presence in the state while offering formats that align with evolving consumer preferences.”

As Wendy’s continues to scale across India, the brand remains focused on Gen Z and Millennial consumers seeking bold flavours, authenticity, and globally relevant dining experiences. Through flavour-led innovation, contemporary store formats, and strong cultural resonance, Wendy’s is well positioned to expand across both urban centres and emerging markets.

Rebel Foods is steadily growing Wendy’s presence in India through a hybrid model of conventional restaurants and cloud kitchens, leveraging its technology-driven operating platform. In just over five years since entering the Indian market, Wendy’s has expanded to 200+ locations nationwide, consolidating its footprint across Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities.

IndiGo announces New Year sale – ‘Sail Into 2026’, with special fares across domestic and international routes

 IndiGo, India’s preferred airline, today announced the launch of its New Year sale ‘Sail into 2026’, offering customers attractive all-inclusive one-way fares across select domestic and international sectors, along with exclusive discounts on popular ancillary services. The sale will be open for bookings from 13 January 2026 to 16 January 2026, for travel between 20 January 2026 and 30 April 2026. The offer is valid on bookings made at least seven days prior to departure and is available across all booking channels.

Under the ‘Sail into 2026’ sale, customers can avail all-inclusive one-way domestic fares starting from ₹1,499 and international fares from ₹4,499 and IndiGoStretch fares on select domestic routes starting from ₹9,999*.

In addition to special fares, IndiGo is offering attractive discounts on select ancillary services during the sale period. Customers can enjoy up to 70% off on select 6E Add-ons, including Fast Forward services, up to 50% off on pre-paid excess baggage, and up to 15% off on standard seat selection for select domestic and international sectors. Emergency XL (extra legroom) seats are available starting at ₹500 on select domestic sectors. Further, infants aged 0–24 months can travel for just ₹1 on domestic sectors, when bookings are made through IndiGo’s direct channels.

Royal Orchid & Regenta Hotels Expands Rajasthan Footprint with the Signing of Regenta Place Udaipur

Royal Orchid & Regenta Hotels Ltd. (ROHL), one of India’s fastest-growing hospitality chains, announced the signing of Regenta Place Udaipur, a 43-key property located at Nakoda Nagar, Udaipur.

The hotel will be operated under a hotel management agreement, aligning with ROHL’s asset-light growth strategy and strengthening its presence in Rajasthan’s most sought-after leisure and wedding destinations. Designed to cater to both leisure and social-event demand, the property will combine contemporary accommodation with expansive banqueting and outdoor event spaces.

Regenta Place Udaipur will feature a 7,000 sq. ft. indoor banquet hall complemented by a sprawling 30,000 sq. ft. landscaped lawn, positioning it as an ideal venue for weddings, destination celebrations, and large-scale social gatherings.

The property is being developed by Mokkshi Hospitality & Services, owned by Mr. Amit Jain, and is strategically located to offer convenient access to Udaipur’s key city attractions and wedding circuits.

The hotel is expected to open by March 2026, adding a versatile hospitality address to the City of Lakes under the Regenta Place brand.

Commenting on the signing, Mr. Chander K. Baljee, Chairman & Managing Director, Royal Orchid & Regenta Hotels Ltd., said

“Udaipur remains a high-potential market for leisure and destination weddings. The signing of Regenta Place Udaipur strengthens our portfolio in Rajasthan and reflects our focus on strategically located properties with strong social and events-led demand.”

Speaking on the association, Mr. Amit Jain, Owner, Mokkshi Hospitality & Services, said,

“We are delighted to partner with Royal Orchid & Regenta Hotels for Regenta Place Udaipur. Their brand strength and operational expertise give us confidence in creating a successful hospitality destination that caters to leisure travellers and large-scale celebrations alike.”

PHDCCI unveils Special Edition Carbon Edge Knowledge Series

The PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI), through its Carbon Market Forum and Centre for Sustainability, has released the Carbon Edge Knowledge Series,  presenting a comprehensive assessment of India’s evolving carbon trading and sustainability landscape. The publication brings together insights from industry leaders, policymakers, and environmental experts to outline strategic recommendations for strengthening the efficiency, credibility, and inclusiveness of India’s carbon markets.

The knowledge series underscores the critical role of carbon markets in mobilising climate finance, incentivising emissions reductions, and aligning economic growth with environmental responsibility. It emphasises the need for strong institutional frameworks and coherence between India’s Climate Finance Taxonomy, global carbon market mechanisms, and international standards to ensure transparency, environmental integrity, and investor confidence.

A key focus of the series is on Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), highlighting the challenges they face in adopting ESG practices, complying with BRSR requirements, and undertaking carbon accounting. This series recommends simplified methodologies, targeted capacity building, and digital tools to enable MSMEs to participate effectively in sustainability initiatives and carbon markets.

The knowledge series also highlights sector-specific opportunities in agrivoltaics, manufacturing decarbonisation, smart buildings, and blue carbon ecosystems, alongside the importance of water management and restoration in enhancing climate resilience. It further examines global policy developments such as the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and their implications for Indian industry.

PHDCCI remains committed to supporting industry and stakeholders in advancing India’s sustainable development and climate objectives.

Nexedge Capital Appoints Dr. Gaurav Kulshreshtha as CIO and Founding Partner

“India is at an inflection point in wealth management, with institutional thinking now essential,” said Gaurav. “My focus at Nexedge is to define the investment philosophy, governance and decision-making framework that will guide portfolio construction and capital allocation over the long term.”

“Gaurav’s depth across investment strategy and his experience working with sophisticated families make him a strong partner as we build Nexedge for the long term,” said Anirudha Taparia, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Nexedge Capital. “His leadership strengthens our ability to offer thoughtful, aligned investment solutions to clients.”